Exhibit (b)(1)(iii)
Execution Version
AMENDMENT NO. 2
TO CREDIT AGREEMENT
AMENDMENT NO. 2, dated as of December 28, 2022 (this “Amendment”), to the Credit Agreement, dated as of June 15, 2015, among Tortoise Pipeline & Energy Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Borrower”), each Lender from time to time party thereto and The Bank of Nova Scotia, as Administrative Agent to the Lenders (the “Administrative Agent”), as amended by Amendment No. 1 and Waiver No. 1, dated as of December 29, 2021 (the “Existing Credit Agreement”).
RECITALS
I. Each term that is defined in the Existing Credit Agreement and not herein defined has the meaning ascribed thereto by the Existing Credit Agreement when used herein.
II. The Borrower requested an amendment under the Existing Credit Agreement upon the terms and conditions herein contained, and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders have agreed thereto upon the terms and conditions herein contained.
AGREEMENTS
Accordingly, in consideration of the Recitals and the covenants, conditions and agreements hereinafter set forth, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Defined Terms. For purposes hereof, the following terms have the following meanings when used herein:
“Added Text” means characters indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: double underlined text.
“Marked Credit Agreement” means the copy of the Existing Credit Agreement attached hereto as Annex A.
“Stricken Text” means characters indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: stricken text.
2. The Existing Credit Agreement (other than Schedule 5.05, Schedule 10.02 and the Exhibits thereto) is hereby amended to delete the Stricken Text and to add the Added Text, in each case as set forth in the Marked Credit Agreement (the Existing Credit Agreement, as so amended, the “Amended Credit Agreement”).
3. Exhibit A-1 of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety in the form of Exhibit A hereof.
4. Exhibit A-2 of the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety.
5. Paragraphs 1 through 4 of this Amendment shall not be effective until each of the following conditions is satisfied (the date, if any, on which such conditions shall have first been satisfied being referred to herein as the “Amendment Effective Date”):
(a) the Administrative Agent shall have received from the Borrower and each Lender either (i) a counterpart of this Amendment executed on behalf of such Person or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy or e-mail transmission of a signed signature page of this Amendment) that such Person has executed a counterpart of this Amendment;
(b) the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Borrower, dated the Amendment Effective Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (i) certifying that the Borrower’s Organization Documents have not been amended, supplemented or modified since December 29, 2021, or if so, attaching a true, correct and complete copy of each amendment, supplement or modification thereof, (ii) certifying as to the incumbency of the Borrower’s Responsible Officer or Officers who may sign this Amendment, including therein a signature specimen of such Responsible Officer or Officers, and (iii) attaching true, complete and correct copies of the resolutions duly adopted by the board of directors approving this Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby, all of which are in full force and effect on the Amendment Effective Date;
(c) the Administrative Agent shall have received a favorable written opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the Amendment Effective Date) from external legal counsel to the Borrower in all respects acceptable to the Administrative Agent;
(d) the Administrative Agent shall have received such documents and information as the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall have requested in order to comply with “know-your-customer” and other anti-terrorism, anti-money laundering and similar rules and regulations and related policies; and
(e) the Borrower shall have paid all reasonable and documented out-of- pocket fees and disbursements incurred by the Administrative Agent (including, without limitation, legal fees and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent) in connection herewith.
6. The Borrower (a) reaffirms and admits the validity and enforceability of each Loan Document to which it is a party and all of its obligations thereunder and agrees and admits that (i) it has no defense to any such obligation and (ii) it shall not exercise any setoff or offset to any such obligation, and (b) represents and warrants that, after giving effect to this Amendment, (1) as of the date of execution and delivery hereof by the Borrower, no Default has occurred and is continuing and (2) the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true on and as of the date hereof with the same force and effect as if made on and as of such date (or, if any such representation or warranty is expressly stated to have been made as of a specific date, as of such specific date).
7. In all other respects, the Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect, and no amendment in respect of any term or condition of any Loan Document shall be deemed to be an amendment in respect of any other term or condition contained in any Loan Document.
8. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. It shall not be necessary in making proof of this Amendment to produce or account for more than one counterpart signed by the party to be charged.
9. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Amendment by telecopy, emailed .pdf or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of the actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to any document to be signed in connection with this Amendment and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper- based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that nothing herein shall require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to accept electronic signatures in any form or format without its prior written consent. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrower hereby (i) agrees that, for all purposes, including without limitation, in connection with any workout, restructuring, enforcement of remedies, bankruptcy proceedings or litigation among the Lenders and the Borrower, electronic images of this Amendment (including with respect to any signature pages thereto) shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as any paper original, and (ii) waives any argument,
Tortoise Pipeline & Energy Fund, Inc. (TTP) — Amendment No. 2
2
defense or right to contest the validity or enforceability of the Loan Documents based solely on the lack of paper original copies of any Loan Documents, including with respect to any signature pages thereto. For purposes hereof, “Electronic Signature” means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a Person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record.
10. THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.
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Tortoise Pipeline & Energy Fund, Inc. (TTP) — Amendment No. 2
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
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TORTOISE PIPELINE & ENERGY FUND, INC.
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By:
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![](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1526329/000117494723001178/tbradley_sig.jpg)
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Name:
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P. Bradley Adams
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Title:
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Chief Executive Officer
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Tortoise Pipeline & Energy Fund, Inc. (TTP) — Amendment No. 2
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THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA
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By:
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![](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1526329/000117494723001178/taron_sig.jpg)
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Name:
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Aron Lau
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Title:
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Director
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Tortoise Pipeline & Energy Fund, Inc. (TTP) — Amendment No. 2
5
ANNEX A
CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of June 15, 2015
among
TORTOISE PIPELINE & ENERGY FUND, INC.,
as the Borrower,
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA,
as Administrative Agent,
and
The Other Lenders Party Hereto
Prepared by:
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10104-3300
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
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1
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1.01
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Defined Terms
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1
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1.02
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Other Interpretive Provisions
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18
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1.03
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Accounting Terms
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19
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1.04
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Rounding
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19
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1.05
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Times of Day
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19
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1.06
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Rates
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19
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1.07
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Conforming Changes
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20
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ARTICLE II. THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS
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20
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2.01
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Loans
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20
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2.02
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Variable Rate Borrowings
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20
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2.03
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Fixed Rate Borrowings Conversion or Continuation
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20
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2.04
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Prepayments
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22
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2.05
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Termination or Reduction of Commitments by Borrower
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22
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2.06
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Repayment of Loans
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22
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2.07
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Interest
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22
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2.08
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Fees
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23
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2.09
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[Reserved.]
