SECURITY AGREEMENT dated as of August 21, 2003 among N-STAR REAL ESTATE CDO I LTD, as Issuer, LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee, and LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Collateral Agent and as Accountholder

Contract Categories: Business Finance - Security Agreements
EX-10.1 2 a2190701zex-10_1.htm EXHIBIT 10.1

Exhibit 10.1

 

Execution Copy

 

 

SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

dated as of August 21, 2003

 

among

 

N-STAR REAL ESTATE CDO I LTD,

as Issuer,

 

LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee,

 

and

 

LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Collateral Agent and as Accountholder

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

1

Section 1.01.

 

Definitions

1

Section 1.02.

 

Assumptions as to Collateral Debt Securities

2

Section 1.03.

 

Generic Terms

3

Section 1.04.

 

Times

3

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

THE COLLATERAL

3

Section 2.01.

 

Security Interests

3

Section 2.02.

 

Creation of Security Interest; Transfer of Control

7

Section 2.03.

 

Termination of Security Interests

7

Section 2.04.

 

Priority of Payments

7

Section 2.05.

 

Representations Regarding Collateral

7

 

 

 

ARTICLE III

CLOSING DATE ACTIONS

9

Section 3.01.

 

Closing Date Requirements

9

Section 3.02.

 

Closing Date Actions

9

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

ACCOUNTS, ACCOUNTINGS AND RELEASES

10

Section 4.01.

 

Collection of Money

10

Section 4.02.

 

Collection Account

10

Section 4.03.

 

Interest Reserve Account

11

Section 4.04.

 

Expense Reserve Account

12

Section 4.05.

 

Collateral Account

14

Section 4.06.

 

Reports by Collateral Agent

14

Section 4.07.

 

Accountings

15

Section 4.08.

 

Release of Securities

21

Section 4.09.

 

Reports by Independent Accountants

22

Section 4.10.

 

Reports to Rating Agencies

22

Section 4.11.

 

Notices of Noteworthy Events

22

Section 4.12.

 

Amendments to the Transaction Documents

23

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

PRIORITY OF PAYMENTS

23

Section 5.01.

 

Disbursements of Money from Collection Account

23

Section 5.02.

 

Additional Provisions

28

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

SALE OF COLLATERAL DEBT SECURITIES

29

Section 6.01.

 

Sale of Collateral Debt Securities

29

Section 6.02.

 

Conditions Applicable to all Transactions

29

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII

SUBORDINATION

30

Section 7.01.

 

Subordination

30

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

HEDGE AGREEMENTS, INITIAL HEDGE AGREEMENT

33

Section 8.01.

 

Hedge Agreement Provisions

33

Section 8.02.

 

Initial Hedge Agreement

36

Section 8.03.

 

Acknowledgement of Custodian

36

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX

THE COLLATERAL AGENT

37

Section 9.01.

 

Appointment and Powers

37

Section 9.02.

 

Performance of Duties

37

Section 9.03.

 

Reliance Upon Documents

38

Section 9.04.

 

Eligibility of Collateral Agent

39

Section 9.05.

 

Successor Collateral Agent

39

Section 9.06.

 

Indemnification

40

Section 9.07.

 

Compensation and Reimbursement

40

Section 9.08.

 

Representations and Warranties of the Collateral Agent

41

Section 9.09.

 

Accounts

41

Section 9.10.

 

Waiver of Setoffs

41

Section 9.11.

 

Provision of Information

42

 

 

 

ARTICLE X

COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER

42

Section 10.01.

 

Preservation of Collateral

42

Section 10.02.

 

Opinions as to Collateral

42

Section 10.03.

 

Non-Interference; etc.

43

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

43

Section 11.01.

 

Amendments

43

Section 11.02.

 

Notices

44

Section 11.03.

 

Severability

45

Section 11.04.

 

Term of This Agreement

45

Section 11.05.

 

Assignments

45

Section 11.06.

 

Non-Petition Agreement

45

Section 11.07.

 

Trial by Jury Waived

46

Section 11.08.

 

Governing Law

46

Section 11.09.

 

Consents to Jurisdiction

46

Section 11.10.

 

Service of Process

46

Section 11.11.

 

Time of Essence

47

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

 

 

Page

Section 11.12.

Counterparts

47

Section 11.13.

Integration

47

Section 11.14.

Headings

47

Section 11.15.

Limited Recourse

47

Section 11.16.

Payments in Accordance with the Priority of Payments

47

Section 11.17.

Collateral Agent and Its Affiliates

47

Section 11.18.

Judgment Currency

48

 

 

 

 

ANNEX A

Steps Required For Delivery

 

Annex A-l

ANNEX B

Glossary of Certain Defined Terms

 

Annex B-l

ANNEX C

Specified Types

 

Annex C-l

SCHEDULE A

Collateral Debt Securities as of the Closing Date

 

Schedule A-l

SCHEDULE B

Moody’s Recovery Rate Matrix

 

Schedule B-l

SCHEDULE C

Fitch Recovery Rate Matrix

 

Schedule C-l

SCHEDULE D

S&P Recovery Rate Matrix

 

Schedule D-l

SCHEDULE E

Auction Procedures

 

Schedule E-l

SCHEDULE F

Diversity Score

 

Schedule F-l

SCHEDULE G

Fitch Sectors and Subsectors

 

Schedule G-l

SCHEDULE H

S&P Industry Classification Group

 

Schedule H-l

SCHEDULE I

S&P Structured Finance Sectors

 

Schedule I-l

SCHEDULE J

S&P Notching Criteria I

 

Schedule J-l

SCHEDULE K

S&P Notching Criteria II

 

Schedule K-l

SCHEDULE L

Moody’s Notching Criteria

 

Schedule L-l

SCHEDULE M

Moody’s Industry Classification Groups

 

Schedule M-l

SCHEDULE N

Fitch Report

 

Schedule N-l

SCHEDULE O

Fitch Industry Classification Groups

 

Schedule O-l

 

iii



 

This SECURITY AGREEMENT (as amended from time to time, this “Agreement”) is made as of August 21, 2003 by and among N-Star Real Estate CDO I Ltd, a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, as issuer (the “Issuer”), LaSalle Bank National Association, a national banking association, as trustee under the Trust Deed (in such capacity, the “Trustee”), as collateral agent for and on behalf of the Secured Parties (in such capacity, the “Collateral Agent”) and as securities intermediary and depositary bank (in such capacity, the “Accountholder”).

 

RECITALS

 

1.                                       The Issuer intends to purchase for investment Collateral Debt Securities primarily consisting of CMBS Securities and REIT Debt Securities.

 

2.                                       In order to obtain funds for its purchases of the Collateral Debt Securities, the Issuer together with N-Star Real Estate CDO I Corp., a company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Co-Issuer”, and together with the Issuer, the “Co-Issuers”), intend to issue on the date hereof (a) U.S.$250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Class A-1 Floating Rate Senior Notes Due 2038, (b) U.S.$45,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Class A-2A Floating Rate Senior Notes Due 2038, (c) U.S.$15,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Class A-2B Fixed Rate Senior Notes Due 2038, (d) U.S.$15,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Class B-1 Floating Rate Senior Subordinate Notes Due 2038, (e) U.S.$10,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Class B-2 Floating Rate Senior Subordinate Notes Due 2038, (f) U.S.$5,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Class C-lA Floating Rate Subordinate Notes Due 2038, (g) U.S.$5,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Class C-1B Fixed Rate Subordinate Notes Due 2038, (h) U.S.$24,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Class C-2 Fixed Rate Subordinate Notes Due 2038, (i) U.S.$10,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Class D-1A Floating Rate Subordinate Notes Due 2038 and (j) U.S.$4,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Class D-1B Fixed Rate Subordinate Notes Due 2038 pursuant to the Trust Deed, and the Issuer intends to issue on the date hereof 19,000 Preferred Shares pursuant to the Articles.

 

3.                                       In order to provide security for the performance by each of the Co-Issuers of all of their obligations to pay to the Secured Parties amounts payable in respect of such Notes in accordance with their terms and the terms of the Note Agency Agreement, the Trust Deed and the other Transaction Documents, the Issuer has agreed to Grant to the Collateral Agent, on behalf and for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a security interest in the Collateral in the manner set forth in this Agreement.

 

AGREEMENTS

 

In consideration of the premises and of the agreements herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, each of the Issuer, the Trustee, the Collateral Agent and the Accountholder hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.01.                                  Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Glossary of Certain Defined Terms attached as Annex B hereto (the “Glossary”).

 



 

Section 1.02.                                  Assumptions as to Collateral Debt Securities.

 

(a)                                  In connection with all calculations required to be made pursuant to this Agreement with respect to Scheduled Distributions on any Collateral Debt Security, or any payments on any other assets included in the Collateral, and with respect to the income that can be earned on Scheduled Distributions on such Collateral Debt Securities and on any other amounts that may be received for deposit in the Collection Account, the provisions set forth in this Section 1.02 shall be applied.

 

(b)                                 All calculations by or on behalf of the Trustee or the Issuer with respect to Scheduled Distributions on the Collateral Debt Securities shall be made on the basis of information as to the terms of each such Collateral Debt Security and upon report of payments, if any, received on such Collateral Debt Security that are furnished by or on behalf of the issuer of such Collateral Debt Security and, to the extent they are not manifestly in error, such information or report may be conclusively relied upon in making such calculations.

 

(c)                                  Each Scheduled Distribution receivable with respect to a Collateral Debt Security shall be assumed to be received on the applicable Due Date, and each such Scheduled Distribution shall be assumed to be immediately deposited in the Collection Account and, except as otherwise specified, to earn interest at the Assumed Investment Rate; provided, however, that if the nominal due date for any payment on any Collateral Debt Security or Eligible Investment occurs on a day during a Due Period that is not a business day under the applicable Underlying Instrument and as a result such payment is paid and received in the following Due Period, then such payment shall be deemed to have been received during the Due Period in which such nominal due date falls if such payment is timely made in accordance with the related Underlying Instrument. All such funds shall be assumed to continue to earn interest until the date on which they are required to be available in the Collection Account for transfer to the Note Payment Account and application, in accordance with the terms hereof, of the Notes and of the Trust Deed, to payments on the Notes or other amounts payable pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(d)                                 For accounting and reporting purposes only, for each Collateral Debt Security that bears interest based on a floating rate index, all calculations involving such floating rate index for the then-current period shall be assumed to be equal to the then-current rate as had been set in accordance with the terms of the Collateral Debt Security and all calculations involving such floating rate index for future periods shall be assumed to be equal to the applicable floating rate on the relevant Measurement Date.

 

(e)                                  For purposes of calculating the Class A Interest Coverage Ratio, the Class B Interest Coverage Ratio, the Class C Interest Coverage Ratio and the Class D Interest Coverage Ratio, the expected interest income on floating rate Collateral Debt Securities and the expected interest payable on the Notes will be calculated using the then-current interest rates applicable thereto and expected interest earned on the Eligible Investments will be calculated using the then-current interest rate applicable thereto.

 

(f)                                    With respect to any Collateral Debt Security as to which any interest or other payment thereon is subject to withholding tax of any relevant jurisdiction, each Scheduled Distribution thereon shall, for purposes of the Coverage Tests, be deemed to be payable net of such withholding tax unless the issuer thereof or obligor thereon is required to make additional payments to fully compensate the Issuer for such withholding taxes (including in respect of any such additional payments). On any date of determination, the amount of any Scheduled Distribution due on any future date shall be assumed to be made net of any such uncompensated withholding tax based upon withholding tax rates in effect on such date of determination.

 

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(g)                            Unless otherwise provided herein, test calculations that evaluate to a percentage shall be rounded to the nearest ten-thousandth and test calculations that evaluate to a number or decimal will be rounded to the nearest one-hundredth.

 

Section 1.03.                             Generic Terms. The terms “hereof”, “herein” or “hereunder”, unless otherwise modified by more specific reference, shall refer to this Agreement in its entirety. Unless otherwise indicated in context, the terms “Article”, “Section”, “Appendix”, “Exhibit” or “Annex” shall refer to an Article or Section of, or Appendix, Exhibit or Annex to, this Agreement. The definition of a term shall include the singular, the plural, the past, the present, the future, the active and the passive forms of such term. The words “include”, “including” and “included” shall be illustrative and shall not imply any limitation or exclusion unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

 

Section 1.04.                                  Times. All times referred to herein shall be to times in The City of New York, unless otherwise expressly stated herein.

 

ARTICLE II

 

THE COLLATERAL

 

Section 2.01.                                  Security Interests.

 

(a)                             Grant to the Collateral Agent on behalf and for the benefit of the Secured Parties. In order to secure the full and punctual payment, and the performance by the Issuer, of all of the Issuer’s obligations with respect to the Notes, this Agreement, the Note Agency Agreement, the Trust Deed and each Hedge Agreement and to secure the performance of all obligations of the Issuer under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents in favor of (i) the Trustee for itself and on behalf of the Noteholders, (ii) the Collateral Advisor and (iii) each Hedge Counterparty (collectively, the “Secured Parties”), the Issuer hereby Grants to the Collateral Agent on behalf and for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as their respective interests may appear, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, a continuing first priority Lien on, and first priority security interest in, all of its right, title and interest in, to and under all of the assets of the Issuer, whether now owned and existing or hereafter acquired or arising and wherever located, but excluding all of the Issuer’s right, title and interest in and to (A) the Ordinary Shares Account and any amounts on deposit therein, which will equal the sum of $2,000, representing (1) the paid up share capital of the Issuer resulting from the issuance of the Ordinary Shares ($1,000) under the Articles and (2) the fee paid to the Issuer for issuing the Notes ($1,000) and (B) the Preferred Share Distribution Account and any amounts on deposit therein (all non-excluded assets being collectively referred to as the “Collateral”); provided that the Collateral shall include, without limitation, the following:

 

(i)                                          the Collateral Account, including all Collateral Debt Securities (listed, as of the Closing Date, in Schedule A) which the Issuer causes to be delivered to the Collateral Agent for the benefit and on behalf of the Secured Parties (directly or through a Securities Intermediary or bailee) and all payments thereon or with respect thereto, and all Collateral Debt Securities that are delivered to the Collateral Agent in the future pursuant to the terms hereof and all payments thereon or with respect thereto;

 

(ii)                                       the Note Payment Account, the Interest Reserve Account, the Expense Reserve Account, the Hedge Termination Receipts Account, the Hedge Replacement Account and the Collection Account (collectively with the Collateral Account, the “Accounts”);

 

3



 

(iii)                                    Eligible Investments purchased with funds on deposit in any Account and all funds on deposit in any Account and all income from the investments of funds in any Account;

 

(iv)                                   all Cash or Money delivered to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Trustee (directly or through a Securities Intermediary or bailee);

 

(v)                                      all the Issuer’s rights under each Hedge Agreement (including any collateral pledged for the benefit of the Issuer thereunder) and all payments thereunder or with respect thereto;

 

(vi)                                   all the Issuer’s rights under the Collateral Advisory Agreement and the Collateral Administration Agreement;

 

(vii)                                all Securities, Security Entitlements, Instruments, Money and Investment Property and other property of any type or nature in which the Issuer has an interest, including any part thereof which consists of General Intangibles; and

 

(viii)                             all proceeds, accessions, profits, income, substitutions and replacements, whether voluntary or involuntary, of and to any property in which the Issuer has granted such security interest.

 

Such Grants are made, however, in trust to secure the Notes equally and ratably without prejudice, priority or distinction, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, between any Note and any other Note by reason of difference in time of issuance or otherwise, and to secure in accordance with the priorities set forth in this Agreement (i) the payment of all amounts due on the Notes in accordance with their terms, (ii) the payment of all other sums payable under this Agreement and all amounts payable to the Collateral Advisor under the Collateral Advisory Agreement and each Hedge Counterparty under a Hedge Agreement and (iii) compliance with the provisions of this Agreement, the Collateral Advisory Agreement and each Hedge Agreement, all as provided in this Agreement. The Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, acknowledges such Grant, accepts the trusts hereunder and agrees to perform the duties herein in accordance with the provisions hereof.

 

(b)                                 Priorities. The Issuer intends, and the Collateral Agent agrees, that the security interests in the Collateral securing the Issuer’s obligations with respect to the Notes and performance of all its obligations under this Agreement in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties shall rank pari passu with each other, shall be prior to all other Liens in respect of the Collateral, subject to the terms of this Agreement, and shall be subject to the Priority of Payments. The Issuer shall take all actions necessary to obtain and maintain, in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a first priority Lien on and a first priority perfected security interest in the Collateral, subject to no other Liens.

 

(c)                                  Holding of Collateral. The Collateral Agent, for the benefit and on behalf of the Secured Parties, acknowledges the Grant of the security interests under this Agreement in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. The Collateral in the form of Securities, Security Entitlements, Instruments and Money shall be held by the Accountholder for the Collateral Agent for the benefit and on behalf of the Secured Parties pursuant to the Account Control Agreement and the Accountholder shall comply with any instruction given by the Collateral Agent. If so directed in writing by the Issuer, the Collateral Agent shall, and in any event shall cause the Accountholder to, hold, and perfect the security interest in, the Collateral. Except as provided herein, no Collateral may be withdrawn from the Accounts.

 

4



 

(d)                                 Delivery of Portfolio Collateral. Collateral Debt Securities acquired prior to or on the Closing Date shall be delivered by, or at the direction of, the Issuer to the Collateral Agent on or before the Closing Date in accordance with Annex A hereto, and the Collateral Debt Securities which the Issuer has on or before the Closing Date committed to purchase but which will not have settled on or before the Closing Date shall be delivered by, or at the direction of, the Issuer to the Collateral Agent when acquired in accordance with Annex A hereto. The Issuer shall Grant pursuant to Section 2.01(a) all of the Issuer’s right, title and interest in and to the Collateral Debt Securities and deliver the Collateral Debt Securities in accordance with the requirements set forth in Annex A hereto in order to perfect a first priority security interest in favor of the Collateral Agent on behalf and for the benefit of the Secured Parties. If any such Collateral Debt Securities are held through the Accountholder, delivery shall be deemed to have occurred upon receipt of evidence satisfactory to the Collateral Agent that such Collateral Debt Securities have been credited to the Collateral Account in accordance with Annex A hereto.

 

(e)                                  Financing Statements. The Issuer shall cause a UCC financing statement describing the Collateral and naming the Issuer as debtor and the Collateral Agent as secured party to be filed, by or on behalf of the Issuer, in the District of Columbia within ten (10) Business Days of the Closing Date. The Issuer shall take all actions necessary to maintain the effectiveness of such financing statement and shall notify the Collateral Agent in writing not less than thirty (30) days prior to any change in the Issuer’s name, identity, corporate structure, jurisdiction of incorporation or jurisdiction of its chief executive office. The Issuer hereby authorizes the Collateral Agent to, and the Collateral Agent shall upon receipt of an Opinion of Counsel as to the necessity of such filing, file such additional financing statement or any other financing statement, amendment, assignment or continuation statement that the Issuer shall deem necessary or advisable in connection with the security interest Granted hereunder, including, without limitation, financing statements describing the Collateral. The Issuer agrees that it will from time to time cause to be filed financing statements and continuation statements required to be made, it being understood that the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to rely upon an Opinion of Counsel as to the need to file such financing statements and continuation statements, the dates by which such filings are required to be made and the jurisdictions in which such filings are required to be made. The Issuer shall not without the written consent of the Collateral Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) authorize the filing of any financing statements naming it as debtor other than financing statements in favor of the Collateral Agent.

