UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 29, 2018
COLONY NORTHSTAR CREDIT REAL ESTATE, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Maryland | 333-221685 | 38-4046290 | ||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) | ||
| 515 S. Flower Street, 44th Floor Los Angeles, CA |
90071 | |||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |||
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (310) 282-8820
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
| ☐ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| ☐ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| ☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☒
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Current Report on Form 8-K is being filed in connection with the completion on January 31, 2018 of the transactions contemplated by that certain Master Combination Agreement, dated as of August 25, 2017, as amended and restated on November 20, 2017 (the “Combination Agreement”), by and among (i) Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), (ii) Credit RE Operating Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Company OP”), (iii) Colony Capital Operating Company, LLC (“CLNS OP”), a Delaware limited liability company and the operating company of Colony NorthStar, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“CLNS”), (iv) NRF RED REIT Corp., a Maryland corporation and indirect subsidiary of CLNS OP (“RED REIT”), (v) NorthStar Real Estate Income Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“NorthStar I”), (vi) NorthStar Real Estate Income Trust Operating Partnership, LP, a Delaware limited partnership and the operating partnership of NorthStar I (“NorthStar I OP”), (vii) NorthStar Real Estate Income II, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“NorthStar II”), and (viii) NorthStar Real Estate Income Operating Partnership II, LP, a Delaware limited partnership and the operating partnership of NorthStar II (“NorthStar II OP”).
Pursuant to the Combination Agreement, (i) CLNS OP contributed and conveyed to the Company a select portfolio of assets and liabilities (the “CLNS OP Contributed Entities”) of CLNS OP (the “CLNS OP Contribution”), (ii) RED REIT contributed and conveyed to Company OP a select portfolio of assets and liabilities of RED REIT (the “RED REIT Contribution” and, together with the CLNS OP Contribution, the “CLNS Contributions”), (iii) at 11:56 p.m., Eastern Time, on January 31, 2018 (the “NorthStar I Merger Effective Time”), NorthStar I merged with and into the Company, with the Company surviving the merger (the “NorthStar I Merger”), (iv) at 11:56 p.m., Eastern Time, on January 31, 2018 (the “NorthStar II Merger Effective Time”), NorthStar II merged with and into the Company, with the Company surviving the merger (the “NorthStar II Merger” and, together with the NorthStar I Merger, the “Mergers”), and (v) immediately following the Mergers, the Company contributed and conveyed to Company OP the CLNS OP Contributed Entities and the equity interests of each of NorthStar I OP and NorthStar II OP then owned by the Company in exchange for units of membership interest in Company OP (the “Company Contribution” and, collectively with the Mergers and the CLNS Contributions, the “Combination”). The events described below took place in connection with the completion of the Combination.
Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
The information set forth in the Explanatory Note and Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.
OP Operating Agreement
In connection with the Combination, the Company entered into the Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Company OP, dated as of January 31, 2018 (the “OP Operating Agreement”), by and among the Company, RED REIT and certain other parties thereto (together with RED REIT, the “Non-Managing Members”). The OP Operating Agreement reflects the Company’s structure as a real estate investment trust following the Combination.
As the sole managing member of Company OP, the Company has exclusive and complete responsibility and discretion in the management of Company OP, and the Non-Managing Members may not transact business for, or participate in, the management activities or decisions of Company OP, except as provided in the OP Operating Agreement or as required by applicable law. This discretion includes the power to cause Company OP to issue additional units of membership interest in Company OP (“OP Units”) in one or more classes or series. These additional OP Units may include preferred membership units. Generally, the Company may issue additional shares of the Company’s stock, or rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities having the right to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Company’s stock only if the Company causes Company OP to issue membership interests or rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities of Company OP having economic rights that are substantially similar to the securities that the Company has issued.
The OP Operating Agreement requires that the Company cause Company OP to distribute quarterly all, or such portions as the Company may determine, available cash generated by Company OP during such quarter to the holders of OP Units. The Company, in its sole discretion, may cause Company OP to distribute available cash to the holders of OP Units on a more or less frequent basis than quarterly.
The OP Operating Agreement provides that the Company may not be removed as managing member by the other members without the Company’s consent. In addition, as the managing member, the Company may not voluntarily withdraw from Company OP or transfer or assign all or any portion of its membership interest in Company OP (other than a transfer to one of its wholly owned subsidiaries or in connection with a permitted Termination Transaction (as defined below)) without the consent of the members (other than the Company, the managing member and entities controlled by the Company or the managing member) holding a majority of the OP Units based on the number of OP Units then held by members (other than the Company, the managing member and entities controlled by the Company or the managing member) entitled to vote on or consent to such matter. A “Termination Transaction” generally means any direct or indirect transfer of all or any portion of the Company’s membership interest in Company OP in connection with any merger, sale of assets, recapitalization or similar fundamental transactions. The consent of the Non-Managing Members to a Termination Transaction is not required if:
| • | each OP Unit is entitled to receive an amount of cash, securities or other property equal to the product of the number of shares of the Company’s common stock into which each OP Unit is then exchangeable and the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property paid to the holder of one share of the Company’s common stock in consideration of such share in connection with the Termination Transaction; or |
| • | all of the following conditions are met: (i) substantially all of the assets directly or indirectly owned by Company OP prior to the announcement of the Termination Transaction are, immediately after the Termination Transaction, owned directly or indirectly by Company OP or another limited liability company, limited partnership or other entity providing similar statutory limited liability for its non-managing equity owners that is the survivor of a merger, consolidation or combination of assets with Company OP (the “surviving company”); (ii) the surviving company is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes; and (iii) the rights of such members with respect to the surviving company include certain specified UPREIT features, such as the OP Unit redemption right. |
The foregoing description of the OP Operating Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the OP Operating Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Credit Agreement
On February 1, 2018, Company OP (together with certain subsidiaries of Company OP from time to time party thereto as borrowers, collectively, the “Borrowers”) entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the several lenders from time to time party thereto (the “Lenders”), pursuant to which the Lenders agreed to provide a revolving credit facility in the aggregate principal amount of up to $400.0 million. The Credit Agreement also includes an option for the Borrowers to increase the maximum available principal amount to up to $600.0 million, subject to one or more new or existing Lenders agreeing to provide such additional loan commitments and satisfaction of other customary conditions.
Advances under the Credit Agreement accrue interest at a per annum rate equal to, at the applicable Borrower’s election, either a LIBOR rate plus a margin of 2.25%, or a base rate determined according to a prime rate or federal funds rate plus a margin of 1.25%. An unused commitment fee at a rate of 0.25% or 0.35%, per annum, depending on the amount of facility utilization, applies to un-utilized borrowing capacity under the Credit Agreement. Amounts owing under the Credit Agreement may be prepaid at any time without premium or penalty, subject to customary breakage costs in the case of borrowings with respect to which a LIBOR rate election is in effect.
The maximum amount available for borrowing at any time under the Credit Agreement is limited to a borrowing base valuation of certain investment assets, with the valuation of such investment assets generally determined according to a percentage of adjusted net book value. As of the date hereof, the borrowing base valuation is sufficient to permit borrowings of up to the entire $400.0 million commitment. The ability to borrow
new amounts under the Credit Agreement terminates on February 1, 2022, at which time Company OP may, at its election and by written notice to the administrative agent, extend the termination date for two (2) additional terms of six (6) months each, subject to the terms and conditions in the Credit Agreement, resulting in a latest termination date of February 1, 2023.
The obligations of the Borrowers under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed pursuant to a Guarantee and Collateral Agreement with certain subsidiaries of Company OP in favor of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “Guarantee and Collateral Agreement”) by substantially all material wholly owned subsidiaries of Company OP and, subject to certain exceptions, secured by a pledge of substantially all equity interests owned by the Borrowers and the guarantors, as well as by a security interest in deposit accounts of the Borrowers and the Guarantors (as such terms are defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) in which the proceeds of investment asset distributions are maintained.
The Credit Agreement contains various affirmative and negative covenants, including, among other things, the obligation of the Company to maintain REIT status and be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and limitations on debt, liens and restricted payments. In addition, the Credit Agreement includes the following financial covenants applicable to Company OP and its consolidated subsidiaries: (a) minimum consolidated tangible net worth of Company OP greater than or equal to the sum of (i) $2,105,000,000 and (ii) 50% of the proceeds received by Company OP from any offering of its common equity and of the proceeds from any offering by the Company of its common equity to the extent such proceeds are contributed to Company OP, excluding any such proceeds that are contributed to Company OP within ninety (90) days of receipt and applied to acquire capital stock of Company OP; (b) Company OP’s EBITDA plus lease expenses to fixed charges for any period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters not less than 1.50 to 1.00; (c) Company OP’s minimum interest coverage ratio not less than 3.00 to 1.00; and (d) Company OP’s ratio of consolidated total debt to consolidated total assets must not exceed 0.70 to 1.00. The Credit Agreement also includes customary events of default, including, among other things, failure to make payments when due, breach of covenants or representations, cross default to material indebtedness or material judgment defaults, bankruptcy matters involving any Borrower or any Guarantor and certain change of control events. The occurrence of an event of default will limit the ability of Company OP and its subsidiaries to make distributions and may result in the termination of the credit facility, acceleration of repayment obligations and the exercise of remedies by the Lenders with respect to the collateral.
The foregoing description of the Credit Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Credit Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Management Agreement
In connection with the Combination, on January 31, 2018, the Company and Company OP entered into a management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with CLNC Manager, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of CLNS OP (the “Manager”). Pursuant to the Management Agreement, the Manager will manage the Company’s assets and its day-to-day operations. The Manager will be responsible for, among other matters, (1) the selection, origination, acquisition, management and sale of the Company’s portfolio investments, (2) the Company’s financing activities and (3) providing the Company with investment advisory services. The Manager will also be responsible for the Company’s day-to-day operations and will perform (or will cause to be performed) such services and activities relating to the Company’s investments and business and affairs as may be appropriate. The Management Agreement requires the Manager to manage the Company’s business affairs in conformity with the investment guidelines and other policies that are approved and monitored by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”). The Manager’s role as Manager will be under the supervision and direction of the Board.
The initial term of the Management Agreement expires on the third anniversary of the closing of the Combination and will be automatically renewed for a one-year term each anniversary date thereafter unless earlier terminated as described below. The Company’s independent directors will review the Manager’s performance and the fees that may be payable to the Manager annually and, following the initial term, the Management Agreement may be terminated annually if there has been an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the Company’s independent directors determining that (1) there has been unsatisfactory performance by the Manager that is materially detrimental to the Company or (2) the compensation payable to the Manager, in the form of base
management fees and incentive fees taken as a whole, or the amount thereof, is not fair to the Company, subject to the Manager’s right to prevent such termination due to unfair fees by accepting reduced compensation as agreed to by at least two-thirds of the Company’s independent directors. The Company must provide the Manager 180 days’ prior written notice of any such termination.
The Company may also terminate the Management Agreement for cause (as defined in the Management Agreement) at any time, including during the initial term, without the payment of any termination fee, with at least 30 days’ prior written notice from the Board. Unless terminated for cause, the Manager will be paid a termination fee as described in the table below. The Manager may terminate the Management Agreement if the Company becomes required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, with such termination deemed to occur immediately before such event, in which case the Company would not be required to pay a termination fee. The Manager may decline to renew the Management Agreement by providing the Company with 180 days’ prior written notice, in which case the Company would not be required to pay a termination fee. The Manager may also terminate the Management Agreement with at least 60 days’ prior written notice if the Company breaches the Management Agreement in any material respect or otherwise is unable to perform its obligations thereunder and the breach continues for a period of 30 days after written notice to the Company, in which case the Manager will be paid a termination fee as described in the table below.
The following table summarizes the fees and expense reimbursements that the Company will pay to the Manager:
| Management Fee |
1.5% of the Company’s stockholders’ equity, per annum (0.375% per quarter), payable quarterly in arrears in cash. For purposes of calculating the base management fee, the Company’s stockholders’ equity means: (a) the sum of (1) the net proceeds received by the Company (or, without duplication, the Company’s direct subsidiaries, such as Company OP) from all issuances of the Company’s or such subsidiaries’ common and preferred equity securities since inception (allocated on a pro rata basis for such issuances during the calendar quarter of any such issuance), plus (2) the Company’s cumulative Core Earnings (as defined below) from and after the closing date of the Combination to the end of the most recently completed calendar quarter, less (b)(1) any distributions to the Company’s common stockholders (or owners of common equity of the Company’s direct subsidiaries, such as Company OP, other than the Company or any of such subsidiaries), (2) any amount that the Company or any of the Company’s direct subsidiaries, such as Company OP, have paid to (x) repurchase for cash the Company’s common stock or common equity securities of such subsidiaries or (y) repurchase or redeem for cash the Company’s preferred equity securities or preferred equity securities of such subsidiaries, in each case since the closing date of the Combination and (3) any incentive fee (as described below) paid to the Manager since the closing date of the Combination. With respect to that portion of the period from and after the closing date of the Combination that is used in the calculation of the base management fee, all items in the foregoing sentence (other than clause (a)(2)) are calculated on a daily weighted average basis. The Company’s stockholders’ equity includes any restricted shares of the Company’s common stock or common equity of the Company’s direct subsidiaries, such as Company OP, and any other shares of the Company’s common stock or common equity of such subsidiaries underlying awards granted under the Company’s or such subsidiaries’ equity incentive plans. The amount of net proceeds received will be subject to the determination of the Board to the extent such proceeds are other than cash. The Company’s stockholders’ equity, for purposes of calculating the management fee, could be greater or less than the amount of stockholders’ equity shown on the Company’s financial statements. |
| Incentive Fee |
The Manager will be entitled to an incentive fee, payable quarterly in arrears in cash, with respect to each calendar quarter (or portion thereof) that the Management Agreement is in effect in an amount, not less than zero, equal to the difference between (1) the product of (x) 20% and (y) the difference between (i) Core Earnings (as defined below) for the most recent 12-month period (or if the closing date of the Combination is less than 12 months earlier, since the closing date of the Combination), including the current quarter, and (ii) the product of (A) the Company’s common equity in the most recent twelve (12)-month period (or if the closing date of the Combination is less than 12 months earlier, since the closing date of the Combination), |
| including the current quarter and (B) 7% per annum, and (2) the sum of any incentive fee paid to the Manager with respect to the first three calendar quarters of the most recent 12-month period (or if the closing date of the Combination is less than 12 months earlier, since the closing date of the Combination); provided, however, that no incentive fee is payable with respect to any calendar quarter unless Core Earnings is greater than zero for the most recently completed 12 calendar quarters (or if the closing date of the Combination is less than 12 calendar quarters earlier, since the closing date of the Combination). |
| For purposes of calculating the incentive fee prior to the completion of a 12-month period following the Combination, Core Earnings will be calculated on an annualized basis. Core Earnings is a non-U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) measure and is defined as U.S. GAAP net income (loss) attributable to the Company’s common stockholders (or, without duplication, the owners of the common equity of the Company’s direct subsidiaries, such as Company OP) and excluding (i) non-cash equity compensation expense, (ii) the expenses incurred in connection with the Company’s formation and an IPO, including the initial underwriting discounts and commissions, (iii) the incentive fee, (iv) acquisition costs from successful acquisitions, (v) depreciation and amortization, (vi) any unrealized gains or losses or other similar non-cash items that are included in net income for the current quarter, regardless of whether such items are included in other comprehensive income or loss, or in net income, (vii) one-time events pursuant to changes in U.S. GAAP and (viii) certain material non-cash income or expense items that in the judgment of management should not be included in Core Earnings. For clauses (vii) and (viii), such exclusions shall only be applied after discussions between the Manager and the Company’s independent directors and after approval by a majority of the Company’s independent directors. |
| For purposes of calculating the incentive fee, the Company’s common equity means: (a) the sum of (1) the net proceeds received by the Company (or, without duplication, the Company’s direct subsidiaries, such as Company OP) from all issuances of the Company’s common stock or such subsidiaries’ common equity securities since inception (allocated on a pro rata basis for such issuances during the calendar quarter of any such issuance), plus (2) the Company’s cumulative Core Earnings from and after the closing date of the Combination to the end of the most recently completed calendar quarter, less (b) (1) any distributions to the Company’s common stockholders (or owners of common equity the Company’s direct subsidiaries (such as Company OP), other than the Company or any of such subsidiaries), (2) any amount that the Company or any of the Company’s direct subsidiaries (such as Company OP) pay to repurchase for cash the Company’s common stock or common equity securities of such subsidiaries since the closing date of the Combination and (3) any incentive fee paid to the Manager since the closing date of the Combination. With respect to that portion of the period from and after the closing date of the Combination that is used in the calculation of the incentive fee, all items in the foregoing sentence (other than clause (a)(2)) are calculated on a daily weighted average basis. The Company’s common equity includes any restricted shares of the Company’s common stock or common equity of the Company’s direct subsidiaries (such as Company OP) and any other shares of the Company’s common stock or common equity of such subsidiaries underlying awards granted under the Company’s or such subsidiaries’ equity incentive plans. The amount of net proceeds received will be subject to the determination of the Board to the extent such proceeds are other than cash. |
| Reimbursement of Expenses |
Reimbursement of expenses related to the Company incurred by the Manager, including legal, accounting, financial, due diligence and other services will be paid on the Company’s behalf by Company OP or its designee(s). The Company will reimburse the Manager for the Company’s allocable share of the salaries and other compensation of the Company’s chief financial officer and certain of its affiliates’ non-investment personnel who spend all or a portion of their time managing the Company’s affairs, and the Company’s share of such costs will be based upon the percentage of such time devoted by personnel of the Manager (or its affiliates) to the Company’s affairs. The Company may be required to pay the Company’s pro rata portion of rent, telephone, utilities, office furniture, equipment, machinery and other office, internal and overhead expenses of the Manager and its affiliates required for the Company’s operations. |
| Termination Fee |
Upon termination of the Management Agreement by the Company without cause or by the Manager if the Company materially breaches the Management Agreement, the Company will owe the Manager a termination fee equal to three times the sum of (i) the average annual base management fee and (ii) the average annual incentive fee, in each case earned by the Manager during the 24-month period immediately preceding such termination, calculated as of the end of the most recently completed calendar quarter before the date of termination. |
The foregoing description of the Management Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Management Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.3 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Stockholders Agreement
In connection with the Combination, on January 31, 2018, the Company entered into a stockholders agreement with CLNS OP (the “Stockholders Agreement”). Pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement, until the later of the two year anniversary of the closing of the Combination and the second annual meeting of stockholders of the Company, CLNS OP will cause its shares of Common Stock (as defined below) to be present for purposes of establishing a quorum of the stockholders at any meeting of stockholders of the Company and to cause its shares of Common Stock to be voted in favor of the director nominees recommended by the Board in the Company’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A. The Stockholders Agreement also provides that, until the later of the two year anniversary of the closing of the Combination and the second annual meeting of stockholders of the Company, CLNS OP will not, and will cause its affiliates not to (each solely in its capacity as a Company stockholder), take any action to change the composition of the Board in a manner that results in the Board being comprised of less than a majority of independent directors.
Pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement, CLNS OP will, and will cause RED REIT to, enter into a customary lock-up agreement with the underwriters of any offering of Common Stock for a term not to extend beyond the one year anniversary of the closing of the Combination. In addition, until the one year anniversary of the closing of the Combination, CLNS OP will not, and will cause its affiliates not to, make any transfers of OP Units to non-affiliates of CLNS OP unless such transfer is approved by a majority of the Board, including a majority of the independent directors. However, the approval of the Board is not required in connection with a transfer by operation of law or pursuant to a merger, sale of all or substantially all of the assets or similar fundamental transaction involving CLNS and/or CLNS OP. The foregoing does not restrict any conversion of OP Units for equity of the Company pursuant to Company OP’s limited liability company agreement.
The foregoing description of the Stockholders Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Stockholders Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.4 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Registration Rights Agreement
In connection with the closing of the Combination, on January 31, 2018, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement with CLNS OP and RED REIT (the “Registration Rights Agreement”). Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, subject to certain exceptions, the Company will be required to use commercially reasonable efforts to file one or more registration statements within thirteen (13) months following the consummation of the Combination that (i) register for resale the Common Stock issued in the Combination and (ii) register the issuance or resale of the Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Class A Common Stock”) issued upon redemption of the OP Units issued in the Combination. Further, pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, at the request of a holder, the Company must use commercially reasonable efforts to effect the sale of all or part of the registrable securities through an underwritten public offering under the applicable registration statement; provided, however, that such holders may not exercise such registration rights more than once in any consecutive 120-day period.
Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, CLNS OP and RED REIT are also entitled to receive notice of any proposed underwritten public offering for the Company’s own account or for another security holder. Such holders may request in writing within five business days following receipt of such notice to participate in any underwritten public offering; provided that if the number of shares of Common Stock as to which registration has been demanded exceeds the maximum number of shares that can be sold in such offering without adversely affecting its success, the shares of common stock requested by CLNS OP or RED REIT may be cutback from such underwritten public offering.
The Company is required to bear the registration expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, associated with any registration of shares by the holders. The Company also is required to indemnify each holder who includes registrable securities in any registration and any person who is or might be deemed a controlling person of such holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or Section 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), against certain liabilities incurred in connection with the registration of such holder’s registrable securities.
The registration rights described above will terminate as to any stockholder at such time as all of such stockholder’s securities could be sold in a single calendar quarter without compliance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Rule 144.
The foregoing description of the Registration Rights Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Registration Rights Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.5 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Repurchase Agreement Amendments
The Company is currently negotiating amendments to certain terms of the master repurchase agreements between (i) certain subsidiaries of NorthStar I and each of Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A. (the “NSI MSB MRA”), Citibank, N.A. (the “NSI Citi MRA”) and Deutsche Bank AG, Cayman Islands Branch (the “NSI DB MRA”), respectively, and (ii) certain subsidiaries of NorthStar II and each of Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A. (the “NSII MSB MRA”), Citibank, N.A. (the “NSII Citi MRA”) and Deutsche Bank AG, Cayman Islands Branch (the “NSII DB MRA”), respectively, as well as the associated limited guaranty agreements pertaining to each of such master repurchase agreements. In each case, the Company seeks to (a) replace the prior guarantors with Company OP, (b) to modify certain names of affiliates of the respective repurchase agreement parties and the terms triggering change of control prohibitions to reflect the holding and management structure of the Company and its subsidiaries after consummation of the Combination, and (c) to modify the financial covenants of the guaranties such that the financial covenants of the guarantor related to each such master repurchase agreement will be uniform. The Company expects that the financial covenants in each guaranty related to the aforementioned master repurchase agreements will require Company OP to maintain the following financial metrics: (1) liquidity of no less than the lower of (i) fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) and (ii) the greater of (A) ten million dollars ($10,000,000) and (B) five percent (5%) of Company OP’s recourse indebtedness, (2) consolidated tangible net worth of no less than the sum of (i) $2,142 million plus (ii) seventy-five percent (75%) of the net cash proceeds received by Company OP related to offerings of common equity, (3) a consolidated debt to assets leverage ratio of no greater than 0.75 to 1.00, and (4) a ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense of no less than 1.4 to 1.0.
Each of the aforementioned master repurchase agreements, limited guaranties and applicable amendments are publicly filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by NorthStar I and NorthStar II, respectively. For further information regarding such master repurchase agreements and limited guaranties, see the quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and registration statement on Form S-11, each of which are incorporated herein by reference, as follows: (i) with respect to the NSI MSB MRA, the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by NorthStar I on October 19, 2015; (ii) with respect to the NSI Citi MRA, the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by NorthStar I on July 19, 2012, the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by NorthStar I on December 4, 2012, the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by NorthStar I on April 23, 2013, the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by NorthStar I for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by NorthStar I on October 24, 2014, and the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by NorthStar I on October 20, 2016; (iii) with respect
to the NSI DB MRA, the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by NorthStar I on March 12, 2013; (iv) with respect to the NSII MSB MRA, the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by NorthStar II on June 11, 2015, and Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to NorthStar II’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 filed by NorthStar II on July 15, 2016; (v) with respect to the NSII Citi MRA, the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by NorthStar II on October 16, 2013, and the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by NorthStar II on October 17, 2016; and (vi) with respect to the NSII DB MRA, the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by NorthStar II on July 9, 2014, and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by NorthStar II for the quarter ended September 30, 2014.
Item 2.01. Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.
The information set forth in the Explanatory Note of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.
On January 31, 2018, prior to the effective time of the Mergers, pursuant to the Combination Agreement, CLNS OP made the CLNS OP Contribution in exchange for approximately 44.4 million shares of the Class B-3 Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Class B-3 Common Stock” and, together with the Class A Common Stock, the “Common Stock”). Each share of Class B-3 Common Stock will convert into one (1) share of Class A Common Stock upon the close of trading on February 1, 2019.
Immediately following the CLNS OP Contribution and prior to the effective time of the Mergers, pursuant to the Combination Agreement, RED REIT made the RED REIT Contribution in exchange for approximately 3.1 million OP Units.
Pursuant to the Combination Agreement, at the NorthStar I Merger Effective Time, each share of NorthStar I common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “NorthStar I Common Stock”), issued and outstanding immediately prior to the NorthStar I Merger Effective Time was cancelled and converted into the right to receive 0.3532 shares of Class A Common Stock, plus cash in lieu of any fractional shares (the “NorthStar I Merger Consideration”). Additionally, all of the shares of restricted stock granted under NorthStar I’s Long Term Incentive Plan that were outstanding immediately prior to the NorthStar I Merger Effective Time automatically became fully vested and entitled to receive the NorthStar I Merger Consideration.
Also pursuant to the Combination Agreement, at the NorthStar II Merger Effective Time, each share of NorthStar II common stock, par value $0.01 per share, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the NorthStar II Merger Effective Time was cancelled and converted into the right to receive 0.3511 shares of Class A Common Stock, plus cash in lieu of any fractional shares (the “NorthStar II Merger Consideration”). Additionally, all of the shares of restricted stock granted under NorthStar II’s Long Term Incentive Plan that were outstanding immediately prior to the NorthStar II Merger Effective Time automatically became fully vested and entitled to receive the NorthStar II Merger Consideration.
Immediately following the Mergers, the Company contributed and conveyed to Company OP (i) the CLNS OP Contributed Entities, (ii) the equity interests of NorthStar I OP and (iii) the equity interests of NorthStar II OP, in exchange for an aggregate number of OP Units equal to the sum of (A) 44,399,444, (B) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to the NorthStar I Merger and (C) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to the NorthStar II Merger, respectively.
In connection with the Combination, the Company issued approximately 42.1 million shares of Class A Common Stock to former NorthStar I stockholders and approximately 40.4 million shares of Class A Common Stock to former NorthStar II stockholders. Further, as noted above, the Company issued approximately 44.4 million shares of Class B-3 Common Stock to CLNS OP. Company OP issued approximately 3.1 million OP Units to RED REIT and approximately 126.9 million OP Units to the Company.
In addition, prior to the closing of the Combination, the Company calculated the amount by which distributions by NorthStar I and NorthStar II from July 1, 2017 through January 30, 2018 (the “Measurement Period”) (excluding the dividend payment made on July 1, 2017) exceeded each such company’s funds from operations. On January 31, 2018, NorthStar I, which generated the least amount of cash leakage in excess of funds from operations during the Measurement Period, declared a special cash dividend (the “NorthStar I Special
Dividend”) to the holders of record of the shares of NorthStar I Common Stock as of 9:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on January 31, 2018 (the “NorthStar I Record Holders”) in the amount of $0.013777364 per share of NorthStar I Common Stock, in order to true up the agreed contribution values of NorthStar I and NorthStar II in relation to each other. The NorthStar I Special Dividend has been deposited with NorthStar I’s transfer agent for further payment to the NorthStar I Record Holders in accordance with the Combination Agreement.
The issuance of the Class A Common Stock in connection with the Combination was registered under the Securities Act pursuant to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-221685) filed with the SEC on November 21, 2017 (as amended, the “Registration Statement”), and declared effective on December 6, 2017. The offer and sale of the Class B-3 Common Stock and OP Units in the Combination were made in reliance upon an exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. The definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus of the Company, NorthStar I and NorthStar II, dated December 6, 2017 (as supplemented by the Company’s, NorthStar I’s and NorthStar II’s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 8, 2018), which forms a part of the Registration Statement, contains additional information about the Combination and the other transactions contemplated by the Combination Agreement, which is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.01.
Shares of the Class A Common Stock were approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) and began trading under the symbol “CLNC” on the NYSE effective as of the opening of trading on February 1, 2018.
The foregoing description of the Combination Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Combination Agreement, which was filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Registration Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
The information set forth in the Explanatory Note, Item 1.01 and Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
The information set forth in the Explanatory Note and Item 2.01of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.
The 44,399,444 shares of Class B-3 Common Stock and 3,075,623 OP Units issued and sold to CLNS OP and RED REIT, respectively, pursuant to the Combination Agreement were issued and sold in reliance upon an exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, as a transaction not involving a public offering. Each share of Class B-3 Common Stock will convert into one (1) share of Class A Common Stock upon the close of trading on February 1, 2019. Each OP Unit is redeemable for cash, or at the option of the Company, Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis.
Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
The information set forth in the Explanatory Note and Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.
Officers
On January 29, 2018, in anticipation of the closing of the Combination, the Board replaced all the officers of the Company by appointing each of the following executive officers to the executive officer position of the Company besides such person’s name:
| Kevin P. Traenkle |
Chief Executive Officer and President | |
| Sujan S. Patel |
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | |
|
Neale W. Redington |
Chief Accounting Officer | |
| David A. Palamé |
General Counsel and Secretary |
The following is a brief biographical summary for each of Mr. Traenkle, Mr. Patel, Mr. Redington, Mr. Palamé and Mr. Hedstrom.
Kevin P. Traenkle, age 47, is the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company. Mr. Traenkle is an Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of CLNS, having previously held the position of Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer for Colony Capital, Inc. In his roles at CLNS and Colony Capital, Inc., he has been involved in many facets of the businesses, including business strategy, product development, global client relations, oversight of individual investment and divestment decisions, as well as portfolio construction
and risk management. Prior to rejoining the Colony Capital business in 2002, Mr. Traenkle worked for a private equity investment firm, where, among other responsibilities, he focused on the firm’s real estate-related investment and management activities. Prior to originally joining Colony Capital in 1993, Mr. Traenkle worked in the municipal finance department for the investment bank First Albany Corporation in Albany, New York. Mr. Traenkle received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.
Sujan S. Patel, age 39, is the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company. Mr. Patel is a Managing Director and Co-Head of U.S. Investment Management of CLNS and has held such position since January 2017. He is responsible for overseeing the sourcing, structuring and execution of CLNS’s opportunistic equity, debt and strategic investments across all asset types and geographies. Prior to serving in his current position, Mr. Patel was Managing Director and Co-Head of Investments at NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc., or, together with its predecessors, NSAM, a predecessor of CLNS, where he was directly involved in or oversaw over $21 billion of closed transactions. Prior to joining NSAM in 2007, Mr. Patel was with Thayer Lodging Group, a lodging-dedicated private equity firm, focusing on all aspects of sourcing, acquiring, financing and disposing of over $2 billion of hotel investments, earlier beginning his career at Morgan Stanley in investment banking. Mr. Patel received a Bachelor of Arts in Engineering Sciences Modified with Economics from Dartmouth College.
Neale W. Redington, age 51, is the Chief Accounting Officer of the Company. Mr. Redington is a Managing Director and the Chief Accounting Officer of CLNS. He is responsible for financial accounting and reporting for firm-sponsored investments and related affiliates and subsidiaries of CLNS. Prior to joining the predecessor Colony Capital business in 2008, Mr. Redington was an audit partner in the real estate and hospitality practice of Deloitte & Touche LLP. During his twenty years with Deloitte, Mr. Redington worked in both London and Los Angeles. Mr. Redington, a Certified Public Accountant (license inactive) and a Chartered Accountant in England & Wales, received a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting degree with Honors from the University of Birmingham in England.
David A. Palamé, age 40, is the General Counsel and Secretary of the Company. Mr. Palamé is a Managing Director and Deputy General Counsel of CLNS where he is responsible for global legal, private capital formation, investment allocation and support for the CLNS business. Prior to joining the Colony Capital business in 2007, Mr. Palamé was an associate with the law firm of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP and previously served as a law clerk to the Honorable William J. Rea, United States District Court for the Central District of California at Los Angeles. Mr. Palamé received a Bachelor of Arts from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
Board of Directors
On January 29, 2018, in anticipation of the closing of the Combination, each of Catherine D. Rice, Vernon B. Schwartz, Darren J. Tangen, Kevin P. Traenkle, John E. Westerfield and Winston W. Wilson became directors of the Company (collectively, the “New Directors”). Richard B. Saltzman, who was the sole member of the Board prior to the appointment of the New Directors, will continue as a director of the Company.
On January 30, 2018, the Board established an Audit Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and a Compensation Committee. The Board appointed Catherine D. Rice, Vernon B. Schwartz, John E. Westerfield and Winston W. Wilson as the entire membership of the Audit Committee, Catherine D. Rice, Vernon B. Schwartz, John E. Westerfield and Winston W. Wilson as the entire membership of the Governance and Nominating Committee, and Catherine D. Rice, Vernon B. Schwartz, John E. Westerfield and Winston W. Wilson as the entire membership of the Compensation Committee.
Also on January 30, 2018, in anticipation of the completion of the closing of the Combination, the Board adopted a form of indemnification agreement, which was entered into on January 30, 2018 with each of the directors and officers of the Company, requiring the Company to indemnify each such individual to the fullest extent permitted under Maryland law against liability that may arise by reason of such individual’s service to the Company, and to advance reasonable expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against such individual as to which he or she could be indemnified (the “Form of Indemnification Agreement”).
The foregoing description of the Form of Indemnification Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Form of Indemnification Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.6 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Other than as disclosed herein, there are no arrangements or understandings between any of the New Directors and any other persons pursuant to which any such director was selected as a director. Other than as disclosed herein, there are no relationships or related transactions between the New Directors and the Company that would be required to be reported under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc. 2018 Equity Incentive Plan
On January 29, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), the Board adopted, and prior to the Combination the sole stockholder of the Company approved, the Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc. 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended from time to time, the “2018 Plan”). The 2018 Plan became effective on the Effective Date. Unless terminated earlier, the 2018 Plan will terminate automatically ten years after the Effective Date.
The 2018 Plan is intended to (i) provide an incentive to participants to stimulate their efforts towards the success of the Company and to operate and manage its business in a manner that will provide for the long-term growth and profitability of the Company and (ii) provide a means of obtaining, rewarding and retaining service providers of the Company, the Manager and their affiliates.
The 2018 Plan generally is administered by a committee (the “Committee”) consisting of two or more directors of the Company. Each such director will be required to qualify as an “independent director” under the NYSE listing rules and a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. The Committee may be the Compensation Committee or a subcommittee of the Compensation Committee that satisfies the foregoing requirements. The Board is also authorized to appoint one or more committees of the Board consisting of one or more directors of the Company who need not be non-employee director to administer the 2018 Plan with respect to participants in the plan who are not Company “officers” within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act or Company directors and, in this capacity, would be authorized to grant awards under the 2018 Plan to such participants and to determine all terms of such awards. The Committee may also delegate to a designated officer who is also a Company director the power and authority to grant awards to non-executive employees. The Board retains the authority under the 2018 Plan to exercise any or all of the powers and authorities related to the administration and implementation of the 2018 Plan.
The Board is authorized to amend, suspend or terminate the 2018 Plan as to any shares of the Class A Common Stock as to which awards have not been made. Any amendment to the 2018 Plan, however, will be subject to receipt of the approval of the Company’s stockholders if stockholder approval of the amendment is required by any law or regulation or the listing rules of the NYSE (or any other stock exchange on which the Class A Common Stock is listed in future), or to the extent determined by the Board. Stockholder approval will be required for any proposed amendment to the 2018 Plan provisions that prohibit the re-pricing of outstanding stock options or stock appreciation rights or that generally require the exercise price of any stock option to be at least equal to the fair market value of the Class A Common Stock on the grant date. Without the consent of the affected grantee of an outstanding award, no amendment, suspension or termination of the 2018 Plan may impair the rights or obligations under that award.
The 2018 Plan permits the grant of awards with respect to 4,000,000 shares of the Class A Common Stock, subject to adjustment pursuant to the terms of the plan. Awards may be granted under the 2018 Plan to (x) the Manager or any employee, officer, director, consultant or advisor (who is a natural person) providing services to the Company, the Manager or their affiliates and (y) any other individual whose participation in the 2018 Plan is determined to be in the best interests of the Company. The following types of awards may be made under the 2018 Plan, subject to the limitations set forth in the plan: (i) stock options (which may be either incentive stock options or non-qualified stock options); (ii) stock appreciation rights (“SARs”); (iii) restricted stock awards; (iii) stock units; (iv) unrestricted stock awards; (v) dividend equivalent rights; (vi) performance awards; (vii) annual cash incentive awards; (viii) long-term incentive units; and (ix) other equity-based awards.
Shares subject to an award granted under the 2018 Plan will be counted against the maximum number of shares of Class A Common Stock available for issuance thereunder as one share of Class A Common Stock for every one share of Class A Common Stock subject to such an award. Shares subject to an award granted under the 2018 Plan will again become available for issuance under the 2018 Plan if the award terminates by expiration, forfeiture, cancellation, or otherwise without the issuance of such shares (except as set forth in the following sentence). The number of shares of Class A Common Stock available for issuance under the 2018 Plan will not be increased by (i) any shares tendered or withheld in connection with the purchase of shares upon exercise of a stock option, (ii) any shares deducted or delivered in connection with the Company’s tax withholding obligations, or (iii) any shares purchased by the Company with proceeds from stock option exercises.
During any time when the Company has a class of equity security registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act: (i) the maximum number of shares of Class A Common Stock subject to stock options or SARs that may be granted under the 2018 Plan to any participant (other than a non-employee director) is 1,000,000 in a calendar year; (ii) the maximum number of shares of the Class A Common Stock that may be granted under the 2018 Plan pursuant to awards, other than stock options or SARs, that are stock-denominated and are either stock- or cash-settled to any participant (other than a non-employee director) is 1,000,000 in a calendar year; (iii) the maximum amount that may be paid as a cash-denominated performance award (whether or not cash-settled) for a performance period of twelve months or less to any participant (other than a non-employee director) is $4,000,000 and the maximum amount that may be paid as a cash-denominated performance award (whether or not cash-settled) for a performance period of greater than twelve months to any participant (other than a non-employee director) is $7,500,000; (iv) the maximum number of shares of the Class A Common Stock that may be granted under the 2018 Plan pursuant to awards that are stock-denominated and are either stock- or cash-settled to any non-employee director is 100,000 in a calendar year; and (v) the maximum amount that may be paid as a cash-denominated award (whether or not cash-settled) to any non-employee director is $1,000,000 in a calendar year.
In the event that the number of outstanding shares of the Class A Common Stock is increased or decreased or the shares of the Class A Common Stock are changed into or exchanged for a different number of shares or kind of capital stock or other securities of the Company on account of any recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse stock split, spin-off, combination of stock, exchange of stock, stock dividend or other distribution payable in capital stock, or other increase or decrease in shares of the Class A Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, the Committee will adjust the terms of outstanding awards under the 2018 Plan to preserve the proportionate interests of the holders in such awards. The adjustments will include proportionate adjustments to (i) the number and kind of shares of stock subject to outstanding awards and (ii) the per share exercise price of outstanding stock options and SARs.
If the Company is the surviving entity in any reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company with one or more other entities which does not constitute a “Change in Control” (as defined in the 2018 Plan), any outstanding stock option or SAR will pertain to the securities to which a holder of the number of shares of the Class A Common Stock subject to such stock option or SAR would have been entitled immediately after such transaction, with a corresponding proportionate adjustment to the per share exercise price. Further, in the event of any such transaction, performance-based awards (and the related performance measures if deemed appropriate by the Committee) will be adjusted to apply to the securities that a holder of the number of shares of the Class A Common Stock subject to such performance-based awards would have been entitled to receive immediately after the transaction.
Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control in which all or a portion of outstanding awards are not being assumed or continued, (i) unvested awards will be deemed to have vested (with performance-based equity awards deemed to have vested in (x) an amount equal to the pro-rata portion of the award’s target level of achievement if equal to or less than half of the performance period has lapsed or (y) an amount based on actual achievement of the performance conditions if more than half the performance period has lapsed) and (ii) such awards will be cancelled in exchange for cash or securities having value equal to the formula or fixed per share price paid to holders of the Class A Common Stock pursuant to such Change in Control (less any applicable exercise price). Alternatively, after providing written notice to holders, the Committee may provide that all stock options and SARs will become immediately exercisable for at least 15 days prior to a Change in Control in which all or a portion of such awards will not be assumed and that any such awards remaining unexercised at the consummation of such Change in Control will be cancelled without payment of consideration therefor. The Company may also make provisions for
the continuation or substitution of outstanding awards in connection with a Change in Control, including for the conversion of performance-based equity awards into cash- or stock-denominated awards subject to service-based vesting for the uncompleted portion of the applicable performance period.
Any award granted pursuant to the 2018 Plan will be subject to mandatory repayment by the grantee to the Company to the extent the grantee is or in the future becomes subject to any Company “clawback” or recoupment policy that requires the repayment by the grantee to the Company of compensation paid by the Company to the grantee in the event that the grantee fails to comply with, or violates, the terms or requirements of such policy. Further, any award granted pursuant to the 2018 Plan will be subject to mandatory repayment by the grantee to the Company to the extent so provided in the award agreement.
The Company expects to grant awards pursuant to the 2018 Plan to certain of its executive officers and directors in connection with the closing of the Combination.
The foregoing description of the 2018 Plan does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the 2018 Plan, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.7 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
The information set forth in the Explanatory Note and Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.
On January 30, 2018, the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (the “Bylaws”) became effective. In accordance with the Combination Agreement, on January 31, 2018, the Company filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (“MSDAT”) Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Company (the “Charter”) to reflect changes contemplated by the Combination Agreement. Please see the section entitled “Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and of the Company Charter and the Company Bylaws” in the Registration Statement for a description of the provisions of the Charter and the Bylaws, which description is incorporated herein by reference.
The foregoing descriptions of the Charter and the Bylaws do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Charter and the Bylaws, which are attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and Exhibit 3.2, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.05. Amendments to the Registrant’s Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics.
In connection with the Combination, the Board adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. A copy of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available under the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.clncredit.com.
Item 8.01. Other Events.
On February 1, 2018, the Company issued a press release announcing the completion of the transactions contemplated by the Combination Agreement. The full text of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
For a discussion of our potential risks and uncertainties, see the information under the heading “Risk Factors” in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement, which is accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
| Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits |
(a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired.
The information set forth in Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement under the following captions is incorporated herein by reference:
| • | “Annex F-1—NorthStar I’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016”; |
| • | “Annex F-2—NorthStar I’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017”; |
| • | “Annex G-1—NorthStar II’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016”; |
| • | “Annex G-2—NorthStar II’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017”; and |
| • | “Annex H-1—CLNS Investment Entities’ Audited Combined Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 and Unaudited Combined Financial Statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.” |
(b) Pro Forma Financial Information.
The information set forth in Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement under the caption “Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc.—Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Statements” is incorporated herein by reference.
(d) Exhibits.
| Exhibit Number |
Description | |
| 2.1 | Amended and Restated Master Combination Agreement, dated as of November 20, 2017, among Colony Capital Operating Company, LLC, NRF RED REIT Corp., NorthStar Real Estate Income Trust, Inc., NorthStar Real Estate Income Trust Operating Partnership, LP, NorthStar Real Estate Income II, Inc., NorthStar Real Estate Income Operating Partnership II, LP, Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc. and Credit RE Operating Company, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-221685) effective December 6, 2017) | |
| 3.1 | Articles of Amendment and Restatement of Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc. | |
| 3.2 | Amended and Restated Bylaws of Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc. | |
| 10.1 | Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Credit RE Operating Company, LLC, dated as of January 31, 2018 | |
| 10.2 | Credit Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2018, by and among Credit RE Operating Company, LLC, as a borrower, the several lenders from time to time parties thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent | |
| 10.3 | Management Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2018, by and among Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc., Credit RE Operating Company, LLC and CLNC Manager, LLC | |
| 10.4 | Stockholders Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2018, by and between Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc. and Colony Capital Operating Company, LLC | |
| 10.5 | Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2018, by and among Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc., Colony Capital Operating Company, LLC and NRF RED REIT Corp. | |
| 10.6 | Form of Indemnification Agreement, between Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc. and the Officers and Directors of the Company | |
| Exhibit Number |
Description | |
| 10.7 | Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc. 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-222812) filed on February 1, 2018) | |
| 23.1 | Consent of Grant Thornton to NorthStar Real Estate Income Trust, Inc. | |
| 23.2 | Consent of Grant Thornton to NorthStar Real Estate Income II, Inc. | |
| 23.3 | Consent of Ernst & Young to the CLNS Investment Entities | |
| 99.1 | Press Release, dated February 1, 2018 | |
*****
Exhibit Index
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| Date: February 1, 2018 | COLONY NORTHSTAR CREDIT REAL ESTATE, INC. | |||
| By: | /s/ David A. Palamé | |||
| David A. Palamé | ||||
| General Counsel and Secretary | ||||
Exhibit 3.1
COLONY NORTHSTAR CREDIT REAL ESTATE, INC.
ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT
FIRST: Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Corporation”), desires to amend and restate its charter as currently in effect and as hereinafter amended.
SECOND: The following provisions are all the provisions of the charter currently in effect and as hereinafter amended:
ARTICLE I
INCORPORATOR
James C. Pickel, Jr., whose address is c/o Colony NorthStar, Inc., 515 South Flower Street, 44th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071, being at least 18 years of age, formed a corporation under the general laws of the State of Maryland on August 23, 2017.
ARTICLE II
NAME
The name of the corporation (the “Corporation”) is:
Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc.
ARTICLE III
PURPOSE
The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are to engage in any lawful act or activity (including, without limitation or obligation, engaging in business as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor statute (the “Code”)) for which corporations may be organized under the general laws of the State of Maryland as now or hereafter in force. For purposes of the charter of the Corporation (the “Charter”), “REIT” means a real estate investment trust under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code or any successor provisions.
ARTICLE IV
PRINCIPAL OFFICE IN STATE AND RESIDENT AGENT
The address of the principal office of the Corporation in the State of Maryland is c/o CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 820, Baltimore, MD 21202. The name of the resident agent of the Corporation in the State of Maryland is CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, whose post address is 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 820, Baltimore, MD 21202. The resident agent is a Maryland corporation.
ARTICLE V
PROVISIONS FOR DEFINING, LIMITING
AND REGULATING CERTAIN POWERS OF THE
CORPORATION AND OF THE STOCKHOLDERS AND DIRECTORS
Section 5.1 Number of Directors. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. The number of directors of the Corporation is seven (7), which number may be increased or decreased only by the Board of Directors pursuant to the Bylaws of the Corporation (the “Bylaws”),
1
but shall never be less than the minimum number required by the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”). The names of the directors who shall serve until the first annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify are:
Richard B. Saltzman
Catherine D. Rice
Vernon B. Schwartz
Darren J. Tangen
Kevin P. Traenkle
John Westerfield
Winston W. Wilson
The Corporation elects, effective at such time as it becomes eligible under Section 3-802 of the MGCL to make the election provided for under Section 3-804(c) of the MGCL, that, except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of stock, any and all vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which such vacancy occurred and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies.
Section 5.2 Extraordinary Actions. Except as specifically provided in Section 5.8 and Article VIII, notwithstanding any provision of law permitting or requiring any action to be taken or approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a greater number of votes, any such action shall be effective and valid if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and taken or approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
Section 5.3 Authorization by Board of Stock Issuance. The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance from time to time of shares of stock of the Corporation of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, or securities or rights convertible into shares of its stock of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration as the Board of Directors may deem advisable (or without consideration in the case of a stock split or stock dividend), subject to such restrictions or limitations, if any, as may be set forth in the Charter or the Bylaws.
Section 5.4 Preemptive Rights. Except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of classified or reclassified shares of stock of the Corporation pursuant to Section 6.4 or as may otherwise be provided by a contract approved by the Board of Directors, no holder of shares of stock of the Corporation shall, as such holder, have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any additional shares of stock of the Corporation or any other security of the Corporation which it may issue or sell.
Section 5.5 Indemnification. (a) The Corporation shall, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to, (i) any individual who is a present or former director or officer of the Corporation and who is made, or threatened to be made, a party to, or witness in, the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity or (ii) any individual who, while a director or officer of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, serves or has served as a director, officer, trustee, member, manager, employee, partner or agent of another corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by the Charter shall vest immediately upon election of a director or officer. The Corporation shall provide such indemnification and advancement of expenses to an individual who served a predecessor of the Corporation in any of the capacities described in (i) or (ii) above and shall have the power, with the approval of the Board of Directors, to provide the same (or lesser) indemnification and advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation or a predecessor of the Corporation. Any amendment of this Section 5.5(a) shall be prospective only and shall not affect the applicability of this section with respect to any act or failure to act that occurred prior to such amendment.
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(b) The indemnification provided herein shall not be deemed to limit the right of the Corporation to indemnify any other person for any such expenses to the fullest extent permitted by law, nor shall it be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any person seeking indemnification from the Corporation may be entitled under the Bylaws, any agreement, resolution of stockholders or directors, or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.
Section 5.6 Determinations by Board. The determination as to any of the following matters, made by or pursuant to the direction of the Board of Directors, shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Corporation and every holder of shares of its stock: the amount of the net income of the Corporation for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends, acquisition of its stock or the payment of other distributions on its stock; the amount of paid-in surplus, net assets, other surplus, cash flow, funds from operations, adjusted funds from operations, net profit, net assets in excess of capital, undivided profits or excess of profits over losses on sales of assets; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges shall have been created shall have been set aside, paid or discharged); any interpretation or resolution of any ambiguity with respect to any provision of the Charter (including any of the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers or rights, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of any shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation) or of the Bylaws; the number of shares of stock of any class or series of the Corporation; the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked price to be applied in determining the fair value, of any asset owned or held by the Corporation or of any shares of stock of the Corporation; any matter relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition of any assets by the Corporation; any interpretation of the terms and conditions of one or more agreements with any person, corporation, association, company, trust, partnership (limited or general) or other entity; the compensation of directors, officers, employees or agents of the Corporation; or any other matter relating to the business and affairs of the Corporation or required or permitted by applicable law, the Charter or Bylaws or otherwise to be determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 5.7 REIT Qualification. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to cause the Corporation to elect to qualify for U.S. federal income tax treatment as a REIT. If the Corporation elects to qualify for federal income tax treatment as a REIT, the Corporation shall use its reasonable best efforts to take such actions as are necessary or appropriate to preserve the status of the Corporation as a REIT; however, if the Board of Directors determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT, the Board of Directors may revoke or otherwise terminate the Corporation’s REIT election pursuant to Section 856(g) of the Code. The Board of Directors, in its sole and absolute discretion, also may (a) determine that compliance with any restriction or limitation on stock ownership and transfers set forth in Article VII is no longer required for REIT qualification and (b) make any other determination or take any other action pursuant to Article VII.
Section 5.8 Removal of Directors. Subject to the rights of holders of shares of one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock (as defined below) to elect or remove one or more directors, any director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and then only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors. For the purpose of this paragraph, “cause” shall mean, with respect to any particular director, conviction of a felony or a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction holding that such director caused demonstrable, material harm to the Corporation through bad faith or active and deliberate dishonesty.
Section 5.9 Corporate Opportunities.
Section 5.9.1. Definitions: For the purpose of this Section 5.9, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
Affiliate. The term “Affiliate” shall mean, when used with respect to a Person, any Person that, directly or indirectly, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with such Person and any principal, member, director, partner, shareholder, officer, employee or other representative of the foregoing (other than the Corporation and any Person that is controlled by the Corporation). For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including the
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correlative meanings of the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, through the ownership of voting securities or partnership interests, contract or otherwise.
Person. The term “Person” shall mean any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, governmental authority or other entity.
Sponsor Affiliates. The term “Sponsor Affiliates” shall mean CLNC Manager, LLC and its Affiliates.
Section 5.9.2 Corporate Opportunities. (a) The Corporation recognizes that it will derive benefits from its continued contractual, corporate and business relationships with the Sponsor Affiliates and that (i) certain directors, principals, officers, employees or other representatives of the Sponsor Affiliates may serve as directors or officers of the Corporation, its subsidiaries or entities that provide investment advisory services to the Corporation or its subsidiaries or as a member of the investment committee of any such entity, (ii) the Sponsor Affiliates may now engage and may continue to engage in the same or similar activities or related lines of business as those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage and other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Corporation or its subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, may engage, and (iii) members of the Board of Directors and their respective Affiliates may now engage and may continue to engage in the same or similar activities or related lines of business as those in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, may engage and other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Corporation or its subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, may engage.
(b) To the fullest extent permitted by law, except to the extent limited in any agreement with any Sponsor Affiliate, none of the Sponsor Affiliates (including those serving as directors or officers of the Corporation) or any of their respective Affiliates (any such Person, an “Identified Person”) shall have any duty to refrain from directly or indirectly:
(i) engaging in any business opportunity, including but not limited to business opportunities in the same or similar business activities or lines of business in which the Corporation or any of its Affiliates may, from time to time, be engaged or propose to engage (a “Business Opportunity”); or
(ii) competing with the Corporation, and to the fullest extent permitted by law, no Identified Person shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders or creditors for breach of any duty (statutory, contractual or otherwise (other than for breach by an Identified Person of any express restrictions on competition contained in any written contract between such Identified Person and the Corporation)) by reason of the fact that such Identified Person engages in any such activities, and, except as provided in subsection (c) of this Section 5.9.2, the doctrine of corporate opportunity or any similar doctrine applicable to the Corporation shall not apply to any Identified Person. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Corporation hereby renounces any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any Business Opportunity presented to an Identified Person, except as provided in subsection (c) of this Section 5.9.2. Subject to subsection (c) of this Section 5.9.2, in the event that any Identified Person acquires knowledge of a Business Opportunity, such Identified Person shall have no duty to communicate or offer such Business Opportunity to the Corporation or any of its Affiliates and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall not be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders or creditors for breach of any duty (statutory, contractual or otherwise) as a stockholder, director or officer of the Corporation by reason of the fact that such Identified Person pursues or acquires such Business Opportunity for itself, directs such Business Opportunity to another Person, or does not present such opportunity to the Corporation or its subsidiaries or stockholders. A Business Opportunity shall not be deemed to be a potential Business Opportunity for the Corporation if
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it is a Business Opportunity that the Corporation is not financially able or contractually permitted or legally able to undertake, or that is, from its nature, not in line with the Corporation’s business or is of no practical advantage to it or that is one in which the Corporation has no reasonable expectancy.
(c) The Corporation does not renounce its interest in any Business Opportunity offered to any director or officer of the Corporation if such opportunity is expressly offered to such Person in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation.
Section 5.10 Appraisal Rights. Holders of shares of stock shall not be entitled to exercise any rights of an objecting stockholder provided for under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the MGCL or any successor statute unless the Board of Directors, upon such terms and conditions as specified by the Board of Directors, shall determine that such rights apply, with respect to all or any shares of all or any classes or series of stock, to one or more transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which holders of such shares would otherwise be entitled to exercise such rights.
Section 5.11 Advisor Agreements. Subject to such approval of stockholders and other conditions, if any, as may be required by any applicable statute, rule or regulation, the Board of Directors may authorize the execution and performance by the Corporation of one or more agreements with any person, corporation, association, company, trust, partnership (limited or general) or other organization whereby, subject to the supervision and control of the Board of Directors, any such other person, corporation, association, company, trust, partnership (limited or general) or other organization shall render or make available to the Corporation managerial, investment, advisory and/or related services, office space and other services and facilities (including, if deemed advisable by the Board of Directors, the management or supervision of the investments of the Corporation) upon such terms and conditions as may be provided in such agreement or agreements (including, if deemed fair and equitable by the Board of Directors, the compensation payable thereunder by the Corporation).
ARTICLE VI
STOCK
Section 6.1 Authorized Shares. The Corporation has authority to issue 1,000,000,000 shares of stock, consisting of 905,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Class A Common Stock”), 45,000,000 shares of Class B-3 Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Class B-3 Common Stock”) (Class A Common Stock and Class B-3 Common Stock, collectively, the “Common Stock”), and 50,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Preferred Stock”). The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of stock having par value is $10,000,000. If shares of one class of stock are classified or reclassified into shares of another class of stock pursuant to Section 6.2, 6.3 or 6.4 of this Article VI, the number of authorized shares of the former class shall automatically be decreased and the number of shares of the latter class shall automatically be increased, in each case by the number of shares so classified or reclassified, so that the aggregate number of shares of stock of all classes that the Corporation has authority to issue shall not be more than the total number of shares of stock set forth in the first sentence of this paragraph. The Board of Directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire Board of Directors, and without any action by the stockholders of the Corporation, may amend the Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that the Corporation has authority to issue.
Section 6.2 Common Stock. Subject to the provisions of Article VII and except as may otherwise be specified in the Charter, each share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote. The Board of Directors may reclassify any unissued shares of Common Stock from time to time into one or more classes or series of stock.
Section 6.2.1 Dividends and other Distributions. The Board of Directors may from time to time authorize and the Corporation shall declare to the holders of Common Stock such dividends or other distributions in cash or other assets of the Corporation or in securities of the Corporation or from any other source as the Board of Directors in its discretion shall determine, but only out of funds legally available therefor. The exercise of the powers and rights of the Board of Directors pursuant to this Section 6.2.1 shall be subject to the preferences of any class or series of stock at the time outstanding.
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Section 6.2.2 Liquidation Rights. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of, or any distribution of the assets of, the Corporation, the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to participate, together with the holders of shares of any other class or series of stock now existing or hereafter classified or reclassified having parity rights to the Common Stock as to distributions in the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, in the distribution of any assets of the Corporation remaining after the Corporation shall have paid, or provided for payment of, all debts and liabilities of the Corporation and after the Corporation shall have paid, or set aside for payment, to the holders of any class or series of stock having preferences over the Common Stock as to distributions in the event of dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation.
Section 6.2.3 Equal Status. Except as expressly provided in this Article VI, all Common Stock shall have the same rights, privileges and limitations and rank equally, share ratably and be identical in all respects as to all matters.
Section 6.2.4 Conversion. The Class A Common Stock is not convertible into or exchangeable for any other property or securities of the Corporation. Each issued and outstanding share of Class B-3 Common Stock shall, automatically and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, convert into one (1) share of Class A Common Stock upon the close of trading on the date that is the one (1) year anniversary of the listing of the Class A Common Stock on a national securities exchange (the “Listing Date”). Each unissued share of Class B-3 Common Stock shall automatically be reclassified as one (1) share of Class A Common Stock at the close of trading on the one (1) year anniversary of the Listing Date.
Section 6.3 Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors may classify any unissued shares of Preferred Stock and reclassify any previously classified but unissued shares of Preferred Stock of any class or series from time to time, into one or more classes or series of stock.
Section 6.4 Classified or Reclassified Shares. Prior to the issuance of classified or reclassified shares of any class or series of stock, the Board of Directors by resolution shall: (a) designate that class or series to distinguish it from all other classes and series of stock of the Corporation; (b) specify the number of shares to be included in the class or series; (c) set or change, subject to the provisions of Article VII and subject to the express terms of any class or series of stock of the Corporation outstanding at the time, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series; and (d) cause the Corporation to file articles supplementary with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the “SDAT”). Any of the terms of any class or series of stock set or changed pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 6.4 may be made dependent upon facts or events ascertainable outside the Charter (including determinations by the Board of Directors or other facts or events within the control of the Corporation) and may vary among holders thereof; provided that the manner in which such facts, events or variations shall operate upon the terms of such class or series of stock is clearly and expressly set forth in the articles supplementary or other Charter document filed with the SDAT.
Section 6.5 Stockholders’ Consent in Lieu of Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the holders of Common Stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors may be taken without a meeting by consent, in writing or by electronic transmission, in any manner and by any vote permitted by the MGCL and set forth in the Bylaws.
Section 6.6 Charter and Bylaws. The rights of all stockholders and the terms of all stock of the Corporation are subject to the provisions of the Charter and the Bylaws.
Section 6.7 Distributions. The Board of Directors from time to time may authorize the Corporation to declare and pay to stockholders such dividends or other distributions in cash or other assets of the Corporation or in securities of the Corporation, including in shares of one class or series of the Corporation’s stock payable to holders of shares of another class or series of stock of the Corporation, or from any other source as the Board of Directors in its sole and absolute discretion shall determine. The exercise of the powers and rights of the Board of Directors pursuant to this Section 6.7 shall be subject to the provisions of any class or series of shares of the Corporation’s stock at the time outstanding.
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Section 6.8 Transferable Shares. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Charter, no determination shall be made by the Board of Directors nor shall any transaction be entered into by the Corporation that would cause any shares or other beneficial interest in the Corporation not to constitute “transferable shares” or “transferable certificates of beneficial interest” under Section 856(a)(2) of the Code.
Section 6.9 Tax on Disqualified Organizations. To the extent that the Corporation incurs any tax pursuant to Section 860E(e)(6) of the Code as the result of any “excess inclusion” income (within the meaning of Section 860E of the Code) of the Corporation being allocated to a “disqualified organization” (as defined in Section 860E(e)(5) of the Code) that holds Common Stock or Preferred Stock in record name, the Corporation shall reduce the distributions payable to any such “disqualified organization” whose ownership of Common Stock or Preferred Stock caused such tax to be incurred by an amount equal to such tax, in the manner described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.860E-2(b)(4).
ARTICLE VII
RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER AND OWNERSHIP OF SHARES
Section 7.1 Definitions. For the purpose of this Article VII, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit. The term “Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit” shall mean 9.8 percent in value of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock, or such other percentage determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 7.2.8 of the Charter.
Beneficial Ownership. The term “Beneficial Ownership” shall mean ownership of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(h)(1)(B) and 856(h)(3) of the Code. The terms “Beneficial Owner,” “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.
Business Day. The term “Business Day” shall mean any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.
Capital Stock. The term “Capital Stock” shall mean all classes or series of stock of the Corporation, including, without limitation, Common Stock and Preferred Stock.
Charitable Beneficiary. The term “Charitable Beneficiary” shall mean one or more beneficiaries of the Trust as determined pursuant to Section 7.3.6; provided that each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.
Common Stock Ownership Limit. The term “Common Stock Ownership Limit” shall mean 9.8 percent (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, or such other percentage determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 7.2.8 of the Charter.
Constructive Ownership. The term “Constructive Ownership” shall mean ownership of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 318(a) of the Code, as modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the Code. The terms “Constructive Owner,” “Constructively Owns” and “Constructively Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.
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Excepted Holder. The term “Excepted Holder” shall mean a stockholder of the Corporation for whom an Excepted Holder Limit is created by the Charter or by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 7.2.7.
Excepted Holder Limit. The term “Excepted Holder Limit” shall mean the percentage limit established by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 7.2.7; provided that the affected Excepted Holder agrees to comply with the requirements established by the Charter or by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 7.2.7 and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 7.2.8.
Initial Date. The term “Initial Date” shall mean January 31, 2018.
Market Price. The term “Market Price” on any date shall mean, with respect to any class or series of outstanding shares of Capital Stock, the Closing Price for such Capital Stock on such date. The “Closing Price” on any date shall mean the last sale price for such Capital Stock, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for such Capital Stock, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the Stock Exchange or, if such Capital Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on the Stock Exchange, as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which such Capital Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if such Capital Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System or, if such system is no longer in use, the principal other automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if such Capital Stock is not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Capital Stock selected by the Board of Directors or, in the event that no trading price is available for such Capital Stock, the fair market value of the Capital Stock, as determined by the Board of Directors.
Person. The term “Person” shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, estate, trust (including, without limitation, a trust qualified under Sections 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code), a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, association, private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company or other entity and also includes a group as that term is used for purposes of Rule 13d-5(b) or Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Prohibited Owner. The term “Prohibited Owner” shall mean, with respect to any purported Transfer, any Person who, but for the provisions of this Article VII, would Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 7.2.1, and if appropriate in the context, shall also mean any Person who would have been the record owner of the shares that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.
Restriction Termination Date. The term “Restriction Termination Date” shall mean the first day after the Initial Date on which the Board of Directors determines pursuant to Section 5.7 of the Charter that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT or that compliance with the restrictions and limitations on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfers of shares of Capital Stock set forth herein is no longer required in order for the Corporation to qualify as a REIT.
Stock Exchange. The term “Stock Exchange” shall mean the national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which any class or series of outstanding shares of Capital Stock are listed or traded.
Transfer. The term “Transfer” shall mean any issuance, sale, transfer, gift, assignment, devise or other disposition, as well as any other event, condition or set of circumstances that causes any Person to acquire or have Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership, or any agreement to take any such actions or cause any such events, of Capital Stock or the right to vote or receive dividends or other distributions on shares of Capital Stock, including (a) a change in the capital structure of the Corporation or in the relative values of different classes or series of Capital Stock, (b) a change in the relationship between two or more Persons that causes a change in Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership, (c) the granting or exercise of any option or warrant (or any acquisition or disposition of any option or warrant), pledge, security interest, or similar right to acquire shares of Capital Stock, (d) any acquisition or disposition of any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock or
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any interest in Capital Stock or any exercise of any such conversion or exchange right and (e) Transfers of interests in other entities that result in changes in Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock; in each case, whether voluntary or involuntary, whether owned of record, Constructively Owned or Beneficially Owned and whether by operation of law or otherwise. The terms “Transferring” and “Transferred” shall have the correlative meanings.
Trust. The term “Trust” shall mean any trust provided for in Section 7.3.1.
Trustee. The term “Trustee” shall mean the Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and a Prohibited Owner that is appointed by the Corporation to serve as trustee of the Trust.
Section 7.2 Capital Stock.
Section 7.2.1 Ownership Limitations. During the period commencing on the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date, but subject to Section 7.4:
(a) Basic Restrictions.
(i) (1) No Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, (2) no Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Common Stock in excess of the Common Stock Ownership Limit and (3) no Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder.
(ii) No Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent that (1) such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock would result in the Corporation being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year), (2) such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock would result in the Corporation owning (directly or Constructively) an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code if the income derived by the Corporation (either directly or indirectly through one or more partnerships or limited liability companies) from such tenant for the taxable year of the Corporation during which such determination is being made would reasonably be expected to equal or exceed the lesser of (A) one percent (1%) of the Corporation’s gross income (as determined for purposes of Section 856(c) of the Code), or (B) an amount that would (or, in the sole judgment of the Board of Directors, could) cause the Corporation to fail to satisfy any of the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code, or (3) such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock would result in the Corporation otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT.
(iii) Any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock that, if effective, would result in the Capital Stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 Persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) shall be void ab initio, and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock.
(b) Transfer in Trust. If any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock occurs which, if effective, would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 7.2.1(a)(i) or (ii),
(i) then that number of shares of the Capital Stock the Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate Section 7.2.1(a)(i) or (ii) (rounded up to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically transferred to a Trust for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary, as described in Section 7.3, effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of such Transfer, and such Person shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock; or
(ii) if the transfer to the Trust described in clause (i) of this sentence would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of Section 7.2.1(a)(i) or (ii), then the Transfer of that number of shares of Capital Stock that otherwise would cause any Person to violate Section 7.2.1(a)(i) or (ii) shall be void ab initio, and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock.
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(iii) To the extent that, upon a transfer of shares of Capital Stock pursuant to this Section 7.2.1(b), a violation of any provision of this Article VII would nonetheless be continuing (for example where the ownership of shares of Capital Stock by a single Trust would violate the 100 stockholder requirement applicable to REITs), then shares of Capital Stock shall be transferred to that number of Trusts, each having a distinct Trustee and a Charitable Beneficiary or Beneficiaries that are distinct from those of each other Trust, such that there is no violation of any provision of this Article VII.
Section 7.2.2 Remedies for Breach. If the Board of Directors shall at any time determine that a Transfer or other event has taken place that results in a violation of Section 7.2.1 or that a Person intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of any shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 7.2.1 (whether or not such violation is intended), the Board of Directors shall take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such Transfer or other event, including, without limitation, causing the Corporation to redeem shares of Capital Stock, refusing to give effect to such Transfer on the books of the Corporation or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer or other event; provided, however, that any Transfer or attempted Transfer or other event in violation of Section 7.2.1 shall automatically result in the transfer to the Trust described above, and, where applicable, such Transfer (or other event) shall be void ab initio as provided above irrespective of any action (or non-action) by the Board of Directors.
Section 7.2.3 Notice of Restricted Transfer. Any Person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Capital Stock that will or may violate Section 7.2.1(a), or any Person who would have owned shares of Capital Stock that resulted in a transfer to the Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.2.1(b), shall immediately give written notice to the Corporation of such event or, in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, shall give at least fifteen (15) days prior written notice, and shall provide to the Corporation such other information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Transfer on the Corporation’s status as a REIT.
Section 7.2.4 Owners Required To Provide Information. From the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date:
(a) every owner of five percent (5%) or more (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) in number or value of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock, within thirty (30) days after the end of each taxable year, shall give written notice to the Corporation stating (i) the name and address of such owner, (ii) the number of shares of Capital Stock Beneficially Owned and (iii) a description of the manner in which such shares are held. Each such owner shall provide to the Corporation such additional information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial Ownership on the Corporation’s status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and the Common Stock Ownership Limit; and
(b) each Person who is a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner of Capital Stock and each Person (including the stockholder of record) who is holding Capital Stock for a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner shall provide to the Corporation such information as the Corporation may request, in order to determine the Corporation’s status as a REIT and to comply with requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and the Common Stock Ownership Limit.
Section 7.2.5 Remedies Not Limited. Subject to Section 5.7 of the Charter, nothing contained in this Section 7.2 shall limit the authority of the Board of Directors to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable to protect the Corporation in preserving the Corporation’s status as a REIT.
Section 7.2.6 Ambiguity. In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of this Section 7.2, Section 7.3 or any definition contained in Section 7.1, the Board of Directors may determine the application of the provisions of this Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 or any such definition with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it at such time. In the event Section 7.2 or 7.3 requires an action by the
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Board of Directors and the Charter fails to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the Board of Directors may determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of Sections 7.1, 7.2 or 7.3. Absent a decision to the contrary by the Board of Directors, if a Person would have (but for the remedies set forth in Section 7.2.2) acquired Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock in violation of Section 7.2.1, such remedies (as applicable) shall apply first to the shares of Capital Stock that, but for the remedies, would have actually been owned by such Person, and second to the shares of Capital Stock that, but for such remedies, would have been Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned (but not actually owned) by such Person, pro rata among the Persons who actually own such shares of Capital Stock based upon the relative number of the shares of Capital Stock held by each such Person.
Section 7.2.7 Exceptions.
(a) The Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may exempt, prospectively or retroactively, a Person from the Common Stock Ownership Limit or the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, as the case may be, and may establish or increase an Excepted Holder Limit for such Person if: (i) such Person submits to the Board of Directors information requested by the Board of Directors, demonstrating that such Person is not an individual for purposes of Section 542(a)(2) of the Code (determined taking into account Section 856(h)(3)(A) of the Code); (ii) such Person submits to the Board of Directors information requested by the Board of Directors, demonstrating that no Person who is an individual for purposes of Section 542(a)(2) of the Code (determined taking into account Section 856(h)(3)(A) of the Code) would be considered to Beneficially Own shares of Common Stock in excess of the Common Stock Ownership Limit or Capital Stock in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit; (iii) such Person submits to the Board of Directors information requested by the Board of Directors, demonstrating that clauses (1), (2) and (3) of subparagraph (a)(ii) of Section 7.2.1 will not be violated by reason of such Person’s ownership of Common Stock in excess of the Common Stock Ownership Limit or Capital Stock in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit pursuant to the exemption granted under this subparagraph 7.2.7(a); and (iv) such Person provides to the Board of Directors such representations and undertakings, if any, as the Board of Directors may require to ensure that the conditions in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) hereof are satisfied and will continue to be satisfied throughout the period during which such Person owns Common Stock in excess of the Common Stock Ownership Limit or Capital Stock in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit pursuant to any exemption thereto granted under this subparagraph (a), and such Person agrees that any violation of such representations and undertakings or any attempted violation thereof will result in the application of the remedies set forth in Section 7.2 (including, without limitation, Section 7.2.5) with respect to shares of Common Stock held in excess of the Common Stock Ownership Limit or Capital Stock held in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit with respect to such Person (determined without regard to the exemption granted such Person under this subparagraph (a)).
(b) Prior to granting any exception pursuant to Section 7.2.7(a), the Board of Directors may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the Board of Directors, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine that granting the exception will not cause the Corporation to lose its status as a REIT; provided, however, that the Board of Directors shall not be obligated to require obtaining a favorable ruling or opinion in order to grant an exception hereunder. Notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, the Board of Directors may impose such conditions and restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting each exception.
(c) Subject to Section 7.2.1(a)(ii), an underwriter, placement agent or initial purchaser that participates in a public offering, a private placement or other private offering of Capital Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock) may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock) in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit or the Common Stock Ownership Limit, but only to the extent necessary to facilitate such public offering, private placement or immediate resale of such Capital Stock, and provided that the restrictions contained in Section 7.2.1(a) will not be violated following the distribution by such underwriter, placement agent or initial purchaser of such shares of Capital Stock.
(d) In connection with granting any exemption or waiver pursuant to Section 7.2.7(a), the Board of Directors may include such terms and conditions in such waiver as it determines are advisable.
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(e) The Board of Directors may only reduce the Excepted Holder Limit for an Excepted Holder: (1) with the written consent of such Excepted Holder at any time, or (2) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements and undertakings entered into with such Excepted Holder in connection with the establishment of the Excepted Holder Limit for that Excepted Holder. No Excepted Holder Limit shall be reduced to a percentage that is less than the then-current Common Stock Ownership Limit.
Section 7.2.8 Increase or Decrease in Common Stock Ownership or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limits. Subject to Section 7.2.1(a)(ii) and this Section 7.2.8, the Board of Directors may from time to time increase or decrease the Common Stock Ownership Limit and the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit for one or more Persons and increase or decrease the Common Stock Ownership Limit and the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit for all other Persons. No decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit will be effective for any Person whose percentage of ownership of Capital Stock is in excess of such decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, as applicable, until such time as such Person’s percentage of ownership of Capital Stock equals or falls below the decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, as applicable; provided, however, that any further acquisition of Capital Stock by any such Person (other than a Person for whom an exemption has been granted pursuant to Section 7.2.7(a) or an Excepted Holder) in excess of the Capital Stock owned by such Person on the date the decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, as applicable, became effective will be in violation of the Common Stock Ownership Limit or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit. No increase to the Common Stock Ownership Limit or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit may be approved if the new Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit would allow five (5) or fewer Persons to Beneficially Own, in the aggregate more than forty-nine and nine-tenths percent (49.9%) in value of the outstanding Capital Stock or would otherwise cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT.
Section 7.2.9 Legend. Each certificate for shares of Capital Stock, if certificated, shall bear substantially the following legend:
The shares represented by this certificate are subject to restrictions on Beneficial Ownership and Constructive Ownership and Transfer for the purpose, among others, of the Corporation’s maintenance of its status as a Real Estate Investment Trust under the Code. Subject to certain further restrictions and except as expressly provided in the Corporation’s Charter, (i) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock in excess of the Common Stock Ownership Limit unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (ii) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (iii) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Capital Stock that would result in the Corporation being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT; and (iv) no Person may Transfer shares of Capital Stock if such Transfer would result in the Capital Stock of the Corporation being owned by fewer than 100 Persons. Any Person who Beneficially Owns or Constructively Owns or attempts to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock that causes or will cause a Person to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess or in violation of the above limitations must immediately notify the Corporation. If any of the restrictions on transfer or ownership provided in (i), (ii) or (iii) above are violated, the shares of Capital Stock in excess or in violation of the above limitations will be automatically transferred to a Trustee of a Trust for the benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. In addition, the Corporation may redeem shares upon the terms and conditions specified by the Board of Directors in its sole and absolute discretion if the Board of Directors determines that ownership or a Transfer or other event may violate the restrictions described above. Furthermore, if the ownership restrictions provided in (iv) above would be violated or upon the occurrence of certain events, attempted Transfers in violation of the restrictions described above may be void ab initio. All capitalized terms in this legend have the meanings defined in the Charter of the Corporation, as the same may be amended from time to time, a copy of which, including the restrictions on transfer and ownership, will be furnished to each holder of Capital Stock of the Corporation on request and without charge. Requests for such a copy may be directed to the Secretary of the Corporation at its principal office.
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Instead of the foregoing legend, the certificate may state that the Corporation will furnish a full statement about certain restrictions on ownership and transfer to a stockholder on request and without charge.
Section 7.3 Transfer of Capital Stock in Trust.
Section 7.3.1 Ownership in Trust. Upon any purported Transfer or other event described in Section 7.2.1(b) that would result in a transfer of shares of Capital Stock to a Trust, such shares of Capital Stock shall be deemed to have been transferred to the Trustee as trustee of a Trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. Such transfer to the Trustee shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the purported Transfer or other event that results in the transfer to the Trust pursuant to Section 7.2.1(b). The Trustee shall be appointed by the Corporation and shall be a Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and any Prohibited Owner. Each Charitable Beneficiary shall be designated by the Corporation as provided in Section 7.3.6.
Section 7.3.2 Status of Shares Held by the Trustee. Shares of Capital Stock held by the Trustee shall continue to be issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation. The Prohibited Owner shall have no rights in the shares held by the Trustee. The Prohibited Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any shares held in trust by the Trustee, shall have no rights to dividends or other distributions and shall not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares held in the Trust. The Prohibited Owner shall have no claim, cause of action or any other recourse whatsoever against the purported transferor of such Capital Stock of the Corporation.
Section 7.3.3 Dividend and Voting Rights. The Trustee shall have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to shares of Capital Stock held in the Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid to a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee shall be paid by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee upon demand and any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Trustee. Any dividend or other distribution so paid to the Trustee shall be held in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to shares of Capital Stock held in the Trust and, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee, the Trustee shall have the authority (at the Trustee’s sole and absolute discretion) (i) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee and (ii) to recast such vote; provided, however, that if the Corporation has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the Trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article VII, until the Corporation has received notification that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred into a Trust, the Corporation shall be entitled to rely on its stock transfer and other stockholder records for purposes of preparing lists of stockholders entitled to vote at meetings, determining the validity and authority of proxies and otherwise conducting votes and determining the other rights of stockholders.
Section 7.3.4 Sale of Shares by Trustee. Within twenty (20) days of receiving notice from the Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trust, the Trustee of the Trust shall sell the shares held in the Trust to a person, designated by the Trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the ownership limitations set forth in Section 7.2.1(a). Upon such sale, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as provided in this Section 7.3.4. The Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (i) the price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the shares or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the Trust (e.g., in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the Market Price of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the Trust and (ii) the price per share received by the Trustee (net of any commissions and other expenses of sale) from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the Trust. The Trustee may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and other distributions that have been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.3.3 of this Article VII. Any net sales proceeds in
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excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner shall be immediately paid to the Charitable Beneficiary. If, prior to the discovery by the Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee, such shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then (i) such shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Trust and (ii) to the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 7.3.4, such excess shall be paid to the Trustee upon demand.
Section 7.3.5 Purchase Right in Stock Transferred to the Trustee. Shares of Capital Stock transferred to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to the Corporation, or its designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the Trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the Market Price at the time of such devise or gift) and (ii) the Market Price on the date the Corporation, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Corporation may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and other distributions that have been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.3.3 of this Article VII. The Corporation may pay the amount of such reduction to the Trustee for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. The Corporation shall have the right to accept such offer until the Trustee has sold the shares held in the Trust pursuant to Section 7.3.4. Upon such a sale to the Corporation, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and any dividends or other distributions with respect to the shares sold that are held by the Trustee shall be paid to the Charitable Beneficiary.
Section 7.3.6 Designation of Charitable Beneficiaries. By written notice to the Trustee, the Corporation shall designate one or more nonprofit organizations to be the Charitable Beneficiary or Charitable Beneficiaries of the interest in the Trust such that (i) the shares of Capital Stock held in the Trust would not violate the restrictions set forth in Section 7.2.1(a) in the hands of such Charitable Beneficiary or Charitable Beneficiaries and (ii) each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code. Neither the failure of the Corporation to make such designation nor the failure of the Corporation to appoint the Trustee before the automatic transfer provided in Section 7.2.1(b) shall make such transfer ineffective; provided, that the Corporation thereafter makes such designation and appointment.
Section 7.3.7 Rights Upon Liquidation. Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of or any distribution of the assets of the Corporation, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, ratably with each other holder of shares of the class or series of Capital Stock that is held in the Trust, that portion of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to the holders of such class or series (determined based upon the ratio that the number of shares of such class or series of Capital Stock held by the Trustee bears to the total number of shares of such class or series of Capital Stock then outstanding). The Trustee shall distribute any such assets received in respect of the shares held in the Trust in any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of, or distribution of the assets of the Corporation, in accordance with Section 7.3.4.
Section 7.4 Stock Exchange Transactions. Nothing in this Article VII shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of the Stock Exchange or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that the settlement of any transaction occurs shall not negate the effect of any other provision of this Article VII and any transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this Article VII.
Section 7.5 Enforcement. The Corporation is authorized specifically to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief, to enforce the provisions of this Article VII.
Section 7.6 Non-Waiver. No delay or failure on the part of the Corporation or the Board of Directors in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of any right of the Corporation or the Board of Directors, as the case may be, except to the extent specifically waived in writing.
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ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS
The Corporation reserves the right from time to time to make any amendment to the Charter, now or hereafter authorized by law, including any amendment altering the terms or contract rights, as expressly set forth in the Charter, of any shares of outstanding stock. All rights and powers conferred by the Charter on stockholders, directors and officers are granted subject to this reservation. Except as otherwise provided below, and except for those amendments permitted to be made without stockholder approval under Maryland law or by a specific provision in the Charter, any amendment to the Charter shall be valid only if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and approved by the affirmative vote of holders of shares entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. However, any amendment to Section 5.8 or to this Article VIII shall be valid only if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and approved by the affirmative vote of holders of shares entitled to case at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
ARTICLE IX
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
To the maximum extent that Maryland law in effect from time to time permits limitation of the liability of directors and officers of a corporation, no present or former director or officer of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for money damages. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article IX, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Charter or Bylaws inconsistent with this Article IX, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding sentence with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.
THIRD: The amendment to and restatement of the charter as hereinabove set forth have been duly advised by the Board of Directors and approved by the stockholders of the Corporation as required by law.
FOURTH: The current address of the principal office of the Corporation is as set forth in Article IV of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.
FIFTH: The name and address of the Corporation’s current resident agent are as set forth in Article IV of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.
SIXTH: The number of directors of the Corporation and the names of those currently in office are as set forth in Article V of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.
SEVENTH: The total number of shares of stock that the Corporation had authority to issue immediately prior to this amendment and restatement was 1,200, consisting of 1,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, and 200 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share. The aggregate par value of all shares of stock having par value was $12.00.
EIGHTH: The total number of shares of stock that the Corporation has authority to issue pursuant to the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter is 1,000,000,000, consisting of 905,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, 45,000,000 shares of Class B-3 Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, and 50,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share. The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of stock having par value is $10,000,000.
NINTH: These Articles of Amendment and Restatement shall become effective on January 30, 2018.
TENTH: The undersigned officer acknowledges these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be the corporate act of the Corporation and as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned officer acknowledges that, to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Chief Executive Officer and President and attested to by its General Counsel and Secretary on this 30th day of January, 2018.
| ATTEST: | COLONY NORTHSTAR CREDIT REAL ESTATE, INC. | |||||||||||
| /s/ David A. Palamé |
By: | /s/ Kevin P. Traenkle |
(SEAL) | |||||||||
| Name: | David A. Palamé | Name: | Kevin P. Traenkle | |||||||||
| Title: | General Counsel and Secretary | Title: | Chief Executive Officer and President | |||||||||
Exhibit 3.2
COLONY NORTHSTAR CREDIT REAL ESTATE, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
Adopted as of January 30, 2018
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICE. The principal office of Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc. (the “Corporation”) in the State of Maryland shall be located at such place as the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) may designate.
Section 2. ADDITIONAL OFFICES. The Corporation may have additional offices, including a principal executive office, at such places as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1. PLACE. All meetings of stockholders shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation or at such other place as shall be set in accordance with these Bylaws and stated in the notice of the meeting.
Section 2. ANNUAL MEETING. An annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and the transaction of any business within the powers of the Corporation shall be held on the date and at the time and place set by the Board of Directors.
Section 3. SPECIAL MEETINGS.
(a) General. Each of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, President and the Board of Directors may call a special meeting of stockholders. Except as provided in subsection (b)(3) of this Section 3, a special meeting of stockholders shall be held on the date and at the time and place set by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, President or the Board of Directors, whoever has called the meeting. Subject to subsection (b) of this Section 3, a special meeting of stockholders shall also be called by the Secretary of the Corporation to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting.
(b) Stockholder-Requested Special Meetings. (1) Any stockholder of record seeking to have stockholders request a special meeting shall, by sending written notice to the Secretary (the “Record Date Request Notice”) by registered mail, return receipt requested, request the Board of Directors to fix a record date to determine the stockholders entitled to request a special meeting (the “Request Record Date”). The Record Date Request Notice shall set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it, shall be signed by one or more stockholders of record as of the date of signature (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the Record Date Request Notice), shall bear the date of signature of each such stockholder (or such agent) and shall set forth all information relating to each such stockholder and each matter proposed to be acted on at the meeting that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of directors in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such a solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Exchange Act”). Upon receiving the Record Date Request Notice, the Board of Directors may fix a Request Record Date. The Request Record Date shall not precede and shall not be more than ten (10) days after the close of business on the date on
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which the resolution fixing the Request Record Date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors, within ten (10) days after the date on which a valid Record Date Request Notice is received, fails to adopt a resolution fixing the Request Record Date, the Request Record Date shall be the close of business on the tenth (10th) day after the first date on which a Record Date Request Notice is received by the Secretary.
(2) In order for any stockholder to request a special meeting to act on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders, one or more written requests for a special meeting (collectively, the “Special Meeting Request”) signed by stockholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the request) as of the Request Record Date entitled to cast not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting (the “Special Meeting Percentage”) shall be delivered to the Secretary. In addition, the Special Meeting Request shall (i) set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it (which shall be limited to those lawful matters set forth in the Record Date Request Notice received by the Secretary), (ii) bear the date of signature of each such stockholder (or such agent) signing the Special Meeting Request, (iii) set forth the name and address, as they appear in the Corporation’s books, of each stockholder signing such request (or on whose behalf the Special Meeting Request is signed), the class, series and number of all shares of stock of the Corporation that are owned (beneficially or of record) by each such stockholder, and the nominee holder for, and the number of shares owned by such stockholder beneficially but not of record, (iv) be sent to the Secretary by registered mail, return receipt requested, and (v) be received by the Secretary within sixty (60) days after the Request Record Date. Any requesting stockholder (or agent duly authorized in a writing accompanying the revocation of the Special Meeting Request) may revoke his, her or its request for a special meeting at any time by written revocation delivered to the Secretary. The Secretary shall inform the requesting stockholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and mailing the notice of meeting (including the Corporation’s proxy materials). The Secretary shall not be required to call a special meeting upon stockholder request and such meeting shall not be held unless, in addition to the documents required by the foregoing, the Secretary receives payment of such reasonably estimated cost prior to the preparation and mailing or delivery of any notice of the meeting. The Board of Directors may revoke the notice for any Stockholder Requested Meeting in the event that the requesting stockholders fail to comply with this paragraph (2) of Section 3(b).
(3) In the case of any special meeting called by the Secretary upon the request of stockholders (a “Stockholder-Requested Meeting”), such meeting shall be held at such place, date and time as may be designated by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that the date of any Stockholder-Requested Meeting shall be not more than ninety (90) days after the record date for such meeting (the “Meeting Record Date”); and provided further that if the Board of Directors fails to designate, within ten (10) days after the date that a valid Special Meeting Request is actually received by the Secretary (the “Delivery Date”), a date and time for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting, then such meeting shall be held at 2:00 p.m., local time, on the ninetieth (90th) day after the Meeting Record Date or, if such ninetieth (90th) day is not a Business Day (as defined below), on the first preceding Business Day; and provided further that in the event that the Board of Directors fails to designate a place for a Stockholder-Requested Meeting within ten (10) days after the Delivery Date, then such meeting shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation. In fixing a date for Stockholder Requested Meeting, the Board of Directors may consider such factors as it deems relevant, including, without limitation, the nature of the matters to be considered, the facts and circumstances surrounding any request for the meeting and any plan of the Board of Directors to call an annual meeting or a special meeting. In the case of any Stockholder-Requested Meeting, if the Board of Directors fails to fix a Meeting Record Date that is a date within thirty (30) days after the Delivery Date, then the close of business on the thirtieth (30th) day after the Delivery Date shall be the Meeting Record Date.
(4) If written revocations of the Special Meeting Request have been delivered to the Secretary and the result is that stockholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in writing), as of the Request Record Date, entitled to cast less than the Special Meeting Percentage have delivered, and not revoked, requests for a special meeting on the matter to the Secretary: (i) if the notice of meeting has not already been delivered, the Secretary shall refrain from delivering the notice of the meeting and send to all requesting stockholders who have not revoked such requests written notice of any revocation of a request for a special meeting on the matter, or (ii) if the notice of meeting has been delivered and if the Secretary first sends to all requesting stockholders who have not revoked requests for a special meeting on the matter written notice of any revocation of a request for the special meeting and written notice of the Corporation’s intention to revoke the notice of the meeting or for the chairman of the meeting to adjourn the meeting without action on the matter, (A) the Secretary may revoke the notice of the meeting at any time before ten (10) days before the commencement of the meeting or (B) the chairman of the meeting may call the meeting to order and adjourn the meeting from time to time without acting on the matter. Any request for a special meeting received after a revocation by the Secretary of a notice of meeting shall be considered a request for a new special meeting.
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(5) The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, President or the Board of Directors may appoint regionally or nationally recognized independent inspectors of elections to act as the agent of the Corporation for the purpose of promptly performing a ministerial review of the validity of any purported Special Meeting Request received by the Secretary. For the purpose of permitting the inspectors to perform such review, no such purported Special Meeting Request shall be deemed to have been received by the Secretary until the earlier of (i) five (5) Business Days after actual receipt by the Secretary of such purported request and (ii) such date as the independent inspectors certify to the Corporation that the valid requests received by the Secretary represent, as of the Request Record Date, stockholders of record entitled to cast not less than the Special Meeting Percentage. Nothing contained in this paragraph (5) shall in any way be construed to suggest or imply that the Corporation or any stockholder shall not be entitled to contest the validity of any request, whether during or after such five (5) Business Day period, or to take any other action (including, without limitation, the commencement, prosecution or defense of any litigation with respect thereto, and the seeking of injunctive relief in such litigation).
(6) For purposes of these Bylaws, “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
Section 4. NOTICE.
(a) Not less than ten (10) nor more than ninety (90) days before each meeting of stockholders, the Secretary shall give to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting and to each stockholder not entitled to vote who is entitled to notice of the meeting notice in writing or by electronic transmission stating the date, time and place of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting or as otherwise may be required by any statute, the purpose for which the meeting is called, by mail, by presenting it to such stockholder personally, by leaving it at the stockholder’s residence or usual place of business, by electronic transmission or by any other means permitted by Maryland law. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid. If transmitted electronically, such notice shall be deemed to be given when transmitted to the stockholder by an electronic transmission to any address or number of the stockholder at which the stockholder receives electronic transmissions. The Corporation may give a single notice to all stockholders who share an address, which single notice shall be effective as to any stockholder at such address, unless a stockholder at such address objects to receiving such single notice or revokes a prior consent to receiving such single notice. Failure to give notice of any meeting to one or more stockholders, or any irregularity in such notice, shall not affect the validity of any meeting fixed in accordance with this Article II or the validity of any proceedings at any such meeting.
(b) Subject to Section 11(a) of this Article II, any business of the Corporation may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders without being specifically designated in the notice, except such business as is required by any statute to be stated in such notice. No business shall be transacted at a special meeting of stockholders except as specifically designated in the notice of such special meeting. The Corporation may postpone or cancel a meeting of stockholders by notice to the stockholders prior to convening any such meeting or by making a public announcement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article II) of such postponement or cancellation prior to the meeting. Notice of the date, time and place to which the meeting is postponed shall be given not less than ten (10) days prior to such date and otherwise in the manner set forth in this section.
Section 5. ORGANIZATION AND CONDUCT. Every meeting of stockholders shall be conducted by an individual appointed by the Board of Directors to be chairman of the meeting or, in the absence of such appointment or appointed individual, by the Chairman of the Board of Directors or, in the case of a vacancy in the office or absence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, by one of the following officers present at the meeting in the following order: the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Vice Presidents in their order of rank and, within each rank, in their order of seniority, the Secretary, or, in the absence of
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such officers, a chairman chosen by the stockholders by the vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting by stockholders present in person or by proxy. The Secretary or, in the case of a vacancy in the office or absence of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary or an individual appointed by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting shall act as secretary of the meeting. In the event that the Secretary presides at a meeting of stockholders, an Assistant Secretary, or, in the absence of all Assistant Secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, shall record the minutes of the meeting. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined by the chairman of the meeting. The chairman of the meeting may prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and take such action as, in the discretion of the chairman of the meeting and without any action by the stockholders, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, (a) restricting admission to the time set for the commencement of the meeting; (b) limiting attendance or participation at the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized proxies and such other individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (c) limiting the time allotted to questions or comments; (d) determining when and for how long the polls should be opened and when the polls should be closed; (e) maintaining order and security at the meeting; (f) removing any stockholder or any other individual who refuses to comply with meeting procedures, rules or guidelines as set forth by the chairman of the meeting; (g) concluding a meeting or recessing or adjourning the meeting, whether or not a quorum is present, to a later date and time and at a place announced at the meeting; and (h) complying with any state and local laws and regulations concerning safety and security. Unless otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with any rules of parliamentary procedure.
Section 6. QUORUM. At any meeting of stockholders, the presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting on any matter shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; but this section shall not affect any requirement under any statute or under the charter of the Corporation (the “Charter”) for the vote necessary for the approval of any matter. If such quorum is not established at any meeting of stockholders, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time to a date not more than one hundred and twenty (120) days after the original record date without notice other than announcement at the meeting. At such adjourned meeting, if a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally convened.
The stockholders present either in person or by proxy at a meeting that has been duly called and at which a quorum has been established, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough stockholders to leave fewer than would be required to establish a quorum.
Section 7. VOTING. A nominee for director shall be elected as a director only if such nominee receives the affirmative vote of a majority of the total votes cast for and against such nominee at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present. However, directors shall be elected by a plurality of all the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present for which (a) the Secretary receives notice that a stockholder has nominated an individual for election as a director in compliance with the requirements of advance notice of stockholder nominees for director set forth in Article II, Section 11 of these Bylaws, and (b) such nomination has not been withdrawn by such stockholder on or before the close of business on the tenth (10th) day before the date of filing of the definitive proxy statement of the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and, as a result of which, the number of nominees is greater than the number of directors to be elected at the meeting. Each share of stock entitles the holder thereof to vote for as many individuals as there are directors to be elected and for whose election the holder of such share of stock is entitled to vote. A majority of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to approve any other matter that may properly come before the meeting, unless more than a majority of the votes cast or entitled to be cast is required by statute or by the Charter. Unless otherwise provided by statute or by the Charter, each outstanding share of stock, regardless of class, entitles the holder thereof to cast one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders. Voting on any question or in any election may be viva voce unless the chairman of the meeting shall order that voting be by ballot or otherwise.
Section 8. PROXIES. A holder of record of shares of stock of the Corporation may cast votes in person or by proxy executed by the stockholder or by the stockholder’s duly authorized agent in any manner permitted by applicable law. Such proxy or evidence of authorization of such proxy shall be filed with the Secretary before or at the meeting. No proxy shall be valid more than eleven (11) months after its date unless otherwise provided in the proxy.
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Section 9. VOTING OF STOCK BY CERTAIN HOLDERS. Shares of stock of the Corporation registered in the name of a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other entity, if entitled to be voted, may be voted by the president or a vice president, managing member, director, manager, general partner or trustee thereof, as the case may be, or a proxy appointed by any of the foregoing individuals, unless some other person who has been appointed to vote such shares of stock pursuant to a bylaw or a resolution of the governing body of such corporation or other entity or agreement of the partners of a partnership presents a certified copy of such bylaw, resolution or agreement, in which case such person may vote such shares of stock. Any trustee or fiduciary, in such capacity, may vote shares of stock registered in such trustee’s or fiduciary’s name, either in person or by proxy.
Shares of stock of the Corporation directly or indirectly owned by it shall not be voted at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares entitled to be voted at any given time, unless they are held by it, directly or indirectly, in a fiduciary capacity, in which case they may be voted and shall be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time.
The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution a procedure by which a stockholder may certify in writing to the Corporation that any shares of stock registered in the name of the stockholder are held for the account of a specified person other than the stockholder. The resolution shall set forth the class of stockholders who may make the certification, the purpose for which the certification may be made, the form of certification and the information to be contained in it; if the certification is with respect to a record date, the time after the record date within which the certification must be received by the Corporation; and any other provisions with respect to the procedure which the Board of Directors considers necessary or appropriate. On receipt by the Secretary of such certification, the person specified in the certification shall be regarded as, for the purposes set forth in the certification, the stockholder of record of the specified shares of stock in place of the stockholder who makes the certification.
Section 10. INSPECTORS. The Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting may appoint, before or at the meeting, one or more inspectors for the meeting and any successor to the inspector. Except as otherwise provided by the chairman of the meeting, the inspectors, if any, shall (a) determine the number of shares of stock represented at the meeting, in person or by proxy, and the validity and effect of proxies, (b) receive and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, (c) report such tabulation to the chairman of the meeting, (d) hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, and (e) do such acts as are proper to fairly conduct the election or vote. Each such report shall be in writing and signed by the inspector or by a majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors. The report of the inspector or inspectors on the number of shares represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall be prima facie evidence thereof.
Section 11. ADVANCE NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR AND OTHER STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS.
(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders. (1) Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (iii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record at the record date set by the Board of Directors for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting, at the time of giving of notice by the stockholder as provided for in this Section 11(a) and at the time of the annual meeting (and any postponement or adjournment thereof), who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on any such other business and who has complied with this Section 11(a).
(2) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of paragraph (a)(1) of this Section 11, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary and any such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for action by the stockholders. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall set forth all information required under this
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Section 11 and shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the one hundred fiftieth (150th) day nor later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the first (1st) anniversary of the date of the proxy statement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article II) for the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in connection with the Corporation’s first annual meeting or in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than thirty (30) days from the first (1st) anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting, in order for notice by the stockholder to be timely, such notice must be so delivered not earlier than the one hundred fiftieth (150th) day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the date of such annual meeting, as originally convened, and the tenth (10) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of an annual meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.
(3) Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth:
(i) as to each individual whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director (each, a “Proposed Nominee”), all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act;
(ii) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a description of such business, the stockholder’s reasons for proposing such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below), individually or in the aggregate, including any anticipated benefit to the stockholder or the Stockholder Associated Person therefrom;
(iii) as to the stockholder giving the notice, any Proposed Nominee and any Stockholder Associated Person,
(A) the class, series and number of all shares of stock or other securities of the Corporation or any affiliate thereof (collectively, the “Company Securities”), if any, that are owned (beneficially or of record) by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, and any short interest (including any opportunity to profit or share in any benefit from any decrease in the price of such stock or other security) in any Company Securities of any such person,
(B) the nominee holder for, and number of, any Company Securities owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person,
(C) whether and the extent to which such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, directly or indirectly (through brokers, nominees or otherwise), is subject to any hedging, derivative or other transaction or series of transactions or entered into any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short interest, any borrowing or lending of securities or any proxy or voting agreement), the effect or intent of which is to (I) manage risk or benefit from changes in the price of Company Securities for such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person or (II) increase or decrease the voting power of such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person in the Corporation or any affiliate thereof disproportionately to such person’s economic interest in the Company Securities; and
(D) any substantial interest, direct or indirect (including, without limitation, any existing or prospective commercial, business or contractual relationship with the Corporation), by security holdings or otherwise, of such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, in the Corporation or any affiliate thereof, other than an interest arising from the ownership of Company Securities where such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person receives no extra or special benefit not shared on a pro rata basis by all other holders of the same class or series; and
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(iv) as to the stockholder giving the notice, any Stockholder Associated Person with an interest or ownership referred to in clauses (ii) or (iii) of this paragraph (3) of this Section 11(a) and any Proposed Nominee,
(A) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s stock ledger, and the current name and business address, if different, of each such Stockholder Associated Person and any Proposed Nominee,
(B) the investment strategy or objective, if any, of such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person who is not an individual, and
(C) to the extent known by the stockholder giving the notice, the name and address of any other stockholder supporting the Proposed Nominee for election or reelection as a director or the proposal of other business on the date of such stockholder’s notice.
(4) Such stockholder’s notice shall, with respect to any Proposed Nominee, be accompanied by a written undertaking executed by the Proposed Nominee (i) that such Proposed Nominee (a) is not, and will not become, a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed to the Corporation and (b) will serve as a director of the Corporation if elected; and (ii) attaching a completed Proposed Nominee questionnaire (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Corporation, upon request by the stockholder providing the notice, and shall include all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act, or would be required pursuant to the rules of any national securities exchange on which any securities of the Corporation are listed or over-the-counter market on which any securities of the Corporation are traded).
(5) Notwithstanding anything in this subsection (a) of this Section 11 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased, and there is no public announcement of such action at least one hundred and thirty (130) days prior to the first (1st) anniversary of the date of the proxy statement (as defined in Section 11(c)(3) of this Article II) for the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 11(a) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.
(6) For purposes of this Section 11, “Stockholder Associated Person” of any stockholder shall mean (i) any person acting in concert with such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder (other than a stockholder that is a depositary) and (iii) any person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such stockholder or such Stockholder Associated Person.
(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected only (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) provided that the special meeting has been called in accordance with Section 3(a) of this Article II for the purpose of electing directors, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the record date set by the Board of Directors for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to vote at the special meeting, at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 11 and at the time of the special meeting (and any postponement or adjournment thereof), who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 11. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more individuals to the Board of Directors, any stockholder may nominate an individual or individuals (as the case may be) for election as a director as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the stockholder’s notice, containing the information required by paragraphs (a)(3) and (4) of
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this Section 11, is delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such special meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such special meeting and the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of a special meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.
(c) General. (1) If information submitted pursuant to this Section 11 by any stockholder proposing a nominee for election as a director or any proposal for other business at a meeting of stockholders shall be inaccurate in any material respect, such information may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11. Any such stockholder shall notify the Corporation of any inaccuracy or change (within two (2) Business Days of becoming aware of such inaccuracy or change) in any such information. Upon written request by the Secretary or the Board of Directors, any such stockholder shall provide, within five (5) Business Days of delivery of such request (or such other period as may be specified in such request), (A) written verification, satisfactory, in the discretion of the Board of Directors or any authorized officer of the Corporation, to demonstrate the accuracy of any information submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 11, and (B) a written update of any information (including, if requested by the Corporation, written confirmation by such stockholder that it continues to intend to bring such nomination or other business proposal before the meeting) submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 11 as of an earlier date. If a stockholder fails to provide such written verification or written update within such period, the information as to which written verification or a written update was requested may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11.
(2) Only such individuals who are nominated in accordance with this Section 11 shall be eligible for election by stockholders as directors, and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 11. The chairman of the meeting shall have the power to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with this Section 11 and, if he or she determines that any nomination or other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was not made or proposed, as the case may be, in compliance with this Section 11, to declare that such defective nomination or proposal be disregarded.
(3) For purposes of this Section 11, “the date of the proxy statement” shall have the same meaning as “the date of the company’s proxy statement released to shareholders” as used in Rule 14a-8(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act, as interpreted by the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. “Public announcement” shall mean disclosure (A) in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press, Business Wire, PR Newswire or other widely circulated news or wire service or (B) in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act.
(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the Exchange Act with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 11; provided, however, that any references in these Bylaws to the Exchange Act or the rules promulgated thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the requirements applicable to nominations or proposals as to any other business to be considered pursuant to this Section 11. Nothing in this Section 11 shall be deemed to affect any right of a stockholder to request inclusion of a proposal in, or the right of the Corporation to omit a proposal from, any proxy statement filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act. Nothing in this Section 11 shall require disclosure of revocable proxies received by the stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person pursuant to a solicitation of proxies after the filing of an effective Schedule 14A by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act.
(5) Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, except as otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, if the stockholder giving notice as provided for in this Section 11 does not appear in person or by proxy at such annual or special meeting to present each nominee for election as a director or the proposed business, as applicable, such matter shall not be considered at the meeting.
Section 12. TELEPHONE MEETINGS. The Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting may permit one or more stockholders to participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
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Section 13. CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION ACT. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Charter or these Bylaws, Title 3, Subtitle 7 of the Maryland General Corporation Law, or any successor statute (the “MGCL”), shall not apply to any acquisition by any person of shares of stock of the Corporation. This section may be repealed, in whole or in part, at any time, whether before or after an acquisition of control shares and, upon such repeal, may, to the extent provided by any successor bylaw, apply to any prior or subsequent control share acquisition.
Section 14. STOCKHOLDERS’ CONSENT IN LIEU OF MEETING. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting (a) if a unanimous consent setting forth the action is given in writing or by electronic transmission by each stockholder entitled to vote on the matter and filed with the minutes of proceedings of the stockholders or (b) if the action is advised, and submitted to the stockholders for approval, by the Board of Directors and a consent in writing or by electronic transmission of stockholders entitled to cast not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take the action at a meeting of stockholders is delivered to the Corporation in accordance with the MGCL. The Corporation shall give notice of any action taken by less than unanimous consent to each stockholder not later than ten (10) days after the effective time of such action.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
Section 1. GENERAL POWERS. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. NUMBER, TENURE, RESIGNATION AND QUALIFICATIONS. A majority of the entire Board of Directors may establish, increase or decrease the number of directors; provided that the number thereof shall never be less than the minimum number required by the MGCL, which is one (1), nor more than fifteen (15); provided further that the tenure of office of a director shall not be affected by any decrease in the number of directors. Except as otherwise provided in Section 11 of this Article III, directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of stockholders, and each director shall be elected to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies. Any director of the Corporation may resign at any time by delivering his or her resignation in writing to the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors or the Secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation.
A majority of the Board of Directors shall consist of directors who are independent as determined under the applicable listing standards and rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange (each, an “Independent Director”). A qualification for each (1) nominee recommended by the Board of Directors to the stockholders to fill an Independent Director Position (as defined below) or (2) a director elected by the Board of Directors to fill an Independent Director Position shall be that such nominee or director shall have been recommended to the Board of Directors by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors. An “Independent Director Position” means a directorship that replaces an Independent Director, fills a vacancy on the Board of Directors that results from the death, resignation or removal of an Independent Director or results from an increase in the size of the Board of Directors, which new board position must be filled by an Independent Director.
Section 3. ANNUAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS. An annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders, with no notice other than this Bylaw being necessary. In the event such meeting is not so held, the meeting may be held at such date, time and place as shall be specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the date, time and place of regular meetings of the Board of Directors without other notice than such resolution.
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Section 4. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a majority of the directors then in office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix the date, time and place of any special meeting of the Board of Directors called by them. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place of special meetings of the Board of Directors without other notice than such resolution.
Section 5. NOTICE. Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be delivered personally or by telephone, electronic mail, facsimile transmission, courier or United States mail to each director at his or her business or residence address or by any other means permitted under Maryland law. Notice by personal delivery, telephone, electronic mail or facsimile transmission shall be given at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the meeting. Notice by United States mail shall be given at least three (3) days prior to the meeting. Notice by courier shall be given at least two (2) days prior to the meeting. Telephone notice shall be deemed to be given when the director or his or her agent is personally given such notice in a telephone call to which the director or his or her agent is a party. Electronic mail notice shall be deemed to be given upon transmission of the message to the electronic mail address given to the Corporation by the director. Facsimile transmission notice shall be deemed to be given upon completion of the transmission of the message to the number given to the Corporation by the director and receipt of a completed answer-back indicating receipt. Notice by United States mail shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail properly addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. Notice by courier shall be deemed to be given when deposited with or delivered to a courier properly addressed. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be stated in the notice, unless specifically required by statute or these Bylaws.
