INDENTURE between LEAF FUNDING SPE 1, LLC, as Issuer, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee and Custodian Equipment Contract Backed Notes, Series2010-4, Class A Equipment Contract Backed Notes, Series2010-4, Class B-1 and Equipment Contract Backed Notes, Series2010-4, Class B-2 Dated as of August 20, 2010 TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		PAGE
Section 6.05	Optional Preservation of Collateral	25
Section 6.06	Trustee May File Proofs of Claim	25
Section 6.07	Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Notes	26
Section 6.08	Application of Money Collected	26
Section 6.09	[Reserved]	27
Section 6.10	Unconditional Right of the Noteholders to Receive Principal and Interest	27
Section 6.11	Restoration of Rights and Remedies	27
Section 6.12	Rights and Remedies Cumulative	27
Section 6.13	Delay or Omission Not Waiver	27
Section 6.14	Control by Control Party	27
Section 6.15	Waiver of Certain Events by the Control Party	28
Section 6.16	Additional Rights of Subordinate Noteholders	28
Section 6.17	Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws	29
Section 6.18	Sale of Collateral	29
Section 6.19	Action on Notes	30
ARTICLE VII THE TRUSTEE		30
Section 7.01	Certain Duties and Immunities	30
Section 7.02	Notice of Default and Other Events	32
Section 7.03	Certain Rights of Trustee	32
Section 7.04	Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Notes	34
Section 7.05	May Hold Notes	34
Section 7.06	Money Held in Trust	35
Section 7.07	Compensation and Reimbursement	35
Section 7.08	Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility	36
Section 7.09	Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor	36
Section 7.10	Acceptance of Appointment by Successor	37
Section 7.11	Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business of Trustee	38
Section 7.12	Co-Trustees and Separate Trustees	38
Section 7.13	Maintenance of Office or Agency; Initial Appointment of Payment Agent	39
Section 7.14	Appointment of Authenticating Agent	39
Section 7.15	Appointment of Paying Agent other than Trustee; Money for Note Payments to be Held in Trust	41
Section 7.16	Rights with Respect to the Servicer and Back-up Servicer	42
Section 7.17	Representations and Warranties of the Trustee	42
ARTICLE VIII THE CUSTODIAN		43
Section 8.01	Appointment of Custodian	43
Section 8.02	Removal of Custodian	43
Section 8.03	Termination by Custodian	44
Section 8.04	Limitations on the Custodian’s Responsibilities	44
Section 8.05	Limitation on Liability	45

		PAGE
Section 8.06	Custodian Obligations Regarding Genuineness of Documents	46
Section 8.07	Force Majeure	46
ARTICLE IX [RESERVED]		46
ARTICLE X SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES		46
Section 10.01	Supplemental Indentures without Consent of the Noteholders	46
Section 10.02	Supplemental Indentures with Consent of the Noteholders	47
Section 10.03	Execution of Supplemental Indentures	48
Section 10.04	Effect of Supplemental Indentures	48
Section 10.05	Reference in Notes to Supplemental Indentures	48
Section 10.06	Back-Up Servicer Consent	49
Section 10.07	Amendments to the Lockbox Intercreditor Agreement	49
ARTICLE XI REDEMPTIONS AND PREPAYMENTS OF NOTES		49
Section 11.01	Redemptions of Notes	49
Section 11.02	Redemption Procedures	49
Section 11.03	Notice of Redemption to Noteholders	50
Section 11.04	Amounts Payable on Redemption Date	50
Section 11.05	Release of Contract Assets in Connection with Redemptions	51
ARTICLE XII REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS		51
Section 12.01	Representations and Warranties	51
Section 12.02	Covenants	57
ARTICLE XIII ACCOUNTS AND ACCOUNTINGS		63
Section 13.01	Collection of Money	63
Section 13.02	Establishment of Trust Accounts	63
Section 13.03	Collection Account	65
Section 13.04	Reserve Account	67
Section 13.05	[Reserved]	67
Section 13.06	Prefunding Account	68
Section 13.07	Capitalized Interest Account	68
Section 13.08	Reports to the Noteholders	68
Section 13.09	Monthly Servicing Reports	69
ARTICLE XIV PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION		69
Section 14.01	General Provisions	69
Section 14.02	Acts of Noteholders	69
Section 14.03	Notices	70
Section 14.04	Notices to Noteholders; Waiver	71
Section 14.05	Successors and Assigns	71

		PAGE
Section 14.06	Severability; No Waiver	71
Section 14.07	Benefits of Indenture Limited to Parties and Express Third Party Beneficiaries	71
Section 14.08	Legal Holidays	71
Section 14.09	Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial; Consent to Jurisdiction	72
Section 14.10	Counterparts; Entire Agreement	72
Section 14.11	Notifications	72
Section 14.12	No Petition	72
Section 14.13	Assignment	73

 

Schedule I                           Contract Schedule

Schedule II                           Definitions Annex

 

A-1	Form of Class A Note
A-2	Form of Class B-1 Note
A-3	Form of Class B-2 Note
B-1	Form of Request for Release
B-2	Form of Return of Documents to Custodian
C	Form of Custodian and Trustee Certificate Re:  Substitutions
D	Form of Release Agreement Re:  Existing Indebtedness
E	Form of Investor Certificate
F	Form of Transfer Certificate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The provisions of this Section 2.07 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(c)           The Custodian may, if requested by the Servicer, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B-1, for purposes of servicing a Contract, temporarily deliver to the Servicer the original Contract.  Any Contract temporarily delivered from the custody of the Custodian to the Servicer or its agents shall have affixed to such Contract a copy of such written request in the Form of Exhibit B-1, which shall contain a legend to the effect that the Contract is the property of the Issuer and has been pledged to U.S. Bank National Association, a s Trustee for the benefit of the Secured Parties.  The Servicer shall promptly return the Contract to the Custodian, along with a letter attached hereto as Exhibit B-2, upon the need therefor no longer existing; provided that if an Event of Default has occurred, the Servicer shall forthwith return to the Custodian each Contract temporarily delivered pursuant to this Section 4.07.

 

 

Section 5.01                      Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

 

(a)           Following (i) payment in full of (A) all of the Notes, (B) the fees and charges and reimbursements of the Trustee, the Back-up Servicer, the Originator, the Custodian and the Noteholders and (C) all other obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the other Transaction Documents and (ii) a written request by the Issuer to the Trustee to terminate this Indenture and release the Collateral, this Indenture shall be discharged and terminated and the lien of this Indenture on the Collateral thereupon shall be released.  All Contract Files shall then include an Officer’s Certificate from the Issuer, stating that all conditions precedent provided for herein relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Notes have been complied with.

 

 

 

(b)           Upon the discharge and termination of this Indenture, the Trustee shall release from the lien of this Indenture and deliver to the Issuer all remaining Collateral, and the Trustee shall file, or cause to be filed, at the Servicer’s expense, UCC termination statements evidencing such discharge and release; provided, if the Back-up Servicer has become the Servicer, the Servicer shall be entitled to reimbursement of all expenses incurred under this Section 5.01(b) by the Issuer payable solely from amounts that are available to the Servicer therefore under Section 13.03 of the Indenture.

 

 

Section 6.01                      Events of Default.

 

“Event of Default” wherever used herein means the occurrence of any one of the following events, unless any such particular occurrence is waived as an “Event of Default” in writing in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture; provided that, unless and until any such waiver is given, an “Event of Default” shall be deemed to exist for all purposes under the Transaction Documents, even if the event giving rise to such Event of Default is no longer continuing or has been cured:

 

(a)           the Issuer shall fail to make when due any payment with respect to interest on any Notes then outstanding, or the Servicer shall fail to make when due any deposit required under the Transaction Documents (other than as described in clause (e) below), in any case on or before the date occurring five (5) Business Days after the date such payment or deposit shall become due;

 

(b)           the Issuer, Servicer or the Originator shall fail to perform or observe any covenant with respect to it set forth in any Transaction Document, and in each case such failure shall remain unremedied for thirty (30) Business Days after the earlier of (x) actual knowledge thereof by such Person or (y) receipt by such Person of written notice thereof;

 

(c)           any representation or warranty made by the Issuer, Originator or Servicer in any Transaction Document or in any other document delivered pursuant thereto (other than a representation or warranty made with respect to the Contracts) shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made and continues to be incorrect in any material respect for a period of thirty (30) Business Days after the earlier to occur of (x) the actual knowledge thereof by such Person or (y) the receipt by such Person of written notice thereof;

 

(d)           an Insolvency Event shall occur with respect to the Issuer or the Guarantor;

 

(e)           the Outstanding Note Balance of any Class of Notes is not reduced to zero and all interest due on any Class is not paid by the Stated Maturity Date;

 

 

(f)           the Outstanding Note Balance of the Class A Notes fails to be less than or equal to the Discounted Pool Balance on a proposed Acquisition Date and such failure has not been cured within five (5) Business Days of such date; or

 

(g)           the Issuer is required to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

Section 6.02                      Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment. If an Event of Default exists, then, unless waived pursuant to Section 6.15 hereof, and in every such case, the Control Party may, and the Trustee shall, at the written direction of the Control Party, declare the principal of all the Notes to be immediately du e and payable, by notice given in writing to the Issuer and upon any such declaration, such principal and all accrued interest under the Notes shall become immediately due and payable without any presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind (except such notices as shall be expressly required by the provisions of this Indenture), all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Issuer; provided, that if such Event of Default consists of an Insolvency Event with respect to the Issuer, then all such principal and accrued interest shall be automatically due and payable without the need for any such notice or further action by any Person.

 

At any time after such a declaration of acceleration has been made, but before any Sale of the Collateral has been made or a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Control Party, by written notice to the Issuer and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if (notwithstanding Section 6.15 hereof) (a) and (b) below are satisfied:

 

(a)           the Issuer has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay:

 

(1)           all overdue installments of interest on all Notes and interest thereon at the overdue interest rate from the time such overdue interest first became due until the date when paid;

 

(2)           the principal of any Notes which has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the overdue interest rate from the time such principal first became due until the date when paid;  and

 

(3)           all sums paid or advanced, together with interest thereon, by the Trustee, the Originator and any Secured Party, and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and any Secured Party, their agents and counsel incurred in connection with the enforcement of this Indenture to the date of such payment or deposit.

 

(b)           all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of the principal on any of the Notes which has become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived by the Control Party unless (i) an Event of Default in the payment of interest on any Note when due or principal not paid at the Stated Maturity Date or (ii) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which by its terms cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Noteholders of each Outstanding Note affected thereby, in which case a waiver by the Noteholders of each Outstanding Notes is required.

 

 

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

Section 6.03                      Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

 

(a)           The Issuer covenants that, if an Event of Default shall occur and the Notes have been declared due and payable and such declaration has not been rescinded and annulled, the Issuer will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Noteholders, the whole amount then due and payable on the Notes for principal and interest (with interest upon the overdue principal and overdue interest at the rate provided herein), any and all amounts due and payable to the Noteholders, the Originator, the Back-up Servicer, the Custodian, the Paying Agent and the Trustee and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of each of the Trustee, the Pay ing Agent and the Noteholders and their respective agents and counsel.

 

(b)           If the Issuer fails to pay such amount forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as Trustee of an express trust, may, with the prior written consent of the Control Party, and shall, at the written direction of the Control Party, institute Proceedings for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and prosecute such Proceedings to judgment or final decree, and enforce the same against the Issuer and collect the monies adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Issuer, wherever situated.

 

(c)           If an Event of Default exists, the Trustee shall, at the written direction of the Control Party, proceed to protect and enforce the rights of the Noteholders and the Paying Agent by such appropriate Proceedings as the Trustee, at the written direction of the Control Party, shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

 

Section 6.04                      Remedies.  If an Event of Default exists, the Trustee may, with the prior written consent of the Control Party, and shall, at the written direction of the Control Party, do one or more of the following:

 

(a)           institute Proceedings for the collection of all amounts remaining unpaid on the Notes or under this Indenture or the other Transaction Documents whether by declaration or otherwise, enforce any judgment obtained, and collect from the Issuer and the Collateral the monies adjudged due;

 

(b)           take possession of and sell the Collateral or any portion thereof or rights or interest therein, at one or more private or public Sales called and conducted in any manner permitted by law;

 

(c)           institute any Proceedings from time to time for the complete or partial foreclosure of the lien created by this Indenture with respect to the Collateral;

 

 

 

(d)           redirect Obligor payments to such account or accounts as the Control Party determines necessary in its sole discretion, or at the direction of the Control Party;

 

(e)           during the continuance of a default under a Contract, exercise any of the rights of the lessor or lender (as applicable) under such Contract;

 

(f)           exercise any remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code (irrespective of whether the Uniform Commercial Code applies) or any applicable law and take any other appropriate action to protect and enforce the rights and remedies of the Trustee or the Noteholders hereunder or under the other Transaction Documents; and

 

(g)           exercise any and all rights, powers and privileges available to the Trustee or the Noteholders (whether at law, in equity or by contract).

 

 

.  If an Event of Default exists, the Trustee shall, upon written request from the Control Party, elect, by giving written notice of such election to the Issuer, to take possession of and retain the Collateral intact, collect or cause the collection of all income, payments and proceeds thereof and make and apply all payments and deposits and maintain all accounts in respect of such Notes in accordance with the provisions of Article XIII.  If the Trustee is unable to or is stayed from giving such notice to the Issuer for any reason whatsoever, such election shall be effective as of the time of such request from the Control Party, as the case may be, notwithstanding any failure to give such notice, and the Trustee shall give such notice upon the removal or cure of such inability or stay (but shall have no obligation t o effect such removal or cure).  Any such election may be rescinded with respect to any portion of the Collateral remaining at the time of such rescission by written notice to the Trustee and the Issuer from the Control Party.

 

 

.  In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial Proceeding relating to the Issuer or the property of the Issuer or its creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of any of the Notes shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Issuer for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered and shall, at the prior written direction of the Control Party, intervene in such proceeding or otherwise:

 

(a)           to file and prove a claim for all amounts of principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Notes issued hereunder and to file such other papers or documents and take such other actions, including participating as a member, voting or otherwise, in any committee of creditors appointed in the matter as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee, the Noteholders, the Paying Agent, the Custodian (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of each such Person and their respective agents and counsel and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07) and of the Noteholders allowed in such judicial Proceeding;

 

 

 

 

(b)           unless prohibited by applicable law and regulations, to vote at the direction of the Control Party on behalf of the Noteholders in any election of a trustee, a standby trustee or person performing similar functions in any such proceedings;

 

(c)           to petition for lifting of the automatic stay and thereupon to foreclose upon the Collateral as elsewhere provided herein; and

 

(d)           to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, or sequestrator (or other similar official) in any such judicial Proceeding is hereby authorized by the Noteholders and the Paying Agent to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to each such Person, to pay to the Trustee or such Person any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of each of the Trustee and such other Person, their agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.

 

Nothing contained in this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Secured Party any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting any of the Notes or the rights of any Secured Party, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Secured Party in any such Proceeding; provided, however, that the Control Party shall be authorized to vote on all of the foregoing matters described above on behalf of the Noteholders and to consent to certain amendments as described under Section 10.02 hereof.