 

(f)                                    Pledge Notices. Concurrently with the execution and delivery by the Issuer of the Transaction Documents, the Issuer shall deliver to each of the Accountholder, the Collateral Agent, the Trustee, each Paying Agent, each Hedge Counterparty and the Collateral Advisor, a notice in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent informing such Persons of the Collateral Agent’s charge over, and security interest in, the Hedge Agreements and all of the Issuer’s right, title and interest in, to and under the Collateral Advisory Agreement and the Collateral Administration Agreement. Each Hedge Counterparty shall, by entering into such agreement, acknowledge that the Lien of this Agreement extends to such agreement.

 

(g)                                 No Transfer of Duties. The security interests are Granted as security only and shall not (i) transfer or in any way affect or modify, or relieve the Issuer from any obligation to perform or satisfy, any term, covenant, condition or agreement to be performed or satisfied by the Issuer under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Transaction Document to which it is a party or (ii) impose any obligation on the Trustee, the Collateral Agent, the Collateral Advisor or the Accountholder to perform or observe any such term, covenant, condition or agreement or impose any liability on the Trustee, the Collateral Agent, the Collateral Advisor or the Accountholder for any act or omission on the part of the Issuer relative thereto or for any breach of any representation or warranty on the part of the Issuer contained therein or made in connection therewith.

 

5



 

(h)                            Representative of Noteholders Only; Agent for All Other Secured Parties. With respect to the security interests created hereunder, the pledge of any item of Collateral to the Collateral Agent is made to the Collateral Agent (i) for the benefit of the Trustee as representative of the Noteholders and (ii) as agent for each of the other Secured Parties; in furtherance of the foregoing, the possession by the Collateral Agent of any item of Collateral, the endorsement to or registration in the name of the Collateral Agent of any item of Collateral (including as entitlement holder of the Collateral Account) are all undertaken by the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Trustee as representative of the Noteholders and as agent for each of the other Secured Parties. The Collateral Agent shall have no fiduciary duties to any Hedge Counterparty or the Collateral Advisor; provided that the foregoing shall not limit any of the express obligations of the Collateral Agent under this Agreement.

 

(i)                                The Issuer hereby agrees, and hereby undertakes to obtain the agreement of the Collateral Advisor, in the Collateral Advisory Agreement to the following:

 

(i)                                          The Collateral Advisor consents to, and agrees to perform, the provisions of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents applicable to the Collateral Advisor.

 

(ii)                                       The Collateral Advisor acknowledges that the Issuer is assigning all of its right, title and interest in, to and under the Collateral Advisory Agreement to the Collateral Agent on behalf and for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and the Collateral Advisor agrees that all of the representations, covenants and agreements made by the Collateral Advisor in the Collateral Advisory Agreement are also for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

(iii)                                    Neither the Issuer nor the Collateral Advisor will enter into any agreement amending, modifying or terminating the Collateral Advisory Agreement (other than in respect of an amendment or modification of the type that may be made to this Agreement and the Trust Deed without Noteholder consent) or selecting or consenting to a successor collateral advisor, without prior written notice to the Requisite Noteholders and Rating Agency Confirmation.

 

(iv)                                   Except as otherwise set forth in the Collateral Advisory Agreement, the Collateral Advisor shall continue to serve as Collateral Advisor under the Collateral Advisory Agreement notwithstanding that the Collateral Advisor shall not have received amounts due it under the Collateral Advisory Agreement because sufficient funds were not then available to pay such amounts and the Collateral Advisor agrees not to cause the filing of a petition in bankruptcy against the Issuer for the non-payment to the Collateral Advisor until the later of (A) payment in full of all Notes issued under the Trust Deed and the payment of the amounts, if any, to the Preferred Share Fiscal and Paying Agent for payment of dividends and other distributions on the Preferred Shares pursuant to the Preferred Share Documents, in accordance with the Priority of Payments plus ten (10) days following such payment, and (B) the expiration of a period equal to the applicable preference period under any applicable bankruptcy law; provided that nothing in this clause (B) shall preclude, or be deemed to estop, the Collateral Advisor (1) from taking any action prior to the expiration of the ten (10) days following such payment or, if longer, the applicable preference period then in effect, in (x) any case or proceeding voluntarily filed or commenced by the Issuer or the Co-Issuer, as the case may be, or (y) any involuntary insolvency proceeding filed or commenced against the Issuer or the Co-Issuer, as the case may be, by a Person other than the Collateral Advisor or (2) from commencing against the Issuer or the Co-Issuer or any properties of the Issuer or the Co-Issuer any legal action that is not a bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, moratorium or liquidation proceeding; and provided, further, that the obligations of the Issuer hereunder shall be payable solely from the Collateral in accordance with the Priority of Payments.

 

(j)                                Collateral Agent as Attorney-In-Fact. Without imposing any obligations on the Collateral Agent with respect thereto (other than as set forth in this Agreement), the Issuer hereby

 

6



 

appoints the Collateral Agent as its attorney-in-fact for the specific purpose of filing any financing statements and continuation statements with respect to the security interests provided for herein.

 

Section 2.02.                                  Creation of Security Interest; Transfer of Control. The Issuer hereby agrees to (a) create in each item of Collateral in favor of the Collateral Agent on behalf and for the benefit of the Secured Parties a first priority Lien on the Collateral Granted pursuant to Section 2.01(a) and (b) give Control over each item of the Collateral constituting a Financial Asset to the Collateral Agent. The obligation in the preceding sentence shall be an obligation of the Issuer and not an obligation of the Collateral Agent or the Accountholder. All procedures regarding the transfer, relinquishment or maintenance of Control by the Collateral Agent over the Collateral shall be governed by the Account Control Agreement and Annex A hereto. The parties hereto agree that, following the occurrence of any Event of Default, the Trustee shall be entitled to give all instructions to the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties as described in Section 9.01.

 

Section 2.03.                                  Termination of Security Interests. On the Final Termination Date, the security interests and the rights, remedies, powers, duties, authority and obligations conferred upon the Collateral Agent for the benefit and on behalf of the Secured Parties and the Accountholder pursuant to this Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force and effect and all rights, remedies, powers, duties, authority and obligations of each of the Collateral Agent, the Accountholder and the Trustee with respect to the Collateral shall be automatically released in favor of the Issuer; provided, however, that each of the Collateral Agent, the Accountholder and the Trustee, if requested in writing by the Issuer, shall execute and deliver such instruments of release in favor of the Issuer as the Issuer may reasonably request to effectuate such release, and any such instruments so executed and delivered shall be fully binding on each of the Trustee, the Collateral Agent and the Accountholder.

 

Section 2.04.                                  Priority of Payments. All amounts received in respect of the Collateral (whether by payments or by sale or other disposition) that are available for distribution shall be distributed in accordance with the Priority of Payments set forth herein.

 

Section 2.05.                                  Representations Regarding Collateral. The Issuer, as of the date hereof (and, as of the date of each acquisition of any Collateral), represents and warrants to the following:

 

(a)                                  This Agreement creates a valid and continuing security interest (as defined in the applicable UCC) in the Collateral in favor of the Collateral Agent on behalf and for the benefit of the Secured Parties, which security interest is prior to all other Liens and security interests, and is enforceable as such as against creditors of and purchasers from the Issuer and, upon delivery of the Collateral Debt Securities in accordance with the requirements set forth in Annex A hereto and filing of the appropriate financing statements in the appropriate filing offices, the Lien and security interest created by this Agreement shall be a perfected first priority security interest in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

(b)                                 The Issuer owns and has good and marketable title to the Collateral free and clear of any Liens, claims, encumbrances or defects of any nature whatsoever except for those which are being released on the Closing Date or on the date of purchase by the Issuer or those created pursuant to or contemplated under this Agreement and encumbrances arising from due bills, if any, with respect to interest, or a portion thereof, accrued on any Collateral Debt Security prior to the first payment date and owed by the Issuer to the seller of such Collateral Debt Security.

 

(c)                                  The Issuer has acquired its ownership in each such Collateral Debt Security, or will acquire in the case of any Collateral Debt Securities which the Issuer has on or before the Closing

 

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Date committed to purchase but which will not have settled on or before the Closing Date, in good faith without notice of any adverse claim, except as described in paragraph (b) above.

 

(d)                                 The Issuer (i) has delivered each such Collateral Debt Security, or will deliver any Collateral Debt Securities which the Issuer has on or before the Closing Date committed to purchase but which will not have settled on or before the Closing Date, to the Collateral Agent in accordance with Annex A hereto and (ii) has not assigned, pledged, sold, granted a security interest in or otherwise encumbered any interest in such Collateral Debt Security other than interests Granted pursuant to this Agreement;

 

(e)                                  The Issuer has full right to Grant all security interests Granted herein.

 

(f)                                  All Collateral is comprised of either “securities”, “instruments”, “tangible chattel paper”, “accounts”, “security entitlements” or “general intangibles”, in each case as defined in the applicable UCC.

 

(g)                               Each of the Accounts, and all subaccounts thereof, constitute Securities Accounts.

 

(h)                                 All items of the Collateral that constitute Security Entitlements have been and will have been credited to one of the Securities Accounts. The securities intermediary for each of the Accounts has agreed to treat all assets credited to the Securities Accounts as financial assets under the applicable UCC.

 

(i)                                     Other than the security interest Granted to the Collateral Agent on behalf and for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to this Agreement, the Issuer has not pledged, assigned, sold, granted a security interest in or otherwise conveyed any of the Collateral. The Issuer has not authorized the filing of and is not aware of any financing statements against the Issuer that include a description of collateral covering the Collateral other than any financing statement relating to the security interest Granted to the Collateral Agent on behalf and for the benefit of the Secured Parties hereunder or that has been terminated. The Issuer is not aware of any judgment, Pension Benefit Guarantee Corp. lien or tax lien filings against it.

 

(j)                                     The Issuer has caused or will have caused, within ten (10) days of the Closing Date, the filing of all appropriate financing statements in the proper filing office in the appropriate jurisdictions under applicable law in order to perfect the security interest in the Collateral Granted to the Collateral Agent on behalf and for the benefit of the Secured Parties hereunder that constitutes chattel paper, instruments, accounts, securities entitlements or general intangibles under the applicable UCC, if any.

 

(k)                                  The Collateral Agent or the Accountholder has in its possession all original copies of the instruments that constitute or evidence the Collateral, if any. The instruments, loan agreements and leases that constitute or evidence the Collateral do not have any marks or notations indicating that they have been pledged, assigned or otherwise conveyed to any Person other than the Collateral Agent on behalf and for the benefit of the Secured Parties. All financing statements filed or to be filed against the Issuer in favor of the Collateral Agent on behalf and for the benefit of the Secured Parties in connection herewith describing the Collateral contain a statement to the following effect: “A purchase of or security interest in any collateral described in this financing statement will violate the rights of the Collateral Agent on behalf and for the benefit of (A) the Trustee, for the benefit of the Noteholders, (B) the Collateral Advisor and (C) each Hedge Counterparty.”

 

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(l)                           The authoritative copy of any chattel paper that constitutes or evidences the Collateral, if any, has been communicated to the Trustee and has no marks or notations indicating that it has been pledged, assigned or otherwise conveyed to any Person other than the Collateral Agent on behalf and for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

(m)                          The Issuer has received or will receive all consents and approvals required by the terms of the underlying loan agreement, indenture or other underlying documentation, if any, relating to the Collateral to the transfer to the Collateral Agent on behalf and for the benefit of the Secured Parties of its interest and rights in the Collateral hereunder.

 

(n)                            The Issuer has delivered to the Trustee a fully executed agreement pursuant to which the Collateral Agent and the Accountholder have agreed to comply with all instructions originated by the Trustee relating to the Accounts without further consent by the Issuer.

 

(o)                            None of the Issuer Accounts is in the name of any person other than the Issuer or the Collateral Agent, held on behalf and for the benefit of the Secured Parties. The Issuer has not consented to the Collateral Agent or to the Accountholder maintaining any of the Issuer Accounts to comply with entitlement orders or instructions of any Person other than the Trustee.

 

(p)                            Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any other related Transaction Document, the representations in this Section 2.05 shall be continuing and deemed to be updated on any day a new item of Collateral is acquired, and remain in full force and effect until such time as all obligations under this Agreement, the Trust Deed, the Note Agency Agreement and the Notes have been finally and fully paid and performed.

 

(q)                            The parties to this Agreement (i) shall not, without obtaining a Rating Agency Confirmation, waive any of the representations in this Section 2.05; (ii) shall provide each of the Rating Agencies with prompt written notice of any breach of the representations contained in this Section 2.05 upon becoming aware thereof; and (iii) shall not, without obtaining a Rating Agency Confirmation (as determined after any adjustment or withdrawal of the ratings following notice of such breach), waive a breach of any of the representations in this Section 2.05.

 

ARTICLE III

 

CLOSING DATE ACTIONS

 

Section 3.01.                             Closing Date Requirements. The Issuer hereby represents and warrants to the Collateral Agent on behalf and for the benefit of the Secured Parties that as of the Closing Date it will have acquired Collateral Debt Securities and Eligible Investments in an aggregate Principal Balance representing at least U.S.$402.1 million.

 

Section 3.02.                             Closing Date Actions. Within fifteen (15) Business Days after the Closing Date, (i) the Issuer, or the Collateral Advisor on the Issuer’s behalf, shall be required to obtain and deliver to the Trustee an accountants’ certificate from the Independent Accountants of national reputation (a) confirming the information with respect to each Collateral Debt Security set forth on Schedule A hereto, as of the Closing Date and the information provided by the Issuer with respect to every other asset included in the Collateral, by reference to such sources as will be specified therein, (b) certifying as of the Closing Date the procedures applied and the associated findings with respect to the Coverage Tests and (c) the procedures undertaken by them to review data and computations relating to the foregoing statement, (ii) the Trustee shall be required to run the S&P CDO Monitor and (iii) the Trustee will be required to report the S&P scenario default and break-even default rate for each Class of Notes.

 

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ARTICLE IV

 

ACCOUNTS, ACCOUNTINGS AND RELEASES

 

Section 4.01.                             Collection of Money. The Accounts established by the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 8.01 and this Article IV may include any number of sub-accounts requested by the Collateral Advisor for convenience in administering Collateral Debt Securities. In addition, all Cash deposited in the Accounts established pursuant to this Article IV shall be invested in Eligible Investments in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Article IV and any restrictions applicable to such Accounts.

 

Section 4.02.                             Collection Account.

 

(a)                             The Collateral Agent shall, prior to the Closing Date, establish a single, segregated trust account in the United States which shall be designated as the “Collection Account”, which shall be held in the name of the Collateral Agent for the benefit and on behalf of the Secured Parties and over which the Collateral Agent shall have exclusive Control and the sole right of withdrawal, into which the Collateral Agent shall from time to time deposit, in addition to the deposits required pursuant to Sections 4.03(d) and 4.04(d), (i) all distributions on the Collateral Debt Securities and (ii) all proceeds received from the disposition of any Collateral Debt Securities (unless simultaneously reinvested in Eligible Investments) and (iii) all Collections. Funds in the Collection Account shall not be commingled with any other Money. The Collateral Agent shall give to the Issuer, the Collateral Advisor and the Trustee prompt notice if the Collection Account or any funds on deposit therein, or otherwise to the credit thereof, shall become subject to any writ, order, judgment, warranty of attachment, execution or similar process. The Issuer shall not have any legal, equitable or beneficial interest in the Collection Account other than in accordance with the Priority of Payments. In addition, (x) the Issuer may, but under no circumstances shall be required to, deposit or cause to be deposited from time to time such Moneys in the Collection Account as it deems, in its sole discretion, to be advisable and by notice to the Collateral Agent and (y) the Collateral Advisor may designate such Money to be treated as Collateral Principal Collections or Collateral Interest Collections hereunder at its discretion. All Money deposited from time to time in the Collection Account pursuant to this Agreement shall be held by the Collateral Agent as part of the Collateral and shall be applied in accordance with the terms hereof and to the purposes herein provided. The Collection Account shall remain at all times with a financial institution having a long-term debt rating of at least “BBB+” by S&P, at least “Baal” by Moody’s and, at least “BBB+” by Fitch and a short-term debt rating of at least “A-1” by S&P, at least “P-1” by Moody’s and, at least “F-1” by Fitch.

 

(b)                            All Distributions, any deposit required pursuant to Section 4.02(c) and any net proceeds from the sale or disposition of a Collateral Debt Security received by the Collateral Agent shall be immediately deposited into the Collection Account. All such property, together with any securities in which funds included in such property are or will be invested or reinvested during the term of this Agreement, and any income or other gain realized from such investments, shall be held by the Collateral Agent in the Collection Account as part of the Collateral subject to disbursement and withdrawal as provided in this Section 4.02. By Issuer Order (which may be in the form of standing instructions), the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) may at any time direct the Collateral Agent to, and upon receipt of such Issuer Order the Collateral Agent shall, invest all funds received into the Collection Account during a Due Period, and amounts received in prior Due Periods and retained in the Collection Account, as so directed in Eligible Investments maturing no later than the Business Day immediately preceding the next Payment Date. The Collateral Agent shall, within one (1) Business Day after receipt of any Distribution or other proceeds which is not Cash, so notify the Issuer and the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) shall, within thirty (30) Business Days after receipt of

 

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such notice from the Collateral Agent, sell such Distribution or other proceeds for Cash in an arm’s-length transaction to a Person which is not an Affiliate (other than a Permitted Affiliate, subject to the Investment Advisers Act) of the Issuer or the Collateral Advisor and deposit the proceeds thereof in the Collection Account for investment pursuant to this Section 4.02; provided, however, that the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) need not sell such Distributions or other proceeds if it delivers an Officer’s certificate to the Collateral Agent certifying that such Distributions or other proceeds constitute Collateral Debt Securities or Eligible Investments.

 

(c)                             If, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Issuer shall not have given any investment directions pursuant to Section 4.02(b), the Collateral Agent shall seek instructions from the Collateral Advisor within three (3) Business Days after transfer of such funds to the Collection Account. If the Collateral Agent does not thereupon receive written instructions from the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) within thirty (30) Business Days after transfer of such funds to the Collection Account, it shall invest and reinvest the funds held in the Collection Account, as fully as practicable, but only in one or more Eligible Investments described in clause (iii) of the definition of Eligible Investments of its selection maturing no later than the Business Day immediately preceding the next Payment Date. If, after the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Issuer shall not have given investment directions to the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 4.02(b) for three (3) consecutive days, the Collateral Agent shall invest and reinvest such Money as fully as practicable in Eligible Investments as described in clause (iii) of the definition of Eligible Investments of its selection maturing not later than the Business Day immediately preceding the next Payment Date. All interest and other income from such investments shall be deposited in the Collection Account, any gain realized from such investments shall be credited to the Collection Account and any loss resulting from such investments shall be charged to the Collection Account. The Collateral Agent shall not in any way be held liable by reason of any insufficiency of such Collection Account resulting from any loss relating to any such Eligible Investment, except with respect to investments in obligations of the Collateral Agent or any Affiliate thereof.

 

(d)                            Collateral Principal Collections and Sale Proceeds shall be used to redeem the Notes in accordance with the Priority of Payments in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the Collateral Principal Collections and (ii) the amount of Available Funds remaining in the Collection Account.

 

Section 4.03.                             Interest Reserve Account.