Section 6. QUORUM. A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors; provided that, if less than a majority of such directors is present at such meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice; and provided further that if, pursuant to applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws, the vote of a majority or other percentage of a specified group of directors is required for action, a quorum must also include a majority or such other percentage of such group.
The directors present at a meeting that has been duly called and at which a quorum has been established may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal from the meeting of enough directors to leave fewer than required to establish a quorum.
Section 7. VOTING. The action of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the action of the Board of Directors, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws. If enough directors have withdrawn from a meeting to leave fewer than required to establish a quorum, but the meeting is not adjourned, the action of the majority of that number of directors necessary to constitute a quorum at such meeting shall be the action of the Board of Directors, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable law, the Charter or these Bylaws.
Section 8. ORGANIZATION. At each meeting of the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors or, in the absence of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, shall act as chairman of the meeting. In the absence of both the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or, in the absence of the Chief Executive Officer, the President or, in the absence of the President, a director chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall act as chairman of the meeting. The Secretary or, in his or her absence, an Assistant Secretary, or, in the absence of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, an individual appointed by the chairman of the meeting, shall act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 9. TELEPHONE MEETINGS. Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
Section 10. CONSENT BY DIRECTORS WITHOUT A MEETING. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action is given by each director and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors.
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Section 11. VACANCIES. If for any reason any or all of the directors cease to be directors, such event shall not terminate the Corporation or affect these Bylaws or the powers of the remaining directors hereunder. Except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, any vacancy on the Board of Directors for any cause other than an increase in the number of directors may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors, even if such majority is less than a quorum. Any vacancy in the number of directors created by an increase in the number of directors may be filled by a majority of the entire Board of Directors. Any individual so elected as director shall serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies.
Section 12. COMPENSATION. Directors shall not receive any stated salary for their services as directors but, by resolution of the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof, may receive compensation per year and/or per meeting and/or per visit to real property or other facilities owned or leased by the Corporation and for any service or activity they performed or engaged in as directors. Directors may be reimbursed for expenses of attendance, if any, at each annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof and for their expenses, if any, in connection with each property visit and any other service or activity they perform or engage in as directors; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any directors from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.
Section 13. RELIANCE. Each director and officer of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his or her duties with respect to the Corporation, be entitled to rely on any information, opinion, report or statement, including any financial statement or other financial data, prepared or presented by an officer or employee of the Corporation whom the director or officer reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented, by a lawyer, certified public accountant or other person, as to a matter that the director or officer reasonably believes to be within the person’s professional or expert competence, or, with respect to a director, by a committee of the Board of Directors on which the director does not serve, as to a matter within its designated authority, if the director reasonably believes the committee to merit confidence.
Section 14. RATIFICATION. The Board of Directors or the stockholders may ratify any action or inaction by the Corporation or its officers to the extent that the Board of Directors or the stockholders could have originally authorized the matter, and if so ratified, shall have the same force and effect as if originally duly authorized, and such ratification shall be binding upon the Corporation and its stockholders. Any action or inaction questioned in any stockholders’ derivative proceeding or any other proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a director, officer or stockholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, the application of improper principles or practices of accounting or otherwise, may be ratified, before or after judgment, by the Board of Directors or by the stockholders, and if so ratified, shall have the same force and effect as if the questioned action or inaction had been originally duly authorized, and such ratification shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned action or inaction.
Section 15. CERTAIN RIGHTS OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. A director or officer of the Corporation shall have no responsibility to devote his or her full time to the affairs of the Corporation. Any director or officer, in his or her personal capacity or in a capacity as an affiliate, employee, or agent of any other person, or otherwise, may have business interests and engage in business activities similar to, in addition to or in competition with those of or relating to the Corporation.
Section 16. EMERGENCY PROVISIONS. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Charter or these Bylaws, this Section 16 shall apply during the existence of any catastrophe, or other similar emergency condition, as a result of which a quorum of the Board of Directors under Article III of these Bylaws cannot readily be obtained (an “Emergency”). During any Emergency, unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, (a) a meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee thereof may be called by any director or officer by any means feasible under the circumstances, (b) notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors during such an Emergency may be given less than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the meeting to as many directors and by such means as may be feasible at the time, including publication, television or radio, and (c) the number of directors necessary to constitute a quorum shall be one-third of the entire Board of Directors.
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ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES
Section 1. NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS. The Board of Directors may appoint from among its members an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and other committees, composed of one or more directors, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. In the absence of any member of any such committee, the members thereof present at any meeting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint another director to act in the place of such absent member; provided that such director meets the requirements of such committee.
Section 2. POWERS. The Board of Directors may delegate to any committee appointed under Section 1 of this Article IV any of the powers of the Board of Directors, except as prohibited by law. Except as may be otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, any committee may delegate some or all of its power and authority to one or more subcommittees, composed of one or more directors, as the committee deems appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion.
Section 3. MEETINGS. Notice of committee meetings shall be given in the same manner as notice for special meetings of the Board of Directors. A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the committee. The act of a majority of the committee members present at a meeting shall be the act of such committee. The Board of Directors, or the members of a committee to which such power has been duly delegated by the Board of Directors, may designate a chairman of any committee, and such chairman or, in the absence of a chairman, any two (2) members of any committee (if there are at least two (2) members of the committee) may fix the time and place of its meetings unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise provide.
Section 4. TELEPHONE MEETINGS. Members of a committee of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
Section 5. CONSENT BY COMMITTEES WITHOUT A MEETING. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of a committee of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing or by electronic transmission to such action is given by each member of the committee and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of such committee.
Section 6. REMOVAL AND VACANCIES. Subject to the provisions hereof, the Board of Directors shall have the power at any time to change the membership or size of any committee (including the removal of any member of such committee), to appoint the chair of any committee, to fill any vacancy, to designate an alternate member to replace any absent or disqualified member or to dissolve any such committee.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
Section 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS. The officers of the Corporation shall include a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer and may include a Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Chief Executive Officer, one or more Vice Presidents, a Chief Operating Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, one or more Assistant Secretaries and one or more Assistant Treasurers. In addition, the Board of Directors may from time to time elect such other officers with such powers and duties as it shall deem necessary or appropriate. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors, except that the Chief Executive Officer or President may from time to time appoint one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers or other officers. The Board of Directors may elect, or the Chief Executive Officer may appoint, as the case may be, one or more persons to each office. Each officer shall serve until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies or until his or her death, or his or her resignation or removal in the manner
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hereinafter provided. Any two (2) or more offices except President and Vice President, Secretary and Assistant Secretary or Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer may be held by the same person. Election of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights between the Corporation and such officer or agent.
Section 2. REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION. Any officer or agent of the Corporation may be removed, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors if in its judgment the best interests of the Corporation would be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by delivering his or her written resignation to the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation. Such resignation shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the Corporation.
Section 3. VACANCIES. A vacancy in any office may be filled by the Board of Directors for the balance of the term.
Section 4. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The Board of Directors may designate from among its members a Chairman of the Board of Directors, who shall not, solely by reason of these Bylaws, be an officer of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate the Chairman of the Board of Directors as an executive or non-executive chairman. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside over the meetings of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by these Bylaws or the Board of Directors.
Section 5. VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The Board of Directors may designate from among its members a Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, who shall not, solely by reason of these Bylaws, be an officer of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors as an executive or non-executive vice chairman. The Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by these Bylaws or the Board of Directors.
Section 6. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. The Board of Directors may designate a Chief Executive Officer. In the absence of such designation, the Chairman of the Board of Directors shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. The Chief Executive Officer shall have general responsibility for implementation of the policies of the Corporation, as determined by the Board of Directors, and for the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of Chief Executive Officer and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.
Section 7. CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER. The Board of Directors may designate a Chief Operating Officer. The Chief Operating Officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.
Section 8. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. The Board of Directors may designate a Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.
Section 9. PRESIDENT. In the absence of a Chief Executive Officer, the President shall in general supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the Corporation. In the absence of a designation of a Chief Operating Officer by the Board of Directors, the President shall be the Chief Operating Officer. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of President and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.
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Section 10. VICE PRESIDENTS. In the absence of the President or in the event of a vacancy in such office, the Vice President (or in the event there be more than one Vice President, the Vice Presidents in the order designated at the time of their election or, in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the President and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President; and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to such Vice President by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may designate one or more Vice Presidents as Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or as Vice President for particular areas of responsibility.
Section 11. SECRETARY. The Secretary shall: (a) keep the minutes of the proceedings of the stockholders, the Board of Directors and committees of the Board of Directors in one or more books provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law; (c) be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the Corporation; (d) keep a register of the post office address of each stockholder which shall be furnished to the Secretary by such stockholder; (e) have general charge of the stock transfer books of the Corporation; and (f) in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Board of Directors.
Section 12. TREASURER. The Treasurer shall have custody of the funds and securities of the Corporation, shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation, shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors and in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Board of Directors. In the absence of a designation of a Chief Financial Officer by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall be the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation.
The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the President and Board of Directors, at the regular meetings of the Board of Directors or whenever it may so require, an account of all his or her transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation.
Section 13. ASSISTANT SECRETARIES AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS. The Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers, in general, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the Secretary or Treasurer, respectively, or by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Board of Directors.
Section 14. COMPENSATION. The compensation of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by or under the authority of the Board of Directors and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such compensation by reason of the fact that he or she is also a director.
ARTICLE VI
CONTRACTS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS
Section 1. CONTRACTS. The Board of Directors, a committee of the Board of Directors acting within the scope of its delegated authority, or any manager of the Corporation approved by the Board of Directors and acting within the scope of its authority pursuant to a management agreement with the Corporation, may authorize any officer or agent to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Any agreement, deed, mortgage, lease or other document shall be valid and binding upon the Corporation when duly authorized or ratified by action of the Board of Directors, such other committee or such manager acting within the scope of its authority pursuant to a management agreement and executed by an authorized person.
Section 2. CHECKS AND DRAFTS. All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or agent of the Corporation in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.
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Section 3. DEPOSITS. All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited or invested from time to time to the credit of the Corporation as the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or any other officer designated by the Board of Directors may determine.
ARTICLE VII
STOCK
Section 1. CERTIFICATES. Except as may be otherwise provided by the Board of Directors or any officer of the Corporation, stockholders of the Corporation are not entitled to certificates representing the shares of stock held by them. In the event that the Corporation issues shares of stock represented by certificates, such certificates shall be in such form as prescribed by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized officer, shall contain the statements and information required by the MGCL and shall be signed by the officers of the Corporation in any manner permitted by the MGCL. In the event that the Corporation issues shares of stock without certificates, to the extent then required by the MGCL the Corporation shall provide to the record holders of such shares a written statement of the information required by the MGCL to be included on stock certificates. There shall be no differences in the rights and obligations of stockholders based on whether or not their shares are represented by certificates.
Section 2. TRANSFERS. All transfers of shares of stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation, by or on behalf of the holder of the shares of stock, in person or by his or her duly authorized agent, in such manner as the Board of Directors or any officer of the Corporation may prescribe and, if such shares of stock are certificated, upon surrender of certificates duly endorsed. The issuance of a new certificate upon the transfer of certificated shares of stock is subject to the determination of the Board of Directors or an officer of the Corporation that such shares shall no longer be represented by certificates. Upon the transfer of uncertificated shares of stock, the Corporation shall provide to the record holders of such shares of stock, to the extent then required by the MGCL, a written statement of the information required by the MGCL to be included on stock certificates.
The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share of stock as the holder in fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise expressly provided by the laws of the State of Maryland.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, transfers of shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation will be subject in all respects to the Charter, any applicable law (including, without limitation, the MGCL), and all of the terms and conditions contained therein.
Section 3. REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE. Any officer of the Corporation may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate to be lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated; provided, however, that if such shares of stock have ceased to be certificated, no new certificate shall be issued unless requested in writing by such stockholder and the Board of Directors or an officer of the Corporation has determined that such certificates may be issued. Unless otherwise determined by an officer of the Corporation, the owner of such lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, shall be required, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, to give the Corporation a bond in such sums as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation.
Section 4. FIXING OF RECORD DATE. The Board of Directors may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or determining stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, or in order to make a determination of stockholders for any other proper purpose. Such record date, in any case, shall not be prior to the close of business on the day the record date is fixed and shall be not more than ninety (90) days and, in the case of a meeting of stockholders, not less than ten (10) days, before the date on which the meeting or particular action requiring such determination of stockholders of record is to be held or taken.
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When a record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders has been set as provided in this section, such record date shall continue to apply to the meeting if postponed or adjourned, except if the meeting is postponed or adjourned to a date more than one hundred and twenty (120) days after the record date originally fixed for the meeting, in which case a new record date for such meeting shall be determined as set forth herein.
Section 5. STOCK LEDGER. The Corporation shall maintain at its principal office or at the office of its counsel, accountants or transfer agent, an original or duplicate stock ledger containing the name and address of each stockholder and the number of shares of each class of stock held by such stockholder.
Section 6. FRACTIONAL STOCK; ISSUANCE OF UNITS. The Board of Directors may authorize the Corporation to issue fractional shares of stock or authorize the issuance of scrip, all on such terms and under such conditions as it may determine. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Charter or these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of units consisting of different securities of the Corporation.
ARTICLE VIII
ACCOUNTING YEAR
The Board of Directors shall have the power, from time to time, to fix the fiscal year of the Corporation by a duly adopted resolution.
ARTICLE IX
DISTRIBUTIONS
Section 1. AUTHORIZATION. Dividends and other distributions upon the stock of the Corporation may be authorized by the Board of Directors, subject to the provisions of law and the Charter. Dividends and other distributions may be paid in cash, property or stock of the Corporation, subject to applicable law and the Charter.
Section 2. CONTINGENCIES. Before payment of any dividend or other distribution, there may be set aside out of any assets of the Corporation available for dividends or other distributions such sum or sums as the Board of Directors may from time to time, in its discretion, think proper as a reserve fund for contingencies, for equalizing dividends or other distributions, for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall determine and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve.
ARTICLE X
INVESTMENT POLICY
Subject to the provisions of the Charter, the Board of Directors may from time to time adopt, amend, revise or terminate any policy or policies with respect to investments by the Corporation as it shall deem appropriate in its sole discretion.
ARTICLE XI
SEAL
Section 1. SEAL. The Board of Directors may authorize the adoption of a seal by the Corporation. The seal shall contain the name of the Corporation and the year of its incorporation and the words “Incorporated Maryland.” The Board of Directors may authorize one or more duplicate seals and provide for the custody thereof.
Section 2. AFFIXING SEAL. Whenever the Corporation is permitted or required to affix its seal to a document, it shall be sufficient to meet the requirements of any law, rule or regulation relating to a seal to place the word “(SEAL)” adjacent to the signature of the person authorized to execute the document on behalf of the Corporation.
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ARTICLE XII
INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCE OF EXPENSES
To the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, the Corporation shall indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, shall pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (a) any individual who is a present or former director or officer of the Corporation and who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity or (b) any individual who, while a director or officer of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, serves or has served as a director, officer, trustee, member, manager, employee, partner or agent of another corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The rights to indemnification and advance of expenses provided by the Charter and these Bylaws shall vest immediately upon election of a director or officer. The Corporation shall provide such indemnification and advancement for expenses to an individual who served a predecessor of the Corporation in any of the capacities described in (a) or (b) above and may, with the approval of its Board of Directors, provide the same (or lesser) indemnification and advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation or a predecessor of the Corporation.
The indemnification and payment or reimbursement of expenses provided in these Bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of or limit in any way any other rights to which any person seeking indemnification or payment or reimbursement of expenses may be or may become entitled under any bylaw, resolution, insurance, agreement or otherwise.
Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Charter or these Bylaws inconsistent with this Article, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of this Article with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to the effective date of such amendment, repeal or adoption.
ARTICLE XIII
WAIVER OF NOTICE
Whenever any notice of a meeting is required to be given pursuant to the Charter or these Bylaws or pursuant to applicable law, a waiver thereof in writing or by electronic transmission, given by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any meeting need be set forth in the waiver of notice of such meeting, unless specifically required by statute. The attendance of any person at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where such person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened.
ARTICLE XIV
EXCLUSIVE FORUM FOR CERTAIN LITIGATION
Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, or, if that Court does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Baltimore Division, shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of any duty owed by any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or to the stockholders of the Corporation, (c) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the MGCL, the Charter or these Bylaws, or (d) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine.
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ARTICLE XV
AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
The Board of Directors shall have the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of these Bylaws and to make new Bylaws; provided, however that any amendment to the second paragraph of Section 2 of Article III of these Bylaws or to this proviso must have been recommended to the Board of Directors by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors.
* * *
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Exhibit 10.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
CREDIT RE OPERATING COMPANY, LLC
a Delaware limited liability company
Dated as of January 31, 2018
THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION, UNLESS THE TRANSFEROR DELIVERS TO THE COMPANY AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, TO THE EFFECT THAT THE PROPOSED SALE, TRANSFER OR OTHER DISPOSITION MAY BE EFFECTED WITHOUT REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND UNDER APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES OR “BLUE SKY” LAWS.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||||||
| ARTICLE 1 DEFINED TERMS |
2 | |||||
| Section 1.1 |
Definitions |
2 | ||||
| Section 1.2 |
Interpretation and Usage |
24 | ||||
| ARTICLE 2 ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS |
25 | |||||
| Section 2.1 |
Formation |
25 | ||||
| Section 2.2 |
Name |
25 | ||||
| Section 2.3 |
Principal Office and Resident Agent |
25 | ||||
| Section 2.4 |
Power of Attorney |
25 | ||||
| Section 2.5 |
Term |
27 | ||||
| ARTICLE 3 PURPOSE |
27 | |||||
| Section 3.1 |
Purpose and Business |
27 | ||||
| Section 3.2 |
Powers |
27 | ||||
| Section 3.3 |
Limited Authority and Liability of Members |
28 | ||||
| Section 3.4 |
Representations and Warranties by the Members |
28 | ||||
| ARTICLE 4 CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS |
31 | |||||
| Section 4.1 |
Capital Contributions of the Members |
31 | ||||
| Section 4.2 |
Issuances of Additional Membership Interests |
31 | ||||
| Section 4.3 |
Loans to the Company |
33 | ||||
| Section 4.4 |
Stock Incentive Plans |
34 | ||||
| Section 4.5 |
LTIP Units |
37 | ||||
| Section 4.6 |
Conversion of LTIP Units |
41 | ||||
| Section 4.7 |
Dividend Reinvestment Plan, Stock Incentive Plan or Other Plan |
43 | ||||
| Section 4.8 |
No Interest; No Return |
44 | ||||
| Section 4.9 |
Conversion or Redemption of Preferred Shares; Redemption of REIT Shares |
44 | ||||
| Section 4.10 |
Other Contribution Provisions |
44 | ||||
| Section 4.11 |
Excluded Properties |
44 | ||||
| ARTICLE 5 DISTRIBUTIONS |
45 | |||||
| Section 5.1 |
Requirement and Characterization of Distributions |
45 | ||||
| Section 5.2 |
Distributions in Kind |
45 | ||||
| Section 5.3 |
Amounts Withheld |
46 | ||||
| Section 5.4 |
Distributions upon Liquidation |
46 | ||||
| Section 5.5 |
Distributions to Reflect Additional Membership Units |
46 | ||||
| Section 5.6 |
Restricted Distributions |
46 | ||||
| Section 5.7 |
Restriction on Distributions with Respect to LTIP Units |
46 | ||||
ii
| ARTICLE 6 ALLOCATIONS |
47 | |||||
| Section 6.1 |
Timing and Amount of Allocations of Net Income and Net Loss |
47 | ||||
| Section 6.2 |
General Allocations |
47 | ||||
| Section 6.3 |
Additional Allocation Provisions |
47 | ||||
| Section 6.4 |
Tax Allocations |
52 | ||||
| ARTICLE 7 MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS OF BUSINESS |
52 | |||||
| Section 7.1 |
Management |
52 | ||||
| Section 7.2 |
Certificate of Formation |
54 | ||||
| Section 7.3 |
Restrictions on the Managing Member’s Authority |
54 | ||||
| Section 7.4 |
Reimbursement of the Managing Member and CLNS Credit |
58 | ||||
| Section 7.5 |
Outside Activities of the Managing Member |
58 | ||||
| Section 7.6 |
Transactions with Affiliates |
59 | ||||
| Section 7.7 |
Indemnification |
60 | ||||
| Section 7.8 |
Liability of the Managing Member |
63 | ||||
| Section 7.9 |
Title to Company Assets |
65 | ||||
| Section 7.10 |
Reliance by Third Parties |
65 | ||||
| ARTICLE 8 RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS |
65 | |||||
| Section 8.1 |
Limitation of Liability |
65 | ||||
| Section 8.2 |
Management of Business |
66 | ||||
| Section 8.3 |
Outside Activities of Non-Managing Members |
66 | ||||
| Section 8.4 |
Return of Capital |
66 | ||||
| Section 8.5 |
Rights of Non-Managing Members Relating to the Company |
67 | ||||
| Section 8.6 |
No Rights as Objecting Member |
67 | ||||
| Section 8.7 |
No Right to Certificate Evidencing Units; Article 8 Securities |
68 | ||||
| ARTICLE 9 BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS |
68 | |||||
| Section 9.1 |
Records and Accounting |
68 | ||||
| Section 9.2 |
Fiscal Year |
68 | ||||
| Section 9.3 |
Reports |
68 | ||||
| ARTICLE 10 TAX MATTERS |
69 | |||||
| Section 10.1 |
Preparation of Tax Returns |
69 | ||||
| Section 10.2 |
Tax Elections |
69 | ||||
| Section 10.3 |
Tax Matters Member |
70 | ||||
| Section 10.4 |
Withholding |
72 | ||||
| Section 10.5 |
Organizational Expenses |
73 | ||||
| ARTICLE 11 MEMBER TRANSFERS AND WITHDRAWALS |
73 | |||||
| Section 11.1 |
Transfer |
73 | ||||
| Section 11.2 |
Transfer of the Managing Member’s Membership Interest |
73 | ||||
| Section 11.3 |
Non-Managing Members’ Rights to Transfer |
74 | ||||
| Section 11.4 |
Substituted Members |
76 | ||||
| Section 11.5 |
Assignees |
76 | ||||
| Section 11.6 |
General Provisions |
77 | ||||
| Section 11.7 |
Restrictions on Termination Transactions |
78 | ||||
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| ARTICLE 12 ADMISSION OF MEMBERS |
80 | |||||
| Section 12.1 |
Admission of Successor Managing Member |
80 | ||||
| Section 12.2 |
Admission of Additional Members |
80 | ||||
| Section 12.3 |
Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Formation |
81 | ||||
| Section 12.4 |
Limit on Number of Members |
81 | ||||
| Section 12.5 |
Admission |
81 | ||||
| ARTICLE 13 DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND TERMINATION |
81 | |||||
| Section 13.1 |
Dissolution |
81 | ||||
| Section 13.2 |
Winding Up |
82 | ||||
| Section 13.3 |
Deemed Contribution and Distribution |
83 | ||||
| Section 13.4 |
Rights of Holders |
84 | ||||
| Section 13.5 |
Notice of Dissolution |
84 | ||||
| Section 13.6 |
Cancellation of Certificate of Formation |
84 | ||||
| Section 13.7 |
Reasonable Time for Winding-Up |
84 | ||||
| ARTICLE 14 PROCEDURES FOR ACTIONS AND CONSENTS OF MEMBERS; AMENDMENTS; MEETINGS |
84 | |||||
| Section 14.1 |
Actions and Consents of Members |
84 | ||||
| Section 14.2 |
Amendments |
85 | ||||
| Section 14.3 |
Procedures for Meetings and Actions of the Members |
85 | ||||
| ARTICLE 15 GENERAL PROVISIONS |
86 | |||||
| Section 15.1 |
Redemption Rights of Qualifying Parties |
86 | ||||
| Section 15.2 |
Addresses and Notice |
95 | ||||
| Section 15.3 |
Titles and Captions |
96 | ||||
| Section 15.4 |
Further Action |
96 | ||||
| Section 15.5 |
Binding Effect |
96 | ||||
| Section 15.6 |
Waiver |
96 | ||||
| Section 15.7 |
Counterparts |
96 | ||||
| Section 15.8 |
Applicable Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Jury Trial |
97 | ||||
| Section 15.9 |
Entire Agreement |
97 | ||||
| Section 15.10 |
Invalidity of Provisions |
97 | ||||
| Section 15.11 |
Limitation to Preserve REIT Status |
97 | ||||
| Section 15.12 |
No Partition |
99 | ||||
| Section 15.13 |
No Third-Party Rights Created Hereby |
99 | ||||
| Section 15.14 |
No Rights as Stockholders |
99 | ||||
| Exhibit A |
EXAMPLES REGARDING ADJUSTMENT FACTOR |
A-1 | ||||||
| Exhibit B |
NOTICE OF REDEMPTION |
B-1 | ||||||
| Exhibit C |
MEMBER NOTICE OF LTIP CONVERSION ELECTION |
C-1 | ||||||
| Exhibit D |
COMPANY NOTICE OF LTIP CONVERSION ELECTION |
D-1 | ||||||
| Schedule I |
MEMBERS AND CAPITAL ACCOUNTS |
Sch. I-1 | ||||||
| Schedule II | SCHEDULE OF GROSS ASSET VALUES | Sch. II-1 | ||||||
iv
AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT OF
CREDIT RE OPERATING COMPANY, LLC
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT OF CREDIT RE OPERATING COMPANY, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), dated as of January 31, 2018, is entered into by and among (i) Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“CLNS Credit”), (ii) NRF RED REIT Corp., a Maryland corporation (“RED REIT”), and (iii) each other Person who at any time after the date hereof becomes a Member of the Company in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Act.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company was formed as a limited liability company under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, Title 6, Sections 18-101 et seq. (the “Act”), by the filing of a Certificate of Formation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on August 23, 2017 (the “Original Certificate”);
WHEREAS, on August 23, 2017, CLNS Credit entered into a limited liability company agreement of the Company (the “Original Agreement”);
WHEREAS, on January 31, 2018, pursuant to the terms of that certain Master Combination Agreement, dated as of August 25, 2017, as amended and restated on November 20, 2017, and as further amended from time to time (the “Combination Agreement”), by and among Colony Capital Operating Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Constellation OP”), RED REIT, NorthStar Real Estate Income Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“Nova I”), NorthStar Real Estate Income Trust Operating Partnership, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Nova I OP”), NorthStar Real Estate Income II, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“Nova II”), NorthStar Real Estate Income Operating Partnership II, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Nova II OP”), CLNS Credit and the Company, Constellation OP contributed the Constellation OP Contributed Entities (as defined in the Combination Agreement) to CLNS Credit (the “Constellation OP Contribution”) in exchange for 44,399,444 Class A REIT Shares;
WHEREAS, following the Constellation OP Contribution and pursuant to the terms of the Combination Agreement, RED REIT contributed the RED REIT Contributed Entities (as defined in the Combination Agreement) to the Company (the “RED REIT Contribution” and together with the Constellation OP Contribution, the “CLNS Contribution”) in exchange for 3,075,623 Membership Common Units;
WHEREAS, following the CLNS Contribution and pursuant to the terms of the Combination Agreement, Nova I was merged with and into CLNS Credit (the “Nova I Merger”), with CLNS Credit surviving;
WHEREAS, following the CLNS Contribution and pursuant to the terms of the Combination Agreement, Nova II was merged with and into CLNS Credit (the “Nova II Merger” and together with the Nova I Merger, the “REIT Mergers”), with CLNS Credit surviving;
WHEREAS, following the REIT Mergers and pursuant to the terms of the Combination Agreement, CLNS Credit contributed to the Company (i) the Constellation OP Contributed Entities, (ii) the equity interests of Nova I OP and (iii) the equity interests of Nova II OP, in exchange for an aggregate number of Membership Common Units equal to the sum of (A) 44,399,444, (B) the number of Class A REIT Shares issued pursuant to the Nova I Merger and (C) the number of Class A REIT Shares issued pursuant to the Nova II Merger, respectively (the “CLNS Credit Contribution”); and
WHEREAS, in connection with the consummation of the CLNS Contribution, the REIT Mergers and the CLNS Credit Contribution, each of CLNS Credit and RED REIT desire to amend and restate the Original Agreement to read in its entirety as set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINED TERMS
Section 1.1 Definitions. The following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement:
“Act” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Actions” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.7.A hereof.
“Additional Funds” means any additional funds that the Managing Member may, at any time and from time to time, determine that the Company requires for the acquisition of additional properties, for the redemption of Membership Units or for such other purposes as the Managing Member may determine.
“Additional Member” means a Person who is admitted to the Company as a Member pursuant to the Act and Section 12.2 hereof, who is shown as such on the books and records of the Company, and who has not ceased to be a Member pursuant to the Act and this Agreement.
“Adjusted Available Cash” means, as of any date of determination, the sum of Available Cash and REIT Available Cash.
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“Adjusted Capital Account Deficit” means, with respect to any Member, the deficit balance, if any, in such Member’s Capital Account as of the end of the relevant Fiscal Year, after giving effect to the following adjustments:
| (i) | decrease such deficit by any amounts that such Member is obligated to restore pursuant to this Agreement or by operation of law upon liquidation of such Member’s Membership Interest or that such Member is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentence of each of Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5); and |
| (ii) | increase such deficit by the items described in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) and (6). |
The foregoing definition of “Adjusted Capital Account Deficit” is intended to comply with the provisions of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
“Adjustment Events” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.5.A(i) hereof.
“Adjustment Factor” means 1.0; provided, however, that in the event that:
| (i) | CLNS Credit (a) declares or pays a dividend on its outstanding REIT Shares wholly or partly in REIT Shares or makes a distribution to all holders of its outstanding REIT Shares wholly or partly in REIT Shares, (b) splits or subdivides its outstanding REIT Shares or (c) effects a reverse stock split or otherwise combines its outstanding REIT Shares into a smaller number of REIT Shares, the Adjustment Factor shall be adjusted by multiplying the Adjustment Factor then in effect by a fraction, (i) the numerator of which shall be the number of REIT Shares issued and outstanding on the record date for such dividend, distribution, split, subdivision, reverse split or combination (assuming for such purposes that such dividend, distribution, split, subdivision, reverse split or combination has occurred as of such time) and (ii) the denominator of which shall be the actual number of REIT Shares (determined without the above assumption) issued and outstanding on the record date for such dividend, distribution, split, subdivision, reverse split or combination; |
| (ii) | CLNS Credit distributes any rights, options or warrants to all holders of its REIT Shares to subscribe for or to purchase or to otherwise acquire REIT Shares, or other securities or rights convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for REIT Shares (other than REIT Shares issuable pursuant to a Qualified DRIP), at a price per share less than the Value of a REIT Share on the record date for such distribution (each, a “Distributed Right”), then, as of the distribution date of such Distributed Rights or, if later, the time such Distributed Rights become exercisable, the Adjustment Factor shall be adjusted by multiplying the Adjustment Factor then in effect by a fraction (a) the numerator of which shall be the number of REIT Shares issued and outstanding on the record date plus the maximum number of REIT Shares purchasable under such Distributed Rights and (b) the denominator of which shall be the number of REIT Shares issued and outstanding on the record date plus a fraction (1) the numerator of which is the maximum number of REIT Shares purchasable under such Distributed Rights, |
3
| multiplied by the minimum purchase price per REIT Share under such Distributed Rights and (2) the denominator of which is the Value of a REIT Share as of the record date; provided, however, that, if any such Distributed Rights expire or become no longer exercisable, then the Adjustment Factor shall be adjusted, effective retroactive to the date of distribution (or, if later, the time the Distributed Rights become exercisable) of the Distributed Rights, to reflect a reduced maximum number of REIT Shares or any change in the minimum purchase price for the purposes of the above fraction; and |
| (iii) | CLNS Credit shall, by dividend or otherwise, distribute to all holders of its REIT Shares evidences of its indebtedness or its assets (including securities, but excluding cash or any dividend or distribution referred to in subsection (i) or (ii) above, or any Membership Units), which evidences of indebtedness or assets relate to assets not received by CLNS Credit pursuant to a pro rata distribution by the Company, then the Adjustment Factor shall be adjusted to equal the amount determined by multiplying the Adjustment Factor then in effect by a fraction (a) the numerator of which shall be such Value of a REIT Share as of the trading day immediately preceding the ex-date for such dividend or distribution and (b) the denominator of which shall be the Value of a REIT Share as of the trading day immediately preceding the ex-date for such dividend or distribution, less the then fair market value (as determined by the Managing Member, whose determination shall be conclusive) of the portion of the evidences of indebtedness or assets so distributed applicable to one REIT Share. |
Any adjustment to the Adjustment Factor shall become effective on the first date on which REIT Shares trade at a price that reflects such event (the “ex-date”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any of the events in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above occur, no adjustments will be made to the Adjustment Factor for any class or series of Membership Interests to the extent that the Company concurrently makes or effects a correlative distribution or payment to all of the Members holding Membership Interests of such class or series, or effects a correlative split, subdivision, reverse split or combination in respect of the Membership Interests of such class or series. If CLNS Credit effects a dividend that allows holders of REIT Shares to elect to receive cash or additional REIT Shares, the Company may effect a correlative distribution by distributing to all Members holding Membership Interests of such class or series a combination of cash and additional Membership Interests in the same ratio as the ratio of cash and REIT Shares paid by CLNS Credit, without offering Members an opportunity to elect to receive cash or additional Membership Interests. Any adjustments to the Adjustment Factor shall become effective immediately after such event, retroactive to the record date, if any, for such event. For illustrative purposes, examples of adjustments to the Adjustment Factor are set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto.
“Adjustment Year” has the meaning set forth in Section 6225(d)(2) of the Code or comparable provisions of state, local or non-U.S. law.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, any Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by, or is under common
4
control with, the specified Person, where “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, as trustee or executor or otherwise. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) Constellation OP and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and CLNS Credit and its Subsidiaries, on the other hand, shall not be deemed Affiliates of the other for purposes of this Agreement and (ii) no fund, investment vehicle, or investment product managed by CLNS Credit or its Subsidiaries shall be deemed an Affiliate of CLNS Credit. The terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
“Affiliated REIT” means CLNS Credit and any Affiliate of CLNS Credit or the Company that has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code and is a Member.
“Agreement” means this Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Credit RE Operating Company, LLC, as now or hereafter amended, restated, modified, supplemented or replaced.
“Applicable Percentage” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.B hereof.
“Assignee” means a Person to whom a Membership Interest has been Transferred but who has not become a Substituted Member, and who has the rights set forth in Section 11.5 hereof.
“Available Cash” means, with respect to any period for which such calculation is being made,
| (i) | the sum, without duplication, of: |
| (1) | the Company’s Net Income or Net Loss (as the case may be) for such period, |
| (2) | Depreciation and all other noncash charges to the extent deducted in determining Net Income or Net Loss for such period, |
| (3) | the amount of any reduction in reserves of the Company established by the Managing Member (including reductions resulting because the Managing Member determines such amounts are no longer necessary), |
| (4) | the excess, if any, of the net cash proceeds from the sale, exchange, disposition, financing or refinancing of Company property for such period over the gain (or loss, as the case may be) recognized from such sale, exchange, disposition, financing or refinancing during such period, and |
| (5) | all other cash received (including amounts previously accrued as Net Income and amounts of deferred income) or any net amounts borrowed by the Company for such period that was not included in determining Net Income or Net Loss for such period; |
5
| (ii) | less the sum, without duplication, of: |
| (1) | all principal Debt payments made during such period by the Company, |
| (2) | capital expenditures made by the Company during such period, |
| (3) | investments in any entity (including loans made thereto) to the extent that such investments are not otherwise described in clause (ii)(1) or clause (ii)(2) above, |
| (4) | the excess, if any, of gain (or loss, as the case may be) recognized from the sale, exchange, disposition, financing or refinancing of Company property for such period over the net cash proceeds from such sale, exchange, disposition, financing or refinancing during such period, |
| (5) | all other expenditures and payments not deducted in determining Net Income or Net Loss for such period (including amounts paid in respect of expenses previously accrued), |
| (6) | any amount included in determining Net Income or Net Loss for such period that was not received by the Company during such period, |
| (7) | the amount of any increase in reserves (including working capital reserves) established by the Managing Member during such period, and |
| (8) | any amount distributed or paid in redemption of any Member’s Membership Interest or Membership Units, including any Cash Amount paid. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Available Cash shall not include (a) any cash received or reductions in reserves, or take into account any disbursements made, or reserves established, after dissolution and the commencement of the liquidation and winding up of the Company or (b) any Capital Contributions, whenever received or any payments, expenditures or investments made with such Capital Contributions.
“Beneficially Own” has the meaning given to such term in the Charter.
“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of CLNS Credit.
“Business Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close.
6
“Capital Account” means, with respect to any Member, the Capital Account maintained by the Managing Member for such Member on the Company’s books and records in accordance with the following provisions:
| (a) | To each Member’s Capital Account, there shall be added such Member’s Capital Contributions, such Member’s distributive share of Net Income and any items in the nature of income or gain that are specially allocated pursuant to Section 6.3 hereof, and the amount of any Company liabilities assumed by such Member or that are secured by any property distributed to such Member. |
| (b) | From each Member’s Capital Account, there shall be subtracted the amount of cash and the Gross Asset Value of any property distributed to such Member pursuant to any provision of this Agreement, such Member’s distributive share of Net Losses and any items in the nature of expenses or losses that are specially allocated pursuant to Section 6.3 hereof, and the amount of any liabilities of such Member assumed by the Company or that are secured by any property contributed by such Member to the Company (except to the extent already reflected in the amount of such Member’s Capital Contribution). |
| (c) | In the event any interest in the Company is Transferred in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the transferee shall succeed to the Member’s Capital Account of the transferor to the extent that it relates to the Transferred interest. |
| (d) | In determining the amount of any liability for purposes of subsections (a) and (b) hereof, there shall be taken into account Code Section 752(c) and any other applicable provisions of the Code and Regulations. |
| (e) | The provisions of this Agreement relating to the maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Regulations promulgated under Code Section 704, and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such Regulations. The Managing Member may modify the manner in which the Capital Accounts are maintained in order to comply with such Regulations; provided that the Managing Member determines that such modification is not reasonably likely to have a material effect on the amounts distributable to any Member without such Person’s consent. The Managing Member also may (i) make any adjustments to maintain equality between the Capital Accounts of the Members and the amount of Company capital reflected on the Company’s balance sheet, as computed for book purposes, in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(q), and (ii) make any appropriate modifications in the event that unanticipated events might otherwise cause this Agreement not to comply with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b) or Section 1.704-2; provided, however, that the Managing Member determines that such changes are not reasonably likely to materially reduce amounts otherwise distributable to the Member as current cash distributions or as distributions on termination of the Company. |
“Capital Account Limitation” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6.B hereof.
“Capital Contribution” means, with respect to any Member, the amount of money and the initial Gross Asset Value of any Contributed Property that such Member contributes to the Company or is deemed to contribute pursuant to Article 4 hereof.
7
“Capital Share” means a share of any class or series of stock of CLNS Credit now or hereafter authorized, other than a REIT Share.
“Cash Amount” means an amount of cash equal to the product of (i) the Value of a Class A REIT Share and (ii) the REIT Shares Amount determined as of the applicable Valuation Date.
“Certificate” means the Original Certificate, as may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and the Act.
“Charter” means the charter of CLNS Credit, within the meaning of Section 1-101(e) of the Maryland General Corporation Law.
“Class A REIT Share” means a share of class A common stock of CLNS Credit, par value $0.01 per share. Where relevant in this Agreement, “Class A REIT Shares” includes shares of class A common stock of CLNS Credit, par value $0.01 per share, issued upon conversion of Preferred Shares or Class B-3 REIT Shares.
“Class B-3 REIT Share” means a share of class B-3 common stock of CLNS Credit, par value $0.01 per share.
“CLNS” means Colony NorthStar, Inc., a Maryland corporation.
“CLNS Contribution” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
“Combination Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Company” means Credit RE Operating Company, LLC, the limited liability company formed and continued under the Act and pursuant to this Agreement, and any successor thereto.
“Company Employee” means an employee of the Company or an employee of a Subsidiary of the Company, if any.
“Company Equivalent Units” means, with respect to any class or series of Capital Shares, Preferred Shares, New Securities or other interests in CLNS Credit (other than REIT Shares), Membership Units with preferences, conversion and other rights (other than voting rights), restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption that are substantially the same as (or correspond to) the preferences, conversion and other rights, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of such Capital Shares, Preferred Shares, New Securities or other interests as appropriate to reflect the relative rights and preferences of such Capital Shares, Preferred Shares, New Securities or other interests as to the REIT Shares and the other classes and series of Capital Shares, Preferred Shares, New Securities or other interests as such Company Equivalent Units would have as to Membership Common Units and the other classes and series of Membership Units corresponding to the other classes of Capital Shares, Preferred
8
Shares, New Securities or other interests but not as to matters such as voting for members of the Board of Directors that are not applicable to the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, the voting rights, redemption rights, conversion rights and rights to Transfer Company Equivalent Units need not be similar to the rights of the corresponding class or series of Capital Shares, Preferred Shares, New Securities or other interests; provided, however, with respect to redemption rights and conversion rights, the terms of Company Equivalent Units must be such so that the Company complies with Section 4.9 of this Agreement.
“Company Junior Unit” means a fractional share of the Membership Interests of a particular class or series that the Managing Member has authorized pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof that has distribution rights, or rights upon liquidation, winding up and dissolution, that are inferior or junior to the Membership Common Units.
“Company Minimum Gain” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(2), and the amount of Member Minimum Gain, as well as any net increase or decrease in Member Minimum Gain, for a Fiscal Year shall be determined in accordance with the rules of Regulations Section 1.704-2(d).
“Company Preferred Unit” means a fractional share of the Membership Interests of a particular class or series that the Managing Member has authorized pursuant to Section 4.1 or Section 4.2 hereof that has distribution rights, or rights upon liquidation, winding up and dissolution, that are superior or prior to the Membership Common Units.
“Company Record Date” means the record date established by the Managing Member for the purpose of determining the Members entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of Members or to consent to any matter, or to receive any distribution or the allotment of any other rights, or in order to make a determination of Members for any other proper purpose, which, in the case of a record date fixed for the determination of Members entitled to receive any distribution, shall (unless otherwise determined by the Managing Member) generally be the same as the record date established by CLNS Credit for a distribution to its stockholders of some or all of its portion of such distribution.
“Consent” means the consent to, approval of, or vote in favor of a proposed action by a Member given in accordance with Article 14 hereof.
“Consent of the Members” means the Consent of a Majority in Interest of the Members, which Consent shall be obtained before the taking of any action for which it is required by this Agreement and, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, may be given or withheld by Members in their discretion.
“Consent of the Non-Managing Members” means the Consent of a Majority in Interest of the Non-Managing Members, which Consent shall be obtained before the taking of any action for which it is required by this Agreement and, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, may be given or withheld by Members in their discretion.
“Constellation OP” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
9
“Constituent Person” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6.F.
“Constructively Own” has the meaning given to such term in the Charter.
“Contributed Property” means each Property or other asset, in such form as may be permitted by the Act, but excluding cash, contributed or deemed contributed to the Company (or deemed contributed by the Company to a “new” partnership pursuant to Code Section 708).
“Controlled Entity” means, as to any Person, (a) any corporation more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned by such Person or such Person’s Family Members or Affiliates, (b) any trust, whether or not revocable, of which such Person or such Person’s Family Members or Affiliates are the sole beneficiaries, (c) any partnership of which such Person or an Affiliate of such Person is the managing partner and in which such Person or such Person’s Family Members or Affiliates hold partnership interests representing at least twenty-five percent (25%) of such partnership’s capital and profits and (d) any limited liability company of which such Person or an Affiliate of such Person is the manager or managing member and in which such Person or such Person’s Family Members or Affiliates hold membership interests representing at least twenty-five percent (25%) of such limited liability company’s capital and profits. For the avoidance of doubt, no fund, investment vehicle, or investment product managed by CLNS Credit or its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be a Controlled Entity of CLNS Credit.
“Conversion Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6.B.
“Conversion Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6.B.
“Conversion Right” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6.A.
“Cut-Off Date” means, at the election of the Managing Member, the later of (i) the fifth (5th) Business Day after the Managing Member’s receipt of a Notice of Redemption and (ii) the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors after the Managing Member’s receipt of a Notice of Redemption.
“Debt” means, as to any Person, as of any date of determination, (i) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services; (ii) all amounts owed by such Person to banks or other Persons in respect of reimbursement obligations under letters of credit, surety bonds and other similar instruments guaranteeing payment or other performance of obligations by such Person; (iii) all indebtedness for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services secured by any lien on any property owned by such Person, to the extent attributable to such Person’s interest in such property, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment thereof; and (iv) lease obligations of such Person that, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, should be capitalized.
“Declination” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.A hereof.
10
“Depreciation” means, for each Fiscal Year or other applicable period, an amount equal to the federal income tax depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction allowable with respect to an asset for such year or other period, except that if the Gross Asset Value of an asset differs from its adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes at the beginning of such year or period, Depreciation shall be in an amount that bears the same ratio to such beginning Gross Asset Value as the federal income tax depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction for such year or other period bears to such beginning adjusted tax basis; provided, however, that if the federal income tax depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery deduction for such year or period is zero, Depreciation shall be determined with reference to such beginning Gross Asset Value using any reasonable method selected by the Managing Member.
“Distributed Right” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Adjustment Factor.”
“Economic Capital Account Balances” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.E hereof.
“Equity Plan” means any stock or equity purchase plan, restricted stock or equity plan or other similar equity compensation plan now or hereafter adopted by the Company or CLNS Credit.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
“Excess Units” means Tendered Units, the issuance of REIT Shares in exchange for which would result in a violation of the Ownership Limit.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and any successor statute thereto, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
“Excluded Property” means any asset now or hereafter held directly by CLNS Credit or any direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of CLNS Credit (other than the equity of any direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of CLNS Credit and interests in the Company), in each case, to the extent such asset has not theretofore been contributed to the Company.
“Family Members” means, as to a Person that is an individual, such Person’s spouse, ancestors, descendants (whether by blood or by adoption), brothers and sisters and inter vivos or testamentary trusts of which only such Person and his spouse, ancestors, descendants (whether by blood or by adoption), brothers and sisters are beneficiaries.
“Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Company, which shall be the calendar year.
“Forced Redemption” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6.C hereof.
“Forced Redemption Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6.C hereof.
“Funding Debt” means any Debt incurred by or on behalf of the Managing Member or CLNS Credit for the purpose of providing funds to the Company.
11
“CLNS Credit” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“CLNS Credit Contribution” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“CLNS Credit Equivalent Shares” means, with respect to any class or series of Membership Units, REIT Shares or Capital Shares issued by CLNS Credit with preferences, conversion and other rights (other than voting rights), restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption that are substantially the same as (or correspond to) the preferences, conversion and other rights, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of such Membership Units as appropriate to reflect the relative rights and preferences of such Membership Units as to the other classes and series of Membership Units, but not as to matters such as voting for members of the Board of Directors that are not applicable to the Company.
“CLNS Credit Member Loan” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.B.
“Gross Asset Value” means, with respect to any asset, the asset’s adjusted basis for federal income tax purposes, except as follows:
| (i) | The initial Gross Asset Value of any asset contributed by a Member to the Company shall be (1) in the case of any asset listed on Schedule II, the gross asset value of such asset as listed on Schedule II and (ii) in all other cases, the gross fair market value of such asset as determined by the Managing Member using such reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt. |
| (ii) | The Gross Asset Values of all Company assets immediately prior to the occurrence of any event described below shall be adjusted to equal their respective gross fair market values, as determined by the Managing Member using such reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt, as of the following times: |
| (1) | the acquisition of an additional interest in the Company (other than in connection with the execution of this Agreement but including acquisitions pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof or contributions or deemed contributions by the Managing Member pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof) by a new or existing Member in exchange for more than a de minimis Capital Contribution, if the Managing Member reasonably determines that such adjustment is necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative economic interests of the Members in the Company; |
| (2) | the distribution by the Company to a Member of more than a de minimis amount of Company property as consideration for an interest in the Company if the Managing Member reasonably determines that such adjustment is necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative economic interests of the Members in the Company; |
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| (3) | the liquidation of the Company within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g); |
| (4) | upon the admission of a successor managing member pursuant to Section 12.1 hereof; and |
| (5) | at such other times as the Managing Member shall reasonably determine necessary or advisable in order to comply with Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b) and 1.704-2. |
| (iii) | The Gross Asset Value of any Company asset distributed to a Member shall be the gross fair market value of such asset on the date of distribution as determined by the Managing Member using such reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt. |
| (iv) | The Gross Asset Values of Company assets shall be increased (or decreased) to reflect any adjustments to the adjusted basis of such assets pursuant to Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b), but only to the extent that such adjustments are taken into account in determining Capital Accounts pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m); provided, however, that Gross Asset Values shall not be adjusted pursuant to this subsection (iv) to the extent that the Managing Member reasonably determines that an adjustment pursuant to subsection (ii) above is necessary or appropriate in connection with a transaction that would otherwise result in an adjustment pursuant to this subsection (iv). |
| (v) | If the Gross Asset Value of a Company asset has been determined or adjusted pursuant to subsection (i), subsection (ii) or subsection (iv) above, such Gross Asset Value shall thereafter be adjusted by the Depreciation taken into account with respect to such asset for purposes of computing Net Income and Net Losses. |
“Holder” means either (a) a Member or (b) an Assignee that owns a Membership Unit.
“Imputed Tax Underpayment” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3.C hereof.
“Incapacity” or “Incapacitated” means, (i) as to any Member who is an individual, death, total physical disability or entry by a court of competent jurisdiction adjudicating such Member incompetent to manage his or her person or his or her estate; (ii) as to any Member that is a corporation or limited liability company, the filing of a certificate of dissolution, or its equivalent, for the corporation or the revocation of its charter; (iii) as to any Member that is a partnership, the dissolution and commencement of winding up of the partnership; (iv) as to any Member that is an estate, the distribution by the fiduciary of the estate’s entire interest in the Company; (v) as to any trustee of a trust that is a Member, the termination of the trust (but not the substitution of a new trustee); or (vi) as to any Member, the bankruptcy of such Member. For purposes of this definition, bankruptcy of a Member shall be deemed to have occurred when (a) the Member commences a voluntary proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief of or against such Member under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or
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hereafter in effect, (b) the Member is adjudged as bankrupt or insolvent, or a final and nonappealable order for relief under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in effect has been entered against the Member, (c) the Member executes and delivers a general assignment for the benefit of the Member’s creditors, (d) the Member files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against the Member in any proceeding of the nature described in clause (b) above, (e) the Member seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee, receiver or liquidator for the Member or for all or any substantial part of the Member’s properties, (f) any proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect has not been dismissed within one hundred twenty (120) days after the commencement thereof, (g) the appointment without the Member’s consent or acquiescence of a trustee, receiver or liquidator has not been vacated or stayed within ninety (90) days of such appointment, or (h) an appointment referred to in clause (g) above is not vacated within ninety (90) days after the expiration of any such stay.
“Indemnitee” means (i) any Person made, or threatened to be made, a party to a proceeding by reason of its status as (A) the Managing Member, CLNS Credit or the Manager or (B) a manager, member, officer, director or employee of the Managing Member, CLNS Credit or the Manager or an employee of the Company and (ii) such other Persons (including Affiliates, employees or agents of the Managing Member, CLNS Credit, the Manager or the Company) as the Managing Member may designate from time to time (whether before or after the event giving rise to potential liability).
“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
“IRS Adjustment” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3.C hereof.
“Lead Tendering Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.J(3)(b) hereof.
“Liquidating Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.1 hereof.
“Liquidator” has the meaning set forth in Section 13.2.A hereof.
“Liquidating Gains” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.E hereof.
“Liquidating Losses” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.E hereof.
“LTIP Award” means each or any, as the context requires, an award of LTIP Units issued under any Equity Plan.
“LTIP Unit” means a Membership Unit which is designated as an LTIP Unit and which has the rights, preferences and other privileges and restrictions, qualifications, and limitations set forth in Section 4.5 hereof (except as may be varied by the designations applicable to any particular class or series of LTIP Units) and elsewhere in this Agreement (including any exhibit hereto creating any new class or series of LTIP Units) or in the Equity Plan or the award, vesting, or other agreement pursuant to which an LTIP Unit is granted to the holder thereof. The allocation of LTIP Units among the Members shall be set forth in the books and records of the Company, as may be amended from time to time.
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“LTIP Unitholder” means a Member that holds LTIP Units.
“LV Safe Harbor” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2.B hereof.
“LV Safe Harbor Election” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2.B hereof.
“LV Safe Harbor Interests” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2.B hereof.
“Majority in Interest of the Members” means Members (including the Managing Member, CLNS Credit and any Controlled Entity of either of them) entitled to vote on or consent to any matter holding more than fifty percent (50%) of all outstanding Membership Units held by all Members (including the Managing Member, CLNS Credit and any Controlled Entity of either of them) entitled to vote on or consent to such matter.
“Majority in Interest of the Non-Managing Members” means Members (excluding the Managing Member, CLNS Credit and any Controlled Entity of either of them) entitled to vote on or consent to any matter holding more than fifty percent (50%) of all outstanding Membership Units held by all Members (excluding the Managing Member, CLNS Credit and any Controlled Entity of either of them) entitled to vote on or consent to such matter.
“Management Agreement” means the agreement among the Managing Member, the Company, the Manager, and the other parties, if any, named therein pursuant to which the Manager will manage the assets and day-to-day operations of the Company and the Managing Member and their respective Subsidiaries.
“Manager” means the Person, if any, appointed, employed or contracted with by the Company and the Managing Member pursuant to the Management Agreement to manage the assets and day-to-day operations of the Company and the Managing Member and their respective Subsidiaries.
“Managing Member” means CLNS Credit, or any of its successors or permitted assigns, or any subsequent successor or permitted assign, in its capacity as the managing member of the Company.
“Member(s)” means (i) CLNS Credit, (ii) RED REIT and (iii) each other Person that is, from time to time, admitted to the Company as a member in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Act, and any Substituted Member or Additional Member, each shown as such in the books and records of the Company, in each case, that has not ceased to be a member of the Company pursuant to the Act and this Agreement, in such Person’s capacity as a member of the Company.
“Member Minimum Gain” means an amount, with respect to each Member Nonrecourse Debt, equal to the Member Minimum Gain that would result if such Member Nonrecourse Debt were treated as a Nonrecourse Liability, determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(3).
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“Member Nonrecourse Debt” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(4).
“Member Nonrecourse Deductions” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(1), and the amount of Member Nonrecourse Deductions with respect to a Member Nonrecourse Debt for a Fiscal Year shall be determined in accordance with the rules of Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(1).
“Membership Common Unit” means a fractional share of the Membership Interests of all Members issued pursuant to Sections 4.1 and 4.2 hereof, but does not include any Company Junior Unit, Company Preferred Unit or any other Membership Unit specified in a Membership Unit Designation as being other than a Membership Common Unit.
“Membership Common Unit Economic Balance” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.E hereof.
“Membership Interest” means an ownership interest in the Company held by either a Non-Managing Member or the Managing Member and includes any and all benefits to which the holder of such a Membership Interest may be entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of such Person to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement. There may be one or more classes or series of Membership Interests; however, notwithstanding that the Managing Member, CLNS Credit and any other Member may have different rights and privileges as specified in this Agreement (including differences in rights and privileges with respect to their Membership Interests), the Membership Interest held by the Managing Member, CLNS Credit or any other Member and designated as being of a particular class or series shall not be deemed to be a separate class or series of Membership Interest from a Membership Interest having the same designation as to class and series that is held by any other Member solely because such Membership Interest is held by the Managing Member, CLNS Credit or any other Member having different rights and privileges as specified under this Agreement. A Membership Interest may be expressed as a number of Membership Common Units, Company Preferred Units, Company Junior Units or other Membership Units.
“Membership Unit” means a Membership Common Unit, a Company Preferred Unit, a Company Junior Unit or any other fractional share of the Membership Interests that the Managing Member has authorized pursuant to Section 4.1 or Section 4.2 hereof.
“Membership Unit Designation” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.A hereof.
“Membership Unit Distribution” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.5.A(i) hereof.
“Net Income” or “Net Loss” means, for each Fiscal Year of the Company, an amount equal to the Company’s taxable income or loss for such year, determined in accordance with Code Section 703(a) (for this purpose, all items of income, gain, loss or deduction required to be
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stated separately pursuant to Code Section 703(a)(1) shall be included in taxable income or loss), with the following adjustments:
| (i) | any income of the Company that is exempt from federal income tax and not otherwise taken into account in computing Net Income (or Net Loss) pursuant to this definition of “Net Income” or “Net Loss” shall be added to (or subtracted from, as the case may be) such taxable income (or loss); |
| (ii) | any expenditure of the Company described in Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) or treated as a Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) expenditure pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i), and not otherwise taken into account in computing Net Income (or Net Loss) pursuant to this definition of “Net Income” or “Net Loss,” shall be subtracted from (or added to, as the case may be) such taxable income (or loss); |
| (iii) | in the event the Gross Asset Value of any Company asset is adjusted pursuant to subsection (ii) or subsection (iii) of the definition of “Gross Asset Value,” the amount of such adjustment shall be taken into account as gain or loss from the disposition of such asset for purposes of computing Net Income or Net Loss; |
| (iv) | gain or loss resulting from any disposition of property with respect to which gain or loss is recognized for federal income tax purposes shall be computed by reference to the Gross Asset Value of the property disposed of, notwithstanding that the adjusted tax basis of such property differs from its Gross Asset Value; |
| (v) | in lieu of the depreciation, amortization and other cost recovery deductions that would otherwise be taken into account in computing such taxable income or loss, there shall be taken into account Depreciation for such Fiscal Year; |
| (vi) | to the extent that an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Company asset pursuant to Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b) is required pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m) to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases the basis of the asset) and shall be taken into account for purposes of computing Net Income or Net Loss; and |
| (vii) | notwithstanding any other provision of this definition of “Net Income” or “Net Loss,” any item that is specially allocated pursuant to Section 6.3 hereof shall not be taken into account in computing Net Income or Net Loss. The amounts of the items of Company income, gain, loss or deduction available to be specially allocated pursuant to Section 6.3 hereof shall be determined by applying rules analogous to those set forth in this definition of “Net Income” or “Net Loss.” |
“Net Proceeds” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.J(2) hereof.
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“New Partnership Audit Procedures” means Subchapter C of Chapter 63 of the Code, as modified by Section 1101 of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, Pub. L. No. 114-74, any amended or successor version, Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, official interpretations thereof, related notices, or other related administrative guidance.
“New Securities” means (i) any rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities that entitle the holder thereof to subscribe for or purchase, convert such securities into or exchange such securities for, REIT Shares, Capital Shares or Preferred Shares, excluding Preferred Shares and grants under the Stock Incentive Plans, or (ii) any Debt issued by CLNS Credit that provides any of the rights described in clause (i).
“Non-Electing Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.H hereof.
“Non-Managing Member(s)” means any Member other than the Managing Member.
“Non-Managing Member Ancillary Agreement” means, with respect to any Non-Managing Member, any other agreement entered into by such Non-Managing Member or any of its Affiliates or transferee thereof with CLNS Credit, the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company relating to such Non-Managing Member’s Membership Units or any REIT Shares or Capital Shares which such Non-Managing Member holds or has the rights to obtain.
“Nonrecourse Deductions” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(1), and the amount of Nonrecourse Deductions for a Fiscal Year shall be determined in accordance with the rules of Regulations Section 1.704-2(c).
“Nonrecourse Liability” has the meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.752-1(a)(2).
“Notice of Redemption” means a Notice of Redemption substantially in the form of Exhibit B attached to this Agreement.
“Nova I” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Nova I Merger” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Nova II” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Nova II Merger” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Offered Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.J(1)(a) hereof.
“Offering Units” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.J(1)(a) hereof.
“Optionee” means a Person to whom a stock option is granted under any Stock Incentive Plan.
“Original Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
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“Original Certificate” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Ownership Limit” means the applicable restriction or restrictions on ownership of stock of CLNS Credit imposed under the Charter.
“Partnership Representative” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3.A hereof.
“Percentage Interest” means, with respect to each Member, as to any class or series of Membership Interests, the fraction, expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the aggregate number of Membership Units of such class or series held by such Member and the denominator of which is the total number of Membership Units of such class or series held by all Members. If not otherwise specified, “Percentage Interest” shall be deemed to refer to Membership Common Units.
“Permitted Lender Transferee” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Permitted Transferee.
“Permitted Transfer” means a Transfer by a Non-Managing Member of all or part of its Membership Interest (i) to any Family Member, Controlled Entity or controlled Affiliate of such Member, or to any trust, partnership, corporation or limited liability company established and held for the direct or indirect benefit of a Family Member; provided that any such Transfer constitutes a bona fide gift or otherwise shall not involve a disposition for value other than equity interests in any such trust, partnership, corporation or limited liability company; (ii) as required by applicable law or order; (iii) to a nominee or custodian of a person or entity to whom a disposition or Transfer would be permitted under this Agreement; (iv) that such Non-Managing Member would be expressly authorized to make as a “Permitted Transfer” pursuant to a Non-Managing Member Ancillary Agreement, disregarding any expiration or termination thereof; or (v) in the case of any Permitted Transferee that is a past or present officer or employee of the Company, CLNS Credit, CLNS or their respective Subsidiaries or may have been permitted pursuant to the applicable Non-Managing Member Ancillary Agreement to which such Membership Interests were subject at the time of the issuance of such Membership Interests or to which such Permitted Transferee was party (taking into account subsequent amendments thereto), disregarding any expiration or termination of such Non-Managing Member Ancillary Agreement.
“Permitted Transferee” means (i) any lender or lenders secured by a Pledge, or agents acting on their behalf, to whom any Membership Interest is transferred pursuant to the exercise of remedies under a Pledge and any special purpose entities owned and used by such lenders or agents for the purpose of holding any such Membership Interest (each a “Permitted Lender Transferee”), (ii) any Person, including any Third-Party Pledge Transferee designated by any lender or lenders secured by a Pledge, or agents acting on their behalf, to whom a Membership Interest is transferred pursuant to the exercise of remedies under a Pledge, whether before or after one or more Permitted Lender Transferees take title to such Membership Interest and (iii) any other Person to whom any Membership Interest is transferred pursuant to a Permitted Transfer.
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“Person” means an individual or a corporation, partnership, trust, unincorporated organization, association, limited liability company or other entity.
“Pledge” means a pledge by a Non-Managing Member of all or any portion of its Membership Interest to one or more banks or lending institutions, or agents acting on their behalf, which are not Affiliates of such Non-Managing Member, as collateral or security for a bona fide loan or other extension of credit.
“Preferred Share” means a share of stock of CLNS Credit now or hereafter authorized, designated or reclassified that has dividend rights, or rights upon liquidation, winding up and dissolution, that are superior or prior to the REIT Shares.
“Pricing Agreements” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.J(3)(b) hereof.
“Properties” means any assets and property of the Company and “Property” means any one such asset or property.
“Publicly Traded” means having common equity securities listed or admitted to trading on any U.S. national securities exchange.
“Qualified DRIP” means a dividend reinvestment plan of CLNS Credit that permits participants to acquire REIT Shares using the proceeds of dividends paid by CLNS Credit.
“Qualified Transferee” means an “accredited investor,” as defined in Rule 501 promulgated under the Securities Act.
“Qualifying Party” means (a) a Member, (b) an Additional Member, (c) an Assignee who is the transferee of a Member’s Membership Interest in a Permitted Transfer, or (d) a Person, including a lending institution as the pledgee of a Pledge, who is the transferee of a Member’s Membership Interest in a Permitted Transfer; provided, however, that a Qualifying Party shall not include the Managing Member or CLNS Credit.
“RED REIT” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“RED REIT Contribution” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Redemption” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.A hereof.
“Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.E hereof.
“Regulations” means the income tax regulations under the Code, whether such regulations are in proposed, temporary or final form, as such regulations may be amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding regulations).
“Regulatory Allocations” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.B(viii) hereof.
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“REIT” means a real estate investment trust within the meaning of Code Sections 856 through 860.
“REIT Available Cash” means, as of any date of determination, all amounts held by CLNS Credit (and not the Company and its Subsidiaries) which would be available for distribution to the holders of REIT Shares (calculated in a manner substantially similar to the manner in which the Company calculates Available Cash, but excluding any distributions from the Company to be made, or which have been made, to CLNS Credit hereunder and without regard to any restriction on distribution imposed on CLNS Credit by any third party).
“REIT Member” means any Member which is (a) CLNS Credit or any Affiliate of CLNS Credit to the extent such Person has in place an election to qualify as a REIT and (b) a “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)) or disregarded entity (determined for federal income tax purposes) of any such Person, referred to in clause (a).
“REIT Mergers” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“REIT Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.11 hereof.
“REIT Requirements” means the requirements for qualifying as a REIT under the Code and Regulations.
“REIT Share” means Class A REIT Shares and Class B-3 REIT Shares.
“REIT Shares Amount” means a number of Class A REIT Shares equal to the product of (a) the number of Tendered Units and (b) the Adjustment Factor; provided, however, that, in the event that CLNS Credit issues to all holders of Class A REIT Shares as of a specified record date rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities entitling CLNS Credit’s stockholders to subscribe for or purchase Class A REIT Shares, or any other securities or property (collectively, the “Rights”), with the record date for such Rights issuance falling within the period starting on the date of the Notice of Redemption and ending on the day immediately preceding the Specified Redemption Date, which Rights will not be distributed before the relevant Specified Redemption Date, then the REIT Shares Amount shall also include such Rights that a holder of that number of Class A REIT Shares would be entitled to receive, expressed, where relevant hereunder, as a number of Class A REIT Shares determined by the Managing Member.
“Related Party” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person to whom ownership of shares of CLNS Credit’s stock would be attributed by or from such first Person under Code Section 544 (as modified by Code Section 856(h)(1)(B)).
“Reviewed Year” means a Company taxable year to which an item being adjusted by the IRS relates, as defined in Section 6225(d)(1) of the Code or comparable provisions of state, local or non-U.S. law.
“Rights” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “REIT Shares Amount.”
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“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
“Single Funding Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.J(1)(b) hereof.
“Specified Membership Units” means with respect to each Excluded Property, the amount of Membership Common Units, Company Junior Units and/or Company Preferred Units (as the case may be) that would have been issued to CLNS Credit, pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof, if CLNS Credit had contributed such Excluded Property on the date that such asset was acquired by CLNS Credit or a wholly owned Subsidiary of CLNS Credit, in exchange for Membership Units equal in value to the fair market value of such Excluded Property as of such date.
“Specified Redemption Date” means the soonest practicable date after the receipt by the Managing Member of a Notice of Redemption, but in any event not later than the fifth (5th) Business Day after the Cut-Off Date; provided that, if the Managing Member and CLNS Credit elect a Stock Offering Funding pursuant to Section 15.1.J, such Specified Redemption Date shall be deferred until the next Business Day following the date of the closing of the Stock Offering Funding (but in any event not more than one hundred fifty (150) days after the Cut-Off Date in the aggregate).
“Stock Incentive Plans” means any stock option plan or stock incentive plan now or hereafter adopted by the Company or CLNS Credit.
“Stock Offering Funding” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.J(1)(a) hereof
“Stock Offering Funding Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.J(2) hereof.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to a specified Person, any other Person in which more than 50% of the securities or other ownership interests having the power to (a) elect a majority of the other Person’s board of directors or other governing body or (b) otherwise direct the business and policies of the other Person, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (x) the specified Person, (y) the specified Person and one or more Subsidiaries of the specified Person, or (z) one or more Subsidiaries of the specified Person. For the avoidance of doubt, no fund, investment vehicle, or investment product managed by CLNS Credit or its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be a Subsidiary of CLNS Credit.
“Substituted Member” means a Person who is admitted as a Member to the Company pursuant to Section 11.4 hereof.
“Successor Shares Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.7.C hereof.
“Surviving Company” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.7.C hereof.
“Target Balance” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.E hereof.
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“Tax Items” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4.A hereof.
“Tax Matters Member” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.3.A hereof.
“Tendered Units” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.A hereof.
“Tendering Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.A hereof.
“Termination Transaction” means any Transfer of all or any portion of CLNS Credit’s Membership Interest or, if the Managing Member is not CLNS Credit, CLNS Credit’s interest in the Managing Member in connection with, or the other occurrence of, (a) a merger, consolidation or other combination involving CLNS Credit or the Managing Member, on the one hand, and any other Person, on the other (other than in connection with a change in CLNS Credit’s state of incorporation or organizational form), (b) a sale, lease, exchange or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of CLNS Credit not in the ordinary course of its business, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions other than to a successor Managing Member in accordance with Section 11.2.A, (c) a reclassification, recapitalization or similar change of the outstanding REIT Shares (other than a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or as a result of a stock split, stock dividend or similar subdivision), (d) the adoption of any plan of liquidation or dissolution of CLNS Credit or the Managing Member, or (e) a Transfer of all or any portion of CLNS Credit’s Membership Interest or, if the Managing Member is not CLNS Credit, its interest in the Managing Member, other than a Transfer effected in accordance with Section 11.2.A(i).
“Third-Party Pledge Transferee” means a Qualified Transferee, other than a Permitted Lender Transferee, that acquires a Membership Interest pursuant to the exercise of remedies by Permitted Lender Transferees under a Pledge and that agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
“Transaction” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.6.F hereof.
“Transaction Consideration” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.7.B hereof.
“Transfer” means any sale, assignment, bequest, conveyance, devise, gift (outright or in trust), pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, mortgage, exchange, transfer or other disposition or act of alienation, whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law; provided, however, that when the term is used in Article 11 hereof, unless otherwise indicated therein, “Transfer” does not include (a) any Redemption of Membership Common Units by the Company, or acquisition of Tendered Units by CLNS Credit, pursuant to Section 15.1 hereof, or (b) any redemption of Membership Units pursuant to any Membership Unit Designation. The terms “Transferred” and “Transferring” have correlative meanings.
“Unvested LTIP Units” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.5.C(i) hereof.
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“Valuation Date” means the date of receipt by the Managing Member of a Notice of Redemption pursuant to Section 15.1 herein or such other date as specified herein, or, if such date is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day.
“Value” means, on any date with respect to a REIT Share, the average of the daily Market Prices for the ten (10) consecutive trading days immediately preceding the Valuation Date (except that the Market Price for the trading day immediately preceding the date of exercise of a stock option under any Stock Incentive Plans shall be substituted for such average of daily market prices for purposes of Section 4.4 hereof). The term “Market Price” on any date means, with respect to either Class A REIT Shares or Class B-3 REIT Shares, the last sale price for a Class A REIT Share, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for a Class A REIT Shares, in either case, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or, if Class A REIT Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which Class A REIT Shares are listed or admitted to trading or, if Class A REIT Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the principal automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if Class A REIT Shares are not quoted by any such system, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in Class A REIT Shares selected by the Managing Member or, in the event that no trading price is available for Class A REIT Shares, the fair market value of Class A REIT Shares, as determined in good faith by the Managing Member. In the event that the REIT Shares Amount includes Rights (as defined in the definition of “REIT Shares Amount”) that a holder of REIT Shares would be entitled to receive, then the Value of such Rights shall be determined by the Managing Member acting in good faith on the basis of such quotations and other information as it considers, in its reasonable judgment, appropriate.
“Vested LTIP Units” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.5.C(i) hereof.
“Vesting Agreement” means each or any, as the context implies, Equity Plan or agreement contemplated under an Equity Plan entered into by an LTIP Unitholder upon acceptance of an award of LTIP Units under an Equity Plan.
“Withdrawing Member” has the meaning set forth in Section 15.1.J(3)(c) hereof.
Section 1.2 Interpretation and Usage. In this Agreement, unless there is a clear contrary intention: (A) when a reference is made to an article, a section, an exhibit or a schedule, that reference is to an article, a section, an exhibit or a schedule of or to this Agreement; (B) the singular includes the plural and vice versa; (C) reference to any agreement, document or instrument means that agreement, document or instrument as amended or modified and in effect from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; (D) reference to any statute, code, rule, or regulation means that statute, code, rule or regulation as amended, modified, codified, replaced or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect from time to time, including rules and
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regulations promulgated thereunder, and reference to any section or other provision of any statute, code, rule or regulation means that section or provision from time to time in effect and constituting the substantive amendment, modification, codification, replacement or reenactment of that section or provision; (E) “hereunder,” “hereof,” “hereto,” and words of similar import will be deemed references to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular article, section or other provision of this Agreement; (F) “including” (and with correlative meaning “include”) means including without limiting the generality of any description preceding such term; (G) references to agreements, documents or instruments will be deemed to refer as well to all addenda, exhibits, schedules or amendments thereto; and (H) the terms “writing,” “written” and words of similar import will be deemed to include communications and documents in e-mail, fax or any other similar electronic or documentary form.
ARTICLE 2
ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS
Section 2.1 Formation. The Company is a limited liability company previously formed, and continued pursuant to the provisions of the Act and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement. Except as expressly provided herein to the contrary, the rights and obligations of the Members and the administration and termination of the Company shall be governed by the Act. The Membership Interest of each Member shall be personal property for all purposes.
Section 2.2 Name. The name of the Company is “Credit RE Operating Company, LLC”. The Company’s business may be conducted under any other name or names deemed advisable by the Managing Member, including the name of the Managing Member or any Affiliate thereof. The words “Limited Liability Company,” “L.L.C.,” “LLC” or similar words or letters shall be included in the Company’s name where necessary for the purposes of complying with the laws of any jurisdiction that so requires. The Managing Member may change the name of the Company at any time and from time to time.
Section 2.3 Principal Office and Resident Agent. The address of the principal office of the Company in the State of Delaware is located at 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19808, and the name and address of the resident agent of the Company in the State of Delaware are the Corporation Service Company, 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19808, or such other principal office and resident agent as the Managing Member may from time to time designate. The Company may maintain offices at such other place or places within or outside the State of Delaware as the Managing Member may approve.
Section 2.4 Power of Attorney.
A. Each Member and Assignee hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Managing Member, any Liquidator, and authorized officers and attorneys-in-fact of each, and
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each of those acting singly, in each case with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority in its name, place and stead to:
| (1) | execute, swear to, seal, acknowledge, deliver, file and record in the appropriate public offices (a) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including this Agreement and the Certificate and all amendments, supplements or restatements thereof) that the Managing Member or any Liquidator deems appropriate or necessary to form, qualify or continue the existence or qualification of the Company as a limited liability company (or a company in which the members have limited liability to the extent provided by applicable law) in the State of Delaware and in all other jurisdictions in which the Company may conduct business or own property; (b) all instruments that the Managing Member or any Liquidator deems appropriate or necessary to reflect any amendment, change, modification or restatement of this Agreement in accordance with its terms; (c) all conveyances and other instruments or documents that the Managing Member or any Liquidator deems appropriate or necessary to reflect the dissolution and liquidation of the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including a certificate of cancellation; (d) all conveyances and other instruments or documents that the Managing Member or any Liquidator deems appropriate or necessary to reflect the distribution or exchange of assets of the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; (e) all instruments relating to the admission, acceptance, withdrawal, removal or substitution of any Member pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or the Capital Contribution of any Member; and (f) all certificates, documents and other instruments relating to the determination of the rights, preferences and privileges relating to Membership Interests; and |
| (2) | execute, swear to, acknowledge and file all ballots, consents, approvals, waivers, certificates and other instruments the Managing Member or any Liquidator determines in its sole and absolute discretion are appropriate, necessary or desirable to make, evidence, give, confirm or ratify any vote, consent, approval, agreement or other action that is made or given by the Members hereunder or is consistent with the terms of this Agreement or to effectuate the terms or intent of this Agreement. |
Nothing contained herein shall be construed as authorizing the Managing Member or any Liquidator to amend this Agreement except in accordance with Section 14.2 hereof or as may be otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement.
B. The foregoing power of attorney is hereby declared to be irrevocable and a special power coupled with an interest, in recognition of the fact that each of the Members and Assignees will be relying upon the power of the Managing Member or any Liquidator to act as
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contemplated by this Agreement in any filing or other action by it on behalf of the Company, and it shall survive and not be affected by the subsequent Incapacity of any Member or Assignee and the Transfer of all or any portion of such Person’s Membership Units or Membership Interest (as the case may be) and shall extend to such Person’s heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives. Each such Member and Assignee hereby agrees to be bound by any representation made by the Managing Member or any Liquidator, acting in good faith pursuant to such power of attorney; and each such Member and Assignee hereby waives any and all defenses that may be available to contest, negate or disaffirm the action of the Managing Member or any Liquidator, taken in good faith under such power of attorney. Each Member and Assignee shall execute and deliver to the Managing Member or any Liquidator, within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the Managing Member’s or any Liquidator’s request therefor, such further designation, powers of attorney and other instruments as the Managing Member or any Liquidator (as the case may be) deems necessary to effectuate this Agreement and the purposes of the Company. Notwithstanding anything else set forth in this Section 2.4.B, no Member shall incur any personal liability for any action of the Managing Member or any Liquidator taken under such power of attorney.
Section 2.5 Term. The term of the Company commenced on August 23, 2017, the date that the Original Certificate was filed with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the Act, and shall continue indefinitely unless the Company is dissolved sooner pursuant to the provisions of Article 13 hereof or as otherwise provided by law.
ARTICLE 3
PURPOSE
Section 3.1 Purpose and Business. The purpose and nature of the Company is to conduct any business, enterprise or activity permitted by or under the Act; provided, however, that such business and arrangements and interests shall be limited to and conducted in such a manner as to permit the Managing Member, in its sole and absolute discretion, at all times to be classified as a REIT unless CLNS Credit, in its sole and absolute discretion, has chosen to cease to qualify as a REIT or has chosen not to attempt to qualify as a REIT for any reason or for reasons whether or not related to the business conducted by the Company. Without limiting CLNS Credit’s right in its sole and absolute discretion to cease qualifying as a REIT, the Members acknowledge that the status of CLNS Credit as a REIT inures to the benefit of all Members and not solely to CLNS Credit or its Affiliates. In connection with the foregoing, the Company shall have full power and authority to enter into, perform and carry out contracts of any kind, to borrow and lend money and to issue and guarantee evidence of indebtedness, whether or not secured by mortgage, deed of trust, pledge or other lien and, directly or indirectly, to acquire additional Properties necessary, useful or desirable in connection with its business.
Section 3.2 Powers. The Company shall have the power to do any and all acts and things necessary, appropriate, proper, advisable, incidental to or convenient for the furtherance and accomplishment of the purposes and business described herein and for the protection and benefit of the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall not take, and shall refrain from taking, any action that, in the judgment of the Managing Member, in its sole and absolute discretion, (i) could adversely affect the ability of CLNS Credit to continue to qualify as a REIT,
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(ii) could cause the Company not to be treated as a partnership or disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes, (iii) could subject CLNS Credit to any additional taxes under Code Section 857 or Code Section 4981 or any other related or successor provision of the Code or (iv) could violate any law or regulation of any governmental body or agency having jurisdiction over CLNS Credit, its securities or the Company.
Section 3.3 Limited Authority and Liability of Members. The Company is a limited liability company formed pursuant to the Act, and this Agreement shall not be deemed to create a company, venture or partnership between or among the Members or any other Persons with respect to any activities whatsoever other than the activities specified in Section 3.1 hereof. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no Member shall have any authority to act for, bind, commit or assume any obligation or responsibility on behalf of the Company, its properties or any other Member. No Member, in its capacity as a Member under this Agreement, shall be responsible or liable for any indebtedness or obligation of another Member, nor shall the Company be responsible or liable for any indebtedness or obligation of any Member, incurred either before or after the execution and delivery of this Agreement by such Member, except as to those responsibilities, liabilities, indebtedness or obligations incurred pursuant to and as limited by the terms of this Agreement and the Act.
Section 3.4 Representations and Warranties by the Members.
A. Each Member that is an individual (including each Additional Member or Substituted Member as a condition to becoming an Additional Member or a Substituted Member) represents and warrants to, and covenants with, the Company, the Managing Member and each other Member that (i) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be performed by such Member will not result in a breach or violation of, or a default under, any material agreement by which such Member or any of such Member’s property is bound, or any statute, regulation, order or other law to which such Member is subject, (ii) except as disclosed in writing to the Managing Member, such Member is neither a “foreign person,” within the meaning of Code Section 1445(f) nor a “foreign partner,” within the meaning of Code Section 1446(e), (iii) to such Member’s knowledge, such Member does not, and for so long as it is a Member will not, Beneficially Own or Constructively Own, directly or indirectly, (a) nine percent (9%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote, or nine percent (9%) or more of the total number of shares of all classes of stock, of any corporation that is a direct or indirect tenant of any of (I) CLNS Credit, determined for purposes of Code Section 856(d)(2)(B), (II) the Company, determined for purposes of Code Section 7704(d)(3), (III) any Affiliated REIT or (IV) any partnership, corporation, or other entity of which CLNS Credit or any “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), with respect to CLNS Credit, or the Company is a member, determined for purposes of Code Section 856(d)(2)(B) and Code Section 7704(d)(3), or (b) an interest of nine percent (9%) or more in the assets or net profits of any direct or indirect tenant of any of (I) CLNS Credit, determined for purposes of Code Section 856(d)(2)(B), (II) the Company, determined for purposes of Code Section 7704(d)(3), (III) any Affiliated REIT or (IV) any partnership, corporation, or other entity of which CLNS Credit or any “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), with respect to CLNS Credit, or the
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Company is a member, determined for purposes of Code Section 856(d)(2)(B) and Code Section 7704(d)(3); provided, however, that each Member may exceed any of the nine percent (9%) limits set forth in this clause (iii) if such Member obtains the written consent of the Managing Member prior to exceeding any such limits; provided, further, that in no event shall any Member Beneficially Own or Constructively Own, directly or indirectly, more than nine point eight percent (9.8%) of the stock described in clause (iii)(a) above or more than nine point eight percent (9.8%) of the assets or net profits described in clause (iii)(b) above, and (iv) this Agreement is binding upon, and enforceable against, such Member in accordance with its terms.
B. Each Member that is not an individual (including each Additional Member or Substituted Member as a condition to becoming an Additional Member or a Substituted Member) represents and warrants to, and covenants with, the Company, the Managing Member and each other Member that (i) all transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be performed by it have been duly authorized by all necessary action, including that of its managing member(s), general partner(s), committee(s), trustee(s), beneficiaries, directors and/or stockholder(s) (as the case may be) as required, (ii) the consummation of such transactions shall not result in a breach or violation of, or a default under, its partnership or operating agreement, trust agreement, charter or bylaws (as the case may be), any material agreement by which such Member or any of such Member’s properties or any of its partners, members, beneficiaries, trustees or stockholders (as the case may be) is or are bound, or any statute, regulation, order or other law to which such Member or any of its partners, members, trustees, beneficiaries or stockholders (as the case may be) is or are subject, (iii) except as disclosed in writing to the Managing Member, such Member is neither a “foreign person,” within the meaning of Code Section 1445(f), nor a “foreign partner,” within the meaning of Code Section 1446(e), (iv) such Member does not, and for so long as it is a Member will not, Beneficially Own or Constructively Own, directly or indirectly, (a) nine percent (9%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote, or nine percent (9%) or more of the total number of shares of all classes of stock, of any corporation that is a direct or indirect tenant of any of (I) CLNS Credit, determined for purposes of Code Section 856(d)(2)(B), (II) the Company, determined for purposes of Code Section 7704(d)(3), (III) any Affiliated REIT or (IV) any partnership, corporation, or other entity of which CLNS Credit or any “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), with respect to CLNS Credit, or the Company is a member, determined for purposes of Code Section 856(d)(2)(B) and Code Section 7704(d)(3), or (b) an interest of nine percent (9%) or more in the assets or net profits of any direct or indirect tenant of any of (I) CLNS Credit, determined for purposes of Code Section 856(d)(2)(B), (II) the Company, determined for purposes of Code Section 7704(d)(3), (III) any Affiliated REIT or (IV) any partnership, corporation, or other entity of which CLNS Credit or any “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)), with respect to CLNS Credit, or the Company is a member, determined for purposes of Code Section 856(d)(2)(B) and Code Section 7704(d)(3); provided, however, that each Member may exceed any of the nine percent limits (9%) set forth in this clause (iv) if such Member obtains the written consent of the Managing Member prior to exceeding any such limits; provided, further, that in no event shall any Member Beneficially Own or Constructively Own, directly or indirectly, more than nine point eight percent (9.8%) of the stock described in clause (iv)(a) above or more than nine point eight percent (9.8%) of the assets or net profits described in clause (iv)(b) above, and (v) this Agreement is binding upon, and enforceable against, such Member in accordance with its terms.
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C. Each Member (including each Substituted Member, as a condition to becoming a Substituted Member) represents and warrants that it is an “accredited investor,” as defined in Rule 501 promulgated under the Securities Act, and represents, warrants and agrees that it has acquired and continues to hold its interest in the Company for its own account for investment purposes only and not for the purpose of, or with a view toward, the resale or distribution of all or any part thereof, and not with a view toward selling or otherwise distributing such interest or any part thereof at any particular time or under any predetermined circumstances. Each Member further represents and warrants that it is a sophisticated investor, able and accustomed to handling sophisticated financial matters for itself, particularly real estate investments, and that it has a sufficiently high net worth that it does not anticipate a need for the funds that it has invested in the Company in what it understands to be a highly speculative and illiquid investment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the representations and warranties contained in the first sentence of this Section 3.4.C shall not apply to any Permitted Lender Transferee, it being understood that a Permitted Lender Transferee may be subject to a legal obligation to sell, distribute or otherwise dispose of any Membership Interest acquired pursuant to the exercise of remedies under a Pledge; provided, however, that such Permitted Lender Transferee must be a Qualified Transferee.
D. The representations and warranties contained in Sections 3.4.A, 3.4.B and 3.4.C hereof shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement by each Member (and, in the case of an Additional Member or a Substituted Member, the admission of such Additional Member or Substituted Member as a Member in the Company) and the dissolution, liquidation and termination of the Company.
E. Each Member (including each Substituted Member as a condition to becoming a Substituted Member) hereby acknowledges that no representations as to potential profit, cash flows, funds from operations or yield, if any, in respect of the Company or the Managing Member have been made by any Member or any employee or representative or Affiliate of any Member, and that projections and any other information, including financial and descriptive information and documentation, that may have been in any manner submitted to such Member shall not constitute any representation or warranty of any kind or nature, express or implied.
F. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Managing Member may permit the modification of any of the representations and warranties contained in Sections 3.4.A, 3.4.B and 3.4.C above as applicable to any Member (including any Additional Member or Substituted Member or any transferee of either); provided that such representations and warranties, as modified, shall be set forth in either (i) a Membership Unit Designation applicable to the Membership Units held by such Member or (ii) a separate writing addressed to the Company and the Managing Member.
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ARTICLE 4
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Section 4.1 Capital Contributions of the Members. Each Member has previously made Capital Contributions to the Company. Immediately upon execution of this Agreement, all existing limited liability company interests of the Company issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the execution of this Agreement automatically shall be converted into Membership Common Units as set forth in the Register. Except as provided by law or in Section 4.2, 4.3, 10.3.C or 10.4 hereof, the Members shall have no obligation or, except with the prior written consent of the Managing Member, right to make any Capital Contributions or loans to the Company.
Section 4.2 Issuances of Additional Membership Interests. Subject to the rights of any Holder of any Membership Interest set forth in a Membership Unit Designation:
A. General. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement (including Section 4.2.B hereof), the Managing Member is hereby authorized to cause the Company to issue additional Membership Interests, in the form of Membership Units, for any Company purpose (including if the Managing Member determines that the Company requires Additional Funds), at any time or from time to time, to the Members (including the Managing Member and CLNS Credit) or to other Persons, and to admit such Persons as Additional Members, for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as shall be established by the Managing Member, all without the approval of any Member or any other Person. Without limiting the foregoing, the Managing Member is expressly authorized to cause the Company to issue Membership Units (i) upon the conversion, redemption or exchange of any Debt, Membership Units or other securities issued by the Company, (ii) for less than fair market value, (iii) for no consideration, (iv) in connection with any merger of any other Person into the Company, or (v) upon the contribution of property or assets to the Company. Any additional Membership Interests may be issued in one or more classes, or one or more series of any of such classes, with such designations, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption (including rights that may be senior or otherwise entitled to preference over existing Membership Interests) as shall be determined by the Managing Member, in its sole and absolute discretion and without the approval of any Non-Managing Member or any other Person, and set forth in a written document thereafter attached to and made an exhibit to this Agreement, which exhibit shall be an amendment to this Agreement and shall be incorporated herein by this reference (each, a “Membership Unit Designation”) without the approval of any Non-Managing Member or any other Person. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Managing Member shall have authority to specify, in its sole and absolute discretion: (a) the allocations of items of Company income, gain, loss, deduction and credit to each such class or series of Membership Interests; (b) the right of each such class or series of Membership Interests to share (on a pari passu, junior or preferred basis) in Membership Unit Distributions; (c) the rights of each such class or series of Membership Interests upon dissolution and liquidation of the Company; (d) the voting rights, if any, of each such class or series of Membership Interests; and (e) the conversion, redemption or exchange rights applicable to each such class or series of Membership Interests. Except to the
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extent specifically set forth in any Membership Unit Designation, a Membership Interest of any class or series other than a Membership Common Unit shall not entitle the holder thereof to vote on, or consent to, any matter. Upon the issuance of any additional Membership Interest, the Managing Member shall update the Register and the books and records of the Company as appropriate to reflect such issuance.
B. Issuances to CLNS Credit. No additional Membership Units shall be issued to CLNS Credit unless (i) the additional Membership Units are issued to all Members holding Membership Common Units in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests in the Membership Common Units, (ii) (a) the additional Membership Units are (x) Membership Common Units issued in connection with an issuance of REIT Shares, or (y) Company Equivalent Units (other than Membership Common Units) issued in connection with an issuance of Capital Shares, Preferred Shares, New Securities or other interests in CLNS Credit (other than REIT Shares), and (b) CLNS Credit contributes to the Company the cash proceeds or other consideration received in connection with the issuance of such REIT Shares, Capital Shares, Preferred Shares, New Securities or other interests in CLNS Credit, (iii) the additional Membership Units are issued upon the conversion, redemption or exchange of Debt, Membership Units or other securities issued by the Company, or (iv) the additional Membership Units are issued pursuant to Section 4.2.D, Section 4.4, Section 4.7, Section 4.9 or Section 4.11; provided, however, that notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement but subject to the rights of any Holder of any Membership Interest set forth in a Membership Unit Designation, the Company shall not issue, and the Managing Member shall not authorize the issuance of, (x) any Membership Interests to CLNS Credit that do not have CLNS Credit Equivalent Shares that are concurrently issued by CLNS Credit for the equivalent contribution to CLNS Credit of cash, property or assets, which are subsequently contributed by CLNS Credit to the Company, or (y) any Membership Interests to any Person other than CLNS Credit unless approved by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof.
C. No Preemptive Rights. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement or in any Membership Unit Designation, no Person, including any Member or Assignee, shall have any preemptive, preferential, participation or similar right or rights to subscribe for or acquire any Membership Interest.
D. Issuance of Securities by CLNS Credit. CLNS Credit shall not issue any additional REIT Shares, Preferred Shares or New Securities unless CLNS Credit contributes, substantially concurrently with the receipt thereof, the cash proceeds or other consideration received from the issuance of such additional REIT Shares, Preferred Shares or New Securities (as the case may be), and from the exercise of the rights contained in any such additional New Securities, to the Company in exchange for (x) in the case of an issuance of REIT Shares, Membership Common Units, or (y) in the case of an issuance of Preferred Shares or New Securities, Company Equivalent Units; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, CLNS Credit may issue REIT Shares, Preferred Shares or New Securities (a) pursuant to Section 4.4, Section 15.1.B or Section 15.1.J hereof, (b) pursuant to a dividend or distribution (including any stock split) of REIT Shares, Preferred Shares or New Securities to all holders of REIT Shares, Preferred Shares or New Securities (as the case may be), (c) upon a conversion,
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redemption or exchange of Preferred Shares, (d) upon a conversion, redemption, exchange or exercise of New Securities, (e) upon a conversion, redemption, exchange of any Funding Debt into REIT Shares, Preferred Shares or New Securities, or (f) in connection with an acquisition of Membership Units or a property or other asset to be owned, directly or indirectly, by CLNS Credit. In the event of any issuance of additional REIT Shares, Preferred Shares or New Securities by CLNS Credit, and the contribution to the Company, by CLNS Credit, of the cash proceeds or other consideration received from such issuance, the Company shall pay CLNS Credit’s expenses associated with such issuance, including any underwriting discounts or commissions. In the event that CLNS Credit issues any additional REIT Shares, Capital Shares, Preferred Shares, New Securities or other interests in CLNS Credit and contributes the cash proceeds or other consideration received from the issuance thereof to the Company, the Company is authorized to and shall issue a number of Membership Common Units or Company Equivalent Units to CLNS Credit equal to the number of REIT Shares, Capital Shares, Preferred Shares, New Securities or other interests so issued, divided by the Adjustment Factor then in effect, in accordance with this Section 4.3.D without any further act, approval or vote of any Member or any other Persons; provided that CLNS Credit shall have the discretion to not divide the Capital Shares, Preferred Shares, New Securities or other interests by the Adjustment Factor for purposes of determining the number of Membership Common Units or Company Equivalent Units to be issued to CLNS Credit if CLNS Credit determines that to do so would not be appropriate.
E. Register. The Managing Member shall cause to be maintained in the principal business office of the Company, or such other place as may be determined by the Managing Member, the books and records of the Company, which shall include, among other things, a register containing the name, address and number of Membership Units of each Member, and such other information as the Managing Member may deem necessary or desirable (the “Register”). The Register shall not be deemed part of this Agreement. The Managing Member shall from time to time update the Register as necessary to accurately reflect the information therein, including as a result of any sales, exchanges or other Transfers, or any redemptions, issuances or similar events involving Membership Units. Any reference in this Agreement to the Register shall be deemed a reference to the Register as in effect from time to time. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Managing Member may take any action authorized hereunder in respect of the Register without any need to obtain the consent of any other Member. No action of any Non-Managing Member shall be required to amend or update the Register. Except as required by law, no Non-Managing Member shall be entitled to receive a copy of the information set forth in the Register relating to any Member other than itself. Schedule I hereto sets forth the respective Capital Accounts of the Members as of the date hereof.
Section 4.3 Loans to the Company.
A. Loans by Third Parties. The Managing Member, on behalf of the Company, may obtain any Additional Funds, without the approval of any Member or any other Person, by causing the Company to incur Debt to any Person (other than, except as contemplated in Section 4.3.B, the Managing Member or CLNS Credit) upon such terms as the Managing
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Member determines appropriate, including making such Debt convertible, redeemable or exchangeable for Membership Units; provided, however, that the Company shall not incur any such Debt if any Member would be personally liable for the repayment of such Debt (unless such Member otherwise agrees).
B. Loans by the Managing Member. The Managing Member, in its sole and absolute discretion on behalf of the Company, may obtain any Additional Funds by causing the Company to incur Debt to the Managing Member and/or CLNS Credit (each, a “CLNS Credit Member Loan”) if (i) such Debt is, to the extent permitted by law, on substantially the same terms and conditions (including interest rate, repayment schedule, and conversion, redemption, repurchase and exchange rights) as Funding Debt incurred by the Managing Member or CLNS Credit, as applicable, the net proceeds of which are loaned to the Company to provide such Additional Funds, or (ii) such Debt is on terms and conditions no less favorable to the Company than would be available to the Company from a third party; provided, however, that the Company shall not incur any such Debt if any Member would be personally liable for the repayment of such Debt (unless such Member otherwise agrees).
Section 4.4 Stock Incentive Plans.
A. Options Granted to Persons other than Company Employees. If at any time or from time to time, in connection with any Stock Incentive Plan, an option to purchase REIT Shares granted to a Person other than a Company Employee is duly exercised:
| (1) | CLNS Credit shall, as soon as practicable after such exercise, make a Capital Contribution to the Company in an amount equal to the exercise price paid to CLNS Credit by such exercising party in connection with the exercise of such stock option. |
| (2) | Notwithstanding the amount of the Capital Contribution actually made pursuant to Section 4.4.A(1) hereof, CLNS Credit shall be deemed to have contributed to the Company as a Capital Contribution an amount equal to the Value of a REIT Share as of the date of exercise, multiplied by the number of REIT Shares then being issued in connection with the exercise of such stock option. In exchange for such Capital Contribution, the Company shall issue a number of Membership Common Units to CLNS Credit equal to the quotient of (a) the number of REIT Shares issued in connection with the exercise of such stock option, divided by (b) the Adjustment Factor then in effect. |
B. Options Granted to Company Employees. If at any time or from time to time, in connection with any Stock Incentive Plan, an option to purchase REIT Shares granted to a Company Employee is duly exercised:
| (1) | CLNS Credit shall sell to the Company, and the Company shall purchase from CLNS Credit, the number of REIT Shares as to |
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| which such stock option is being exercised. The purchase price per REIT Share for such sale of REIT Shares to the Company shall be the Value of a REIT Share as of the date of exercise of such stock option. |
| (2) | The Company shall sell to the Optionee (or if the Optionee is an employee of a Company Subsidiary, the Company shall sell to such Company Subsidiary, which in turn shall sell to the Optionee), for a cash price per share equal to the Value of a REIT Share at the time of the exercise, a number of REIT Shares equal to (a) the exercise price paid to CLNS Credit by the exercising party in connection with the exercise of such stock option, divided by (b) the Value of a REIT Share at the time of such exercise. |
| (3) | The Company shall transfer to the Optionee (or if the Optionee is an employee of a Company Subsidiary, the Company shall transfer to such Company Subsidiary, which in turn shall transfer to the Optionee) at no additional cost, as additional compensation, a number of REIT Shares equal to the number of REIT Shares described in Section 4.4.B(1) hereof, less the number of REIT Shares described in Section 4.4.B(2) hereof. |
| (4) | CLNS Credit shall, as soon as practicable after such exercise, make a Capital Contribution to the Company of an amount equal to the proceeds received (excluding any payment in respect of payroll taxes or other withholdings) by CLNS Credit pursuant to Section 4.4.B(1) in connection with the exercise of such stock option. In exchange for such Capital Contribution, the Company shall issue a number of Membership Common Units to CLNS Credit equal to the quotient of (a) the number of REIT Shares issued in connection with the exercise of such stock option, divided by (b) the Adjustment Factor then in effect. |
C. Restricted Stock Granted to Company Employees. If at any time or from time to time, in connection with any Equity Plan (other than a Stock Incentive Plan), any REIT Shares are issued to a Company Employee (including any REIT Shares that are subject to forfeiture in the event such Company Employee terminates his employment by the Company or a Company Subsidiary) in consideration for services performed for the Company or a Company Subsidiary:
| (1) | CLNS Credit shall issue such number of REIT Shares as are to be issued to the Company Employee in accordance with the Equity Plan; |
| (2) | the following events will be deemed to have occurred: (a) CLNS Credit shall be deemed to have sold such shares to the Company |
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| (or if the Company Employee is an employee or other service provider of a Company Subsidiary, to such Company Subsidiary) for a purchase price equal to the Value of such shares, (b) the Company (or such Company Subsidiary) shall be deemed to have delivered the shares to the Company Employee, (c) CLNS Credit shall be deemed to have contributed the purchase price to the Company as a Capital Contribution, and (d) if the Company Employee is an employee of a Company Subsidiary, the Company shall be deemed to have contributed such amount to the capital of the Company Subsidiary; and |
| (3) | the Company shall issue to CLNS Credit a number of Membership Common Units equal to the number of newly issued REIT Shares, divided by the Adjustment Factor then in effect, in consideration for the deemed Capital Contribution pursuant to Section 4.4.C.(2)(c). |
D. Restricted Stock Granted to Persons other than Company Employees. If at any time or from time to time, in connection with any Equity Plan (other than a Stock Incentive Plan), any REIT Shares are issued to a Person other than a Company Employee in consideration for services performed for CLNS Credit, the Company or a Company Subsidiary:
| (1) | CLNS Credit shall issue such number of REIT Shares as are to be issued to such Person in accordance with the Equity Plan; and |
| (2) | CLNS Credit shall be deemed to have contributed the Value of such REIT Shares to the Company as a Capital Contribution, and the Company shall issue to CLNS Credit a number of newly issued Membership Common Units equal to the number of newly issued REIT Shares, divided by the Adjustment Factor then in effect. |
E. Future Stock Incentive Plans. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed or applied to preclude or restrain the Managing Member or CLNS Credit from adopting, modifying or terminating stock incentive plans for the benefit of employees, directors or other business associates of the Managing Member, CLNS Credit, the Company or any of their Affiliates. The Members acknowledge and agree that, in the event that any such plan is adopted, modified or terminated by the Managing Member or CLNS Credit, amendments to this Section 4.4 may become necessary or advisable and that any approval or Consent to any such amendments requested by the Managing Member or CLNS Credit shall be deemed granted.
F. Issuance of Membership Common Units. The Company is expressly authorized to issue Membership Common Units in the circumstances specified in this Section 4.4 without any further act, approval or vote of any Member or any other Persons.
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Section 4.5 LTIP Units.
A. Issuance of LTIP Units. The Managing Member may from time to time issue LTIP Units, in one or more classes or series established in accordance with Section 4.2, to Persons who provide services to the Company, for such consideration as the Managing Member may determine to be appropriate, and admit such Persons as Members. Any provision herein relating to LTIP Units or LTIP Unitholders may be varied by the provisions applicable to an individual class or series of LTIP Units as set forth in the applicable Membership Unit Designation. Except to the extent a Capital Contribution is made with respect to an LTIP Unit, each LTIP Unit is intended to qualify as a “profits interest” in the Company within the meaning of the Code, the Regulations, and any published guidance by the IRS with respect thereto. Subject to the following provisions of this Section 4.5 and the special provisions of Sections 4.6, 5.7 and 6.3.E, LTIP Units shall be treated as Membership Common Units, with all of the rights, privileges and obligations attendant thereto. For purposes of computing the Members’ Percentage Interests, holders of LTIP Units shall be treated as holders of Membership Common Units and LTIP Units shall be treated as Membership Common Units. In particular, the Company shall maintain at all times a one-to-one correspondence between LTIP Units and Membership Common Units for conversion, distribution and other purposes, including complying with the following procedures:
| (i) | If an Adjustment Event occurs, then except as set forth in the applicable Membership Unit Designation, the Managing Member shall make a corresponding adjustment to the LTIP Units to maintain the one-to-one correspondence between Membership Common Units and LTIP Units as existed prior to such Adjustment Event. “Adjustment Events” means any of the following events: (a) the Company makes a distribution on all outstanding Membership Common Units in Membership Units to the extent the LTIP Unitholder did not participate in the distribution; (b) the Company subdivides the outstanding Membership Common Units into a greater number of units or combines the outstanding Membership Common Units into a smaller number of units; or (c) the Company issues any Membership Units in exchange for its outstanding Membership Common Units by way of a reclassification or recapitalization of its Membership Common Units. If more than one Adjustment Event occurs, the adjustment to the LTIP Units need be made only once using a single formula that takes into account each and every Adjustment Event as if all Adjustment Events occurred simultaneously. For the avoidance of doubt, the following shall not be Adjustment Events: (x) the issuance of Membership Units in a financing, reorganization, acquisition or other similar business transaction; (y) the issuance of Membership Units pursuant to any employee benefit or compensation plan or distribution reinvestment plan; or (z) the issuance of any Membership Units to the Managing Member in respect of a Capital Contribution to the Company of proceeds from the sale of securities by the Managing Member. If the Company takes an action affecting the Membership Common Units or LTIP Units other than actions specifically described above as Adjustment Events and in the opinion of the Managing Member such action would |
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| require an adjustment to the LTIP Units to maintain the one-to-one correspondence described above, the Managing Member shall have the right to make such adjustment to the LTIP Units, to the extent permitted by law and by any Equity Plan, in such manner and at such time as the Managing Member, in its sole and absolute discretion, may determine to be appropriate under the circumstances. If an adjustment is made to the LTIP Units as herein provided, the Company shall promptly file in the books and records of the Company an officer’s certificate setting forth such adjustment and a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment, which certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the correctness of such adjustment absent manifest error. Promptly after the filing of such certificate, the Company shall mail a notice to each LTIP Unitholder setting forth the adjustment to his or her LTIP Units and the effective date of such adjustment. |
| (ii) | Unless otherwise provided in an LTIP Award or Vesting Agreement or by the Managing Member with respect to any particular class or series of LTIP Units, the LTIP Unitholders shall, when, as and if authorized and declared by the Managing Member out of assets legally available for that purpose, be entitled to receive distributions in an amount per LTIP Unit equal to the distributions per Membership Common Unit (the “Membership Unit Distribution”), paid to holders of Membership Common Units on such Company Record Date established by the Managing Member with respect to such distribution; provided, however, that until the Economic Capital Account Balance of the LTIP Units is equal to the Target Balance, the LTIP Units shall be entitled to distributions attributable to the sale or other disposition of an asset of the Company only to the extent of any appreciation in value of such asset subsequent to the award date of such LTIP Unit, as determined by the Company. Subject to the terms of any LTIP Award or Vesting Agreement or as determined by the Managing Member with respect to any particular class or series of LTIP Units, so long as any LTIP Units are outstanding, no distributions (whether in cash or in kind) shall be authorized, declared or paid on Membership Common Units, unless equal distributions have been or contemporaneously are authorized, declared and paid on the LTIP Units in accordance with the preceding sentence. Subject to the terms of any LTIP Award or Vesting Agreement, or as determined by the Managing Member with respect to any particular class or series of LTIP Units, an LTIP Unitholder shall be entitled to transfer his or her Vested LTIP Units to the same extent, and subject to the same restrictions as holders of Membership Common Units are entitled to transfer their Membership Common Units pursuant to Article 11 of this Agreement. |
B. Priority. Subject to the provisions of this Section 4.5 and the special provisions of Section 6.3.E, the LTIP Units shall rank pari passu with the Membership Common
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Units as to the payment of regular and special periodic or other distributions and, subject to Sections 13.2.A(2) and 13.2.C, distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up. As to the payment of distributions and as to distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, any class or series of Membership Units or Membership Interests which by its terms specifies that it shall rank junior to, on a parity with, or senior to the Membership Common Units shall also rank junior to, or pari passu with, or senior to, as the case may be, the LTIP Units.