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23
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2.10
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Termination of Commitments by Lenders
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23
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2.11
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Computation of Interest and Fees
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23
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2.12
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Evidence of Debt
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23
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2.13
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Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback
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24
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2.14
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Sharing of Payments by Lenders
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25
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2.15
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Defaulting Lenders
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25
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ARTICLE III. TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY
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26
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3.01
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Taxes
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26
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3.02
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Illegality
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29
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3.03
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Increased Costs
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30
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3.04
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Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders
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30
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3.05
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Breakage Obligations
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31
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3.06
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Survival
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31
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3.07
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Benchmark Replacement Setting
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31
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3.08
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Inability to Determine Rates
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33
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ARTICLE IV. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS
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34
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4.01
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Conditions of Initial Credit Extension
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34
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4.02
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Conditions to all Credit Extensions
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35
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ARTICLE V. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
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35
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5.01
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Existence, Qualification and Power
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35
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5.02
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Authorization; No Contravention
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36
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5.03
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Governmental Authorization; Other Consents
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36
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5.04
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Binding Effect
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36
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5.05
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Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect
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36
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The Bank of Nova Scotia — Tortoise Pipeline & Energy Fund Credit Agreement
i
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Page
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5.06
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Litigation
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36
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5.07
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No Default
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36
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5.08
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Ownership of Property; Liens
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37
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5.09
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Environmental Compliance
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37
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5.10
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Insurance
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37
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5.11
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Taxes
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37
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5.12
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ERISA Compliance
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37
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5.13
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Subsidiaries; Equity Interests
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38
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5.14
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Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act
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38
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5.15
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Disclosure
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38
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5.16
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Compliance with Laws
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38
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5.17
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Taxpayer Identification Number
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38
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5.18
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Sanctions, Anti-Terrorism, Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Corruption
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38
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ARTICLE VI. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
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39
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6.01
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Financial Statements
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39
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6.02
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Certificates; Other Information
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39
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6.03
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Notices
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41
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6.04
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Payment of Obligations
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41
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6.05
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Preservation of Existence, Etc
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41
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6.06
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Maintenance of Properties
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41
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6.07
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Maintenance of Insurance
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41
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6.08
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Compliance with Laws
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42
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6.09
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Books and Records
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42
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6.10
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Inspection Rights
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42
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6.11
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Use of Proceeds
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42
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6.12
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Protection of Acceptable Assets
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42
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6.13
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Securities Account
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42
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6.14
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Daily Securities Account Information
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42
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6.15
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Credit Rating
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43
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6.16
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Asset Coverage Compliance
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43
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ARTICLE VII. NEGATIVE COVENANTS
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43
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7.01
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Liens
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43
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7.02
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Investments
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44
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7.03
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Indebtedness
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44
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7.04
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Fundamental Changes
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44
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7.05
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Dispositions
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44
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7.06
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Restricted Payments
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44
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7.07
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Change in Nature of Business
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44
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7.08
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Transactions with Affiliates
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44
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7.09
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Amount Invested in Single Issuer
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44
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7.10
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Securities Intermediary
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44
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7.11
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Sanctions, Anti-Terrorism, Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Corruption
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45
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ARTICLE VIII. EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
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45
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8.01
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Events of Default
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45
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8.02
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Remedies Upon Event of Default
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46
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8.03
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Application of Funds
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46
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The Bank of Nova Scotia — Tortoise Pipeline & Energy Fund Credit Agreement
ii
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Page
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ARTICLE IX. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
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47
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9.01
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Appointment and Authority
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47
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9.02
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Rights as a Lender
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47
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9.03
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Exculpatory Provisions
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47
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9.04
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Reliance by Administrative Agent
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48
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9.05
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Delegation of Duties
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48
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9.06
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Resignation of Administrative Agent
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48
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9.07
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Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders
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49
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9.08
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Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim
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49
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9.09
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Erroneous Payments
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49
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ARTICLE X. MISCELLANEOUS
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10.01
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Amendments, Etc
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52
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10.02
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Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication
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52
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10.03
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No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement
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54
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10.04
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Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver
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54
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10.05
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Payments Set Aside
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55
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10.06
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Successors and Assigns
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55
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10.07
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Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality
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58
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10.08
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Right of Setoff
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58
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10.09
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Interest Rate Limitation
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59
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10.10
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Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness
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59
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10.11
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Survival of Representations and Warranties
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59
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10.12
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Severability
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59
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10.13
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Replacement of Lenders
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59
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10.14
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Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.
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60
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10.15
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Waiver of Jury Trial
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61
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10.16
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No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility
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61
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10.17
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Electronic Execution of Assignments and Loan Documents
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61
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10.18
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USA PATRIOT Act
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62
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10.19
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Time of the Essence
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62
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10.20
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K.S.A. §16-118 Required Notice
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62
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10.21
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Certain ERISA Matters
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62
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10.22
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Acknowledgement Regarding any Supported QFCs
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63
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10.23
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Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions
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64
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SCHEDULES
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2.01
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Commitments and Applicable Percentages
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67
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5.05
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Supplement to Interim Financial Statements
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10.02
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Administrative Agent’s Office; Certain Addresses for Notices
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EXHIBITS
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Form of
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A-1
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Variable Rate Loan Notice
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A-2
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Fixed Rate Loan Notice
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B
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Note
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C
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Compliance Certificate
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D
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Borrowing Base Certificate
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E
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Assignment and Assumption
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F
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Termination Notice
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G
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Commitment Fee Change Notice
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H
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Applicable Margin Change Notice
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The Bank of Nova Scotia — Tortoise Pipeline & Energy Fund Credit Agreement
iii
CREDIT AGREEMENT
This CREDIT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is entered into as of June 15, 2015, among TORTOISE PIPELINE & ENERGY FUND, INC., a Maryland corporation (the “Borrower”), each lender from time to time party hereto (collectively, the “Lenders” and individually, a “Lender”), and THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, as Administrative Agent.
The Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide a revolving credit facility, and the Lenders are willing to do so on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
1.01 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
“Acceptable Assets” means, as of any date, (i) New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), American Stock Exchange (AMEX), and National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation (NASDAQ) securities with a market value of greater than or equal to $5.00 a share; (ii) debt issues of the United States government, or any of its agencies; (iii) debt issues with a Moody’s rating of no less than Baa3, or a S&P rating of no less than BBB-; (iv) preferred stocks with a Moody’s rating of no less than A2, or a S&P rating of no less than A; (v) shares of registered open-end and closed-end investment companies; (vi) shares of unit investment trusts issued by registered investment companies; and (vii) shares of exchange traded funds issued by registered investment companies (excluding exchange traded funds with any leverage).
“Act” has the meaning specified in Section 10.18.
“Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greater of (a) the sum of (i) Daily Simple SOFR for such day plus (ii) the SOFR Adjustment, and (b) the Floor.
“Adjusted Term SOFR” means, for purposes of any calculation, the rate per annum equal to (a) Term SOFR for such calculation plus (b) the SOFR Adjustment; provided that if Adjusted Term SOFR as so determined shall ever be less than the Floor, then Adjusted Term SOFR shall be deemed to be the Floor.
“Administrative Agent” means The Bank of Nova Scotia in its capacity as administrative agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent.
“Administrative Agent’s Office” means the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 10.02, or such other address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify to the Borrower and the Lenders.
“Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in any form approved by the Administrative Agent.
“Affected Financial Institution” means (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution.
“Affected Person” means the Borrower, any Subsidiary thereof, or any officer, director, trustee or employee of the Borrower or any such Subsidiary, or any agent of the Borrower or any such Subsidiary that will act in any capacity with respect to this Agreement.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.
“Aggregate Commitments” means the Commitments of all the Lenders.
“Agreement” means this Credit Agreement.
The Bank of Nova Scotia — Tortoise Pipeline & Energy Fund Credit Agreement
1
“Alternate Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greater of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, or (b) 2.0% plus the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Prime Rate, shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Prime Rate, as applicable.
“Amendment No. 1 Effective Date” means the Amendment Effective Date as defined in Amendment No. 1 and Waiver No. 12, dated as of December 2928, 20212022, to this Agreement.
“Anti-Corruption Law” means, with respect to any Affected Person, the FCPA and any law, rule or regulation of any jurisdiction concerning or relating to bribery or corruption that are applicable to such Affected Person.
“Anti-Terrorism Law” means, with respect to any Person, any applicable law, rule or regulation related to financing terrorism including (a) the Patriot Act, (b) The Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act (31 U.S.C. §§ 5311-5330) (also known as the “Bank Secrecy Act”), (c) the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (15 U.S.C. § 1701 et seq.) and (d) Executive Order 13224 (effective September 24, 2001).
“Applicable Margin” means (a) prior to the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, with respect to each Loan, the rate per annum set forth from time to time in this Agreement as the applicable margin applicable to the interest rate at which such Loan accrued interest under the Loan Documents, and (b) on and after the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, a rate per annum equal to 1.1251.30%.
“Applicable Percentage” means with respect to any Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Aggregate Commitments represented by such Lender’s Commitment at such time, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.15. If the commitment of each Lender to make Loans has been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02 or if the Aggregate Commitments have expired, then the Applicable Percentage of each Lender shall be determined based on the Applicable Percentage of such Lender most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments. The initial Applicable Percentage of each Lender is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable.
“Applicable Rate” means, with respect to each (a) DSS Loan, Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR plus the Applicable Margin, and (b) TS Loan, Adjusted Term SOFR plus the Applicable Margin.
“Approved Amount” means (a) in connection with any borrowing, conversion, continuation or prepayment of a TS Loan, $1,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, or (b) in connection with any borrowing, conversion or prepayment of any other Loan, $100,000 or an integral multiple of $25,000 in excess thereof.
“Approved Fund” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.
“Assignee Group” means two or more Eligible Assignees that are Affiliates of one another or two or more Approved Funds managed by the same investment advisor.
“Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 10.06(b)), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit E or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
“Attributable Indebtedness” means, on any date, (a) in respect of any capital lease of any Person, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, and (b) in respect of any Synthetic Lease Obligation, the capitalized amount of the remaining lease payments under the relevant lease that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease were accounted for as a capital lease.
“Audited Financial Statements” means the audited balance sheet of the Borrower for each fiscal year of the Borrower commencing for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2014, and the related statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal year of the Borrower, including the notes thereto.
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“Available Tenor” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark, as applicable, any calculation(x) if such Benchmark is a term rate, any tenor for such Benchmark (or component thereof) that is or may be used for determining the length of an interest period pursuant to this Agreement or (y) otherwise, any payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark (or component thereof) that is or may be used for determining any frequency of making payments of interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark pursuant to this Agreement, in each case, as of such date and not including, for the avoidance of doubt, any tenor for such Benchmark that is then-removed from the definition of “Interest Period” pursuant to Section 3.07(d).
“Availability Period” means the period from and including the Closing Date to the earliest of (a) the Termination Date and (b) the date of termination of the Aggregate Commitments pursuant to Section 2.05.
“Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an Affected Financial Institution.
“Bail-In Legislation” means (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law, regulation rule or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).
“Benchmark” means initially, USD LIBORthe Term SOFR Reference Rate; provided that if a replacement of the Benchmark Transition Event has occurred pursuant to Section 3.07with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate or the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate. Any reference to “Benchmark” shall include, as applicable, the published component used in the calculation thereof pursuant to Section 3.07(a).
“Benchmark Replacement” means, with respect to any Benchmark Transition Event, the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Bank for the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date:
(a) Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR; or
“Benchmark Replacement means, for any Available Tenor:
(a) For purposes of Section 3.07(a), the first alternative set forth below that can be determined by the Administrative Agent:
(i) the sum of: (i) Term SOFR and (ii) 0.11448% (11.448 basis points), or
(ii) the sum of: (i) Daily Simple SOFR and (ii) the spread adjustment selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for the replacement of the tenor of USD LIBOR with a SOFR-based rate having approximately the same length as the interest payment period specified in Section 3.07(a); and
(a) For purposes of Section 3.07(b), the sum of: (ai) the alternate benchmark rate and (b) an adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero), in each case, that has been selected by the Administrative Agent (at the direction of, or with the consent of, Required Lenders) as the replacement for such Available Tenor of such BenchmarkBank and the Borrower giving due consideration to (A) any selection or recommendation of a replacement benchmark rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (B) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention, including any applicable recommendations made by the Relevant Governmental Body, for U.S. for determining a benchmark rate as a replacement to the then-current Benchmark for Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time;and (ii) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment. provided that, if the Benchmark Replacement as determined pursuant to clause (1) or (2) above would be less than the Floor, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
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“Benchmark Replacement Conforming ChangesAdjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of the then-current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Daily LIBOR Rate,” the definition of “Business Day”, timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, applicability and length of lookback periods, the applicability of breakage provisions, and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the Administrative Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark Replacement and to permit the administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or determines that no market practice for the administration of such Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents).the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower giving due consideration to (a) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body or (b) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time.