 

(a)                        The Collateral Agent shall, prior to the Closing Date, establish a single, segregated trust account which shall be designated as the “Interest Reserve Account”, which shall be held in the name of the Collateral Agent for the benefit and on behalf of the Secured Parties and over which the Collateral Agent shall have exclusive Control and the sole right of withdrawal, into which the Collateral Agent shall deposit on each Payment Date, the Interest Reserve Amount, if any, in accordance with Section 5.01(a)(vii). Funds in the Interest Reserve Account shall not be commingled with any other Money. The Collateral Agent shall give to the Issuer, the Collateral Advisor and the Trustee prompt notice if the Interest Reserve Account or any funds on deposit therein, or otherwise to the credit of the Interest Reserve Account, shall become subject to any writ, order, judgment, warranty of attachment, execution or similar process. All Money deposited from time to time in the Interest Reserve Account pursuant to this Agreement shall be held by the Collateral Agent as part of the Collateral and shall be applied in accordance with the terms hereof and to the purposes herein provided. The Issuer shall not have any legal, equitable or beneficial interest in the Interest Reserve Account other than in accordance with the Priority of Payments. The Interest Reserve Account shall remain at all times with a financial institution having a long-term debt rating of at least “BBB+” by S&P, at least “Baa1” by Moody’s and, at least “BBB+” by Fitch and a short-term debt rating of at least “A-1” by S&P, at least “P-1” by Moody’s and, at least “F-1” by Fitch.

 

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(b)                            Any deposit required pursuant to Section 4.03(c) shall be immediately deposited into the Interest Reserve Account. All such property, together with any securities in which funds included in such property are or will be invested or reinvested during the term of this Agreement, and any income or other gain realized from such investments, shall be held by the Collateral Agent in the Interest Reserve Account as part of the Collateral subject to disbursement and withdrawal as provided in this Section 4.03. By Issuer Order (which may be in the form of standing instructions), the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) may at any time direct the Collateral Agent to, and upon receipt of such Issuer Order the Collateral Agent shall, invest all funds received into the Interest Reserve Account during a Due Period, and amounts received in prior Due Periods and retained in the Interest Reserve Account, as so directed in Eligible Investments maturing no later than the Business Day immediately preceding the next Payment Date. The Collateral Agent shall, within one (1) Business Day after receipt of any Distribution or other proceeds which is not Cash, so notify the Issuer and the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) shall, within thirty (30) Business Days after receipt of such notice from the Collateral Agent, sell such Distribution or other proceeds for Cash in an arm’s-length transaction to a Person which is not an Affiliate (other than a Permitted Affiliate, subject to the Investment Advisers Act) of the Issuer or the Collateral Advisor and deposit the proceeds thereof in the Interest Reserve Account for investment pursuant to this Section 4.03; provided, however, that the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) need not sell such Distributions or other proceeds if it delivers an Officer’s certificate to the Collateral Agent certifying that such Distributions or other proceeds constitute Collateral Debt Securities or Eligible Investments.

 

(c)                             If, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) shall not have given any investment directions pursuant to Section 4.03(b), the Collateral Agent shall seek instructions from the Collateral Advisor within three (3) Business Days after transfer of such funds to the Interest Reserve Account. If the Collateral Agent does not thereupon receive written instructions from the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) within thirty (30) Business Days after transfer of such funds to the Interest Reserve Account, it shall invest and reinvest the funds held in the Interest Reserve Account, as fully as practicable, but only in one or more Eligible Investments in clause (iii) of the definition of Eligible Investments of its selection maturing no later than the Business Day immediately preceding the next Payment Date. If, after the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) shall not have given investment directions to the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 4.03(b) for three (3) consecutive days, the Collateral Agent shall invest and reinvest such Money as fully as practicable in Eligible Investments as described in clause (iii) of the definition of Eligible Investments of its selection maturing not later than the Business Day immediately preceding the next Payment Date. All interest and other income from such investments shall be deposited in the Interest Reserve Account, any gain realized from such investments shall be credited to the Interest Reserve Account and any loss resulting from such investments shall be charged to the Interest Reserve Account. The Collateral Agent shall not in any way be held liable by reason of any insufficiency of such Interest Reserve Account resulting from any loss relating to any such Eligible Investment, except with respect to investments in obligations of the Collateral Agent or any Affiliate thereof.

 

(d)                            On the Business Day prior to each Payment Date, the Collateral Agent shall deposit into the Collection Account the balance of the Interest Reserve Account (including reinvestment income) for distribution in accordance with the Priority of Payments on the related Payment Date.

 

Section 4.04.                             Expense Reserve Account.

 

(a)                             The Collateral Agent shall, prior to the Closing Date, establish a single, segregated trust account which shall be designated as the “Expense Reserve Account”, which shall be held in the name of the Collateral Agent for the benefit and on behalf of the Secured Parties and over

 

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which the Collateral Agent shall have exclusive Control and the sole right of withdrawal, into which the Collateral Agent shall deposit, on the Closing Date, an amount equal to U.S.$25,000 and, on each Payment Date, an amount in accordance with Section 5.01(a)(i). Funds in the Expense Reserve Account shall not be commingled with any other Money. The Collateral Agent shall give to the Issuer, the Collateral Advisor and the Trustee prompt notice if the Expense Reserve Account or any funds on deposit therein, or otherwise to the credit of the Expense Reserve Account, shall become subject to any writ, order, judgment, warranty of attachment, execution or similar process. All Money deposited from time to time in the Expense Reserve Account pursuant to this Agreement shall be held by the Collateral Agent as part of the Collateral and shall be applied in accordance with the terms hereof and to the purposes herein provided. The Issuer shall not have any legal, equitable or beneficial interest in the Expense Reserve Account other than in accordance with this Agreement. The Expense Reserve Account shall remain at all times with a financial institution having a long-term debt rating of at least “BBB+” by S&P, at least “Baal” by Moody’s and, at least “BBB+” by Fitch and a short-term debt rating of at least “A-1” by S&P, at least “P-1” by Moody’s and, at least “F-1” by Fitch.

 

(b)                            Any deposit required pursuant to Section 4.04(c) shall be immediately deposited into the Expense Reserve Account. All such property, together with any securities in which funds included in such property are or will be invested or reinvested during the term of this Agreement, and any income or other gain realized from such investments, shall be held by the Collateral Agent in the Expense Reserve Account as part of the Collateral subject to disbursement and withdrawal as provided in this Section 4.04. By Issuer Order (which may be in the form of standing instructions), the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) may at any time direct the Collateral Agent to, and upon receipt of such Issuer Order the Collateral Agent shall, invest all funds received into the Expense Reserve Account during a Due Period, and amounts received in prior Due Periods and retained in the Expense Reserve Account, as so directed in Eligible Investments maturing not later than the second (2nd) Business Day immediately preceding the next Payment Date unless such Eligible Investments are investments of the type described in clause (i) or (iii) of the definition of “Eligible Investments”, in which event such Eligible Investments may mature on the Business Day immediately preceding such Payment Date. The Collateral Agent shall, within one (1) Business Day after receipt of any Distribution or other proceeds which is not Cash, so notify the Issuer and the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) shall, within thirty (30) Business Days after receipt of such notice from the Collateral Agent, sell such Distribution or other proceeds for Cash in an arm’s-length transaction to a Person that is not an Affiliate (other than a Permitted Affiliate, subject to the Investment Advisers Act) of the Issuer or the Collateral Advisor and deposit the proceeds thereof in the Expense Reserve Account for investment pursuant to this Section 4.04; provided, however, that the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) need not sell such Distributions or other proceeds if it delivers an Officer’s certificate to the Collateral Agent certifying that such Distributions or other proceeds constitute Collateral Debt Securities or Eligible Investments.

 

(c)                             If, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Issuer shall not have given any investment directions pursuant to Section 4.04(b), the Collateral Agent shall seek instructions from the Collateral Advisor within three (3) Business Days after transfer of such funds to the Expense Reserve Account. If the Collateral Agent does not thereupon receive written instructions from the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) within thirty (30) Business Days after transfer of such funds to the Expense Reserve Account, it shall invest and reinvest the funds held in the Expense Reserve Account, as fully as practicable, but only in Eligible Investments of the type described in clause (iii) of the defmition of “Eligible Investments”, maturing the Business Day immediately preceding such Payment Date. If, after the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Issuer shall not have given investment directions to the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 4.04(b) for three (3) consecutive days, the Collateral Agent shall invest and reinvest such Money as fully as practicable, but only in Eligible Investments of its selection of the type described in clause (iii) of the definition of “Eligible Investments”, maturing on the

 

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Business Day immediately preceding such Payment Date. All interest and other income from such investments shall be deposited in the Expense Reserve Account, any gain realized from such investments shall be credited to the Expense Reserve Account and any loss resulting from such investments shall be charged to the Expense Reserve Account. The Collateral Agent shall not in any way be held liable by reason of any insufficiency of such Expense Reserve Account resulting from any loss relating to any such Eligible Investment, except with respect to investments in obligations of the Collateral Agent or any Affiliate thereof.

 

(d)                       On the Business Day prior to each Payment Date, the Collateral Agent shall deposit into the Collection Account the balance of the Expense Reserve Account (including reinvestment income) for distribution in accordance with the Priority of Payments on the related Payment Date.

 

(e)                        The Collateral Agent may, from time to time and at any time, withdraw amounts from the Expense Reserve Account to pay accrued and unpaid administrative expenses of the Co-Issuers. All amounts remaining on deposit in the Expense Reserve Account at the time when substantially all of the Issuer’s assets have been sold or otherwise disposed of will be deposited by the Collateral Agent into the Collection Account (including reinvestment income) as Collateral Interest Collections for distribution in accordance with the Priority of Payments on the immediately succeeding Payment Date.

 

Section 4.05.                             Collateral Account. The Collateral Agent shall, prior to the Closing Date, establish a single, segregated trust account (or a subaccount of the Collection Account) which shall be designated as the “Collateral Account”, which shall be held in the name of the Collateral Agent for the benefit and on behalf of the Secured Parties and over which the Collateral Agent shall have exclusive Control and the sole right of withdrawal. Any and all assets or securities at any time on deposit in, or otherwise to the credit of, the Collateral Account shall be held in trust by the Collateral Agent for the benefit and on behalf of the Secured Parties. The only permitted withdrawals from the Collateral Account shall be in accordance with this Agreement. The Collateral Agent agrees to give the Issuer and the Trustee prompt notice if the Collateral Account or any funds on deposit therein, or otherwise to the credit of the Collateral Account, shall become subject to any writ, order, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar process. The Issuer shall not have any legal, equitable or beneficial interest in the Collateral Account other than in accordance with this Agreement. The Collateral Account shall remain at all times with a financial institution located in the United States having a long-term debt rating of at least “BBB+” by S&P, at least “Baal” by Moody’s and at least “BBB+” by Fitch and a short-term debt rating of at least “A-1” by S&P, at least “P-1” by Moody’s and, at least “F-1” by Fitch.

 

Section 4.06.                             Reports by Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent shall supply, in a timely fashion, to the Co-Issuers, the Trustee, each Hedge Counterparty, the Principal Note Paying Agent, the Preferred Share Fiscal and Paying Agent, each Rating Agency (so long as any Notes are rated by such Rating Agency), the Initial Purchasers and the Collateral Advisor any information regularly maintained by the Collateral Agent that each such party may from time to time request with respect to the Collateral Debt Securities, any Hedge Agreement, the Collection Account and the Collateral Account and such other information as is regularly maintained by the Collateral Agent and is reasonably needed to verify information contained in the Note Valuation Report. Additionally, the Collateral Agent shall promptly provide any other information reasonably available to the Collateral Agent by reason of its acting as Collateral Agent hereunder and required to be provided by Section 4.07 or to permit the Collateral Advisor to perform its obligations under the Collateral Advisory Agreement. The Collateral Agent shall forward to the Collateral Advisor copies of all notices and other writings received by it from the issuer of any Collateral Debt Security or from any Clearing Agency with respect to any Collateral Debt Security advising the holders of such security of any rights that the holders might have with respect thereto (including, without limitation, notices of calls and redemptions of securities) as well as all periodic financial reports received from such issuer and Clearing Agencies with respect to such issuer. The

 

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Collateral Agent shall also cause the amount of interest paid on the Notes on each Payment Date to be communicated to Euroclear, Clearstream and the Irish Stock Exchange (as long as any of the Notes are listed thereon) on or prior to such Payment Date.

 

Section 4.07.                             Accountings.

 

(a)                             Payment Date Accounting; Note Valuation Reports. The Collateral Agent on behalf of the Issuer shall prepare or cause to be prepared an accounting (the “Note Valuation Report”), determined as of each Determination Date, and make available or cause to be made available on its website, initially located at www.cdotrustee.net and deliver by e-mail to S&P and otherwise upon request, the Note Valuation Report, after the reconciliation process described in this Section 4.07(a), to the Collateral Advisor, the Trustee, the Principal Note Paying Agent, the Preferred Share Fiscal and Paying Agent, each Hedge Counterparty, if any, each Rating Agency (so long as any Notes are rated by such Rating Agency), the Initial Purchasers and the Depositary (accompanied by a request that it be transmitted to the Holders of Notes on the books of the Depositary) by no later than the close of business on the Business Day preceding the related Payment Date. The Collateral Advisor shall provide any information reasonably requested by the Issuer or on the Issuer’s behalf for preparation of the Note Valuation Report in accordance with this Section 4.07(a). Upon receipt of each Note Valuation Report, the Trustee, in the name and at the expense of the Co-Issuers, shall notify the Irish Paying Agent, so long as any Notes are listed thereon, of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes of each Class after giving effect to the principal payments, if any, on the next Payment Date. The Note Valuation Report shall contain the following information:

 

(i)                                a calculation in reasonable detail necessary to determine compliance with each of the Coverage Tests;

 

(ii)                             the estimated remaining average life (on each asset and on an aggregate basis) of all Collateral Debt Securities;

 

(iii)                          the Applicable Periodic Interest Rate in respect of each Class of Notes and the amount of Periodic Interest payable to the Holders of the Notes for such Payment Date (in the aggregate and by Class);

 

(iv)                         the amount (if any) payable to each Hedge Counterparty pursuant to the related Hedge Agreement;

 

(v)                            the amount (if any) payable by each Hedge Counterparty pursuant to the related Hedge Agreement;

 

(vi)                         the Aggregate Fees and Expenses payable on the next Payment Date on an itemized basis;

 

(vii)                      the Aggregate Fees and Expenses paid during a period of twelve (12) months ending on the next Payment Date on an itemized basis;

 

(viii)                   for the Collection Account:

 

(A)                    the Balance on deposit in the Collection Account at the end of the related Due Period;

 

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(B)                      the amounts payable from the Collection Account pursuant to each priority in the Priority of Payments on the next Payment Date; and

 

(C)                      the Balance remaining in the Collection Account immediately after all payments and deposits to be made on such Payment Date;

 

(ix)                                     for the Interest Reserve Account:

 

(A)                    the Balance on deposit in the Interest Reserve Account at the end of the related Due Period;

 

(B)                      the amount payable from the Interest Reserve Account pursuant to the Priority of Payments on the next Payment Date;

 

(C)                      the Interest Reserve Amount to be paid into the Interest Reserve Account on the next Payment Date; and

 

(D)                     the Balance remaining in the Interest Reserve Account immediately after all payments and deposits to be made on such Payment Date;

 

(x)                                             for the Expense Reserve Account,

 

(A)                    the amount to be paid into the Expense Reserve Account on the next Payment Date; and

 

(B)                      the Balance remaining in the Expense Reserve Account immediately after all payments and deposits to be made on such Payment Date;

 

(xi)                                          the Hedge Receipt Amount or the Hedge Payment Amount for the related Payment Date, and for each Hedge Agreement, the outstanding notional amount of such Hedge Agreement and the amounts, if any, scheduled to be received or paid, as the case may be, by the Issuer pursuant to such Hedge Agreement for the related Payment Date, separately stating the portion payable under the Priority of Payments;

 

(xii)                                       the amount of Excess Funds to be paid to the Holders of the Preferred Shares on the related Payment Date;

 

(xiii)                                    the amount of the Senior Collateral Advisory Fee and the amount of the Subordinate Collateral Advisory Fee;

 

(xiv)                                 the amount of the Deferred Subordinate Collateral Advisory Fee (including the amounts of the Monitoring Fee and the Senior Structuring Fee);

 

(xv)                                      any information required to be included in a Monthly Report as set forth in Section 4.07(b);

 

(xvi)                                   such other information as the Collateral Advisor, the Initial Purchasers, the Trustee, S&P, Moody’s or any Hedge Counterparty may reasonably request; and

 

(xvii)                                the aggregate principal amount of the Collateral Debt Securities and, with respect to each Collateral Debt Security, the Principal Balance, the annual coupon rate or spread to the relevant floating rate index, the frequency of coupon payments, the amount of principal payments

 

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received, the maturity date, the Weighted Average Life, the issuer, the country in which the issuer is incorporated or organized, the Weighted Average Fixed Rate Coupon, the Weighted Average Spread, the Moody’s Industry Classification Weighted Average Group, the S&P Industry Classification Group, the Fitch Industry Classification Group, the S&P Recovery Rate for each Class of Notes, the Fitch Sector Score, the Moody’s Recovery Rate, the Moody’s Diversity Score, the Moody’s Weighted Average Recovery Rate, the Fitch Weighted Average Recovery Rate for each class of Notes, the Fitch Weighted Average Rating Factor, the Weighted Average Moody’s Rating Factor, the Moody’s Rating, the S&P Rating and the Fitch Rating of such Collateral Debt Security (provided that if any Moody’s Rating, S&P Rating or Fitch Rating for any Collateral Debt Security is set forth in any Note Valuation Report and such rating is an “estimated” or “shadow” rating, such rating shall be identified as “estimated” or “shadow rated”, shall be disclosed with an asterisk in the place of the applicable estimated or shadow rating and shall include the date as of which such rating was first provided by Moody’s, S&P or Fitch, as the case may be, to the Issuer).

 

Upon receipt of each Note Valuation Report, the Trustee and the Collateral Advisor shall compare the information contained therein to the information contained in their respective records with respect to the Collateral and shall, within two (2) Business Days after receipt of such Note Valuation Report, notify each of the Issuer, each Hedge Counterparty, the Collateral Advisor, the Trustee, Moody’s and S&P if the information contained in the Note Valuation Report does not conform to the information maintained by the Trustee or the Collateral Advisor as applicable, with respect to the Collateral, and detail any discrepancies. In the event that any discrepancy exists, the Trustee and the Issuer, or the Collateral Advisor shall attempt to promptly resolve the discrepancy. If such discrepancy cannot be promptly resolved, the Trustee shall within five (5) Business Days after discovery of such discrepancy cause the Independent Accountants of national reputation to review such Note Valuation Report and the Trustee’s and the Collateral Advisor’s records to determine the cause of such discrepancy. If such review reveals an error in the Note Valuation Report or the Trustee’s or the Collateral Advisor’s records, the Note Valuation Report or Trustee’s and the Collateral Advisor’s records, as the case may be, shall be revised accordingly and, as so revised, shall be utilized in making further calculations.