 

Section 6.07                      Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Notes.

 

(a)           In all Proceedings brought by the Trustee in accordance with this Indenture (and also any Proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party), the Trustee shall be held to represent all of the Noteholders and it shall not be necessary to make any Noteholder a party to any such Proceedings.

 

(b)           All rights of actions and claims under this Indenture or any of the Notes may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Notes or the production thereof in any Proceeding relating thereto, and any such Proceedings instituted by the Trustee shall be brought with the prior written consent of the Control Party and in the Trustee’s own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery, whether by judgment, settlement or otherwise shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and its agents and counsel, be for the benefit of the Noteholders, as the case may be.

 

Section 6.08                      Application of Money Collected.  If the Notes have been declared due and payable following an Event of Default and such declaration has not been rescinded or annulled, any money collected by the Trustee with respect to the Notes and the other Transaction Documents pursuant to this Article VI or otherwise and any other money that may be held thereafter by the Trustee as security for the Notes and the other Transac tion Documents shall be applied in the order set forth in Section 13.03 on the earlier of the next Payment Date and such dates as the Trustee may designate for the release of such funds, to the same extent as if such date were a Payment Date.

 

 

 

 

 

Section 6.09                      [Reserved]

 

Section 6.10                      Unconditional Right of the Noteholders to Receive Principal and Interest.  Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, each Noteholder shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal and interest on such Note on the dates on which such principal and interest becomes due and payable and to institute any Proceeding for the enforcement of any such payment, an d such right shall not be impaired without the consent of such Noteholder.

 

Section 6.11                      Restoration of Rights and Remedies.  If the Trustee or any Noteholder has instituted any Proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such Proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Noteholder, then, and in every case, the Issuer, the Trustee and the Noteholders shall, subject to any determination in such Proceedin g, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Noteholders shall continue as though no such Proceeding had been instituted.

 

Section 6.12                      Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes in the last paragraph of Section 2.08, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Noteholders is intended to be exclusive of an y other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise.  The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

 

Section 6.13                      Delay or Omission Not Waiver.  No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Noteholder to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or any acquiescence therein.  Every right and remedy given by this Article VI or by law to the Trustee or to the Noteholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or the Noteholders, as the case may be.

 

Section 6.14                      Control by Control Party.  The Control Party shall have the right to direct in writing the time, method and place of conducting any Proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee; provided that:

 

(a)           such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture including any provision hereof which expressly provides for approval by a percentage of Outstanding Note Balance of all Notes or of all Notes within a Class;

 

(b)           if the Trustee has reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of any funds expended or risked by it is not assured to it without an indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against such risk or liability, such indemnity shall have been provided.

 

 

 

 

Section 6.15                      Waiver of Certain Events by the Control Party.

 

        The Control Party may waive on behalf of all Noteholders any Event of Servicing Termination, Default or Event of Default and its consequences in each case except:

 

(i)           an Event of Default in the payment of interest on any Note when due or principal not paid at the Stated Maturity Date;

 

(ii)           in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which by its terms cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Noteholder of each Outstanding Note affected thereby; or

 

(iii)           in the circumstances provided in Section 6.02 hereof.

 

Upon any such waiver, such Event of Servicing Termination, Default or Event of Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Event of Servicing Termination, Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

Section 6.16                      Additional Rights of Subordinate Noteholders.  At any time during the period from the first to occur of (i) the commencement of an Insolvency Event or any other insolvency proceeding with respect to the Issuer, (ii) the acceleration of the Class A Notes pursuant to Section 6.02 or (iii) the commencement of the foreclosure of any Collateral under this Article VI following the occurrence of an Event of Default, and without prejudice to any other rights of the Holders of the Class B-1 Notes under the Transaction Documents, any one or more Holders of the Class B-1 Notes shall initially have the sole right to deliver written notice, which notice shall be sent to the Trustee (the “Class A Buyout Notice”) electing to purchase (without recourse, warranty or representation (other than that the Holders of such Class A Notes own such Class A Notes free and clear of any Liens created or granted by the Holder of such Class A Notes)) the entire (but not less than the entire) aggregate amount of Outstanding Class A Notes (and all associated rights, titles, claims and privileges associated therewith) for an amount (the “Class A Buyout Price”) equal to the Outstanding Note Balance of, and a ccrued but unpaid interest on, the Class A Notes (excluding therefrom any premium or penalty otherwise payable). The Trustee agrees that it shall give to the Holders of the Class B-1 Notes and the Class B-2 Notes written notice of the events described in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of this Section 6.16 promptly upon its receiving notice of such event or a Responsible Officer of the Trustee having actual knowledge thereof (such date of notice, the “Default Notice Date”).

 

If no Holder of the Class B-1 Notes exercises its rights to purchase the Class A Notes within ten (10) Business Days of the Default Notice Date, then, without prejudice to any other rights of the Holders of the Class B-2 Notes under the Transaction Documents, any one or more Holders of the Class B-2 Notes shall then have the sole right to deliver the Class A Buyout Notice, which notice shall be sent to the Trustee electing to purchase (without recourse, warranty or representation (other than that the Holders of such Class A Notes own such Class A Notes free and clear of any Liens created or granted by the Holder of such Class A Notes)) the entire (but not less than the entire) aggregate amount of Outstanding Class A Notes (and all associated rights, titles, claims and privileges associated therewith) for the Class A Buyout Price.

 

 

 

 

The purchase of the Class A Notes pursuant to this Section shall close no later than the date specified in the operative Class A Buyout Notice. The Class A Buyout Price shall be remitted by wire transfer in immediately available federal funds to the Trustee.  Interest shall be calculated to but excluding the Business Day on which such purchase shall occur if the Class A Buyout Price is wired to the Trustee prior to 11:00 am New York time and interest shall be calculated to and including such Business Day if the Class A Buyout Price is wired to the Trustee, later than 11:00 am New York time.

 

Section 6.17                      Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.  The Issuer covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not, at any time, insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Issuer (to the extent that it ma y lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

Section 6.18                      Sale of Collateral.

 

(a)           The power to effect any sale (a “Sale”) of any portion of the Collateral pursuant to Section 6.04 shall not be exhausted by any one or more Sales as to any portion of the Collateral remaining unsold, but shall continue unimpaired until the entire Collateral securing the Notes shall have been sold or all amounts payable on the Notes and under this Indenture and the other Transaction Documents shall have been paid.  The Trustee may from time to time postpone any Sale by public announcement made at the time and place of such Sale.

 

(b)           To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Trustee shall not, in any private Sale, sell to one or more third parties, or otherwise liquidate, all or any portion of the Collateral, unless:

 

(i)           the Control Party consents to such Sale or liquidation; or

 

(ii)           the proceeds of such Sale or liquidation available to be distributed to the Noteholders are sufficient to pay in full all amounts then due with respect to the Notes and, without duplication, all amounts owed to the Servicer, Originator, Trustee, Custodian, and Back-up Servicer.

 

(c)           Any Noteholder may bid for and acquire any portion of the Collateral in connection with a Sale thereof.  After the Trustee has received each offer to purchase all or any portion of the Collateral, the Trustee shall notify each Class B-1 Noteholder and Class B-2 Noteholder of the highest offer (the date of such notification, the “Collateral Purchase Notice Date”) and any one or more Class B-1 Noteholders will initially have the sole right to purchase (not later than five Business Days after delivery of written notice to the Trustee of exercise of each right to purchase) the Collateral at the highest price there offered. If no Holder of the Clas s B-1 Notes exercises its rights to purchase the Collateral within ten (10) Business Days of the Collateral Purchase Notice Date, the Trustee shall notify each Class B-2 Noteholder of the highest offer and any one or more Class B-2 Noteholders will then have the sole

 

 

right to purchase (not later than five Business Days after delivery of written notice to the Trustee of exercise of each right to purchase) the Collateral at the highest price there offered. If a Noteholder submits the highest bid, in lieu of paying cash therefor, such bidder may make settlement for the purchase price by crediting against the purchase price that portion of the net proceeds of such Sale to which such bidder would be entitled, after deducting the reasonable costs, charges and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by such Noteholder in connection with such Sale. The Notes need not be produced in order to complete any such Sale, or in order for the net proceeds of such Sale to be credited against the Notes.  The Noteholders may hold, lease, operate, manage or otherwise deal with any property so acqui red in any manner permitted by law.

 

(d)           The Trustee shall execute and deliver an appropriate instrument of conveyance provided to it by the Servicer transferring its interest in any portion of the Collateral in connection with a Sale thereof.  In addition, the Trustee is hereby irrevocably appointed the agent and attorney-in-fact with full irrevocable power and authority in the place and stead of the Issuer and in the name of the Issuer or in its own name, from time to time, from and after the occurrence of an Event of Default for the purpose of exercising the rights and remedies of the Trustee hereunder and, to take any and all action and to execute and deliver any and all documents and instruments which may be necessary or desirable to accomplish the foregoing, including without limitation, to transfer and convey its interest in any portion of the Collateral in connection with a Sale thereof, and to take all action necessary to effect such Sale.  No purchaser or transferee at such a sale shall be bound to ascertain the Trustee’s authority, inquire into the satisfaction of any conditions precedent or see to the application of any monies.

 

(e)           The method, manner, time, place and terms of any Sale of all or any portion of the Collateral shall be commercially reasonable.  The Trustee shall incur no liability for any Sale conducted in accordance with this Section.

 

Section 6.19                      Action on Notes.  The Trustee’s right to seek and recover judgment on the Notes or under this Indenture or the other Transaction Documents shall not be affected by the seeking, obtaining or application of any other relief under or with respect to this Indenture or the other Transaction Documents.  Neither the lien of this Indenture nor any rights or remedies of the Trustee or the Noteholders shall be impaired by the recovery of any judgment by the Trustee against the Issuer or by the levy of any execution under such judgment upon any portion of the Collateral or upon any of the assets of the Issuer.

 

 

Section 7.01                      Certain Duties and Immunities.

 

(a)           Except during the existence of an Event of Default known to the Trustee as provided in subsection (e) below:

 

(i)           the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

 

(ii)           in the absence of bad faith or negligence on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions, which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, such certificate or opinion shall cite the applicable provision and the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same and to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

 

(b)           So long as any Event of Default or Event of Servicing Termination exists, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and shall use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs, and nothing contained herein shall relieve the Trustee of such obligations.

 

(c)           No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct or bad faith (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), except that:

 

(i)           this subsection (c) shall not be construed to limit the effect of subsection (a) of this Section;

 

(ii)           neither the Trustee nor any of its officers, directors, employees or agents shall be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Trustee in good faith in accordance with the written direction (A) given pursuant to this Indenture or (B) by the Control Party in accordance with Section 6.14 relating to the time, method and place of conducting any Proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture;

 

(iii)           no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any liability (financial or otherwise) in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds is not assured to it without an indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against such risk or liability; and

 

(iv)           the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be conclusively proven by a court of competent jurisdiction that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.

 

(d)           Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01.

 

(e)           For all purposes under this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default, Event of Default (except as described in Section 6.01(a) or (b)) or Event of Servicing Termination unless a Responsible Officer assigned to and working in the Trustee’s Corporate Trust Office has actual knowledge or has received written notice (at the address and in the manner specified in Section 14.03) of any such event, and such notice references (i) the Notes generally, the Issuer or this Indenture or (ii) the applicable Default, Event of Default or Event of Servicing Termination.

 

 

 

(f)           Subject to Section 7.03(e), the Trustee shall be under no obligation to institute any suit, or to take any remedial proceeding under this Indenture, or to enter any appearance or in any way defend in any suit in which it may be made defendant, or to take any steps in the execution of the trusts hereby created or in the enforcement of any rights and powers hereunder if it has reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of any funds expended or risked by it is not assured to it without an indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against such risk or liability, until such indemnity shall have been provided.

 

(g)           Notwithstanding any extinguishment of all right, title and interest of the Issuer in and to the Collateral following an Event of Default and a consequent declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the Notes, whether such extinguishment occurs through a Sale of the Collateral to another person or the acquisition of the Collateral by the Noteholders, the rights of the Noteholders shall continue to be governed by the terms of this Indenture.

 

(h)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the provisions of subsections (e) through (g), inclusive, of this Section 7.01 shall be subject to the provisions of subsections (a) through (c), inclusive, of this Section 7.01.

 

(i)           At all times during the term of this Indenture, the Trustee and the Custodian shall keep at their Corporate Trust Office for inspection by the Noteholders, the Contract Schedule and all amendments thereto delivered to it.

 

(j)           The Trustee shall have no obligation to ascertain whether any payment of interest on an overdue installment of interest is legally enforceable.

 

Section 7.02                      Notice of Default and Other Events.  Promptly upon the existence of any Default or Event of Default or Event of Servicing Termination known to the Trustee (within the meaning of Section 7.01(e)), the Trustee shall transmit by telephonic or telecopy communication confirmed by mail to all Noteholders, as their names and address es appear in the Note Register, notice of such event hereunder known to the Trustee.

 

Section 7.03                      Certain Rights of Trustee.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01:

 

(a)           the Trustee may in good faith conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, note or other obligation, paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

 

(b)           any request or direction of the Issuer mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Issuer Request, an Issuer Order, or any writing executed by a duly authorized officer of the Issuer;

 

 

 

 

(c)           whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith, negligence or willful misconduct on its part, reasonably request and conclusively rely upon an Officer’s Certificate of the Servicer or the Issuer;

 

(d)           the Trustee may consult with counsel selected by it with due care and familiar with such matters and the written advice or opinion of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel (in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee and addressed to the Trustee) shall be full and complete authorization and protection and the Trustee shall not be liable in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

 

(e)           the Trustee may, at any time during the administration of this Indenture, request and receive a written direction from the Control Party in connection with actions to be taken in its capacity as Trustee and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted in good faith reliance thereon;

 

(f)           the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture which are exercisable at the request or direction of any of the Noteholders or the Control Party pursuant to this Indenture, if it has reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of the costs, expenses (including legal fees and expenses) and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction is not assured to it without an indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against such cost, expense or liability;

 

(g)           the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, approval, entitlement, bond, note or other paper or document, unless requested in writing to do so by the Control Party; provided, however, that the Trustee shall be under no obligation to make such investigation if it has reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of any cost, expense or liability likely to be incurred in making such investigation is not assured to it without an indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against such cost, expense or liability , but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuer, upon reasonable notice and at reasonable times personally or by agent or attorney;

 

(h)           the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder, either directly or by or through agents, custodians, nominees or attorneys provided that the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed by it with due care; and

 

(i)           except as otherwise agreed in writing, the Trustee shall not be responsible for the payment of any interest on amounts deposited with it hereunder.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Indenture or the Servicing Agreement or any other Transaction Document regarding the Trustee shall limit the Back-up Servicer’s obligations under this Indenture or the Servicing Agreement or any other Transaction Document, which shall be governed by the respective agreement.

 

 

 

 

Section 7.04                      Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Notes.