C. Special Provisions. LTIP Units shall be subject to the following special provisions:
| (i) | Vesting Agreements. LTIP Units may, in the sole and absolute discretion of the Managing Member, be issued subject to vesting, forfeiture and additional restrictions on transfer pursuant to the terms of a Vesting Agreement. The terms of any Vesting Agreement may be modified by the Managing Member from time to time in its sole and absolute discretion, subject to any restrictions on amendment imposed by the relevant Vesting Agreement or by the Equity Plan, if applicable. LTIP Units that have vested under the terms of a Vesting Agreement are referred to as “Vested LTIP Units;” all other LTIP Units shall be treated as “Unvested LTIP Units.” |
| (ii) | Forfeiture. Unless otherwise specified in the Vesting Agreement, upon the occurrence of any event specified in a Vesting Agreement as resulting in either the right of the Company or the Managing Member to repurchase LTIP Units at a specified purchase price or some other forfeiture of any LTIP Units, then if the Company or the Managing Member exercises such right to repurchase or forfeiture in accordance with the applicable Vesting Agreement, the relevant LTIP Units shall immediately, and without any further action, be treated as cancelled and no longer outstanding for any purpose. Unless otherwise specified in the Vesting Agreement, no consideration or other payment shall be due with respect to any LTIP Units that have been forfeited, other than any distributions declared with respect to a Company Record Date prior to the effective date of the forfeiture. In connection with any repurchase or forfeiture of LTIP Units, the balance of the portion of the Capital Account of the LTIP Unitholder that is attributable to all of its LTIP Units shall be reduced by the amount, if any, by which such balance exceeds the Target Balance contemplated by Section 6.3.E, calculated with respect to the LTIP Unitholder’s remaining LTIP Units, if any. |
| (iii) | Allocations. LTIP Unitholders shall be entitled to certain special allocations of gain under Section 6.3.E. |
| (iv) | Redemption. The Redemption right provided to Members under Section 15.1 shall not apply with respect to LTIP Units unless and until they are converted to Membership Common Units as provided in clause (v) below and Section 4.6. |
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| (v) | Conversion to Membership Common Units. Vested LTIP Units are eligible to be converted into Membership Common Units under Section 4.6. |
D. Voting. Unless otherwise provided in an LTIP Award or Vesting Agreement or by the Managing Member with respect to any particular class or series of LTIP Units, LTIP Unitholders shall (a) have those voting rights required from time to time by applicable law, if any, (b) have the same voting rights as a holder of Membership Common Units with respect to their LTIP Units, with the LTIP Units voting together as a single class with the Membership Common Units and having one vote per LTIP Unit and (c) have the additional voting rights that are expressly set forth below. Unless otherwise provided in an LTIP Award or Vesting Agreement or by the Managing Member with respect to any particular class or series of LTIP Units, so long as any LTIP Units remain outstanding, the Company shall not, without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the LTIP Units outstanding at the time that would be adversely affected by the proposed action, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at a meeting (voting separately as a class), amend, alter or repeal, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, the provisions of this Agreement applicable to LTIP Units as such so as to materially and adversely affect any right, privilege or voting power of the LTIP Units or the LTIP Unitholders as such, unless such amendment, alteration, or repeal affects equally, ratably and proportionately in all material respects the rights, privileges and voting powers of the holders of Membership Common Units; but subject, in any event, to the following provisions:
| (i) | With respect to any Transaction, so long as the LTIP Units are treated in accordance with Section 4.6.F hereof, the consummation of such Transaction shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the LTIP Units or the LTIP Unitholders as such; and |
| (ii) | Any creation or issuance of any Membership Units or of any class or series of Membership Interest, including additional Membership Common Units, LTIP Units or Company Preferred Units, whether ranking senior to, junior to, or on a parity with the LTIP Units with respect to distributions and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, shall not be deemed to materially and adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the LTIP Units or the LTIP Unitholders as such. |
The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required will be effected, all outstanding LTIP Units shall have been converted into Membership Common Units.
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Section 4.6 Conversion of LTIP Units.
A. Unless otherwise provided in an LTIP Award or Vesting Agreement or by the Managing Member with respect to any particular class or series of LTIP Units, an LTIP Unitholder shall have the right (the “Conversion Right”), at its option, at any time to convert all or a portion of its Vested LTIP Units into Membership Common Units; provided, however, that a holder may not exercise the Conversion Right for less than one thousand (1,000) Vested LTIP Units or, if such holder holds less than one thousand (1,000) Vested LTIP Units, all of the Vested LTIP Units held by such holder. LTIP Unitholders shall not have the right to convert Unvested LTIP Units into Membership Common Units until they become Vested LTIP Units; provided, however, that when an LTIP Unitholder is notified of the expected occurrence of an event that will cause his or her Unvested LTIP Units to become Vested LTIP Units, such LTIP Unitholder may give the Company a Conversion Notice conditioned upon and effective as of the time of vesting and such Conversion Notice, unless subsequently revoked by the LTIP Unitholder, shall be accepted by the Company subject to such condition. In all cases, the conversion of any LTIP Units into Membership Common Units shall be subject to the conditions and procedures set forth in this Section 4.6.
B. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may a holder of Vested LTIP Units convert a number of Vested LTIP Units that exceeds (x) the Economic Capital Account Balance of such Member, to the extent attributable to its ownership of Vested LTIP Units, divided by (y) the Membership Common Unit Economic Balance, in each case as determined as of the effective date of conversion (the “Capital Account Limitation”). In order to exercise his or her Conversion Right, an LTIP Unitholder shall deliver a notice (a “Conversion Notice”) in the form attached as Exhibit C to the Company (with a copy to the Managing Member) not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to a date (the “Conversion Date”) specified in such Conversion Notice; provided, however, that if the Managing Member has not given to the LTIP Unitholders notice of a proposed or upcoming Transaction (as defined below in Section 4.6.F) at least 30 days prior to the effective date of such Transaction, then LTIP Unitholders shall have the right to deliver a Conversion Notice until the earlier of (x) the 10th day after such notice from the Managing Member of a Transaction or (y) the third business day immediately preceding the effective date of such Transaction. A Conversion Notice shall be provided in the manner provided in Section 15.2. Each LTIP Unitholder covenants and agrees with the Company that all Vested LTIP Units to be converted pursuant to this Section 4.6.B shall be free and clear of all liens. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a holder of LTIP Units may deliver a Notice of Redemption pursuant to Section 15.1.A relating to those Membership Common Units that will be issued to such holder upon conversion of such LTIP Units into Membership Common Units in advance of the Conversion Date; provided, however, that the redemption of such Membership Common Units by the Company shall in no event take place until after the Conversion Date. For clarity, it is noted that the objective of this paragraph is to put an LTIP Unitholder in a position where, if he or she so wishes, the Membership Common Units into which his or her Vested LTIP Units will be converted can be redeemed by the Company simultaneously with such conversion, with the further consequence that, if the Managing Member elects to assume the Company’s redemption obligation with respect to such Membership Common Units under Section 15.1.B by delivering to such holder Class A REIT Shares rather than cash, then such holder can have such Class A REIT Shares issued to him or her simultaneously with the conversion of his or her Vested LTIP Units into Membership Common Units. The Managing Member shall reasonably cooperate with an LTIP Unitholder to coordinate the timing of the different events described in the foregoing sentence.
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C. The Company, at any time at the election of the Managing Member in its sole and absolute discretion, may cause any number of Vested LTIP Units held by an LTIP Unitholder to be converted (a “Forced Redemption”) into an equal number of Membership Common Units, giving effect to all adjustments (if any) made pursuant to Section 4.5; provided, however, that the Company may not cause a Forced Redemption of any LTIP Units that would not at the time be eligible for conversion at the option of such LTIP Unitholder pursuant to Section 4.6.B. In order to exercise its right of Forced Redemption, the Company shall deliver a notice (a “Forced Redemption Notice”) in the form attached as Exhibit D to the applicable LTIP Unitholder not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days prior to the Conversion Date specified in such Forced Redemption Notice. A Forced Redemption Notice shall be provided in the manner provided in Section 15.2.
D. A conversion of Vested LTIP Units for which the holder thereof has given a Conversion Notice or the Company has given a Forced Redemption Notice shall occur automatically after the close of business on the applicable Conversion Date without any action on the part of such LTIP Unitholder, as of which time such LTIP Unitholder shall be credited on the books and records of the Company with the issuance as of the opening of business on the next day of the number of Membership Common Units issuable upon such conversion. After the conversion of LTIP Units as aforesaid, the Company shall deliver to such LTIP Unitholder, upon his or her written request, a certificate of the Managing Member certifying the number of Membership Common Units and remaining LTIP Units, if any, held by such person immediately after such conversion. The Assignee of any Member pursuant to Article 11 hereof may exercise the rights of such Member pursuant to this Section 4.6 and such Member shall be bound by the exercise of such rights by the Assignee.
E. For purposes of making future allocations under Section 6.3.E and applying the Capital Account Limitation, the portion of the Economic Capital Account Balance of the applicable LTIP Unitholder that is treated as attributable to his or her LTIP Units shall be reduced, as of the date of conversion, by the product of the number of LTIP Units converted and the Membership Common Unit Economic Balance.
F. If the Company or the Managing Member shall be a party to any transaction (including a merger, consolidation, unit exchange, self-tender offer for all or substantially all Membership Common Units or other business combination or reorganization, or sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, but excluding any transaction which constitutes an Adjustment Event) in each case as a result of which Membership Common Units shall be exchanged for or converted into the right, or the holders of such Membership Common Units shall otherwise be entitled, to receive cash, securities or other property or any combination thereof (any of the foregoing being referred to herein as a “Transaction”), then the Managing Member shall, immediately prior to the consummation of the Transaction, exercise its right to cause a Forced Redemption with respect to the maximum number of LTIP Units then eligible for conversion, taking into account any allocations that occur in connection with the Transaction or that would occur in connection with the Transaction if the assets of the Company were sold at
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the Transaction price or, if applicable, at a value determined by the Managing Member in good faith using the value attributed to the Membership Common Units in the context of the Transaction (in which case the Conversion Date shall be the effective date of the Transaction). In anticipation of such Forced Redemption and the consummation of the Transaction, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause each LTIP Unitholder to be afforded the right to receive in connection with such Transaction in consideration for the Membership Common Units into which his or her LTIP Units will be converted the same kind and amount of cash, securities and other property (or any combination thereof) receivable upon the consummation of such Transaction by a holder of the same number of Membership Common Units, assuming such holder of Membership Common Units is not a Person with which the Company consolidated or into which the Company merged or which merged into the Company or to which such sale or transfer was made, as the case may be (a “Constituent Person”), or an Affiliate of a Constituent Person. In the event that holders of Membership Common Units have the opportunity to elect the form or type of consideration to be received upon consummation of the Transaction, prior to such Transaction the Managing Member shall give prompt written notice to each LTIP Unitholder of such election, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to afford the LTIP Unitholders the right to elect, by written notice to the Managing Member, the form or type of consideration to be received upon conversion of each LTIP Unit held by such holder into Membership Common Units in connection with such Transaction. If an LTIP Unitholder fails to make such an election, such holder (and any of its transferees) shall receive upon conversion of each LTIP Unit held by him or her (or by any of his or her transferees) the same kind and amount of consideration that a holder of a Membership Common Unit would receive if such Membership Common Unit holder failed to make such an election. Subject to the rights of the Company and the Managing Member under any Vesting Agreement and any Equity Plan, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the terms of any Transaction to be consistent with the provisions of this Section 4.6.F and to enter into an agreement with the successor or purchasing entity, as the case may be, for the benefit of any LTIP Unitholders whose LTIP Units will not be converted into Membership Common Units in connection with the Transaction that will (i) contain provisions enabling the holders of LTIP Units that remain outstanding after such Transaction to convert their LTIP Units into securities as comparable as reasonably possible under the circumstances to the Membership Common Units and (ii) preserve as far as reasonably possible under the circumstances the distribution, special allocation, conversion, and other rights set forth in this Agreement for the benefit of the LTIP Unitholders.
Section 4.7 Dividend Reinvestment Plan, Stock Incentive Plan or Other Plan. Except as may otherwise be provided in this Article 4, all amounts retained or deemed received by CLNS Credit in respect of any dividend reinvestment plan, stock incentive or other stock or subscription plan or agreement, either (a) shall be utilized by CLNS Credit to effect open market purchases of REIT Shares, or (b) shall be contributed by CLNS Credit to the Company in exchange for additional Membership Common Units and, upon such contribution, the Company will issue to CLNS Credit a number of Membership Common Units equal to the number of newly issued REIT Shares, divided by the Adjustment Factor then in effect without any further act, approval or vote of any Member or any other Person.
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Section 4.8 No Interest; No Return. No Member shall be entitled to interest on its Capital Contribution or on such Member’s Capital Account. Except as provided herein or by law, no Member shall have any right to demand or receive the return of its Capital Contribution from the Company.
Section 4.9 Conversion or Redemption of Preferred Shares; Redemption of REIT Shares.
A. Conversion of Preferred Shares. If, at any time, any Preferred Shares are converted into REIT Shares, in whole or in part, then an equal number of Company Equivalent Units held by CLNS Credit that correspond to the class or series of Preferred Shares so converted shall automatically be converted into a number of Membership Common Units equal to the quotient of (i) the number of REIT Shares issued upon such conversion, divided by (ii) the Adjustment Factor then in effect.
B. Redemption of Preferred Shares. If, at any time, any Preferred Shares are redeemed, repurchased or otherwise acquired (whether by exercise of a put or call, automatically or by means of another arrangement) by CLNS Credit for cash, then, immediately prior to such redemption of Preferred Shares, the Company shall redeem an equal number of Company Equivalent Units held by CLNS Credit that correspond to the class or series of Preferred Shares so redeemed, repurchased or acquired upon the same terms and for the same price per Company Equivalent Unit, as such Preferred Shares are redeemed, repurchased or acquired.
C. Redemption, Repurchase or Forfeiture of REIT Shares. If, at any time, any REIT Shares are redeemed, repurchased or otherwise acquired (whether by exercise of a put or call, upon forfeiture of any award granted under any Equity Plan, automatically or by means of another arrangement, including pursuant to any Non-Managing Member Ancillary Agreement) by CLNS Credit (other than repurchases contemplated by Section 4.7), then, immediately prior to such redemption, repurchase or acquisition of REIT Shares, the Company shall redeem a number of Membership Common Units held directly or indirectly by CLNS Credit equal to the quotient of (i) the number of REIT Shares so redeemed, repurchased or acquired, divided by (ii) the Adjustment Factor then in effect, such redemption, repurchase or acquisition to be upon the same terms and for the same price per Membership Common Unit (after giving effect to application of the Adjustment Factor) as such REIT Shares are redeemed, repurchased or acquired.
Section 4.10 Other Contribution Provisions. In the event that any Member is admitted to the Company and is given a Capital Account in exchange for services rendered to the Company, such transaction shall be treated by the Company and the affected Member as if the Company had compensated such Member in cash and such Member had contributed the cash to the capital of the Company. In addition, with the consent of the Managing Member, one or more Members (including CLNS Credit) may enter into contribution agreements with the Company which have the effect of providing a guarantee of certain obligations of the Company.
Section 4.11 Excluded Properties. CLNS Credit shall contribute each Excluded Property (or, if applicable, the net proceeds (after payment of all transfer taxes and other transaction costs)
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received by CLNS Credit from the sale, transfer or other disposition of an Excluded Property to a Person who is not a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of CLNS Credit) to the Company upon the earlier of (i) such time as it is commercially practicable to contribute such property to the Company without adverse tax or other economic consequence to CLNS Credit, and (ii) any sale, transfer or other disposition of an Excluded Property to a Person who is not a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of CLNS Credit. Upon any such contribution of an Excluded Property or the proceeds therefrom, CLNS Credit shall receive in exchange for such contribution, notwithstanding the actual value of such Excluded Property or the amount of such proceeds (as the case may be), the Specified Membership Units applicable to such Excluded Property. The Company is expressly authorized to issue the Specified Membership Units in the numbers specified in this Section 4.11 without any further act, approval or vote of any Member or any other Persons.
ARTICLE 5
DISTRIBUTIONS
Section 5.1 Requirement and Characterization of Distributions. Subject to the terms of any Membership Unit Designation that provides for a class or series of Company Preferred Units with a preference with respect to the payment of distributions, the Managing Member shall cause the Company to distribute quarterly all, or such portion as the Managing Member may determine, of the Available Cash generated by the Company during such quarter to the Holders of Membership Common Units in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests of Membership Common Units on such Company Record Date. Except as otherwise agreed by the Managing Member, distributions payable with respect to any Membership Units that were not outstanding during the entire quarterly period in respect of which any distribution is made (other than any Membership Units issued to CLNS Credit in connection with the issuance of REIT Shares) shall be prorated based on the portion of the period that such Membership Units were outstanding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Managing Member, in its sole and absolute discretion, may cause the Company to distribute Available Cash to the Holders on a more or less frequent basis than quarterly. The Managing Member shall make reasonable efforts to cause the Company to distribute sufficient amounts to enable CLNS Credit, for so long as CLNS Credit has determined to qualify as a REIT, to pay stockholder dividends that will (a) satisfy the REIT Requirements, and (b) eliminate any U.S. federal income or excise tax liability of CLNS Credit.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Excluded Property (or the proceeds therefrom) has not been contributed to the Company pursuant to Section 4.11, the distributions provided for above shall be calculated, to the extent possible, based on Adjusted Available Cash as if each Excluded Property had been contributed to the Company in exchange for the applicable Specified Membership Units pursuant to Section 4.11, and any distributions to be made with respect to CLNS Credit’s Membership Units shall in the aggregate be reduced to the extent of any REIT Available Cash derived from such Excluded Property.
Section 5.2 Distributions in Kind. No Holder may demand to receive property other than cash as provided in this Agreement. The Managing Member may cause the Company to make a distribution in kind of Company assets or Membership Interests to the Holders, and such assets or Membership Interests shall be distributed in such a fashion as to ensure that the fair market value is distributed and allocated in accordance with Articles 5, 6 and 10 hereof.
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Section 5.3 Amounts Withheld. All amounts withheld pursuant to the Code or any provisions of any state or local tax law or Section 10.3.C or Section 10.4 hereof with respect to any allocation, payment or distribution to any Holder shall be treated as amounts paid or distributed to such Holder pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof for all purposes under this Agreement.
Section 5.4 Distributions upon Liquidation. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article 5, upon the occurrence of a Liquidating Event, the assets of the Company shall be distributed to the Holders in accordance with Section 13.2 hereof.
Section 5.5 Distributions to Reflect Additional Membership Units. In the event that the Company issues additional Membership Units pursuant to the provisions of Article 4 hereof, subject to the rights of any Holder of any Membership Interest set forth in a Membership Unit Designation, the Managing Member is hereby authorized to make such revisions to this Article 5 and to Article 6 as it determines are necessary or desirable to reflect the issuance of such additional Membership Units, including making preferential distributions to certain classes of Membership Units.
Section 5.6 Restricted Distributions. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement, neither the Company nor the Managing Member, on behalf of the Company, shall make a distribution to any Holder if such distribution would violate the Act or other applicable law.
Section 5.7 Restriction on Distributions with Respect to LTIP Units. It is the intention of the Members that distributions in respect of LTIP Units be limited to the extent necessary so that each of the LTIP Units constitutes a “profits interest” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In furtherance of the foregoing, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Managing Member shall, if necessary, limit distributions to the holders of LTIP Units so that such distributions do not exceed the available profits in respect of such LTIP Units (taking into account the special allocations to LTIP Units provided in Section 6.3.E). In the event that distributions in respect of LTIP Units are reduced pursuant to the preceding sentence, an amount equal to such excess distributions shall be treated as instead apportioned to the remaining Members pro rata in accordance with their Membership Common Units for the related Fiscal Year in accordance with the other provisions of this Agreement, and the Managing Member shall make adjustments to future distributions to the holders of LTIP Units as promptly as practicable so that the holders of LTIP Units receive a distribution equal to the amount they would have received, in each case as if this Section 5.7 had not been in effect; provided, however, that any distributions pursuant to this sentence shall be further subject to the provisions of this Section 5.7. For purposes of this Agreement, “profits interest” means a right to receive distributions funded solely by profits of the Company generated after the grant in connection with the performance of services, satisfying the requirements as set forth in IRS Revenue Procedures 93-27 and 2001-43, or any future IRS guidance or other authority that supplements or supersedes the foregoing IRS Revenue Procedures.
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ARTICLE 6
ALLOCATIONS
Section 6.1 Timing and Amount of Allocations of Net Income and Net Loss. Net Income and Net Loss of the Company shall be determined and allocated with respect to each Fiscal Year as of the end of each such year. Except as otherwise provided in this Article 6, and subject to Section 11.6.C hereof, an allocation to a Holder of a share of Net Income or Net Loss shall be treated as an allocation of the same share of each item of income, gain, loss or deduction that is taken into account in computing Net Income or Net Loss.
Section 6.2 General Allocations.
A. In General. Subject to Section 11.6.C hereof, Net Income and Net Loss shall be allocated to each of the Holders as follows:
| (i) | Net Income will be allocated to Holders of Company Preferred Units and Company Equivalent Units in accordance with and subject to the terms of the Membership Unit Designation applicable to such Company Preferred Units and Company Equivalent Units; |
| (ii) | remaining Net Income will be allocated to the Holders of Membership Common Units (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the LTIP Units) in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests at the end of each Fiscal Year; |
| (iii) | subject to the terms of any Membership Unit Designation, Net Loss will be allocated to the Holders of Membership Common Units (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the LTIP Units) in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests and to the holders of Company Preferred Units and Company Equivalent Units in accordance with and subject to the terms of the Membership Unit Designation applicable to such Company Equivalent Units at the end of each Fiscal Year; and |
| (iv) | for purposes of this Section 6.2.A, the Percentage Interests of the Holders of Membership Common Units shall be calculated based on a denominator equal to the aggregate Membership Common Units (including, for the avoidance of doubt, LTIP Units) outstanding as of the date of determination. |
Section 6.3 Additional Allocation Provisions. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article 6:
A. Special Allocations Regarding Company Preferred Units. If any Company Preferred Units are redeemed pursuant to Section 4.9.B hereof (treating a full liquidation of the Managing Member’s Membership Interest or of CLNS Credit’s Membership Interest for purposes of this Section 6.3.A as including a redemption of any then outstanding Company
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Preferred Units pursuant to Section 4.9.B hereof), for the Fiscal Year that includes such redemption (and, if necessary, for subsequent Fiscal Years) (a) gross income and gain (in such relative proportions as the Managing Member shall determine) shall be allocated to the holder(s) of such Company Preferred Units to the extent that the Redemption amounts paid or payable with respect to the Company Preferred Units so redeemed (or treated as redeemed) exceeds the aggregate Capital Account balances (net of liabilities assumed or taken subject to by the Company) per Company Preferred Unit allocable to the Company Preferred Units so redeemed (or treated as redeemed) and (b) deductions and losses (in such relative proportions as the Managing Member shall determine) shall be allocated to the holder(s) of such Company Preferred Units to the extent that the aggregate Capital Account balances (net of liabilities assumed or taken subject to by the Company) per Company Preferred Unit allocable to the Company Preferred Units so redeemed (or treated as redeemed) exceeds the Redemption amount paid or payable with respect to the Company Preferred Units so redeemed (or treated as redeemed).
B. Regulatory Allocations.
| (i) | Minimum Gain Chargeback. Except as otherwise provided in Regulations Section 1.704-2(f), notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.2 hereof, or any other provision of this Article 6, if there is a net decrease in Member Minimum Gain during any Fiscal Year, each Holder shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain for such year (and, if necessary, subsequent years) in an amount equal to such Holder’s share of the net decrease in Member Minimum Gain, as determined under Regulations Section 1.704-2(g). Allocations pursuant to the previous sentence shall be made in proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each Holder pursuant thereto. The items to be allocated shall be determined in accordance with Regulations Sections 1.704-2(f)(6) and 1.704-2(j)(2). This Section 6.3.B(i) is intended to qualify as a “minimum gain chargeback” within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith. |
| (ii) | Member Minimum Gain Chargeback. Except as otherwise provided in Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4) or in Section 6.3.B(i) hereof, if there is a net decrease in Member Minimum Gain attributable to a Member Nonrecourse Debt during any Fiscal Year, each Holder who has a share of the Member Minimum Gain attributable to such Member Nonrecourse Debt, determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(5), shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain for such year (and, if necessary, subsequent years) in an amount equal to such Holder’s respective share of the net decrease in Member Minimum Gain attributable to such Member Nonrecourse Debt, determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4). Allocations pursuant to the previous sentence shall be made in proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each Holder pursuant thereto. The items to be |
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| so allocated shall be determined in accordance with Regulations Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2). This Section 6.3.B(ii) is intended to qualify as a “chargeback of partner nonrecourse debt minimum gain,” within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-2(i), and shall be interpreted consistently therewith. |
| (iii) | Nonrecourse Deductions and Member Nonrecourse Deductions. Any Nonrecourse Deductions for any Fiscal Year shall be specially allocated to the Holders in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests. Any Member Nonrecourse Deductions for any Fiscal Year shall be specially allocated to the Holder(s) who bears the economic risk of loss with respect to the Member Nonrecourse Debt to which such Member Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable, in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i). |
| (iv) | Qualified Income Offset. If any Holder unexpectedly receives an adjustment, allocation or distribution described in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), (5) or (6), items of Company income and gain shall be allocated, in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d), to such Holder in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by such Regulations, the Adjusted Capital Account Deficit of such Holder as quickly as possible; provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section 6.3.B(iv) shall be made if and only to the extent that such Holder would have an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit after all other allocations provided in this Article 6 have been tentatively made as if this Section 6.3.B(iv) were not in the Agreement. It is intended that this Section 6.3.B(iv) qualify and be construed as a “qualified income offset,” within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d), and shall be interpreted consistently therewith. |
| (v) | Gross Income Allocation. If any Holder has a deficit Capital Account at the end of any Fiscal Year that is in excess of the sum of (1) the amount (if any) that such Holder is obligated to restore to the Company upon complete liquidation of such Holder’s Membership Interest (including the Holder’s interest in outstanding Company Preferred Units and other Membership Units), and (2) the amount that such Holder is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentences of Regulations Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5), each such Holder shall be specially allocated items of Company income and gain in the amount of such excess to eliminate such deficit as quickly as possible; provided that an allocation pursuant to this Section 6.3.B(v) shall be made if and only to the extent that such Holder would have a deficit Capital Account in excess of such sum after all other allocations provided in this Article 6 have been tentatively made as if this Section 6.3.B(v) and Section 6.3.B(iv) hereof were not in the Agreement. |
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| (vi) | Limitation on Allocation of Net Loss. To the extent that any allocation of Net Loss would cause or increase an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit as to any Holder, such allocation of Net Loss shall be reallocated (x) first, among the other Holders of Membership Common Units in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests, and (y) thereafter, among the Holders of other Membership Units, as determined by the Managing Member, subject to the limitations of this Section 6.3.B(vi). |
| (vii) | Section 754 Adjustment. To the extent that an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Company asset pursuant to Code Section 734(b) or Code Section 743(b) is required, pursuant to Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) or Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis), and such gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the Holders of Membership Common Units in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests in the event that Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(2) applies, or to the Holder(s) to whom such distribution was made in the event that Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4) applies (or otherwise as described in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4)). |
| (viii) | Curative Allocations. The allocations set forth in Sections 6.3.B(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) and (vii) hereof (the “Regulatory Allocations”) are intended to comply with certain regulatory requirements, including the requirements of Regulations Sections 1.704-1(b) and 1.704-2. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.1 hereof, the Regulatory Allocations shall be taken into account in allocating other items of income, gain, loss and deduction among the Holders of Membership Common Units so that, to the extent possible without violating the requirements giving rise to the Regulatory Allocations, the net amount of such allocations of other items and the Regulatory Allocations to each Holder of a Membership Common Unit shall be equal to the net amount that would have been allocated to each such Holder if the Regulatory Allocations had not occurred. |
C. Special Allocations Upon Liquidation. Notwithstanding any provision in this Article 6 to the contrary, if the Company disposes of all or substantially all of its assets in a transaction that will lead to a liquidation of the Company pursuant to Article 13 hereof, then any Net Income or Net Loss realized in connection with such transaction and thereafter (and, if necessary, constituent items of income, gain, loss and deduction) shall be specially allocated for such Fiscal Year (and to the extent permitted by Code Section 761(c), for the immediately
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preceding Fiscal Year) among the Holders as required so as to cause liquidating distributions pursuant to Section 13.2.A(2) hereof to be made in the same amounts and proportions as would have resulted had such distributions instead been made pursuant to Article 5 hereof.
D. Allocation of Nonrecourse Liabilities. For purposes of determining a Holder’s proportional share of the “excess nonrecourse liabilities” of the Company within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.752-3(a)(3), each Holder’s respective interest in Company profits shall be equal to such Holder’s Percentage Interest with respect to Membership Common Units.
E. Special Allocations Regarding LTIP Units. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6.2 above, any Liquidating Gains remaining after the allocation of any such Liquidating Gains to Holders of Company Preferred Units and Company Equivalent Units pursuant to Section 6.2.A(i) shall first be allocated to the LTIP Unitholders until the Economic Capital Account Balances of such Holders, to the extent attributable to their ownership of LTIP Units, are equal to (i) the Membership Common Unit Economic Balance, multiplied by (ii) the number of their LTIP Units (the “Target Balance”) and thereafter shall be allocated in accordance with Section 6.2.A(ii); provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified by the Managing Member in the grant of specific LTIP Units, no such Liquidating Gains will be allocated with respect to any particular LTIP Unit unless and to the extent that such Liquidating Gains, when aggregated with other Liquidating Gains realized since the issuance of such LTIP Unit, exceed Liquidating Losses realized since the issuance of such LTIP Unit. Liquidating Gains that cannot be allocated to LTIP Unitholders by reason of the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence shall be allocated to the holders of Membership Common Units. Liquidating Gains otherwise allocable to the LTIP Unitholders pursuant to the second preceding sentence shall be allocated (i) on a “first-in, first-out” basis with respect to LTIP Units issued on different dates and (ii) on an equal basis with respect to LTIP Units issued on the same date (i.e., Liquidating Gains shall be allocated first to the LTIP Units that were issued on the earliest date, and then with respect to such LTIP Units, equally among such LTIP Units). For this purpose, “Liquidating Gains” means net capital gains realized in connection with the actual or hypothetical sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, including net capital gain realized in connection with an adjustment to the Gross Asset Value of Company assets under Code Section 704(b). “Liquidating Losses” means any net capital loss realized in connection with any such event. The “Economic Capital Account Balances” of the LTIP Unitholders will be equal to their Capital Account balances to the extent attributable to their ownership of LTIP Units, plus the amount of their allocable share of any Member Minimum Gain or Company Minimum Gain attributable to such LTIP Units. Similarly, the “Membership Common Unit Economic Balance” shall mean (i) the Capital Account balance of the Managing Member, plus the amount of the Managing Member’s share of any Member Minimum Gain or Company Minimum Gain, in either case to the extent attributable to the Managing Member’s ownership of Membership Common Units and computed on a hypothetical basis after taking into account all allocations through the date on which any allocation is made under this Section 6.3.E (including any expenses of the Company reimbursed to the Managing Member pursuant to Section 7.4.B), divided by (ii) the number of the Managing Member’s Membership Common Units. The parties agree that the intent of this Section 6.3.E is to make the Capital Account
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balance associated with each LTIP Unit to be economically equivalent to the Capital Account balance associated with the Managing Member’s Membership Common Units (on a per-Membership Common Unit/LTIP Unit basis). The Managing Member shall be permitted to interpret this Section 6.3.E or to amend this Agreement to the extent necessary and consistent with this intention.
Section 6.4 Tax Allocations.
A. In General. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 6.4, for income tax purposes under the Code and the Regulations, each Company item of income, gain, loss and deduction (collectively, “Tax Items”) shall be allocated among the Holders in the same manner as its correlative item of “book” income, gain, loss or deduction is allocated pursuant to Sections 6.2 and 6.3 hereof.
B. Section 704(c) Allocations. Notwithstanding Section 6.4.A hereof, Tax Items with respect to Property that is contributed to the Company with a Gross Asset Value that varies from its basis in the hands of the contributing Member immediately preceding the date of contribution shall be allocated among the Holders for income tax purposes pursuant to Regulations promulgated under Code Section 704(c) so as to take into account such variation. The Company shall account for such variation under any method approved under Code Section 704(c) and the applicable Regulations as chosen by the Managing Member; provided, however, that with respect to the assets contributed to the Company by RED REIT in connection with the RED REIT Contribution pursuant to the Combination Agreement, the Company shall use the “traditional method” (without any curative allocations) provided for in the applicable Regulations under Code Section 704(c). If the Gross Asset Value of any Company asset is adjusted pursuant to subsection (b) of the definition of “Gross Asset Value,” subsequent allocations of Tax Items with respect to such asset shall take account of the variation, if any, between the adjusted basis of such asset and its Gross Asset Value in the same manner as under Code Section 704(c) and the applicable Regulations and using the method chosen by the Managing Member.
ARTICLE 7
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS OF BUSINESS
Section 7.1 Management.
A. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, including any Membership Unit Designation, all management powers over the business and affairs of the Company are and shall be exclusively vested in the Managing Member, and no Member shall have any right to participate in or exercise control or management power over the business and affairs of the Company. The Managing Member may not be removed by the Members, with or without cause, except with the consent of the Managing Member. In addition to the powers now or hereafter granted a managing member of a limited liability company under applicable law or that are granted to the Managing Member under any other provision of this Agreement, the Managing Member, subject to the other provisions hereof, including Section 7.3 and the terms of any Membership Unit Designation, shall have full and exclusive power and authority, without
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the consent of any Member, to conduct or authorize the conduct of the business of the Company, to exercise or direct the exercise of all powers of the Company and the Managing Member under the Act and this Agreement and to effectuate the purposes of the Company, including to cause the Company to enter into agreements or engage in transactions with Affiliates of the Company, the Managing Member or the Manager, issue additional Membership Interests, make distributions, sell, pledge, lease, mortgage or otherwise dispose of its assets, form and conduct all or any portion of its business and affairs through subsidiaries or joint ventures of any form, incur or guarantee debt for any purpose and obtain and maintain casualty, liability and other insurance on the Properties and liability insurance for the Indemnitees hereunder.
B. Except as provided in Section 7.3 hereof and subject to the rights of any Holder of any Membership Interest set forth in a Membership Unit Designation, the Managing Member is authorized to execute and deliver any affidavit, agreement, certificate, consent, instrument, notice, power of attorney, waiver or other writing or document in the name and on behalf of the Company and to otherwise exercise any power of the Managing Member under this Agreement and the Act without any further act, approval or vote of the Members or any other Persons and, in the absence of any specific action on the part of the Managing Member to the contrary, the taking of any action or the execution of any such document or writing by a manager, member, director or officer of the Managing Member, in the name and on behalf of the Managing Member, in its capacity as the managing member of the Company, shall conclusively evidence (1) the approval thereof by the Managing Member, in its capacity as the managing member of the Company, (2) the Managing Member’s determination that such action, document or writing is necessary or desirable to conduct the business and affairs of the Company, exercise the powers of the Company under the Act and this Agreement or effectuate the purposes of the Company, or any other determination by the Managing Member required by this Agreement in connection with the taking of such action or execution of such document or writing, and (3) the authority of such manager, member, director or officer with respect thereto.
C. The determination as to any of the following matters, made by or at the direction of the Managing Member consistent with the Act and this Agreement, shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Company and every Member: the amount of assets at any time available for distribution or the redemption of Membership Common Units or Company Preferred Units; the amount and timing of any distribution; any determination to redeem Tendered Units; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges shall have been created shall have been paid or discharged); the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked price to be applied in determining the fair value, of any asset owned or held by the Company; any matter relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition of any assets by the Company; or any other matter relating to the business and affairs of the Company or required or permitted by applicable law, this Agreement or otherwise to be determined by the Managing Member.
D. At all times from and after the date hereof, the Managing Member may cause the Company to establish and maintain working capital and other reserves in such amounts as the Managing Member, in its sole and absolute discretion, deems appropriate and reasonable from time to time.
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E. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or the Act, any action of the Managing Member on behalf of the Company or any decision of the Managing Member to refrain from acting on behalf of the Company, undertaken in the belief that such action or omission is necessary or advisable in order (i) to protect the ability of CLNS Credit to continue to qualify as a REIT, (ii) for CLNS Credit otherwise to satisfy the REIT Requirements, (iii) for CLNS Credit to avoid incurring any taxes under Code Section 857 or Code Section 4981, (iv) to protect the ability of the Company to be treated as a partnership or disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes, or (v) for any wholly owned Subsidiary of CLNS Credit to continue to qualify as a “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)) or disregarded entity (determined for federal income tax purposes) thereof, is expressly authorized under this Agreement and is deemed approved by all of the Members.
F. The Managing Member may, pursuant the Management Agreement or otherwise, delegate any or all of its powers, rights and obligations hereunder, and may appoint, employ, contract or otherwise deal with any Person, including Affiliates of the Managing Member, for the transaction of the business of the Company, which Person may, under supervision of the Managing Member, perform any acts or services for the Company as the Managing Member may approve.
Section 7.2 Certificate of Formation. To the extent that such action is determined by the Managing Member to be reasonable and necessary or appropriate, the Managing Member shall file amendments to and restatements of the Certificate and do all the things to maintain the Company as a limited liability company (or a company in which the members have limited liability) under the laws of the State of Delaware and each other state, the District of Columbia or any other jurisdiction, in which the Company may elect to do business or own property. Subject to the terms of Section 8.5.A hereof, the Managing Member shall not be required, before or after filing, to deliver or mail a copy of the Certificate or any amendment thereto to any Member. The Managing Member shall use all reasonable efforts to cause to be filed such other certificates or documents as may be reasonable and necessary or appropriate for the formation, continuation, qualification and operation of a limited liability company (or a company in which the members have limited liability to the extent provided by applicable law) in the State of Delaware and any other state, or the District of Columbia or other jurisdiction, in which the Company may elect to do business or own property.
Section 7.3 Restrictions on the Managing Member’s Authority.
A. The Managing Member may not take any action in contravention of this Agreement, including, without limitation:
| (1) | any action that would make it impossible to carry on the ordinary business of the Company, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement; |
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| (2) | admitting a Person as a Member, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement; |
| (3) | performing any act that would subject a Member to liability, except as provided herein or under the Act; |
| (4) | entering into any contract, mortgage, loan or other agreement that expressly prohibits or restricts (a) the Managing Member or the Company from performing its specific obligations under Section 15.1 hereof, or (b) a Member from exercising its rights under Section 15.1 hereof to effect a Redemption, except, in either case, with the written consent of such Member affected by the prohibition or restriction. |
B. The Managing Member shall not, without the Consent of the Members and the approval of the Board of Directors, undertake on behalf of the Company, or enter into any transaction that would have the effect of, any of the following actions:
| (1) | except as provided in Section 7.3.C hereof, terminate this Agreement; |
| (2) | except as otherwise permitted by this Agreement, or in connection with a Termination Transaction effected in accordance with Section 11.7, Transfer any portion of the Membership Interest of the Managing Member or admit into the Company any additional or successor Managing Member; |
| (3) | except as otherwise permitted by this Agreement, or in connection with a Termination Transaction effected in accordance with Section 11.7, voluntarily withdraw as a managing member of the Company; |
| (4) | make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or appoint or acquiesce in the appointment of a custodian, receiver or trustee for all or any part of the assets of the Company; |
| (5) | institute any proceeding for bankruptcy on behalf of the Company; |
| (6) | a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into any other Person, or a conversion of the Company into any other entity, other than in connection with a Termination Transaction effected in accordance with Section 11.7; or |
| (7) | a sale, lease, exchange or other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company not in the ordinary course of business, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, other than in connection with a Termination Transaction effected in accordance with Section 11.7. |
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C. Notwithstanding Section 7.3.B hereof but subject to the rights of any Holder of any Membership Interest set forth in a Membership Unit Designation and Section 7.3.D, the Managing Member shall have the exclusive power, without the Consent of the Members or the consent or approval of any Non-Managing Member, to amend this Agreement as may be required to facilitate or implement any of the following purposes:
| (1) | to add to the obligations of the Managing Member or surrender any right or power granted to the Managing Member or any Affiliate of the Managing Member for the benefit of the Members; |
| (2) | to reflect the admission, substitution or withdrawal of Members, the Transfer of any Membership Interest or the termination of the Company in accordance with this Agreement, and to amend the Register in connection with such admission, substitution, withdrawal or Transfer; |
| (3) | to reflect a change that is of an inconsequential nature or does not adversely affect the Non-Managing Members in any material respect, or to cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision in this Agreement not inconsistent with law or with other provisions, or make other changes with respect to matters arising under this Agreement that will not be inconsistent with law or with the provisions of this Agreement; |
| (4) | to satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any order, directive, opinion, ruling or regulation of a federal or state agency or contained in federal or state law; |
| (5) | to reflect such changes as are reasonably necessary for CLNS Credit to maintain its status as a REIT or to satisfy the REIT Requirements; |
| (6) | to modify either or both of the manner in which items of Net Income or Net Loss are allocated pursuant to Article 6 or the manner in which Capital Accounts are adjusted, computed or maintained (but in each case only to the extent set forth in the definition of “Capital Account” or Section 5.5 or as contemplated by the Code or the Regulations); |
| (7) | to reflect the issuance of additional Membership Interests in accordance with Article 4; |
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| (8) | to set forth or amend the designations, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of any additional Membership Units issued pursuant to Article 4; |
| (9) | if the Company is the Surviving Company in any Termination Transaction, to modify Section 15.1 or any related definitions to provide the holders of interests in such Surviving Company rights that are consistent with Section 11.7C(v); |
| (10) | to satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any order, directive, opinion, ruling or regulation of a federal or state agency or contained in federal or state law; and |
| (11) | to reflect any other modification to this Agreement that is reasonably necessary for the business or operations of the Company or CLNS Credit and that does not violate Section 7.3.D. |
The Company will provide notice to the Members when any action taken under this Section 7.3.C is taken.
D. Notwithstanding Sections 7.3.B, 7.3.C and Article 14 hereof, this Agreement shall not be amended, and no action may be taken by the Managing Member (including by way of merger, consolidation or any similar transaction), without the consent of each Member, if any, adversely affected thereby, if such amendment or action would (i) convert a Non-Managing Member into a managing member of the Company (except as a result of the Non-Managing Member becoming a Managing Member pursuant to Section 12.1 or 13.1.A of this Agreement), (ii) modify the limited liability of a Member, (iii) adversely alter the rights of any Member to receive the distributions to which such Member is entitled pursuant to Article 5 or Section 13.2.A(4) hereof, or alter the allocations specified in Article 6 hereof (except, in any case, as permitted pursuant to Sections 4.2, 5.5 and 7.3.C hereof), (iv) alter or modify in a manner that adversely affects any Member the Redemption rights, Cash Amount or REIT Shares Amount as set forth in Section 15.1 hereof, or amend or modify any related definitions (except for amendments to this Agreement or other actions that provide rights consistent with Section 11.7.C), or (v) amend this Section 7.3.D; provided, however, that the consent of any individual Member adversely affected shall not be required for any amendment or action described in this Section 7.3.D(iii) or (iv) that affects all Members holding the same class or series of Membership Units on a uniform or pro rata basis, if approved by a Majority in Interest of the Members of such class or series. Further, no amendment may alter the restrictions on the Managing Member’s authority set forth elsewhere in this Section 7.3 without the consent specified therein. Any such amendment or action consented to by any Member shall be effective as to that Member, notwithstanding the absence of such consent by any other Member.
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Section 7.4 Reimbursement of the Managing Member and CLNS Credit.
A. The Managing Member shall not be compensated for its services as managing member of the Company except as provided in this Agreement (including the provisions of Articles 5 and 6 hereof regarding distributions, payments and allocations to which it may be entitled in its capacity as Managing Member).
B. Subject to Section 7.4.C and Section 15.11, the Company shall be liable for, and shall advance to or reimburse the Managing Member and CLNS Credit, as applicable, on a monthly basis, or such other basis as the Managing Member may determine, for all sums required or expended in connection with the Company’s business, including (i) expenses relating to the ownership of interests in and management and operation of, or for the benefit of, the Company, (ii) compensation of directors, officers, employees and agents, including payments under future compensation plans of CLNS Credit, the Managing Member, the Company, the Manager or a Subsidiary of CLNS Credit, the Managing Member, or the Company that may provide for stock units, or phantom stock, pursuant to which directors, officers, employees and agents of CLNS Credit, the Managing Member, the Company, or any such Subsidiary will receive payments based upon dividends on or the value of REIT Shares, (iii) director fees and expenses, (iv) all costs and expenses of CLNS Credit being a public company, including costs of filings with the SEC, reports and other distributions to its stockholders, and (v) all amounts necessary for the timely payment of all interest, principal and other payment obligations pursuant to any notes and long-term debt payable or owed by CLNS Credit; provided, however, that the amount of any reimbursement shall be reduced by any interest earned by the Managing Member or CLNS Credit with respect to bank accounts or other instruments or accounts held by it on behalf of the Company as permitted pursuant to Section 7.5. Such reimbursements shall be in addition to any reimbursement of the Managing Member and CLNS Credit pursuant to Section 7.7 hereof.
C. To the extent practicable, Company expenses shall be billed directly to and paid by the Company. If and to the extent any reimbursements to the Managing Member pursuant to this Section 7.4 constitute gross income to the Managing Member (as opposed to the repayment of advances made on behalf of the Company), such amounts shall (unless otherwise required by the Code and the Regulations) constitute guaranteed payments within the meaning of Section 707(c) of the Code, shall be treated consistently therewith by the Company and all Members, and shall not be treated as distributions for purposes of computing the Members’ Capital Accounts.
Section 7.5 Outside Activities of the Managing Member. The Managing Member, for so long as it is the Managing Member of the Company, shall not directly or indirectly enter into or conduct any business, other than in connection with, (a) the ownership, acquisition and disposition of Membership Interests, (b) the management of the business of the Company, (c) its operation as a reporting company with a class (or classes) of securities registered under the Exchange Act, (d) its operations as a REIT, (e) the offering, sale, syndication, private placement or public offering of stock, bonds, securities or other interests, (f) financing or refinancing of any type related to the Company or its assets or activities, (g) the holding, operation, acquisition or disposition of Excluded Properties in accordance with the terms of this Agreement with respect thereto and (h) such activities as are incidental thereto; provided, however, that the Managing
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Member may from time to time hold or acquire assets in its own name or otherwise other than through the Company so long as the Managing Member takes commercially reasonable measures to insure that the economic benefits and burdens of such Property are otherwise vested in the Company, through assignment, mortgage loan or otherwise or, if it is not commercially reasonable to vest such economic interests in the Company, the Members shall negotiate in good faith to amend this Agreement, including the definition of “Adjustment Factor,” to reflect such activities and the direct ownership of assets by the Managing Member, as applicable. The Managing Member and all “qualified REIT subsidiaries” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)) and disregarded entities (determined for federal income tax purposes) thereof, taken as a group, shall not own any assets or take title to assets (other than temporarily in connection with an acquisition prior to contributing such assets to the Company) other than (i) Excluded Properties, (ii) interests in “qualified REIT subsidiaries” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)) or disregarded entities (determined for federal income tax purposes), (iii) Membership Interests as the Managing Member or CLNS Credit and (iv) such cash and cash equivalents, bank accounts or similar instruments or accounts as such group deems reasonably necessary, taking into account Section 7.1.D hereof and the requirements necessary for CLNS Credit to qualify as a REIT and for the Managing Member and CLNS Credit to carry out their respective responsibilities contemplated under this Agreement and the Charter. The Managing Member and any Affiliates of the Managing Member may acquire Membership Interests and shall be entitled to exercise all rights of a Member relating to such Membership Interests.
Section 7.6 Transactions with Affiliates.
A. The Company may lend or contribute funds or other assets to CLNS Credit and its Subsidiaries or other Persons in which CLNS Credit has an equity investment, and such Persons may borrow funds from the Company, on terms and conditions no less favorable to the Company in the aggregate than would be available from unaffiliated third parties, as determined by the Managing Member. The foregoing authority shall not create any right or benefit in favor of any Subsidiary or any other Person. It is expressly acknowledged and agreed by each Member that CLNS Credit may (i) borrow funds from the Company in order to redeem, at any time or from time to time, options or warrants previously or hereafter issued by CLNS Credit, (ii) put to the Company, for cash, any rights, options, warrants or convertible or exchangeable securities that CLNS Credit may desire or be required to purchase or redeem, or (iii) borrow funds from the Company to acquire assets that become Excluded Properties or will be contributed to the Company for Membership Units.
B. Except as provided in Section 7.5 hereof and subject to Section 3.1 hereof, the Company may transfer assets to joint ventures, limited liability companies, partnerships, corporations, business trusts or other business entities in which it is or thereby becomes a participant upon such terms and subject to such conditions consistent with this Agreement and applicable law.
C. The Managing Member, CLNS Credit, CLNS and their respective Affiliates may sell, transfer or convey any property to the Company, directly or indirectly, on terms and conditions no less favorable to the Company, in the aggregate, than would be available from unaffiliated third parties, as determined by the Managing Member.
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D. The Managing Member or CLNS Credit, without the approval of the other Members or any of them or any other Persons, may propose and adopt, on behalf of the Company, employee benefit plans funded by the Company for the benefit of employees of the Managing Member, the Company, the Manager, CLNS Credit, Subsidiaries of the Company or any Affiliate of any of them in respect of services performed, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of the Managing Member, CLNS Credit, the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries. As used in this section 7.7.D, references to a “third party” shall not include any Person entitled to be indemnified by the Company with respect to the applicable losses or other amounts.
E. Any Affiliate of the Managing Member may be employed or retained by the Company and may otherwise deal with the Company (whether as a buyer, lessor, lessee, manager, furnisher of goods or services, broker, agent, lender or otherwise) and may receive from the Company any compensation, price, or other payment therefor which the Managing Member determines to be fair and reasonable, in its sole discretion.
Section 7.7 Indemnification.
A. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company shall indemnify each Indemnitee from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including attorney’s fees and other legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, that relate to the operations of the Company (“Actions”), as set forth in this Agreement, in which such Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise; provided, however, that the Company shall not indemnify an Indemnitee (i) for any Action if it is established by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction that the actions or omissions of the Indemnitee were material to the matter giving rise to the Action and were committed in bad faith, constituted fraud or were the result of active and deliberate dishonesty on the part of the Indemnitee, (ii) for an Action initiated by the Indemnitee (other than an Action to enforce such Indemnitee’s rights to indemnification or advance of expenses under this Section 7.7), (iii) if the Indemnitee actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services, or (iv) for a criminal proceeding if the Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that the Indemnitee’s act or omission was unlawful. Without limitation, the foregoing indemnity shall extend to any liability of any Indemnitee, pursuant to a loan guaranty or otherwise, for any indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company (including any indebtedness which the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company has assumed or taken subject to), and the Managing Member is hereby authorized and empowered, on behalf of the Company, to enter into one or more indemnity agreements consistent with the provisions of this Section 7.7 in favor of any Indemnitee having or potentially having liability for any such indebtedness. It is the intention of this Section 7.7.A that the Company indemnify each Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law. The termination of any proceeding by judgment, order or settlement does not create a presumption that the Indemnitee did not meet the requisite standard of conduct set forth in this Section 7.7.A. The termination of any proceeding by conviction of an Indemnitee or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent by an Indemnitee, or an entry of an order of probation
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against an Indemnitee prior to judgment, does not create a presumption that such Indemnitee acted in a manner contrary to that specified in this Section 7.7.A with respect to the subject matter of such proceeding. Any indemnity provided pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be made only out of the assets of the Company, and neither the Managing Member nor any other Holder shall have any obligation to contribute to the capital of the Company or otherwise provide funds to enable the Company to fund its obligations under this Section 7.7.
B. To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses incurred by an Indemnitee who is a party to a proceeding or otherwise subject to or the focus of or is involved in any Action shall be paid or reimbursed by the Company as incurred by the Indemnitee in advance of the final disposition of the Action upon receipt by the Company of (i) a written affirmation by the Indemnitee of the Indemnitee’s good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Company, as authorized in Section 7.7.A, has been met, and (ii) a written undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay the amount if it shall ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct has not been met; provided that such undertaking need not be secured and shall be without reference to the financial ability for repayment.
C. The indemnification provided by this Section 7.7 shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnitee or any other Person may be entitled under any agreement, pursuant to any vote of the Members, as a matter of law or otherwise, and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to serve in such capacity and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, assigns and administrators of the Indemnitee unless otherwise provided in a written agreement with such Indemnitee or in the writing pursuant to which such Indemnitee is indemnified.
D. Notwithstanding any provision of this Section 7.7 to the contrary, to the fullest extent permitted by law, (i) each Indemnitee must use commercially reasonable efforts to pursue all other sources of indemnification, advancement, insurance, and contribution it has against third parties, with respect to the amounts to which it is entitled under this Section 7.7, (ii) any such third party shall be the indemnitor of first resort and any obligation of the Company to provide payments under this Section 7.7 for amounts to which an Indemnitee is entitled are secondary, (iii) if the Company pays or causes to be paid any amounts under this Section 7.7 that should have been paid by a third party, then (x) the Company shall be fully subrogated to the rights of such Indemnitee with respect to such payment, (y) such Indemnitee shall assign to the Company all of such Indemnitee’s rights to advancement, indemnification and contribution from or with respect to such third party, and (z) such Indemnitee shall cooperate with the Company (at the expense of the Company) in its efforts to recover such payments through indemnification or otherwise, including filing a claim against such third party in the name of the Indemnitee, (iv) the Indemnitee will not agree to subordinate or otherwise compromise or release indemnity from a third party, without the consent of the Managing Member (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), and (v) in the event the Company has previously provided separate indemnification or advancement in connection therewith, the Indemnitee shall reimburse the Company with any subsequent proceeds it receives from such third parties. The intent of this Section 7.7.D is to set forth the relative responsibilities of the Company and third parties who have overlapping indemnity, advancement or contribution obligations to an Indemnitee. Nothing in this Section 7.7.D
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is intended to diminish the indemnification and advancement rights given by the Company to an Indemnitee, including the right to receive prompt payment of valid indemnification and advancement claims if any third party is unwilling or unable to do so promptly.
E. The Company and/or the Managing Member may, but shall not be obligated to, purchase and maintain, at the Company’s expense, insurance on behalf of any of the Indemnitees and such other Persons as the Managing Member shall determine, against any liability that may be asserted against or expenses that may be incurred by such Person in connection with the Company’s activities, regardless of whether the Company would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement.
F. Any liabilities that an Indemnitee incurs as a result of acting on behalf of the Company, or the Managing Member or CLNS Credit (whether as a fiduciary or otherwise) in connection with the operation, administration or maintenance of an employee benefit plan or any related trust or funding mechanism (whether such liabilities are in the form of excise taxes assessed by the IRS, penalties assessed by the Department of Labor, restitutions to such a plan or trust or other funding mechanism or to a participant or beneficiary of such plan, trust or other funding mechanism, or otherwise) shall be treated as liabilities or judgments or fines under this Section 7.7, unless such liabilities arise as a result of the matters described in the proviso of the first sentence of Section 7.7.A.
G. In no event may an Indemnitee subject any of the Holders to personal liability by reason of the indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement.
H. An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section 7.7 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.
I. The provisions of this Section 7.7 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees, their heirs, successors, assigns and administrators and shall not be deemed to create any rights for the benefit of any other Persons. Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.7 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the Company’s liability to any Indemnitee under this Section 7.7 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.
J. If and to the extent any payments to the Managing Member pursuant to this Section 7.7 constitute gross income to the Managing Member (as opposed to the repayment of advances made on behalf of the Company), such amounts shall (unless otherwise required by the Code and the Regulations) constitute guaranteed payments within the meaning of Section 707(c) of the Code, shall be treated consistently therewith by the Company and all Members, and shall not be treated as distributions for purposes of computing the Members’ Capital Accounts.
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Section 7.8 Liability of the Managing Member.
A. To the maximum extent permitted under the Act, the only duties that the Managing Member owes to the Company, any Member or any other Person (including any creditor of any Member or Assignee of any Membership Interest), fiduciary or otherwise, are to perform its contractual obligations as expressly set forth in this Agreement consistently with the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The Managing Member, in its capacity as such, shall have no other duty, fiduciary or otherwise, to the Company, any Member or any other Person (including any creditor of any Member or any Assignee of Membership Interest). The provisions of this Agreement shall create contractual obligations of the Managing Member only, and no such provisions shall be interpreted to create, expand or modify any fiduciary duties of the Managing Member.
B. The Non-Managing Members agree that: (i) the Managing Member is acting for the benefit of the Company, the Non-Managing Members and CLNS Credit’s stockholders, collectively; and (ii) in the event of a conflict between the interests of the Company or any Member, on the one hand, and the separate interests of CLNS Credit or its stockholders, on the other hand, the Managing Member may give priority to the separate interests of CLNS Credit and its stockholders (including with respect to the tax consequences to Non-Managing Members, Assignees or CLNS Credit’s stockholders) and, in the event of such a conflict, any action or failure to act on the part of CLNS Credit that gives priority to the separate interests of CLNS Credit or its stockholders that does not result in a violation of the contract rights of the Non-Managing Members under this Agreement and does not violate any duty owed by the Managing Member to the Company or the Members.
C. In exercising its authority under this Agreement, the Managing Member may, but shall be under no obligation to, take into account the tax consequences to any Member of any action taken (or not taken) by it. Except as otherwise agreed by the Company, the Managing Member and the Company shall not have liability to a Non-Managing Member under any circumstances as a result of any income tax liability incurred by such Non-Managing Member as a result of an action (or inaction) by the Managing Member or the Company pursuant to the Managing Member’s authority under this Agreement.
D. Subject to its obligations and duties as managing member of the Company set forth in this Agreement and applicable law, the Managing Member may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its employees or agents, including the Manager. The Managing Member shall not be responsible to the Company or any Member for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such employee or agent appointed by it in good faith.
E. In performing its duties under this Agreement and the Act, the Managing Member shall be entitled to rely on the provisions of this Agreement and on any information, opinion, report or statement, including any financial statement or other financial data or the records or books of account of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, prepared or presented by an officer, employee or agent of the Managing Member or the Manager or any agent of the Company or any such Subsidiary, or by a lawyer, certified public accountant,
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appraiser or other person engaged by the Company as to any matter within such person’s professional or expert competence, and any act taken or omitted to be taken in reliance upon any such information, opinion, report or statement as to matters that the Managing Member reasonably believes to be within such Person’s professional or expert competence shall be conclusively presumed to have been done or omitted in good faith and in accordance with such opinion. The Managing Member may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by it in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
F. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or the Act, any action of the Managing Member on behalf of the Company or any decision of the Managing Member to refrain from acting on behalf of the Company, undertaken in the good faith belief that such action or omission is necessary or advisable in order (i) to protect the ability of CLNS Credit to continue to qualify as a REIT, (ii) for CLNS Credit otherwise to satisfy the REIT Requirements, (iii) to avoid CLNS Credit incurring any taxes under Code Section 857 or Code Section 4981, (iv) to protect the ability of the Company to be treated as a partnership or disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes, or (v) for any wholly owned Subsidiary of CLNS Credit to continue to qualify as a “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)) or disregarded entity (determined for federal income tax purposes) thereof, is expressly authorized under this Agreement, is deemed approved by all of the Non-Managing Members and does not violate any duty of the Managing Member to the Company or any other Member.
G. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, except for the matters described in the proviso of the first sentence of Section 7.7.A, or pursuant to any express indemnities given to the Company by the Managing Member pursuant to any other written instrument, the Managing Member shall not have any personal liability whatsoever, to the Company or to the other Members, for any action or omission taken in its capacity as the Managing Member or for the debts or liabilities of the Company or the Company’s obligations hereunder except pursuant to Section 15.1 hereof. Without limitation of the foregoing, and except for the matters described in the proviso of the first sentence of Section 7.7.A, or pursuant to Section 15.1 hereof or any such express indemnity, no property or assets of the Managing Member, other than its interest in the Company, shall be subject to levy, execution or other enforcement procedures for the satisfaction of any judgment (or other judicial process) in favor of any other Member(s) and arising out of, or in connection with, this Agreement.
H. No manager, member, officer or agent of the Managing Member, and no director, officer, employee or agent of CLNS Credit shall have any duties directly to the Company or any Member. No manager, member, officer or agent of the Managing Member or any director, officer or agent of CLNS Credit shall be directly liable to the Company or any Member for money damages by reason of their service as such.
I. Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.8 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the liability of the Managing Member, or its managers, members, directors, officers or agents, to the
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Company and the Members under this Section 7.8, as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.
Section 7.9 Title to Company Assets. Title to Company assets, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, shall be deemed to be owned by the Company as an entity, and no Member, individually or collectively with other Members or Persons, shall have any ownership interest in such Company assets or any portion thereof. Title to any or all of the Company assets may be held in the name of the Company, the Managing Member or one or more nominees, as the Managing Member may determine, including Affiliates of the Managing Member. The Managing Member hereby declares and warrants that any Company assets for which legal title is held in the name of the Managing Member or any nominee or Affiliate of the Managing Member shall be held by the Managing Member for the use and benefit of the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. All Company assets shall be recorded as the property of the Company in its books and records, irrespective of the name in which legal title to such Company assets is held.
Section 7.10 Reliance by Third Parties. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Person dealing with the Company shall be entitled to assume that the Managing Member has full power and authority, without the consent or approval of any other Member, or Person, to encumber, sell or otherwise use in any manner any and all assets of the Company and to enter into any contracts on behalf of the Company, and take any and all actions on behalf of the Company, and such Person shall be entitled to deal with the Managing Member as if it were the Company’s sole party in interest, both legally and beneficially. Each Member hereby waives any and all defenses or other remedies that may be available against such Person to contest, negate or disaffirm any action of the Managing Member in connection with any such dealing. In no event shall any Person dealing with the Managing Member or its representatives be obligated to ascertain that the terms of this Agreement have been complied with or to inquire into the necessity or expediency of any act or action of the Managing Member or its representatives. Each and every certificate, document or other instrument executed on behalf of the Company by the Managing Member or its representatives shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person relying thereon or claiming thereunder that (i) at the time of the execution and delivery of such certificate, document or instrument, this Agreement was in full force and effect, (ii) the Person executing and delivering such certificate, document or instrument was duly authorized and empowered to do so for and on behalf of the Company, and (iii) such certificate, document or instrument was duly executed and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and is binding upon the Company.
ARTICLE 8
RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS
Section 8.1 Limitation of Liability. No Non-Managing Member, in its capacity as such, shall have any duties or liability under this Agreement except as expressly provided in this Agreement (including Sections 10.3.C and 10.4 hereof) or under the Act. To the maximum extent permitted by law, no Member, including CLNS Credit, shall have any personal liability
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whatsoever, to the Company or to the other Members, for any action or omission taken in its capacity as a member or for the debts or liabilities of the Company or the Company’s obligations hereunder, except pursuant to any express indemnities given to the Company by such Member pursuant to any other written instrument and except for liabilities of the Managing Member pursuant to Section 7.8 hereof. Without limitation of the foregoing, and except pursuant to any such express indemnity (and, in the case of the Managing Member, pursuant to Section 7.8 hereof), no property or assets of a Member, other than its interest in the Company, shall be subject to levy, execution or other enforcement procedures for the satisfaction of any judgment (or other judicial process) in favor of any other Member(s) and arising out of, or in connection with, this Agreement.
Section 8.2 Management of Business. No Member or Assignee (other than in its separate capacity as the Managing Member, the Manager, any of their Affiliates or any officer, director, manager, member, employee, partner, agent, representative or trustee of the Managing Member, the Company, the Manager or any of their Affiliates, in their capacity as such) shall take part in the operations, management or control (within the meaning of the Act) of the Company’s business, transact any business in the Company’s name or have the power to sign documents for or otherwise bind the Company. The transaction of any such business by the Managing Member, any of its Affiliates or any officer, director, manager, member, employee, partner, agent, representative or trustee of the Managing Member, the Company or any of their Affiliates, in their capacity as such, shall not affect, impair or eliminate the limitations on the liability of the Members or Assignees under this Agreement.
Section 8.3 Outside Activities of Non-Managing Members. Subject to any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 7.6 hereof and any other agreements entered into by a Non-Managing Member or any of its Affiliates with the Managing Member, the Company or a Subsidiary (including any employment agreement), any Non-Managing Member and any Assignee, officer, director, employee, agent, representative, trustee, Affiliate, manager, member or stockholder of any Non-Managing Member shall be entitled to and may have business interests and engage in business activities in addition to those relating to the Company, including business interests and activities that are in direct or indirect competition with the Company or that are enhanced by the activities of the Company. Neither the Company nor any Member shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement in any business ventures of any Non-Managing Member or Assignee. Subject to such agreements, none of the Non-Managing Members nor any other Person shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement or the company relationship established hereby in any business ventures of any other Person (other than CLNS Credit, to the extent expressly provided herein), and such Person shall have no obligation pursuant to this Agreement, subject to Section 7.6 hereof and any other agreements entered into by a Non-Managing Member or its Affiliates with the Managing Member, the Company or a Subsidiary, to offer any interest in any such business ventures to the Company, any Non-Managing Member, or any such other Person, even if such opportunity is of a character that, if presented to the Company, any Non-Managing Member or such other Person, could be taken by such Person.
Section 8.4 Return of Capital. Except pursuant to Section 15.1 or any Membership Unit Designation, no Member shall be entitled to the withdrawal or return of its Capital Contribution,
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except to the extent of distributions made pursuant to this Agreement or upon dissolution of the Company as provided herein. Except to the extent provided in Article 5 or Article 6 hereof or otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or in any Membership Unit Designation, no Member or Assignee shall have priority over any other Member or Assignee either as to the return of Capital Contributions or as to profits, losses or distributions.
Section 8.5 Rights of Non-Managing Members Relating to the Company.
A. In addition to other rights provided by this Agreement or by the Act, and subject to Section 8.5.C, the Managing Member shall deliver to each Non-Managing Member a copy of any information mailed to all of the common stockholders of CLNS Credit as soon as practicable after such mailing. Except as limited by Section 8.5.C hereof, each Member shall have the right, for a purpose reasonably related to such Member’s interest as a member in the Company, upon written demand with a statement of the purpose of such demand and at such Member’s own expense:
| (i) | To obtain a copy of the most recent annual and quarterly reports filed with the SEC by the Managing Member pursuant to the Exchange Act; |
| (ii) | To obtain a copy of the Company’s federal, state and local income tax returns for each Fiscal Year; and |
| (iii) | To obtain a copy of this Agreement and the Certificate and all amendments thereto (excluding all information regarding any other Member, including, without limitation, such Member’s identity and interests in the Company), together with executed copies of all powers of attorney pursuant to which this Agreement, the Certificate and all amendments thereto have been executed. |
B. The Company shall notify any Non-Managing Member that is a Qualifying Party, on request, of the then current Adjustment Factor or any change made to the Adjustment Factor.
C. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 8.5, the Managing Member may keep confidential from the Non-Managing Members (or any of them), for such period of time as the Managing Member determines to be reasonable, any information that (i) the Managing Member believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or other information the disclosure of which the Managing Member in good faith believes is not in the best interests of the Company or CLNS Credit or (ii) the Company or the Managing Member is required by law or by agreement to keep confidential.
Section 8.6 No Rights as Objecting Member. No Non-Managing Member and no Holder of a Membership Interest shall be entitled to exercise any appraisal rights in connection with a merger, consolidation or conversion of the Company.
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Section 8.7 No Right to Certificate Evidencing Units; Article 8 Securities. Membership Units shall not be certificated. No Non-Managing Member shall be entitled to a certificate evidencing the Membership Units held by such Member. Any certificate evidencing Membership Units issued prior to the date hereof shall no longer evidence Membership Units. The Company shall not elect to treat any Membership Unit as a “security” governed by (x) Article 8 of the Delaware Uniform Commercial Code or (y) Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code of any other applicable jurisdiction.
ARTICLE 9
BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS
Section 9.1 Records and Accounting.
A. The Managing Member shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal business office of the Company those records and documents, if any, required to be maintained by the Act and other books and records deemed by the Managing Member to be appropriate with respect to the Company’s business, including all books and records necessary to provide to the Members any information, lists and copies of documents required to be provided pursuant to Section 8.5.A, Section 9.3 or Article 13 hereof. Any records maintained by or on behalf of the Company in the regular course of its business may be kept on any information storage device; provided that the records so maintained are convertible into clearly legible written form within a reasonable period of time.
B. The books of the Company shall be maintained, for financial and tax reporting purposes, on an accrual basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or on such other basis as the Managing Member determines to be necessary or appropriate. To the extent permitted by sound accounting practices and principles, the Company and the Managing Member may operate with integrated or consolidated accounting records, operations and principles.
Section 9.2 Fiscal Year. The Fiscal Year of the Company shall be the calendar year.
Section 9.3 Reports.
A. As soon as practicable, but in no event later than one hundred twenty (120) days after the close of each Fiscal Year, the Managing Member shall cause to be mailed to each Non-Managing Member of record as of the close of the Fiscal Year, financial statements of the Company, or of CLNS Credit if such statements are prepared solely on a consolidated basis with CLNS Credit, for such Fiscal Year, presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, such statements to be audited by a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants selected by the Managing Member.
B. As soon as practicable, but in no event later than ninety (90) days after the close of each calendar quarter (except the last calendar quarter of each year), the Managing Member shall cause to be mailed to each Non-Managing Member of record as of the last day of the calendar quarter, a report containing unaudited financial statements of the Company, or of
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CLNS Credit if such statements are prepared solely on a consolidated basis with CLNS Credit, for such calendar quarter, and such other information as may be required by applicable law or regulation or as the Managing Member determines to be appropriate.
C. The Managing Member may satisfy its obligations under Section 9.3.A and Section 9.3.B by posting or making available the reports specified in such sections on a website maintained by CLNS Credit or by filing reports containing the information specified in Sections 9.1.A and 9.1.B on the EDGAR system (or any successor system) of the SEC.
ARTICLE 10
TAX MATTERS
Section 10.1 Preparation of Tax Returns. The Managing Member shall arrange for the preparation and timely filing of all returns with respect to Company income, gains, deductions, losses and other items required of the Company for federal and state income tax purposes and shall use all reasonable effort to furnish, within ninety (90) days of the close of each taxable year, the tax information reasonably required by Non-Managing Members and for federal and state income tax and any other tax reporting purposes. The Non-Managing Members shall promptly provide the Managing Member with such information relating to the RED REIT Contributed Entities, including tax basis and other relevant information, as may be reasonably requested by the Managing Member from time to time. For purposes of this provision, the term RED REIT Contributed Entities shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Combination Agreement.
Section 10.2 Tax Elections.
A. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Managing Member shall determine whether to make any available election pursuant to the Code, including any election under the New Partnership Audit Procedures, the election under Code Section 754 and the election to use the “recurring item” method of accounting provided under Code Section 461(h) with respect to property taxes imposed on the Company’s Properties; provided, however, that, if the “recurring item” method of accounting is elected with respect to such property taxes, the Company shall pay the applicable property taxes prior to the date provided in Code Section 461(h) for purposes of determining economic performance. The Managing Member shall have the right to seek to revoke any such election (including any election under Code Sections 461(h) and 754).
B. Without limiting the foregoing, the Members, intending to be legally bound, hereby authorize the Managing Member, on behalf of the Company, to make an election (the “LV Safe Harbor Election”) to have the “liquidation value” safe harbor provided in Proposed Treasury Regulation § 1.83-3(1) and the Proposed Revenue Procedure set forth in Internal Revenue Service Notice 2005-43, as such safe harbor may be modified when such proposed guidance is issued in final form or as amended by subsequently issued guidance (the “LV Safe Harbor”), apply to LTIP Units and any interest in the Company transferred to, or for the benefit of, a service provider while the LV Safe Harbor Election remains effective, to the extent such interest meets the LV Safe Harbor requirements (collectively, such interests are
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referred to as “LV Safe Harbor Interests”). The Tax Matters Member or Managing Member, as applicable, is authorized and directed to execute and file the LV Safe Harbor Election on behalf of the Company and the Members. The Company and the Members (including any person to whom an LTIP Unit or other interest in the Company is transferred in connection with the performance of services) hereby agree to comply with all requirements of the LV Safe Harbor (including forfeiture allocations) with respect to all LV Safe Harbor Interests and to prepare and file all U.S. federal income tax returns reporting the tax consequences of the issuance and vesting of LV Safe Harbor Interests consistent with such final LV Safe Harbor guidance. The Company is also authorized to take such actions as are necessary to achieve, under the LV Safe Harbor, the effect that the election and compliance with all requirements of the LV Safe Harbor referred to above would be intended to achieve under Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.83-3, including amending this Agreement.
Section 10.3 Tax Matters Member and Partnership Representative.
A. With respect to periods not governed by changes to the Code enacted by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, the Managing Member is hereby designated as the tax matters partner within the meaning of Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code prior to amendment by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (“Tax Matters Member”). With respect to periods governed by the New Partnership Audit Procedures, to the extent permissible under the New Partnership Audit Procedures, the Managing Member, or such person designated by the Managing Member, shall be designated as the “partnership representative” (within the meaning of Section 6223 of the New Partnership Audit Procedures (the “Partnership Representative”). Neither the Tax Matters Member nor the Partnership Representative shall receive compensation for its services. All third-party costs and expenses incurred by the Tax Matters Member or Partnership Representative in performing its duties as such (including legal and accounting fees and expenses) shall be borne by the Company in addition to any reimbursement pursuant to Section 7.4 hereof. Nothing herein shall be construed to restrict the Company from engaging a law, advisory, or accounting firm to assist the Tax Matters Member or Partnership Representative in discharging its duties hereunder. At the request of any Member, the Managing Member agrees to inform such Member regarding the preparation and filing of any returns and with respect to any subsequent audit or litigation relating to such returns; provided, however, that the Managing Member shall have the exclusive power to determine whether to file, and the content of, such returns.
B. The Tax Matters Member is authorized, but not required:
| (1) | to enter into any settlement with the IRS with respect to any administrative or judicial proceedings for the adjustment of Company items required to be taken into account by a Member for income tax purposes (such administrative proceedings being referred to as a “tax audit” and such judicial proceedings being referred to as “judicial review”), and in the settlement agreement the Tax Matters Member may expressly state that such agreement shall bind all Members, except that such settlement agreement shall not bind any Member (i) who (within the time prescribed |
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| pursuant to the Code and Regulations) files a statement with the IRS providing that the Tax Matters Member shall not have the authority to enter into a settlement agreement on behalf of such Member (as the case may be) or (ii) who is a “notice partner” (as defined in Code Section 6231) or a member of a “notice group” (as defined in Code Section 6223(b)(2)); |
| (2) | in the event that a notice of a final administrative adjustment at the Company level of any item required to be taken into account by a Member for tax purposes (a “final adjustment”) is mailed to the Tax Matters Member, to seek judicial review of such final adjustment, including the filing of a petition for readjustment with the United States Tax Court or the United States Claims Court, or the filing of a complaint for refund with the District Court of the United States for the district in which the Company’s principal place of business is located; |
| (3) | to intervene in any action brought by any other Member for judicial review of a final adjustment; |
| (4) | to file a request for an administrative adjustment with the IRS at any time and, if any part of such request is not allowed by the IRS, to file an appropriate pleading (petition or complaint) for judicial review with respect to such request; |
| (5) | to enter into an agreement with the IRS to extend the period for assessing any tax that is attributable to any item required to be taken into account by a Member for tax purposes, or an item affected by such item; and |
| (6) | to take any other action on behalf of the Members or any of them in connection with any tax audit or judicial review proceeding to the extent permitted by applicable law or regulations. |
The taking of any action and the incurring of any expense by the Tax Matters Member in connection with any such proceeding, except to the extent required by law, is a matter in the sole and absolute discretion of the Tax Matters Member and the provisions relating to indemnification of the Managing Member set forth in Section 7.7 hereof shall be fully applicable to the Tax Matters Member in its capacity as such.
C. The Partnership Representative is authorized and required to represent the Company in connection with all examinations of the Company’s affairs by tax authorities, including any resulting administrative and judicial proceedings. Under Section 6225 of the New Partnership Audit Procedures, in the case of any adjustment by the IRS in the amount of any item of income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit of the Company’s or any Member’s distributive share thereof (“IRS Adjustment”), the Company may pay an imputed underpayment as calculated
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under Section 6225(b) of the New Partnership Audit Procedures with respect to the IRS Adjustment, including interest and penalties (“Imputed Tax Underpayment”) in the Adjustment Year or otherwise take the IRS Adjustment into account in the Adjustment Year. Each Member does hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Managing Member and the Partnership Representative from and against any liability with respect to the Member’s proportionate share of any Imputed Tax Underpayment or other IRS Adjustment resulting in liability of the Company, regardless of whether such Member is a partner in the Partnership in an Adjustment Year, with such proportionate share as reasonably determined by the Managing Member, including the Managing Member’s reasonable discretion to consider (i) each Member’s interest in the Company in the Reviewed Year, (ii) each Member’s status under Section 6225(c) and (iii) a Member’s timely provision of information necessary to reduce the amount of Imputed Tax Underpayment set forth in Section 6225(c) of the New Partnership Audit Procedures. This obligation shall survive a Member’s ceasing to be a member of the Company and/or the termination, dissolution, liquidation and winding up of the Company. The Managing Member may in its sole discretion elect under Section 6226 of the New Partnership Audit Procedures to cause the Company to issue adjusted Internal Revenue Service Schedules K-1 (or such other form as applicable) reflecting a Member’s shares of any IRS Adjustment for the Adjustment Year as an alternative to the Company’s payment of an Imputed Tax Underpayment for any tax year.
Section 10.4 Withholding. Each Member hereby authorizes the Company to withhold from or pay on behalf of or with respect to such Member any amount of federal, state, local or foreign taxes that the Managing Member determines that the Company is required to withhold or pay with respect to any amount distributable or allocable to such Member pursuant to this Agreement, including any taxes required to be withheld or paid by the Company pursuant to Code Sections 1441, 1442, 1445, 1446, 1471 or 1472. Any amount paid on behalf of or with respect to a Member, including any Imputed Tax Underpayment, shall constitute an advance by the Company to such Member, which advance shall be repaid by such Member within fifteen (15) days after notice from the Managing Member that such payment must be made except to the extent that (i) the Company withholds such payment from a distribution that would otherwise be made to the Member or (ii) the Managing Member determines that such payment may be satisfied out of the Available Cash of the Company that would, but for such payment, be distributed to the Member, and such amount actually is satisfied out of such cash. Each Member hereby unconditionally and irrevocably grants to the Company a security interest in such Member’s Membership Interest to secure such Member’s obligation to pay to the Company any amounts required to be paid pursuant to Section 10.3.C and this Section 10.4 and subject to the prior sentence. In the event that a Member fails to pay any amounts owed to the Company pursuant to Section 10.3.C and this Section 10.4 when due, the Managing Member may elect to make the payment to the Company on behalf of such defaulting Member, and in such event shall be deemed to have loaned such amount to such defaulting Member and shall succeed to all rights and remedies of the Company as against such defaulting Member (including the right to receive distributions). Any amounts payable (or portion thereof that remain unsatisfied) by a Member hereunder shall bear interest at the base rate on corporate loans at large United States money center commercial banks, as published from time to time in the Wall Street Journal, plus four (4) percentage points (but not higher than the maximum lawful rate) from the date such amount
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is due (i.e., fifteen (15) days after demand) until such amount is paid in full. Each Member shall take such actions as the Company or the Managing Member shall request in order to perfect or enforce the security interest created hereunder.
Section 10.5 Organizational Expenses. The Managing Member may cause the Company to elect to deduct expenses, if any, incurred by it in organizing the Company ratably over a 180-month period as provided in Code Section 709.
ARTICLE 11
MEMBER TRANSFERS AND WITHDRAWALS
Section 11.1 Transfer.
A. No part of the interest of a Member shall be subject to the claims of any creditor, to any spouse for alimony or support, or to legal process, and may not be voluntarily or involuntarily alienated or encumbered except as may be specifically provided for in this Agreement.
B. No Membership Interest shall be Transferred, in whole or in part, except in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Article 11 and any applicable Non-Managing Member Ancillary Agreement. Any Transfer or purported Transfer of a Membership Interest not made in accordance with this Article 11 and any applicable Non-Managing Member Ancillary Agreement shall be null and void ab initio.
C. No Transfer of any Membership Interest may be made to a lender to the Company or any Person who is related (within the meaning of Section 1.752-4(b) of the Regulations) to any lender to the Company whose loan constitutes a Nonrecourse Liability, without the consent of the Managing Member; provided that as a condition to such consent, the Managing Member may require the lender to enter into an arrangement with the Company and the Managing Member to redeem or exchange for the REIT Shares Amount any Membership Units in which a security interest is held by such lender simultaneously with the time at which such lender would be deemed to be a member in the Company for purposes of allocating liabilities to such lender under Code Section 752.
Section 11.2 Transfer of the Managing Member’s Membership Interest.
A. Subject to compliance with the other provisions of this Article 11, the Managing Member may Transfer all or any portion of its Membership Interest at any time (i) to any Person that is, at the time of such Transfer, a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of CLNS Credit, including any “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)) and that immediately following such Transfer owns, directly or indirectly, all the assets of CLNS Credit and its Subsidiaries, without the Consent of any Member, and may designate the transferee to become the new Managing Member under Section 12.1, or (ii) in connection with a Termination Transaction as permitted under Section 11.7.
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B. The Managing Member may not voluntarily withdraw as a managing member of the Company without the Consent of the Non-Managing Members, except in connection with a Transfer of the Managing Member’s entire Membership Interest permitted in this Article 11 (including in accordance with Section 11.7) and the admission of the Transferee as a successor managing member of the Company pursuant to the Act and this Agreement.
C. It is a condition to any Transfer of the entire Membership Interest of a sole Managing Member otherwise permitted hereunder (including in accordance with Section 11.7) that (i) coincident or prior to such Transfer, the transferee is admitted as a Managing Member pursuant to the Act and this Agreement; (ii) the transferee assumes by operation of law or express agreement all of the obligations of the transferor Managing Member under this Agreement with respect to such Transferred Membership Interest; and (iii) the transferee has executed such instruments as may be necessary to effectuate such admission and to confirm the agreement of such transferee to be bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement applicable to the Managing Member and the admission of such transferee as a Managing Member.
Section 11.3 Non-Managing Members’ Rights to Transfer.
A. General. Subject to any Non-Managing Member Ancillary Agreement, each Non-Managing Member, and each transferee of such Non-Managing Member’s Membership Interest or Assignee thereof pursuant to a Permitted Transfer, may not Transfer all or any portion of such Membership Interest to any Person without the consent of the Managing Member, which consent may be withheld in the Managing Member’s sole and absolute discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to Section 11.1.C and 11.3.C, any Non-Managing Member may, at any time, without the consent of the Managing Member, Transfer all or any portion of its Membership Interest pursuant to a Permitted Transfer (including, in the case of a Non-Managing Member that is a Permitted Lender Transferee, any Transfer of a Membership Interest to a Third-Party Pledge Transferee). Any Transfer of a Membership Interest by a Non-Managing Member or an Assignee is subject to Section 11.4 and to satisfaction of the following conditions:
| (1) | Qualified Transferee. Any Transfer of a Membership Interest shall be made only to a single Qualified Transferee; provided, however, that, for such purposes, all Qualified Transferees that are Affiliates, or that comprise investment accounts or funds managed by a single Qualified Transferee and its Affiliates, shall be considered together to be a single Qualified Transferee. |
| (2) | Opinion of Counsel. The transferor shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Managing Member an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to it to the effect that the proposed Transfer may be effected without registration under the Securities Act and will not otherwise violate the registration provisions of the Securities Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder or violate any state securities laws or regulations applicable to the |
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| Company or the Membership Interests Transferred; provided, however, that the Managing Member may waive this condition upon the request of the transferor. If, in the opinion of such counsel, such Transfer would require the filing of a registration statement under the Securities Act or would otherwise violate any federal or state securities laws or regulations applicable to the Company or the Membership Units, the Managing Member may prohibit any Transfer otherwise permitted under this Section 11.3 by a Non-Managing Member of Membership Interests. |
| (3) | Minimum Transfer Restriction. Any Transferring Member must Transfer not less than the lesser of (i) Five Hundred (500) Membership Units or (ii) all of the remaining Membership Units owned by such Transferring Member; provided, however, that, for purposes of determining compliance with the foregoing restriction, all Membership Units owned by Affiliates of a Member shall be considered to be owned by such Member. |
It is a condition to any Transfer otherwise permitted hereunder that the transferee assumes by operation of law or express agreement all of the obligations of the transferor Member under this Agreement with respect to such Transferred Membership Interest, and no such Transfer (other than pursuant to a statutory merger or consolidation wherein all obligations and liabilities of the transferor Member are assumed by a successor corporation by operation of law) shall relieve the transferor Member of its obligations under this Agreement without the approval of the Managing Member. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any transferee of any Transferred Membership Interest shall be subject to any and all ownership limitations (including the Ownership Limit) contained in the Charter that may limit or restrict such transferee’s ability to exercise its Redemption rights, including the Ownership Limit. Any transferee, whether or not admitted as a Substituted Member, shall take subject to the obligations of the transferor hereunder. Unless admitted as a Substituted Member, no transferee, whether by a voluntary Transfer, by operation of law or otherwise, shall have any rights hereunder, other than the rights of an Assignee as provided in Section 11.5 hereof.
B. Incapacity. If a Non-Managing Member is subject to Incapacity, the executor, administrator, trustee, committee, guardian, conservator or receiver of such Member’s estate shall have all the rights of a Non-Managing Member, but not more rights than those enjoyed by other Non-Managing Members, for the purpose of settling or managing the estate, and such power as the Incapacitated Member possessed to Transfer all or any part of its interest in the Company. The Incapacity of a Member, in and of itself, shall not dissolve or terminate the Company.
C. Adverse Tax Consequences. No Transfer by a Non-Managing Member of its Membership Interests (including any Redemption, any other acquisition of Membership Units by the Managing Member or any acquisition of Membership Units by the Company and including any Permitted Transfer) may be made to or by any Person if on the advice of legal counsel for the Company, (i) such Transfer would create a material risk of the Company being
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treated as an association taxable as a corporation, (ii) there would be a material risk that such Transfer would be treated as effectuated through an “established securities market” or a “secondary market (or the substantial equivalent thereof),” within the meaning of Code Section 7704 or otherwise create a material risk of the Company being treated as a “publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of Code Section 469(k)(2) or Code Section 7704, (iii) such Transfer would create a material risk that the Company cease to be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes (except as a result of the Redemption (or acquisition by CLNS Credit) of all Membership Units held by all Members (other than CLNS Credit)), or such Transfer would result in a termination of the Company under Code Section 708(b)(1)(B), or (iv) such Transfer would create a material risk that CLNS Credit would cease to comply with the REIT Requirements or any wholly owned Subsidiary of CLNS Credit to cease to qualify as either a “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)) or disregarded entity (determined for federal income tax purposes) thereof.
Section 11.4 Substituted Members.
A. A transferee of the interest of a Non-Managing Member shall be admitted as a Substituted Member only with the consent of the Managing Member, which may be withheld in its sole and absolute discretion. The failure or refusal by the Managing Member to permit a transferee of any such interests to become a Substituted Member shall not give rise to any cause of action against the Company or the Managing Member. Subject to the foregoing, an Assignee shall not be admitted as a Substituted Member until and unless it furnishes to the Managing Member (i) evidence of acceptance, in form and substance satisfactory to CLNS Credit, of all the terms, conditions and applicable obligations of this Agreement, (ii) a counterpart signature page to this Agreement executed by such Assignee and (iii) such other documents and instruments as the Managing Member may require to effect such Assignee’s admission as a Substituted Member.
B. Concurrently with, and as evidence of, the admission of a Substituted Member, the Managing Member shall amend the Register and the books and records of the Company to reflect the name, address and number of Membership Units of such Substituted Member and to eliminate or adjust, if necessary, the name, address and number of Membership Units of the predecessor of such Substituted Member.
C. A transferee who has been admitted as a Substituted Member in accordance with this Article 11 shall have all the rights and powers and be subject to all the restrictions and liabilities of a Non-Managing Member under this Agreement.
Section 11.5 Assignees. If the Managing Member withholds its consent for the admission of any transferee as a Substituted Member, as described in Section 11.4 hereof, such transferee shall be considered an Assignee for purposes of this Agreement. An Assignee shall be entitled to all the rights of an assignee of a membership interest under the Act, including the right to receive distributions from the Company and the share of Net Income, Net Losses and other items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the Company attributable to the Membership Units assigned to such transferee and the rights to Transfer the Membership Units provided in this Article 11, but shall not be deemed to be a holder of Membership Units for any other purpose
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under this Agreement (other than as expressly provided in Section 15.1 hereof with respect to a Qualifying Party that becomes a Tendering Party), and shall not be entitled to effect a Consent or vote with respect to such Membership Units on any matter presented to the Non-Managing Members for approval (such right to Consent or vote, to the extent provided in this Agreement or under the Act, fully remaining with the transferor Member). In the event that any such transferee desires to make a further assignment of any such Membership Units, such transferee shall be subject to all the provisions of this Article 11 to the same extent and in the same manner as any Non-Managing Member desiring to make an assignment of Membership Units.
Section 11.6 General Provisions.
A. No Non-Managing Member may withdraw from the Company other than: (i) as a result of a permitted Transfer of all of such Member’s Membership Interest in accordance with this Article 11 with respect to which the transferee becomes a Substituted Member; (ii) pursuant to a redemption (or acquisition by the Managing Member or CLNS Credit) of all of its Membership Interest pursuant to a Redemption under Section 15.1 hereof and/or pursuant to any Membership Unit Designation; or (iii) as a result of the acquisition by the Managing Member or CLNS Credit of all of such Member’s Membership Interest, whether or not pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof.
B. Any Member who shall Transfer all of its Membership Units in a Transfer (i) permitted pursuant to this Article 11 where such transferee was admitted as a Substituted Member, (ii) pursuant to the exercise of its rights to effect a redemption of all of its Membership Units pursuant to a Redemption under Section 15.1 hereof and/or pursuant to any Membership Unit Designation, or (iii) to CLNS Credit, whether or not pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof, shall cease to be a Member.
C. If any Membership Unit is Transferred in compliance with the provisions of this Article 11, or is redeemed by the Company, or acquired by CLNS Credit pursuant to Section 15.1 hereof, on any day other than the first day of a Fiscal Year, then Net Income, Net Losses, each item thereof and all other items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit attributable to such Membership Unit for such Fiscal Year shall be allocated to the transferor Member or the Tendering Party (as the case may be) and, in the case of a Transfer or assignment other than a Redemption, to the transferee Member, by taking into account their varying interests during the Fiscal Year in accordance with Code Section 706(d), using the “interim closing of the books” method or another permissible method selected by the Managing Member. Solely for purposes of making such allocations, each of such items for the calendar month in which a Transfer occurs shall be allocated to the transferee Member and none of such items for the calendar month in which a Transfer or a Redemption occurs shall be allocated to the transferor Member, or the Tendering Party (as the case may be) if such Transfer occurs on or before the fifteenth (15th) day of the month, otherwise such items shall be allocated to the transferor. All distributions of Available Cash attributable to such Membership Unit with respect to which the Company Record Date is before the date of such Transfer, assignment or Redemption shall be made to the transferor Member or the Tendering Party (as the case may be) and, in the case of a Transfer other than a Redemption, all distributions of Available Cash thereafter attributable to such Membership Unit shall be made to the transferee Member.
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D. In addition to any other restrictions on Transfer herein contained or contained in any applicable Non-Managing Member Ancillary Agreement, in no event may any Transfer or assignment of a Membership Interest by any Member (including any Redemption, any acquisition of Membership Units by CLNS Credit or any other acquisition of Membership Units by the Company) be made without the consent of the Managing Member, which may be withheld in its sole and absolute discretion: (i) to any person or entity who lacks the legal right, power or capacity to own a Membership Interest; (ii) in violation of applicable law; (iii) of any component portion of a Membership Interest, such as the Capital Account, or rights to distributions, separate and apart from all other components of a Membership Interest; (iv) in the event that such Transfer would create a material risk that CLNS Credit would cease to comply with the REIT Requirements or any wholly owned Subsidiary of CLNS Credit to cease to qualify as either a “qualified REIT subsidiary” (within the meaning of Code Section 856(i)(2)) or disregarded entity (determined for federal income tax purposes) thereof; (v) if such Transfer would create a material risk that the Company cease to be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes (except as a result of the Redemption (or acquisition by CLNS Credit) of all Membership Units held by all Members (other than CLNS Credit)), or such transfer would result in a termination of the Company under Code Section 708(b)(1)(B); (vi) if such Transfer would cause the Company to become, with respect to any employee benefit plan subject to Title I of ERISA, a “party-in-interest” (as defined in ERISA Section 3(14)) or with respect to a plan subject to Section 4975 of the Code, a “disqualified person” (as defined in Code Section 4975(c)); (vii) if such Transfer would, on the advice of legal counsel to the Company, cause any portion of the assets of the Company to constitute assets of any employee benefit plan pursuant to Department of Labor Regulations Section 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA; (viii) if such Transfer requires the registration of such Membership Interest pursuant to any applicable federal or state securities laws; (ix) if such Transfer would create a material risk that the Company would become a “publicly traded partnership,” as such term is defined in Code Section 469(k)(2) or Code Section 7704(b) or would otherwise create a material risk that the Company would be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes; (x) if such Transfer would cause the Company to have more than one hundred (100) partners for tax purposes (including as partners those persons indirectly owning an interest in the Company through a partnership, limited liability company, subchapter S corporation or grantor trust); (xi) if such Transfer would cause the Company to become a reporting company under the Exchange Act; (xii) if such Transfer subjects the Company to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisors Act of 1940 or ERISA.
E. Transfers by a Non-Managing Member pursuant to this Article 11 or pursuant to any applicable Non-Managing Member Ancillary Agreement but not pursuant to Article 15, other than a Permitted Transfer to a Permitted Transferee pursuant to the exercise of remedies under a Pledge, may only be made on the first day of a fiscal quarter of the Company, unless the Managing Member otherwise agrees.
Section 11.7 Restrictions on Termination Transactions. Neither CLNS Credit nor the Managing Member shall engage in, or cause or permit, a Termination Transaction, unless the conditions in at least one of the following paragraphs is met:
A. the Consent of the Non-Managing Members is obtained;
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B. in connection with any such Termination Transaction, each holder of Membership Common Units (other than CLNS Credit and its wholly owned Subsidiaries) will receive, or will have the right to elect to receive, for each Membership Common Unit, an amount of cash, securities or other property equal to the product of the Adjustment Factor and the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property paid to a holder of one REIT Share in consideration of one REIT Share pursuant to the terms of such Termination Transaction; provided that if, in connection with such Termination Transaction, a purchase, tender or exchange offer shall have been made to and accepted by the holders of a majority of the outstanding REIT Shares, each holder of Membership Common Units (other than CLNS Credit and its wholly owned subsidiaries) will receive, or will have the right to elect to receive, the greatest amount of cash, securities or other property that such holder of Membership Common Units would have received had it exercised its right to Redemption pursuant to Article 15 hereof and received REIT Shares in exchange for its Membership Common Units immediately prior to the expiration of such purchase, tender or exchange offer and had thereupon accepted such purchase, tender or exchange offer and then such Termination Transaction shall have been consummated (the fair market value, at the time of the Termination Transaction, of the amount specified herein with respect to each Membership Common Unit is referred to as the “Transaction Consideration”);
C. all of the following conditions are met: (i) substantially all of the assets directly or indirectly owned by the Company prior to the announcement of the Termination Transaction are, immediately after the Termination Transaction, owned directly or indirectly by the Company or another limited liability company, limited partnership or other entity providing similar statutory limited liability for its non-managing equity owners that is the survivor of a merger, consolidation or combination of assets with the Company (in each case, the “Surviving Company”); (ii) the Surviving Company is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes; and (iii) the rights of such Members with respect to the Surviving Company include: (x) if CLNS Credit or its successor is a REIT with a single class of Publicly Traded common equity securities, the right to redeem their interests in the Surviving Company on terms substantially comparable to those in Section 15.1 of this Agreement for either: (1) a number of such REIT’s Publicly Traded common equity securities with a fair market value, as of the date of consummation of such Termination Transaction, equal to the Transaction Consideration, subject to anti-dilution adjustments substantially comparable to those set forth in the definition of “Adjustment Factor” herein (the “Successor Shares Amount”); or (2) cash in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Successor Shares Amount at the time of such redemption, determined in a manner consistent with the determination of the “Cash Amount” herein; or (y) if CLNS Credit or its successor is not a REIT with a single class of Publicly Traded common equity securities, the right to redeem their interests in the Surviving Company on terms substantially comparable to those in Section 15.1 of this Agreement for cash in an amount equal to the Transaction Consideration; or
D. in any Termination Transaction that is a merger, consolidation or other combination with or into another Person, immediately following the consummation of such Termination Transaction, the equity holders of the surviving entity are substantially identical to the shareholders of CLNS Credit prior to such transaction.
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ARTICLE 12
ADMISSION OF MEMBERS
Section 12.1 Admission of Successor Managing Member. A successor to all or a portion of the Managing Member’s Membership Interest pursuant to Section 11.2.A hereof who the Managing Member has designated to become a successor Managing Member shall be admitted to the Company as the Managing Member, effective immediately upon the Transfer of such Membership Interest to it. Upon any such Transfer and the admission of any such transferee as a successor Managing Member in accordance with this Section 12.1, the transferor Managing Member shall be relieved of its obligations under this Agreement and shall cease to be a Managing Member without any separate Consent of the Members or the consent or approval of any Member. Any such successor shall carry on the business of the Company without dissolution. In each case, the admission shall be subject to the successor Managing Member executing and delivering to the Company an acceptance of all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement and such other documents or instruments as may be required to effect the admission. In the event that the Managing Member withdraws from the Company, or transfers its entire Membership Interest, in violation of this Agreement, or otherwise dissolves or terminates or ceases to be the Managing Member, a Majority in Interest of the Non-Managing Members may elect to continue the Company by selecting a successor Managing Member in accordance with Section 13.1.A hereof.
Section 12.2 Admission of Additional Members.
A. A Person (other than an existing Member) who makes a Capital Contribution to the Company in exchange for Membership Units in accordance with this Agreement shall be admitted to the Company as an Additional Member only upon furnishing to the Managing Member (i) evidence of acceptance, in form and substance satisfactory to the Managing Member, of all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the power of attorney granted in Section 2.4 hereof, (ii) a counterpart signature page to this Agreement executed by such Person, and (iii) such other documents or instruments as may be required by the Managing Member in order to effect such Person’s admission as an Additional Member. Concurrently with, and as evidence of, the admission of an Additional Member, the Managing Member shall amend the Register and the books and records of the Company to reflect the name, address, number and type of Membership Units of such Additional Member.
B. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 12.2, no Person shall be admitted as an Additional Member without the consent of the Managing Member. The admission of any Person as an Additional Member shall become effective on the date upon which the name of such Person is recorded on the books and records of the Company, following the consent of the Managing Member to such admission and the satisfaction of all the conditions set forth in Section 12.2.A.
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C. If any Additional Member is admitted to the Company on any day other than the first day of a Fiscal Year, then Net Income, Net Losses, each item thereof and all other items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit allocable among Holders for such Fiscal Year shall be allocated among such Additional Member and all other Holders by taking into account their varying interests during the Fiscal Year in accordance with Code Section 706(d), using the “interim closing of the books” method or another permissible method selected by the Managing Member. Solely for purposes of making such allocations, each of such items for the calendar month in which an admission of any Additional Member occurs shall be allocated among all the Holders including such Additional Member, in accordance with the principles described in Section 11.6.C hereof. All distributions of Available Cash with respect to which the Company Record Date is before the date of such admission shall be made solely to Members and Assignees other than the Additional Member, and all distributions of Available Cash thereafter shall be made to all the Members and Assignees including such Additional Member.
Section 12.3 Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Formation. For the admission to the Company of any Member, the Managing Member shall take all steps necessary and appropriate under the Act to amend the Register and the books and records of the Company and, if necessary, to prepare as soon as practical an amendment of this Agreement and, if required by law, shall prepare and file an amendment to the Certificate and may for this purpose exercise the power of attorney granted pursuant to Section 2.4 hereof.
Section 12.4 Limit on Number of Members. Unless otherwise permitted by the Managing Member, no Person shall be admitted to the Company as an Additional Member if the effect of such admission would be to cause the Company to have a number of Members (including as Members for this purpose those Persons indirectly owning an interest in the Company through another limited liability company, a partnership, a subchapter S corporation or a grantor trust) that would cause the Company to become a reporting company under the Exchange Act.
Section 12.5 Admission. A Person shall be admitted to the Company as a member of the Company and/or a managing member of the Company only upon strict compliance, and not upon substantial compliance, with the requirements set forth in this Agreement for admission to the Company as a Non-Managing Member or a Managing Member.
ARTICLE 13
DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION AND TERMINATION
Section 13.1 Dissolution. The Company shall not be dissolved by the admission of Substituted Members or Additional Members, or by the admission of a successor managing member in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Upon the withdrawal of the Managing Member, any successor managing member shall continue the business of the Company without dissolution. However, the Company shall dissolve, and its affairs shall be wound up, upon the first to occur of any of the following (each, a “Liquidating Event”):
A. an event of withdrawal, as defined in the Act, with respect to a Managing Member, unless (i) at the time of the occurrence of such event, there is at least one remaining managing member of the Company who is authorized to and shall carry on the business of the
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Company, or (ii) within ninety (90) days after the withdrawal, a Majority in Interest of the Non-Managing Members agree in writing to continue the Company and to the appointment, effective as of the date of withdrawal, of a successor managing member;
B. an election to dissolve the Company made by the Managing Member, with or without the Consent of the other Members; or
C. entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Act.
Section 13.2 Winding Up.
A. Upon the occurrence of a Liquidating Event, the Company shall continue solely for the purposes of winding up its affairs in an orderly manner, liquidating its assets and satisfying the claims of its creditors and the Holders. After the occurrence of a Liquidating Event, no Holder shall take any action that is inconsistent with the winding up of the Company’s business and affairs. The Managing Member (or, in the event that there is no remaining Managing Member or the Managing Member has dissolved, become bankrupt or ceased to operate, any Person elected by a Majority in Interest of the Non-Managing Members (the Managing Member or such other Person being referred to herein as the “Liquidator”)) shall be responsible for overseeing the winding up and dissolution of the Company and shall take full account of the Company’s liabilities and property, and the Company property shall be liquidated as promptly as is consistent with obtaining the fair value thereof, and the proceeds therefrom (which may, to the extent determined by the Managing Member, include shares of stock in CLNS Credit) shall be applied and distributed in the following order:
| (1) | First, to the satisfaction of all of the Company’s debts and liabilities to creditors (including, without limitation, the Holders) (whether by payment or the making of reasonable provision for payment thereof); and |
| (2) | Second, subject to the terms of any Membership Unit Designations, the balance, if any, to the Holders in accordance with and in proportion to their positive Capital Account balances, after giving effect to all contributions, distributions and allocations for all periods. |
The Managing Member shall not receive any additional compensation for any services performed pursuant to this Article 13.
B. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.2.A hereof that require liquidation of the assets of the Company, but subject to the order of priorities set forth therein, if prior to or upon dissolution of the Company, the Liquidator determines that an immediate sale of part or all of the Company’s assets would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Holders, the Liquidator may, in its sole and absolute discretion, defer for a reasonable time the liquidation of any assets except those necessary to satisfy liabilities of the Company (including to
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those Holders as creditors) and/or distribute to the Holders, in lieu of cash, as tenants in common and in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.2.A hereof, undivided interests in such Company assets as the Liquidator deems not suitable for liquidation. Any such distributions in kind shall be made only if, in the good faith judgment of the Liquidator, such distributions in kind are in the best interest of the Holders, and shall be subject to such conditions relating to the disposition and management of such properties as the Liquidator deems reasonable and equitable and to any agreements governing the operation of such properties at such time. The Liquidator shall determine the fair market value of any property distributed in kind using such reasonable method of valuation as it may adopt.
C. In the event that the Company is “liquidated,” within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g), distributions shall be made pursuant to this Article 13 to the Holders that have positive Capital Accounts in compliance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(b)(2) to the extent of, and in proportion to, positive Capital Account balances. If any Holder has a deficit balance in its Capital Account (after giving effect to all contributions, distributions and allocations for all taxable years, including the year during which such liquidation occurs), such Holder shall have no obligation to make any contribution to the capital of the Company with respect to such deficit, and such deficit shall not be considered a debt owed to the Company or to any other Person for any purpose whatsoever. In the sole and absolute discretion of the Managing Member or the Liquidator, a pro rata portion of the distributions that would otherwise be made to the Holders pursuant to this Article 13 may be:
| (1) | distributed to a trust established for the benefit of the Managing Member and the Holders for the purpose of liquidating Company assets, collecting amounts owed to the Company, and paying any contingent or unforeseen liabilities or obligations of the Company or of the Managing Member arising out of or in connection with the Company and/or Company activities. The assets of any such trust shall be distributed to the Holders, from time to time, in the reasonable discretion of the Managing Member, in the same proportions and amounts as would otherwise have been distributed to the Holders pursuant to this Agreement; or |
| (2) | withheld or escrowed to provide a reasonable reserve for Company liabilities (contingent or otherwise) and to reflect the unrealized portion of any installment obligations owed to the Company; provided that such withheld or escrowed amounts shall be distributed to the Holders in the manner and order of priority set forth in Section 13.2.A hereof as soon as practicable. |
Section 13.3 Deemed Contribution and Distribution. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article 13, in the event that the Company is liquidated within the meaning of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g), but no Liquidating Event has occurred, the Company’s Property shall not be liquidated, the Company’s liabilities shall not be paid or discharged and the Company’s affairs shall not be wound up. Instead, for federal income tax purposes the Company shall be deemed to have contributed all of its assets and liabilities to a new partnership in
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exchange for an interest in the new partnership; and immediately thereafter, distributed Membership Units to the Members in the new partnership in accordance with their respective Capital Accounts in liquidation of the Company, and the new partnership is deemed to continue the business of the Company. Nothing in this Section 13.3 shall be deemed to have constituted any Assignee as a Substituted Member without compliance with the provisions of Section 11.4 hereof.
Section 13.4 Rights of Holders. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement and subject to the rights of any Holder of any Membership Interest set forth in a Membership Unit Designation, (a) each Holder shall look solely to the assets of the Company for the return of its Capital Contribution, (b) no Holder shall have the right or power to demand or receive property other than cash from the Company, and (c) no Holder shall have priority over any other Holder as to the return of its Capital Contributions, distributions or allocations.
Section 13.5 Notice of Dissolution. In the event that a Liquidating Event occurs or an event occurs that would, but for an election or objection by one or more Members pursuant to Section 13.1 hereof, result in a dissolution of the Company, CLNS Credit or the Liquidator shall, within thirty (30) days thereafter, provide written notice thereof to each of the Holders and, in the sole and absolute discretion of CLNS Credit or the Liquidator, or as required by the Act, to all other parties with whom the Company regularly conducts business (as determined in the sole and absolute discretion of the Managing Member or the Liquidator), and the Managing Member or the Liquidator may, or, if required by the Act, shall, publish notice thereof in a newspaper of general circulation in each place in which the Company regularly conducts business (as determined in the sole and absolute discretion of the Managing Member or the Liquidator).
Section 13.6 Cancellation of Certificate of Formation. Upon the completion of the liquidation of the Company cash and property as provided in Section 13.2 hereof, the Company shall be terminated, a certificate of cancellation shall be filed with the State of Delaware, all qualifications of the Company as a foreign limited liability company in jurisdictions other than the State of Delaware shall be cancelled, and such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Company shall be taken.
Section 13.7 Reasonable Time for Winding-Up. A reasonable time shall be allowed for the orderly winding-up of the business and affairs of the Company and the liquidation of its assets pursuant to Section 13.2 hereof, in order to minimize any losses otherwise attendant upon such winding-up, and the provisions of this Agreement shall remain in effect between and among the Members during the period of liquidation.
ARTICLE 14
PROCEDURES FOR ACTIONS AND CONSENTS
OF MEMBERS; AMENDMENTS; MEETINGS
Section 14.1 Actions and Consents of Members. The actions requiring Consent of any Member pursuant to this Agreement, including Section 7.3 hereof, or otherwise pursuant to applicable law, are subject to the procedures set forth in this Article 14.
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Section 14.2 Amendments. Except as otherwise required, permitted or prohibited by this Agreement (including Section 7.3 and Section 4.4.E), amendments to this Agreement must be approved by the Consent of the Managing Member and, if the amendment substantively and adversely affects the rights of the Non-Managing Members disproportionately as compared to the Managing Member, the Consent of the Non-Managing Members, and may be proposed only by (a) the Managing Member, or (b) Non-Managing Members holding a majority of the Membership Common Units then held by Non-Managing Members (excluding CLNS Credit and any Controlled Entity of CLNS Credit). Following such proposal, the Managing Member shall submit to the Members any proposed amendment that, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, requires the Consent of the Members. The Managing Member shall seek the Consent of the Members entitled to vote thereon on any such proposed amendment in accordance with Section 14.3 hereof. Upon obtaining any such Consent, or any other Consent required by this Agreement, and without further action or execution by any other Person, including any Member, (i) any amendment to this Agreement may be implemented and reflected in a writing executed solely by the Managing Member, and (ii) the Non-Managing Members shall be deemed a party to and bound by such amendment of this Agreement. Within thirty (30) days after the effectiveness of any amendment to this Agreement that does not receive the Consent of all Members, the Managing Member shall deliver a copy of such amendment to all Members that did not Consent to such amendment. For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, this Agreement may not be amended without the Consent of the Managing Member.