 

(b)                                 Monthly Report. Not later than the fifth (5th) Business Day after the last Business Day of each month (excluding the months in which a Payment Date occurs), commencing in October, 2003, the Issuer shall compile and make available, or cause to be compiled and made available on the Trustee’s website initially located at www.cdotrurstee.net and to be delivered by e-mail to S&P and otherwise upon request, to the Trustee, each Hedge Counterparty, the Collateral Advisor, the Preferred Share Fiscal and Paying Agent, the Initial Purchasers and each Rating Agency (so long as any Notes are rated by such Rating Agency), and, upon written request, accompanied by a note owner certificate, to any Holder of a Note, a monthly report (the “Monthly Report”), which shall contain the following information and instructions with respect to the Collateral Debt Securities (individually and collectively), determined as of the last Business Day of such month:

 

(i)                           the aggregate principal amount of the Collateral Debt Securities and, with respect to each Collateral Debt Security, the Principal Balance, the annual coupon rate or spread to the relevant floating rate index, the frequency of coupon payments, the amount of principal payments received, the maturity date, the Weighted Average Life, the issuer, the country in which the issuer is incorporated or organized, the Weighted Average Fixed Rate Coupon, the Weighted Average Spread, the Moody’s Industry Classification Group, the S&P Industry Classification Group, the Fitch Industry Classification Group, the S&P Recovery Rate, the Fitch Sector Score, the Moody’s Recovery Rate, the S&P Weighted Average Recovery Rate for each Class of Notes, the Moody’s Weighted Average Recovery Rate, the Fitch Weighted Average Recovery Rate, the Fitch Weighted Average Rating Factor, the Weighted Average Moody’s Rating Factor, the Moody’s Rating, the S&P Rating and the Fitch Rating of such Collateral Debt Security (provided that if any Moody’s Rating, S&P Rating or Fitch Rating for

 

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any Collateral Debt Security is set forth in any Monthly Report and such rating is an “estimated” or “shadow” rating, such rating shall be identified as “estimated” or “shadow rated”, shall be disclosed with an asterisk in the place of the applicable estimated or shadow rating and shall include the date as of which such rating was first provided by Moody’s, S&P or Fitch, as the case may be, to the Issuer);

 

(ii)                        the Principal Balance, the annual interest rate, the maturity date, the Moody’s Rating, the S&P Rating, the Fitch Rating and the issuer of each Eligible Investment included in the Collateral;

 

(iii)                     the nature, source and amount of any Collections in the Collection Account, including Collections received since the date of the later of the last Monthly Report and the last Note Valuation Report;

 

(iv)                    the Principal Balance and identity of each Collateral Debt Security that was released for sale indicating the reason for such sale;

 

(v)                       the identity and Principal Balance of each Collateral Debt Security that became a Defaulted Security, an Equity Security, a Written Down Security, a Withholding Tax Security, a Deferred Interest PIK Bond or, except with respect to Defaulted Securities, a Collateral Debt Security whose Moody’s Rating has been reduced below “Ba3” since the later to occur of the last Monthly Report and the last Note Valuation Report, and the identity and Principal Balance of each Collateral Debt Security that was a Defaulted Security, an Equity Security, a Written Down Security, a Withholding Tax Security or a Deferred Interest PIK Bond or, except with respect to Defaulted Securities, a Collateral Debt Security whose Moody’s Rating was below “Ba3” as of the last Monthly Report or the last Note Valuation Report and that remains a Defaulted Security, an Equity Security, a Written Down Security, a Deferred Interest PIK Bond or a Collateral Debt Security (other than a Defaulted Security) with a Moody’s Rating below “Ba3” and the Market Value of each Defaulted Security;

 

(vi)                    the purchase price of each Pledged Security Granted and the sale price of each Pledged Security subject to a sale since the date of the later of the last Monthly Report and the last Note Valuation Report; and whether such Pledged Security is a Collateral Debt Security, an Eligible Investment or proceeds in the Collection Account;

 

(vii)                 the calculation showing compliance with each of the Coverage Tests and the Collateral Quality Tests (including, with respect to the S&P CDO Monitor Test, the weighted average rating, the default measure, variability measure and correlation measure, the scenario loss rate and/or such other information required to be computed with respect to the S&P CDO Monitor Test), accompanied by a list setting forth the applicable maximum or minimum value, percentage or ratio which must be maintained pursuant to this Agreement with respect to each of the Coverage Tests and a list setting forth the results of the calculation of each of the Coverage Tests with respect to the Collateral Debt Securities; provided that each Monthly Report shall provide that the foregoing calculations are reflected for informational purposes only and are not binding upon the Issuer;

 

(viii)              the identity of each Collateral Debt Security that was upgraded or downgraded or placed on watch for upgrade or downgrade by any Rating Agency since the date of the later of the last Monthly Report and the last Note Valuation Report; provided that the identity of each Collateral Debt Security that was upgraded or downgraded for purposes of this clause (viii) shall not be obtained from Bloomberg Financial Markets On-Line Data Retrieval Service or a similar service and must be obtained from information provided directly by the Rating Agencies;

 

(ix)                      the amount of Purchased Accrued Interest;

 

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(x)                         a description of any transactions with the Collateral Advisor, the Issuer, the Collateral Administrator and the Collateral Agent and any Affiliates thereof;

 

(xi)                      the Class A-1 Note Break-Even Loss Rate, the Class A-2 Note Break-Even Loss Rate, the Class B-1 Note Break-Even Loss Rate, the Class B-2 Note Break-Even Loss Rate, the Class C-1 Note Break-Even Loss Rate, the Class C-2 Note Break-Even Loss Rate and the Class D Note Break-Even Loss Rate;

 

(xii)                   the Class A-1 Note Loss Differential, the Class A-2 Note Loss Differential, the Class B-1 Note Loss Differential, the Class B-2 Note Loss Differential, the Class C-1 Note Loss Differential, the Class C-2 Note Loss Differential and the Class D Note Loss Differential;

 

(xiii)                the Class A-1 Note Scenario Default Rate, the Class A-2 Note Scenario Default Rate, the Class B-1 Note Scenario Default Rate, the Class B-2 Note Scenario Default Rate, the Class C-1 Note Scenario Default Rate, the Class C-2 Note Scenario Default Rate and the Class D Note Scenario Default Rate; and

 

(xiv)               such other information as the Trustee, S&P or the Initial Purchasers may reasonably request.

 

Upon receipt of each Monthly Report, the Trustee and the Collateral Advisor shall compare the information contained therein to the information contained in their respective records with respect to the Collateral and shall, within two (2) Business Days after receipt of such Monthly Report, notify each of the Issuer, each Hedge Counterparty and the Collateral Advisor if the information contained in the Monthly Report does not conform to the information maintained by the Trustee or the Collateral Advisor with respect to the Collateral, and detail any discrepancies. In the event that any discrepancy exists, the Trustee and the Issuer, or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer, shall attempt to promptly resolve the discrepancy. If such discrepancy cannot be promptly resolved, the Trustee shall within five (5) Business Days after discovery of such discrepancy cause the Independent Accountants of national reputation to review such Monthly Report and the Trustee’s or the Collateral Agent’s records to determine the cause of such discrepancy. If such review reveals an error in the Monthly Report or the Trustee’s or the Collateral Agent’s records, the Monthly Report or Trustee’s or the Collateral Agent’s records, as the case may be, shall be revised accordingly and, as so revised, shall be utilized in making further calculations.

 

Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall rely on the information supplied to it by the Collateral Advisor in relation to the preparation of the Monthly Report and shall not be liable for the accuracy or completeness of such information.

 

(c)                                            Each Note Valuation Report or Monthly Report sent to any Holder or beneficial owner of any Note or Preferred Share shall contain, or be accompanied by, the following notice:

 

“The Notes have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Co-Issuers have not been registered under the United States Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Each Holder of the Notes, other than those Holders that are not “U.S. persons” (“U.S. Person”) within the meaning of Regulation S (“Regulation S”) under the Securities Act and have acquired their Notes outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S, is required to be (i) a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act

 

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(“Qualified Institutional Buyer”) and (ii) a “qualified purchaser” (“Qualified Purchaser”) within the meaning of Section 2(a)(51) of the 1940 Act that can make all of the representations in the Trust Deed and the Note Agency Agreement applicable to a holder that is a U.S. Person. The beneficial interest in the Notes may only be transferred to a transferee that is a Qualified Institutional Buyer and a Qualified Purchaser that can make all of the representations in the Trust Deed and the Note Agency Agreement applicable to a holder that is a U.S. Person, except that in the case of any such transfer in reliance on Regulation S, only to a transferee that is not a U.S. Person. The Issuer has the right to compel any Holder that does not meet the qualifications and the transfer restrictions set forth in the Trust Deed and the Note Agency Agreement to sell its interest in the Notes, or may sell such interest on behalf of such owner, pursuant to the Trust Deed and the Note Agency Agreement.”

 

(d)                                 Additional Reporting Requirements. The Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer shall provide or cause to be provided to Fitch the current portfolio of all Collateral Debt Securities in electronic and modifiable form with the fields listed in Schedule N, no later than the Fifteenth (15th) day of each month.

 

For all Collateral Debt Securities which are not rated by Fitch, the Issuer shall provide, or cause to be provided to, Fitch with the following:

 

(i)                                     within thirty (30) days of the Closing Date, the offering memoranda and the most recent remittance reports for such Collateral Debt Securities held by the Issuer as of the Closing Date; and

 

(ii)                                  ongoing remittance reports for such Collateral Debt Securities within ten (10) days of receipt of the remittance report.

 

The information referenced above shall be sent via e-mail to ***@*** or hardcopy to Fitch Ratings, One State Street Plaza, New York, New York 10004, Attention: Credit Products Surveillance – Additional Reporting.

 

(e)                                  Payment Date Instructions. The Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) shall by Issuer Order instruct the Collateral Agent to withdraw on the related Payment Date from the Collection Account, and to pay or transfer, the amounts set forth in such Note Valuation Report in the manner specified in, and in accordance with, the Priority of Payments. The Issuer will be deemed to have given such instructions upon the Collateral Advisor’s approval of the Note Valuation Report.

 

(f)                                    Redemption Date Instructions. Not later than five (5) Business Days after receiving an Issuer Request (executed by the Issuer or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) requesting information regarding a redemption of the Notes of a Class as of a proposed Redemption Date set forth in such Issuer Request, the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer shall cause to be computed the following information and the Issuer shall provide such information in a statement made available to the Co-Issuers, the Collateral Advisor, the Trustee, the Initial Hedge Counterparty, the Principal Note Paying Agent, the Preferred Share Fiscal and Paying Agent, and delivered by e-mail to each Rating Agency and, so long as the Notes are listed on the Irish Stock Exchange, the Irish Stock Exchange:

 

(i)                                     the aggregate principal amount of the Notes of the Class or Classes to be redeemed as of such Redemption Date;

 

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(ii)        the amount of accrued interest due on such Notes as of the last day of the Periodic Interest Accrual Period immediately preceding such Redemption Date;

 

(iii)       the amount due and payable to the Initial Hedge Counterparty pursuant to the Initial Hedge Agreement;

 

(iv)       the amount due and payable to any other Hedge Counterparty pursuant to the applicable Hedge Agreement (other than the Initial Hedge Agreement); and

 

(v)        the amount in the Collection Account available for application to the redemption of such Notes.

 

Section 4.08.          Release of Securities.

 

(a)          Subject to Article VI, the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) may, by Issuer Order delivered to the Collateral Agent at least two (2) Business Days prior to the settlement date for any sale of a security certifying that the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) has determined that a Collateral Debt Security has become a Credit Risk Security (which certification shall contain a short statement of the reason for such determination), a Withholding Tax Security, a Written Down Security, a Defaulted Security or an Equity Security and, in each case, that the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) has directed the Collateral Agent to sell such security pursuant to Section 6.01(a), direct the Collateral Agent to release such security and, upon receipt of such Issuer Order, the Collateral Agent shall release any such security from the Lien of this Agreement and deliver any such security, if in physical form, duly endorsed to the broker or purchaser designated in such Issuer Order or, if such security is a Clearing Corporation Security, cause an appropriate transfer thereof to be made, in each case against receipt of the sales price therefor as set forth in such Issuer Order; provided, however, that the Collateral Agent may deliver any such security in physical form for examination in accordance with street delivery custom.

 

(b)         If no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and subject to Article VI, the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) may, by Issuer Order delivered to the Collateral Agent at least two (2) Business Days prior to the date set for redemption or payment in full of a Collateral Debt Security and certifying that such security is being redeemed or paid in full, direct the Collateral Agent, or at the Collateral Agent’s instructions, the Accountholder, to release any such security from the Lien of this Agreement and deliver such security, if in physical form, duly endorsed, or, if such security is a Clearing Corporation Security, to cause it to be presented to the appropriate paying agent therefor on or before the date set for redemption or payment, in each case against receipt of the redemption price or payment in full thereof.

 

(c)          If no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and subject to Article VI, the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) may, by Issuer Order delivered to the Collateral Agent at least two (2) Business Days prior to the date set for an exchange, tender or sale, certifying that a Collateral Debt Security is subject to an Offer and setting forth in reasonable detail the procedure for response to such Offer, direct the Collateral Agent or, at the Collateral Agent’s instructions, the Accountholder, to release any such security from the Lien of this Agreement and deliver such security, if in physical form, duly endorsed, or, if such security is a Clearing Corporation Security, to cause it to be delivered, in accordance with such Issuer Order, in each case against receipt of payment therefor.

 

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(d)        The Collateral Agent shall, upon receipt of an Issuer Order at such time as there are no Notes Outstanding and all obligations of the Co-Issuers to the Secured Parties have been satisfied, release the Collateral from the Lien of this Agreement.

 

Section 4.09.        Reports by Independent Accountants.

 

(a)          On the Closing Date, the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) shall appoint a firm of Independent certified public accountants of recognized international reputation for purposes of preparing and delivering the reports or certificates of such accountants required by this Agreement. Upon any removal of or resignation by such firm, the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) shall promptly appoint by Issuer Order delivered to the Collateral Agent, the Trustee, each Hedge Counterparty and each Rating Agency, a successor thereto that shall also be a firm of Independent certified public accountants of recognized international reputation. If the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer ) shall fail to appoint a successor to a firm of Independent certified public accountants which has resigned within thirty (30) days after such resignation, the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer ) shall promptly notify each of the Trustee and each Hedge Counterparty of such failure. If the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer ) shall not have appointed a successor within ten (10) days thereafter, the Collateral Agent shall promptly appoint a successor firm of Independent certified public accountants of recognized international reputation. The fees of such Independent certified public accountants and its successor shall be payable by the Issuer in accordance with the Priority of Payments. Any engagement letter appointing such Independent certified accountants shall contain appropriate limited recourse and non-petition language as against the Issuer equivalent to that contained in this Agreement.

 

(b)         No later than five (5) Business Days after the Closing Date, the Issuer shall deliver to each Rating Agency an agreed upon procedures letter from an Independent certified public accountant appointed by the Issuer in relation to the Issuer’s compliance with its obligations under this Agreement and the Trust Deed. On the Closing Date, the Issuer shall cause such Independent certified public accountant to deliver to each Rating Agency a report containing (i) a statement that the agreed upon procedures have been completed and (ii) such accountant’s findings with respect to the Issuer’s compliance with its obligations under this Agreement and the Trust Deed. All expenses relating to the engagement of Independent certified public accountants for the performance of services set forth in this Section 4.09(b) shall be borne by the Issuer.

 

Section 4.10.          Reports to Rating Agencies. In addition to the information and reports specifically required to be provided to S&P, Moody’s and Fitch pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) shall provide S&P, Moody’s and Fitch with all information or reports delivered to the Collateral Agent and the Trustee hereunder, and such additional information as any Rating Agency may from time to time reasonably request in order to maintain its then- current rating of the Notes and the Issuer determines in its reasonable discretion may be obtained and provided without unreasonable burden or expense. The Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing if the rating on any Class of Notes has been, or it is known by the Issuer that such rating will be, changed or withdrawn. Upon receipt of such notice, the Trustee, in the name and at the expense of the Co-Issuers, shall notify the Irish Paying Agent, so long as any Notes are listed thereon, of any reduction or withdrawal in the rating of such Notes.

 

Section 4.11.          Notices of Noteworthy Events. The Issuer shall provide each Rating Agency notice of the following events: (a) removal of the Collateral Advisor pursuant to the terms of the Collateral Advisory Agreement, the Collateral Agent pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the Trustee pursuant to the terms of the Trust Deed, (b) appointment of any successor investment adviser pursuant to the terms of the Collateral Advisory Agreement, any successor collateral agent pursuant to the

 

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terms of this Agreement and any successor trustee pursuant to the terms of the Trust Deed, (c) any delegation of duties by the Collateral Advisor under the Collateral Advisory Agreement, by the Collateral Agent under this Agreement and by the Trustee under the Trust Deed, (d) any modification of, or amendment to, the organizational documents of the Issuer and the Co-Issuer, (e) any other event of a similar nature as set forth in clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this Section 4.11, (f) any redemption of any Class of Notes and (g) any termination of any party to a Transaction Document.

 

Section 4.12.          Amendments to the Transaction Documents. The Issuer shall only consent to any modification of any Transaction Document in accordance with the amendment provisions of such Transaction Document and shall only consent to a modification of any organizational document of the Issuer or the Co-Issuer after it has received a Rating Agency Confirmation with respect to such modification of such organizational document. The Issuer shall not amend this Agreement or any related defined terms in the Glossary pursuant to Section 11.01 until after it has received Rating Agency Confirmation with respect to such amendment.

 

ARTICLE V

 

PRIORITY OF PAYMENTS

 

Section 5.01.          Disbursements of Money from Collection Account.

 

(a)        On any Payment Date that is not a Redemption Date, in accordance with a Note Valuation Report prepared by the Collateral Advisor as of the last day of the Due Period preceding such Payment Date, Collateral Interest Collections, and Collateral Principal Collections, to the extent of Available Funds in the Collection Account, shall be applied by the Collateral Agent in the following order of priority (the “Priority of Payments”); provided, however, that with respect to clauses (i) through (xxiv) (excluding clause (xx)) below, such application shall be made, first, from Collateral Interest Collections and then, except for clause (vii) and (xxiv), to the extent Collateral Interest Collections are not sufficient for such payments, from Collateral Principal Collections (subject to any limitations described herein):

 

(i)         to pay, in the following order, (A) taxes and filing fees and registration fees (including, without limitation, annual return fees) payable by the Co-Issuers, if any; and then (B) the amount of any due and unpaid Trustee Fee and then (C) the amount of any due and unpaid Trustee Expenses, Collateral Agent Expenses and Collateral Administrator Expenses and the amount of any due and unpaid expenses of the Preferred Share Fiscal and Paying Agent and then the amount of any due and unpaid expenses of the Administrator and any Administrative Expenses, including amounts payable to the Collateral Advisor under the Collateral Advisory Agreement; and then (D) to deposit to the Expense Reserve Account the amount needed to bring the amount on deposit therein to U.S.$25,000 (unless the Collateral Advisor directs that a lesser amount be deposited to the Expense Reserve Account); provided that the cumulative amount paid under (C) and (D) (excluding any Administrative Expenses due or accrued with respect to the actions taken on or prior to the Closing Date and accounting fees that the Trustee is required to pay (other than certain accountants’ fees related to annual reviews) and fees the Trustee pays in connection with any Events of Default and any default of the Collateral Debt Securities) may not exceed U.S.$215,000 in the aggregate in any consecutive 12-month period;

 

(ii)        to pay the Senior Collateral Advisory Fee with respect to such Payment Date and any Senior Collateral Advisory Fee with respect to a previous Payment Date that was not paid on a previous Payment Date;

 

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(iii)       to pay any Hedge Counterparty any amounts due to such Hedge Counterparty under any Hedge Agreement, not including any termination payments payable under clause (xxi) below;

 

(iv)       to pay Periodic Interest on the Class A-1 Notes (including Defaulted Interest and any interest thereon);

 

(v)        to pay, pari passu, Periodic Interest on the Class A-2A Notes and the Class A-2B Notes (including Defaulted Interest and any interest thereon);

 

(vi)       if either of the Class A Coverage Tests is not satisfied as of the preceding Calculation Date, to pay principal of the Class A-1 Notes then Outstanding until such Class A Coverage Test is satisfied as of such Calculation Date or until the Class A-1 Notes are paid in full, and then to pay, pari passu, principal of the Class A-2A Notes and the Class A-2B Notes then Outstanding until such Class A Coverage Test is satisfied as of such Calculation Date or until the Class A-2 Notes are paid in full; provided that for purposes of determining if the Class A Principal Coverage Test is satisfied, the denominator of the Class A Principal Coverage Ratio shall be calculated after giving effect to any payments of principal on the Class A Notes to be made pursuant to this clause (vi); provided, further, that for purposes of determining if the Class A Principal Coverage Test is satisfied, the numerator of the Class A Principal Coverage Ratio shall be calculated after giving effect to (A) any Collateral Principal Collections to be applied pursuant to clauses (i) through (v) above and (B) any Collateral Principal Collections to be applied pursuant to this clause (vi);

