CREDIT AGREEMENT Dated as of November 2, 2006 by and among WASHINGTON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, as Borrower
Exhibit 4.1
CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of November 2, 2006
by and among
WASHINGTON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST,
as Borrower
THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS PARTY HERETO
AND THEIR ASSIGNEES UNDER SECTION 13.7.,
as Lenders
THE BANK OF NEW YORK,
as Documentation Agent
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC,
as Syndication Agent
and
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Agent
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Article I. Definitions | 6 | |
Section 1.1. Definitions. | 6 | |
Section 1.2. General; References to Eastern Time. | 29 | |
Article II. Credit Facility | 30 | |
Section 2.1. Revolving Loans. | 30 | |
Section 2.2. Bid Rate Loans. | 31 | |
Section 2.3. Letters of Credit. | 35 | |
Section 2.4. Swingline Loans. | 39 | |
Section 2.5. Rates and Payment of Interest on Loans. | 41 | |
Section 2.6. Number of Interest Periods. | 41 | |
Section 2.7. Repayment of Loans. | 42 | |
Section 2.8. Prepayments. | 42 | |
Section 2.9. Late Charges. | 42 | |
Section 2.10. Continuation. | 43 | |
Section 2.11. Conversion. | 43 | |
Section 2.12. Notes. | 44 | |
Section 2.13. Voluntary Reductions of the Commitment. | 44 | |
Section 2.14. Extension of Termination Date. | 44 | |
Section 2.15. Expiration or Maturity Date of Letters of Credit Past Termination Date. | 45 | |
Section 2.16. Amount Limitations. | 45 | |
Section 2.17. Increase in Commitments. | 45 | |
Section 2.18. Funds Transfer Disbursements. | 46 | |
Section 2.19. Option to Replace Lenders. | 47 | |
Article III. Payments, Fees and Other General Provisions | 47 | |
Section 3.1. Payments. | 47 | |
Section 3.2. Pro Rata Treatment. | 48 | |
Section 3.3. Sharing of Payments, Etc. | 48 | |
Section 3.4. Several Obligations. | 49 | |
Section 3.5. Minimum Amounts. | 49 | |
Section 3.6. Fees. | 49 | |
Section 3.7. Computations. | 51 | |
Section 3.8. Usury. | 51 | |
Section 3.9. Statements of Account. | 51 | |
Section 3.10. Defaulting Lenders. | 51 | |
Section 3.11. Taxes. | 52 | |
Article IV. Unencumbered Pool Properties | 54 | |
Section 4.1. Eligibility of Properties. | 54 | |
Section 4.2. Termination of Designation as Unencumbered Pool Property. | 54 | |
Article V. Yield Protection, Etc. | 54 | |
Section 5.1. Additional Costs; Capital Adequacy. | 54 |
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Section 5.2. Suspension of LIBOR Loans. | 56 | |
Section 5.3. Illegality. | 56 | |
Section 5.4. Compensation. | 57 | |
Section 5.5. Treatment of Affected Loans. | 57 | |
Section 5.6. Change of Lending Office. | 58 | |
Section 5.7. Assumptions Concerning Funding of LIBOR Loans. | 58 | |
Article VI. Conditions Precedent | 58 | |
Section 6.1. Initial Conditions Precedent. | 58 | |
Section 6.2. Conditions Precedent to All Loans and Letters of Credit. | 61 | |
Section 6.3. Conditions as Covenants. | 61 | |
Article VII. Representations and Warranties | 61 | |
Section 7.1. Representations and Warranties. | 61 | |
Section 7.2. Survival of Representations and Warranties, Etc. | 66 | |
Article VIII. Affirmative Covenants | 67 | |
Section 8.1. Preservation of Existence and Similar Matters. | 67 | |
Section 8.2. Compliance with Applicable Law and Material Contracts. | 67 | |
Section 8.3. Maintenance of Property. | 67 | |
Section 8.4. Conduct of Business. | 67 | |
Section 8.5. Insurance. | 68 | |
Section 8.6. Payment of Taxes and Claims. | 68 | |
Section 8.7. Books and Records; Inspections. | 68 | |
Section 8.8. Use of Proceeds. | 68 | |
Section 8.9. Environmental Matters. | 69 | |
Section 8.10. Further Assurances. | 69 | |
Section 8.12. REIT Status. | 69 | |
Section 8.13. Exchange Listing. | 69 | |
Section 8.14. Guarantors. | 70 | |
Article IX. Information | 70 | |
Section 9.1. Quarterly Financial Statements. | 70 | |
Section 9.2. Year-End Statements. | 71 | |
Section 9.3. Compliance Certificate. | 71 | |
Section 9.4. Other Information. | 71 | |
Article X. Negative Covenants | 73 | |
Section 10.1. Financial Covenants. | 73 | |
Section 10.2. Negative Pledge. | 75 | |
Section 10.3. Restrictions on Intercompany Transfers. | 76 | |
Section 10.4. Merger, Consolidation, Sales of Assets and Other Arrangements. | 76 | |
Section 10.5. Plans. | 77 | |
Section 10.6. Fiscal Year. | 77 | |
Section 10.7. Modifications of Organizational Documents and Material Contracts. | 78 |
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Section 10.9. Transactions with Affiliates. | 78 | |
Article XI. Default | 78 | |
Section 11.1. Events of Default. | 78 | |
Section 11.2. Remedies Upon Event of Default. | 81 | |
Section 11.3. Remedies Upon Default. | 82 | |
Section 11.4. Marshaling; Payments Set Aside. | 83 | |
Section 11.5. Allocation of Proceeds. | 83 | |
Section 11.6. Letter of Credit Collateral Account. | 84 | |
Section 11.7. Rescission of Acceleration by Requisite Lenders. | 85 | |
Section 11.8. Performance by Agent. | 85 | |
Section 11.9. Rights Cumulative. | 85 | |
Article XII. The Agent | 85 | |
Section 12.1. Appointment and Authorization. | 85 | |
Section 12.2. Wells Fargo as Lender. | 86 | |
Section 12.3. Approvals of Lenders. | 87 | |
Section 12.4. Notice of Defaults. | 87 | |
Section 12.5. Agents Reliance | 87 | |
Section 12.6. Indemnification of Agent. | 88 | |
Section 12.7. Lender Credit Decision, Etc. | 89 | |
Section 12.8. Successor Agent. | 89 | |
Section 12.9. Titled Agents. | 90 | |
Article XIII. Miscellaneous | 90 | |
Section 13.1. Notices. | 90 | |
Section 13.2. Electronic Document Delivery. | 91 | |
Section 13.3. Expenses. | 92 | |
Section 13.4. Stamp, Intangible and Recording Taxes. | 92 | |
Section 13.5. Setoff. | 92 | |
Section 13.6. Litigation; Jurisdiction; Other Matters; Waivers. | 93 | |
Section 13.7. Successors and Assigns. | 94 | |
Section 13.8. Amendments and Waivers. | 96 | |
Section 13.9. Nonliability of Agent and Lenders. | 98 | |
Section 13.10. Confidentiality. | 98 | |
Section 13.11. Indemnification. | 99 | |
Section 13.12. Termination; Survival. | 100 | |
Section 13.13. Severability of Provisions. | 100 | |
Section 13.14. GOVERNING LAW. | 100 | |
Section 13.15. Counterparts. | 100 | |
Section 13.16. Obligations with Respect to Loan Parties. | 100 | |
Section 13.17. Independence of Covenants. | 100 | |
Section 13.18. Limitation of Liability. | 100 | |
Section 13.19. Entire Agreement. | 102 | |
Section 13.20. Construction. | 102 | |
Section 13.21. USA Patriot Act Notice. Compliance. | 102 |
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SCHEDULE 1.1. | List of Loan Parties | |
SCHEDULE 4.1. | Initial Unencumbered Pool Properties | |
SCHEDULE 7.1.(b) | Ownership Structure | |
SCHEDULE 7.1.(f) | Properties | |
SCHEDULE 7.1.(g) | Indebtedness and Guaranties; Liens; Total Liabilities | |
SCHEDULE 7.1.(i) | Litigation | |
SCHEDULE 7.1.(r) | Affiliate Transactions | |
EXHIBIT A | Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement | |
EXHIBIT B | Form of Bid Rate Note | |
EXHIBIT C | Form of Designation Agreement | |
EXHIBIT D | Form of Guaranty | |
EXHIBIT E | Form of Notice of Borrowing | |
EXHIBIT F | Form of Notice of Continuation | |
EXHIBIT G | Form of Notice of Conversion | |
EXHIBIT H | Form of Notice of Swingline Borrowing | |
EXHIBIT I | Form of Revolving Note | |
EXHIBIT J | Form of Swingline Note | |
EXHIBIT K | Form of Unencumbered Pool Certificate | |
EXHIBIT L | Form of Bid Rate Quote Request | |
EXHIBIT M | Form of Bid Rate Quote | |
EXHIBIT N | Form of Bid Rate Quote Acceptance | |
EXHIBIT O | Form of Opinion of Counsel | |
EXHIBIT P | Form of Compliance Certificate | |
EXHIBIT Q | Form of Transfer Authorizer Designation Form |
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THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT is dated as of November 2, 2006 by and among WASHINGTON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, a real estate investment trust formed under the laws of the State of Maryland (the Borrower), each of the financial institutions initially a signatory hereto together with their assignees under Section 13.7. (the Lenders), THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Documentation Agent (the Documentation Agent), THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC, as Syndication Agent (the Syndication Agent), and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (Wells Fargo) as contractual representative of the Lenders to the extent and in the manner provided in Article XII. (in such capacity, the Agent).
WHEREAS, the Agent and the Lenders desire to make available to the Borrower a $200,000,000 revolving credit facility, which will include a $35,000,000 swingline subfacility and a $20,000,000 letter of credit subfacility, on the terms and conditions contained herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1. Definitions.
In addition to terms defined elsewhere herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings for the purposes of this Agreement:
Absolute Rate has the meaning given that term in Section 2.2.(c)(ii)(C).
Absolute Rate Auction means a solicitation of Bid Rate Quotes setting forth Absolute Rates pursuant to Section 2.2.
Absolute Rate Loan means a Bid Rate Loan, the interest rate on which is determined on the basis of an Absolute Rate pursuant to an Absolute Rate Auction.
Accession Agreement means an Accession Agreement substantially in the form of Annex I to the Guaranty.
Additional Costs has the meaning given that term in Section 5.1.
Affiliate means any Person (other than the Agent or any Lender): (a) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, the Borrower; (b) directly or indirectly owning or holding fifteen percent (15.0%) or more of any Equity Interest in the Borrower; or (c) fifteen percent (15.0%) or more of whose voting stock or other Equity Interest is directly or indirectly owned or held by the Borrower. For purposes of this definition, control (including with correlative meanings, the terms controlling, controlled by and under common control with) means the possession directly or indirectly of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by contract or otherwise. The Affiliates of a Person shall include any
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officer or director of such Person. In no event shall the Agent or any Lender be deemed to be an Affiliate of the Borrower.
Agent has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph hereof and shall include any successor Agent appointed pursuant to Section 12.8.
Agreement Date means the date as of which this Agreement is dated.
Applicable Facility Fee means the percentage set forth in the table below corresponding to the Level at which the Applicable Margin is determined in accordance with the definition thereof:
Level | Facility Fee | ||
1 | 0.15 | % | |
2 | 0.15 | % | |
3 | 0.15 | % | |
4 | 0.20 | % | |
5 | 0.25 | % |
Any change in the applicable Level at which the Applicable Margin is determined shall result in a corresponding and simultaneous change in the Applicable Facility Fee. As of the Agreement Date, the Applicable Facility Fee is determined by reference to Level 1.
Applicable Law means all applicable provisions of constitutions, statutes, rules, regulations and orders of all governmental bodies and all orders and decrees of all courts, tribunals and arbitrators.
Applicable Margin means the percentage rate set forth below corresponding to the range into which the Borrowers Credit Rating then falls in accordance with the levels in the table set forth below (each a Level). Any change in the Borrowers Credit Rating which would cause it to move to a different Level in the table shall effect a change in the Applicable Margin on the first Business Day of the first calendar month following the date on which such change occurs. If the Rating Agencies assign Credit Ratings which correspond to different Levels in the above table resulting in different Applicable Margin determinations, the Applicable Margin will be determined based on the Level corresponding to the higher of the two Credit Ratings. During any period that the Borrower receives more than two Credit Ratings and such Credit Ratings are not equivalent, the Applicable Margin shall equal the average of the Applicable Margins as determined in accordance with the two highest of such Credit Ratings; provided that one of such Credit Ratings has been issued by either S&P or Moodys and such Credit Rating is an Investment Grade Rating.
Level | Borrowers Credit Rating (S&P/Moodys or equivalent) | Applicable LIBOR Loans | Applicable Base Rate Loans | |||||
1 | A-/A3 or equivalent | 0.400 | % | 0.00 | % | |||
2 | BBB+/Baa1 or equivalent | 0.425 | % | 0.00 | % |
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3 | BBB/Baa2 or equivalent | 0.600 | % | 0.00 | % | |||
4 | BBB-/Baa3 or equivalent | 0.800 | % | 0.00 | % | |||
5 | Lower than BBB-/Baa3 or equivalent | 1.000 | % | 0.000 | % |
As of the Agreement Date, the Applicable Margin is determined by reference to Level 1.
Assignee has the meaning given that term in Section 13.7.(c).
Assignment and Assumption means an Assignment and Assumption Agreement among a Lender, an Assignee and the Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit A.
Base Rate means the greater of (a) the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by the Lender then acting as Agent at its principal office as its prime rate (which rate of interest may not be the lowest rate charged by the Lender then acting as Agent or any of the other Lenders on similar loans) and (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus one-half of one percent (0.5%). Each change in the Base Rate shall become effective without prior notice to the Borrower or the Lenders automatically as of the opening of business on the date of such change in the Base Rate.
Base Rate Loan means a Revolving Loan bearing interest at a rate based on the Base Rate.
Benefit Arrangement means at any time an employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA which is not a Plan or a Multiemployer Plan and which is maintained or otherwise contributed to by any member of the ERISA Group.
Bid Rate Borrowing has the meaning given that term in Section 2.2.(b).
Bid Rate Loan means a loan made by a Lender under Section 2.2.
Bid Rate Note means a promissory note of the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit B, payable to the order of a Lender and otherwise duly completed and in any event shall include any new Bid Rate Note that may be issued from time to time pursuant to Section 13.7.
Bid Rate Quote means an offer in accordance with Section 2.2.(c) by a Lender to make a Bid Rate Loan with one single specified interest rate.
Bid Rate Quote Request has the meaning given that term in Section 2.2.(b).
Borrower has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph hereof and shall include the Borrowers successors and permitted assigns.
Borrowing Base means the aggregate Unencumbered Pool Values of all Unencumbered Pool Properties divided by 1.67. To the extent the Unencumbered Pool Value of any one Unencumbered Pool Property would exceed 15.0% of the Unencumbered Pool Value of
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all Unencumbered Pool Properties, such excess shall be excluded from the calculation of the Borrowing Base. To the extent the aggregate Unencumbered Pool Values of Unencumbered Pool Properties subject to an Eligible Ground Lease would exceed 15.0% of the Unencumbered Pool Values of all such Unencumbered Pool Properties, such excess shall be excluded from the calculation of the Borrowing Base.
Business Day means (a) any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banks in San Francisco, California are authorized or required to close and (b) with reference to a LIBOR Loan, any such day that is also a day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are carried out in the London interbank market. Unless specifically referenced in this Agreement as a Business Day, all references to days shall be to calendar days.
Capitalized EBITDA means, with respect to a Person and as of a given date, (a) such Persons EBITDA for the fiscal quarter most recently ended multiplied by (b) 4 and divided by (c) 8.25%. For purposes of determining Capitalized EBITDA of the Borrower, (i) EBITDA attributable to Properties either acquired or disposed of by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or Unconsolidated Affiliates during such fiscal quarter shall be disregarded, (ii) EBITDA from Properties upon which construction is then in progress shall be excluded, (iii) to the extent that service fees or property management fees would account for in excess of 20% of EBITDA, such excess shall be excluded in determining Capitalized EBITDA and (iv) distributions of cash received by such Person during such period from any of its Unconsolidated Affiliates shall be excluded from EBITDA.
Capitalized Lease Obligation means obligations under a lease that are required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP. The amount of a Capitalized Lease Obligation is the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with GAAP.
Chase Credit Facility means the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of July 21, 2004, among the Borrower, the lending institutions from time to time party thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (as, successor to Bank One, NA), as the agent.
Collateral Account means a special non-interest bearing deposit account maintained by the Agent under its sole dominion and control.
Commitment means, as to each Lender, such Lenders obligation to make Revolving Loans pursuant to Section 2.1., to participate in Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.3.(i), and to participate in Swingline Loans pursuant to Section 2.4.(e), in an amount up to, but not exceeding the amount set forth for such Lender on its signature page hereto as such Lenders Commitment Amount or as set forth in the applicable Assignment and Assumption Agreement, as the same may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.13. or otherwise pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or as appropriate to reflect any assignments to or by such Lender effected in accordance with Section 13.7.
Compliance Certificate has the meaning given that term in Section 9.3.
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Construction in Process means construction in process as determined in accordance with GAAP.
Continue, Continuation and Continued each refers to the continuation of a LIBOR Loan from one Interest Period to another Interest Period pursuant to Section 2.10.
Continuing Representations means those representations and warranties made or deemed made under Sections 7.1.(a), (c), (d), (e), (i), (l), (m), (n), (p), (q), (u), (v) and (x).
Convert, Conversion and Converted each refers to the conversion of a Revolving Loan of one Type into a Revolving Loan of another Type pursuant to Section 2.11.
Credit Event means any of the following: (a) the making (or deemed making) of any Loan, (b) the Conversion of a Revolving Loan, (c) the Continuation of a LIBOR Loan and (d) the issuance of a Letter of Credit.
Credit Rating means the rating assigned by a Rating Agency to the senior unsecured long term Indebtedness of a Person.
Default means any of the events specified in Section 11.1., whether or not there has been satisfied any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both.
Defaulting Lender has the meaning given that term in Section 3.10.
Derivatives Contract means any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement. Not in limitation of the foregoing, the term Derivatives Contract includes any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement, including any such obligations or liabilities under any such master agreement.
Derivatives Termination Value means, in respect of any one or more Derivatives Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Derivatives Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Derivatives Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a) the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Derivatives Contracts, as
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determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Derivatives Contracts (which may include the Agent or any Lender).
Designated Lender means a special purpose corporation which is an affiliate of, or sponsored by, a Lender, that is engaged in making, purchasing or otherwise investing in commercial loans in the ordinary course of its business and that issues (or the parent of which issues) commercial paper rated at least P-1 (or the then equivalent grade) by Moodys or A-1 (or the then equivalent grade) by S&P that, in either case, (a) is organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof, (b) shall have become a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 13.7.(d) and (c) is not otherwise a Lender.
Designated Lender Note means a Bid Rate Note of the Borrower evidencing the obligation of the Borrower to repay Bid Rate Loans made by a Designated Lender.
Designating Lender has the meaning given that term in Section 13.7.(d).
Designation Agreement means a Designation Agreement between a Lender and a Designated Lender and accepted by the Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit C or such other form as may be agreed to by such Lender, such Designated Lender and the Agent.
Development Property means a Property currently under development that has not achieved an occupancy rate (weighted on an economic basis) of 80% or more or, subject to the last sentence of this definition, on which the improvements (other than tenant improvements) related to the development have not been completed. The term Development Property shall include real property of the type described in the immediately preceding sentence that satisfies both of the following conditions: (i) it is expected to be (but has not yet been) acquired by the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any Unconsolidated Affiliate upon completion of construction pursuant to a contract in which the seller of such real property is required to develop or renovate prior to, and as a condition precedent to, such acquisition and (ii) a third party is developing such property using the proceeds of a loan that is Guaranteed by, or is otherwise recourse to, the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any Unconsolidated Affiliate. A Development Property on which all improvements (other than tenant improvements) related to the development of such Property have been completed for at least 12 months shall cease to constitute a Development Property notwithstanding the fact that such Property has not achieved an occupancy rate (weighted on an economic basis) of at least 80%.
Dollars or $ means the lawful currency of the United States of America.
EBITDA means, with respect to any Person for any period and without duplication, net earnings (loss) of such Person for such period (including equity in net earnings or net loss of Unconsolidated Affiliates) excluding the following amounts (but only to the extent included in determining net earnings (loss) for such period): (a) depreciation and amortization expense and other non-cash charges of such Person for such period; (b) interest expense of such Person for such period; (c) income tax expense of such Person in respect of such period; and (d) extraordinary and nonrecurring gains and losses of such Person for such period, including
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without limitation, non-recurring severance payments and gains and losses from the sale of assets, write-offs and forgiveness of debt. For purposes of this definition, net earnings (loss) shall be determined before minority interests and distributions to holders of Preferred Stock.
Effective Date means the later of (a) the Agreement Date and (b) the date on which all of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 6.1. shall have been fulfilled or waived in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.8.
Eligible Assignee means any Person that is: (a) an existing Lender; (b) a commercial bank, trust company, savings and loan association, savings bank, insurance company, investment bank or pension fund organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and having total assets in excess of $5,000,000,000; or (c) a commercial bank organized under the laws of any other country which is a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, or a political subdivision of any such country, and having total assets in excess of $10,000,000,000, provided that such bank is acting through a branch or agency located in the United States of America. If such entity is not currently a Lender, such entitys (or in the case of a bank which is a subsidiary, such banks parents) senior unsecured long term indebtedness must be rated BBB or higher by S&P, Baa2 or higher by Moodys or the equivalent or higher of either such rating by another rating agency acceptable to the Agent.
Eligible Ground Lease means a ground lease pursuant to which the Borrower or its Subsidiary is a lessee and that contains the following terms (or such terms are provided for in an effective estoppel letter executed by the lessor in favor of the Agent or a class of financial institutions that, fairly interpreted, includes the Agent): (a) a remaining term (including renewal options exercisable at lessees sole option) of 25 years or more from the Agreement Date; (b) the right of the lessee to pledge, mortgage and encumber its interest in the leased property without the consent of the lessor; (c) the obligation of the lessor to give the holder of any mortgage Lien on such leased property written notice of any defaults on the part of the lessee and agreement of such lessor that such lease will not be terminated until such holder has had a reasonable opportunity to cure or complete foreclosures, and fails to do so; (d) reasonable transferability of the lessees interest under such lease, including ability to sublease; and (e) such other rights customarily required by mortgagees making a loan secured by the interest of the holder of the leasehold estate demised pursuant to a ground lease as determined by the Agent in its reasonable discretion.
Eligible Property means a Property which satisfies all of the following requirements: (a) such Property is owned in fee simple (or leased under an Eligible Ground Lease) by the Borrower or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary that is a Guarantor; (b) such Property is located in a State of the United States of America or in the District of Columbia; (c) regardless of whether such Property is owned by the Borrower or a Subsidiary, the Borrower has the right directly, or indirectly through a Subsidiary, to take the following actions without the need to obtain the consent of any Person: (i) to create Liens on such Property as security for any of the Obligations, and (ii) to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of such Property; (d) neither such Property, nor if such Property is owned by a Subsidiary, any of the Borrowers direct or indirect ownership interest in such Subsidiary, is subject to (i) any Lien other than Permitted Liens or (ii) any
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Negative Pledge; and (e) either (i) such Property is free of all structural defects, title defects, environmental conditions or other adverse matters except for defects, conditions or matters individually or collectively which are not material to the profitable operation of such Property or (ii) the Borrower has identified all structural defects, title defects, environmental conditions or other adverse matters related to such Property which are material to the profitable operation of such Property and delivered any documents, reports, appraisals or other information relating to such Property including, without limitation, a copy of a recent ALTA Owners Policy of Title Insurance and a Phase I environmental assessment in accordance with ASTM E 1527-00 standards (or ASTM E 1527-05 standards, if applicable) as reasonably requested by the Agent, and the Agent has agreed to allow such Property to be Eligible Property subject to any discounts in the Unencumbered Pool Value of such Property reasonably deemed necessary by the Agent as a result of such structural defects, title defects, environmental conditions or other adverse matters.
Environmental Laws means any Applicable Law relating to environmental protection or the manufacture, storage, remediation, disposal or clean-up of Hazardous Materials including, without limitation, the following: Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.; Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.; Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq.; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.; National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. § 4321 et seq.; regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency and any applicable rule of common law and any judicial interpretation thereof relating primarily to the environment or Hazardous Materials.
Equity Interest means, with respect to any Person, any share of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, any warrant, option or other right for the purchase or other acquisition from such Person of any share of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person whether or not certificated, any security convertible into or exchangeable for any share of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrant, right or option for the purchase or other acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and any other ownership or profit interest in such Person (including, without limitation, partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such share, warrant, option, right or other interest is authorized or otherwise existing on any date of determination.
Equity Issuance means any issuance or sale by a Person of any Equity Interest in such Person.
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as in effect from time to time.
ERISA Group means the Borrower, any Subsidiary and all members of a controlled group of corporations and all trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control which, together with the Borrower or any Subsidiary, are treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code.
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Event of Default means any of the events specified in Section 11.1., provided that any requirement for notice or lapse of time or any other condition has been satisfied.
Excluded Subsidiary means any Subsidiary that holds title to assets which are collateral for any outstanding Secured Indebtedness of such Subsidiary and which is prohibited from Guaranteeing the Indebtedness of any other Person (other than another Excluded Subsidiary) pursuant to (i) any document, instrument or agreement evidencing such Secured Indebtedness or (ii) a provision of such Persons organizational documents which provision was included in such Persons organizational documents as a condition to the extension or continuation of such Secured Indebtedness. A Subsidiary shall only remain an Excluded Subsidiary for so long as (A) the above requirements are satisfied and (B) such Subsidiary does not Guarantee any Indebtedness of any Person (other than another Excluded Subsidiary).
Existing Letter of Credit means that certain letter of credit number SLT 440546 issued by J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. in the stated amount of $885,000 for the benefit of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America.
Fair Market Value means, with respect to any asset, the price which could be negotiated in an arms-length free market transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing buyer, neither of which is under pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction. Except as otherwise provided herein, Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Borrower (or an authorized committee thereof) acting in good faith conclusively evidenced by a board resolution thereof delivered to the Agent or, with respect to any asset valued at no more than $1,000,000, such determination may be made by the chief financial officer of the Borrower evidenced by an officers certificate delivered to the Agent.
Federal Funds Rate means, for any day, the rate per annum (rounded upward to the nearest 1/100th of 1%) equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day, provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate quoted to the Agent by federal funds dealers selected by the Agent on such day on such transaction as determined by the Agent.
Fee Letter means that certain letter agreement dated as of August 2, 2006 by and between the Agent and the Borrower.
Fees means the fees and commissions provided for or referred to in Section 3.6. and any other fees payable by the Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document.
Fitch means Fitch, Inc.
Fixed Charges means, with respect to a Person and for a given period, the sum of (a) the Interest Expense of such Person for such period, plus (b) the aggregate of all scheduled
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principal payments on Indebtedness made by such Person during such period (excluding balloon, bullet or similar payments of principal due upon the stated maturity of Indebtedness), plus (c) the aggregate of all dividends paid or accrued by such Person on any Preferred Stock during such period, plus, (d) to the extent included in the calculation of EBITDA, the aggregate of all payments made with respect to any ground lease plus (e) the Reserve for Replacements.
GAAP means United States generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination.
Governmental Approvals means all authorizations, consents, approvals, licenses and exemptions of, registrations and filings with, and reports to, all Governmental Authorities.
Governmental Authority means any national, state or local government (whether domestic or foreign), any political subdivision thereof or any other governmental, quasi-governmental, judicial, public or statutory instrumentality, authority, body, agency, bureau, commission, board, department or other entity (including, without limitation, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Comptroller of the Currency or the Federal Reserve Board, any central bank or any comparable authority) or any arbitrator with authority to bind a party at law.
Gross Asset Value means, at a given time, the sum (without duplication) of (a) Operating Property Value at such time, plus (b) all cash, cash equivalents (excluding tenant deposits and other cash and cash equivalents the disposition of which is restricted) and readily marketable securities (to the extent that the value of such marketable securities are reasonably capable of being verified) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such time, plus (c) the current book value of Construction in Process (including the book value for the portion of the land owned by the Borrower or a Subsidiary related to such Construction in Process) with respect to any Property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries then under construction, plus (d) the Borrowers respective Ownership Shares of the current book values of Construction in Process (including the book value for the portion of the land owned by an Unconsolidated Affiliate related to such Construction in Process) with respect to any Property of each Unconsolidated Affiliate then under construction, plus (e) the contractual purchase price of Properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries subject to purchase obligations, repurchase obligations, forward commitments and unfunded obligations but only to the extent such amounts are included in determinations of Total Liabilities. To the extent that more than 10% of the Gross Asset Value would be attributable to marketable securities, such excess shall be excluded. If more than 5% of the Gross Asset Value is attributable to marketable securities then, in order to be part of the Gross Asset Value, (i) if such marketable securities are Equity Interests, such marketable securities shall (x) be common or preferred Equity Interests of Persons domiciled in the United States, (y) be subject to price quotations on The NASDAQ Stock Markets National Market System or shall have trading privileges on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or another recognized United States securities exchange and (z) be quoted no less frequently than daily on such exchange, and (ii) if such marketable securities are representative
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of Indebtedness, such marketable securities shall (x) be issued by Persons domiciled in the United States, (y) have a Credit Rating of BBB-/Baa3 or better and (z) be valued at the lesser of cost or market value.
