Credit Agreement, dated May 29, 2007, by and among, Archstone-Smith Operating Trust, as Borrower, Archstone-Smith Trust, as Parent, Morgan Stanley Senior funding, Inc., as Administrative Agent, J. and the other lender parties thereto
EX-10.2 3 d47169exv10w2.htm GUARANTY exv10w2
EXHIBIT 10.2
GUARANTY
THIS GUARANTY dated as of May 29, 2007, is executed and delivered by ARCHSTONE-SMITH TRUST, a Maryland real estate investment trust (Guarantor), in favor of (a) MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., in its capacity as Agent (the Agent) for the Lenders under that certain Credit Agreement dated as of May 29, 2007 by and among ARCHSTONE-SMITH OPERATING TRUST (the Borrower), Archstone-Smith Trust, the financial institutions party thereto and their assignees in accordance therewith (the Lenders), and the Agent (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms, the Credit Agreement) and (b) the Lenders.
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Lenders have made available to the Borrower certain financial accommodations on the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement;
WHEREAS, Guarantor is the direct or indirect parent of the Borrower;
WHEREAS, the Borrower and Guarantor, though separate legal entities, are mutually dependent on each other in the conduct of their respective businesses as an integrated operation and have determined it to be in their mutual best interests to obtain financing from the Agent and the Lenders through their collective efforts;
WHEREAS, Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the Agent and the Lenders making such financial accommodations available to the Borrower under the Credit Agreement and, accordingly, Guarantor is willing to guarantee the Borrowers obligations to the Agent and the Lenders on the terms and conditions contained herein; and
WHEREAS, Guarantors execution and delivery of this Guaranty is one of the conditions precedent to the Agent and the Lenders making, or continuing to make, such financial accommodations to the Borrower.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by Guarantor, Guarantor agrees as follows:
Section 1. Guaranty. Guarantor hereby absolutely and unconditionally guaranties the due and punctual payment and performance of all of the following (collectively referred to as the Obligations): (a) all indebtedness and obligations owing by the Borrower to any of the Lenders or the Agent under or in connection with the Credit Agreement and any other Credit Document, including without limitation, the repayment of all principal of the Loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower under the Credit Agreement and the payment of all interest, fees, charges, reasonable attorneys fees and other amounts payable to any Lender or the Agent thereunder or in connection therewith; (b) any and all extensions, renewals, modifications, amendments or substitutions of the foregoing; and (c) all expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys fees and disbursements, that are incurred by the Lenders or the Agent in the enforcement of any of the foregoing or any obligation of Guarantor hereunder.
Section 2. Guaranty of Payment and Not of Collection. This Guaranty is a guaranty of payment, and not of collection, and a debt of Guarantor for its own account. Accordingly, the Lenders and the Agent shall not be obligated or required before enforcing this Guaranty against Guarantor: (a) to pursue any right or remedy the Lenders or the Agent may have against the Borrower, any other guarantor or any other Person or commence any suit or other proceeding against the Borrower, any other guarantor or any other Person in any court or other tribunal; (b) to make any claim in a liquidation or bankruptcy of the Borrower, any other guarantor or any other Person; or (c) to make demand of the Borrower, any other guarantor or any other Person or to enforce or seek to enforce or realize upon any collateral security held by the Lenders or the Agent which may secure any of the Obligations. In this connection, Guarantor hereby waives its right to require any holder of the Obligations to take action against the Borrower as provided by any Legal Requirement.