 

(vii)      to pay, from Collateral Interest Collections (if any), an amount equal to the Interest Reserve Amount for deposit into the Interest Reserve Account;

 

(viii)     to pay Periodic Interest on the Class B-1 Notes, based on the amount of interest due on the Class B-1 Notes (including, any Defaulted Interest on the Class B-1 Notes and any interest thereon);

 

(ix)       to pay Periodic Interest on the Class B-2 Notes, based on the amount of interest due on the Class B-2 Notes (including, if no Class A Notes or Class B-1 Notes are Outstanding, any Defaulted Interest on the Class B-2 Notes and any interest thereon);

 

(x)        if either of the Class B Coverage Tests is not satisfied as of the preceding Calculation Date, to pay principal (including any Class B-2 Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount) of the most senior Class of Notes then Outstanding until such Class B Coverage Test is satisfied as of such Calculation Date or until such most senior Class of Notes is paid in full, and then to pay principal of the next most senior Class of Notes Outstanding until such Class B Coverage Test is satisfied as of such Calculation Date or until such next most senior Class of Notes is paid in full and so on, until such Class B Coverage Test is satisfied or until the Class B-1 Notes and then the Class B-2 Notes, in that order, are paid in full; provided that for purposes of determining if the Class B Principal Coverage Test is satisfied, the denominator of the Class B Principal Coverage Ratio shall be calculated after giving effect to any payments of principal on the Notes made pursuant to clause (vi) above and pursuant to this clause (x) on the related Payment Date; provided, further, that for purposes of determining if the Class B Principal Coverage Test is satisfied, the numerator of the Class B Principal Coverage Ratio shall be calculated after giving effect to (A) any Collateral Principal Collections to be applied pursuant to clauses (i) through (ix) above (excluding clause (vii)) and (B) any Collateral Principal Collections to be applied to the Notes pursuant to this clause (x) on the related Payment Date; and provided,

 

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further, that with respect to the Class B-2 Notes, payment of principal not constituting Class B-2 Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount shall be paid before principal constituting Class B-2 Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount, if any, for the Class B-2 Notes;

 

(xi)       to pay the Class B-2 Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount, if any;

 

(xii)      to pay, pari passu, Periodic Interest on the Class C-1A Notes and the Class C-1B Notes, based on the amount of interest due on the Class C-1 Notes (including, if no Class A Notes or Class B Notes are Outstanding, any Defaulted Interest on the Class C-1 Notes and any interest thereon);

 

(xiii)     to pay Periodic Interest on the Class C-2 Notes, based on the amount of interest due on the Class C-2 Notes (including, if no Class A Notes, Class B Notes or Class C-1 Notes are Outstanding, any Defaulted Interest on the Class C-2 Notes and any interest thereon);

 

(xiv)     if either of the Class C Coverage Tests is not satisfied as of the preceding Calculation Date, to pay principal (including any Class B-2 Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount or Class C Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount, as applicable) of the most senior Class of Notes then Outstanding until such Class C Coverage Test is satisfied as of such Calculation Date or until such most senior Class of Notes is paid in full, and then to pay principal of the next most senior Class of Notes Outstanding until such Class C Coverage Test is satisfied as of such Calculation Date or until such next most senior Class of Notes is paid in full and so on, until such Class C Coverage Test is satisfied or until the Class C-1 Notes and then the Class C-2 Notes, in that order, are paid in full; provided that for purposes of determining if the Class C Principal Coverage Test is satisfied, the denominator of the Class C Principal Coverage Ratio shall be determined after giving effect to any payments of principal on the Notes pursuant to clauses (vi) and .(x) above and pursuant to this clause (xiv) on the related Payment Date; provided, further, that for purposes of determining if the Class C Principal Coverage Test is satisfied, the numerator of the Class C Principal Coverage Ratio shall be calculated after giving effect to (A) any Collateral Principal Collections to be applied pursuant to clauses (i) through (xiii) above (excluding clause (vii) and (B) any Collateral Principal Collections to be applied to the Notes pursuant to this clause (xiv) on the related Payment Date; and provided, further, that with respect to (A) the Class B-2 Notes, payment of principal not constituting the Class B-2 Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount shall be paid before principal constituting the Class B-2 Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount, if any; (B) the Class C-1 Notes, payment of principal not constituting the Class C-1 Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount shall be paid before principal constituting the Class C-1 Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount, if any; and (C) the Class C-2 Notes, payment of principal not constituting the Class C-2 Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount shall be paid before principal constituting the Class C-2 Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount, if any;

 

(xv)      to pay the Class C-1 Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount, if any;

 

(xvi)     to pay the Class C-2 Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount, if any;

 

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(xvii)    to pay, pari passu, Periodic Interest on the Class D-1A Notes and the Class D-1B Notes, based on the amount of interest due on the Class D Notes (including, if no Class A Notes, Class B Notes or Class C Notes are Outstanding, any Defaulted Interest on the Class D Notes and any interest thereon);

 

(xviii)   if either of the Class D Coverage Tests is not satisfied as of the preceding Calculation Date, to pay principal (including any Class B-2 Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount, Class C Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount or Class D Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount, as applicable) of the most senior Class of Notes then Outstanding until such Class D Coverage Test is satisfied as of such Calculation Date or until such most senior Class of Notes is paid in full, and then to pay principal of the next most senior Class of Notes Outstanding until such Class D Coverage Test is satisfied as of such Calculation Date or until such next most senior Class of Notes is paid in full and so on, until such Class D Principal Coverage Test is satisfied or until the Class D Notes are paid in full; provided that for purposes of determining if the Class D Principal Coverage Test is satisfied, the denominator of the Class D Principal Coverage Ratio shall be determined after giving effect to any payments of principal on the Notes pursuant to clauses (vi), (x) and (xiv) above and pursuant to this clause (xviii) on the related Payment Date; provided, further, that for purposes of determining if the Class D Principal Coverage Test is satisfied, the numerator of the Class D Principal Coverage Ratio shall be calculated after giving effect to (A) any Collateral Principal Collections to be applied pursuant to clauses (i) through (xvii) above (excluding clause (vii)) and (B) any Collateral Principal Collections to be applied to the Notes pursuant to this clause (xviii) on the related Payment Date; and provided, further, that with respect to (A) the Class B-2 Notes, payment of principal not constituting the Class B-2 Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount shall be paid before principal constituting the Class B-2 Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount, if any; (B) the Class C-1 Notes, payment of principal not constituting the Class C-1 Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount shall be paid before principal constituting the Class C-1 Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount, if any; (C) the Class C-2 Notes, payment of principal not constituting the Class C-2 Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount shall be paid before principal constituting the Class C-2 Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount, if any; and (D) the Class D Notes, payment of principal not constituting the Class D Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount shall be paid before principal constituting the Class D Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount, if any;

 

(xix)      to pay the Class D Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount, if any;

 

(xx)       to pay, in the following order, (A) the principal of the Class A-1 Notes until paid in full, and then (B) pari passu, the principal of the Class A-2A Notes and the Class A-2B Notes until paid in full, and then (C) the principal of the Class B-1 Notes until paid in full, and then (D) the principal of the Class B-2 Notes until paid in full, and then (E) pari passu, the principal of the Class C-lA Notes and the Class C-1B Notes until paid in full, and then (F) the principal of the Class C-2 Notes until paid in full, and then (G) pari passu, the principal of the Class D-1A Notes and the Class D-1B Notes until paid in full; provided that the foregoing items (A) through (G) shall be payable in an aggregate amount equal on any Payment Date to the lesser of (1) the amount of Collateral Principal Collections received during the related Due Period and (2) the amount of Available Funds then remaining in the Collection Account;

 

(xxi)      to pay termination payments payable to any Hedge Counterparty upon the termination of the related Hedge Agreement, if such termination occurred solely as the result

 

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of an event of default or a termination event with respect to the Hedge Counterparty as Defaulting Party or sole Affected Party, as the case may be;

 

(xxii)      to pay, in the following order, (A) any due and unpaid Trustee Fee, Trustee Expenses, Collateral Agent Expenses and Collateral Administrator Expenses, Preferred Share Fiscal and Paying Agent Expenses or Administrative Expenses, including amounts payable to the Collateral Advisor under the Collateral Advisory Agreement, in each case, in the same order of priority as provided in clause (i) above and to the extent not previously paid in full under clause (i) above, and (B) on a pro rata basis, any due and unpaid expenses and other liabilities of the Co-Issuers to the extent not previously paid under clause (i) above, in each case, whether as a result of an amount limitation imposed thereunder or otherwise;

 

(xxiii)     to pay the Subordinate Collateral Advisory Fee with respect to such Payment Date and any due and unpaid Subordinate Collateral Advisory Fee with respect to a previous Payment Date that was not paid on a previous Payment Date;

 

(xxiv)     after the Payment Date occurring in August 2015, to pay from remaining Collateral Interest Collections on any Payment Date the principal on the Class D Notes, until paid in full, then the principal on the Class C-2 Notes, until paid in full, then the principal of the Class C-1 Notes, until paid in full, then the principal on the Class B-2 Notes, until paid in full, then the principal on the Class B-1 Notes, until paid in full, then the principal on the Class A-2 Notes until paid in full and then the principal on the Class A-1 Notes until paid in full; and

 

(xxv)      all Excess Funds to the Preferred Share Fiscal and Paying Agent, on behalf of the Issuer for the payment of dividends or distributions on the Preferred Shares in accordance with the Preferred Share Documents.

 

(b)         Notwithstanding the foregoing, on any Redemption Date or Auction Call Redemption Date, the Collateral Agent shall pay, from the Collection Account, in the following order: (i) the amounts set forth in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of the Priority of Payments, (ii) the Redemption Price of each Class of Notes in accordance with the Priority of Payments and (iii) the amounts set forth in clauses (xxi) through (xxv) of the Priority of Payments.

 

(c)          Notwithstanding Section 5.01(a), if an acceleration of maturity has occurred and is continuing in connection with an Event of Default, on the date or dates determined by the Trustee, the Trustee shall pay, from all collections from, and proceeds of the sale or liquidation of, the Collateral, in the following order: (i) amounts corresponding to the amounts set forth in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of the Priority of Payments, (ii) the Periodic Interest on the Class A-1 Notes and then on the Class A-2 Notes (including any Defaulted Interest on such Class A Notes) and then principal on the Class A-1 Notes until paid in full and then principal on the Class A-2 Notes until paid in full, (iii) the Periodic Interest on the Class B-1 Notes (including any Defaulted Interest on the Class B-1 Notes) and then principal on the Class B-1 Notes until paid in full, (iv) the Periodic Interest on the Class B-2 Notes (including any Defaulted Interest on the Class B-2 Notes) and then principal on the Class B-2 Notes (including Class B-2 Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount, if any) until paid in full, (v) the Periodic Interest on the Class C-1 Notes (including any Defaulted Interest on the Class C-1 Notes) and then principal on the Class C-1 Notes (including Class C-1 Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount, if any) until paid in full, (vi) the Periodic Interest on the Class C-2 Notes (including any Defaulted Interest on the Class C-2 Notes) and then principal on the Class C-2 Notes (including Class C-2 Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount, if any) until paid in full, (vii) the Periodic Interest on the Class D Notes (including any Defaulted Interest on the Class D Notes) and then principal on the Class D Notes (including Class D Cumulative Applicable Periodic Interest Shortfall Amount, if

 

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any) until paid in full, (viii) amounts corresponding to the amounts set forth in clauses (xxi) through (xxiii) of the Priority of Payments and (viii) any remaining amounts to the Preferred Share Fiscal and Paying Agent, for payment of dividends or distributions on the Preferred Shares.

 

Section 5.02.          Additional Provisions.

 

(a)          (1)           On the applicable Stated Maturity Date of the Notes, the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor acting pursuant to the Collateral Advisory Agreement on behalf of the Issuer) shall direct the Collateral Agent in writing to (and the Collateral Agent shall, in the manner so directed by the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) liquidate any remaining Collateral Debt Securities and any Hedge Agreements (for value on the applicable Stated Maturity Date of the Notes) and deposit the proceeds thereof, if any, in the Collection Account. On the applicable Stated Maturity Date of the Notes, all net proceeds from such liquidation and all available Cash, after the payment of the amounts referred to in clauses (i) through (xxiii) of the Priority of Payments in the order set forth therein, shall be distributed to the Holders of the Preferred Shares, whereupon all of the Preferred Shares will be redeemed pursuant to the Issuer’s Articles.

 

(2)          Upon any Redemption or Auction Call Redemption, the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor acting pursuant to the Collateral Advisory Agreement on behalf of the Issuer) shall direct the Collateral Agent in writing to (and the Collateral Agent shall, in the manner so directed by the Collateral Advisor) liquidate any remaining Collateral Debt Securities and any Hedge Agreements (for value on the date of such Redemption or Auction Call Redemption, as the case may be) and deposit the proceeds thereof, if any, in the Collection Account.

 

(b)         If on any Payment Date the amount available in the Collection Account from amounts received in the related Due Period is insufficient to make the full amount of the disbursements required by the statements furnished by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.07(a), the Collateral Agent shall make the disbursements called for in the order and according to the Priority of Payments set forth under Section 5.01(a), subject to Section 7.01, to the extent funds are available therefor.

 

(c)          In the event that any Hedge Counterparty defaults in the payment of its obligations to the Issuer under the relevant Hedge Agreement on any date when such amount was due and payable, the Collateral Agent shall make a demand on such Hedge Counterparty or any guarantor, if applicable, demanding payment by 12:30 p.m. on the Business Day following such date. The Collateral Agent shall give notice to the Collateral Advisor, S&P and the Trustee and the Trustee shall deliver such notice to the Noteholders upon the continuing failure by such Hedge Counterparty to perform its obligations during the same Business Day following a demand made by the Collateral Agent on such Hedge Counterparty, and shall take such action with respect to such continuing failure directed to be taken by the Trustee.

 

(d)         Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein, the provisions of Articles II and VII and the other provisions hereof are subject to the Priority of Payments specified in this Article V, and, in the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of Article II, Article VII or the other provisions hereof and the Priority of Payments, the Priority of Payments will control.

 

(e)          As a condition to the payment of principal and interest on any Note without U.S. federal back-up withholding, the Issuer shall require the delivery of properly completed and signed applicable U.S. federal income tax certifications (generally, an Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 (or applicable successor form) in the case of a person that is a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code or an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or applicable successor

 

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form) in the case of a person that is not a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) from each Noteholder.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

SALE OF COLLATERAL DEBT SECURITIES

 

Section 6.01.          Sale of Collateral Debt Securities.

 

(a)          Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions specified in Section 4.08 as applicable, if the Collateral Advisor, on behalf of the Issuer, pursuant to this Section 6.01 and Section 6.02, shall direct the Collateral Agent to sell any Defaulted Security, Equity Security, Credit Risk Security, Written Down Security or Withholding Tax Security, the Collateral Agent shall sell in the manner directed by the Collateral Advisor, any Defaulted Security, Equity Security, Credit Risk Security, Written Down Security or Withholding Tax Security.

 

(b)         A Defaulted Security, a Credit Risk Security, a Written Down Security, a Withholding Tax Security or an Equity Security may be sold at any time. In addition, if a Collateral Debt Security that is a Defaulted Security is not sold within one year of such Collateral Debt Security becoming a Defaulted Security, the Collateral Advisor, on behalf of the Issuer, shall use its best efforts to effect the sale of such Collateral Debt Security on such later date as such Collateral Debt Security may first be sold in accordance with its terms and with applicable law; provided, however, that the Collateral Advisor may hold Defaulted Securities up to three (3) years after such securities become Defaulted Securities as long as the total amount of such securities does not exceed 5% of the CDS Principal Balance and any amount over such 5% limit shall be sold within one (1) year.

 

(c)          Any Equity Security must be sold within ninety (90) days after receipt and any Equity Security which constitutes Margin Stock must be sold within forty-five (45) days after receipt. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Equity Securities that are received upon the exercise of convertible bonds must be sold within five (5) Business Days of receipt (or within five (5) Business Days of such later date as such Equity Security may first be sold in accordance with its terms and applicable law).

 

(d)         In the event of a Redemption or Auction Call Redemption, the Collateral Advisor shall direct the Collateral Agent to sell Collateral Debt Securities without regard to the foregoing limitations; provided that the Sale Proceeds therefrom and other amounts available therefor will be at least sufficient to pay certain expenses, including all amounts due under any Hedge Agreements, and redeem in whole the Notes at the applicable Redemption Prices; and provided, further, that such Sale Proceeds are used to make such a Redemption or Auction Call Redemption.

 

(e)          The Collateral Advisor shall sell any Collateral Debt Security pursuant to this Section 6.01 only at a price that, in its judgment, is not substantially less than the market value of such Collateral Debt Security at the time of such sale.

 

Section 6.02.          Conditions Applicable to all Transactions.

 

(a)        Any transaction effected under this Article VI shall be conducted on an arm’s-length basis, and, if effected with a Person affiliated with the Collateral Advisor, the Issuer or the Collateral Agent, shall be effected in a primary or secondary market transaction on terms as favorable to the Issuer as would be the case if such Person were not so affiliated; provided, however, that after the Closing Date, the Collateral Advisor and its Affiliates may, as principals or for their own accounts, sell Collateral Debt Securities or enter into any Hedge Agreements with the Issuer if and to the extent such

 

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transactions comply with the Investment Advisers Act; provided, further, that the Collateral Advisor may, on behalf of the Issuer, sell Collateral Debt Securities or enter into Hedge Agreements with other entities for which it, or an Affiliate, acts as an investment advisor; provided, further, that the Collateral Advisor will be permitted to acquire an obligation on behalf of the Issuer to be included in the Collateral from its Permitted Affiliates as principal or as agent or to sell an obligation to its Permitted Affiliates as principal or agent subject to the Investment Advisers Act; and provided, further, that the Collateral Advisor may acquire an obligation on behalf of the Issuer to be included in the Collateral from itself or from any of its Affiliates that are not Permitted Affiliates, or from funds or accounts for which the Collateral Advisor or any of its Affiliates acts as investment adviser or sell an obligation on behalf of the Issuer to itself, or to any of its Affiliates that are not Permitted Affiliates or to funds or accounts for which the Collateral Advisor or any of its Affiliates acts as an investment adviser; provided, however, that any such acquisition or disposition must be approved by the board of directors of the Issuer.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to selling any Collateral Debt Securities to any Person affiliated with the Collateral Advisor (other than a Permitted Affiliate), the Collateral Advisor shall use its reasonable efforts to solicit bids from two non-affiliated Persons; provided that transactions with Permitted Affiliates shall be conducted as arm’s-length transactions; and provided, further, that in the event that the Collateral Advisor is unable, in its good faith determination, to obtain two bids from non-affiliated Persons, the Collateral Advisor shall use its reasonable efforts to solicit bids from a non-affiliated Person; and provided, further, that in the event that the Collateral Advisor in its good faith determination is unable to obtain a bid from a non-affiliated Person, it shall use its reasonable efforts to obtain an appraisal from a non-affiliated Person; and provided, further, that such Collateral Debt Securities shall be sold to such Person affiliated with the Collateral Advisor at the highest of the bids or the appraisal value so obtained.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

SUBORDINATION

 

Section 7.01.          Subordination.