Guarantor means any Person that is party to the Guaranty as a Guarantor.
Guaranty, Guaranteed or to Guarantee as applied to any obligation means and includes: (a) a guaranty (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), directly or indirectly, in any manner, of any part or all of such obligation, or (b) an agreement, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, and whether or not constituting a guaranty, the practical effect of which is to assure the payment or performance (or payment of damages in the event of nonperformance) of any part or all of such obligation whether by: (i) the purchase of securities or obligations, (ii) the purchase, sale or lease (as lessee or lessor) of property or the purchase or sale of services primarily for the purpose of enabling the obligor with respect to such obligation to make any payment or performance (or payment of damages in the event of nonperformance) of or on account of any part or all of such obligation, or to assure the owner of such obligation against loss, (iii) the supplying of funds to or in any other manner investing in the obligor with respect to such obligation, (iv) repayment of amounts drawn down by beneficiaries of letters of credit (including Letters of Credit), or (v) the supplying of funds to or investing in a Person on account of all or any part of such Persons obligation under a Guaranty of any obligation or indemnifying or holding harmless, in any way, such Person against any part or all of such obligation. As the context requires, Guaranty shall also mean the guaranty executed and delivered pursuant to Section 6.1. or 8.13. and substantially in the form of Exhibit D.
Hazardous Materials means all or any of the following: (a) substances that are defined or listed in, or otherwise classified pursuant to, any applicable Environmental Laws as hazardous substances, hazardous materials, hazardous wastes, toxic substances or any other formulation intended to define, list or classify substances by reason of deleterious properties such as ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, TCLP toxicity, or EP toxicity; (b) oil, petroleum or petroleum derived substances, natural gas, natural gas liquids or synthetic gas and drilling fluids, produced waters and other wastes associated with the exploration, development or production of crude oil, natural gas or geothermal resources; (c) any flammable substances or explosives or any radioactive materials; (d) asbestos in any form; (e) toxic mold; and (f) electrical equipment which contains any oil or dielectric fluid containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of fifty parts per million.
Indebtedness means, with respect to a Person, at the time of computation thereof, all of the following (without duplication): (a) all obligations of such Person in respect of money borrowed; (b) all obligations of such Person (other than trade debt incurred in the ordinary course of business), whether or not for money borrowed (i) represented by notes payable, or drafts accepted, in each case representing extensions of credit, (ii) evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, or (iii) constituting purchase money indebtedness, conditional sales contracts, title retention debt instruments or other similar instruments, upon which interest charges are customarily paid or that are issued or assumed as full or partial payment for property; (c) Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person; (d) all reimbursement
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obligations of such Person under or in respect of any letters of credit or acceptances (whether or not the same have been presented for payment); (e) all Off-Balance Sheet Liabilities of such Person; (f) net obligations under any Derivative Contract in an amount equal to the Derivatives Termination Value thereof; and (g) all Indebtedness of other Persons which (i) such Person has Guaranteed or is otherwise recourse to such Person or (ii) is secured by a Lien on any property of such Person.
Intellectual Property has the meaning given that term in Section 7.1.(s).
Interest Expense means, with respect to a Person and for any period, (a) all paid or accrued interest expense (excluding capitalized interest expense) of such Person and in any event shall include all letter of credit fees and all interest expense with respect to any Indebtedness in respect of which such Person is wholly or partially liable whether pursuant to any repayment, interest carry, performance Guarantee or otherwise, plus (b) to the extent not already included in the foregoing clause (a) such Persons Ownership Share of all paid, accrued or capitalized interest expense for such period of Unconsolidated Affiliates of such Person.
Interest Period means:
(a) with respect to any LIBOR Loan, each period commencing on the date such LIBOR Loan is made or the last day of the next preceding Interest Period for such Loan and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the first, second, third or sixth calendar month thereafter, as the Borrower may select in a Notice of Borrowing, Notice of Continuation or Notice of Conversion, as the case may be, except that each Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on any day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the appropriate subsequent calendar month) shall end on the last Business Day of the appropriate subsequent calendar month; and
(b) with respect to any Bid Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date such Bid Rate Loan is made and ending on any Business Day not less than 7 nor more than 90 days thereafter, as the Borrower may select as provided in Section 2.2.(b).
Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) if any Interest Period would otherwise end after the Termination Date, such Interest Period shall end on the Termination Date; (ii) each Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day shall end on the immediately following Business Day (or, if such immediately following Business Day falls in the next calendar month, on the immediately preceding Business Day); and (iii) notwithstanding the immediately preceding clauses (i) and (ii), no Interest Period of a LIBOR Loan shall have a duration of less than one month and, if the Interest Period for any Loan would otherwise be a shorter period, such Loan shall not be available hereunder for such period.
Internal Revenue Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Investment means, with respect to any Person, any acquisition or investment (whether or not of a controlling interest) by such Person, whether by means of any of the following: (a) the purchase or other acquisition of any Equity Interest in another Person, (b) a loan, advance or
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extension of credit to, capital contribution to, Guaranty of Indebtedness of, or purchase or other acquisition of any Indebtedness of, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person, or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of assets of another Person that constitute the business or a division or operating unit of another Person. Any commitment to make an Investment in any other Person, as well as any option of another Person to require an Investment in such Person, shall constitute an Investment. Except as expressly provided otherwise, for purposes of determining compliance with any covenant contained in a Loan Document, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.
Investment Grade Rating means a Credit Rating of BBB-/Baa3 (or the equivalent) or higher from a Rating Agency.
L/C Commitment Amount has the meaning given to that term in Section 2.3.(a).
Lender means each financial institution from time to time party hereto as a Lender or a Designated Lender, together with its respective successors and permitted assigns, and, as the context requires, includes the Swingline Lender; provided, however, that the term Lender shall exclude each Designated Lender when used in reference to any Loan other than a Bid Rate Loan, the Commitments or terms relating to any Loan other than a Bid Rate Loan and shall further exclude each Designated Lender for all other purposes under the Loan Documents except that any Designated Lender which funds a Bid Rate Loan shall, subject to Section 13.7.(d), have the rights (including the rights given to a Lender contained in Sections 13.3. and 13.11.) and obligations of a Lender associated with holding such Bid Rate Loan; provided further, however, that in accordance with Section 3.10., with respect to matters requiring the consent or approval of all Lenders at any given time, all then existing Defaulting Lenders will be disregarded and excluded, and, for voting purposes only, all Lenders shall be deemed to mean all Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders.
Lending Office means, for each Lender and for each Type of Loan, the office of such Lender specified as such on its signature page hereto or in the applicable Assignment and Assumption Agreement, or such other office of such Lender as such Lender may notify the Agent in writing from time to time.
Letter of Credit has the meaning given that term in Section 2.3.(a).
Letter of Credit Collateral Account means, if any, a special deposit account maintained by the Agent and under its sole dominion and control.
Letter of Credit Documents means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, collectively, any application therefor, any certificate or other document presented in connection with a drawing under such Letter of Credit and any other agreement, instrument or other document governing or providing for (a) the rights and obligations of the parties concerned or at risk with respect to such Letter of Credit or (b) any collateral security for any of such obligations.
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Letter of Credit Liabilities means, without duplication, at any time and in respect of any Letter of Credit, the sum of (a) the Stated Amount of such Letter of Credit plus (b) the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Reimbursement Obligations of the Borrower at such time due and payable in respect of all drawings made under such Letter of Credit. For purposes of this Agreement, a Lender (other than the Lender then acting as Agent) shall be deemed to hold a Letter of Credit Liability in an amount equal to its participation interest under Section 2.3. in the related Letter of Credit, and the Lender then acting as Agent shall be deemed to hold a Letter of Credit Liability in an amount equal to its retained interest in the related Letter of Credit after giving effect to the acquisition by the Lenders (other than the Lender then acting as Agent of their participation interests under such Section).
Level has the meaning given that term in the definition of Applicable Margin.
LIBOR means, for any LIBOR Loan for any Interest Period therefor, the average rate of interest per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next highest 1/16th of 1%) at which deposits in immediately available funds in Dollars are offered to the Agent (at approximately 11:00 a.m. Eastern time, two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period) by first class banks in the interbank Eurodollar market where the Eurodollar operations of the Agent are customarily conducted, for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period, such deposits being for a period of time equal or comparable to such Interest Period and in an amount equal to or comparable to the principal amount of the LIBOR Loan to which such Interest Period relates. Each determination of LIBOR by the Agent shall, in absence of demonstrable error, be conclusive and binding.
LIBOR Auction means a solicitation of Bid Rate Quotes setting forth LIBOR Margin Loans based on LIBOR pursuant to Section 2.2.
LIBOR Loan means a Revolving Loan bearing interest at a rate based on LIBOR.
LIBOR Margin has the meaning given that term in Section 2.2.(c)(ii)(D).
LIBOR Margin Loan means a Bid Rate Loan the interest rate on which is determined on the basis of LIBOR pursuant to a LIBOR Auction.
Lien as applied to the property of any Person means: (a) any security interest, encumbrance to provide security for an obligation, mortgage, deed to secure debt, deed of trust, assignment of leases or rents, pledge, lien, charge or lease constituting a Capitalized Lease Obligation, conditional sale or other title retention agreement, or other security title or encumbrance of any kind in respect of any property of such Person, or upon the income, rents or profits therefrom; (b) any arrangement, express or implied, under which any property of such Person is transferred, sequestered or otherwise identified for the purpose of subjecting the same to the payment of Indebtedness or performance of any other obligation in priority to the payment of the general, unsecured creditors of such Person; (c) the authorized filing of any financing statement under the UCC or its equivalent in any jurisdiction; and (d) any agreement by such Person to grant, give or otherwise convey any of the foregoing (excluding an agreement that
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would require such Person to grant a Lien to one creditor as a consequence of granting the same Lien to another creditor).
Loan means a Revolving Loan, a Bid Rate Loan or a Swingline Loan.
Loan Document means this Agreement, each Note, any Guaranty, each Letter of Credit Document and each other document or instrument now or hereafter executed and delivered by a Loan Party in connection with, pursuant to or relating to this Agreement.
Loan Party means each of the Borrower, each other Person who guarantees all or a portion of the Obligations. Schedule 1.1. sets forth the Loan Parties in addition to the Borrower as of the Agreement Date.
Major Redevelopment Property means a Property (a) on which the existing building or other improvements are undergoing renovation and redevelopment and for which any of the following has occurred (i) construction has commenced or (ii) the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any Unconsolidated Affiliate, as the case may be, has entered into a binding construction contract or (iii) the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any Unconsolidated Affiliate, as the case may be, has entered into a binding agreement by an anchor tenant to enter into a lease of any such Property and (b) either (i) that has not achieved an occupancy rate (weighted on an economic basis) of 80% or more or (ii) on which the improvements (other than tenant improvements) related to the renovation and redevelopment have not been completed. The term Major Redevelopment Property shall include real property of the type described in the immediately preceding sentence to be (but not yet) acquired by any such Person upon completion of construction pursuant to a contract in which the seller of such real property is required to renovate prior to, and as a condition precedent to, such acquisition
Material Adverse Effect means a materially adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations or business prospects of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Borrower and the Loan Parties to perform their obligations under the Loan Document, (c) the validity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents, or (d) the rights and remedies of the Lenders and the Agent under any of the Loan Documents.
Material Plan means at any time a Plan or Plans having aggregate Unfunded Liabilities in excess of $5,000,000.
Material Subsidiary means any Subsidiary to which more than 10% of Gross Asset Value is attributable on an individual basis.
Maximum Loan Availability means, at any time, the lesser of (i) an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (x) the Borrowing Base minus (y) all Unsecured Liabilities (other than the Loans and the Letter of Credit Liabilities), of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and (ii) the aggregate amount of the Commitments at such time.
Moodys means Moodys Investors Service, Inc.
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Multiemployer Plan means at any time a multiemployer plan within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which any member of the ERISA Group is then making or accruing an obligation to make contributions or has within the preceding five plan years made contributions, including for these purposes any Person which ceased to be a member of the ERISA Group during such five year period.
Negative Pledge means, with respect to a given asset, any provision of a document, instrument or agreement (other than any Loan Document) which prohibits or purports to prohibit the creation or assumption of any Lien on such asset as security for any of the Obligations.
Net Operating Income means, for any Property and for a given period, the sum (without duplication) of (a) rents and other revenues received or accrued in the ordinary course from such Property (excluding pre-paid rents and revenues and security deposits except to the extent applied in satisfaction of tenants obligations for rent) minus (b) all expenses paid or accrued by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and related to the ownership, operation or maintenance of such Property (other than those expenses normally covered by a management fee), including but not limited to, taxes, assessments and the like, insurance, utilities, payroll costs, maintenance, repair and landscaping expenses, marketing expenses, and general and administrative expenses (including an appropriate allocation for legal, accounting, advertising, marketing and other expenses incurred in connection with such Property, but specifically excluding general overhead expenses of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries) minus (c) the Reserve for Replacements for such Property for such period minus (d) the greater of (i) the actual property management fee paid during such period with respect to such Property and (ii) an imputed management fee in an amount equal to 3% of the gross revenues for such Property for such period, all as determined in accordance with GAAP.
Net Proceeds means with respect to an Equity Issuance by a Person, the aggregate amount of all cash or the Fair Market Value of all other property received by such Person in respect of such Equity Issuance net of investment banking fees, legal fees, accountants fees, underwriting discounts and commissions and other customary fees and expenses actually incurred by such Person in connection with such Equity Issuance.
Non-Guarantor Entity means: (a) any Subsidiary that is not required to become a party to the Guaranty under Section 8.13.(a); (b) any Unconsolidated Affiliate of the Borrower; and (c) any other Affiliate of the Borrower in which the Borrower holds an Investment.
Nonrecourse Indebtedness means, with respect to a Person, Indebtedness for borrowed money in respect of which recourse for payment (except for customary exceptions for fraud, misapplication of funds, environmental indemnities, non-compliance with separateness covenants, and other similar customary exceptions to recourse liability (but not exceptions relating to non-collusive involuntary bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar events) in a form reasonably acceptable to the Agent) is contractually limited to specific assets of such Person encumbered by a Lien securing such Indebtedness.
Note means a Revolving Note, a Bid Rate Note or a Swingline Note.
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Notice of Borrowing means a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit E to be delivered to the Agent pursuant to Section 2.1.(b) evidencing the Borrowers request for a borrowing of Revolving Loans.
Notice of Continuation means a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit F to be delivered to the Agent pursuant to Section 2.10. evidencing the Borrowers request for the Continuation of a LIBOR Loan.
Notice of Conversion means a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit G to be delivered to the Agent pursuant to Section 2.11. evidencing the Borrowers request for the Conversion of a Loan from one Type to another Type.
Notice of Swingline Borrowing means a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit H to be delivered to the Swingline Lender pursuant to Section 2.4.(b) evidencing the Borrowers request for a Swingline Loan.
Obligations means, individually and collectively: (a) the aggregate principal balance of, and all accrued and unpaid interest on, all Loans; (b) all Reimbursement Obligations and all other Letter of Credit Liabilities; and (c) all other indebtedness, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of the Borrower or any of the other Loan Parties owing to the Agent or any Lender of every kind, nature and description, under or in respect of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, including, without limitation, the Fees and indemnification obligations, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or not due, contractual or tortious, liquidated or unliquidated, and whether or not evidenced by any promissory note.
Off-Balance Sheet Obligations means liabilities and obligations of the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other Person in respect of off-balance sheet arrangements (as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act) which the Borrower would be required to disclose in the Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of the Borrowers report on Form 10-Q or Form 10-K (or their equivalents) which the Borrower is required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any Governmental Authority substituted therefor).
Operating Property Value means, as of a given date, (a) Capitalized EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis as of such date plus (b) for any Property that was acquired by the Borrower or a Subsidiary during the immediately preceding fiscal quarter that is not Construction in Process, an amount equal to the purchase price paid by the Borrower or such Subsidiary (less any amounts paid to the Borrower or such Subsidiary as a purchase price reduction).
Ownership Share means, with respect to any Subsidiary of a Person (other than a Wholly Owned Subsidiary) or any Unconsolidated Affiliate of a Person, the greater of (a) such Persons relative nominal direct and indirect ownership interest (expressed as a percentage) in such Subsidiary or Unconsolidated Affiliate or (b) subject to compliance with Section 9.4.(q), such Persons relative direct and indirect economic interest (calculated as a percentage) in such
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Subsidiary or Unconsolidated Affiliate determined in accordance with the applicable provisions of the declaration of trust, articles or certificate of incorporation, articles of organization, partnership agreement, joint venture agreement or other applicable organizational document of such Subsidiary or Unconsolidated Affiliate.
Participant has the meaning given that term in Section 13.7.(b).
PBGC means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and any successor agency.
Permitted Liens means, with respect to any asset or property of a Person, (a) Liens securing taxes, assessments and other charges or levies imposed by any Governmental Authority (excluding any Lien imposed pursuant to any of the provisions of ERISA or pursuant to any Environmental Laws) or the claims of materialmen, mechanics, carriers, warehousemen or landlords for labor, materials, supplies or rentals, which are not at the time required to be paid or discharged under Section 8.6.; and (b) Liens consisting of deposits or pledges made, in the ordinary course of business, in connection with, or to secure payment of, obligations under workers compensation, unemployment insurance or similar Applicable Laws.
Person means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
Plan means at any time an employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) which is covered by Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code and either (i) is maintained, or contributed to, by any member of the ERISA Group for employees of any member of the ERISA Group or (ii) has at any time within the preceding five years been maintained, or contributed to, by any Person which was at such time a member of the ERISA Group for employees of any Person which was at such time a member of the ERISA Group.
Post-Default Rate means, in respect of any principal of any Loan or any other Obligation that is not paid when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, by optional or mandatory prepayment or otherwise), a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate as in effect from time to time, plus the Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans, plus five percent 5.0%.
Preferred Stock means, with respect to any Person, shares of capital stock of, or other Equity Interests in, such Person which are entitled to preference or priority over any other capital stock of, or other Equity Interest in, such Person in respect of the payment of dividends or distribution of assets upon liquidation or both.
Principal Office means 2120 E. Park Place, Suite 100, El Segundo, California 90245.
Property means, with respect to any Person, any parcel of real property (whether owned in fee or subject to an Eligible Ground Lease), together with any building, facility, structure, equipment or other asset located on such parcel of real property, in each case owned by such Person.
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Pro Rata Share means, as to each Lender, the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of (a) the amount of such Lenders Commitment to (b) the aggregate amount of the Commitments of all Lenders hereunder; provided, however, that if at the time of determination the Commitments have terminated or been reduced to zero, the Pro Rata Share of each Lender shall be the Pro Rata Share of such Lender in effect immediately prior to such termination or reduction.
Rating Agency means S&P, Moodys, Fitch or any other nationally recognized securities rating agency selected by the Borrower and approved of by the Agent in writing.
Recurring Capital Expenditures means capital expenditures made in respect of a Property for maintenance of such Property and replacement of items due to ordinary wear and tear including, but not limited to, expenditures made for maintenance or replacement of carpeting, roofing materials, mechanical systems, electrical systems and other structural systems and expenditures relating to tenant improvements and leasing commissions. Recurring Capital Expenditures shall not include any of the following: (a) improvements to the appearance of such Property or any other major upgrade or renovation of such Property not necessary for proper maintenance or marketability of such Property; (b) capital expenditures for seismic upgrades; or (c) capital expenditures for deferred maintenance for such Property existing at the time such Property was acquired by the Borrower or a Subsidiary.
Regulatory Change means, with respect to any Lender, any change effective after the Agreement Date in Applicable Law (including without limitation, Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) or the adoption or making after such date of any interpretation, directive or request applying to a class of banks, including such Lender, of or under any Applicable Law (whether or not having the force of law and whether or not failure to comply therewith would be unlawful) by any Governmental Authority or monetary authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof or compliance by any Lender with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy.
Reimbursement Obligation means the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the Agent for any drawing honored by the Agent under a Letter of Credit.
REIT means a Person qualifying for treatment as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code.
Requisite Lenders means, as of any date, (i) any combination of two or more Lenders (which shall include the Lender then acting as Agent) having at least 66-2/3% of the aggregate amount of the Commitments, or, if the Commitments have been terminated or reduced to zero, any combination of two or more Lenders holding at least 66-2/3% of the principal amount of the outstanding Loans and Letter of Credit Liabilities, or (ii) if at any time only one Lender holds all outstanding Commitments or Loans and Letter of Credit Liabilities, as the case may be, such Lender. For purposes of this definition, in determining the requisite percentages set forth above, in accordance with Section 3.10., the Commitments or Loans and Letter of Credit Liabilities of all then existing Defaulting Lenders will be disregarded and excluded.
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Reserve for Replacements means, for any period and with respect to any Property, an amount equal to, (a)(i) for any retail, office or industrial property (A) the aggregate square footage of all completed space of such Property times (B) $0.15 and (ii) for any apartment property (A) the number of apartment units located on such Property times (B) $300, times (b) the number of days in such period divided by (c) 365. If the term Reserve for Replacements is used without reference to any specific Property, then it shall be determined on an aggregate basis with respect to all Properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and the applicable Ownership Shares of all Properties of all Unconsolidated Affiliates.
Restricted Payment means: (a) any dividend or other distribution, direct or indirect, on account of any shares of any class of stock or other Equity Interest of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries now or hereafter outstanding, except a dividend payable solely in shares of that class of stock to the holders of that class; (b) any redemption, conversion, exchange, retirement, sinking fund or similar payment, purchase or other acquisition for value, direct or indirect, of any shares of any class of stock or other Equity Interest of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries now or hereafter outstanding; and (c) any payment made to retire, or to obtain the surrender of, any outstanding warrants, options or other rights to acquire any Equity Interests of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries now or hereafter outstanding.
Revolving Loan means a loan made by a Lender to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.1.(a).
Revolving Note means a promissory note of the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit I, payable to the order of a Lender in a principal amount equal to the amount of such Lenders Commitment as originally in effect and otherwise duly completed and in any event shall include any new Revolving Note that may be issued from time to time pursuant to Section 13.7.
Secured Indebtedness means, with respect to any Person, any Indebtedness of such Person that is secured in any manner by any Lien on any property and shall include such Persons Ownership Share of the Secured Indebtedness of any of such Persons Unconsolidated Affiliates.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, together with all rules and regulations issued thereunder.
Solvent means, when used with respect to any Person, that (a) the fair value and the fair salable value of its assets (excluding any Indebtedness due from any affiliate of such Person) are each in excess of the fair valuation of its total liabilities (including all contingent liabilities); (b) such Person is able to pay its debts or other obligations in the ordinary course as they mature; and (c) such Person has capital not unreasonably small to carry on its business and all business in which it proposes to be engaged.
S&P means Standard & Poors Rating Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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Stated Amount means the amount available to be drawn by a beneficiary under a Letter of Credit from time to time, as such amount may be increased or reduced from time to time in accordance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.
Subsidiary means, for any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which at least a majority of the Equity Interests having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other individuals performing similar functions of such corporation, partnership or other entity (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, and shall include all Persons the accounts of which are consolidated with those of such Person pursuant to GAAP.
Substantial Amount means, at the time of determination thereof, an amount in excess of 30.0% of total consolidated assets (exclusive of depreciation) at such time of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis.
Swingline Commitment means the Swingline Lenders obligation to make Swingline Loans pursuant to Section 2.4. in an amount up to, but not exceeding the amount set forth in Section 2.4., as such amount may be reduced from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.
Swingline Lender means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, together with its respective successors and assigns.
Swingline Loan means a loan made by the Swingline Lender to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.4.
Swingline Note means the promissory note of the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit J, payable to the order of the Swingline Lender in a principal amount equal to the amount of the Swingline Commitment as originally in effect and otherwise duly completed and in any event shall include any new Swingline Note that may be issued from time to time pursuant to Section 13.7.
Swingline Termination Date means the date which is 7 Business Days prior to the Termination Date.
Tangible Net Worth means, for any Person and as of a given date, such Persons total consolidated stockholders equity plus, in the case of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, increases in accumulated depreciation and amortization accrued after the Agreement Date, minus (to the extent contained in determining stockholders equity of such Person): (a) the amount of any write-up in the book value of any assets reflected in any balance sheet resulting from revaluation thereof or any write-up in excess of the cost of such assets acquired, and (b) the aggregate of all amounts appearing on the assets side of any such balance sheet for franchises, licenses, permits, patents, patent applications, copyrights, trademarks, service marks, trade names, goodwill,
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treasury stock, experimental or organizational expenses and other like assets which would be classified as intangible assets under GAAP, all determined on a consolidated basis.
Taxes has the meaning given that term in Section 3.11.
Termination Date means November 1, 2010, or such later date to which such date may be extended in accordance with Section 2.14.
Total Budgeted Cost means, with respect to a Development Property or a Major Redevelopment Property, and at any time, the aggregate amount of all costs budgeted to be paid, incurred or otherwise expended or accrued by the Borrower, a Subsidiary or an Unconsolidated Affiliate with respect to such Property to achieve an occupancy rate (weighted on an economic basis) of 100%, including without limitation, all amounts budgeted with respect to all of the following: (a) acquisition of land and any related improvements; (b) a reasonable and appropriate reserve for construction interest; (c) a reasonable and appropriate operating deficit reserve; (d) tenant improvements, (e) leasing commissions, (f) infrastructure costs and (g) other hard and soft costs associated with the development or redevelopment of such Property. With respect to any Property to be developed in more than one phase, the Total Budgeted Cost shall exclude budgeted costs (other than costs relating to acquisition of land and related improvements) to the extent relating to any phase for which (i) construction has not yet commenced and (ii) a binding construction contract has not been entered into by the Borrower, any other Subsidiary or any Unconsolidated Affiliate, as the case may be.
Total Liabilities means, as to any Person as of a given date, all liabilities which would, in conformity with GAAP, be properly classified as a liability on a consolidated balance sheet of such Person as of such date, and in any event shall include (without duplication): (a) all Indebtedness of such Person (whether or not Nonrecourse Indebtedness, whether or not subordinated and whether or not secured by a Lien), including without limitation, Capitalized Lease Obligations and reimbursement obligations with respect to any letter of credit; (b) all accounts payable and other liabilities of such Person; (c) all purchase and repurchase obligations and forward commitments of such Person to the extent such obligations or commitments are evidenced by a binding purchase agreement with respect to which the Borrower has paid a non-refundable deposit (forward commitments shall include without limitation (i) forward equity commitments and (ii) commitments to purchase any real property under development, redevelopment or renovation); but the liabilities under this clause (c) will only be included if the asset in question in included in Gross Asset Value; (d) all unfunded obligations of such Person; (e) all lease obligations of such Person (including ground leases) to the extent required under GAAP to be classified as a liability on a balance sheet of such Person; (f) all liabilities of any Unconsolidated Affiliate of such Person, which liabilities such Person has Guaranteed or is otherwise obligated on a recourse basis; and (g) such Persons Ownership Share of the Indebtedness of any Unconsolidated Affiliate of such Person, including Nonrecourse Indebtedness of such Person. For purposes of clauses (c) and (d) of this definition, the amount of Total Liabilities of a Person at any given time in respect of (x) a contract to purchase or otherwise acquire unimproved or fully developed real property shall be equal to (i) the total purchase price payable by such Person under such contract if, at such time, the seller of such real property would be entitled to specifically enforce such contract against such Person, otherwise,
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(ii) the aggregate amount of due diligence deposits, earnest money payments and other similar payments made by such Person under such contract which, at such time, would be subject to forfeiture upon termination of the contract and (y) a contract relating to the acquisition of real property which the seller is required to develop or renovate prior to, and as a condition precedent to, such acquisition, shall equal the maximum amount reasonably estimated to be payable by such Person under such contract assuming performance by the seller of its obligations under such contract, which amount shall include, without limitation, any amounts payable after consummation of such acquisition which may be based on certain performance levels or other related criteria. For purposes of this definition, if the assets of a Subsidiary of a Person consist solely of Equity Interests in one Unconsolidated Affiliate of such Person and such Person is not otherwise obligated in respect of the Indebtedness of such Unconsolidated Affiliate, then only such Persons Ownership Share of the Indebtedness of such Unconsolidated Affiliate shall be included as Total Liabilities of such Person.
Transfer Authorizer Designation Form means a form substantially in the form of Exhibit Q to be delivered to the Agent pursuant to Section 6.1., as the same may be amended, restated or modified from time to time with the prior written approval of the Agent.
Type with respect to any Revolving Loan, refers to whether such Loan is a LIBOR Loan or a Base Rate Loan, or in the case of a Bid Rate Loan only, an Absolute Rate Loan or a LIBOR Margin Loan.
Unconsolidated Affiliate means, with respect to any Person, any other Person in whom such Person holds an Investment, which Investment is accounted for in the financial statements of such Person on an equity basis of accounting and whose financial results would not be consolidated under GAAP with the financial results of such Person on the consolidated financial statements of such Person.
Unencumbered NOI means, for any period, the aggregate Net Operating Income for such period of Unencumbered Pool Properties.