 

(a)           The recitals contained herein and in the Notes, except the certificates of authentication on the Notes, shall be taken as the statements of the Issuer, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness or validity.  Other than pursuant to Section 7.17 hereof, the Trustee makes no representations as to the validity, adequacy or condition of the Collateral or any part thereof, or as to the title of the Issuer thereto or as to the security afforded thereby or hereby, or as to the validity or genuineness of any securities at any time pledged and deposited with the Trustee hereunder or as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Notes.  The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Issuer of Notes or the proceeds thereof or of any money paid to the Issuer or upon Issuer Order or for the use or application by the Servicer of any amounts paid to the Servicer under any provisions hereof.

 

(b)           Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in the other Transaction Documents, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Trustee shall have no responsibility or liability for or with respect to the existence or validity of any Contract, the perfection of any security interest (whether as of the date hereof or at any future time), the filing of any financing statements, amendments thereto, or continuation statements, the maintenance of or the taking of any action to maintain such perfection, the validity of the assignment of any portion of the Collateral to the Trustee or of any intervening assignment, the review of any Contract (it being understood that the Trustee (in its capacity as Trustee) has not reviewed and does not intend to review the s ubstance or form of any such Contract), the performance or enforcement of any Contract, the compliance by the Issuer, the Servicer, the Originator or any Obligor with any covenant or the breach by the Issuer, the Servicer, the Originator or any Obligor of any warranty or representation made hereunder or in any related document or the accuracy of any such warranty or representation, any investment of monies in the Collection Account, or any loss resulting therefrom (other than losses from nonpayment of investments in obligations of U.S. Bank National Association issued in its capacity other than as Trustee or investments made in violation of the provisions hereof), the acts or omissions of the Issuer, the Servicer, the Originator or any Obligor or any action of the Issuer, the Originator or the Servicer taken in the name of the Trustee or the validity of the Servicing Agreement.

 

(c)           The Trustee shall not have any obligation or liability under any Contract by reason of or arising out of this Indenture or the granting of a security interest in such Contract hereunder or the receipt by the Trustee of any payment relating to any Contract pursuant hereto, nor shall the Trustee be required or obligated in any manner to perform or fulfill any of the obligations of the Issuer under or pursuant to any Contract, or to make any payment, or to make any inquiry as to the nature or the sufficiency of any payment received by it, or the sufficiency of any performance by any party, under any Contract.

 

Section 7.05                      May Hold Notes.  The Trustee, any Paying Agent, Note Registrar, or Authenticating Agent may, in its individual capacity, become the owner or pledgee of Notes.

 

 

 

 

 

       Section 7.06                      Money Held in Trust.  Money and investments held in trust by the Trustee or any Paying Agent hereunder shall be held in one or more segregated, trust accounts (which shall be Eligible Accounts), in the name of th e Trustee on behalf of the Secured Parties at the Corporate Trust Office, which accounts shall bear a designation clearly indicating that the funds deposited therein are held for the benefit of the Secured Parties.  The Trustee or any Paying Agent shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Issuer or otherwise specifically provided herein (in such case subject to the provisions of Section 13.03).

 

Section 7.07                      Compensation and Reimbursement.  The Issuer agrees:

 

(a)           Solely from amounts distributed from the Collection Account pursuant to Section 13.03, to:  (i) pay the Trustee monthly its fee for all services rendered by it hereunder as Trustee, in the amount of the Trustee Fee (which compensation shall not otherwise be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust), (ii) pay the Custodian monthly its fee for all services rendered by it hereunder as Custodian, in the amount of the Custodian Fee and (iii) pay to the Back-up Servicer its fee for all services rendered by it hereunder and under the Servicing Agreement as Back-up Servicer, in the amount of the Back-up Servicer Fee, in each case in accordance with the priorities set forth in Section 13. 03;

 

(b)           except as otherwise expressly provided herein and solely from amounts distributed pursuant to Section 13.03, to reimburse the Trustee, the Custodian or the Back-up Servicer upon its request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee, the Custodian or the Back-up Servicer, respectively, in accordance with any provision of this Indenture or the Servicing Agreement or any other Transaction Document relating thereto (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of the Trustee’s, the Custodian’s and Back-up Servicer’s agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith; and

 

(c)           to indemnify and hold harmless the Trustee, the Custodian, the Securities Intermediary, the Back-up Servicer and their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents from and against, and reimburse for, any loss, claim, obligation, action, suit liability, expense, penalty, stamp or other similar tax, reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ and agents’ fees and expenses) damage or injury (to person, property or natural resources) of any kind and nature sustained or suffered by the Trustee, the Custodian, the Securities Intermediary and the Back-up Servicer by reason of any acts or omissions (or alleged acts or omissions) of the Trustee, the Custodian, the Securities Intermediary or the Back-up Servicer under th e Transaction Documents or arising directly or indirectly out of the activities of the Issuer or any of the transactions contemplated hereby (including any violation of any applicable laws by the Issuer as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Indenture) or the participation by the Trustee, the Custodian, the Securities Intermediary and the Back-up Servicer in the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, including any judgment, award, settlement, reasonable attorneys’ fees and other expenses incurred in connection with the defense of any actual or threatened action,

 

 

(d)           The Trustee hereby acknowledges and agrees that if the Servicer and/or the Issuer fails to pay the amounts set forth in this Section 7.07, the Trustee will continue to perform its obligations under this Indenture, regardless of the Servicer and/or the Issuer’s failure to pay such amounts, until the appointment of a successor Trustee in accordance with Section 7.09 of this Indenture; provided, however, that in such event, the Trustee shall continue to be entitled to be paid all accrued amounts due it pursuant to this Section 7.07 from amounts payable pursuant to Section 13.03.

 

Section 7.08                      Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.  There shall at all times be a trustee hereunder, who shall be the Trustee, which shall:  (a) be a banking corporation or association organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000 and sub ject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and having an office within the United States of America; and (b) have a commercial paper or other short-term rating of at least A-1/P-1 from each of Moody’s and S & P.  If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.  If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

 

Section 7.09                      Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

 

(a)           No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee.

 

(b)           The Trustee may resign at any time by giving thirty (30) days’ prior written notice thereof to the Issuer and the Noteholders.  If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within thirty (30) days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee, whose acceptance will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.  Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and may prescribe, appoint a successor Trustee.

 

(c)           The Trustee may be removed by the Control Party at any time if one of the following events has occurred:

 

 

 

                (i)           the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 7.08 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Issuer or the Control Party;

 

(ii)           the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation;

 

(iii)           the Trustee has failed to perform its duties in accordance with this Indenture or has breached any representation of warranty made in this Indenture; or

 

(iv)           upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of termination by the Control Party.

 

(d)           If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of the Trustee for any cause with respect to any of the Notes, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.  If no successor Trustee shall have been so appointed by the Issuer within thirty (30) days of notice of removal or resignation and shall have accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, then the Control Party may appoint a successor Trustee.  No removal or resignation of the Trustee shall become effective until the acceptance of the appointment of a successor Trustee that is eligible to act as Trustee under Section 7.08.

 

(e)           The Issuer shall give notice in the manner provided in Section 14.03 of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee and each appointment and acceptance of appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Notes.  Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

 

(f)           All amounts owing to the resigning or removed Trustee shall be payable solely on the next scheduled date for distributions and solely in accordance with the priorities set forth in Section 13.03.

 

Section 7.10                      Acceptance of Appointment by Successor. Every successor Trustee appointed hereunder shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Issuer, the Secured Parties and the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee but, on request of the Issuer, the Control Party or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee, and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.  Upon request of any such successor Trustee or the Control Party, the Issuer shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts.

 

No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be eligible under this Article.

 

 

 

Section 7.11                      Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business of Trustee.  Any Person into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder (provided that such successor shall at all times be required to be eligible under Section 7.08), without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto.  In case any Notes have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Notes so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Notes.

 

Section 7.12                      Co-Trustees and Separate Trustees.

 

(a)           At any time or times, for the purpose of meeting the legal requirements of any jurisdiction in which any of the Collateral may at the time be located, the Issuer and the Trustee shall have power to appoint, and, upon the written request of the Trustee, the Issuer shall for such purpose join with the Trustee in the execution, delivery and performance of all instruments and agreements necessary or proper to appoint, one or more Persons approved by the Trustee and meeting the eligibility standards for the Trustee specified in Section 7.08, either to act as Co-Trustee, jointly with the Trustee of all or any part of such Collateral, or to act as separate Trustee of any such property (a “Co-Trustee”), in either case with such powers as may be provided in the instrument of appointment, and to vest in such Person or persons in the capacity aforesaid, any property, title, right or power deemed necessary or desirable, subject to the other provisions of this Section.  If the Issuer does not join in such appointment within fifteen (15) days after the receipt by it of a request so to do, or, in case an Event of Default exists, the Trustee alone shall have power to make such appointment.

 

(b)           Should any written instrument from the Issuer be reasonably required by any Co-Trustee or separate Trustee so appointed for more fully confirming to such Co-Trustee or separate Trustee such property, title, right or power, any and all such instruments shall, on request, be executed, acknowledged and delivered by the Issuer.

 

(c)           Every Co-Trustee or separate Trustee shall, to the extent permitted by law, but to such extent only, be appointed subject to the following terms:

 

(i)           the Notes shall be authenticated and delivered by, and all rights, powers, duties and obligations hereunder in respect of the custody of securities, cash and other personal property held by, or required to be deposited or pledged with, the Trustee hereunder, shall be exercised solely by the Trustee;

 

(ii)           the rights, powers, duties and obligations hereby conferred or imposed upon the Trustee in respect of any property covered by such appointment shall be conferred or imposed upon and exercised or performed by the Trustee or by the Trustee and such Co-Trustee or separate Trustee jointly, as shall be provided in the instrument appointing such Co-Trustee or separate Trustee, except to the extent that under any law of any jurisdiction in which any particular act is to be performed, the Trustee shall be incompetent or unqualified to perform such act, in which event such rights, powers, duties and obligations shall be exercised an d performed by such Co-Trustee or separate Trustee at the direction or with the consent of the Trustee;

 

 

(iii)           the Trustee at any time, by an instrument in writing executed by it and, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Issuer, may accept the resignation of or remove any Co-Trustee or separate Trustee, appointed under this Section, and, in case an Event of Default exists, the Trustee shall have power to accept the resignation of, or remove, any such Co-Trustee or separate Trustee without the concurrence of the Issuer.  Upon the written request of the Trustee, the Issuer shall join with the Trustee in the execution, delivery and performance of all instruments and agreements necessary or proper to effectuate such resignation or removal.  A successor to any Co-Trustee or separate Trustee that has so resigned or been removed may be appointed in the manner provided in this Section;

 

(iv)           no Co-Trustee or separate Trustee hereunder shall be personally liable by reason of any act or omission of the Trustee or any other such Trustee hereunder nor shall the Trustee be liable by reason of any act or omission of any Co-Trustee or separate Trustee selected by the Trustee with due care or appointed in accordance with directions to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.14 provided, that the appointment of any Co-Trustee or separate Trustee shall not relieve the Trustee from any of its express duties and obligations under this Indenture; and

 

(v)           any Act of Noteholders delivered to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been delivered to each such Co-Trustee and separate Trustee.

 

Section 7.13                      Maintenance of Office or Agency; Initial Appointment of Payment Agent.  The Note Registrar will maintain an office within the State of New York or the State of Minnesota where Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demand to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. 0; The Issuer hereby appoints the Trustee as the Paying Agent and its Corporate Trust Office as the office for each of said purposes.

 

Section 7.14                      Appointment of Authenticating Agent.  The Trustee may at its expense appoint an Authenticating Agent or Authenticating Agents with respect to the Notes which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Notes issued upon original issue or upon exchange, registration of transfer or pursuant to Section 2.08, and Notes so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture a nd shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder.  Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Notes by the Trustee or the Trustee certificate of authentication or the delivery of Notes to the Trustee for authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and delivery of the Notes to the Authenticating Agent on behalf of the Trustee.  Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Issuer (whose acceptance shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) and shall at all times be a corporation having a combined capital and surplus of not less than the equivalent of $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by federal or state a uthority or the equivalent

 

 

 

Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of such Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or such Authenticating Agent, provided that such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section.

 

An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Issuer.  The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent, the Noteholders and to the Issuer.  Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Issuer and, after the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Control Party, and shall mail written notice of such appointment by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Noteholders, if any, with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will se rve, as their names and addresses appear in the Note Register.  Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent.  No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

 

If an appointment is made pursuant to this Section, the Notes may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in the following form:

 

 

This is one of the Notes described in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

	By:
		As Authenticating Agent

 

Section 7.15                      Appointment of Paying Agent other than Trustee; Money for Note Payments to be Held in Trust.

 

If, at the request of the Trustee, a party other than the Trustee is ever appointed as a Paying Agent, the Issuer will cause such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee that, subject to the provisions of this Section, such Paying Agent will:

 

(a)           hold all sums held by it for the payment of principal or interest on Notes in trust in an Eligible Account in the name of the Trustee on behalf of the Issuer at the Corporate Trust Office, which account shall bear a designation clearly indicating that the funds deposited therein are held for the benefit of the Secured Parties, until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as provided in Section 13.03;

 

(b)           give the Trustee and the Noteholders notice of any Default by the Issuer (or any other obligor upon the Notes) in the making of any payment of principal or interest; and

 

(c)           at any time, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.

 

The Issuer may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Issuer Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.

 

Subject to Section 11.04, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent in trust for the payment of the principal or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuer on Issuer Request, and the Noteholder of such Note shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, and subject to any applicable statute of limitations, look only to the Issuer for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee and such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money or the related Note, shall thereupon cease; provided that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before

 

 

 

being required to make any such repayment, may (upon delivery of an Issuer Order), cause to be published once, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published on each Business Day and of general circulation in the city in which the Corporate Trust Office is located, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than thirty (30) days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Issuer.  The Trustee may also adopt and employ any other reasonable means of notification of such repayment (including mailing notice of such repayment to the Noteholders whose right to or interest in monies due and payable but not claimed is determinable from the records of any Paying Agent, at the last address as shown on the Note Register for each such Noteholder).  No additional in terest shall accrue on the related Note subsequent to the date on which such funds were available for distribution to such Noteholder.

 

Section 7.16                      Rights with Respect to the Servicer and Back-up Servicer.  The Trustee’s rights and obligations with respect to the Servicer and the Back-up Servicer shall be governed by this Indenture, the Servicing Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.