“Benchmark Replacement Date” means the earlier to occur of the following events with respect to a then-current Benchmark:
(a) in the case of clause (a) or (b) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (i) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (ii) the date on which the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);
(b) in the case of clause (c) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the first date on which all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) has been determined and announced by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) to be non-representative; provided that such non-representativeness will be determined by reference to the most recent statement or publication referenced in such clause (c) and even if any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) continues to be provided on such date.
For the avoidance of doubt, the “Benchmark Replacement Date” will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (a) or (b) with respect to any Benchmark upon the occurrence of the applicable event or events set forth therein with respect to all then-current Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).
“Benchmark Transition Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to a then-current Benchmark:
(a) a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof), permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);
(b) “Benchmark Transition Event” means, with respect to any then-current Benchmark other than USD LIBOR, the occurrence of a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of the then-current Benchmark, the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof), the FRB, the Federal Reserve Bank of New YorkFRBNY, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark, announcing or stating that (a) such (or
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such component), which states that the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease on a specified date to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark, (or such component thereof) permanently or indefinitely,: provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark or (b) all Available Tenors of such Benchmark are or will no longer be representative of the underlying market and economic reality that such Benchmark is intended to measure and that representativeness will not be restored. (or such component thereof); or
(c) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are not, or as of a specified future date will not be, representative.
For the avoidance of doubt, a “Benchmark Transition Event” will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any Benchmark if a public statement or publication of information set forth above has occurred with respect to each then-current Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).
“Benchmark Unavailability Period” means the period (if any) (a) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 3.07 and (b) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 3.07.
“Borrower” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.
“Borrower Materials” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.
“Borrowing” means a borrowing consisting of one or more Loans.
“Borrowing Base” means, at any date, an amount equal to:
(1) 33-1/3% of the total value of the Acceptable Assets of the Borrower on such date; minus
(2) all of the Borrower’s “senior securities representing indebtedness” (as such term is used in the Investment Company Act) other than the Loans, as set forth in the Borrowing Base Certificate most recently delivered to the Agent.
“Borrowing Base Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D.
“Breakage Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.05.
“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, the state where the Administrative Agent’s Office is located.
“Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the Closing Date, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.
“Change of Control” means an event or series of events by which:
(a) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as
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defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all securities that such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time (such right, an “option right”)), directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the equity securities of the Borrower entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of the Borrower on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that such person or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right);
(b) during any period of 24 consecutive months, a majority of the members of the board of directors or other equivalent governing body of the Borrower cease to be composed of individuals (i) who were members of that board or equivalent governing body on the first day of such period, (ii) whose election or nomination to that board or equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body or (iii) whose election or nomination to that board or other equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body (excluding, in the case of both clause (ii) and clause (iii), any individual whose initial nomination for, or assumption of office as, a member of that board or equivalent governing body occurs as a result of an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents for the election or removal of one or more directors by any person or group other than a solicitation for the election of one or more directors by or on behalf of the board of directors); or
(c) the passage of thirty days from the date upon which any Person or two or more Persons acting in concert shall have acquired by contract or otherwise, or shall have entered into a contract or arrangement that, upon consummation thereof, will result in its or their acquisition of the power to exercise, directly or indirectly, a controlling influence over the management or policies of the Borrower, or control over the equity securities of the Borrower entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of the Borrower on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that such Person or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right) representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of such securities.
“Closing Date” means the first date all the conditions precedent in Section 4.01 are satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 10.01.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
“Commitment” means, as to each Lender, its obligation to make Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01, in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.
“Commitment Fee Rate” means (a) prior to the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, the rate per annum set forth from time to time in this Agreement at which the commitment fee payable thereunder accrued, and (b) on and after the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, a rate per annum equal to (i) as of any date upon which the Aggregate Commitments (x) equal or exceed 90% of the Commitment, 0.0%, (y) equal or exceed 70% but do not equal or exceed 90% of the Commitment, 0.15%, and (z) equal or exceed 50% but do not equal or exceed 70% of the Commitment, 0.20%, and (ii) as of any other date, 0.30%.
“Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C.
“Conforming Changes” means, with respect to either the use or administration of Daily Simple SOFR, Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Adjusted Term SOFR or Term SOFR or the use, administration, adoption or implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Business Day,” the definition of “U.S. Government Securities Business Day,” the definition of “Interest Period” or any similar or analogous definition (or the addition of a concept of “interest period”), timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, the applicability and length of lookback periods, the applicability of Section 3.05 and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the Administrative Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of any such rate or to permit the use and administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Administrative
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Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of any such rate exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents).
“Contractual Obligation” means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.
“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.
“Credit Extension” means a Borrowing.
“Daily LIBOR Rate” means, as of any date of determination, the higher of (a) 0.0% and (b) the rate of interest per annum that appears on the Reuters LIBOR01 Page (or such other information service as may be selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) displaying interest rates for Dollar deposits in the London interbank market (or on any successor or substitute page on such screen) at approximately 11:00 a.m., as the rate for Dollar deposits in the London interbank market with a maturity of one month (or, if such date of determination is not a London Banking Day, the immediately preceding Business Day on which banks are so open).
“Daily Simple SOFR” means, for any day, SOFR, with the conventions for this rate (which will include a lookback) being established by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the conventions for this rate recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for determining “Daily Simple SOFR” for syndicated business loans; provided, that if the Administrative Agent decides that any such convention is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, then the Administrative Agent may establish another convention in its reasonable discretion. (a “SOFR Rate Day”), a rate per annum equal to SOFR for the day (such day, a “SOFR Determination Day”) that is one (1) U.S. Government Securities Business Day prior to (a) if such SOFR Rate Day is a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, such SOFR Rate Day or (b) if such SOFR Rate Day is not a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, the U.S. Government Securities Business Day immediately preceding such SOFR Rate Day, in each case, as such SOFR is published by the SOFR Administrator on the SOFR Administrator’s Website; provided that if by 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the second (2nd) U.S. Government Securities Business Day immediately following any SOFR Determination Day, SOFR in respect of such SOFR Determination Day has not been published on the SOFR Administrator’s Website and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to Daily Simple SOFR has not occurred, then SOFR for such SOFR Determination Day will be SOFR as published in respect of the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such SOFR was published on the SOFR Administrator’s Website; provided further that SOFR as determined pursuant to this proviso shall be utilized for purposes of calculation of Daily Simple SOFR for no more than three (3) consecutive SOFR Rate Days. Any change in Daily Simple SOFR due to a change in SOFR shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in SOFR without notice to the Borrower.
“Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.
“Default” means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.
“Default Rate” means (a) with respect to any Variable Rate Loan, an interest rate equal to (i) the Daily LIBOR Rate plus (ii) the Applicable Margin plus (iii) 2% per annum, and (b) with respect to any Fixed Rate Loan, an interest rate equal to (i) the Fixed Rate applicable to such Fixed Rate Loan plus (ii) the Applicable Margin plus (iii)Applicable Rate plus 2% per annum.