Section 14.3 Procedures for Meetings and Actions of the Members.
A. Meetings of the Members may be called only by the Managing Member. The call shall state the nature of the business to be transacted. Notice of any such meeting shall be given to all Members entitled to act at the meeting not less than ten (10) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the date of such meeting. Members may vote in person or by proxy at such meeting. Unless approval by a different number or proportion of the Members is required by this Agreement, or any Membership Unit Designation, the affirmative vote of a Majority in Interest of the Members shall be sufficient to approve such proposal at a meeting of the Members. Whenever the Consent of any Members is permitted or required under this Agreement, such Consent may be given at a meeting of Members or in accordance with the procedure prescribed in Section 14.3.B hereof.
B. Any action requiring the Consent of any Member or a group of Members pursuant to this Agreement, or that is required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Members may be taken without a meeting if a Consent in writing or by electronic transmission setting forth the action so taken or consented to is given by Members whose affirmative vote would be sufficient to approve such action or provide such Consent at a meeting of the Members. Such Consent may be in one instrument or in several instruments, and shall have the same force and effect as the affirmative vote of such Members at a meeting of the Members. Such Consent shall be filed with the Managing Member. An action so taken shall be deemed to have been taken at a meeting held on the effective date so certified. For purposes of obtaining a Consent in writing or by electronic transmission, the Managing Member may require a response within a
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reasonable specified time, but not less than fifteen (15) days, and failure to respond in such time period shall constitute a Consent that is consistent with the Managing Member’s recommendation with respect to the proposal; provided, however, that an action shall become effective at such time as requisite Consents are received even if prior to such specified time.
C. Each Member entitled to act at a meeting of Members may authorize any Person or Persons to act for it by proxy on all matters in which a Member is entitled to participate, including waiving notice of any meeting, or voting or participating at a meeting. Each proxy must be signed by the Member or its attorney-in-fact. No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of eleven (11) months from the date thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy (or there is receipt of a proxy authorizing a later date). Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure of the Member executing it, such revocation to be effective upon the Company’s receipt of written notice of such revocation from the Member executing such proxy, unless such proxy states that it is irrevocable and is coupled with an interest.
D. The Managing Member may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining the Members (i) entitled to Consent to any action, (ii) entitled to receive notice of or vote at any meeting of the Members or (iii) in order to make a determination of Members for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall not be prior to the close of business on the day the record date is fixed and shall be not more than ninety (90) days and, in the case of a meeting of the Members, not less than ten (10) days, before the date on which the meeting is to be held. If no record date is fixed, the record date for the determination of Members entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Members shall be at the close of business on the day on which the notice of the meeting is sent, and the record date for any other determination of Members shall be the effective date of such Member action, distribution or other event. When a determination of the Members entitled to vote at any meeting of the Members has been made as provided in this section, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof.
E. Each meeting of Members shall be conducted by the Managing Member or such other Person as the Managing Member may appoint pursuant to such rules for the conduct of the meeting as the Managing Member or such other Person deems appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion. Without limitation, meetings of Members may be conducted in the same manner as meetings of CLNS Credit’s stockholders and may be held at the same time as, and as part of, the meetings of CLNS Credit’s stockholders.
ARTICLE 15
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 15.1 Redemption Rights of Qualifying Parties.
A. Subject to any Non-Managing Member Ancillary Agreement, a Qualifying Party shall have the right (subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein) to require the Company to redeem all or a portion of the Membership Common Units held by such Qualifying Party (Membership Common Units that have in fact been tendered for redemption being hereafter referred to as “Tendered Units”) in exchange (a “Redemption”) for the Cash Amount payable on the Specified Redemption Date. Any Redemption shall be exercised pursuant to a
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Notice of Redemption delivered to the Managing Member by the Qualifying Party when exercising the Redemption right (the “Tendering Party”). The Company’s obligation to effect a Redemption, however, shall not arise or be binding against the Company (i) until and unless CLNS Credit declines or fails to exercise its purchase rights pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof following receipt of a Notice of Redemption (a “Declination”) and (ii) unless CLNS Credit agrees otherwise, until the Business Day following the Cut-Off Date. In the event of a Redemption, the Cash Amount shall be delivered as a certified or bank check payable to the Tendering Party or, in the Managing Member’s sole and absolute discretion, in immediately available funds on or before the Specified Redemption Date.
B. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15.1.A hereof, on or before the close of business on the Cut-Off Date, CLNS Credit may, in its sole and absolute discretion, elect to acquire some or all of the Tendered Units (the percentage of the Tendered Units so elected to be acquired, the “Applicable Percentage”) from the Tendering Party in exchange for the product of the REIT Shares Amount and the Applicable Percentage. If CLNS Credit so elects, on the Specified Redemption Date the Tendering Party shall sell such number of the Tendered Units to CLNS Credit in exchange for a number of Class A REIT Shares equal to the product of the REIT Shares Amount and the Applicable Percentage. The Tendering Party shall submit (i) such information, certification or affidavit as CLNS Credit may reasonably require in connection with the application of the Ownership Limit to any such acquisition and (ii) such written representations, investment letters, legal opinions or other instruments necessary, in CLNS Credit’s view, to effect compliance with the Securities Act. In the event of a purchase of the Tendered Units by CLNS Credit pursuant to this Section 15.1.B, the Tendering Party shall no longer have the right to cause the Company to effect a Redemption of such Tendered Units, and, upon notice to the Tendering Party by CLNS Credit, given on or before the close of business on the Cut-Off Date, that CLNS Credit has elected to acquire some or all of the Tendered Units pursuant to this Section 15.1.B, the obligation of the Company to effect a Redemption of the Tendered Units as to which CLNS Credit’s notice relates shall not accrue or arise. A number of Class A REIT Shares equal to the product of the Applicable Percentage and the REIT Shares Amount, if applicable, shall be delivered by CLNS Credit as duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable Class A REIT Shares and, if applicable, Rights, free of any pledge, lien, encumbrance or restriction, other than the Ownership Limit and other restrictions provided in the Charter, the Securities Act and relevant state securities or “blue sky” laws. If the amount of Class A REIT Shares to be issued in exchange for the Tendered Units is not a whole number of Class A REIT Shares, the Tendering Party shall be paid (i) that number of Class A REIT Shares that equals the nearest whole number less than such amount plus (ii) an amount of cash that CLNS Credit determines, in its reasonable discretion, to represent the fair value of the remaining fractional Class A REIT Share that would otherwise be payable to the Tendering Party. Neither any Tendering Party whose Tendered Units are acquired by CLNS Credit pursuant to this Section 15.1.B, any Member, any Assignee nor any other interested Person shall have any right to require or cause CLNS Credit to register, qualify or list any Class A REIT Shares owned or held by such Person, whether or not such Class A REIT Shares are issued pursuant to this Section 15.1.B, with the SEC, with any state securities commissioner, department or agency, under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or with any stock exchange; provided, however, that this limitation shall not be in derogation of any registration or similar rights granted pursuant
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to any other written agreement (including any Non-Managing Member Ancillary Agreement) between CLNS Credit and any such Person. Notwithstanding any delay in such delivery, the Tendering Party shall be deemed the owner of such Class A REIT Shares and Rights for all purposes, including rights to vote or consent, receive dividends, and exercise rights, as of the Specified Redemption Date. Class A REIT Shares issued upon an acquisition of the Tendered Units by CLNS Credit pursuant to this Section 15.1.B may contain such legends regarding restrictions under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws as CLNS Credit in good faith determines to be necessary or advisable in order to ensure compliance with such laws and the Charter.
C. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 15.1.A, 15.1.B and 15.1.J hereof, (i) no Person shall be entitled to effect a Redemption for cash or an exchange for Class A REIT Shares to the extent the ownership or right to acquire Class A REIT Shares pursuant to such exchange on the Specified Redemption Date could cause such Person (or any other Person) to violate the Ownership Limit, after giving effect to any waivers or modifications of such restrictions by the Board of Directors, and (ii) no Person shall have any rights under this Agreement to acquire Class A REIT Shares which would otherwise be prohibited under the Charter, after giving effect to any waivers or modifications of such restrictions by the Board of Directors.
D. In the event of a Declination:
| (1) | CLNS Credit shall give notice of such Declination to the Tendering Party on or before the close of business on the Cut-Off Date. The failure of CLNS Credit to give notice of such Declination by the close of business on the Cut-Off Date shall be deemed to be an election by CLNS Credit to acquire the Tendered Units in exchange for REIT Shares. |
| (2) | The Company may elect to raise funds for the payment of the Cash Amount either (a) by requiring that CLNS Credit contribute to the Company funds from the proceeds of a registered public offering by CLNS Credit of Class A REIT Shares sufficient to purchase the Tendered Units or (b) from any other sources (including the sale of any Property and the incurrence of additional Debt) available to the Company. |
| (3) | If the Cash Amount is not paid on or before the Specified Redemption Date, interest shall accrue with respect to the Cash Amount from the day after the Specified Redemption Date to and including the date on which the Cash Amount is paid at a rate equal to the Applicable Federal Short-Term Rate as published monthly by the IRS. |
E. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15.1.B hereof or Section 15.1.J hereof, if CLNS Credit’s acquisition of Tendered Units in exchange for the REIT Shares Amount
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would be prohibited under the Charter, then (i) CLNS Credit shall not elect to acquire such Tendered Units, and (ii) the Company shall not be obligated to effect a Redemption of such Tendered Units. For the avoidance of doubt, unless CLNS Credit’s acquisition of Tendered Units in exchange for the REIT Shares Amount would be prohibited under the Charter, if Tendered Units are not exchanged for Class A REIT Shares, then the Cash Amount will be paid to the Tendering Party in accordance with the terms of Section 15.1.A hereof.
F. Each Non-Managing Member covenants and agrees that all Membership Common Units delivered for redemption shall be delivered to the Company or CLNS Credit, as the case may be, free and clear of all liens; and, notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, neither CLNS Credit nor the Company shall be under any obligation to acquire Membership Common Units that are or may be subject to any liens. Each Non-Managing Member further agrees that, if any stamp, recording, documentary or similar tax is payable with respect to the Membership Common Units as a result of the transfer thereof to the Company or the CLNS Credit, such Tendering Party shall assume and pay such tax.
G. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary (but subject to Section 15.1.C hereof), with respect to any Redemption (or any tender of Membership Common Units for Redemption if the Tendered Units are acquired by CLNS Credit pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof) pursuant to this Section 15.1:
| (1) | Without the consent of the Managing Member, no Tendering Party may effect a Redemption for less than Five Hundred (500) Membership Common Units or, if such Tendering Party holds less than Five Hundred (500) Membership Common Units, all of the Membership Common Units held by such Tendering Party. |
| (2) | If (i) a Tendering Party surrenders Tendered Units during the period after the Company Record Date with respect to a distribution payable to Holders of Membership Common Units, and before the record date established by CLNS Credit for a dividend to its stockholders of some or all of its portion of such Company distribution, and (ii) CLNS Credit acquires any of such Tendered Units in exchange for Class A REIT Shares pursuant to Section 15.1.B on or before the record date for CLNS Credit dividends, then such Tendering Party shall pay to CLNS Credit on the Specified Redemption Date an amount in cash equal to the Company distribution paid or payable in respect of such Tendered Units acquired by CLNS Credit. |
| (3) | The consummation of such Redemption (or an acquisition of Tendered Units by CLNS Credit pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof, as the case may be) shall be subject to the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period, if any, under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. |
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| (4) | The Tendering Party shall continue to own (subject, in the case of an Assignee, to the provisions of Section 11.5 hereof) all Membership Common Units subject to any Redemption, and be treated as a Member or an Assignee, as applicable, with respect to such Membership Common Units for all purposes of this Agreement, until the Specified Redemption Date and until such Tendered Units are either paid for by the Company pursuant to Section 15.1.A hereof or transferred to CLNS Credit and paid for, by the issuance of Class A REIT Shares, pursuant to Section 15.1.B. Until a Specified Redemption Date and an acquisition of the Tendered Units by CLNS Credit pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof, the Tendering Party shall have no rights as a stockholder of CLNS Credit with respect to the REIT Shares issuable in connection with such acquisition. |
H. If CLNS Credit shall be a party to any Transaction, each Membership Common Unit that is not converted into the right to receive cash, securities or other property or any combination thereof in connection with such Transaction shall thereafter be convertible into the kind and amount of cash, securities or other property or any combination thereof receivable upon the consummation of such Transaction by a holder of that number of REIT Shares into which one Membership Common Unit was convertible immediately prior to such Transaction, assuming such holder of REIT Shares (i) is not a Constituent Person or an Affiliate of a Constituent Person and (ii) failed to exercise his or her rights of the election, if any, as to the kind and amount of cash, securities or other property or any combination thereof receivable upon such Transaction; provided that if the cash, securities or other property or any combination thereof receivable upon such Transaction is not the same for each REIT Share held immediately prior to such Transaction by other than a Constituent Person or an Affiliate thereof and in respect of which such rights of election shall not have been exercised (“Non-Electing Shares”), then for purposes of this Section 15.1.H the kind and amount of cash, securities or other property or any combination thereof receivable upon such Transaction by each Non-Electing Share shall be deemed to be the kind and amount so receivable per share by a plurality of the Non-Electing Shares. CLNS Credit shall not be a party to any Transaction unless the terms of such Transaction are consistent with the provisions of this Section 15.1.H. The provisions of this Section 15.1.H shall similarly apply to successive Transactions.
I. In connection with the exercise of Redemption rights pursuant to this Section 15.1, unless waived by CLNS Credit, the Tendering Party shall submit the following to CLNS Credit, in addition to the Notice of Redemption:
| (1) | A written affidavit, dated the same date as the Notice of Redemption, (a) disclosing the Beneficial Ownership and Constructive Ownership (each as defined in the Charter), as determined for purposes of Code Sections 856(a)(6) and 856(h), of REIT Shares by (i) such Tendering Party and (ii) to the best of such Tendering Party’s knowledge, any Related Party, and |
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| (b) representing that, after giving effect to an acquisition of the Tendered Units by CLNS Credit pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof, neither the Tendering Party nor, to the best of such Tendering Party’s knowledge, any Related Party, will Beneficially Own or Constructively Own (each as defined in the Charter) REIT Shares in excess of the Ownership Limit; provided, however, that the written affidavit required pursuant to this Section 15.1.I(1) shall only be required upon the reasonable request of CLNS Credit upon the good faith determination by CLNS Credit that such affidavit is necessary to confirm that the exercise of Redemption rights by the Tendering Party will not result in the Tendering Party’s Constructive Ownership or Beneficial Ownership (each as defined in the Charter) of REIT Shares exceeding the Ownership Limit; |
| (2) | A written representation that neither the Tendering Party nor, to the best of such Tendering Party’s knowledge, any Related Party, has any intention to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership (each as defined in the Charter) of any additional REIT Shares prior to the Specified Redemption Date that would prevent the Tendering Party from making the certification set forth in Section 15.1.I(3) below; |
| (3) | An undertaking to certify, at and as a condition to the closing of (i) the Redemption or (ii) the acquisition of the Tendered Units by CLNS Credit pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof on the Specified Redemption Date, that either (a) the Beneficial Ownership and Constructive Ownership (each as defined in the Charter) of REIT Shares by the Tendering Party and, to the best of such Tendering Party’s knowledge, any Related Party, remain unchanged from that disclosed in the affidavit required by Section 15.1.I(1), or (b) after giving effect to the Redemption or an acquisition of the Tendered Units by CLNS Credit pursuant to Section 15.1.B hereof, neither the Tendering Party nor, to the best of such Tendering Party’s knowledge, any Related Party, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own (each as defined in the Charter) REIT Shares in violation of the Ownership Limit; and |
| (4) | In connection with any Redemption, CLNS Credit shall have the right to receive an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to it to the effect that the proposed Redemption will not cause the Company, the Managing Member or CLNS Credit to violate any Federal or state securities laws or regulations applicable to the Redemption or the issuance and sale of REIT Shares to the Tendering Party pursuant to Section 15.1.B of this Agreement. |
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J. Stock Offering Funding Option.
| (1) | (a) | Notwithstanding Sections 15.1.A or 15.1.B hereof (but subject to Sections 15.1.C and 15.1.F hereof), if (i) a Non-Managing Member has delivered to the Managing Member a Notice of Redemption that would result in Excess Units (together with any other Tendered Units that such Non-Managing Member agrees to treat as Excess Units, the “Offering Units”), and (ii) CLNS Credit is eligible to file a registration statement under Form S-3 (or any successor form similar thereto), then CLNS Credit may elect, in its sole and absolute discretion, to cause the Company to redeem the Offering Units with the net proceeds of an offering, whether registered under the Securities Act or exempt from such registration, underwritten, offered and sold directly to investors or through agents or other intermediaries, or otherwise distributed (a “Stock Offering Funding”) of a number of Class A REIT Shares (“Offered Shares”) equal to or greater than the REIT Shares Amount with respect to the Offering Units pursuant to the terms of this Section 15.1.J. CLNS Credit must provide notice of their exercise of the election described in clause (x) above to purchase the Tendered Units through a Stock Offering Funding on or before the Cut-Off Date. | ||||
| (b) | If CLNS Credit elects a Stock Offering Funding with respect to a Notice of Redemption, the Managing Member may give notice (a “Single Funding Notice”) of such election to all Non-Managing Members and require that all Members elect whether or not to effect a Redemption to be funded through such Stock Offering Funding. If a Non-Managing Member elects to effect such a Redemption, it shall give notice thereof and of the number of Membership Common Units to be made subject thereto in writing to the Managing Member within 10 Business Days after receipt of the Single Funding Notice, and such Non-Managing Member shall be treated as a Tendering Party for all purposes of this Section 15.1.J. | |||||
| (2) | If CLNS Credit elects a Stock Offering Funding, on the Specified Redemption Date, the Company shall redeem each Offering Unit that is still a Tendered Unit on such date for cash in immediately available funds in an amount (the “Stock Offering Funding Amount”) equal to the net proceeds per Offered Share received by CLNS Credit from the Stock Offering Funding, determined after deduction of underwriting discounts and commissions but no other expenses of CLNS Credit or any other Non-Managing Member | |||||
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| related thereto, including legal and accounting fees and expenses, SEC registration fees, state blue sky and securities laws fees and expenses, printing expenses, FINRA filing fees, exchange listing fees and other out of pocket expenses (the “Net Proceeds”). |
| (3) | If CLNS Credit elects a Stock Offering Funding, the following additional terms and conditions shall apply: |
| (a) | As soon as practicable after CLNS Credit elects to effect a Stock Offering Funding, CLNS Credit shall use its reasonable efforts to effect as promptly as possible a registration, qualification or compliance (including the execution of an undertaking to file post-effective amendments, appropriate qualifications under applicable blue sky or other state securities laws and appropriate compliance with applicable regulations issued under the Securities Act and any other governmental requirements or regulations) as would permit or facilitate the sale and distribution of the Offered Shares; provided that, if CLNS Credit shall deliver a certificate to the Tendering Party stating that CLNS Credit has determined in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors that such filing, registration or qualification would require disclosure of material non-public information, the disclosure of which would have a material adverse effect on CLNS Credit, then CLNS Credit may delay making any filing or delay the effectiveness of any registration or qualification for the shorter of (a) the period ending on the date upon which such information is disclosed to the public or ceases to be material or (b) an aggregate period of ninety (90) days in connection with any Stock Offering Funding. |
| (b) | CLNS Credit shall advise each Tendering Party, regularly and promptly upon any request, of the status of the Stock Offering Funding process, including the timing of all filings, the selection of and understandings with underwriters, agents, dealers and brokers, the nature and contents of all communications with the SEC and other governmental bodies, the expenses related to the Stock Offering Funding as they are being incurred, the nature of marketing activities, and any other matters reasonably related to the timing, price and expenses relating to the Stock Offering Funding and the compliance by CLNS Credit with its obligations with respect thereto. CLNS Credit will have reasonable procedures whereby the |
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| Tendering Party with the largest number of Offering Units (the “Lead Tendering Party”) may represent all the Tendering Parties in connection with the Stock Offering Funding by allowing it to participate in meetings with the underwriters of the Stock Offering Funding. In addition, CLNS Credit and each Tendering Party may, but shall be under no obligation to, enter into understandings in writing (“Pricing Agreements”) whereby the Tendering Party will agree in advance as to the acceptability of a Net Proceeds amount at or below a specified amount. Furthermore, CLNS Credit shall establish pricing notification procedures with each such Tendering Party, such that the Tendering Party will have the maximum opportunity practicable to determine whether to become a Withdrawing Member pursuant to Section 15.1.J(3)(c) below. |
| (c) | CLNS Credit, upon notification of the price per Class A REIT Share in the Stock Offering Funding from the managing underwriter(s), in the case of a registered public offering, or lead placement agent(s), in the event of an unregistered offering, engaged by CLNS Credit in order to sell the Offered Shares, shall immediately use its reasonable efforts to notify each Tendering Party of the price per REIT Share in the Stock Offering Funding and resulting Net Proceeds. Each Tendering Party shall have one hour from the receipt of such written notice (as such time may be extended by CLNS Credit) to elect to withdraw its Redemption (a Tendering Party making such an election being a “Withdrawing Member”), and Membership Common Units with a REIT Shares Amount equal to such excluded Offered Shares shall be considered to be withdrawn from the related Redemption; provided, however, that CLNS Credit shall keep each of the Tendering Parties reasonably informed as to the likely timing of delivery of its notice. If a Tendering Party, within such time period, does not notify CLNS Credit of such Tendering Party’s election not to become a Withdrawing Member, then such Tendering Party shall, except as otherwise provided in a Pricing Agreement, be deemed not to have withdrawn from the Redemption, without liability to CLNS Credit. To the extent that CLNS Credit is unable to notify any Tendering Party, such un-notified Tendering Party shall, except as otherwise provided in any Pricing Agreement, be deemed not to have elected to become a Withdrawing Member. Each Tendering Party whose |
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| Redemption is being funded through the Stock Offering Funding who does not become a Withdrawing Member shall have the right, subject to the approval of the managing underwriter(s) or placement agent(s) and restrictions of any applicable securities laws, to submit for Redemption additional Membership Common Units in a number no greater than the number of Membership Common Units withdrawn. If more than one Tendering Party so elects to redeem additional Membership Common Units, then such Membership Common Units shall be redeemed on a pro rata basis, based on the number of additional Membership Common Units sought to be so redeemed. |
| (d) | CLNS Credit shall take all reasonable action in order to effectuate the sale of the Offered Shares including the entering into of an underwriting or placement agreement in customary form with the managing underwriter(s) or placement agent(s) selected for such underwriting. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if the managing underwriter(s) or placement agent(s) advises CLNS Credit in writing that marketing factors require a limitation of the number of shares to be offered, then CLNS Credit shall so advise all Tendering Parties and the number of Membership Common Units to be sold to CLNS Credit pursuant to the Redemption shall be allocated among all Tendering Parties in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective number of Membership Common Units as to which each Tendering Party elected to effect a Redemption. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if CLNS Credit is also offering to sell shares for purposes other than to fund the redemption of Offering Units and to pay related expenses, then those other shares may in CLNS Credit’s sole and absolute discretion be given priority over any shares to be sold in the Stock Offering Funding, and any shares to be sold in the Stock Offering Funding shall be removed from the offering prior to removing shares the proceeds of which would be used for other purposes of CLNS Credit. No Offered Shares excluded from the underwriting by reason of the managing underwriter’s or placement agent’s marketing limitation shall be included in such offering. |
Section 15.2 Addresses and Notice. Any notice, demand, request or report required or permitted to be given or made to a Member or Assignee under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given or made when delivered in person or when sent by first class United
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States mail or by other means of written or electronic communication (including by telecopy, facsimile, electronic mail or commercial courier service) to the Member or Assignee at the address for such Member set forth in the Register, or such other address of which the Member shall notify the Managing Member in accordance with this Section 15.2.
Section 15.3 Titles and Captions. All article or Section titles or captions in this Agreement are for convenience only. They shall not be deemed part of this Agreement and in no way define, limit, extend or describe the scope or intent of any provisions hereof.
Section 15.4 Further Action. The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.
Section 15.5 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.
Section 15.6 Waiver.
A. No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach or any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.
B. The restrictions, conditions and other limitations on the rights and benefits of the Members contained in this Agreement, and the duties, covenants and other requirements of performance or notice by the Members, are for the benefit of the Company and may be waived or relinquished by the Managing Member, in its sole and absolute discretion, on behalf of the Company in one or more instances from time to time and at any time; provided, however, that any such waiver or relinquishment may not be made if it would have the effect of (i) creating liability for any other Member, (ii) causing the Company to cease to qualify as a limited liability company, (iii) reducing the amount of cash otherwise distributable to the Members (other than any such reduction that affects all of the Members holding the same class or series of Membership Units on a uniform or pro rata basis, if approved by a Majority in Interest of the Non-Managing Members holding such class or series of Membership Units), (iv) resulting in the classification of the Company as an association or publicly traded partnership taxable as a corporation or (v) violating the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any state “blue sky” or other securities laws; provided, further, that any waiver relating to compliance with the Ownership Limit or other restrictions in the Charter shall be made and shall be effective only as provided in the Charter.
Section 15.7 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one agreement binding on all the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all such parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart. Each party shall become bound by this Agreement immediately upon affixing its signature hereto.
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Section 15.8 Applicable Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Jury Trial.
A. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law. In the event of a conflict between any provision of this Agreement and any non-mandatory provision of the Act, the provisions of this Agreement shall control and take precedence.
B. Each Member hereby (i) submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court of Chancery or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, any federal court sitting in the State of Delaware (collectively, the “Delaware Courts”), with respect to any dispute arising out of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby to the extent such courts would have subject matter jurisdiction with respect to such dispute, (ii) irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert by way of motion, defense, or otherwise, in any such action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of any of the Delaware Courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the action is brought in an inconvenient forum, or that the venue of the action is improper, (iii) agrees that notice or the service of process in any action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be properly served or delivered if delivered to such Member at such Member’s last known address as set forth in the Company’s books and records, and (iv) IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
Section 15.9 Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains all of the understandings and agreements between and among the Members with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and the rights, interests and obligations of the Members with respect to the Company. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement or any Membership Unit Designation to the contrary, including any provisions relating to amending this Agreement, the Members hereby acknowledge and agree that the Managing Member, without the approval of any other Member, may enter into side letters or similar written agreements with Members that are not Affiliates of the Managing Member or CLNS Credit, executed contemporaneously with the admission of such Member to the Company, which may have the effect of establishing rights under, or altering or supplementing the terms of, this Agreement or any Membership Unit Designation, as negotiated with such Member and which the Managing Member in its sole and absolute discretion deems necessary, desirable or appropriate. The parties hereto agree that any terms, conditions or provisions contained in such side letters or similar written agreements with a Member shall govern with respect to such Member notwithstanding the provisions of this Agreement.
Section 15.10 Invalidity of Provisions. If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected thereby.
Section 15.11 Limitation to Preserve REIT Status. Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement, with respect to any period in which CLNS Credit has elected to be treated as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, to the extent that the amount paid, credited, distributed or reimbursed by the Company to any REIT Member or its officers, directors, employees or agents,
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whether as a reimbursement, fee, expense or indemnity (a “REIT Payment”), would constitute gross income to the REIT Member (as determined for purposes of Code Section 856(c)(2) or Code Section 856(c)(3)), then, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the amount of such REIT Payments, as selected by the Managing Member in its discretion from among items of potential distribution, reimbursement, fees, expenses and indemnities, shall be reduced for any Fiscal Year so that the REIT Payments, as so reduced, for or with respect to such REIT Member shall not exceed the lesser of:
| (i) | an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) four and nine-tenths percent (4.9%) of the REIT Member’s total gross income (but excluding the amount of any REIT Payments) for the Fiscal Year that is described in subsections (A) through (I) of Code Section 856(c)(2) over (b) the amount of gross income (within the meaning of Code Section 856(c)(2)) derived by the REIT Member from sources other than those described in subsections (A) through (I) of Code Section 856(c)(2) (but not including the amount of any REIT Payments); or |
| (ii) | an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) twenty-four percent (24%) of the REIT Member’s total gross income (but excluding the amount of any REIT Payments) for the Fiscal Year that is described in subsections (A) through (I) of Code Section 856(c)(3) over (b) the amount of gross income (within the meaning of Code Section 856(c)(3)) derived by the REIT Member from sources other than those described in subsections (A) through (I) of Code Section 856(c)(3) (but not including the amount of any REIT Payments); provided, however, that REIT Payments in excess of the amounts set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) above may be made if the Managing Member, as a condition precedent, obtains an opinion of tax counsel that the receipt of such excess amounts should not adversely affect the REIT Member’s ability to qualify as a REIT. To the extent that REIT Payments may not be made in a Fiscal Year as a consequence of the limitations set forth in this Section 15.11, such REIT Payments shall carry over and shall be treated as arising in the following Fiscal Year if such carry over does not adversely affect the REIT Member’s ability to qualify as a REIT; provided, however, that such amounts shall not carry over for more than five Fiscal Years, and if not paid within such five Fiscal Year period, shall expire; and provided further that (i) as REIT Payments are made, such payments shall be applied first to carry over amounts outstanding, if any, and (ii) with respect to carry over amounts for more than one Fiscal Year, such payments shall be applied to the earliest Fiscal Year first. The purpose of the limitations contained in this Section 15.11 is to prevent any REIT Member from failing to qualify as a REIT under the Code by reason of such REIT Member’s share of items, including distributions, reimbursements, fees, expenses or indemnities, receivable directly or indirectly from the Company, and this Section 15.11 shall be interpreted and applied to effectuate such purpose. |
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Section 15.12 No Partition. No Member nor any successor-in-interest to a Member shall have the right while this Agreement remains in effect to have any property of the Company partitioned, or to file a complaint or institute any proceeding at law or in equity to have such property of the Company partitioned, and each Member, on behalf of itself and its successors and assigns hereby waives any such right. It is the intention of the Members that the rights of the parties hereto and their successors-in-interest to Company property, as among themselves, shall be governed by the terms of this Agreement, and that the rights of the Members and their respective successors-in-interest shall be subject to the limitations and restrictions as set forth in this Agreement.
Section 15.13 No Third-Party Rights Created Hereby. Other than as set forth in Section 7.7.I, the provisions of this Agreement are solely for the purpose of defining the interests of the Holders, inter se; and no other person, firm or entity (i.e., a party who is not a signatory hereto or a permitted successor to such signatory hereto) shall have any right, power, title or interest by way of subrogation or otherwise, in and to the rights, powers, title and provisions of this Agreement. No creditor or other third party having dealings with the Company (other than as expressly set forth herein with respect to Indemnitees) shall have the right to enforce the right or obligation of any Member to make Capital Contributions or loans to the Company or to pursue any other right or remedy hereunder or at law or in equity. None of the rights or obligations of the Members herein set forth to make Capital Contributions or loans to the Company shall be deemed an asset of the Company for any purpose by any creditor or other third party, nor may any such rights or obligations be sold, Transferred or assigned by the Company or pledged or encumbered by the Company to secure any Debt or other obligation of the Company or any of the Members.
Section 15.14 No Rights as Stockholders. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as conferring upon the Holders of Membership Units any rights whatsoever as stockholders of CLNS Credit, including any right to receive dividends or other distributions made to stockholders of CLNS Credit or to vote or to consent or receive notice as stockholders in respect of any meeting of stockholders for the election of directors of CLNS Credit or any other matter.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the date first written above.
| MEMBERS: | ||
| COLONY NORTHSTAR CREDIT REAL ESTATE, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ David A. Palamé | |
| Name: | David A. Palamé | |
| Title: | General Counsel and Secretary | |
| NRF RED REIT CORP. | ||
| By: | /s/ Mark M. Hedstrom | |
| Name: | Mark M. Hedstrom | |
| Title: | Vice President | |
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EXHIBIT A: EXAMPLES REGARDING ADJUSTMENT FACTOR
For purposes of the following examples, it is assumed that (a) the Adjustment Factor in effect on December 31, 2017 is 1.0 and (b) on January 1, 2018 (the “Company Record Date” for purposes of these examples), prior to the events described in the examples, there are 100 REIT Shares issued and outstanding.
Example 1
On the Company Record Date, CLNS Credit declares a dividend on its outstanding REIT Shares in REIT Shares. The amount of the dividend is one REIT Share paid in respect of each REIT Share owned. Pursuant to Paragraph (i) of the definition of “Adjustment Factor,” the Adjustment Factor shall be adjusted on the Company Record Date, effective immediately after the stock dividend is declared, as follows:
1.0 * 200/100 = 2.0
Accordingly, the Adjustment Factor after the stock dividend is declared is 2.0.
Example 2
On the Company Record Date, CLNS Credit distributes options to purchase REIT Shares to all holders of its REIT Shares. The amount of the distribution is one option to acquire one REIT Share in respect of each REIT Share owned. The strike price is $4.00 a share. The Value of a REIT Share on the Company Record Date is $5.00 per share. Pursuant to Paragraph (ii) of the definition of “Adjustment Factor,” the Adjustment Factor shall be adjusted on the Company Record Date, effective immediately after the options are distributed, as follows:
1.0 * (100 + 100)/(100 + [100 * $4.00/$5.00]) = 1.1111
Accordingly, the Adjustment Factor after the options are distributed is 1.1111. If the options expire or become no longer exercisable, then the retroactive adjustment specified in Paragraph (ii) of the definition of “Adjustment Factor” shall apply.
Example 3
On the Company Record Date, CLNS Credit distributes assets to all holders of its REIT Shares. The amount of the distribution is one asset with a fair market value (as determined by the Managing Member) of $1.00 in respect of each REIT Share owned. It is also assumed that the assets do not relate to assets received by the Managing Member pursuant to a pro rata distribution by the Company. The Value of a REIT Share on the Company Record Date is $5.00 a share. Pursuant to Paragraph (iii) of the definition of “Adjustment Factor,” the Adjustment Factor shall be adjusted on the Company Record Date, effective immediately after the assets are distributed, as follows:
1.0 * $5.00/($5.00 - $1.00) = 1.25
Accordingly, the Adjustment Factor after the assets are distributed is 1.25.
A-1
EXHIBIT B: NOTICE OF REDEMPTION
Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc.
c/o Colony NorthStar, Inc.
515 South Flower Street, 44th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071
The undersigned Member or Assignee hereby irrevocably tenders for Redemption Membership Common Units in Credit RE Operating Company, LLC in accordance with the terms of the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Credit RE Operating Company, LLC, dated as of January 31, 2018, as amended (the “Agreement”), and the Redemption rights referred to therein. All capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement. The undersigned Member or Assignee:
(a) undertakes (i) to surrender such Membership Common Units at the closing of the Redemption and (ii) to furnish to CLNS Credit, prior to the Specified Redemption Date, the documentation, instruments and information required under Section 15.1.I of the Agreement;
(b) directs that the certified check representing the Cash Amount, or the REIT Shares Amount, as applicable, deliverable upon the closing of such Redemption be delivered to the address specified below;
(c) represents, warrants, certifies and agrees that: (i) the undersigned Member or Assignee is a Qualifying Party; (ii) the undersigned Member or Assignee has, and at the closing of the Redemption will have, good, marketable and unencumbered title to such Membership Common Units, free and clear of the rights or interests of any other person or entity; (iii) the undersigned Member or Assignee has, and at the closing of the Redemption will have, the full right, power and authority to tender and surrender such Membership Common Units as provided herein; (iv) the undersigned Member or Assignee, and the tender and surrender of such Membership Common Units for Redemption as provided herein complies with all conditions and requirements for redemption of Membership Common Units set forth in the Agreement; and (v) the undersigned Member or Assignee has obtained the consent or approval of all persons and entities, if any, having the right to consent to or approve such tender and surrender; and
(d) acknowledges that the undersigned will continue to own such Membership Common Units unless and until either (1) such Membership Common Units are acquired by CLNS Credit pursuant to Section 15.1.B of the Agreement or (2) such redemption transaction closes.
Dated:
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| Name of Member or Assignee: |
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| Signature of Member or Assignee |
B-1
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| Street Address City, State and Zip Code |
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| Social security or identifying number |
| Signature Medallion Guaranteed by: |
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| Issue Check Payable to (or shares in the name of): |
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B-2
EXHIBIT C: MEMBER NOTICE OF LTIP CONVERSION ELECTION
The undersigned holder of LTIP Units hereby irrevocably (i) elects to convert the number of LTIP Units in Credit RE Operating Company, LLC (the “Company”) set forth below into Membership Common Units in accordance with the terms of the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, as amended; and (ii) directs that any cash in lieu of Membership Common Units that may be deliverable upon such conversion be delivered to the address specified below. The undersigned hereby represents, warrants, and certifies that the undersigned (a) has title to such LTIP Units, free and clear of the rights of interests of any other person or entity other than the Company; (b) has the full right, power, and authority to cause the conversion of such LTIP Units as provided herein; and (c) has obtained the consent or approval of all persons or entities, if any, having the right to consent or approve such conversion.
| Name of Holder: | ||
| (Please Print: Exact Name as Registered with Company) | ||
| Number of LTIP Units to be Converted: |
||
| Date of this Notice: | ||
|
| ||
| (Signature of Holder: Sign Exact Name as Registered with Company) | ||
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| (Street Address) | ||
|
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| (City) (State) (Zip Code) | ||
C-1
EXHIBIT D: COMPANY NOTICE OF LTIP CONVERSION ELECTION
Credit RE Operating Company, LLC (the “Company”) hereby irrevocably elects to cause the number of LTIP Units held by the holder of LTIP Units set forth below to be converted into Membership Common Units in accordance with the terms of the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, as amended.
| Name of Holder: | ||||
| (Please Print: Exact Name as Registered with Company) | ||||
| Number of LTIP Units to be Converted: | ||||
| Date of this Notice: | ||||
D-1
SCHEDULE I
MEMBERS AND CAPITAL ACCOUNTS
| * | Schedule separately maintained by the Managing Member Sch. I-1 |
Schedule I-1
SCHEDULE II
SCHEDULE OF GROSS ASSET VALUES
| * | Schedule separately maintained by the Managing Member Sch. II-1 |
Schedule II-1
Exhibit 10.2
$400,000,000
CREDIT AGREEMENT
among
CREDIT RE OPERATING COMPANY, LLC,
as Parent Borrower,
The Other Subsidiary Borrowers from Time to Time Parties Hereto,
The Several Lenders from Time to Time Parties Hereto,
and
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent
Dated as of February 1, 2018
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
BARCLAYS BANK PLC and
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED,
as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners
BARCLAYS BANK PLC and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Syndication Agents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||||
| SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS |
1 | |||
| 1.1 Defined Terms |
1 | |||
| 1.2 Other Definitional Provisions |
37 | |||
| 1.3 Letter of Credit Amounts |
37 | |||
| SECTION 2. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS |
38 | |||
| 2.1 Revolving Commitments |
38 | |||
| 2.2 Procedure for Revolving Loan Borrowing |
38 | |||
| 2.3 Commitment Fees |
38 | |||
| 2.4 Termination or Reduction of Revolving Commitments |
39 | |||
| 2.5 Optional Prepayments |
39 | |||
| 2.6 Mandatory Prepayments and Commitment Reductions |
39 | |||
| 2.7 Conversion and Continuation Options |
40 | |||
| 2.8 Limitations on Eurodollar Tranches |
40 | |||
| 2.9 Interest Rates and Payment Dates |
40 | |||
| 2.10 Computation of Interest and Fees |
41 | |||
| 2.11 Alternative Rate of Interest |
41 | |||
| 2.12 Pro Rata Treatment and Payments |
42 | |||
| 2.13 Requirements of Law |
43 | |||
| 2.14 Taxes |
44 | |||
| 2.15 Indemnity |
48 | |||
| 2.16 Change of Lending Office |
48 | |||
| 2.17 Replacement of Lenders |
48 | |||
| 2.18 Defaulting Lenders |
49 | |||
| 2.19 Incremental Commitments |
51 | |||
| 2.20 Revolving Termination Date Extension |
52 | |||
| 2.21 Designation of Subsidiary Borrowers |
52 | |||
| SECTION 3. LETTERS OF CREDIT |
54 | |||
| 3.1 L/C Commitment |
54 | |||
| 3.2 Procedure for Issuance of Letter of Credit |
55 | |||
| 3.3 Fees and Other Charges |
55 | |||
| 3.4 L/C Participations |
55 | |||
| 3.5 Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrowers |
56 | |||
| 3.6 Obligations Absolute |
57 | |||
| 3.7 Letter of Credit Payments |
57 | |||
| 3.8 Applications |
57 | |||
| 3.9 Actions in Respect of Letters of Credit |
57 | |||
| 3.10 Reporting |
58 | |||
| SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES |
58 | |||
| 4.1 Financial Condition |
58 | |||
| 4.2 No Change |
59 | |||
| 4.3 Existence; Compliance with Law |
59 | |||
| 4.4 Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations |
59 | |||
| 4.5 No Legal Bar |
59 | |||
| 4.6 Litigation |
59 | |||
| Page | ||||
| 4.7 No Default |
60 | |||
| 4.8 Ownership of Property; Liens |
60 | |||
| 4.9 Intellectual Property |
60 | |||
| 4.10 Taxes |
60 | |||
| 4.11 Federal Regulations |
60 | |||
| 4.12 Labor Matters |
60 | |||
| 4.13 ERISA |
61 | |||
| 4.14 Investment Company Act |
61 | |||
| 4.15 Subsidiaries |
61 | |||
| 4.16 Use of Proceeds |
61 | |||
| 4.17 Environmental Matters |
61 | |||
| 4.18 Accuracy of Information, etc |
62 | |||
| 4.19 Security Documents |
62 | |||
| 4.20 Solvency |
63 | |||
| 4.21 Senior Indebtedness |
63 | |||
| 4.22 Insurance |
63 | |||
| 4.23 Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions |
63 | |||
| 4.24 Stock Exchange Listing |
63 | |||
| 4.25 REIT Status |
63 | |||
| 4.26 EEA Financial Institutions |
63 | |||
| SECTION 5. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT |
63 | |||
| 5.1 Conditions to Initial Extension of Credit |
63 | |||
| 5.2 Conditions to Each Extension of Credit |
66 | |||
| SECTION 6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS |
67 | |||
| 6.1 Financial Statements |
67 | |||
| 6.2 Certificates; Other Information |
68 | |||
| 6.3 Payment of Obligations |
69 | |||
| 6.4 Maintenance of Existence; Compliance |
70 | |||
| 6.5 Maintenance of Property; Insurance |
70 | |||
| 6.6 Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions |
70 | |||
| 6.7 Notices |
70 | |||
| 6.8 Environmental Laws |
71 | |||
| 6.9 Maintenance of REIT Status; New York Stock Exchange Listing |
71 | |||
| 6.10 Additional Collateral, etc |
71 | |||
| 6.11 Use of Proceeds |
74 | |||
| 6.12 Information Regarding Collateral |
74 | |||
| 6.13 Organization Documents of Affiliated Investors |
74 | |||
| 6.14 Distribution Accounts |
74 | |||
| 6.15 Valuation |
75 | |||
| 6.16 Post-Closing Obligations |
75 | |||
| SECTION 7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS |
75 | |||
| 7.1 Financial Condition Covenants |
|
75 |
| |
| 7.2 Indebtedness |
76 | |||
| 7.3 Liens |
78 | |||
| 7.4 Fundamental Changes |
80 | |||
| 7.5 Disposition of Property |
80 | |||
| 7.6 Restricted Payments |
81 | |||
| 7.7 Investments |
82 | |||
| Page | ||||
| 7.8 Optional Payments and Modifications of Certain Debt Instruments |
83 | |||
| 7.9 Transactions with Affiliates |
83 | |||
| 7.10 Accounting Changes |
84 | |||
| 7.11 Swap Agreements |
84 | |||
| 7.12 Changes in Fiscal Periods |
84 | |||
| 7.13 Negative Pledge Clauses |
84 | |||
| 7.14 Use of Proceeds |
84 | |||
| 7.15 Nature of Business |
85 | |||
| 7.16 Margin Stock |
85 | |||
| 7.17 Amendment, Waiver and Terminations of Certain Agreements |
85 | |||
| SECTION 8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT |
85 | |||
| SECTION 9. THE AGENTS |
88 | |||
| 9.1 Appointment |
88 | |||
| 9.2 Delegation of Duties |
89 | |||
| 9.3 Exculpatory Provisions |
89 | |||
| 9.4 Reliance by Administrative Agent |
89 | |||
| 9.5 Notice of Default |
89 | |||
| 9.6 Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders |
90 | |||
| 9.7 Indemnification |
90 | |||
| 9.8 Agent in Its Individual Capacity |
90 | |||
| 9.9 Successor Administrative Agent |
91 | |||
| 9.10 Arrangers and Syndication Agent |
91 | |||
| 9.11 ERISA Matters |
91 | |||
| SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS |
93 | |||
| 10.1 Amendments and Waivers |
93 | |||
| 10.2 Notices |
94 | |||
| 10.3 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies |
95 | |||
| 10.4 Survival of Representations and Warranties |
96 | |||
| 10.5 Payment of Expenses and Taxes |
96 | |||
| 10.6 Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments |
97 | |||
| 10.7 Adjustments; Set-off |
100 | |||
| 10.8 Counterparts |
101 | |||
| 10.9 Severability |
101 | |||
| 10.10 Integration |
101 | |||
| 10.11 Governing Law |
102 | |||
| 10.12 Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers |
102 | |||
| 10.13 Acknowledgements |
102 | |||
| 10.14 Releases of Guarantees and Liens |
103 | |||
| 10.15 Confidentiality |
104 | |||
| 10.16 WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL |
105 | |||
| 10.17 USA Patriot Act |
105 | |||
| 10.18 Investment Asset Reviews |
105 | |||
| 10.19 Secured Swap Agreements |
105 | |||
| 10.20 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions |
106 | |||
| 10.21 Interest Rate Limitation |
106 | |||
SCHEDULES:
| 1.1A | Commitments |
| 1.1B | Brokers |
| 4.19 | UCC Filing Jurisdictions |
| 6.16 | Post-Closing Obligations |
| 7.2(d) | Existing Indebtedness |
| 7.3(f) | Existing Liens |
EXHIBITS:
| A | Form of Guarantee and Collateral Agreement |
| B | Form of Compliance Certificate |
| C | Form of Closing Certificate |
| D | Form of Assignment and Assumption |
| E | Form of Notice of Borrowing/Conversion/Continuation |
| F | Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate |
| G | Form of Increased Facility Activation Notice—Incremental Revolving Commitments |
| H | Form of New Lender Supplement |
| I | [Reserved] |
| J | Form of Subsidiary Borrower Joinder Agreement |
CREDIT AGREEMENT (as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Agreement”), dated as of February 1, 2018, among Credit RE Operating Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Parent Borrower”), the Subsidiary Borrowers (as defined below) from time to time party hereto, the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to this Agreement (the “Lenders”) and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.
The parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS
1.1 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the terms listed in this Section 1.1 shall have the respective meanings set forth in this Section 1.1.
“ABR”: for any day, a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/16th of 1%) equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the NYFRB Rate in effect on such day plus 1⁄2 of 1% and (c) the Eurodollar Rate on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day) for a deposit in Dollars with a maturity of one month plus 1.0%, provided that for the purpose of this definition, the Eurodollar Rate for any day shall be based on the Screen Rate (or if the Screen Rate is not available for a deposit in Dollars with a maturity of one month, the Interpolated Rate) at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time on such day. Any change in the ABR due to a change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Eurodollar Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Eurodollar Rate, respectively. If the ABR is being used as an alternate rate of interest pursuant to Section 2.11 hereof, then the ABR shall be the greater of clause (a) and (b) above and shall be determined without reference to clause (c) above. For the avoidance of doubt, if the ABR shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.
“ABR Loans”: Loans the rate of interest applicable to which is based upon the ABR.
“Adjusted Net Book Value”: with respect to any asset, (i) (x) prior to the completion of an Investment Asset Review pursuant to Section 10.18 with respect thereto, the net book value determined in accordance with GAAP (or, with respect to any CMBS, the fair value thereof as determined solely on the basis of broker quotes from brokers listed on Schedule 1.1B (but in no event greater than par)) and (y) upon the completion of an Investment Asset Review pursuant to Section 10.18 with respect thereto, the lesser of clause (x) and such appraised value as determined by the Independent Valuation Provider, plus (ii) solely with respect to any Commercial Real Estate Ownership Investment and solely to the extent deducted in determining net book value, accumulated real property depreciation and amortization minus (iii) solely with respect to any Commercial Real Estate Ownership Investment and solely to the extent included in determining net book value, cumulative maintenance capital expenditures.
“Administrative Agent”: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., together with its affiliates, as the arranger of the Revolving Commitments and as the administrative agent for the Lenders under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with any of its successors.
“Affiliate”: as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” of a Person means the power, directly or indirectly, either to (a) vote 10% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such Person or (b) direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether by contract or otherwise.
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“Affiliated Holder”: a Person that (i) owns directly or indirectly an Investment Asset that constitutes a Qualified Non-Pledged Asset and (ii) is either a Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary Guarantor or a Person in which any Capital Stock is directly or indirectly owned by a Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary Guarantor.
“Affiliated Investor”: a Person that (i) owns directly or indirectly an Investment Asset and (ii) is either a Pledged Affiliate or a Person in which any Capital Stock is directly or indirectly owned by a Pledged Affiliate. For the avoidance of doubt, the term Affiliated Investor shall not include (A) an Equity Investment Asset Issuer or (B) any Loan Party.
“After-Acquired Property”: as defined in Section 6.10(a).
“Agents”: the collective reference to the Administrative Agent and any other agent identified on the cover page of this Agreement.
“Aggregate Exposure”: with respect to any Lender at any time, the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment then in effect or, if the Revolving Commitments have been terminated, the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Extensions of Credit then outstanding.
“Aggregate Exposure Percentage”: with respect to any Lender at any time, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of such Lender’s Aggregate Exposure at such time to the Aggregate Exposure of all Lenders at such time.
“Agreement”: as defined in the preamble hereto.
“Anti-Corruption Laws”: all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to the Parent Borrower or any of its Affiliates from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption.
“Applicable Margin”: the rate per annum equal to (a) with respect to Eurodollar Loans, 2.25% and (b) with respect to ABR Loans, 1.25%.
“Application”: with respect to an Issuing Lender, an application, in such form as such Issuing Lender may specify from time to time, requesting such Issuing Lender to open a Letter of Credit.
“Approved Fund”: as defined in Section 10.6(b).
“Arrangers”: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (or any other registered broker-dealer wholly-owned by Bank of America Corporation to which all or substantially all of Bank of America Corporation’s or any of its subsidiaries’ investment banking, commercial lending services or related businesses may be transferred following the date of this Agreement).
“Assignee”: as defined in Section 10.6(b).
“Assignment and Assumption”: an Assignment and Assumption, substantially in the form of Exhibit D.
“Assumed Facility Interest Expense”: the greater of (i) actual interest expense on the Revolving Facility for the most recently ended fiscal quarter multiplied by four (4) and (ii) annual interest expense calculated by multiplying the average daily outstanding amount of the Revolving Facility during the most recently ended fiscal quarter by 7.0%.
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“Available Revolving Commitment”: as to any Revolving Lender at any time, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) such Lender’s Revolving Commitment then in effect over (b) such Lender’s Revolving Extensions of Credit then outstanding.
“Bail-In Action”: the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.
“Bail-In Legislation”: with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.
“Bankruptcy Event”: with respect to any Person, such Person becomes the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business appointed for it, or, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any such proceeding or appointment, provided that a Bankruptcy Event shall not result solely by virtue of any ownership interest, or the acquisition of any ownership interest, in such Person by a Governmental Authority or instrumentality thereof, provided, further, that such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Person with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Person (or such Governmental Authority or instrumentality) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Person.
“Benefitted Lender”: as defined in Section 10.7(a).
“Board”: the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States (or any successor).
“Borrower”: the Parent Borrower and each Subsidiary Borrower (collectively, the “Borrowers”).
“Borrowing Date”: any Business Day specified by a Borrower as a date on which such Borrower requests the relevant Lenders to make Revolving Loans hereunder.
“Business”: as defined in Section 4.17(b).
“Business Day”: a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to close, provided, that with respect to notices and determinations in connection with, and payments of principal and interest on, Loans having an interest rate determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate, such day is also a day for trading by and between banks in Dollar deposits in the interbank eurodollar market.
“Capital Expenditures”: for any period, with respect to any Person, the aggregate of all expenditures by such Person and its Subsidiaries for the acquisition or leasing (pursuant to a capital lease) of fixed or capital assets or additions to equipment (including replacements, capitalized repairs and improvements during such period) that should be capitalized under GAAP on a consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that Capital Expenditures shall exclude all Capital Expenditures made with respect to any Investment Asset.
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“Capital Lease Obligations”: as to any Person, the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP and, for the purposes of this Agreement, the amount of such obligations at any time shall be the capitalized amount thereof at such time determined in accordance with GAAP.
“Capital Stock”: any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation, any and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person (other than a corporation) and any and all warrants, rights or options to purchase any of the foregoing, but excluding any debt securities convertible into any of the foregoing.
“Cash Equivalents”: (a) marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States Government or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition; (b) certificates of deposit, time deposits, eurodollar time deposits or overnight bank deposits maturing within one year from the date of acquisition issued by any Lender or by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof having combined capital and surplus of not less than $500,000,000; (c) commercial paper of an issuer rated at least A-2 by S&P or P-2 by Moody’s, or carrying an equivalent rating by a nationally recognized rating agency, if both of the two named rating agencies cease publishing ratings of commercial paper issuers generally, and maturing within one year from the date of acquisition; (d) repurchase obligations of any Lender or of any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (b) of this definition, having a term of not more than 30 days, with respect to securities issued or fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government; (e) securities with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States, by any political subdivision or taxing authority of any such state, commonwealth or territory or by any foreign government, the securities of which state, commonwealth, territory, political subdivision, taxing authority or foreign government (as the case may be) are rated at least A-2 by S&P or P-2 by Moody’s; (f) securities with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition backed by standby letters of credit issued by any Lender or any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (b) of this definition; (g) money market mutual or similar funds that invest exclusively in assets satisfying the requirements of clauses (a) through (f) of this definition; or (h) money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in SEC Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (ii) are rated AAA by S&P and Aaa by Moody’s and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000.
“CLNS Contributed Portfolio”: select assets and liabilities of Colony NorthStar to be contributed to the REIT Entity pursuant to the Combination Agreement.
“Closing Date”: the date on which the conditions precedent set forth in Section 5.1 shall have been satisfied, which date is February 1, 2018.
“CMBS”: mortgage pass-through certificates or other securities (other than any derivative security) issued pursuant to a securitization of commercial real estate securities or loans.
“Code”: the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
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“Collateral”: all property of the Loan Parties, now owned or hereafter acquired, upon which a Lien is purported to be created by any Security Document.
“Colony Northstar”: Colony Northstar, Inc., a Maryland corporation.
“Combination”: the contribution by Colony NorthStar of the CLNS Contributed Portfolio to the REIT Entity, and the merger of each of NorthStar I and NorthStar II into the REIT entity pursuant to, and on the terms of, the Combination Agreement.
“Combination Agreement”: that certain Amended and Restated Master Combination Agreement (together with all exhibits, schedules, attachments and disclosure letters thereto, and as may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the date hereof in a manner not materially adverse to the Lenders), dated as of November 20, 2017, by and among NorthStar I, NorthStar Real Estate Income Trust Operating Partnership, LP, a Delaware limited partnership and the operating partnership of NorthStar I, NorthStar II, NorthStar Real Estate Income Operating Partnership II, LP, a Delaware limited partnership and the operating partnership of NorthStar II, the REIT Entity and the Parent Borrower.
“Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment”: a commercial mortgage loan or other commercial real estate-related debt investment (including any land loan, construction loan or other loan secured by land, but excluding any CMBS).
“Commercial Real Estate Ownership Investment”: a fee simple interest in commercial real property. For purposes of the definition of “Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount”, a Portfolio consisting entirely of Commercial Real Estate Ownership Investments, as defined above, shall be deemed to be a single Commercial Real Estate Ownership Investment.
“Commitment Fee Rate”: (a) at any time that the Facility Utilization is below 50%, 0.35% and (b) otherwise, 0.25%; provided that at any time that any Indebtedness described in Section 7.2(h) shall have been incurred and shall remain outstanding, the Commitment Fee Rate shall be 1.00%.
“Commitment Increase”: as defined in Section 2.19(a).
“Compliance Certificate”: a certificate duly executed by a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit B.
“Consolidated Cash Interest Expense”: for any period, that portion of Consolidated Interest Expense for such period that is paid or payable in cash; provided, however, that Consolidated Cash Interest Expense shall exclude (i) any interest expense recognized in such period that is paid from a prefunded interest reserve for such period to the extent the amounts in such prefunded interest reserve were included in Consolidated Cash Interest Expense in a prior period and (ii) any fees and expenses accounted for as deferred financing costs.
“Consolidated EBITDA”: for any period, Core Earnings plus an amount which, in the determination of Core Earnings for such period, has been deducted (and not added back) for, without duplication, (i) Consolidated Interest Expense, (ii) provisions for taxes based on income of the Parent Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries (provided that Consolidated EBITDA shall, solely with respect to the Consolidated EBITDA attributable to any Non Wholly-Owned Consolidated Affiliate, only include the Consolidated Group Pro Rata Share of such attributable amount) and (iii) preferred dividends.
5
“Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”: for any period, the ratio of (a) (i) Consolidated EBITDA for such period plus (ii) Consolidated Lease Expense for such period to (b) Consolidated Fixed Charges for such period.
“Consolidated Fixed Charges”: for any period, the sum (without duplication) of (a) Consolidated Cash Interest Expense for such period, (b) Consolidated Lease Expense for such period that is paid or payable in cash, (c) the aggregate amount actually paid by the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries during such period on account of Capital Expenditures (excluding the principal amount of Indebtedness (other than any Revolving Loans) incurred in connection with such expenditures), (d) scheduled payments made during such period on account of principal of Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries (excluding (i) scheduled principal payments and any payment at maturity in respect of Extended Loans and (ii) scheduled principal payments made by the Parent Borrower or a Consolidated Subsidiary that are paid solely from funds collected as principal due under another credit facility in which the Parent Borrower or such Consolidated Subsidiary, as applicable, is the lender) and (e) the amount of Restricted Payments paid or required to be paid by the Parent Borrower in cash during such period in respect of any of its preferred Capital Stock.
“Consolidated Group Pro Rata Share”: with respect to any Non Wholly-Owned Consolidated Affiliate, the percentage interest held by the Parent Borrower and its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, in the aggregate, in such Non Wholly-Owned Consolidated Affiliate determined by calculating the percentage of Capital Stock of such Non Wholly-Owned Consolidated Affiliate owned by the Parent Borrower and its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.
“Consolidated Interest Expense”: for any period, total interest expense (including that attributable to Capital Lease Obligations) of the Parent Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period with respect to all outstanding Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries (including all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing and net costs under Swap Agreements in respect of interest rates to the extent such net costs are allocable to such period in accordance with GAAP); provided that Consolidated Interest Expense shall, with respect to any Non Wholly-Owned Consolidated Affiliate, only include the Consolidated Group Pro Rata Share of the total cash interest expense (determined in accordance with GAAP) of such Non Wholly-Owned Consolidated Affiliate for such period. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, all interest expense of the REIT Entity shall be deemed to be interest expense of the Parent Borrower for all purposes of the Loan Documents (including without limitation any financial definitions) to the extent not otherwise constituting interest expense of the Parent Borrower.
“Consolidated Lease Expense”: for any period, the aggregate amount of fixed and contingent rentals payable by the Parent Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period with respect to leases of real and personal property, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
“Consolidated Leverage Ratio”: at any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Debt on such day to (b) Total Asset Value as of such date.
“Consolidated Subsidiaries”: as to any Person, all Subsidiaries of such Person which are consolidated with such Person for financial reporting purposes under GAAP.
“Consolidated Tangible Net Worth”: at any date, all amounts that would, in conformity with GAAP, be included on a consolidated balance sheet of the Parent Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries under stockholders’ equity at such date plus (i) accumulated depreciation and (ii)
6
amortization of real estate intangibles such as in-place lease value, above and below market lease value and deferred leasing costs which are purchase price allocations determined upon the acquisition of real estate, in each case, of the Parent Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on such date (provided that the amounts described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) shall, solely with respect to any such amount attributable to any Non Wholly-Owned Consolidated Affiliate, only include the Consolidated Group Pro Rata Share of such attributable amount) minus the Intangible Assets of the Parent Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on such date (provided that any such amount deducted with respect to deferred financing costs shall, solely with respect to any such amount attributable to any Non Wholly-Owned Consolidated Affiliate, only include the Consolidated Group Pro Rata Share of such attributable amount); provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the calculation of “Consolidated Tangible Net Worth” any effects resulting from the application of FASB ASC No. 715: Compensation - Retirement Benefits.
“Consolidated Total Debt”: at any date, the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries at such date, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that Consolidated Total Debt shall (i) exclude any Indebtedness attributable to a Specified GAAP Reportable B Loan Transaction, (ii) exclude 50% of Permitted Warehouse Indebtedness (provided that (x) no more than $150,000,000 of Permitted Warehouse Indebtedness may be excluded pursuant to this clause (ii) and (y) solely for the purpose of this definition, Permitted Warehouse Indebtedness shall exclude any portion of Warehouse Indebtedness used to finance the purchase or origination of a Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment that continues to secure such Warehouse Indebtedness twelve months after the purchase or origination thereof), (iii) exclude all Permitted Non-Recourse CLO Indebtedness and (iv) solely with respect to the Indebtedness of any Non Wholly-Owned Consolidated Affiliate, only include the Consolidated Group Pro Rata Share of such Indebtedness.
“Consolidating Information”: as defined in Section 6.1.
“Continuing Directors”: the directors of the REIT Entity on the Closing Date, after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby, and each other director, if, in each case, (i) such other director’s nomination for election to the board of directors of the REIT Entity is recommended by at least a majority of the then Continuing Directors in his or her election by the shareholders of the REIT Entity or (ii) such other director is approved by the board of directors of the REIT Entity as a director candidate prior to his or her election.
“Contractual Obligation”: as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.
“Control”: the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to veto, direct or cause the direction of the management or fundamental policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise which for purposes of this definition shall include, among other things, ownership of Capital Stock having at least 50% of the voting interests of a Person or having majority control of a board of directors or equivalent governing body of a Person.
“Control Agreement”: a deposit account control agreement or securities account control agreement, as applicable, executed by a Loan Party, the Administrative Agent and the applicable depository bank or securities intermediary granting the Administrative Agent control over the applicable deposit account or securities account, which agreement shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
7
“Core Earnings”: for any period, net income determined in accordance with GAAP of the Parent Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries and excluding (but only to the extent included in determining net income for such period) (i) non-cash equity compensation expense, (ii) the expenses incurred in connection with the formation of the REIT Entity and the offering in connection therewith, including the initial underwriting discounts and commissions, (iii) acquisition costs from successful acquisitions (other than acquisitions made in the ordinary course of business), (iv) real property depreciation and amortization, (v) any unrealized gains or losses or other similar non-cash items that are included in net income for the current quarter, regardless of whether such items are included in other comprehensive income or loss, (vi) extraordinary or non-recurring gains or losses and (vii) one-time expenses, charges or gains relating to changes in GAAP; provided, that Core Earnings shall, solely with respect to the Core Earnings attributable to any Non Wholly-Owned Consolidated Affiliate, only include the Consolidated Group Pro Rata Share of such attributable amount.
“Credit Party”: the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender or any other Lender and, for the purposes of Section 10.13 only, any other Agent and the Arrangers.
“Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.
“Default”: any of the events specified in Section 8, whether or not any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, has been satisfied.
“Defaulting Lender”: any Lender that (a) has failed, within two Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Revolving Loans, (ii) fund any portion of its participations in Letters of Credit or (iii) pay over to any Credit Party any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, unless, in the case of clause (i) above, such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) has not been satisfied, (b) has notified the Parent Borrower or any Credit Party in writing, or has made a public statement to the effect, that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement (unless such writing or public statement indicates that such position is based on such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) to funding a loan under this Agreement cannot be satisfied) or generally under agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after request by a Credit Party or the Parent Borrower, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Lender that it will comply with its obligations (and is financially able to meet such obligations) to fund prospective Revolving Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit under this Agreement, provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon such Credit Party’s or the Parent Borrower’s receipt, as applicable, of such certification in form and substance satisfactory to it and the Administrative Agent, or (d) has, or has a Lender Parent that has, become the subject of a Bankruptcy Event or a Bail-In Action. Any determination by the Administrative Agent made in writing to the Parent Borrower and each Lender that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error.
“Disposition”: with respect to any property, any sale, lease, sale and leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer or other disposition thereof. The terms “Dispose” and “Disposed of” shall have correlative meanings.
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“Disqualified Capital Stock”: any Capital Stock which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security or other Capital Stock into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or condition (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Capital Stock other than Disqualified Capital Stock), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (except as a result of a change of control or asset sale so long as any rights of the holders thereof upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale event shall be subject to the prior repayment in full of the Loans and all other Obligations that are accrued and payable and the termination of the Revolving Commitments and all outstanding Letters of Credit), (b) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely for Capital Stock other than Disqualified Capital Stock), in whole or in part, (c) provides for the scheduled payments of dividends in cash, or (d) is or becomes convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness or any other Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Capital Stock, in each case, prior to the date that is ninety-one (91) days after the Latest Termination Date.
“Distribution Account”: as defined in Section 6.14(a).
“Distributions”: (a) any and all dividends, distributions or other payments or amounts made, or required to be paid or made to a Loan Party by any Affiliated Investor who, directly or indirectly, owns an Investment Asset, including, without limitation, any distributions of payments to such Loan Party in respect of principal, interest or other amounts relating to such Investment Asset owned, directly or indirectly, by such Affiliated Investor and (b) any and all amounts owing to such Loan Party from the disposition, dissolution or liquidation of any such Affiliated Investor referred to in clause (a) above (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) or from the issuance or sale of Capital Stock of such Affiliated Investor (or any direct or indirect parent thereof).
“Dollars” and “$”: dollars in lawful currency of the United States.
“Domestic Subsidiary”: any Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower organized under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States.
“EEA Financial Institution”: (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.
“EEA Member Country”: any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
“EEA Resolution Authority”: any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.
“Eligible CRE Development Investments”: as defined in clause (5) of the definition of “Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount”.
“Environmental Laws”: any and all laws (including common law), treaties, rules, orders, regulations, statutes, ordinances, codes, decrees, requirements of any Governmental Authority or other Requirements of Law regulating, relating to or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning protection of human health or the environment, as now or may at any time hereafter be in effect.
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“Equity Investment Asset Issuer”: (i) each issuer of a Preferred Equity Investment and (ii) each issuer of an Existing Private Equity Interest, in each case, including any Subsidiary thereof.
“ERISA”: the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.
“ERISA Affiliate”: any entity, trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, is under common control with a Group Member within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA or, together with any Group Member, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.
“ERISA Event”: (a) the failure of any Plan to comply with any provisions of ERISA and/or the Code (and applicable regulations under either) or with the terms of such Plan; (b) the existence with respect to any Plan of a non-exempt Prohibited Transaction; (c) any Reportable Event; (d) the failure of any Group Member or ERISA Affiliate to make by its due date a required installment under Section 430(j) of the Code with respect to any Pension Plan or any failure by any Pension Plan to satisfy the minimum funding standards (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) applicable to such Pension Plan, whether or not waived; (e) a determination that any Pension Plan is, or is expected to be, in “at risk” status (within the meaning of Section 430 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA); (f) the filing pursuant to Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Pension Plan; (g) the occurrence of any event or condition which might constitute grounds under ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan or the incurrence by any Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Pension Plan, including but not limited to the imposition of any Lien in favor of the PBGC or any Pension Plan; (h) the receipt by any Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Pension Plan or to appoint a trustee to administer any Pension Plan under Section 4042 of ERISA; (i) the failure by any Group Member or any of its ERISA Affiliates to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan pursuant to Sections 431 or 432 of the Code; (j) the incurrence by any Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (k) the receipt by any Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from a Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, Insolvent, in “endangered” or “critical” status (within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA), or terminated (within the meaning of Section 4041A of ERISA); or (l) the failure by any Group Member or any of its ERISA Affiliates to pay when due (after expiration of any applicable grace period) any installment payment with respect to Withdrawal Liability under Section 4201 of ERISA.
“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule”: the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor Person), as in effect from time to time.
“Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements”: for any day as applied to a Eurodollar Loan, the aggregate (without duplication) of the maximum rates (expressed as a decimal fraction) of reserve requirements in effect on such day (including basic, supplemental, marginal and emergency reserves) under any regulations of the Board or other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto dealing with reserve requirements prescribed for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities” in Regulation D of the Board) maintained by a member bank of the Federal Reserve System.
“Eurodollar Base Rate”: with respect to any Eurodollar Loan for any Interest Period, a rate per annum equal to the London interbank offered rate as administered by the ICE Benchmark
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Administration (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate) for Dollars for a period equal in length to such Interest Period as displayed on pages LIBOR01 or LIBOR02 of the Reuters Screen that displays such rate (or, in the event such rate does not appear on either of such Reuters pages, on any successor or substitute page on such screen that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion; in each case, the “Screen Rate”) as of the Specified Time on the Quotation Day for such Interest Period; provided that if the Screen Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement; provided, further, that if the Screen Rate shall not be available at such time for such Interest Period (an “Impacted Interest Period”) with respect to Dollars, then the Eurodollar Base Rate shall be the Interpolated Rate at such time (provided that if the Interpolated Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement).
“Eurodollar Loans”: Loans the rate of interest applicable to which is based upon the Eurodollar Rate.
“Eurodollar Rate”: with respect to each day during each Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Loan, a rate per annum determined for such day in accordance with the following formula:
| Eurodollar Base Rate |
| 1.00 - Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements |
“Eurodollar Tranche”: the collective reference to Eurodollar Loans the then current Interest Periods with respect to all of which begin on the same date and end on the same later date (whether or not such Loans shall originally have been made on the same day).
“Event of Default”: any of the events specified in Section 8, provided that any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, has been satisfied.
“Excluded Foreign Subsidiary”: (1) any Foreign Subsidiary in respect of which either (a) the pledge of all of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary as Collateral or (b) the guaranteeing by such Subsidiary of the Obligations, would, in the good faith judgment of the Parent Borrower, result in adverse tax consequences to the Parent Borrower, (2) any Domestic Subsidiary substantially all of whose assets consist of equity interests in an Excluded Foreign Subsidiary or (3) any Domestic Subsidiary of an Excluded Foreign Subsidiary.
“Excluded Subsidiary”: any Subsidiary (other than a Subsidiary Borrower) that (i) is an Immaterial Subsidiary, (ii) has or is reasonably expected to incur secured Indebtedness within 120 days (or by such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion) of becoming subject to the requirements of Section 6.10(c) hereof that (x) is owed to a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof and (y) by its terms does not permit such Subsidiary to guarantee the Obligations of the Parent Borrower or (iii) an Intermediate Holdco Subsidiary.
“Excluded Swap Obligation”: with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor, any Swap Obligation, if, and to the extent that, and only for so long as, all or a portion of the guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor of, or the grant by such Subsidiary Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal or unlawful under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Subsidiary Guarantor’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder at the time the guarantee of (or grant of such security interest by, as applicable)
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such Subsidiary Guarantor becomes or would otherwise have become effective with respect to such Swap Obligation but for such Subsidiary Guarantor’s failure to constitute an “eligible contract participant” at such time. If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one Swap Agreement, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to Swap Agreements for which such guarantee or security interest is or becomes illegal or unlawful under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof).
“Excluded Taxes”: any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Credit Party or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Credit Party, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Credit Party (or any direct or indirect investor therein) being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Revolving Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Revolving Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Parent Borrower under Section 2.17) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.14, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender acquired the applicable interest in such Loan or Revolving Commitment or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Credit Party’s failure to comply with Section 2.14(f), and (d) any U.S. Federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.
“Existing Private Equity Interests”: any limited partner, limited liability company membership or other similar equity interest in private equity fund(s), to the extent such equity interests are owned on the Closing Date by a Pledged Loan Party or an Unlevered Affiliated Investor.
“Extended Commitments”: as defined in Section 2.20.
“Extended Loans”: as defined in Section 2.20.
“Extended Termination Date”: as defined in Section 2.20.
“Extension Option”: as defined in Section 2.20.
“Extension Date”: as defined in Section 2.20.
“Facility Utilization”: at any date, the amount (expressed as a percentage) equal to (a) the aggregate amount of Total Revolving Extensions of Credit divided by (b) the Total Revolving Commitments.
“FATCA”: Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.
“Federal Funds Effective Rate”: for any day, the rate calculated by the NYFRB based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depositary institutions (as determined in such manner as the NYFRB shall set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding
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Business Day by the NYFRB as the federal funds effective rate; provided that if the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.
“Fee Payment Date”: (a) the last day of each March, June, September and December and (b) the last day of the Revolving Commitment Period.
“First Priority Commercial Real Estate Debt Investments”: any Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment secured by a first priority Lien on the underlying asset (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include any “B-note” or “B-piece” or any other junior tranche of an investment) and with respect to which no other Indebtedness has been incurred that is prior in right of payment in any respect; provided, however, that for purposes of the definition of “Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount” and the component definitions thereof, (i) such investment shall constitute a First Priority Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment only if held by a Pledged Loan Party or an Unlevered Affiliated Investor (it being understood that such requirement shall not apply for purposes of the definition of Qualified Levered SPV Affiliated Investor), (ii) any Portfolio otherwise constituting a First Priority Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment in which greater than 25% of the Adjusted Net Book Value of such Portfolio is classified as Non-Performing Loans shall instead be deemed to be a Junior Priority Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment (it being understood that such classification as a Junior Priority Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment pursuant to this clause (ii) shall not apply for purposes of the definition of Qualified Levered SPV Affiliated Investor) and (iii) any single Investment Asset otherwise constituting a First Priority Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment that is a Non-Performing Loan shall not constitute a First Priority Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment and shall not contribute to the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount. For clarity, a Portfolio consisting entirely of First Priority Commercial Real Estate Debt Investments, as defined above, shall be deemed to be a single First Priority Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment.
“First Priority Commercial Real Estate Investments”: collectively, (a) any First Priority Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment and (b) any unencumbered Commercial Real Estate Ownership Investment (excluding land) that is wholly-owned by an Unlevered Affiliated Investor.
“Fitch”: Fitch Ratings and its successors.
“Foreign Subsidiary”: any Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.
“Foreign Benefit Arrangement”: any employee benefit arrangement mandated by non-US law that is maintained or contributed to by any Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate.
“Foreign Plan”: each employee benefit plan (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, whether or not subject to ERISA) that is not subject to US law and is maintained or contributed to by any Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate.
“Foreign Plan Event”: with respect to any Foreign Benefit Arrangement or Foreign Plan, (a) the failure to make or, if applicable, accrue in accordance with normal accounting practices, any employer or employee contributions required by applicable law or by the terms of such Foreign Benefit Arrangement or Foreign Plan; (b) the failure to register or loss of good standing with applicable regulatory authorities of any such Foreign Benefit Arrangement or Foreign Plan required to be registered; or (c) the failure of any Foreign Benefit Arrangement or Foreign Plan to comply with any material provisions of applicable law and regulations or with the material terms of such Foreign Benefit Arrangement or Foreign Plan.
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“Funding Office”: the office of the Administrative Agent specified in Section 10.2 or such other office as may be specified from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its funding office by written notice to the Parent Borrower and the Lenders.
“GAAP”: generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect from time to time, except that for purposes of Section 7.1, GAAP shall be determined on the basis of such principles in effect on the date hereof and consistent with those used in the preparation of the most recent audited financial statements referred to in Section 4.1. In the event that any “Accounting Change” (as defined below) shall occur and such change results in a change in the method of calculation of financial covenants, standards or terms in this Agreement, then the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent agree to enter into negotiations in order to amend such provisions of this Agreement so as to reflect equitably such Accounting Changes with the desired result that the requirements and limitations imposed by such financial covenants, standards or terms shall be the same after such Accounting Changes as if such Accounting Changes had not been made. Until such time as such an amendment shall have been executed and delivered by the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, all financial covenants, standards and terms in this Agreement shall continue to be calculated or construed as if such Accounting Changes had not occurred. “Accounting Changes” refers to changes in accounting principles required by the promulgation of any rule, regulation, pronouncement or opinion by the Financial Accounting Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or, if applicable, the SEC.
“Governmental Authority”: any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, any securities exchange and any self-regulatory organization (including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners).
“Group Members”: the collective reference to the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
“Guarantee and Collateral Agreement”: the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement to be executed and delivered by the Parent Borrower, each Subsidiary Guarantor and the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit A
“Guarantee Obligation”: as to any Person (the “guaranteeing person”), any obligation, including a reimbursement, counterindemnity or similar obligation, of the guaranteeing Person that guarantees or in effect guarantees, or which is given to induce the creation of a separate obligation by another Person (including any bank under any letter of credit) that guarantees or in effect guarantees, any Indebtedness, leases, dividends or other obligations (the “primary obligations”) of any other third Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including any obligation of the guaranteeing person, whether or not contingent, (i) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (ii) to advance or supply funds (1) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or (2) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, (iii) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation or (iv) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the owner of any such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof; provided, however, that the term Guarantee Obligation shall not include endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any Guarantee Obligation of any guaranteeing person shall be deemed to be the lower of (a) an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Guarantee Obligation is made and (b) the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing person may be liable pursuant to the
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terms of the instrument embodying such Guarantee Obligation, unless such primary obligation and the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing person may be liable are not stated or determinable, in which case the amount of such Guarantee Obligation shall be such guaranteeing person’s maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the Parent Borrower in good faith.
“Immaterial Subsidiary”: as of any date, a Subsidiary that, together with its Consolidated Subsidiaries, as of the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter of the Parent Borrower for which consolidated financial statements have been delivered in accordance with Section 6.1 (x) did not have (a) assets with a value in excess of 2.0% of Total Asset Value or (b) Consolidated EBITDA representing in excess of 2.0% of Consolidated EBITDA for the four fiscal quarters ending on such last day and (y) when taken together with all other Immaterial Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date, did not have assets with a value in excess of 10.0% of the Total Asset Value as of such date or Consolidated EBITDA representing in excess of 10.0% of Consolidated EBITDA for the four fiscal quarters ending on such date, each calculated by reference to the latest consolidated financial statements delivered to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 6.1. Any Immaterial Subsidiary may be designated to be a Material Subsidiary for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by written notice to the Administrative Agent.
“Impacted Interest Period”: as defined in the definition of “Eurodollar Base Rate”.
“Increased Facility Activation Date”: any Business Day on which any Lender shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agents an Increased Facility Activation Notice pursuant to Section 2.19(a).
“Increased Facility Activation Notice”: a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit G.
“Increased Facility Closing Date”: any Business Day designated as such in an Increased Facility Activation Notice.
“Indebtedness”: of any Person at any date, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person for the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than current trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of such Person’s business), (c) all obligations of such Person evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or other similar instruments, (d) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to property acquired by such Person (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or lender under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property), (e) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (f) all obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise, as an account party or applicant under or in respect of acceptances, letters of credit, surety bonds or similar arrangements, (g) the liquidation value of all mandatorily redeemable preferred Capital Stock of such Person (except for Capital Stock (x) mandatorily redeemable as a result of a change of control or asset sale so long as any rights of the holders thereof upon such occurrence shall be subject to the prior Payment in Full of the Obligations or (y) mandatorily redeemable not prior to the date that is 91 days after Payment in Full), (h) all Guarantee Obligations of such Person in respect of obligations of the kind referred to in clauses (a) through (g) above, (i) all obligations of the kind referred to in clauses (a) through (h) above secured by (or for which the holder of such obligation has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property (including accounts and contract rights) owned by such Person, whether or not such Person has assumed or become liable for the payment of such obligation, and (j) for the purposes of Section 8(e) only, all obligations of such Person in respect of Swap Agreements. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to
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the extent the terms of such Indebtedness expressly provide that such Person is not liable therefor. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, all Indebtedness of the REIT Entity shall be deemed to be Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower for all purposes of the Loan Documents (including without limitation any financial definitions) to the extent not otherwise constituting Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower.
“Indemnified Taxes”: (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a) above, Other Taxes.
“Independent Valuation Provider”: as defined in Section 10.18.
“Initial Revolving Termination Date”: February 1, 2022.
“Insolvent”: with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the condition that such plan is insolvent within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA.
“Intangible Assets”: assets that are considered to be intangible assets under GAAP, including customer lists, goodwill, computer software, copyrights, trade names, trademarks, patents, franchises, licenses, unamortized deferred charges (including deferred financing costs), unamortized debt discount and capitalized research and development costs; provided, however, that Intangible Assets shall not include real estate intangibles such as in-place lease value, above and below market lease value and deferred leasing costs which are purchase price allocations determined upon the acquisition of real estate.
“Intellectual Property”: the collective reference to all rights, priorities and privileges relating to intellectual property, whether arising under United States, multinational or foreign laws or otherwise, including copyrights, copyright licenses, patents, patent licenses, trademarks, trademark licenses, technology, know-how and processes, and all rights to sue at law or in equity for any infringement or other impairment thereof, including the right to receive all proceeds and damages therefrom.
“Interest Coverage Ratio”: for any fiscal quarter, the ratio of (i) (x) the portion of Consolidated EBITDA for such fiscal quarter attributable to investments included in the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount at any point during such fiscal quarter (provided that the calculation of such portion of Consolidated EBITDA (A) shall exclude general corporate-level expense and (B) shall not include any add backs of interest expense other than the interest expense related to the Revolving Facility) multiplied by (y) 4 to (ii) Assumed Facility Interest Expense with respect to such fiscal quarter.
“Interest Payment Date”: (a) as to any ABR Loan, the last day of each March, June, September and December (or, if an Event of Default is in existence, the last day of each calendar month) to occur while such Loan is outstanding and the final maturity date of such Loan, (b) as to any Eurodollar Loan having an Interest Period of three months or less, the last day of such Interest Period, (c) as to any Eurodollar Loan having an Interest Period longer than three months, each day that is three months, or a whole multiple thereof, after the first day of such Interest Period and the last day of such Interest Period and (d) as to any Loan (other than any Revolving Loan that is an ABR Loan), the date of any repayment or prepayment made in respect thereof.
“Interest Period”: as to any Eurodollar Loan, (a) initially, the period commencing on the borrowing or conversion date, as the case may be, with respect to such Eurodollar Loan and ending one, two, three or six months thereafter, as selected by the applicable Borrower in its notice of borrowing or notice of conversion, as the case may be, given with respect thereto; and (b) thereafter, each period
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commencing on the last day of the next preceding Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Loan and ending one, two, three or six months thereafter, as selected by the applicable Borrower by irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the date that is three Business Days prior to the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto; provided that, all of the foregoing provisions relating to Interest Periods are subject to the following:
(i) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to carry such Interest Period into another calendar month in which event such Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day;
(ii) the Borrowers may not select an Interest Period under the Revolving Facility that would extend beyond the Revolving Termination Date; and
(iii) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of a calendar month.
“Intermediate Holdco Subsidiary”: a Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower designated as an Intermediate Holdco Subsidiary by the Parent Borrower in writing to the Administrative Agent and which (i) does not own, lease, manage or otherwise operate any properties or assets (including cash and cash equivalents) other than direct or indirect ownership interests in a Subsidiary Guarantor or another Intermediate Holdco Subsidiary, (ii) does not conduct, transact or otherwise engage in, and does not commit to conduct, transact, or otherwise engage in, any business or operations other than those incidental to its ownership of the Capital Stock of a Subsidiary Guarantor or another Intermediate Holdco Subsidiary and (iii) incurs no Indebtedness other than certain intercompany obligations owing to the Parent Borrower or any other Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower.
“Interpolated Rate”: at any time, the rate per annum (rounded to the same number of decimal places as the Screen Rate) determined by the Administrative Agent (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) to be equal to the rate that results from interpolating on a linear basis between: (a) the Screen Rate (for the longest period for which that Screen Rate is available in Dollars) that is shorter than the Impacted Interest Period and (b) the Screen Rate (for the shortest period for which that Screen Rate is available for Dollars) that exceeds the Impacted Interest Period, in each case, as of the Specified Time on the Quotation Day for such Interest Period. When determining the rate for a period which is less than the shortest period for which the Screen Rate is available, the Screen Rate for purposes of clause (a) above shall be deemed to be the overnight rate for Dollars determined by the Administrative Agent from such service as the Administrative Agent may select.
“Investment Asset”: (i) a Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment, (ii) a Commercial Real Estate Ownership Investment, (iii) a Preferred Equity Investment, (iv) Qualified Levered SPV Capital Stock or Specified Levered SPV Capital Stock, (v) a Specified Levered SPV Investment, (vi) CMBS, (vii) any Portfolio of any of the foregoing, in each case to the extent owned by a Pledged Loan Party or any other Person in which a Loan Party, directly or indirectly, owns any Capital Stock or (viii) an Existing Private Equity Interest.
“Investment Asset Review”: as defined in Section 10.18.
“Investment Grade CMBS”: any CMBS having a rating of Baa3 or BBB- (or the equivalent with a stable or better outlook) or higher by at least two Rating Agencies (it being acknowledged that such securities may also have a lower rating from, or may not be rated by, one Rating Agency).
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“Investment Location”: (i) with respect to a Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment, (x) to the extent such Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment is secured, the jurisdiction in which the underlying commercial real property subject to such Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment is located and (y) to the extent such Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment is unsecured, the jurisdiction of the governing law of the contract governing such Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment; (ii) with respect to a Specified GAAP Reportable B Loan Transaction, the jurisdiction of the governing law of the contracts governing such Specified GAAP Reportable B Loan Transaction; (iii) with respect to a Commercial Real Estate Ownership Investment, the jurisdiction in which such Commercial Real Estate Ownership Investment is physically located; (iv) with respect to Qualified Levered SPV Capital Stock and Specified Levered SPV Capital Stock, the jurisdiction in which the First Priority Commercial Real Estate Debt Investments held by the related Affiliated Investor are located (with such location being determined in accordance with clause (i) or, with respect to a Portfolio, clause (vi) of this definition); (v) with respect to a Preferred Equity Investment, the jurisdiction in which the issuer of such Preferred Equity Investment is organized; (vi) with respect to CMBS, the jurisdiction of the governing law of the contracts governing such CMBS; (vii) with respect to an Existing Private Equity Interest, the jurisdiction in which the issuer of such Existing Private Equity Interest is organized; or (viii) with respect to a Portfolio of any of the foregoing, the Investment Location of each Investment Asset in such Portfolio (and it being agreed that if the Investment Location of any Investment Asset in such Portfolio shall be deemed to be a Non-Qualifying Location, then only such Investment Asset, and not the Portfolio as a whole, shall be deemed to have an Investment Location in a Non-Qualifying Location). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any (a) Equity Investment Asset Issuer, (b) Affiliated Investor, (c) underlying real estate asset relating to an Investment Asset or (d) Affiliate of the Parent Borrower that directly or indirectly owns an underlying real estate asset relating to an Investment Asset to the extent that the ownership interest attributable to such Affiliate contributes or results in a contribution to the calculation of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount, in each case, is located in a Non-Qualifying Location, then the Investment Location of each Investment Asset owned directly or indirectly by such Person or to which such underlying real estate asset relates, as applicable, shall be deemed to have an Investment Location in a Non-Qualifying Location. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, each Person shall be located in the jurisdiction in which it is organized and each underlying real estate asset shall be located in the jurisdiction in which such real estate asset is physically located.
“Investments”: as defined in Section 7.7.
“IRS”: the United States Internal Revenue Service.
“ISP”: with respect to any Letter of Credit, the “International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, Inc. (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).
“Issuing Lender”: each of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC and Bank of America, N.A. (or in each case any affiliate thereof) (provided that Barclays Bank PLC shall only be required to issue standby letters of credit) and any other Revolving Lender approved by the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower that has agreed in its sole discretion to act as an “Issuing Lender” hereunder, or any of their respective affiliates, in each case in its capacity as issuer of any Letter of Credit. Each reference herein to “the Issuing Lender” shall be deemed to be a reference to the relevant Issuing Lender.
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“Junior Priority Commercial Real Estate Debt Investments”: (a) all Commercial Real Estate Debt Investments that are not First Priority Commercial Real Estate Debt Investments or Specified Commercial Real Estate Debt Investments and (b) any Specified GAAP Reportable B Loan Transactions, in each case, to the extent held by (i) a Pledged Loan Party or (ii) an Unlevered Affiliated Investor. For purposes of the definition of “Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount”, a Portfolio consisting entirely of Junior Priority Commercial Real Estate Debt Investments, as defined above (and any Portfolio of First Priority Commercial Real Estate Debt Investments in which greater than 25% of the Adjusted Net Book Value of such Portfolio is classified as Non-Performing Loans), shall be deemed to be a single Junior Priority Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment.
“Junior Priority Commercial Real Estate Investments”: collectively, (a) any Junior Priority Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment and (b) any Qualified Levered SPV Capital Stock.
“L/C Cash Collateral Account”: as defined in Section 3.1(c).
“L/C Commitment”: as to any Issuing Lender, the obligation of such Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 3 in an aggregate undrawn, unexpired face amount plus the aggregate unreimbursed drawn amount thereof at any time not to exceed the amount set forth under the heading “L/C Commitment” opposite such Issuing Lender’s name on Schedule 1.1A or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Issuing Lender becomes a party thereto (its “Initial L/C Commitment”), in each case, as the same may be changed from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof; provided, that the amount of any Issuing Lender’s L/C Commitment may be (i) increased subject only to the consent of such Issuing Lender and the Parent Borrower (and notified to the Administrative Agent), (ii) decreased, but only to the extent it is not decreased below the Initial L/C Commitment of such Issuing Lender, subject only to the consent of such Issuing Lender and the Parent Borrower (and notified to the Administrative Agent) or (iii) decreased at the option of the Parent Borrower on a ratable basis for each Issuing Lender outstanding at the time of such reduction (and notified to the Issuing Lenders and the Administrative Agent).
“L/C Exposure”: at any time, the total L/C Obligations. The L/C Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Revolving Percentage of the total L/C Exposure at such time.
“L/C Obligations”: as at any date of determination, the aggregate amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all Unreimbursed Amounts. For purposes of computing the amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.3. For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.
“L/C Participants”: with respect to any Letter of Credit issued by an Issuing Lender, the collective reference to all the Revolving Lenders other than the Issuing Lender with respect to such Letter of Credit.
“Latest Termination Date”: February 1, 2023.
“Lender Parent”: with respect to any Lender, any Person as to which such Lender is, directly or indirectly, a Subsidiary.
“Lenders”: as defined in the preamble hereto.
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“Letters of Credit”: as defined in Section 3.1(a).
“Lien”: any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge or other security interest or any preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any capital lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).
“Listing”: as defined in the definition of “Transactions”.
“Loan”: any loan made by any Lender pursuant to this Agreement.
“Loan Documents”: this Agreement, each Subsidiary Borrower Joinder Agreement, the Security Documents, the Notes, the Management Subordination Agreement, the REIT Guaranty (if applicable) and any amendment, waiver, supplement or other modification to any of the foregoing.
“Loan Parties”: each Group Member that is a party to a Loan Document.
“Management Agreement”: that certain Management Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2018, by and among the Manager, the REIT Entity and the Parent Borrower.
“Management Subordination Agreement”: the Management Subordination Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, among the Parent Borrower, the REIT Entity, the Manager and the Administrative Agent, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented, modified or replaced after the date of this Agreement solely to the extent such amendment, restatement, supplement, modification or replacement is permitted under Section 7.17.
“Manager”: CLNC Manager, LLC, an affiliate of Colony Northstar, in its role as manager of the Parent Borrower.
“Material Indebtedness”: Indebtedness (other than the Loans) in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $25,000,000.
“Material Subsidiary”: any Subsidiary other than an Immaterial Subsidiary.
“Material Adverse Effect”: a material adverse effect on (a) the business, property, operations or financial condition of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (b) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or the rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders hereunder or thereunder.
“Materials of Environmental Concern”: any gasoline or petroleum (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum products, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, urea-formaldehyde insulation, mold, radon, or any substance (whether in gas, liquid or solid form), defined, classified or regulated as hazardous or toxic or as a pollutant, contaminant, or waste (or words of similar meaning), in, or that could give rise to liability under, any Environmental Law.
“Maximum Permitted Increase Amount”: the amount by which (x) 150% of the Total Revolving Commitments in effect on the Closing Date exceeds (y) the Total Revolving Commitments in effect on the Closing Date.
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“Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount”: at any time, an amount that is equal to (x) during the period from and after the Closing Date and prior to the Initial Revolving Termination Date, 100% and (y) during the period from and after the Initial Revolving Termination Date when the Parent Borrower has exercised an Extension Option, 90%, in each case, of the sum of (it being understood that in no event shall any Investment Asset contribute, directly or indirectly, to the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount pursuant to more than one lettered clause below);
| (a) | with respect to each First Priority Commercial Real Estate Investment, the product of 55% multiplied by the Adjusted Net Book Value of such First Priority Commercial Real Estate Investment, plus |
| (b) | with respect to each Junior Priority Commercial Real Estate Investment, the product of 40% multiplied by the Adjusted Net Book Value of such Junior Priority Commercial Real Estate Investment, plus |
| (c) | with respect to each Investment Grade CMBS that is wholly-owned by a Pledged Loan Party or an Unlevered Affiliated Investor, the product of 40% multiplied by the Adjusted Net Book Value of such Investment Grade CMBS, plus |
| (d) | with respect to each Specified Asset Investment, the product of 30% multiplied by the Adjusted Net Book Value of such Specified Asset Investment, plus |
| (e) | with respect to any Existing Private Equity Interests, the product of 30% multiplied by the Adjusted Net Book Value of such Existing Private Equity Interests, plus |
| (f) | with respect to each Non-Investment Grade CMBS that is wholly-owned by a Pledged Loan Party or an Unlevered Affiliated Investor, the product of 30% multiplied by the Adjusted Net Book Value of such Non-Investment Grade CMBS; |
provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount shall be subject to the following concentration limits (it being understood that each percentage limitation set forth in clauses (i) through (viii) below shall be calculated prior to giving effect to any reductions to the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount resulting from the application of such percentage limitation):
(i) in no event shall Existing Private Equity Interests contribute more than 15% in the aggregate of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount;
(ii) in no event shall any single Investment Asset (it being understood that the following shall be deemed to be a single Investment Asset for purposes of this clause (ii): (x) any portion of any Portfolio held by a single Person that has (or any Affiliated Investor that directly or indirectly owns such Person has) any Indebtedness outstanding and (y) any cross-collateralized assets that are deemed to be a single Investment Asset pursuant to subsection (xviii) of this proviso or any cross-guaranteed assets) contribute, directly or indirectly, in excess of 10% of the sum of clauses (a) through (f) above;
(iii) Specified Asset Investments shall not contribute more than 30% in the aggregate of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount;
(iv) the sum of (i) Non-Performing Loans and (ii) Preferred Equity Investment with respect to which any dividends required to be paid in cash are in arrears shall not contribute more than 10% in the aggregate of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount;
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(v) Investment Assets constituting interests in securitizations shall not contribute more than 20% in the aggregate of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount;
(vi) not less than 95% of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount shall be attributable to Investment Assets having an Investment Location in a Qualifying Location;
(vii) Eligible CRE Development Investments shall not contribute more than 15% in the aggregate of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount; and
(viii) Qualified Non-Pledged Assets shall not contribute more than 15% in the aggregate of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount; provided that, Qualified Non-Pledged Assets that do not constitute Existing Private Equity Interests shall not contribute more than 10% in the aggregate of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount;
provided, further, that the following additional restrictions shall apply to the calculation of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount:
(1) no Investment Asset shall contribute, directly or indirectly, to the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount if (x) any Affiliated Investor that directly or indirectly owns such Investment Asset is in default with respect to any of its Indebtedness that is material in relation to the value of such Investment Asset or (y) such Investment Asset (or the real estate to which such Investment Asset relates) is the subject of any proceedings under any Debtor Relief Law at such time;
(2) no Investment Asset securing any Warehouse Facility shall contribute, directly or indirectly, to the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount for so long as such Investment Asset secures any Warehouse Facility;
(3) the Adjusted Net Book Value used in the calculations set forth in clauses (a) through (f) above with respect to any Investment Asset that is owned, directly or indirectly, by any Excluded Foreign Subsidiary shall be limited to 66- 2⁄3% of the Adjusted Net Book Value of such Investment Asset unless the Parent Borrower has otherwise caused all of the Equity Interests in such Foreign Subsidiary to be pledged pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement;
(4) in no event shall any Investment Asset that does not satisfy the Qualifying Criteria contribute, directly or indirectly, to the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount;
(5) in no event shall any Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment that is secured by undeveloped land or land under development (including land loans and construction loans), or any Commercial Real Estate Ownership Investment in such land, contribute directly or indirectly to the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount unless such Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment or Commercial Real Estate Ownership Investment, as applicable, is associated with a development plan and valid land use permits have been issued in connection therewith (“Eligible CRE Development Investments”); and
(6) to the extent that any Non-Recourse Indebtedness secured pursuant to Section 7.3(j) is secured by more than one Investment Asset, (i) the Investment Assets securing such Non-Recourse Indebtedness shall be treated as a single Investment Asset for purposes of calculating the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount and (ii) to the extent that such Investment Assets are subject to different advance rates pursuant to clauses (a) through (f) above, the lowest advance rate shall apply.
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“Moody’s”: Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.
“Multiemployer Plan”: a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
“Net Cash Proceeds”: in connection with any issuance or sale of Capital Stock or any incurrence of Indebtedness, the cash proceeds (including Cash Equivalents) received from such issuance or incurrence (excluding, in the case of any issuance in exchange for the contribution of any Investment Asset, any incidental cash or Cash Equivalents associated with such Investment Asset), net of attorneys’ fees, investment banking fees, accountants’ fees, underwriting discounts and commissions, taxes paid or reasonably estimated to be payable, and other customary fees and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith that are actually received by (x) a Loan Party or (y) a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to the extent such cash proceeds are distributable to a Loan Party (but only as and when distributable) and not otherwise required pursuant to the terms of such issuance of Capital Stock to be applied to the acquisition of any Investment Asset.
“New Lender”: as defined in Section 2.19(b).
“New Lender Supplement”: as defined in Section 2.19(b).
“New Subsidiary”: as defined in Section 6.10(c).
“Non-Investment Grade CMBS”: any CMBS, other than any Investment Grade CMBS, having a rating of Ba3 or BB- (or the equivalent with a stable or better outlook) or higher by at least two Rating Agencies (it being acknowledged that such securities may also have a lower rating from, or may not be rated by, one Rating Agency).
“Non-Performing Loan”: as of any date of determination, any accruing Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment (x) past due by 90 or more days, (y) on non-accrual status or (z) with respect to which there is a payment default and any applicable grace period has expired.
“Non-Qualifying Location”: each location that is not a Qualifying Location.
“Non-Recourse Indebtedness”: Indebtedness of a Person as to which no Loan Party (a) provides any Guarantee Obligation or credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, Guarantee Obligation, indemnity, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness) or (b) is directly or indirectly liable (as a guarantor or otherwise), in each case except for (i) customary exceptions for bankruptcy filings, fraud, misrepresentation, misapplication of cash, waste, failure to pay taxes, environmental claims and liabilities, prohibited transfers, violations of single purpose entity covenants, and other circumstances customarily excluded from exculpation provisions and/or included in separate guaranty or indemnification agreements in non-recourse or tax-exempt financings of real estate and (ii) the direct parent company of the primary obligor in respect of the Indebtedness may provide a limited pledge of the equity of such obligor to secure such Indebtedness so long as the lender in respect of such Indebtedness has no other recourse (except as permitted pursuant to the immediately preceding clause (i)) to such direct parent company except for such equity pledge (such pledge, a “Non-Recourse Pledge”).
“Non-Recourse Pledge”: as defined in the definition of “Non-Recourse Indebtedness”.
“Non-U.S. Lender”: (a) if the applicable Borrower is a U.S. Person, a Lender, with respect to such Borrower, that is not a U.S. Person, and (b) if the applicable Borrower is not a U.S. Person, a Lender, with respect to such Borrower, that is resident or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which such Borrower is resident for tax purposes.
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“Non Wholly-Owned Consolidated Affiliate”: each Consolidated Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower in which less than 100% of each class of the Capital Stock (other than directors’ qualifying shares, if applicable) of such Consolidated Subsidiary are at the time owned, directly or indirectly, by the Parent Borrower.
“NorthStar I”: NorthStar Real Estate Income Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation.
“NorthStar II”: NorthStar Real Estate Income II, Inc., a Maryland corporation.
“Notes”: the collective reference to any promissory note evidencing Loans.
“Notice of Designation”: as defined in Section 2.21(a)(i).
“NYFRB”: the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
“NYFRB Rate”: for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate in effect on such day (or for any day that is not a Business Day, for the immediately preceding Business Day); provided that if none of such rates are published for any day that is a Business Day, the term “NYFRB Rate” means the rate for a federal funds transaction quoted at 11:00 a.m. on such day received by the Administrative Agent from a Federal funds broker of recognized standing selected by it; provided, further, that if any of the aforesaid rates shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.
“Obligations”: (i) the unpaid principal of and interest on (including interest accruing after the maturity of the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations and interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, relating to any Borrower, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) the Loans, the Reimbursement Obligations and all other obligations and liabilities of the Borrowers to the Secured Parties, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now existing or hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in connection with, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, the Letters of Credit, any Secured Swap Agreement or any other document made, delivered or given in connection herewith or therewith, whether on account of principal, interest, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses (including all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent or to any Lender that are required to be paid by the Borrowers pursuant hereto) or otherwise and (ii) all indebtedness, liabilities, duties, indemnities and obligations of any Loan Party owing to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. or any Affiliate of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in connection with or relating to any Distribution Account maintained by such Loan Party at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. or such Affiliate, including, without limitation, those arising under all instruments, agreements or other documents executed in connection therewith or relating thereto; provided that, with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor, “Obligations” shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor.
“Organizational Documents”: as to any Person, the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person.
“Other Connection Taxes”: with respect to any Credit Party, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Credit Party (or any direct or indirect investor therein) and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Credit Party having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to, or enforced, any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).
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“Other Taxes”: all present or future stamp, court, or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 2.17).
“Overnight Bank Funding Rate”: for any day, the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight Eurodollar borrowings by U.S.-managed banking offices of depository institutions (as such composite rate shall be determined by the NYFRB as set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as an overnight bank funding rate (from and after such date as the NYFRB shall commence to publish such composite rate).
“Participant”: as defined in Section 10.6(c).
“Participant Register”: as defined in Section 10.6(c).
“Payment in Full”: with respect to any Obligations, that each of the following shall have occurred: (a) the payment in full in cash of all such Obligations (other than (i) contingent indemnification obligations to the extent no claim giving rise thereto has been asserted, and (ii) Obligations of the Loan Parties under any Secured Swap Agreement that, by its terms or in accordance any consent obtained from the counterparty thereto, is not required to be terminated in connection with the termination of the Loan Documents), (b) the termination or expiration of all of the Revolving Commitments and (c) no Letters of Credit shall be outstanding.
“PBGC”: the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant to ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.
“Pension Plan”: any Plan subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA.
“Permitted Non-Recourse CLO Indebtedness”: Indebtedness that is (i) incurred by a Subsidiary in the form of asset-backed securities commonly referred to as “collateralized loan obligations” or “collateralized debt obligations” and (ii) is Non-Recourse Indebtedness.
“Permitted Warehouse Borrower”: as defined in the definition of “Permitted Warehouse Indebtedness”.
“Permitted Warehouse Equity Pledge” : as defined in the definition of “Permitted Warehouse Indebtedness”.
“Permitted Warehouse Indebtedness”: Warehouse Indebtedness incurred directly by any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party (a “Permitted Warehouse Borrower”), and, to the extent guaranteed, is guaranteed only by a Loan Party (except that the direct parent company of a Permitted Warehouse Borrower may provide a limited pledge of the equity of such Permitted Warehouse Borrower to secure the Permitted Warehouse Indebtedness so long as the lender in respect of such Warehouse Indebtedness has no other recourse (other than the rights described in clause (b) of the definition of Non-Recourse Indebtedness) to such direct parent company except for such pledge (any such pledge, a “Permitted Warehouse Equity Pledge”); provided, however, that the excess (determined as of the most recent date for which internal financial statements are available), if any, of (x) the amount of any such Warehouse Indebtedness for which the holder thereof has contractual recourse to the Parent Borrower or its
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Subsidiaries to satisfy claims with respect to such Warehouse Indebtedness over (y) the aggregate (without duplication of amounts) realizable value of the assets which secure such Warehouse Indebtedness, shall not be Permitted Warehouse Indebtedness. For purposes of this definition, “realizable value” of an asset means (i) with respect to any REO Asset, the value realizable upon the disposition of such asset as determined by the Parent Borrower in its reasonable discretion and consistent with customary industry practice and (ii) with respect to any other asset, the lesser of (x) the face value of such asset and (y) the market value of such asset as determined in accordance with the agreement governing the applicable Warehouse Indebtedness; provided, however, that the realizable value of any asset described in clause (i) or (ii) above for which an unaffiliated third party has a binding contractual commitment to purchase from the Parent Borrower or a Subsidiary shall be the minimum price payable to the Parent Borrower or such Subsidiary for such asset pursuant to such contractual commitment.
“Person”: an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, Governmental Authority or other entity of whatever nature.
“Plan”: any employee benefit plan as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, including any employee welfare benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA), any employee pension benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA but excluding any Multiemployer Plan), and any plan which is both an employee welfare benefit plan and an employee pension benefit plan, and in respect of which any Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such Plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.
“Pledged Affiliate”: a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other legal entity which is not a Loan Party in which a Loan Party directly owns all or a portion of its equity interests, in each case so long as (i) all of the equity interests owned by such Loan Party (or, in the case of an Excluded Foreign Subsidiary, 66- 2⁄3% of the total voting equity interests owned by such Loan Party) in such Person are pledged as Collateral in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, pursuant to the Security Documents and (ii) such Loan Party Controls such Person.
“Pledged Loan Party”: each Loan Party, so long as all of the equity interests in such Loan Party are pledged as Collateral in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, pursuant to the Security Documents.
“Portfolio”: a group of Investment Assets purchased by the Parent Borrower on the same date from the same seller in one or a series of related transactions.