Unencumbered Pool Certificate means a certificate in substantially the form of Exhibit K, certified by the chief financial officer of the Borrower, setting forth the calculations required to establish the Unencumbered Pool Value for each Unencumbered Pool Property and the Borrowing Base for all Unencumbered Pool Properties as of a specified date, all in form and detail satisfactory to the Agent.
Unencumbered Pool Properties means those Eligible Properties that, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, are to be included when calculating the Borrowing Base.
Unencumbered Pool Value means, at any time, the following amount as determined for an Unencumbered Pool Property: (a) (i) the Net Operating Income of such Unencumbered Pool Property for the fiscal quarter most recently ended times (ii) 4 and divided by (iii) 8.25%, plus (b) the book value of Construction in Process (including the book value for the portion of the land owned by the Borrower or a Subsidiary related to such Construction in Process) for such Unencumbered Pool Property. If an Unencumbered Pool Property was acquired by the Borrower
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or a Subsidiary during the current fiscal quarter, then such Unencumbered Pool Property shall have an Unencumbered Pool Value equal to the purchase price paid by the Borrower or any Subsidiary (less any amounts paid to the Borrower or such Subsidiary as a purchase price reduction).
Unfunded Liabilities means, with respect to any Plan at any time, the amount (if any) by which (a) the value of all benefit liabilities under such Plan, determined on a plan termination basis using the assumptions prescribed by the PBGC for purposes of Section 4044 of ERISA, exceeds (b) the fair market value of all Plan assets allocable to such liabilities under Title IV of ERISA (excluding any accrued but unpaid contributions), all determined as of the then most recent valuation date for such Plan, but only to the extent that such excess represents a potential liability of a member of the ERISA Group to the PBGC or any other Person under Title IV of ERISA.
Unsecured Indebtedness means, with respect to a Person, all Indebtedness of such Person that is not Secured Indebtedness.
Unsecured Liabilities means, as to any Person as of a given date, the sum of the following (without duplication): (a) all Unsecured Indebtedness of such Person plus (b) all other unsecured liabilities which would, in conformity with GAAP, be properly classified as a liability on the balance sheet of such Person as at such date.
Wells Fargo means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, and its successors and permitted assigns.
Wholly Owned Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of a Person in respect of which all of the equity securities or other ownership interests (other than, in the case of a corporation, directors qualifying shares) are at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person or one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person.
Section 1.2. General; References to Eastern Time.
Unless otherwise indicated, all accounting terms, ratios and measurements shall be interpreted or determined in accordance with GAAP as in effect on the Agreement Date; provided that, if at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Borrower or the Requisite Lenders shall so request, the Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Requisite Lenders); provided further that, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Borrower shall provide to the Agent and the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP. References in this Agreement to Sections, Articles, Exhibits and Schedules are to sections, articles, exhibits and schedules herein and hereto unless otherwise indicated. references in this
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Agreement to any document, instrument or agreement (a) shall include all exhibits, schedules and other attachments thereto, (b) shall include all documents, instruments or agreements issued or executed in replacement thereof, to the extent permitted hereby and (c) shall mean such document, instrument or agreement, or replacement or predecessor thereto, as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time to the extent not prohibited hereby and in effect at any given time. Wherever from the context it appears appropriate, each term stated in either the singular or plural shall include the singular and plural, and pronouns stated in the masculine, feminine or neuter gender shall include the masculine, the feminine and the neuter. Unless explicitly set forth to the contrary, a reference to Subsidiary means a Subsidiary of the Borrower and a reference to an Affiliate means a reference to an Affiliate of the Borrower. Titles and captions of Articles, Sections, subsections and clauses in this Agreement are for convenience only, and neither limit nor amplify the provisions of this Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to time are references to Eastern time.
ARTICLE II. CREDIT FACILITY
Section 2.1. Revolving Loans.
(a) Making of Revolving Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, including without limitation, Section 2.16. below, each Lender severally and not jointly agrees to make Revolving Loans to the Borrower during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the Termination Date, in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding up to, but not exceeding, such Lenders Pro Rata Share of the Maximum Loan Availability (but in no event in excess of such Lenders Commitment). Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow Revolving Loans.
(b) Requests for Revolving Loans. Not later than 11:00 a.m. Eastern time at least two (2) Business Days prior to a borrowing of Base Rate Loans and not later than 11:00 a.m. Eastern time at least three (3) Business Days prior to a borrowing of LIBOR Loans, the Borrower shall deliver to the Agent a Notice of Borrowing. Each Notice of Borrowing shall specify the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Loans to be borrowed, the date such Revolving Loans are to be borrowed (which must be a Business Day), the Type of the requested Revolving Loans, and if such Revolving Loans are to be LIBOR Loans, the initial Interest Period for such Revolving Loans. Each Notice of Borrowing shall be irrevocable once given and binding on the Borrower. Prior to delivering a Notice of Borrowing, the Borrower may (without specifying whether a Revolving Loan will be a Base Rate Loan or a LIBOR Loan) request that the Agent provide the Borrower with the most recent LIBOR rate available to the Agent. The Agent shall provide such quoted rate to the Borrower and to the Lenders on the date of such request or as soon as possible thereafter.
(c) Funding of Revolving Loans. Promptly after receipt of a Notice of Borrowing under the immediately preceding subsection (b), the Agent shall notify each Lender by telex or telecopy, or other similar form of transmission of the proposed borrowing. Each Lender shall deposit an amount equal to the Revolving Loan to be made by such Lender to the Borrower with the Agent at the Principal Office, in immediately available funds not later than 11:00 a.m. Eastern time on the date of such proposed Revolving Loans. Subject to fulfillment of all
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applicable conditions set forth herein, the Agent shall make available to the Borrower in an account specified by the Borrower in the Transfer Authorizer Designation Form, not later than 2:00 p.m. Eastern time on the date of the requested borrowing of Revolving Loans, the proceeds of such amounts received by the Agent. No Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make a Loan or to perform any other obligation to be made or performed by such other Lender hereunder, and the failure of any Lender to make a Loan or to perform any other obligation to be made or performed by it hereunder shall not relieve the obligation of any other Lender to make any Loan or to perform any other obligation to be made or performed by such other Lender.
(d) Assumptions Regarding Funding by Lenders. With respect to Revolving Loans to be made after the Effective Date, unless the Agent shall have been notified by any Lender that such Lender will not make available to the Agent a Revolving Loan to be made by such Lender, the Agent may assume that such Lender will make the proceeds of such Revolving Loan available to the Agent in accordance with this Section and the Agent may (but shall not be obligated to), in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower the amount of such Revolving Loan to be provided by such Lender.
Section 2.2. Bid Rate Loans.
(a) Bid Rate Loans. In addition to borrowings of Revolving Loans, at any time during the period from the Effective Date to but excluding the Termination Date, and so long as the Borrower continues to maintain an Investment Grade Rating from any two of S&P, Moodys and Fitch, the Borrower may, as set forth in this Section, request the Lenders to make offers to make Bid Rate Loans to the Borrower in Dollars. The Lenders may, but shall have no obligation to, make such offers and the Borrower may, but shall have no obligation to, accept any such offers in the manner set forth in this Section.
(b) Requests for Bid Rate Loans. When the Borrower wishes to request from the Lenders offers to make Bid Rate Loans, it shall give the Agent notice (a Bid Rate Quote Request) so as to be received no later than 11:00 a.m. Eastern time on (x) the Business Day immediately preceding the date of borrowing proposed therein, in the case of an Absolute Rate Auction and (y) the date four Business Days prior to the proposed date of borrowing, in the case of a LIBOR Auction. The Agent shall deliver to each Lender a copy of each Bid Rate Quote Request promptly upon receipt thereof by the Agent. The Borrower may request offers to make Bid Rate Loans for up to 3 different Interest Periods in each Bid Rate Quote Request (for which purpose Interest Periods in different lettered clauses of the definition of the term Interest Period shall be deemed to be different Interest Periods even if they are coterminous); provided that the request for each separate Interest Period shall be deemed to be a separate Bid Rate Quote Request for a separate borrowing (a Bid Rate Borrowing). Each Bid Rate Quote Request shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit L and shall specify as to each Bid Rate Borrowing all of the following:
(i) the proposed date of such Bid Rate Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;
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(ii) the aggregate amount of such Bid Rate Borrowing which shall be in a minimum amount of $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof which shall not cause any of the limits specified in Section 2.16. to be violated;
(iii) whether the Bid Rate Quote Request is for LIBOR Margin Loans or Absolute Rate Loans; and
(iv) the duration of the Interest Period applicable thereto, which shall not extend beyond the Termination Date.
The Borrower shall not deliver any Bid Rate Quote Request within five Business Days of the giving of any other Bid Rate Quote Request and the Borrower shall not deliver more than 4 Bid Rate Quote Requests in any calendar month. The Borrower shall pay any fees due pursuant to Section 3.6.(d) at the time any Bid Rate Quote Request is delivered to the Agent. Such fees shall be due and payable whether or not any Bid Rate Quotes are submitted or any Bid Rate Quotes are accepted.
(c) Bid Rate Quotes.
(i) Each Lender may submit one or more Bid Rate Quotes, each containing an offer to make a Bid Rate Loan in response to any Bid Rate Quote Request; provided that, if the Borrowers request under Section 2.2.(b) specified more than one Interest Period, such Lender may make a single submission containing only one Bid Rate Quote for each such Interest Period. Each Bid Rate Quote must be submitted to the Agent not later than 9:30 a.m. Eastern time (x) on the proposed date of borrowing, in the case of an Absolute Rate Auction and (y) on the date three Business Days prior to the proposed date of borrowing, in the case of a LIBOR Auction, and in either case the Agent shall disregard any Bid Rate Quote received after such time; provided that the Lender then acting as the Agent may submit a Bid Rate Quote only if it notifies the Borrower of the terms of the offer contained therein not later than 30 minutes prior to the latest time by which the Lenders must submit applicable Bid Rate Quotes. Subject to Article VI. and Article XI., any Bid Rate Quote so made shall be irrevocable. Such Bid Rate Loans may be funded by a Lenders Designated Lender (if any) as provided in Section 13.7.(d), however such Lender shall not be required to specify in its Bid Rate Quote whether such Bid Rate Loan will be funded by such Designated Lender.
(ii) Each Bid Rate Quote shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit M and shall specify:
(A) the proposed date of borrowing and the Interest Period therefor;
(B) the principal amount of the Bid Rate Loan for which each such offer is being made; provided that the aggregate principal amount of all Bid Rate Loans for which a Lender submits Bid Rate Quotes (x) may be greater or less than the Commitment of such Lender but (y) shall not exceed the principal amount of the Bid Rate Borrowing for a particular Interest Period for which offers were requested;
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and provided further that any Bid Rate Quote shall be in a minimum amount of $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof;
(C) in the case of an Absolute Rate Auction, the rate of interest per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/1,000th of 1%) offered for each such Absolute Rate Loan (the Absolute Rate);
(D) in the case of a LIBOR Auction, the margin above or below applicable LIBOR (the LIBOR Margin) offered for each such LIBOR Margin Loan, expressed as a percentage (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/1,000th of 1%) to be added to (or subtracted from) the applicable LIBOR; and
(E) the identity of the quoting Lender.
No Bid Rate Quote shall contain qualifying, conditional or similar language or propose terms other than or in addition to those set forth in the applicable Bid Rate Quote Request and, in particular, no Bid Rate Quote may be conditioned upon acceptance by the Borrower of all (or some specified minimum) of the principal amount of the Bid Rate Loan for which such Bid Rate Quote is being made.
(d) Notification by Agent. The Agent shall, as promptly as practicable after the Bid Rate Quotes are submitted (but in any event not later than 10:30 a.m. Eastern time (x) on the proposed date of borrowing, in the case of an Absolute Rate Auction and (y) on the date three Business Days prior to the proposed date of borrowing, in the case of a LIBOR Auction), notify the Borrower of the terms (i) of any Bid Rate Quote submitted by a Lender that is in accordance with Section 2.2.(c). and (ii) of any Bid Rate Quote that amends, modifies or is otherwise inconsistent with a previous Bid Rate Quote submitted by such Lender with respect to the same Bid Rate Quote Request. Any such subsequent Bid Rate Quote shall be disregarded by the Agent unless such subsequent Bid Rate Quote is submitted solely to correct a manifest error in such former Bid Rate Quote. The Agents notice to the Borrower shall specify (A) the aggregate principal amount of the Bid Rate Borrowing for which offers have been received and (B) the principal amounts and Absolute Rates or LIBOR Margins, as applicable, so offered by each Lender.
(e) Acceptance by Borrower.
(i) Not later than 11:30 a.m. Eastern time (x) on the proposed date of borrowing, in the case of an Absolute Rate Auction and (y) on the date three Business Days prior to the proposed date of borrowing, in the case of LIBOR Auction, the Borrower shall notify the Agent of its acceptance or nonacceptance of the offers so notified to it pursuant to Section 2.2.(d). which notice shall be in the form of Exhibit N. In the case of acceptance, such notice shall specify the aggregate principal amount of offers for each Interest Period that are accepted. The failure of the Borrower to give such notice by such time shall constitute nonacceptance. The Borrower may accept any Bid Rate Quote in whole or in part; provided that:
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(A) the aggregate principal amount of each Bid Rate Borrowing may not exceed the applicable amount set forth in the related Bid Rate Quote Request;
(B) the aggregate principal amount of each Bid Rate Borrowing shall comply with the provisions of Section 2.2. (b)(ii) but shall not cause the limits specified in Section 2.16. to be violated;
(C) acceptance of offers may be made only in ascending order of Absolute Rates or LIBOR Margins, as applicable, in each case beginning with the lowest rate so offered;
(D) any acceptance in part by the Borrower shall be in a minimum amount of $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof; and
(E) the Borrower may not accept any offer that fails to comply with Section 2.2.(c) or otherwise fails to comply with the requirements of this Agreement.
(ii) If offers are made by two or more Lenders with the same Absolute Rates or LIBOR Margins, as applicable, for a greater aggregate principal amount than the amount in respect of which offers are accepted for the related Interest Period, the principal amount of Bid Rate Loans in respect of which such offers are accepted shall be allocated by the Agent among such Lenders in proportion to the aggregate principal amount of such offers. Determinations by the Agent of the amounts of Bid Rate Loans shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.
(f) Obligation to Make Bid Rate Loans. The Agent shall promptly (and in any event not later than (x) 12:00 noon Eastern time on the proposed date of borrowing of Absolute Rate Loans and (y) on the date three Business Days prior to the proposed date of borrowing of LIBOR Margin Loans) notify each Lender that submitted a Bid Rate Quote as to whose Bid Rate Quote has been accepted and the amount and rate thereof. A Lender who is notified that it has been selected to make a Bid Rate Loan may designate its Designated Lender (if any) to fund such Bid Rate Loan on its behalf, as described in Section 13.7.(d). Any Designated Lender which funds a Bid Rate Loan shall on and after the time of such funding become the obligee under such Bid Rate Loan and be entitled to receive payment thereof when due. No Lender shall be relieved of its obligation to fund a Bid Rate Loan, and no Designated Lender shall assume such obligation, prior to the time the applicable Bid Rate Loan is funded. Any Lender whose offer to make any Bid Rate Loan has been accepted shall, not later than 1:00 p.m. Eastern time on the date specified for the making of such Loan, make the amount of such Loan available to the Agent at its Principal Office in immediately available funds, for the account of the Borrower. The amount so received by the Agent shall, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, be made available to the Borrower not later than 12:00 noon on such date by depositing the same, in immediately available funds, in an account of the Borrower designated by the Borrower.
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(g) No Effect on Commitment. Except for the purpose and to the extent expressly stated in Section 2.13., the amount of any Bid Rate Loan made by any Lender shall not constitute a utilization of such Lenders Commitment.
Section 2.3. Letters of Credit.
(a) Letters of Credit. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including without limitation, Section 2.16., the Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, agrees to issue for the account of the Borrower during the period from and including the Effective Date to, but excluding, the date 30 days prior to the Termination Date, one or more standby letters of credit (each a Letter of Credit) up to a maximum aggregate Stated Amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed $20,000,000 as such amount may be reduced from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof (the L/C Commitment Amount).
(b) Terms of Letters of Credit. At the time of issuance, the amount, form, terms and conditions of each Letter of Credit, and of any drafts or acceptances thereunder, shall be subject to approval by the Agent and the Borrower. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may (i) the expiration date of any Letter of Credit extend beyond the Termination Date, or (ii) any Letter of Credit have an initial duration in excess of one year; provided, however, a Letter of Credit may contain a provision providing for automatic extension of the expiration date in the absence of a notice of non-renewal from the Agent but in no event shall any such provision permit the extension of the expiration date of such Letter of Credit beyond the Termination Date.
(c) Requests for Issuance of Letters of Credit. The Borrower shall give the Agent written notice at least 5 Business Days prior to the requested date of issuance of a Letter of Credit, such notice to describe in reasonable detail the proposed terms of such Letter of Credit and the nature of the transactions or obligations proposed to be supported by such Letter of Credit, and in any event shall set forth with respect to such Letter of Credit the proposed (i) initial Stated Amount, (ii) the beneficiary, and (iii) expiration date. The Borrower shall also execute and deliver such customary applications and agreements for standby letters of credit, and other forms as requested from time to time by the Agent. Provided the Borrower has given the notice prescribed by the first sentence of this subsection and delivered such application and agreements referred to in the preceding sentence, subject to the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the satisfaction of any applicable conditions precedent set forth in Section 6.2., the Agent shall issue the requested Letter of Credit on the requested date of issuance for the benefit of the stipulated beneficiary but in no event prior to the date 5 Business Days following the date after which the Agent has received all of the items required to be delivered to it under this subsection. Upon the written request of the Borrower, the Agent shall deliver to the Borrower a copy of (i) any Letter of Credit proposed to be issued hereunder prior to the issuance thereof and (ii) each issued Letter of Credit within a reasonable time after the date of issuance thereof. To the extent any term of a Letter of Credit Document is inconsistent with a term of any Loan Document, the term of such Loan Document shall control.
(d) Reimbursement Obligations. Upon receipt by the Agent from the beneficiary of a Letter of Credit of any demand for payment under such Letter of Credit which demand substantially complies with the drawing requirements of such Letter of Credit, the Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower of the amount to be paid by the Agent as a result of such demand
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and the date on which payment is to be made by the Agent to such beneficiary in respect of such demand. The Borrower hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably agrees to pay and reimburse the Agent for the amount of each such demand which substantially complies with the drawing requirements of such Letter of Credit at or prior to the date on which payment is to be made by the Agent to the beneficiary thereunder, without presentment, demand, protest or other formalities of any kind. Upon receipt by the Agent of any payment in respect of any Reimbursement Obligation, the Agent shall promptly pay to each Lender that has acquired a participation therein under the second sentence of the immediately following subsection (i) such Lenders Pro Rata Share of such payment.
(e) Manner of Reimbursement. Upon its receipt of a notice referred to in the immediately preceding subsection (d), the Borrower shall advise the Agent whether or not the Borrower intends to borrow hereunder to finance its obligation to reimburse the Agent for the amount of the related demand for payment and, if it does, the Borrower shall submit a timely request for such borrowing as provided in the applicable provisions of this Agreement. If the Borrower fails to so advise the Agent, or if the Borrower fails to reimburse the Agent for a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit by the date of such payment, then the Agent shall give each Lender prompt notice thereof and of the amount of the demand for payment, specifying such Lenders Pro Rata Share of the amount of the related demand for payment and the provisions of subsection (j) of this Section shall apply.
(f) Effect of Letters of Credit on Commitments. Upon the issuance by the Agent of any Letter of Credit and until such Letter of Credit shall have expired or been terminated, the Commitment of each Lender shall be deemed to be utilized for all purposes of this Agreement in an amount equal to the product of (i) such Lenders Pro Rata Share and (ii) the sum of (A) the Stated Amount of such Letter of Credit plus (B) any related Reimbursement Obligations then outstanding.
(g) Agents Duties Regarding Letters of Credit; Unconditional Nature of Reimbursement Obligations. The Borrower assumes all risks of the acts and omissions of, or misuse of the Letters of Credit by, the respective beneficiaries of such Letters of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, neither the Agent nor any of the Lenders shall be responsible (absent gross negligence or willful misconduct) for (i) the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effects of any document submitted by any party in connection with the application for and issuance of or any drawing honored under any Letter of Credit even if such document should in fact prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged; (ii) the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign any Letter of Credit, or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason; (iii) failure of the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit to comply fully with conditions required in order to draw upon such Letter of Credit; (iv) errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, cable, telex, telecopy or otherwise, whether or not they be in cipher; (v) errors in interpretation of technical terms; (vi) any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under any Letter of Credit, or of the proceeds thereof; (vii) the misapplication by the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit, or of the proceeds of any drawing under any Letter of
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Credit; or (viii) any consequences arising from causes beyond the control of the Agent or the Lenders. None of the above shall affect, impair or prevent the vesting of any of the Agents rights or powers hereunder. Any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Agent under or in connection with any Letter of Credit, if taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct, shall not create against the Agent any liability to the Borrower or any Lender. In this connection, the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the Agent for any drawing made under any Letter of Credit shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or any other applicable Letter of Credit Document under all circumstances whatsoever, including without limitation, the following circumstances: (A) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit Document or any term or provisions therein; (B) any amendment or waiver of or any consent to departure from all or any of the Letter of Credit Documents; (C) the existence of any claim, setoff, defense or other right which the Borrower may have at any time against the Agent, any Lender, any beneficiary of a Letter of Credit or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or in the Letter of Credit Documents or any unrelated transaction; (D) any breach of contract or dispute between the Borrower, the Agent, any Lender or any other Person; (E) any demand, statement or any other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect (as long as the Agent does not act with gross negligence or willful misconduct) or any statement therein or made in connection therewith being untrue or inaccurate in any respect whatsoever; (F) any non-application or misapplication by the beneficiary of a Letter of Credit or of the proceeds of any drawing under such Letter of Credit; (G) payment by the Agent under the Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate which does not strictly comply with the terms of the Letter of Credit, as long as it substantially complies with the drawing requirements of the Letter of Credit; and (H) any other act, omission to act, delay or circumstance whatsoever that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable defense to or discharge of the Borrowers Reimbursement Obligations.
(h) Amendments, Etc. The issuance by the Agent of any amendment, supplement or other modification to any Letter of Credit shall be subject to the same conditions applicable under this Agreement to the issuance of new Letters of Credit (including, without limitation, that the request therefor be made through the Agent), and no such amendment, supplement or other modification shall be issued unless either (i) the respective Letter of Credit affected thereby would have complied with such conditions had it originally been issued hereunder in such amended, supplemented or modified form or (ii) the Agent and Requisite Lenders shall have consented thereto. In connection with any such amendment, supplement or other modification, the Borrower shall pay the fees, if any, payable under the last sentence of Section 3.6.(c).
(i) Lenders Participation in Letters of Credit. Immediately upon the issuance by the Agent of any Letter of Credit each Lender shall be deemed to have absolutely, irrevocably and unconditionally purchased and received from the Agent, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation to the extent of such Lenders Pro Rata Share of the liability of the Agent with respect to such Letter of Credit and each Lender thereby shall absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably assume, as primary obligor and not as surety, and shall be unconditionally obligated to the Agent to pay and discharge when due, such Lenders Pro Rata Share of the Agents liability under such Letter of Credit. In addition, upon the making of each
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payment by a Lender to the Agent in respect of any Letter of Credit pursuant to the immediately following subsection (j), such Lender shall, automatically and without any further action on the part of the Agent or such Lender, acquire (i) a participation in an amount equal to such payment in the Reimbursement Obligation owing to the Agent by the Borrower in respect of such Letter of Credit and (ii) a participation in a percentage equal to such Lenders Pro Rata Share in any interest or other amounts payable by the Borrower in respect of such Reimbursement Obligation (other than the Fees payable to the Agent pursuant to the last sentence of Section 3.6.(c).
(j) Payment Obligation of Lenders. Each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Agent on demand in immediately available funds in Dollars the amount of such Lenders Pro Rata Share of each drawing paid by the Agent under each Letter of Credit to the extent such amount is not reimbursed by the Borrower pursuant to the immediately preceding subsection (d); provided, however, that in respect of any drawing under any Letter of Credit, the maximum amount that any Lender shall be required to fund, whether as a Revolving Loan or as a participation, shall not exceed such Lenders Pro Rata Share of such drawing. Each Lenders obligation to make such payments to the Agent under this subsection, and the Agents right to receive the same, shall be absolute, irrevocable and unconditional and shall not be affected in any way by any circumstance whatsoever, including without limitation, (i) the failure of any other Lender to make its payment under this subsection, (ii) the financial condition of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, (iii) the existence of any Default or Event of Default, including any Event of Default described in Section 11.1.(e) or (f) or (iv) the termination of the Commitments. Each such payment to the Agent shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or deduction whatsoever.
(k) Information to Lenders. Promptly following any change in Letters of Credit outstanding, the Agent shall deliver to each Lender and the Borrower a notice describing the aggregate amount of all Letters of Credit outstanding at such time. Upon the request of any Lender from time to time, the Agent shall deliver any other information reasonably requested by such Lender with respect to each Letter of Credit then outstanding. Other than as set forth in this subsection, the Agent shall have no duty to notify the Lenders regarding the issuance or other matters regarding Letters of Credit issued hereunder. The failure of the Agent to perform its requirements under this subsection shall not relieve any Lender from its obligations under the immediately preceding subsection (j).
(l) Existing Letter of Credit. The parties agree that the Existing Letter of Credit shall, from and after the Effective Date, be deemed to be a Letter of Credit issued under this Agreement and except as provided otherwise in this subsection, subject to and governed by the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. For purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (i) with respect to the Existing Letter of Credit (and, to the extent the context requires, the term Letter of Credit or Letters of Credit includes such Existing Letter of Credit), references to the Agent shall be deemed to be a reference to J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A solely as issuer of the Existing Letter of Credit; and (ii) with respect to the last sentence of subsection (d), the last sentence of subsection (e), and subsections (j) and (k) of this Section 2.3., J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., shall deliver to Wells Fargo all payments made with respect to any Reimbursement Obligation relating to the Existing Letter of Credit, Wells Fargo shall make all payments to the Lenders with respect to their Pro Rata Share of any such payments, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. shall notify Wells Fargo of the Borrowers failure
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to reimburse it for a demand for payment under the Existing Letter of Credit and upon receipt of such notice, Wells Fargo shall notify the Lenders of such failure by the Borrower, the Lenders shall pay to Wells Fargo their Pro Rata Share of any drawing under the Existing Letter of Credit to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower, and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. shall advise Wells Fargo of any change in the Existing Letter of Credit and Wells Fargo shall so advise the Lenders.
Section 2.4. Swingline Loans.
(a) Swingline Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, including without limitation Section 2.16., the Swingline Lender agrees to make Swingline Loans to the Borrower, during the period from the Effective Date to but excluding the Swingline Termination Date, in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding up to, but not exceeding, $35,000,000, as such amount may be reduced from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof. If at any time the aggregate principal amount of the Swingline Loans outstanding at such time exceeds the Swingline Commitment in effect at such time, the Borrower shall immediately pay the Agent for the account of the Swingline Lender the amount of such excess. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow Swingline Loans hereunder.
(b) Procedure for Borrowing Swingline Loans. The Borrower shall give the Agent and the Swingline Lender notice pursuant to a Notice of Swingline Borrowing delivered no later than 11:00 a.m. Eastern time on the proposed date of such borrowing. Any such telephonic notice shall include all information to be specified in a written Notice of Swingline Borrowing. Not later than 1:00 p.m. Eastern time on the date of the requested Swingline Loan and subject to satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 6.2. for such borrowing, the Swingline Lender will make the proceeds of such Swingline Loan available to the Borrower in Dollars, in immediately available funds, in an account specified by the Borrower in the Transfer Authorizer Designation Form.
(c) Interest. Swingline Loans shall bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the Base Rate as in effect from time to time or at such other rate or rates as the Borrower and the Swingline Lender may agree from time to time in writing. All accrued and unpaid interest on Swingline Loans shall be payable on the dates and in the manner provided in Section 2.5. with respect to interest on Base Rate Loans (except as the Swingline Lender and the Borrower may otherwise agree in writing in connection with any particular Swingline Loan).
(d) Swingline Loan Amounts, Etc. Each Swingline Loan shall be in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in excess thereof, or such other minimum amounts agreed to by the Swingline Lender and the Borrower. Any voluntary prepayment of a Swingline Loan must be in integral multiples of $500,000 or the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Swingline Loans (or such other minimum amounts upon which the Swingline Lender and the Borrower may agree) and in connection with any such prepayment, the Borrower must give the Swingline Lender prior written notice thereof no later than 12:00 noon Eastern time on the day prior to the date of such prepayment. The Swingline Loans shall, in addition to this Agreement, be evidenced by the Swingline Note.