“Defaulting Lender” means, subject to Section 2.13(b), any Lender that, as determined by the Administrative Agent, (a) has failed to perform any of its funding obligations hereunder, including in respect of its Loans, within three Business Days of the date required to be funded by it hereunder, (b) has notified the Borrower, or the Administrative Agent or any Lender that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations or has made a public statement
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to that effect with respect to its funding obligations hereunder or under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent, to confirm in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that it will comply with its funding obligations, or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, (ii) had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or a custodian appointed for it, (iii) become the subject of a Bail-In Action, or (iv) taken any action in furtherance of, or indicated its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority.
“Designated Jurisdiction” means any region, country or territory to the extent that such region, country or territory is the subject of any Sanction.
“Disposition” or “Dispose” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction) of any property by any Person, including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith.
“Dollar” and “$” mean lawful money of the United States.
“DSS Loan” means a Loan bearing interest based on Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR.
“Early Opt-in Effective Date” means, with respect to any Early Opt-in Election, the sixth (6th) Business Day after the date notice of such Early Opt-in Election is provided to the Lenders, so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date notice of such Early Opt-in Election is provided to the Lenders, written notice of objection to such Early Opt-in Election from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders.
“Early Opt-in Election” means the occurrence of:
(1) a notification by the Administrative Agent to (or the request by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent to notify) each of the other parties hereto that at least ten (10) currently outstanding U.S. Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time contain (as a result of amendment or as originally executed) a SOFR-based rate (including SOFR, a term SOFR or any other rate based upon SOFR) as a benchmark rate (and such syndicated credit facilities are identified in such notice and are publicly available for review), and
(2) the joint election by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower to trigger a fallback from USD LIBOR and the provision by the Administrative Agent of written notice of such election to the Lenders.
“EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.
“EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
“EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.
“Eligible Assignee” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 10.06(b)(iii) and (v) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 10.06(b)(iii)).
“Encumbered Property” has the meaning specified in Section 7.01.
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“Environmental Laws” means any and all Federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including those related to hazardous substances or wastes, air emissions and discharges to waste or public systems.
“Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
“Equity Interests” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with the Borrower within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).
“ERISA Event” means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) the withdrawal of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which such entity was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate, the treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA; (e) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Pension Plan; (f) any event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (g) the determination that any Pension Plan is considered an at-risk plan or a plan in endangered or critical status within the meaning of Sections 430, 431 and 432 of the Code or Sections 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA; or (h) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate.
“Erroneous Payment” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.09(a).
“Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.09(d).
“Erroneous Payment Impacted Loans” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.09(d).
“Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.09(d).
“Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.09(d).
“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.
“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 8.01.
“Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to any Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however
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denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its Lending Office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 10.13) or (ii) such Lender changes its Lending Office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 3.01(a)(ii) or (c), amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its Lending Office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 3.01(e) and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed pursuant to FATCA.
“FASB ASC” means the Accounting Standards Codification of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.
“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code.
“FCPA” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 78dd-1, et seq.
“Fed Funds Business Day” shall mean any day upon which overnight federal funds transactions are conducted.
“Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the (a “Fed Funds Rate Day”), a rate per annum equal to the higher of (a) 0.0% and (b) the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (i) 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 as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (ii) 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 (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) charged to The Bank of Nova Scotia on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent.greater of (a) the “effective federal funds rate” for the Fed Funds Business Day immediately preceding such Fed Funds Rate Day, as published by the FRBNY, and (b) the Floor.
“Fitch” means Fitch, Inc. and any successor thereto.
“Fixed Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(b).
“Fixed Rate” means, with respect to a Fixed Rate Loan, the fixed rate of interest applicable to such Fixed Rate Loan as set forth in the applicable Fixed Rate Loan Notice.
“Fixed Rate Breakage Amount” means, with respect to any Breakage Event with respect to a Fixed Rate Loan, an amount equal to such amount as may be reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent (and the Administrative Agent agrees to endeavor to consult with the Borrower in making such determination), to be (a) the gain, if any, to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders arising out of such Breakage Event, determined as of the date thereof, minus (b) the positive sum, if any, of all loss, cost and expense to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (other than any such loss, cost or expense relating to the loss of the anticipated Applicable Margin relating to such Fixed Rate Loan) arising out of such Breakage Event, determined as of the date thereof.
“Fixed Rate Loan” means any Loan bearingFloor” a rate of interest based on a Fixed Rateequal to 0.0%.
“Fixed Rate Loan Notice” means a notice of a Borrowing for a Fixed Rate Loan, which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1.
“Floor” means the benchmark rate floor, if any, provided in this Agreement initially (as of the execution of this Agreement, the modification, amendment or renewal of this Agreement or otherwise) with respect to USD LIBOR.
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“Foreign Lender” means (a) if the Borrower is a U.S. Person, a Lender that is not a U.S. Person, and (b) if the Borrower is not a U.S. Person, a Lender that is resident or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes. For purposes of this definition, the United States, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.
“FRB” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.
“FRBNY” shall mean the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or any successor thereto that publishes the Federal Funds Effective Rate.
“Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied.
“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).
“Guarantee” means, as to any Person, (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation payable or performable by another Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness or other obligation is assumed by such Person (or any right, contingent or otherwise, of any holder of such Indebtedness to obtain any such Lien). The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith. The term “Guarantee” as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
“Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.
“Illegality Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02.
“Indebtedness” means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP:
(d) (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments;
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(e) (b) all direct or contingent obligations of such Person arising under letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments;
(f) (c) net obligations of such Person under any Swap Contract;
(g) (d) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business;
(h) (e) indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned or being purchased by such Person (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse;
(i) (f) capital leases and Synthetic Lease Obligations;
(j) (g) all obligations of such Person to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment in respect of any Equity Interest in such Person or any other Person, valued, in the case of a redeemable preferred interest, at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends; and
(k) (h) all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.
For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Person. The amount of any net obligation under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date. The amount of any capital lease or Synthetic Lease Obligation as of any date shall be deemed to be the amount of Attributable Indebtedness in respect thereof as of such date.
“Indemnified Taxes” means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.
“Indemnitees” has the meaning specified in Section 10.04(b).
“Information” has the meaning specified in Section 10.07.
“Interest Payment Date” means (a) with respect to each DSS Loan, the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and , (b) with respect to each TS Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such TS Loan and, in the case of a TS Loan with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period, (c) with respect to all Loans, the Termination Date.