“Preferred Equity Investment”: a preferred equity investment held by a Pledged Loan Party or an Affiliated Investor in a Person that (x) is not (except by virtue of such investment) an Affiliate of any Loan Party, and (y) owns one or more Commercial Real Estate Debt Investments and/or Commercial Real Estate Ownership Investments, so long as the documents governing the terms of such preferred equity investment include the following provisions:
(i) (A) defined requirements for fixed, periodic cash distributions to be paid to the Pledged Loan Party or Affiliated Investor that owns such preferred equity investment in order to provide a fixed return to such Pledged Loan Party or Affiliated Investor on the then unreturned amount of its investment related thereto, with such distributions being required to be paid prior to any distribution, redemption and/or payments being made on or in respect of any other Capital Stock of the issuer of such preferred equity investment, (B) a requirement that proceeds derived from or in connection with (1) any liquidation or dissolution of the issuer of such preferred equity investment, (2) any direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition, in one or a
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series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the issuer of such preferred equity investment or (3) any loss, damage to or any destruction of, or any condemnation or other taking of, all or substantially all of the assets of the issuer of such preferred equity investment, including any proceeds received from insurance policies or condemnation awards in connection therewith, shall, in the case of each of subclauses (1) through (3) of this clause (B), be paid to such Pledged Loan Party or Affiliated Investor until such Pledged Loan Party or Affiliated Investor has received an amount equal to the then unreturned amount of its investment related to such preferred equity investment (plus the accrued and unpaid return due and payable thereon) prior to any distribution, redemption and/or payments being made from any such proceeds on or in respect of any other Capital Stock of the issuer of such preferred equity investment and (C) upon the failure of the issuer of such preferred equity investment to comply with the provisions described above in this clause (i) it shall be a default and such Pledged Loan Party or Affiliated Investor shall be entitled to exercise any or all of the remedies described in clauses (ii) and (iii) below;
(ii) a defined maturity date or mandatory redemption date for such preferred equity investment (excluding any maturity resulting from an optional redemption by the issuer thereof), upon which it is a default if the then unreturned amount of the investment made by such Pledged Loan Party or Affiliated Investor in respect thereof (plus the accrued and unpaid return due and payable thereon) is not immediately repaid to the applicable Pledged Loan Party or Affiliated Investor (and upon such default, in addition to the other remedies enumerated below in clause (iii), the holder of such preferred equity investment is entitled to take control of the issuer thereof and, thereafter, all dividends and distributions by such issuer shall be paid to the holders of the preferred equity investment until the entire unreturned amount of the investment made by such Pledged Loan Party or Affiliated Investor in respect thereof plus all accrued and unpaid return due and payable thereon has been paid to the holders of the preferred equity investment and no distribution, redemption and/or payments shall be made on or in respect of any other equity interest or Capital Stock of the issuer of such preferred equity investment); and
(iii) default remedies that (A) permit the holders of the preferred equity investment to make any and all decisions formerly reserved to (1) holders of the equity interests or Capital Stock (other than such preferred equity investment), or (2) the board of directors or managers (or a similar governing body) of the issuer of such preferred equity investment, including with respect to the sale of all or any part of the Capital Stock or assets of the issuer of such preferred equity investment, and (B) provide for the elimination of all material consent, veto or similar decision making rights afforded to (1) any holders of the capital stock or Capital Stock (other than such preferred equity investment), or (2) the board of directors or managers (or a similar governing body), of such issuer, provided that such decisions (in the case of clause (A) above) and such consent, veto or similar decision making rights (in the case of clause (B) above) could reasonably be expected to restrict the ability of, compromise or delay the holders of the preferred equity investment from realizing upon and paying from the Capital Stock or the assets of the issuer of the preferred equity investment all amounts due and payable with respect to the preferred equity investment.
“Preferred Equity Issuer”: a Person in which a Pledged Loan Party or an Affiliated Investor makes a Preferred Equity Investment.
“Prime Rate”: the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City (the Prime Rate not being intended to be the lowest rate of interest charged by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in connection with extensions of credit to debtors).
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“Pro Forma Financial Statements”: as defined in Section 5.1(c).
“Proceeding”: as defined in Section 10.5.
“Prohibited Transaction”: as defined in Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975(c) of the Code.
“Projections”: as defined in Section 6.2(c).
“Properties”: the facilities and properties owned, leased or operated by any Group Member.
“Qualified Investment Asset”: an Investment Asset which contributes to the calculation of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount.
“Qualified Levered SPV Affiliated Investor”: an Affiliated Investor that is not an Unlevered Affiliated Investor and directly owns only First Priority Commercial Real Estate Debt Investments or Portfolios of First Priority Commercial Real Estate Debt Investments, so long as the aggregate amount of Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Loan Documents) outstanding of such Affiliated Investor and all Affiliated Investors that, directly or indirectly, hold Capital Stock of such Affiliated Investor does not exceed 65% of the aggregate Adjusted Net Book Value of the Investment Assets of such Affiliated Investor; provided that, solely for purposes of this definition, a Portfolio otherwise constituting a First Priority Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment may include Junior Priority Commercial Real Estate Debt Investments of up to 5% of the Adjusted Net Book Value of such Portfolio. An Affiliated Investor shall not be a Qualified Levered SPV Affiliated Investor if it owns any Specified Levered SPV Investments.
“Qualified Levered SPV Capital Stock”: all of the Capital Stock held, directly or indirectly, by any Pledged Loan Party in any Qualified Levered SPV Affiliated Investor.
“Qualified Non-Pledged Asset”: any Investment Asset that is subject to limitations that prohibit the direct and indirect pledge of equity interests in such Investment Asset, but which otherwise satisfies the Qualifying Criteria. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, including as set forth in the definition of Investment Asset or any component definition thereof, a Qualified Non-Pledged Asset shall be held (and shall be permitted to be held) directly by an Affiliated Holder and shall not be required to be held by a Pledged Loan Party, Pledged Affiliate or Affiliated Investor.
“Qualifying Criteria”: with respect to any Investment Asset the requirements that:
(A) such Investment Asset is owned (1) with respect to any Investment Asset other than a Qualified Non-Pledged Asset, directly or indirectly by a Pledged Loan Party or a Pledged Affiliate and (2) with respect to any Qualified Non-Pledged Asset, directly by an Affiliated Holder,
(B) with respect to any Investment Asset other than a Qualified Non-Pledged Asset, the Pledged Loan Party or Affiliated Investor that owns the Investment Asset and each other Loan Party or Affiliated Investor that directly or indirectly owns any Capital Stock in such Pledged Loan Party or Affiliated Investor shall (1) except as otherwise permitted hereunder with respect to any encumbered Commercial Real Estate Ownership Investment (as described in the definition of Specified Asset Investments), Qualified Levered SPV Capital Stock, Specified Levered SPV Investment or Specified Levered SPV Capital Stock, have no Indebtedness (other than (x) the Obligations, (y) any other
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Indebtedness incurred by the Parent Borrower in accordance with Section 7.2(g) and (z) any intercompany obligations owing to the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary) outstanding at such time, (2) be Solvent at such time, (3) not be subject to any proceedings under any Debtor Relief Law at such time and (4) other than in the case of any Pledged Loan Party or any Pledged Affiliate, be Controlled by a Pledged Affiliate,
(C) with respect to any Qualified Non-Pledged Asset, each Affiliated Holder that directly or indirectly owns the Qualified Non-Pledged Asset shall (1) have no Indebtedness (other than (x) the Obligations and (y) any intercompany obligations owing to the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary Guarantor) outstanding at such time, (2) be Solvent at such time, (3) not be subject to any proceedings under any Debtor Relief Law at such time and (4) be Controlled by a Subsidiary that is a Subsidiary Guarantor,
(D) Adjusted Net Book Value with respect to such Investment Asset shall be included in the calculation of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount only to the extent that there are no contractual or legal prohibitions on the making of dividends, distributions or other payments that, as in effect on any date of determination, are effective to prevent dividends, distributions or other payments from the applicable Investment Asset to, directly or indirectly, a Loan Party (it being understood that reasonable or customary limitations associated with the timing of distributions or requirements associated with the retention of funds by an Affiliated Investor for the purpose of maintaining working capital, liquidity, reserves or otherwise satisfying funding needs in respect of an Investment Asset shall in any event not constitute prohibitions on dividends, distributions or other payments hereunder),
(E) except in connection with Indebtedness permitted hereunder with respect to any encumbered Commercial Real Estate Ownership Investment (as described in the definition of Specified Asset Investments), Qualified Levered SPV Capital Stock, Specified Levered SPV Investment or Specified Levered SPV Capital Stock, such Investment Asset (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any real estate to which such Investment Asset relates and Liens encumbering the assets of any Equity Investment Asset Issuer) shall not be, directly or indirectly, encumbered by any Lien (other than a Lien arising under a Loan Document) at such time, and
(F) no Investment Asset shall contribute, directly or indirectly, to the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount unless (1) each direct or indirect owner of such asset required to be a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the terms of the Loan Documents shall have been made a Subsidiary Guarantor (and, for the avoidance of doubt, at least one direct or indirect owner of such asset shall be made a Pledged Loan Party or Pledged Affiliate (or, with respect to any Qualified Non-Pledged Assets, a Subsidiary Guarantor)), (2) except with respect to Qualified Non-Pledged Assets, each Borrower and each such Subsidiary Guarantor shall have granted to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a first priority perfected security interest in the assets associated with the applicable Investment Asset that are required to be subject to the Lien created by any of the Security Documents, in accordance with the conditions contained in Section 5.1 hereof, Section 6.10 hereof and the Security Documents (including, for the avoidance of doubt (and notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in Section 6.10 or the Security Documents) 100% of the Capital Stock of the Affiliated Investor or Pledged Loan Party, as applicable (or, solely with respect to an Excluded Foreign Subsidiary, 66- 2⁄3% of the Capital Stock of such Excluded Foreign Subsidiary) that holds such Investment Asset or of a direct or indirect parent thereof) and (3) the obligations pursuant to Section 6.14 hereof with respect to such Investment Asset are satisfied.
“Qualifying Location”: each of the U.S. (including Puerto Rico), Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom; provided, however, that in the case of any Existing Private Equity Investments, Qualifying Location shall also include Bermuda, Cayman Islands and Mauritius.
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“Quotation Day”: with respect to any Eurodollar Loan for any Interest Period, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.
“Rating Agency”: each of Fitch, Moody’s and S&P.
“Register”: as defined in Section 10.6(b).
“Regulation U”: Regulation U of the Board as in effect from time to time.
“Reimbursement Obligation”: the obligation of a Borrower to reimburse an Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 3.5 for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit.
“REIT”: a “real estate investment trust” as defined in Section 856(a) of the Code.
“REIT Entity”: Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc., a Maryland corporation.
“REIT Guaranty”: a guaranty in form and substance substantially similar to the guarantee contained in Section 2 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, to be entered into by the REIT Entity pursuant to which the REIT Entity shall guarantee the Obligations; provided that recourse under such guaranty shall only be available upon the occurrence of an Event of Default pursuant to Section 8(l) hereof.
“REO Asset”: with respect to any Person, any real property owned by such Person and acquired as a result of the foreclosure or other enforcement of a Lien on such asset securing a loan or other mortgage-related receivable.
“Reportable Event”: any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, with respect to a Pension Plan, other than those events as to which notice is waived pursuant to DOL Reg. Section 4043 as in effect on the date hereof (no matter how such notice requirement may be changed in the future).
“Required Lenders”: the holders of more than 50% of (x) until the Closing Date, the Revolving Commitments then in effect and (y) thereafter, the sum of the Total Revolving Commitments then in effect or, if the Revolving Commitments have been terminated, the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit then outstanding, subject to Section 2.18(b).
“Requirement of Law”: as to any Person, any law (including common law), code, statute, ordinance, treaty, rule, regulation, decree, order or determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.
“Responsible Officer”: as to any Person, the chief executive officer, president, vice president, chief financial officer or treasurer of such Person, but in any event, with respect to financial matters, the chief financial officer or treasurer of such Person.
“Restricted Investment”: an Investment by any Loan Party in an Investment Asset in respect of which (a) as a result of the operation of clause (iv) of the proviso to Section 3.1 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, the Administrative Agent, on behalf the Lenders, does not have (or,
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after the making thereof, will not have), a direct or indirect pledge of Capital Stock associated with such Investment Asset (it being understood that the pledge of the Capital Stock of any Upper Tier Issuer (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) that indirectly owns such Investment Asset will constitute an indirect pledge for purposes of this clause (a)) and (b) at the time such Investment Asset is initially acquired, Total Revolving Extensions of Credit outstanding exceed 90% of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount immediately after giving effect to the acquisition of such Investment Asset. For clarity, an Investment made in respect of an existing Investment Asset pursuant to pre-existing funding obligations shall not constitute a Restricted Investment.
“Restricted Payments”: as defined in Section 7.6.
“Revolving Commitment”: as to any Lender, the obligation of such Lender, if any, to make Revolving Loans and participate in Letters of Credit in an aggregate principal and/or face amount not to exceed the amount set forth under the heading “Revolving Commitment” opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 1.1A or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender became a party hereto, as the same may be changed from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof. The original amount of the Total Revolving Commitments is $400,000,000.
“Revolving Commitment Period”: the period from and including the Closing Date to the Revolving Termination Date.
“Revolving Extensions of Credit”: as to any Revolving Lender at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans held by such Lender then outstanding and (b) such Lender’s Revolving Percentage of the L/C Obligations then outstanding.
“Revolving Facility”: the Revolving Commitments and the extensions of credit made thereunder.
“Revolving Lender”: each Lender that has a Revolving Commitment or that holds Revolving Loans.
“Revolving Loans”: as defined in Section 2.1.
“Revolving Percentage”: as to any Revolving Lender at any time, the percentage which such Lender’s Revolving Commitment then constitutes of the Total Revolving Commitments or, at any time after the Revolving Commitments shall have expired or terminated, the percentage which the aggregate principal amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loans then outstanding constitutes of the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Loans then outstanding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of Section 2.18 when a Defaulting Lender shall exist, Revolving Percentages shall be determined without regard to any Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment.
“Revolving Termination Date”: (i) until the exercise by the Parent Borrower of an Extension Option in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions of Section 2.20, the Initial Revolving Termination Date and (ii) thereafter, the Extended Termination Date.
“S&P”: Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC and its successors.
“Sanctioned Country”: at any time, a country, region or territory which is itself the subject or target of any Sanctions (as of the Closing Date, the Crimea region of Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Republic of Sudan and Syria).
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“Sanctioned Person”: at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State, or by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing clauses (a) or (b).
“Sanctions”: economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State, or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom or other relevant sanctions authority.
“Screen Rate”: as defined in the definition of “Eurodollar Base Rate”.
“SEC”: the Securities and Exchange Commission, any successor thereto and any analogous Governmental Authority.
“Secured Parties”: collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, any affiliate of the foregoing, the Swap Banks and each co-agent or sub-agent appointed by the Administrative Agent from time to time pursuant to Section 9.2.
“Secured Swap Agreement”: any Swap Agreement permitted under Section 7.11 that is entered into by and between the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party and any Swap Bank, to the extent designated by the Parent Borrower and such Swap Bank as a “Secured Swap Agreement” in writing to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days of the date such Swap Agreement is entered into (or such later time as may be permitted by the Administrative Agent) (for the avoidance of doubt, the Parent Borrower and any Swap Bank may designate all transactions under a single master agreement between such parties as a “Secured Swap Agreement” without the need to deliver separate notices for each individual transaction). The designation of any Secured Swap Agreement shall not create in favor of such Swap Bank any rights in connection with the management or release of Collateral or of the obligations of any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Loan Documents.
“Security Documents”: the collective reference to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, any Control Agreement and all other security documents hereafter delivered to the Administrative Agent granting or perfecting (or purporting to grant or perfect) a Lien on any property of any Person to secure the obligations and liabilities of any Loan Party under any Loan Document.
“Solvent”: when used with respect to any Person, means that, as of any date of determination, (a) the amount of the “present fair saleable value” of the assets of such Person will, as of such date, exceed the amount of all “liabilities of such Person, contingent or otherwise”, as of such date, as such quoted terms are determined in accordance with applicable federal and state laws governing determinations of the insolvency of debtors, (b) the present fair saleable value of the assets of such Person will, as of such date, be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the liability of such Person on its debts as such debts become absolute and matured, (c) such Person will not have, as of such date, an unreasonably small amount of capital with which to conduct its business, and (d) such Person will be able to pay its debts as they mature. For purposes of this definition, (i) “debt” means liability on a “claim”, and (ii) “claim” means any (x) right to payment, whether or not such a right is reduced to judgment, liquidated, unliquidated, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured or unsecured or (y) right to an equitable remedy for breach of performance if such breach gives rise to a right to payment, whether or not such right to an equitable remedy is reduced to judgment, fixed, contingent, matured or unmatured, disputed, undisputed, secured or unsecured.
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“Specified Asset Investments”: collectively, (a) any encumbered Commercial Real Estate Ownership Investment (excluding land) that is owned by an Affiliated Investor and any unencumbered Commercial Real Estate Ownership Investment in land that is owned by an Unlevered Affiliated Investor, (b) Preferred Equity Investments to the extent held by a Pledged Loan Party or an Unlevered Affiliated Investor, (c) any Specified Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment, (d) any Specified Levered SPV Investment and (e) any Specified Levered SPV Capital Stock.
“Specified Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment”: any Portfolio otherwise constituting a Junior Priority Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment (for clarity, excluding any Investment Asset classified as a Junior Priority Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment pursuant to clause (ii) to the proviso to the definition of First Priority Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment) in which greater than 10% of the Adjusted Net Book Value of such Portfolio is classified as Non-Performing Loans (it being understood, for the avoidance of doubt, that any single Investment Asset otherwise constituting a Junior Priority Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment that is a Non-Performing Loan shall not constitute a Specified Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment and shall not contribute to the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount).
“Specified GAAP Reportable B Loan Transaction”: a transaction involving either (i) the sale by the Parent Borrower, any Subsidiary or any Affiliated Investor of the portion of an Investment Asset consisting of an “A-Note”, and the retention by the Parent Borrower, its Subsidiaries and the Affiliated Investors of the portion of such Investment Asset consisting of a “B-Note”, which transaction is required to be accounted for under GAAP as a “financing transaction” or (ii) the acquisition or retention by the Parent Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any Affiliated Investor of an Investment Asset consisting of a “b-piece” in a securitization facility, which transaction under GAAP results in all of the assets of the trust that is party to the securitization facility, and all of the bonds issued by such trust under such securitization facility that are senior to the “b-piece”, to be consolidated on the Parent Borrower’s consolidated balance sheet as assets and liabilities, respectively.
“Specified Levered SPV Capital Stock”: all of the Capital Stock held, directly or indirectly, by any Pledged Loan Party in any Affiliated Investor that would otherwise qualify as a Qualified Levered SPV Affiliated Investor but for the fact that the aggregate amount of Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this Agreement or any Loan Document) outstanding of such Affiliated Investor and all Affiliated Investors that, directly or indirectly, hold Capital Stock of such Affiliated Investor exceeds 65% of the aggregate Adjusted Net Book Value of the Investment Assets of such Affiliated Investor.
“Specified Levered SPV Investment”: any Portfolio otherwise constituting a First Priority Commercial Real Estate Debt Investment held by an Affiliated Investor that would otherwise qualify as a Qualified Levered SPV Affiliated Investor in which greater than 25% of the Adjusted Net Book Value of such Portfolio is classified as Non-Performing Loans (it being understood, for the avoidance of doubt, that any single Investment Asset held by an Affiliated Investor that would otherwise qualify as a Qualified Levered SPV Affiliated Investor that is a Non-Performing Loan shall not qualify as a Specified Levered SPV Investment and shall not contribute to the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount).
“Specified Subsidiary”: as defined in Section 10.14(d).
“Specified Time”: 11:00 a.m., London time.
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“Subsidiary”: as to any Person, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which shares of stock or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other ownership interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership or other entity are at the time owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” in this Agreement shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower.
“Subsidiary Borrower”: any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower that is a Domestic Subsidiary and that becomes a party hereto pursuant to Section 2.21 until, in each case, such time as such Subsidiary Borrower is removed as a party hereto pursuant to Section 2.21
“Subsidiary Borrower Joinder Agreement”: as defined in Section 2.21(a)(i).
“Subsidiary Guarantor”: (a) each Subsidiary that is party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement on the Closing Date and (b) each Subsidiary that becomes a party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 6.10 or otherwise.
“Supermajority Lenders”: the holders of more than 66 2⁄3% of (x) until the Closing Date, the Revolving Commitments then in effect and (y) thereafter, the sum of the Total Revolving Commitments then in effect or, if the Revolving Commitments have been terminated, the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit then outstanding, subject to Section 2.18(b).
“Swap Agreement”: any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
“Swap Bank”: any Person that is the Administrative Agent, a Lender, an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time it enters into a Secured Swap Agreement, in its capacity as a party thereto, and (other than a Person already party hereto as the Administrative Agent or a Lender) that delivers to the Administrative Agent a letter agreement reasonably satisfactory to it (i) appointing the Administrative Agent as its agent under the applicable Loan Documents and (ii) agreeing to be bound by Sections 10.5, 10.11, 10.12, 10.16 and the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement as if it were a Lender.
“Swap Obligation”: with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor, any obligation to pay or perform under any Swap Agreement.
“Syndication Agent”: the Syndication Agent identified on the cover page of this Agreement.
“Taxes”: all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
“Termination Letter”: as defined in Section 2.21(a)(ii).
“Total Asset Value”: as of any date, the net book value of the total assets of the Parent Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on such date as determined in accordance with GAAP plus (x) accumulated depreciation and (y) amortization of real estate intangibles; provided, that Total Asset Value shall (i) exclude the amount of all restricted cash (other than reserves for Capital Expenditures) of
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the Parent Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries to the extent such cash supports obligations that do not constitute Consolidated Total Debt, (ii) include the net book value of assets associated with a Specified GAAP Reportable B Loan Transaction only to the extent in excess of the amount of any Indebtedness attributable to such Specified GAAP Reportable B Loan Transaction, (iii) include the net book value of assets associated with any Permitted Non-Recourse CLO Indebtedness only to the extent (A) in excess of the amount of any associated Permitted Non-Recourse CLO Indebtedness and (B) such assets are Investment Assets that contribute, directly or indirectly, to the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount and (iv) solely with respect to the net book value of the total assets of a Non Wholly-Owned Consolidated Affiliate, only include the Consolidated Group Pro Rata Share of the net book value of such Non Wholly-Owned Consolidated Affiliate’s total assets.
“Total Revolving Commitments”: at any time, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitments then in effect.
“Total Revolving Extensions of Credit”: at any time, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Extensions of Credit of the Revolving Lenders outstanding at such time.
“Transaction Costs”: as defined in the definition of “Transactions”.
“Transactions”: collectively, (a) the Combination pursuant to and on the terms of the Combination Agreement, (b) the initial public offering of the REIT Entity or a listing of the REIT Entity’s Class A common stock on a national securities exchange (either such event, the “Listing”), (c) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Parent Borrower and (d) the payment by the Parent Borrower of the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement (such fees and expenses, the “Transaction Costs”).
“Transferee”: any Assignee or Participant.
“Trigger Event”: at any time with respect to any Qualified Investment Asset, any event or circumstance that occurs with respect to such Qualified Investment Asset (including, for this purpose, in respect of any direct or indirect owner thereof) that could reasonably be expected to result in a reduction in the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount during the then current fiscal quarter of the Parent Borrower (including any default or restructuring in respect of such Qualified Investment Asset, any modification, waiver, termination or expiration of any applicable loan agreement, lease agreement or joint venture or other equityholder documentation relating to such Qualified Investment Asset, any bankruptcy or insolvency event relating to any real property manager, tenant or any other obligor in respect of such Qualified Investment Asset, any liabilities (environmental, tax or otherwise) incurred by any Loan Party or Affiliated Investor in respect of such Qualified Investment Asset, any casualty or condemnation event with respect to such Qualified Investment Asset); provided that either (i) immediately before or after giving effect to such event or circumstance, the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit outstanding exceeds 90% of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount or (ii) (x) immediately before or after giving effect to such event or circumstance, the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit outstanding exceeds 75% of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount and (y) such event or circumstance results in a reduction of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount in excess of 5% thereof (to be calculated after giving effect to such reduction).
“Type”: as to any Loan, its nature as an ABR Loan or a Eurodollar Loan.
“UCP”: with respect to any Letter of Credit, the “Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits”, International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) Publication No. 600 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).
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“Unconsolidated Subsidiary”: any Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower that is not a Consolidated Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower.
“United States”: the United States of America.
“Unlevered Affiliated Investor”: any Affiliated Investor so long as (i) such Affiliated Investor has no Indebtedness outstanding, (ii) such Affiliated Investor is not an Excluded Subsidiary and (iii) no Affiliated Investor that, directly or indirectly, holds Capital Stock of such Affiliated Investor has any Indebtedness outstanding (in each case with respect to clauses (i) and (iii)) other than any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Loan Documents) or is an Excluded Subsidiary.
“Unreimbursed Amounts”: as defined in Section 3.4.
“Unrestricted Cash”: at any time (i) the aggregate amount of cash of the Loan Parties at such time that are not subject to any Lien (excluding Liens arising under a Loan Document, Liens of the type described in Section 7.3(a), and statutory Liens in favor of any depositary bank where such cash is maintained), minus (ii) amounts included in the foregoing clause (i) that are held by a Person other than a Loan Party as a deposit or security for Contractual Obligations.
“U.S. Person”: a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
“U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”: as defined in Section 2.14(f)(ii)(B)(3).
“Warehouse Facility”: any financing arrangement of any kind, including, but not limited to, financing arrangements in the form of repurchase facilities, loan agreements, note issuance facilities and commercial paper facilities (excluding in all cases, securitizations), with a financial institution or other lender or purchaser exclusively to finance the purchase or origination of Commercial Real Estate Debt Investments prior to securitization thereof; provided that such purchase or origination is in the ordinary course of business.
“Warehouse Indebtedness”: Indebtedness in connection with a Warehouse Facility; provided that the amount of any particular Warehouse Indebtedness as of any date of determination shall be calculated in accordance with GAAP.
“Wholly-Owned Subsidiary”: as to any Person, any other Person all of the Capital Stock of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares required by law) is owned by such Person directly and/or through other Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.
“Wholly-Owned Subsidiary Guarantor”: any Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower.
“Withdrawal Liability”: any liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Title IV of ERISA.
“Write-Down and Conversion Powers”: with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.
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1.2 Other Definitional Provisions. (a) Unless otherwise specified therein, all terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in the other Loan Documents or any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto.
(b) As used herein and in the other Loan Documents, and any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto, (i) accounting terms relating to any Group Member not defined in Section 1.1 and accounting terms partly defined in Section 1.1, to the extent not defined, shall have the respective meanings given to them under GAAP (provided that all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to (i) any election under Accounting Standards Codification 825-10-25 (previously referred to as Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 159) (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein and (ii) any treatment of Indebtedness in respect of convertible debt instruments under Accounting Standards Codification 470-20 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any such Indebtedness in a reduced or bifurcated manner as described therein, and such Indebtedness shall at all times be valued at the full stated principal amount thereof), (ii) the words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”, (iii) the word “incur” shall be construed to mean incur, create, issue, assume, become liable in respect of or suffer to exist (and the words “incurred” and “incurrence” shall have correlative meanings), (iv) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, Capital Stock, securities, revenues, accounts, leasehold interests and contract rights, and (v) references to agreements or other Contractual Obligations shall, unless otherwise specified, be deemed to refer to such agreements or Contractual Obligations as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.
(c) The words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section, Schedule and Exhibit references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.
(d) The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.
(e) All references herein to consolidated financial statements of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries or to the determination of any amount for the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis or any similar reference shall, in each case, be deemed to include each variable interest entity that the Parent Borrower is required to consolidated pursuant to FASB ASC 810 as if such variable interest entity were a Subsidiary as defined herein.
(f) When the payment of any obligation or the performance of any covenant, duty or obligation is stated to be due or performance required on a day which is not a Business Day, the date of such payment (other than as described in the definition of “Interest Period”) or performance shall extend to the immediately succeeding Business Day and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing applicable interest or fees, as the case may be.
1.3 Letter of Credit Amounts. Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided, however, that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Application related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount
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thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such times.
SECTION 2. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS
2.1 Revolving Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Revolving Lender severally agrees to make revolving credit loans in Dollars (“Revolving Loans”) to any Borrower from time to time during the Revolving Commitment Period in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding which, when added to such Lender’s Revolving Percentage of the L/C Obligations then outstanding, does not exceed the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment. During the Revolving Commitment Period the Borrowers may use the Revolving Commitments by borrowing, prepaying the Revolving Loans in whole or in part, and reborrowing, all in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof. The Revolving Loans may from time to time be Eurodollar Loans or ABR Loans, as determined by the applicable Borrower and notified to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Sections 2.2 and 2.7. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in no event shall the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit exceed the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount.
2.2 Procedure for Revolving Loan Borrowing. Any Borrower may borrow under the Revolving Commitments during the Revolving Commitment Period on any Business Day, provided that the applicable Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent irrevocable notice (which notice must be received by the Administrative Agent prior to 12:00 Noon, New York City time, (a) three Business Days prior to the requested Borrowing Date (or, with respect to any such borrowing to be made on the Closing Date, such later date agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), in the case of Eurodollar Loans, or (b) on the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of ABR Loans), specifying (i) the amount and Type of Revolving Loans to be borrowed, (ii) the requested Borrowing Date and (iii) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, the respective amounts of each such Type of Loan and the respective lengths of the initial Interest Period therefor. Each borrowing under the Revolving Commitments shall be in an amount equal to (x) in the case of ABR Loans, $1,000,000 or a whole multiple thereof (or, if the then aggregate Available Revolving Commitments are less than $1,000,000, such lesser amount) and (y) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Upon receipt of any such notice from a Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Lender thereof. Each Revolving Lender will make the amount of its pro rata share of each borrowing available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Borrower at the Funding Office prior to 2:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Borrowing Date requested by such Borrower in funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent. Such borrowing will then be made available to the applicable Borrower by the Administrative Agent crediting the account of such Borrower on the books of such office with the aggregate of the amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by the Revolving Lenders and in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent.
2.3 Commitment Fees.(a) (a) The Parent Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender a commitment fee for the period from and including the date hereof to the last day of the Revolving Commitment Period, computed at the Commitment Fee Rate on the average daily amount of the Available Revolving Commitment of such Lender during the period for which payment is made, payable quarterly in arrears on each Fee Payment Date, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof.
(b) The Parent Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent the fees in the amounts and on the dates as set forth in any fee agreements with the Administrative Agent and to perform any other obligations contained therein.
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2.4 Termination or Reduction of Revolving Commitments. The Parent Borrower shall have the right at any time, upon not less than three Business Days’ notice to the Administrative Agent, to terminate the Revolving Commitments or, from time to time, to reduce the amount of the Revolving Commitments; provided that no such termination or reduction of Revolving Commitments shall be permitted if, after giving effect thereto and to any prepayments of the Revolving Loans made on the effective date thereof, the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit would exceed the Total Revolving Commitments. Any such reduction shall be in an amount equal to $500,000, or a whole multiple thereof, and shall reduce permanently the Revolving Commitments then in effect.
2.5 Optional Prepayments. The Borrowers may at any time and from time to time prepay the Loans, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, upon irrevocable notice delivered to the Administrative Agent no later than 12:00 Noon, New York City time, three Business Days prior thereto, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, and no later than 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on the date of such prepayment, in the case of ABR Loans, which notice shall specify the date and amount of prepayment and whether the prepayment is of Eurodollar Loans or ABR Loans; provided, that if a Eurodollar Loan is prepaid on any day other than the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, the applicable Borrower shall also pay any amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.15. Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof. If any such notice is given, the amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein, together with (except in the case of Revolving Loans that are ABR Loans) accrued interest to such date on the amount prepaid. Partial prepayments of Loans shall be in an aggregate principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any notice of prepayment delivered in connection with any refinancing or prepayment of all of the Revolving Facility with the proceeds of Indebtedness or other transaction to be incurred or consummated substantially simultaneously with such refinancing or prepayment, may be, if expressly stated in such notice of prepayment, contingent upon the consummation of such transactions and may be revoked by the applicable Borrower in the event the incurrence of such transaction is not consummated.
2.6 Mandatory Prepayments and Commitment Reductions. (a) If for any reason the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit exceeds the lesser of (x) the Total Revolving Commitments then in effect and (y) the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount, the Borrowers shall immediately prepay the applicable Loans in an aggregate amount equal to such excess.
(b) [Reserved]
(c) [Reserved]
(d) If any Indebtedness shall be incurred pursuant to Section 7.2(h), an amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds thereof shall be immediately applied toward the prepayment of the Loans.
(e) Any reduction of the Revolving Commitments shall be accompanied by prepayment of the Revolving Loans to the extent, if any, that the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit exceed the amount of the Total Revolving Commitments as so reduced, provided that if the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Loans then outstanding is less than the amount of such excess (because L/C Obligations constitute a portion thereof), the Borrowers shall, to the extent of the balance of such excess, cash collateralize on or prior to the date of such reduction (in the manner described in Section 3.9) or replace outstanding Letters of Credit. The application of any prepayment pursuant to Section 2.6 shall be made, first, to ABR Loans and, second, to Eurodollar Loans. Each prepayment of the Revolving Loans under Section 2.6 (except in the case of Revolving Loans that are ABR Loans) shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the date of such prepayment on the amount prepaid.
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2.7 Conversion and Continuation Options. (a) Any applicable Borrower may elect from time to time to convert Eurodollar Loans to ABR Loans by giving the Administrative Agent prior irrevocable notice of such election no later than 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on the Business Day preceding the proposed conversion date, provided that any such conversion of Eurodollar Loans may only be made on the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto. The applicable Borrower may elect from time to time to convert ABR Loans to Eurodollar Loans by giving the Administrative Agent prior irrevocable notice of such election no later than 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding the proposed conversion date (which notice shall specify the length of the initial Interest Period therefor), provided that no ABR Loan may be converted into a Eurodollar Loan when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders have determined in its or their sole discretion not to permit such conversions. Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof.
(b) Any Eurodollar Loan may be continued as such upon the expiration of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto by the applicable Borrower giving irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the term “Interest Period” set forth in Section 1.1, of the length of the next Interest Period to be applicable to such Loans, provided that no Eurodollar Loan may be continued as such (i) when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent has or the Required Lenders have determined in its or their sole discretion not to permit such continuations or (ii) if an Event of Default specified in clause (i) or (ii) of Section 8(f) with respect to any Borrower is in existence, and provided, further, that (i) if the applicable Borrower shall fail to give any required notice as described above in this paragraph or to specify any Interest Period in any such notice, such Loans shall be continued as Eurodollar Loans with an Interest Period of one month, or (ii) if such continuation is not permitted pursuant to the preceding proviso, such Loans shall be automatically converted to ABR Loans on the last day of such then expiring Interest Period. Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof.
2.8 Limitations on Eurodollar Tranches. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, all borrowings, conversions and continuations of Eurodollar Loans and all selections of Interest Periods shall be in such amounts and be made pursuant to such elections so that, (a) after giving effect thereto, the aggregate principal amount of the Eurodollar Loans comprising each Eurodollar Tranche shall be equal to $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (b) no more than ten Eurodollar Tranches shall be outstanding at any one time.
2.9 Interest Rates and Payment Dates. (a) Each Eurodollar Loan shall bear interest for each day during each Interest Period with respect thereto at a rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate determined for such day plus the Applicable Margin.
(b) Each ABR Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the ABR plus the Applicable Margin.
(c) (i) If all or a portion of the principal amount of any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to (x) in the case of Loans, the rate that would otherwise be applicable thereto pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section plus 2% or (y) in the case of Reimbursement Obligations, the rate applicable to ABR Loans under the Revolving Facility plus 2% and (ii) if all or a portion of any interest payable on any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation or any commitment fee or other amount payable hereunder shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the rate then applicable to ABR Loans plus 2%, in each case, with respect to clauses (i) and (ii) above, from the date of such non-payment until such amount is paid in full (as well after as before judgment).
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(d) Interest shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date, provided that interest accruing pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable from time to time on demand.
2.10 Computation of Interest and Fees. (a) Interest and fees payable pursuant hereto shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual days elapsed, except that, with respect to ABR Loans, the interest thereon shall be calculated on the basis of a 365- (or 366-, as the case may be) day year for the actual days elapsed. The Administrative Agent shall as soon as practicable notify the relevant Borrowers and Lenders of each determination of a Eurodollar Rate. Any change in the interest rate on a Loan resulting from a change in the ABR or the Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements shall become effective as of the opening of business on the day on which such change becomes effective. The Administrative Agent shall as soon as practicable notify the relevant Borrowers and Lenders of the effective date and the amount of each such change in interest rate.
(b) Each determination of an interest rate by the Administrative Agent pursuant to any provision of this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrowers and the Lenders in the absence of manifest error. The Administrative Agent shall, at the request of the applicable Borrower, deliver to such Borrower a statement showing the quotations used by the Administrative Agent in determining any interest rate pursuant to Section 2.9(a).
2.11 Alternative Rate of Interest. (a) If prior to the first day of any Interest Period:
(i) the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Eurodollar Base Rate or the Eurodollar Rate, as applicable (including, without limitation, because the Screen Rate is not available or published on a current basis), for such Interest Period, or
(ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Required Lenders that the Eurodollar Base Rate or the Eurodollar Rate, as applicable, determined or to be determined for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (as conclusively certified by such Lenders) of making or maintaining their affected Loans during such Interest Period,
then the Administrative Agent shall give telecopy or telephonic notice thereof to the relevant Borrowers and Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter. If such notice is given (x) any Eurodollar Loans requested to be made on the first day of such Interest Period shall be made as ABR Loans, (y) any Loans that were to have been converted on the first day of such Interest Period to Eurodollar Loans shall be continued as ABR Loans and (z) any outstanding Eurodollar Loans shall be converted, on the last day of the then-current Interest Period, to ABR Loans. Until such notice has been withdrawn by the Administrative Agent, no further Eurodollar Loans shall be made or continued as such, nor shall any Borrower have the right to convert Loans to Eurodollar Loans.
(b) If at any time the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that (i) the circumstances set forth in clause (a)(i) have arisen and such circumstances are unlikely to be temporary or (ii) the circumstances set forth in clause (a)(i) have not arisen but the supervisor for the administrator of the Screen Rate or a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which the Screen Rate shall no longer be used for determining interest rates for loans, then the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers shall endeavor to establish an alternate rate of interest to the Eurodollar Rate that gives due consideration to the then prevailing market convention for determining a rate of interest for syndicated loans in the United States at such time, and shall enter into an amendment to
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this Agreement to reflect such alternate rate of interest and such other related changes to this Agreement as may be applicable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 10.1, such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement so long as the Administrative Agent shall not have received, within five Business Days of the date notice of such alternate rate of interest is provided to the Lenders, a written notice from the Required Lenders stating that such Required Lenders object to such amendment. Until an alternate rate of interest shall be determined in accordance with this clause (b) (but, in the case of the circumstances described in clause (ii) of the first sentence of this Section 2.11(b), only to the extent the Screen Rate for such Interest Period is not available or published at such time on a current basis), (x) any interest election by any Borrower that requests the conversion of any Loan to, or continuation of any Loan as, a Eurodollar Loan shall be ineffective and (y) if any notice of borrowing requests a Eurodollar Loan, such Loan shall be made as an ABR Loan; provided that, if such alternate rate of interest shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.
2.12 Pro Rata Treatment and Payments. (a) Each borrowing by a Borrower from the Lenders hereunder, each payment by the Parent Borrower on account of any commitment fee (other than as provided in Section 2.18(a)) and any reduction of the Revolving Commitments of the Lenders shall be made pro rata according to the respective Revolving Percentages of the relevant Lenders.
(b) Subject to Section 2.18, each payment (including each prepayment) by any Borrower on account of principal of and interest on the Loans shall be made pro rata according to the respective outstanding principal amounts of the Loans then held by the Lenders.
(c) All payments (including prepayments) to be made by any Borrower hereunder, whether on account of principal, interest, fees or otherwise, shall be made without setoff or counterclaim and shall be made prior to 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on the due date thereof to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Lenders, at the Funding Office, in Dollars and in immediately available funds. The Administrative Agent shall distribute such payments to each relevant Lender promptly upon receipt in like funds as received, net of any amounts owing by such Lender pursuant to Section 9.7. If any payment hereunder (other than payments on the Eurodollar Loans) becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day. If any payment on a Eurodollar Loan becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, the maturity thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to extend such payment into another calendar month, in which event such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day. In the case of any extension of any payment of principal pursuant to the preceding two sentences, interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate during such extension.
(d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified in writing by any Lender prior to a borrowing that such Lender will not make the amount that would constitute its share of such borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender is making such amount available to the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the applicable Borrower a corresponding amount. If such amount is not made available to the Administrative Agent by the required time on the Borrowing Date therefor, such Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent, on demand, such amount with interest thereon, at a rate equal to the greater of (i) the Federal Funds Effective Rate and (ii) a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, for the period until such Lender makes such amount immediately available to the Administrative Agent. A certificate of the Administrative Agent submitted to any Lender with respect to any amounts owing under this paragraph shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. If such Lender’s share of such borrowing is not made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender within three Business Days
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after such Borrowing Date, the Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover such amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum applicable to ABR Loans, on demand, from the applicable Borrower.
(e) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified in writing by the applicable Borrower prior to the date of any payment due to be made by such Borrower hereunder that such Borrower will not make such payment to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that said Borrower is making such payment, and the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be required to, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Lenders their respective pro rata shares of a corresponding amount. If such payment is not made to the Administrative Agent by the applicable Borrower within three Business Days after such due date, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover, on demand, from each Lender to which any amount which was made available pursuant to the preceding sentence, such amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum equal to the daily average Federal Funds Effective Rate. Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against any Borrower.
(f) If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.12(d), 2.12(e), 2.14(e) or 9.7, then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion and notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender in accordance with Section 2.18(c).
2.13 Requirements of Law. (a) If the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof or compliance by any Lender or other Credit Party with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any central bank or other Governmental Authority made subsequent to the date hereof:
(i) shall subject any Credit Party to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes and (B) Excluded Taxes ) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto;
(ii) shall impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets held by, deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of, advances, loans or other extensions of credit (or participations therein) by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any office of such Lender that is not otherwise included in the determination of the Eurodollar Rate; or
(iii) shall impose on such Lender any other condition (other than Taxes);
and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender or such other Credit Party, by an amount that such Lender or other Credit Party deems to be material, of making, converting into, continuing or maintaining Loans or issuing or participating in Letters of Credit, or to reduce any amount receivable hereunder in respect thereof, then, in any such case, the applicable Borrowers shall promptly pay such Lender or such other Credit Party, upon its demand and delivery to the Parent Borrower of a certificate described in clause (d) below, any additional amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or such other Credit Party for such increased cost or reduced amount receivable. If any Lender or such other Credit Party becomes entitled to claim any additional amounts pursuant to this paragraph, it shall promptly notify the Parent Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of the event by reason of which it has become so entitled.
(b) If any Lender shall have determined that the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements or in the interpretation or application
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thereof or compliance by such Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender with any request or directive regarding capital or liquidity requirements (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority made subsequent to the date hereof shall have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or such corporation’s capital as a consequence of its obligations hereunder or under or in respect of any Letter of Credit to a level below that which such Lender or such corporation could have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such corporation’s policies with respect to capital adequacy or liquidity) by an amount deemed by such Lender to be material, then from time to time, after submission by such Lender to the Parent Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of a written request therefor in the form of a certificate described in clause (d) below, the applicable Borrowers shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such corporation for such reduction.
(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or by United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, and (ii) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith or in implementation thereof, shall in each case be deemed to be a change in law, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented; provided that a Lender may only submit a request for compensation in connection with the changes in the Requirements in Law described in clauses (i) and (ii) above if such Lender generally imposes such increased costs on borrowers similarly situated to the Parent Borrower under syndicated credit facilities comparable to the Revolving Facility.
(d) A certificate as to any additional amounts payable pursuant to this Section submitted by any Lender to the Parent Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section, the Borrowers shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this Section for any amounts incurred more than nine months prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Parent Borrower of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided that, if the circumstances giving rise to such claim have a retroactive effect, then such nine-month period shall be extended to include the period of such retroactive effect. The obligations of the Borrowers pursuant to this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.
2.14 Taxes. (a) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable withholding agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a withholding agent, then the applicable withholding agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that, after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.14), the amounts received with respect to this agreement equal the sum which would have been received had no such deduction or withholding been made.
(b) The Loan Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for, Other Taxes.
(c) As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 2.14, such Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment (if any), or a copy of the return reporting such payment (or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent).
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(d) The Loan Parties shall jointly and severally indemnify each Credit Party, within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable to such Credit Party by a Loan Party under this Section) payable or paid by such Credit Party or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Credit Party and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Parent Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(e) Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so) and (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 10.6(c) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register, in either case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (e).
(f) (i) Each Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 2.14(f)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.
(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that any Borrower is a U.S. Person,
(A) any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is fully exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;
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(B) any Non-U.S. Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Non-U.S. Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable (plus any other documents or other evidence to fully exempt any amount payable or paid to such Non-U.S. Lender from U.S. federal backup withholding tax):
| (1) | in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty (if such amount is properly treated as interest thereunder and as otherwise required under U.S. federal tax law) and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty; |
| (2) | executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI; |
| (3) | in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1 to the effect that such Non-U.S. Lender is none of the following: a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of any Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E; |
| (4) | to the extent a Non-U.S. Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-2 or Exhibit F-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other valid and reasonably acceptable certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Non-U.S. Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Non-U.S. Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Non-U.S. Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner; |
(C) any Non-U.S. Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Non-U.S. Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the
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Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and
(D) if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax under FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Parent Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), and notwithstanding the definition thereof, “FATCA” shall include any and all amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
(iii) Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.
(g) If any party determines, in its reasonable discretion, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 2.14 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.14), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (g) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (g), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (g) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.
(h) Each party’s obligations under this Section 2.14 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Revolving Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under the Loan Documents.
(i) For purposes of this Section 2.14 and the relevant defined terms used therein, (A) the term “applicable law” includes FATCA and (B) the term “Lender” includes the Issuing Lenders.
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(j) For purposes of determining withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA, from and after the Closing Date, the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall treat (and the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to treat) this Agreement as not qualifying as a “grandfathered obligation” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1471-2(b)(2)(i).
2.15 Indemnity. Each Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender for, and to hold each Lender harmless from, any loss or expense that such Lender may sustain or incur as a consequence of (a) default by such Borrower in making a borrowing of, conversion into or continuation of Eurodollar Loans after such Borrower has given a notice requesting the same in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (b) default by such Borrower in making any prepayment of or conversion from Eurodollar Loans after such Borrower has given a notice thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement or (c) the making of a prepayment of Eurodollar Loans on a day that is not the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto. Such indemnification may include an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest that would have accrued on the amount so prepaid, or not so borrowed, converted or continued, for the period from the date of such prepayment or of such failure to borrow, convert or continue to the last day of such Interest Period (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, the Interest Period that would have commenced on the date of such failure) in each case at the applicable rate of interest for such Loans provided for herein (excluding, however, the Applicable Margin included therein, if any) over (ii) the amount of interest (as reasonably determined by such Lender) that would have accrued to such Lender on such amount by placing such amount on deposit for a comparable period with leading banks in the interbank eurodollar market. A certificate as to any amounts payable pursuant to this Section submitted to the Parent Borrower by any Lender shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. This covenant shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.
2.16 Change of Lending Office. Each Lender agrees that, upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 2.13, 2.14(a), or 2.14(d) with respect to such Lender, it will, if requested by the Parent Borrower, use reasonable efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender) to designate another lending office for any Loans affected by such event with the object of avoiding the consequences of such event; provided, that such designation is made on terms that, in the sole judgment of such Lender, cause such Lender and its lending offices to suffer no material economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage, and provided, further, that nothing in this Section shall affect or postpone any of the obligations of any Borrower or the rights of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.13, 2.14(a), or 2.14(d).
2.17 Replacement of Lenders. The Parent Borrower shall be permitted to replace any Lender that (a) requests (or any Participant to which such Lender sold a participation requests) reimbursement for amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.13, 2.14(a) or 2.14(d), (b) becomes a Defaulting Lender, or (c) does not consent to any proposed amendment, supplement, modification, consent or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document that requires the consent of each of the Lenders or each of the Lenders affected thereby (so long as the consent of the Required Lenders (with the percentage in such definition being deemed to be 50% for this purpose) has been obtained), with a replacement financial institution; provided that (i) such replacement does not conflict with any Requirement of Law, (ii) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such replacement, (iii) prior to any such replacement, such Lender (or Participant, as applicable) shall have taken no action under Section 2.16 so as to eliminate the continued need for payment of amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.13, 2.14(a), or 2.14(d), (iv) the replacement financial institution shall purchase, at par, all Loans and other amounts owing to such replaced Lender (or Participant, as applicable) on or prior to the date of replacement, (v) the applicable Borrower shall be liable to such replaced Lender (or Participant, as applicable) under Section 2.15 if any Eurodollar Loan owing to such replaced Lender (or Participant, as applicable) shall be purchased other than on the last day of the Interest Period relating
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thereto, (vi) except in the case of a Participant, the replacement financial institution shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (vii) the replaced Lender shall be obligated to make such replacement in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.6 (provided that the Parent Borrower shall be obligated to pay the registration and processing fee referred to therein), (viii) until such time as such replacement shall be consummated, the Borrowers shall pay all additional amounts (if any) required pursuant to Section 2.13, 2.14(a), or 2.14(d), as the case may be and (ix) any such replacement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any rights that any Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any other Lender shall have against the replaced Lender (or Participant, as applicable). Each party hereto agrees that an assignment required pursuant to this paragraph may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the assignee, and that the Lender (or Participant, as applicable) required to make such assignment need not be a party thereto in order for such assignment to be effective.
2.18 Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:
(a) fees shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Revolving Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.3(a) (it being understood, for the avoidance of doubt, that the Parent Borrower shall have no obligation to retroactively pay such fees after such Lender ceases to be a Defaulting Lender);
(b) the Revolving Commitment and Revolving Extensions of Credit of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether the Required Lenders or the Supermajority Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification pursuant to Section 10.1); provided, that this clause (b) shall not apply to the vote of a Defaulting Lender in the case of an amendment, waiver or other modification requiring the consent of such Lender or each Lender affected thereby;
(c) Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Section 8 or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 10.7 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, as the Parent Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; third, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement; fourth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; fifth, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to a Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by such Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and sixth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 5.2 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of all non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans
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are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Revolving Commitments. Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post cash collateral pursuant to this Section 2.18(c) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto;
(d) if any L/C Exposure exists at the time such Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:
(i) all or any part of the L/C Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Revolving Percentages but only to the extent the sum of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Extensions of Credit plus such Defaulting Lender’s L/C Exposure does not exceed the total of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Commitments;
(ii) if the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, each Borrower shall within one Business Day following notice by the Administrative Agent cash collateralize for the benefit of the Issuing Lenders only such Borrower’s obligations corresponding to such Defaulting Lender’s L/C Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above), if any, in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.9 for so long as such L/C Exposure is outstanding;
(iii) if a Borrower cash collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s L/C Exposure pursuant to clause (ii) above, such Borrower shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 3.3(a) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s L/C Exposure during the period such Defaulting Lender’s L/C Exposure is cash collateralized;
(iv) if the L/C Exposure of the non-Defaulting Lenders is reallocated pursuant to clause (i) above, then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.3(a) and Section 3.3(a) shall be adjusted in accordance with such non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Percentages; and
(v) if all or any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s L/C Exposure is neither reallocated nor cash collateralized pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above, then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the Issuing Lenders or any other Lender hereunder, all fees payable under Section 3.3(a) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s L/C Exposure shall be payable to the applicable Issuing Lenders until and to the extent that such L/C Exposure is reallocated and/or cash collateralized; and
(e) so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Issuing Lenders shall not be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related exposure and the Defaulting Lender’s then outstanding L/C Exposure will be 100% covered by the Revolving Commitments of the non-Defaulting Lenders and/or cash collateral will be provided by the applicable Borrower in accordance with Section 2.18(d), and participating interests in any newly issued or increased Letter of Credit shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.18(d)(i) (and such Defaulting Lender shall not participate therein). Subject to Section 10.20, no reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation.
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(f) If (i) a Bankruptcy Event or a Bail-In Action with respect to a Lender Parent of any Lender shall occur following the date hereof and for so long as such event shall continue or (ii) an Issuing Lender has a good faith belief that any Lender has defaulted in fulfilling its obligations under one or more other agreements in which such Lender commits to extend credit, no Issuing Lender shall be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless such Issuing Lender, as the case may be, shall have entered into arrangements with the applicable Borrower or such Lender, satisfactory to such Issuing Lender, as the case may be, to defease any risk to it in respect of such Lender hereunder.
(g) In the event that the Administrative Agent, the Parent Borrower and the Issuing Lenders each agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the L/C Exposure of the Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and on such date such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Revolving Loans of the other Lenders as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Revolving Loans in accordance with its Revolving Percentage.
2.19 Incremental Commitments. (a) The Borrowers and any one or more Lenders (including New Lenders) may from time to time prior to the Initial Revolving Termination Date agree that such Lenders shall make, obtain or increase the amount of their Revolving Commitments (each, a “Commitment Increase”) by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agents an Increased Facility Activation Notice specifying (i) the amount of such increase and (ii) the applicable Increased Facility Closing Date; provided that immediately prior to and after giving effect to any such increase in the Revolving Commitments (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) each of the representations and warranties made by any Loan Party in or pursuant to the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, if such representations and warranties are qualified by materiality, in all respects) on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date (except that any representations and warranties which expressly relate to an earlier date shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, if such representations and warranties are qualified by materiality, in all respects) as of such earlier date). Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) without the consent of the Required Lenders, the aggregate amount of incremental Revolving Commitments obtained after the Closing Date pursuant to this paragraph shall not exceed the Maximum Permitted Increase Amount, and (ii) without the consent of the Administrative Agent, (x) each increase effected pursuant to this paragraph shall be in a minimum amount of at least $25,000,000 and (y) no more than five Increased Facility Closing Dates may be selected by the Borrowers after the Closing Date. No Lender shall have any obligation to participate in any increase described in this paragraph unless it agrees to do so in its sole discretion.
(b) Any additional bank, financial institution or other entity which, with the consent of the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), elects to become a “Lender” under this Agreement in connection with any transaction described in Section 2.19(a) shall execute a New Lender Supplement (each, a “New Lender Supplement”), substantially in the form of Exhibit H, whereupon such bank, financial institution or other entity (a “New Lender”) shall become a Lender for all purposes and to the same extent as if originally a party hereto and shall be bound by and entitled to the benefits of this Agreement.
(c) Upon each Increased Facility Closing Date, the Borrowers shall (A) prepay the outstanding Revolving Loans (if any) in full, (B) simultaneously borrow new Revolving Loans hereunder in an amount equal to such prepayment (in the case of Eurodollar Loans, with Eurodollar Base Rates equal to the outstanding Eurodollar Base Rate and with Interest Period(s) ending on the date(s) of any then outstanding Interest Period(s)), as applicable (as modified hereby); provided that with respect to subclauses (A) and (B), (x) the prepayment to, and borrowing from, any existing Lender shall be effected by book entry to the extent that any portion of the amount prepaid to such Lender will be subsequently
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borrowed from such Lender and (y) the existing Lenders (including existing Lenders providing a Commitment Increase, if applicable) and the New Lenders shall make and receive payments among themselves, in a manner acceptable to the Administrative Agent, so that, after giving effect thereto, the Revolving Loans are held ratably by such existing Lenders and New Lenders in accordance with the respective Revolving Commitments of such Lenders (after giving effect to such Commitment Increase) and (C) pay to the Lenders the amounts, if any, payable under Section 2.15 as a result of any such prepayment. Concurrently therewith, the Lenders shall be deemed to have adjusted their participation interests in any outstanding Letters of Credit so that such interests are held ratably in accordance with their Revolving Commitments as so increased. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby agree that the minimum borrowing, pro rata borrowing and pro rata payment requirements contained elsewhere in this Agreement shall not apply to the transactions effected pursuant to this clause (c).
2.20 Revolving Termination Date Extension. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Parent Borrower may, at its election by written notice to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify each of the Lenders) (each such election, an “Extension Option”, the date of such election, the “Extension Date”) extend the Revolving Commitments and Revolving Loans (such extended Revolving Commitments, the “Extended Commitments” and such extended Revolving Loans, the “Extended Loans”) for additional terms of 6 months each (the “Extended Termination Date”), subject to the following terms and conditions:
(i) there shall be no more than two (2) Extension Options exercised during the term of this Agreement;
(ii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred or be continuing on the date of such written notice and on the Initial Revolving Termination Date or first Extended Termination Date, as applicable, or would result from the exercise of any Extension Option;
(iii) each of the representations and warranties made by any Loan Party in or pursuant to the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, if such representations and warranties are qualified by materiality, in all respects) on and as of the date of such written notice and on and as of such Extension Date (and after giving effect to such Extension Option) as if made on and as of such dates (except that any representations and warranties which expressly relate to an earlier date shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, if such representations and warranties are qualified by materiality, in all respects) as of such earlier date);
(iv) the Parent Borrower shall make the request for such Extension Option not earlier than 90 days and not later than 30 days prior to the Initial Revolving Termination Date, or first Extended Termination Date, as applicable;
(v) the latest Extended Termination Date shall be no later than the Latest Termination Date; and
(vi) the Parent Borrower shall pay or cause to be paid to each Lender on each such Extension Date a fee equal to 0.10% of the amount of the then existing Revolving Commitments of such Lender.
2.21 Designation of Subsidiary Borrowers.
(a) The Parent Borrower shall be permitted, so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing:
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(i) to designate any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower that is a Domestic Subsidiary as a Subsidiary Borrower under the Revolving Facility upon (A) fifteen Business Days’ prior written notice (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly deliver such notice to the Lenders) (a “Notice of Designation”), which shall contain the name, primary business address and taxpayer identification number of such Subsidiary, (B) the execution and delivery by the Parent Borrower, such Subsidiary and the Administrative Agent of a Subsidiary Borrower Joinder Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit J (a “Subsidiary Borrower Joinder Agreement”), providing for such Subsidiary to become a Subsidiary Borrower, and the consent of the Administrative Agent to such joinder, evidenced by its acknowledgement signature thereto, (C) compliance by the Parent Borrower and such Subsidiary Borrower with Section 6.10(f), (D) delivery by the Parent Borrower or such Subsidiary Borrower of all documentation and information as is reasonably requested in writing by the Lenders at least ten days prior to the anticipated effective date of such designation required under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation the PATRIOT Act and (E) the delivery to the Administrative Agent of (1) corporate or other applicable resolutions, certificates of incorporation or other applicable constituent documents, officer’s certificates, good standing certificates and legal opinions in respect of such Subsidiary as may be required by the Administrative Agent, in each case reasonably equivalent to comparable documents delivered on the Closing Date and (2) such other documents with respect thereto as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request; provided that, in the case of this clause (i), prior to the date of designation of such Subsidiary Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall not have received notice from any Lender that an extension of credit to such Subsidiary shall contravene any law or regulation applicable to such Lender; and
(ii) So long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, to remove any Subsidiary as a Subsidiary Borrower upon execution and delivery by the Parent Borrower to the Administrative Agent of a written notification to such effect and repayment in full of all Loans made to such Subsidiary Borrower, cash collateralization of all L/C Obligations in respect of any Letters of Credit issued for the account of such Subsidiary Borrower and repayment in full of all other amounts owing by such Subsidiary Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (it being agreed that any such repayment or cash collateralization shall be in accordance with the other terms of this Agreement) (a “Termination Letter”). The delivery of a Termination Letter with respect to any Subsidiary Borrower shall not terminate (x) any Obligation of such Subsidiary Borrower that remains unpaid at the time of such delivery or (y) the Obligations of the Parent Borrower with respect to any such unpaid Obligations.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the Administrative Agent is hereby irrevocably authorized by each Lender (without requirement of notice to or consent of any Lender) to enter into such amendments to the Security Documents and/or such new Security Documents as are necessary or advisable, as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent, in order to effect the provisions of Section 6.10(f).
(c) Each Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower that is or becomes a “Subsidiary Borrower” pursuant to this Section 2.21 hereby irrevocably appoints the Parent Borrower as its agent for all purposes relevant to this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents, including (i) the giving and receipt of notices and (ii) the execution and delivery of all documents, instruments and certificates contemplated herein and all modifications hereto. Any acknowledgment, consent, direction, certification or other action which might otherwise be valid or effective only if given or taken by all Borrowers, or by each Borrower acting singly, shall be valid and effective if given or taken only by the Parent Borrower, whether or not any such other Borrower joins therein. Any notice, demand, consent, acknowledgement, direction, certification or other communication delivered to the Parent Borrower in accordance with the terms of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been delivered to each Subsidiary Borrower.
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SECTION 3. LETTERS OF CREDIT
3.1 L/C Commitment. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Issuing Lender, in reliance on the agreements of the other Revolving Lenders set forth in Section 3.4(a), agrees to issue letters of credit (“Letters of Credit”) for the account of any Borrower on any Business Day during the Revolving Commitment Period in such form as may be approved from time to time by such Issuing Lender; provided that such Issuing Lender shall have no obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such issuance, (i) the L/C Obligations of such Issuing Lender would exceed the L/C Commitment of such Issuing Lender then in effect, or (ii) the aggregate amount of the Available Revolving Commitments would be less than zero. Each Letter of Credit shall (i) be denominated in Dollars and (ii) except as provided in Section 3.1(b) below, expire no later than the earlier of (x) the first anniversary of its date of issuance and (y) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Revolving Termination Date, provided that any Letter of Credit with a one-year term may provide for the renewal thereof for additional one-year periods (which shall in no event extend beyond the date referred to in clause (y) above).
(b) If requested by a Borrower, each Issuing Lender agrees to issue one or more Letters of Credit hereunder, with expiry dates that would occur after the fifth (5th) Business Day prior to the Revolving Termination Date, based upon agreement of the applicable Borrower to cash collateralize the L/C Obligations in accordance with Section 3.9. If such Borrower fails to cash collateralize the outstanding L/C Obligations in accordance with the requirements of Section 3.9, each outstanding Letter of Credit shall automatically be deemed to be drawn in full on such date and the reimbursement obligations of the such Borrower set forth in Section 3.5 shall be deemed to apply and shall be construed such that the reimbursement obligation is to provide cash collateral in accordance with the requirements of Section 3.9.
(c) The applicable Borrower shall grant to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of each Issuing Lender and the Lenders, pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, a security interest in all cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein and all proceeds of the foregoing as required to be deposited pursuant to Section 3.1(b) or Section 3.9. Cash collateral shall be maintained in blocked, interest bearing deposit accounts at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (or any affiliate thereof) (the “L/C Cash Collateral Account”). All interest on such cash collateral shall be paid to the applicable Borrower upon its request, provided that such interest shall first be applied to all outstanding Obligations at such time and the balance shall be distributed to such Borrower.
(d) No Issuing Lender shall at any time be obligated to issue any Letter of Credit if (i) such issuance would conflict with, or cause such Issuing Lender or any L/C Participant to exceed any limits imposed by, any applicable Requirement of Law, (ii) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain such Issuing Lender from issuing the Letter of Credit, or any law applicable to such Issuing Lender or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over such Issuing Lender shall prohibit, or request that such Issuing Lender refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or the Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon such Issuing Lender with respect to the Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which such Issuing Lender is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon such Issuing Lender any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing Date, which such Issuing Lender in good faith deems material to it and which is not subject to indemnification obligations of the applicable Borrower hereunder or (iii) issuance of the Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of such Issuing Lender applicable to letters of credit generally.
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(e) Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the applicable Issuing Lender and the applicable Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued, (i) the rules of the ISP shall apply to each standby Letter of Credit, and (ii) the rules of the UCP shall apply to each commercial Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Issuing Lender shall be responsible to the Borrowers, and no Issuing Lender’s rights and remedies against the Borrowers shall be impaired by, any action or inaction of such Issuing Lender required or permitted under any law, order, or practice that is required or permitted to be applied to any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, including the law or any order of a jurisdiction where an Issuing Lender or the beneficiary is located, the practice stated in the ISP or UCP, as applicable, or in the decisions, opinions, practice statements, or official commentary of the ICC Banking Commission, the Bankers Association for Finance and Trade - International Financial Services Association (BAFT-IFSA), or the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, whether or not any Letter of Credit chooses such law or practice.
(f) In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Application, the terms hereof shall control.
3.2 Procedure for Issuance of Letter of Credit. Any Borrower may from time to time request that any Issuing Lender issue a Letter of Credit by delivering to such Issuing Lender at its address for notices specified herein an Application therefor, completed to the satisfaction of such Issuing Lender, and such other certificates, documents and other papers and information as such Issuing Lender may reasonably request. Upon receipt of any Application, the relevant Issuing Lender will process such Application and the certificates, documents and other papers and information delivered to it in connection therewith in accordance with its customary procedures and shall promptly issue the Letter of Credit requested thereby (but in no event shall any Issuing Lender be required to issue any Letter of Credit earlier than three Business Days after its receipt of the Application therefor and all such other certificates, documents and other papers and information relating thereto) by issuing the original of such Letter of Credit to the beneficiary thereof or as otherwise may be agreed to by the relevant Issuing Lender and the applicable Borrower. The relevant Issuing Lender shall furnish a copy of such Letter of Credit to the relevant Borrower promptly following the issuance thereof. The relevant Issuing Lender shall promptly furnish to the Administrative Agent, which shall in turn promptly furnish to the Lenders, notice of the issuance of each Letter of Credit (including the amount thereof).
3.3 Fees and Other Charges. (a) Subject to Section 2.18(d)(iii), each Borrower agrees to pay a fee on all of its outstanding Letters of Credit at a per annum rate equal to the Applicable Margin then in effect with respect to Eurodollar Loans under the Revolving Facility, shared ratably among the Revolving Lenders and payable quarterly in arrears on each Fee Payment Date after the issuance date. In addition, the applicable Borrower shall pay to the relevant Issuing Lender for its own account a fronting fee of 0.25% per annum on the undrawn and unexpired amount of each Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender on its behalf, payable quarterly in arrears to the relevant Issuing Lender on each Fee Payment Date after the issuance date.
(b) In addition to the foregoing fees, the applicable Borrower agrees to pay or reimburse each Issuing Lender for such normal and customary costs and expenses as are incurred or charged by such Issuing Lender in issuing, negotiating, effecting payment under, amending or otherwise administering any Letter of Credit.
3.4 L/C Participations. (a) Each Issuing Lender irrevocably agrees to grant and hereby grants to each L/C Participant, and, to induce such Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit, each
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L/C Participant irrevocably agrees to accept and purchase and hereby accepts and purchases from such Issuing Lender, on the terms and conditions set forth below, for such L/C Participant’s own account and risk an undivided interest equal to such L/C Participant’s Revolving Percentage in such Issuing Lender’s obligations and rights under and in respect of each Letter of Credit and the amount of each draft paid by such Issuing Lender thereunder. Each L/C Participant agrees with each Issuing Lender that, if a draft is paid under any Letter of Credit for which such Issuing Lender is not reimbursed in full by the applicable Borrower in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (or in the event that any reimbursement received by such Issuing Lender shall be required to be returned by it at any time) (“Unreimbursed Amounts”), such L/C Participant shall pay to such Issuing Lender upon demand at such Issuing Lender’s address for notices specified herein an amount equal to such L/C Participant’s Revolving Percentage of the amount that is not so reimbursed (or is so returned). Each L/C Participant’s obligation to pay such amount shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (i) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such L/C Participant may have against any Issuing Lender, any Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (ii) the occurrence or continuance of a Default or an Event of Default or the failure to satisfy any of the other conditions specified in Section 5, (iii) any adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of any Borrower, (iv) any breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by any Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other L/C Participant or (v) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.
(b) If any amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant to any Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 3.4(a) in respect of any unreimbursed portion of any payment made by such Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit is paid to such Issuing Lender within three Business Days after the date such payment is due, such L/C Participant shall pay to such Issuing Lender on demand an amount equal to the product of (i) such amount, times (ii) the daily average Federal Funds Effective Rate during the period from and including the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the relevant Issuing Lender, times (iii) a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days that elapse during such period and the denominator of which is 360. If any such amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant pursuant to Section 3.4(a) is not made available to the relevant Issuing Lender by such L/C Participant within three Business Days after the date such payment is due, such Issuing Lender shall be entitled to recover from such L/C Participant, on demand, such amount with interest thereon calculated from such due date at the rate per annum applicable to ABR Loans under the Revolving Facility. A certificate of the relevant Issuing Lender submitted to any L/C Participant with respect to any amounts owing under this Section shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.
(c) Whenever, at any time after any Issuing Lender has made payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any L/C Participant its pro rata share of such payment in accordance with Section 3.4(a), such Issuing Lender receives any payment related to such Letter of Credit (whether directly from the applicable Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of collateral applied thereto by such Issuing Lender), or any payment of interest on account thereof, such Issuing Lender will distribute to such L/C Participant its pro rata share thereof; provided, however, that in the event that any such payment received by such Issuing Lender shall be required to be returned by such Issuing Lender, such L/C Participant shall return to such Issuing Lender the portion thereof previously distributed by such Issuing Lender to it.
3.5 Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrowers. If any draft is paid under any Letter of Credit, the applicable Borrower shall reimburse the relevant Issuing Lender for the amount of (a) the draft so paid and (b) any taxes, fees, charges or other costs or expenses incurred by such Issuing Lender in connection with such payment, not later than 12:00 Noon, New York City time, on (i) the Business Day that the Parent Borrower or the applicable Borrower receives notice of such draft, if such notice is received on such day prior to 10:00 A.M., New York City time, or (ii) if clause (i) above does not apply,
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the Business Day immediately following the day that the Parent Borrower or the applicable Borrower receives such notice. Each such payment shall be made to the relevant Issuing Lender at its address for notices referred to herein in Dollars and in immediately available funds. Interest shall be payable on any such amounts from the date on which the relevant draft is paid until payment in full at the rate set forth in (x) until the Business Day next succeeding the date of the relevant notice, Section 2.9(b) and (y) thereafter, Section 2.9(c).
3.6 Obligations Absolute. The Borrowers’ obligations under this Section 3 shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances and irrespective of any setoff, counterclaim or defense to payment that the Borrowers may have or have had against any Issuing Lender, any beneficiary of a Letter of Credit or any other Person. The Borrowers also agree with each Issuing Lender that such Issuing Lender shall not be responsible for, and the Borrowers’ Obligations under Section 3.5 shall not be affected by, among other things, the validity or genuineness of documents or of any endorsements thereon, even though such documents shall in fact prove to be invalid, fraudulent or forged, or any dispute between or among the applicable Borrower and any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any other party to which such Letter of Credit may be transferred or any claims whatsoever of the applicable Borrower against any beneficiary of such Letter of Credit or any such transferee. No Issuing Lender shall be liable for any error, omission, interruption or delay in transmission, dispatch or delivery of any message or advice, however transmitted, in connection with any Letter of Credit, except for errors or omissions found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Issuing Lender. The Borrowers agree that any action taken or omitted by any Issuing Lender under or in connection with any Letter of Credit or the related drafts or documents, if done in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct, shall be binding on the Borrowers and shall not result in any liability of such Issuing Lender to any Borrower.
3.7 Letter of Credit Payments. If any draft shall be presented for payment under any Letter of Credit, the relevant Issuing Lender shall promptly notify the Parent Borrower and/or the applicable Borrower of the date and amount thereof. The responsibility of the relevant Issuing Lender to the relevant Borrower in connection with any draft presented for payment under any Letter of Credit shall, in addition to any payment obligation expressly provided for in such Letter of Credit, be limited to determining that the documents (including each draft) delivered under such Letter of Credit in connection with such presentment are substantially in conformity with such Letter of Credit.
3.8 Applications. To the extent that any provision of any Application related to any Letter of Credit is inconsistent with the provisions of this Section 3, the provisions of this Section 3 shall apply.
3.9 Actions in Respect of Letters of Credit.
(a) Not later than the date that is ten (10) Business Days prior to the Revolving Termination Date, or at any time after the Revolving Termination Date when the aggregate funds on deposit in the L/C Cash Collateral Account shall be less than the amounts required herein, each Borrower with any Letters of Credit then outstanding shall pay to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds, at the Administrative Agent’s office referred to in Section 10.2, for deposit in the L/C Cash Collateral Account described in Section 3.1(c), the amount required so that, after such payment, the aggregate funds on deposit in the L/C Cash Collateral Account are not less than 105% of the sum of all outstanding L/C Obligations with an expiration date beyond the Revolving Termination Date.
(b) The Administrative Agent may, from time to time after funds are deposited in any L/C Cash Collateral Account, apply funds then held in such L/C Cash Collateral Account to the payment of any amounts, in accordance with the terms herein, as shall have become or shall become due and
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payable by the Borrowers to the Issuing Lenders or Lenders in respect of the L/C Obligations. The Administrative Agent shall promptly give written notice of any such application; provided, however, that the failure to give such written notice shall not invalidate any such application.
3.10 Reporting. Unless otherwise requested by the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Lender shall report in writing to the Administrative Agent (i) on each Business Day, the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit issued by it, (ii) on each Business Day on which such Issuing Lender expects to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, the aggregate face amount of the Letters of Credit to be issued, amended, renewed or extended by it on such date, and no Issuing Lender shall be permitted to issue, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit without first notifying the Administrative Agent as set forth herein, (iii) on each Business Day on which such Issuing Lender makes any payment pursuant to a Letter of Credit (including in respect of a time draft presented thereunder), the date of such payment and the amount of such payment and (iv) on any other Business Day, such other information as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request, including but not limited to prompt verification of such information as may be requested by the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
To induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make the Loans and issue or participate in the Letters of Credit, each Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and each Lender that:
4.1 Financial Condition.
(a) The audited consolidated balance sheets of each of the CLNS Contributed Portfolio, NorthStar I and NorthStar II and their respective Consolidated Subsidiaries for the two most recently completed fiscal years ended at least 90 days before the Closing Date, and the related consolidated statements of income and of cash flows for the fiscal years ended on such dates, reported on by and accompanied by an unqualified report from Grant Thornton LLP, present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial condition of each of the CLNS Contributed Portfolio, NorthStar I, NorthStar II and their respective Consolidated Subsidiaries, respectively, and the consolidated results of their operations and their consolidated cash flows for the respective fiscal years then ended. The unaudited consolidated balance sheets of each of the CLNS Contributed Portfolio, NorthStar I, NorthStar II and their respective Consolidated Subsidiaries delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(b)(ii), and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income and cash flows for such fiscal periods, present fairly the consolidated financial condition of each of the CLNS Contributed Portfolio, NorthStar I, NorthStar II and their respective Consolidated Subsidiaries as at such date. All such financial statements, including the related schedules and notes thereto, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the periods involved (except as approved by the aforementioned firm of accountants and disclosed therein).
(b) The Pro Forma Financial Statements, copies of which have heretofore been furnished to each Lender, have been prepared giving effect to the Transactions as if the Transactions had occurred as of such date (in the case of such balance sheet) or at the beginning of such period (in the case of such statement of income). The Pro Forma Financial Statements have been prepared based on the best information available to the Parent Borrower as of the date of delivery thereof, and present fairly on a pro forma basis the estimated financial position of the Parent Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as at September 30, 2017, assuming that the events specified in the preceding sentence had actually occurred at such date.
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(c) As of the Closing Date, no Group Member has any material Guarantee Obligations, contingent liabilities and liabilities for taxes, or any long-term leases or unusual forward or long-term commitments, including any interest rate or foreign currency swap or exchange transaction or other obligation in respect of derivatives, that are not reflected in the most recent financial statements referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 4.1.
4.2 No Change. Since December 31, 2016, there has been no development or event that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.3 Existence; Compliance with Law. Each Group Member (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has the power and authority, and the legal right, to own and operate its property, to lease the property it operates as lessee and to conduct the business in which it is currently engaged, (c) is duly qualified as a foreign corporation or other organization and in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification and (d) is in compliance with its Organizational Documents and all Requirements of Law except in each case referred to in clauses (b), (c) and (d), to the extent that the failure to comply therewith could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.4 Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations. Each Loan Party has the power and authority, and the legal right, to make, deliver and perform the Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of each Borrower, to obtain extensions of credit hereunder. Each Loan Party has taken all necessary organizational action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of each Borrower, to authorize the extensions of credit on the terms and conditions of this Agreement. No consent or authorization of, filing with, notice to or other act by or in respect of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required in connection with the extensions of credit hereunder or with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, except (i) consents, authorizations, filings and notices which have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and (ii) the filings referred to in Section 4.19. Each Loan Document has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of each Loan Party party thereto. This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document upon execution will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party party thereto, enforceable against each such Loan Party 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).
4.5 No Legal Bar. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the issuance of Letters of Credit, the borrowings hereunder and the use of the proceeds thereof will not violate any Requirement of Law or any Organizational Document or Contractual Obligation of any Group Member, except where any such violation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and will not result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of their respective properties or revenues pursuant to any Requirement of Law or any such Contractual Obligation (other than the Liens created by the Security Documents). No Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation applicable to the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.6 Litigation. No litigation, investigation or proceeding of or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or, to the knowledge of the Parent Borrower, threatened by or against any Group Member or against any of their respective properties or revenues (a) with respect to any of the Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or (b) that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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4.7 No Default. No Group Member is in default under or with respect to any of its Contractual Obligations in any respect that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
4.8 Ownership of Property; Liens. Each Group Member has title in fee simple to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its real property, and good title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its other property necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of its business, except for such defects in title as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and none of such property is subject to any Lien except as permitted by Section 7.3.
4.9 Intellectual Property. Each Group Member owns, or is licensed to use, all Intellectual Property necessary for the conduct of its business as currently conducted. Except for such claims as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, no claim has been asserted and is pending by any Person challenging or questioning the use of any Intellectual Property or the validity or effectiveness of any Intellectual Property, nor does any Borrower know of any valid basis for any such claim. Except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the use of Intellectual Property by each Group Member does not infringe on the rights of any Person.
4.10 Taxes. Each Group Member has timely filed or caused to be filed all Federal and state income Tax returns and any other material Tax returns that have been required to be filed (taking into account extensions) and has timely paid all such Taxes and assessments payable by it which have become due (other than any the amount or validity of which are currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been established); no Liens for Taxes have been filed (other than Liens for Taxes not yet due or the amount or validity of which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, provided that adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained in conformity with GAAP), and, to the knowledge of the Parent Borrower, as of the date hereof, no claim is being asserted with respect to any such Tax.
4.11 Federal Regulations. No part of the proceeds of any Loans, and no other extensions of credit hereunder, will be used for purchasing or “carrying” any “margin stock” or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock within the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation U as now and from time to time hereafter in effect or for any purpose that violates the provisions of Regulations T, U or X of the Board. No more than 25% of the assets of the Group Members consist of (or after applying the proceeds of the Loans will consist of) “margin stock” as so defined. If requested by any Lender or the Administrative Agent, the Borrowers will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender a statement to the foregoing effect in conformity with the requirements of FR Form G-3 or FR Form U-1, as applicable, referred to in Regulation U.
4.12 Labor Matters. Except as, in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (a) there are no strikes or other labor disputes against any Group Member pending or, to the knowledge of the Parent Borrower, threatened; (b) hours worked by and payment made to employees of each Group Member have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable Requirement of Law dealing with such matters; and (c) all payments due from any Group Member on account of employee health and welfare insurance have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of the relevant Group Member.
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4.13 ERISA. Except as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect: (a) each Group Member and each of their respective ERISA Affiliates is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the provisions of the Code relating to Plans and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder; (b) no ERISA Event or Foreign Plan Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; and (c) all amounts with respect to any retiree welfare benefit arrangement maintained by any Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate or to which any Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate has an obligation to contribute have been accrued, including in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification No. 715-60. Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the present value of all accumulated benefit obligations under each Pension Plan did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed the fair market value of the assets of such Pension Plan allocable to such accrued benefits (determined in both cases using the applicable assumptions under Section 430 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder), and the present value of all accumulated benefit obligations of all underfunded Pension Plans did not, as of the date of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed the fair market value of the assets of all such underfunded Pension Plans (determined in both cases using the applicable assumptions under Section 430 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder).
4.14 Investment Company Act. No Loan Party is an “investment company”, or a company “controlled” by an “investment company”, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
4.15 Subsidiaries. As of the Closing Date, (a) part (A) of the certificate delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(j)(ii) sets forth the name and jurisdiction of incorporation of each Subsidiary and, as to each such Subsidiary, the percentage of each class of Capital Stock owned directly or indirectly by any Loan Party and (b) except as disclosed in part (B) of the certificate delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(j)(ii), there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, rights or other agreements or commitments (other than stock options granted to employees or directors and directors’ qualifying shares) (x) of any nature relating to any Capital Stock of the Parent Borrower or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or (y) relating to any Capital Stock owned directly or indirectly by a Pledged Loan Party, Pledged Affiliate or Affiliated Holder of any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that would reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect the value such Capital Stock from the perspective of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, in each case except as created by the Loan Documents. For clarity, (i) the information required in this Section 4.15 may be depicted in an annotated structure chart which includes supplemental information other than the information expressly required pursuant to this Section 4.15 and (ii) the Parent Borrower makes no representation as to such supplemental information, which is provided to the Parent Borrower’s knowledge for informational purposes only.
4.16 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Revolving Loans and the Letters of Credit shall be used (x) on the Closing Date, to finance Transaction Costs (except any Transaction Costs paid to an Affiliate of a Lender that is not a Subsidiary of a Lender, which shall not be paid with proceeds of Revolving Loans) and (y) on and after the Closing Date, to finance the investment activities, working capital needs and general corporate purposes of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
4.17 Environmental Matters. Except as, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:
(a) each Group Member is in compliance with all, and has not violated any, applicable Environmental Laws;
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(b) no Group Member has received any notice of violation, alleged violation, non-compliance, liability or potential liability or request for information regarding compliance with or liability under any Environmental Laws or regarding liability with respect to Materials of Environmental Concern, nor is any Group Member aware of any of the foregoing concerning any property owned, leased or operated by any Group Member;
(c) no Group Member has used, managed, stored, handled, transported, disposed of, or arranged for the disposal of, any Materials of Environmental Concern in violation of any applicable Environmental Law, or in a manner or at any location that could give rise to liability under, any applicable Environmental Law;
(d) no litigation, investigation or proceeding of or before any Governmental Authority or arbitrator is pending or, to the knowledge of the Parent Borrower, threatened, by or against any Group Member or against or affecting any property owned, leased or operated by any Group Member, under any Environmental Law or regarding any Materials of Environmental Concern; nor are there any consent decrees or other decrees, consent orders, administrative orders or other orders, or other administrative or judicial requirements outstanding against any Group Member or against or affecting any property owned, leased or operated by any Group Member, under any Environmental Law or regarding any Materials of Environmental Concern;
(e) Materials of Environmental Concern are not present at any property owned, leased or operated by any Group Member under circumstances or conditions that could result in liability to any Group Member or interfere with the use or operation of any such property; and
(f) no Group Member has assumed or retained, by contract or operation of law, any liability under Environmental Laws or regarding Materials of Environmental Concern.
4.18 Accuracy of Information, etc. No statement or information contained in this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any other document, certificate or statement furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, or any of them, for use in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, contained as of the date such statement, information, document or certificate was so furnished, any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained herein or therein not materially misleading. The projections and pro forma financial information contained in the materials referenced above are based upon good faith estimates and assumptions believed by management of the Parent Borrower to be reasonable at the time made, it being recognized by the Lenders that such financial information as it relates to future events is not to be viewed as fact and that actual results during the period or periods covered by such financial information may differ from the projected results set forth therein by a material amount.
4.19 Security Documents. The Guarantee and Collateral Agreement is effective to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the Collateral described therein and proceeds thereof. In the case of the Securities (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) that are certificated described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, when stock certificates representing such Securities are delivered to the Administrative Agent (together with a properly completed and signed stock power or endorsement), and in the case of the other Collateral described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, when financing statements and other filings specified on Schedule 4.19 in appropriate form are filed in the offices specified on Schedule 4.19 and the other actions specified on Schedule 4.19 shall have been taken, the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in such Collateral and the proceeds thereof, as security for the Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person (except Liens permitted by Section 7.3(a), (h) and (n)).
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4.20 Solvency. On the Closing Date, after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby (including the borrowing of Revolving Loans and the issuance of Letters of Credit, if any), the Loan Parties, on a consolidated basis, are Solvent.
4.21 Senior Indebtedness. The Obligations constitute “Senior Indebtedness” of the Borrowers. The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement constitute “Guarantor Senior Indebtedness” of such Subsidiary Guarantor.
4.22 Insurance. The properties of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries are insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies which are not Affiliates of the Parent Borrower, in such amounts with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where the Parent Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary operates.
4.23 Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions. The Parent Borrower has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the Parent Borrower, its Affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions, and the Borrowers and their Affiliates and, to the knowledge of the Borrowers, their respective officers, employees, directors and agents, are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects and are not knowingly engaged in any activity that would reasonably be expected to result in any Borrower being designated as a Sanctioned Person. None of (a) the Parent Borrower, any Subsidiary Borrower, any Affiliate of the foregoing or any of their respective directors, officers or employees, or (b) to the knowledge of any Borrower, any agent of any Borrower or any Affiliate thereof that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the credit facility established hereby, is a Sanctioned Person. No Borrowing or Letter of Credit, use of proceeds or other transaction contemplated by this Agreement will violate any Anti-Corruption Law or applicable Sanctions.
4.24 Stock Exchange Listing. The shares of common Capital Stock of the REIT Entity are listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
4.25 REIT Status. The REIT Entity has been organized and has operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code and all applicable regulations under the Code for each of its taxable years beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 2009.
4.26 EEA Financial Institutions. No Loan Party is an EEA Financial Institution.
SECTION 5. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
5.1 Conditions to Initial Extension of Credit. This Agreement shall become effective on and as of the first date on which all of the following conditions precedent (except to the extent set forth on Schedule 6.16) shall have been satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 10.1):
(a) Credit Agreement; Guarantee and Collateral Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) this Agreement, executed and delivered by the Administrative Agent, the Parent Borrower and each Person listed on Schedule 1.1A, (ii) the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, executed and delivered by each Loan Party, (iii) an Acknowledgement and Consent in the form attached
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to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, executed and delivered by each Issuer (as defined therein), if any, that is not a Loan Party, (iv) Control Agreements with respect to each Distribution Account of a Loan Party, duly executed by each of the parties thereto and (v) the Management Subordination Agreement, duly executed and delivered by the Parent Borrower, the REIT Entity, the Manager and the Administrative Agent.
(b) Financial Statements. The Lenders shall have received:
(i) audited consolidated financial statements of each of the CLNS Contributed Portfolio, NorthStar I and NorthStar II and their respective Consolidated Subsidiaries for the two most recently completed fiscal years ended at least 90 days before the Closing Date;
(ii) unaudited financial statements of each of the CLNS Contributed Portfolio, NorthStar I and NorthStar II and their respective Consolidated Subsidiaries, in each case, (x) for the six-month period ending June 30, 2017 and (y) for each fiscal quarter ended subsequent to June 30, 2017 and at least 45 days before the Closing Date (if any); and
(iii) a pro forma consolidated balance sheet and related pro forma consolidated statement of income of the REIT Entity and its Subsidiaries as of and for the nine-month period ending on September 30, 2017, prepared after giving effect to the Transactions as if the Transactions had occurred as of such date (in the case of such balance sheet) or at the beginning of such period (in the case of such statement of income), in each case, with consolidating information to show such financial statements for the Parent Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries (the “Pro Forma Financial Statements”) and (ii) such other “roll forward” pro forma financial information as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request with respect to subsequent fiscal periods.
(c) Approvals. All governmental and third party approvals necessary in connection with the continuing operations of the Group Members and the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been obtained and be in full force and effect, and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired without any action being taken or threatened by any competent authority that would restrain, prevent or otherwise impose adverse conditions on the financing contemplated hereby.
(d) Lien Searches. The Administrative Agent shall have received the results of a recent Lien search with respect to each Loan Party, and such search shall reveal no Liens on any of the assets of the Loan Parties except for Liens permitted by Section 7.3 or discharged on or prior to the Closing Date pursuant to documentation satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(e) Fees. The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees required to be paid to the Arrangers and the Lenders, and all expenses for which invoices have been presented (including the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses of legal counsel), on or before the Closing Date. Such amounts may be paid with proceeds of Revolving Loans made on the Closing Date and, if so, will be reflected in the funding instructions given by the Parent Borrower to the Administrative Agent on or before the Closing Date.
(f) Closing Certificate; Certified Certificate of Incorporation; Good Standing Certificates. The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) a certificate of each Loan Party, dated the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit C, with appropriate insertions and attachments, including the certificate of incorporation or certificate of formation, as applicable, of each Loan Party certified by the relevant authority of the jurisdiction of organization of such Loan Party, and (ii) a good standing certificate for each Loan Party from its jurisdiction of organization.
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(g) Legal Opinions. The Administrative Agent shall have received a legal opinion in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent of each of (i) Hogan Lovells LLP, counsel to the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (ii) Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP, special Delaware counsel. Such legal opinions shall cover such other matters incident to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require.
(h) Pledged Stock; Stock Powers. The Administrative Agent shall have received the certificates (if any) representing the shares of Capital Stock pledged pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, together with an undated stock power for each such certificate executed in blank by a duly authorized officer of the pledgor thereof.
(i) Filings, Registrations and Recordings. Each document (including any Uniform Commercial Code financing statement) required by the Security Documents or under law or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to be filed, registered or recorded in order to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a perfected Lien on the Collateral described therein, prior and superior in right to any other Person (other than with respect to Liens expressly permitted by Section 7.3), shall be in proper form for filing, registration or recordation.
(j) Certificates.
(i) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of each Loan Party either (A) attaching copies of all consents, licenses and approvals required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by such Loan Party and the validity against such Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and such consents, licenses and approvals shall be in full force and effect, or (B) stating that no such consents, licenses or approvals are so required.
(ii) a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower certifying the information required pursuant to Section 4.15.
(iii) a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower (x) certifying (A) that the conditions specified in this Section 5 have been satisfied (other than with respect to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent or any Lender) and (B) that, since August 25, 2017, there has been no development or event that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on (1) the business, assets, financial condition or results of operations of (a) the Parent Borrower or (b) the Parent Borrower, its Subsidiaries and any of the entities in which they have invested directly or indirectly, taken as a whole or (2) the facts and information, taken as a whole, regarding any such entities as heretofore disclosed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and (y) certifying that the Parent Borrower has delivered true and correct copies of the operating agreements, partnership agreements or other applicable organizational documents of each Affiliated Investor (I) that directly or indirectly owns an Investment Asset included in the calculation of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount and (II) in which all or a portion of its Capital Stock are owned directly by a Loan Party.
(iv) a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower setting forth (A) a reasonably detailed calculation of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount as of the Closing Date and (B) a reasonably detailed pro forma calculation of the financial ratios and metrics set forth in Section 7.1, after giving effect to the Transactions (but, for the avoidance of doubt with respect to this clause (B), subject to compliance with Section 5.1(m) below, there shall be no requirement that such calculations evidence compliance with any ratio or metric as a condition to the Closing Date).
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(k) Solvency. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from the chief financial officer or treasurer of the Parent Borrower, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent certifying that the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis after giving effect to this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby (including the borrowing of Revolving Loans, if any) and the Transactions are Solvent as of the Closing Date.
(l) KYC Information. The Lenders shall have received, to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent in writing at least ten (10) days prior to the Closing Date, all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA PATRIOT Act, in each case at least five (5) days prior to the Closing Date.
(m) Representations and Warranties; No Default. The conditions set forth in Section 5.2(a) and (b) shall have been satisfied.
(n) Insurance. The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence of insurance required to be maintained pursuant to the Loan Documents.
(o) Combination and Listing. The Combination, including the Listing, shall be consummated pursuant to the Combination Agreement, substantially concurrently with the Closing Date.
(p) Closing Date Material Adverse Effect. Since August 25, 2017, there shall not have been any Contributed Entity Material Adverse Effect, Nova I Material Adverse Effect or Nova II Material Adverse Effect (in each case, as defined in the Combination Agreement as in effect on November 20, 2017).
For the purpose of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 5.1, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have accepted, and to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required under this Section 5.1 unless the Administrative Agent shall have received written notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.
5.2 Conditions to Each Extension of Credit. The agreement of each Lender to make any extension of credit requested to be made by it on any date (including its initial extension of credit) is subject to the satisfaction (or waiver in accordance with Section 10.1) of the following conditions precedent:
(a) Representations and Warranties. Each of the representations and warranties made by any Loan Party in or pursuant to the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, if such representations and warranties are qualified by materiality, in all respects) on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date (except that any representations and warranties which expressly relate to an earlier date shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, if such representations and warranties are qualified by materiality, in all respects) as of such earlier date).
(b) No Default. No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on such date or after giving effect to the extensions of credit requested to be made on such date.
(c) No Bridge Loans. No Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 7.2(h) shall remain outstanding.
Each borrowing by and issuance of a Letter of Credit on behalf of a Borrower hereunder shall constitute a representation and warranty by such Borrower (and, if such Borrower is a Subsidiary Borrower, by the Parent Borrower) as of the date of such extension of credit that the conditions contained in this Section 5.2 have been satisfied.
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SECTION 6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
Each Borrower hereby agrees that, until Payment in Full, the Parent Borrower shall and shall cause each of its respective Subsidiaries to:
6.1 Financial Statements. Furnish to the Administrative Agent for distribution to each Lender:
(a) as soon as available, but in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Parent Borrower, a copy of the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Parent Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such year and the related audited consolidated statements of income and of cash flows for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous year, reported on without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception, or qualification arising out of the scope of the audit (except for any going concern exception or explanatory paragraph that is expressly solely with respect to, or expressly resulting solely from, the upcoming Revolving Termination Date occurring within one year from the time such report is delivered), by Ernst & Young LLP or other independent certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing;
(b) as soon as available, but in any event not later than 45 days after the end of each of the first three quarterly periods of each fiscal year of the Parent Borrower, the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Parent Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarter and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income and of cash flows for such quarter and the portion of the fiscal year through the end of such quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous year, certified by a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Parent Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the lack of footnotes);
(c) as soon as available, but in any event not later than April 15, 2018, a pro forma consolidated balance sheet and related pro forma consolidated statement of income of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of and for the twelve-month period ending on the last day of the four-fiscal quarter period ended on December 31, 2017, prepared after giving effect to the Transactions as if the Transactions had occurred as of such date (in the case of the balance sheet) or at the beginning of such period (in the case of the statement of income); and
(d) as soon as available, but in any event within 90 days after the calendar year ending December 31, 2017, (i) a copy of the audited consolidated balance sheet of Northstar I as at the end of such year and the related audited consolidated statements of income and of cash flows for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous year, reported on without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception, or qualification arising out of the scope of the audit, by Grant Thornton LLP or other independent certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing, (ii) a copy of the audited consolidated balance sheet of Northstar II as at the end of such year and the related audited consolidated statements of income and of cash flows for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous year, reported on without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception, or qualification arising out of the scope of the audit, by Grant Thornton LLP or other independent certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing and (iii) a copy of the audited “carve-out” consolidated balance sheet for the CLNS Contributed Portfolio as at the end of such year and the related audited “carve-out” consolidated statements of income and of cash flows for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous year, reported on without
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a “going concern” or like qualification or exception, or qualification arising out of the scope of the audit, by Ernst & Young LLP or other independent certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing.
All such financial statements shall be prepared in reasonable detail and in accordance with GAAP applied (except as approved by such accountants or officer, as the case may be, and disclosed in reasonable detail therein) consistently throughout the periods reflected therein and with prior periods.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parent Borrower will be permitted to satisfy its obligations with respect to financial information relating to the Parent Borrower described in clauses (a) and (b) above by furnishing financial information relating to the REIT Entity; provided that (i) the same is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to the REIT Entity and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Parent Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand, with respect to the consolidated balance sheet and income statement (“Consolidating Information”) and (ii) the Consolidating Information shall be certified by a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Parent Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on a standalone basis.
6.2 Certificates; Other Information. Furnish to the Administrative Agent for distribution to each Lender (or, in the case of clause (g), to the relevant Lender):
(a) as soon as available, but in any event not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Parent Borrower, to the extent consistent with the policy of the independent certified public accountants reporting on the financial statements referred to in Section 6.1(a), a certificate of such independent certified public accountants stating that in making the examination necessary therefor no knowledge was obtained of any Event of Default pursuant to Section 7.1, except as specified in such certificate;
(b) as soon as available, but in any event not later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Parent Borrower and 45 days after the end of each of the first three quarterly periods of each fiscal year of the Parent Borrower, (i) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower stating that such Responsible Officer has obtained no knowledge of any Default or Event of Default except as specified in such certificate and (ii) (x) a Compliance Certificate containing calculations necessary for determining compliance by each Group Member with the provisions of Section 7.1 as of the last day of the fiscal quarter or fiscal year of the Parent Borrower, as the case may be and (y) to the extent not previously disclosed to the Administrative Agent, (1) a description of any change in the jurisdiction of organization of any Loan Party, (2) a list of any Capital Stock acquired by any Loan Party (or a structure chart depicting such Capital Stock) (which may be limited to Capital Stock relating to an Investment Asset included in the calculation of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount), and (3) a description of any Person that has become a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower that is a Domestic Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary or a Domestic Subsidiary constituting an Excluded Foreign Subsidiary) (or a structure chart depicting such Persons), in each case since the date of the most recent applicable report delivered pursuant to this clause (y) (or, in the case of the first such report so delivered, since the Closing Date);
(c) as soon as available, but in any event no later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Parent Borrower, a detailed consolidated budget for the following fiscal year (including a projected consolidated balance sheet of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the following fiscal year, the related consolidated statements of projected cash flow and projected income and a description of the underlying assumptions applicable thereto) (collectively, the “Projections”), which
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Projections shall in each case be accompanied by a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower stating that such Projections are prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time furnished (it being recognized that such Projections are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such Projections may differ from the projected results, and such differences may be material);
(d) as soon as available, but in any event no later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Parent Borrower and 45 days after the end of each of the first three quarterly periods of each fiscal year of the Parent Borrower, a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower setting forth a reasonably detailed calculation of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount on the last date of the relevant period covered by the financial statements for such fiscal period; provided that in the event that the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit outstanding at any time exceeds 90% of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount at such time, the Parent Borrower shall provide such certificates to the Administrative Agent on demand;
(e) promptly after the same are sent, copies of all financial statements and reports that the Parent Borrower sends to the holders of any class of its debt securities or public equity securities and, promptly after the same are filed, copies of all financial statements and reports that the Parent Borrower may make to, or file with, the SEC;
(f) promptly following receipt thereof, copies of (i) any documents described in Section 101(k) or 101(l) of ERISA that any Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate may request with respect to any Multiemployer Plan or any plan funding notice described in Section 101(f) of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan or any Multiemployer Plan provided to or received by any Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate; provided, that if the relevant Group Members or ERISA Affiliates have not received or requested, as applicable, such documents or notices from the administrator or sponsor of the applicable Multiemployer Plans, then, upon reasonable request of the Administrative Agent, such Group Member or the ERISA Affiliate shall promptly make a request for such documents or notices from such administrator or sponsor and the Parent Borrower shall provide copies of such documents and notices to the Administrative Agent promptly after receipt thereof; and
(g) promptly, such additional financial and other information (including, for the avoidance of doubt, asset-level data) as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may from time to time reasonably request; provided that in no event shall the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary be required to disclose information (x) to the extent that such disclosure to the Administrative Agent or such Lender violates any bona fide contractual confidentiality obligations by which it is bound, so long as (i) such obligations were not entered into in contemplation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and (ii) such obligations are owed by it to a third party, or (y) if such information is subject to attorney-client privilege and as to which the Parent Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary has been advised by counsel that the provision of such information to the Administrative Agent or such Lender would give rise to a waiver of such attorney-client privilege.
Information required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.1 and clause (e) of this Section 6.2 shall be deemed to have been delivered if such information, or one or more annual or quarterly reports containing such information, shall be available on the website of the Parent Borrower or the REIT Entity or the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.
6.3 Payment of Obligations. Pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy at or before maturity or before they become delinquent, as the case may be, all its material obligations in respect of Tax liabilities and other governmental charges, except where the amount or validity thereof is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and reserves in conformity with GAAP with respect thereto have been provided on the books of the relevant Group Member.
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6.4 Maintenance of Existence; Compliance. (a) (i) Preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its organizational existence (in the case of each Borrower, in a United States jurisdiction) and (ii) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except, in each case, as otherwise permitted by Section 7.4, and except, in the case of this clause (ii), to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (b) comply with all Contractual Obligations and Requirements of Law except to the extent that failure to comply therewith could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Parent Borrower will maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the Parent Borrower, its Affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.
6.5 Maintenance of Property; Insurance. (a) Except as could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, keep all property useful and necessary in its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted and (b) maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies insurance on all its property in at least such amounts and against at least such risks (but including in any event public liability, product liability and business interruption) as are usually insured against in the same general area by companies engaged in the same or a similar business.
6.6 Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions. (a) Keep proper books of records and account (in which full, true and correct entries shall be made of all material financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries) in a manner that permits the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and all Requirements of Law and (b) permit representatives of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to visit and inspect any of its properties and examine and make abstracts from any of its books and records at any reasonable time during normal business hours and as often as may reasonably be desired, upon reasonable advance notice to the Parent Borrower and to discuss the business, operations, properties and financial and other condition of the Group Members with officers and employees of the Group Members and with their independent certified public accountants; provided, however, that so long as no Event of Default exists, the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders shall be permitted to make only one (1) such visit per fiscal year at the expense of the Parent Borrower.
6.7 Notices. Promptly upon a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower becoming aware of the occurrence of any of the following events, give notice to the Administrative Agent for distribution to the Lenders:
(a) of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;
(b) of any (i) default or event of default under any Contractual Obligation of any Group Member or (ii) litigation, investigation or proceeding that may exist at any time between any Group Member and any Governmental Authority, that in either case, if not cured or if adversely determined, as the case may be, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(c) of any litigation or proceeding affecting any Group Member (i) which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and is not covered by insurance, (ii) in which injunctive or similar relief is sought or (iii) which relates to any Loan Document;
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(d) of the occurrence of any ERISA Event or Foreign Plan Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events and/or Foreign Plan Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(e) if at any time the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit outstanding exceeds 90% of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount;
(f) of any Trigger Event;
(g) of any development or event that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and
(h) of any Subsidiary Guarantor being a Specified Subsidiary.
Each notice pursuant to this Section 6.7 shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the relevant Group Member proposes to take with respect thereto.
6.8 Environmental Laws. (a) Comply with, and ensure compliance by all tenants and subtenants, if any, with, all applicable Environmental Laws, and obtain and comply with and maintain, and ensure that all tenants and subtenants obtain and comply with and maintain, any and all licenses, approvals, notifications, registrations or permits required by applicable Environmental Laws to continue activities as currently conducted; and
(b) Generate, use, treat, store, release, transport, dispose of, and otherwise manage all Materials of Environmental Concern in a manner that does not result in liability to any Group Member and does not impair the use of any property owned, leased or operated by any Group Member, and take reasonable efforts to prevent any other Person from generating, using, treating, storing, releasing, transporting, disposing of, or otherwise managing Materials of Environmental Concern in a manner that could result in a liability to, or impair the use of any real property owned, leased or operated by, any Group Member;
it being understood that this Section 6.8 shall be deemed not breached by a noncompliance with any of the foregoing (a) or (b); provided that such non-compliance, in the aggregate with any other such non-compliance, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.9 Maintenance of REIT Status; New York Stock Exchange Listing. The REIT Entity will at all times maintain its status as a REIT in compliance with the Code and all applicable regulations under the Code. The REIT Entity will also at all times be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
6.10 Additional Collateral, etc(a) . (a) After-Acquired Property of a Loan Party. With respect to any property acquired after the Closing Date by any Loan Party that is property of the type which would otherwise constitute Collateral subject to the Lien created by any of the Security Documents but is not yet so subject (including, without limitation, (x) all Capital Stock held by any Loan Party in any newly formed or acquired Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower and (y) all Capital Stock held by any Loan Party in any Affiliated Investor) (collectively, the “After-Acquired Property”), promptly but in any event within 60 days after the end of the fiscal year during which such property was acquired (or by such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion) (i) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent such amendments to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or such other documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request to grant to the Administrative Agent, for
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the benefit of the Lenders, a security interest in such property and (ii) take all actions necessary or reasonably requested to grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a perfected first priority security interest in such property, including (A) the filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements in such jurisdictions as may be required by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or by law or as may be requested by the Administrative Agent and (B) the delivery of the certificates (if any) representing any such Capital Stock acquired (together with undated stock powers or other appropriate instruments of transfer executed and delivered in blank by a duly authorized officer of the holder(s) of such Capital Stock); provided that to the extent that the documents described in clause (i) of this clause (a) have not been executed and delivered or the actions described in clause (ii) of this clause (a) have not been taken, in each case, with respect to any After-Acquired Property with an aggregate value in excess of 10.0% of the Total Asset Value at any time, the Parent Borrower shall cause the requirements set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) of this clause (a) to be met within 60 days after the end of the fiscal quarter during which such limit was exceeded to the extent necessary to eliminate such excess.
(b) [Intentionally omitted.]
(c) Additional Guarantors. With respect to any new Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower that is a Domestic Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary or a Domestic Subsidiary constituting an Excluded Foreign Subsidiary) created or acquired after the Closing Date by any Group Member (which, for the purposes of this Section 6.10(c), shall include any existing Domestic Subsidiary that ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary or Excluded Foreign Subsidiary) (collectively, the “New Subsidiaries”), promptly (but in any event within 60 days after the end of the fiscal year during which such New Subsidiary was created or acquired (or by such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion)),
(i) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent such amendments to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request to grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a perfected first priority security interest in the Capital Stock of such New Subsidiary that is owned by any Loan Party;
(ii) deliver to the Administrative Agent the certificates (if any) representing such Capital Stock, together with undated stock powers, in blank, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the relevant Loan Party;
(iii) cause such New Subsidiary (A) to become a party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, (B) to take such actions necessary or reasonably requested to grant to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders a perfected first priority security interest in the Collateral described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement with respect to such New Subsidiary, including the filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements in such jurisdictions as may be required by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or by law or as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and (C) to deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of such New Subsidiary, substantially in the form of Exhibit C, with appropriate insertions and attachments; and
(iv) if requested by the Administrative Agent, deliver to the Administrative Agent legal opinions relating to the matters described above, which opinions shall be in form and substance, and from counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
provided that, to the extent that such New Subsidiaries (other than any Subsidiary that constitutes a New Subsidiary solely as a result of ceasing to be an Excluded Subsidiary or Excluded Foreign Subsidiary during the period since the end of the most recently ended fiscal year) that have not yet executed and
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delivered the documents and taken the actions described in clauses (i) through (iv) of this Section 6.10(c) have assets with an aggregate value in excess of 10.0% of the Total Asset Value at any time, the Parent Borrower shall cause such New Subsidiaries to comply with clauses (i) through (iv) of this Section 6.10(c) within 60 days after the end of the fiscal quarter during which such limit was exceeded to the extent necessary to eliminate such excess. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect of any New Subsidiary that becomes a party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement pursuant to this Section 6.10(c), but does not directly or indirectly own Investment Assets that in any way contribute to the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount, clause (iv) above shall not apply unless otherwise reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of this Section 6.10(c) shall not limit the rights of the Parent Borrower to effect a joinder of a Subsidiary at an earlier time than that required by this Section 6.10(c).
(d) Equity Pledge of Excluded Foreign Subsidiaries. With respect to any new Excluded Foreign Subsidiary created or acquired after the Closing Date directly by any Loan Party, promptly but in any event within 60 days after the end of the fiscal year during which such New Excluded Foreign Subsidiary was created or acquired (or by such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion) (i) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent such amendments to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request to grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a perfected first priority security interest in the Capital Stock of such new Subsidiary that is owned by any Loan Party (provided that in no event shall more than 66 2⁄3% of the total outstanding voting Capital Stock, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, of any such new Subsidiary be required to be so pledged), and (ii) deliver to the Administrative Agent the certificates (if any) representing such Capital Stock, together with undated stock powers, in blank, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the relevant Loan Party, and take such other action as may be necessary or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to perfect the Administrative Agent’s security interest therein and (iii) if reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, deliver to the Administrative Agent legal opinions relating to the matters described above, which opinions shall be in form and substance, and from counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of the Loan Documents, the Loan Parties shall not be required to undertake such perfection actions in any jurisdictions outside the United States.
(e) Certain Collateral Limitations. Notwithstanding anything set forth herein or any of the other Loan Documents, but without limiting the requirements set forth in clause (F)(2) of the definition of Qualifying Criteria, the Loan Parties shall not be required to (x) take actions under the laws of any jurisdictions other than a jurisdiction of the United States in order to create or perfect security interests in any Collateral or (y) obtain third party acknowledgements, agreements or consents in support of the creation, perfection or enforcement of security interests in such Collateral. In addition, the requirements of this Section 6.10 shall not apply to (i) any assets or Subsidiaries created or acquired after the Closing Date, as applicable, as to which the Administrative Agent has reasonably determined, and has advised the Parent Borrower, that such requirements need not be satisfied because, inter alia, the collateral value thereof is insufficient to justify the difficulty, time and/or expense of obtaining a perfected security interest therein or (ii) require the pledge of any Qualified Non-Pledged Asset or other Investment Asset that would otherwise constitute Excluded Collateral (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement).