 

Section 7.17                      Representations and Warranties of the Trustee.  The Trustee hereby represents and warrants for the benefit of the parties hereto and the Secured Parties that:

 

(a)           Organization and Good Standing.  The Trustee is a national banking association duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the United States, and has the power to own its assets and to transact the business in which it is presently engaged;

 

(b)           Authorization.  The Trustee has the power, authority and legal right to execute, deliver and perform this Indenture and each other Transaction Document to which it is a party and to authenticate the Notes, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Indenture and each other Transaction Document and the authentication of the Notes has been duly authorized by the Trustee by all necessary corporate action;

 

(c)           Binding Obligations.  This Indenture and each other Transaction Document to which the Trustee is a party, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties hereto and thereto, constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Trustee, enforceable against the Trustee in accordance with its terms, except that (i) such enforcement may be subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws (whether statutory, regulatory or decisional) now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and the rights of trust companies in particular and (ii)
60;the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to certain equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefore may be brought, whether in a proceeding at law or in equity;

 

(d)           No Violation.  The performance by the Trustee  of its obligations under this Indenture and each other Transaction Document to which the Trustee is a party will not conflict with, result in any breach of any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) a default under, the charter documents or bylaws of the Trustee;

 

 

 

 

(e)           No Proceedings.  To the best of its knowledge, there are no proceedings or investigations to which the Trustee is a party pending, or, to the knowledge of the Trustee, threatened, before any court, regulatory body, administrative agency or other tribunal or Governmental Authority (A) asserting the invalidity of this Indenture or any other Transaction Documents, (B) seeking to prevent the issuance of the Notes or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Indenture or any other Transaction Document or (C) seeking any determination or ruling that would materially and adversely affect the perfo rmance by the Trustee of its obligations under, or the validity or enforceability of, this Indenture, the Notes or any other Transaction Documents;

 

(f)           Approvals.  Neither the execution or delivery by the Trustee of this Indenture or any other Transaction Document to which it is a party nor the consummation of the transactions by the Trustee contemplated hereby or by any other Transaction Document to which it is a party requires the consent or approval of, the giving of notice to, the registration with or the taking of any other action with respect to any Governmental Authority under any existing federal or state law governing the banking or trust powers of the Trustee; and

 

(g)           Eligibility.  The Trustee meets the eligibility requirements set forth in Section 7.08 hereof.

 

 

Section 8.01                      Appointment of Custodian.  Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Issuer hereby revocably appoints the Custodian, and the Custodian hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to act as Custodian on behalf of the Secured Parties to maintain exclusive custody of the Contract Files in order to perfect the ownership interest of the Issuer in the Contracts and the security interest of the Secured Parties in the Contracts and the other items in the Contract Files and any and all proceeds of the foregoing; provided that from and after the release or discharge of the Secured Parties’ lien in and to the Contracts and the other items in the Contract Files and any and all proceeds of the foregoing, the Custodian shall serve as exclusive agent and custodian of the Issuer with respect to the Contract Files.

 

Section 8.02                      Removal of Custodian. With or without cause, with sixty (60) days’ notice, (a) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default the Issuer may, with the prior written consent of the Control Party, or (b) following the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Control Party may, remove and discharge t he Custodian from the performance of its duties under this Indenture with respect to any or all of the Contracts and related Contract Files by written notice from the Issuer or the Control Party, as the case may be, to the Custodian, with a copy to the Trustee and the Servicer.  Having given notice of such removal, the Issuer (prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default) or the Control Party (following the occurrence of an Event of Default) shall, by written instrument and with the consent of the Control Party (if the notice of removal came from the Issuer), promptly appoint a successor custodian to act on behalf of the Issuer in replacement of the Custodian under this Indenture, which successor Custodian shall be satisfactory to the Control Party in its sole discretion.  In the event of any such removal, the Custodian shall promptly transfer to the successor custodian, as directed, all affected Contracts and related Contract Files.  In the event of removal of the Custodian f or cause and the appointment of a successor custodian under this

 

 

 

 

 Indenture, the expenses of transferring the Contracts and related Contract Files to the successor custodian shall be at the expense of the Custodian.  In the event of removal of the Custodian without cause by the Issuer (prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default) or the Control Party, as the case may be, and the appointment of a successor custodian under this Indenture, the Issuer shall be responsible for the expenses of transferring the Contracts and related Contract Files to the successor custodian.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Indenture shall remain in full force and effect with respect to any Contracts and related Contract Files for which this Indenture is not terminated hereunder.  The Custodian may petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor hereunder if no su ccessor is appointed within such 60-day notice period.

 

Section 8.03                      Termination by Custodian. The Custodian may terminate its obligations under this Indenture upon at least sixty (60) days’ notice to the Servicer, the Issuer and the Noteholders; provided, no termination shal l be effective until appointment of a successor acceptable to the Issuer or, if an Event of Default has occurred, the Control Party.  In the event of such termination, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor custodian; provided that after the occurrence of an Event of Default, solely the Control Party may appoint a successor custodian.  The payment of such successor custodian’s fees and expenses with respect to each Contract and related Contract Files shall be solely the responsibility of the Issuer.  Upon such appointment, the Custodian shall promptly transfer to the successor custodian, as directed, all Contracts and related Contract Files being held under this Indenture.  The Custodian may petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor hereunder if no successor is appointed within such sixty (60) day notice period.

 

Section 8.04                      Limitations on the Custodian’s Responsibilities.

 

(a)           Except as provided herein, the Custodian shall be under no duty or obligation to inspect, review or examine the Contracts or related Contract Files to determine that the contents thereof are appropriate for the represented purpose or that they have been actually recorded or that they are other than what they purport to be on their face.

 

(b)           The Custodian shall not be responsible for preparing or filing any reports or returns relating to federal, state or local income taxes with respect to this Indenture, other than for the Custodian’s compensation or for reimbursement of expenses.

 

(c)           The Custodian shall not be responsible or liable for, and makes no representation or warranty with respect to, the validity, adequacy or perfection of any lien upon or security interest in any Contract; provided that, the foregoing shall not reduce or eliminate the Custodian’s obligations under Section 4.03 hereof.

 

(d)           Any other provision of this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the Custodian shall have no notice, and shall not be bound by any of the terms and conditions of any document executed or delivered in connection with, or intended to control any part of, the transactions anticipated by or referred to in this Indenture unless the Custodian is a signatory party to that document or such document is the Indenture, the Servicing Agreement or the Lockbox Intercreditor Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the Custodian shall be deemed to have notice of the terms and conditions (including, without limitation, definitions not otherwise set

 

 

(e)           The duties and obligations of the Custodian shall only be such as are expressly set forth in this Indenture or as set forth in a written amendment to this Indenture executed by the parties hereto or their successors and assigns.  In the event that any provision of this Indenture implies or requires that action or forbearance be taken by a party, but is silent as to which party has the duty to act or refrain from acting, the parties agree that the Custodian shall not be the party required to take the action or refrain from acting.  In no event shall the Custodian have any responsibility to ascertain or take action except as expressly provided herein.

 

(f)           Nothing in this Indenture shall be deemed to impose on the Custodian any duty to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction, other than (i) any jurisdiction where any Contract and related Contract Files is or may be held by the Custodian from time to time hereunder, and (ii) any jurisdiction where its ownership of property or conduct of business requires such qualification and where failure to qualify could have a material adverse effect on the Custodian or its property or business or on the ability of the Custodian, the Issuer or the Servicer to perform its duties hereunder or under the other Transaction Documents.

 

(g)           The Custodian may consult with counsel selected by it with due care and familiar with such matters and the written advice or opinion of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel (in form and substance satisfactory to the Custodian and addressed to the Custodian) shall be full and complete authorization and protection and the Custodian shall not be liable in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon..

 

(h)           The Custodian may, at any time during the administration of this Indenture, request and receive a written direction from the Control Party in connection with actions to be taken under this Indenture and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted in good faith reliance thereon;

 

(i)           No provision of this Indenture shall require the Custodian to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights and powers, if, in its reasonable judgment, it shall believe that repayment of such funds is not reasonably assured to it without an indemnity against such risk or liability.

 

(j)           The Custodian shall have no duty to ascertain whether or not each amount or payment has been received by the Trustee or any third person.

 

Section 8.05                      Limitation on Liability. Neither the Custodian nor any of its directors, officers, agents or employees, shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them hereunder or in connection herewith in good faith and believed (which belief may be based upon the opinion or advice of counsel selected by it in the exercise of reasonable care) by it or them to be within the purview of this Indenture, except for its

 

 

 

Section 8.06                      Custodian Obligations Regarding Genuineness of Documents. In the absence of bad faith or negligence on the part of the Custodian, the Custodian may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any request, instructions, certificate, opinion or other document furnished to the Custodian, reasonably believed by the Custodian to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; provided that the provisions of this Section shall not in any manner limit or reduce the responsibilities of the Custodian under this Indenture.

 

Section 8.07                      Force Majeure. The Custodian shall not be responsible for delays or failures in performance resulting from acts of God, strikes, lockouts, riots, acts of war or terrorism, epidemics, nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, government regulations adopted after the date of this Indenture, fire, communic ation line failures, computer viruses, power failures, earthquakes or other disasters of a similar nature which are beyond its control.

 

 

 

Section 10.01                                Supplemental Indentures without Consent of the Noteholders.

 

(a)           The Issuer, the Trustee and the Custodian, without the consent of the Holders of any Notes may, at any time and from time to time, enter into one or more amendments to this Indenture or indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes, provided that (x) any such amendment or supplemental indenture, as evidenced by an opinion of counsel, will not have an adverse effect on the rights or interests of the Holders and (y) any such amendment does not modify this Indenture in a manner requiring the consent of all affected Noteholders as described in Section 10.02 hereof:

 

(i)           to better assure, convey and confirm unto the Trustee any property subject or required to be subjected to the lien of this Indenture, or to subject to the Lien of this Indenture additional property; or

 

 

 

(ii)           to correct or supplement any provision in the Indenture which may be inconsistent with any other provisions therein or with the provisions of any other Transaction Document; or

 

(iii)           to evidence the succession of another Person to the Issuer, and the assumption by such successor of the covenants of the Issuer in this Indenture and in the Notes; or

 

(iv)           to add to the covenants of, and the conditions, limitations and restrictions to be observed by, the Issuer, for the benefit of the Secured Parties or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Issuer in this Indenture; or

 

(v)           to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee; or

 

(vi)           to evidence the succession of the Trustee pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

 

(b)           The Trustee is hereby authorized to join in the execution of any such supplemental indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture that affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties, indemnities, liabilities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

(c)           Promptly after the execution by the Issuer, the Custodian and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Section, the Issuer shall mail to each Noteholder a copy of such supplemental indenture.

 

Section 10.02                                Supplemental Indentures with Consent of the Noteholders. With the prior written consent of the Majority Holders and the Servicer, the Issuer, the Trustee and the Custodian may enter into an amendment or modification to this indenture or into indentures sup plemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Notes under this Indenture (other than as provided in Section 10.01 hereof); provided, however, that no such amendment or supplemental indenture shall become effective without the consent of each of the Holders of the Notes adversely affected thereby if such amendment or supplemental indenture shall:

 

(a)           change the Stated Maturity Date of any Note or the due date of any installment of principal of, or method of computing principal of, or any installment of interest on, any Note, or change the principal amount thereof or the applicable Note Rate thereof or change any place of payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any Note or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment; or

 

(b)           reduce the percentage of the principal amount of Outstanding Notes, the consent of the Holders of which is required for any such amendment or supplemental indenture, or the consent of the Holders of which is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or Events of Default or their consequences; or

 

 

 

(c)           impair or adversely affect the priority of any payments payable by the Trustee from the Collection Account on each Payment Date under this Indenture; or

 

(d)           permit the creation of any Lien ranking prior to, on a parity with, or subordinate to the Lien of the Trustee with respect to any part of the Collateral or, except as expressly provided in this Indenture, terminate or release the Lien of the Trustee on any material portion of the Collateral at any time subject to the Indenture or deprive any Secured Party of the security afforded by the Lien of this Indenture; or

 

(e)           modify or alter any of the provisions of this Section 10.02 or any defined term used in Sections 10.01 or 10.02 of this Indenture (or any defined term used therein), except to increase the percentage of Holders required for any modification or waiver or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of each Noteholder affected thereby; or

 

(f)           modify Sections 6.01(a), 6.01(b), or Section 13.03 or any defined term used therein.

 

The Trustee is hereby authorized to join in the execution of any such amendment or supplemental indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such amendment or supplemental indenture that affects in any adverse respect the Trustee’s own rights, duties, liabilities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

Promptly after the execution by the Issuer, the Servicer, and the Trustee (and all Noteholders if required to approve such amendment or supplement) of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Section, the Issuer shall mail to the the Back-up Servicer and each Noteholder a copy of such supplemental indenture.

 

Section 10.03                                Execution of Supplemental Indentures.  In executing any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture and the Trustee receive, and (solely with respect to the Trustee, subject to Section 7.01) shall be not be liable for and shall be fully authorized to conclusively rely in good faith upon, an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and all conditions precedent to such execution have been satisfied.

 

Section 10.04                                Effect of Supplemental Indentures.  Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Noteholder theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereb y.

 

Section 10.05                                Reference in Notes to Supplemental Indentures.  Notes authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and if required by the

 

 

 

Issuer shall, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture.  If the Issuer shall so determine, new Notes so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Issuer, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Issuer and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Notes.

 

Section 10.06                                Back-Up Servicer Consent. Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, for so long as there is a Back-Up Servicer, the Issuer, the Indenture Trustee and the Custodian shall not, without the consent of the Back-Up Servicer (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), make, execute, acknowledge or deliver amendments to this Indenture or enter into any su pplemental indentures hereto or thereto or otherwise waive or amend any provision of this Indenture if such action shall have, or it is expected may have, a material adverse effect on the Back-Up Servicer or any successor Servicer.

 

Section 10.07                                Amendments to the Lockbox Intercreditor Agreement.  The Trustee shall not enter into any material amendment, modification, supplement, consent or waiver of the Lockbox Intercreditor Agreement without the consent of all Noteholders.

 

 

Section 11.01                                Redemptions of Notes.

 

(a)           Optional Redemption.   The Issuer (as directed by the Guarantor) shall have the right, subject to the terms hereof, to redeem, in whole but not in part, all outstanding Notes on any Business Day, upon not less than 15 days prior written notice to the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes (an “Optional Redemption”).

 

(b)           Mandatory Redemption.   On a Business Day within five (5) Business Days after the occurrence of a Mandatory Redemption Event, the Issuer shall redeem, in whole but not in part, all outstanding Notes (a “Mandatory Redemption”).

 

(c)           Installments of interest and principal due on or prior to the Redemption Date shall continue to be payable to the Holders of the Notes according to their terms and the provisions of Section 2.09 hereof.

 

Section 11.02                                Redemption Procedures.  In connection with any redemption pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof:

 

(a) in the case of an Optional Redemption, the Issuer (as directed by the Guarantor) shall, at least 15 days prior to the Redemption Date, notify the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes in writing of the Optional Redemption and, in the case of a Mandatory Redemption, the Issuer shall, as soon as reasonably practical after the Mandatory Redemption Event, notify the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes in writing of the Mandatory Redemption;

 

(b) in the case of an Optional Redemption, the Issuer (as directed by the Guarantor) or, in the case of a Mandatory Redemption, the Issuer shall deposit in the Collection Account on or prior to the Redemption Date at least the amounts described in Section 11.02(c);

 

 

 

(c) in the case of an Optional Redemption, the Issuer (as directed by the Guarantor) shall deliver an Issuer Order directing the Trustee to and the Trustee shall, and, in the case of a Mandatory Redemption, the Trustee shall (without any Issuer Order), make payment on the Redemption Date of the sum of (A) the Redemption Price plus, (B) fees, expenses and other reimbursable amounts owing to the Noteholders, the Originator, the Trustee, the Securities Intermediary, the Custodian, the Back-up Servicer and the Servicer under the Transaction Documents; and

 

(d) upon delivery to the Trustee, the Noteholders, the Custodian, the Paying Agent, and the Back-up Servicer of such documents and an Officer’s Certificate from the Servicer certifying that (1) the amounts required to be deposited into the Collection Account shall have been deposited and (2) the requirements of this Article XI have been satisfied, the Trustee shall release its interest in the entire Collateral as provided in Section 11.05.