“Interest Period” means the period commencing on the date of the making of a TS Loan (or the last date upon which any other Loan was converted to, or continued as, a TS Loan) and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, three, or six months thereafter, in each case as the Borrower may elect and subject to the availability thereof, provided that, (i) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, (ii) any Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period, (iii) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Termination Date, and (iv) no tenor that has been removed from this definition pursuant to Section 3.07(d) shall be available for specification in any Loan Notice.
“Interim Threshold” has the meaning specified in Section 2.04.
“Investment” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of capital stock or other securities of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person and any arrangement pursuant to which the investor Guarantees Indebtedness of such other Person, or (c) the
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purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of assets of another Person that constitute a business unit. For purposes of covenant compliance, 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 Advisor” means any person (other than a bona fide officer, director, trustee, member of an advisory board, or employee of the Borrower, as such) who, pursuant to contract with the Borrower, regularly furnishes advice to the Borrower with respect to the desirability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities or other property, or is empowered to determine what securities or other property shall be purchased or sold by the Borrower.
“Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940.
“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
“Laws” means, collectively, all international, foreign, Federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.
“Lender” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.
“Lending Office” means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender described as such in such Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, and any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).
“Loan” means an extension of credit by a Lender to the Borrower under Article II, including any Variable Rate Loan or Fixed Rate Loan.
“Loan Documents” means this Agreement and each Note.
“London Banking Day” means any day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.
“Loan Notice” means a notice of a Borrowing for a Loan, which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A.
“Material Adverse Effect” means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, properties, liabilities (actual or contingent), condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Borrower; (b) an impairment of the ability of the Borrower to perform its material obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party; or (c) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against the Borrower of any Loan Documents.
“Maximum Rate” has the meaning specified in Section 10.09.
“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.
“Multiemployer Plan” means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.
“Multiple Employer Plan” means a Plan which has two or more contributing sponsors (including the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate) at least two of whom are not under common control, as such a plan is described in Section 4064 of ERISA.
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“Note” means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of a Lender evidencing Loans made by such Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit B.
“Obligations” means all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, the Borrower arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against the Borrower or any of its Affiliates of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding.
“OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.
“Organization Documents” means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.
“Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).
“Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or under any other Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document. Other Taxes does not include any Excluded Taxes.
“Outstanding Amount” means on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of Loans occurring on such date.
“Participant” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(d).
“Payment Recipient” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 9.09(a).
“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
“Pension Act” means the Pension Protection Act of 2006.
“Pension Funding Rules” means the rules of the Code and ERISA regarding minimum required contributions (including any installment payment thereof) to Pension Plans and set forth in, with respect to plan years ending prior to the effective date of the Pension Act, Section 412 of the Code and Section 302 of ERISA, each as in effect prior to the Pension Act and, thereafter, Section 412, 430, 431, 432 and 436 of the Code and Sections 302, 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA.
“Pension Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (including a Multiple Employer Plan or a Multiemployer Plan) that is maintained or is contributed to by the Borrower and any ERISA Affiliate and is either covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code.
“Permitted Liens” means the liens that are not prohibited under Section 7.01.
“Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.
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“Plan” means any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA (including a Pension Plan), maintained for employees of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or any such Plan to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is required to contribute on behalf of any of its employees.
“Plan Assets” means the assets of any “benefit plan investor” within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Platform” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.
“Prime Rate” means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by The Bank of Nova Scotia as its prime commercial lending rate; each change in the Prime Rate being effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced as being effective. The Prime Rate is not intended to be the lowest rate of interest charged by The Bank of Nova Scotia in connection with extensions of credit to borrowers.
“Public Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.
“Recipient” means the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder.
“Register” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(c).
“Regulations T, U or X” means Regulation T, Regulation U, or Regulation X, respectively, of the FRB as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.
“Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees and advisors of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.
“Relevant Governmental Body” means the FRB or the Federal Reserve Bank of New YorkFRBNY, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the FRB or the Federal Reserve Bank of New YorkFRBNY, or any successor thereto.
“Reportable Event” means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than events for which the 30 day notice period has been waived.
“Request for Credit Extension” means a Loan Notice.
“Required Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, (a) except as otherwise provided in clause (b), in the event there are at least four Lenders, Lenders having at least 66-2/3% of the Aggregate Commitments and in the event there are three or less Lenders, Lenders having 100% of the Aggregate Commitments, or (b) if the commitment of each Lender to make Loans has been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02, in the event there are at least four Lenders, Lenders holding in the aggregate at least 66-2/3% of the Total Outstandings and in the event there are three or less Lenders, Lenders holding in the aggregate 100% of the Total Outstandings; provided that the Commitment of, and the portion of the Total Outstandings held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders.
“Resolution Authority” means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.
–“Responsible Officer” means the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer or controller of the Borrower, and solely for purposes of the delivery of incumbency certificates pursuant to Section 4.01, the secretary or any assistant secretary of the Borrower and, solely for purposes of notices given pursuant to Article II, any other officer or employee of the Borrower so designated by any of the foregoing officers in a notice to the Administrative Agent. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of the Borrower and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of the Borrower.
“Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any capital stock or other Equity Interest of the Borrower, or any payment (whether in cash, securities
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or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such capital stock or other Equity Interest, or on account of any return of capital to the Borrower’s stockholders, partners or members (or the equivalent Person thereof).
“Risk Based Capital Guidelines” means (a) the risk-based capital guidelines and other capital requirements in effect in the United States on the date of this Agreement, including transition rules, and (b) the corresponding capital regulations promulgated by regulatory authorities outside the United States including transition rules, and any amendments to such regulations adopted prior to the date of this Agreement.
“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor acceptable to the Administrative Agent and performing substantially the same function.
“Sanctions” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.18(a).
“Sanctioned County” means, at any time, a region, country or territory which is the subject to region- or country-based (not individual- or entity-based) Sanctions.
“Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, any Person that is subject to any Sanction.
“Scheduled Commitment Termination Date” means December 2827, 20222023.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.
“Securities Account” means securities account number 19-9233 held at the Securities Intermediary or any replacement account thereof with the prior written approval of the Administrative Agent.
“Securities Intermediary” means U.S. Bank National Association or any successor with the prior written approval of the Administrative Agent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld).
“Senior Notes” means any unsecured “senior securities representing indebtedness” (as such term is used in the Investment Company Act) issued by the Borrower other than (a) the Loans and (b) in respect of a Swap Contract or other derivative.
“SOFR” means a rate equal to the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the SOFR Administrator.