(f) Additional Subsidiary Borrower. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, each Subsidiary Borrower and any other applicable Loan Party shall, on the date such Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary Borrower under this Agreement, (A) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent such amendments to such Security Documents (or such additional Security Documents) as the Administrative Agent deems necessary or advisable to grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a perfected first priority security interest in the Capital Stock
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of such Subsidiary Borrower, (B) deliver to the Administrative Agent the certificates representing such Capital Stock, together with undated stock powers, in blank, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Parent Company or such other Loan Party, as the case may be, and take such other action as may be necessary or, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, desirable to perfect the Administrative Agent’s security interest therein, (C) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent such amendments to such Security Documents (or such additional Security Documents and guarantee documents) as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request for such Subsidiary Borrower to become a party to each applicable Security Document and guarantee document in its capacity as a Subsidiary Borrower, (D) execute and deliver such other documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request to grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a security interest in such property of such Subsidiary Borrower that is of the type included in the Collateral and (E) take all actions necessary or advisable to grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a perfected security interest in such property having the highest priority then available, including the filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements (or equivalent documents under local law) in such jurisdictions as may be required by the Security Documents or by law.
6.11 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Loans shall be used to finance (x) in part the Transaction Costs (except any Transaction Costs paid to an Affiliate of a Lender that is not a Subsidiary of a Lender, which shall not be paid with proceeds of Revolving Loans) and (y) the investment activities, working capital needs and general corporate purposes of the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
6.12 Information Regarding Collateral. The Parent Borrower shall provide prompt (but in any event within ten (10) days of any such change) written notice to the Administrative Agent of any change (i) in any Loan Party’s legal name, (ii) in the location of any Loan Party’s chief executive office, (iii) in any Loan Party’s identity or type of organization, (iv) in any Loan Party’s Federal Taxpayer Identification Number (or equivalent thereof), or (v) in any Loan Party’s jurisdiction of organization (in each case, including by merging with or into any other entity, reorganizing, dissolving, liquidating, reorganizing or organizing in any other jurisdiction), in each case, clearly describing such change and providing such other information in connection therewith as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request. Prior to effecting any such change, the Parent Borrower shall have taken (or will take on a timely basis) all action required to maintain the perfection and priority of the security interest of the Administrative Agent in the Collateral, if applicable. The Parent Borrower agrees to promptly provide the Administrative Agent with certified organization documents reflecting any of the changes described in the preceding sentence, to the extent applicable.
6.13 Organization Documents of Affiliated Investors. The Parent Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent with a copy of the organization documents of each Affiliated Investor promptly upon request by the Administrative Agent.
6.14 Distribution Accounts. (a) The Parent Borrower shall irrevocably instruct each Affiliated Investor that directly or indirectly owns an Investment Asset, to make any and all Distributions from such Affiliated Investor that are payable to any Loan Party into one or more deposit accounts or securities accounts, as applicable, that is subject to a Control Agreement (within the time period set forth in Schedule 6.16 with respect to the Control Agreements required pursuant to Schedule 6.16) and maintained by such Loan Party at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. or Bank of America, N.A., or any Affiliates thereof, or any other depositary bank or securities intermediary, as applicable, reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (each such deposit account and securities account, a “Distribution Account”). If, despite such instructions, any Distribution is received by a Loan Party in contravention of the prior sentences, such Loan Party shall receive such Distribution in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, and the Parent Borrower shall cause such Loan Party to segregate such Distribution from all other funds of such Loan Party and shall within two (2) Business Days following receipt thereof cause such Distribution to be deposited into a Distribution Account.
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(b) Each Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor that directly or indirectly owns and holds any Investment Asset shall promptly (and in any event within two (2) Business Days) deposit any and all payments and other amounts received by such Borrower or such Subsidiary Guarantor relating to such Investment Asset or received by any Affiliated Investor that, directly or indirectly, owns such Investment Asset (including, without limitation, all payments of principal, interest, fees, indemnities or premiums in respect of such Investment Asset, and all proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, or from any exercise of any rights or remedies with respect to, such Investment Asset) into a Distribution Account.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parent Borrower and each other Loan Party shall have the right (i) to access and make withdrawals from its Distribution Account at any time unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Administrative Agent shall have blocked access to such Distribution Account and (ii) in the case that an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Administrative Agent shall have blocked access to such Distribution Account, to access and make withdrawals from its Distribution Account as necessary to make the distributions contemplated by Section 7.6(e) so long as no Event of Default has occurred pursuant to Section 8(a) or 8(f).
6.15 Valuation. The Parent Borrower shall determine the Adjusted Net Book Value of each Investment Asset included in the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount on a quarterly basis, consistent with the Parent Borrower’s valuation policy as of the Closing Date.
6.16 Post-Closing Obligations. As promptly as practicable, and in any event within the applicable time period set forth in Schedule 6.16 (or by such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion), the Parent Borrower and each other Loan Party will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Administrative Agent all documents and take all actions set forth on Schedule 6.16. For the avoidance of doubt, to the extent any Loan Document requires delivery of any such document or completion of any such action prior to the date specified with respect thereto on Schedule 6.16, such delivery may be made or such action may be taken at any time prior to the time specified on Schedule 6.16. To the extent any representation and warranty would not be true or any provision of any covenant would otherwise be breached solely due to a failure to comply with any such requirement prior to the date specified on Schedule 6.16, the respective representation and warranty shall be required to be true and correct (or the respective covenant complied with) with respect to such action only at the time such action is taken (or was required to be taken) in accordance with this Section 6.16.
SECTION 7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS
The Parent Borrower hereby agrees that, until Payment in Full, the Parent Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
7.1 Financial Condition Covenants.
(a) Consolidated Leverage Ratio. At any time on or after March 31, 2018, permit the Consolidated Leverage Ratio of the Parent Borrower to exceed 0.70 to 1.00.
(b) Minimum Interest Coverage Ratio. Beginning with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2018, permit the Interest Coverage Ratio of the Parent Borrower for any fiscal quarter to be less than 3.00 to 1.00.
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(c) Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. At any time on or after March 31, 2018 permit the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Parent Borrower to be less than 1.50 to 1.00.
(d) Consolidated Tangible Net Worth. At any time on or after March 31, 2018, permit Consolidated Tangible Net Worth to be less than the sum of (i) $2,105,000,000 and (ii) 50% of the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Parent Borrower (x) from any offering by the Parent Borrower of its common equity and (y) from any offering by the REIT Entity of its common equity to the extent such Net Cash Proceeds are contributed to the Parent Borrower, excluding any such Net Cash Proceeds that are contributed to the Parent Borrower within 90 days of receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds and applied to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire Capital Stock issued by the Parent Borrower (or any direct or indirect parent thereof).
(e) Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount. Permit the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit at any time to exceed the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount at such time.
For the avoidance of doubt, on and after the Closing Date, calculations made pursuant to this Section 7.1 shall be calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Transactions; provided, that calculations to be made over an applicable test period shall be calculated as if the Transactions had occurred on the first day of the applicable test period; provided, further, that calculations to be made as of a given date shall be calculated as if the Transactions had occurred as of such date.
7.2 Indebtedness. Create, issue, incur, assume, become liable in respect of or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:
(a) Indebtedness of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document;
(b) Indebtedness of (i) the Parent Borrower to any Subsidiary, (ii) any Subsidiary Guarantor to the Parent Borrower or any other Subsidiary and (iii) to the extent constituting an Investment permitted by Section 7.7, any Subsidiary to the Parent Borrower or any other Subsidiary;
(c) Guarantee Obligations by the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of obligations of any Subsidiary to the extent constituting an Investment permitted by Section 7.7 (other than pursuant to Section 7.7(c)); provided however, that in the case of a Guarantee Obligation by an Unconsolidated Subsidiary of obligations of any person that is not an Unconsolidated Subsidiary, such Guarantee Obligation shall be included in the calculation of Consolidated Total Debt hereunder; provided further that, to the extent the primary obligations (as defined in the definition of Guarantee Obligations) in respect of such Guarantee Obligations are subordinated to the Obligations or the Guarantor Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), as applicable, any such Guarantee Obligations shall be subordinated to the Obligations or the Guarantor Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), as applicable, on terms no less favorable to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders than the subordination terms applicable to the primary obligations;
(d) Indebtedness outstanding on the date hereof and, to the extent the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness exceeds $2,000,000, listed on Schedule 7.2(d) and any refinancings, refundings, renewals or extensions thereof (without shortening the maturity thereof, or increasing the principal amount thereof, except by an amount up to the unpaid accrued interest and premium thereon plus other amounts owing or paid related to such existing Indebtedness, and fees and expenses incurred, in connection with such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension); provided that, to the extent such Indebtedness listed on Schedule 7.2(d) is subordinated to the Obligations or the Guarantor Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), as applicable, any such refinancings, refundings,
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renewals or extensions shall be subordinated to the Obligations or the Guarantor Obligations (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), as applicable, on terms no less favorable to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders;
(e) Indebtedness (including, without limitation, Capital Lease Obligations and Indebtedness incurred to finance the acquisition, construction or development of any fixed or capital assets (except to the extent incurred with respect to any Investment Asset)) secured by Liens permitted by Section 7.3(g) in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed $40,000,000;
(f) Non-Recourse Indebtedness of Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties and any Non-Recourse Pledge; provided that after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence of such Non-Recourse Indebtedness or Non-Recourse Pledge, as applicable, the Parent Borrower shall be in compliance with Section 7.1;
(g) unsecured Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party; provided that (i) such unsecured Indebtedness shall mature no earlier than the date that is 91 days following the Latest Termination Date (and shall not require any payment of principal prior to such date other than any provision requiring a mandatory prepayment or an offer to purchase such Indebtedness as a result of a change of control, asset sale, casualty event or de-listing of common stock) and (ii) after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence of such unsecured Indebtedness, the Parent Borrower shall be in compliance with Section 7.1(a);
(h) unsecured Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any other Loan Party not otherwise permitted hereunder; provided that (i) at the time such Indebtedness is incurred and during the period such Indebtedness continues to remain outstanding, there are no Revolving Extensions of Credit outstanding (provided that, if there are Revolving Extensions of Credit outstanding immediately prior to the time such Indebtedness is incurred, such Loans shall be paid in full and any outstanding Letters of Credit shall have been cash collateralized in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 8.1, in each case prior to or simultaneously with the incurrence of such Indebtedness), (ii) no Default shall have occurred or be continuing or would result therefrom and (iii) such Indebtedness shall not have a maturity date that is later than two (2) years after the initial incurrence thereof;
(i) Specified GAAP Reportable B Loan Transactions; provided that after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence of such Specified GAAP Reportable B Loan Transactions, no Default shall have occurred or be continuing or would result therefrom;
(j) Permitted Warehouse Indebtedness; provided that after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence of such Permitted Warehouse Indebtedness, no Default shall have occurred or be continuing or would result therefrom;
(k) Indebtedness in respect of netting services, automatic clearinghouse arrangements, overdraft protections, employee credit card programs and other cash management and similar arrangements in the ordinary course of business and any guarantees thereof or the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided that any such Indebtedness is extinguished within 30 days;
(l) Indebtedness incurred by the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary (including obligations in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees, warehouse receipts or similar instruments issued or created in the ordinary course of business) owed to any Person providing workers compensation, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance;
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(m) obligations in respect of performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds and performance and completion guarantees (not for borrowed money) and similar obligations provided by the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary in each case in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice; and
(n) additional Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount (for the Parent Borrower and all Subsidiaries) at any one time outstanding not to exceed $40,000,000.
7.3 Liens. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except:
(a) Liens for Taxes not yet due or the amount or validity of which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, provided that adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained in conformity with GAAP;
(b) carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business that are not overdue for a period of more than 30 days or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
(c) pledges or deposits in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation;
(d) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts (other than for borrowed money), leases, statutory obligations (other than any such obligation imposed pursuant to Section 430(k) of the Code or Sections 303(k) or 4068 of ERISA), surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(e) (i) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar encumbrances incurred in the ordinary course of business that, in the aggregate, do not in any case materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and (ii) other Liens encumbering any Commercial Real Estate Ownership Investment that do not secure Indebtedness for borrowed money or Indebtedness constituting seller financing;
(f) Liens in existence on the date hereof listed on Schedule 7.3(f), securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.2(d), provided that no such Lien is spread to cover any additional property after the Closing Date;
(g) Liens securing Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary incurred pursuant to Section 7.2(e) to finance the acquisition, construction or development of fixed or capital assets, provided that (i) such Liens shall be created within 270 days of the acquisition of such fixed or capital assets, (ii) such Liens do not at any time encumber any property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness and (iii) the amount of Indebtedness secured thereby is not increased;
(h) Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents;
(i) any interest or title of a lessor under any lease entered into by the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of its business and covering only the assets so leased;
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(j) Liens securing Non-Recourse Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.2(f); provided that (i) such Liens do not at any time encumber any Collateral and (ii) such Liens do not encumber any assets other than assets of any non-Loan Party that incurred such Non-Recourse Indebtedness (which, for clarity, may include assets of any non-Loan Party guarantor of such Non-Recourse Indebtedness) or any Loan Party that is limited to a Non-Recourse Pledge; provided that such Liens may be extended to other assets solely in connection with (x) an increase in the amount of such financing (such as in the form of incremental extensions of credit or the consummation of a refinancing) in an amount that is reasonably proportional to the value of the additional collateral or (y) a substitution of collateral supporting such Non-Recourse Indebtedness with replacement collateral of reasonably equivalent value, in each case as determined by the Parent Borrower in its commercially reasonable discretion giving due regard to general market conditions at the time of such increase or refinancing;
(k) Liens on cash collateral securing Swap Obligations, solely to the extent hedging assets included in the calculation of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount (without giving effect to any concentration limits set forth in the definition thereof);
(l) Liens deemed to exist pursuant to Specified GAAP Reportable B Loan Transactions permitted pursuant to Section 7.2(i) solely to the extent encumbering the assets consisting of “A-Notes” related thereto;
(m) Liens securing Permitted Warehouse Indebtedness of the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary incurred pursuant to Section 7.2(j), solely to the extent encumbering (i) the Commercial Real Estate Debt Investments financed thereby or (ii) Capital Stock of the Permitted Warehouse Borrower pursuant to a Permitted Warehouse Equity Pledge;
(n) Liens securing judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8(h);
(o) any Lien existing on any property or asset prior to the acquisition thereof by the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary following the Closing Date, provided that (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, and (ii) such Lien does not apply to any other property or assets of the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary;
(p) Liens (i) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on the items in the course of collection and (ii) in favor of a banking or other financial institution arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits or other funds maintained with a financial institution (including the right of set off) and which are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry; provided that such liens, rights or remedies are not security for or otherwise related to Indebtedness;
(q) Liens arising from precautionary Uniform Commercial Code financing statement or similar filings;
(r) Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto;
(s) Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with any acquisition permitted hereunder;
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(t) Liens not otherwise permitted by this Section so long as the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the obligations secured thereby (as to the Parent Borrower and all Subsidiaries) does not exceed in the aggregate at any one time outstanding $30,000,000; and
(u) to the extent constituting a Lien, obligations restricting the sale or other transfer of assets pursuant to commercially reasonable “tax protection” (or similar) agreements entered into with limited partners or members of the Parent Borrower or of any other Subsidiary of the REIT Entity in a so-called “DownREIT Transaction”.
provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any Liens (other than Liens permitted pursuant to clauses (a), (h), (n) and (u) above) encumber any of the Collateral.
7.4 Fundamental Changes. Enter into any merger, consolidation or amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or Dispose of all or substantially all of its property or business, except that:
(a) any Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower (other than a Borrower) may be merged or consolidated with or into the Parent Borrower (provided that the Parent Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving corporation) or with or into any Subsidiary Guarantor (provided that in the case of any Loan Party merging with a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, the surviving entity shall be or become, substantially simultaneously therewith, a Loan Party);
(b) any non-Loan Party Subsidiary may be merged or consolidated with or into any other non-Loan Party Subsidiary;
(c) (i) any Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower (other than a Borrower) may Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to the Parent Borrower or any Loan Party (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise), (ii) any non-Loan Party Subsidiary may Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to another non-Loan Party Subsidiary (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) or (iii) Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower may Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets pursuant to a Disposition permitted by Section 7.5; provided that any such Disposition by a Borrower must be to another Loan Party;
(d) any Investment permitted by Section 7.7 may be structured as a merger, consolidation or amalgamation; and
(e) any Subsidiary that has no material assets may be dissolved or liquidated.
7.5 Disposition of Property. Dispose of any of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or, in the case of any Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower, issue or sell any shares of such Subsidiary’s Capital Stock to any Person, except:
(a) the Disposition of obsolete or worn out property in the ordinary course of business;
(b) the sale of inventory in the ordinary course of business;
(c) Dispositions permitted by clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 7.4(c);
(d) the sale or issuance of any Subsidiary’s Capital Stock to the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor; and
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(e) the Disposition of other property including the sale or issuance of any Subsidiary’s Capital Stock; provided that after giving pro forma effect to such Dispositions, the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit shall not exceed the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount.
7.6 Restricted Payments. Declare or pay any dividend (other than dividends payable solely in common stock, partnership interests or membership interests of the Person making such dividend) on, or make any payment on account of, or set apart assets for a sinking or other analogous fund for, the purchase, redemption, defeasance, retirement or other acquisition of, any Capital Stock of any Group Member, whether now or hereafter outstanding, or make any other distribution in respect thereof, either directly or indirectly, whether in cash or property or in obligations of any Group Member (collectively, “Restricted Payments”), except that:
(a) any Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to the Parent Borrower, any Subsidiary Guarantor and each other owner of Capital Stock of such Subsidiary, which Restricted Payments shall either be paid ratably to the owners entitled thereto or otherwise in accordance with any preferences or priorities among the owners applicable thereto;
(b) the Parent Borrower and any Subsidiary may repurchase Capital Stock in the Parent Borrower or any such Subsidiary deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options or warrants if such Capital Stock represents a portion of the exercise price of such options or warrants;
(c) the Parent Borrower and any Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to acquire the Capital Stock held by any other shareholder, member or partner in a Subsidiary that is not wholly-owned directly or indirectly by the Parent Borrower to the extent constituting an Investment permitted by Section 7.7;
(d) so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Parent Borrower may purchase (and make distributions to permit the REIT Entity to purchase) its common stock, partnership interests or membership interests, as applicable, or options with respect thereto from present or former officers or employees of any Group Member upon the death, disability or termination of employment of such officer or employee; provided, that the aggregate amount of payments under this clause (d) after the date hereof (net of any proceeds received by the Parent Borrower after the date hereof in connection with resales of any such Capital Stock or Capital Stock options so purchased) shall not exceed $10,000,000;
(e) (i) so long as no Event of Default under Section 8(a) or (f) shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, the Parent Borrower shall be permitted to declare and pay dividends and distributions on its Capital Stock or make distributions with respect thereto in an amount not to exceed the greater of (x) such amount as is necessary for the REIT Entity to maintain its status as a REIT under the Code and (y) such amount as is necessary for the REIT Entity to avoid income tax and, so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall result therefrom, excise tax under the Code and (ii) the Parent Borrower shall be permitted to declare and pay an additional amount of dividends and distributions on its Capital Stock or make distributions with respect thereto so long as (x) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom and (y) after giving pro forma effect to any such dividend or distribution, the Parent Borrower shall be in compliance with Section 7.1;
(f) the Parent Borrower may make Restricted Payments constituting purchases or redemptions by the Parent Borrower of shares of its Capital Stock (and the Parent Borrower may make such cash distributions as may be required to enable the REIT Entity to purchase or redeem shares of Capital Stock), but only to the extent that immediately after giving effect to each such Restricted Payment (i) no Default or Event of Default is then continuing or shall occur and (ii) the Parent Borrower shall be in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.1 on a pro forma basis;
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(g) the Parent Borrower and each Subsidiary thereof, in addition to distributions permitted by Section 7.6(f), may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire Capital Stock issued by it with the proceeds received from the issuance of new shares of its common stock or other Capital Stock within ninety (90) days (or by such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion) of such issuance;
(h) the Parent Borrower, or any other Subsidiary of the REIT Entity in a so-called “DownREIT transaction”, may redeem for cash limited partnership interests or membership interests in the Parent Borrower or such Subsidiary, respectively, pursuant to customary redemption rights granted to the applicable limited partner or member, but only to the extent that, in the good faith determination of the REIT Entity, issuing shares of the REIT Entity in redemption of such partnership or membership interests reasonably could be considered to impair its ability to maintain its status as a REIT; and
(i) to the extent constituting a Restricted Payment, payments by the Parent Borrower to the REIT Entity to the extent required to fund administrative and operating expenses of the REIT Entity, including, without limitation, to fund liabilities of the REIT Entity that would not result in a default under Section 8(l), to the extent attributable to any activity of or with respect to the REIT Entity that is not otherwise prohibited by this Agreement;
provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Parent Borrower make any Restricted Payments during the period from and after the Initial Revolving Termination Date upon the exercise by the Parent Borrower of any Extension Option (other than Restricted Payments permitted pursuant to clauses (b), (c), (d) and (e) above; provided that the amount of any dividend and distribution permitted pursuant to clause (e)(ii) above shall not exceed the amount of the most recent ordinary dividend that was distributed with respect to the Capital Stock of the Parent Borrower pursuant to such clause (e)(ii) prior to the Initial Revolving Termination Date).
7.7 Investments. Make any advance, loan, extension of credit (by way of guaranty or otherwise) or capital contribution to, or purchase any Capital Stock, bonds, notes, debentures or other debt securities of, or any assets constituting a business unit of, or make any other investment in, any Person (all of the foregoing, “Investments”), except:
(a) extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course of business;
(b) investments in Cash Equivalents;
(c) Guarantee Obligations permitted by Section 7.2;
(d) loans and advances to employees of any Group Member (i) in the ordinary course of business (including for travel, entertainment and relocation expenses) in an aggregate amount for all Group Members not to exceed $1,000,000 at any one time outstanding and (ii) in connection with such employee’s purchase of Capital Stock of a Group Member in an aggregate amount for all Group Members not to exceed $5,000,000 at any one time outstanding; provided that no cash is actually advanced pursuant to this clause (d)(ii) unless immediately repaid;
(e) intercompany Investments by any Group Member in any Borrower or any Person that, prior to such investment, is a Subsidiary Guarantor;
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(f) in addition to Investments otherwise permitted by this Section, Investments by the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that do not constitute Restricted Investments, so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of entering into an agreement to make such Investment or shall result therefrom; and
(g) any Investment if and to the extent that the Parent Borrower determines in good faith that the making such Investment is reasonably necessary to permit it (or the REIT Entity) to satisfy the requirements applicable to REITs under the Code, so long as no Default pursuant to Section 8(a) or (f) shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of entering into such agreement to make such Investment or shall result therefrom.
7.8 Optional Payments and Modifications of Certain Debt Instruments. (a) Make or offer to make (other than an offer conditioned upon the Payment in Full or upon the requisite consent of the Lenders) any optional or voluntary payment, prepayment, repurchase or redemption of or otherwise optionally or voluntarily defease or segregate funds with respect to Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $25,000,000 during the term of the Revolving Facility (other than (A) the refinancing thereof with any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Section 7.2 (provided such Indebtedness does not shorten the maturity date thereof), (B) the conversion or exchange of any such Indebtedness to Capital Stock of the Parent Borrower (other than Disqualified Capital Stock), including any issuance of such Capital Stock in respect of which the proceeds are applied to the payment of such Indebtedness, (C) repayments, redemptions, purchases, defeasances and other payments in respect of any such Indebtedness of any non-Loan Party; provided that payments referred to in this clause (C) shall only be permitted so long as after giving effect thereto, the Parent Borrower is in pro forma compliance with Section 7.1(a) and (D) prepayments of Indebtedness in the nature of revolving loan facilities, including Permitted Warehouse Indebtedness); (b) amend, modify, waive or otherwise change, or consent or agree to any amendment, modification, waiver or other change to, any of the terms of Material Indebtedness (other than any such amendment, modification, waiver or other change that either (A) (i) would extend the maturity or reduce the amount of any payment of principal thereof or reduce the rate or extend any date for payment of interest thereon and (ii) does not involve the payment of a consent fee, or (B) taken as a whole, is not materially adverse to the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as whole, or the Lenders ); or (c) amend, modify, waive or otherwise change, or consent or agree to any amendment, modification, waiver or other change to, any of the terms of any preferred stock of the Parent Borrower (other than any such amendment, modification, waiver or other change that either (A) (i) would extend the scheduled redemption date or reduce the amount of any scheduled redemption payment or reduce the rate or extend any date for payment of dividends thereon and (ii) does not involve the payment of a consent fee or (B) taken as a whole, is not materially adverse to the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or the Lenders); provided, that such actions described in clauses (a), (b) and (c) may be taken if and to the extent that the Parent Borrower determines in good faith that such action is reasonably necessary to permit it (or the REIT Entity) to satisfy the requirements applicable to REITs under the Code, so long as no Default pursuant to Section 8(a) or (f) shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of entering into such agreement to make such Investment or shall result therefrom. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 7.8 shall not apply to (i) intercompany Indebtedness, (ii) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 7.2(h) or (iii) obligations of any Pledged Affiliate or Group Member whose Capital Stock is owned directly or indirectly by a Pledged Affiliate.
7.9 Transactions with Affiliates. Enter into any transaction, including any purchase, sale, lease or exchange of property, the rendering of any service or the payment of any management, advisory or similar fees, with any Affiliate (other than any Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor) unless such transaction is (a) otherwise permitted under this Agreement, (b) in the ordinary course of business of the relevant Group Member, and (c) upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to the relevant Group Member than it would obtain in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person that is not an
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Affiliate; provided that (i) so long as no Event of Default under Section 8(a) or (f) shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom and to the extent permitted under the Management Subordination Agreement, the requirements of this Section 7.9 shall not apply to transactions under the Management Agreement and the payment of management fees to the Manager pursuant to the Management Agreement and (ii) the requirements of this Section 7.9 shall not apply to (A) transactions subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 7.6 or 7.7 that are permitted pursuant to Sections 7.6 or 7.7, as applicable or (B) payments by the Parent Borrower to the REIT Entity to the extent required to fund administrative and operating expenses of the REIT Entity.
7.10 Accounting Changes. Make any change in accounting policies or reporting practices, except in accordance with GAAP or required by any governmental or regulatory authority; provided that the Parent Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any such change made in accordance with GAAP or required by any governmental or regulatory authority.
7.11 Swap Agreements. Enter into any Swap Agreement, except (a) Swap Agreements entered into to hedge or mitigate risks to which the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary has actual or anticipated exposure (other than those in respect of Capital Stock) and (b) Swap Agreements entered into in order to effectively cap, collar or exchange interest rates (from fixed to floating rates, from floating to fixed rates, from one floating rate to another floating rate or otherwise) with respect to any interest-bearing liability or investment of the Parent Borrower or any Subsidiary.
7.12 Changes in Fiscal Periods. Permit the fiscal year of the Parent Borrower to end on a day other than December 31 or change the Parent Borrower’s method of determining fiscal quarters.
7.13 Negative Pledge Clauses. Enter into or suffer to exist or become effective any agreement that prohibits or limits the ability of any Loan Party to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property or revenues of the type intended to constitute Collateral, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to secure its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party other than (a) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (b) any agreements governing (i) any purchase money Liens or Capital Lease Obligations or other secured Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereby (in each case, which prohibition or limitation shall only be effective against the assets financed thereby which in any event shall not include Collateral) or (ii) Indebtedness of an Excluded Subsidiary of the type described in clause (ii) of the definition of Excluded Subsidiary (in each case, where such limitation or prohibition is only effective against the equity interests owned by a Loan Party in such Excluded Subsidiary), (c) provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable to joint ventures permitted under Section 7.7 and applicable solely to such joint venture and direct or indirect ownership interests therein and (d) change of control or similar limitations applicable to the upstream ownership of any Investment Asset; provided, in the case of clauses (c) and (d) above, that no Liens securing Indebtedness (other than Liens constituting a Non-Recourse Pledge) are permitted to exist on such assets.
7.14 Use of Proceeds. Request any Loan or Letter of Credit, and no Borrower shall use, and each Borrower shall procure that its Affiliates and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any Loan or Letter of Credit (A) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws or (B) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, to the extent such activities, businesses or transaction would be prohibited by Sanctions if conducted by a corporation incorporated in the United States or in a European Union member state.
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7.15 Nature of Business. Enter into any line of business, either directly or through any Subsidiary, substantially different from those lines of business conducted by the Parent Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the date hereof or any business substantially related or incidental thereto.
7.16 Margin Stock. Use the proceeds of any Loan, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, to purchase or carry margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the Board) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose.
7.17 Amendment, Waiver and Terminations of Certain Agreements. (a) Directly or indirectly, consent to, approve, authorize or otherwise suffer or permit any amendment, change, cancellation, termination or waiver in any respect of the terms of any organizational document of any Loan Party, Subsidiary thereof or any Affiliated Investor (other than a waiver by the Parent Borrower of the ownership limitations in and pursuant to its organizational documents), in each case other than amendments and modifications that, taken as a whole, are not materially adverse to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders.
(b) Directly or indirectly, consent to, approve, authorize or otherwise suffer or permit any (i) cancellation, termination or replacement of the Management Agreement, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders or (ii) amendment, modification or waiver in any respect any of the terms or provisions of the Management Agreement that results in (x)(A) the Manager no longer serving as the “Manager” thereunder, (B) an increase in the amount of any fees payable to the Manager thereunder or (C) any other change in the fee structure set forth in the Management Agreement that is materially adverse to the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, in the case of each of subclauses (A), (B) and (C) of this clause (x), without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders or (y) any other change to the terms and provisions of the Management Agreement that is adverse in any material respect to the Parent Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT
If any of the following events shall occur and be continuing:
(a) any Borrower shall fail to pay (x) any principal of any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation when due in accordance with the terms hereof; (y) any interest on any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation or any fees payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document within three days after any such interest or fees becomes due or (z) any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document within five days after such other amount becomes due, in each case, in accordance with the terms hereof; or
(b) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by any Loan Party herein or in any other Loan Document or that is contained in any certificate, document or financial or other statement furnished by it at any time under or in connection with this Agreement or any such other Loan Document shall prove to have been inaccurate in any material respect on or as of the date made or deemed made; or
(c) any Loan Party shall default in the observance or performance of any agreement contained in Section 6.2(d), Section 6.4(a)(i) (with respect to a Borrower only), Section 6.7(a), Section 6.9, Section 6.14 or Section 7 of this Agreement; or
(d) any Loan Party shall default in the observance or performance of any other agreement contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than as provided in paragraphs (a)
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through (c) of this Section), and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after the earlier of (i) the date that any Borrower gains knowledge of such default and (ii) notice to the Parent Borrower from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders; or
(e) any Loan Party shall (i) default in making any payment of any principal of any Indebtedness (including any Guarantee Obligation, but excluding the Loans and any Non-Recourse Indebtedness) on the scheduled or original due date with respect thereto; or (ii) default in making any payment of any interest on any such Indebtedness beyond the period of grace, if any, provided in the instrument or agreement under which such Indebtedness was created; or (iii) default in the observance or performance of any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which default or other event or condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or beneficiary of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or beneficiary) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity or (in the case of any such Indebtedness constituting a Guarantee Obligation) to become payable by a Loan Party; provided, that a default, event or condition described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of this paragraph (e) shall not at any time constitute an Event of Default unless, at such time, one or more defaults, events or conditions of the type described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph (e) shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to Indebtedness the aggregate outstanding principal amount of which is $40,000,000 or more; provided further, that this clause (iii) shall not apply to any Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of customary non-default mandatory prepayments resulting from asset sales, casualty or condemnation events, the incurrence of Indebtedness, equity issuances or excess cash flow or any similar concept; or
(f) (i) any Loan Party shall commence any case, proceeding or other action (A) under any existing or future law of any jurisdiction, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or relief of debtors, seeking to have an order for relief entered with respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution, composition or other relief with respect to it or its debts, or (B) seeking appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator or other similar official for it or for all or any substantial part of its assets; or (ii) there shall be commenced against any Loan Party any case, proceeding or other action of a nature referred to in clause (i) above that (A) results in the entry of an order for relief or any such adjudication or appointment or (B) remains undismissed or undischarged for a period of 60 days; or (iii) there shall be commenced against any Loan Party any case, proceeding or other action seeking issuance of a warrant of attachment, execution, distraint or similar process against all or any substantial part of its assets that results in the entry of an order for any such relief that shall not have been vacated, discharged, or stayed or bonded pending appeal within 60 days from the entry thereof; or (iv) any Loan Party shall take any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the acts set forth in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) above; or (v) any Loan Party shall generally not, or shall be unable to, or shall admit in writing its inability to, pay its debts as they become due; or (vi) or any Loan Party shall make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or
(g) (i) an ERISA Event or a Foreign Plan Event shall have occurred; (ii) a trustee shall be appointed by a United States district court to administer any Pension Plan; (iii) the PBGC shall institute proceedings to terminate any Pension Plan; (iv) any Group Member or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates shall have been notified by the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan that it has incurred or will be assessed Withdrawal Liability to such Multiemployer Plan and such entity does not have reasonable grounds for contesting such Withdrawal Liability or is not contesting such Withdrawal Liability in a timely and appropriate manner; or (v) any other event or condition shall occur or exist with respect to a Plan, a Foreign Benefit Arrangement, or a Foreign Plan; and in each case in clauses (i) through (v) above, such event or condition, together with all other such events or conditions, if any, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or
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(h) one or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against any Loan Party involving in the aggregate a liability (not paid or fully covered by insurance as to which the relevant insurance company has not denied coverage) of $40,000,000 or more, and all such judgments or decrees shall not have been vacated, discharged, stayed or bonded pending appeal within 45 days from the entry thereof; or
(i) any of the Loan Documents shall cease, for any reason, to be in full force and effect, or any Loan Party or any Affiliate of any Loan Party shall so assert, or any Lien created by any of the Security Documents shall cease to be enforceable and of the same effect and priority purported to be created thereby; or
(j) the guarantee contained in Section 2 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement shall cease, for any reason, to be in full force and effect or any Loan Party or any Affiliate of any Loan Party shall so assert; or
(k) (i) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) shall become, or obtain rights (whether by means or warrants, options or otherwise) to become, the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13(d)-3 and 13(d)-5 under the Exchange Act except that a person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all securities that such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time (such right, an “option right”)), directly or indirectly, of more than 35% of the outstanding common stock of the REIT Entity, (ii) the board of directors of the REIT Entity shall cease to consist of a majority of Continuing Directors, (iii) the Parent Borrower shall cease to own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the Capital Stock and other equity interests of each Subsidiary Borrower, in each case, free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties) or (iv) the REIT Entity shall cease to be the sole managing member of the Parent Borrower or the REIT Entity shall cease to own, directly, (1) at least a majority of the total voting power of the then outstanding voting Capital Stock of the Parent Borrower or (2) Capital Stock of the Parent Borrower representing at least a majority of the total economic interests of the Capital Stock of the Parent Borrower, in each case free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties); or
(l) the REIT Entity shall (i) conduct, transact or otherwise engage in, or commit to conduct, transact or otherwise engage in, any business or operations other than those incidental to the consummation of the Transactions, its existence as a publicly-traded REIT (including in relation to any issuance and sale of any Capital Stock therein) and ownership of the Capital Stock of the Parent Borrower and the intercompany arrangements described in clause (iii) below, (ii) incur, create, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness or other liabilities or financial obligations, except (x) nonconsensual obligations imposed by operation of law and (y) obligations with respect to its Capital Stock and the intercompany arrangements described in clause (iii) below and (z) liabilities (other than Indebtedness) incidental to the activities described in clause (i) above, including liabilities associated with employment contracts, executive officer and director indemnification agreements and employee benefit matters, or (iii) own, lease, manage or otherwise operate any properties or assets (including cash (other than cash received in connection with dividends made by the Parent Borrower in accordance with Section 7.6 pending application in the manner contemplated by said Section) and cash equivalents, other assets approved by the Administrative Agent with an aggregate book value not to exceed $25,000,000) other than the ownership of shares of Capital Stock of the Parent Borrower and, to the extent constituting assets, intercompany arrangements in favor of the REIT Entity in relation to providing funding for obligations of the REIT Entity, as well as other contractual intercompany arrangements of immaterial value;
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(m) any Intermediate Holdco Subsidiary shall fail to satisfy the requirements of the definition thereof, provided that, any failure to adhere to the requirements of this clause (m) may be remedied by the Parent Borrower by causing such Intermediate Holdco Subsidiary to become a Subsidiary Guarantor within 15 days after the earlier of (i) the date that the Parent Borrower gains knowledge of such default and (ii) notice to the Parent Borrower from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders of such default; or
(n) the Manager or an Affiliate of the Manager shall cease to be the investment manager of the REIT Entity;
then, and in any such event, (A) if such event is an Event of Default specified in clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (f) above with respect to any Borrower, automatically the Revolving Commitments shall immediately terminate and the Loans (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including all amounts of L/C Obligations, whether or not the beneficiaries of the then outstanding Letters of Credit shall have presented the documents required thereunder) shall immediately become due and payable, and (B) if such event is any other Event of Default, either or both of the following actions may be taken: (i) with the consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Parent Borrower declare the Revolving Commitments to be terminated forthwith, whereupon the Revolving Commitments shall immediately terminate; and (ii) with the consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Parent Borrower, declare the Loans (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including all amounts of L/C Obligations, whether or not the beneficiaries of the then outstanding Letters of Credit shall have presented the documents required thereunder) to be due and payable forthwith, whereupon the same shall immediately become due and payable. With respect to all Letters of Credit with respect to which presentment for honor shall not have occurred at the time of an acceleration pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrowers with Letters of Credit then outstanding, shall at such time deposit in a cash collateral account opened by the Administrative Agent an amount equal to the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of such Letters of Credit. Amounts held in such cash collateral account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to the payment of drafts drawn under such Letters of Credit, and the unused portion thereof after all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, if any, shall be applied to repay other obligations of the Borrowers hereunder and under the other Loan Documents. After all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, all Reimbursement Obligations shall have been satisfied and all other obligations of the Borrowers hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall have been paid in full, the balance, if any, in such cash collateral account shall be returned to the applicable Borrower (or such other Person as may be lawfully entitled thereto). Except as expressly provided above in this Section, presentment, demand, protest and all other notices of any kind are hereby expressly waived by the Borrowers.
SECTION 9. THE AGENTS
9.1 Appointment. Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Administrative Agent as the agent of such Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and each such Lender irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably
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incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent.
9.2 Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may execute any of its duties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by or through agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.
9.3 Exculpatory Provisions. Neither any Agent nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates shall be (i) liable for any action lawfully taken or omitted to be taken by it or such Person under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document (except to the extent that any of the foregoing are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from its or such Person’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct) or (ii) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by any Loan Party or any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Agents under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or for any failure of any Loan Party a party thereto to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. The Agents shall not be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of any Loan Party.
9.4 Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any instrument, writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telecopy or email message, statement, order or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to any Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may deem and treat the payee of any Note as the owner thereof for all purposes unless a written notice of assignment, negotiation or transfer thereof shall have been filed with the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any other Loan Document unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders) as it deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents in accordance with a request of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders), and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders and all future holders of the Loans.
9.5 Notice of Default. The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default unless the Administrative Agent has received notice from a Lender or the Parent Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default”. In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the
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Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders); provided that unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders.
9.6 Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders. Each Lender expressly acknowledges that neither the Agents nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates have made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by any Agent hereafter taken, including any review of the affairs of a Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan Party, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by any Agent to any Lender. Each Lender represents to the Agents that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their affiliates and made its own decision to make its Loans hereunder and enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their affiliates. Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, operations, property, condition (financial or otherwise), prospects or creditworthiness of any Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan Party that may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates.
9.7 Indemnification. The Lenders agree to indemnify each Agent and its officers, directors, partners, employees, affiliates, agents, advisors and controlling persons (each, an “Agent Indemnitee”) (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrowers and without limiting the obligation of the Borrowers to do so), ratably according to their respective Aggregate Exposure Percentages in effect on the date on which indemnification is sought under this Section (or, if indemnification is sought after the date upon which the Revolving Commitments shall have terminated and the Loans shall have been paid in full, ratably in accordance with such Aggregate Exposure Percentages immediately prior to such date), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time (whether before or after the payment of the Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Agent Indemnitee in any way relating to or arising out of, the Revolving Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by such Agent Indemnitee under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements that are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Agent Indemnitee’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. The agreements in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.
9.8 Agent in Its Individual Capacity. Each Agent and its affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from and generally engage in any kind of business with any Loan Party as though such
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Agent were not an Agent. With respect to its Loans made or renewed by it and with respect to any Letter of Credit issued or participated in by it, each Agent shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as any Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and the terms “Lender” and “Lenders” shall include each Agent in its individual capacity.
9.9 Successor Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may resign as Administrative Agent upon 30 days’ notice to the Lenders and the Parent Borrower. The Required Lenders may by written notice to the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower remove the Administrative Agent if it has become a Defaulting Lender. If the Administrative Agent shall resign or be removed as Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, then the Required Lenders shall appoint from among the Lenders a successor agent for the Lenders, which successor agent shall (unless an Event of Default under Section 8(a) or Section 8(f) with respect to any Borrower shall have occurred and be continuing) be subject to approval by the Parent Borrower (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), whereupon such successor agent shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of the Administrative Agent, and the term “Administrative Agent” shall mean such successor agent effective upon such appointment and approval, and the former Administrative Agent’s rights, powers and duties as Administrative Agent shall be terminated, without any other or further act or deed on the part of such former Administrative Agent or any of the parties to this Agreement or any holders of the Loans. If no successor agent has accepted appointment as Administrative Agent by the date that is 30 days following a retiring Administrative Agent’s notice of resignation or notice of removal of a removed Administrative Agent, as applicable, the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation or the removed Administrative Agent’s removal shall nevertheless thereupon become effective, and the Required Lenders shall assume and perform all of the duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor agent with the consent of the Parent Borrower as provided for above. After any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Section 9 and of Section 10.5 shall continue to inure to its benefit.
9.10 Arrangers and Syndication Agent. Neither the Arrangers nor the Syndication Agent shall have any duties or responsibilities hereunder in their respective capacities as such.
9.11 ERISA Matters. (a) Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and each Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the any Borrower, that at least one of the following is and will be true:
(i) such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit or Commitment Increases,
(ii) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to, and all of the conditions of which are and will continue to be satisfied in connection with, such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, Letters of Credit, Commitment Increases and this Agreement,
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(iii) (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitment Increases and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitment Increases and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitment Increases and this Agreement, or
(iv) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.
(b) In addition, unless sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or such Lender has not provided another representation, warranty and covenant as provided in sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and each Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of any Borrower, that:
(i) none of the Administrative Agent or any Arranger or any of their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any documents related to hereto or thereto),
(ii) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitment Increases and this Agreement is independent (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-21) and is a bank, an insurance carrier, an investment adviser, a broker-dealer or other person that holds, or has under management or control, total assets of at least $50 million, in each case as described in 29 CFR § 2510.3-21(c)(1)(i)(A)-(E),
(iii) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitment Increases and this Agreement is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to particular transactions and investment strategies (including in respect of the Obligations),
(iv) the Person making the investment decision on behalf of such Lender with respect to the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitment Increases and this Agreement is a fiduciary under ERISA or the Code, or both, with respect to the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitment Increase and this Agreement and is responsible for exercising independent judgment in evaluating the transactions hereunder, and
(v) no fee or other compensation is being paid directly to the Administrative Agent or any Arranger or any their respective Affiliates for investment advice (as opposed to other services) in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitment Increases or this Agreement.
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(c) The Administrative Agent and each Arranger hereby informs the Lenders that each such Person is not undertaking to provide impartial investment advice, or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and that such Person has a financial interest in the transactions contemplated hereby in that such Person or an Affiliate thereof (i) may receive interest or other payments with respect to the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitment Increases and this Agreement, (ii) may recognize a gain if it extended the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitment Increases for an amount less than the amount being paid for an interest in the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitment Increases by such Lender or (iii) may receive fees or other payments in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or otherwise, including structuring fees, commitment fees, arrangement fees, facility fees, upfront fees, underwriting fees, ticking fees, agency fees, administrative agent or collateral agent fees, utilization fees, minimum usage fees, letter of credit fees, fronting fees, deal-away or alternate transaction fees, amendment fees, processing fees, term out premiums, banker’s acceptance fees, breakage or other early termination fees or fees similar to the foregoing.
As used in this Section 9.11, the following terms shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):
“Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in Section 4975 of the Code, to which Section 4975 of the Code applies, and (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.
“PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.
SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 Amendments and Waivers. Except as specifically provided in any Loan Document, neither this Agreement, any other Loan Document, nor any terms hereof or thereof may be amended, supplemented or modified except in accordance with the provisions of this Section 10.1. The Required Lenders and each Loan Party party to the relevant Loan Document may, or, with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and each Loan Party party to the relevant Loan Document may, from time to time, (a) enter into written amendments, supplements or modifications hereto and to the other Loan Documents for the purpose of adding any provisions to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or changing in any manner the rights of the Lenders or of the Loan Parties hereunder or thereunder or (b) waive, on such terms and conditions as the Required Lenders or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, may specify in such instrument, any of the requirements of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any Default or Event of Default and its consequences; provided, however, that no such waiver and no such amendment, supplement or modification shall (i) forgive the principal amount or extend the final scheduled date of maturity of any Loan of any Lender (except as provided in Section 2.20), reduce the stated rate of any interest or fee payable hereunder to any Lender (except (x) in connection with the waiver of applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates (which waiver shall be effective with the consent of the Required Lenders) and (y) that any amendment or modification of defined terms used in the financial covenants in this Agreement shall not constitute a reduction in the rate of interest or fees for purposes of this clause (i)) or extend the scheduled date of any payment thereof, or increase the amount or extend the expiration date of any Lender’s Revolving Commitment (except as provided in Section 2.20), in each case without the written consent of such Lender; (ii) eliminate or reduce the voting rights of any Lender under this Section 10.1 without the written consent of such Lender; (iii) reduce any percentage specified in the definition of Required
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Lenders or Supermajority Lenders or consent to the assignment or transfer by any Borrower of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, in each case without the written consent of all Lenders; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the designation of a Subsidiary Borrower in accordance with Section 2.21(a)(i) shall not be deemed to be an assignment or transfer of rights and obligations; (iv) except as otherwise permitted by the Loan Documents on the date hereof, release all or substantially all of the Collateral or release all or substantially all of the Subsidiary Guarantors from their obligations under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, in each case, without the written consent of all Lenders; (v) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 2.12(a) or (b) without the written consent of all Lenders; provided that amendments permitting the extension of the Revolving Termination Date with respect to any or all Revolving Commitments which provide for compensation solely to extending Lenders, by increasing the Applicable Margin applicable thereto or otherwise, shall not be considered an amendment, modification or waiver of Section 2.12; (vi) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 9 or any other provision of any Loan Document that affects the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent without the written consent of the Administrative Agent; (vii) amend, modify or waive any provision affecting the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount or the component definitions thereof which has the effect of increasing the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount (but excluding any technical amendments to the definition of Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount or any component definition thereof) without the written consent of the Supermajority Lenders; (viii) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 3 without the written consent of each Issuing Lender or (ix) amend Section 6.3 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement without the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby. Any such waiver and any such amendment, supplement or modification shall apply equally to each of the Lenders and shall be binding upon the Loan Parties, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and all future holders of the Loans. In the case of any waiver, the Loan Parties, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall be restored to their former position and rights hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and any Default or Event of Default waived shall be deemed to be cured and not continuing; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default, or impair any right consequent thereon.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be amended (or amended and restated) with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers (a) to add one or more additional credit facilities to this Agreement on such terms as provided for in any such amendment, including, without limitation, for purposes of effecting an extension of the Revolving Termination Date in respect of the Revolving Commitments, held by each Lender agreeing to such extension, and to permit the extensions of credit from time to time outstanding thereunder and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof to share in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the Revolving Extensions of Credit and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof and (b) to include appropriately the Lenders holding such credit facilities in any determination of the Required Lenders and the Supermajority Lenders.
Furthermore, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent, with the consent of the Borrowers, may amend, modify or supplement any Loan Document without the consent of any Lender or the Required Lenders (a) in order to correct, amend or cure any ambiguity, inconsistency or defect or correct any typographical error or other manifest error in any Loan Document (b) to add or effect changes to administrative or ministerial provisions contained herein reasonably believed to be required as a result of the addition of Subsidiary Borrowers pursuant to Section 2.21 and (c) pursuant to Section 2.11.
10.2 Notices. All notices, requests and demands to or upon the respective parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing (including by telecopy), and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, shall be deemed to have been duly given or made when delivered, or three Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, or, in the case of telecopy notice, when received, addressed
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as follows in the case of any Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and as set forth in an administrative questionnaire delivered to the Administrative Agent in the case of the Lenders, or to such other address as may be hereafter notified by the respective parties hereto:
| Any Borrower: | Credit RE Operating Company, LLC 515 S. Flower Street, 44th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90071 Attention: Director – Legal Department Telecopy: 310-282-8820 Telephone: 310-282-8820
with a copy to:
590 Madison Avenue 34th Floor New York, NY 10022 Attention: Mr. Ron Sanders Telecopy: 212.593.5433 Telephone: 212.230.3300 | |
| Administrative Agent: | 500 Stanton Christiana Road, Ops 2, Floor 03 Newark, DE, 19713-2107 Attention: Joseph Burke Telecopy: 302-634-4733 Telephone: 302-634-1697
with a copy to:
383 Madison Ave, Floor 23 New York, NY 10179 Attention: Michael E. Kusner Telecopy: 212-270-5222 Telephone: 212-270-5650 | |
provided that any notice, request or demand to or upon the Administrative Agent or the Lenders shall not be effective until received.
Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Section 2 unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender. The Administrative Agent or any Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
10.3 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any right, remedy, power or privilege
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hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.
10.4 Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made hereunder, in the other Loan Documents and in any document, certificate or statement delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the Loans and other extensions of credit hereunder.
10.5 Payment of Expenses and Taxes. The Borrowers agree, on a joint and several basis, (a) to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent and each Arranger for all its reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the development, preparation and execution of, and any amendment, supplement or modification to, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any other documents prepared in connection herewith or therewith, and the consummation and administration of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and disbursements of one primary counsel to the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers and, if reasonably necessary, one local counsel per necessary jurisdiction, and filing and recording fees and expenses, with statements with respect to the foregoing to be submitted to the Parent Borrower prior to the Closing Date (in the case of amounts to be paid on the Closing Date) and from time to time thereafter on a quarterly basis or such other periodic basis as the Administrative Agent shall deem appropriate, but in any event no earlier than ten (10) Business Days after receipt by the Parent Borrower of a reasonably detailed invoice therefor, (b) to pay or reimburse each Lender, each Issuing Lender and the Administrative Agent for all its reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any rights under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other documents, including the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and disbursements of any counsel to any Lender and of counsel to the Administrative Agent (but in such case limited to, the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and disbursements of one primary counsel to the Administrative Agent, one primary counsel to the Lenders (as selected by the Required Lenders other than the Administrative Agent) and, to the extent reasonably necessary, one local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction, and, in the case of a conflict of interest, one additional primary counsel and one additional local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction for such Persons affected by such conflict), and (c) to pay, indemnify, and hold each Lender, each Issuing Lender, each Arranger and the Administrative Agent, their respective affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors and controlling persons (each, an “Indemnitee”) harmless from and against any and all other liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any such other documents, including any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding (a “Proceeding”) regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto and whether or not the same are brought by any Borrower, its equity holders, affiliates or creditors or any other Person, including any of the foregoing relating to the use of proceeds of the Loans or the violation of, noncompliance with or liability under, any Environmental Law applicable to the operations of any Group Member or any of the Properties and the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses of one primary legal counsel and, if reasonably necessary, one single local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction for all Indemnitees taken as a whole (and solely in the case of a conflict in interest, one additional primary counsel and one additional counsel in each relevant jurisdiction to each group of affected Indemnitees similarly situated taken as a whole) in connection with claims, actions or proceedings by any Indemnitee against any Loan Party under any Loan Document (all the foregoing in this clause (c), collectively, the “Indemnified Liabilities”), provided, that no Borrower shall have any obligation hereunder to any
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Indemnitee with respect to Indemnified Liabilities to the extent such Indemnified Liabilities are (x) found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of, or material breach of any Loan Document by, such Indemnitee, or (y) related to any dispute solely among the Indemnitees other than any dispute involving an Indemnitee in its capacity or in fulfilling its role as the Administrative Agent or Arranger or any similar role under this Agreement unless such dispute is related to any claims arising out of or in connection with any act or omission of any Borrower or any of its Affiliates and provided, further, that this Section 10.5(c) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses or damages arising from any non-Tax claim and shall not duplicate any amounts paid under Section 2.13 or Section 2.15. Without limiting the foregoing, and to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrowers agree not to assert and to cause their respective Subsidiaries not to assert, and hereby waive and agree to cause their respective Subsidiaries to waive, all rights for contribution or any other rights of recovery with respect to all claims, demands, penalties, fines, liabilities, settlements, damages, costs and expenses of whatever kind or nature, under or related to Environmental Laws, that any of them might have by statute or otherwise against any Indemnitee. No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of information or other materials obtained through electronic, telecommunications or other information transmission systems, except to the extent any such damages are found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee. None of the parties hereto shall assert, and each hereby waives, any claim for any indirect, special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (except that nothing contained in this sentence shall limit the Borrowers’ indemnity obligations under this Section 10.5). All amounts due under this Section 10.5 shall be payable not later than 10 Business Days after receipt of a reasonably detailed invoice therefor. Statements payable by the Borrowers pursuant to this Section 10.5 shall be submitted to Director – Legal Department (Telephone No. 310-282-8820) (Telecopy No. 310-282-8808), at the address of the Parent Borrower set forth in Section 10.2, or to such other Person or address as may be hereafter designated by the Parent Borrower in a written notice to the Administrative Agent. The agreements in this Section 10.5 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the repayment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrowers shall not be liable under this Agreement for any settlement made by any Indemnitee without the prior written consent of the Parent Borrower (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). If any settlement is consummated with the Parent Borrower’s written consent or if there is a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such Proceeding, the Borrowers agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnitee from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses by reason of such settlement or judgment in accordance with the provisions hereof. The Borrowers further agree that they will not, without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any pending or threatened Proceeding in respect of which indemnification may be sought hereunder (whether or not any Indemnitee is an actual or potential party to such Proceeding) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes (a) an unconditional release of each Indemnitee from all liability and obligations arising therefrom in form and substance satisfactory to such Indemnitee and (b) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnitee.
10.6 Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments. (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any affiliate of any Issuing Lender that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) the Borrowers may not assign or otherwise transfer any of their rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by any Borrower without such consent shall be null and void); provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the designation of a Subsidiary Borrower in accordance with Section 2.21(a)(i) shall not be deemed to be an assignment or transfer of rights and obligations and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section.
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(b) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more assignees (each, an “Assignee”), other than a natural person, any Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of any Borrower, all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Revolving Commitments and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent of:
(A) the Parent Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), provided that no consent of the Parent Borrower shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund (as defined below) or, if an Event of Default under Section 8(a) or (f) has occurred and is continuing, any other Person; and provided, further, that the Parent Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless the Parent Borrower shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within five Business Days after having received notice thereof; and
(B) the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:
(A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Revolving Commitments or Loans, the amount of the Revolving Commitments or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that (1) no such consent of the Parent Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default under Section 8(a) or (f) has occurred and is continuing and (2) such amounts shall be aggregated in respect of each Lender and its affiliates or Approved Funds, if any;
(B) (1) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 and (2) the assigning Lender shall have paid in full any amounts owing by it to the Administrative Agent; and
(C) the Assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an administrative questionnaire in which the Assignee designates one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Borrowers and their respective Affiliates and their related parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws.
For the purposes of this Section 10.6, “Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans
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and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.
(iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) below, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.13, 2.14, 2.15 and 9.5). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 10.6 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.
(iv) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrowers, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register (maintained in accordance with Treasury Regulations Sections 5f.103-1(c) and 1.871-14(c)(1)(i)) for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Revolving Commitments of, and principal amount (and stated interest) of the Loans and L/C Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lenders and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrowers and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice; provided that the information contained in the Register which is shared with each Lender (other than the Administrative Agent and its affiliates) shall be limited to the entries with respect to such Lender including the Revolving Commitments of, or principal amount of and stated interest on the Loans owing to such Lender.
(v) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an Assignee, the Assignee’s completed administrative questionnaire (unless the Assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.
(c) Any Lender may, without the consent of any Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any Issuing Lender, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Revolving Commitments and the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, and (iii) the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lenders and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to
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enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver that (i) requires the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby pursuant to the proviso to the second sentence of Section 10.1 and (ii) directly and adversely affects such Participant. Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Parent Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Parent Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Sections 2.16 and 2.17 with respect to any Participant. The Borrowers agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.13, 2.14 and 2.15 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 2.14(f) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.14(f) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (i) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Sections 2.13 and 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section and (ii) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 2.13 or 2.14, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from an adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof or compliance by any Lender with any request or direction (whether or not having the force of law) from any central bank or other Governmental Authority made subsequent to the date hereof that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.7(b) as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant shall be subject to Section 10.7(a) as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrowers, maintain a register (maintained in accordance with Treasury Regulations Sections 5f.103-1(c) and 1.871-14(c)(1)(i)) on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register to any Person (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Revolving Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Revolving Commitment, Loan, Letter of Credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.
(d) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or other central bank having jurisdiction over such Lender, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or Assignee for such Lender as a party hereto. The Borrowers, upon receipt of written notice from the relevant Lender, agree to issue Notes to any Lender requiring Notes to facilitate transactions of the type described in this paragraph (d).
10.7 Adjustments; Set-off. (a) Except to the extent that this Agreement or a court order expressly provides for payments to be allocated to a particular Lender or to the Lenders under a particular facility, if any Lender (a “Benefitted Lender”) shall receive any payment of all or part of the Obligations owing to it (other than in connection with an assignment made pursuant to Section 10.6), or receive any collateral in respect thereof (whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by set-off, pursuant to
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events or proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 8(f), or otherwise), in a greater proportion than any such payment to or collateral received by any other Lender, if any, in respect of the Obligations owing to such other Lender, such Benefitted Lender shall purchase for cash from the other Lenders a participating interest in such portion of the Obligations owing to each such other Lender, or shall provide such other Lenders with the benefits of any such collateral, as shall be necessary to cause such Benefitted Lender to share the excess payment or benefits of such collateral ratably with each of the Lenders; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such excess payment or benefits is thereafter recovered from such Benefitted Lender, such purchase shall be rescinded, and the purchase price and benefits returned, to the extent of such recovery, but without interest.
(b) In addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders provided by law, if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender shall have the right, without notice to the Borrowers, any such notice being expressly waived by the Borrowers to the extent permitted by applicable law, to apply to the payment of any Obligations of any Borrower, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such Obligations may be unmatured, by setoff or otherwise, any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final), in any currency, and any other credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held or owing by such Lender, any affiliate thereof or any of their respective branches or agencies to or for the credit or the account of the applicable Borrower; provided that if any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (i) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lenders and the Lenders and (ii) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of set-off; provided further, that to the extent prohibited by applicable law as described in the definition of “Excluded Swap Obligation,” no amounts received from, or set off with respect to, any Subsidiary Guarantor shall be applied to any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent after any such application made by such Lender, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such application.
10.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by email or facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof. A set of the copies of this Agreement signed by all the parties shall be lodged with the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
10.9 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
10.10 Integration. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents represent the entire agreement of the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by the Administrative Agent or any Lender relative to the subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Loan Documents.
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10.11 Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
10.12 Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers. Each Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:
(a) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York in the Borough of Manhattan, the courts of the United States for the Southern District of New York, and appellate courts from any thereof; provided, that nothing contained herein or in any other Loan Document will prevent any Lender or the Administrative Agent from bringing any action to enforce any award or judgment or exercise any right under the Security Documents or against any Collateral or any other property of any Loan Party in any other forum in which jurisdiction can be established;
(b) consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;
(c) agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such Borrower at its address set forth in Section 10.2 or at such other address of which the Administrative Agent shall have been notified pursuant thereto;
(d) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law; and
(e) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section any indirect, special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.
10.13 Acknowledgements. Each Borrower hereby acknowledges and agrees that (a) no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Loan Parties and the Credit Parties is intended to be or has been created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, irrespective of whether the Credit Parties have advised or are advising the Loan Parties on other matters, and the relationship between the Credit Parties, on the one hand, and the Loan Parties, on the other hand, in connection herewith and therewith is solely that of creditor and debtor, (b) the Credit Parties, on the one hand, and the Loan Parties, on the other hand, have an arm’s length business relationship that does not directly or indirectly give rise to, nor do the Loan Parties rely on, any fiduciary duty to the Loan Parties or their affiliates on the part of the Credit Parties, (c) the Loan Parties are capable of evaluating and understanding, and the Loan Parties understand and accept, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (d) the Loan Parties have been advised that the Credit Parties are engaged in a broad range of transactions that may involve interests that differ from the Loan Parties’ interests and that the Credit Parties have no obligation to disclose such interests and transactions to the Loan Parties, (e) the Loan Parties have consulted their own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent the Loan Parties have deemed appropriate in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (f) each Credit Party has been, is, and will be acting solely as a principal and, except as
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otherwise expressly agreed in writing by it and the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Loan Parties, any of their affiliates or any other Person, (g) none of the Credit Parties has any obligation to the Loan Parties or their affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents except those obligations expressly set forth herein or therein or in any other express writing executed and delivered by such Credit Party and the Loan Parties or any such affiliate and (h) no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Credit Parties or among the Loan Parties and the Credit Parties.
10.14 Releases of Guarantees and Liens. (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the Administrative Agent is hereby irrevocably authorized by each Lender (including in its capacities as a potential secured counterparty to a Secured Swap Agreement) (without requirement of notice to or consent of any Lender except as expressly required by Section 10.1) to take any action reasonably requested by the Parent Borrower having the effect of releasing any Collateral or guarantee obligations (i) to the extent necessary to permit consummation of any transaction not prohibited by any Loan Document or that has been consented to in accordance with Section 10.1 or (ii) under the circumstances described in paragraphs (b) or (c) below.
(b) Upon Payment in Full, the Collateral shall be automatically released from the Liens created by the Security Documents, and the Security Documents and all obligations (other than those expressly stated to survive such termination) of the Administrative Agent and each Loan Party under the Security Documents shall automatically terminate, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any Person.
(c) If any of the Collateral shall be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of in a transaction permitted hereunder, then the Administrative Agent, at the request and sole expense of such Loan Party, shall execute and deliver to such Loan Party all releases or other documents reasonably necessary or desirable for the release of the Liens created by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement on such Collateral; provided that no Default shall have occurred or be continuing or would result therefrom. At the request and sole expense of the Parent Borrower, any Subsidiary Guarantor, Subsidiary Borrower or the REIT Entity shall be released from its obligations under the Loan Documents, as applicable, in the event that (i) in the case of a Subsidiary Guarantor or Subsidiary Borrower, all the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor or Subsidiary Borrower shall be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of in a transaction permitted hereunder or if such Subsidiary Guarantor shall cease to be a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower as a result of a transaction permitted hereunder or becomes an Excluded Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; provided that in the case of any such transaction involving a Subsidiary Borrower, (A) the Parent Borrower shall have delivered a Termination Letter with respect to such Subsidiary Borrower in accordance with Section 2.21(a)(ii), (B) the Obligations of such Subsidiary Borrower shall have been repaid in full, (C) any L/C Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit issued for the account of such Subsidiary Borrower shall have been cash collateralized and (D) all other amounts owed by such Subsidiary Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall have been repaid in full, in each case, not later than upon the effectiveness of such release or (ii) in the case of the REIT Entity, upon the request of the Parent Borrower to the extent the REIT Guaranty is not required to be effective pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided that, in each case, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom; provided further that the Parent Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent, at least five days (or such shorter period as may be permitted by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) prior to the date of the proposed release, a written request for release identifying the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor, Subsidiary Borrower or the REIT Entity (as applicable) and the associated transaction giving rise to the release request in reasonable detail, together with a certification by the Parent Borrower stating that such transaction is in compliance with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
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(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Excluded Subsidiary is at any time determined to have been incorrectly designated or joined as a Subsidiary Guarantor (each, a “Specified Subsidiary”) then such Specified Subsidiary’s obligations under the Loan Documents shall be automatically released in all respects with retroactive effect to the time such Specified Subsidiary was first joined as a Subsidiary Guarantor (until such time, if any, as such Specified Subsidiary ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary) upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent regarding the basis for designating such subsidiary as a Specified Subsidiary; provided that, after giving pro forma effect to such release of such Specified Subsidiary’s guarantee (and any repayment of Revolving Loans or pledge of additional Collateral that occurs contemporaneously therewith), the Parent Borrower shall be in compliance with Section 7.1(e).
(e) The Administrative Agent shall, at the request and sole expense of the Parent Borrower in connection with the release of any Collateral in accordance with this Section 10.14, promptly (i) deliver to the Parent Borrower any such Collateral in the Administrative Agent’s possession and (ii) execute and deliver to the Parent Borrower such documents as the Parent Borrower shall reasonably request to evidence such release. The Administrative Agent shall, at the request and sole expense of the Parent Borrower following the release of a Subsidiary Guarantor or the REIT Entity from its obligations under the Loan Documents, as applicable, in accordance with this Section 10.14, execute and deliver to the Parent Borrower such documents as the Parent Borrower shall reasonably request to evidence such release.
10.15 Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent and each Lender agrees to keep confidential all Information (as defined below); provided that nothing herein shall prevent the Administrative Agent or any Lender from disclosing any such Information (a) to the Administrative Agent, any other Lender or any affiliate thereof, or to any other party to this Agreement (b) subject to an agreement to comply with provisions substantially similar to the provisions of this Section, to any actual or prospective Transferee or any direct or indirect counterparty to any Swap Agreement (or any professional advisor to such counterparty), (c) to its employees, directors, agents, attorneys, accountants and other professional advisors or those of any of its affiliates, who, in each case, are informed of the confidential nature of such information and are or have been advised by the applicable Credit Party of their obligation to keep information of this type confidential, (d) upon the request or demand of any Governmental Authority (including any bank auditor, regulator or examiner) having jurisdiction over such Credit Party or its affiliates, (e) in response to any order of any court or other Governmental Authority or as may otherwise be required pursuant to any Requirement of Law, with prompt advanced notice to the Parent Borrower of such disclosure, to the extent practicable and permitted by law, (f) if requested or required to do so in connection with any litigation or similar proceeding, with prompt advanced notice to the Parent Borrower of such disclosure, to the extent practicable and permitted by law, (g) that has been publicly disclosed (other than by reason of disclosure by the applicable Credit Party, its affiliates or any representatives in breach of this Section 10.15), (h) to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any similar organization or any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about a Lender’s investment portfolio in connection with ratings issued with respect to such Lender, (i) in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or under any other Loan Document, or (j) if agreed by the Parent Borrower in its sole discretion, to any other Person. “Information” means all information received from the Parent Borrower relating to the Parent Borrower or its business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender or any Lender on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by the Parent Borrower. In addition, the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders may disclose the existence of this Agreement
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and information about this Agreement to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending industry (including league table providers) and service providers to the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders in connection with the administration of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, the Loans and the Revolving Commitments.
Each Lender acknowledges that information furnished to it pursuant to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents may include material non-public information concerning the Borrowers and their respective Affiliates and their related parties or their respective securities, and confirms that it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and that it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with those procedures and applicable law, including Federal and state securities laws.
All information, including requests for waivers and amendments, furnished by any Borrower or the Administrative Agent pursuant to, or in the course of administering, this Agreement or the other Loan Documents will be syndicate-level information, which may contain material non-public information about the Borrowers and their respective Affiliates and their related parties or their respective securities. Accordingly, each Lender represents to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent that it has identified in its administrative questionnaire a credit contact who may receive information that may contain material non-public information in accordance with its compliance procedures and applicable law, including Federal and state securities laws.
10.16 WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL. THE BORROWERS, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE LENDERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.
10.17 USA Patriot Act. Each Lender hereby notifies each Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Patriot Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Borrower, which information includes the name and address of each Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender to identify each Borrower in accordance with the Patriot Act.
10.18 Investment Asset Reviews. The Administrative Agent, individually or at the request of the Required Lenders, may engage in its reasonable discretion, on behalf of the Lenders, an independent consultant (each, an “Independent Valuation Provider”) to complete a review and verification of the accuracy and reliability of the Parent Borrower’s calculation and reporting of the Adjusted Net Book Value of any Investment Asset included in the calculation of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount (each, an “Investment Asset Review”) at any time, each such Investment Asset Review to be shared with the Lenders and the Parent Borrower. The Parent Borrower agrees to pay the Administrative Agent, not later than 10 Business Days after receipt of a reasonably detailed invoice therefor, the documented out-of-pocket cost of each such Investment Asset Review reasonably incurred by the Administrative Agent; provided that (i) the Parent Borrower shall not be required to reimburse such costs with respect to more than one Investment Asset Review per fiscal year with respect to each such Investment Asset and (ii) the Parent Borrower shall not be required to reimburse more than $300,000 of such costs per fiscal year; provided further that the limitations on reimbursement contained in the foregoing proviso shall not apply if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
10.19 Secured Swap Agreements. Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein or in any Security Document, no Swap Bank that obtains the benefits of Section 10.14, any Guarantee Obligation or any Collateral by virtue of the provisions hereof or any Security Document shall have any
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right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document or otherwise in respect of the Collateral (including the release or impairment of any Collateral) other than in its capacity as a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 10.19 to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Obligations arising under Secured Swap Agreements unless the Administrative Agent has received written notice of such Obligations, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request from the applicable Swap Bank.
10.20 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:
(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and
(b) the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:
(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;
(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent entity, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or
(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.
10.21 Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively the “Charges”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “Maximum Rate”) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.
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| CREDIT RE OPERATING COMPANY, LLC, as Parent Borrower | ||
| By: | /s/ David A. Palamé | |
| Name: David A. Palamé | ||
| Title: Vice President and Secretary | ||
Signature page to Credit Agreement
| JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent and as a Lender | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael Kusner | |
| Name: Michael Kusner | ||
| Title: Vice President | ||
Signature page to Credit Agreement
| Bank of America, N.A., as a Lender, | ||||
| By: | /s/ Jonathan Salzinger | |||
| Name: | Jonathan Salzinger | |||
| Title: | Vice President | |||
Signature Page to Credit Agreement
| BARCLAYS BANK PLC, as a Lender, | ||||
| By: | /s/ Craig Malloy | |||
| Name: | Craig Malloy | |||
| Title: | Director | |||
Signature Page to Credit Agreement
| MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., as a Lender, | ||||
| By: | /s/ Michael King | |||
| Name: | Michael King | |||
| Title: | Vice President | |||
Signature Page to Credit Agreement
| GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, as a Lender, | ||||
| By: | /s/ Annie Carr | |||
| Name: | Annie Carr | |||
| Title: | Authorized Signatory | |||
Signature Page to Credit Agreement
SCHEDULE 1.1A
Commitments
| LENDER |
REVOLVING COMMITMENT | L/C COMMITMENT | ||||||
| JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. |
$ | 90,000,000 | $ | 13,333,333.34 | ||||
| Bank of America, N.A. |
$ | 90,000,000 | $ | 13,333,333.33 | ||||
| Barclays Bank PLC |
$ | 90,000,000 | $ | 13,333,333.33 | ||||
| Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. |
$ | 70,000,000 | — | |||||
| Goldman Sachs Bank USA |
$ | 60,000,000 | — | |||||
| Total |
$ | 400,000,000 | $ | 40,000,000 | ||||
SCHEDULE 1.1B
Brokers
Bank of America
Citibank
Deutsche Bank
Goldman Sachs
JP Morgan
Morgan Stanley
Wells Fargo
IDC
SCHEDULE 4.19
UCC Filing Jurisdictions
| A. | Financing Statements |
| Financing |
Filing Office |
Debtor |
Secured party | |||||
| 1. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | Credit RE Operating Company, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 2. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | 438 E12 Lender NT-II, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 3. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | 80 Broad PE-NT-I, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 4. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | AION Mid-Atlantic I Preferred A NT-II, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 5. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | AION Mid-Atlantic I Preferred B NT-II, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 6. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | Century Mezz NT-II, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 7. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | CFI Inland Investor, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 8. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | CFI Penn Funding, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 9. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | City Place Holdings NT-I, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 10. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | CMC Parent REIT, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 11. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | ColFin Mission Funding, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 12. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | ColFin Texas Portfolio Funding, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 13. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | Colony Mortgage Capital, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 14. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | Colony Mortgage Sub B REIT, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 15. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | CQ Midtown ML NT-I, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 16. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | Credit RE Corporation, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 17. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | Credit RE Holdco, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 18. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | DB Loan Member NT-II, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 19. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | Halsted Member-T, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 20. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | Keystone Summit Member NT-I, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 21. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | Mid-South Industrial MB NT-II, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 22. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | New Orleans MF Manager NT-I, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 23. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | New Orleans MF Member NT-I, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 24. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | Norcross SL NT-I, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 25. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | NorthStar Real Estate Income Operating Partnership II, LLC | JPMorgan C.hase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 26. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | NorthStar Real Estate Income Trust Operating Partnership, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 27. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | NRFC DB Loan Member, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 28. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | NRFC PE Fund Investor, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 29. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | NRFC PE Fund Investor II, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 30. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | NRFC PE Fund Investor IV, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 31. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | NRFC PE Fund Investor V, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 32. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | NRFC PE Fund GP, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 33. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | NRFC PE Fund GP II, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 34. | UCC-1 | Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation | NS Income II Sub-REIT Corp. | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 35. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | NS Income II Sub-REIT, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 36. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | NS Income DB Loan Member, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 37. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | NS Income PE Fund Investor, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 38. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | NS Income PE Fund Investor II, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 39. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | NS Income PE Fund Investor III, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 40. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | NS Income PE Fund Investor IV, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 41. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | NS Income PE Fund Investor V, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 42. | UCC-1 | Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation | NS Income Sub-REIT Corp. | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 43. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | NSREIT Saguaro Holdings, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 44. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | Ohio Industrial GP NT-I, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 45. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | PE Investments IX2-T, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 46. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | PE Investments VI2-T, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 47. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | PE Investments VII2-T, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 48. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | PE Investments X2-T, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 49. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | PE Investments XI NT-II, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 50. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | PE Investments XI2 NT-II, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 51. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | PE Investments XII2-T, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 52. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | PE Investments XIII NT-II, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 53. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | PE Investments XIV2-T, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 54. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | PE Investments XV2-T, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 55. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | PE Investments XVI2-NT-I, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 56. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | Project Shore Investor I, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 57. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | Project Shore Investor II, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 58. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | Project Shore NL Investor I, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 59. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | Project Shore NL Investor II, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 60. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | SH Carolina Michigan Holdings NT-I, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 61. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | Steel Holdings NT-II, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 62. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | Steel Manager NT-II, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 63. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | Sunspear NT-I, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 64. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | UL Holdings CA NT-I, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 65. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | USIP Terra Preferred NT-II, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 66. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | Valyria Mezz Lender-T, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||||
| 67. | UCC-1 | Delaware Department of State | Valyria Participation Holdings-T, LLC | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. |
| B. | The execution of deposit account control agreements covering the accounts in respect of which a security interest is required to be perfected pursuant to Section 6.14 of the Credit Agreement. |
SCHEDULE 6.16
Post-Closing Obligations
Within 60 days of the Closing Date (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion), the Administrative Agent shall have received (i) a supplement to Schedule 5 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement listing each Distribution Account of the Loan Parties and (ii) fully executed Control Agreements with respect to each such Distribution Account.
SCHEDULE 7.2(d)
Existing Indebtedness
None.
SCHEDULE 7.3(f)
Existing Liens
None.
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF
GUARANTEE AND COLLATERAL AGREEMENT
[Attached]
GUARANTEE AND COLLATERAL AGREEMENT
made by
CREDIT RE OPERATING COMPANY, LLC
and certain of its Subsidiaries
in favor of
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent
Dated as of February 1, 2018
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| SECTION 1. DEFINED TERMS |
1 | |||
| 1.1 Definitions |
1 | |||
| 1.2 Other Definitional Provisions |
5 | |||
| SECTION 2. GUARANTEE |
6 | |||
| 2.1 Guarantee |
6 | |||
| 2.2 Right of Contribution |
6 | |||
| 2.3 No Subrogation |
6 | |||
| 2.4 Amendments, etc. with respect to the Borrower Obligations |
7 | |||
| 2.5 Guarantee Absolute and Unconditional |
7 | |||
| 2.6 Reinstatement |
8 | |||
| 2.7 Payments |
8 | |||
| 2.8 Keepwell |
8 | |||
| SECTION 3. GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST |
8 | |||
| 3.1 Grant of Security |
8 | |||
| 3.2 Procedures |
9 | |||
| SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES |
12 | |||
| 4.1 Title; No Other Liens |
12 | |||
| 4.2 Subsidiaries |
12 | |||
| 4.3 Jurisdiction of Organization; Chief Executive Office |
12 | |||
| 4.4 Pledged Stock |
12 | |||
| 4.5 Distribution Accounts |
12 | |||
| 4.6 No Default |
12 | |||
| SECTION 5. COVENANTS |
13 | |||
| 5.1 Delivery of Instruments, Certificated Securities and Chattel Paper |
13 | |||
| 5.2 Payment of Obligations |
13 | |||
| 5.3 Maintenance of Perfected Security Interest; Further Documentation |
13 | |||
| 5.4 Changes in Name, etc |
13 | |||
| 5.5 Notices |
13 | |||
| 5.6 Securities |
14 | |||
| SECTION 6. REMEDIAL PROVISIONS |
14 | |||
| 6.1 Pledged Stock |
14 | |||
| 6.2 Proceeds to be Turned Over To Administrative Agent |
15 | |||
| 6.3 Application of Proceeds |
15 | |||
| 6.4 Code and Other Remedies |
16 | |||
| 6.5 [Reserved.] |
16 | |||
| 6.6 Certain Limitations on Remedies |
17 | |||
| 6.7 Subordination |
17 | |||
| 6.8 Deficiency |
17 | |||
| SECTION 7. THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT |
17 | |||
| 7.1 Administrative Agent’s Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact, etc |
17 | |||
| 7.2 Duty of Administrative Agent |
19 | |||
| 7.3 Execution of Financing Statements |
19 | |||
| 7.4 Authority of Administrative Agent |
19 | |||
| SECTION 8. MISCELLANEOUS |
19 | |||
| 8.1 Amendments in Writing |
19 | |||
| 8.2 Notices |
20 | |||
| 8.3 No Waiver by Course of Conduct; Cumulative Remedies |
20 | |||
| 8.4 Enforcement Expenses; Indemnification |
20 | |||
| 8.5 Successors and Assigns |
20 | |||
| 8.6 Set-Off |
20 | |||
| 8.7 Counterparts |
21 | |||
| 8.8 Severability |
21 | |||
| 8.9 Section Headings |
21 | |||
| 8.10 Integration |
21 | |||
| 8.11 GOVERNING LAW |
21 | |||
| 8.12 Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers |
21 | |||
| 8.13 Acknowledgements |
22 | |||
| 8.14 Additional Grantors |
22 | |||
| 8.15 Releases |
22 | |||
| 8.16 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL |
23 | |||
SCHEDULES
Schedule F-1 Enforcement Right Limitations
Schedule 1 Notice Addresses
Schedule 2 [Reserved]
Schedule 3 [Reserved]
Schedule 4 Jurisdictions of Organization and Chief Executive Offices
Schedule 5 Distribution Accounts
ANNEXES
Annex 1 Assumption Agreement
Annex 2 Acknowledgment and Consent
GUARANTEE AND COLLATERAL AGREEMENT
GUARANTEE AND COLLATERAL AGREEMENT, dated as of February 1, 2018, made by each of the signatories hereto (together with any other entity that may become a party hereto as provided herein, the “Grantors”), in favor of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) for the banks and other financial institutions or entities (the “Lenders”) from time to time parties to the Credit Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2018 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among Credit RE Operating Company, LLC (the “Parent Borrower”), the Subsidiary Borrowers from time to time party thereto, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Lenders have severally agreed to make extensions of credit to the Borrowers upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein;
WHEREAS, the Borrowers are members of an affiliated group of companies that includes each other Grantor;
WHEREAS, the proceeds of the extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement will be used in part to enable the Borrowers to make valuable transfers to one or more of the other Grantors in connection with the operation of their respective businesses;
WHEREAS, the Borrowers and the other Grantors are engaged in related businesses, and each Grantor will derive substantial direct and indirect benefit from the making of the extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement; and
WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the obligation of the Lenders to make their respective extensions of credit to the Borrowers under the Credit Agreement that the Grantors shall have executed and delivered this Agreement to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and to induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into the Credit Agreement and to induce the Lenders to make their respective extensions of credit to the Borrowers thereunder, each Grantor hereby agrees with the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINED TERMS
1.1 Definitions. (a) Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement, and the following terms are used herein as defined in the New York UCC: Certificated Security, Clearing Corporation, Chattel Paper, Financial Assets, General Intangibles, Instruments, Investment Property, Securities Intermediary, Security Entitlements, Supporting Obligations and Uncertificated Security.
(b) The following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Agreement”: this Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
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“Borrower Obligations”: the collective reference to the unpaid principal of and interest on the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations and all other obligations and liabilities of each Borrower (including, without limitation, interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in the Credit Agreement after the maturity of the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations and interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in the Credit Agreement after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, relating to such Borrower, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding) to the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or, in the case of any Secured Swap Agreement, any Affiliate of any Lender), whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now existing or hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in connection with, the Credit Agreement, this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, any Letter of Credit, any Secured Swap Agreement or any other document made, delivered or given in connection with any of the foregoing, in each case whether on account of principal, interest, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses or otherwise (including, without limitation, all fees and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent or to the Lenders that are required to be paid by such Borrower pursuant to the terms of any of the foregoing agreements); provided, that for purposes of determining any Guarantor Obligations of any Guarantor under this Agreement, the definition of “Borrower Obligations” shall not create any guarantee by any Guarantor of any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Guarantor. “Borrower Obligations” shall collectively refer to the Borrower Obligations of all of the Borrowers, except when the context suggests it is referring only to the Borrower Obligations of an individual Borrower.
“Certificated Security”: as defined in Section 8-102(a)(4) of the UCC.
“Collateral”: as defined in Section 3.
“Collateral Account”: any collateral account established by the Administrative Agent as provided in Section 6.2 and any other account established and maintained by the Administrative Agent in the name of any Grantor to which Collateral may be credited.
“Collateral Reporting Date”: as defined in Section 3.2(a).
“Commodity Exchange Act”: the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
“Enforcement Action”: as defined in Section 6.6(b).
“Excluded Collateral”: as defined in the last paragraph of Section 3.1.
“Guarantor Obligations”: with respect to any Guarantor, all obligations and liabilities of such Guarantor which may arise under or in connection with this Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 2) or any other Loan Document or any Secured Swap Agreement to which such Guarantor is a party, in each case whether on account of guarantee obligations, reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses or otherwise (including, without limitation, all fees and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent or to the Lenders that are required to be paid by such Guarantor pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document).
“Guarantors”: the collective reference to each Borrower (solely with respect to the Borrower Obligations of each other Borrower) and each other Grantor.
“Issuers”: the collective reference to each issuer of any Securities.
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“Luxembourg Issuer” shall mean any Person organized under the laws of Luxembourg that has issued Securities that constitute Collateral.
“Membership Interest”: all of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the entire membership interest) at any time owned directly by any Grantor in any limited liability company (each such limited liability company, a “Pledged LLC”), and all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in each Pledged LLC, including, without limitation:
(a) all the capital thereof and its interest in all profits, losses and other distributions to which such Grantor shall at any time be entitled in respect of such Membership Interests;
(b) all other payments due or to become due to such Grantor in respect of such Membership Interests, whether under any limited liability company agreement or otherwise, whether as contractual obligations, damages, insurance proceeds or otherwise;
(c) all of its claims, rights, powers, privileges, authority, options, security interests, liens and remedies, if any, under any limited liability company agreement or at law or otherwise in respect of such Membership Interests;
(d) all present and future claims, if any, of such Grantor against any Pledged LLC for moneys loaned or advanced, for services rendered or otherwise;
(e) all of such Grantor’s rights under any limited liability company agreement or at law to exercise and enforce every right, power, remedy, authority, option and privilege of such Grantor relating to the Membership Interests, including any power to terminate, cancel or modify any limited liability company agreement, to execute any instruments and to take any and all other action on behalf of and in the name of such Grantor in respect of any Membership Interests and any Pledged LLC to make determinations, to exercise any election (including, but not limited to, election of remedies) or option or to give or receive any notice, consent, amendment, waiver or approval, together with full power and authority to demand, receive, enforce or collect any of the foregoing, to enforce or execute any checks or other instruments or orders, to file any claims and to take any action in connection with any of the foregoing; and
(f) all other property hereafter delivered in substitution for or in addition to any of the foregoing, all certificates and instruments representing or evidencing such other property and all cash, securities, interest, dividends, rights and other property at any time and from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all thereof.
“New York UCC”: the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.
“Obligations”: (i) in the case of each Borrower, its Borrower Obligations and (ii) in the case of each Guarantor (including, for the avoidance of doubt, each Borrower in its capacity as a Guarantor), its Guarantor Obligations.
“Other Prohibited Foreclosure”: with respect to any Investment Asset included in the Collateral, any Enforcement Action with respect to a Grantor’s direct or indirect interest in any applicable Other Restricted Investment Asset Owner that (after taking into account all other pledges or transfers with respect to the underlying assets) would cause a “change in control” (or like term) or other similar default or termination event under documentation governing such Other Restricted Investment Asset Owner (or any of its property); provided, however, that in order to constitute an Other Prohibited Foreclosure, the
3
applicable Grantor shall have disclosed to the Administrative Agent in writing promptly following knowledge thereof any limitations on Enforcement Actions in respect of the applicable Investment Asset, which notice shall be reasonably in advance of any Enforcement Action in respect of the applicable Investment Asset. Schedule F-1 lists all limitations on Enforcement Actions in respect of the Investment Assets as of the Closing Date.
“Other Restricted Asset”: any Investment Asset with respect to which an Enforcement Action would constitute an “Other Prohibited Foreclosure” pursuant to documentation governing such Investment Asset or any applicable Other Restricted Investment Asset Owner.
“Other Restricted Investment Asset Owner”: with respect to any applicable Investment Asset, an Affiliated Investor that directly or indirectly owns an interest in such Investment Asset.
“Partnership Interest”: all of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the entire partnership interest, whether general and/or limited partnership interests) at any time owned directly by any Grantor in any partnership (each such partnership, a “Pledged Partnership”), and all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in each Pledged Partnership, including, without limitation:
(a) all the capital thereof and its interest in all profits, losses and other distributions to which such Grantor shall at any time be entitled in respect of such Partnership Interests;
(b) all other payments due or to become due to such Grantor in respect of such Partnership Interests, whether under any partnership agreement or otherwise, whether as contractual obligations, damages, insurance proceeds or otherwise;
(c) all of its claims, rights, powers, privileges, authority, options, security interests, liens and remedies, if any, under any partnership agreement or at law or otherwise in respect of such Partnership Interests;
(d) all present and future claims, if any, of such Grantor against any Pledged Partnership for moneys loaned or advanced, for services rendered or otherwise;
(e) all of such Grantor’s rights under any partnership agreement or at law to exercise and enforce every right, power, remedy, authority, option and privilege of such Grantor relating to the Partnership Interests, including any power to terminate, cancel or modify any partnership agreement, to execute any instruments and to take any and all other action on behalf of and in the name of such Grantor in respect of any Partnership Interests and any Pledged Partnership to make determinations, to exercise any election (including, but not limited to, election of remedies) or option or to give or receive any notice, consent, amendment, waiver or approval, together with full power and authority to demand, receive, enforce or collect any of the foregoing, to enforce or execute any checks or other instruments or orders, to file any claims and to take any action in connection with any of the foregoing; and
(f) all other property hereafter delivered in substitution for or in addition to any of the foregoing, all certificates and instruments representing or evidencing such other property and all cash, securities, interest, dividends, rights and other property at any time and from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all thereof.
“Permitted Liens”: Liens on the Collateral permitted pursuant to Section 7.3 of the Credit Agreement.
4
“Pledge”: the security interest in the Collateral arising under this Agreement.
“Pledged Accounts”: collectively, all Collateral Accounts, all Distribution Accounts and all L/C Cash Collateral Accounts.
“Pledged LLC”: as set forth in the definition of “Membership Interest”.
“Pledged Partnership”: as set forth in the definition of “Partnership Interest”.
“Pledged Stock”: the shares of Capital Stock of each Person identified as a pledged entity in part (A) of the Subsidiary Certificate, together with any other shares, stock certificates, options, interests or rights of any nature whatsoever in respect of the Capital Stock of any Person that may be issued or granted to, or held by, any Grantor while this Agreement is in effect, in each case, whether such Capital Stock is a General Intangible, Security (as defined in the New York UCC) or other Investment Property.
“Proceeds”: all “proceeds” as such term is defined in Section 9-102(a)(64) of the New York UCC and, in any event, shall include, without limitation, all dividends or other income from the Securities, collections thereon or distributions or payments with respect thereto.
“Qualified Keepwell Provider”: in respect of any Swap Obligation, each Loan Party that, at the time the relevant guarantee (or grant of the relevant security interest, as applicable) becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation, has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 or otherwise constitutes an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and can cause another person to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” with respect to such Swap Obligation at such time by entering into a keepwell or guarantee pursuant to Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
“Securities”: (i) collectively, all Stock, all Partnership Interests and all Membership Interests and (ii) whether or not constituting “Securities” as so defined, all Pledged Stock.
“Securities Act”: the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Stock”: all of the issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock at any time owned by any Grantor in any corporation.
“Subsidiary Certificate”: the certificate delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(j)(ii) of the Credit Agreement.
“Uncertificated Securities”: as defined in Section 8-102(a)(18) of the UCC.
1.2 Other Definitional Provisions. (a) The words “hereof,” “herein”, “hereto” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section and Schedule references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.
(b) The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.
(c) Where the context requires, terms relating to the Collateral or any part thereof, when used in relation to a Grantor, shall refer to such Grantor’s Collateral or the relevant part thereof.
5
SECTION 2. GUARANTEE
2.1 Guarantee. (a) Each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally and irrevocably, guarantees to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties and their respective successors, indorsees, transferees and assigns, the prompt and complete payment and performance by each Borrower when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of its Borrower Obligations (other than, with respect to any Guarantor, any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Guarantor).
(b) Anything herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum liability of each Guarantor hereunder and under the other Loan Documents with respect to the Guarantor Obligations of such Guarantor shall in no event exceed the amount which can be guaranteed by such Guarantor under applicable federal and state laws relating to the insolvency of debtors (after giving effect to the right of contribution established in Section 2.2).
(c) Each Guarantor agrees that the Borrower Obligations, whether in respect of the Borrowers collectively or any individual Borrower, may at any time and from time to time exceed the amount of the liability of such Guarantor hereunder without impairing the guarantee contained in this Section 2 or affecting the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder.
(d) The guarantee contained in this Section 2 shall remain in full force and effect until all the Borrower Obligations shall have been satisfied by Payment In Full and the obligations of each Guarantor under the guarantee contained in this Section 2 (other than contingent indemnification obligations that have not yet been asserted) shall have been satisfied by payment in full, notwithstanding that from time to time during the term of the Credit Agreement the Borrowers, or any individual Borrower, may be free from any Borrower Obligations.
(e) No payment made by any Borrower, any of the Guarantors, any other guarantor or any other Person or received or collected by the Administrative Agent or any Lender from any of the Borrowers or the Guarantors, any other guarantor or any other Person by virtue of any action or proceeding or any set-off or appropriation or application at any time or from time to time in reduction of or in payment of the Borrower Obligations (other than Payment in Full of the Borrower Obligations) shall be deemed to modify, reduce, release or otherwise affect the liability of any Guarantor hereunder which shall, notwithstanding any such payment (other than any payment made by such Guarantor in respect of the Borrower Obligations or any payment received or collected from such Guarantor in respect of the Borrower Obligations), remain liable for the Borrower Obligations up to the maximum liability of such Guarantor hereunder until Payment in Full of the Borrower Obligations, no Letter of Credit shall be outstanding and the Commitments are terminated.
2.2 Right of Contribution. Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees that to the extent that a Subsidiary Guarantor shall have paid more than its proportionate share of any payment made hereunder, such Subsidiary Guarantor shall be entitled to seek and receive contribution from and against any other Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder which has not paid its proportionate share of such payment. Each Subsidiary Guarantor’s right of contribution shall be subject to the terms and conditions of Section 2.3. The provisions of this Section 2.2 shall in no respect limit the obligations and liabilities of any Subsidiary Guarantor to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and each Subsidiary Guarantor shall remain liable to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders for the full amount guaranteed by such Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder.
2.3 No Subrogation. Notwithstanding any payment made by any Guarantor hereunder or any set-off or application of funds of any Guarantor by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, no Guarantor
6
shall be entitled to be subrogated to any of the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against any Borrower or any other Guarantor or any collateral security or guarantee or right of offset held by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for the payment of the Borrower Obligations, nor shall any Guarantor seek or be entitled to seek any contribution or reimbursement from any Borrower or any other Guarantor in respect of payments made by such Guarantor hereunder, until all amounts owing to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders by each Borrower on account of the Borrower Obligations are paid in full, no Letter of Credit shall be outstanding and the Commitments are terminated. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights at any time when all of the Borrower Obligations shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall be held by such Guarantor in trust for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, segregated from other funds of such Guarantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Guarantor, be turned over to the Administrative Agent in the exact form received by such Guarantor (duly indorsed by such Guarantor to the Administrative Agent, if required), to be applied against the Borrower Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in such order as the Administrative Agent may determine.
2.4 Amendments, etc. with respect to the Borrower Obligations. Each Guarantor shall remain obligated hereunder notwithstanding that, without any reservation of rights against any Guarantor and without notice to or further assent by any Guarantor, any demand for payment of any of the Borrower Obligations made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender may be rescinded by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and any of the Borrower Obligations continued, and the Borrower Obligations, or the liability of any other Person upon or for any part thereof, or any collateral security or guarantee therefor or right of offset with respect thereto, may, from time to time, in whole or in part, be renewed, extended, amended, modified, accelerated, compromised, waived, surrendered or released by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, and the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any other documents executed and delivered in connection therewith may be amended, modified, supplemented or terminated, in whole or in part, as the Administrative Agent (or the Required Lenders or all Lenders, as the case may be) may deem advisable from time to time, and any collateral security, guarantee or right of offset at any time held by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for the payment of the Borrower Obligations may be sold, exchanged, waived, surrendered or released. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to protect, secure, perfect or insure any Lien at any time held by it as security for the Borrower Obligations or for the guarantee contained in this Section 2 or any property subject thereto.
2.5 Guarantee Absolute and Unconditional. Each Guarantor waives any and all notice of the creation, renewal, extension or accrual of any of the Borrower Obligations and notice of or proof of reliance by the Administrative Agent or any Lender upon the guarantee contained in this Section 2 or acceptance of the guarantee contained in this Section 2; the Borrower Obligations, and any of them, shall conclusively be deemed to have been created, contracted or incurred, or renewed, extended, amended or waived, in reliance upon the guarantee contained in this Section 2; and all dealings between any Borrower and any of the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand, likewise shall be conclusively presumed to have been had or consummated in reliance upon the guarantee contained in this Section 2. Each Guarantor waives diligence, presentment, protest, demand for payment and notice of default or nonpayment to or upon any Borrower or any of the Guarantors with respect to the Borrower Obligations. Each Guarantor understands and agrees that the guarantee contained in this Section 2 shall be construed as a continuing, absolute and unconditional guarantee of payment without regard to (a) the validity or enforceability of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, any of the Borrower Obligations or any other collateral security therefor or guarantee or right of offset with respect thereto at any time or from time to time held by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, (b) any defense, set-off or counterclaim (other than a defense of payment or performance) which may at any time be available to or be asserted by any Borrower or any other Person against the Administrative Agent or any Lender, or (c) any other circumstance whatsoever (with or without notice to or knowledge of such
7
Borrower or such Guarantor) which constitutes, or might be construed to constitute, an equitable or legal discharge of any Borrower for the Borrower Obligations, or of such Guarantor under the guarantee contained in this Section 2, in bankruptcy or in any other instance. When making any demand hereunder or otherwise pursuing its rights and remedies hereunder against any Guarantor, the Administrative Agent or any Lender may, but shall be under no obligation to, make a similar demand on or otherwise pursue such rights and remedies as it may have against any Borrower, any other Guarantor or any other Person or against any collateral security or guarantee for the Borrower Obligations or any right of offset with respect thereto, and any failure by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make any such demand, to pursue such other rights or remedies or to collect any payments from any Borrower, any other Guarantor or any other Person or to realize upon any such collateral security or guarantee or to exercise any such right of offset, or any release of any Borrower, any other Guarantor or any other Person or any such collateral security, guarantee or right of offset, shall not relieve any Guarantor of any obligation or liability hereunder, and shall not impair or affect the rights and remedies, whether express, implied or available as a matter of law, of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against any Guarantor. For the purposes hereof “demand” shall include the commencement and continuance of any legal proceedings.
2.6 Reinstatement. The guarantee contained in this Section 2 shall continue to be effective, or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any of the Borrower Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Administrative Agent or any Lender upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of any Borrower or any Guarantor, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar officer for, any Borrower or any Guarantor or any substantial part of its property, or otherwise, all as though such payments had not been made.
2.7 Payments. Each Guarantor hereby guarantees that payments hereunder will be paid to the Administrative Agent without set-off or counterclaim in Dollars at the Funding Office.
2.8 Keepwell. Each Qualified Keepwell Provider hereby jointly and severally absolutely, unconditionally, and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each other Loan Party to honor all of its obligations under this guarantee in respect of any Swap Obligation (provided, however, that each Qualified Keepwell Provider shall only be liable under this Section 2.8 for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section 2.8, or otherwise under this guarantee, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations of each Qualified Keepwell Provider under this Section 2.8 shall remain in full force and effect until a discharge of Guarantor Obligations. Each Qualified Keepwell Provider intends that this Section 2.8 constitute, and this Section 2.8 shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each other Loan Party for all purposes of section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.
SECTION 3. GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST
3.1 Grant of Security. Each Grantor hereby assigns and transfers to the Administrative Agent, and hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in, all of the following property now owned or at any time hereafter acquired by such Grantor or in which such Grantor now has or at any time in the future may acquire any right, title or interest (collectively, the “Collateral”), as collateral security for the prompt and complete payment and performance when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of such Grantor’s Obligations:
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(a) all Securities and all options and warrants to purchase Securities (and all certificates, Certificated Securities, Chattel Paper or Instruments evidencing such Securities);
(b) all Pledged Accounts; including any and all assets of whatever type or kind deposited in any such Pledged Account, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, existing or arising (including, without limitation, all Financial Assets, Investment Property, monies, checks, drafts, Instruments or interests therein of any type or nature deposited or required by the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document to be deposited in such Pledged Account, and all investments and all certificates and other instruments (including depository receipts, if any) from time to time representing or evidencing the same, and all dividends, interest, distributions, cash and other property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of the foregoing);
(c) all books and records pertaining to the Collateral; and
(d) to the extent not otherwise included, all Proceeds, Supporting Obligations and products of any and all of the foregoing, all Security Entitlements owned by such Grantor in any and all of the foregoing, and all collateral security and guarantees given by any Person with respect to any of the foregoing;
provided, however, that notwithstanding any of the other provisions set forth in this Section 3, this Agreement shall not constitute a grant of a security interest in any property to the extent that such grant of a security interest (i) is of more than 66% of the total voting stock of any Excluded Foreign Subsidiary (unless a greater amount is otherwise specified in writing by the Borrower), (ii) [reserved], (iii) is prohibited by any Requirements of Law of a Governmental Authority, requires a consent not obtained of any Governmental Authority pursuant to such Requirement of Law or (iv) in the case of any Collateral constituting a Security, is prohibited by, or constitutes a breach or default under or results in the termination of or requires any consent not obtained under, any contract, license, agreement, instrument or other document evidencing or giving rise to such property or any material agreement of any such Issuer (or any Investment Asset Issuer or Affiliated Investor in which such Issuer owns a direct or indirect equity interest) prohibiting a grant of such security interest in such Security, including, without limitation, any applicable shareholder or similar agreement (other than any of the foregoing issued by a Grantor) or any agreements relating to Indebtedness permitted pursuant to the Credit Agreement that are either applicable to such Issuer, any Investment Asset held directly or indirectly by such Issuer or to any Investment Asset Issuer or any Affiliated Investor in which such Issuer owns a direct or indirect equity interest, in each case with respect to clauses (iii) and (iv) of this paragraph, except to the extent that such Requirement of Law or the term in such contract, license, agreement, instrument or other document or shareholder or similar agreement providing for such prohibition, breach, default or termination or requirement of such consent is ineffective under applicable law (the property excluded from Collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the “Excluded Collateral”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, the representations, warranties and covenants set forth herein applicable to Collateral shall not apply to Excluded Collateral.
3.2 Procedures. (a) To the extent that any Grantor at any time or from time to time owns, acquires or obtains any right, title or interest in any Collateral, such Collateral shall automatically (and without the taking of any action by such Grantor) be pledged pursuant to Section 3.1 of this Agreement and, in addition thereto, such Grantor shall, not later than 60 days (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion) after the end of the fiscal year in which the Grantor acquired or
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otherwise obtained any such right, title or interest, take the following actions as set forth below with respect to any such new property constituting Collateral described below (provided that, to the extent that the actions set forth below have not been taken with respect to any such new property constituting Collateral with an aggregate value in excess of 10.0% of the Total Asset Value at any time, the Parent Borrower shall cause such actions to be taken within 60 days after the end of the fiscal quarter during which such limit was exceeded to the extent necessary to eliminate such excess) (the earlier date on which such actions are required to be taken with respect to any such Collateral, the “Collateral Reporting Date” with respect to such Collateral):
(i) with respect to a Certificated Security or a Partnership Interest or Membership Interest represented by a certificate that is a Security for purposes of the New York UCC (in each case other than any such Certificated Security, Partnership Interest or Membership Interest credited on the books of a Clearing Corporation or Securities Intermediary), such Grantor shall physically deliver such Certificated Security to the Administrative Agent, endorsed to the Administrative Agent or endorsed in blank;
(ii) with respect to (A) an Uncertificated Security or (B) a Membership Interest or Partnership Interest which is not represented by a certificate or is not a Security for purposes of the UCC (in each case other than an Uncertificated Security, Membership Interest or Partnership Interest credited on the books of a Clearing Corporation or Securities Intermediary), such Grantor shall cause the issuer thereof to duly authorize, execute, and deliver to the Administrative Agent, an acknowledgment and consent in favor of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties substantially in the form of Annex 2 hereto (appropriately completed to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent and with such modifications, if any, as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) pursuant to which such issuer agrees to be bound by the terms of this Agreement in so much as they apply to such issuer (or to any Uncertificated Security, Partnership Interests or Membership Interests issued by such issuer to such Grantor); provided, however, that the obligations set forth in this paragraph shall be limited to each such Uncertificated Security, Membership Interest or Partnership Interest issued by a Subsidiary of the Grantor that directly or indirectly owns any Investment Asset that is included in the calculation of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount (and, to the extent that any issuer of such Uncertificated Security, Membership Interest or Partnership Interest did not have to comply with the obligations set forth in this paragraph on the Collateral Reporting Date in reliance on this proviso but thereafter becomes a Subsidiary that directly or indirectly owns any Investment Asset that is included in the calculation of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount, the applicable Grantor shall cause such issuer to comply with the obligations set forth in this paragraph within 60 days after the end of the fiscal quarter during which such issuer became a Subsidiary that directly or indirectly owns any Investment Asset that is included in the calculation of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount);
(iii) with respect to any Collateral consisting of a Certificated Security, Uncertificated Security, Partnership Interest or Membership Interest credited on the books of a Clearing Corporation or Securities Intermediary (including a Federal Reserve Bank, Participants Trust Company or The Depository Trust Company), such Grantor shall notify the Administrative Agent thereof and, if requested by the Administrative Agent, shall (x) use commercially reasonable efforts (i) to comply with the applicable rules of such Clearing Corporation or Securities Intermediary and (ii) to perfect the security interest of the Administrative Agent under applicable law (including, in any event, under Sections 9-314(a), (b) and (c), 9-106 and 8-106(d) of the New York UCC) and (y) take such other actions as the Administrative Agent deems necessary or desirable to effect the foregoing;
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(iv) with respect to a Partnership Interest or a Membership Interest (other than a Partnership Interest or Membership Interest credited on the books of a Clearing Corporation or Securities Intermediary), (1) if such Partnership Interest or Membership Interest is represented by a certificate and is a Security for purposes of the New York UCC, the procedure set forth in Section 3.2(a)(i) hereof; and (2) if such Partnership Interest or Membership Interest is not represented by a certificate or is not a Security for purposes of the New York UCC, the procedure set forth in Section 3.2(a)(ii) hereof to the extent applicable to such Collateral;
(v) with respect to any Security of any Pledged Affiliate, provide the Administrative Agent with a copy of the organization documents of such Pledged Affiliate; provided, however, that the obligations set forth in this paragraph shall be limited to each such Security issued by a Pledged Affiliate that directly or indirectly owns any Investment Asset that is included in the calculation of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount (and, to the extent that any issuer of such Security did not have to comply with the obligations set forth in this paragraph on the Collateral Reporting Date in reliance on this proviso but thereafter becomes a Pledged Affiliate that directly or indirectly owns any Investment Asset that is included in the calculation of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount, the applicable Grantor shall cause such issuer to comply with the obligations set forth in this paragraph within 60 days after the end of the fiscal year during which such issuer became a Pledged Affiliate that directly or indirectly owns any Investment Asset that is included in the calculation of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount);
(vi) with respect to each Distribution Account of such Grantor, notify the Administrative Agent of the opening thereof (to the extent such Distribution Account is opened after the Closing Date) and deliver to the Administrative Agent a Control Agreement duly executed by each of the parties thereto; and
(vii) with respect to all Collateral of such Grantor whereby or with respect to which the Administrative Agent may obtain “control” thereof within the meaning of Section 8-106 of the New York UCC (or under any provision of the New York UCC as same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or under the laws of any relevant State other than the State of New York), such Grantor shall take all actions as may be reasonably requested from time to time by the Administrative Agent so that “control” of such Collateral is obtained and at all times held by the Administrative Agent.
(b) In addition to the actions required to be taken pursuant to Section 3.2(a) hereof, each Grantor shall take the following additional actions with respect to the Collateral:
(i) each Grantor shall from time to time cause appropriate financing statements (on appropriate forms) under the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the various relevant States, covering all Collateral hereunder (with the form of such financing statements to be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), to be filed in the relevant filing offices so that at all times the Administrative Agent’s security interest in all Investment Property constituting Collateral and other Collateral which can be perfected by the filing of such financing statements (in each case to the maximum extent perfection by filing may be obtained under the laws of the relevant States, including, without limitation, Section 9-312(a) of the New York UCC) is so perfected; and
(ii) each Grantor shall cause the Pledge to be accepted by each Luxembourg Issuer, and by its signature to this Agreement, each Luxembourg Issuer existing on the date of this Agreement hereby acknowledges and expressly accepts the Pledge.
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SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
To induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into the Credit Agreement and to induce the Lenders to make their respective extensions of credit to the Borrowers thereunder, each Grantor hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and each Lender that:
4.1 Title; No Other Liens. Except for the security interest granted to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to this Agreement and the other Liens permitted to exist on the Collateral under the Credit Agreement, such Grantor owns each item of the Collateral free and clear of any and all Liens. No effective financing statement or other similar public filing with respect to all or any part of the Collateral is on file or of record in any relevant public office, except such as have been filed in favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Agreement or as are permitted by the Credit Agreement.
4.2 Subsidiaries. As of the Closing Date, part (A) of the Subsidiary Certificate sets forth the name and jurisdiction of incorporation of each Subsidiary and, as to each such Subsidiary, the percentage of each class of Capital Stock owned by any Grantor.