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(e) Repayment and Participations of Swingline Loans. The Borrower agrees to repay each Swingline Loan within one Business Day of demand therefor by the Swingline Lender and, in any event, within 6 Business Days after the date such Swingline Loan was made. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall repay the entire outstanding principal amount of, and all accrued but unpaid interest on, the Swingline Loans on the Swingline Termination Date (or such earlier date as the Swingline Lender and the Borrower may agree in writing). In lieu of demanding repayment of any outstanding Swingline Loan from the Borrower, the Swingline Lender may, on behalf of the Borrower (which hereby irrevocably directs the Swingline Lender to act on its behalf), request a borrowing of Base Rate Loans from the Lenders in an amount equal to the principal balance of such Swingline Loan. The amount limitations contained in Section 3.5.(a) shall not apply to any borrowing of Base Rate Loans made pursuant to this subsection. The Swingline Lender shall give notice to the Agent of any such borrowing of Base Rate Loans not later than 11:00 a.m. Eastern time at least one Business Day prior to the proposed date of such borrowing. Not later than 11:00 a.m. Eastern time on the proposed date of such borrowing, each Lender will make available to the Agent at the Principal Office for the account of the Swingline Lender, in immediately available funds, the proceeds of the Base Rate Loan to be made by such Lender. The Agent shall pay the proceeds of such Base Rate Loans to the Swingline Lender, which shall apply such proceeds to repay such Swingline Loan. If the Lenders are prohibited from making Loans required to be made under this subsection for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation, the occurrence of any of the Defaults or Events of Default described in Sections 11.1.(e) or (f), each Lender shall purchase from the Swingline Lender, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation to the extent of such Lenders Pro Rata Share of such Swingline Loan, by directly purchasing a participation in such Swingline Loan in such amount and paying the proceeds thereof to the Agent for the account of the Swingline Lender in Dollars and in immediately available funds. A Lenders obligation to purchase such a participation in a Swingline Loan shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including without limitation, (i) any claim of setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender or any other Person may have or claim against the Agent, the Swingline Lender or any other Person whatsoever, (ii) the occurrence or continuation of a Default or Event of Default (including without limitation, any of the Defaults or Events of Default described in Sections 11.1. (e) or (f), or the termination of any Lenders Commitment, (iii) the existence (or alleged existence) of an event or condition which has had or could have a Material Adverse Effect, (iv) any breach of any Loan Document by the Agent, any Lender, the Borrower or any other Loan Party, or (v) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing. If such amount is not in fact made available to the Swingline Lender by any Lender, the Swingline Lender shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Lender, together with accrued interest thereon for each day from the date of demand thereof, at the Federal Funds Rate. If such Lender does not pay such amount forthwith upon the Swingline Lenders demand therefor, and until such time as such Lender makes the required payment, the Swingline Lender shall be deemed to continue to have outstanding Swingline Loans in the amount of such unpaid participation obligation for all purposes of the Loan Documents (other than those provisions requiring the other Lenders to purchase a participation therein). Further, such Lender shall be deemed to have assigned any and all payments made of principal and interest on its Loans, and any other amounts due it hereunder, to the Swingline Lender to fund Swingline Loans in the amount of the participation in Swingline Loans that such
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Lender failed to purchase pursuant to this Section until such amount has been purchased (as a result of such assignment or otherwise).
Section 2.5. Rates and Payment of Interest on Loans.
(a) Rates. The Borrower promises to pay to the Agent for the account of each Lender interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan made by such Lender for the period from and including the date of the making of such Loan to but excluding the date such Loan shall be paid in full, at the following per annum rates:
(i) during such periods as such Loan is a Base Rate Loan, at the Base Rate (as in effect from time to time), plus the Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans;
(ii) during such periods as such Loan is a LIBOR Loan, at LIBOR for such Loan for the Interest Period therefor, plus the Applicable Margin for LIBOR Loans;
(iii) during such periods as such Loan is an Absolute Rate Loan, at the Absolute Rate for such Loan, as applicable, for the Interest Period therefor quoted by the Lender making such Loan in accordance with Section 2.2.; and
(iv) during such periods as such Loan is a LIBOR Margin Loan, at LIBOR for such Loan for the Interest Period therefor, plus (or minus) the LIBOR Margin quoted by the Lender making such Loan in accordance with Section 2.2.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Borrower shall pay to the Agent for the account of each Lender interest at the Post-Default Rate on the outstanding principal amount of any Loan made by such Lender, on all Reimbursement Obligations and on any other amount payable by the Borrower hereunder or under the Notes held by such Lender to or for the account of such Lender (including without limitation, accrued and due but unpaid interest to the extent permitted under Applicable Law).
(b) Payment of Interest. All accrued and unpaid interest on the outstanding principal amount of each Loan shall be payable (i) monthly in arrears on the first Business Day of each month, commencing with the first full calendar month occurring after the Effective Date and (ii) on any date on which the principal balance of such Loan is due and payable in full (whether at maturity, due to acceleration or otherwise). Interest payable at the Post-Default Rate shall be payable from time to time on demand. All determinations by the Agent of an interest rate hereunder shall be conclusive and binding on the Lenders and the Borrower for all purposes, absent manifest error.
Section 2.6. Number of Interest Periods.
There may be no more than 8 different Interest Periods outstanding at the same time.
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Section 2.7. Repayment of Loans.
The Borrower shall repay the entire outstanding principal amount of, and all accrued but unpaid interest on, the Revolving Loans on the Termination Date. The Borrower shall repay the entire outstanding principal amount of each Bid Rate Loan on the last day of the Interest Period of such Bid Rate Loan.
Section 2.8. Prepayments.
(a) Optional. Subject to Section 5.4., the Borrower may prepay any Loan at any time without premium or penalty. The Borrower shall give the Agent at least 3 Business Days prior written notice of the prepayment of any Loan.
(b) Mandatory.
(i) Commitment Overadvance. If at any time the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Revolving Loans, together with the aggregate amount of all Letter of Credit Liabilities, exceeds the aggregate amount of the Commitments, the Borrower shall immediately upon demand pay to the Agent for the account of the Lenders, the amount of such excess.
(ii) Borrowing Base Overadvance. If at any time the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Revolving Loans, together with the aggregate amount of all Letter of Credit Liabilities, exceeds the Maximum Loan Availability, the Borrower shall within 5 days of the Borrower obtaining knowledge of the occurrence of any such excess, deliver to the Agent for prompt distribution to each Lender a written plan acceptable to all of the Lenders to eliminate such excess. If such excess is not eliminated within 15 days of the Borrower obtaining knowledge of the occurrence thereof, then the entire outstanding principal balance of all Loans, together with all accrued interest thereon, and an amount equal to all Letter of Credit Liabilities for deposit into the Letter of Credit Collateral Account, shall be immediately due and payable in full.
(iii) Bid Rate Facility Overadvance. If at any time the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Bid Rate Loans exceeds one-half of the aggregate amount of all Commitments at such time, then the Borrower shall immediately pay to the Agent for the accounts of the applicable Lenders the amount of such excess. Such payment shall be applied as provided in Section 3.2.(e).
All payments under this subsection (b) shall be applied to pay all amounts of excess principal outstanding on the applicable Loans and any applicable Reimbursement Obligations in accordance with Section 3.2., and the remainder, if any, shall be deposited into the Letter of Credit Collateral Account for application to any Reimbursement Obligations as and when due.
Section 2.9. Late Charges.
If any payment required under this Agreement (other than any payment of principal) is not paid within 10 days after it becomes due and payable, the Borrower shall pay a late charge
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for late payment to compensate the Lenders for the loss of use of funds and for the expenses of handling the delinquent payment, in an amount equal to four percent (4%) of such delinquent payment. Such late charge shall be paid in any event not later than the due date of the next subsequent installment of principal and/or interest. In the event the maturity of the Obligations hereunder occurs or is accelerated pursuant to Section 2.8.(b)(ii) or Section 11.2., this Section shall apply only to payments overdue prior to the time of such acceleration. This Section shall not be deemed to be a waiver of the Lenders right to accelerate payment of any of the Obligations as permitted under the terms of this Agreement.
Section 2.10. Continuation.
So long as no Event of Default exists and, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, so long as no Default exists, the Borrower may on any Business Day, with respect to any LIBOR Loan, elect to maintain such LIBOR Loan or any portion thereof as a LIBOR Loan by selecting a new Interest Period for such LIBOR Loan. Each new Interest Period selected under this Section shall commence on the last day of the immediately preceding Interest Period. Each selection of a new Interest Period shall be made by the Borrower giving to the Agent a Notice of Continuation not later than 9:00 a.m. on the third Business Day prior to the date of any such Continuation. Such notice by the Borrower of a Continuation shall be by telecopy, electronic mail or other form of communication in the form of a Notice of Continuation, specifying (a) the proposed date of such Continuation, (b) the LIBOR Loan and portion thereof subject to such Continuation and (c) the duration of the selected Interest Period, all of which shall be specified in such manner as is necessary to comply with all limitations on Loans outstanding hereunder. Each Notice of Continuation shall be irrevocable by and binding on the Borrower once given. Promptly after receipt of a Notice of Continuation, the Agent shall notify each Lender by facsimile, telecopy, electronic mail or other similar form of transmission of the proposed Continuation. If the Borrower shall fail to select in a timely manner a new Interest Period for any LIBOR Loan in accordance with this Section, such Loan will automatically, on the last day of the current Interest Period therefor, be continued as a LIBOR Loan with an Interest Period having a duration of one month notwithstanding failure of the Borrower to comply with Section 2.11.
Section 2.11. Conversion.
So long as no Event of Default exists and, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, so long as no Default exists, the Borrower may on any Business Day, upon the Borrowers giving of a Notice of Conversion to the Agent, Convert all or a portion of a Loan of one Type into a Loan of another Type. Any Conversion of a LIBOR Loan into a Base Rate Loan shall be made on, and only on, the last day of an Interest Period for such LIBOR Loan and, upon Conversion of a Base Rate Loan into a LIBOR Loan, the Borrower shall pay accrued interest to the date of Conversion on the principal amount so Converted. Each such Notice of Conversion shall be given not later than 9:00 a.m. one Business Day prior to the date of any proposed Conversion into Base Rate Loans and three Business Days prior to the date of any proposed Conversion into LIBOR Loans. Promptly after receipt of a Notice of Conversion, the Agent shall notify each Lender by telecopy, electronic mail or other similar form of transmission of the proposed Conversion. Subject to the restrictions specified above, each Notice of Conversion shall be by telecopy in the form of a Notice of Conversion specifying (a) the
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requested date of such Conversion, (b) the Type of Loan to be Converted, (c) the portion of such Type of Loan to be Converted, (d) the Type of Loan such Loan is to be Converted into and (e) if such Conversion is into a LIBOR Loan, the requested duration of the Interest Period of such Loan. Each Notice of Conversion shall be irrevocable by and binding on the Borrower once given.
Section 2.12. Notes.
The Revolving Loans made by each Lender shall, in addition to this Agreement, also be evidenced by a Revolving Note, payable to the order of such Lender in a principal amount equal to the amount of its Commitment as originally in effect and otherwise duly completed. The Bid Rate Loans made by any Lender to the Borrower shall, in addition to this Agreement, also be evidenced by a Bid Rate Note payable to the order of such Lender. The Swingline Loans made by the Swingline Lender to the Borrower shall, in addition to this Agreement, also be evidenced by a Swingline Note payable to the order of the Swingline Lender.
Section 2.13. Voluntary Reductions of the Commitment.
The Borrower may terminate or reduce the amount of the Commitments (for which purpose use of the Commitments shall be deemed to include the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Bid Rate Loans and Swingline Loans) at any time and from time to time without penalty or premium upon not less than five (5) Business Days prior notice to the Agent of each such termination or reduction, which notice shall specify the effective date thereof and the amount of any such reduction and shall be irrevocable once given and effective only upon receipt by the Agent (Prepayment Notice); provided, however, the Borrower may not reduce the aggregate amount of the Commitments below $50,000,000 unless the Borrower is terminating the Commitments in full. Promptly after receipt of a Prepayment Notice the Agent shall notify each Lender by telecopy, or other similar form of transmission of the proposed termination or Commitment reduction. The Commitments, once reduced pursuant to this Section, may not be increased except under Section 2.17. The Borrower shall pay all interest and fees, on the Loans accrued to the date of such reduction or termination of the Commitments to the Agent for the account of the Lenders, including but not limited to any applicable compensation due to each Lender in accordance with Section 5.4. of this Agreement.
Section 2.14. Extension of Termination Date.
The Borrower shall have the right, exercisable one time, to extend the Termination Date by one year. To exercise such right the Borrower shall execute and deliver a written request to the Agent at least 30 days but not more than 90 days prior to the Termination Date. The Agent shall forward to each Lender a copy of the extension request delivered to the Agent promptly upon receipt thereof. Subject to satisfaction of the following conditions, the Termination Date shall be extended for one year: (a) immediately prior to such extension and immediately after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (b) the Borrower shall have paid the Fees payable under Section 3.6.(e). The Termination Date may be extended only one time pursuant to this subsection.
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Section 2.15. Expiration or Maturity Date of Letters of Credit Past Termination Date.
If on the date the Commitments are terminated (whether voluntarily, by reason of the occurrence of an Event of Default or otherwise), there are any Letters of Credit outstanding hereunder, the Borrower shall, on such date, pay to the Agent an amount of money equal to the Stated Amount of such Letter(s) of Credit for deposit into the Letter of Credit Collateral Account. If a drawing pursuant to any such Letter of Credit occurs on or prior to the expiration date of such Letter of Credit, the Borrower authorizes the Agent to use the monies deposited in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account to make payment to the beneficiary with respect to such drawing or the payee with respect to such presentment. If no drawing occurs on or prior to the expiration date of such Letter of Credit, the Agent shall pay to the Borrower (or to whomever else may be legally entitled thereto) the monies deposited in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account with respect to such outstanding Letter of Credit on or before the date 30 days after the expiration date of such Letter of Credit.
Section 2.16. Amount Limitations.
Notwithstanding any other term of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (a) no Lender shall be required to make any Loan, and the Agent shall not be required to issue any Letter of Credit if, immediately after the making of such Loan or issuance of such Letter of Credit the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Loans, together with the aggregate amount of all Letter of Credit Liabilities, would exceed either (i) the aggregate amount of the Commitments or (ii) the Maximum Loan Availability and (b) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Bid Rate Loans shall not exceed one-half of the aggregate amount of all Commitments at such time.
Section 2.17. Increase in Commitments.
The Borrower shall have the right exercisable 2 times to request increases in the aggregate amount of the Commitments within twenty four months following the Agreement Date by providing written notice to the Agent, which notice shall be irrevocable once given; provided, however, that after giving effect to any such increases the aggregate amount of the Commitments shall not exceed $400,000,000. Each such increase in the Commitments must be an aggregate minimum amount of $20,000,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in excess thereof. The Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of any such request. No Lender shall be obligated in any way whatsoever to increase its Commitment. If a new Lender becomes a party to this Agreement, or if any existing Lender agrees to increase its Commitment, such Lender shall on the date it becomes a Lender hereunder (or in the case of an existing Lender, increases its Commitment) (and as a condition thereto) purchase from the other Lenders its Pro Rata Share (determined with respect to the Lenders relative Commitments and after giving effect to the increase of Commitments) of any outstanding Loans, by making available to the Agent for the account of such other Lenders, in same day funds, an amount equal to the sum of (A) the portion of the outstanding principal amount of such Loans to be purchased by such Lender plus (B) interest accrued and unpaid to and as of such date on such portion of the outstanding principal amount of such Loans. The Borrower shall pay to the Lenders amounts payable, if any, to such Lenders under Section 5.4. as a result of the prepayment of any such Loans. No increase
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of the Commitments may be effected under this Section if either (x) a Default or Event of Default shall be in existence on the effective date of such increase or (y) any Continuing Representation is not true or correct on the effective date of such increase (or would not be true after giving effect to such increase). If the Borrower requests an increase in the Commitments but it is not effected because the conditions to such increase are not satisfied, the request will not count against the Borrowers two-time limit on such requests. In connection with any increase in the aggregate amount of the Commitments pursuant to this Section (a) any Lender becoming a party hereto shall execute such documents and agreements as the Agent may reasonably request and (b) the Borrower shall make appropriate arrangements so that each new Lender, and any existing Lender increasing its Commitment, receives a new or replacement Note, as appropriate, in the amount of such Lenders Commitment at the time of the effectiveness of the applicable increase in the aggregate amount of Commitments.
Section 2.18. Funds Transfer Disbursements.
(a) Generally. The Borrower hereby authorizes the Agent to disburse the proceeds of any Loan to any of the accounts designated in the Transfer Authorizer Designation Form. The Borrower agrees to be bound by any transfer request: (i) authorized or transmitted by the Borrower; or, (ii) made in the Borrowers name and accepted by the Agent in good faith and in compliance with these transfer instructions, even if not properly authorized by the Borrower. The Borrower further agrees and acknowledges that the Agent may rely solely on any bank routing number or identifying bank account number or name provided by the Borrower to effect a wire or funds transfer even if the information provided by the Borrower identifies a different bank or account holder than named by the Borrower. The Agent is not obligated or required in any way to take any actions to detect errors in information provided by the Borrower. If the Agent takes any actions in an attempt to detect errors in the transmission or content of transfer or requests or takes any actions in an attempt to detect unauthorized funds transfer requests, the Borrower agrees that no matter how many times the Agent takes these actions the Agent will not in any situation be liable for failing to take or correctly perform these actions in the future and such actions shall not become any part of the transfer disbursement procedures authorized under this provision, the Loan Documents, or any agreement between the Agent and the Borrower. The Borrower agrees to notify the Agent of any errors in the transfer of any funds or of any unauthorized or improperly authorized transfer requests within 14 days after the Agents confirmation to the Borrower of such transfer.
(b) Funds Transfer. The Agent will, in its sole discretion, determine the funds transfer system and the means by which each transfer will be made. The Agent may delay or refuse to accept a funds transfer request if the transfer would: (i) violate the terms of this authorization (ii) require use of a bank unacceptable to the Agent or prohibited by government authority; (iii) cause the Agent to violate any Federal Reserve or other regulatory risk control program or guideline, or (iii) otherwise cause the Agent to violate any applicable law or regulation.
(c) Limitation of Liability. The Agent shall not be liable to the Borrower or any other parties for (i) errors, acts or failures to act of others, including other entities, banks, communications carriers or clearinghouses, through which the Borrowers transfers may be made or information received or transmitted, and no such entity shall be deemed an agent of the Agent,
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(ii) any loss, liability or delay caused by fires, earthquakes, wars, civil disturbances, power surges or failures, acts of government, labor disputes, failures in communications networks, legal constraints or other events beyond Agents control, or (iii) any special, consequential, indirect or punitive damages, whether or not (x) any claim for these damages is based on tort or contract or (y) the Agent or the Borrower knew or should have known the likelihood of these damages.
Section 2.19. Option to Replace Lenders.
If any Lender, other than the Agent in its capacity as such, shall:
(a) have notified Agent of a determination under Section 5.1.(a) or become subject to the provisions of Section 5.3.; or
(b) make any demand for payment or reimbursement pursuant to Section 5.1.(d) or Section 5.4.;
then, provided that (i) at the time of an assignment made by a Lender to an Eligible Assignee in accordance with this Section 2.19. there does not then exist any Default or Event of Default and (ii) the circumstances resulting in such demand for payment or reimbursement under Section 5.1.(d) or Section 5.4. or the applicability of Section 5.1.(a) or Section 5.3. are not applicable to the Lenders generally, the Borrower may demand that such Lender, and upon such demand such Lender shall promptly, assign its respective commitment to an Eligible Assignee subject to and in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.7.(c) for a purchase price equal to the aggregate principal balance of Loans then outstanding and owing to such Lender plus any accrued but unpaid interest thereon and accrued but unpaid fees owing to such Lender, whereupon such Lenders Commitment shall terminate, and such Lender shall no longer be a party hereto or have any rights or obligations hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents. None of the Agent, such Lender, or any other Lender shall be obligated in any way whatsoever to initiate any such replacement or to assist in finding an Assignee.
ARTICLE III. PAYMENTS, FEES AND OTHER GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 3.1. Payments.
Except to the extent otherwise provided herein, all payments of principal, interest and other amounts to be made by the Borrower under this Agreement, the Notes or any other Loan Document shall be made in Dollars, in immediately available funds, without setoff, deduction or counterclaim, to the Agent at the Principal Office, not later than 1:00 p.m. Eastern time on the date on which such payment shall become due (each such payment made after such time on such due date to be deemed to have been made on the next succeeding Business Day). Subject to Section 11.5., the Borrower shall, at the time of making each payment under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, specify to the Agent the amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder to which such payment is to be applied. Each payment received by the Agent for the account of a Lender under this Agreement or any Note shall be paid to such Lender by wire transfer of immediately available funds in accordance with the wiring instructions provided by such Lender to the Agent from time to time, for the account of such Lender at the applicable Lending Office of such Lender. In the event the Agent fails to pay such amounts to such Lender within one
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Business Day of receipt of such amounts, the Agent shall pay interest on such amount at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect. If the due date of any payment under this Agreement or any other Loan Document would otherwise fall on a day which is not a Business Day such date shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day and interest shall continue to accrue at the rate, if any, applicable to such payment for the period of such extension.
Section 3.2. Pro Rata Treatment.
Except to the extent otherwise provided herein: (a) each borrowing from Lenders under Section 2.1. shall be made from the Lenders, each payment of the fees under Sections 3.6. shall be made for the account of the Lenders, and each termination or reduction of the amount of the Commitments under Section 2.13. or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement shall be applied to the respective Commitments of the Lenders, pro rata according to the amounts of their respective Commitments; (b) each payment or prepayment of principal of Revolving Loans by the Borrower shall be made for the account of the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the respective unpaid principal amounts of the Revolving Loans held by them, provided that if immediately prior to giving effect to any such payment in respect of any Revolving Loans the outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Loans shall not b e held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with their respective Commitments in effect at the time such Loans were made, then such payment shall be applied to the Revolving Loans in such manner as shall result, as nearly as is practicable, in the outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Loans being held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with their respective Commitments; (c) each payment of interest on Revolving Loans by the Borrower shall be made for the account of the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the amounts of interest on such Loans then due and payable to the respective Lenders; (d) the Conversion and Continuation of Revolving Loans of a particular Type (other than Conversions provided for by Section 5.5. shall be made pro rata among the Lenders according to the amounts of their respective Revolving Loans and the then current Interest Period for each Lenders portion of each Revolving Loan of such Type shall be coterminous; (e) each prepayment of principal of Bid Rate Loans by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.8.(b)(iii) shall be made for account of the Lenders then owed Bid Rate Loans pro rata in accordance with the respective unpaid principal amounts of the Bid Rate Loans then owing to each such Lender; (f) the Lenders participation in, and payment obligations in respect of, Swingline Loans under Section 2.4., shall be in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares; and (g) the Lenders participation in, and payment obligations in respect of, Letters of Credit under Section 2.3., shall be Pro Rata. All payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts in respect of the Swingline Loans shall be for the account of the Swingline Lender only (except to the extent any Lender shall have acquired a participating interest in any such Swingline Loan pursuant to Section 2.4.).
Section 3.3. Sharing of Payments, Etc.
If a Lender shall obtain payment of any principal of, or interest on, any Loan under this Agreement or shall obtain payment on any other Obligation owing by the Borrower or any other Loan Party through the exercise of any right of set-off, bankers lien or counterclaim or similar right or otherwise or through voluntary prepayments directly to a Lender or other payments made by the Borrower or any other Loan Party to a Lender not in accordance with the terms of this
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Agreement and such payment should be distributed to the Lenders in accordance with Section 3.2. or Section 11.5., such Lender shall promptly purchase from such other Lenders participations in (or, if and to the extent specified by such Lender, direct interests in) the Loans made by the other Lenders or other Obligations owed to such other Lenders in such amounts, and make such other adjustments from time to time as shall be equitable, to the end that all the Lenders shall share the benefit of such payment (net of any reasonable expenses which may actually be incurred by such Lender in obtaining or preserving such benefit) in accordance with the requirements of Section 3.2. or Section 11.5., as applicable. To such end, all the Lenders shall make appropriate adjustments among themselves (by the resale of participations sold or otherwise) if such payment is rescinded or must otherwise be restored. The Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation (or direct interest) in the Loans or other Obligations owed to such other Lenders may exercise all rights of set-off, bankers lien, counterclaim or similar rights with the respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct holder of Loans in the amount of such participation. Nothing contained herein shall require any Lender to exercise any such right or shall affect the right of any Lender to exercise and retain the benefits of exercising, any such right with respect to any other indebtedness or obligation of the Borrower.
Section 3.4. Several Obligations.
No Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make a Loan or to perform any other obligation to be made or performed by such other Lender hereunder, and the failure of any Lender to make a Loan or to perform any other obligation to be made or performed by it hereunder shall not relieve the obligation of any other Lender to make any Loan or to perform any other obligation to be made or performed by such other Lender.
Section 3.5. Minimum Amounts.
(a) Borrowings. Each borrowing of Base Rate Loans shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in excess thereof. Each borrowing of and Continuation of, and each Conversion of Base Rate Loans into, LIBOR Loans shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in excess of that amount.
(b) Prepayments. Each voluntary prepayment of Revolving Loans shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in excess thereof (or if less, the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Loans then outstanding).
(c) Reductions of Commitments. Each partial reduction of the Commitments under Section 2.13. shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in excess thereof.
Section 3.6. Fees.
(a) Closing Fee. On the Effective Date, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent and each Lender all loan fees as have been agreed to in writing by the Borrower and the Agent or each Lender, as applicable, including, without limitation all fees set forth in the Fee Letter.
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(b) Facility Fees. During the period from the Effective Date to but excluding the Termination Date, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent for the account of the Lenders a facility fee equal to the daily aggregate amount of the Commitments (whether or not utilized) times a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Facility Fee. Such fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the first day of each January, April, July and October during the term of this Agreement and on the Termination Date. The Borrower acknowledges that the fee payable hereunder is a bona fide commitment fee and is intended as reasonable compensation to the Lenders for committing to make funds available to the Borrower as described herein and for no other purposes.
(c) Letter of Credit Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent for the account of each Lender a letter of credit fee at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Margin for LIBOR Loans times the daily average Stated Amount of each Letter of Credit for the period from and including the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit (x) to and including the date such Letter of Credit expires or is terminated or (y) to but excluding the date such Letter of Credit is drawn in full; provided, however, in no event shall the aggregate amount of such fee in respect of any Letter of Credit be less than $1,000. In addition to such fees, the Borrower shall pay to the Agent solely for its own account, a fronting fee in respect of each Letter of Credit at the rate equal to one-eighth of one percent (0.125%) per annum on the daily average Stated Amount of such Letter of Credit; provided, however, in no event shall the aggregate amount of such fee in respect of any Letter of Credit be less than $500. The fees provided for in the immediately preceding two sentences shall be nonrefundable and payable in arrears (i) quarterly on the first day of January, April, July and October, (ii) on the Termination Date, (iii) on the date the Commitments are terminated or reduced to zero and (iv) thereafter from time to time on demand of the Agent. The Borrower shall pay directly to the Agent from time to time on demand all commissions, charges, costs and expenses in the amounts customarily charged by the Agent from time to time in like circumstances with respect to the issuance of each Letter of Credit, drawings, amendments and other transactions relating thereto.
(d) Bid Rate Loan Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent such fees payable in connection with the Bid Rate Loans as set forth in the Fee Letter.
(e) Extension Fee. If the Borrower exercises its right to extend the Termination Date in accordance with Section 2.14., the Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent for the account of each Lender a fee equal to 0.175% of the amount of such Lenders Commitment (whether or not utilized). Such fee shall be due and payable in full on the date the Agent receives the Extension Request pursuant to such Section. If, for any reason, the Borrower pays the Extension Fee and the Termination Date is not extended pursuant to Section 2.14., such fee shall be returned to the Borrower unless a determination not to extend the Termination Date is made on or after the Termination Date, in which case such fee shall be applied as a payment on account of the Obligations.
(f) Administrative and Other Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay the administrative and other fees of the Agent as set forth in the Fee Letter.
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Section 3.7. Computations.
Unless otherwise expressly set forth herein, any accrued interest on any Loan, any Fees or other Obligations due hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and the actual number of days elapsed.
Section 3.8. Usury.
In no event shall the amount of interest due or payable on the Loans or other Obligations exceed the maximum rate of interest allowed by Applicable Law and, if any such payment is paid by the Borrower or received by any Lender, then such excess sum shall be credited as a payment of principal, unless the Borrower shall notify the respective Lender in writing that the Borrower elects to have such excess sum returned to it forthwith. It is the express intent of the parties hereto that the Borrower not pay and the Lenders not receive, directly or indirectly, in any manner whatsoever, interest in excess of that which may be lawfully paid by the Borrower under Applicable Law. The parties hereto hereby agree and stipulate that the only charge imposed upon the Borrower for the use of money in connection with this Agreement is and shall be the interest specifically described in Section 2.5.(a)(i) through (iv) and with respect to Swingline Loans, in Section 2.4.(c). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties hereto further agree and stipulate that all agency fees, syndication fees, facility fees, letter of credit fees, underwriting fees, default charges, late charges, funding or breakage charges, increased cost charges, attorneys fees and reimbursement for costs and expenses paid by the Agent or any Lender to third parties or for damages incurred by the Agent or any Lender, are charges made to compensate the Agent or any such Lender for underwriting or administrative services and costs or losses performed or incurred, and to be performed or incurred, by the Agent and the Lenders in connection with this Agreement and shall under no circumstances be deemed to be charges for the use of money. All charges other than charges for the use of money shall be fully earned when due and nonrefundable when paid.