“SOFR Adjustment” means (a) for any calculation with respect to a DSS Loan, 0.10%, and (b) for any calculation with respect to a TS Loan, a percentage per annum as set forth below for the applicable Interest Period therefor:
Interest Period
|
|
Percentage
|
One month
|
|
0.10%
|
Three months
|
|
0.15%
|
Six months
|
|
0.25%
|
“SOFR Administrator” means the FRBNY (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate).
“SOFR” means a rate per annum equal to the secured overnight financing rate for such Business Day published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate) on Administrator’s Website” means the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New YorkFRBNY, currently at http://www.newyorkfed.org (, or any successor source for the secured overnight financing rate identified as such by the administrator of the secured overnight financing rateSOFR Administrator from time to time).
“SOFR Loan” means a DSS Loan or a TS Loan.
“Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.
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“Swap Contract” means (a) 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, and (b) 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 (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.
“Swap Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap 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 Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).
“Synthetic Lease Obligation” means the monetary obligation of a Person under (a) a so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease, or (b) an agreement for the use or possession of property creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the insolvency or bankruptcy of such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).
“Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
“Term SOFR” means the Term SOFR Reference Rate for a tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period on the day (such day, the “Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day”) that is two (2) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, as such rate is published by the Term SOFR Administrator; provided, however, that if as of 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on any Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day the Term SOFR Reference Rate for the applicable tenor has not been published by the Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate has not occurred, then Term SOFR will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor as published by the Term SOFR Administrator on the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor was published by the Term SOFR Administrator so long as such first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day is not more than three (3) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day.
“Term SOFR Administrator” means CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited (CBA) (or a successor administrator of the Term SOFR Reference Rate selected by the Bank in its reasonable discretion).
“Term SOFR” means, for the applicable corresponding tenor, Reference Rate” means the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body.
“Termination Date” means the earlier to occur of (a) the Scheduled Commitment Termination Date, and (b) the date on which the Aggregate Commitments terminate or are terminated pursuant to the terms hereof.
“Threshold Amount” means $2,000,000.
“Total Outstandings” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Loans.
“TS Loan” means a Loan bearing interest based on Adjusted Term SOFR.
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“U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any day except for (a) a Saturday, (b) a Sunday or (c) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in United States government securities.
“U.S. Person” means any Person that is a “United States Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
“UK Financial Institution” means any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended form time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any person falling within IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms.
“UK Resolution Authority” means the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution.
“Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.
“United States” and “U.S.” mean the United States of America.
“USD LIBOR” means the London interbank offered rate for U.S. dollars.
“Variable Rate Loan” means any Loan bearing interest based on the Daily LIBOR Rate.
“Variable Rate Loan Notice” means a notice of a Borrowing for a Variable Rate Loan, which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2.
“Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, (a) with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule, and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers.
1.02 Other Interpretive Provisions. With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:
(a) The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document (including any Organization Document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (iii) the words “hereto,” “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (v) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to
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time, and (vi) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
(b) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including;” the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding;” and the word “through” means “to and including.”
(c) Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
1.03 Accounting Terms.
(a) Generally. All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the pro forma financial statements delivered to the Administrative Agent on the Closing Date, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining compliance with any covenant (including the computation of any financial covenant) contained herein, Indebtedness of the Borrower shall be deemed to be carried at 100% of the outstanding principal amount thereof, and the effects of FASB ASC 825 and FASB ASC 470-20 on financial liabilities shall be disregarded.
(b) Changes in GAAP. 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 Required Lenders shall so request, the Administrative 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 Required Lenders); provided 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 Administrative 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.
1.04 Rounding. Any financial ratios required to be maintained by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).
1.05 Times of Day. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).
1.06 Rates. The Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to (a) the continuation of, administration of, submission of, calculation of or any other matter related to Daily Simple SOFR, Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Adjusted Term SOFR or Term SOFR, or any component definition thereof or rates referred to in the definition thereof, or any alternative, successor or replacement rate thereto (including any Benchmark Replacement), including whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any Benchmark Replacement) will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, or have the same volume or liquidity as, Daily Simple SOFR, Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Adjusted Term SOFR, Term SOFR or any other Benchmark prior to its discontinuance or unavailability, or (b) the effect, implementation or composition of any Conforming Changes. The Administrative Agent and its affiliates or other related entities may engage in transactions that affect the calculation of Daily Simple SOFR, Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Adjusted Term SOFR, Term SOFR or any alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any Benchmark Replacement) or any relevant adjustments thereto, in each case, in a manner adverse to the Borrower. The Administrative Agent may select information sources or services in its reasonable discretion to ascertain Daily Simple SOFR, Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Adjusted Term SOFR, Term SOFR or any other Benchmark, in each case pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall have no liability to the Borrower,
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any Lender or any other person or entity for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential damages, costs, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise and whether at law or in equity), for any error or calculation of any such rate (or component thereof) provided by any such information source or service.
1.07 Conforming Changes. In connection with the use or administration of Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR, Daily Simple SOFR or Adjusted Term SOFR, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the effectiveness of any Conforming Changes in connection with the use or administration of Daily Simple SOFR or Term SOFR, as applicable.
ARTICLE II.
THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS
2.01 Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make Loans to the Borrower from time to time, on any Business Day during the Availability Period, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of such Lender’s Commitment; provided, however, that immediately after giving effect to any Borrowing, (i) the Total Outstandings shall not exceed the lesser of (A) the Aggregate Commitments or (B) the Borrowing Base, and (ii) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Loans of any Lender shall not exceed such Lender’s Commitment. Within the limits of each Lender’s Commitment, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.01, prepay under Section 2.032.04, and reborrow Loans under this Section 2.01.
2.02 Variable Rate Borrowings.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.03(d), eachEach Borrowing of a Variable Rate Loan shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone. Each such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not no later than (i) in the case of a DSS Loan, 1:00 p.m. on the requested date of any Borrowing. Business Day of the proposed Loan, or (ii) in the case of a TS Loan, 1:00 p.m. three (3) Business Days before the date of the proposed Loan. Each telephonic notice by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.02(a) must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a written Variable Rate Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer. Each Borrowing of Variable Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $100,000 or a whole multiple of $25,000 in excess thereof. Each Variable Rate Loan Notice (whether telephonic or written) shall specify (iA) the requested date of such Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day), and (iiiB) whether such Loan is to be a DSS Loan or a TS Loan, (C) the principal amount of Variable Rate Loans to be borrowed.such Loan, which shall be an Approved Amount, and (D) with respect to each TS Loan, the Interest Period therefor; provided that, if either (x) the Borrower shall fail to specify whether such requested Loan is to be a DSS Loan or a TS Loan or (y) immediately after giving effect to the making of such requested Loan, there would be TS Loans outstanding with in excess of three (3) different Interest Periods, then such requested Loan shall be made as an DSS Loan.