4.3 Jurisdiction of Organization; Chief Executive Office. On the date hereof, such Grantor’s jurisdiction of organization, and the location of such Grantor’s chief executive office or sole place of business or principal residence, as the case may be, are specified on Schedule 4.
4.4 Pledged Stock. (a) The shares or other interests of Pledged Stock pledged by such Grantor hereunder constitute all the issued and outstanding shares or other interests of all classes of the Capital Stock of each Issuer owned by such Grantor, other than shares constituting Excluded Collateral.
(b) All the shares of the Pledged Stock of any Subsidiary have been duly and validly issued and, to the extent applicable, are fully paid and nonassessable.
(c) Such Grantor is the record and beneficial owner of, and has good and marketable title to, the Securities pledged by it hereunder, free of any and all Liens other than Liens permitted pursuant to the Credit Agreement.
(d) As of the date hereof, all of the Partnership Interests and Membership Interests owned by such Grantor are uncertificated.
4.5 Distribution Accounts. As of the Closing Date, such Grantor has neither opened nor maintains any Distribution Account other than those set forth in Schedule 5 hereto.
4.6 No Default. Except as could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (a) such Grantor is not in default in the payment of any portion of any mandatory capital contribution, if any, required to be made under any partnership agreement or limited liability company agreement to which such Grantor is a party, and such Grantor is not in violation of any other material provisions of any partnership agreement or limited liability company agreement to which such Grantor is a party, or otherwise in default or violation thereunder and (b) no Partnership Interest or Membership Interest is subject to any defense, offset or counterclaim, nor have any of the foregoing been asserted or alleged against such Grantor by any Person with respect thereto.
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SECTION 5. COVENANTS
Each Grantor covenants and agrees with the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that, from and after the date of this Agreement until Payment in Full:
5.1 Delivery of Instruments, Certificated Securities and Chattel Paper. If any amount payable under or in connection with any of the Collateral in excess of $100,000 shall be or become evidenced by any Instrument, Certificated Security or Chattel Paper payable to or in the name of any Grantor, such Instrument, Certificated Security or Chattel Paper shall be delivered to the Administrative Agent by not later than the next following Collateral Reporting Date, duly indorsed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, to be held as Collateral pursuant to this Agreement.
5.2 Payment of Obligations. Such Grantor will pay and discharge or otherwise satisfy at or before maturity or before they become delinquent, as the case may be, all Taxes imposed upon the Collateral or in respect of income or profits therefrom, as well as all claims of any kind (including, without limitation, claims for labor, materials and supplies) against or with respect to the Collateral, except to the extent not required to be paid or discharged pursuant to Section 4.10 of the Credit Agreement.
5.3 Maintenance of Perfected Security Interest; Further Documentation. (a) Such Grantor shall maintain the security interest created by this Agreement as a perfected security interest having at least the priority described in Section 4.19 of the Credit Agreement and shall defend such security interest against the claims and demands of all Persons whomsoever, subject to Permitted Liens and the rights of such Grantor under the Loan Documents to dispose of the Collateral.
(b) Such Grantor will furnish to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders from time to time statements and schedules further identifying and describing the assets and property of such Grantor and such other reports in connection therewith as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, all in reasonable detail.
(c) At any time and from time to time, upon the written request of the Administrative Agent, and at the sole expense of such Grantor, such Grantor will promptly and duly execute and deliver, and have recorded, such further instruments and documents and take such further actions as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request for the purpose of obtaining or preserving the full benefits of this Agreement and of the rights and powers herein granted, including, without limitation, (i) filing any financing or continuation statements under the Uniform Commercial Code (or other similar laws) in effect in any jurisdiction with respect to the security interests created hereby and (ii) in the case of Securities, Pledged Accounts and any other relevant Collateral, taking any actions consistent with the requirements of Section 3.2 and reasonably necessary to enable the Administrative Agent to obtain “control” (within the meaning of the applicable Uniform Commercial Code) with respect thereto.
5.4 Changes in Name, etc. In the event that a Grantor (i) changes its jurisdiction of organization or the location of its chief executive office or sole place of business or principal residence from that referred to in Section 4.3 or (ii) changes its name, such Grantor shall promptly (but in any event within ten (10) days) provide written notice to the Administrative Agent and deliver to the Administrative Agent all additional financing statements and other documents reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to maintain the validity, perfection and priority of the security interests provided for herein.
5.5 Notices. Such Grantor will advise the Administrative Agent and the Lenders promptly, in reasonable detail, of any Lien (other than security interests created hereby or Liens permitted under the Credit Agreement) on any of the Collateral which would adversely affect the ability of the Administrative Agent to exercise any of its remedies hereunder.
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5.6 Securities. (a) If such Grantor shall become entitled to receive or shall receive any certificate (including, without limitation, any certificate representing a dividend or a distribution in connection with any reclassification, increase or reduction of capital or any certificate issued in connection with any reorganization), option or rights in respect of the Capital Stock of any Issuer of Pledged Stock, whether in addition to, in substitution of, as a conversion of, or in exchange for, any shares of the Pledged Stock, or otherwise in respect thereof, such Grantor shall accept the same as the agent of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, hold the same in trust for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and deliver the same to the Administrative Agent by not later than the applicable Collateral Reporting Date in the exact form received, duly indorsed by such Grantor to the Administrative Agent, if required, together with an undated stock power covering such certificate duly executed in blank by such Grantor and with, if the Administrative Agent so requests, signature guaranteed, to be held by the Administrative Agent, subject to the terms hereof, as additional collateral security for the Obligations.
(b) Without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, unless permitted pursuant to the Credit Agreement, such Grantor will not (i) sell, assign, transfer, exchange, or otherwise dispose of, or grant any option with respect to, the Securities or Proceeds thereof or (ii) create, incur or permit to exist any Lien or option in favor of, or any claim of any Person with respect to, any of the Securities or Proceeds thereof, or any interest therein.
(c) In the case of each Grantor which is an Issuer, such Issuer agrees that (i) it will be bound by the terms of this Agreement relating to the Securities issued by it and will comply with such terms insofar as such terms are applicable to it and (ii) the terms of Section 6.1(c) shall apply to it, mutatis mutandis, with respect to all actions that may be required of it pursuant to Section 6.1(c) with respect to the Securities issued by it.
(d) Such Grantor will not approve any action by any Pledged Partnership or Pledged LLC to convert such uncertificated interests into certificated interests.
SECTION 6. REMEDIAL PROVISIONS
6.1 Pledged Stock. (a) Unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and the Administrative Agent shall have given notice to the relevant Grantor of the Administrative Agent’s intent to exercise its corresponding rights pursuant to Section 6.1(b), each Grantor shall be permitted to receive all cash dividends paid in respect of the Pledged Stock, in each case paid in the normal course of business of the relevant Issuer and consistent with past practice, to the extent permitted in the Credit Agreement, and to exercise all voting and corporate or other organizational rights with respect to the Securities; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or corporate or other organizational right exercised or other action taken which would impair the Collateral or which would be inconsistent with or result in any violation of any provision of the Credit Agreement, this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
(b) If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing and the Administrative Agent shall give notice of its intent to exercise such rights to the relevant Grantor or Grantors, (i) the Administrative Agent shall have the right to receive any and all cash dividends, payments or other Proceeds paid in respect of the Securities and make application thereof to the Obligations in such order as the Administrative Agent may determine, and (ii) any or all of the Securities shall be registered in the name of the Administrative Agent or its nominee, and the Administrative Agent or its nominee may thereafter exercise (x) all voting, corporate and other rights pertaining to such Securities at any meeting of
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shareholders of the relevant Issuer or Issuers or otherwise and (y) any and all rights of conversion, exchange and subscription and any other rights, privileges or options pertaining to such Securities as if it were the absolute owner thereof (including, without limitation, the right to exchange at its discretion any and all of the Securities upon the merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or other fundamental change in the corporate or other organizational structure of any Issuer, or upon the exercise by any Grantor or the Administrative Agent of any right, privilege or option pertaining to such Securities, and in connection therewith, the right to deposit and deliver any and all of the Securities with any committee, depositary, transfer agent, registrar or other designated agency upon such terms and conditions as the Administrative Agent may determine), all without liability except to account for property actually received by it, but the Administrative Agent shall have no duty to any Grantor to exercise any such right, privilege or option and shall not be responsible for any failure to do so or delay in so doing.
(c) Each Grantor hereby authorizes and instructs each Issuer of any Securities pledged by such Grantor hereunder to (i) comply with any instruction received by it from the Administrative Agent in writing that (x) states that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (y) is otherwise in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, without any other or further instructions from such Grantor, and each Grantor agrees that each Issuer shall be fully protected in so complying, and (ii) unless otherwise expressly permitted hereby, pay any dividends or other payments with respect to the Securities directly to the Administrative Agent.
6.2 Proceeds to be Turned Over To Administrative Agent. If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, all Proceeds received by any Grantor consisting of cash, checks and other near-cash items shall be held by such Grantor in trust for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, segregated from other funds of such Grantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Grantor, be turned over to the Administrative Agent in the exact form received by such Grantor (duly indorsed by such Grantor to the Administrative Agent, if required). All Proceeds received by the Administrative Agent hereunder shall be held by the Administrative Agent in a Collateral Account maintained under its sole dominion and control. All Proceeds while held by the Administrative Agent in a Collateral Account (or by such Grantor in trust for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) shall continue to be held as collateral security for all the Obligations and shall not constitute payment thereof until applied as provided in Section 6.3.
6.3 Application of Proceeds. At such intervals as may be agreed upon by the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent, or, if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, at any time at the Administrative Agent’s election, the Administrative Agent may apply all or any part of Proceeds constituting Collateral, whether or not held in any Collateral Account, and any proceeds of the guarantee set forth in Section 2, in payment of the Obligations in the following order:
First, to pay incurred and unpaid fees and expenses of the Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents;
Second, to the Administrative Agent, for application by it towards payment of amounts then due and owing and remaining unpaid in respect of the Obligations, pro rata among the Secured Parties according to the amounts of the Obligations then due and owing and remaining unpaid to the Secured Parties;
Third, to the Administrative Agent, for application by it towards prepayment of the Obligations, pro rata among the Secured Parties according to the amounts of the Obligations then held by the Secured Parties; and
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Fourth, any balance remaining after the Payment in Full of the Obligations, no Letters of Credit shall be outstanding and the Commitments shall have terminated shall be paid over to the Parent Borrower or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amounts received from any Guarantor shall be applied to any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Guarantor.
6.4 Code and Other Remedies. Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 6.6, if an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, may exercise, in addition to all other rights and remedies granted to them in this Agreement and in any other instrument or agreement securing, evidencing or relating to the Obligations, all rights and remedies of a secured party under the New York UCC or any other applicable law. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent, without demand of performance or other demand, presentment, protest, advertisement or notice of any kind (except any notice required by law referred to below) to or upon any Grantor or any other Person (all and each of which demands, defenses, advertisements and notices are hereby waived), may in such circumstances forthwith collect, receive, appropriate and realize upon the Collateral, or any part thereof, and/or may forthwith sell, lease, assign, give option or options to purchase, or otherwise dispose of and deliver the Collateral or any part thereof (or contract to do any of the foregoing), in one or more parcels at public or private sale or sales, at any exchange, broker’s board or office of the Administrative Agent or any Lender or elsewhere upon such terms and conditions as it may deem advisable and at such prices as it may deem best, for cash or on credit or for future delivery without assumption of any credit risk. The Administrative Agent or any Lender shall have the right upon any such public sale or sales, and, to the extent permitted by law, upon any such private sale or sales, to purchase the whole or any part of the Collateral so sold, free of any right or equity of redemption in any Grantor, which right or equity is hereby waived and released. Each Grantor further agrees, at the Administrative Agent’s request, to assemble the Collateral and make it available to the Administrative Agent at places which the Administrative Agent shall reasonably select, whether at such Grantor’s premises or elsewhere. The Administrative Agent shall apply the net proceeds of any action taken by it pursuant to this Section 6.4, after deducting all reasonable costs and expenses of every kind incurred in connection therewith or incidental to the care or safekeeping of any of the Collateral or in any way relating to the Collateral or the rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements, to the payment in whole or in part of the Obligations, in such order as the Administrative Agent may elect, and only after such application and after the payment by the Administrative Agent of any other amount required by any provision of law, including, without limitation, Section 9-615(a)(3) of the New York UCC, need the Administrative Agent account for the surplus, if any, to any Grantor. To the extent permitted by applicable law, each Grantor waives all claims, damages and demands it may acquire against the Administrative Agent or any Lender arising out of the exercise by them of any rights hereunder. If any notice of a proposed sale or other disposition of Collateral shall be required by law, such notice shall be deemed reasonable and proper if given at least 10 days before such sale or other disposition.
6.5 [Reserved.]
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6.6 Certain Limitations on Remedies. (a) Notwithstanding any of the other provisions set forth in this Agreement to the contrary (including, without limitation, this Section 6), the Administrative Agent hereby agrees, on behalf of itself and the other Secured Parties, that except as permitted pursuant to clause (b) below, it shall not, directly or indirectly, consummate or otherwise take any Enforcement Action (as defined below) that would reasonably be expected to result in an Other Prohibited Foreclosure; provided that the Parent Borrower shall maintain the ownership structure of it and its Affiliates in a manner that does not restrict the Administrative Agent from commencing Enforcement Actions with respect to any Collateral other than Other Restricted Assets (it being understood that, (x) no such restriction shall be deemed to exist if the Administrative Agent can take Enforcement Actions with respect to a Lower Tier Issuer that is a direct or indirect owner of such Collateral but not an Upper Tier Issuer and (y) to the extent necessary to ensure compliance with this proviso, the Parent Borrower shall ensure that all Collateral other than Other Restricted Assets shall be held, directly or indirectly, by Pledged Affiliates with respect to which Enforcement Actions would not constitute an Other Prohibited Foreclosure).
(b) The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the foreclosure, transfer or other similar exercise of remedies (an “Enforcement Action”) by the Administrative Agent with respect to certain Pledged Stock, may, in the case of an Enforcement Action with respect to the Pledged Stock of an Issuer (an “Upper Tier Issuer”) that owns Pledged Stock of any other Issuer of Pledged Stock (each, a “Lower Tier Issuer”), result in an Other Prohibited Foreclosure in circumstances where an Investment Asset that could be the subject of an Other Prohibited Foreclosure is directly or indirectly owned by a Lower Tier Issuer. In such case, in order to permit the commencement of an Enforcement Action with respect to the Pledged Stock of any Upper Tier Issuer, each Grantor hereby agrees that, upon the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default, following the written request of the Administrative Agent, it shall take such actions as may be reasonably requested by Administrative Agent to transfer its Pledged Stock in an Other Restricted Investment Asset Owner to an Affiliate of such Grantor in a manner that enables the Administrative Agent to commence an Enforcement Action with respect to the Pledged Stock of any Upper Tier Issuer without indirectly causing an Other Prohibited Foreclosure. In the event that the applicable Grantor does not comply with any written transfer request of the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 6.6(b) within 10 days after receipt of such request, the Administrative Agent shall be released from the obligations specified in Section 6.6(a) above in connection with any Enforcement Action with respect to the Pledged Stock of an Upper Tier Issuer relating to such a transfer request.
6.7 Subordination. Each Grantor hereby agrees that, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent, all Indebtedness owing by it to any Subsidiary of any Borrower shall be fully subordinated to the indefeasible payment in full in cash of such Grantor’s Obligations.
6.8 Deficiency. Each Grantor shall remain liable for any deficiency if the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of the Collateral are insufficient to pay its Obligations and the fees and disbursements of any attorneys employed by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to collect such deficiency.
SECTION 7. THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
7.1 Administrative Agent’s Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact, etc. (a) Each Grantor hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Administrative Agent and any officer or agent thereof, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full irrevocable power and authority in the place and stead of such Grantor and in the name of such Grantor or in its own name, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this Agreement, to take any and all appropriate action and to execute any and all documents and instruments which may be necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of this
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Agreement, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Grantor hereby gives the Administrative Agent the power and right, on behalf of such Grantor, without notice to or assent by such Grantor, upon the ocurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to do any or all of the following:
(i) in the name of such Grantor or its own name, or otherwise, take possession of and indorse and collect any checks, drafts, notes, acceptances or other instruments for the payment of moneys due with respect to any Collateral and file any claim or take any other action or proceeding in any court of law or equity or otherwise deemed appropriate by the Administrative Agent for the purpose of collecting any and all such moneys due with respect to any Collateral whenever payable;
(ii) pay or discharge taxes and Liens levied or placed on or threatened against the Collateral, effect any repairs or any insurance called for by the terms of this Agreement and pay all or any part of the premiums therefor and the costs thereof;
(iii) execute, in connection with any sale provided for in Section 6.4 or 6.5, any indorsements, assignments or other instruments of conveyance or transfer with respect to the Collateral; and
(iv) (1) direct any party liable for any payment under any of the Collateral to make payment of any and all moneys due or to become due thereunder directly to the Administrative Agent or as the Administrative Agent shall direct; (2) ask or demand for, collect, and receive payment of and receipt for, any and all moneys, claims and other amounts due or to become due at any time in respect of or arising out of any Collateral; (3) sign and indorse any invoices, freight or express bills, bills of lading, storage or warehouse receipts, drafts against debtors, assignments, verifications, notices and other documents in connection with any of the Collateral; (4) commence and prosecute any suits, actions or proceedings at law or in equity in any court of competent jurisdiction to collect the Collateral or any portion thereof and to enforce any other right in respect of any Collateral; (5) defend any suit, action or proceeding brought against such Grantor with respect to any Collateral; (6) settle, compromise or adjust any such suit, action or proceeding and, in connection therewith, give such discharges or releases as the Administrative Agent may deem appropriate; and (7) generally, sell, transfer, pledge and make any agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with any of the Collateral as fully and completely as though the Administrative Agent were the absolute owner thereof for all purposes, and do, at the Administrative Agent’s option and such Grantor’s expense, at any time, or from time to time, all acts and things which the Administrative Agent deems necessary to protect, preserve or realize upon the Collateral and the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ security interests therein and to effect the intent of this Agreement, all as fully and effectively as such Grantor might do.
Anything in this Section 7.1(a) to the contrary notwithstanding, the Administrative Agent agrees that it will not exercise any rights under the power of attorney provided for in this Section 7.1(a) unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
(b) If any Grantor fails to perform or comply with any of its agreements contained herein, the Administrative Agent, at its option, but without any obligation so to do, may perform or comply, or otherwise cause performance or compliance, with such agreement.
(c) The documented out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent incurred in connection with actions undertaken as provided in this Section 7.1, together with interest thereon at a rate per annum equal to the highest rate per annum at which interest would then be payable on any category of
18
past due ABR Loans under the Credit Agreement, from the date of payment by the Administrative Agent to the date reimbursed by the relevant Grantor, shall be payable by such Grantor to the Administrative Agent on demand.
(d) Each Grantor hereby ratifies all that said attorneys shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. All powers, authorizations and agencies contained in this Agreement are coupled with an interest and are irrevocable until this Agreement is terminated and the security interests created hereby are released.
7.2 Duty of Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent’s sole duty with respect to the custody, safekeeping and physical preservation of the Collateral in its possession, under Section 9-207 of the New York UCC or otherwise, shall be to deal with it in the same manner as the Administrative Agent deals with similar property for its own account. Neither the Administrative Agent, any Lender nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents shall be liable for failure to demand, collect or realize upon any of the Collateral or for any delay in doing so or shall be under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral upon the request of any Grantor or any other Person or to take any other action whatsoever with regard to the Collateral or any part thereof. The powers conferred on the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder are solely to protect the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ interests in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon the Administrative Agent or any Lender to exercise any such powers. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be accountable only for amounts that they actually receive as a result of the exercise of such powers, and neither they nor any of their officers, directors, employees or agents shall be responsible to any Grantor for any act or failure to act hereunder, except for their own gross negligence or willful misconduct.
7.3 Execution of Financing Statements. Pursuant to any applicable law, each Grantor authorizes the Administrative Agent to file or record financing statements and other filing or recording documents or instruments with respect to the Collateral without the signature of such Grantor in such form and in such offices as the Administrative Agent determines appropriate to perfect the security interests of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement. Each Grantor authorizes the Administrative Agent to file or record financing statements describing the Collateral as set forth in Section 3. Each Grantor hereby ratifies and authorizes the filing by the Administrative Agent of any financing statement with respect to the Collateral made prior to the date hereof.
7.4 Authority of Administrative Agent. Each Grantor acknowledges that the rights and responsibilities of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement with respect to any action taken by the Administrative Agent or the exercise or non-exercise by the Administrative Agent of any option, voting right, request, judgment or other right or remedy provided for herein or resulting or arising out of this Agreement shall, as between the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, be governed by the Credit Agreement and by such other agreements with respect thereto as may exist from time to time among them, but, as between the Administrative Agent and the Grantors, the Administrative Agent shall be conclusively presumed to be acting as agent for the Lenders with full and valid authority so to act or refrain from acting, and no Grantor shall be under any obligation, or entitlement, to make any inquiry respecting such authority.
SECTION 8. MISCELLANEOUS
8.1 Amendments in Writing. None of the terms or provisions of this Agreement may be waived, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified except in accordance with Section 10.1 of the Credit Agreement.
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8.2 Notices. All notices, requests and demands to or upon the Administrative Agent or any Grantor hereunder shall be effected in the manner provided for in Section 10.2 of the Credit Agreement; provided that any such notice, request or demand to or upon any Guarantor shall be addressed to such Guarantor at its notice address set forth on Schedule 1.
8.3 No Waiver by Course of Conduct; Cumulative Remedies. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall by any act (except by a written instrument pursuant to Section 8.1), delay, indulgence, omission or otherwise be deemed to have waived any right or remedy hereunder or to have acquiesced in any Default or Event of Default. No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof. No single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. A waiver by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of any right or remedy hereunder on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to any right or remedy which the Administrative Agent or such Lender would otherwise have on any future occasion. The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative, may be exercised singly or concurrently and are not exclusive of any other rights or remedies provided by law.
8.4 Enforcement Expenses; Indemnification. (a) Each Guarantor agrees to pay or reimburse each Lender and the Administrative Agent for all its reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in collecting against such Guarantor under the guarantee contained in Section 2 or otherwise enforcing or preserving any rights under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Guarantor is a party, including, without limitation, the fees and disbursements of counsel (including the allocated fees and expenses of in-house counsel) to each Lender and of counsel to the Administrative Agent.
(b) Each Guarantor agrees to pay, and to save the Administrative Agent and the Lenders harmless from, any and all liabilities with respect to, or resulting from any delay in paying, any and all stamp, excise, sales or other taxes which may be payable or determined to be payable with respect to any of the Collateral or in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(c) Each Guarantor agrees to pay, and to save the Administrative Agent and the Lenders harmless from, any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement to the extent the Borrowers would be required to do so pursuant to Section 10.5 of the Credit Agreement.
(d) The agreements in this Section 8.4 shall survive repayment of the Obligations and all other amounts payable under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
8.5 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of each Grantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and their successors and assigns; provided that no Grantor may assign, transfer or delegate any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.
8.6 Set-Off. In addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders provided by law, subject to any applicable limitations set forth in Section 10.7 of the Credit Agreement, each Lender shall have the right, without notice to any Grantor, any such notice being expressly waived by each Grantor to the extent permitted by applicable law, upon any Obligations becoming due and payable by any Grantor (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), to apply to the payment of such Obligations, by setoff or otherwise, any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final), in any currency, and any other credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct or
20
indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held or owing by such Lender, any affiliate thereof or any of their respective branches or agencies to or for the credit or the account of such Grantor; provided that to the extent prohibited by applicable law as described in the definition of “Excluded Swap Obligation” in the Credit Agreement, no amounts received from, or set off with respect to, any Guarantor shall be applied to any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Guarantor. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the relevant Grantor and the Administrative Agent after any such application made by such Lender, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such application.
8.7 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by email or facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.
8.8 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
8.9 Section Headings. The Section headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction hereof or be taken into consideration in the interpretation hereof.
8.10 Integration. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents represent the agreement of the Grantors, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by the Administrative Agent or any Lender relative to subject matter hereof and thereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Loan Documents.
8.11 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
8.12 Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers. Each Grantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:
(a) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York located in the Bourough of Manhattan, the courts of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York, and appellate courts from any thereof; provided, that nothing contained herein or in any other Loan Document will prevent any Lender or the Administrative Agent from bringing any action to enforce any award or judgment or exercise any right under the Security Documents or against any Collateral or any other property of any Grantor in any other forum in which jurisdiction can be established;
(b) consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same;
21
(c) agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such Grantor at its address referred to in Section 8.2 or at such other address of which the Administrative Agent shall have been notified pursuant thereto;
(d) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right to sue in any other jurisdiction; and
(e) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.
8.13 Acknowledgements. Each Grantor hereby acknowledges that:
(a) it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party;
(b) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any fiduciary relationship with or duty to any Grantor arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and the relationship between the Grantors, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and Lenders, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor; and
(c) no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Lenders or among the Grantors and the Lenders.
8.14 Additional Grantors.
(a) Subsidiary Guarantors. Each Subsidiary of the Parent Borrower that is required to become a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 6.10 of the Credit Agreement shall become a Grantor for all purposes of this Agreement upon execution and delivery by such Subsidiary of an Assumption Agreement in the form of Annex 1 hereto.
(b) Subsidiary Borrowers. Each Subsidiary Borrower that is required to become a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 2.21(a) of the Credit Agreement shall become a Grantor for all purposes of this Agreement upon execution and delivery by such Subsidiary Borrower of a Subsidiary Borrower Joinder Agreement in the form of Exhibit J to the Credit Agreement.
8.15 Releases. (a) Upon Payment in Full of the Obligations, the Collateral shall be automatically released from the Liens created hereby, and this Agreement and all obligations (other than those expressly stated to survive such termination) of the Administrative Agent and each Grantor hereunder shall automatically terminate, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any Person.
(b) If any of the Collateral shall be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of in a transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement, then the Administrative Agent, at the request and sole expense of such Grantor, shall execute and deliver to such Grantor all releases or other documents reasonably necessary or desirable for the release of the Liens created hereby on such Collateral; provided that no Default shall have occurred or be continuing or would result therefrom. At the request and sole expense of the Parent Borrower, any Subsidiary Guarantor or Subsidiary Borrower shall be released from its
22
obligations hereunder in the event that all the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor or Subsidiary Borrower shall be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of in a transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement or if such Subsidiary Guarantor shall cease to be a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted by the Credit Agreement or becomes an Excluded Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement; provided that, in each case, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom; provided further that the Parent Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent, at least five days (or such shorter period as may be permitted by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) prior to the date of the proposed release, a written request for release identifying the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor and the associated transaction giving rise to the release request in reasonable detail, together with a certification by the Parent Borrower stating that such transaction is in compliance with the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided further that in the case of any release involving a Subsidiary Borrower, (A) the Parent Borrower shall have delivered a Termination Letter with respect to such Subsidiary Borrower in accordance with Section 2.21(a)(ii) of the Credit Agreement, (B) the Obligations of such Subsidiary Borrower shall have been repaid in full, (C) any L/C Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit issued for the account of such Subsidiary Borrower shall have been cash collateralized in full and (D) all other amounts owed by such Subsidiary Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall have been repaid in full, in each case, not later than upon the effectiveness of such release.
(c) The Administrative Agent shall, at the request and sole expense of the Parent Borrower in connection with the release of any Collateral in accordance with this Section 8.15, promptly (i) deliver to the Parent Borrower any such Collateral in the Administrative Agent’s possession and (ii) execute and deliver to the Parent Borrower such documents as the Parent Borrower shall reasonably request to evidence such release. The Administrative Agent shall, at the request and sole expense of the Parent Borrower following the release of a Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under the Loan Documents, as applicable, in accordance with this Section 8.15, execute and deliver to the Parent Borrower such documents as the Parent Borrower shall reasonably request to evidence such release.
8.16 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH GRANTOR AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused this Guarantee and Collateral Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.
| [NAME OF GRANTOR] | ||
| By: | ||
| Title: | ||
24
Schedule F-1
ENFORCEMENT RIGHT LIMITATIONS
25
Schedule 1
NOTICE ADDRESSES OF GUARANTORS
26
Schedule 4
LOCATION OF JURISDICTION OF ORGANIZATION
AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE
| Grantor |
Jurisdiction of Organization |
Location of Chief Executive Officer |
27
Schedule 5
DISTRIBUTION ACCOUNTS
28
Annex 1 to
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement
ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of , 20 , made by (the “Additional Grantor”), in favor of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) for the banks and other financial institutions or entities (the “Lenders”) parties to the Credit Agreement referred to below. All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in such Credit Agreement.
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, Credit RE Operating Company, LLC (the “Parent Borrower”), the Subsidiary Borrowers from time to time party thereto, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent have entered into the Credit Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2018 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”);
WHEREAS, in connection with the Credit Agreement, the Parent Borrower and certain of its Affiliates (other than the Additional Grantor) have entered into the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of February 1, 2018 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Guarantee and Collateral Agreement”) in favor of the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties;
WHEREAS, the Credit Agreement requires the Additional Grantor to become a party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Additional Grantor has agreed to execute and deliver this Assumption Agreement in order to become a party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED:
1. Guarantee and Collateral Agreement. By executing and delivering this Assumption Agreement, the Additional Grantor, as provided in Section 8.14(a) of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, hereby becomes a party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement as a Grantor thereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Grantor and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, hereby expressly assumes all obligations and liabilities of a Grantor thereunder. The information set forth in Annex 1-A hereto is hereby added to the information set forth in the Schedules to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and part (A) of the Subsidiary Certificate. The Additional Grantor hereby represents and warrants that each of the representations and warranties contained in Section 4 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement is true and correct on and as the date hereof (after giving effect to this Assumption Agreement) as if made on and as of such date.
2. Governing Law. THIS ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
29
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Assumption Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.
| [ADDITIONAL GRANTOR] | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
30
Annex 1-A to
Assumption Agreement
Supplement to Schedule 1
Supplement to Schedule 4
Supplement to Schedule 5
Supplement to Part (A) of the Subsidiary Certificate
31
Annex 2
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND CONSENT***
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated as of February 1, 2018 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Agreement”), made by the Grantors parties thereto for the benefit of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent. Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Agreement. The undersigned agrees for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as follows:
1. The undersigned will be bound by the terms of the Agreement and will comply with such terms insofar as such terms are applicable to the undersigned. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any undersigned is at any time determined to have been incorrectly pledged under the Agreement, then such undersigned’s obligations under the Loan Documents shall be automatically released in all respects with retroactive effect to the time such undersigned was first pledged upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Parent Borrower in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent regarding the basis for excluding such undersigned from the Collateral; provided that, after giving pro forma effect to such release (and any repayment of Revolving Loans or pledge of additional Collateral that occurs contemporaneously therewith), the Parent Borrower shall be in compliance with Section 7.1(e) of the Credit Agreement.
2. The undersigned will notify the Administrative Agent promptly in writing of the occurrence of any of the events described in Section 5.6(a) of the Agreement.
3. The terms of Section 6.1(c) of the Agreement shall apply to it, mutatis mutandis, with respect to all actions that may be required of it pursuant to Section 6.1(c) of the Agreement.
| [NAME OF ISSUER] | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| Address for Notices: | ||
|
| ||
|
| ||
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| Fax: | ||
| *** | This consent is necessary only with respect to any Issuer which is not also a Grantor. This consent may be modified or eliminated with respect to any Issuer that is not controlled by a Grantor. If a consent is required, its execution and delivery should be included among the conditions to the initial borrowing specified in the Credit Agreement. |
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF
COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
This Compliance Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section [6.2(b)] of the Credit Agreement, dated as of [ ], 2018 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time the “Credit Agreement”), among Credit RE Operating Company, LLC (the “ Parent Borrower”), the Subsidiary Borrowers party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”). Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
I am the duly elected, qualified and acting [Chief Financial Officer] of the Parent Borrower.
I have reviewed and am familiar with the contents of this Certificate.
I have reviewed the terms of the Credit Agreement and the Loan Documents and have made or caused to be made under my supervision, a review in reasonable detail of the transactions and condition of the Parent Borrower during the accounting period covered by the financial statements attached hereto as Attachment 1 (the “Financial Statements”). Such review did not disclose the existence during or at the end of the accounting period covered by the Financial Statements, and I have no knowledge of the existence, as of the date of this Certificate, of any condition or event which constitutes a Default or Event of Default[, except as set forth below].
Attached hereto as Attachment 2 are the applicable computations and financial information showing compliance with the covenants set forth in Section 7.1 of the Credit Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Certificate this day of , 20 .
| (iv) |
||
| Name: |
||
| Title: |
Attachment 1
to Compliance Certificate
[Attach Financial Statements]
Attachment 2
to Compliance Certificate
The information described herein is as of , , and pertains to the period from , to , .
1. [Set forth Covenant Calculations]
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF
CLOSING CERTIFICATE
[Attached]
OMNIBUS SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATE
OF
CREDIT RE OPERATING COMPANY, LLC
AND
EACH OTHER CERTIFYING LOAN PARTY
February 1, 2018
The undersigned, the duly appointed, qualified and acting Vice President and Secretary of Credit RE Operating Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), which is the direct or indirect Managing Member or Sole Member of each of the entities listed on Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 hereto (together with the Company, collectively, the “Certifying Loan Parties” and each, a “Certifying Loan Party”), as of the date first set forth above, certifies as follows:
1. Each Certifying Loan Party is a limited liability company duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
2. Attached hereto as Exhibit “A-1” through Exhibit “A-3” is a true, correct and complete copy of a written consent adopted by (i) the Managing Member of the Company, on behalf of each Certifying Loan Party (other than NS Income II Sub-REIT, LLC and Colony Mortgage Sub B REIT, LLC), (ii) the Board of Directors of NS Income II Sub-REIT, LLC, and (iii) the Sole Manager of Colony Mortgage Sub B REIT, LLC, and such written consents remain in full force and effect as of the date hereof and have not been amended, modified or repealed in any respect since the date of adoption of such written consents and are the only corporate proceeding of each Certifying Loan Party now in force relating to or affecting the matters referred to therein. No other consent, license or approval is required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Certifying Loan Parties of that certain Credit Agreement dated as of February 1, 2018 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”) among the Company, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (the “Agent”) and the Loan Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement) to which they are a party or the validity against the Certifying Loan Parties of the Loan Documents to which they are a party. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein are used with the meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement.
3. Attached hereto as Exhibit “B-1” through Exhibit “B-65” is a true, correct and complete copy of the Certificate of Formation of each Certifying Loan Party and all amendments thereto, as in effect on the date hereof.
4. Attached hereto as Exhibit “C-1” through Exhibit “C-65” is a true, correct and complete copy of the Limited Liability Company Agreement of each Certifying Loan Party and all amendments thereto, as in effect on the date hereof.
5. Attached hereto as Exhibit “D” is a true, correct and complete copy of the Certificate of Good Standing of each Certifying Loan Party issued by the Delaware Secretary of State.
[Certificate continues on next page.]
6. The following persons are duly appointed, qualified and acting officers of the Company and each Certifying Loan Party listed on Schedule 1 and occupy the office or hold the positions set forth opposite their names, and the signatures set forth opposite their names are the true signatures of such officer, and each of such officers is duly authorized to execute and deliver on behalf of the Company and such Certifying Loan Party listed on Schedule 1 each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and any certificate or other document to be delivered by the Company or such Certifying Loan Party pursuant to the Loan Documents to which it is a party:
| Name |
Office |
Signature | ||
| Sujan S. Patel | Vice President and Treasurer |
| ||
| Ronald M. Sanders | Vice President and Assistant Secretary |
| ||
| Mark M. Hedstrom | Vice President |
| ||
| David A. Palamé | Vice President and Secretary |
| ||
[Certificate continues on next page.]
7. The following persons are duly appointed, qualified and acting officers of each Certifying Loan Party listed on Schedule 2 hereto and occupy the office or hold the positions set forth opposite their names, and the signatures set forth opposite their names are the true signatures of such officer, and each of such officers is duly authorized to execute and deliver on behalf of such Certifying Loan Party each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and any certificate or other document to be delivered by such Certifying Loan Party pursuant to the Loan Documents to which it is a party:
| Name |
Office |
Signature | ||
| Ronald M. Sanders | Vice President |
| ||
| Mark M. Hedstrom | Vice President |
| ||
| David A. Palamé | Assistant Secretary |
| ||
[Certificate continues on next page.]
8. The Company has delivered true and correct copies of the operating agreements, partnership agreements or other applicable organizational documents of each Affiliated Investor listed on Schedule 3 hereto (i) that directly or indirectly owns an Investment Asset included in the calculation of the Maximum Permitted Outstanding Amount and (ii) in which all or a portion of its Capital Stock are owned directly by a Loan Party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Omnibus Secretary’s Certificate as of the day and year first above written.
CERTIFICATION
I, , the duly appointed, qualified and acting of the Company, do hereby certify and affirm that is the duly appointed, qualified and acting of the Company and that the signature set forth immediately above is his true signature.
EXHIBIT D
FORM OF
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION
This Assignment and Assumption (the “Assignment and Assumption”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into between the Assignor named below (the “Assignor”) and the Assignee named below (the “Assignee”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.
For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent below (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the respective facilities identified below (including any letters of credit, guarantees, and swingline loans included in such facilities) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as the “Assigned Interest”). Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.
| 1. | Assignor: | |||
| 2. | Assignee: | |||
| [and is an Affiliate/Approved Fund of [identify Lender]1] | ||||
| 3. | Borrower: | Credit RE Operating Company, LLC | ||
| 4. | Administrative Agent: | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent under the Credit Agreement | ||
| 5. | Credit Agreement: | The Credit Agreement dated as [ ], 2018 among Credit RE Operating Company, LLC, the Subsidiary Borrowers party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent | ||
| 1 | Select as applicable. |
| 6. | Assigned Interest: |
| Facility Assigned2 |
Aggregate Amount of Commitment/Loans for all Lenders |
Amount of Commitment/Loans Assigned |
Percentage Assigned of Commitment/Loans3 |
|||||||||
| $ | $ | % | ||||||||||
| $ | $ | % | ||||||||||
| $ | $ | % | ||||||||||
Effective Date: [ , 20 ]4
The Assignee agrees to deliver to the Administrative Agent a completed administrative questionnaire in which the Assignee designates one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Parent Borrower, the Loan Parties and their Affiliates or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the Assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws.
The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:
| ASSIGNOR | ||
|
| ||
| NAME OF ASSIGNOR | ||
| By: |
| |
| Title: | ||
| ASSIGNEE | ||
|
| ||
| NAME OF ASSIGNEE | ||
| By: |
| |
| Title: | ||
| 2 | Fill in the appropriate terminology for the types of facilities under the Credit Agreement that are being assigned under this Assignment (e.g. “Revolving Commitment”). |
| 3 | Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/Loans of all Lenders. |
| 4 | To be inserted by the Administrative Agent and which shall be the effective date of recordation of transfer in the Register therefor. |
2
| Consented to and Accepted: | ||
| JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as | ||
| Administrative Agent | ||
| By |
| |
| Title: | ||
| [Consented to:]5 | ||
| [CREDIT RE OPERATING | ||
| COMPANY, LLC] | ||
| By |
| |
| Title: | ||
| 5 | Consent of the Parent Borrower is not required (i) for an assignment to a Lender, an affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund (as defined below) or (ii) if an Event of Default under Section 8(a) or (f) has occurred and is continuing. |
3
ANNEX 1
Credit Agreement, dated as of [ ], 2018 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time (the “Credit Agreement”), among Credit RE Operating Company, LLC (the “ Parent Borrower”), the Subsidiary Borrowers party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”)
STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION
1. Representations and Warranties.
1.1 Assignor. The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Parent Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Parent Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.
1.2. Assignee. The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it satisfies the requirements, if any, specified in the Credit Agreement that are required to be satisfied by it in order to acquire the Assigned Interest and become a Lender, (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.1 thereof, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and (v) if it is a Non-U.S. Lender, attached to the Assignment and Assumption is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Assignee and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.
2. Payments. From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.
3. General Provisions. This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by email or telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.
2
EXHIBIT E
FORM OF
NOTICE OF BORROWING/CONVERSION/CONTINUATION
| JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||
| 500 Stanton Christiana Road, Ops 2, Floor 03 | ||
| Newark, DE 19713-2107 | , 20 | |
| Attention: Joseph Burke | ||
| Telephone: 302-634-1697 | ||
| Fax: 302-634-4733 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of [ ], 2018 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among Credit RE Operating Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, (the “Parent Borrower”), the Subsidiary Borrowers party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”). Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
The undersigned hereby irrevocably requests:
☐ A borrowing of Revolving Loans pursuant to Section 2.2 of the Credit Agreement
☐ A conversion of Loans pursuant to Section 2.7 of the Credit Agreement
☐ A continuation of Eurodollar Loans pursuant to Section 2.7 of the Credit Agreement
1. On , 201 (which is a Business Day).
2. In the amount of $ .
3. Comprised of (Type of Loan requested).
4. For Eurodollar Loans: with an Interest Period of months.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that each of the conditions set forth in Section 5.2[(b)]6 of the Credit Agreement has been satisfied on and as of the date of such borrowing, conversion or continuation.
[Signature page follows]
| 6 | To be included with respect to any conversion of ABR Loans into Eurodollar Loans and any continuation of Eurodollar Loans. |
| Very truly yours, | ||
| CREDIT RE OPERATING | ||
| COMPANY, LLC | ||
| By |
| |
| Title: | ||
EXHIBIT F-1
FORM OF
U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of [ ], 2018 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among Credit RE Operating Company, LLC (the “Parent Borrower”), the Subsidiary Borrowers party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”). Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.14 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Parent Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Parent Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
| 1. [NAME OF LENDER] | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
Date: , 20
EXHIBIT F-2
FORM OF
U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of [ ], 2018 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among Credit RE Operating Company, LLC (the “Parent Borrower”), the Subsidiary Borrowers party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”). Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.14 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Parent Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Parent Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
| 2. [NAME OF PARTICIPANT] | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
Date: , 20
EXHIBIT F-3
FORM OF
U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of [ ], 2018 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among Credit RE Operating Company, LLC (the “Parent Borrower”), the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”). Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.14 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) with respect such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Parent Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Parent Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
| 3. [NAME OF PARTICIPANT] | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
Date: , 20
EXHIBIT F-4
FORM OF
U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
(For Non-U.S. Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of [ ], 2018 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among Credit RE Operating Company, LLC (the “Parent Borrower”), the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”). Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.14 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Parent Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Parent Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.
The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Parent Borrower with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption. By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.
| 4. | ||
| 5. [NAME OF LENDER] | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
Date: , 20
EXHIBIT G
FORM OF
INCREASED FACILITY ACTIVATION NOTICE—INCREMENTAL REVOLVING COMMITMENTS
| To: | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent | |
| under the Credit Agreement referred to below |
Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of [ ], 2018(as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among Credit RE Operating Company, LLC (the “Parent Borrower”), the Subsidiary Borrowers party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.
This notice is an Increased Facility Activation Notice referred to in the Credit Agreement, and the Parent Borrower and each of the Lenders party hereto hereby notify you that:
1. Each Lender party hereto agrees to obtain a Revolving Commitment or increase the amount of its Revolving Commitment as set forth opposite such Lender’s name on the signature pages hereof under the caption “Incremental Revolving Commitment Amount”.
2. The Increased Facility Closing Date is .
3. The aggregate amount of incremental Revolving Commitments contemplated hereby is $ .
4. The agreement of each Lender party hereto to obtain an incremental Revolving Commitment on the Increased Facility Closing Date is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:
(a) The Administrative Agent shall have received this notice, executed and delivered by the Parent Borrower and each Lender party hereto.
(b) [Insert other applicable conditions precedent, including, without limitation, delivery of a closing certificate from the Parent Borrower and amendments to the Security Documents (to the extent necessary).]
(c) (i) Each of the representations and warranties made by any Loan Party in or pursuant to the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, if such representations and warranties are qualified by materiality, in all respects) on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date (except that any representations and warranties which expressly relate to an earlier date shall be true and correct in all material respects (or, if such representations and warranties are qualified by materiality, in all respects) as of such earlier date) and (ii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
[Signature page follows]
| CREDIT RE OPERATING | ||
| COMPANY LLC | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| Incremental Revolving Commitment Amount |
[NAME OF LENDER] | |||
| $ |
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: |
| CONSENTED TO: | ||
| JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
EXHIBIT H
FORM OF
NEW LENDER SUPPLEMENT
SUPPLEMENT, dated , to the Credit Agreement, dated as of [ ], 2018 (as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among Credit Re Operating Company, LLC (the “Parent Borrower”), the Subsidiary Borrowers party thereto, the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Credit Agreement provides in Section 2.19(b) thereof that any bank, financial institution or other entity may become a party to the Credit Agreement with the consent of the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) in connection with a transaction described in Section 2.19(a) thereof by executing and delivering to the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent a supplement to the Credit Agreement in substantially the form of this Supplement; and
WHEREAS, the undersigned now desires to become a party to the Credit Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned hereby agrees as follows:
1. The undersigned agrees to be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement, and agrees that it shall, on the date this Supplement is accepted by the Parent Borrower and the Administrative Agent, become a Lender for all purposes of the Credit Agreement to the same extent as if originally a party thereto, with a Revolving Commitment of $ .
2. The undersigned (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Supplement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it satisfies the requirements, if any, specified in the Credit Agreement that are required to be satisfied by it in order to become a Lender, (iii) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.1 thereof, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Supplement on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and (iv) if it is a Non-U.S. Lender, attached to this Supplement is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by the undersigned, and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.
3. The undersigned’s address for notices for the purposes of the Credit Agreement is as follows:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Supplement to be executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer on the date first above written.
| [NAME OF LENDER] | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| Accepted this day of , 20 : | ||
| CREDIT RE OPERATING | ||
| COMPANY, LLC | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
EXHIBIT I
[RESERVED]
EXHIBIT J
FORM OF
SUBSIDIARY BORROWER JOINDER AGREEMENT
SUBSIDIARY BORROWER JOINDER AGREEMENT, dated as of , , (this “Subsidiary Borrower Joinder Agreement”) made by each Subsidiary signatory hereto (each, a “Subsidiary Borrower”), is made in favor of JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) for the several banks and other financial institutions (the “Lenders”) from time to time parties to the Credit Agreement dated as of [ ], 2018 (as further amended, modified and supplemented, or otherwise modified, renewed or replaced from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among Credit RE Operating Company, LLC (the “Parent Borrower”), any other Subsidiary Borrowers from time to time parties thereto (together with the Parent Borrower, the “Borrowers”), the Lenders party thereto, and the Administrative Agent. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms are used herein as defined in the Credit Agreement.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the parties to this Subsidiary Borrower Joinder Agreement wish to add one or more Subsidiary Borrowers to the Credit Agreement in the manner hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, this Subsidiary Borrower Joinder Agreement is entered into pursuant to Section 2.21(a)(i) of the Credit Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. Each of the undersigned Domestic Subsidiaries that are Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower (each, a “New Borrower”), hereby acknowledges that it has received and reviewed a copy of the Credit Agreement, and acknowledges and agrees to:
a. join the Credit Agreement as a Subsidiary Borrower, as indicated with its signature below;
b. be bound by all covenants, agreements and acknowledgments attributable to a Subsidiary Borrower in the Credit Agreement; and
c. perform all obligations and duties required of it by the Credit Agreement.
2. [[Each] New Borrower, by executing and delivering this Subsidiary Borrower Joinder Agreement, hereby becomes a party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement as a Grantor thereunder as provided in Section 8.14(b) therein with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Grantor and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, hereby expressly assumes all obligations and liabilities of a Grantor thereunder. The information set forth in Annex II hereto is hereby added to the information set forth in the Schedules to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement. [Each] New Borrower hereby represents and warrants that each of the representations and warranties contained in Section 4 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement is true and correct on and as of the date hereof (after giving effect to this Subsidiary Borrower Joinder Agreement).]7
| 7 | To be included with respect to any Subsidiary Borrower that is not currently a party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement. |
[[Each] New Borrower, by executing and delivering this Subsidiary Borrower Joinder Agreement, hereby acknowledges and consents to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and agrees that it will be subject to the rights and obligations applicable to the Borrowers on the terms contained therein. Further, [each] New Borrower agrees with respect to each Loan Document to which it is a party:
| a. | all of its obligations, liabilities and indebtedness under each such Loan Document shall remain in full force and effect on a continuous basis after giving effect to this Subsidiary Borrower Joinder Agreement and its guarantee, if any, of the obligations, liabilities and indebtedness of the other Loan Parties under the Credit Agreement shall extend to and cover any Loans made pursuant to the Credit Agreement and interest thereon and fees and expenses and other obligations in respect thereof and in respect of commitments related thereto after giving effect to this Subsidiary Borrower Joinder Agreement; and |
| b. | all of the Liens and security interests created and arising under such Loan Document remain in full force and effect on a continuous basis, and the perfected status and priority of each such Lien and security interest continues in full force and effect on a continuous basis, unimpaired, uninterrupted and undischarged, after giving effect to this Subsidiary Borrower Joinder Agreement, as collateral security for its obligations, liabilities and indebtedness under the Credit Agreement and under its guarantees, if any, in the Loan Documents, including, without limitation, the obligations under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.]8 |
3. On and as of the date hereof, each of the undersigned hereby confirm, reaffirm and restate that, after giving effect to this Subsidiary Borrower Joinder Agreement, (i) each of the representations and warranties made by any Loan Party in or pursuant to the Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof as if made on and as of such date (except that any representations and warranties which expressly relate to an earlier date shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date) and (ii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred or be continuing on the date hereof.
4. The legal name, primary business address, taxpayer identification number and jurisdiction of incorporation of each of the undersigned Subsidiaries of the Parent Borrower is set forth in Annex I to this Subsidiary Borrower Joinder Agreement.
5. The Parent Borrower hereby agrees and acknowledges that its guarantees contained in Section 2 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement shall remain in full force and effect after giving effect to this Subsidiary Borrower Joinder Agreement.
6. THIS SUBSIDIARY BORROWER JOINDER AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
| 8 | To be included with respect to any Subsidiary Borrower that is currently a party to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement. |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused this Subsidiary Borrower Joinder Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by its proper and duly authorized officer as of the date set forth below.
| Dated: , | [NAME OF SUBSIDIARY], as a Subsidiary Borrower | |||||
| By: |
| |||||
| Name: | ||||||
| Title: | ||||||
| [NAME OF SUBSIDIARY], as a Subsidiary Borrower | ||||||
| By: |
| |||||
| Name: | ||||||
| Title: | ||||||
ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED TO:
| CREDIT RE OPERATING COMPANY, LLC, as Parent Borrower | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
ANNEX I
[Insert legal name, primary business address, taxpayer identification number and jurisdiction of incorporation of each Subsidiary Borrower]
ANNEX II
Supplement to Schedule 1 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement
Supplement to Schedule 2 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement
Supplement to Schedule 4 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement
Supplement to Schedule 5 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement
Exhibit 10.3
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
by and among
Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc.,
Credit RE Operating Company, LLC
and
CLNC Manager, LLC
This MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT, dated as of January 31, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), is made and entered into by and among Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), Credit RE Operating Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Operating Company”), and CLNC Manager, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Manager”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Company was formed as a corporation and intends to elect to be treated as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes pursuant to Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”);
WHEREAS, Operating Company is a Subsidiary of the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Company, Operating Company and the Manager desire to enter into this Management Agreement, pursuant to which the Manager shall provide certain management and advisory services on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, and the Manager desires to be retained to provide such services upon the terms and conditions hereof.
NOW, THEREFORE, for the mutual promises made herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Definitions.
(a) The following terms have the following meanings assigned to them:
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such other Person, (ii) any executive officer, general partner, managing member, control person or employee of such Person, (iii) any member of the board of directors or board of managers (or bodies performing similar functions) of such Person, and (iv) any legal entity for which such Person acts as an executive officer, general partner, managing member or control person.
“Agreement” means this Management Agreement, as amended, restated or supplemented from time to time.
“Bankruptcy” means, with respect to any Person, (i) the filing by such Person of a voluntary petition seeking liquidation, reorganization, arrangement or readjustment, in any form, of its debts under Title 11 of the United States Code or any other federal, state or foreign insolvency law, or such Person’s filing an answer consenting to or acquiescing in any such petition, (ii) the making by such Person of any assignment for the benefit of its creditors, (iii) the
expiration of ninety (90) days after the filing of an involuntary petition under Title 11 of the Unites States Code, an application for the appointment of a receiver for a material portion of the assets of such Person, or an involuntary petition seeking liquidation, reorganization, arrangement or readjustment of its debts under any other federal, state or foreign insolvency law; provided that the same shall not have been vacated, set aside or stayed within such ninety (90)-day period or (iv) the entry against it of a final and non-appealable order for relief under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or hereinafter in effect.
“Base Management Fee” means a fee equal to one and one-half percent (1.50%) of Stockholders’ Equity per annum, calculated and payable quarterly in arrears in cash.
“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Business Day” means any day except a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are not required to be open.
“Business Opportunity” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(b) of this Agreement.
“Claim” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(d) of this Agreement.
“Code” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.
“Common Equity” means:
(i) the sum of:
| (a) | the net proceeds received by the Company (or, without duplication, the Company’s direct Subsidiaries, such as Operating Company) from all issuances of Common Stock or such Subsidiaries’ common equity securities since inception (allocated on a pro rata daily basis for such issuances during the calendar quarter of any such issuance); plus |
| (b) | cumulative Core Earnings from and after the Effective Date to the end of the most recently completed calendar quarter, |
(ii) less:
| (a) | any distributions to the Company’s common stockholders (or owners of common equity of the Company’s direct Subsidiaries, such as Operating Company) (other than the Company or any of such Subsidiaries); |
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| (b) | any amount that the Company or any of the Company’s direct Subsidiaries (such as Operating Company) has paid to repurchase for cash the Common Stock or common equity securities of such Subsidiaries since the Effective Date; and |
| (c) | any Incentive Fee paid to the Manager following the Effective Date. |
With respect to that portion of the period from and after the Effective Date that is used in the calculation of the Incentive Fee, all items in the foregoing calculation (other than clause (i)(b)) shall be calculated on a daily weighted average basis. For the avoidance of doubt, Common Equity shall include any restricted shares of Common Stock or common equity of the Company’s direct Subsidiaries (such as Operating Company) and any other shares of Common Stock or common equity of such Subsidiaries underlying awards granted under one or more of the Company’s or such Subsidiaries’ equity incentive plans. The amount of net proceeds received shall be subject to the determination of the Board of Directors to the extent such proceeds are other than cash.
“Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.01, of the Company.
“Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.
“Company Account” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5 of this Agreement.
“Company Covered Person” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(c) of this Agreement.
“Company Parties” means the Company, Operating Company and any other Subsidiaries.
“Confidential Information” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(b) of this Agreement.
“Constellation” means Colony NorthStar, Inc., a Maryland corporation, or its successor(s).
“Core Earnings” means the net income (loss) attributable to the common stockholders of the Company or, without duplication, owners of common equity of the Company’s direct Subsidiaries (such as Operating Company), computed in accordance with GAAP, and excluding
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(i) non-cash equity compensation expense, (ii) the expenses incurred in connection with the formation of the Company and the Initial Public Offering, if any, including the initial underwriting discounts and commissions, (iii) the Incentive Fee, (iv) acquisition costs from successful acquisitions, (v) depreciation and amortization, (vi) any unrealized gains or losses or other similar non-cash items that are included in net income for the current quarter, regardless of whether such items are included in other comprehensive income or loss, or in net income, (vii) one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP and (viii) certain material non-cash income or expense items that in the judgment of management should not be included in Core Earnings. For clauses (vii) and (viii), such exclusions shall only be applied after (x) discussions between the Manager and the Independent Directors and (y) approval by a majority of the Independent Directors.
“Effective Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.
“Effective Termination Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14(a) of this Agreement.
“Excess Funds” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(l) of this Agreement.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Expenses” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(a) of this Agreement.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in effect in the United States on the date such principles are applied.
“Governing Instruments” means, with regard to any entity, the articles of incorporation or certificate of incorporation and bylaws in the case of a corporation, the certificate of limited partnership (if applicable) and the partnership agreement in the case of a general or limited partnership, the articles of formation or certificate of formation and the limited liability company agreement or operating agreement in the case of a limited liability company, the trust instrument in the case of a trust, or similar governing documents, in each case as amended from time to time.
“Incentive Fee” means the incentive management fee calculated and payable with respect to each calendar quarter (or part thereof) that this Agreement is in effect in arrears in an amount, not less than zero, equal to the difference between:
(i) the product of (a) twenty percent (20%) and (b) the difference between (1) Core Earnings for the most recent twelve (12)-month period (or if the Effective Date is less than twelve (12) months earlier, since the Effective Date),
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including the current quarter, and (2) the product of (A) the Common Equity in the most recent twelve (12)-month period (or if the Effective Date is less than twelve (12) months earlier, since the Effective Date), including the current quarter, and (B) seven percent (7%) per annum, and
(ii) the sum of any Incentive Fee paid to the Manager with respect to the first three (3) calendar quarters of the most recent twelve (12)-month period (or if the Effective Date is less than twelve (12) months earlier, since the Effective Date);
provided, however, that no Incentive Fee shall be payable with respect to any calendar quarter unless Core Earnings is greater than zero for the most recently completed twelve (12) calendar quarters (or if the Effective Date is less than twelve (12) calendar quarters earlier, since the Effective Date).
For purposes of calculating the Incentive Fee prior to the completion of a twelve (12)-month period during the term of this Agreement, Core Earnings shall be calculated on the basis of the number of days that this Agreement has been in effect on an annualized basis.
If the Effective Termination Date does not correspond to the end of a calendar quarter, the Manager’s Incentive Fee shall be calculated for the period beginning on the day after the end of the calendar quarter immediately preceding the Effective Termination Date and ending on the Effective Termination Date, which Incentive Fee shall be calculated using Core Earnings for the twelve (12)-month period ending on the Effective Termination Date.
“Indemnified Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(c) of this Agreement.
“Indemnifying Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(d) of this Agreement.
“Independent Directors” means the members of the Board of Directors who are not officers or employees of the Manager or any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by the Manager, and who are otherwise “independent” in accordance with the Company’s Governing Instruments and the rules of the applicable National Securities Exchange on which the Common Stock is listed.
“Initial Public Offering” means the Company’s sale of Common Stock to the public through underwriters pursuant to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-11.
“Initial Term” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14(a) of this Agreement.
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“Investment Allocation Policy” means the investment allocation policy and procedures of Colony Capital Investment Advisors, LLC, a registered investment advisor and an Affiliate of the Manager, in effect from time to time, with respect to the allocation of investment opportunities among the Company and one or more of its clients (as the same may be amended, updated or revised from time to time).
“Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
“Investment Guidelines” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b)(i) of this Agreement.
“Investments” means the investments of the Company and the Subsidiaries.
“Losses” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(b) of this Agreement.
“Majority-Owned Affiliate” means an Affiliate of a Person (i) that is directly or indirectly controlled by such Person and (ii) in which such Person directly or indirectly owns securities representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding securities of any class of voting securities of such Affiliate.
“Manager” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.
“Manager Covered Person” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(b) of this Agreement.
“Monitoring Services” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) of this Agreement.
“National Securities Exchange” means any national securities exchange or nationally recognized automated quotation system on which the shares of the Common Stock of the Company are listed, traded, exchanged or quoted.
“Notice of Proposal to Negotiate” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14(a) of this Agreement.
“Operating Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.
“Other Constellation Funds” means, collectively, any other investment funds, vehicles, accounts, products and/or other similar arrangements sponsored, branded, advised and/or managed by Constellation or any of its Affiliates, whether currently in existence or subsequently established, in each case, including any related successor funds, alternative vehicles, supplemental capital vehicles, co-investment vehicles and other entities formed in connection with Constellation’s side-by-side or additional general partner investments with respect thereto.
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“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, estate, trust, unincorporated association, any federal, state, county or municipal government or any bureau, department or agency thereof or any other legal entity and any fiduciary acting in such capacity on behalf of any of the foregoing.
“Portfolio Management Services” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) of this Agreement.
“Protected Opportunity” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(b)(ii) of this Agreement.
“REIT” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.
“Renewal Term” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14(a) of this Agreement.
“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Stockholders’ Equity” means:
(i) the sum of:
| (a) | the net proceeds received by the Company (or, without duplication, the Company’s direct Subsidiaries, such as Operating Company) from all issuances of the Company’s or such Subsidiaries’ common and preferred equity securities since inception (allocated on a pro rata daily basis for such issuances during the calendar quarter of any such issuance); plus |
| (b) | cumulative Core Earnings from and after the Effective Date to the end of the most recently completed calendar quarter, |
(ii) less:
| (a) | any distributions to the Company’s common stockholders (or owners of common equity of the Company’s direct Subsidiaries, such as Operating Company) (other than the Company or any of such Subsidiaries); |
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| (b) | any amount that the Company or any of the Company’s direct Subsidiaries (such as Operating Company) has paid to (1) repurchase for cash the Common Stock or common equity securities of such Subsidiaries or (2) repurchase or redeem for cash preferred equity securities of the Company or such Subsidiaries, in each case since the Effective Date; and |
| (c) | any Incentive Fee paid to the Manager following the Effective Date. |
With respect to that portion of the period from and after the Effective Date that is used in the calculation of the Base Management Fee, all items in the foregoing calculation (other than clause (i)(b)) shall be calculated on a daily weighted average basis. For the avoidance of doubt, Stockholders’ Equity shall include any restricted shares of Common Stock or common equity of the Company’s direct Subsidiaries (such as Operating Company) and any other shares of Common Stock or common equity of such Subsidiaries underlying awards granted under one or more of the Company’s or such Subsidiaries’ equity incentive plans. The amount of net proceeds received shall be subject to the determination of the Board of Directors to the extent such proceeds are other than cash.
“Subsidiary” means a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture or other entity or organization of which: (i) the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company is a general partner or managing member; or (ii) voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors, trustees or others performing similar functions with respect to such entity or organization is held by the Company or by any one or more of the Company’s subsidiaries.
“Termination Fee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14(b) of this Agreement.
“Termination Notice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14(a) of this Agreement.
“Treasury Regulations” means the regulations promulgated under the Code, as amended from time to time.
(b) The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.
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(c) The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms. The words include, includes and including shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”, unless such phrase otherwise appears.
Section 2. Appointment and Duties of the Manager.
(a) The Company, Operating Company and each of the other Subsidiaries hereby appoint the Manager to manage the assets and the day-to-day operations of the Company, Operating Company and the other Subsidiaries subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and the Manager hereby agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to perform each of the duties set forth herein, except where a higher standard of care is specified in this Agreement, in which case such higher standard of care shall apply.
The appointment of the Manager shall be exclusive to the Manager except to the extent that the Manager otherwise agrees, in its sole and absolute discretion, and except to the extent that the Manager elects, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, to cause the duties of the Manager hereunder to be provided by third parties.
(b) The Manager, in its capacity as manager of the assets and the day-to-day operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries, at all times will be subject to the supervision and direction of the Board of Directors, and the Manager will have only such functions and authority as the Company may delegate to it, including the functions and authority identified herein and delegated to the Manager hereby. Without limiting the power and authority granted to the Manager pursuant to Section 2(c), the Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries and will perform (or cause to be performed) such services and activities relating to the assets and operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries as may be appropriate, including:
(i) serving as the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ consultant with respect to the periodic review of the investment guidelines and other parameters for the Investments, financing activities and operations, which review shall occur no less often than annually, any modification to which shall be approved by a majority of the Independent Directors (such guidelines as initially approved and attached hereto as Exhibit A, as the same may be modified, supplemented or waived with such approval, the “Investment Guidelines”);
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(ii) identifying, investigating, analyzing and selecting possible investment opportunities and acquiring, negotiating, monitoring, financing, retaining, selling, restructuring or disposing of Investments consistent in all material respects with the Investment Guidelines;
(iii) with respect to prospective purchases, sales or exchanges of Investments, conducting negotiations on behalf of the Company and the Subsidiaries with sellers, purchasers, trustees, primary dealers, custodians and brokers and, if applicable, their respective agents and representatives;
(iv) negotiating and entering into, on behalf of the Company and the Subsidiaries, bank credit facilities, repurchase agreements, interest rate swap agreements, agreements relating to borrowings under programs established by the U.S. Government and/or any agencies thereunder and other agreements and instruments required for the Company and the Subsidiaries to conduct their business;
(v) engaging and supervising, on behalf of the Company and the Subsidiaries and at the expense of Operating Company or its designee(s), independent contractors that provide investment banking, securities brokerage, mortgage brokerage, other financial services, due diligence services, underwriting review services, legal and accounting services, and all other services (including transfer agent and registrar services) as may be required relating to the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ operations or Investments (or potential investments);
(vi) advising on, preparing, negotiating and entering into, on behalf of the Company and the Subsidiaries, applications and agreements relating to programs established by the U.S. Government and/or any agencies thereunder;
(vii) coordinating and managing operations of any joint venture or co-investment interests held by the Company and the Subsidiaries and conducting all matters with the joint venture or co-investment partners;
(viii) providing executive and administrative personnel, office space and office services required in rendering services to the Company and the Subsidiaries, including office space for any persons who are employed directly by the Company or its Subsidiaries and who are not simultaneously employed by the Manager or any of its Affiliates;
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(ix) administering the day-to-day operations and performing and supervising the performance of such other administrative functions necessary to the management of the Company and the Subsidiaries as may be agreed upon by the Manager and the Board of Directors, including the services in respect of any equity incentive plans, the collection of revenues and the payment of the debts and obligations of the Company and the Subsidiaries and maintenance of appropriate computer services to perform such administrative functions;
(x) communicating on behalf of the Company and the Subsidiaries with the holders of any of their equity or debt securities as required to satisfy the reporting and other requirements of any governmental bodies or agencies or trading markets and to maintain effective relations with such holders, including website maintenance, logo design, analyst presentations, investor conferences and annual meeting arrangements;
(xi) counseling the Company in connection with policy decisions to be made by the Board of Directors;
(xii) evaluating and recommending to the Board of Directors hedging strategies and engaging in hedging activities on behalf of the Company and the Subsidiaries, consistent with such strategies as modified from time to time, while maintaining the Company’s qualification as a REIT and within the Investment Guidelines;
(xiii) counseling the Company regarding the maintenance of its qualification as a REIT and monitoring compliance with the various REIT qualification tests and other rules set forth in the Code and Treasury Regulations thereunder and using commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Company to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes;
(xiv) counseling the Company and the Subsidiaries regarding the maintenance of their exemptions from the status of an investment company required to register under the Investment Company Act, monitoring compliance with the requirements for maintaining such exemptions and using commercially reasonable efforts to cause them to maintain such exemptions from such status;
(xv) furnishing reports and statistical and economic research to the Company and the Subsidiaries regarding their activities and services performed for the Company and the Subsidiaries by the Manager and its Affiliates;
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(xvi) monitoring the operating performance of Investments and providing periodic reports with respect thereto to the Board of Directors, including comparative information with respect to such operating performance and budgeted or projected operating results;
(xvii) investing and reinvesting on behalf of the Company and the Subsidiaries any money and securities of the Company and the Subsidiaries (including investing in short-term Investments pending investment in other Investments, payment of fees, costs and expenses and payment of dividends or other distributions to stockholders, members and partners of the Company and the Subsidiaries) and advising the Company and the Subsidiaries as to their capital structure and capital raising;
(xviii) causing the Company and the Subsidiaries to retain qualified accountants, tax professionals and legal counsel, as applicable, to assist in developing appropriate accounting procedures and systems, internal controls and other compliance procedures and testing systems with respect to financial reporting obligations and compliance with the provisions of the Code applicable to REITs and, if applicable, domestic taxable REIT subsidiaries, and to conduct quarterly compliance reviews with respect thereto;
(xix) assisting the Company and the Subsidiaries in qualifying to do business in all applicable jurisdictions and to obtain and maintain all appropriate licenses;
(xx) assisting the Company and the Subsidiaries in complying with all regulatory requirements applicable to them with respect to their business activities, including preparing or causing to be prepared all financial statements required under applicable regulations and contractual undertakings and all reports and documents, if any, required under the Exchange Act, the Securities Act, or by the applicable National Securities Exchange on which the Common Stock is listed;
(xxi) assisting the Company and the Subsidiaries in taking all necessary actions to enable them to make required tax filings and reports, including soliciting stockholders for all information required by the provisions of the Code and Treasury Regulations applicable to REITs;
(xxii) placing, or arranging for the placement of, all orders pursuant to the Manager’s investment determinations on behalf of the Company and the Subsidiaries, either directly with the issuer or with a broker or dealer (including any affiliated broker or dealer);
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(xxiii) handling and resolving on behalf of the Company and the Subsidiaries all claims, disputes or controversies (including all litigation, arbitration, settlement or other proceedings or negotiations) in which the Company and/or the Subsidiaries may be involved or to which they may be subject arising out of their day-to-day operations (other than with the Manager or its Affiliates), subject to such reasonable limitations or parameters as may be imposed from time to time by the Board of Directors;
(xxiv) using commercially reasonable efforts to cause expenses incurred by the Company and the Subsidiaries or on their behalf to be commercially reasonable or commercially customary and within any budgeted parameters or expense guidelines set by the Board of Directors from time to time;
(xxv) advising the Company and the Subsidiaries with respect to and structuring (1) long-term financing vehicles for their portfolio of assets and (2) the offering and selling of securities publicly or privately in connection with any such structured financing;
(xxvi) serving as the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ consultant with respect to decisions regarding any financings, hedging activities or borrowings undertaken by the Company and/or the Subsidiaries, including (1) assisting the Company and/or the Subsidiaries in developing criteria for debt and equity financing that are specifically tailored to the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ investment objectives, and (2) advising the Company and the Subsidiaries with respect to obtaining appropriate financing for the Investments;
(xxvii) arranging marketing materials, advertising, industry group activities (such as conference participations and industry organization memberships) and other promotional efforts designed to promote the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ business; and
(xxviii) performing such other services as may be required from time to time for the management of, and other activities relating to, the assets, business and operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries as the Board of Directors shall reasonably request or as the Manager shall deem appropriate under the particular circumstances.
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Without limiting the foregoing, the Manager will perform portfolio management services (the “Portfolio Management Services”) on behalf of the Company and the Subsidiaries with respect to the Investments. Such services will include, but not be limited to, consulting with the Company and the Subsidiaries on the purchase and sale of, and other investment opportunities in connection with, assets; the collection of information and the submission of reports pertaining to the Company’s assets, interest rates and general economic conditions; periodic review and evaluation of the performance of the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ portfolio of assets; acting as a liaison between the Company and the Subsidiaries and banking, mortgage banking, investment banking and other parties with respect to the purchase, financing and disposition of assets; and other customary functions related to portfolio management. Additionally, the Manager will perform monitoring services (the “Monitoring Services”) on behalf of the Company and the Subsidiaries with respect to any activities provided by third parties. Such Monitoring Services will include, but not be limited to, negotiating servicing agreements; acting as a liaison between servicer providers of the assets and the Company and the Subsidiaries; reviewing servicers’ delinquency, foreclosure and other reports on assets; supervising claims filed under any insurance policies; and enforcing the obligation of any servicer to repurchase assets.
(c) For the period and on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company, Operating Company and each of the other Subsidiaries hereby constitutes, appoints and authorizes the Manager, and any officer of the Manager acting on its behalf from time to time, as its true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, in its name, place and stead, to negotiate, execute, deliver and enter into such finance agreements and arrangements and securities repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements and arrangements, brokerage agreements, interest rate swap agreements, “to be announced” forward contracts, agreements relating to borrowings under programs established by the U.S. Government and/or any agencies thereunder and such other certificates, agreements, instruments and authorizations on their behalf, on such terms and conditions as the Manager, acting in its sole and absolute discretion, deems necessary or appropriate. This power of attorney is deemed to be coupled with an interest. In performing such services, as an agent of the Company, Operating Company and each of the other Subsidiaries, the Manager shall have the right to exercise all powers and authority that are reasonably necessary and customary to perform its obligations under this Agreement, including the following powers, subject in each case to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the Investment Guidelines:
(i) to purchase, exchange or otherwise acquire and to sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of, any Investment at public or private sale;
(ii) to borrow and, for the purpose of securing the repayment thereof, to pledge, mortgage or otherwise encumber investments and enter into agreements
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in connection therewith, including repurchase agreements, master repurchase agreements, International Swap Dealer Association swap, caps and other agreements and annexes thereto and other futures and forward agreements;
(iii) to purchase, take and hold Investments subject to mortgages or other liens;
(iv) to extend the time of payment of any liens or encumbrances that may at any time be encumbrances upon any Investment, irrespective of by whom the same were made;
(v) to foreclose, to reduce the rate of interest on, and to consent to the modification and extension of the maturity or other terms of any Investments, or to accept a deed in lieu of foreclosure;
(vi) to join in a voluntary partition of any investment;
(vii) to cause to be demolished any structures on any real estate Investment;
(viii) to cause renovations and capital improvements to be made to any real estate Investment;
(ix) to abandon any real estate Investment deemed to be worthless;
(x) to enter into joint ventures or otherwise participate in investment vehicles investing in Investments;
(xi) to cause any real estate Investment to be leased, operated, developed, constructed or exploited;
(xii) to obtain and maintain insurance in such amounts and against such risks as are prudent in accordance with customary and sound business practices in the appropriate geographic area;
(xiii) to cause any property to be maintained in good state of repair and upkeep; and to pay the taxes, upkeep, repairs, carrying charges, maintenance and premiums for insurance;
(xiv) to use the personnel and resources of its Affiliates in performing the services specified in this Agreement; and
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(xv) to take any and all other actions as are necessary or appropriate in connection with the Investments.
The Manager shall be authorized to represent to third parties that it has the power to perform the actions that it is authorized to perform under this Agreement.
(d) The Manager may enter into agreements with other parties, including its Affiliates (in accordance with Section 11(a)), for the purpose of engaging one or more parties for and on behalf of the Company and the Subsidiaries, and, except as otherwise agreed, at the sole cost and expense of Operating Company or its designee(s), to provide credit analysis, risk management services, asset management and/or other services to the Company and the Subsidiaries (including Portfolio Management Services and Monitoring Services) pursuant to agreement(s) with terms that are then customary for agreements regarding the provision of services to companies that have assets similar in type, quality and value to the assets of the Company and the Subsidiaries; provided that, with respect to Portfolio Management Services, the Manager shall remain liable for the performance of such Portfolio Management Services.
(e) To the extent that the Manager deems necessary or advisable, the Manager may, from time to time, and at the sole cost and expense of the Manager, propose to retain one or more additional entities for the provision of sub-advisory services to the Manager, in order to enable the Manager to provide the services to the Company and the Subsidiaries specified by this Agreement; provided that any agreements relating to such sub-advisory services shall (i) be on terms and conditions substantially identical to the terms and conditions of this Agreement or otherwise not adverse to the Company and the Subsidiaries and (ii) not result in an increased Base Management Fee or additional expenses payable hereunder.
(f) The Manager may designate, engage and retain, for and on behalf of the Company and the Subsidiaries and, at the sole cost and expense of Operating Company or its designee(s), such services of accountants, legal counsel, appraisers, insurers, brokers, transfer agents, registrars, investment banks, financial advisors, tax advisors, due diligence firms, engineers, banks and other lenders and other professionals, consultants and service providers as the Manager deems necessary or advisable in connection with the management and operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries, which may include Affiliates of the Manager (in accordance with Section 11(a)).
(g) As frequently as the Manager may deem necessary or advisable, or at the direction of the Board of Directors, the Manager shall, at the sole cost and expense of Operating Company or its designee(s), prepare, or cause to be prepared, with respect to any Investment, reports regarding the operating and asset performance and other information reasonably requested by the Company.
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(h) The Manager shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, at the sole cost and expense of Operating Company or its designee(s), all reports, financial or otherwise, with respect to the Company and the Subsidiaries reasonably required by the Board of Directors in order for the Company and the Subsidiaries to comply with their Governing Instruments or any other materials required to be filed with any governmental body or agency, including the SEC, and shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, at the sole cost and expense of Operating Company or its designee(s), all materials and data necessary to complete such reports and other materials, including an annual audit of the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ books of account by a nationally recognized registered independent public accounting firm.
(i) The Manager shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, at the sole cost and expense of Operating Company or its designee(s), regular reports for the Board of Directors to enable the Board of Directors to review the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ acquisitions, portfolio composition and characteristics, credit quality, performance and compliance with the Investment Guidelines and other policies approved by the Board of Directors.
(j) If requested by the Company, the Manager shall provide, or cause to be provided, at the sole cost and expense of Operating Company or its designee(s), such internal audit, compliance and control services as may be required for the Company and the Subsidiaries to comply with applicable law (including the Securities Act and the Exchange Act), regulation (including SEC regulations) and the rules and requirements of the applicable National Securities Exchange on which the Common Stock is listed and as otherwise reasonably requested by the Company or the Board of Directors from time to time.
(k) Each year, the Manager shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, at the sole cost and expense of the Operating Company or its designee(s), an annual operating budget of the Company, which shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. In addition, any material changes to such annual operating budget shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.
(l) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, except to the extent that the payment of additional money is proven by the Company to have been required as a direct result of the Manager’s acts or omissions that result in the right of the Company and the Subsidiaries to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 15 of this Agreement, the Manager shall not be required to expend money (“Excess Funds”) in connection with any expenses that are required to be paid for or reimbursed by Operating Company or its designee(s) pursuant to Section 11 in excess of that contained in any applicable Company Account or otherwise made available by Operating Company or its designee(s) to be expended by the Manager hereunder. Failure of the Manager to expend Excess Funds out-of-pocket shall not give rise or be a contributing factor to the right of the Company and the Subsidiaries under Section 14(a) of this Agreement to terminate this Agreement due to the Manager’s unsatisfactory performance.
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(m) In performing its duties under this Section 2, the Manager shall be entitled to rely reasonably on qualified experts and professionals (including accountants, legal counsel and other service providers) hired by the Manager at Operating Company’s or Operating Company’s designee(s)’s sole cost and expense.
Section 3. Devotion of Time; Additional Activities of the Manager; Allocation of Investment Opportunities; Non-Solicitation; Restrictions.
(a) The Manager and its Affiliates will provide the Company and the Subsidiaries with a management team, including a chief executive officer, president and chief financial officer (provided that each such executive officer shall be satisfactory to and approved by the Board of Directors), along with appropriate support personnel, to provide the management services to be provided by the Manager to the Company and the Subsidiaries hereunder, the members of which team shall devote such portion of their time to the management of the Company and the Subsidiaries as is necessary and appropriate to enable the Company to operate its business, commensurate with the Company’s level of activity. None of the officers or employees of the Manager will be dedicated exclusively to the Company and the Subsidiaries. The Manager and Constellation shall provide reasonable access to their respective investment professionals in order to support the day-to-day operations of the Company.
(b) Subject to the terms of the Investment Allocation Policy, none of Constellation or any of its Affiliates, including the Manager, or any of its or their officers, directors, employees or personnel, shall have any duty to refrain from directly or indirectly:
(i) engaging in any business opportunity, including business opportunities in the same or similar business activities or lines of business in which the Company or any of its Affiliates may, from time to time, be engaged or propose to engage (a “Business Opportunity”), including (x) investing in, or rendering advisory services to others investing in, any type of business (including investments that meet the principal investment objectives of the Company), whether or not the investment objectives or policies of any such other Person are similar to those of the Company, including the sponsoring, branding, advising and/or managing of any Other Constellation Funds that employ investment objectives or strategies that overlap, in whole or in part, with the Investment Guidelines of the Company, (y) buying, selling or trading any securities or investments for their own accounts or for the account of others for whom Constellation or any of its Affiliates, including the Manager, or any of its or their officers, directors, employees or personnel may be acting, and (z) receiving fees or other compensation or profits from such activities described in this Section 3(b)(i), which shall be for Constellation’s (and/or its Affiliates’) sole benefit; or
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(ii) competing with the Company, and none of Constellation or any of its Affiliates, including the Manager, shall be liable to the Company for breach of any duty (statutory, contractual or otherwise (other than for breach by Constellation or any of its Affiliates, including the Manager, of any express restrictions on competition contained in any written contract between Constellation or any of its Affiliates, including the Manager, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand)) by reason of the fact Constellation or any of its Affiliates, including the Manager, engages in any such activities, and the doctrine of corporate opportunity or any similar doctrine applicable to the Company shall not apply to Constellation or any of its Affiliates, including the Manager. The Company hereby renounces any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any Business Opportunity presented to Constellation or any of its Affiliates, including the Manager, unless such Business Opportunity is offered to an Affiliate of Constellation who is a director or officer of the Company and such Business Opportunity is expressly offered to such director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Company (a “Protected Opportunity”). Except for a Protected Opportunity, in the event that Constellation or any of its Affiliates, including the Manager, acquires knowledge of a Business Opportunity, Constellation or its applicable Affiliate, as the case may be, shall have no duty to communicate or offer such Business Opportunity to the Company or any of its Affiliates and shall not be liable to the Company by reason of the fact that Constellation or any of its Affiliates, including the Manager, pursues or acquires such Business Opportunity for itself, directs such Business Opportunity to another Person, or does not present such opportunity to the Company or its subsidiaries.
(c) While information and recommendations supplied to the Company and the Subsidiaries shall, in the Manager’s reasonable and good faith judgment, be appropriate under the circumstances and in light of the investment objectives and policies of the Company, such information and recommendations may be different in certain material respects from the information and recommendations supplied by the Manager or any Affiliate of the Manager to others (including, for greater certainty, the Other Constellation Funds and their investors, including Other Constellation Funds in which the Manager or its Affiliates may have a beneficial interest, as described more fully in Section 3(d)). The Manager and the Company acknowledge and agree that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (i) Affiliates of the Manager sponsor, brand, advise and/or manage one or more Other Constellation Funds and may
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in the future sponsor, brand, advise and/or manage additional Other Constellation Funds, (ii) the Manager will allocate investment opportunities that overlap with the Investment Guidelines of the Company and such Other Constellation Funds in accordance with the Investment Allocation Policy, to the extent applicable, and (iii) nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the Company and the Subsidiaries from entering into transactions that constitute co-investments with Other Constellation Funds; provided that any such transaction described in this clause (iii) is (1) permitted pursuant to the Investment Guidelines or (2) receives or has received the prior approval of the Board of Directors (including a majority of the Independent Directors). The Investment Allocation Policy may not be materially amended in any manner that is reasonably likely to be adverse to the Company, unless such amendment has been approved by a majority of the Independent Directors.
(d) In connection with the services of the Manager hereunder, the Company acknowledges and/or agrees that (i) as part of Constellation’s regular businesses, personnel of the Manager and its Affiliates may from time-to-time work on other projects and matters (including with respect to one or more Other Constellation Funds), and that conflicts may arise with respect to the allocation of personnel between the Company and the Subsidiaries and one or more Other Constellation Funds and/or the Manager and such other Affiliates, (ii) there may be circumstances where investments that are consistent with the Company’s Investment Guidelines may be shared with or allocated to one or more Other Constellation Funds (in lieu of the Company and the Subsidiaries) in accordance with the Investment Allocation Policy, to the extent applicable, (iii) the Manager and its Affiliates may from time-to-time receive fees from portfolio entities or other issuers for the arranging, underwriting, syndication or refinancing of investments or other additional fees, including acquisition fees, loan servicing fees, special servicing fees and administrative fees and fees or advisory or asset management fees, including with respect to Other Constellation Funds and related portfolio entities, and while such fees may give rise to conflicts of interest, the Company and the Subsidiaries will not receive the benefit of any such fees, and (iv) the terms and conditions of the Governing Instruments of such Other Constellation Funds (including with respect to the economic, reporting and other rights afforded to investors in such Other Constellation Funds) are materially different from the terms and conditions applicable to the Company and the Subsidiaries and their respective equityholders, and none of the Company, the Subsidiaries or any such equityholders (in such capacity) shall have the right to receive the benefit of any such different terms applicable to investors in such Other Constellation Funds as a result of an investment in the Company or the Subsidiaries or otherwise.
(e) Where investments that are consistent with the Company’s Investment Guidelines are shared with one or more Other Constellation Funds, the Manager may, but is not obligated to, aggregate sales and purchase orders of securities and other investments of the Company and the Subsidiaries with similar orders being made simultaneously for such Other
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Constellation Funds, if in the Manager’s judgment, such aggregation is likely to result generally in an overall economic benefit to the Company and the Subsidiaries. The determination of such economic benefit to the Company and the Subsidiaries by the Manager is subjective and represents the Manager’s evaluation that the Company and the Subsidiaries are benefited by relatively better purchase or sales prices, lower commission expenses, increased access to investment opportunities, beneficial timing of transactions or a combination of these and other factors.
(f) Managers, partners, officers, employees, personnel and agents of the Manager or Affiliates of the Manager may serve as directors, officers, employees, partners, personnel, agents, nominees or signatories for the Company and/or any Subsidiary, to the extent permitted by their Governing Instruments or by any resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors pursuant to the Company’s Governing Instruments. When executing documents or otherwise acting in such capacities for the Company or the Subsidiaries, such persons shall use their respective titles in the Company or the Subsidiaries.
(g) Subject to Section 2(d), the Manager is authorized, for and on behalf of the Company, and at the sole cost and expense of Operating Company or its designee(s), to employ securities dealers for the purchase and sale of Investments as the Manager deems necessary or appropriate, in its sole discretion.
(h) The Company agrees to take, or cause to be taken, all actions reasonably required to permit and enable the Manager to carry out its duties and obligations under this Agreement, including all steps reasonably necessary to allow the Manager to make any filing or application, or provide any notice, required to be made or provided under the Securities Act, Exchange Act, Code, or other applicable law, rule or regulation, including the rules and regulations of the applicable National Securities Exchange on which the Common Stock is listed, on behalf of the Company in a timely manner. The Company further agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to make available to the Manager all resources, information and materials reasonably requested by the Manager to enable the Manager to satisfy its obligations hereunder, including its obligations to deliver financial statements and any other information or reports with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary.
(i) In the event of a termination of this Agreement by the Company pursuant to Section 14(a), for two (2) years after such termination of this Agreement, the Company and the Subsidiaries shall not, and shall cause any successor to the Manager not to, without the consent of the Manager, employ or otherwise retain any employee of the Manager or any of its Affiliates or any person who has been employed by the Manager or any of its Affiliates at any time within the two (2)-year period immediately preceding the date on which such person commences employment with or is otherwise retained by the Company, a Subsidiary or any successor to the Manager. The Company acknowledges and agrees that, in addition to any damages, the Manager may be entitled to equitable relief for any violation of this Section 3(i) by the Company, the Subsidiaries or any successor to the Manager, including injunctive relief.
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Section 4. Agency. The Manager shall act as agent of the Company and the Subsidiaries in making, acquiring, financing and disposing of Investments, disbursing and collecting the funds of the Company and the Subsidiaries, paying the debts and fulfilling the obligations of the Company and the Subsidiaries, supervising the performance of professionals engaged by or on behalf of the Company and the Subsidiaries and handling, prosecuting and settling any claims of or against the Company and the Subsidiaries, the Board of Directors, holders of the Company’s securities or representatives or assets of the Company and the Subsidiaries.
Section 5. Bank Accounts. At the direction of the Board of Directors, the Manager may establish and maintain as an agent on behalf of the Company, one or more bank accounts in the name of the Company or any Subsidiary (any such account, a “Company Account”), and may collect and deposit funds into any such Company Account or Company Accounts, and disburse funds from any such Company Account or Company Accounts, under such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may approve; and the Manager from time to time render appropriate accountings of such collections and payments to the Board of Directors and, upon request, to the auditors of the Company or any Subsidiary.
Section 6. Records; Confidentiality.
(a) The Manager shall maintain appropriate books of accounts and records relating to services performed under this Agreement, and such books of account and records shall be accessible for inspection by representatives of the Company or any Subsidiary at any time during normal business hours.
(b) The Manager shall keep confidential any and all confidential, proprietary or non-public information of or concerning the performance, terms, business, operations, activities, personnel, training, finances, actual or potential investments, plans, compensation, clients or investors of the Company or the Subsidiaries, written or oral, obtained by the Manager in connection with the services rendered under this Agreement (“Confidential Information”) and shall not disclose any such Confidential Information (or use the same except in furtherance of its duties under this Agreement) to unaffiliated third parties, except: (i) to officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives or advisors of the Manager or its Affiliates who need to know such Confidential Information for the purpose of rendering services hereunder or in furtherance of Constellation’s asset management or capital markets businesses; (ii) with the prior written consent of the Board of Directors; (iii) to legal counsel, accountants and other professional advisors; (iv) to appraisers, lenders or other potential financing sources, co-originators, custodians, administrators, brokers, commercial counterparties or any similar entity and others in
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the ordinary course of the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ business; (v) to governmental agencies or officials having jurisdiction over the Company or any Subsidiary; (vi) in connection with (1) any governmental or regulatory filings of the Company or any Subsidiary (including any filings made by Constellation) or (2) subject to an undertaking of confidentiality, non-disclosure and non-use, disclosure or presentations to investors of the Company or Constellation; (vii) to existing or prospective investors in Other Constellation Funds and their advisors to the extent such persons reasonably request such information, subject to an undertaking of confidentiality, non-disclosure and non-use; (viii) otherwise with the consent of the Company, including pursuant to a separate agreement entered into between the Manager and/or any Other Constellation Fund and the Company; (ix) as required by law or legal process to which the Manager or any person to whom disclosure is permitted hereunder is a party; or (x) to the extent reasonably required in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder; provided, however, that with respect to clause (ix), it is agreed that, to the extent practicable and so long as not legally prohibited, the Manager will (w) provide the Company with written notice within a reasonable period of time of the existence, terms and circumstances surrounding the law or legal process requiring disclosure of such Confidential Information, (x) consult with the Company on the advisability of taking steps to resist or narrow such disclosure obligation, (y) if disclosure of such Confidential Information is required, furnish only such portion of the Confidential Information as the Manager is advised by counsel is legally required to be disclosed, and (z) cooperate, at the Company’s expense, with any action reasonably requested by the Company in its efforts to obtain an order or other reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded to such portion of the Confidential Information that is required to be disclosed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information shall not include information that (A) is in the public domain at the time it is received by the Manager, (B) becomes public other than by reason of a disclosure by the Manager in breach of this Agreement, (C) was already in the possession of the Manager prior to the time it was received by the Manager from the Company or its Affiliates, (D) was obtained by the Manager from a third party and, to the Manager’s knowledge, was not disclosed in breach of an obligation of such third party not to disclose such information, or (E) was developed independently by the Manager without using or referring to any of the Confidential Information. The provisions of this Section 6(b) shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement for a period of one (1) year.
Section 7. Obligations of Manager; Restrictions.
(a) The Manager shall require each seller or transferor of Investments to the Company and the Subsidiaries to make such representations and warranties regarding such assets as may, in the judgment of the Manager, be necessary and appropriate. In addition, the Manager shall take such other action as it deems necessary or appropriate with regard to the protection of the Investments.
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(b) The Manager shall refrain from any action that, in its sole judgment made in good faith:
(i) is not in compliance with the Investment Guidelines;
(ii) would adversely and materially affect the qualification of the Company as a REIT under the Code;
(iii) would adversely and materially affect the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s status as an entity intended to be exempted or excluded from registration under the Investment Company Act; or
(iv) would violate any law, rule or regulation of any governmental body or agency having jurisdiction over the Company or any Subsidiary or that would otherwise not be permitted by the Company’s Governing Instruments, code of conduct or other compliance or governance policies and procedures or those of the applicable National Securities Exchange on which the Common Stock is listed.
If the Manager is ordered to take any such action by the Board of Directors, the Manager shall promptly notify the Board of Directors if it is the Manager’s judgment that such action would adversely and materially affect the qualification of the Company as a REIT, the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s status as an entity intended to be exempted or excluded from registration under the Investment Company Act, or violate any such law, rule or regulation or the Governing Instruments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Manager and its officers, directors, members, managers and employees shall not be liable to the Company or any Subsidiary or to any director or stockholder of the Company or any Subsidiary for acts or omissions performed in accordance with and pursuant to this Agreement, except as provided in Section 13 of this Agreement.
(c) The Board of Directors may periodically review the Investment Guidelines and the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ portfolio of Investments, but is not required to review each proposed investment; provided that the Manager shall not consummate on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary any transaction (other than a transaction that constitutes a co-investment, which is addressed in Section 3(c)(iii) above) that involves (i) the sale of any investment to, (ii) the acquisition of any investment from, (iii) investing in, (iv) merging with, (v) arranging financing from, or (vi) providing financing to, Constellation, any Other Constellation Fund or any of their Affiliates, unless such transaction (A) is on terms no more favorable to Constellation, any Other Constellation Fund or any of their Affiliates than would be obtained from a third party on an arm’s length basis and (B) has been approved by a majority of the Independent Directors. In connection with the foregoing, it is understood and/or agreed for
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greater certainty that, while conflicts of interests may arise from time-to-time in connection with the investment activities of the Company, Constellation and the Other Constellation Funds (including as more fully described in Sections 3(c) and 3(d) above) and the Manager will seek to resolve any such conflicts of interest in a fair and equitable manner in accordance with the Investment Allocation Policy, to the extent applicable, and its prevailing policies and procedures with respect to conflicts resolution among Other Constellation Funds generally, there can be no assurance that any such conflicts will be resolved in favor of the Company and the Subsidiaries and only those transactions set forth above shall be required to be presented for approval by the Independent Directors; provided that the foregoing shall not limit the ability of the Manager, in its discretion, to present additional matters involving the Company and/or the Subsidiaries to the Independent Directors from time-to-time for review, advice and/or approval to the extent the Manager reasonably determines that doing so is appropriate under the circumstances (including as a result of a determination that such matters give rise to material conflicts of interest that are appropriate to be reviewed and/or approved by the Independent Directors); provided further that if (x) the majority of the Independent Directors approve any matter or transaction presented for their approval despite a conflict of interest after the Manager has disclosed all material facts relating to such conflict of interest or (y) the Manager acts in a manner, or pursuant to standards or procedures, approved by a majority of the Independent Directors with respect to such conflicts of interest that arise or may arise from time to time, then the Manager shall not have any liability to the Company, the Subsidiaries or any of their respective equityholders by reason of such conflict of interest for actions in respect of such matter taken in good faith by any of them, including actions in the pursuit of their own interests. If a majority of the Independent Directors determine in their periodic review of transactions that a particular transaction does not comply with the Investment Guidelines, then a majority of the Independent Directors will consider what corrective action, if any, can be taken. The Manager shall be permitted to rely upon the direction of the Secretary of the Company to evidence the approval of the Board of Directors or the Independent Directors with respect to a proposed investment.
(d) The Manager shall not consummate on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary any offering or repurchase of the Company’s common or preferred equity securities or debt obligations unless such offering or repurchase has been authorized and/or approved by the Board of Directors or a duly constituted committee of the Board of Directors.
(e) The Manager agrees to be bound by all policies and procedures, including the Company’s code of conduct and other compliance and governance policies and procedures, applicable to the Manager and its officers, directors, members, managers and employees that are adopted by the Board of Directors from time to time, including those required under the Exchange Act, the Securities Act, or by the applicable National Securities Exchange on which the Common Stock is listed, and to take, or cause to be taken, all actions reasonably required to cause its officers, directors, members, managers and employees, and any principals, officers or employees of its Affiliates (including Constellation) who are involved in the business and affairs of the Company, to be bound by such policies and procedures to the extent applicable to such Persons.
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(f) The Manager shall at all times during the term of this Agreement maintain “errors and omissions” insurance coverage and other insurance coverage that is customarily carried by asset and investment managers performing functions similar to those of the Manager under this Agreement with respect to assets similar to the assets of the Company and the Subsidiaries, in an amount which is comparable to that customarily maintained by other managers or servicers of similar assets.
Section 8. Base Management Fee.
(a) During the Initial Term and any Renewal Term, Operating Company or its designee(s) shall pay the Manager the Base Management Fee quarterly in arrears, commencing with the quarter in which the Effective Date occurs (with such initial and final payments pro-rated based on the number of days during such initial and final quarter, respectively, that this Agreement was in effect). The Base Management Fee is payable independent of the performance of the Company, any of the Subsidiaries or the Investments.
(b) The Manager shall compute each installment of the Base Management Fee within thirty (30) days after the end of the calendar quarter with respect to which such installment is payable. A copy of the computations made by the Manager to calculate such installment of the Base Management Fee shall thereafter promptly be delivered to the Board of Directors and, upon such delivery, payment of such installment of the Base Management Fee shown therein shall, subject in any event to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, be due and payable in cash no later than the date that is five (5) Business Days after the date of delivery to the Board of Directors of such computations.
(c) The Base Management Fee is subject to adjustment pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of Section 14(a) of this Agreement.
Section 9. Incentive Fee.
(a) The Incentive Fee shall be payable in arrears in cash, in quarterly installments commencing with the quarter in which the Effective Date occurs. The Manager shall compute each quarterly installment of the Incentive Fee within forty-five (45) days after the end of the calendar quarter with respect to which such installment is payable. A copy of the computations made by the Manager to calculate such installment shall thereafter promptly be delivered to the Board of Directors and, upon such delivery, payment of such installment of the Incentive Fee shown therein shall be due and payable no later than the date which is five (5) Business Days after the date of delivery to the Board of Directors of such computations.
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Section 10. Other Compensation Matters. As a component of the Manager’s compensation, the Company or any Subsidiary may issue to the Manager or personnel of the Manager stock-based or other equity-based compensation under the Company’s or any such Subsidiary’s equity incentive plan.
Section 11. Expenses of the Company.
(a) Operating Company or its designee(s) shall pay all of the expenses of the Company Parties and shall reimburse the Manager for documented expenses of the Manager incurred on behalf of the Company Parties (collectively, the “Expenses”) excepting only those expenses that are specifically the responsibility of the Manager pursuant to Section 2 of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Manager shall have the right to cause any services contemplated by this Agreement (including pursuant to Sections 2(d) and 2(f)) to be rendered by the Manager’s personnel or Affiliates (and Operating Company or its designee(s) shall pay or reimburse the Manager or its applicable Affiliate performing such services for the documented cost thereof); provided that such services may be provided by personnel or Affiliates of the Manager only to the extent that such costs and reimbursements are no greater than those that would be payable to outside professionals or consultants engaged to perform such services pursuant to agreements negotiated on an arm’s length basis. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is specifically agreed that the following costs and expenses of the Company Parties shall be paid by Operating Company or its designee(s) and shall not be paid by the Manager or Affiliates of the Manager:
(i) fees, costs and expenses in connection with the Initial Public Offering, if any;
(ii) fees, costs and expenses in connection with the issuance and transaction costs incident to the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ unconsummated investments and the acquisition, negotiation, structuring, trading, settling disposition and financing of the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ consummated Investments, including brokerage commissions, hedging costs, prime brokerage fees, custodial expenses, clearing and settlement charges, forfeited deposits, and other investment costs, fees and expenses actually incurred in connection with the pursuit, making, holding, settling, monitoring or disposing of actual or potential investments;
(iii) the cost of legal, tax, accounting, consulting, auditing, finance, administrative, investment banking, capital markets and other similar services rendered for the Company and the Subsidiaries by providers retained by the Manager, which may include personnel or Affiliates of the Manager;
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(iv) the compensation and expenses of the Company’s directors (excluding those directors who are officers of the Manager) and the cost of “errors and omissions” liability insurance to indemnify the Company’s directors and officers;
(v) interest, fees and expenses arising out of borrowings made by the Company or any Subsidiary, including costs associated with the establishment and maintenance of any of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s credit facilities, other financing arrangements, or other indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary (including commitment fees, accounting fees, legal fees, closing and other similar costs) or any of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s securities offerings;
(vi) expenses connected with communications to holders of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s securities and other bookkeeping and clerical work necessary in maintaining relations with holders of such securities and in complying with the continuous reporting and other requirements of governmental bodies or agencies, including all costs of preparing and filing required reports with the SEC, the costs payable by the Company to any transfer agent and registrar in connection with the listing and/or trading of the Company’s stock on any National Securities Exchange, the fees payable by the Company to any such National Securities Exchange in connection with its listing, costs of preparing, printing and mailing the Company’s annual report to its stockholders and proxy materials with respect to any meeting of the Company’s stockholders;
(vii) technology-related expenses, including costs associated with any computer software or hardware, electronic equipment or purchased information technology services from third party vendors, in each case that is used by the Company and/or the Subsidiaries;
(viii) expenses incurred by managers, officers, personnel and agents of the Manager for travel solely on the Company’s behalf and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by managers, officers, personnel and agents of the Manager in connection with the purchase, financing, refinancing, sale or other disposition of an Investment or the establishment and maintenance of any of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s securitizations or any of their securities offerings;
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(ix) costs and expenses incurred with respect to market information systems and publications, research publications and materials, and settlement, clearing and custodial fees and expenses applicable solely to the Company or any Subsidiary;
(x) the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ allocable share of the compensation, including annual base salary, bonus, any related withholding taxes and employee benefits, paid to (1) the Manager’s personnel serving as the Company’s chief financial officer, based on the percentage of his or her time spent managing the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ affairs, and (2) other corporate finance, tax, accounting, internal audit, legal risk management, operations, compliance and other non-investment personnel of the Manager or its Affiliates who spend all or a portion of their time managing the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ affairs (and the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ share of such costs shall be based upon the percentage of time devoted by such personnel of the Manager or its Affiliates to the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ affairs);
(xi) compensation and expenses of the Company’s custodian, transfer agent and trustee, if any;
(xii) the cost of maintaining compliance with all U.S. federal, state and local rules and regulations or with any other regulatory agency;
(xiii) the costs and expenses relating to ongoing regulatory compliance matters and regulatory reporting obligations relating to the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ activities;
(xiv) all taxes and license fees;
(xv) all insurance costs incurred in connection with the operation of the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ business, except for the costs attributable to the insurance that the Manager elects to carry for itself and its personnel;
(xvi) costs and expenses incurred in contracting with third parties for the servicing of the assets of the Company and the Subsidiaries;
(xvii) all other costs and expenses relating to the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ business and investment operations, including the costs and expenses of acquiring, owning, protecting, maintaining, developing and disposing of Investments, including appraisal, reporting, audit and legal fees;
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(xviii) expenses relating to any office(s) or office facilities, including disaster backup recovery sites and facilities, maintained for the Company and the Subsidiaries or Investments separate from the office or offices of the Manager;
(xix) expenses connected with the payments of interest, dividends or distributions in cash or any other form authorized or caused to be made by the Board of Directors to or on account of holders of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s securities, including in connection with any dividend reinvestment plan;
(xx) the costs of any litigation or other pending or threatened proceedings (whether civil, criminal or otherwise) involving the Company or any Subsidiary or their respective assets and the amount of any judgment or settlement against the Company or any Subsidiary, or against any trustee, director, partner, member or officer of the Company or of any Subsidiary in his, her or its capacity as such for which the Company or any Subsidiary is required to indemnify such Person by any court or governmental agency; and
(xxi) all other expenses actually incurred by the Manager (except as described below) that are reasonably necessary for the performance by the Manager of its duties and functions under this Agreement;
provided, however, that with respect to expenses incurred by the Manager in connection with assets acquired by or services rendered to the Company together with any Other Constellation Funds, Operating Company or its designee(s) shall only be responsible for the Company Parties’ pro rata share of such expenses, based on the ratio of the amount of capital contributed by the Company Parties for any investment in such assets compared to the total capital invested in such assets.
(b) Operating Company or its designee(s) will be required to pay the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ pro rata portion of rent, telephone, utilities, office furniture, equipment, machinery and other office, internal and overhead expenses of the Manager and its Affiliates required for the operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries. These expenses will be allocated between the Manager, on the one hand, and the Company and the Subsidiaries, on the other hand, based on the ratio of the Company’s and the Subsidiaries’ proportion of gross assets compared to all remaining gross assets managed or held by Constellation and its Affiliates, including the Manager, as calculated at each quarter end. The Manager and the Company will modify this allocation methodology, subject to the Independent Directors’ approval, if the allocation becomes inequitable (i.e., if the Company and the Subsidiaries become highly leveraged compared to Constellation or the Other Constellation Funds). Operating Company or its designee(s) will also be required to pay the rent for office space and other office, internal and overhead expenses incurred by persons who are employed directly by the Company or the Subsidiaries and who are not simultaneously employed by the Manager or any of its Affiliates.
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(c) The Manager may, at its option, elect not to seek reimbursement for certain expenses during a given quarterly period, which determination shall not be deemed to constitute a waiver of reimbursement for similar expenses in future periods.
(d) The provisions of this Section 11 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement to the extent such expenses have previously been incurred or are incurred in connection with such expiration or termination.
Section 12. Calculations of Expenses. The Manager shall prepare a written statement documenting in reasonable detail the Expenses during each calendar quarter, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver such statement to the Company within thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar quarter (subject to reasonable delays resulting from delays in the receipt of information). Expenses shall be reimbursed by Operating Company or its designee(s) to the Manager no later than the fifteenth (15th) Business Day immediately following the date of delivery of such statement; provided, however, that such reimbursements may be offset by the Manager against amounts due to the Company and the Subsidiaries from the Manager. The provisions of this Section 12 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement.
Section 13. Limits of the Manager’s Responsibility; Indemnification.
(a) The Manager assumes no responsibility under this Agreement other than to render the services called for under this Agreement in good faith and shall not be responsible for any action of the Board of Directors in following or declining to follow any advice or recommendations of the Manager, including as set forth in Section 7(b) of this Agreement. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Manager and its Affiliates, including their respective directors, members, officers, managers, employees, trustees, control persons, partners, stockholders and equityholders, will not be liable to the Company, any Subsidiary, the Board of Directors, the Company’s stockholders or any Subsidiary’s stockholders, members or partners for any acts or omissions by any such Person (including trade errors that may result from ordinary negligence, including errors in the investment decision making process or in the trade process), performed in accordance with and pursuant to this Agreement, whether by or through attempted piercing of the corporate veil, principles of fiduciary duty and agency, by or through a claim, by the enforcement of any judgment or assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding, or by virtue of any statute, regulation or other applicable law, or otherwise, except by reason of acts or omission constituting gross negligence, fraud, willful misconduct, bad faith or reckless disregard of the Manager’s duties under this Agreement.
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(b) The Company, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall indemnify and hold harmless the Manager, its Affiliates and the Manager’s and its Affiliates’ respective officers, directors, members, managers, employees, stockholders, partners, trustees, control persons and equityholders (each a “Manager Covered Person”) from and against any and all expenses, losses, damages, liabilities, demands, charges and claims of any nature whatsoever, including reasonable legal fees and other expenses reasonably incurred (collectively, “Losses”), in respect of, arising out of or in connection with the business and operations of the Company or any Subsidiary or any action taken or omitted by any such Manager Covered Person in good faith by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary pursuant to authority granted by this Agreement, except where found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be attributable to the gross negligence, fraud, willful misconduct or bad faith of any such Manager Covered Person or the reckless disregard by such Manager Covered Person of their duties under this Agreement. In the event that any Manager Covered Person becomes involved in any capacity in any suit, action, proceeding or investigation in connection with any matter arising out of or in connection with the Manager’s duties hereunder, the Company will periodically reimburse such Manager Covered Person for its reasonable legal and other expenses (including the cost of any investigation and preparation) incurred in connection therewith; provided, however, that prior to any such advancement of expenses (i) such Manager Covered Person shall provide the Company with an undertaking to promptly repay to the Company the amount of any such expenses paid to it if it shall ultimately be determined that such Manager Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company as herein provided in connection with such suit, action, proceeding or investigation, and (ii) such Manager Covered Person shall provide the Company with a written affirmation that such Manager Covered Person in good faith believes that it has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification hereunder; provided, further, however, that the failure for any reason of the Company to advance funds to any Manager Covered Person shall in no way affect such Manager Covered Person’s right to reimbursement of such costs if it is ultimately determined that such Manager Covered Person was entitled to indemnification pursuant to the terms hereof.