Section 3. Guaranty Absolute. Guarantor guarantees that the Obligations will be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of the documents evidencing the same, regardless of any Legal Requirement now or hereafter in
effect in any jurisdiction affecting any of such terms or the rights of the Agent or the Lenders with respect thereto. The liability of Guarantor under this Guaranty shall be absolute and unconditional in accordance with its terms and shall remain in full force and effect without regard to, and shall not be released, suspended, discharged, terminated or otherwise affected by, any circumstance or occurrence whatsoever, including without limitation, the following (whether or not Guarantor consents thereto or has notice thereof):
(a) (i) any change in the amount, interest rate or due date or other term of any of the Obligations, (ii) any change in the time, place or manner of payment of all or any portion of the Obligations, (iii) any amendment or waiver of, or consent to the departure from or other indulgence with respect to, the Credit Agreement, any other Credit Document, or any other document or instrument evidencing or relating to any Obligations, or (iv) any waiver, renewal, extension, addition, or supplement to, or deletion from, or any other action or inaction under or in respect of, the Credit Agreement, any of the other Credit Documents, or any other documents, instruments or agreements relating to the Obligations or any other instrument or agreement referred to therein or evidencing any Obligations or any assignment or transfer of any of the foregoing;
(b) any lack of validity or enforceability of the Credit Agreement, any of the other Credit Documents, or any other document, instrument or agreement referred to therein or evidencing any Obligations or any assignment or transfer of any of the foregoing;
(c) any furnishing to the Agent or the Lenders of any security for the Obligations, or any sale, exchange, release or surrender of, or realization on, any collateral security for the Obligations;
(d) any settlement or compromise of any of the Obligations, any security therefor, or any liability of any other party with respect to the Obligations, or any subordination of the payment of the Obligations to the payment of any other liability of the Borrower;
(e) any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, composition, adjustment, dissolution, liquidation or other like proceeding relating to any other guarantor, the Borrower or any other Person, or any action taken with respect to this Guaranty by any trustee or receiver, or by any court, in any such proceeding;
(f) any nonperfection of any security interest or other Lien on any of the collateral securing any of the Obligations;
(g) any act or failure to act by the Borrower or any other Person which may adversely affect Guarantors subrogation rights, if any, against the Borrower to recover payments made under this Guaranty;
(h) any application of sums paid by the Borrower or any other Person with respect to the liabilities of the Borrower to the Agent or the Lenders, regardless of what liabilities of the Borrower remain unpaid;
(i) any defect, limitation or insufficiency in the borrowing powers of the Borrower or in the exercise thereof; or
(j) any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, Guarantor hereunder.
Section 4. Action with Respect to Obligations. The Lenders and the Agent may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of, or notice to, Guarantor, and without discharging Guarantor from its obligations hereunder take any and all actions described in Section 3 and may otherwise: (a) amend, modify, alter or supplement the terms of any of the Obligations, including, but not limited to, extending or shortening the time of payment of any of the Obligations or the interest rate that may accrue on any of the Obligations; (b) amend, modify, alter or supplement the Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document; (c) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with all, or any part, of any collateral securing any of the Obligations; (d) release any Person liable in any manner for the payment or collection of the Obligations; (e) exercise, or refrain from exercising, any rights against the Borrower or any other Person (including, without limitation, any other guarantor); and (f) apply any sum, by whomsoever paid or however realized, to the Obligations in such order as the Lenders or the Agent shall elect.
Section 5. [Reserved]
Section 6. Covenants. Guarantor specifically agrees that to the extent Guaranty Proceeds (as defined in Section 7.3(a) of the Credit Agreement) are distributed to holders of Public Debt or their respective trustees (as defined in Section 7.3(a) of the Credit Agreement) pursuant to Section 7.3 of the Credit Agreement, the Obligations will not be deemed to be reduced by any such distributions and Guarantor shall continue to make payments under this Guaranty until such time as the Obligations have been paid in full (and the Commitment has been terminated), after taking into account any such distributions of payments hereunder in report of Indebtedness other than the Obligations.
Section 7. Waiver. Guarantor, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, hereby waives notice of acceptance hereof or any presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, and any other act or thing, or omission or delay to do any other act or thing, which in any manner or to any extent might vary the risk of Guarantor or which otherwise might operate to discharge Guarantor from its obligations hereunder.
Section 8. Inability to Accelerate Loan. If the Agent and/or the Lenders are prevented from demanding or accelerating payment thereof by reason of any automatic stay or otherwise, the Agent and/or the Lenders shall be entitled to receive from Guarantor, upon demand therefor, the sums which otherwise would have been due had such demand or acceleration occurred.
Section 9. Reinstatement of Obligations. Guarantor agrees that this Guaranty shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, with respect to any Obligations if at any time payment of any such Obligations is rescinded or otherwise must be restored by the Agent and/or the Lenders upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Borrower or Guarantor or otherwise.
Section 10. Subrogation. Until all of the Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full, Guarantor shall not have any right of subrogation and Guarantor hereby waives any right to enforce any remedy which the Agent and/or the Lenders now have or may hereafter have against the Borrower, and Guarantor hereby waives any benefit of, and any right to participate in, any security or collateral given to the Agent and the Lenders to secure payment or performance of any of the Obligations.