Section 3.9. Statements of Account.
The Agent will account to the Borrower monthly with a statement of Loans, Letters of Credit, accrued interest and Fees, charges and payments made pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and such account rendered by the Agent shall be deemed conclusive upon the Borrower absent manifest error. The Agent will account to the Borrower on changes in Letters of Credit in accordance with Section 2.3.(k). The failure of the Agent to deliver such a statement of accounts shall not relieve or discharge the Borrower from any of its obligations hereunder.
Section 3.10. Defaulting Lenders.
(a) If for any reason any Lender (a Defaulting Lender) shall fail or refuse to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to which it is a party within the time period specified for performance of such obligation or, if no time period is specified, if such failure or refusal continues for a period of 2 Business Days after notice from the Agent, then, in addition to the rights and remedies that may be available to the Agent or the Borrower under this Agreement or Applicable Law, such Defaulting Lenders right to participate
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in the administration of the Loans, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including without limitation, any right to vote in respect of, to consent to or to direct any action or inaction of the Agent or to be taken into account in the calculation of Requisite Lenders, shall be suspended during the pendency of such failure or refusal. If for any reason a Lender fails to make timely payment to the Agent of any amount required to be paid to the Agent hereunder (without giving effect to any notice or cure periods), in addition to other rights and remedies which the Agent or the Borrower may have under the immediately preceding provisions or otherwise, the Agent shall be entitled (i) to collect interest from such Defaulting Lender on such delinquent payment for the period from the date on which the payment was due until the date on which the payment is made at the Federal Funds Rate, (ii) to withhold or setoff and to apply in satisfaction of the defaulted payment and any related interest, any amounts otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and (iii) to bring an action or suit against such Defaulting Lender in a court of competent jurisdiction to recover the defaulted amount and any related interest. Any amounts received by the Agent in respect of a Defaulting Lenders Loans shall not be paid to such Defaulting Lender and shall be held by the Agent and paid to such Defaulting Lender upon the Defaulting Lenders curing of its default.
(b) Purchase/Assignment of Defaulting Lenders Commitments. The Borrower may demand that a Defaulting Lender, and upon such demand the Defaulting Lender shall promptly, assign its Commitments to an Eligible Assignee subject to and in accordance with Section 13.7.(c) for a purchase price equal to the aggregate principal balance of Loans then outstanding and owing to such Lender plus any accrued but unpaid interest thereon and accrued but unpaid fees owing to such Lender, whereupon such Defaulting Lenders Commitment shall terminate, and such Defaulting Lender shall no longer be a party hereto or have any rights or obligations hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents. None of the Agent, such Defaulting Lender, or any other Lender shall be obligated in any way whatsoever to initiate any such replacement or to assist in finding an Assignee. The remedy in this subsection (b) shall not limit the Borrowers rights, if any, against the Defaulting Lender arising out of its defaults.
Section 3.11. Taxes.
(a) Taxes Generally. All payments by the Borrower of principal of, and interest on, the Loans and all other Obligations shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any present or future excise, stamp or other taxes, fees, duties, levies, imposts, charges, deductions, withholdings or other charges of any nature whatsoever imposed by any taxing authority, but excluding (i) franchise taxes, (ii) any taxes (other than withholding taxes) that would not be imposed but for a connection between the Agent or a Lender and the jurisdiction imposing such taxes (other than a connection arising solely by virtue of the activities of the Agent or such Lender pursuant to or in respect of this Agreement or any other Loan Document), (iii) any taxes imposed on or measured by any Lenders assets, net income, receipts or branch profits and (iv) any taxes arising after the Agreement Date solely as a result of or attributable to a Lender changing its designated Lending Office after the date such Lender becomes a party hereto (such non-excluded items being collectively called Taxes). If any withholding or deduction from any payment to be made by the Borrower hereunder is required in respect of any Taxes pursuant to any Applicable Law, then the Borrower will:
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(i) pay directly to the relevant Governmental Authority the full amount required to be so withheld or deducted;
(ii) promptly forward to the Agent an official receipt or other documentation satisfactory to the Agent evidencing such payment to such Governmental Authority; and
(iii) pay to the Agent for its account or the account of the applicable Lender, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as is necessary to ensure that the net amount actually received by the Agent or such Lender will equal the full amount that the Agent or such Lender would have received had no such withholding or deduction been required.
(b) Tax Indemnification. If the Borrower fails to pay any Taxes when due to the appropriate Governmental Authority or fails to remit to the Agent, for its account or the account of the respective Lender, as the case may be, the required receipts or other required documentary evidence, the Borrower shall indemnify the Agent and the Lenders for any incremental Taxes, interest or penalties that may become payable by the Agent or any Lender as a result of any such failure. For purposes of this Section, a distribution hereunder by the Agent or any Lender to or for the account of any Lender shall be deemed a payment by the Borrower.
(c) Tax Forms. Prior to the date that any Lender or Participant organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States of America becomes a party hereto (or in the case of a Participant, becomes a Participant), such Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Agent such certificates, documents or other evidence, as required by the Internal Revenue Code or Treasury Regulations issued pursuant thereto (including Internal Revenue Service Forms W-8ECI and W-8BEN, as applicable, or appropriate successor forms), properly completed, currently effective and duly executed by such Lender or Participant establishing that payments to it hereunder and under the Notes are (i) not subject to United States Federal backup withholding tax and (ii) not subject to United States Federal withholding tax under the Internal Revenue Code. Each such Lender or Participant shall (x) deliver further copies of such forms or other appropriate certifications on or before the date that any such forms expire or become obsolete and after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form delivered to the Borrower and (y) obtain such extensions of the time for filing, and renew such forms and certifications thereof, as may be reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Agent. The Borrower shall not be required to pay any amount pursuant to last sentence of subsection (a) above to any Lender or Participant that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside of the United States of America or the Agent, if it is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside of the United States of America, if such Lender, Participant or the Agent, as applicable, fails to comply with the requirements of this subsection. If any such Lender or Participant fails to deliver the above forms or other documentation, then the Agent may withhold from such payment to such Lender such amounts as are required by the Internal Revenue Code. If any Governmental Authority asserts that the Agent did not properly withhold or backup withhold, as the case may be, any tax or other amount from payments made to or for the account of any Lender, such Lender shall indemnify the Agent therefor, including all penalties and interest, any taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on the amounts payable to the Agent under this Section, and costs and expenses (including all fees and disbursements of any law firm or other external
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counsel and the allocated cost of internal legal services and all disbursements of internal counsel) of the Agent. The obligation of the Lenders under this Section shall survive the termination of the Commitments, repayment of all Obligations and the resignation or replacement of the Agent.
ARTICLE IV. UNENCUMBERED POOL PROPERTIES
Section 4.1. Eligibility of Properties.
(a) Initial Unencumbered Pool Properties. As of the Effective Date, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the Properties listed on Schedule 4.1. are Unencumbered Pool Properties. Schedule 4.1. designates as to each such Unencumbered Pool Property, the owner of such Property and, as of the Effective Date, the Unencumbered Pool Value of such Unencumbered Pool Property.
(b) Additional Unencumbered Pool Properties. After the Effective Date, an Eligible Property shall be included as an Unencumbered Pool Property upon delivery to the Agent of (i) an Unencumbered Pool Certificate pursuant to Section 9.4.(d). setting forth the information required to be contained therein and assuming that such Eligible Property is included as an Unencumbered Pool Property; and (ii) if such Eligible Property is owned (or is being acquired) by a Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not yet a party to the Guaranty, an Accession Agreement executed by such Subsidiary and all other items required to be delivered under Section 8.13. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, upon the Agents receipt of such certificates and such other information, such Eligible Property shall be included as an Unencumbered Pool Property.
Section 4.2. Termination of Designation as Unencumbered Pool Property.
A Property shall cease to be included as an Unencumbered Pool Property for purposes of this Agreement if either (i) such Unencumbered Pool Property ceases to be an Eligible Property (with the termination effective immediately) or (ii) such Property is not included in an Unencumbered Pool Certificate subsequently submitted pursuant to this Agreement (with the termination effective as of the date of receipt by the Agent of such Unencumbered Pool Certificate). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Property will be terminated as an Unencumbered Pool Property if (i) a Default or Event of Default exists or (ii) a Default or Event of Default would exist immediately after such Property is terminated as an Unencumbered Pool Property.
ARTICLE V. YIELD PROTECTION, ETC.
Section 5.1. Additional Costs; Capital Adequacy.
(a) Additional Costs. The Borrower shall promptly pay to the Agent for the account of a Lender from time to time such amounts as such Lender may determine to be necessary to compensate such Lender for any costs incurred by such Lender that it determines are attributable to its making or maintaining of any LIBOR Loans or its obligation to make any LIBOR Loans hereunder, any reduction in any amount receivable by such Lender under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents in respect of any of such LIBOR Loans or such obligation or the maintenance by such Lender of capital in respect of its LIBOR Loans or its Commitment (such
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increases in costs and reductions in amounts receivable being herein called Additional Costs), resulting from any Regulatory Change that: (i) changes the basis of taxation of any amounts payable to such Lender under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents in respect of any of such LIBOR Loans or its Commitment (other than taxes imposed on or measured by the overall net income of such Lender or of its Lending Office for any of such LIBOR Loans by the jurisdiction in which such Lender has its principal office or such Lending Office), or (ii) imposes or modifies any reserve, special deposit or similar requirements (including without limitation, Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or other similar reserve requirement applicable to any other category of liabilities or category of extensions of credit or other assets by reference to which the interest rate on LIBOR Loans is determined) relating to any extensions of credit or other assets of, or any deposits with or other liabilities of, or other credit extended by, or any other acquisition of funds by such Lender (or its parent corporation), or any commitment of such Lender (including, without limitation, the Commitment of such Lender hereunder) or (iii) has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on capital of such Lender to a level below that which such Lender could have achieved but for such Regulatory Change (taking into consideration such Lenders policies with respect to capital adequacy).
(b) Lenders Suspension of LIBOR Loans. Without limiting the effect of the provisions of the immediately preceding subsection (a), if by reason of any Regulatory Change, any Lender either (i) incurs Additional Costs based on or measured by the excess above a specified level of the amount of a category of deposits or other liabilities of such Lender that includes deposits by reference to which the interest rate on LIBOR Loans is determined as provided in this Agreement or a category of extensions of credit or other assets of such Lender that includes LIBOR Loans or (ii) becomes subject to restrictions on the amount of such a category of liabilities or assets that it may hold, then, if such Lender so elects by notice to the Borrower (with a copy to the Agent), the obligation of such Lender to make or Continue, or to Convert Base Rate Loans into, LIBOR Loans hereunder shall be suspended until such Regulatory Change ceases to be in effect (in which case the provisions of Section 5.5. shall apply).
(c) Additional Costs in Respect of Letters of Credit. Without limiting the obligations of the Borrower under the preceding subsections of this Section (but without duplication), if as a result of any Regulatory Change or any risk-based capital guideline or other requirement heretofore or hereafter issued by any Governmental Authority there shall be imposed, modified or deemed applicable any tax, reserve, special deposit, capital adequacy or similar requirement against or with respect to or measured by reference to Letters of Credit and the result shall be to increase the cost to the Agent of issuing (or any Lender of purchasing participations in) or maintaining its obligation hereunder to issue (or purchase participations in) any Letter of Credit or reduce any amount receivable by the Agent or any Lender hereunder in respect of any Letter of Credit, then, upon demand by the Agent or such Lender, the Borrower shall pay immediately to the Agent for its account or the account of such Lender, as applicable, from time to time as specified by the Agent or a Lender, such additional amounts as shall be sufficient to compensate the Agent or such Lender for such increased costs or reductions in amount.
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(d) Notification and Determination of Additional Costs. Each of the Agent and each Lender, as the case may be, agrees to notify the Borrower of any event occurring after the Agreement Date entitling the Agent or such Lender to compensation under any of the preceding subsections of this Section as promptly as practicable; provided, however, that the failure of the Agent or any Lender to give such notice shall not release the Borrower from any of its obligations hereunder. The Agent and each Lender, as the case may be, agrees to furnish to the Borrower (and in the case of a Lender to the Agent as well) a certificate setting forth the basis and amount of each request for compensation under this Section. Determinations by the Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, of the effect of any Regulatory Change shall be conclusive, provided that such determinations are made on a reasonable basis and in good faith.
Section 5.2. Suspension of LIBOR Loans.
Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, if, on or prior to the determination of LIBOR for any Interest Period:
(a) the Agent reasonably determines (which determination shall be conclusive) that quotations of interest rates for the relevant deposits referred to in the definition of LIBOR are not being provided in the relevant amounts or for the relevant maturities for purposes of determining rates of interest for LIBOR Loans as provided herein or is otherwise unable to determine LIBOR, or
(b) the Agent reasonably determines (which determination shall be conclusive) that the relevant rates of interest referred to in the definition of LIBOR upon the basis of which the rate of interest for LIBOR Loans for such Interest Period is to be determined are not likely to adequately cover the cost to any Lender of making or maintaining LIBOR Loans for such Interest Period;
(c) any Lender that has outstanding a Bid Rate Quote with respect to a LIBOR Margin Loan reasonably determines (which determination shall be conclusive) that LIBOR will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining such LIBOR Margin Loan;
then the Agent shall give the Borrower and each Lender prompt notice thereof and, so long as such condition remains in effect, (i) the Lenders shall be under no obligation to, and shall not, make additional LIBOR Loans, Continue LIBOR Loans or Convert Loans into LIBOR Loans and the Borrower shall, on the last day of each current Interest Period for each outstanding LIBOR Loan, either prepay such Loan or Convert such Loan into a Base Rate Loan and (ii) in the case of clause (c) above, no Lender that has outstanding a Bid Rate Quote with respect to a LIBOR Margin Loan shall be under any obligation to make such Loan.
Section 5.3. Illegality.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if any Lender shall determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding) that it is unlawful for such Lender to honor its obligation to make or maintain LIBOR Loans hereunder, then such Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower thereof (with a copy of such notice to the Agent) and such
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Lenders obligation to make or Continue, or to Convert Revolving Loans of any other Type into, LIBOR Loans shall be suspended until such time as such Lender may again make and maintain LIBOR Loans (in which case the provisions of Section 5.5. shall be applicable).
Section 5.4. Compensation.
The Borrower shall pay to the Agent for the account of each Lender, upon the request of the Agent, such amount or amounts as the Agent shall determine in its sole discretion shall be sufficient to compensate each Lender for any loss, cost or expense attributable to:
(a) any payment or prepayment (whether mandatory or optional) of a LIBOR Loan or Bid Rate Loan, or Conversion of a LIBOR Loan, made by such Lender for any reason (including, without limitation, acceleration) on a date other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan; or
(b) any failure by the Borrower for any reason (including, without limitation, the failure of any of the applicable conditions precedent specified in Article 6.2. to be satisfied) to borrow a LIBOR Loan or Bid Rate Loan from such Lender on the date for such borrowing, or to Convert a Base Rate Loan into a LIBOR Loan or Continue a LIBOR Loan on the requested date of such Conversion or Continuation.
Such compensation shall include, without limitation; (i) in the case of a LIBOR Loan, an amount equal to the then present value of (A) the amount of interest that would have accrued on such LIBOR Loan for the remainder of the Interest Period at the rate applicable to such LIBOR Loan, less (B) the amount of interest that would accrue on the same LIBOR Loan for the same period if LIBOR were set on the date on which such LIBOR Loan was repaid, prepaid or Converted or the date on which the Borrower failed to borrow, Convert or Continue such LIBOR Loan, as applicable, calculating present value by using as a discount rate LIBOR quoted on such date and (ii) in the case of a Bid Rate Loan, the sum of such losses and expenses as the Lender or Designated Lender who made such Bid Rate Loan may reasonably incur by reason of such prepayment, including without limitation any losses or expenses incurred in obtaining, liquidating or employing deposits from third parties. Upon the Borrowers request the Agent shall provide the Borrower with a statement setting forth the basis for requesting compensation under this Section and the method for determining the amount thereof. Any such statement shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
Section 5.5. Treatment of Affected Loans.
If the obligation of any Lender to make LIBOR Loans or to Continue, or to Convert Base Rate Loans into, LIBOR Loans shall be suspended pursuant to Section 5.1.(b), Section 5.2., or Section 5.3. then such Lenders LIBOR Loans shall be automatically Converted into Base Rate Loans on the last day(s) of the then current Interest Period(s) for LIBOR Loans (or, in the case of a Conversion required by Section 5.1.(b), Section 5.2., or Section 5.3. on such earlier date as such Lender may specify to the Borrower with a copy to the Agent) and, unless and until such Lender gives notice as provided below that the circumstances specified in Section 5.1., Section 5.2., or Section 5.3. that gave rise to such Conversion no longer exist:
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(a) to the extent that such Lenders LIBOR Loans have been so Converted, all payments and prepayments of principal that would otherwise be applied to such Lenders LIBOR Loans shall be applied instead to its Base Rate Loans; and
(b) all Revolving Loans that would otherwise be made or Continued by such Lender as LIBOR Loans shall be made or Continued instead as Base Rate Loans, and all Base Rate Loans of such Lender that would otherwise be Converted into LIBOR Loans shall remain as Base Rate Loans.
If such Lender gives notice to the Borrower (with a copy to the Agent) that the circumstances specified in Section 5.1. or 5.3. that gave rise to the Conversion of such Lenders LIBOR Loans pursuant to this Section no longer exist (which such Lender agrees to do promptly upon such circumstances ceasing to exist) at a time when LIBOR Loans made by other Lenders are outstanding, then such Lenders Base Rate Loans shall be automatically Converted, on the first day(s) of the next succeeding Interest Period(s) for such outstanding LIBOR Loans, to the extent necessary so that, after giving effect thereto, all Loans held by the Lenders holding LIBOR Loans and by such Lender are held pro rata (as to principal amounts, Types and Interest Periods) in accordance with their respective Commitments.
Section 5.6. Change of Lending Office.
Each Lender agrees that it will use reasonable efforts (consistent with its internal policy and legal and regulatory restrictions) to designate an alternate Lending Office with respect to any of its Loans affected by the matters or circumstances described in Sections 3.11., 5.1. or 5.3. to reduce the liability of the Borrower or avoid the results provided thereunder, so long as such designation is not disadvantageous to such Lender as determined by such Lender in its sole discretion, except that such Lender shall have no obligation to designate a Lending Office located in the United States of America.
Section 5.7. Assumptions Concerning Funding of LIBOR Loans.
Calculation of all amounts payable to a Lender under this Article shall be made as though such Lender had actually funded LIBOR Loans through the purchase of deposits in the relevant market bearing interest at the rate applicable to such LIBOR Loans in an amount equal to the amount of the LIBOR Loans and having a maturity comparable to the relevant Interest Period; provided, however, that each Lender may fund each of its LIBOR Loans in any manner it sees fit and the foregoing assumption shall be used only for calculation of amounts payable under this Article.
ARTICLE VI. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
Section 6.1. Initial Conditions Precedent.
The obligation of the Lenders to effect or permit the occurrence of the first Credit Event hereunder, whether as the making of a Loan or the issuance of a Letter of Credit, is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions precedent:
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(a) The Agent shall have received each of the following, in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent:
(i) counterparts of this Agreement executed by each of the parties hereto;
(ii) Revolving Notes and Bid Rate Notes executed by the Borrower, payable to all Lenders and any Designated Lender, if applicable, and complying with the terms of Section 2.12.; and the Swingline Note executed by the Borrower;
(iii) the Guaranty executed by each of the Guarantors initially to be a party thereto;
(iv) an opinion of Arent Fox PLLC counsel to the Borrower and the Guarantors, and addressed to the Agent and the Lenders and covering the matters set forth in Exhibit O;
(v) the certificate or articles of incorporation, articles of organization, certificate of limited partnership, declaration of trust or other comparable organizational instrument (if any) of each Loan Party certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State of the state of formation of such Person;
(vi) a certificate of good standing (or certificate of similar meaning) with respect to each Loan Party issued as of a recent date by the Secretary of State of the state of formation of each such Person and certificates of qualification to transact business or other comparable certificates issued by each Secretary of State (and any state department of taxation, as applicable) of each state in which such Person is required to be so qualified;
(vii) a certificate of incumbency signed by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary (or other individual performing similar functions) of each Loan Party with respect to each of the officers of such Person authorized to execute and deliver the Loan Documents to which such Person is a party, and in the case of the Borrower, authorized to execute and deliver on behalf of the Borrower Notices of Borrowing, Notices of Swingline Borrowing, requests for Letters of Credit, Notices of Conversion, Notices of Continuation and Bid Rate Quote Requests;
(viii) copies certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each Guarantor (or other individual performing similar functions) of (A) the by-laws of such Person, if a corporation, the operating agreement, if a limited liability company, the partnership agreement, if a limited or general partnership, or other comparable document in the case of any other form of legal entity and (B) all corporate, partnership, member or other necessary action taken by such Person to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party;
(ix) a Transfer Authorizer Designation Form effective as of the Agreement Date;
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(x) an Unencumbered Pool Certificate calculated as of the Effective Date;
(xi) a Compliance Certificate calculated on a pro forma basis for the Borrowers fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2006;
(xii) evidence satisfactory to the Agent that, simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, the Chase Credit Facility has been paid in full and that all commitments thereunder have been irrevocably terminated;
(xiii) evidence satisfactory to the Agent that the Fees, if any, then due and payable under Section 3.6., together with all other fees, expenses and reimbursement amounts due and payable to the Agent and any of the Lenders, including without limitation, the fees and expenses of counsel to the Agent, have been paid; and
(xiv) such other documents and instruments as the Agent, or any Lender through the Agent, may reasonably request; and
(b) In the good faith judgment of the Agent:
(i) There shall not have occurred or become known to the Agent or any of the Lenders any event, condition, situation or status since the date of the information contained in the financial and business projections, budgets, pro forma data and forecasts concerning the Borrower and its Subsidiaries delivered to the Agent and the Lenders prior to the Agreement Date that has had or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(ii) No litigation, action, suit, investigation or other arbitral, administrative or judicial proceeding shall be pending or threatened which could reasonably be expected to (A) result in a Material Adverse Effect or (B) restrain or enjoin, impose materially burdensome conditions on, or otherwise materially and adversely affect, the ability of any Loan Party to fulfill its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party; and
(iii) The Borrower and the other Loan Parties shall have received all approvals, consents and waivers, and shall have made or given all necessary filings and notices as shall be required to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby without the occurrence of any default under, conflict with or violation of (A) any Applicable Law or (B) any agreement, document or instrument to which any Loan Party is a party or by which any of them or their respective properties is bound, except for such approvals, consents, waivers, filings and notices the receipt, making or giving of which, or the failure to make, give or receive which, would not reasonably be likely to (1) have a Material Adverse Effect, or (2) restrain or enjoin, impose materially burdensome conditions on, or otherwise materially and adversely affect the ability of the Borrower or any other Loan Party to fulfill its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party.
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Section 6.2. Conditions Precedent to All Loans and Letters of Credit.
The obligations of (i) Lenders to make any Loans, and (ii) the Agent to issue Letters of Credit, are each subject to the further conditions precedent that: (a) no Default or Event of Default shall exist as of the date of the making of such Loan or date of issuance of such Letter of Credit or would exist immediately after giving effect thereto, and none of the limits described in Section 2.16. would be violated after giving effect thereto; (b) the Continuing Representations shall be true and correct on and as of the date of the making of such Loan or date of issuance of such Letter of Credit with the same force and effect as if made on and as of such date and (c) in the case of the borrowing of Revolving Loans, the Agent shall have received a timely Notice of Borrowing, or in the case of a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender shall have received a timely Notice of Swingline Borrowing. Each Credit Event shall constitute a certification by the Borrower to the effect set forth in the preceding sentence (both as of the date of the giving of notice relating to such Credit Event and, unless the Borrower otherwise notifies the Agent prior to the date of such Credit Event, as of the date of the occurrence of such Credit Event); provided, however, that the Borrower shall not be deemed to have made the representations and warranties set forth in Section 7.1.(i) or Section 7.1.(l) at such time as a Loan is automatically continued in accordance with the last sentence of Section 2.10.
Section 6.3. Conditions as Covenants.
If the Lenders permit the making of any Loans, or the Agent issues a Letter of Credit, prior to the satisfaction of all conditions precedent set forth in Sections 6.1. and 6.2., the Borrower shall nevertheless cause such condition or conditions to be satisfied within 20 Business Days after the date of the making of such Loans or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. Unless set forth in writing to the contrary, the making of its initial Loan by a Lender shall constitute a confirmation by such Lender to the Agent and the other Lenders that insofar as such Lender is concerned the Borrower has satisfied the conditions precedent for initial Loans set forth in Sections 6.1. and 6.2.
ARTICLE VII. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 7.1. Representations and Warranties.
In order to induce the Agent and each Lender to enter into this Agreement and to make Loans and, in the case of the Agent, to issue Letters of Credit, and, in the case of the Lenders, to acquire participations in Letters of Credit, the Borrower represents and warrants to the Agent and each Lender as follows:
(a) Organization; Power; Qualification. Each of the Loan Parties and the other Subsidiaries is a corporation, partnership or other legal entity, duly organized or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation, has the power and authority to own or lease its respective properties and to carry on its respective business as now being and hereafter proposed to be conducted and is duly qualified and is in good standing as a foreign corporation, partnership or other legal entity, and authorized to do business, in each jurisdiction in which the character of its properties or the nature of its business
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requires such qualification or authorization and where the failure to be so qualified or authorized could reasonably be expected to have, in each instance, a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Ownership Structure. Part I of Schedule 7.1.(b) is, as of the Agreement Date, a complete and correct list of all Subsidiaries of the Borrower setting forth for each such Subsidiary, (i) the jurisdiction of organization of such Person, (ii) each Person holding any Equity Interest in such Person, (iii) the nature of the Equity Interests held by each such Person and (iv) the percentage of ownership of such Person represented by such Equity Interests. Except as disclosed in such Schedule, as of the Agreement Date (A) each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries owns, free and clear of all Liens, and has the unencumbered right to vote, all outstanding Equity Interests in each Person shown to be held by it on such Schedule, (B) all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each such Person organized as a corporation is validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and (C) there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, commitments, preemptive rights or agreements of any kind (including, without limitation, any stockholders or voting trust agreements) for the issuance, sale, registration or voting of, or outstanding securities convertible into, any additional shares of capital stock of any class, or partnership or other ownership interests of any type in, any such Person. As of the Agreement Date, Part II of Schedule 7.1.(b) correctly sets forth all Unconsolidated Affiliates of the Borrower, including the correct legal name of such Person, the type of legal entity which each such Person is, and all ownership interests in such Person held directly or indirectly by the Borrower.
(c) Authorization of Agreement, Notes, Loan Documents and Borrowings. The Borrower has the right and power, and has taken all necessary action to authorize it, to borrow. The Borrower and each other Loan Party have the right and power to obtain other extensions of credit hereunder, and have taken all necessary action to authorize them, to execute, deliver and perform each of the Loan Documents in accordance with their respective terms and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The Loan Documents to which the Borrower or any other Loan Party is a party have been duly executed and delivered by the duly authorized officers of such Person and each is a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Person enforceable against such Person in accordance with its respective terms, except as the same may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, and other similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and the availability of equitable remedies for the enforcement of certain obligations contained herein or therein may be limited by equitable principles generally.
(d) Compliance of Agreement, Etc. with Laws. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by the Loan Parties in accordance with their respective terms and the borrowings and other extensions of credit hereunder do not and will not, by the passage of time, the giving of notice, or both: (i) require any Loan Party to obtain a Governmental Approval or violate any Applicable Law (including all Environmental Laws) relating to any Loan Party; (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute a default under the organizational documents of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, or any indenture, agreement or other instrument to which any other Loan Party is a party or by which it or any of its respective properties may be bound, including, without limitation the Indenture dated as of August 1, 1996, between Washington Real Estate Investment Trust and The First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee; or (iii) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien upon or
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with respect to any property now owned or hereafter acquired by any Loan Party other than in favor of the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders.
(e) Compliance with Law; Governmental Approvals. Each Loan Party and each other Subsidiary is in compliance with each Governmental Approval and all other Applicable Laws relating to it except for noncompliances which, and Governmental Approvals the failure to possess which, could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to cause an Event of Default or have a Material Adverse Effect.
(f) Title to Properties; Liens. Schedule 7.1.(f) is, as of the Agreement Date, a complete and correct listing of all real estate assets owned (including via Eligible Ground Leases) or leased by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, setting forth, for each such Property, the current occupancy status of such Property and whether such Property is a Development Property or Major Redevelopment Property and, if such Property is a Development Property or Major Redevelopment Property, the status of completion of such Property. Each of the Loan Parties and all other Subsidiaries owns, or has a valid leasehold interest in, its respective Properties. None of the Unencumbered Pool Properties is subject to any Lien other than Permitted Liens.