 

Section 11.03                                Notice of Redemption to Noteholders.  In the case of an Optional Redemption or a Mandatory Redemption, upon receipt of the notice set forth in Section 11.02(a), the Trustee shall provide notice thereof with a copy of such notice of redemption pursuant to Section 11.01 by first class mail or courier delivery, dispatched no later than five (5) B usiness Days following the date on which such notice was provided, to each Noteholder (at its address in the Note Register).

 

All notices of redemption shall state:

 

(a)           the Redemption Date;

 

(b)           the amount that will be deposited in the Collection Account, which shall be at least the sum of (A) the Redemption Price plus (B) all other amounts that are payable to the Noteholders, the Trustee, the Originator, the Custodian, the Back-up Servicer, and the Servicer under the Transaction Documents on the Redemption Date;

 

(c)           that on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price will become due and payable with respect to the Notes, and that interest on all Outstanding Notes shall cease to accrue on such date;

 

(d)           all conditions precedent in connection with such redemption have been satisfied;

 

(e)           the address at which such redeemed Notes shall be delivered; and

 

(f)           the record date for such Redemption Date, which shall be one Business Day before the Redemption Date.

 

Notice of redemption of Notes shall be given by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer.

 

Section 11.04                                Amounts Payable on Redemption Date.  Notice of redemption having been given to Noteholders as provided in Section 11.03, such Notes shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price, and on such Redemption Date (unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of such Redemption Price), all of the Outstanding Notes shall cease to bear inte rest.  On the Redemption Date:  (A) each Noteholder shall be paid such Noteholder’s applicable share of the Redemption Price by the Paying Agent on behalf of the Issuer upon presentation and surrender of their respective Notes at the office or agency specified in

 

 

 

Section 11.05                                Release of Contract Assets in Connection with Redemptions.

 

(a)           In connection with the redemptions permitted under this Article XI, the Trustee shall release its Lien on the Contracts, upon (I) the deposit of the amounts set forth in Section 11.02(c) into the Collection Account and (II) the Issuer’s delivery to the Trustee and the Custodian of an Officer’s Certificate, (1) identifying the Contracts and the related Equipment to be released, (2) requesting the release thereof, (3) setting forth the amount deposited in the Collection Account with respect thereto, (4) certifying that the amount deposited in the Collection Account is at least equal to the Redemption Price and all other amounts required to be paid in connection with a redemption under this Article XI, and (5) certifying th at all other conditions precedent set forth in the Transaction Documents relating to such release have been satisfied.

 

(b)           Upon release of the Trustee’s Lien on the Contracts in accordance with Section 11.05(a), the Custodian shall deliver to the Issuer the Contracts and all related Contract Assets described in the Issuer’s Officer’s Certificate.

 

 

Section 12.01                                Representations and Warranties.

 

The Issuer hereby makes the following representations and warranties for the benefit of the Trustee, the Custodian and the Secured Parties on which the Trustee relies in accepting the Collateral in trust and in authenticating the Notes.  Except as specifically provided otherwise, such representations and warranties are made as of the Closing Date and each Acquisition Date and shall survive the transfer, grant and assignment of the Collateral to the Trustee.

 

 

(a)           Organization and Good Standing.  The Issuer is a Delaware limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and is not organized under the laws of any other jurisdiction.  The Issuer is in good standing under the law of the State of Delaware and each other State where the nature of its activities requires it to “qualify to do business”, except to the extent that the failure to so qualify would not individually or in the aggregate materially adversely affect the ability of the Issuer to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents.

 

 

 

(b)           Authorization.  The Issuer has the power, authority and legal right to execute, deliver and perform under the Transaction Documents and the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents have been duly authorized by the Issuer by all necessary limited liability company action.

 

(c)           Binding Obligation.  Each of the Transaction Documents to which the Issuer is a party, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the parties thereto other than the Issuer, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer, enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with its terms except that (i) such enforcement may be subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, rehabilitation, moratorium or other similar laws (whether statutory, regulatory or decisional) now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors’ rights generally and (ii) the remedy of specific performance and injunctiv e and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to certain equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought, whether a proceeding at law or in equity.

 

(d)           No Violation.  The consummation of the transactions contemplated by the fulfillment of the terms of the Transaction Documents will not:  (i) conflict with, result in any breach of any of the material terms and provisions of, or constitute (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) a default under the organizational documents of the Issuer, any indenture, agreement, mortgage, deed of trust or other instrument to which the Issuer is a party or by which it is bound; (ii) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of its properties pursuant to the terms of such indenture, agreement, mortgage, deed of trust or other such instrument, other than any Lien created or imposed pursuant to the terms of the Transaction Documents, or (iii) violate any law or, to the best of the Issuer’s knowledge, any material order, rule or regulation applicable to the Issuer of any court or of any federal or state regulatory body, administrative agency or other governmental instrumentality having jurisdiction over the Issuer or any of its properties.

 

(e)           No Proceedings.  There are no proceedings or investigations to which the Issuer, or any of the Issuer’s Affiliates, is a party pending, or, to the knowledge of the Issuer, threatened, before any court, regulatory body, administrative agency or other tribunal or governmental instrumentality (A) asserting the invalidity of the Transaction Documents or any Receivable or any Contract, (B) seeking to prevent the issuance of any of the Notes or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents, or (C) seeking any determination or ruling that would adversely affect the performan ce by the Issuer of its obligations under, or the validity or enforceability of, the Transaction Documents or any Receivable or any Contract.

 

(f)           Approvals.  All approvals, authorizations, consents, orders or other actions of any Person, or of any court, governmental agency or body or official, required in connection with the execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents and with the valid and proper authorization, issuance and sale of the Notes pursuant to this Indenture (except that no such representation is made with respect to any necessary approvals of State securities officials under the Blue Sky Laws), have been or will be taken or obtained on or prior to the Closing Date.

 

 

 

(g)           Principal Office.  The Issuer’s principal place of business and chief executive office is located at the Issuer Address.

 

(h)           Transfer and Assignment.  Upon the delivery by or on behalf of the Issuer to the Trustee of the Contracts and the filing of the financing statements described in Sections 4.01(a)(v) and 4.02(b), the Trustee, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, shall have a first priority perfected security interest in the Issuer’s interest in the Contracts and Receivables and the proceeds thereof and that portion of the Collateral in which a security interest may be perfected by possession or the filing of a financing statement, in each case, under the UCC, limited to the extent set forth in Section 9-315 of the UCC as in effect in the applicable jurisdiction; provided that none of the Servicer, the Originator and the Issuer shall be required to file or record assignments of any UCC-1 financing statements or other lien recordings made against an Obligor.  All filings (including UCC filings) as are necessary in any jurisdiction to perfect the security interest of the Trustee in the Collateral, including the transfer of the Contracts and any other payments to become due thereunder, have been made.

 

(i)           Owners of the Issuer.  The Originator owns one hundred percent (100%) of the Equity Interest in the Issuer, and such Equity Interest is duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid for and non-assessable by the Issuer.

 

(j)           Bulk Transfer Laws.  The transfer, assignment and conveyance of the Contract Assets by the Issuer pursuant to this Indenture are not subject to the bulk transfer or any similar statutory provisions in effect in any applicable jurisdiction.

 

(k)           The Contract Assets.  The rights of the Issuer with respect to the representations and warranties that are made by the Originator in the Purchase and Contribution Agreement and each Assignment Agreement as of each Acquisition Date have been assigned by the Issuer to the Trustee pursuant to the terms hereof, and the Issuer is not aware of any inaccuracy in any such representations and warranties except for such inaccuracies as have been provided in writing to the Trustee.

 

(l)           Solvency.  The Issuer, both prior to and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby, (i) is not “insolvent” (as such term is defined in §101(32)(A) of the Bankruptcy Code); (ii) is able to pay its debts as they become due; and (iii) does not have unreasonably small capital for the activities that it conducts or for any transaction(s) in which it is about to engage.

 

(m)           Investment Company.  The Issuer is not an “investment company” or a company controlled by an “investment company” registered or required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or otherwise subject to any other federal or state statute or regulation limiting its ability to incur indebtedness.  The Issuer, at all times, within the meaning of 17 C.F.R. 270.3a-7, (1) will have issued only the Notes and the membership interest s issued to its managing member at its formation, and any other securities issued by the Issuer are “fixed income securities or other securities ... that depend primarily on the cash flow from eligible assets” and for

 

 

 

(n)           Limited Activities.  Since its formation, the Issuer has conducted no activities other than the execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents contemplated hereby, and such other activities as are incidental to the foregoing and otherwise permitted under Section 12.02(i).  The Issuer has incurred no indebtedness nor engaged in any activities or transactions nor acquired any assets except as expressly contemplated hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents.

 

(o)           Taxes.  The Issuer has filed or caused to be filed all Federal, state and local tax returns which are required to be filed by it, and has paid or caused to be paid all taxes shown to be due and payable on such returns or on any assessments received by it, other than any taxes or assessments, the validity of which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which the Issuer or the Servicer on its behalf has set aside adequate reserves on its books in accordance with GAAP and which proceedings have not given rise to any Lien.

 

(p)           Lockbox Accounts.  The Issuer has no lockbox accounts or other bank accounts for the collection of the Contract Assets other than the Lockbox Account.

 

(q)           Accuracy of Information.  All certificates, reports, financial statements and similar writings furnished by or on behalf of the Issuer to the Trustee or any Noteholder, at any time pursuant to any requirement of, or in response to any written request of any such party under, this Indenture or any other Transaction Document, have been, and all such certificates, reports, financial statements and similar writings hereafter furnished by the Issuer to such parties will be, true and accurate in every respect material to the transactions contemplated hereby on the date as of which any such certificate, report, financial statement or similar writing was or will be delivered, and shall not omit to state any material facts or any facts necessary to make the statements contained therein not materially misleading.

 

(r)           Perfection Requirements as to Collateral.

 

(1)           This Indenture creates a valid and continuing security interest (as defined in the UCC) in the Collateral in favor of the Trustee, which security interest is prior to all other Liens and is enforceable as such as against creditors of and purchasers from the Issuer.  The Issuer has good and marketable title to the Collateral (including the Collection Account, the Reserve Account, the Prefunding Account, the Capitalized Interest Account and all amounts from time to time on deposit in the Lockbox Account with respect to the Contracts), free and clear of any Liens (except as otherwise provided in the Lockbox Intercredit or Agreement and the rights of Obligors to Security Deposits retained by the Issuer).

 

 

 

(2)           All of the Contracts included in the Collateral constitute “tangible chattel paper” within the meaning of the UCC.  The Issuer has transferred to the Trustee the original copies of such tangible chattel paper, and, other than the stamp, if any, in favor of a prior lender that signed a Release Agreement related to a Contract, none of such tangible chattel paper has any marks or notations indicating that it has been pledged, assigned or otherwise conveyed to any Person other than in favor of the Issuer or the Trustee.  The Equipment related to each Contract constitutes either “equipment 221; for purposes of section 9-102(33) of the UCC or “inventory” for purposes of section 9-102(48) of the UCC; provided however, that not more than 5.0% of the Contracts may relate to Equipment that does not constitute “equipment” for purposes of section 9-102(33) of the UCC or “inventory” for purposes of section 9-102(48) of the UCC.

 

(3)           The Issuer has caused (and will instruct the Servicer to cause), 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 granted in the Collateral to the Trustee hereunder.  Each such financing statement will contain a statement that a “purchase of, or security interest in, any collateral described in this financing statement will violate the rights of the Trustee.”

 

(4)           Each of the Collection Account, the Reserve Account, the Prefunding Account and the Capitalized Interest Account constitutes a “securities account” within the meaning of the applicable UCC.  As provided in Section 13.02(e), the securities intermediary for the Collection Account, the Reserve Account, the Prefunding Account and the Capitalized Interest Account has agreed to treat all assets credited thereto as “financial assets” within the meaning of the UCC and the Issuer has taken all steps necessary to cause the securities intermediary to identify in its records the Trustee as the pers on having a security entitlement against the securities intermediary in the Collection Account, the Reserve Account, the Prefunding Account and the Capitalized Interest Account.  None of the Collection Account, the Reserve Account, the Prefunding Account or the Capitalized Interest Account is in the name of any person other than the Trustee for the benefit of the Secured Parties.  The Issuer has not permitted the securities intermediary of the Collection Account, the Reserve Account, the Prefunding Account or the Capitalized Interest Account to comply with entitlement orders of any person other than the Trustee.  The Issuer has received all consents and approvals required in connection with the Grant to the Trustee of its interest and rights in the Collection Account, the Reserve Account, the Prefunding Account and the Capitalized Interest Account.

 

 

(5)           The Lockbox Account constitutes a “deposit account” within the meaning of the applicable UCC.  The Issuer has delivered, or has caused the Servicer to deliver, to the Trustee, a fully executed Lockbox Intercreditor Agreement relating to the Lockbox Account, pursuant to which the Lockbox Bank has agreed to comply with all instructions by the Trustee, as securities intermediary thereunder, directing the disposition of funds in the Lockbox Account without further consent by the Issuer or the Servicer .  The Issuer has not permitted any Lockbox Bank to comply with any instructions of any other Person regarding withdrawal of funds other than the Trustee and, to the extent permitted under the Transaction Documents, the Servicer.  The Lockbox Account is not in the name of any person other than the Issuer, the Trustee or the Lockbox Bank, as securities intermediary under the Lockbox Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(6)           Other than the security interest granted to the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture, 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 or the Originator that include a description of collateral that includes the Collateral other than any financing statement that have  been terminated or released.  The Issuer is not aware of any judgment, ERISA or tax lien filings against the Issuer or the Originator.

 

(7)           Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any other Transaction Document, the representations contained in this Section 12.01(r) shall be continuing and remain in full force and effect, without waiver, until the date on which the Notes have been paid in full.