Section 11. Payments Free and Clear. All sums payable by Guarantor hereunder, whether of principal, interest, fees, expenses, premiums or otherwise, shall be paid in full, without set-off or counterclaim or any deduction or withholding whatsoever (including any withholding tax or liability imposed by any Governmental Authority, or any Legal Requirement promulgated thereby), and if Guarantor is required by such Legal Requirement or by such Governmental Authority to make any such deduction or withholding, Guarantor shall pay to the Agent and the Lenders such additional amount as will result in the receipt by the Agent and the Lenders of the full amount payable hereunder had such deduction or withholding not occurred or been required.
Section 12. Set-off. In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law and not by way of limitation of any such rights, each Lender is hereby authorized by Guarantor, at any time or from time to time, without notice to Guarantor or to any other Person, any such notice being hereby expressly waived, but subject to receipt of Agents prior written consent, to set-off and to appropriate and to apply any and all deposits (general or special, including, but not limited to, indebtedness evidenced by certificates of deposit, whether matured or unmatured) and any other indebtedness at any time held or owing by such Lender or any Affiliate of such Lender, to or for the credit or the account of Guarantor against and on account of any of the Obligations then due and owing after the expiration of any applicable grace periods. Guarantor agrees, to the fullest extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any holder of a participation in a Note, whether or not acquired pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Credit Agreement, may exercise rights of setoff or counterclaim and other rights with respect to such participation as fully as if such holder of a participation were a direct creditor of Guarantor in the amount of such participation.
Section 13. Subordination. Guarantor hereby expressly covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Agent and the Lenders that all obligations and liabilities of the Borrower to Guarantor of whatever description, including without limitation, all intercompany receivables of Guarantor from the Borrower (collectively, the Junior Claims) shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment to all Obligations. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and
be continuing, then Guarantor shall not accept any direct or indirect payment (in cash, property, securities by setoff or otherwise) from the Borrower on account of or in any manner in respect of any Junior Claim until all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full.
Section 14. Avoidance Provisions. It is the intent of Guarantor, the Agent and the Lenders that in any Proceeding, Guarantors maximum obligation hereunder shall equal, but not exceed, the maximum amount which would not otherwise cause the obligations of Guarantor hereunder (or any other obligations of Guarantor to the Agent and the Lenders) to be avoidable or unenforceable against Guarantor in such Proceeding as a result of applicable law, including without limitation, (a) Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended (the Bankruptcy Code) and (b) any state fraudulent transfer or fraudulent conveyance act or statute applied in such Proceeding, whether by virtue of Section 544 of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise. The applicable laws under which the possible avoidance or unenforceability of the obligations of Guarantor hereunder (or any other obligations of Guarantor to the Agent and the Lenders) shall be determined in any such Proceeding are referred to as the Avoidance Provisions. Accordingly, to the extent that the obligations of Guarantor hereunder would otherwise be subject to avoidance under the Avoidance Provisions, the maximum Obligations for which Guarantor shall be liable hereunder shall be reduced to that amount which, as of the time any of the Obligations are deemed to have been incurred under the Avoidance Provisions, would not cause the obligations of Guarantor hereunder (or any other obligations of Guarantor to the Agent and the Lenders), to be subject to avoidance under the Avoidance Provisions. This Section is intended solely to preserve the rights of the Agent and the Lenders hereunder to the maximum extent that would not cause the obligations of Guarantor hereunder to be subject to avoidance under the Avoidance Provisions, and neither Guarantor nor any other Person shall have any right or claim under this Section as against the Agent and the Lenders that would not otherwise be available to such Person under the Avoidance Provisions.
Section 15. Information. Guarantor assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of the financial condition of the Borrower and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of any of the Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks that Guarantor assumes and incurs hereunder, and agrees that none of the Agent or any Lender shall have any duty whatsoever to advise Guarantor of information regarding such circumstances or risks.
Section 16. Governing Law. THIS GUARANTY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS EXECUTED IN AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN THAT STATE.
Section 17. JURISDICTION, VENUE. GUARANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK AND AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT SERVICE OF PROCESS MAY BE MADE UPON IT IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF THIS GUARANTY OR ANY OF THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS BY MAILING A COPY THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, TO GUARANTOR AT THE ADDRESS SET FORTH AFTER ITS SIGNATURE. GUARANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY OR ANY OF THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK LOCATED IN NEW YORK COUNTY, OR IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND HEREBY FURTHER IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY CLAIMS THAT ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM. GUARANTOR (A) AGREES TO DESIGNATE AND MAINTAIN AN AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AND TO DELIVER TO THE AGENT EVIDENCE THEREOF AND (B) IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OUT OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY PROVIDING SUCH SERVICE OF PROCESS TO SUCH AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF THE AGENT OR THE LENDERS TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST GUARANTOR IN ANY JURISDICTION OR TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW. GUARANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AGREES
THAT ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST THE AGENT OR ANY LENDER ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS GUARANTY OR THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS SHALL BE BROUGHT AND MAINTAINED IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK LOCATED IN NEW YORK COUNTY, OR THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK.