 

(a)        Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, the Trust Deed, the Notes or any other Transaction Document to the contrary, the Issuer, the Holders of the Class A-2 Notes, the Class B-1 Notes, the Class B-2 Notes, the Class C-1 Notes, the C-2 Notes and the Class D Notes and the Holders of the Preferred Shares and the Ordinary Shares, by virtue of the respective ownership of such securities, agree for the benefit of the Holders of the Class A-1 Notes that the Class A-2 Notes, the Class B-1 Notes, the Class B-2 Notes, the Class C-1 Notes, the Class C-2 Notes, the Class D Notes, the Preferred Shares, the Ordinary Shares and the Issuer’s rights in and to the Collateral (the “Class A-1 Subordinate Interests”) shall be subordinate and junior to the Class A-1 Notes to the extent and in the manner set forth in this Agreement including as set forth in Section 5.01(a) and hereinafter provided. If any Event of Default has occurred and has not been cured or waived and acceleration occurs in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, the Class A-1 Notes, to the extent set forth in Section 5.01(c), shall be paid in full in Cash or, to the extent that the Holders of 662/3% of the outstanding principal amount of the Class A-1 Notes consent, other than in Cash, before any further payment or distribution is made on account of the Class A-1 Subordinate Interests. The Holders of the Class A-2 Notes, the Class B-1 Notes, the Class B-2 Notes, the Class C-1 Notes, the Class C-2 Notes and the Class D Notes have agreed in the Trust Deed, the Holders of the Preferred Shares have agreed in the Preferred Share Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement and the holders of the Ordinary Shares have agreed in the Declaration of Trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Class A-1 Notes, not to cause the filing of a petition in bankruptcy against the Issuer or the Co-Issuer for failure to pay to them amounts due under the Class A-2 Notes, the Class B-1 Notes, the Class B-2 Notes, the Class C-1 Notes, the Class C-2 Notes, the Class D Notes, the Preferred Shares and

 

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the Ordinary Shares or hereunder until the payment in full of the Class A-1 Notes and not before one (1) year and one (1) day have elapsed since such payment or, if longer, the applicable preference period then in effect, including any preference period established pursuant to the laws of the Cayman Islands.

 

(b)             Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, the Trust Deed, the Notes or any other Transaction Document to the contrary, the Issuer, the Holders of the Class B-1 Notes, the Class B-2 Notes, the Class C-1 Notes, the Class C-2 Notes, the Class D Notes and the Preferred Shares and the holders of the Ordinary Shares, by virtue of the respective ownership of such securities, agree for the benefit of the Holders of the Class A-2 Notes that the Class B-1 Notes, the Class B-2 Notes, the Class C-1 Notes, the Class C-2 Notes, the Class D Notes, the Preferred Shares, the Ordinary Shares and the Issuer’s rights in and to the Collateral (the “Class A-2 Subordinate Interests”) shall be subordinate and junior to the Class A-2 Notes to the extent and in the manner set forth in this Agreement including as set forth in Section 5.01(a) and hereinafter provided. If any Event of Default has occurred and has not been cured or waived and acceleration occurs in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, the Class A-2 Notes shall be paid in full in Cash or, to the extent 662/3% of the outstanding principal amount of the Class A-2 Notes consent, other than in Cash, before any further payment or distribution is made on account of the Class A-2 Subordinate Interests. The Holders of the Class B-1 Notes, the Class B-2 Notes, the Class C-1 Notes, the Class C-2 Notes and the Class D Notes have agreed in the Trust Deed, the Holders of the Preferred Shares have agreed in the Preferred Share Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement and the holders of the Ordinary Shares have agreed in the Declaration of Trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Class A-2 Notes, not to cause the filing of a petition in bankruptcy against the Issuer or the Co-Issuer for failure to pay to them amounts due under the Class B-1 Notes, the Class B-2 Notes, the Class C-1 Notes, the Class C-2 Notes, the Class D Notes, the Preferred Shares and the Ordinary Shares or hereunder until the payment in full of the Class A-2 Notes and not before one (1) year and one (1) day have elapsed since such payment or, if longer, the applicable preference period then in effect, including any preference period established pursuant to the laws of the Cayman Islands.

 

(c)             Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, the Trust Deed, the Notes or any other Transaction Document to the contrary, the Issuer, the Holders of the Class B-2 Notes, the Class C-1 Notes, the Class C-2 Notes, the Class D Notes and the Preferred Shares and the holders of the Ordinary Shares, by virtue of the respective ownership of such securities, agree for the benefit of the Holders of the Class B-1 Notes that the Class B-2 Notes, the Class C-1 Notes, the Class C-2 Notes, the Class D Notes, the Preferred Shares, the Ordinary Shares and the Issuer’s rights in and to the Collateral (the “Class B-1 Subordinate Interests”) shall be subordinate and junior to the Class B-1 Notes to the extent and in the manner set forth in this Agreement including as set forth in Section 5.01(a) and hereinafter provided. If any Event of Default occurred and has not been cured or waived and acceleration occurs in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, the Class B-1 Notes shall be paid in full in Cash or, to the extent 662/3% of the outstanding principal amount of the Class B-1 Notes consent, other than in Cash, before any further payment or distribution is made on account of the Class B-1 Subordinate Interests. The Holders of the Class B-2 Notes, the Class C-1 Notes, the Class C-2 Notes and the Class D Notes have agreed in the Trust Deed, the Holders of the Preferred Shares have agreed in the Preferred Share Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement and the holders of the Ordinary Shares have agreed in the Declaration of Trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Class B-1 Notes, not to cause the filing of a petition in bankruptcy against the Issuer or the Co-Issuer for failure to pay to them amounts due under the Class B-2 Notes, the Class C-1 Notes, the Class C-2 Notes, the Class D Notes, the Preferred Shares and the Ordinary Shares or hereunder until the payment in full of the Class B-1 Notes and not before one (1) year and one (1) day have elapsed since such payment or, if longer, the applicable preference period then in effect, including any preference period established pursuant to the laws of the Cayman Islands.

 

(d)             Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, the Trust Deed, the Notes or any other Transaction Document to the contrary, the Issuer, the Holders of the Class C-1 Notes, the Class C-2

 

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Notes, the Class D Notes and the Preferred Shares and the holders of the Ordinary Shares, by virtue of the respective ownership of such securities, agree for the benefit of the Holders of the Class B-2 Notes that the Class C-1 Notes, the Class C-2 Notes, the Class D Notes, the Preferred Shares, the Ordinary Shares and the Issuer’s rights in and to the Collateral (the “Class B-2 Subordinate Interests”) shall be subordinate and junior to the Class B-2 Notes to the extent and in the manner set forth in this Agreement including as set forth in Section 5.01(a) and hereinafter provided. If any Event of Default has occurred and has not been cured or waived and acceleration occurs in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, the Class B-2 Notes shall be paid in full in Cash or, to the extent 662/3% of the outstanding principal amount of the Class B-2 Notes consent, other than in Cash, before any further payment or distribution is made on account of the Class B-2 Subordinate Interests. The Holders of the Class C-1 Notes, the Class C-2 Notes and the Class D Notes have agreed in the Trust Deed, the Holders of the Preferred Shares have agreed in the Preferred Share Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement and the holders of the Ordinary Shares have agreed in the Declaration of Trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Class B-2 Notes, not to cause the filing of a petition in bankruptcy against the Issuer or the Co-Issuer for failure to pay to them amounts due under the Class C-1 Notes, the Class C-2 Notes, the Class D Notes, the Preferred Shares and the Ordinary Shares or hereunder until the payment in full of the Class B-2 Notes and not before one (1) year and one (1) day have elapsed since such payment or, if longer, the applicable preference period then in effect, including any preference period established pursuant to the laws of the Cayman Islands.

 

(e)           Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, the Trust Deed, the Notes or any other Transaction Document to the contrary, the Issuer, the Holders of the Class C-2 Notes, the Class D Notes and the Preferred Shares and the holders of the Ordinary Shares, by virtue of the respective ownership of such securities, agree for the benefit of the Holders of the Class C-1 Notes that the Class C-2 Notes, the Class D Notes, the Preferred Shares, the Ordinary Shares and the Issuer’s rights in and to the Collateral (the “Class C-1 Subordinate Interests”) shall be subordinate and junior to the Class C-1 Notes to the extent and in the manner set forth in this Agreement including as set forth in Section 5.01(a) and hereinafter provided. If any Event of Default has occurred and has not been cured or waived and acceleration occurs in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, the Class C-1 Notes shall be paid in full in Cash or, to the extent 662/3% of the outstanding principal amount of the Class C-1 Notes consent, other than in Cash, before any further payment or distribution is made on account of the Class C-1 Subordinate Interests. The Holders of the Class C-2 Notes and the Class D Notes have agreed in the Trust Deed, the Holders of the Preferred Shares have agreed in the Preferred Share Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement and the holders of the Ordinary Shares have agreed in the Declaration of Trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Class C-1 Notes, not to cause the filing of a petition in bankruptcy against the Issuer or the Co-Issuer for failure to pay to them amounts due under the Class C-2 Notes, the Class D Notes, the Preferred Shares and the Ordinary Shares or hereunder until the payment in full of the Class C-1 Notes and not before one (1) year and one (1) day have elapsed since such payment or, if longer, the applicable preference period then in effect, including any preference period established pursuant to the laws of the Cayman Islands.

 

(f)            Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, the Trust Deed, the Notes or any other Transaction Document to the contrary, the Issuer, the Holders of the Class D Notes and the Preferred Shares and the holders of the Ordinary Shares, by virtue of the respective ownership of such securities, agree for the benefit of the Holders of the Class C-2 Notes that the Class D Notes, the Preferred Shares, the Ordinary Shares and the Issuer’s rights in and to the Collateral (the “Class C-2 Subordinate Interests”) shall be subordinate and junior to the Class C-2 Notes to the extent and in the manner set forth in this Agreement including as set forth in Section 5.01(a) and hereinafter provided. If any Event of Default has occurred and has not been cured or waived and acceleration occurs in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, the Class C-2 Notes shall be paid in full in Cash or, to the extent 662/3% of the outstanding principal amount of the Class C-2 Notes consent, other than in Cash, before any further payment or distribution is made on account of the Class C-2 Subordinate Interests. The Holders of the

 

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Class D Notes have agreed in the Trust Deed, the Holders of the Preferred Shares have agreed in the Preferred Share Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement and the holders of the Ordinary Shares have agreed in the Declaration of Trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Class C-2 Notes, not to cause the filing of a petition in bankruptcy against the Issuer or the Co-Issuer for failure to pay to them amounts due under the Class D Notes, the Preferred Shares and the Ordinary Shares or hereunder until the payment in full of the Class C-2 Notes and not before one (1) year and one (1) day have elapsed since such payment or, if longer, the applicable preference period then in effect, including any preference period established pursuant to the laws of the Cayman Islands.

 

(g)           Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, the Trust Deed, the Notes or any other Transaction Document to the contrary, the Issuer, the Holders of the Preferred Shares and the holders of the Ordinary Shares, by virtue of the respective ownership of such securities, agree for the benefit of the Holders of the Class D Notes that the Preferred Shares, the Ordinary Shares and the Issuer’s rights in and to the Collateral (the “Class D Subordinate Interests”) shall be subordinate and junior to the Class D Notes to the extent and in the manner set forth in this Agreement including as set forth in Section 5.01(a) and hereinafter provided. If any Event of Default has occurred and has not been cured or waived and acceleration occurs in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, the Class D Notes shall be paid in full in Cash or, to the extent 662/3% of the outstanding principal amount of the Class D Notes consent, other than in Cash, before any further payment or distribution is made on account of the Class D Subordinate Interests. The Holders of the Preferred Shares have agreed in the Preferred Share Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement and the holders of the Ordinary Shares have agreed in the Declaration of Trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Class D Notes, not to cause the filing of a petition in bankruptcy against the Issuer or the Co-Issuer for failure to pay to them amounts due under the Preferred Shares and the Ordinary Shares or hereunder until the payment in full of the Class D Notes and not before one (1) year and one (1) day have elapsed since such payment or, if longer, the applicable preference period then in effect, including any preference period established pursuant to the laws of the Cayman Islands.

 

(h)           Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement, the Trust Deed, the Notes or any other Transaction Document to the contrary, the Issuer and the Holders of the Notes agree for the benefit of any Hedge Counterparty that the Notes and the Issuer’s rights in and to the Collateral (the “Hedge Counterparty Subordinate Interests”) shall be subordinate and junior to the rights of any Hedge Counterparty with respect to payments to be made to any Hedge Counterparty pursuant to a Hedge Agreement to the extent and in the manner set forth in Section 5.01(a) and as hereinafter provided. If any Event of Default has occurred and has not been cured or waived and acceleration occurs in accordance with Condition 13 (Events of Default), including as a result of an Event of Default specified in clause (g) or (h) of Condition 13 (Events of Default), all amounts payable to any Hedge Counterparty pursuant to Section 5.01(a)(iii) shall be paid in Cash or, to the extent any Hedge Counterparty consents, other than in Cash, before any further payment or distribution is made on account of the Hedge Counterparty Subordinate Interests.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

HEDGE AGREEMENTS, INITIAL HEDGE AGREEMENT

 

Section 8.01.          Hedge Agreement Provisions.

 

(a)           [Intentionally Omitted.]

 

(b)           The Issuer may from time to time enter into one or more other Hedge Agreements (other than the Initial Hedge Agreement), with respect to which Rating Agency Confirmation from each Rating Agency shall have been obtained. The Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the

 

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Issuer) may, from time to time, enter into, subject to the remainder of this Section 8.01, one or more replacement Hedge Agreements in the event that any Hedge Agreement is terminated prior to its scheduled expiration, and the Collateral Agent may release funds in the Collection Account in accordance with the Priority of Payments for such purpose; provided, however, that such released funds shall not exceed the amount of any termination payment received in respect of a terminated Hedge Agreement; and provided, further, that Rating Agency Confirmation shall have been received. The notional amounts of the Hedge Agreements may be reduced from time to time by the Issuer; provided that Rating Agency Confirmation shall have been received. The Collateral Advisor shall not cause the occurrence of a Notional Balance Reduction (as defined in the Hedge Agreements) unless a Rating Agency Confirmation shall have been received. At least five (5) Business Days before the effective date of any amendment to a Hedge Agreement, the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) shall provide each Rating Agency with a copy of such amendment. The Issuer shall obtain Rating Agency Confirmation from Fitch, S&P and Moody’s prior to entering into any such amendment.

 

(c)           In the event of any early termination of a Hedge Agreement with respect to which the Hedge Counterparty is the sole Defaulting Party or Affected Party (as defined in the Hedge Agreements), (i) any termination payment paid by the Hedge Counterparty to the Issuer will be deposited in a single, segregated account held in the United States in the name of the Collateral Agent (the “Hedge Termination Receipts Account”) for the benefit of the Collateral Agent for and on behalf of the Trustee for and on behalf of the Noteholders (other than the Hedge Counterparty) under this Agreement and (ii) any Hedge Replacement Proceeds received from a replacement counterparty will be deposited in a single, segregated account held in the United States in the name of the Collateral Agent (the “Hedge Replacement Account”) for the benefit of the Hedge Counterparty under the terminated Hedge Agreement.

 

(d)           The Collateral Advisor will use its best efforts to cause the Issuer, promptly following the early termination of a Hedge Agreement (other than on a Redemption Date) and to the extent possible through application of funds available in the Hedge Termination Receipts Account and the Hedge Replacement Account, to enter into a replacement hedge agreement (a “Replacement Hedge”); provided that Rating Agency Confirmation has been received.

 

(i)        If (A) the funds available in the Hedge Termination Receipts Account exceed the costs of entering into a Replacement Hedge, (B) the Collateral Advisor determines not to replace the terminated Hedge Agreement and Rating Agency Confirmation is received or (C) the termination is occurring on a Redemption Date, then amounts in the Hedge Termination Receipts Account (after providing for the costs of entering into a Replacement Hedge, if any) shall become part of Collateral Principal Collections and be distributed in accordance with the Priority of Payments on the next following Payment Date (or on such Redemption Date, in the event that the Notes are optionally redeemed thereon).

 

(ii)       If the termination of the applicable Hedge Agreement occurred as a result of a credit rating failure described in Section 8.01(f) in respect of such Hedge Counterparty and a Hedge Shortfall Amount exists, the Collateral Agent shall demand that the applicable Hedge Counterparty pay to the Issuer such Hedge Shortfall Amount, and upon receipt such payment shall become part of Collateral Principal Collections. If the termination of the applicable Hedge Agreement occurred for any other reason, the Hedge Shortfall Amount shall become part of the Hedge Payment Amount to be paid in accordance with the Priority of Payments on the next following Payment Date (or on such Redemption Date, in the event that the Notes are optionally redeemed thereon).

 

(e)           The amounts in the Hedge Replacement Account will be applied directly to the payment of Defaulted Hedge Termination Payments, if any, payable by the Issuer to the Hedge

 

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Counterparty. To the extent not fully paid from Hedge Replacement Proceeds, a Defaulted Hedge Termination Payment shall be payable to the Hedge Counterparty on the next Payment Date in accordance with the Priority of Payments. To the extent that the funds available in the Hedge Replacement Account exceed any such Defaulted Hedge Termination Payments (or if there are no Defaulted Hedge Termination Payments), the amounts in the Hedge Replacement Account shall become part of Collateral Principal Collections and shall be transferred to the Note Payment Account and distributed in accordance with the Priority of Payments on the following Payment Date.

 

(f)            The Collateral Agent shall, upon receiving written notice from the Collateral Advisor of the exposure calculated under the Credit Support Annex (as defined below) to the Hedge Agreement, make a demand to the Hedge Counterparty and its credit support provider, if applicable, for securities having a value under such Credit Support Annex equal to the required credit support amount.