 

(8)           In the event that the sale of a Contract by the Originator to the Issuer under the Purchase and Contribution Agreement and the pledge of such Contract by the Issuer to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, hereunder are insufficient, without a notation on a related Motorized Titled Equipment’s certificate of title, or without fulfilling any additional administrative requirements under the laws of the state in which such Motorized Titled Equipment is located, to assign the ownership of such Motorized Titled Equipment to th e Issuer or to perfect a security interest in such Motorized Titled Equipment (and the proceeds thereof) in favor of the Trustee, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the parties hereto agree that (i) the designation of the Servicer (or its nominee) or the Originator (or its nominee) under a Lienholder Nominee Agreement, to be executed within 180 days following the first day of inclusion of such Contract secured by such Motorized Titled Equipment in the calculation of the Discounted Pool Balance, as the lienholder on the certificate of title with respect to such Motorized Titled Equipment, is in its capacity as agent of the Issuer and the Trustee, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as their interests may appear, and (ii) such designation shall be sufficient until such notations are made or additional administrative requirements are fulfilled.

 

(9)           Any Contract for which the Servicer shall not have within 180 days of the first day of inclusion of such Contract secured by such Motorized Titled Equipment in the calculation of the Discounted Pool Balance, (i) received a Lien Certificate showing the Issuer or the Servicer (or its nominee) or the Originator (or its nominee) under a Lienholder Nominee Agreement as secured party with respect to the related Motorized Titled Equipment from the applicable Registrar of Titles and (ii) delivered such Lien Certificate or such evidence to the Custodi an, shall no longer be included in the calculation of the Discounted Pool Balance.  In the case of any Contract excluded from the calculation of the Discounted Pool Balance pursuant to the previous sentence, the Contract so excluded from the calculation of the Discounted Pool Balance may at a later time be included in the calculation of the Discounted Pool Balance, provided, that the Custodian shall have received a Lien Certificate showing the Issuer or the Servicer (or its nominee) or the Originator (or its nominee) under a Lienholder Nominee Agreement as secured party with respect to the related Motorized Titled Equipment from the applicable Registrar of Titles.

 

 

 

(10)           At all times, all Collateral will consist of property in which a security interest may be created and attach under the UCC.

 

Section 12.02                                Covenants.  The Issuer hereby makes the following covenants for the benefit of the Secured Parties and on which the Trustee relies in accepting the Collateral in trust and in authenticating the Notes.

 

(a)           No Liens.  Except for the conveyances and grant of security interests hereunder, the Issuer will not sell, pledge, assign, convey, dispose of or transfer to any other Person, or grant, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any Collateral now existing or hereafter created, or any interest therein prior to the termination of this Indenture pursuant to Section 5.01; the Issuer will notify the Trustee in writing of the existence of any Lien on any of the Collateral immediately upon discovery thereof; the Issuer shall promptly discharge (or cause to be discharged) any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) on the Coll ateral; and the Issuer shall defend the right, title and interest of the Trustee in, to and under the Collateral now existing or hereafter created, against all claims of third parties claiming through or under the Issuer; provided that nothing in this Section 12.02(a) shall prevent or be deemed to prohibit the Issuer from suffering to exist upon any of the Equipment any Liens for municipal or other local taxes and other governmental charges due from the Issuer if such taxes or governmental charges shall not at the time be due and payable or, if the Issuer shall currently be contesting the validity thereof in good faith by appropriate proceedings, nonpayment of such taxes or charges shall not pose any risk of forfeiture of such Equipment, and the aggregate amount at dispute shall not be greater than $50,000.00, unless the Control Party otherwise approves.

 

(b)           Obligations with Respect to the Contract Assets.  The Issuer will do nothing to impair the rights of the Trustee (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) in the Collateral.  In addition, to the extent the Issuer actually receives any Collections, it shall deposit or cause to be deposited in the Collection Account within two (2) Business Days of receipt thereof the amount of such Collections in accordance with Section 13.03 and will hold such monies in trust for the Trustee until so deposited.  The Issuer agrees to take all such lawful acti on as the Trustee or the Control Party may request to compel or secure the performance and observance by the Originator and the Servicer, as applicable, of each of their obligations to the Issuer under or in connection with the Purchase and Contribution Agreement, the Assignment Agreements and the Servicing Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof, and to exercise any and all rights, remedies, powers and privileges lawfully available to the Issuer under or in connection with such Transaction Documents to the extent and in the manner directed by the Trustee or the Control Party, as applicable, including the transmission of notices of default thereunder and the institution of legal or administrative actions or proceedings to compel or secure performance by the Originator or the Servicer of each of their obligations thereunder.

 

 

 

(c)           Notice of Default, Etc.  The Issuer will deliver to the Trustee and each Holder of Outstanding Notes immediately upon becoming aware of the existence of any condition or event that constitutes a Default, an Event of Default or an Event of Servicing Termination, a written notice describing its nature and period of existence and what action is being taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

 

(d)           Compliance with Law.  The Issuer will comply, in all material respects, with all acts, rules, regulations, orders, decrees and directions of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or the Collateral or any part thereof or necessary for it to perform its responsibilities hereunder and under the other Transaction Documents; provided that the Issuer may contest any act, regulation, order, decree or direction in good faith and in any reasonable manner which shall not adversely affect the rights of the Trustee (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) in the Collateral.

 

(e)           Preservation of Security Interest.  The Issuer shall execute and file such documents requested of it which may be required by law to fully preserve and protect the first priority security interest of the Trustee (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) in the Collateral.

 

(f)           Maintenance of Office, Etc.  The Issuer will not, without providing thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Trustee and without filing such amendments to any previously filed financing statements as the Trustee may require or as may be required in order to maintain the Trustee’s perfected security interest in the Collateral (for the benefit of the Secured Parties), (a) change its jurisdiction of organization or the location of its principal place of business, or (b) change its name, identity or corporate structure in any manner that would make any financing statement or continuation statement fi led by the Issuer in accordance with this Indenture seriously misleading within the meaning of Section 9-506 of any applicable enactment of the UCC.

 

(g)           Further Assurances.  The Issuer will make, execute or endorse, acknowledge, and file or deliver to the Trustee and the Control Party from time to time such schedules, confirmatory assignments, conveyances, transfer endorsements, powers of attorney, certificates, reports, UCC financing statements, and other assurances or instruments and take such further steps relating to the Collateral, as the Trustee may reasonably request and reasonably require in connection with the transactions the subject of the Transaction Documents, except that UCC financing statements are not required to have been filed against the related Obligor for a ny Equipment related to any Contract that had an original equipment cost at origination of less than (A) if such Contract is a secured loan or finance lease that provides for a $1 purchase option, $25,000, or (B) if such Contract provides for a “fair market value” purchase option, $50,000.

 

(h)           Notice of Liens.  The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing immediately after becoming aware of any Lien on any portion of the Collateral, except for any Liens on Equipment for municipal or other local taxes due from the Issuer if such taxes shall not at the time be due or payable without penalty or, provided the same are Permitted Liens, if the Issuer shall currently be contesting the validity thereof in good faith by appropriate proceedings, such nonpayment shall not pose any ris k of forfeiture of such Collateral and the Issuer shall have set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto.

 

 

 

(i)           Separateness Covenants.  The Issuer (i) shall not engage in any other business than (A) the acquisition, ownership, selling and pledging of the property acquired by it pursuant to the Purchase and Contribution Agreement, any Assignment Agreement, the Servicing Agreement and this Indenture and causing the issuance of, receiving and selling the Notes issued pursuant to this Indenture, (B) the exercise of any powers permitted to limited liability companies under Delaware law which are incidental to the foregoing or necessary to accomplish the foregoing and are not prohibited by the terms of its certificate of format ion, its limited liability company agreement or the other Transaction Documents; (ii) will hold such appropriate meetings of its board of managers or distribute appropriate unanimous consents in lieu of a meeting as are necessary to authorize all of the Issuer’s actions that are required by law to be authorized by the board of managers, keep minutes of its meetings and otherwise observe all other customary corporate formalities; (iii) will (A) maintain its books and records separate from the books and records of any other entity, (B) maintain separate bank accounts and no funds of the Issuer shall be commingled with funds of any other entity except as otherwise permitted in the Lockbox Intercreditor Agreement, (C) keep in full effect its existence, rights, privileges, licenses and franchises as a limited liability company under the laws of its applicable state of organization, and will obtain and preserve its “qualification to do business” as a foreign limited liability company in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is or shall be necessary to protect the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, (D) cause its managers and officers to act independently and in its interests, (E) cause its board of managers to duly authorize all of its corporate actions and (F) observe all company procedures required by its organizational documents and applicable laws; and (iv) will not (A) dissolve or liquidate in whole or in part, (B) own any subsidiary or lend or advance any moneys to, or make an investment in, any Person, (C) incur any debt in connection with or make any capital expenditures, (D)(1) commence any case, proceeding or other action under any existing or future bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law seeking to have an order for relief entered with respect to it, or seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, wind-up, liquidation, dissolution, composition or other relief with respect to it or its debts, (2) seek ap pointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or any part of its assets, (3) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or (4) take any action in furtherance of, or consenting or acquiescing in, any of the foregoing, (E) make any loan or advance or credit to, or guarantee (directly or indirectly or by an instrument having the effect of assuring another’s payment or performance on any obligation or its capability of doing so, or otherwise), endorse or otherwise become contingently liable (directly or indirectly) for the obligations of, or own or purchase any stock, obligations or securities of or any other interest in, or make any capital contribution to, any other Person other than as specifically provided for in the Transaction Documents, (F) merge or consolidate with any other Person, (G) engage in any other action that detracts from whether the separate legal identity of the Issuer will be respected, including (1) holding itse lf out as or permitting itself to be held out as being liable for the debts of any other Person or (2) acting other than in its name and through its

 

 

 

(j)           Directors.  The Issuer agrees that at all times, at least one (1) of the directors of the Issuer will be professional directors that are not, and have not been, a director, shareholder, officer or employee of any direct or ultimate parent or Affiliate of the Originator; provided that an independent director or independent officer may serve in similar capacities for other “special purpose entities” formed by the Originator and its Affiliates.

 

(k)           Treatment for Tax Purposes.  The Issuer shall treat the Notes as indebtedness of the Issuer and the Collateral as assets owned by the Issuer for purposes of all federal, state and local income taxes, unless and until otherwise required by an applicable taxing authority.

 

(l)           Information Regarding the Issuer.  The Issuer shall, on the written request of the Trustee or the Control Party, on reasonable notice, furnish to the Trustee and the Noteholders the books and records of the Issuer maintained pursuant to its limited liability company agreement and any and all other information maintained or held by the Issuer regarding the Issuer or the Collateral.

 

 

 

(m)           Preservation of the Contract Assets.  The Issuer shall not assign, sell, pledge, or exchange, or in any way encumber or permit the encumbrance of, or otherwise dispose of, the Contract Assets except as expressly permitted under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party.

 

(n)           Enforcement of Transaction Documents.  Upon request, the Issuer will cooperate with the taking of all actions necessary, and the diligent pursuit of all remedies available to it, in all cases to the extent commercially reasonable, to allow the Control Party and the Trustee in the name of the Issuer to enforce all obligations of the Originator and the Servicer owing to the Issuer under the Transaction Documents to which such Persons are a party and to secure its rights thereunder.

 

(o)           Issuer May Not Merge, etc.  The Issuer shall not merge with or into any other Person or convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person.

 

(p)           [Reserved.]

 

(q)           Use of Proceeds.  The proceeds from the sale of the Notes may be used by the Issuer solely to pay to or on behalf of the applicable assignor, the Purchase Price owed to it in accordance with the Assignment Agreement for the purchase of Contract Assets, and to pay expenses owed to the Noteholders, the Trustee, the Custodian, the Servicer and the Back-up Servicer related thereto or otherwise associated with the issuance of the Notes.  None of the transactions contemplated in this Indenture (including the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes) will result in a violation of Section 7 of the Securities and Ex change Act of 1934, as amended, or any regulations issued pursuant thereto, including Regulations T, U and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.  The Issuer does not own or intend to, and none of the proceeds from the Notes will be used to, carry or purchase any margin securities originally issued by it or any “margin stock” within the meaning of said Regulation U.

 

(r)           Indemnification.  The Issuer shall indemnify and hold harmless the Noteholders from and against any loss, liability, expense, damage or injury sustained or suffered by them by reason of any acts, omissions or alleged acts or omissions (i) by the Issuer in the performance of its obligations under the Transaction Documents (including any violation of any applicable laws by the Issuer as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Indenture) to which it is a party, or (ii) arising out of the activities of any of them with respect to the Collateral, includi ng enforcement of rights and remedies against the Issuer under the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and any judgment, award, settlement, reasonable attorneys’ fees and other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the defense of any actual or threatened action, proceeding or claim; provided that the Issuer shall not indemnify the Noteholders if such loss, liability, expense, damage or injury is due to such Person’s gross negligence, willful misconduct, willful misfeasance or bad faith in the performance of its rights or duties hereunder. Any indemnification pursuant to this Section shall only be payable, subject to the priority of payments in Section 13.03, from the assets of the Issuer released from the Collateral except as otherwise expressly provided in the Transaction Documents.  The provisions of this indemnity shall survive the termination of this Indenture.

 

 

 

(s)           Taxes.  The Issuer shall pay and discharge all taxes and governmental charges upon it or against any of its properties or assets or its income prior to the date after which penalties attach for failure to pay, except (a) to the extent that the Issuer shall be contesting in good faith in appropriate proceedings its obligation to pay such taxes or charges, and adequate reserves having been set aside for the payment thereof and no Lien has been created on any of its assets in connection therewith, or (b) with respect to such taxes and charges which are not material in either nature or amount such that any failure to pay or discharge them, and any resulting penalties, either in any one instance or in the aggregate, would not materially and adversely affect the financial condition, operations, activities or prospects of the Issuer or the interests of each Noteholder under this Indenture, a Note or any other Transaction Document, and no Lien has been created on any of the Issuer’s assets in connection therewith.

 

(t)           No Adverse Transactions.  The Issuer shall not enter into any transaction which adversely affects the Collateral or any Secured Party’s rights under this Indenture, a Note or any other Transaction Document.

 

(u)           Transactions by Issuer.  None of the Noteholders shall have any obligation to authorize the Issuer to, and the Issuer shall not (without the prior written consent of the Majority Holders), enter into any transaction, including, without limitation, any purchase, sale, lease or exchange of property or the rendering of any service, with any Person (including, without limitation any Affiliate, any shareholder, director, manager, officer or employee (or any relative thereof) of the Issuer or any such Affiliate) unless such transaction is (a) expressly permitted under this Indenture or any other Transaction Document, (b) in the ordinary course of conducting the Issuer’s permitted activities and (c) upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to the Issuer than it would obtain in a comparable arm’s-length transaction.

 

(v)           Further Limitations on Actions.  The Issuer shall not do any of the following without the consent of the Control Party:  (i) redeem, retire, purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of the Issuer’s membership interests, except in connection with employment or similar agreements with officers and directors of the Issuer, or (ii) make any change in the Issuer’s capital structure (except for permitted redemptions or prepayments of the Notes hereunder), or (iii) make any material change in any of its objectives, purposes or operations.