Section 18. Loan Accounts. The Agent may maintain books and accounts setting forth the amounts of principal, interest and other sums paid and payable with respect to the Obligations, and in the case of any dispute relating to any of the outstanding amount, payment or receipt of Obligation or otherwise, the entries in such account shall be binding upon Guarantor as to the outstanding amount of such Obligations and the amounts paid and payable with respect thereto absent manifest error. The failure of the Agent to maintain such books and accounts shall not in any way relieve or discharge Guarantor of any of its obligations hereunder.
Section 19. Waiver of Remedies. No delay or failure on the part of the Agent or the Lenders in the exercise of any right or remedy it may have against Guarantor hereunder or otherwise shall operate as a waiver thereof, and no single or partial exercise by the Agent or the Lenders of any such right or remedy shall preclude other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other such right or remedy.
Section 20. Successors and Assigns. Each reference herein to the Agent or the Lenders shall be deemed to include such Persons respective successors and assigns (including, but not limited to, any holder of the Obligations) in whose favor the provisions of this Guaranty also shall inure, and each reference herein to Guarantor shall be deemed to include the Guarantors successors and assigns, upon whom this Guaranty also shall be binding. The Lenders and the Agent may, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Credit Agreement, assign, transfer or sell any Obligation, or grant or sell participation in any Obligations, to any Person or entity without the consent of, or notice to, Guarantor and without releasing, discharging or modifying Guarantors obligations hereunder. Guarantor hereby consents to the delivery by the Agent or any Lender to any assignee, transferee or participant of any financial or other information regarding the Borrower or Guarantor. Guarantor may not assign or transfer its obligations hereunder to any Person.
Section 21. Amendments. This Guaranty may not be amended except as provided in the Credit Agreement.
Section 22. Payments. All payments made by Guarantor pursuant to this Guaranty shall be made in Dollars, in immediately available funds to the Agent at its address set forth in the Credit Agreement, not later than 12:00 noon, New York, New York time on the date one (1) Business Day after demand therefor.
Section 23. Notices. All notices, requests and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given as provided in the Credit Agreement. Guarantors address for notice is set forth below its signature hereto.
Section 24. Severability. In case any provision of this Guaranty shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 25. Headings. Section headings used in this Guaranty are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of this Guaranty.
Section 26. Definitions. (a) For the purposes of this Guaranty:
Proceeding means any of the following: (i) a voluntary or involuntary case concerning Guarantor shall be commenced under the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable bankruptcy laws; (ii) a custodian (as defined in the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable bankruptcy laws) is appointed for, or takes charge of, all or any substantial part of the property of Guarantor; (iii) any other proceeding under any applicable law, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, winding-up or composition for adjustment of debts, whether now or hereafter in effect, is commenced relating to Guarantor; (iv) Guarantor is adjudicated insolvent or bankrupt; (v) any order of relief or other order approving any such case or proceeding is entered by a court of competent jurisdiction;
(vi) Guarantor makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (vii) Guarantor shall fail to pay, or shall state that it is unable to pay, or shall be unable to pay, its debts generally as they become due; (viii) Guarantor shall call a meeting of its creditors with a view to arranging a composition or adjustment of its debts; (ix) Guarantor shall by any act or failure to act indicate its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any of the foregoing; or (x) any corporate action shall be taken by Guarantor for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing.
(b) Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein are used herein with the respective meanings given them in the Credit Agreement.
Section 27. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. GUARANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Guarantor has duly executed and delivered this Guaranty as of the date and year first written above.
ARCHSTONE-SMITH TRUST
By: /s/ Michael R. Berman
Name: Michael R. Berman
Title: Group Vice President
Name: Michael R. Berman
Title: Group Vice President
Address:
9200 E. Panorama Circle
Suite 400
Englewood, Colorado 80112
Attention: Corporate Finance
9200 E. Panorama Circle
Suite 400
Englewood, Colorado 80112
Attention: Corporate Finance