 

If at any time the short-term rating of the Hedge Counterparty or its guarantor from Moody’s is lower than “P-1” or is “P-1” and has been placed on and is remaining on credit watch with negative implications by Moody’s or the long-term rating of the Hedge Counterparty or its guarantor from Moody’s is lower than “Al” or is “Al” and has been placed on and is remaining on credit watch with negative implications by Moody’s or, if no short-term rating is available, the long-term rating of the Hedge Counterparty or its guarantor from Moody’s is withdrawn, suspended or downgraded below “Aa3” or is “Aa3” and has been placed on and is remaining on credit watch with negative implications by Moody’s, or the short-term rating of the Hedge Counterparty or its guarantor from Fitch is lower than “F-1” or the long-term rating of the Hedge Counterparty or its guarantor from Fitch is lower than “A” (each, a “Collateralization Event”), the Issuer and the Hedge Counterparty shall amend the Hedge Agreement, solely at the expense of the Hedge Counterparty, by incorporating provisions in the form of the ISDA Credit Support Annex attached as an annex to the Hedge Agreement (the “Credit Support Annex”) which shall require that the Hedge Counterparty maintain collateral sufficient to prevent a downgrade or withdrawal by Moody’s or Fitch, as the case may be (as confirmed at such time by Moody’s or Fitch, as the case may be, in writing), of its then-current rating on the Notes; provided that if the Hedge Counterparty has not within five (5) days following a Collateralization Event incorporated the Credit Support Annex and provided sufficient collateral, a Substitution Event (as defined below) shall be deemed to have occurred and the Hedge Counterparty shall be required to take the remedial action specified thereunder. In the event that (i) so long as any Notes are Outstanding and rated by S&P, the short-term rating of the Hedge Counterparty or its guarantor from S&P is withdrawn, suspended or downgraded below “A-1” or, if no short-term rating is available, the long-term rating of the Hedge Counterparty or its guarantor from S&P is withdrawn, suspended or downgraded below “A+”, (ii) so long as any Notes are Outstanding and rated by Fitch, the short-term rating of the Hedge Counterparty or its guarantor from Fitch is withdrawn, suspended or downgraded below “F-1” or, if no short-term rating is available, the long-term rating of the Hedge Counterparty or its guarantor from Fitch is withdrawn, suspended or downgraded below “A” or (iii) the short-term rating of the Hedge Counterparty or its guarantor from Moody’s is “P-2” or lower or the long-term rating of the Hedge Counterparty or its guarantor from Moody’s is “A3” or lower or, if no short-term rating is available, the long-term rating of the Hedge Counterparty or its guarantor from Moody’s is “A2” or lower (each, a “Substitution Event”), the Hedge Counterparty will be required, within thirty (30) days following such Substitution Event, while it continues in good faith to search for an eligible Substitute Party (as defined below), to assign its rights and obligations under the Hedge Agreement at no cost to the Issuer to a party (the “Substitute Party”) selected by the Hedge Counterparty (i) whose short-term rating by Moody’s is not lower than “P-1” and is not “P-1” and has been placed on and is remaining on credit watch with negative implications and whose long-term rating by Moody’s is not lower than “Al” or is not “Al” and has been placed on and is remaining on credit watch with negative implications by Moody’s or, if no short-term rating is available, whose long-term rating by Moody’s is at least “Aa3” and is not “Aa3” or has been placed on and is remaining on credit watch with negative implications by Moody’s, (ii) whose short-term rating by S&P is

 

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not lower than “A-1” or, if no short-term rating is available, whose long-term rating by S&P is not lower than “A+” and who is not on credit watch with negative implications by S&P and (iii) whose short-term rating by Fitch is not lower than “F-1” or, if no short-term rating is available, whose long-term rating by Fitch is not lower than “A” and who is not on credit watch with negative implications by Fitch, and with respect to which each Rating Agency has confirmed in writing that its then-current ratings on any Class of Notes rated by such Rating Agency will not be adversely affected; provided that such right shall be subject to the assumption by the Substitute Party of all of the Hedge Counterparty’s obligations under the Hedge Agreement pursuant to an agreement satisfactory to the Issuer. If the Hedge Counterparty fails to assign its rights and obligations under the Hedge Agreement to a Substitute Party within thirty (30) days following such Substitution Event, the Hedge Counterparty and the Issuer shall, on or before such thirtieth (30th) day, have amended the Hedge Agreement, solely at the expense of the Hedge Counterparty, to incorporate the Credit Support Annex, which shall require that the Hedge Counterparty pledge and assign to the Trustee collateral consisting of cash and/or eligible investments in an amount sufficient to maintain the then-current rating of the Notes by each Rating Agency (as confirmed in writing by each Rating Agency). Any costs attributable to pledging and assigning any collateral and finding a suitable Substitute Party shall be borne solely by the Hedge Counterparty and nothing in this paragraph shall relieve the Hedge Counterparty from its obligations to assign its rights and obligations under the Hedge Agreement to a Substitute Party in accordance herewith or the terms of the Hedge Agreement.

 

(g)           The Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) shall enter into Hedge Agreements solely for the purpose of managing interest rate and other risks in connection with the Issuer’s issuance of, and payments on, the Notes and the Issuer’s ownership and disposition of the Collateral Debt Securities.

 

(h)           The amounts payable to the Hedge Counterparties shall be limited to the amounts payable under the Priority of Payments and the claims of each Hedge Counterparty (if there is more than one) shall rank equally.

 

(i)            The Collateral Advisor and the Rating Agencies shall be notified by the Issuer of any amendments to and modifications of the Hedge Agreements.

 

(j)            Each Hedge Agreement will provide with respect to the Issuer for provisions substantially similar to Sections 10.06 and 10.15.

 

Section 8.02.          Initial Hedge Agreement. On or prior to the Closing Date, the Issuer shall enter into an interest rate hedge agreement (the “Initial Hedge Agreement”), dated as of the Closing Date, with the Initial Hedge Counterparty. Under the Initial Hedge Agreement, on each Payment Date, the Issuer will pay an amount equal to the Issuer Initial Hedge Payment Amount and, on the Business Day preceding each of the Payment Dates, the Initial Hedge Counterparty will pay an amount equal to the Initial Hedge Counterparty Payment Amount. Upon receipt of each Initial Hedge Counterparty Payment Amount, such Initial Hedge Counterparty Payment Amount shall be deposited in the Collection Account by the Collateral Agent on the Business Day preceding each of the Payment Dates, commencing on the first Payment Date following the Due Period in which such payments are received.

 

Section 8.03.          Acknowledgement of Custodian. Subject to a mutual agreement with respect to a custodial arrangement, LaSalle Bank National Association will act as the custodian of the Issuer under the Initial Hedge Agreement and will comply with the Issuer’s instructions with respect to any collateral posted pursuant to such Initial Hedge Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE IX

 

THE COLLATERAL AGENT

 

Section 9.01.          Appointment and Powers. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Issuer hereby appoints LaSalle Bank National Association as the Collateral Agent and LaSalle Bank National Association hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to act as Collateral Agent for and on behalf of the Secured Parties to maintain custody and possession of the Collateral and to perform the other duties of the Collateral Agent in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. The Trustee hereby authorizes (and the other Secured Parties shall be deemed to have authorized) the Collateral Agent to take such action on its behalf and to exercise such rights, remedies, powers and privileges hereunder as are specifically authorized to be exercised by the Collateral Agent by the terms hereof, together with such rights, remedies, powers and privileges as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Collateral Agent shall act upon and in compliance with written instructions of the Trustee delivered pursuant to and in accordance with this Agreement with respect to any and all matters upon which the Trustee is permitted to act pursuant to this Agreement or the Trust Deed and any such action taken by the Collateral Agent in compliance with any such instruction shall be binding upon all of the Secured Parties.

 

Section 9.02.          Performance of Duties.

 

(a)           The Collateral Agent may perform any of its duties hereunder directly or by or through agents or employees and shall be entitled to consult with counsel and to act in reliance upon the advice of such counsel concerning matters pertaining to the agencies created hereby and its duties hereunder, and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and in reasonable reliance upon and in accordance with the advice of counsel selected by it. The Collateral Agent undertakes to perform only such duties as are expressly set forth herein, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Collateral Agent. No provision hereof shall be construed to relieve the Collateral Agent from liability to the Trustee or the Issuer for its own gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct; provided that (i) the Collateral Agent shall not be liable with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith (A) reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred on it by this Agreement or (B) in accordance with any written direction or request of the Issuer or the Collateral Advisor (prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default) or the Trustee (other than those that require the consent of other parties and such consent has been withheld), unless in either case the Collateral Agent was grossly negligent, acted in bad faith or committed willful misconduct in ascertaining the pertinent facts or was grossly negligent, acted in bad faith or committed willful misconduct in determining the requirements imposed by this Agreement or such written direction or request; and (ii) the Collateral Agent shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by any of its officers or employees, unless the Collateral Agent was grossly negligent, acted in bad faith or committed willful misconduct in ascertaining the pertinent facts or in determining the requirements imposed by this Agreement. Whenever in this Agreement it is provided that the absence of the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default is a condition precedent to the taking of any action by the Collateral Agent at the request of the Issuer, then notwithstanding that the satisfaction of such condition is a condition precedent to the Issuer’s right to make such request or direction, the Collateral Agent shall not be liable for acting in accordance with such request or direction if it does not have knowledge of the occurrence and continuance of such Event of Default.

 

(b)           Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall the Collateral Agent be liable under or in connection with this Agreement for indirect, special, incidental,

 

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punitive or consequential losses or damages of any kind whatsoever, including, but not limited to, lost profits, even if the Collateral Agent has been advised of the possibility thereof and regardless of the form of action in which such damages are sought.

 

(c)           In respect of the Collateral credited to and deposited in an account with respect to which the Collateral Agent acts as Accountholder, the Collateral Agent shall act in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the instructions of the Trustee.

 

(d)           The Collateral Agent shall not be required to take notice or be deemed to have notice or knowledge of any Potential Event of Default or Event of Default under the Transaction Documents unless an Authorized Officer of the Collateral Agent shall have received written notice thereof. In the absence of receipt of such notice, the Collateral Agent may conclusively assume that there is no default or event of default under the Transaction Documents.

 

Section 9.03.          Reliance Upon Documents.

 

(a)             In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Collateral Agent (i) may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any note, notice, resolution, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telegram, teletype message, statement, order or other document or instrument reasonably believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person or Persons, (ii) shall not be obligated to make any investigation into facts or matters stated in any such document or instrument and (iii) shall have no liability in acting, or in omitting to act, where such action or omission to act is in reliance upon any statement or opinion contained in any such document or instrument. The Collateral Agent assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the recitals to this Agreement or for the validity, effectiveness, value, sufficiency or enforceability of this Agreement against the other parties hereto, of the other Transaction Documents against the parties thereto or of the other Collateral (or any part thereof) against any parties thereto. The Collateral Agent shall have no responsibility for maintaining the value of the Collateral or ensuring that any Collateral is properly delivered to it; provided that the Collateral Agent shall be responsible for holding the Collateral in accordance with the provisions hereof. The Issuer shall take or cause to be taken all action specified in Annex A hereto or recommended pursuant to any Opinion of Counsel received by the Issuer pursuant to Section 10.02 as may be necessary or appropriate to perfect and protect the security interests Granted hereby. In the event that any item of Collateral is not of the type specified in Annex A hereto, then the Issuer shall take such actions as are necessary to cause such item of Collateral to be subject to a valid perfected security interest in accordance with Section 2.01.

 

(b)             Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in Article V, in performing its obligations to transfer amounts and make payments to any Person in accordance with Article V, the Collateral Agent is entitled to rely upon the information furnished to it by the Issuer (or the Collateral Advisor on behalf of the Issuer) pursuant to Article IV. If the Collateral Agent has been given notice that a transfer or payment by the Collateral Agent under Article V is required to be made on a specified date and on such specified date the Collateral Agent shall not have received all information necessary for the making of such transfer or payment, then the Collateral Agent shall promptly give notice to the Issuer, the Collateral Advisor and the Administrator, specifying, to the extent reasonably within the knowledge of the Collateral Agent, such absence of information or any inability to confirm information necessary for the making of such transfer or payment. In the absence of information required to be furnished by the Issuer under Article IV, the Collateral Agent shall act in accordance with written instructions furnished to the Collateral Agent by the Issuer. If the Collateral Agent has been given notice that a transfer or payment by the Collateral Agent under Article V is required to be made on a specified date and on such specified date any information necessary for the making of such transfer or payment is not furnished by the Issuer and instructions necessary for the making of such transfer or payment are not

 

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received from the Issuer in sufficient time to effect such transfer or payment, then upon notice by the Collateral Agent to the Issuer, the Collateral Agent’s obligations with respect to such transfer or payment shall be suspended and the Collateral Agent shall not be liable for the failure to make such transfer or payment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Collateral Agent may carry out transfers and payments of amounts specified in Article V without specific instructions from the Collateral Advisor or the Issuer if the Collateral Agent has actual knowledge of the information required for the making of such transfer and payments. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties hereto confirm that the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 9.06 with respect to any actions taken by it pursuant to the preceding sentence.

 

Section 9.04.          Eligibility of Collateral Agent. Any Collateral Agent shall be a bank or trust company (i) having its principal office in Chicago, Illinois, or such other jurisdiction as the Issuer, the Administrator and the Trustee may approve, (ii) having, and maintaining at all times, capital and surplus of at least $200,000,000 (or its equivalent in another currency) as of the effective date of appointment and (iii) that has, and maintains at all times, a long-term unsecured debt rating of at least “Baal” by Moody’s, “BBB+” by S&P and, if rated by Fitch, “BBB+” by Fitch. If at any time the Collateral Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 9.04, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Article IX.

 

Section 9.05.          Successor Collateral Agent.

 

(a)           Merger. Any Person into which the Collateral Agent may be converted or merged, or with which it may be consolidated, or to which it may sell or transfer its corporate trust business and assets as a whole or substantially as a whole, or any Person resulting from any such conversion, merger, consolidation, sale or transfer to which the Collateral Agent is a party, shall (provided that it is otherwise qualified to serve as the Collateral Agent hereunder) be and become a successor collateral agent hereunder and be vested with all of the title to the Collateral and all of the trusts, powers, discretions, immunities, privileges, estates, properties, rights, duties and obligations as was its predecessor without the execution or filing of any instrument or any further act, deed or conveyance on the part of any of the parties hereto or any other Person, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding.

 

(b)           Resignation. The Collateral Agent and any successor collateral agent may at any time resign by giving ninety (90) days’ written notice by registered, certified or express mail to the Trustee, the Issuer and each Rating Agency; provided that such resignation shall take effect only upon the date which is the later of (i) the effective date of the appointment of a successor collateral agent reasonably acceptable to the Trustee and (ii) the acceptance in writing by such successor collateral agent of such appointment and of its obligation to perform its duties hereunder in accordance with the provisions hereof. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if on the ninetieth (90th) day after written notice of resignation is given by the resigning Collateral Agent as described above the appointment of a successor collateral agent or temporary successor collateral agent has not yet become effective in accordance herewith, the resigning Collateral Agent may petition a court of competent jurisdiction in The City of New York for the appointment of a successor.

 

(c)           Removal. The Collateral Agent may be removed by the Holders of 662/3% of the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Notes at any time prior to the Final Termination Date, with or without cause, by an instrument or concurrent instruments in writing delivered to the Collateral Advisor, the Administrator, the Trustee and each Rating Agency. A temporary successor may be removed at any time to allow a successor collateral agent acceptable to the Trustee to be appointed pursuant to Section 9.05(d). Any removal pursuant to the provisions of this Section 9.05(c) shall take effect only upon the date which is the latest of the effective date of the appointment of a successor collateral agent acceptable to the Trustee and the acceptance in writing by such successor collateral agent

 

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of such appointment and of its obligation to perform its duties hereunder in accordance with the provisions hereof.

 

(d)           Acceptance of Successor. The Issuer shall have the sole right to appoint each successor collateral agent, subject only to the requirements set forth in Section 9.04 and to the approval of the Trustee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. If the Issuer and the Trustee shall not have agreed within ten (10) days as to the selection of a successor collateral agent, the Issuer shall have the right to appoint a temporary successor to act as the Collateral Agent; provided that such temporary successor meets the requirements set forth in Section 9.04. If by the ninetieth (90th) day after appointment of such temporary successor collateral agent, the Trustee and the Issuer shall have remained unable to agree as to the selection of a successor collateral agent, such temporary successor shall automatically become the successor collateral agent hereunder. Every temporary or permanent successor collateral agent appointed hereunder shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to its predecessor and to the Trustee and the Issuer an instrument in writing accepting such appointment hereunder and the relevant predecessor shall execute, acknowledge and deliver such other documents and instruments as will effectuate such appointment, whereupon such successor, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become fully vested with all the trusts, powers, discretions, immunities, privileges, estates, properties, rights, duties and obligations of its predecessors.

 

Section 9.06.          Indemnification. The Issuer shall indemnify, defend and hold the Collateral Agent and its directors, officers, employees and agents (collectively with the Collateral Agent, the “Indemnitees”) harmless from and against every loss, liability or expense, including, without limitation, damages, fines, suits, actions, demands, penalties, costs, out-of-pocket or incidental expenses, legal fees and expenses, the allocated costs and expenses of in-house counsel and legal staff and the costs and expenses of defending or preparing to defend against any claim (collectively, “Losses”), that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against, any Indemnitee for or in respect of the Collateral Agent’s (a) execution and delivery of this Agreement, (b) compliance or attempted compliance with or reliance upon any instruction or other direction upon which the Collateral Agent is authorized to rely pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and (c) performance under this Agreement, except in the case of such performance only and with respect to any Indemnitee to the extent that the Loss resulted from such Indemnitee’s gross negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith or default. The obligation of the Issuer under this Section 9.06 shall be subject to the Priority of Payments and shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the resignation or removal of the Collateral Agent. Each of the Issuer and the Trustee agrees that the Collateral Agent shall not be liable as a result of the Collateral Agent’s following, in good faith and in accordance with this Agreement, the written instructions given to it by the Issuer or the Collateral Advisor. None of the Secured Parties shall have any liability under this Section 9.06.

 

In the absence of a written request from the Issuer to return unclaimed funds to the Issuer, the Collateral Agent shall from time to time deliver all unclaimed funds to or as directed by applicable escheat authorities, as determined by the Collateral Agent, in its sole discretion, in accordance with the customary practices and procedures of the Collateral Agent. Any unclaimed funds held by the Collateral Agent pursuant to this Section 9.06 shall be held uninvested and without any liability for interest.

 

Section 9.07.          Compensation and Reimbursement. Each of the Co-Issuers agrees (a) to pay to the Collateral Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder and (b) to reimburse the Collateral Agent upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Collateral Agent in accordance with any provision of, or carrying out its duties and obligations under, this Agreement (including reasonable compensation and fees and the expenses and disbursements of its agents, any Independent certified public accountants and Independent counsel), except any expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Collateral Agent. The compensation and reimbursement to

 

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the Collateral Agent under this Section 9.07 shall be an Administrative Expense and the obligation of each of the Co-Issuers under this Section 9.07 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the resignation or removal of the Collateral Agent. None of the Hedge Counterparties, the Principal Note Paying Agent, the other Note Paying Agents, the Preferred Share Fiscal and Paying Agent, the Trustee, the Initial Purchasers, the Placement Agent, the Collateral Advisor and the Noteholders shall have any liability under this Section 9.07.

 

Section 9.08.                           Representations and Warranties of the Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent represents and warrants to the Issuer and to the Trustee as follows:

 

(a)           Due Organization. The Collateral Agent is a national banking association, duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States and is duly authorized and licensed under applicable law to conduct its business as presently conducted

 

(b)           Corporate Power. The Collateral Agent has all requisite right, power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform all of its duties as Collateral Agent hereunder.

 

(c)           Due Authorization. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Collateral Agent, and the performance by the Collateral Agent of its duties hereunder, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate proceedings and no further approvals or filings, including any governmental approvals, are required for the valid execution and delivery by the Collateral Agent, or the performance by the Collateral Agent, of this Agreement.

 

(d)           Valid and Binding Agreement. The Collateral Agent has duly executed and delivered this Agreement, and this Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Collateral Agent, enforceable against the Collateral Agent in accordance with its terms, except as (i) such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) rights of acceleration and the availability of equitable remedies may be limited by equitable principles of general applicability.

 

Section 9.09.                           Accounts. Notwithstanding anything else contained herein, the Collateral Agent agrees that with respect to each of the Accounts constituting: (a) a Securities Account, it will cause each Accountholder establishing such Accounts to enter into an agreement whereby each such Accountholder agrees that it will (i) comply with Entitlement Orders (i.e., orders directing the transfer or redemption of any Financial Assets credited to such Accounts) relating to such Account issued by the Collateral Agent without further consent by the Issuer; (ii) credit all Collateral to the applicable Account; (iii) treat each item of property credited to such Account as a Financial Asset; (iv) not enter into any agreement with any other Person relating to any Account pursuant to orders made by such Person; (v) not accept for credit to any Account any Collateral which is registered in the name of, or payable to, any Person other than the Accountholder unless it has been endorsed to such Accountholder or is endorsed in blank and (vi) such Accountholder has agreed that it will waive any right of set-off unrelated to its fees for such account; and (b) a Deposit Account (if any), it will cause each Accountholder establishing such Accounts to enter into an agreement with the depository bank that will provide that (i) the Accountholder is the customer with respect to such Deposit Account; (ii) the Deposit Account is not in the name of any person other than the Accountholder and (iii) the Accountholder has not consented to the depository bank complying with instructions from any person other than the Accountholder.