 

(w)           Rule 144A Information. With respect to the Holder of any Note, the Issuer shall promptly furnish or cause to be furnished to such Holder or to a prospective purchaser of such Note designated by such Holder, as the case may be, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act (“Rule 144A Information” ) in order to permit compliance by such Holder with Rule 144A in connection with the resale of such Note by such Holder; provided, however, that the Issuer shall not be required to furnish Rule 144A Information in connection with any request made on or after the date which is three years from the later of (a) the date such Note (or any predecessor Note) was acquired from the Issuer or (b) the date such Note (or any predecessor Note) was last acquired from an “affiliate” of the Issuer within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act; and

 

 

Section 13.01                                Collection of Money.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Trustee may demand payment or delivery of, and shall receive and collect, directly and without intervention or assistance of any fiscal agent or other intermediary, all money and othe r property payable to or receivable by the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture.  The Trustee shall, upon request from the Servicer, provide the Servicer with sufficient information regarding the amount of collections with respect to the Contract Assets and the other Collateral received by the Trustee in any accounts held in the name of the Trustee to permit the Servicer to perform its duties under the Servicing Agreement.  The Trustee shall hold all such money and property so received by it as part of the Collateral and shall apply it as provided in this Indenture.  If any Contract becomes a Defaulted Contract, the Trustee, upon the request of the Issuer or the Servicer, may, and upon the request of the Control Party shall, take such action as may be appropriate to enforce such payment or performance, including the institution and prosecution of appropriate Proceedings.  Any such action shall be without prejudice to any right to deem a Contract a “Defaulted Contra ct” for purposes of the Transaction Documents and to claim a Default or Event of Default under this Indenture and to proceed thereafter as provided in Article VI.

 

Section 13.02                                Establishment of Trust Accounts.  i) Prior to the Closing Date, the Issuer established, and as of the Closing Date the Issuer maintains, with the Trustee (i) a segregated, trust account (the “Reserve Account”) for the deposit and retention of amounts required to be maintained therein and (ii) a segregated, trust account (the “Collection Account”) for the receipt and/or retention (as applicable) of (A) Collections, (B) Servicer Advances, (C) any interest or other earnings earned on all or part of the funds in any of the Collection Account or on any other Collateral and any other amounts, if any, remitted by the Issuer pursuant to Section 13.02(d), (D) amounts received in accordance with Section 11.02(b) in connection with a redemption of Outstanding Notes in accordance with Article XI, (E) amounts transferred from the Reserve Account in accordance with this Indenture and (F) amounts transferred from the Lockbox Account in accordance with the Servicing Agreement, (iii) a segregated trust account (the “Prefunding Account”) for the deposit and retention of amounts required to be maintained therein and (iv) a segregated trust account (the “Capitalized Interest Account”) for the deposit and retention of amounts required to be maintained therein. The Collection Account, the Reserve Account, the Prefunding Account and the Capitalized Interest Account are collectively referred to as the “Trust Accounts.”

 

(b)           The Trust Accounts shall be in the name of the Trustee on behalf of the Noteholders at the Corporate Trust Office, which shall bear a designation clearly indicating that the funds deposited therein are held for the benefit of the Secured Parties.  Funds in each Trust Account shall not be commingled with any other monies.  The Trustee shall ensure that the Trust Accounts are at all times Eligible Accounts.  All payments to be made from time to time by the Issuer to the Noteholders and other Persons out of funds in any Trust Account pursuant to this Indenture shall be made by the Trustee or the Pay ing Agent.  All monies deposited from time to time in the Trust Accounts

 

 

(c)           Upon direction of the Servicer, the Trustee shall invest the funds in or credited to any or all of the Trust Accounts in Eligible Investments.  The direction of the Servicer shall specify the Eligible Investments in which the Trustee shall invest, shall state that the same are Eligible Investments and shall further specify the percentage of funds to be invested in each Eligible Investment.  No such Eligible Investment shall mature later than the Business Day preceding the next following Payment Date.  In the absence of direction of the Servicer, the Trustee shall invest funds in the Trust Accounts in Eligible Investments described in clause (g) of the definition thereof.  Eligible Investments for funds in or credited to th e Trust Accounts shall be made in the name of the Trustee for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

(d)           Any proceeds, payments, income or other gain from investments in Eligible Investments made in respect of funds in or credited to the Trust Accounts, as outlined in (c) above, shall be credited to the respective Trust Account from which such funds were derived.  The Trustee shall not be liable for any loss incurred on any funds invested in Eligible Investments pursuant to the provisions of this Section (other than losses from nonpayment of investments in obligations of U.S. Bank National Association issued in its individual capacity).  In no event shall the Trustee be liable for the selection of investments or for losses incurred as a result of the liquidation of any investment prior to its Stated Maturity Date or for the failure of any approp riate Person to provide timely written investment direction.

 

(e)           Each party hereto agrees that each of the Trust Accounts constitutes a “securities account” within the meaning of Article 8 of the UCC and in such capacity U.S. Bank National Association shall be acting as a “securities intermediary” within the meaning of 8-102 of the UCC and that, regardless of any provision in any other agreement, for purposes of the UCC, the State of New York shall be deemed to be the “securities intermediary’s jurisdiction” under Section 8-110 of the UCC.  The Trustee shall be the “entitlement holder” within the meaning of Section 8-102(a)(7) of the UCC with respect to the Trust Accounts.  In further ance of the foregoing, U.S. Bank National Association, acting as a “securities intermediary,” shall comply with “entitlement orders” within the meaning of Section 8-102(a)(8) of the UCC originated by the Trustee with respect to the Trust Accounts, without further consent by the Issuer.  Each item of property (whether investment property, financial asset, security, instrument or cash) credited to each Trust Account shall be treated as a “financial asset” within the meaning of Section 8-102(a)(9) of the UCC.  All securities or other property underlying any financial assets credited to each Trust Account shall be registered in the name of the Trustee or indorsed to the Trustee or in blank, and in no case will any financial asset credited to any Trust Account be registered in the name of the Issuer, payable to the order of the Issuer or specially indorsed to the Issuer except to the extent the foregoing have been specially indorsed to the Trustee or in blank. Any Eligible Investment consisting of “certificated securities,” as defined in the applicable UCC will be evidenced directly or indirectly by physical certificates and each such certificated security (i) will be delivered and held in its direct physical possession by the Securities Intermediary in the State of Minnesota and (ii) (x) is registered in the name of the Securities Intermediary or (y) has been appropriately assigned thereon, or is accompanied by a bond power and/or assignment appropriately executed, in blank or to the Securities Intermediary, and is accompanied by any other documents required by the documents governing such security to effect the transfer of the registration thereof to the Securities Intermediary.  The Trust Accounts shall be under the sole dominion and control (as defined in Section 8-106 of the UCC) of the Trustee, and the Issuer shall have no right to clos e, make withdrawals from, or give

 

 

(f)           In the event that U.S. Bank National Association, as securities intermediary, has or subsequently obtains by agreement, by operation of law or otherwise a security interest in the Trust Accounts or any security entitlement credited thereto, it hereby agrees that such security interest shall be subordinate to the security interest created by this Indenture and that the Trustee’s rights to the funds on deposit therein shall be subject to Section 13.03.  The financial assets credited to, and other items deposited to the Trust Accounts will not be subject to deduction, set-off, banker’s lien, or any other right in favor of any person other than as created pursuant to this Indenture.

 

Section 13.03                                Collection Account.  ii) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all amounts received by the Issuer other than (i) proceeds of the sale of the applicable Notes to the Initial Class A Purchaser or any Initial Class B Purchaser, (ii) the Initial Reserve Deposit deposited in the Reserve Account, (iii) amounts deposited in the Prefunding Account or Capitalized Interest Account or (iv) amounts erroneously credited to the Issuer for which the Control Party has provided its prior consent to the application thereof, shall be deposited in the Collection Account until applied, together with funds from the Reserve Account in accordance with this Section 13.03.

 

(b)           By no later than 1:00 p.m. (New York time) on each Payment Date, after making all transfers and deposits to the Collection Account pursuant to Section 13.03, Section 13.04(b)  and Section 13.05, the Trustee shall withdraw from the Collection Account all Available Funds with respect to the related Collection Period and shall disburse such Available Funds in accordance with the related Monthly Servicing Report; provided that, if the Trustee shall not have received the Monthly Servicing Report, (x) the Trustee shall withdraw from the Collection Account amounts verified in writing by the Servicer as needed to pay first, all accrued and unpaid f ees and properly invoiced costs and expenses of each of the Originator, Servicer, Back-up Servicer, Trustee and Custodian and second, amounts in accordance with the priorities set forth in Section 13.03(c)(v) through 13.03(c)(x), (y) the Trustee shall distribute such funds in order to make such payments to the appropriate Persons and (z) upon subsequent receipt of the Monthly Servicing Report, or such other information as may be required by the Trustee, the Trustee shall pay each such other amounts set forth below, all as set forth in the Monthly Servicing Report or in such other information delivered to the Trustee; provided further that amounts deposited in the C ollection Account in accordance with Section 11.02(b) shall be disbursed in accordance with Section 11.04 and not this Section 13.03;

 

(c)           On each Payment Date, whether or not an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the maturity of the Notes has been accelerated, the Trustee shall make the following payments from the Available Funds then on deposit in the Collection Account (after required deposits therein from the Reserve Account) in the following order of priority (to the extent funds are available therefor):

 

 

 

(i)           to the Servicer, any unreimbursed Servicer Advances;

 

(ii)           to the Servicer, the Servicer Fee (including any accrued and unpaid amounts owing to a predecessor Servicer) then due to such person, together with any accrued and unpaid Servicer Fees owed to such person from prior Collection Periods;

 

(iii)           (a) to the Servicer, any Servicing Charges and (b) to the Servicer (including any accrued and unpaid amounts owing to a predecessor Servicer), any unreimbursed Collection Costs incurred by such person;

 

(iv)           to the Trustee, the Custodian and the Back-up Servicer, the Trustee Fees and out-of-pocket expenses, Custodian Fees and out-of-pocket expenses and Back-up Servicer Fees and out-of-pocket expenses (which includes out-of-pocket expenses due to any successor Servicer)  then due, together with any unpaid Trustee Fees and out-of-pocket expenses, Custodian Fees and out-of-pocket expenses and Back-up Servicer Fees and out-of-pocket expenses from prior Collection Periods (subject to certain limitations set forth herein), and any unpaid Transition Costs in an amount not to exceed in the aggregate $150,000;

 

(v)           to the Class A Noteholders, pro rata, the total amount of Note Interest due and payable to Holders of such Class of Notes;

 

(vi)           to the Class B-1 Noteholders, pro rata, the total amount of Note Interest due and payable to Holders of such Class of Notes;

 

(vii)           to the Class B-2 Noteholders, pro rata, the total amount of Note Interest due and payable to Holders of such Class of Notes;

 

(viii)           so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to the Prefunding Account the amount that otherwise would have been made to Class A Noteholders in reduction of principal until the Outstanding Note Balance of the Class A Notes has been reduced to zero; otherwise, to the Class A Noteholders in reduction of principal until the Outstanding Note Balance of the Class A Notes has been reduced to zero;

 

(ix)           so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to the Prefunding Account the amount that otherwise would have been made to Class B-1 Noteholders in reduction of principal until the Outstanding Note Balance of the Class B-1 Notes has been reduced to zero; otherwise, to the Class B-1 Noteholders in reduction of principal until the Outstanding Note Balance of the Class B-1 Notes has been reduced to zero;

 

(x)           so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to the Prefunding Account the amount that otherwise would have been made to Class B-2 Noteholders in reduction of principal until the Outstanding Note Balance of the Class B-2 Notes has been reduced to zero; otherwise, to the Class B-2 Noteholders in reduction of principal until the Outstanding Note Balance of the Class B-2 Notes has been reduced to zero;

 

 

 

(xi)           to the Trustee, Securities Intermediary, Custodian and Back-up Servicer, any indemnification payments owed by the Issuer; and

 

(xii)           to the Issuer, any remaining Available Funds; provided, that, if there is no principal or Note Interest outstanding on the Class A, Class B-1 or Class B-2 Notes, such funds to be held in trust by the Trustee, in a segregated, trust account in the name of the Trustee on behalf of the Issuer at the Corporate Trust Office, which account shall bear a designation clearly indicating that the funds deposited therein are held for the benefit of the Issuer.

 

(d)           On the related Redemption Date, the Trustee shall withdraw the sum of the applicable Redemption Price from the Collection Account, and the Paying Agent shall remit the Redemption Price to the applicable Noteholders in accordance with Section 11.03.

 

Section 13.04                                Reserve Account.  (a) Upon each date on which the following three payments are made:  $10,000,000 by the Initial Class A Purchaser for the Class A Notes, $375,000 by the Initial Class B-1 Purchaser for the Class B-1 Notes and $375,000 b y the Initial Class B-2 Purchaser for the Class B-2 Notes, in accordance with Section 3(c) of the Note Purchase Agreement, $375,000 of the cash proceeds resulting from the issuance of the Class B-1 Notes and $375,000 of the cash proceeds resulting from the issuance of the Class B-2 Notes will be deposited into the Reserve Account.

 

(b)           If on any Payment Date, (i) amounts on deposit in the Collection Account are insufficient to reduce the aggregate Outstanding Note Balance to an amount lower than or equal to the Discounted Pool Balance, plus amounts then on deposit in the Prefunding Account, after applying clauses (i) through (x) of Section 13.03(c) or (ii) amounts on deposit in the Reserve Account are greater than or equal to the aggregate Outstanding Note Balance, the Trustee will withdraw, to the extent of funds on deposit in the Reserve Account, in the case of (i), the amount of such insufficiency or, in the case of (ii), all funds and deposit such amounts into the Collection Account to be used as Available Funds; provided, that all amounts so withdrawn shall be applied in reduction of principal until the Outstanding Note Balance of the Class A Notes has been reduced to zero, and then in reduction of principal until the Outstanding Note Balance of the Class B-1 Notes has been reduced to zero, and then in reduction of principal until the Outstanding Note Balance of the Class B-2 Notes has been reduced to zero.  Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default that results in acceleration of the Notes and is not waived or cured on or before the next Payment Date, all funds maintained in the Reserve Account shall be transferred to the Collection Account by the Trustee to be used as Available Funds in accordance with Section 13.03(c).  On the Stated Maturity Date, and at the option of the Issuer in connection with the redemption pursuant to Article XI, any remaining funds on deposit in the Reserve Account shall be deposited in the Collection Account to be used as Available Funds a nd distributed in accordance with Section 13.03(c).