(g) Existing Indebtedness; Total Liabilities. Part I of Schedule 7.1.(g) is, as of the Agreement Date, a complete and correct listing of all Indebtedness (including all Guarantees) of each of the Loan Parties and the other Subsidiaries. As of the Agreement Date, no event of default (after giving effect to notice, grace and cure periods) exists with respect to any such Indebtedness. Part II of Schedule 7.1.(g) is, as of the Agreement Date, a true and correct listing of all Liens on any Property owned by the Loan Parties. Part III of Schedule 7.1.(g) is, as of the Agreement Date, a complete and correct listing of all Total Liabilities of the Loan Parties and the other Subsidiaries (excluding any Indebtedness set forth on Part I of such Schedule).
(h) [Reserved]
(i) Litigation. Except as set forth on Schedule 7.1.(i), there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending (nor, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, are there any actions, suits or proceedings threatened, nor is there any basis therefor) against or in any other way relating adversely to or affecting, any Loan Party, any other Subsidiary or any of their respective property in any court or before any arbitrator of any kind or before or by any other Governmental Authority which the Borrower reasonably expects will have a Material Adverse Effect.
(j) Taxes. All federal, state and other tax returns of, each Loan Party and each other Subsidiary required by Applicable Law to be filed have been duly filed, and all federal, state and other taxes, assessments and other governmental charges or levies upon, each Loan Party and each other Subsidiary and their respective properties, income, profits and assets which are due and payable have been paid, except any such nonpayment or non-filing which is at the time permitted under Section 8.6. As of the Agreement Date, none of the United States income tax returns of, any Loan Party or any other Subsidiary is under audit.
(k) Financial Statements. The Borrower has furnished to each Lender copies of (i) the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries for
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the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders equity and cash flow for the fiscal years ended on such dates, with the opinion thereon of Ernst & Young LLP, and (ii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders equity and cash flow of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the two fiscal quarter period ended on such date. Such balance sheets and statements (including in each case related schedules and notes) present fairly, in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods involved, the consolidated financial position of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at their respective dates and the results of operations and the cash flow for such periods (subject, as to interim statements, to changes resulting from normal year-end audit adjustments). During the period from June 30, 2006 to the Effective Date, neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any material contingent liabilities, material liabilities, material liabilities for taxes, material unusual or long-term commitments or material unrealized or forward anticipated losses from any unfavorable commitments, in each case that would be required to be disclosed by the Borrower on a Form 8-K to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, except as referred to or reflected or provided for in said financial statements, as previously disclosed in writing to the Agent and the Lenders or as reported on such a Form 8-K.
(l) No Material Adverse Change. Since June 30, 2006, there have been no changes, events, acts, conditions or occurrences of any nature, singly or in the aggregate that have had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower is solvent and the Borrower, the other Loan Parties and the other Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are solvent.
(m) ERISA. Each member of the ERISA Group has fulfilled its obligations under the minimum funding standards of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code with respect to each Plan and is in compliance in all material respects with the presently applicable provisions of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code with respect to each Plan. No member of the ERISA Group has (i) sought a waiver of the minimum funding standard under Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code in respect of any Plan, (ii) failed to make any contribution or payment to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan or in respect of any Benefit Arrangement, or made any amendment to any Plan or Benefit Arrangement, which has resulted or could result in the imposition of a Lien or the posting of a bond or other security under ERISA or the Internal Revenue Code or (iii) incurred any liability under Title IV of ERISA other than a liability to the PBGC for premiums under Section 4007 of ERISA.
(n) Absence of Defaults. None of the Loan Parties or the other Subsidiaries is in material default under its articles of incorporation, bylaws, partnership agreement or other similar organizational documents.
(o) Environmental Laws. In the ordinary course of business and from time to time each of the Loan Parties and the other Subsidiaries conducts reviews of the effect of Environmental Laws on its respective business, operations and properties, including without limitation, its respective Properties, in the course of which such Loan Party or such other Subsidiary identifies and evaluates associated liabilities and costs (including, without limitation,
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determining whether any capital or operating expenditures are required for clean-up or closure of properties presently or previously owned, determining whether any capital or operating expenditures are required to achieve or maintain compliance in all material respects with Environmental Laws or required as a condition of any Governmental Approval, any contract, or any related constraints on operating activities, determining whether any costs or liabilities exist in connection with off-site disposal of wastes or Hazardous Materials, and determining whether any actual or potential liabilities to third parties, including employees, and any related costs and expenses exist). Each of the Loan Parties and the other Subsidiaries is in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws and has obtained all Governmental Approvals which are required under Environmental Laws and is in compliance with all terms and conditions of such Governmental Approvals, where with respect to each of the foregoing the failure to obtain or to comply with the Borrower reasonably expects will have a Material Adverse Effect. Except for any of the following matters that the Borrower does not reasonably expect will have a Material Adverse Effect, no Loan Party is aware of, nor has it received notice of, any past or present events, conditions, circumstances, activities, practices, incidents, actions, or plans which, with respect to any Loan Party or any other Subsidiary, may unreasonably interfere with or prevent compliance or continued compliance with Environmental Laws, or may give rise to any common-law or legal liability, based on or related to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport, or handling or the emission, discharge, release or threatened release into the environment, of any Hazardous Material; and there is no civil, criminal, or administrative action, suit, demand, claim, hearing, notice, or demand letter, notice of violation, investigation, or proceeding pending or, to the Borrowers knowledge after due inquiry, threatened, against any Loan Party or any other Subsidiary relating in any way to Environmental Laws which, if determined adversely to such Loan Party or such other Subsidiary, could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(p) Investment Company, Etc.. No Loan Party, nor any other Subsidiary is (i) an investment company or a company controlled by an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or (ii) subject to any other Applicable Law which purports to regulate or restrict its ability to borrow money or obtain other extensions of credit or to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to perform its obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party.
(q) Margin Stock. No Loan Party nor any other Subsidiary is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of buying or carrying margin stock within the meaning of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
(r) Affiliate Transactions. Except as permitted by Section 10.8., no Loan Party nor any other Subsidiary is a party to or bound by any agreement or arrangement (whether oral or written) with any Affiliate.
(s) [Reserved].
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(t) Business. As of the Agreement Date, the Loan Parties and the other Subsidiaries are engaged in the business of acquiring, developing, owning and operating income-producing properties and such business activities and investments incidental thereto.
(u) Brokers Fees. No brokers or finders fee, commission or similar compensation will be payable with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby. No other similar fees or commissions will be payable by any Loan Party for any other services rendered to any Loan Party or any other Subsidiaries ancillary to the transactions contemplated hereby.
(v) Accuracy and Completeness of Information. All written information, reports and other papers and data furnished to the Agent or any Lender by, on behalf of, or at the direction of, any Loan Party or any other Subsidiary were, at the time the same were so furnished, complete and correct in all material respects, to the extent necessary to give the recipient a true and accurate knowledge of the subject matter, or, in the case of financial statements, present fairly, in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods involved, the financial position of the Persons involved as at the date thereof and the results of operations for such periods. No document furnished or written statement made to the Agent or any Lender by, or at the direction of, any Loan Party in connection with the negotiation, preparation or execution of, or pursuant to, this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents contains or will contain any untrue statement of a fact material to the creditworthiness of the Borrower or the Borrower, the other Loan Parties and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole or omits or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein not misleading.
(w) Not Plan Assets; No Prohibited Transactions. None of the assets of any Loan Party or any other Subsidiary constitutes plan assets within the meaning of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code and the respective regulations promulgated thereunder, of any Plan. The execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents by the Loan Parties, and the borrowing, other credit extensions and repayment of amounts thereunder, do not and will not constitute prohibited transactions under ERISA or the Internal Revenue Code.
(x) Tax Shelter Regulations. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary intends to treat the Loans or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as being reportable transactions (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4). If the Borrower or any Subsidiary determines to take any action inconsistent with such intention, the Borrower will promptly notify the Agent thereof. If the Borrower so notifies the Agent, the Borrower acknowledges that the Agent or any Lender may treat the Loans as part of a transaction that is subject to Treasury Regulation Section  ###-###-####-1, and the Lender will maintain the lists and other records, including the identity of the applicable party to the Loans as required by such Treasury Regulation.
Section 7.2. Survival of Representations and Warranties, Etc.
All statements contained in any certificate, financial statement or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of any Loan Party or any other Subsidiary to the Agent or any Lender pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents (including, but not limited to, any such statement made in or in connection with any amendment thereto or any statement contained in any certificate, financial statement or other instrument delivered by or
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on behalf of any Loan Party prior to the Agreement Date and delivered to the Agent or any Lender in connection with the underwriting or closing the transactions contemplated hereby) shall constitute representations and warranties made by the Borrower under this Agreement. All such representations and warranties shall survive the effectiveness of this Agreement, the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of the Loans and the issuance of the Letters of Credit.
ARTICLE VIII. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
For so long as this Agreement is in effect, unless the Requisite Lenders (or, if required pursuant to Section 13.8., all of the Lenders) shall otherwise consent in the manner provided for in Section 13.8., the Borrower shall comply with the following covenants:
Section 8.1. Preservation of Existence and Similar Matters.
Except as otherwise permitted under Section 10.4., the Borrower shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party and each other Subsidiary to, preserve and maintain its respective existence, rights, franchises, licenses and privileges in the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation and qualify and remain qualified and authorized to do business in each jurisdiction in which the character of its properties or the nature of its business requires such qualification and authorization, except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 8.2. Compliance with Applicable Law.
The Borrower shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party and each other Subsidiary to, comply with all Applicable Law, including the obtaining of all Governmental Approvals, the failure with which to comply could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 8.3. Maintenance of Property.
In addition to the requirements of any of the other Loan Documents, the Borrower shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party and each other Subsidiary to, do all things necessary to maintain, preserve, protect and keep its properties (other than Development Properties and Major Redevelopment Properties) in good repair, working order and condition, and make all necessary and proper repairs, renewals and replacements so that their businesses carried on in connection therewith may be properly conducted at all times.
Section 8.4. Conduct of Business.
The Borrower shall, and shall cause the other Loan Parties and each other Subsidiary to, carry on its respective businesses as described in Section 7.1.(t) and not enter into any line of business not otherwise engaged in by such Person as of the Agreement Date.
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Section 8.5. Insurance.
The Borrower shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party and each other Subsidiary to, maintain insurance with financially sound and reputable insurance companies against such risks and in such amounts as is customarily maintained by similar businesses or as may be required by Applicable Law. The Borrower shall from time to time deliver to the Agent upon request a detailed list, together with copies of all policies of the insurance then in effect, stating the names of the insurance companies, the amounts and rates of the insurance, the dates of the expiration thereof and the properties and risks covered thereby.
Section 8.6. Payment of Taxes and Claims.
The Borrower shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party and each other Subsidiary to, pay and discharge when due (a) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits or upon any properties belonging to it, and (b) all lawful claims of materialmen, mechanics, carriers, warehousemen and landlords for labor, materials, supplies and rentals which, if unpaid, would without further passage of time become a Lien on any properties of such Person; provided, however, that this Section shall not require the payment or discharge of any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings which operate to suspend the collection thereof and for which adequate reserves have been established on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP.
Section 8.7. Books and Records; Inspections.
The Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan Party and each other Subsidiary to, keep proper books of record and account in accordance with GAAP. If a Default or an Event of Default exists, the Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan Party and each other Subsidiary to, permit representatives of the Agent or any Lender to visit and inspect any of their respective properties, to examine and make abstracts from any of their respective books and records and to discuss their respective affairs, finances and accounts with their respective officers, employees and independent public accountants (in the Borrowers presence if an Event of Default does not then exist), all at such reasonable times during business hours and as often as may reasonably be requested. The Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse the Agent and the Lenders for their costs and expenses incurred in connection with the exercise of their rights under this Section only if such exercise occurs while a Default or Event of Default exists.
Section 8.8. Use of Proceeds.
The Borrower will only use the proceeds of Loans only (a) for the payment of pre-development and development costs incurred in connection with Properties owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary; (b) to finance acquisitions permitted under this Agreement; (c) to finance capital expenditures and the repayment of Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries; (d) to provide for the general working capital needs of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and for other general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including dividend distributions and stock repurchases otherwise permitted under this Agreement); and (e) to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection with the closing of this
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facility. The Borrower shall only use Letters of Credit for the same purposes for which it may use the proceeds of Loans. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary to, use any part of such proceeds to purchase or carry, or to reduce or retire or refinance any credit incurred to purchase or carry, any margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any such margin stock.
Section 8.9. Environmental Matters.
The Borrower shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party and each other Subsidiary to, comply with all Environmental Laws the failure with which to comply could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. If any Loan Party or any other Subsidiary shall (a) receive notice that any violation of any Environmental Law may have been committed or is about to be committed by such Person, (b) receive notice that any administrative or judicial complaint or order has been filed or is about to be filed against any such Person alleging violations of any Environmental Law or requiring any such Person to take any action in connection with the release of Hazardous Materials or (c) receive any notice from a Governmental Authority or private party alleging that any such Person may be liable or responsible for costs associated with a response to or cleanup of a release of Hazardous Materials or any damages caused thereby, and such notices, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower shall provide the Agent with a copy of such notice within 10 days after the receipt thereof by such Person or any of the Subsidiaries. The Loan Parties and the other Subsidiaries shall promptly take all actions necessary to prevent the imposition of any Liens on any of their respective properties arising out of or related to any Environmental Laws.
Section 8.10. Further Assurances.
At the Borrowers cost and expense and upon request of the Agent, the Borrower shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party and each other Subsidiary to, duly execute and deliver or cause to be duly executed and delivered, to the Agent such further instruments, documents and certificates, and do and cause to be done such further acts that may be reasonably necessary or advisable in the reasonable opinion of the Agent to carry out more effectively the provisions and purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
Section 8.11. REIT Status.
The Borrower shall maintain its status as a REIT.
Section 8.12. Exchange Listing.
The Borrower shall maintain at least one class of common shares of the Borrower having trading privileges on the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange or which is subject to price quotations on The NASDAQ Stock Markets National Market System.
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Section 8.13. Guarantors.
(a) Generally. The Borrower shall cause any Subsidiary and any Unconsolidated Affiliate that is not already a Guarantor (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) and to which any of the following conditions apply (each a New Guarantor) to execute and deliver to the Agent an Accession Agreement, together with the other items required to be delivered under the subsection (b) below:
(i) such Person owns an Unencumbered Pool Property;
(ii) such Person is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary unless such Person has not incurred, acquired or suffered to exist any Indebtedness; or
(iii) such Person Guarantees, or otherwise becomes obligated in respect of, any Indebtedness of (1) the Borrower; (2) any Subsidiary of the Borrower; or (3) any Non-Guarantor Entity (except in the case of an Unconsolidated Affiliate Guaranteeing, or otherwise becoming obligated in respect of, any Indebtedness of another Unconsolidated Affiliate).
Any such Accession Agreement and the other items required under subsection (b) below must be delivered to the Agent no later than 10 days following the date on which any of the above conditions first applies to a Subsidiary.
(b) Required Deliveries. Each Accession Agreement delivered by a New Guarantor under the immediately preceding subsection (a) shall be accompanied by the items that would have been delivered under subsections (iv), (v), (vi), (vii) and (viii), of Section 6.1.(a) if such Subsidiary had been a Loan Party on the Effective Date and such other documents and instruments as the Agent may reasonably request.
(c) Release of Guarantor. The Borrower may request in writing that the Agent release, and upon receipt of such request the Agent shall release, a Guarantor from the Guaranty so long as: (i) such Guarantor owns no Unencumbered Pool Property; (ii) such Guarantor is not otherwise required to be a party to the Guaranty under this Section; and (iii) no Default or Event of Default shall then be in existence or would occur as a result of such release.
ARTICLE IX. INFORMATION
For so long as this Agreement is in effect, unless the Requisite Lenders (or, if required pursuant to Section 13.8., all of the Lenders) shall otherwise consent in the manner set forth in Section 13.8., the Borrower shall furnish (including by electronic means as provided in Section 13.2.) to each Lender (or to the Agent if so provided below) at its Lending Office:
Section 9.1. Quarterly Financial Statements.
As soon as available and in any event within 45 days after the close of each of the first, second and third fiscal quarters of the Borrower, the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such period and the related unaudited consolidated
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statements of operations, stockholders equity and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures as of the end of and for the corresponding periods of the previous fiscal year, all of which shall be certified by the chief financial officer of the Borrower, in his or her opinion, to present fairly, in accordance with GAAP, the consolidated financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the date thereof and the results of operations for such period (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments).
Section 9.2. Year-End Statements.
As soon as available and in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year and the related audited consolidated statements of operations, stockholders equity and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal year, setting forth in comparative form the figures as at the end of and for the previous fiscal year, all of which shall be (a) certified by the chief financial officer of the Borrower, in his or her opinion, to present fairly, in accordance with GAAP, the financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the date thereof and the result of operations for such period and (b) accompanied by an opinion of Ernst & Young LLP or any other independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing acceptable to the Requisite Lenders, whose opinion shall be free of qualifications that are not reasonably acceptable to the Requisite Lenders and in scope and substance satisfactory to the Requisite Lenders and who shall have authorized the Borrower to deliver such financial statements and opinion thereof to the Agent and the Lenders pursuant to this Agreement.
Section 9.3. Compliance Certificate.
At the time the financial statements are furnished pursuant to the immediately preceding Sections 9.1. and 9.2., a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit P (a Compliance Certificate) executed on behalf of the Borrower by the chief financial officer of the Borrower (a) setting forth as of the end of such quarterly accounting period or fiscal year, as the case may be, the calculations required to establish whether the Borrower was in compliance with the covenants contained in Section 10.1.; and (b) stating that to his or her knowledge, no Default or Event of Default exists, or, if such is not the case, specifying such Default or Event of Default and its nature, when it occurred and the steps being taken by the Borrower with respect to such event, condition or failure.
Section 9.4. Other Information.
(a) Within 10 days of the filing thereof, copies of all registration statements (excluding the exhibits thereto and any registration statements on Form S-8 or its equivalent), reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K (or their equivalents) and all other periodic reports which any Loan Party or any other Subsidiary shall file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any Governmental Authority substituted therefor) or any national securities exchange (which information may be delivered by electronic means as provided in Section 13.2.);
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(b) Promptly upon the mailing thereof to the shareholders of the Borrower generally, copies of all financial statements, reports and proxy statements so mailed and promptly upon the issuance thereof copies of all press releases issued by the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other Loan Party (which information may be delivered by electronic means as provided in Section 13.2.);
(c) As soon as available and in any event within 60 days after the end of each fiscal quarters of the Borrower, a Unencumbered Pool Certificate setting forth the information to be contained therein, including without limitation, a calculation of the Unencumbered Pool Value of each Unencumbered Pool Property and the Unsecured Liabilities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, each, as of the last day of such fiscal quarter;
(d) Within 60 days after the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, an operating summary with respect to each Property then included in calculations of the Unencumbered Pool Value, including without limitation, a quarterly and year-to-date statement of Net Operating Income and a leasing/occupancy status report together with a current rent roll for such Property;
(e) Promptly, upon any change in the Borrowers Credit Rating, a certificate stating that the Borrowers Credit Rating has changed and the new Credit Rating that is in effect;
(f) If and when any member of the ERISA Group (i) gives or is required to give notice to the PBGC of any reportable event (as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA) with respect to any Plan which might constitute grounds for a termination of such Plan under Title IV of ERISA, or knows that the plan administrator of any Plan has given or is required to give notice of any such reportable event, a copy of the notice of such reportable event given or required to be given to the PBGC; (ii) receives notice of complete or partial withdrawal liability under Title IV of ERISA or notice that any Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization, is insolvent or has been terminated, a copy of such notice; (iii) receives notice from the PBGC under Title IV of ERISA of an intent to terminate, impose liability (other than for premiums under Section 4007 of ERISA) in respect of, or appoint a trustee to administer any Plan, a copy of such notice; (iv) applies for a waiver of the minimum funding standard under Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code, a copy of such application; (v) gives notice of intent to terminate any Plan under Section 4041(c) of ERISA, a copy of such notice and other information filed with the PBGC; (vi) gives notice of withdrawal from any Plan pursuant to Section 4063 of ERISA, a copy of such notice; or (vii) fails to make any payment or contribution to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan or in respect of any Benefit Arrangement or makes any amendment to any Plan or Benefit Arrangement which has resulted or could result in the imposition of a Lien or the posting of a bond or other security, a certificate of the controller of the Borrower setting forth details as to such occurrence and action, if any, which the Borrower or applicable member of the ERISA Group is required or proposes to take;
(g) To the extent any Loan Party or any other Subsidiary is aware of the same, prompt notice of the commencement of any proceeding or investigation by or before any Governmental Authority and any action or proceeding in any court or other tribunal or before any arbitrator against or in any other way relating adversely to, or adversely affecting, the any
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Loan Party or any other Subsidiary or any of their respective properties, assets or businesses which the Borrower reasonably expects will have a Material Adverse Effect;
(h) Prompt notice of any change in the senior management of the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other Loan Party and any change in the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition, results of operations or business prospects of any Loan Party or any other Subsidiary which has had or could have Material Adverse Effect (which notice may be delivered by electronic means as provided in Section 13.2.);
(i) Prompt notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;
(j) Prompt notice of any order, judgment or decree in excess of $5,000,000 having been entered against any Loan Party or any other Subsidiary or any of their respective properties or assets;
(k) Any notification of a material violation of any law or regulation or any inquiry shall have been received by any Loan Party or any other Subsidiary from any Governmental Authority (which notice may be delivered by electronic means as provided in Section 13.2.);
(l) Promptly upon the request of the Agent, evidence of the Borrowers calculation of the Ownership Share with respect to a Subsidiary or an Unconsolidated Affiliate, such evidence to be in form and detail satisfactory to the Agent; and
(m) From time to time and promptly upon each request, such data, certificates, reports, statements, opinions of counsel, documents or further information regarding any Property or the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition, results of operations or business prospects of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as the Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.
ARTICLE X. NEGATIVE COVENANTS
For so long as this Agreement is in effect, unless the Requisite Lenders (or, if required pursuant to Section 13.8., all of the Lenders) shall otherwise consent in the manner set forth in Section 13.8., the Borrower shall comply with the following covenants:
Section 10.1. Financial Covenants.
(a) Minimum Tangible Net Worth. The Borrower shall not, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, permit the Tangible Net Worth of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis to be less than (i) $350,000,000 plus (ii) 80% of the Net Proceeds of all Equity Issuances effected at any time after June 30, 2006 by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to any Person other than the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
(b) Ratio of Total Liabilities to Gross Asset Value. The Borrower shall not permit the ratio of (i) Total Liabilities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis to (ii) Gross Asset Value to exceed 0.60 to 1.00 as of the last day of each fiscal quarter.
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(c) Ratio of Secured Indebtedness to Gross Asset Value. The Borrower shall not permit the ratio of (i) Secured Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis to (ii) Gross Asset Value of to exceed 0.35 to 1.00 as of the last day of each fiscal quarter.
(d) Ratio of EBITDA to Fixed Charges. The Borrower shall not permit the ratio of (i) EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis for such fiscal quarter to (ii) Fixed Charges of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis for such fiscal quarter, to be less than 1.75 to 1.00 at the end of any fiscal quarter.
(e) Ratio of Unencumbered Net Operating Income to Unsecured Interest Expense. The Borrower shall not permit the ratio of (i) Unencumbered NOI for such fiscal quarter to (ii) Interest Expense on Unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis for such fiscal quarter to be less than 2.00 to 1.00 at the end of any fiscal quarter.
(f) Permitted Investments. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Loan Party or other Subsidiary to, make an Investment in or otherwise own the following items which would cause the aggregate value of such holdings of such Persons to exceed 20% of the Gross Asset Value:
(i) the aggregate value calculated on the basis of the lower of cost or market of all unimproved real estate (which shall not include (x) any Development Property or (y) unimproved real estate for which development is planned within the following 18 months), plus
(ii) the aggregate value calculated on the basis of the lower of cost or market of common stock, Preferred Stock and other Equity Interests in Persons (other than Subsidiaries and Unconsolidated Affiliates), plus
(iii) the aggregate book value of Indebtedness secured by mortgages in favor of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, plus
(iv) the aggregate value of Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates (for purposes of this clause (iv), the value of any such Investment in an Unconsolidated Affiliate shall equal (1) with respect to any of such Unconsolidated Affiliates Properties under construction, the Borrowers Ownership Share of the book value of Construction in Process (including the book value for the portion of the land owned by such Unconsolidated Affiliate related to such Construction in Process) for such Property as of the date of determination and (2) with respect to any of such Unconsolidated Affiliates Properties which have been completed, the Borrowers Ownership Share of Capitalized EBITDA of such Unconsolidated Affiliate attributable to such Properties), plus
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(v) the aggregate amount of the Total Budgeted Costs for Development Properties and Major Redevelopment Properties in which the Borrower either has a direct or indirect ownership interest (if a Development Property is owned by an Unconsolidated Affiliate of the Borrower, or any other Subsidiary, then the greater of (1) the product of (A) the Borrowers or such Subsidiarys Ownership Share in such Unconsolidated Affiliate and (B) the amount of the Total Budgeted Costs for such Development Property or (2) the recourse obligations of the Borrower or such Subsidiary relating to the Indebtedness of such Unconsolidated Affiliate, shall be used in calculating such Investment).
(g) Aggregate Occupancy Rates. The Borrower shall not permit the weighted average aggregate occupancy rate (weighted on an economic basis) of all Unencumbered Pool Properties to be less than or equal to 80% at any time.
(h) Total Assets of Non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries. The Borrower shall not permit aggregate Gross Asset Value determined with respect to all Subsidiaries that are not Wholly Owned Subsidiaries to exceed 15% of the Gross Asset Value of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
(i) Dividends and Other Restricted Payments. If (i) a Default or an Event of Default under Section 11.1.(a) or Section 11.1.(e) shall exist, (ii) an Event of Default under Section 11.1.(b) (solely as a result of the failure to comply with Article X) or Section 11.1.(f) shall exist or (iii) a Default under Section 11.1.(f) as a result of a case or other proceeding being commenced against a Loan Party shall exist, neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary (other than Wholly Owned Subsidiaries) shall directly or indirectly declare or make, or incur any liability to make, any Restricted Payments. If any other Event of Default exists, neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary (other than Wholly Owned Subsidiaries) shall directly or indirectly declare or make, or incur any liability to make, any Restricted Payments except that the Borrower may make cash distributions to its shareholders in the minimum amount necessary to maintain compliance with Section 8.11.
Section 10.2. Reciprocal Lien.
If any Unencumbered Pool Property becomes subject to a Lien causing such Property to no longer satisfy the definition of Eligible Property, and, as a result, the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Revolving Loans, together with the aggregate amount of all Letter of Credit Liabilities exceeds the Maximum Loan Availability, then the Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary will make or cause to be made a provision whereby the Obligations will be secured equally and ratably with all other obligations secured by such Lien, and in any case the Lenders shall have the benefit, to the full extent that and with such priority as, the Lenders may be entitled under Applicable Law, of an equitable Lien on such Property securing the Obligations. The grant of a Lien pursuant to this Section 10.2 shall not be deemed to cure any Default or Event of Default occurring as a result of such overadvance.
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Section 10.3. Restrictions on Intercompany Transfers.
The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) to, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the ability of any Subsidiary to: (i) pay dividends or make any other distribution on any of such Subsidiarys capital stock or other equity interests owned by the Borrower or any other Subsidiary; (ii) pay any Indebtedness owed to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary; (iii) make loans or advances to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary; or (iv) transfer any of its property or assets to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary.
Section 10.4. Merger, Consolidation, Sales of Assets and Other Arrangements.