 

Section 9.10.                           Waiver of Setoffs. The Collateral Agent hereby expressly waives any and all rights of setoff that the Collateral Agent may otherwise at any time have under applicable law with respect to any Account and agrees that amounts in the Collateral Account, the Collection Account, the

 

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Hedge Termination Receipt Account or the Hedge Replacement Account and the amounts withdrawn under the Initial Hedge Agreement shall at all times be held and applied in accordance with the provisions of Article V or otherwise as expressly contemplated by this Agreement and the Account Control Agreement.

 

Section 9.11.         Provision of Information. Upon written request by the Independent certified public accountants, the Collateral Agent shall provide to such Independent certified public accountants such information contained in the Note Register as is requested by them.

 

ARTICLE X

 

COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER

 

Section 10.01.       Preservation of Collateral.

 

(a)                             The Issuer or the Collateral Advisor, on behalf of the Issuer, shall, at its own expense, take, or cause to be taken, such action as is necessary and proper with respect to the Collateral in order to preserve, maintain and service such Collateral and to cause (subject to the rights of the Trustee) (i) the Accountholder to perform its obligations with respect to such Collateral as provided in the Account Control Agreement and (ii) the Collateral Agent to perform its obligations herein. The Issuer will do, execute, acknowledge and deliver, or cause to be done, executed, acknowledged and delivered such instruments of transfer, or take such other steps or actions as may be necessary, to perfect the security interests Granted hereunder in the Collateral, to ensure that such security interests rank prior to all other Liens and to preserve the priority of such security interests and the validity and enforceability thereof. Upon any delivery or substitution of Collateral, the Issuer shall be obligated to create for the benefit of the Collateral Agent a valid Lien on, and valid and perfected security interest in, the Collateral so delivered in favor of the Collateral Agent and to deliver or transfer Control of such Collateral to the Collateral Agent, free and clear of any other Lien, together with satisfactory assurances thereof, and to pay any reasonable costs incurred by the Trustee, the Collateral Agent, the Issuer (including its agents) or otherwise in connection with such delivery.

 

(b)                            The Issuer shall defend the Collateral against all claims of any kind or nature of all Persons at any time claiming the same or any interest therein adverse to the interests of the Collateral Agent or the Trustee, and the Issuer shall not cause, permit or suffer to exist any Lien upon the Collateral other than the Liens Granted hereby.

 

(c)                             The Collateral Agent shall have the right to enforce all rights of the Issuer under the Collateral Advisory Agreement, the Collateral Administration Agreement, the Initial Hedge Agreement and other Hedge Agreements (other than the Initial Hedge Agreement), if any.

 

Section 10.02.       Opinions as to Collateral. On each anniversary of the Closing Date, the Issuer shall furnish (at the expense of the Issuer) to the Trustee, each Rating Agency, the Collateral Advisor and the Collateral Agent an Opinion of Counsel stating that either (a) in the opinion of such counsel, such actions have been taken as are necessary to perfect the Lien and security interest of the Collateral Agent, for and on behalf of the Secured Parties, with respect to the Collateral including, without limitation, actions with respect to the recording, filing, rerecording and refiling of this Agreement, any supplements and any other requisite documents and with respect to the execution and filing of any financing statements and continuation statements and reciting the details of such action or (b) in the opinion of such counsel, no such action is necessary to maintain such perfected Lien and security interest. Any Opinion of Counsel shall describe each action that will, in the opinion of such counsel, be required to perfect the Lien and security interest of the Collateral Agent, with respect to the Collateral, specified in such Opinion of

 

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Counsel. Such Opinion of Counsel shall state the procedures with respect to the delivery of Collateral which are sufficient for the creation and maintenance of a perfected, first priority security interest therein in favor of the Collateral Agent and specifying any additional procedures as shall, in the opinion of such counsel, be necessary or appropriate for such creation and maintenance.

 

Section 10.03.                     Non-Interference; etc. The Issuer shall not (a) waive, amend, modify or alter any of its rights or obligations under the Collateral Advisory Agreement or any Hedge Agreement without the prior written consent of each of the Trustee and the Collateral Agent, acting at the direction of a majority of the Holders of the Notes, and unless Rating Agency Confirmation from S&P has been received; (b) fail to pay any tax, assessment, charge or fee levied or assessed against the Collateral, or to defend any action, if such failure to pay or defend may adversely affect the priority or enforceability of the Issuer’s right, title or interest in and to the Collateral or the Collateral Agent’s Lien on, and security interest in, the Collateral; (c) except as provided in clause (d) below, directly or indirectly avail itself of any right, benefit, power, authority or remedy conferred on it pursuant to the provisions of any Assigned Document, whether through action or inaction, except as may be expressly directed from time to time by the Trustee and the Collateral Agent or (d) take any action, or fail to take any action, if such action or failure to take action will interfere with the enforcement of any rights under the Collateral Advisory Agreement and each Hedge Agreement.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 11.01.                     Amendments.

 

(a)          Subject to Section 4.12 and Clause 7.3 of the Trust Deed, this Agreement may be amended, changed, modified or altered only by written instrument or written instruments signed by the Collateral Agent, the Trustee, the Accountholder and the Issuer and upon receipt of Rating Agency Confirmation; provided that to the extent that such amendment, change, modification or alteration of this Agreement would have (i) an adverse effect (as evidenced by an Opinion of Counsel) on the Preferred Shareholders, the Issuer shall not consent to any such amendment, change, modification or alteration of this Agreement without the approval of the Holders of a majority of the Outstanding Preferred Shares in accordance with the Articles and (ii) a material adverse effect (as evidenced by an Opinion of Counsel) on the obligations of the Collateral Advisor, the Issuer shall not consent to any such amendment, change, modification or alteration of this Agreement without the approval of the Collateral Advisor; provided, further, that subject to the terms hereof, the consent of the Trustee, the Collateral Agent, the Accountholder and the Preferred Share Fiscal and Paying Agent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed by any such Person with respect to any amendment which does not adversely affect such Person (or, in the case of the Trustee, the Noteholders or, in the case of the Preferred Share Fiscal and Paying Agent, the Preferred Shareholders); provided, further, that to the extent that such amendment, change, modification or alteration of this Agreement would have a material adverse effect on the rights of any Hedge Counterparty to payments under the Priority of Payments, no such amendment, change, modification or alteration to this Agreement shall become effective without the prior written consent of such Hedge Counterparty.

 

In executing or accepting any amendment, change, modification or alteration of this Agreement as permitted by this Article XI, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Clause 11.4 of the Trust Deed) shall be fully protected in relying in good faith upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution or acceptance of such amendment, change, modification or alteration is authorized or permitted by this Agreement and that all conditions precedent thereto have been complied with. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into or accept any such amendment, change,

 

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modification or alteration which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or indemnities under this Agreement or otherwise.

 

(b)         This Agreement (including, without limitation, Annex A hereto) may otherwise be amended by the Issuer, with notice to the Rating Agencies and upon receipt of Rating Agency Confirmation from Fitch and S&P, any other party hereto, any Hedge Counterparty, the Preferred Share Fiscal and Paying Agent and the Preferred Shareholders (except as may be specifically provided herein) (i) in order to further effectuate the Grant of or further perfect any Lien or security interest of the Collateral Agent in any item of Collateral, any such amendment that becomes effective as of a specified date after the Closing Date to be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel to the Issuer and a copy of such amendment and the related Opinion of Counsel shall be provided to the Trustee, (ii) to amend the terms herein for the purpose of facilitating compliance by the Issuer with any more favorable exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act, (iii) upon receipt of Rating Agency Confirmation from Moody’s and S&P, to effect the appointment of a successor Trustee, (iv) upon receipt of Rating Agency Confirmation from Moody’s and S&P, to take any action necessary or advisable to prevent the Issuer, the Collateral Agent, any Note Paying Agent or the Trustee from being subject to withholding or other taxes, fees or assessments or to prevent the Issuer from being treated as engaged in a United States trade or business or otherwise being subjected to United States federal, state or local income tax on a net income tax basis, (v) to correct or amplify the description of any property at any time subject to the Grant and Lien of this Agreement, or to better assure, convey and confirm unto the Trustee any property subject to the Grant and Lien of this Agreement, (vi) upon receipt of Rating Agency Confirmation from Moody’s and S&P, to cure ambiguity or correct or supplement any provision contained in this Agreement which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained in this Agreement or make any modification that is of a formal, minor or technical nature or which is made to correct a manifest error, (vii) upon receipt of Rating Agency Confirmation from Moody’s and S&P, to correct, modify or supplement any provision which is inconsistent with the Final Offering Circular; provided that any such correction, modification or supplement made pursuant to this clause (vii) shall be consistent with the Final Offering Circular and (viii) to make any change required by the Irish Stock Exchange (so long as any of the Notes are listed thereon) in order to permit or maintain the listing of the Notes thereon.

 

(c)          The Issuer shall cause the Administrator to give prior notice to each Hedge Counterparty, the Collateral Advisor, the Principal Note Paying Agent, the Preferred Share Fiscal and Paying Agent, the Trustee, the Collateral Agent, the Accountholder and each Rating Agency of any amendment, change, modification or alteration of this Agreement and provide copies of such amendment, change, modification or alteration to the Preferred Share Fiscal and Paying Agent, the Trustee and each Rating Agency.

 

Section 11.02.                     Notices.

 

(a)          All notices, certificates, directions, reports or other communications hereunder shall be sufficiently given and shall be deemed given when delivered in writing, either via facsimile or first class mail postage prepaid addressed to the appropriate Notice Address. Each party hereto may, by notice given in accordance herewith to each of the other parties hereto, designate any further or different address to which subsequent notices, certificates, directions, reports or other communications shall be sent.

 

(b)         For so long as any of the Securities are listed on the Irish Stock Exchange and the rules of the Irish Stock Exchange so require, notices to the Holders of such Securities (excluding the Note Valuation Reports or the Monthly Reports) shall also be published in the Irish Stock Exchange’s Daily Official List at the expense of the Issuer.

 

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(c)          Upon receipt of notice of an Event of Default and acceleration of indebtedness from the Trustee, the Collateral Agent shall have the right, at the direction of the Trustee, to exercise any and all rights and remedies (i) granted to a secured party by the NY UCC or otherwise allowed by applicable law and (ii) otherwise provided by this Agreement. Upon receipt of notice of an Event of Default from the Trustee, the Collateral Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the Issuer and the Collateral Advisor.

 

Section 11.03.                       Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not invalidate or render unenforceable any other provision hereof. The parties hereto further agree that the holding by any court of competent jurisdiction that any right, power, privilege or remedy pursued by the Trustee hereunder is unavailable or unenforceable shall not affect in any way the ability of the Trustee to pursue any other right, power, privilege or remedy available to it.

 

Section 11.04.                     Term of This Agreement. This Agreement shall take effect on the Closing Date and shall continue in effect until the Final Termination Date. On the Final Termination Date, this Agreement shall terminate, all obligations of the parties hereunder shall cease and terminate and the Collateral, if any, held hereunder and not to be used or applied in discharge of any obligations of the Issuer in respect of the obligations of the Issuer in respect of the Notes or otherwise under this Agreement shall be released to and in favor of the Issuer; provided that the provisions of Sections 8.06, 8.07, 10.06, 10.07, 10.09 and 10.15 shall survive any termination of this Agreement and the release of the Collateral upon such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (a) after the termination of this Agreement or (b) at any time or times subsequent to the payment of all or any part of the obligations of the Issuer in respect of the Notes, the Trustee shall be required to repay any amounts previously paid by or on behalf of the Issuer in reduction thereof by virtue of an order of any court having jurisdiction in the premises, including, without limitation, as a result of an adjudication that such amounts constituted preferential payments or fraudulent conveyances, then this Agreement and the obligations of the Issuer hereunder shall be reinstated and the Issuer unconditionally agrees to pay to the Collateral Agent upon demand by the Trustee or the Collateral Agent a sum in cash equal to the amount of any such repayment, together with interest on such amount from the date of such repayment by the Trustee to the date of payment to the Trustee. In all instances, the Collateral Agent shall pay any amount received by it as aforesaid to the Trustee, subject to the Priority of Payments.

 

Section 11.05.                     Assignments. This Agreement shall be a continuing obligation of the Issuer and shall (a) be binding upon the Issuer and its successors, transferees and assigns and (b) inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Trustee, the Collateral Advisor, the Collateral Agent and the Accountholder, and by their respective successors, transferees and assigns. Except as contemplated or provided herein, the Issuer may not assign this Agreement, or delegate any of its duties hereunder, without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent and the Trustee, and Rating Agency Confirmation from S&P, and any such attempted assignment shall be null and void. Subject to any restrictions on transfer or assignment in any Transaction Document, nothing contained herein shall restrict the Trustee from assigning to any Person any or all of its rights under this Agreement or with respect to any real or personal property or other interests pledged to the Trustee, or in which the Trustee has a Lien or security interest, in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Section 11.06.                     Non-Petition Agreement. Each of the parties hereto covenants and agrees that, so long as any Note is outstanding and for a period of one (1) year plus one (1) day (or, if longer, the applicable preference period then in effect) after payment in full of all amounts payable under or in respect of the Transaction Documents, it will not institute against, or join any other Person in instituting against, the Issuer any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation Proceedings, or other Proceedings under any federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law. Nothing in this

 

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Section 11.06 shall preclude, or be deemed to estop, any of the parties hereto (a) from taking any action prior to the expiration of the aforementioned one (1) year plus one (1) day period (or, if longer, the applicable preference period then in effect) in (i) any case or proceeding voluntarily filed or commenced by the Issuer or the Co-Issuer or (ii) any involuntary insolvency proceeding filed or commenced by a Person other than any of the parties hereto, or (b) from commencing against the Issuer or the Co-Issuer or any of its properties any legal action which is not a bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, moratorium or liquidation proceeding.

 

Section 11.07.                     Trial by Jury Waived. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY PROCEEDING ARISING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OF THE OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS TO WHICH IT IS A PARTY BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THIS WAIVER.

 

Section 11.08.                     Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED, AND THE OBLIGATIONS, RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE DETERMINED, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

Section 11.09.                     Consents to Jurisdiction. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, any court in the State of New York located in the borough of Manhattan in the city and county of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any Proceeding brought against it and related to or in connection with this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated hereunder or thereunder or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment and each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such Proceeding may be heard or determined in such New York State court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such Proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by applicable law. To the extent permitted by applicable law, each of the parties hereto hereby waives and agrees not to assert by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise in any such Proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of such courts, that the Proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the Proceeding is improper or that this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents or the subject matter hereof may not be litigated in or by such courts.

 

Section 11.10.                       Service of Process. The Issuer hereby agrees that service of process on the Issuer in any such Proceeding brought in the State of New York may be made upon CT Corporation System (the “Process Agent”) at its offices at 111 Eighth Avenue, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10011 (or such other address as may be specified by the Process Agent from time to time) and the Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints the Process Agent as its authorized agent to accept such service of process and agrees that the failure of the Process Agent to give any notice of any such service shall not impair or affect the validity of such service or any judgment rendered in any Proceeding based thereon. The Issuer hereby agrees that any such service (a) shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon

 

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it in any such Proceeding and (b) shall, to the fullest extent enforceable by applicable law, be taken and held to be valid personal service upon and personal delivery to it.

 

Section 11.11.                     Time of Essence. All parties hereto agree that time shall be of the essence in respect of the performance by the Issuer and the Collateral Agent of their respective obligations hereunder.

 

Section 11.12.                     Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts by the parties hereto, each of which shall be an original, and all such counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

Section 11.13.                     Integration. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding among the parties hereto and supersedes any and all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof.

 

Section 11.14.                     Headings. The headings of Articles, Sections and subsections herein are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation hereof.

 

Section 11.15.                     Limited Recourse. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, the payment obligations of the Issuer set forth under this Agreement shall be non-recourse obligations of the Issuer and shall be payable only from the Collateral or the proceeds thereof, whether held by the Collateral Agent or any other Person on behalf of the Issuer. No recourse shall be had for the payment of any amount owing in respect of the Notes appertaining thereto against any officer, director, employee, stockholder, director or incorporator of the Co-Issuers or of any Affiliate of the Co-Issuers, the Collateral Agent, the Trustee, the Collateral Advisor, the Accountholder or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing, in their respective capacities as such, or successors or assigns of any of them for any amounts payable under the Notes or this Agreement. Upon the exhaustion of the Collateral, all further liability of the Co-Issuers shall be extinguished and no further claims shall be made against the Co-Issuers in respect thereof.

 

Section 11.16.                     Payments in Accordance with the Priority of Payments. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the payment of all principal, interest, fees, expenses, indemnities or other amounts payable by or on behalf of the Issuer under this Agreement shall be made in accordance with the Priority of Payments, Section 11.15 and the subordination provisions set forth in this Agreement. In the event that the Issuer fails to pay any amount on the date when due under this Agreement solely by reason of the limitation on the payment of certain expenses set forth under the Priority of Payments under Section 5.01, the Issuer shall not be deemed to have failed to pay such amount (and a default shall not have occurred as the result thereof) for purposes of this Agreement unless it fails to pay such amount on the date (inclusive of any grace periods) on which it is permitted to be paid under the Priority of Payments.

 

Section 11.17.                       Collateral Agent and Its Affiliates. LaSalle Bank National Association and any of its Affiliates providing services in connection with the transactions contemplated in the Transaction Documents shall have only the duties and responsibilities expressly provided in each capacity and shall not, by virtue of its or any of its Affiliates acting in any other capacity, be deemed to have duties or responsibilities or be deemed to be held to a standard of care other than as expressly provided with respect to each such capacity. LaSalle Bank National Association (or its Affiliates) in its and their various capacities in connection with the transactions contemplated in the Transaction Documents, including as Collateral Agent, may enter into business transactions, including the acquisition of investment securities as contemplated by the Transaction Documents, from which it and/or such Affiliates may derive revenues

 

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and profits in addition to the fees stated in the various Transaction Documents, without any duty to account therefor.

 

Section 11.18.                  Judgment Currency. If, for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due under this Agreement in any currency (the “Original Currency”) into another currency (the “Other Currency”), the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent permitted by law, that the rate of exchange to be used in effecting such conversion shall be that at which, in accordance with normal banking procedures, the party seeking such judgment could purchase the Original Currency with the Other Currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the obligations of a party in respect of any such amount due in the Original Currency under this Agreement to another party (the “Recipient”) shall, notwithstanding any judgment in Other Currency, be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by the Recipient of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Other Currency the Recipient may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the Original Currency with the Other Currency. If the amount of the Original Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the Recipient in the Original Currency, the party obligated to make such payment agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to pay to the Recipient the amount of such loss.

 

[SIGNATURES COMMENCE ON NEXT PAGE]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer, the Collateral Agent, the Accountholder and the Trustee have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.

 

ISSUER:

N-STAR REAL ESTATE CDO I LTD

 

Executed as a Deed

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Derrie Boggess

 

 

Name:  Derrie Boggess

 

 

Title:    Director

 

 

 

Witness:

/s/ Ruth Yates

 

                    Ruth Yates

 

 

COLLATERAL AGENT:

LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lora J. Peloquin

 

 

Name:  Lora J. Peloquin

 

 

Title:    Vice President

 

 

 

 

ACCOUNT HOLDER:

LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lora J. Peloquin

 

 

Name:  Lora J. Peloquin

 

 

Title:    Vice President

 

 

 

 

TRUSTEE:

LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Lora J. Peloquin

 

 

Name:  Lora J. Peloquin

 

 

Title:    Vice President