(c) The Manager, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company, Operating Company and any other Subsidiary, including their respective officers, directors, members, managers, employees, stockholders, partners, trustees, control persons and equityholders (each, a “Company Covered Person”; a Manager Covered Person and a Company Covered Person are each sometimes hereinafter referred to as an “Indemnified Party”) of and from any and all Losses in respect of, arising out of or in connection with (i) any action taken or omitted by the Manager that is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to constitute gross negligence, fraud, willful misconduct, bad faith or reckless disregard of the Manager’s duties under this Agreement or (ii) any claims by the Manager’s employees relating to the terms and conditions of their employment by the Manager.
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(d) An Indemnified Party will promptly notify the party from whom indemnification is sought pursuant to Section 13(b) or 13(c), as applicable (the “Indemnifying Party”), of the occurrence of any action, claim, suit, proceeding or investigation (a “Claim”) likely to result in an indemnification request pursuant hereto and shall describe the nature of the Claim; provided, however, that any failure by such Indemnified Party to notify the Indemnifying Party will not relieve the Indemnifying Party from its obligations hereunder, except to the extent that such failure shall have actually prejudiced the Indemnifying Party’s ability to eliminate or reduce any liability or the defense of such action. Each Indemnified Party hereby undertakes, and the Indemnifying Party hereby accepts each Indemnified Party’s undertaking, to repay any and all such amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such Indemnified Party is not entitled to be indemnified therefor. The Indemnifying Party will be entitled to take control, at its own cost, in the defense of said Claim, including the selection of counsel, in the Indemnifying Party’s sole discretion. In such a case, the Indemnified Party shall provide the Indemnifying Party with all necessary information and shall consult with the Indemnified Party on the conduct of its defense. Such cooperation shall include the retention and (upon the Indemnifying Party’s request) the provision to the Indemnifying Party of records and information that are reasonably relevant to such third-party claim, and the use of reasonable efforts to make employees available to provide additional information and explanation of any material provided hereunder. Should the Indemnifying Party so elect to assume the defense of a third-party claim, the Indemnifying Party will not be liable to any Indemnified Party for legal expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof, unless the third-party claim involves potential conflicts of interest between the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party. If the Indemnifying Party assumes such defense, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to participate in the defense thereof and to employ counsel, at its own expense (except as provided in the immediately preceding sentence), separate from the counsel employed by the Indemnifying Party, it being understood that the Indemnifying Party shall control such defense. No Indemnified Party shall settle, compromise or consent to the entry of a judgment with respect to any pending or threatened Claim in respect of which indemnification can be sought under this Agreement without the Indemnifying Party’s prior written consent, in its sole discretion. The Indemnifying Party shall accept no liability or settlement in the context of Claims the consequences of which would be likely to give rise to indemnification pursuant hereto, without the prior written consent of the applicable Indemnified Party, unless such settlement agreement includes a full and unreserved clause of exclusion of liability of any Indemnified Party in the context of such dispute.
(e) Notwithstanding any provision of this Section 13 to the contrary, to the fullest extent permitted by law, (i) each Indemnified Party must use commercially reasonable efforts to pursue all other sources of indemnification, advancement, insurance and contribution it has against third parties, including portfolio companies (or any legal entity in which the Indemnifying Party holds an investment), with respect to the amounts to which it is entitled
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under this Section 13, (ii) any such third party, including any portfolio company (or any other legal entity in which the Indemnifying Party holds an investment), shall be the indemnitor of first resort and any obligation of the Indemnifying Party to provide payments under this Section 13 for amounts to which an Indemnified Party is entitled are secondary, (iii) if the Indemnifying Party pays or causes to be paid any amounts under this Section 13 that should have been paid by a third party, including any portfolio company (or any legal entity in which the Indemnifying Party holds an investment), then (A) the Indemnifying Party shall be fully subrogated to the rights of such Indemnified Party with respect to such payment, (B) such Indemnified Party shall assign to the Indemnifying Party all of such Indemnified Party’s rights to advancement, indemnification and contribution from or with respect to such third party, including any portfolio company (or any legal entity in which the Indemnifying Party holds an investment), and (C) such Indemnified Party shall cooperate with the Indemnifying Party (at the expense of the Indemnifying Party) in its efforts to recover such payments through indemnification or otherwise, including filing a claim against such third party in the name of the Indemnified Party, (iv) the Indemnified Party will not agree to subordinate or otherwise compromise or release indemnity from a third party, including any portfolio company (or any legal entity in which the Indemnifying Party holds an investment) and (v) in the event the Indemnifying Party has previously provided separate indemnification or advancement in connection therewith, the Indemnified Party shall reimburse the Indemnifying Party with any subsequent proceeds it receives from such third parties, including portfolio companies (or other legal entities in which the Indemnifying Party holds an investment). The intent of this Section 13(e) is to set forth the relative responsibilities of the Indemnifying Party and other third parties, including portfolio companies (or other legal entities in which the Indemnifying Party holds an investment), who have overlapping indemnity, advancement or contribution obligations to an Indemnified Party. Nothing in this Section 13(e) is intended to diminish the indemnification and advancement rights given by the Indemnifying Party to an Indemnified Party, including the right to receive prompt payment of valid indemnification and advancement claims if any third party is unwilling or unable to do so promptly.
(f) The provisions of this Section 13 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement.
Section 14. Term; Termination.
(a) Until this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, this Agreement shall continue in operation until the third (3rd) anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”) and shall be automatically renewed for a one (1)-year term on each anniversary date thereafter (a “Renewal Term”) unless the Company or the Manager elects not to renew this Agreement in accordance with this Section 14(a) or Section 14(c), respectively. The Company may elect not to renew this Agreement upon the expiration of the Initial Term or any Renewal
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Term by providing at least one hundred eighty (180) days’ prior written notice to the Manager (the “Termination Notice”) only if there has been an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the Independent Directors that (i) there has been unsatisfactory performance by the Manager that is materially detrimental to the Company and the Subsidiaries or (ii) the compensation payable to the Manager, in the form of Base Management Fees and Incentive Fees, or the amount thereof, is unfair to any of the Company Parties. If the Company issues the Termination Notice, the Company shall be obligated to (x) specify the reason for nonrenewal in the Termination Notice (pursuant to either clause (i) or (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence of this paragraph) and (y) pay the Manager the Termination Fee on or before the last day of the Initial Term or Renewal Term (the “Effective Termination Date”). Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 14(a), in the event that such Termination Notice is given in connection with a determination that the compensation payable to the Manager is unfair, the Manager shall have the right to renegotiate such compensation by delivering to the Company, no fewer than one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the prospective Effective Termination Date, written notice (any such notice, a “Notice of Proposal to Negotiate”) of its intention to renegotiate its compensation under this Agreement. Upon receipt by the Company of a Notice of Proposal to Negotiate, the Company (represented by the Independent Directors) and the Manager shall endeavor to negotiate in good faith the revised compensation payable to the Manager under this Agreement. If the Manager and at least two-thirds of the Independent Directors agree to the terms of the revised compensation to be payable to the Manager within one hundred and twenty (120) days following the Company’s receipt of the Notice of Proposal to Negotiate, the Termination Notice from the Company shall be deemed of no force and effect, and this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect on the terms stated in this Agreement, except that the compensation payable to the Manager shall be the revised compensation then agreed upon by the Company and the Manager. The Company, Operating Company and the Manager agree to execute and deliver an amendment to this Agreement setting forth such revised compensation promptly upon reaching an agreement regarding the same. In the event that the Company and the Manager are unable to agree to the terms of the revised compensation to be payable to the Manager during such one hundred and twenty (120)-day period, this Agreement shall terminate, such termination to be effective on the date that is the later of (A) ten (10) days following the end of such one hundred and twenty (120)-day period and (B) the Effective Termination Date originally set forth in the Termination Notice, and Operating Company shall be obligated to pay the Manager the Termination Fee upon the effective date of termination as provided in Section 14(b) below. Nothing in this Section 14(a) shall prohibit the Company from discussing or negotiating with any Person the terms of a replacement manager and management agreement during such one hundred and twenty (120)-day period.
(b) In recognition of the upfront effort required by the Manager to structure and acquire the assets of the Company and the Subsidiaries and the commitment of resources by the Manager, in the event that this Agreement is terminated in accordance with the provisions of
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Section 14(a) or Section 15(b) of this Agreement, the Company shall pay to the Manager, on the date on which such termination is effective, a termination fee (the “Termination Fee”) equal to three (3) times the sum of (i) the average annual Base Management Fee and (ii) the average annual Incentive Fee, in each case earned by the Manager during the twenty-four (24)-month period immediately preceding the most recently completed calendar quarter prior to the date of termination. The obligation of the Company to pay the Termination Fee shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
(c) No later than one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or Renewal Term, the Manager may deliver written notice to the Company informing it of the Manager’s intention to decline to renew this Agreement, whereupon this Agreement shall not be renewed and extended and this Agreement shall terminate effective upon the expiration of the Initial Term or the applicable Renewal Term following the delivery of such notice. The Company shall not be required to pay the Termination Fee to the Manager if the Manager terminates this Agreement pursuant to this Section 14(c).
(d) In the event of a termination or non-renewal of this Agreement, the Manager shall reasonably cooperate, at the Company’s expense, with the Company in executing an orderly transition of the management of the Company’s consolidated assets to a new manager.
Section 15. Termination for Cause.
(a) The Company may terminate this Agreement at any time, including during the Initial Term, upon at least thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of termination from the Board of Directors to the Manager, without payment of any Termination Fee, if:
(i) the Manager engages in any act or omission that constitutes gross negligence, bad faith, fraud or willful misconduct; provided, however, that if any of the actions or omissions described in this Section 15(a)(i) are caused by an employee and/or officer of the Manager or one of its Affiliates and the Manager takes all necessary action against such person and cures the damage caused by such actions or omissions within thirty (30) days after the Manager’s receipt of written notice thereof from the Company, then the Company may not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 15(a)(i);
(ii) the Manager, its agents or its assignees breaches any material provision of this Agreement and such breach shall continue for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice thereof specifying such breach and requesting that the same be remedied in such thirty (30) day period (or forty-five (45) days after written notice of such breach if the Manager takes steps to cure such breach within thirty (30) days of the written notice);
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(iii) there is a commencement of any proceeding relating to the Bankruptcy or insolvency of the Manager or Constellation, including an order for relief in an involuntary Bankruptcy case or the authorization or filing by the Manager or Constellation of a voluntary Bankruptcy petition;
(iv) the Manager is convicted (including a plea of nolo contendere) of a felony that has a material adverse effect on the business of the Company or the ability of the Manager to perform its duties under the terms of this Agreement; or
(v) there is a dissolution of the Manager.
(b) The Manager may terminate this Agreement effective upon sixty (60) days’ prior written notice of termination to the Company in the event that the Company shall breach this Agreement in any material respect or otherwise be unable to perform its obligations hereunder and such breach shall continue for a period of thirty (30) days after written notice thereof from the Manager to the Company specifying such breach and requesting that the same be remedied in such thirty (30)-day period. The Company shall be required to pay the Termination Fee to the Manager if this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section 15(b).
(c) The Manager may terminate this Agreement in the event the Company becomes regulated or required to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act, with such termination deemed to have occurred immediately prior to such event. If the Manager terminates this Agreement pursuant to this Section 15(c), the Company shall not be required to pay the Termination Fee.
Section 16. Survival; Action Upon Termination. From and after the effective date of termination or non-renewal of this Agreement, pursuant to Sections 14, 15 or 17 of this Agreement, the Manager shall not be entitled to compensation for further services under this Agreement, but shall be paid all compensation accruing to the date of termination and, if terminated or not renewed pursuant to Section 14(a) or 15(b), the applicable Termination Fee. Upon such termination, the Manager shall forthwith:
(i) after deducting any accrued compensation and reimbursement for Expenses to which it is then entitled, pay over to the Company or a Subsidiary all money collected and held for the account of the Company or a Subsidiary pursuant to this Agreement;
(ii) deliver to the Board of Directors a full accounting, including a statement showing all payments collected by it and a statement of all money held by it, covering the period following the date of the last accounting furnished to the Board of Directors with respect to the Company or a Subsidiary;
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(iii) deliver to the Board of Directors all property and documents of the Company or any Subsidiary then in the custody of the Manager; provided that the Manager shall be permitted to retain copies of such documents for its records, and if so retained, the Manager shall continue to be bound by the confidentiality obligations and other obligations set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement with respect to the retained documents; and
(iv) Sections 3(i), 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 25 shall survive the termination or non-renewal of this Agreement.
Section 17. Assignment.
(a) This Agreement shall terminate automatically, without payment of the Termination Fee, in the event of its assignment, in whole or in part, by the Manager, unless such assignment is consented to in writing by the Company after the approval of a majority of the Independent Directors; provided, however, that the Manager may, at any time, (i) assign this Agreement without the consent of the Company or the approval of the Independent Directors to any Majority-Owned Affiliate of Constellation and/or (ii) delegate to one or more if its Affiliates, including sub-advisors where applicable, the performance of any of its responsibilities hereunder without the consent of the Company or the approval of the Independent Directors, so long as the Manager remains liable for any such Affiliate’s performance, in each case so long as such assignment or delegation does not require the Company’s consent under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (but if any such consent is required, the Company shall not unreasonably withhold, condition or delay its consent). Any such permitted assignment shall bind the assignee under this Agreement in the same manner as the Manager is bound, and the Manager shall be liable to the Company for all errors or omissions of the assignee under any such assignment. In addition, the assignee shall execute and deliver to the Company a counterpart of this Agreement naming such assignee as Manager.
(b) This Agreement shall not be assigned by the Company without the prior written consent of the Manager, except in the case of assignment by the Company to another REIT or other organization that is a successor (by merger, consolidation, purchase of assets, or other transaction) to the Company, in which case such successor organization shall be bound under this Agreement and by the terms of such assignment in the same manner as the Company is bound under this Agreement.
Section 18. Release of Money or Other Property Upon Written Request. The Manager agrees that any money or other property of the Company or any Subsidiary held by the Manager under this Agreement shall be held by the Manager as custodian for the Company or Subsidiary, and the Manager’s records shall be appropriately marked clearly to reflect the ownership of such money or other property by the Company or such Subsidiary. Upon the receipt by the Manager
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of a written request signed by a duly authorized officer of the Company requesting the Manager to release to the Company or any Subsidiary any money or other property then held by the Manager for the account of the Company or any Subsidiary under this Agreement, the Manager shall release such money or other property to the Company or any Subsidiary within a reasonable period of time, but in no event later than thirty (30) days following such request. The Manager shall not be liable to the Company, any Subsidiary, the Board of Directors, or the Company’s or a Subsidiary’s stockholders, members or partners for any acts performed or omissions to act by the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with the money or other property released to the Company or any Subsidiary in accordance with the second sentence of this Section 18. The Company shall indemnify the Manager and its officers, directors, personnel, managers, employees, stockholders, partners and agents from and against any and all Losses that arise out of or in connection with the Manager’s release of such money or other property to the Company or any Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Section 18. Indemnification pursuant to this provision shall be in addition to any right of the Manager to indemnification under Section 13 of this Agreement.
Section 19. Representations and Warranties.
(a) The Company and Operating Company hereby make the following representations and warranties to the Manager, all of which shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement:
(i) Each of the Company and Operating Company is a corporation or limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland or the State of Delaware, as applicable, and each is, or shall be prior to the commencement of services hereunder, qualified to do business and in good standing in Maryland or Delaware, as applicable. Each of the Company and Operating Company has all power and authority required to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform all its duties and obligations hereunder.
(ii) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by each of the Company and Operating Company has been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Company and Operating Company, respectively.
(iii) This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding agreement of each of the Company and Operating Company, enforceable against each of the Company and Operating Company in accordance with its terms, except as limited by Bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership and similar laws from time to time in effect and general principles of equity, including those relating to the availability of specific performance.
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(b) The Manager hereby makes the following representations and warranties to the Company, all of which shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement:
(i) The Manager is a limited liability company duly formed, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and is, or shall be prior to the commencement of services hereunder, qualified to do business and in good standing in Delaware. The Manager has all power and authority required to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform all its duties and obligations hereunder, subject only to its qualifying to do business and obtaining all requisite permits and licenses required as a result of or relating to the nature or location of any of the assets or properties of the Company and the Subsidiaries (which it shall do promptly after being required to do so).
(ii) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Manager has been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Manager.
(iii) This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding agreement of the Manager, enforceable against the Manager in accordance with its terms, except as limited by Bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership and similar laws from time to time in effect and general principles of equity, including those relating to the availability of specific performance.
Section 20. Notice. All notices, requests and other communications given or made under this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed given if personally delivered, electronic transmission or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) to the persons and addresses set forth below or such other place as such party may specify by like notice (provided that notices of a change of address will be effective only upon receipt thereof).
| The Company or Operating Company: | Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc. | |
| c/o Constellation | ||
| 515 South Flower Street | ||
| 44th Floor | ||
| Los Angeles, CA 90071 | ||
| Attention: Director, Legal Department | ||
| Email: ColonyLegal@clns.com | ||
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| The Manager: | CLNC Manager, LLC | |
| c/o Constellation | ||
| 515 South Flower Street | ||
| 44th Floor | ||
| Los Angeles, CA 90071 | ||
| Attention: Director, Legal Department | ||
| Email: ColonyLegal@clns.com | ||
Notices will be deemed to have been received (a) on the date of receipt if (i) personally delivered or (ii) upon receipt of an appropriate electronic answerback or confirmation when so delivered by electronic submission (to such email address specified above or another email address as such person may subsequently designate by notice given hereunder) only if followed by overnight or hand delivery or (b) on the date that is five (5) business days after dispatch by registered or certified mail.
Section 21. Binding Nature of Agreement; Successors and Assigns; No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal representatives, successors and permitted assigns as provided in this Agreement. Except for Section 3 and Section 13, none of the provisions of this Agreement are intended to be, nor shall they be construed to be, for the benefit of any third party.
Section 22. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings, inducements and conditions, express or implied, oral or written, of any nature whatsoever with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. The express terms of this Agreement control and supersede any course of performance and/or usage of the trade inconsistent with any of the terms of this Agreement.
Section 23. Amendments. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by an agreement in writing signed by all parties hereto.
Section 24. No Implied Waivers; Remedies. No failure or delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, privilege, power or remedy under this Agreement, and no course of dealing, shall operate as a waiver of any such right, privilege, power or remedy; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, privilege, power or remedy under this Agreement preclude any other or further exercise of any such right, privilege, power or remedy or the exercise of any other right, privilege, power or remedy. No waiver shall be asserted against any party unless
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signed in writing by such party. The rights, privileges, powers and remedies available to the parties are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights, privileges, powers or remedies provided by statute, at law, in equity or otherwise. Except as provided in this Agreement, no notice to or demand on any party in any case shall entitle such party to any other or further notice or demand in any similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of the right of the party giving such notice or making such demand to take any other or further action in any circumstances without notice or demand.
Section 25. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AGREES THAT THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE SHALL HAVE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION IN CONNECTION WITH ANY ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING BETWEEN THE PARTIES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS AND SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF SAID COURTS FOR ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVES THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SAID COURTS.
Section 26. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY THAT MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND, THEREFORE, EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT TO ANY ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT.
Section 27. Headings. The headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of any provisions of this Agreement.
Section 28. Severability. If any provision of the Agreement shall be held to be invalid, the remainder of the Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
Section 29. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original as against any party whose signature appears thereon, and all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement shall become binding when one or more counterparts of this Agreement, individually or taken together, shall bear the signatures of all of the parties reflected hereon as the signatories.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their representatives on the date first written above.
| Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc. | ||||
| By: | /s/ David A. Palamé | |||
| Name: | David A. Palamé | |||
| Title: | General Counsel and Secretary | |||
| Credit RE Operating Company, LLC | ||||
| By: | /s/ David A. Palamé | |||
| Name: | David A. Palamé | |||
| Title: | Vice President and Secretary | |||
| CLNC Manager, LLC | ||||
| By: | /s/ Mark M. Hedstrom | |||
| Name: | Mark M. Hedstrom | |||
| Title: | Vice President | |||
[Signature Page to Management Agreement]
Exhibit A
The Board of Directors has adopted the following investment guidelines:
| a. | No investment shall be made that would cause the Company to fail to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
| b. | No investment shall be made that would cause the Company or any Subsidiary to be required to be registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act; |
| c. | Until appropriate investments can be identified, the Manager may invest the proceeds of the Company’s Initial Public Offering, if any, and any future offerings in interest-bearing, short-term investments, including money market accounts and/or U.S. treasury securities, that are consistent with the Company’s intention to qualify as a REIT and maintain its exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act; |
| d. | No investment shall require prior approval of the Board of Directors or a majority of the Independent Directors solely because such investment constitutes (1) a co-investment made by and between the Company or any Subsidiary, on the one hand, and one or more investment vehicles formed, sponsored and managed by Constellation or any of its subsidiaries, on the other hand, regardless of when such co-investment is made, or (2) a transaction related to any such co-investment; |
| e. | Any investment with a total net commitment by Operating Company of greater than 5% of Operating Company’s net equity (computed using the most recently available publicly filed balance sheet) shall require the approval of the Board of Directors or a duly constituted committee of the Board of Directors (with total net commitment by Operating Company being the aggregate amount of funds directly or indirectly committed by Operating Company to such investment net of any upfront fees received by the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with such investment); and |
| f. | Any investment with a total net commitment by Operating Company of between 3% and 5% of Operating Company’s net equity (computed using the most recently available publicly filed balance sheet) shall require the approval of the Board of Directors or a duly constituted committee of the Board of Directors (with total net commitment by Operating Company being the aggregate amount of funds directly or indirectly committed by Operating Company to such investment net of any upfront fees received by the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with such investment), unless the investment falls within specific parameters approved by the Board of Directors and in effect at the time such commitment is made. |
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These Investment Guidelines may be amended, restated, modified, supplemented or waived pursuant to the approval of the Board (which must include a majority of the Independent Directors) and the Manager from time to time, but without the approval of the Company’s stockholders.
A-2
Exhibit 10.4
STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT
This STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT is entered into as of January 31, 2018, by and between Colony Capital Operating Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Constellation OP”), and Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Master Combination Agreement by and among (i) Constellation OP, the operating company of Colony NorthStar, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“Constellation”), (ii) NRF RED REIT Corp., a Maryland corporation and an indirect subsidiary of Constellation OP (“RED REIT”), (iii) NorthStar Real Estate Income Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation, (iv) NorthStar Real Estate Income Trust Operating Partnership, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, (v) NorthStar Real Estate Income II, Inc., a Maryland corporation, (vi) NorthStar Real Estate Income Operating Partnership II, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, (vii) the Company, and (viii) Credit RE Operating Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Company OP”), dated as of August 25, 2017, as amended and restated on November 20, 2017 (as it may be further amended, restated, or otherwise modified from time to time, and together with all exhibits, schedules, and other attachments thereto, the “Combination Agreement”), among other things, Constellation OP contributed the Constellation OP Contributed Entities (as defined in the Combination Agreement) to the Company in exchange for 44,399,444 shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (“Class A Common Stock”);
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, the Company has exempted Constellation OP from the ownership limits set forth in the charter of the Company and established an Excepted Holder Limit (as such term is defined in the charter of the Company) for Constellation OP pursuant to Section 7.2.7 of charter of the Company; and
WHEREAS, Constellation OP and the Company desire to enter into this Agreement in order to generally set forth their respective rights and responsibilities, and to establish various arrangements and restrictions with respect to, among other things, (a) the governance and management of the Company and (b) other related matters with respect to the Company.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth above and of the mutual representations, covenants, and obligations hereinafter set forth, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt, sufficiency and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Certain Defined Terms
As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person; provided, however, that in no event shall (a) any of the companies in which Constellation OP or any of its Affiliates own less than a majority of the outstanding equity or other ownership interests, or (b) the Company, any of its subsidiaries, or any of the Company’s other controlled Affiliates be deemed to be Affiliates of Constellation OP for purposes of this Agreement; provided, further, that with respect to Constellation OP, in no event will any directors, officers or employees of Constellation or any of its Affiliates who are members of the Board of Directors be considered Affiliates of Constellation OP.
“Agreement” means this Stockholders Agreement, as it may be amended, restated, or otherwise modified from time to time, together with all exhibits, schedules, and other attachments hereto.
“Applicable Exchange” means the national securities exchange on which the Class A Common Stock trades or is quoted.
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“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company.
“Capital Stock” means any and all shares of stock of the Company.
“Class A Common Stock” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereto.
“Combination Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereto.
“Company” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto.
“Company OP” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereto.
“Company OP Unit” means a common unit of membership interest of Company OP.
“Confidential Information” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.
“Constellation” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereto.
“Constellation OP” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble hereto.
“Constellation Shares” means the Shares owned of record or beneficially by Constellation OP and its Affiliates.
“control” (including the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), with respect to the relationship between or among two (2) or more Persons, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct, or cause the direction of, the affairs or management of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, as trustee or executor, by contract or by any other means.
“Director” means, with respect to any Person, any member of the board of directors of such Person (other than any advisory, honorary or other non-voting member of such board).
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, together with all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Independent Directors” means members of the Board of Directors who are “independent” under the listing standards of the Applicable Exchange and under applicable rules of the SEC.
“Law” means any statue, law, regulation, ordinance, rule, injunction, order, decree, directive, or any similar form of decision of, or determination by, any governmental or self-regulatory authority.
“Other Constellation Funds” means, collectively, any other investment funds, vehicles, accounts, products and/or other similar arrangements sponsored, branded, advised and/or managed by Constellation or any of its Affiliates, whether currently in existence or subsequently established, in each case, including any related successor funds, alternative vehicles, supplemental capital vehicles, co-investment vehicles and other entities formed in connection with Constellation’s side-by-side or additional general partner investments with respect thereto.
“Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, trust, or other entity or organization, including any governmental authority.
“RED REIT” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereto.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933 or any successor federal statutes, and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder, and in the case of any referenced section of any such statute, rule or regulation, any successor section thereto, collectively and as from time to time amended and in effect.
“Shares” means all Capital Stock originally issued to, or issued with respect to shares originally issued to, or held by, a stockholder of the Company, whenever issued, including all shares of the Company issued or issuable upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of any securities that are directly or indirectly convertible into, or otherwise exchangeable for exercisable for, shares of Class A Common Stock.
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Section 1.2 Other Definitional Provisions. When used in this Agreement, the words “hereof,” “herein,” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Article and Section references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms. Whenever the words “include,” “includes,” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” When used in this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) “or” is disjunctive but not exclusive, (b) words in the singular including the plural, and in the plural include the singular, and (c) references to “party” shall mean a party to this Agreement.
ARTICLE II
GOVERNANCE
Section 2.1 Election of Directors to the Board of Directors. From the date of this Agreement and continuing until the later of (a) the two (2) year anniversary of the date of this Agreement and (b) the second (2nd) annual meeting of stockholders of the Company held after the date hereof, Constellation OP shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, (i) cause the Constellation Shares to be present for purposes of establishing a quorum of the stockholders at any meeting of stockholders of the Company; provided that such meeting has been duly called, and proper notice has been given to Constellation OP, pursuant to and in accordance with the bylaws of the Company, and (ii) cause the Constellation Shares to be voted in favor of the director nominees recommended by the Board of Directors in the Company’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A.
Section 2.2 Composition of Board. From the date of this Agreement and continuing until the later of (a) the two (2) year anniversary of the date of this Agreement and (b) the second (2nd) annual meeting of stockholders of the Company after the date hereof, Constellation OP shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, each solely in its capacity as a stockholder of the Company, not take any action to change the composition of the Board of Directors from at least a majority of Independent Directors.
Section 2.3 Access to Information. From and after the date of this Agreement, and for so long as Constellation has one or more classes of securities registered pursuant to the Exchange Act and reports its ownership of Shares based on the equity method of accounting, the Company shall deliver to Constellation all information or documentation of the Company as may be requested, in the reasonable judgment of Constellation, in order for Constellation to satisfy or demonstrate compliance with any legal, regulatory or disclosure obligation of Constellation under the federal securities laws or otherwise.
Section 2.4 Press Releases; Other Filings. The Company shall cooperate with Constellation and its Affiliates, to the extent reasonably requested by Constellation or its Affiliates and solely to the extent related to the Company and its operations, in the preparation of Constellation’s press releases, public securities filings and related documents required under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and such other documents that are prepared for dissemination to third-parties as reasonably requested by Constellation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will report and file quarterly and annual public filings required under the Securities Act or Exchange Act immediately prior to Constellation or any of its Affiliates. The parties shall reasonably cooperate with regard to the timing of any quarterly, annual or periodic filings that may contain financial information of the Company.
ARTICLE III
COVENANTS
Section 3.1 Confidentiality. Constellation OP shall keep confidential any and all confidential, proprietary or non-public information of or concerning the performance, terms, business, operations, activities, personnel, training, finances, actual or potential investments, plans, compensation, clients or investors of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, written or oral, obtained by Constellation OP in connection with its ownership of Constellation Shares and Company OP Units and its rights under this Agreement (“Confidential Information”) and shall not disclose any such Confidential Information (or use the same except in furtherance of its rights and obligations under this Agreement) to unaffiliated third parties, except: (i) to officers, directors,
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employees, agents, representatives or advisors of Constellation OP or its Affiliates who need to know such Confidential Information for any purpose contemplated under this Agreement or in connection with Constellation OP’s ownership of Shares and Company OP Units and who are informed of the confidential nature of the Confidential Information and are directed to fully observe the terms of this Section 3.1; (ii) with the prior written consent of the Board of Directors; (iii) to legal counsel, accountants and other professional advisors; (iv) to governmental agencies or officials having jurisdiction over Constellation OP or its Affiliates; (v) in connection with (a) any governmental or regulatory filings made by Constellation or its Affiliates or (b) subject to an undertaking of confidentiality, non-disclosure and non-use, disclosure or presentations to investors of Constellation; (vi) to existing or prospective investors in Other Constellation Funds and their advisors to the extent such persons reasonably request such information, subject to an undertaking of confidentiality, non-disclosure and non-use; (vii) otherwise with the consent of the Company, including pursuant to a separate agreement entered into between Constellation OP and the Company; (viii) as required by law or legal process to which Constellation OP or any person to whom disclosure is permitted hereunder is a party; or (ix) to the extent reasonably required in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder; provided, however, that with respect to clause (ix), it is agreed that, to the extent practicable and so long as not legally prohibited, Constellation OP will (w) provide the Company with written notice within a reasonable period of time of the existence, terms and circumstances surrounding the law or legal process requiring disclosure of such Confidential Information, (x) consult with the Company on the advisability of taking steps to resist or narrow such disclosure obligation, (y) if disclosure of such Confidential Information is required, furnish only such portion of the Confidential Information as Constellation OP is advised by counsel is legally required to be disclosed, and (z) cooperate, at the Company’s expense, with any action reasonably requested by the Company in its efforts to obtain an order or other reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded to such portion of the Confidential Information that is required to be disclosed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information shall not include information that (A) is in the public domain at the time it is received by Constellation OP, (B) becomes public other than by reason of a disclosure by Constellation OP in breach of this Agreement, (C) was already in the possession of Constellation OP prior to the time it was received by Constellation OP from the Company or its Affiliates (unless such information was in the possession of Constellation OP or one of its Affiliates in a fiduciary capacity or under an obligation of confidentiality), (D) was obtained by Constellation OP from a third party and, to Constellation OP’s knowledge, was not disclosed in breach of an obligation of such third party not to disclose such information, or (E) was developed independently by Constellation OP without using or referring to any of the Confidential Information. The provisions of this Section 3.1 shall survive until one (1) year after such time as Constellation OP and its Affiliates cease to have a right to information under Section 2.3.
Section 3.2 Lock Up. (a) Constellation OP shall, and shall cause RED REIT to, enter into a customary lock-up agreement with the underwriters of any offering of Shares for a term not to extend beyond the one (1) year anniversary of the date of this Agreement, and (b) from the date of this Agreement until the one (1) year anniversary of the date of this Agreement, Constellation OP shall not, and shall cause its Affiliates not to, make any transfers of Company OP Units to non-Affiliates of Constellation OP unless such transfer is approved by a majority of the Board of Directors, including a majority of the Independent Directors; provided that no approval of the Board of Directors shall be required in connection with a transfer by operation of law or pursuant to a merger, sale of all or substantially all of the assets or similar fundamental transaction involving Constellation and/or Constellation OP; provided, further, that the foregoing shall not restrict any conversion of the Company OP Units to equity of the Company pursuant to the Company OP limited liability company agreement. Nothing in this Section 3.2 shall affect any limitations or conditions on the transfer of Company OP Units contained in the Company OP limited liability company agreement.
ARTICLE IV
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 4.1 Amendment and Waiver. This Agreement may not be amended, except by an agreement in writing, executed by each of Constellation OP and the Company, and compliance with any term of this Agreement may not be waived, except by an agreement in writing executed on behalf of the party
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against whom the waiver is intended to be effective; provided that any material amendment or modification of this Agreement, or waiver of any material provision of this Agreement by the Company, shall require the prior written approval of a majority of the Independent Directors. The failure of any party to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall in no way be construed as a waiver of any such provision and shall not affect the right of such party thereafter to enforce each and every provision of this Agreement in accordance with its terms.
Section 4.2 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be declared by any court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void or otherwise unenforceable, all other provisions of this Agreement, to the extent permitted by Law, shall not be affected and shall remain in full force and effect. Upon any such determination, the parties shall negotiate in good faith in an effort to agree upon a suitable and equitable substitute provision to effect the original intent of the parties.
Section 4.3 Entire Agreement. Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, this Agreement, together with the agreements and other documents and instruments referred to herein, embodies the complete agreement and understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes and preempts any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, that may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.
Section 4.4 Successors and Assigns. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights or obligations of any party under this Agreement may be assigned, in whole or in part, by either party, and any such transfer or attempted transfer shall be null and void. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
Section 4.5 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one and the same agreement.
Section 4.6 Remedies.
(a) Each party hereto acknowledges that monetary damages may not be an adequate remedy in the event that each and every one of the covenants or agreements in this Agreement are not performed in accordance with their terms, and it is therefore agreed that, in addition to, and without limiting any other remedy or right it may have, the non-breaching party will have the right to seek an injunction, temporary restraining order, or other equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction enjoining any such breach and enforcing specifically each and every one of the terms and provisions hereof. Each party hereto agrees not to oppose the granting of such relief in the event a court determines that such a breach has occurred, and to waive any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond in connection with such remedy.
(b) All rights, powers and remedies provided under this Agreement or otherwise available in respect hereof at Law or in equity shall be cumulative and not alternative, and the exercise or beginning of the exercise of any thereof by any party shall not preclude the simultaneous or later exercise of any other such right, power or remedy by such party.
Section 4.7 Notices. All notices, requests and other communications given or made under this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed given if personally delivered, electronic transmission or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) to the persons and addresses set forth below or such other place as such party may specify by like notice (provided that notices of a change of address will be effective only upon receipt thereof).
If to the Company:
Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc.
c/o Constellation
515 South Flower Street
44th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Attention: Director, Legal Department
Email: ColonyLegal@clns.com
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with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Hogan Lovells US LLP
555 Thirteenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
Attention: David Bonser
Stacey McEvoy
Email: david.bonser@hoganlovells.com
stacey.mcevoy@hoganlovells.com
If to Constellation OP:
Constellation OP
c/o Constellation
515 South Flower Street
44th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Attention: Director, Legal Department
Email: ColonyLegal@clns.com
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Hogan Lovells US LLP
555 Thirteenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
Attention: David Bonser
Stacey McEvoy
Email: david.bonser@hoganlovells.com
stacey.mcevoy@hoganlovells.com
Notices will be deemed to have been received (a) on the date of receipt if (i) personally delivered or (ii) upon receipt of an appropriate electronic answerback or confirmation when so delivered by electronic submission (to such email address specified above or another email address as such person may subsequently designate by notice given hereunder) only if followed by overnight or hand delivery or (b) on the date that is five (5) business days after dispatch by registered or certified mail.
Section 4.8 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.
(a) This Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related in any way to this Agreement, the relationship of the parties, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and/or the interpretation and enforcement of the rights and duties of the parties hereunder or related in any way to the foregoing, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Maryland or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Maryland.
(b) EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND FOR THE PURPOSES OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF THE SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING MAY
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BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN ANY SUCH COURT. EACH PARTY AGREES TO COMMENCE ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND. EACH PARTY WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF IMPROPER VENUE OR INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING SO BROUGHT AND WAIVES ANY BOND, SURETY, OR OTHER SECURITY THAT MIGHT BE REQUIRED OF ANY OTHER PARTY WITH RESPECT THERETO. ANY PARTY MAY MAKE SERVICE ON ANY OTHER PARTY BY SENDING OR DELIVERING A COPY OF THE PROCESS TO THE PARTY TO BE SERVED AT THE ADDRESS AND IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR THE GIVING OF NOTICES IN SECTION 4.7. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION 4.8, HOWEVER, WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR AT EQUITY. EACH PARTY AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING SO BROUGHT WILL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW OR AT EQUITY.
(c) EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF ANY DISPUTE IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, ANY RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER OR THE PERFORMANCE OF SUCH RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. EACH OF THE PARTIES (i) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HERETO HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVERS, AND (ii) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS CONTAINED HEREIN.
Section 4.9 Third Party Benefits. None of the provisions of this Agreement are for the benefit of, or shall be enforceable by, any third-party beneficiary unless specifically referenced herein.
Section 4.10 Interpretation. The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
Section 4.11 Termination. Except to the extent otherwise expressly provided herein, this Agreement, and all of the rights and obligations set forth herein, shall terminate and be of no further force or effect in the event that Constellation OP and its Affiliates (or its affiliated successors or permitted assigns) cease to own any Shares or Company OP Units received as consideration pursuant to the Combination Agreement.
Section 4.12 Construction. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction will be applied against any party.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Stockholders Agreement as of the date first written above.
| COMPANY: | ||||
| Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc. | ||||
| By: | /s/ David A. Palamé | |||
| Name: | David A. Palamé | |||
| Title: | General Counsel and Secretary | |||
| CONSTELLATION OP: | ||||
| Colony Capital Operating Company, LLC | ||||
| By: Colony NorthStar, Inc., its managing member | ||||
| By: | /s/ Mark M. Hedstrom | |||
| Name: | Mark M. Hedstrom | |||
| Title: | Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer | |||
Exhibit 10.5
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of January 31, 2018 by and among Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), Colony Capital Operating Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“CCOC”), and NRF RED REIT Corp., a Maryland corporation (“RED REIT”). Certain capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in Section 1.1.
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, this Agreement is being made pursuant to the terms of that certain Amended and Restated Master Combination Agreement, dated as of November 20, 2017 (the “Combination Agreement”), by and among the Company, Credit RE Operating Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Company OP”), CCOC, RED REIT, NorthStar Real Estate Income Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation, NorthStar Real Estate Income Trust Operating Partnership, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, NorthStar Real Estate Income II, Inc., a Maryland corporation, and NorthStar Real Estate Income Operating Partnership II, LP, a Delaware limited partnership;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Combination Agreement, CCOC and RED REIT are receiving on the date hereof shares of Common Stock (as defined below) and OP Units (as defined below), respectively, in exchange for their respective contributions to the Company;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of Section 15.1 and the other related provisions of the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Company OP, dated as of the date hereof, and subject to the various limitations and conditions contained therein, the Holders will be entitled to redeem any OP Units then held by them for cash or, at the Company’s election, shares of Class A Common Stock; and
WHEREAS, the Company has agreed to grant the Holders the registration rights described in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the covenants of the parties set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Certain Definitions. In this Agreement, the following terms have the following respective meanings:
“Agreement” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Preamble.
“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Business Day” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or obligated by applicable law, regulation or executive order to close.
“CCOC” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Preamble.
“Class A Common Stock” means shares of the class A common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share.
“Class B-3 Common Stock” means shares of the class B-3 common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share.
“Combination Agreement” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Recitals.
“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act.
“Common Stock” means, collectively, the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock.
“Company Notice” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.3(b).
“Company OP” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Recitals.
“End of Suspension Notice” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.5(c).
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the relevant time.
“FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
“Holder” means (i) CCOC, (ii) RED REIT and (iii) each Person holding Registrable Shares as a result of a transfer, distribution or assignment to that Person of Registrable Shares (other than pursuant to an effective Registration Statement or Rule 144); provided that, if applicable, such transfer, distribution or assignment is (A) made in accordance with Section 2.11 of this Agreement and (B) permitted under the Company OP Agreement or the Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Company as filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland on January 31, 2018, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
“Indemnified Party” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.9(c).
“Indemnifying Party” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.9(c).
“Issuer Shelf Registration Statement” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.2(a).
“Losses” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.9(a).
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“Majority Selling Holders” means the Holders holding at least a majority of the Registrable Shares proposed to be included by the Holders in an underwritten sale, if any of their Registrable Shares are proposed to be included in an underwritten sale of Registrable Shares.
“Maximum Number of Shares” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.4(b).
“Notice and Questionnaire” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.1(c).
“NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange.
“OP Units” means common units of membership interest issued by Company OP that are redeemable for cash or, at the option the Company, shares of Class A Common Stock.
“Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, business trust, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture or other entity.
“Piggyback Registration” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.4(a).
“Prospectus” means the prospectus included in any Registration Statement (including a prospectus that discloses information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement or any issuer free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act), with respect to the offering of any portion of the Registrable Shares covered by such Registration Statement, and all other amendments and supplements to the prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such prospectus.
“RED REIT” has the meaning ascribed to it in the Preamble.
“Redemption Shares” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.2(a).
“Registrable Shares” means, with respect to any Holder, (i) (A) the shares of Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to the Combination Agreement or (B) the shares of Class A Common Stock that shares of Class B Common Stock issued pursuant to the Combination Agreement are converted or are convertible into, either owned of record or beneficially by such Holder, (ii) the shares of Class A Common Stock that are issued or issuable to such Holder upon redemption of any OP Units and (iii) any additional securities issued or issuable as a dividend or distribution on, in exchange for, or otherwise in respect of, such shares of Class A Common Stock (including as a result of combinations, recapitalizations, mergers, consolidations, reorganizations or otherwise); provided that shares of Class A Common Stock shall cease to be Registrable Shares with respect to any Holder at the time all such remaining shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the Combination Agreement can be sold in a single calendar quarter without registration pursuant to Rule 144.
“Registration Expenses” means any and all expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with this Agreement, including (i) all fees of the Commission, the NYSE or such other exchange on which the Registrable Shares are listed from time to time, and FINRA, (ii) all
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fees and expenses incurred in connection with compliance with federal or state securities or blue sky laws (including any registration, listing and filing fees and reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with blue sky qualification of any of the Registrable Shares and the preparation of a blue sky memorandum and compliance with the rules of FINRA and NYSE or other applicable exchange), (iii) all expenses of any Persons in preparing or assisting in preparing, word processing, duplicating, printing, delivering and distributing any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any amendments or supplements thereto, securities sales agreements, certificates and any other documents relating to the performance under and compliance with this Agreement, (iv) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing or inclusion of any of the Registrable Shares on the NYSE or other applicable exchange pursuant to Section 2.6(j), (v) the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and of the independent public accountants of the Company (including the expenses of any special audit, agreed upon procedures and “cold comfort” letters required by or incident to such performance), and (vi) any fees and disbursements customarily paid in issues and sales of securities (including the fees and expenses of any experts retained by the Company in connection with any Registration Statement); provided, however, that Registration Expenses will exclude brokers’ or underwriters’ discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of Registrable Shares by a Holder and the fees and disbursements of any counsel to the Holders other than as provided for in clause (ii) above.
“Registration Statement” means a Resale Shelf Registration Statement and/or an Issuer Shelf Registration Statement.
“Resale Shelf Registration Statement” means any one or more registration statements of the Company filed under the Securities Act, including a registration statement on Form S-3 or a registration statement on Form S-11 (or any successor form or other appropriate form under the Securities Act), as applicable, whether pursuant to a Piggyback Registration or otherwise, covering the resale of any of the Registrable Shares pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, and all amendments and supplements to any such registration statements, including post-effective amendments and new registration statements, in each case including the prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all materials and documents incorporated by reference therein.
“Rule 144,” “Rule 158,” “Rule 415” or “Rule 424,” respectively, means such specified rule promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission as a replacement thereto having substantially the same effect as such rule.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the relevant time.
“Selling Expenses” means, if any, all underwriting or broker fees, discounts and selling commissions or similar fees or arrangements and transfer taxes allocable to the sale of the Registrable Shares included in the applicable offering.
“Selling Holder” means a Holder who is selling Registrable Shares pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act pursuant to the terms hereof.
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“Suspension Event” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.5(c).
“Suspension Notice” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.5(c).
“Underwritten Offering” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.3(a).
“Underwritten Offering Request” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.3(a).
ARTICLE II
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
Section 2.1 Resale Shelf Registration Statement.
(a) Subject to Section 2.5, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) prepare and file, on or before the date that is thirteen (13) months after the date hereof, a Resale Shelf Registration Statement (which will be a “shelf” registration statement with respect to the resale of Registrable Shares by the Holders thereof on an appropriate form that complies in all material respects with applicable Commission rules for an offering to be made on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act) that permits registration of Registrable Shares for resale by the Holders thereof in accordance with the methods of distribution elected by the Holders and set forth in the Resale Shelf Registration Statement and (ii) if such Resale Registration Statement is not declared effective automatically, cause such Resale Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective by the Commission as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter. Subject to Section 2.5, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Resale Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective until such time as all of the shares of Common Stock covered by the Resale Shelf Registration Statement are no longer Registrable Shares.
(b) The Company shall prepare and file such additional registration statements as necessary every three (3) years and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statements to become effective so that a Resale Shelf Registration Statement remains continuously effective, subject to Section 2.5, with respect to resales of Registrable Shares as and for the periods required under Sections 2.1(a) (each such subsequent registration statement to constitute a Resale Shelf Registration Statement hereunder).
(c) At the request of the Company (which request, if made, shall be made at least ten (10) Business Days before any filing of a Resale Shelf Registration Statement), each Holder shall deliver a duly completed and executed written notice (each such notice, a “Notice and Questionnaire”) to the Company (i) confirming such Holder’s desire to include Registrable Shares held by it in a Resale Shelf Registration Statement, and (ii) containing all information about such Holder required to be included in such registration statement in accordance with applicable law, including Item 507 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act, as amended from time to time, or any similar successor rule thereto. At the time a Resale Shelf Registration Statement becomes effective, each Holder that has delivered a duly completed and executed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company (if requested by the Company) on or prior to the date five (5) Business Days prior to such time of effectiveness shall be named as a Selling Holder in such Resale Shelf Registration Statement and the related prospectus in such a manner
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as to permit such Holder to deliver such prospectus to purchasers of Registrable Shares in accordance with applicable law. If required by applicable law, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, after effectiveness of the Resale Shelf Registration Statement, the Company shall file a supplement to such prospectus or amendment to the Resale Shelf Registration Statement not less than once a quarter as necessary to name as Selling Holders therein any Holders that provide to the Company a duly completed and executed Notice and Questionnaire and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause any post-effective amendment to such Resale Shelf Registration Statement filed for such purpose to be declared effective by the Commission as promptly as reasonably practicable after the filing thereof. Any Holder that has not delivered a duly completed and executed Notice and Questionnaire, if requested by the Company, shall not be entitled to be named as a Selling Holder in, or have the Registrable Shares held by it covered by, a Resale Shelf Registration Statement.
Section 2.2 Issuer Shelf Registration Statement
(a) The Company may, at its option, satisfy its obligation to prepare and file a Resale Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2.1 with respect to Class A Common Stock issuable upon exchange of OP Units by preparing and filing a registration statement on an appropriate form that complies in all material respects with applicable Commission rules for an offering to be made on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 (an “Issuer Shelf Registration Statement”) providing for the issuance by the Company, from time to time, to the Holders of such OP Units, of shares of Class A Common Stock registered under the Securities Act (the “Redemption Shares”) and using commercially reasonable efforts to (i) prepare and file on or before the date that is thirteen (13) months after the date hereof, such Issuer Shelf Registration Statement and (ii) if such Issuer Shelf Registration Statement is not declared effective automatically, cause such Issuer Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective by the Commission as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter. Subject to Section 2.5, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Issuer Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective for a period expiring on the date all of the OP Units pursuant to which Registrable Shares may be issued have been redeemed for Class A Common Stock. If the Company exercises its rights under this Section 2.2, Holders shall have no right to have Class A Common Stock issued or issuable upon exchange of OP Units included in a Resale Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2.1.
(b) The Company shall prepare and file such additional registration statements as necessary every three (3) years and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statements to become effective so that an Issuer Shelf Registration Statement remains continuously effective, subject to Section 2.5, with respect to issuances of Redemption Shares as and for the period required under Section 2.2(a) (each such subsequent registration statement to constitute an Issuer Shelf Registration Statement hereunder).
Section 2.3 Underwritten Offering.
(a) Subject to the provisions hereof, including Section 2.5, each Holder (or Holders in the aggregate) that hold(s) Registrable Shares may make a written request (an “Underwritten Offering Request”) to the Company to effect the sale of all or part of the Registrable Shares through an underwritten public offering under the Securities Act (an
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“Underwritten Offering”) which Underwritten Offering Request shall specify the number of Registrable Shares to be sold in the Underwritten Offering. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to effect an Underwritten Offering under the Resale Shelf Registration Statement or the Issuer Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable, including filing any prospectus supplement or amendments thereunder, within thirty (30) days after receipt of an Underwritten Offering Request. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will not be required to effect an Underwritten Offering pursuant to this Section 2.2(a):
(i) if such request results in the cumulative requests for Underwritten Offerings by such Holders, for which an Underwritten Offering was effected pursuant to this Section 2.3(a), exceeding three (3) such requests;
(ii) within 120 days following the last date on which an Underwritten Offering was effected pursuant to this Section 2.3 or during any lock-up period required by the underwriters in any prior Underwritten Offering conducted by the Company on its own behalf or on behalf of Selling Holders; or
(iii) during the period commencing on the date fifteen (15) days prior to the Company’s good faith estimate of the date on which the Company intends to effect an Underwritten Offering (provided the Company is actively employed in good faith commercially reasonable efforts to effect such Underwritten Offering), and ending on a date thirty (30) days after the pricing of such Underwritten Offering.
(b) Within ten (10) days after receipt of any Underwritten Offering Request in accordance with the terms of Section 2.3(a), the Company shall give written notice of the proposed Underwritten Offering to all other Holders of Registrable Shares (a “Company Notice”), and each Holder who wishes to participate in such Underwritten Offering shall notify the Company in writing within five (5) Business Days after the receipt by such Holder of the Company Notice, and shall specify in such notice the number of Registrable Shares to be included in the Underwritten Offering.
(c) The Majority Selling Holders to be included in an Underwritten Offering shall be entitled to select the managing underwriters for any such Underwritten Offering, subject to the approval of the Company, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld. The Company shall cooperate with the Holder(s) and such managing underwriters in connection with any such offering, including entering into such customary agreements (including underwriting and lock-up agreements in customary form) and taking all such other customary actions as the Holders or the managing underwriters of such Underwritten Offering reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Shares subject to such Underwritten Offering, including the obligations described in Section 2.6.
(d) Any Underwritten Offering Request hereunder shall be made to the Company in accordance with the notice provisions of this Agreement.
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Section 2.4 Piggy-Back Registration Rights.
(a) If at any time the Company proposes to effect an underwritten offering of any of its securities for its own account or for the account of other security holders of the Company (other than a registration statement on Forms S-4 or S-8) that permits the inclusion of the Registrable Shares (a “Piggyback Registration”), then the Company will give the Holders written notice thereof as soon as practicable (but in no event less than ten (10) Business Days prior to the anticipated offering date) and, subject to Section 2.4(b), will include in such offering all Registrable Shares requested to be included therein pursuant to the written request of one or more Holders received within five (5) Business Days after delivery of the Company’s notice. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the managing underwriter or underwriters of a proposed underwritten offering to permit the Registrable Shares requested to be included in a Piggyback Registration to be included on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company included therein. Participation in a Piggyback Registration as provided in this Section 2.4 shall not count as an Underwritten Offering Request for purposes of Section 2.3.
(b) (i) If a Piggyback Registration is initiated as a primary underwritten offering on behalf of the Company, and the managing underwriters advise the Company and the Holders that, in the reasonable opinion of the managing underwriters, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock proposed to be included in such registration exceeds the number of shares of Class A Common Stock that can be sold in such underwritten offering without materially delaying or jeopardizing the success of the offering (including the offering price per share) (such maximum number of shares, the “Maximum Number of Shares”), the Company will include in such registration, unless otherwise agreed by the Company and the Holders, (A) first, the number of shares of Common Stock that the Company proposes to sell, and (B) second, the Registrable Shares of Holders (which shall be allocated among the Holders on a pro rata basis according to the number of Registrable Shares requested to be included by each such Holder).
(ii) If a Piggyback Registration is initiated as an underwritten registration on behalf of a holder of shares of Common Stock other than under this Agreement, and the managing underwriters advise the Company that, in the reasonable opinion of the managing underwriters, the number of shares of Common Stock proposed to be included in such registration exceeds the Maximum Number of Shares, then the Company will include in such registration, unless otherwise agreed by Company and the holders (including the Holders, if any), (A) first, the number of shares of Common Stock requested to be included therein by the holder(s) requesting such registration, (B) second, the number of shares of Common Stock that the Company proposes to sell and (C) third, the Registrable Shares of Holders (which shall be allocated among the Holders on a pro rata basis according to the number of Registrable Shares requested to be included by each such Holder).
(c) If any Piggyback Registration is a primary or secondary underwritten offering, the Company will have the right to select, in its sole discretion, the managing underwriter or underwriters to administer any such offering.
(d) The Company will not grant to any Person the right to request the Company to register any Common Stock in a Piggyback Registration unless such rights are consistent with the provisions of this Section 2.4.
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Section 2.5 Suspension.
(a) Subject to the provisions of this Section 2.5 and a good faith determination by the Company that it is in the best interests of the Company to suspend the use of any Registration Statement, following the effectiveness of such Registration Statement (and the filings with any U.S. federal or state securities commissions), the Company, by written notice to the Holders, may direct the Holders to suspend sales of the Registrable Shares pursuant to such Registration Statement for such times as the Company reasonably may determine is necessary and advisable (but in no event for more than sixty (60) consecutive days or ninety (90) days in any twelve (12)-month period), if any of the following events will occur: (i) the offer or sale of any Registrable Securities would materially impede, delay or interfere with any proposed offer or sale of securities involving the Company; (ii) there is material non-public information regarding the Company that (A) the Company determines not to be in the Company’s best interest to disclose, (B) would, in the good faith determination of the Company, require any revision to the Registration Statement so that it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (C) the Company is not otherwise required to disclose; or (iii) there is a significant bona fide business opportunity (including the acquisition or disposition of assets (other than in the ordinary course of business), including any significant merger, consolidation, tender offer or other similar transaction) available to the Company that the Company determines not to be in the Company’s best interests to disclose.
(b) Upon the earlier to occur of (i) the Company delivering to the Holders an End of Suspension Notice, or (ii) the end of the maximum permissible suspension period, the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly amend or supplement the Registration Statement on a post-effective basis, if necessary, or to take such action as is necessary to make resumed use of the Registration Statement so as to permit the Holders to resume sales of the Registrable Shares as soon as possible.
(c) In the case of an event that causes the Company to suspend the use of a Registration Statement (a “Suspension Event”), the Company will give written notice (a “Suspension Notice”) to the Holders to suspend sales of the Registrable Shares, and such notice will state that such suspension will continue only for so long as the Suspension Event or its effect is continuing and the Company is taking all reasonable steps to terminate suspension of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement as promptly as possible. The Holders will not effect any sales of the Registrable Shares pursuant to such Registration Statement (or such filings) at any time after it has received a Suspension Notice from the Company and prior to receipt of an End of Suspension Notice. If so directed by the Company, each Holder will deliver to the Company (at the reasonable expense of the Company) all copies other than permanent file copies then in such Holder’s possession of the Prospectus covering the Registrable Shares at the time of receipt of the Suspension Notice. The Holders may recommence effecting sales of the Registrable Shares pursuant to the Registration Statement (or such filings) following further notice to such effect (an “End of Suspension Notice”) from the Company, which End of Suspension Notice will be given by the Company to the Holders in the manner described above promptly following the conclusion of any Suspension Event and its effect.
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Section 2.6 Registration Procedures. In connection with the obligations of the Company with respect to any registration pursuant to this Agreement, the Company will:
(a) prepare and file with the Commission, as specified in this Agreement, each Registration Statement, which will comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the applicable form and include all financial statements required by the Commission to be filed therewith, and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause any Registration Statement to become and remain effective as set forth in Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3, as applicable;
(b) subject to Section 2.5, (i) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to each such Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective for the period described in Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3, as applicable, (ii) cause each Prospectus contained therein to be supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 or any similar rule that may be adopted under the Securities Act, and (iii) comply in all material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by each Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution specified by the Holders of Registrable Shares covered by such Registration Statement;
(c) furnish to the Holders of Registrable Shares covered by a Registration Statement, without charge, such number of copies of each Prospectus, including each preliminary Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto and such other documents as any such Holder may reasonably request, in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Shares; the Company hereby consents to the use of such Prospectus, including each preliminary Prospectus, by such Holders in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Shares covered by any such Prospectus;
(d) use commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify, or obtain exemption from registration or qualification for, all Registrable Shares by the time the applicable Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission under all applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws of such domestic jurisdictions as any Holder covered by a Registration Statement may reasonably request in writing, keep each such registration or qualification or exemption effective during the period such Registration Statement is required to be kept effective pursuant to Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3, as applicable, and do any and all other acts and things that may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such Holder to consummate the disposition in each such jurisdiction of such Registrable Shares owned by such Holder; provided that the Company will not be required to (A) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this paragraph (d), (B) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or (C) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction.
(e) notify each Holder with Registrable Shares covered by a Registration Statement promptly and, if requested by any such Holder, confirm such advice in writing (i) when such Registration Statement has become effective and when any post-effective amendments and supplements thereto become effective, (ii) of the issuance by the Commission
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or any state securities authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iii) of any request by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement or related Prospectus or for additional information, and (iv) of the happening of any event during the period such Registration Statement is effective as a result of which such Registration Statement or the related Prospectus or any document incorporated by reference therein contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (which information will be accompanied by an instruction to suspend the use of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus until the requisite changes have been made);
(f) during the period of time referred to in Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3, as applicable, use its best efforts to avoid the issuance of, or if issued, to obtain the withdrawal of, any order enjoining or suspending the use or effectiveness of a Registration Statement or suspending the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Shares for sale in any jurisdiction, as promptly as practicable;
(g) upon request, furnish to each requesting Holder with Registrable Shares covered by a Registration Statement, without charge, at least one conformed copy of such Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment or supplement thereto (without documents incorporated therein by reference or exhibits thereto, unless requested);
(h) except as provided in Section 2.5, upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 2.6(e)(iv), use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement or the related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the Registrable Shares, such Prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and, upon request, promptly furnish to each requesting Holder a reasonable number of copies of each such supplement or post-effective amendment;
(i) enter into customary agreements and take all other action in connection therewith in order to expedite or facilitate the distribution of the Registrable Shares included in any Registration Statement;
(j) use commercially reasonable efforts (including seeking to cure in the Company’s listing or inclusion application any deficiencies cited by the exchange or market) to list or include all Registrable Shares or Redemption Shares on any securities exchange on which such Registrable Shares or Redemption Shares are then listed or included, and enter into such customary agreements including a supplemental listing application and indemnification agreement in customary form;
(k) prepare and file in a timely manner all documents and reports required by the Exchange Act and, to the extent the Company’s obligation to file such reports pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act expires prior to the expiration of the effectiveness period of any Registration Statement as required by Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3, as applicable, register the Registrable Shares or Redemption Shares, as applicable, under the Exchange Act and maintain such registration through the effectiveness period required by Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3, as applicable;
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(l) (i) otherwise use commercially reasonable efforts to comply in all material respects with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, (ii) make generally available to its stockholders, as soon as reasonably practicable, earnings statements (which need not be audited) covering at least twelve (12) months that satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder, and (iii) delay filing any Registration Statement or Prospectus or amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus to which any Holder of Registrable Shares covered by any Registration Statement will have reasonably objected on the grounds that such Registration Statement or Prospectus or amendment or supplement does not comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act, such Holder having been furnished with a copy thereof at least two (2) Business Days prior to the filing thereof; provided, however, that the Company may file such Registration Statement or Prospectus or amendment or supplement following such time as the Company will have made a good faith effort to resolve any such issue with the objecting Holder and will have advised the Holder in writing of its reasonable belief that such filing complies in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act;
(m) cause to be maintained a registrar and transfer agent for all Registrable Shares covered by any Registration Statement from and after a date not later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;
(n) in connection with any sale or transfer of Registrable Shares (whether or not pursuant to a Registration Statement) that will result in the securities being delivered no longer constituting Registrable Shares, cooperate with the Holders to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing the Registrable Shares to be sold, which certificates will not bear any transfer restrictive legends arising under federal or state securities laws, and to enable such Registrable Shares to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the Holders may request at least three (3) Business Days prior to any sale of the Registrable Shares;
(o) cause management of the Company to cooperate as may be reasonably requested with each of the Holders of Registrable Shares covered by a Registration Statement (i) with respect to sales or placements of Registrable Shares, including by participating in roadshows in connection with an underwritten offering, one-on-one meetings with institutional investors, and (ii) with respect to all sales or placements, any request for information or other diligence request by any such Holder or any underwriter;
(p) in connection with an underwritten offering, use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain a “comfort” letter from the independent public accountants for the Company and any acquisition target of the Company whose financial statements are required to be included or incorporated by reference in any Registration Statement, in form and substance customarily given by independent certified public accountants in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters, if any, and to the Holders of the Registrable Shares being sold pursuant to each Registration Statement;
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(q) execute and deliver all instruments and documents (including an underwriting agreement or placement agent agreement, as applicable in customary form) and take such other actions and obtain such certificates and opinions as sellers of the Registrable Shares being sold reasonably request in order to effect a public offering of such Registrable Shares and in such connection, whether or not an underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or not the offering is an underwritten offering, (i) make such representations and warranties to the Holders of such Registrable Shares and the underwriters, if any, with respect to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, and the Registration Statement and documents, if any, incorporated by reference therein, in each case, in form, substance and scope as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings, and, if true, confirm the same if and when requested, and (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to furnish to the selling Holders and underwriters of such Registrable Shares opinions and negative assurance letters of counsel to the Company and updates thereof (which counsel and opinions (in form, scope and substance) will be reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriters, if any, and counsels to the selling Holders of the Registrable Shares), covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten offerings and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such counsel and any such underwriters; and
(r) upon reasonable request by a Holder, the Company will file an amendment to any applicable Registration Statement (or Prospectus supplement, as applicable), to name additional Holders of Registrable Shares or otherwise update the information provided by any such Holder in connection with such Holder’s disposition of Registrable Shares.
Section 2.7 Required Information.
(a) In addition to the Notice and Questionnaire, the Company may require the Holders to furnish in writing to the Company such information regarding such Holder and the proposed distribution of Registrable Shares by such Holder as the Company may from time to time reasonably request in writing or as will be required to effect the registration of the Registrable Shares, and no Holder will be entitled to be named as a selling stockholder in any Registration Statement or use the Prospectus forming a part thereof if such Holder does not provide such information to the Company, if so requested. Each Holder further agrees to furnish promptly to the Company in writing all information required from time to time to make the information previously furnished by such Holder not misleading.
(b) Each Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 2.6(e)(ii), Section 2.6(e)(iii) or Section 2.6(e)(iv) hereof, such Holder will immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable Shares pursuant to a Registration Statement until (i) any such stop order is vacated, or (ii) if an event described in Section 2.6(e)(iii) or Section 2.6(e)(iv) occurs, such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus. If so directed by the Company, such Holder will deliver to the Company (at the reasonable expense of the Company) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder’s possession, in its possession of the Prospectus covering such Registrable Shares current at the time of receipt of such notice.
Section 2.8 Expenses of Registration. The Company will pay all Registration Expenses in connection with the registration of the Registrable Shares pursuant to this
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Agreement and any other actions that may be taken in connection with the registration contemplated herein. Each Holder participating in a registration pursuant to Section 2.3 will bear such Holder’s proportionate share (based on the total number of Registrable Shares sold in such registration) of all Selling Expenses and any other expense relating to a registration of Registrable Shares pursuant to this Agreement and any other Selling Expenses relating to the sale or disposition of such Holder’s Registrable Shares pursuant to any Underwritten Offering Request; provided, however, that each such Holder shall be responsible for its own counsel’s fees and expenses (and no other Holder shall have any responsibility in respect of such fees and expenses).
Section 2.9 Indemnification and Contribution.
(a) The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Holder of Registrable Shares covered by a Registration Statement, each person who controls any such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act), and the officers, directors, members, managers, stockholders, partners, limited partners, agents and employees of each of them, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) and expenses (collectively, “Losses”), as incurred, arising out of or relating to (i) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement or any Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary Prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, or (ii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder, in connection with the performance of its obligations under this Agreement; in each case, except to the extent, but only to the extent, that (A) such untrue statement or omission is based upon information regarding such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of such Holder expressly for use therein, or (B) such information relates to such Holder or such Holder’s proposed method of distribution of the Registrable Shares and was approved in writing by or on behalf of such Holder expressly for use in the Registration Statement, such Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto.
(b) Each Holder of Registrable Shares covered by a Registration Statement will, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who will sign a Registration Statement, each underwriter, broker or other Person acting on behalf of the holders of securities included in a Registration Statement, and each Person who controls any of the foregoing Persons (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) against any Losses, as incurred, arising out of or relating to any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement or any Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary Prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, but only to the extent that (i) such untrue statement or omission is based upon information regarding such Holder furnished in
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writing to the Company by or on behalf of such Holder expressly for use therein, or (ii) such information relates to such Holder or such Holder’s proposed method of distribution of the Registrable Shares and was approved in writing by or on behalf of such Holder expressly for use in the Registration Statement, such Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto.
(c) Each party entitled to indemnification under this Section 2.9 (the “Indemnified Party”) will give notice to the party required to provide indemnification (the “Indemnifying Party”) promptly after such Indemnified Party has actual knowledge of any claim as to which indemnity may be sought, but the omission to so notify the Indemnifying Party will not relieve it from any liability that it may have to the Indemnified Party pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.9 except to the extent of the actual damages suffered by such delay in notification. The Indemnifying Party will assume the defense of such action, including the employment of counsel to be chosen by the Indemnifying Party to be reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, and payment of expenses. The Indemnified Party will have the right to employ its own counsel in any such case, but the legal fees and expenses of such counsel will be at the expense of the Indemnified Party, unless (i) the employment of such counsel will have been authorized in writing by the Indemnifying Party in connection with the defense of such action, (ii) the Indemnifying Party will not have employed counsel to take charge of the defense of such action or (iii) the Indemnified Party will have reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to it or them that are different from or additional to those available to the Indemnifying Party (in which case the Indemnifying Party will not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the Indemnified Party), in any of which events such fees and expenses will be borne by the Indemnifying Party. No Indemnifying Party, in the defense of any such claim or litigation, will, except with the consent of each Indemnified Party, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement unless such judgment or settlement (A) includes an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation, and (B) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any Indemnified Party.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 2.9 is unavailable to a party that would have been an Indemnified Party under this Section 2.9 in respect of any expenses, claims, losses, damages and liabilities referred to herein, then each party that would have been an Indemnifying Party hereunder will, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such expenses, claims, losses, damages and liabilities in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party on the one hand and such Indemnified Party on the other in connection with the statement or omission which resulted in such expenses, claims, losses, damages and liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault will be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Indemnifying Party or such Indemnified Party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company and each Holder agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 2.9 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 2.9(d).
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(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.9, no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) will be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
(f) In no event will any Holder be liable for any expenses, claims, losses, damages or liabilities pursuant to this Section 2.9 in excess of the net proceeds to such Holder of any Registrable Shares sold by such Holder.
Section 2.10 Rule 144. The Company shall, at the Company’s expense, for so long as any Holder holds any Registrable Shares, use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Holders, as may be reasonably requested by any Holder from time to time, to facilitate any proposed sale of Registrable Shares by the requesting Holder(s) in accordance with the provisions of Rule 144, including by using commercially reasonable efforts (A) to comply with the current public information requirements of Rule 144 and (B) to provide opinions of counsel as may be reasonably necessary in order for such Holder to avail itself of such rule to allow such Holder to sell such Registrable Shares without registration.
Section 2.11 Transfer of Registration Rights. The rights and obligations of a Holder under this Agreement may be transferred or otherwise assigned to a transferee or assignee of Registrable Shares; provided that (i) such transferee or assignee is or becomes a party to this Agreement or agrees in writing to be subject to the terms hereof to the same extent as if such transferee or assignee were an original party hereunder, and (ii) the Company is given written notice by such Holder of such transfer or assignment stating the name and address of such transferee or assignee and identifying the securities with regard to which such rights and obligations are being transferred or assigned.
ARTICLE III
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 3.1 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial. This Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related in any way to this Agreement, the relationship of the parties, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and/or the interpretation and enforcement of the rights and duties of the parties hereunder or related in any way to the foregoing, will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Maryland or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Maryland.
EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND FOR THE PURPOSES OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF THE SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN ANY SUCH COURT. EACH PARTY AGREES TO COMMENCE ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER
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PROCEEDING IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND. EACH PARTY WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF IMPROPER VENUE OR INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING SO BROUGHT AND WAIVES ANY BOND, SURETY, OR OTHER SECURITY THAT MIGHT BE REQUIRED OF ANY OTHER PARTY WITH RESPECT THERETO. ANY PARTY MAY MAKE SERVICE ON ANY OTHER PARTY BY SENDING OR DELIVERING A COPY OF THE PROCESS TO THE PARTY TO BE SERVED AT THE ADDRESS AND IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR THE GIVING OF NOTICES IN SECTION 3.5. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION 3.1, HOWEVER, WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR AT EQUITY. EACH PARTY AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING SO BROUGHT WILL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW OR AT EQUITY.
EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF ANY DISPUTE IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, ANY RIGHTS OR OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER OR THE PERFORMANCE OF SUCH RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. EACH OF THE PARTIES (i) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HERETO HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVERS, AND (ii) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS CONTAINED HEREIN.
Section 3.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the full and entire understanding and agreement among the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof.
Section 3.3 Interpretation and Usage. In this Agreement, unless there is a clear contrary intention: (i) when a reference is made to a section, an annex or a schedule, that reference is to a section, an annex or a schedule of or to this Agreement; (ii) the singular includes the plural and vice versa; (iii) reference to any agreement, document or instrument means that agreement, document or instrument as amended or modified and in effect from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof; (iv) reference to any statute, rule, regulation or other law means that statute, rule, regulation or law as amended, modified, codified, replaced or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect from time to time, including rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and reference to any section or other provision of any law means that section or provision from time to time in effect and constituting the substantive amendment, modification, codification, replacement or reenactment of that section or provision; (v) “hereunder,” “hereof,” “hereto,” and words of similar import will be deemed references to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular article, section or other provision of this Agreement; (vi) “including” (and with correlative meaning “include”) means including without limiting the generality of any description preceding such term; (vii) references to agreements, documents or instruments will be deemed to refer as well to all addenda, exhibits, schedules or amendments thereto; (viii) the terms “writing,” “written” and words of similar import will be deemed to include communications and documents in e-mail, fax or any other similar electronic or documentary form; and (ix) “party” refers to a party to this Agreement.
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Section 3.4 Amendment. No supplement, modification, waiver or termination of this Agreement will be binding unless executed in writing by the Company and Holders holding at least a majority of the Registrable Shares.
Section 3.5 Notices, etc. Each notice, demand, request, request for approval, consent, approval, disapproval, designation or other communication (each of the foregoing being referred to herein as a notice) required or desired to be given or made under this Agreement will be in writing (except as otherwise provided in this Agreement), and will be effective and deemed to have been received (i) when delivered in person, (ii) when receipt is acknowledged by recipient if sent by fax or e-mail, (iii) five (5) days after having been mailed by certified or registered United States mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or (iv) the next Business Day after having been sent by a nationally recognized overnight mail or courier service, receipt requested. Notices will be addressed as follows: (A) if to a Holder, at such Holders’ address or fax number as such Holder will have furnished to the Company in writing; (B) if to any assignee or transferee of a Holder, at such address or fax number as such assignee or transferee will have furnished the Company in writing; or (C) if to the Company, at the address of its principal executive offices and addressed to the attention of the President, or at such other address or fax number as the Company will have furnished to the Holders. Any notice or other communication required to be given hereunder to a Holder in connection with a registration may instead be given to a designated representative of such Holder.
Section 3.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which may be executed by fewer than all of the parties hereto (provided, however, that each party executes one or more counterparts), each of which will be enforceable against the parties actually executing such counterparts, and all of which together will constitute one instrument. This Agreement may be executed in any number of separate counterparts (including by means of facsimile or portable document format (pdf)), each of which is an original but all of which taken together will constitute one and the same instrument.
Section 3.7 Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement will continue in full force and effect without said provision.
Section 3.8 Section Titles. Section titles are for descriptive purposes only and will not control or alter the meaning of this Agreement as set forth in the text.
Section 3.9 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement will be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and will inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. If any successor or permitted assignee of any Holder will acquire Registrable Shares in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise, (i) such successor or permitted assignee will be entitled to all of the benefits of a “Holder” under this Agreement and (ii) such Registrable Shares will be held subject to all of the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable Shares such Person will be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by all of the terms and provisions hereof.
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Section 3.10 Remedies; No Waiver.
(a) Each party acknowledges and agrees that the other parties would be irreparably damaged in the event that the covenants set forth in this Agreement were not performed in accordance with its specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that each party hereto will be entitled to seek an injunction to specifically enforce the terms of this Agreement solely in the courts specified in Section 3.1, in addition to any other remedy to which such party may be entitled hereunder, at law or in equity.
(b) No failure or delay by a party in exercising any right or remedy provided by law or under this Agreement will impair such right or remedy or operate or be construed as a waiver or variation of it or preclude its exercise at any subsequent time and no single or partial exercise of any such right or remedy will preclude any further exercise of it or the exercise of any other remedy.
Section 3.11 Attorneys’ Fees. If the Company or any Holder brings an action to enforce its rights under this Agreement, the prevailing party in the action is entitled to recover its costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred in connection with such action, including any appeal of such action.
Section 3.12 Changes in Securities Laws. In the event that any amendment, repeal or other change in the securities laws will render the provisions of this Agreement inapplicable, the Company will provide the Holders with substantially similar rights to those granted under this Agreement and use its good faith efforts to cause such rights to be as comparable as possible to the rights granted to the Holders hereunder.
[Signatures appear on the following page.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
| COLONY NORTHSTAR CREDIT REAL ESTATE, INC. | ||||
| By: | /s/ David A. Palamé | |||
| Name: | David A. Palamé | |||
| Title: | General Counsel and Secretary | |||
| COLONY CAPITAL OPERATING COMPANY, LLC | ||||
| By: Colony NorthStar, Inc., its managing member | ||||
| By: | /s/ Mark M. Hedstrom | |||
| Name: | Mark M. Hedstrom | |||
| Title: | Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer | |||
| NRF RED REIT CORP. | ||||
| By: | /s/ Mark M. Hedstrom | |||
| Name: | Mark M. Hedstrom | |||
| Title: | Vice President | |||
[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]
Exhibit 10.6
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into, and effective, as of the day of , 20 , by and between Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and (“Indemnitee”).
WHEREAS, at the request of the Company, Indemnitee currently serves as a director and/or an officer of the Company and may, therefore, be subjected to claims, suits or proceedings arising as a result of his or her service; and
WHEREAS, the Company derives substantial benefit from its board of directors (the “Board of Directors”) and officers of the Company; and
WHEREAS, as an inducement to Indemnitee to serve or continue to serve as a director and/or an officer of the Company, the Company has agreed to indemnify Indemnitee and to advance expenses and costs incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any such claims, suits or proceedings, to the maximum extent permitted by law; and
WHEREAS, the parties by this Agreement desire to set forth their agreement regarding indemnification and advance of expenses;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:
Section 1. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(a) “Change in Control” means a change in control of the Company occurring after the Effective Date of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or in response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement; provided, however, that, without limitation, such a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if, after the Effective Date (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than Colony NorthStar, Inc. or its affiliates, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 15% or more of the combined voting power of all of the Company’s then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors without the prior approval of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors in office immediately prior to such person’s attaining such percentage interest; (ii) the Company is a party to a merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of its assets, plan of liquidation or other reorganization not approved by at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors then in office, as a consequence of which members of the Board of Directors in office immediately prior to such transaction or event constitute less than a majority of the Board of Directors thereafter; or (iii) at any time, a majority of the members of the Board of Directors are not individuals (A) who were directors as of the Effective Date or (B) whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then in office who were directors as of the Effective Date or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved.
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(b) “Corporate Status” means the status of a person as a present or former director, officer, employee or agent of the Company (or any of the predecessor entities referenced in Section 19(d)) or as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company. As a clarification and without in any way limiting the circumstances in which Indemnitee may be serving at the request of the Company, service by Indemnitee shall be deemed to be at the request of the Company: (i) if Indemnitee serves or served as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise (1) of which 25% or more of the voting power or equity interest is owned directly or indirectly by the Company or (2) of which the Company, directly or indirectly, has the power to direct, manage, oversee or restrict the management, business or assets; or (ii) if, as a result of Indemnitee’s service to the Company or any of its affiliated entities, Indemnitee is subject to duties by, or required to perform services for, an employee benefit plan or its participants or beneficiaries, including as a deemed fiduciary thereof.
(c) “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification and/or advance of Expenses is sought by Indemnitee.
(d) “Effective Date” means the date set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
(e) “Expenses” means any and all reasonable and out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees and costs, retainers, court costs, arbitration and mediation costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, the charter or the Bylaws of the Company or director and officer insurance policy, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and any other disbursements or expenses incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in or otherwise participating in a Proceeding. Expenses shall also include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including, without limitation, the premium, security for and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond or other appeal bond or its equivalent.
(f) “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither is, nor in the past two (2) years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to or participant or witness in the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification or advance of Expenses hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include
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any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.
(g) “Proceeding” means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing, claim, demand, discovery request or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including, without limitation, any internal investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Company or by the Board of Directors or any standing or special committee thereof, including any appeal therefrom. If Indemnitee reasonably believes that a given situation may lead to or culminate in the institution of a Proceeding, such situation shall also be considered a Proceeding.
Section 2. Services by Indemnitee. Indemnitee serves or will serve as a director and/or an officer of the Company. However, this Agreement shall not impose any independent obligation on Indemnitee or the Company to continue Indemnitee’s service to the Company. This Agreement shall not be deemed an employment contract between the Company (or any other entity) and Indemnitee.
Section 3. General. The Company shall indemnify, and advance Expenses to, Indemnitee (a) as provided in this Agreement and (b) otherwise to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect on the Effective Date and as amended from time to time; provided, however, that no change in Maryland law shall have the effect of reducing the benefits available to Indemnitee hereunder based on Maryland law as in effect on the Effective Date. The rights of Indemnitee provided in this Section 3 shall include, without limitation, the rights set forth in the other sections of this Agreement, including any additional indemnification permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”), including, without limitation, Section 2-418 of the MGCL.
Section 4. Standard for Indemnification. If, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be, made a party to any Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all judgments, penalties, fines, liabilities, and amounts paid in settlement and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee, or on Indemnitee’s behalf, in connection with any such Proceeding, unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of Indemnitee was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) Indemnitee actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal Proceeding, Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful.
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Section 5. Certain Limits on Indemnification. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (other than Section 6), Indemnitee shall not be entitled to:
(a) indemnification hereunder if the Proceeding was one by or in the right of the Company and Indemnitee is adjudged, in a final adjudication of such Proceeding not subject to further appeal, to be liable to the Company with respect to such Proceeding;
(b) indemnification hereunder if Indemnitee is adjudged, in a final adjudication of such Proceeding not subject to further appeal, to be liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received in any Proceeding charging improper personal benefit to Indemnitee, whether or not involving action in Indemnitee’s Corporate Status;
(c) indemnification with respect to any proceeding for an accounting of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities of the Company in violation of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act; or
(d) indemnification or advance of Expenses hereunder if the Proceeding was brought by Indemnitee against the Company, unless: (i) the Proceeding was brought to enforce indemnification under Section 2-418 of the MGCL, (ii) the Proceeding was brought to enforce indemnification under this Agreement, and then only to the extent in accordance with and as authorized by Section 12 of this Agreement, or (iii) the Company’s charter or Bylaws, a resolution of the stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or of the Board of Directors or an agreement approved by the Board of Directors to which the Company is a party expressly provide otherwise.
Section 6. Court-Ordered Indemnification. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, a court of appropriate jurisdiction, upon application of Indemnitee and such notice as the court shall require, may order indemnification of Indemnitee by the Company in the following circumstances:
(a) if such court determines that Indemnitee is entitled to reimbursement for Expenses under Section 2-418(d)(1) of the MGCL, in which case Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover the Expenses of securing such reimbursement; or
(b) if such court determines that Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, whether or not Indemnitee (i) has met the standards of conduct set forth in Section 2-418(b) of the MGCL or (ii) has been adjudged liable for receipt of an improper personal benefit under Section 2-418(c) of the MGCL, the court may order such indemnification as the court shall deem proper without regard to any limitation on such court-ordered indemnification contemplated by Section 2-418(d)(2)(ii) of the MGCL; provided, however, that the Company’s indemnification obligations to Indemnitee shall be limited to the Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee, or on Indemnitee’s behalf, in connection with any Proceeding by the Company or in the Company’s right or in which Indemnitee shall have been adjudged liable for receipt of an improper personal benefit under Section 2-418(c) of the MGCL.
Section 7. Indemnification for Expenses of an Indemnitee Who is Wholly or Partially Successful. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, and without limiting any such provision, if, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be, made a party to (or otherwise becomes a participant in) any Proceeding and is
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successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee under this Section 7 for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee, or on Indemnitee’s behalf, in connection with each such claim, issue or matter for which Indemnitee is successful, allocated on a reasonable and proportionate basis. For purposes of this Section 7 and, without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.
Section 8. Advance of Expenses for Indemnitee. If, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, Indemnitee was, is, or is threatened to be, made a party to any Proceeding, the Company shall, without requiring a preliminary determination of Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification hereunder, advance all reasonable Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding. The Company shall make such advance within ten (10) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding and may be in the form of, in the reasonable discretion of Indemnitee (but without duplication) (a) payment of such Expenses directly to third parties on behalf of Indemnitee, (b) advance of funds to Indemnitee in an amount sufficient to pay such Expenses or (c) reimbursement to Indemnitee for Indemnitee’s payment of such Expenses. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred or expected to be incurred by Indemnitee and shall include or be preceded or accompanied by a written affirmation by Indemnitee of Indemnitee’s good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Company as authorized by law and by this Agreement has been met and a written undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A or in such form as may be required under applicable law as in effect at the time of the execution thereof, to reimburse the portion of any Expenses advanced to Indemnitee relating to claims, issues or matters in the Proceeding as to which it shall ultimately be established that the standard of conduct has not been met by Indemnitee and which have not been successfully resolved as described in Section 7 of this Agreement. To the extent that Expenses advanced to Indemnitee do not relate to a specific claim, issue or matter in the Proceeding, such Expenses shall be allocated on a reasonable and proportionate basis. The undertaking required by this Section 8 shall be an unlimited general obligation by or on behalf of Indemnitee and shall be accepted without reference to Indemnitee’s financial ability to repay such advanced Expenses and without any requirement to post security therefor.
Section 9. Indemnification and Advance of Expenses as a Witness or Other Participant. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is or may be, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, made a witness or otherwise asked to participate in any Proceeding, whether instituted by the Company or any other person, and to which Indemnitee is not a party, Indemnitee shall be advanced all reasonable Expenses incurred or expected to be incurred and indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith within ten (10) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting any
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such advance or indemnification from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee. In connection with any such advance of Expenses, the Company may require Indemnitee to provide an undertaking and affirmation substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Section 10. Procedure for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification.
(a) To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary or appropriate to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. Indemnitee may submit one or more such requests from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in Indemnitee’s sole discretion. The officer of the Company receiving any such request from Indemnitee shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board of Directors in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification.
(b) Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 10(a) above, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall promptly be made in the specific case: (i) if a Change in Control has occurred, by Independent Counsel, in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, which Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 2-418(e)(2)(ii) of the MGCL, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld; or (ii) if a Change in Control has not occurred, (A) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors or, by the majority vote of a group of Disinterested Directors designated by the Disinterested Directors to make the determination, (B) if Independent Counsel has been selected by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 2-418(e)(2)(ii) of the MGCL and approved by Indemnitee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, by Independent Counsel, in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee or (C) if so directed by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors, by the stockholders of the Company, other than directors or officers who are parties to the Proceeding. If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall make payment to Indemnitee within ten (10) days after such determination. Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information that is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary or appropriate to such determination in the discretion of the Board of Directors or Independent Counsel if retained pursuant to clause (ii)(B) of this Section 10(b). Any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company shall indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.
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(c) The Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel, if one is appointed.
Section 11. Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings.
(a) In making any determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 10(a) of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of overcoming that presumption in connection with the making of any determination contrary to that presumption.
(b) The termination of any Proceeding, or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order or settlement does not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet the requisite standard of conduct described herein for indemnification, but the termination of any Proceeding, or of any claim, issue or matter therein by conviction, upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or entry of an order of probation prior to judgment, creates a rebuttable presumption that Indemnitee did not meet the requisite standard of conduct described herein for indemnification.
(c) The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or any other director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining any other right to indemnification under this Agreement.
Section 12. Remedies of Indemnitee.
(a) If (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advance of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Sections 8 or 9 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement within forty-five (45) days (as may be extended pursuant to Section 12(b) of this Agreement) after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Sections 7 or 9 of this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, or (v) payment of indemnification pursuant to any other section of this Agreement, the charter or the Bylaws of the Company, or other source of indemnification is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication in an appropriate court located in the State of Maryland, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, or in an arbitration conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, of Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification or advance of Expenses. Indemnitee shall commence a proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration within one hundred eighty (180) days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 12(a); provided, however, that the foregoing clause shall not apply to a
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proceeding brought by Indemnitee to enforce his or her rights under Section 7 of this Agreement, and, provided further that failure to commence a proceeding within such one hundred eighty (180)-day time period shall not be deemed a waiver of any right of Indemnitee hereunder unless it is established in the proceeding that the Company was materially prejudiced thereby. Except as set forth herein, the provisions of Maryland law (without regard to its conflicts of laws rules) shall apply to any such arbitration. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.
(b) If the person or entity making the determination whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within forty-five (45) days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee shall be entitled to commence a proceeding to enforce Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, absent: (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law. Such forty-five (45)-day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional fifteen (15) days, if the person or entity making said determination in good faith requires additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto. The foregoing provisions of this Section 12(b) shall not apply: (i) if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by the stockholders and if within fifteen (15) days after receipt by the Company of the request for such determination a majority of the entire Board of Directors resolves to submit such determination to the stockholders for consideration at an annual or special meeting thereof to be held within seventy-five (75) days after such receipt and such determination is made at such meeting, or (ii) if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement. Indemnitee shall commence a proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration to compel payment pursuant to this Section 12(b) within the timeframes contemplated by Section 12(a) of this Agreement.
(c) In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification or advance of Expenses, as the case may be, under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proving that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advance of Expenses, as the case may be. If Indemnitee commences a judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to this Section 12, Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advances pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement until a final determination is made with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification (as to which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or lapsed). The Company shall, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all of the provisions of this Agreement.
(d) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12,
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absent a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification.
(e) In the event that Indemnitee is successful in seeking, pursuant to this Section 12, a judicial adjudication of or an award in arbitration to enforce Indemnitee’s rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover from the Company, and shall be indemnified by the Company for, any and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in such judicial adjudication or arbitration. If it shall be determined in such judicial adjudication or arbitration that Indemnitee is entitled to receive part but not all of the indemnification or advance of Expenses sought, the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such judicial adjudication or arbitration shall be appropriately prorated.
(f) Interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the maximum rate allowed to be charged for judgments under the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland for amounts which the Company pays or is obligated to pay for the period (i) commencing with either the tenth (10th) day after the date on which the Company was requested to advance Expenses in accordance with Sections 8 or 9 of this Agreement or the sixtieth (60th) day after the date on which the Company was requested to make the determination of entitlement to indemnification under Section 10(b) of this Agreement, as applicable, and (ii) ending on the date such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company.
Section 13. Defense of the Underlying Proceeding.
(a) Indemnitee shall notify the Company promptly in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, request or other document relating to any Proceeding that may result in the right to indemnification or the advance of Expenses hereunder and shall include with such notice a description of the nature of the Proceeding and a summary of the facts underlying the Proceeding. The failure to give any such notice shall not disqualify Indemnitee from the right, or otherwise affect in any manner any right of Indemnitee, to indemnification or the advance of Expenses under this Agreement unless the Company’s ability to defend in such Proceeding or to obtain proceeds under any insurance policy is materially and adversely prejudiced thereby, and then only to the extent the Company is thereby actually so prejudiced.
(b) Subject to the provisions of the last sentence of this Section 13(b) and of Section 13(c) below, the Company shall have the right to defend Indemnitee in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, which may give rise to indemnification hereunder; provided, however, that the Company shall notify Indemnitee of any such decision to defend within fifteen (15) calendar days following receipt of notice of any such Proceeding under Section 13(a) above. The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, consent to the entry of any judgment against Indemnitee or enter into any settlement or compromise that (i) includes an admission of fault of Indemnitee, (ii) does not include, as an unconditional term thereof, the full release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Proceeding, which release shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee or (iii) would impose any Expense, judgment, fine, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee. This Section 13(b) shall not apply to a Proceeding brought by Indemnitee under Section 12 of this Agreement.
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(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13(b) above, if in a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, (i) Indemnitee reasonably concludes, based upon an opinion of counsel approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, that Indemnitee may have separate defenses or counterclaims to assert with respect to any issue that may not be consistent with other defendants in such Proceeding, (ii) Indemnitee reasonably concludes, based upon an opinion of counsel approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, that an actual or apparent conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest exists between Indemnitee and the Company, (iii) the Company fails to assume the defense of such Proceeding in a timely manner, or (iv) the proceeding seeks penalties or other relief against Indemnitee with respect to which the Company could not provide monetary indemnification to Indemnitee (such as injunctive relief or incarceration), then Indemnitee shall be entitled to be represented by separate legal counsel of Indemnitee’s choice, subject to the prior approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, at the expense of the Company. In addition, if the Company fails to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement or in the event that the Company or any other person takes any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any Proceeding to deny or to recover from Indemnitee the benefits intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall have the right to retain counsel of Indemnitee’s choice, subject to the prior approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, at the expense of the Company (subject to Section 12(d) of this Agreement), to represent Indemnitee in connection with any such matter.
Section 14. Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Subrogation.
(a) The rights of indemnification and advance of Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the charter or the Bylaws of the Company, any agreement or a resolution of the stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or of the Board of Directors, or otherwise. Unless consented to in writing by Indemnitee, no amendment, alteration or repeal of the charter of Bylaws of the Company, this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his or her Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal, regardless of whether a claim with respect to such action or inaction is raised prior or subsequent to such amendment, alteration or repeal. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right or remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right or remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prohibit the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
(b) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee,
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including, without limitation, pursuant to indemnification rights provided by any entity for which Indemnitee serves as director or officer and that is a party to any investment advisory, strategic or other relationship or agreement with the Company or any affiliate thereof (as to which Indemnitee will take all reasonable steps to perfect such indemnification rights), who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including, without limitation, execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.
Section 15. Insurance.
(a) The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to acquire directors and officers liability insurance, on terms and conditions deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors, with the advice of counsel, covering Indemnitee or any claim made against Indemnitee by reason of his or her Corporate Status and covering the Company for any indemnification or advance of Expenses made by the Company to Indemnitee for any claims made against Indemnitee by reason of his or her Corporate Status. In the event of a Change in Control, the Company shall maintain in force any and all directors and officers liability insurance policies that were maintained by the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control for a period of six (6) years with the insurance carrier or carriers and through the insurance broker in place at the time of the Change in Control; provided, however, that (i) if the carriers will not offer the same policy and an expiring policy needs to be replaced, a policy substantially comparable in scope and amount shall be obtained and (ii) if any replacement insurance carrier is necessary to obtain a policy substantially comparable in scope and amount, such insurance carrier shall have an AM Best rating that is the same or better than the AM Best rating of the existing insurance carrier; provided, further, however, in no event shall the Company be required to expend in the aggregate in excess of 250% of the annual premium or premiums paid by the Company for directors and officers liability insurance in effect on the date of the Change in Control. In the event that 250% of the annual premium paid by the Company for such existing directors and officers liability insurance is insufficient for such coverage, the Company shall spend up to that amount to purchase such lesser coverage as may be obtained with such amount.
(b) Without in any way limiting any other obligation under this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee for any payment by Indemnitee that would otherwise be indemnifiable hereunder arising out of the amount of any deductible or retention and the amount of any excess of the aggregate of all judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding over the coverage of any insurance referred to in Section 15(a). The purchase, establishment and maintenance of any such insurance shall not in any way limit or affect the rights or obligations of the Company or Indemnitee under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and Indemnitee shall not in any way limit or affect the rights or obligations of the Company under any such insurance policies. If, at the time the Company receives notice from any source of a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies.
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(c) Indemnitee shall cooperate with the Company or any insurance carrier of the Company with respect to any Proceeding.
Section 16. Coordination of Payments. The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable or payable or reimbursable as Expenses hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.
Section 17. Contribution. If the indemnification provided in this Agreement is unavailable in whole or in part and may not be paid to Indemnitee for any reason, other than for failure to satisfy the standard of conduct set forth in Section 4 or due to the provisions of Section 5, then, with respect to any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such Proceeding), to the maximum extent permissible under applicable law, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying and holding harmless Indemnitee, shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for Expenses, judgments, penalties, and/or amounts paid or to be paid in settlement, in connection with any Proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have at any time against Indemnitee.
Section 18. Reports to Stockholders. To the extent required by the MGCL, the Company shall report in writing to its stockholders the payment of any amounts for indemnification of, or advance of Expenses to, Indemnitee under this Agreement arising out of a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company with the notice of the meeting of stockholders of the Company next following the date of the payment of any such indemnification or advance of Expenses or prior to such meeting.
Section 19. Duration of Agreement; Binding Effect.
(a) This Agreement shall continue until, and terminate on the later of, (i) the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, member, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company and (ii) the date that Indemnitee is no longer subject to any actual or possible Proceeding, to which Indemnitee is a party by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status (including any rights of appeal thereto and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement).
(b) The indemnification and advance of Expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, member, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation,
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partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.
(c) The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.
(d) The execution of this Agreement shall not affect any rights to which Indemnitee is entitled under indemnification agreements in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date with predecessors of the Company, including, without limitation, Colony NorthStar, Inc. or the predecessors thereof, NorthStar Real Estate Income Trust, Inc. and NorthStar Real Estate Income II, Inc., and the Company confirms its assumption of the obligations of such predecessors.
(e) The Company and Indemnitee agree that a monetary remedy for breach of this Agreement, at some later date, may be inadequate, impracticable and difficult of proof, and further agree that such breach may cause Indemnitee irreparable harm. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree that Indemnitee may enforce this Agreement by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance hereof, without any necessity of showing actual damage or irreparable harm and that by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance, Indemnitee shall not be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which Indemnitee may be entitled. Indemnitee shall further be entitled to such specific performance and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bonds or other undertakings in connection therewith. The Company acknowledges that, in the absence of a waiver, a bond or undertaking may be required of Indemnitee by a court, and the Company hereby waives any such requirement of such a bond or undertaking.
Section 20. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, void, illegal or otherwise unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the maximum extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.
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Section 21. Identical Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (delivery of which may be by facsimile, or via e-mail as a portable document format (.pdf) or other electronic format), each of which will be deemed to be an original and it will not be necessary in making proof of this agreement or the terms of this Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart. One such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought shall be sufficient to evidence the existence of this Agreement.
Section 22. Headings. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.
Section 23. Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor, unless otherwise expressly stated, shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
Section 24. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (i) delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, on the day of such delivery, or (ii) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third (3rd) business day after the date on which it is so mailed:
(a) If to Indemnitee, to the address set forth on the signature page hereto.
(b) If to the Company, to:
Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc.
515 S. Flower Street, 44th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Attn: Director of Legal
or to such other address as may have been furnished in writing to Indemnitee by the Company or to the Company by Indemnitee, as the case may be.
Section 25. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to its conflicts of laws rules.
Section 26. No Assignments. No party hereto may assign his, her or its rights or delegate his, her or its obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party. Any assignment or delegation in violation of this Section 26 shall be null and void.
Section 27. No Third Party Rights. Nothing expressed or referred to in this Agreement will be construed to give any person other than the parties to this Agreement any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or with respect to this Agreement or any provision of this Agreement. This Agreement and all of its provisions are for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties to this Agreement and their successors and permitted assigns.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
| COLONY NORTHSTAR CREDIT REAL ESTATE, INC. | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: |
| INDEMNITEE | ||
|
| ||
| Name: | ||
| Address: | ||
[Signature Page to Indemnification Agreement]
EXHIBIT A
AFFIRMATION AND UNDERTAKING TO REPAY EXPENSES ADVANCED
| To: | The Board of Directors of |
Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc.
| Re: | Affirmation and Undertaking |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This Affirmation and Undertaking is being provided pursuant to that certain Indemnification Agreement dated the day of , 20 , by and between Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and the undersigned Indemnitee (the “Indemnification Agreement”), pursuant to which I am entitled to advance of Expenses in connection with [Description of Proceeding] (the “Proceeding”).
Terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings specified in the Indemnification Agreement.
I am subject to the Proceeding by reason of my Corporate Status or by reason of alleged actions or omissions by me in such capacity. I hereby affirm my good faith belief that at all times, insofar as I was involved as [a director][and][an officer] of the Company in any of the facts or events giving rise to the Proceeding, I (1) did not act with bad faith or active or deliberate dishonesty, (2) did not receive any improper personal benefit in money, property or services and (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that any act or omission by me was unlawful.
In consideration of the advance of Expenses by the Company for reasonable attorneys’ fees and related Expenses incurred by me in connection with the Proceeding (the “Advanced Expenses”), I hereby agree that if, in connection with the Proceeding, it is established that (1) an act or omission by me was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and (a) was committed in bad faith or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty or (2) I actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, I had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful, then I shall promptly reimburse the portion of the Advanced Expenses relating to the claims, issues or matters in the Proceeding as to which the foregoing findings have been established.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Affirmation and Undertaking on this day of , 20 .
| Name: |
|
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We have issued our report dated March 17, 2017, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedules of NorthStar Real Estate Income Trust, Inc. included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, which is included in Form S-4 of Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc. (File No. 333-221685) and incorporated by reference in this Current Report on Form 8-K. We consent to the incorporation by reference of the aforementioned report in this Current Report on Form 8-K.
/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
New York, New York
February 1, 2018
Exhibit 23.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We have issued our report dated March 16, 2017, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedules of NorthStar Real Estate Income II, Inc. included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, which is included in Form S-4 of Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc. (File No. 333-221685) and incorporated by reference in this Current Report on Form 8-K. We consent to the incorporation by reference of the aforementioned report in this Current Report on Form 8-K.
/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
New York, New York
February 1, 2018
Exhibit 23.3
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-222812) pertaining to the 2018 Equity Incentive Plan of Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc. (the “Company”) of our report dated September 27, 2017 with respect to the combined financial statements of the CLNS Investment Entities included in Annex H-1 Company’s final prospectus dated December 6, 2017, filed with Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act in connection with the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-221685) and incorporated by reference in this Current Report on Form 8-K.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Los Angeles, California
February 1, 2018
Exhibit 99.1
Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc. Lists on New York Stock Exchange with $5.1 billion1 in Total Assets
- Combination Creates One of the Largest Commercial Real Estate Credit REITs,
Trading Under “CLNC” -
- $300 Million Common Stock Repurchase Plan Approved -
NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES, February 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ – Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc. (NYSE: CLNC) (“Colony NorthStar Credit” or the “Company”) today announced the completion of the combination (the “Combination”) of a select debt and credit real estate portfolio of Colony NorthStar, Inc. (“Colony NorthStar”) with substantially all of the assets and liabilities of NorthStar Real Estate Income Trust, Inc., (“NorthStar I”), and all of the assets and liabilities of NorthStar Real Estate Income II, Inc. (“NorthStar II”). The Combination was originally announced on August 28, 2017, and approved by NorthStar I and NorthStar II stockholders at their respective special meetings held on January 18, 2018.
In connection with the closing of the Combination, the Company also today announced the listing of its Class A common stock on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”). Trading of the Company’s Class A common stock will officially commence this morning under the ticker symbol “CLNC.”
The Company is externally managed by a subsidiary of Colony NorthStar, a NYSE-listed global real estate and investment management firm, with a history of consummating approximately $25 billion of commercial real estate debt and credit asset investments. Colony NorthStar and its affiliates own approximately 37% of the Company’s common equity on a fully diluted basis, evidencing a strong and continuing alignment of interests between Colony NorthStar and Company stockholders.
The Company has a diversified portfolio with approximately $5.1 billion1 in total assets and $3.3 billion1 in equity value, making it one of the largest commercial real estate (“CRE”) credit real estate investment trusts (“REIT”) by shareholders’ equity. The Company’s strategy is to originate senior mortgages, mezzanine loans and preferred equity interests, and selectively acquire other CRE debt and credit assets and net leased real estate.
Colony NorthStar Credit’s newly appointed Board of Directors features a strong team of seven industry veterans with extensive credit investing experience. Colony NorthStar affiliated directors are Richard Saltzman, Chairman of the Board; Kevin Traenkle, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company; and Darren Tangen, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Colony NorthStar. The independent directors are Catherine Rice, Vernon Schwartz, John Westerfield and Winston Wilson.
The Company has a book value per share of approximately $252, and the Company anticipates an initial annualized dividend yield of approximately 7% of its book value per share2. Any dividend will be subject to approval by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company expects to have immediate access to over $600 million of liquidity (including the $400 million corporate revolver closed concurrently with the Combination) and over $2 billion3 of repurchase facility capacity to continue to execute on its investment strategy and potentially grow its dividend.
The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase program, under which the Company may repurchase up to $300 million of its outstanding Class A common stock until March 31, 2019. Under the stock repurchase program, the Company may repurchase shares in open market purchases, through tender offers or otherwise in accordance with all applicable securities laws and regulations, including Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. If the Company repurchases shares in the open market under this program, such repurchases will not begin until after the release of the Company’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017, which is anticipated in early March.
The extent to which the Company repurchases its shares, and the timing of such repurchases, will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions and other corporate considerations, as determined by the Company. The repurchase program may be suspended or terminated at any time. The Company expects to monitor market conditions with respect to its Class A common stock following the listing of the shares, and may consider taking, but is under no obligation to take, other actions with respect to its Class A common stock.
Kevin Traenkle, Chief Executive Officer of Colony NorthStar Credit, commented, “We are very pleased to announce the completion of this tri-party merger and listing of Colony NorthStar Credit on the New York Stock Exchange. The combined Company creates immediate scale as Colony NorthStar Credit becomes one of the largest commercial real estate credit REITs. In addition, the Company delivers a stabilized portfolio with an attractive in-place yield, along with a flexible investment mandate to pursue real estate credit investments across the capital structure. We also enjoy significant financial flexibility with immediate access to over $600 million of available liquidity plus substantial repurchase facility capacity to execute our investment strategies. Importantly, we expect to derive significant benefits through our affiliation with Colony NorthStar who brings extensive transaction and asset management experience across numerous commercial real estate asset classes and through multiple cycles. As the external manager and largest shareholder in the Company, Colony NorthStar’s interests are aligned with those of Colony NorthStar Credit’s stockholders.”
Richard B. Saltzman, the Chairman of Colony NorthStar Credit and President and Chief Executive Officer of Colony NorthStar, added, “We strongly believe this Combination is a winning proposition for all stockholders. Credit investing across the capital stack is a core competency of Colony NorthStar and the creation of Colony NorthStar Credit permits us to pursue this great market opportunity in scale. At the same time, it also helps to continue simplifying the Colony NorthStar story as these investments used to be made either directly by Colony NorthStar or through its sponsored non-traded real estate investment trusts.”
With regards to the Combination, J.P. Morgan acted as lead financial advisor, Barclays acted as a financial advisor and Hogan Lovells US LLP acted as legal counsel to Colony NorthStar. Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC acted as financial advisor and Alston & Bird LLP acted as legal counsel to the NorthStar I special committee. Moelis & Company LLC acted as financial advisor and Venable LLP acted as legal counsel to the NorthStar II special committee and Greenberg Traurig, LLP acted as legal counsel to NorthStar II.
With regards to the listing, J.P. Morgan and Barclays acted as advisors. Hogan Lovells US LLP acted as the Company’s counsel and Clifford Chance US LLP acted as the listing advisors’ counsel.
About Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc.
Colony NorthStar Credit (NYSE: CLNC) is a newly organized Maryland corporation focused on originating, acquiring, financing and managing a diversified portfolio consisting primarily of CRE senior mortgage loans, mezzanine loans, preferred equity, debt securities and net leased properties predominantly in the United States. Colony NorthStar Credit was created through the combination of a select portfolio of assets and liabilities of Colony NorthStar with substantially all of the assets and liabilities of NorthStar I, and all of the assets and liabilities of NorthStar II. Colony NorthStar Credit will be
externally managed by a subsidiary of Colony NorthStar. Through the Combination, Colony NorthStar Credit expects to own a diversified portfolio with approximately $5.1 billion1 in total assets and $3.3 billion1 in equity value, making the Company one of the largest publicly traded CRE credit REITs by shareholders’ equity. Colony NorthStar Credit will elect to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For additional information regarding the Company and its management and business, please refer to www.clncredit.com.
About Colony NorthStar, Inc.
Colony NorthStar (NYSE: CLNS) is a leading global real estate and investment management firm. Colony NorthStar resulted from the January 2017 merger between Colony Capital, Inc., NorthStar Asset Management Group, Inc. and NorthStar Realty Finance Corp. Colony NorthStar has significant property holdings in the healthcare, industrial and hospitality sectors, other equity and debt investments and an embedded institutional and retail investment management business. Colony NorthStar currently has assets under management of $57 billion4 as of September 30, 2017, and manages capital on behalf of its stockholders, as well as institutional and retail investors in private funds, non-traded and traded real estate investment trusts and registered investment companies. The firm maintains principal offices in Los Angeles and New York, with more than 500 employees in offices located across 18 cities in ten countries. Colony NorthStar will elect to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For additional information regarding Colony NorthStar and its management and business, please refer to www.clns.com.
Forward Looking Statement
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” or “potential” or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases which are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and which do not relate solely to historical matters. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, and may cause actual results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Among others, the following uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: operating costs and business disruption may be greater than expected; the Company’s operating results after the Combination may differ materially from the pro forma information presented in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4; the fair value of the Company’s investments may be subject to uncertainties; the Company’s use of leverage could hinder its ability to make distributions and may significantly impact its liquidity position; given the Company’s dependence on its external manager, an affiliate of Colony NorthStar, any adverse changes in the financial health or otherwise of its manager or Colony NorthStar could hinder the Company’s operating performance and return on stockholder’s investment; the ability to realize substantial efficiencies as well as anticipated strategic and financial benefits; and the impact of legislative, regulatory and competitive changes. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Additional information about these and other factors can be found in the Company’s reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-221685).
We caution investors not to unduly rely on any forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Colony NorthStar Credit is under no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this press release, nor to conform prior statements to actual results or revised expectations, and Colony NorthStar Credit does not intend to do so.
Investor Relations
Colony NorthStar Credit Real Estate, Inc.
Addo Investor Relations
Lasse Glassen
310-829-5400
| 1. | Based on financials as of September 30, 2017, on a pro forma basis assuming the closing of the Combination. |
| 2. | Based on the Company’s unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2017, and reflecting pro forma transaction adjustments, including the impact of fair value, consolidation and various closing adjustments. |
| 3. | Includes incremental capacity from new repurchase facility commitments currently under negotiation. There is no assurance that definitive agreements will be entered into on the terms contemplated or at all. |
| 4. | Includes approximately $15 billion through its ownership of the Townsend Group. |