The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) to, (a) enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation; (b) liquidate, windup or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution); (c) convey, sell, lease, sublease, transfer or otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, a Substantial Amount of its business or assets, or the capital stock of or other Equity Interests in any of its Subsidiaries, whether now owned or hereafter acquired; or (d) engage in a transaction or a series of related transactions in which it acquires assets having a fair market value in excess of the Substantial Amount or make an Investment of a Substantial Amount in any other Person; provided, however, that:
(i) any Subsidiary may merge with a Loan Party so long as such other Loan Party is the survivor or the survivor becomes a Loan Party upon the occurrence of the merger in accordance with Section 8.13.;
(ii) any Subsidiary may sell, transfer or dispose of its assets to a Loan Party;
(iii) a Loan Party (other than the Borrower or any Loan Party which owns a Unencumbered Pool Property) and any Subsidiary that is not (and is not required to be) a Loan Party may convey, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of (including disposition as a result of a merger or consolidation), in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or any substantial part of its business or assets, or the capital stock of or other Equity Interests in any of its Subsidiaries, and may (but need not) thereafter liquidate, provided that immediately prior to any such conveyance, sale, transfer, disposition or liquidation and immediately thereafter and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default is or would be in existence; provided, however, that if, prior to the occurrence of a Default (or, during the existence of a Default, if the relevant agreement expressly states that sale of the Property subject to the agreement is conditioned on the approval of the Lenders), such Loan Party or Subsidiary has entered into an agreement to sell a Property which agreement requires that such Property be sold at a time during which a Default exists, such Loan Party or Subsidiary shall be permitted to sell such Property to the extent necessary for such Loan Party or Subsidiary to comply with the terms of such agreement;
(iv) any Loan Party and any other Subsidiary may, directly or indirectly, (A) acquire (whether by purchase, acquisition of Equity Interests of a Person, or as a
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result of a merger or consolidation) assets, in a single transaction or series of related transactions, having a fair market value in excess of the Substantial Amount, or make an Investment of a Substantial Amount in any other Person and (B) sell, lease or otherwise transfer, whether by one or a series of transactions, assets having a fair market value in excess of the Substantial Amount (including capital stock or other securities of Subsidiaries) to any other Person, so long as, in each case, (1) the Borrower shall have given the Agent and the Lenders at least 30 days prior written notice of such consolidation, merger, acquisition, Investment, sale, lease or other transfer; (2) immediately prior thereto, and immediately thereafter and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default is or would be in existence provided, however, that if, prior to the occurrence of a Default (or, during the existence of a Default, if the relevant agreement expressly states that purchase of the Property subject to the agreement is conditioned on the approval of the Lenders), such Loan Party or Subsidiary has entered into an agreement to purchase a Property which agreement requires that such Property be purchased at a time during which a Default exists, such Loan Party or Subsidiary shall be permitted to purchase such Property to the extent necessary for such Loan Party or Subsidiary to comply with the terms of such agreement; (3) in the case of a consolidation or merger involving the Borrower or a Loan Party which owns a Unencumbered Pool Property, such Person shall be the survivor thereof and (4) at the time the Borrower gives notice pursuant to clause (1) of this subsection, the Borrower shall have delivered to the Agent and the Lenders a Compliance Certificate, calculated on a pro forma basis, evidencing the continued compliance by the Loan Parties with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including without limitation, the financial covenants contained in Section 10.1., after giving effect to such consolidation, merger, acquisition, Investment, sale, lease or other transfer; and
(v) the Loan Parties and the other Subsidiaries may lease and sublease their respective assets, as lessor or sublessor (as the case may be), in the ordinary course of their business.
Further, no Loan Party nor any Subsidiary, shall enter into any sale-leaseback transactions or other transaction by which such Person shall remain liable as lessee (or the economic equivalent thereof) of any real or personal property that it has sold or leased to another Person.
Section 10.5. Plans.
The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, permit any of its respective assets to become or be deemed to be plan assets within the meaning of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code and the respective regulations promulgated thereunder.
Section 10.6. Fiscal Year.
The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Loan Party or other Subsidiary to, change its fiscal year from that in effect as of the Agreement Date.
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Section 10.7. Modifications of Organizational Documents.
The Borrower shall not enter into, and shall not permit any Subsidiary or other Loan Party to enter into any amendment, supplement, restatement or other modification of its certificate or articles of incorporation, articles of organization, certificate of limited partnership, declaration of trust or other comparable organizational instrument (if any) that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or that would be adverse to the rights and remedies of the Agent and Lenders.
Section 10.8. Transactions with Affiliates.
The Borrower shall not permit to exist or enter into, and will not permit any Loan Party or other Subsidiary to permit to exist or enter into, any transaction (including the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with any Affiliate of the Borrower or with any director, officer or employee of any Loan Party, except (a) as set forth on Schedule 7.1.(r), (b) transactions in the ordinary course of and pursuant to the reasonable requirements of the business of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and upon fair and reasonable terms, (c) transactions which are no less favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary than would be obtained in a comparable arms length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate, (d) transactions by and among Loan Parties or (e) transactions by and among Wholly Owned Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the forgoing, (i) the Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Loan party to, make loans or advances to any director, officer or employee of any Loan Party in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding in excess of $1,000,000, and (ii) no payments may be made with respect to any items set forth on Schedule 7.1.(r) upon the occurrence and during the continuation of a Default or Event of Default.
ARTICLE XI. DEFAULT
Section 11.1. Events of Default.
Each of the following shall constitute an Event of Default, whatever the reason for such event and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of Applicable Law or pursuant to any judgment or order of any Governmental Authority:
(a) Default in Payment. (i) The Borrower shall fail to pay when due under this Agreement or any other Loan Document (whether upon demand, at maturity, by reason of acceleration or otherwise) (A) the principal of any of the Loans, or (B) interest on any of the Loans or any of the other payment Obligations owing by the Borrower under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, within 10 days after becoming due, or (ii) any other Loan Party shall fail to pay within 10 days after becoming due any payment obligation owing by such Loan Party under any Loan Document to which it is a party.
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(b) Default in Performance.
(i) Any Loan Party shall fail to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement on its part to be performed or observed and contained in Sections 8.8. or Article X. (other than Section 10.7.); or
(ii) Any Loan Party shall fail to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to which it is a party and not otherwise mentioned in this Section and such failure shall continue for a period of 30 calendar days after the earlier of (x) the date upon which any Loan Party obtains knowledge of such failure or (y) the date upon which the Borrower has received written notice of such failure from the Agent.
(c) Misrepresentations. Any written statement, representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Loan Party under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document, or any amendment hereto or thereto, or in any other writing or statement at any time furnished by, or at the direction of, any Loan Party to the Agent or any Lender, shall prove to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when furnished or made or deemed made.
(d) Indebtedness Cross-Default.
(i) Any Loan Party shall fail to pay when due and payable the principal of, or interest on, (x) any Indebtedness (other than the Loans or Nonrecourse Indebtedness) having an aggregate outstanding principal amount of $5,000,000 or more or (y) any Nonrecourse Indebtedness having an aggregate outstanding principal amount of $50,000,000 (clauses (x) and (y) together, Material Indebtedness); or
(ii) (x) The maturity of any Material Indebtedness shall have been accelerated in accordance with the provisions of any indenture, contract or instrument evidencing, providing for the creation of or otherwise concerning such Material Indebtedness or (y) any Material Indebtedness shall have been required to be prepaid or repurchased prior to the stated maturity thereof; or
(iii) Any other event shall have occurred and be continuing (after giving effect to notice, grace and cure periods) as a result of which any holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness, any trustee or agent acting on behalf of such holder or holders or any other Person, is then permitted to accelerate the maturity of any Material Indebtedness or require any Material Indebtedness to be prepaid or repurchased prior to its stated maturity.
(e) Voluntary Bankruptcy Proceeding. The Borrower or any Material Subsidiary shall: (i) commence a voluntary case under the Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended, or other federal bankruptcy laws (as now or hereafter in effect); (ii) file a petition seeking to take advantage of any other Applicable Laws, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, winding-up, or composition or adjustment of debts; (iii) consent to, or fail to
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contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any petition filed against it in an involuntary case under such bankruptcy laws or other Applicable Laws or consent to any proceeding or action described in the immediately following subsection (f); (iv) apply for or consent to, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, the appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a receiver, custodian, trustee, or liquidator of itself or of a substantial part of its property, domestic or foreign; (v) admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as they become due; (vi) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (vii) make a conveyance fraudulent as to creditors under any Applicable Law; or (viii) take any corporate or partnership action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing.
(f) Involuntary Bankruptcy Proceeding. A case or other proceeding shall be commenced against the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary in any court of competent jurisdiction seeking: (i) relief under the Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended or other federal bankruptcy laws (as now or hereafter in effect) or under any other Applicable Laws, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, winding-up, or composition or adjustment of debts; or (ii) the appointment of a trustee, receiver, custodian, liquidator or the like of such Person, or of all or any substantial part of the assets, domestic or foreign, of such Person, and in the case of either clause (i) or (ii) such case or proceeding shall continue undismissed or unstayed for a period of 90 consecutive calendar days, or an order granting the relief requested in such case or proceeding (including, but not limited to, an order for relief under such Bankruptcy Code or such other federal bankruptcy laws) shall be entered.
(g) Revocation of Loan Documents. Any Loan Party shall (or shall attempt to) disavow, revoke or terminate any Loan Document to which it is a party or shall otherwise challenge or contest in any action, suit or proceeding in any court or before any Governmental Authority the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document.
(h) Judgment. A judgment or order for the payment of money shall be entered against the Borrower or any Subsidiary, by any court or other tribunal and (i) such judgment or order shall continue for a period of 60 days without being paid, stayed or dismissed through appropriate appellate proceedings and (ii) either (A) the amount for which insurance has not been acknowledged in writing by the applicable insurance carrier (or the amount as to which the insurer has denied liability) exceeds, individually or together with all other such judgments or orders entered against the Borrower and all Subsidiaries, $5,000,000 or (B) such judgment or order could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(i) Attachment. A warrant, writ of attachment, execution or similar process shall be issued against any property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, which exceeds, individually or together with all other such warrants, writs, executions and processes, $5,000,000 in amount and such warrant, writ, execution or process shall not be paid, discharged, vacated, stayed or bonded for a period of 30 days; provided, however, that if a bond has been issued in favor of the claimant or other Person obtaining such warrant, writ, execution or process, the issuer of such bond shall execute a waiver or subordination agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent pursuant to which the issuer of such bond subordinates its right of reimbursement, contribution or subrogation to the Obligations and waives or subordinates any Lien it may have on the assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.
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(j) ERISA. Any member of the ERISA Group shall fail to pay when due an amount or amounts aggregating in excess of $5,000,000 which it shall have become liable to pay under Title IV of ERISA; or notice of intent to terminate a Material Plan shall be filed under Title IV of ERISA by any member of the ERISA Group, any plan administrator or any combination of the foregoing; or the PBGC shall institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate, to impose liability (other than for premiums under Section 4007 of ERISA) in respect of, or to cause a trustee to be appointed to administer any Material Plan; or a condition shall exist by reason of which the PBGC would be entitled to obtain a decree adjudicating that any Material Plan must be terminated; or there shall occur a complete or partial withdrawal from, or a default, within the meaning of Section 4219(c)(5) of ERISA, with respect to, one or more Multiemployer Plans which could cause one or more members of the ERISA Group to incur a current payment obligation in excess of $5,000,000.
(k) Loan Documents. An Event of Default (as defined therein) shall occur under any of the other Loan Documents;
(l) Change of Control/Change in Management.
(i) Any person or group (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)), is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that a Person will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such Person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than 40% of the total voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the Borrower; or
(ii) During any period of 12 consecutive months ending after the Agreement Date, individuals who at the beginning of any such 12-month period constituted the Board of Directors of the Borrower (together with any new trustees whose election by such Board or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of the Borrower was approved by a vote of a majority of the trustees then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of the Borrower then in office.
Section 11.2. Remedies Upon Event of Default.
Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default the following provisions shall apply:
(a) Acceleration; Termination of Facilities.
(i) Automatic. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Sections 11.1.(e) or 11.1.(f), (1)(A) the principal of, and all accrued interest on, the Loans and the Notes at the time outstanding, (B) an amount equal to the Stated Amount of all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the date of the occurrence of such Event of Default and (C) all of the other Obligations of the Borrower, including, but not limited to, the
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other amounts owed to the Lenders and the Agent under this Agreement, the Notes or any of the other Loan Documents shall become immediately and automatically due and payable by the Borrower without presentment, demand, protest, or other notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by the Borrower, and (2) the Commitments and the Swingline Commitment, the obligation of the Lenders to make Loans hereunder, and the obligation of the Agent to issue Letters of Credit hereunder, shall all immediately and automatically terminate.
(ii) Optional. If any other Event of Default shall exist, the Agent, at the direction of the Requisite Lenders, shall: (1) declare (A) the principal of, and accrued interest on, the Loans and the Notes at the time outstanding, (B) an amount equal to the Stated Amount of all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the date of the occurrence of such Event of Default and (C) all of the other Obligations, including, but not limited to, the other amounts owed to the Lenders and the Agent under this Agreement, the Notes or any of the other Loan Documents to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon the same shall immediately become due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by the Borrower, and (2) terminate the Commitments and the obligation of the Lenders to make Loans hereunder and the obligation of the Agent to issue Letters of Credit hereunder. If the Agent has exercised any of the rights provided under the preceding sentence, the Swingline Lender shall: (x) declare the principal of, and accrued interest on, the Swingline Loans and the Swingline Notes at the time outstanding, and all of the other Obligations owing to the Swingline Lender, to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon the same shall immediately become due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by the Borrower and (y) terminate the Swingline Commitment and the obligation of the Swingline Lender to make Swingline Loans.
(b) Loan Documents. The Requisite Lenders may direct the Agent to, and the Agent if so directed shall, exercise any and all of its rights under any and all of the other Loan Documents.
(c) Applicable Law. The Requisite Lenders may direct the Agent to, and the Agent if so directed shall, exercise all other rights and remedies it may have under any Applicable Law.
(d) Appointment of Receiver. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to the appointment of a receiver for the assets and properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, without notice of any kind whatsoever and without regard to the adequacy of any security for the Obligations or the solvency of any party bound for its payment, to take possession of all or any portion of the Unencumbered Pool Properties and/or the business operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and to exercise such power as the court shall confer upon such receiver.
Section 11.3. Remedies Upon Default.
Upon the occurrence of a Default specified in Sections 11.1.(e) or 11.1.(f), the Commitments shall immediately and automatically terminate.
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Section 11.4. Marshaling; Payments Set Aside.
Neither the Agent nor any Lender shall be under any obligation to marshal any assets in favor of any Loan Party or any other party or against or in payment of any or all of the Obligations. To the extent that any Loan Party makes a payment or payments to the Agent and/or any Lender, or the Agent and/or any Lender enforce their security interests or exercise their rights of setoff, and such payment or payments or the proceeds of such enforcement or setoff or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside and/or required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party under any bankruptcy law, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause, then to the extent of such recovery, the Obligations or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied, and all Liens, rights and remedies therefor, shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such enforcement or setoff had not occurred.
Section 11.5. Allocation of Proceeds.
If an Event of Default exists and maturity of any of the Obligations has been accelerated, all payments received by the Agent under any of the Loan Documents, in respect of any principal of or interest on the Obligations or any other amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder or thereunder, shall be applied in the following order and priority:
(a) amounts due to the Agent and the Lenders in respect of Fees and expenses due under Section 13.3.;
(b) payments of interest on Swingline Loans;
(c) payments of interest on all other Loans, to be applied for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, in such order as the Lenders may determine in their sole discretion;
(d) payment of principal on Swingline Loans;
(e) payments of principal of all other Loans, to be applied for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, in such order as the Lenders may determine in their sole discretion;
(f) amounts to be deposited into the Letter of Credit Collateral Account in respect of Letters of Credit;
(g) amounts due to the Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Sections 12.6. and 13.11.;
(h) payments of all other amounts due under any of the Loan Documents, if any, to be applied for the ratable benefit of the Lenders; and
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(i) any amount remaining after application as provided above, shall be paid to the Borrower or whomever else may be legally entitled thereto.
Section 11.6. Letter of Credit Collateral Account.
(a) As collateral security for the prompt payment in full when due of all Letter of Credit Liabilities, the Borrower hereby pledges and grants to the Agent, for the benefit of the Agent and the Lenders as provided herein, a security interest in all of its right, title and interest in and to the Letter of Credit Collateral Account established to the requirements of Section 2.15. and the balances from time to time in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account (including the investments and reinvestments therein provided for below). The balances from time to time in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account shall not constitute payment of any Letter of Credit Liabilities until applied by the Agent as provided herein. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, funds held in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account shall be subject to withdrawal only as provided in this Section and in Section 2.15.
(b) Amounts on deposit in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account shall be invested and reinvested by the Agent in such cash equivalents as the Agent shall determine in its sole discretion. All such investments and reinvestments shall be held in the name of and be under the sole dominion and control of the Agent, provided, that all earnings on such investments will be credited to and retained in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account. The Agent shall exercise reasonable care in the custody and preservation of any funds held in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account and shall be deemed to have exercised such care if such funds are accorded treatment substantially equivalent to that which the Agent accords other funds deposited with the Agent, it being understood that the Agent shall not have any responsibility for taking any necessary steps to preserve rights against any parties with respect to any funds held in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account.
(c) If an Event of Default exists, the Agent may (and, if instructed by the Requisite Lenders, shall) in its (or their) discretion at any time and from time to time elect to liquidate any such investments and reinvestments and credit the proceeds thereof to the Letter of Credit Collateral Account and apply or cause to be applied such proceeds and any other balances in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account to the payment of any of the Letter of Credit Liabilities due and payable.
(d) So long as no Default or Event of Default exists, the Agent shall, from time to time, at the request of the Borrower, deliver to the Borrower, against receipt but without any recourse, warranty or representation whatsoever, such of the balances in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account as exceed the aggregate amount of Letter of Credit Liabilities at such time. When all of the Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full and no Letters of Credit remain outstanding, the Agent shall deliver to the Borrower, against receipt but without any recourse, warranty or representation whatsoever, the balances remaining in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account.
(e) The Borrower shall pay to the Agent from time to time such fees as the Agent normally charges for similar services in connection with the Agents administration of the Letter of Credit Collateral Account and investments and reinvestments of funds therein.
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Section 11.7. Rescission of Acceleration by Requisite Lenders.
If at any time after acceleration of the maturity of the Loans and the other Obligations, the Borrower shall pay all arrears of interest and all payments on account of principal of the Obligations which shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest on principal and, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, on overdue interest, at the rates specified in this Agreement) and all Events of Default and Defaults (other than nonpayment of principal of and accrued interest on the Obligations due and payable solely by virtue of acceleration) shall become remedied or waived to the satisfaction of the Requisite Lenders, then by written notice to the Borrower, the Requisite Lenders may elect, in the sole discretion of such Requisite Lenders, to rescind and annul the acceleration and its consequences. The provisions of the preceding sentence are intended merely to bind all of the Lenders to a decision which may be made at the election of the Requisite Lenders, and are not intended to benefit the Borrower and do not give the Borrower the right to require the Lenders to rescind or annul any acceleration hereunder, even if the conditions set forth herein are satisfied.
Section 11.8. Performance by Agent.
If the Borrower shall fail to perform any covenant, duty or agreement contained in any of the Loan Documents, the Agent may perform or attempt to perform such covenant, duty or agreement on behalf of the Borrower after the expiration of any cure or grace periods set forth herein. In such event, the Borrower shall, at the request of the Agent, promptly pay any amount reasonably expended by the Agent in such performance or attempted performance to the Agent, together with interest thereon at the applicable Post-Default Rate from the date of such expenditure until paid. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Agent nor any Lender shall have any liability or responsibility whatsoever for the performance of any obligation of the Borrower under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
Section 11.9. Rights Cumulative.
The rights and remedies of the Agent and the Lenders under this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which any of them may otherwise have under Applicable Law. In exercising their respective rights and remedies the Agent and the Lenders may be selective and no failure or delay by the Agent or any of the Lenders in exercising any right shall operate as a waiver of it, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any power or right preclude its other or further exercise or the exercise of any other power or right.
ARTICLE XII. THE AGENT
Section 12.1. Appointment and Authorization.
Each Lender hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Agent to take such action as contractual representative on such Lenders behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are specifically delegated to the Agent by the terms hereof and thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Not in
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limitation of the foregoing, each Lender authorizes and directs the Agent to enter into the Loan Documents for the benefit of the Lenders. Each Lender hereby agrees that, except as otherwise set forth herein, any action taken by the Requisite Lenders in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement or the Loan Documents, and the exercise by the Requisite Lenders of the powers set forth herein or therein, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto, shall be authorized and binding upon all of the Lenders. Nothing herein shall be construed to deem the Agent a trustee or fiduciary for any Lender or to impose on the Agent duties or obligations other than those expressly provided for herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the use of the terms Agent, agent and similar terms in the Loan Documents with reference to the Agent are not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any Applicable Law. Instead, use of such terms is merely a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties. The Agent will also furnish to any Lender, upon the request of such Lender, a copy (or, where appropriate, an original) of any document, instrument, agreement, certificate or notice furnished to the Agent by the Borrower, any Loan Party or any other Affiliate of the Borrower, pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document not already delivered to such Lender pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any such other Loan Document. As to any matters not expressly provided for by the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, enforcement or collection of any of the Obligations), the Agent shall not be required to exercise any discretion or take any action, but shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the instructions of the Requisite Lenders (or all of the Lenders if explicitly required under any other provision of this Agreement), and such instructions shall be binding upon all Lenders and all holders of any of the Obligations; provided, however, that, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Agent shall not be required to take any action which exposes the Agent to personal liability or which is contrary to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or Applicable Law. Not in limitation of the foregoing, the Agent shall exercise any right or remedy it or the Lenders may have under any Loan Document upon the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default unless the Requisite Lenders have directed the Agent otherwise. Without limiting the foregoing, no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against the Agent as a result of the Agent acting or refraining from acting under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents in accordance with the instructions of the Requisite Lenders, or where applicable, all the Lenders.
Section 12.2. Wells Fargo as Lender.
Wells Fargo, as a Lender, shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and any other Loan Document as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Agent; and the term Lender or Lenders shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated, include Wells Fargo in each case in its individual capacity. Wells Fargo and its affiliates may each accept deposits from, maintain deposits or credit balances for, invest in, lend money to, act as trustee under indentures of, serve as financial advisor to, and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other affiliate thereof as if it were any other bank and without any duty to account therefor to the other Lenders. Further, the Agent and any affiliate may accept fees and other consideration from the Borrower for services in connection with this Agreement and otherwise without having to account for the same to the other Lenders. The Lenders acknowledge that, pursuant to such activities, Wells Fargo or its
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affiliates may receive information regarding the Borrower, other Loan Parties, other Subsidiaries and other Affiliates (including information that may be subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of such Person) and acknowledge that the Agent shall be under no obligation to provide such information to them.
Section 12.3. Approvals of Lenders.
All communications from the Agent to any Lender requesting such Lenders determination, consent, approval or disapproval (a) shall be given in the form of a written notice to such Lender, (b) shall be accompanied by a description of the matter or issue as to which such determination, approval, consent or disapproval is requested, or shall advise such Lender where information, if any, regarding such matter or issue may be inspected, or shall otherwise describe the matter or issue to be resolved, (c) shall include, if reasonably requested by such Lender and to the extent not previously provided to such Lender, written materials and a summary of all oral information provided to the Agent by the Borrower in respect of the matter or issue to be resolved, and (d) shall include the Agents recommended course of action or determination in respect thereof. Unless a Lender shall give written notice to the Agent that it specifically objects to the recommendation or determination of the Agent (together with a reasonable written explanation of the reasons behind such objection) within 10 Business Days (or such lesser or greater period as may be specifically required under the express terms of the Loan Documents) of receipt of such communication, such Lender shall be deemed to have conclusively approved of or consented to such recommendation or determination.
Section 12.4. Notice of Defaults.
The Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default unless the Agent has received notice from a Lender or the Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing with reasonable specificity such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a notice of default. If any Lender (excluding the Lender which is also serving as the Agent) becomes aware of any Default or Event of Default, it shall promptly send to the Agent such a notice of default. Further, if the Agent receives such a notice of default, the Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the Lenders.
Section 12.5. Agents Reliance
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement or any other Loan Documents, neither the Agent nor any of its directors, officers, agents, employees or counsel shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except for its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with its duties expressly set forth herein or therein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Agent: may consult with legal counsel (including its own counsel or counsel for the Borrower or any other Loan Party), independent public accountants and other experts selected by it and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts. Neither the Agent nor any of its directors, officers, agents, employees or counsel: (a) makes any warranty or representation to any Lender or any other Person and shall be responsible to any Lender or any other Person for any statement, warranty or representation made or deemed made by the Borrower, any other
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Loan Party or any other Person in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document; (b) shall have any duty to ascertain or to inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the satisfaction of any conditions precedent under this Agreement or any Loan Document on the part of the Borrower or other Persons or inspect the property, books or records of the Borrower or any other Person; (c) shall be responsible to any Lender for the due execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto; (d) shall have any liability in respect of any recitals, statements, certifications, representations or warranties contained in any of the Loan Documents or any other document, instrument, agreement, certificate or statement delivered in connection therewith; and (e) shall incur any liability under or in respect of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by acting upon any notice, consent, certificate or other instrument or writing (which may be by telephone, telecopy or electronic mail) believed by it to be genuine and signed, sent or given by the proper party or parties. The Agent may execute any of its duties under the Loan Documents by or through agents, employees or attorneys-in-fact and shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agent or attorney-in-fact that it selects in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Section 12.6. Indemnification of Agent.
Regardless of whether the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are consummated, each Lender agrees to indemnify the Agent (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so) pro rata in accordance with such Lenders respective Pro Rata Share, from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may at any time be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against the Agent (in its capacity as Agent but not as a Lender) in any way relating to or arising out of the Loan Documents, any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by the Agent under the Loan Documents (collectively, Indemnifiable Amounts); provided, however, that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of such Indemnifiable Amounts to the extent resulting from the Agents gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable judgment; provided, however, that no action taken in accordance with the directions of the Requisite Lenders (or all of the Lenders, if expressly required hereunder) shall be deemed to constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct for purposes of this Section. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Lender agrees to reimburse the Agent (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so) promptly upon demand for its ratable share of any out-of-pocket expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of the counsel to the Agent) incurred by the Agent in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution, administration, or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings, or otherwise) of, or legal advice with respect to the rights or responsibilities of the parties under, the Loan Documents, any suit or action brought by the Agent to enforce the terms of the Loan Documents and/or collect any Obligations, any lender liability suit or claim brought against the Agent and/or the Lenders, and any claim or suit brought against the Agent and/or the Lenders arising under any Environmental Laws. Such out-of-pocket expenses (including counsel fees) shall be advanced by the Lenders on the request of the Agent notwithstanding any claim or assertion that the Agent is not entitled to
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indemnification hereunder upon receipt of an undertaking by the Agent that the Agent will reimburse the Lenders if it is actually and finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that the Agent is not so entitled to indemnification. The agreements in this Section shall survive the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder or under the other Loan Documents and the termination of this Agreement. If the Borrower shall reimburse the Agent for any Indemnifiable Amount following payment by any Lender to the Agent in respect of such Indemnifiable Amount pursuant to this Section, the Agent shall share such reimbursement on a ratable basis with each Lender making any such payment.
Section 12.7. Lender Credit Decision, Etc.
Each Lender expressly acknowledges and agrees that neither the Agent nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, counsel, attorneys-in-fact or other affiliates has made any representations or warranties to such Lender and that no act by the Agent hereafter taken, including any review of the affairs of the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary or Affiliate, shall be deemed to constitute any such representation or warranty by the Agent to any Lender. Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Agent, any other Lender or counsel to the Agent, or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents or counsel, and based on the financial statements of the Borrower, the other Loan Parties, the other Subsidiaries and other Affiliates, and inquiries of such Persons, its independent due diligence of the business and affairs of the Borrower, the other Loan Parties, the other Subsidiaries and other Persons, its review of the Loan Documents, the legal opinions required to be delivered to it hereunder, the advice of its own counsel and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit and legal analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Agent, any other Lender or counsel to the Agent or any of their respective officers, directors, employees and agents, and based on such review, advice, documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents. The Agent shall not be required to keep itself informed as to the performance or observance by the Borrower or any other Loan Party of the Loan Documents or any other document referred to or provided for therein or to inspect the properties or books of, or make any other investigation of, the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary. Except for notices, reports and other documents and information expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Agent under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, the Agent shall have no duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Affiliate thereof which may come into possession of the Agent or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or other Affiliates. Each Lender acknowledges that the Agents legal counsel in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is only acting as counsel to the Agent and is not acting as counsel to such Lender.
Section 12.8. Successor Agent.
The Agent may resign at any time as Agent under the Loan Documents by giving written notice thereof to the Lenders and the Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Requisite
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Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Agent which appointment shall, provided no Default or Event of Default exists, be subject to the Borrowers approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed (except that the Borrower shall, in all events, be deemed to have approved each Lender and any of its affiliates as a successor Agent). If no successor Agent shall have been so appointed in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence, and shall have accepted such appointment, within 30 days after the current Agents giving of notice of resignation, then the current Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Agent, which shall be a Lender, if any Lender shall be willing to serve, and otherwise shall be an Eligible Assignee. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Agent hereunder by a successor Agent, such successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the current Agent, and the current Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under the Loan Documents. After any Agents resignation hereunder as Agent, the provisions of this Article. shall continue to inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under the Loan Documents. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Agent may assign its rights and duties under the Loan Documents to any of its affiliates by giving the Borrower and each Lender prior written notice.
Section 12.9. Titled Agents.
Each of the Syndication Agent and the Documentation Agent (each a Titled Agent) in each such respective capacity, assumes no responsibility or obligation hereunder, including, without limitation, for servicing, enforcement or collection of any of the Loans, nor any duties as an agent hereunder for the Lenders. The titles given to the Titled Agents are solely honorific and imply no fiduciary responsibility on the part of the Titled Agents to the Agent, any Lender, the Borrower or any other Loan Party and the use of such titles does not impose on the Titled Agents any duties or obligations greater than those of any other Lender or entitle the Titled Agents to any rights other than those to which any other Lender is entitled.
ARTICLE XIII. MISCELLANEOUS
Section 13.1. Notices.