 

 

 

 

 

Section 13.06                                Prefunding Account.  Upon each date on which the following three payments are made:  $10,000,000 by the Initial Class A Purchaser for the Class A Notes, $375,000 by the Initial Class B-1 Purchaser for the Class B-1 Notes and $375,000 by the Initial Class B-2 Purchaser for the Class B-2 Notes, in accordance with Section 3(c) of the Note Purchase Agreement, $4,0 45,913.38 of the cash proceeds resulting from the issuance of the Class A Notes will be deposited to the Prefunding Account. In addition, any amounts that otherwise would have been made to any Noteholders in reduction of their respective principal shall be deposited into the Prefunding Account in accordance with Sections 13.03(c)(viii), 13.03(c)(ix) and 13.03(c)(x). The Issuer is authorized to use amounts in the Prefunding Account to acquire from time to time Purchased Contracts from the Originator and the Originator’s interest in the related Equipment pursuant to the Purchase and Contribution Agreement, provided that (1) such Contracts are Eligible Contracts as of the related Acquisition Date (except as permitted pursuant to Section 4.04(a)), (2) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (3) the Overconcentration Test would be satisfied immediately after the Issuer acquires the proposed Purchased Contracts on the related Acquisition Date, (4) the Outstanding Note Balance of the Class A Notes is equal to or lower than the Discounted Pool Balance and (5) the aggregate number of Contract Files to be reviewed by the Custodian relating to such proposed Contracts to be acquired at any time shall not exceed five hundred (500) without the consent of the Custodian and the Class A Noteholders. Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default that results in acceleration of the Notes and is not waived or cured on or before the next Payment Date, all amounts on deposit in the Prefunding Account will be withdrawn by the Trustee, to the extent of funds on deposit therein, and distributed, to the Class A Noteholders, the Class B-1 Noteholders and the Class B-2 Noteholders, pro rata based upon their respective Outstanding Note Balances, in reduction of principal, and without regard to the priority of payments set forth in Section 13.03(c).

 

Section 13.07                                Capitalized Interest Account.  Upon each date on which the following three payments are made:  $10,000,000 by the Initial Class A Purchaser for the Class A Notes, $375,000 by the Initial Class B-1 Purchaser for the Class B-1 Notes and $375,000 by the Initial Class B-2 Purchaser for the Class B-2 Notes, $193,449.82 of the cash proceeds resultin g from the issuance of the Class A Notes will be deposited to the Capitalized Interest Account.  On each Payment Date, amounts from the Capitalized Interest Account shall be deposited into the Collection Account by the Trustee in an amount equal to accrued interest at 6.75% per annum (calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed in a three-hundred-sixty (360)-day year) on the amount in the Prefunding Account on the Closing Date (for the calculation of capitalized interest due on the first Payment Date) and on the immediately preceding Payment Date (for the calculation of capitalized interest due on each Payment Date other than the initial Payment Date). Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default that results in acceleration of the Notes and is not waived or cured on or before the next Payment Date, all amounts on deposit in the Capitalized Interest Account will be withdrawn by the Trustee, to the extent of funds on deposit therein, and distributed to the Class A Noteholders, the Cl ass B-1 Noteholders and the Class B-2 Noteholders, pro rata based upon their respective Outstanding Note Balances, in reduction of principal, and without regard to the priority of payments set forth in Section 13.03(c).

 

Section 13.08                                Reports to the Noteholders. (a) On each Payment Date, the Trustee will make available to each Noteholder the Monthly Servicing Report.

 

 

 

       The Trustee will make the Monthly Servicing Report available to the Noteholders, via the Trustee’s Internet website, and, with the consent or at the direction of the Issuer, such other information regarding the Notes and/or the Contracts as the Trustee may have in its possession, but only with the use of a password provided by the Trustee or its agent to such Person.  The Trustee will make no representation or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of such documents and will assume no responsibility for the contents thereof.

 

The Trustee’s Internet website initially shall be located at www.usbank.com/abs or at such other address as shall be specified by the Trustee from time to time in writing to the Noteholders.  In connection with providing access to the Trustee’s Internet website, the Trustee may require registration and the acceptance of a disclaimer.  The Trustee shall not be liable for errors in the dissemination of information in accordance with this Indenture.

 

Such reports will not constitute financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

(b)           At least annually, or as otherwise required by law, the Servicer shall prepare or cause to be prepared, and the Trustee shall distribute to the Noteholders, any 1099 form, or other tax information or statements as are required by applicable tax law.

 

Section 13.09                                Monthly Servicing Reports.  No later than 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on each Reporting Date, the Servicer shall deliver the Monthly Servicing Report to each Initial Purchaser, the Trustee and the Back-up Servicer.  No later than 12:00 noon (New York time) on the following Verification Date, the Back-up Servicer shall perfor m its obligations and duties set forth in Section 4.05 of the Servicing Agreement and shall notify the Issuer and the Trustee of any discrepancies therein or the need for any additional information to complete such verification, and the Servicer shall promptly re-issue a revised Monthly Servicing Report addressing such discrepancies and such information request which revised Monthly Servicing Report shall supersede the prior report for purposes of making the distributions described in Section 13.03. The Monthly Servicing Report shall include the information specified in the form of Monthly Servicing Report attached to the Servicing Agreement, as such form may be modified from time to time with the consent of the Servicer, the Back-up Servicer and the Control Party.

 

 

Section 14.01                                General Provisions.  All of the provisions of this Article shall apply to this Indenture.

 

Section 14.02                                Acts of Noteholders.

 

(a)           Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Noteholders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Noteholders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or

 

 

 

(b)           The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved in any manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

 

(c)           The ownership of Notes shall be proved by the Note Register.

 

(d)           Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Noteholder of any Note shall bind the Noteholder of every Note issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Issuer in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.

 

Section 14.03                                Notices.  Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Noteholders or the Control Party or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with any party hereto shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if in writing and telecopied (with written confirmatio n of receipt), mailed by registered mail, overnight bonded courier or personally delivered, and addressed to the appropriate address below (or such other address as may be provided to the other parties in writing from time to time):

 

(a)           to the Trustee at 60 Livingston Avenue, EP-MN-WS3D, St. Paul, Minnesota 55107, telecopier number ###-###-####, Attention:  LEAF Funding SPE 1, LLC, Equipment Contract Backed Notes, Series 2010-4;

 

(b)           to the Custodian at 1133 Rankin Street, EP-MN-TMZD, St. Paul, MN 55116 telecopy number:   ###-###-####, Attention:  LEAF Funding SPE 1, LLC, Equipment Contract Backed Notes, Series 2010-4;

 

(c)           to the Servicer at 2005 Market Street, 15th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103, telecopy number:   ###-###-####, Attention:  Miles Herman;

 

(d)           to the Issuer at 2005 Market Street, 15th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103, telecopy number:   ###-###-####, Attention:  Miles Herman;

 

(e)           to the Originator at 2005 Market Street, 15th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103, telecopy number:   ###-###-####, Attention:  Miles Herman; or

 

(f)           to the Back-up Servicer at 1310 Madrid Street, Suite 103, Marshall, MN 56258, telecopy number:   ###-###-####, Attention: Bradley Winkelman, Re:  LEAF Funding SPE 1, LLC, Equipment Contract Backed Notes, Series 2010-4;

 

 

 

 

Section 14.04                                Notices to Noteholders; Waiver.  Where this Indenture provides for notice to Noteholders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and telecopied (with written confirmation of receipt from each addressee), mailed by registered mail, overnight bonded courier or delivered personally to each Noteholder affected by such event, at i ts address as it appears on the Note Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice.  In any case in which notice to Noteholders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Noteholder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Noteholders, and any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall conclusively be presumed to have been duly given.

 

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by any Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice.  Waivers of notice by Noteholders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

 

In case, by reason of the suspension of regular mail service as a result of a strike, work stoppage or similar activity, it shall be impractical to mail notice of any event to the Noteholders when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then any manner of giving such notice as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee shall be deemed to be a sufficient giving of such notice.

 

Section 14.05                                Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Issuer shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

 

Section 14.06                                Severability; No Waiver.  In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.  No failure on the part of the Trustee, the Control Party or any Noteholder to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.  The remedies herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

 

Section 14.07                                Benefits of Indenture Limited to Parties and Express Third Party Beneficiaries. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, the Noteholders and any of their successors hereunder, a ny benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture or under the Notes.  Each of the Noteholders are express third party beneficiaries of this Indenture each entitled to enforce the provisions hereof as if a party hereto.

 

Section 14.08                                Legal Holidays. In any case in which the date of any Payment Date, or the Stated Maturity Date of any Note shall not be a Business Day, then (notwithstanding any other provision of the Notes or this Indenture) payment of principal or interest need not be m ade on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the nominal date of any such Stated Maturity Date or Payment Date.

 

 

 

   Section 14.09                                Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial; Consent to Jurisdiction.

 

(a)           This Indenture and each Note shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed therein, except to the extent that the perfection or effect of perfection of the security interests granted hereunder are governed by the laws of a jurisdiction other than the State of New York.  Section 5-1401 and Section 5-1402 of the New York General Obligations Law shall be applicable.

 

(b)           The Issuer hereby agrees to the jurisdiction of any federal court located within the State of New York, and waives personal service of any and all process upon it and consents that all such service of process be made by registered mail directed to the Issuer at the address set forth in Section 14.03 hereof and service so made shall be deemed to be completed five (5) days after the same shall have been deposited in the U.S. mails, postage prepaid.  With respect to the foregoing consent to jurisdiction, the Issuer hereby waives any objection based on forum non conveniens, and any objection to venue of any action instituted hereunder and consents to the granting of such legal or equitable relief as is deemed appropriate by the court.

 

(c)           The Issuer hereby waives any right to have a jury participate in resolving any dispute, whether sounding in contract, tort, or otherwise among the parties hereto or otherwise arising out of, connected with, related to, or incidental to the relationship between them in connection with this Indenture.  Instead, any dispute resolved in court will be resolved in a bench trial without a jury.  Nothing in this Section 14.09 shall affect the right of the Trustee, the Control Party or any Noteholder to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by law or to bring any action or proceeding against the Issuer or its property in the cour ts of any other jurisdiction.

 

Section 14.10                                Counterparts; Entire Agreement. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.  Deliv ery by telecopier of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Indenture shall be as effective as delivery of the original executed counterpart.  This Indenture, together with the exhibits hereto and the other written Transaction Documents referenced herein, sets forth the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, superseding all prior oral or written understandings.

 

Section 14.11                                Notifications. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Indenture, all reports, notices, communications and consents which are required, by the terms of this Indenture, to be delivered by the Noteholders, shall be required to be deli vered to the Trustee in writing.

 

Section 14.12                                No Petition.  During the term of this Indenture and for one year and one day after payment in full of all obligations of the Issuer under the Transaction Documents, none of the parties hereto or any Affiliate thereof or any Noteholder will file any involuntary petition against the Issuer or otherwise institute, or cooperate with or encourage any other P erson to file or otherwise institute, any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings or any other proceedings under federal or state bankruptcy or similar law against or concerning the Issuer; provided that if such proceeding shall have commenced, nothing herein shall preclude any Noteholder from filing a proof of claim in any such proceeding.

 

 

 

Section 14.13                                Assignment.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, this Indenture may not be assigned by the Issuer.

 

 

 

In Witness Whereof, the Issuer, the Trustee and the Custodian have caused this Indenture to be duly executed by their respective duly authorized officers as of the date and year first above written.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[See attached.]

 

 

 

 

 

[See attached.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE II

TO INDENTURE

 

 

 

“Acquisition Date”:  With respect to a Substitute Contract or Purchased Contract, the date on which such Substitute Contract is transferred by LEAF Financial Corporation (as initial Servicer) to the Issuer or the Conveyance Date on which such Purchased Contract is transferred by the Seller to the Issuer.

 

“Act”:  With respect to any Noteholder, the meaning set forth in Section 14.02 of the Indenture.

 

“Advance Payment”: With respect to a Contract and a Collection Period, any Scheduled Payment or portion thereof made by or on behalf of an Obligor and received by the Servicer during such Collection Period, which Scheduled Payment or portion thereof does not become due until a subsequent Collection Period.  Prepayments are not “Advance Payments.”

 

“Affiliate”:  With respect to any specified Person, any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under common control with such specified Person.  For the purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any specified Person, means the power (a) to vote ten percent (10%) or more of the securities or interests (on a fully diluted basis) having ordinary voting power for the directors, managers or managing partners (or their equivalent) of such Person or (b) to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and  220;controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

“Amendment to Contract Schedule”:  The list of Contracts, including all information set forth in the definition of “Contract Schedule”, amending the Contract Schedule pursuant to any substitution, modification or other acquisition of Contracts in accordance with the terms of the Transaction Documents.

 

“Assignment Agreement”:  Means each Assignment Agreement delivered pursuant to the Purchase and Contribution Agreement.

 

 “Authenticating Agent”:  Any entity appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.14 of the Indenture.

 

“Available Funds”: With respect to any Payment Date, (a) any payments on the Contracts received during the related Collection Period, (b) proceeds of any Servicer Advances made with respect to such Payment Date for delinquent Scheduled Payments, no later than immediately prior to such Payment Date, (c) all Recoveries, Insurance Proceeds, Residual Receipts and other amounts received with respect to the Contracts or Equipment, (d) payments made by the Originator or the Servicer, as the case may be, to repurchase contracts affected by breaches of representations and warranties regarding the Contracts, or Delinquent Contracts or

 

 

 

Defaulted Contracts and (e) any amounts on deposit in the Reserve Account in accordance with the Indenture.

 

“Back-up Servicer”:  Means Lyon Financial Services, Inc., d/b/a U.S. Bank Portfolio Services, a Minnesota corporation, acting in the capacity of Back-up Servicer or as successor Servicer; and at such time, if any, that a successor Person shall have become the “Back-up Servicer” pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Servicing Agreement, the term “Back-up Servicer” shall also mean such successor Person.

 

“Back-up Servicer Default”:  An occurrence of any of the following:

 

(a)           Any failure on the part of the Back-up Servicer to duly observe or perform any covenants or agreements of the Back-up Servicer set forth in any Transaction Document or if any representation or warranty of the Back-up Servicer set forth in Section 7.01 of the Servicing Agreement or in any other Transaction Document shall prove to be incorrect, in any material respect, which failure or breach continues unremedied for a period of thirty (30) Business Days after the earlier of the date on which the Back-up Servicer becomes aware of such failure or breach or the date on which written notice of such failure or breach, requiring the situation giving rise to such breach or non-conformity to be remedied, shall have been given to the Back-up Servicer by th e Issuer, the Trustee, or the Control Party; or

 

(b)           Any negligence or willful misconduct of the Back-up Servicer related to the Transaction Documents that results in a material loss or damage to the Issuer, the Originator, the Servicer, the Trustee, any Noteholder or the Collateral; or

 

(c)           A conviction of the Back-up Servicer or any of its officers of a felony or of any crime involving fraud in the discharge of fiduciary duties or the servicing of assets that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the performance of the Back-up Servicer’s duties under the Transaction Documents; or

 

(d)           The entry of a decree or order for relief by a court having jurisdiction in respect of the Back-up Servicer or a petition shall be filed against the Back-up Servicer in an involuntary case under any federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter in effect, or any other present or future federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator or other similar official for the Back-up Servicer or for any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of the affairs of the Back-up Servicer and the continuance of any such decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days; or

 

(e)           The commencement by the Back-up Servicer of a voluntary case under any federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter in effect, or any other present or future federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar law, or the consent by the Back-up Servicer to the appointment of or taking possession by a conservator, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator or other similar official in any insolvency, readjustment of debt, marshaling of assets and liabilities, bankruptcy or similar proceedings of or related to the Back-up Servicer or related to a substantial part of its property, or the making by the Back-up Servicer of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the failure by the Back-up Servicer