Unless otherwise provided herein, communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed, telecopied or delivered as follows:
If to the Borrower:
Washington Real Estate Investment Trust | ||
6110 Executive Boulevard | ||
Rockville, Maryland 20852-3927 | ||
Attention: Chief Financial Officer | ||
Telecopy Number: | (301) 984-9400 | |
Telephone Number: | (301) 984-9610 |
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If to the Agent or a Lender:
To such Lenders address or telecopy number, as applicable, set forth on its signature page hereto or in the applicable Assignment and Assumption Agreement.
or, as to each party at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the other parties delivered in compliance with this Section; provided, a Lender shall only be required to give notice of any such other address to the Agent and the Borrower. All such notices and other communications shall be effective (i) if mailed, when received; (ii) if telecopied, when transmitted; or (iii) if hand delivered, when delivered. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, all notices or communications to the Agent or any Lender under Article II. shall be effective only when actually received. Neither the Agent nor any Lender shall incur any liability to the Borrower (nor shall the Agent incur any liability to the Lenders) for acting upon any telephonic notice referred to in this Agreement which the Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, believes in good faith to have been given by a Person authorized to deliver such notice or for otherwise acting in good faith hereunder.
Section 13.2. Electronic Document Delivery.
Documents required to be delivered pursuant to the Loan Documents shall be delivered by electronic communication and delivery, including, the Internet, e-mail or intranet websites to which the Agent and each Lender have access (including a commercial, third-party website such as www.Edgar.com <http://www.Edgar.com> or a website sponsored or hosted by the Agent or the Borrower) provided that (A) the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender pursuant to Article II. and (B) the Lender has not notified the Agent or Borrower that it cannot or does not want to receive electronic communications. The Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic delivery pursuant to procedures approved by it for all or particular notices or communications. Documents or notices delivered electronically shall be deemed to have been delivered twenty-four (24) hours after the date and time on which the Agent or Borrower posts such documents or the documents become available on a commercial website and the Agent or Borrower notifies each Lender of said posting and provides a link thereto provided if such notice or other communication is not sent or posted during the normal business hours of the recipient, said posting date and time shall be deemed to have commenced as of 9:00 a.m. on the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient. Notwithstanding anything contained herein, in every instance the Borrower shall be required to provide paper copies of the certificate required by 9.3. to the Agent and shall deliver paper copies of any documents to the Agent or to any Lender that requests such paper copies until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Agent or such Lender. Except for the certificates required by 9.3., the Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or to maintain paper copies of the documents delivered electronically, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower with any such request for delivery. Each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it of paper copies and maintaining its paper or electronic documents.
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Section 13.3. Expenses.
The Borrower agrees (a) to pay or reimburse the Agent for all of its reasonable out-of-pocket costs and reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation and execution of, and any amendment, supplement or modification to, any of the Loan Documents (including due diligence expense and reasonable travel expenses related to closing), and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Agent, (b) to pay or reimburse the Agent and the Lenders for all their costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any rights under the Loan Documents, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of their respective counsel (including the allocated fees and expenses of in-house counsel) and any payments in indemnification or otherwise payable by the Lenders to the Agent pursuant to the Loan Documents, (c) to pay, and indemnify and hold harmless the Agent and the Lenders from, any and all recording and filing fees and any and all liabilities with respect to, or resulting from any failure to pay or delay in paying, documentary, stamp, excise and other similar taxes, if any, which may be payable or determined to be payable in connection with the execution and delivery of any of the Loan Documents, or consummation of any amendment, supplement or modification of, or any waiver or consent under or in respect of, any Loan Document and (d) to the extent not already covered by any of the preceding subsections, to pay the fees and disbursements of counsel to the Agent and any Lender incurred in connection with the representation of the Agent or such Lender in any matter relating to or arising out of any bankruptcy or other proceeding of the type described in Sections 11.1.(e) or 11.1.(f), including, without limitation (i) any motion for relief from any stay or similar order, (ii) the negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery of any document relating to the Obligations and (iii) the negotiation and preparation of any debtor-in-possession financing or any plan of reorganization of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, whether proposed by the Borrower, such Loan Party, the Lenders or any other Person, and whether such fees and expenses are incurred prior to, during or after the commencement of such proceeding or the confirmation or conclusion of any such proceeding.
Section 13.4. Stamp, Intangible and Recording Taxes.
The Borrower will pay any and all stamp, intangible, registration, recordation and similar taxes, fees or charges and shall indemnify the Agent and each Lender against any and all liabilities with respect to or resulting from any delay in the payment or omission to pay any such taxes, fees or charges, which may be payable or determined to be payable in connection with the execution, delivery, recording, performance or enforcement of this Agreement, the Notes and any of the other Loan Documents or the perfection of any rights or Liens thereunder.
Section 13.5. Setoff.
Subject to Section 3.3. and in addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under Applicable Law and not by way of limitation of any such rights, the Agent, each Lender and each Participant is hereby authorized by the Borrower, at any time or from time to time while an Event of Default exists, without notice to the Borrower or to any other Person, any such notice being hereby expressly waived, but in the case of a Lender or a Participant subject to receipt of the prior written consent of the Agent exercised in its sole discretion, to set off and to appropriate and to apply any and all deposits (general or special, including, but not limited to, indebtedness
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evidenced by certificates of deposit, whether matured or unmatured) and any other indebtedness at any time held or owing by the Agent, such Lender or any affiliate of the Agent or such Lender, to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against and on account of any of the Obligations, irrespective of whether or not any or all of the Loans and all other Obligations have been declared to be, or have otherwise become, due and payable as permitted by Section 11.2., and although such obligations shall be contingent or unmatured.
Section 13.6. Litigation; Jurisdiction; Other Matters; Waivers.
(a) EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT ANY DISPUTE OR CONTROVERSY BETWEEN OR AMONG THE BORROWER, THE AGENT OR ANY OF THE LENDERS WOULD BE BASED ON DIFFICULT AND COMPLEX ISSUES OF LAW AND FACT AND WOULD RESULT IN DELAY AND EXPENSE TO THE PARTIES. ACCORDINGLY, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH OF THE LENDERS, THE AGENT AND THE BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING OF ANY KIND OR NATURE IN ANY COURT OR TRIBUNAL IN WHICH AN ACTION MAY BE COMMENCED BY OR AGAINST ANY PARTY HERETO ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES, OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR BY REASON OF ANY OTHER SUIT, CAUSE OF ACTION OR DISPUTE WHATSOEVER BETWEEN OR AMONG THE BORROWER, THE AGENT OR ANY OF THE LENDERS OF ANY KIND OR NATURE.
(b) EACH OF THE BORROWER, THE AGENT AND EACH LENDER HEREBY AGREES THAT ANY FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT LOCATED IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND OR ANY STATE COURT LOCATED IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND SHALL HAVE JURISDICTION TO HEAR AND DETERMINE ANY CLAIMS OR DISPUTES BETWEEN OR AMONG THE BORROWER, THE AGENT OR ANY OF THE LENDERS, PERTAINING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT, THE NOTES OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR TO ANY MATTER ARISING HEREFROM OR THEREFROM. THE BORROWER AND EACH OF THE LENDERS EXPRESSLY SUBMITS AND CONSENTS IN ADVANCE TO SUCH JURISDICTION IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING COMMENCED IN SUCH COURTS. THE BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT, OR OTHER PROCESS OR PAPERS ISSUED THEREIN, AND AGREES THAT SERVICE OF SUCH SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT, OR OTHER PROCESS OR PAPERS MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL ADDRESSED TO THE BORROWER AT ITS ADDRESS FOR NOTICES PROVIDED FOR HEREIN. SHOULD THE BORROWER FAIL TO APPEAR OR ANSWER ANY SUMMONS, COMPLAINT, PROCESS OR PAPERS SO SERVED WITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE MAILING THEREOF, THE BORROWER SHALL BE DEEMED IN DEFAULT AND AN ORDER AND/OR JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST IT AS DEMANDED OR PRAYED FOR IN SUCH SUMMONS, COMPLAINT, PROCESS OR PAPERS. EACH PARTY FURTHER WAIVES ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT OR THAT SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING WAS BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM AND EACH AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM THE SAME. THE CHOICE OF FORUM SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO
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PRECLUDE THE BRINGING OF ANY ACTION BY THE AGENT OR ANY LENDER OR THE ENFORCEMENT BY THE AGENT OR ANY LENDER OF ANY JUDGMENT OBTAINED IN SUCH FORUM IN ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE JURISDICTION.
(c) THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED BY EACH PARTY WITH THE ADVICE OF COUNSEL AND WITH A FULL UNDERSTANDING OF THE LEGAL CONSEQUENCES THEREOF, AND SHALL SURVIVE THE PAYMENT OF THE LOANS AND ALL OTHER AMOUNTS PAYABLE HEREUNDER OR UNDER THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, THE TERMINATION OR EXPIRATION OF ALL LETTERS OF CREDIT AND THE TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT.
Section 13.7. Successors and Assigns.
(a) Generally. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of is rights under this Agreement without the prior written consent of all the Lenders (and any such assignment or transfer to which all of the Lenders have not consented shall be void).
(b) Participations. Any Lender may at any time grant to an affiliate of such Lender, or one or more banks or other financial institutions (each a Participant) participating interests in its Commitment or the Obligations owing to such Lender. Except as otherwise provided in Section 13.5., no Participant shall have any rights or benefits under this Agreement or any other Loan Document. In the event of any such grant by a Lender of a participating interest to a Participant, such Lender shall remain responsible for the performance of its obligations hereunder, and the Borrower and the Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement pursuant to which any Lender may grant such a participating interest shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right and responsibility to enforce the obligations of the Borrower hereunder including, without limitation, the right to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided, however, such Lender may agree with the Participant that it will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to (i) increase such Lenders Commitment, (ii) extend the date fixed for the payment of principal on the Loans or portions thereof owing to such Lender, or (iii) reduce the rate at which interest is payable thereon. An assignment or other transfer which is not permitted by subsection (c) or (d) below shall be given effect for purposes of this Agreement only to the extent of a participating interest granted in accordance with this subsection (b).
(c) Assignments. Any Lender may with the prior written consent of the Agent and the Borrower (which consent in each case, shall not be unreasonably withheld) at any time assign to one or more Eligible Assignees (each an Assignee) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the Notes; provided, however, (i) no such consent by the Borrower shall be required (x) if a Default or Event of Default shall exist or (y) in the case of an assignment to another Lender or an affiliate of another Lender; (ii) any partial assignment shall be in an amount at least equal to $10,000,000 and after giving effect to such assignment the assigning Lender retains a Commitment, or if the Commitments have been terminated, holds
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Notes having an aggregate outstanding principal balance, of at least $10,000,000, and (iii) each such assignment shall be effected by means of an Assignment and Assumption Agreement. Upon execution and delivery of such instrument and payment by such Assignee to such transferor Lender of an amount equal to the purchase price agreed between such transferor Lender and such Assignee, such Assignee shall be deemed to be a Lender party to this Agreement and shall have all the rights and obligations of a Lender with a Commitment as set forth in such Assignment and Assumption Agreement, and the transferor Lender shall be released from its obligations hereunder to a corresponding extent, and no further consent or action by any party shall be required. Upon the consummation of any assignment pursuant to this subsection (c), the transferor Lender, the Agent and the Borrower shall make appropriate arrangements so the new Notes are issued to the Assignee and such transferor Lender, as appropriate. In connection with any such assignment, the transferor Lender shall pay to the Agent an administrative fee for processing such assignment in the amount of $4,500. Anything in this Section to the contrary notwithstanding, no Lender may assign or participate any interest in any Loan held by it hereunder to the Borrower, or any of its respective affiliates or Subsidiaries.
(d) Designated Lenders. Any Lender (each, a Designating Lender) may at any time while the Borrower has been assigned an Investment Grade Rating from either S&P or Moodys designate one Designated Lender to fund Bid Rate Loans on behalf of such Designating Lender subject to the terms of this subsection (d) and the provisions in the immediately preceding subsections (b) and (c) shall not apply to such designation. No Lender may designate more than one Designated Lender. The parties to each such designation shall execute and deliver to the Agent for its acceptance a Designation Agreement. Upon such receipt of an appropriately completed Designation Agreement executed by a Designating Lender and a designee representing that it is a Designated Lender, the Agent will accept such Designation Agreement and give prompt notice thereof to the Borrower, whereupon, (i) the Borrower shall execute and deliver to the Designating Lender a Designated Lender Note payable to the order of the Designated Lender, (ii) from and after the effective date specified in the Designation Agreement, the Designated Lender shall become a party to this Agreement with a right to make Bid Rate Loans on behalf of its Designating Lender pursuant to Section 2.2. after the Borrower has accepted a Bid Rate Loan (or portion thereof) of the Designating Lender, and (iii) the Designated Lender shall not be required to make payments with respect to any obligations in this Agreement except to the extent of excess cash flow of such Designated Lender which is not otherwise required to repay obligations of such Designated Lender which are then due and payable; provided, however, that regardless of such designation and assumption by the Designated Lender, the Designating Lender shall be and remain obligated to the Borrower, the Agent and the Lenders for each and every of the obligations of the Designating Lender and its related Designated Lender with respect to this Agreement, including, without limitation, any indemnification obligations under Section 12.6. and any sums otherwise payable to the Borrower by the Designated Lender. Each Designating Lender shall serve as the Agent of the Designated Lender and shall on behalf of, and to the exclusion of, the Designated Lender: (i) receive any and all payments made for the benefit of the Designated Lender and (ii) give and receive all communications and notices and take all actions hereunder, including, without limitation, votes, approvals, waivers, consents and amendments under or relating to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Any such notice, communication, vote, approval, waiver, consent or amendment shall be signed by the
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Designating Lender as Agent for the Designated Lender and shall not be signed by the Designated Lender on its own behalf and shall be binding on the Designated Lender to the same extent as if signed by the Designated Lender on its own behalf. The Borrower, the Agent and the Lenders may rely thereon without any requirement that the Designated Lender sign or acknowledge the same. No Designated Lender may assign or transfer all or any portion of its interest hereunder or under any other Loan Document, other than assignments to the Designating Lender which originally designated such Designated Lender. The Borrower, the Lenders and the Agent each hereby agrees that it will not institute against any Designated Lender or join any other Person in instituting against any Designated Lender any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceeding under any federal or state bankruptcy or similar law, until the later to occur of (x) one year and one day after the payment in full of the latest maturing commercial paper note issued by such Designated Lender and (y) the Termination Date. In connection with any such designation the Designating Lender shall pay to the Agent an administrative fee for processing such designation in the amount of $2,000.
(e) Federal Reserve Bank Assignments. In addition to the assignments and participations permitted under the foregoing provisions of this Section, and without the need to comply with any of the formal or procedural requirements of this Section, any Lender may at any time and from time to time, pledge and assign all or any portion of its rights under all or any of the Loan Documents to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge of assignment shall release such Lender from its obligation thereunder.
(f) Information to Assignee, Etc. A Lender may furnish any information concerning the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other Loan Party in the possession of such Lender from time to time to Assignees and Participants (including prospective Assignees and Participants).
Section 13.8. Amendments and Waivers.
(a) Generally. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, (i) any consent or approval required or permitted by this Agreement or in any Loan Document to be given by the Lenders may be given, (ii) any term of this Agreement or of any other Loan Document (other than any fee letter solely between the Borrower and the Agent) may be amended, (iii) the performance or observance by the Borrower or any other Loan Party of any terms of this Agreement or such other Loan Document (other than any fee letter solely between the Borrower and the Agent) may be waived, and (iv) the continuance of any Default or Event of Default may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) with, but only with, the written consent of the Requisite Lenders (or the Agent at the written direction of the Requisite Lenders), and, in the case of an amendment to any Loan Document, the written consent of each Loan Party which is party thereto. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, the Agent, shall be authorized on behalf of all the Lenders, without the necessity of any notice to, or further consent from, any Lender, to waive the imposition of the late fees provided in Section 2.9., up to a maximum of 3 times per calendar year.
(b) Certain Requisite Lender Consents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing, and signed by the Requisite Lenders (which must include the Lender then acting as Agent), do any of the following:
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(i) amend Section 10.1. or waive any Default or Event of Default occurring under Section 11.1. resulting from a violation of such Sections; or
(ii) modify the definitions of the terms Total Liabilities, Gross Asset Value, or Indebtedness (or the definitions used in such definition or the percentages or rates used in the calculation thereof).
(c) Unanimous Consent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing, and signed by all of the Lenders (or the Agent at the written direction of the Lenders), do any of the following:
(i) increase the Commitments of the Lenders (excluding any increase as a result of an assignment of Commitments permitted under Section 13.7.) or subject the Lenders to any additional obligations except for any increases contemplated under Section 2.17.;
(ii) reduce the principal of, or interest rates that have accrued or that will be charged on the outstanding principal amount of, any Loans or other Obligations;
(iii) reduce the amount of any Fees payable to the Lenders hereunder;
(iv) postpone any date fixed for any payment of principal of, or interest on, any Loans or for the payment of Fees or any other Obligations, or extend the expiration date of any Letter of Credit beyond the Termination Date;
(v) change the Pro Rata Shares (excluding any change as a result of an assignment of Commitments permitted under Section 13.7. or an increase of Commitments effected pursuant to Section 2.17.;);
(vi) amend this Section or amend the definitions of the terms used in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents insofar as such definitions affect the substance of this Section;
(vii) modify the definition of the term Requisite Lenders or modify in any other manner the number or percentage of the Lenders required to make any determinations or waive any rights hereunder or to modify any provision hereof;
(viii) release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty except as contemplated under Section 8.13.;
(ix) waive a Default or Event of Default under Section 11.1.(a); or
(x) modify the definitions of the terms Maximum Loan Availablity, or Unencumbered Pool Value (or the definitions used in such definition or the percentages or rates used in the calculation thereof).
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(d) Amendment of Agents Duties, Etc. No amendment, waiver or consent unless in writing and signed by the Agent, in addition to the Lenders required hereinabove to take such action, shall affect the rights or duties of the Agent under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents. Any amendment, waiver or consent relating to Section 2.4. or the obligations of the Swingline Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall, in addition to the Lenders required hereinabove to take such action, require the written consent of the Swingline Lender. No waiver shall extend to or affect any obligation not expressly waived or impair any right consequent thereon and any amendment, waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose set forth therein. No course of dealing or delay or omission on the part of the Agent or any Lender in exercising any right shall operate as a waiver thereof or otherwise be prejudicial thereto. Any Event of Default occurring hereunder shall continue to exist until such time as such Event of Default is waived in writing in accordance with the terms of this Section, notwithstanding any attempted cure or other action by the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Person subsequent to the occurrence of such Event of Default. Except as otherwise explicitly provided for herein or in any other Loan Document, no notice to or demand upon the Borrower shall entitle the Borrower to other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.
Section 13.9. Nonliability of Agent and Lenders.
The relationship between the Borrower, on the one hand, and the Lenders and the Agent, on the other hand, shall be solely that of borrower and lender. Neither the Agent nor any Lender shall have any fiduciary responsibilities to the Borrower and no provision in this Agreement or in any of the other Loan Documents, and no course of dealing between or among any of the parties hereto, shall be deemed to create any fiduciary duty owing by the Agent or any Lender to any Lender, the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other Loan Party. Neither the Agent nor any Lender undertakes any responsibility to the Borrower to review or inform the Borrower of any matter in connection with any phase of the Borrowers business or operations.
Section 13.10. Confidentiality.
Except as otherwise provided by Applicable Law, the Agent and each Lender shall utilize all non-public information obtained pursuant to the requirements of this Agreement which has been identified as confidential or proprietary by the Borrower in accordance with its customary procedure for handling confidential information of this nature and in accordance with safe and sound banking practices but in any event may make disclosure: (a) to any of their respective affiliates (provided any such affiliate shall agree to keep such information confidential in accordance with the terms of this Section); (b) as reasonably requested by any bona fide Assignee, Participant or other transferee in connection with the contemplated transfer of any Commitment or participations therein as permitted hereunder (provided they shall agree to keep such information confidential in accordance with the terms of this Section); (c) as required or requested by any Governmental Authority or representative thereof or pursuant to legal process or in connection with any legal proceedings; (d) to the Agents or such Lenders independent auditors and other professional advisors (provided they shall be notified of the confidential nature of the information); (e) if an Event of Default exists, to any other Person, in connection with the exercise by the Agent or the Lenders of rights hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents; and (f) to the extent such information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a
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result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower or any Affiliate.
Section 13.11. Indemnification.
(a) The Borrower shall and hereby agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Agent, any affiliate of the Agent and each of the Lenders and their respective directors, officers, shareholders, agents, employees and counsel (each referred to herein as an Indemnified Party) from and against any and all losses, costs, claims, damages, liabilities, deficiencies, judgments or expenses of every kind and nature (including, without limitation, amounts paid in settlement, court costs and the fees and disbursements of counsel incurred in connection with any litigation, investigation, claim or proceeding or any advice rendered in connection therewith, but excluding losses, costs, claims, damages, liabilities, deficiencies, judgments or expenses indemnification in respect of which is specifically covered by Section 3.11. or 5.1. or expressly excluded from the coverage of such Sections) incurred by an Indemnified Party in connection with, arising out of, or by reason of, any suit, cause of action, claim, arbitration, investigation or settlement, consent decree or other proceeding (the foregoing referred to herein as an Indemnity Proceeding) which is in any way related directly or indirectly to: (i) this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated thereby; (ii) the making of any Loans or issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder; (iii) any actual or proposed use by the Borrower of the proceeds of the Loans or Letters of Credit; (iv) the Agents or any Lenders entering into this Agreement; (v) the fact that the Agent and the Lenders have established the credit facility evidenced hereby in favor of the Borrower; (vi) the fact that the Agent and the Lenders are creditors of the Borrower and have or are alleged to have information regarding the financial condition, strategic plans or business operations of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries; (vii) the fact that the Agent and the Lenders are material creditors of the Borrower and are alleged to influence directly or indirectly the business decisions or affairs of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries or their financial condition; (viii) the exercise of any right or remedy the Agent or the Lenders may have under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents; provided, however, that the Borrower shall not be obligated to indemnify any Indemnified Party for any acts or omissions of such Indemnified Party in connection with matters described in this clause (viii) that constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party; or (ix) any violation or non-compliance by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any Applicable Law (including any Environmental Law) including, but not limited to, any Indemnity Proceeding commenced by (A) the Internal Revenue Service or state taxing authority or (B) any Governmental Authority or other Person under any Environmental Law, including any Indemnity Proceeding commenced by a Governmental Authority or other Person seeking remedial or other action to cause the Borrower or its Subsidiaries (or its respective properties) (or the Agent and/or the Lenders as successors to the Borrower) to be in compliance with such Environmental Laws.
(b) The Borrowers indemnification obligations under this Section shall apply to all Indemnity Proceedings arising out of, or related to, the foregoing whether or not an Indemnified Party is a named party in such Indemnity Proceeding. In this connection, this indemnification shall cover all costs and expenses of any Indemnified Party in connection with any deposition of any Indemnified Party or compliance with any subpoena (including any subpoena requesting the production of documents). This indemnification shall, among other things, apply to any Indemnity Proceeding commenced by other creditors of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, any
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shareholder of the Borrower or any Subsidiary (whether such shareholder(s) are prosecuting such Indemnity Proceeding in their individual capacity or derivatively on behalf of the Borrower), any account debtor of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or by any Governmental Authority.
(c) This indemnification shall apply to any Indemnity Proceeding arising during the pendency of any bankruptcy proceeding filed by or against the Borrower and/or any Subsidiary.
(d) All out-of-pocket fees and expenses of, and all amounts paid to third-persons by, an Indemnified Party shall be advanced by the Borrower at the request of such Indemnified Party notwithstanding any claim or assertion by the Borrower that such Indemnified Party is not entitled to indemnification hereunder upon receipt of an undertaking by such Indemnified Party that such Indemnified Party will reimburse the Borrower if it is actually and finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that such Indemnified Party is not so entitled to indemnification hereunder.
(e) An Indemnified Party may conduct its own investigation and defense of, and may formulate its own strategy with respect to, any Indemnity Proceeding covered by this Section and, as provided above, all costs and expenses incurred by such Indemnified Party shall be reimbursed by the Borrower. No action taken by legal counsel chosen by an Indemnified Party in investigating or defending against any such Indemnity Proceeding shall vitiate or in any way impair the obligations and duties of the Borrower hereunder to indemnify and hold harmless each such Indemnified Party; provided, however, that (i) if the Borrower is required to indemnify an Indemnified Party pursuant hereto and (ii) the Borrower has provided evidence reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party that the Borrower has the financial wherewithal to reimburse such Indemnified Party for any amount paid by such Indemnified Party with respect to such Indemnity Proceeding, such Indemnified Party shall not settle or compromise any such Indemnity Proceeding without the prior written consent of the Borrower (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
(f) If and to the extent that the obligations of the Borrower hereunder are unenforceable for any reason, the Borrower hereby agrees to make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of such obligations which is permissible under Applicable Law.
(g) The Borrowers obligations hereunder shall survive any termination of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the payment in full in cash of the Obligations, and are in addition to, and not in substitution of, any of the other obligations set forth in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to which it is a party.
Section 13.12. Termination; Survival.
At such time as (a) all of the Commitments have been terminated, (b) none of the Lenders is obligated any longer under this Agreement to make any Loans and (c) all Obligations (other than obligations which survive as provided in the following sentence) have been paid and satisfied in full, this Agreement shall terminate. The indemnities to which the Agent and the Lenders are entitled under the provisions of Sections 2.18.(c), 3.11., 5.1., 5.4., 12.6., 13.3. and 13.11. and any other provision of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and the provisions of Section 13.6., shall continue in full force and effect and shall protect the Agent and
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the Lenders (i) notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, or of the other Loan Documents, against events arising after such termination as well as before and (ii) at all times after any such party ceases to be a party to this Agreement with respect to all matters and events existing on or prior to the date such party ceased to be a party to this Agreement.
Section 13.13. Severability of Provisions.
Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
Section 13.14. GOVERNING LAW.
THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS EXECUTED, AND TO BE FULLY PERFORMED, IN SUCH STATE.
Section 13.15. Counterparts.
This Agreement and any amendments, waivers, consents or supplements may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all of which counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.
Section 13.16. Obligations with Respect to Loan Parties.
The obligations of the Borrower to direct or prohibit the taking of certain actions by the other Loan Parties as specified herein shall be absolute and not subject to any defense the Borrower may have that the Borrower does not control such Loan Parties.
Section 13.17. Independence of Covenants.
All covenants hereunder shall be given in any jurisdiction independent effect so that if a particular action or condition is not permitted by any of such covenants, the fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or be otherwise within the limitations of, another covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default if such action is taken or condition exists.
Section 13.18. Limitation of Liability.
Neither the Agent nor any Lender, nor any affiliate, officer, director, employee, attorney, or agent of the Agent or any Lender shall have any liability with respect to, and the Borrower hereby waives, releases, and agrees not to sue any of them upon, any claim for any special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages suffered or incurred by the Borrower in connection with, arising out of, or in any way related to, this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of the other Loan
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Documents. Each party hereto hereby waives, releases, and agrees not to sue any other party hereto or any such other partys affiliates, officers, directors, employees, attorneys, or agents for punitive damages in respect of any claim in connection with, arising out of, or in any way related to, this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or financed hereby.
Section 13.19. Entire Agreement.
This Agreement, the Notes, and the other Loan Documents referred to herein embody the final, entire agreement among the parties hereto and supersede any and all prior commitments, agreements, representations, and understandings, whether written or oral, relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof and may not be contradicted or varied by evidence of prior, contemporaneous, or subsequent oral agreements or discussions of the parties hereto. There are no oral agreements among the parties hereto.
Section 13.20. Construction.
The Agent, the Borrower and each Lender acknowledge that each of them has had the benefit of legal counsel of its own choice and has been afforded an opportunity to review this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with its legal counsel and that this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be construed as if jointly drafted by the Agent, the Borrower and each Lender.
Section 13.21. USA Patriot Act Notice. Compliance.
The USA Patriot Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-56) and federal regulations issued with respect thereto require all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record certain information that identifies individuals or business entities which open an account with such financial institution. Consequently, a Lender (for itself and/or as Agent for all Lenders hereunder) may from time-to-time request, and the Borrower shall provide to such Lender, the Borrowers name, address, tax identification number and/or such other identification information as shall be necessary for such Lender to comply with federal law. An account for this purpose may include, without limitation, a deposit account, cash management service, a transaction or asset account, a credit account, a loan or other extension of credit, and/or other financial services product.
[Signatures on Following Pages]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Credit Agreement to be executed by their authorized officers all as of the day and year first above written.
BORROWER: | ||
WASHINGTON REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST | ||
By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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Signature Page to Credit Agreement dated as of
August , 2006 with Washington Real Estate Investment Trust
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Agent and as a Lender | ||
By: |
| |
Name: |
| |
Title: |
| |
Commitment Amount: | ||
$ | ||
Lending Office (all Types of Loans) and Address for Notices: | ||
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association | ||
1750 H Street, 4th Floor | ||
Washington, DC 20006 | ||
Attn: Erin P. Peart | ||
Telecopier:   ###-###-#### | ||
Telephone:   ###-###-#### |
[Signatures Continued on Next Page]
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Signature Page to Credit Agreement dated as of
August , 2006 with Washington Real Estate Investment Trust
[LENDER] | ||
By: |
| |
Name: |
| |
Title: |
| |
Commitment Amount: | ||
$ | ||
Lending Office (all Types of Loans) and | ||
Address for Notices: | ||
| ||
| ||
| ||
Attn: | ||
Telecopier: | ||
Telephone: |
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