(b) Following receipt of a Variable Rate Loan Notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of its Applicable Percentage of the applicable Variable Rate Loans. Each Lender shall make the amount of its Variable Rate Loan available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office not later than 3:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in the applicable Variable Rate Loan Notice. Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (and, if such Borrowing is the initial Credit Extension, Section 4.01), the Administrative Agent shall make all funds so received available to the Borrower in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent either by (i) crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of The Bank of Nova Scotia with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) the Administrative Agent by the Borrower.
2.03 Fixed Rate BorrowingsConversion or Continuation. Prior to the Termination Date, the Borrower may elect to (i) convert all or any portion of a DSS Loan to TS Loan or a TS Loan to a DSS Loan, or (ii) continue all or any portion of a TS Loan as a TS Loan having an additional Interest Period, provided that, in each such case,
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the principal amount to be converted to or continued shall be in an Approved Amount. Each such election shall be made by the Borrower by a telephonic Loan Notice to the Administrative Agent, shall be irrevocable and shall (A) be made not later than (x) in the case of a conversion of a Loan to, or the continuation of a TS Loan as, a TS Loan, 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, three (3) Business Days before the date of the proposed conversion or continuation, or (y) in all other cases not later than 1:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the Business Day of the proposed conversion or continuation, (B) specify (w) the amount of the Loan requested to be converted or continued, (x) the requested date for such conversion or continuation, which shall be a Business Day, (y) whether such Loan is to be converted into a DSS Loan or a TS Loan, or continued as a TS Loan, and (z) in the case of a Loan being converted into or continued as a TS Loan, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto, and (C) be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or facsimile to the Administrative Agent of a duly executed written Loan Notice signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, provided that, if (x) prior to the expiration of the Interest Period applicable to an existing TS Loan, the Borrower shall fail to timely elect to continue or convert such TS Loan in accordance herewith, such TS Loan shall, on the last day of such Interest Period, be automatically converted to a DSS Loan, and (y) if immediately after giving effect to any such requested conversion or continuation of any Loan, there would be TS Loans outstanding with in excess of three (3) different Interest Periods, then such Loan shall be converted to DSS Loan.
.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, at any time during the Availability Period, Borrower shall have the option to borrow, or to convert all or any portion of any outstanding Variable Rate Loan to, one or more Fixed Rate Loans as provided in this Section 2.03.
(b) In order to borrow, or convert all or any part of a Variable Rate Loan into, a Fixed Rate Loan, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a written Fixed Rate Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer, no later than 10:00 a.m. two (2) Business Days prior to the date of such requested borrowing or conversion, setting forth (i) the amount of the proposed Fixed Rate Loan, but in no event less than $5,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, (ii) whether it is a new borrowing or a conversion of all or any part of the outstanding Variable Rate Loans, and (iii) the interest period to be used by the Administrative Agent to determine the applicable Fixed Rate, which may be between 1 year and 10 years (in increments of 1 year) or such other period mutually agreed to by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (with respect to such Fixed Rate Loan, the “Fixed Period”). Immediately after the Borrower has delivered the Fixed Rate Loan Notice, Borrower shall notify and confirm with the Administrative Agent by telephone the Administrative Agent’s receipt of the Fixed Rate Loan Notice. Promptly after receipt of such notice and telephonic confirmation, the Administrative Agent shall endeavor to telephonically advise the Borrower by 3:30 p.m., on such date as to the actual Fixed Rate being offered at that moment as the Fixed Rate that would be applicable to such Fixed Rate Loan, and Borrower shall, upon being so advised of such offer of such Fixed Rate, either confirm its acceptance or rejection of such Fixed Rate. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the event the Borrower shall fail to either accept or reject such offer, such offer shall be conclusively be deemed to have been rejected.
(c) Following acceptance of the proposed Fixed Rate by the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.03(b), the Administrative Agent shall (x) send a written confirmation thereof to the Borrower (provided that the Administrative Agent’s failure so to do shall not affect the obligations of the Borrower hereunder), and (y) promptly notify each Lender of the amount of its Applicable Percentage of such new Fixed Rate Loan. Each Lender shall make the amount of its new Fixed Rate Loan available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office not later 3:00 p.m. (or such later time as the Agent may, in is sole discretion, have notified the Lenders) on the Business Day for the applicable Fixed Rate Loan. Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (and, if such Borrowing is the initial Credit Extension, Section 4.01), the Administrative Agent shall make all funds so received available to the Borrower in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent either by (i) crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of The Bank of Nova Scotia with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) the Administrative Agent by the Borrower.
(d) To the extent the Borrower has not repaid a Fixed Rate Loan as of the earlier of (i) the last day of the Fixed Period therefor, or (ii) the date it has become due and payable, whether due to maturity, acceleration or otherwise, it shall be automatically converted to a Variable Rate Loan on such date. Notwithstanding anything to the
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contrary herein contained, each Fixed Rate Loan shall be converted to a Variable Rate Loan (i) upon written notice by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower upon the occurrence or during the continuance of an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default under Section 8.01(f) or (g)), and (ii) automatically and without notice upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under Section 8.01(f) or (g).
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, the Borrower’s right to make borrowings and/or conversions pursuant to this Section 2.3 shall cease (i) upon notice by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower upon the occurrence or during the continuance of an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default under Section 8.01(f) or (g)) that the Borrower’s right to make borrowings and/or conversions pursuant to this Section 2.3 has been terminated, and (ii) automatically and without notice upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under Section 8.01(f) or (g).
2.04 Prepayments.
(a) Subject to Section 3.05, the Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, at any time or from time to time voluntarily prepay Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (i) such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 2:00 p.m. on the(i) three Business Days prior to date of prepayment of in the case of a TS Loan, or (ii) on the Business Day of prepayment in the case of DSS Loans; (ii) any prepayment of Loans shall be in a principal amount of $100,000 or a whole multiple of $25,000 in excess thereofan Approved Amount or, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued and unpaid interest to the extent required by Section 2.07. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of each such notice, and of the amount of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such prepayment. If such notice is given by the Borrower, the Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein.
(b) (i) If for any reason the Total Outstandings at any time exceed the lesser of (A) the Aggregate Commitments or (B) the Interim Threshold then in effect, or (ii) if for any reason the Total Outstandings as of the date of any Borrowing Base Certificate exceed the Borrowing Base then in effect, the Borrower shall in each case immediately prepay Loans in an aggregate amount equal to such excess. “Interim Threshold” is an amount equal to (i) 50% of the total value of the Acceptable Assets less (ii) all of the Borrower’s “senior securities representing indebtedness” (as such term is used in the Investment Company Act) other than Loans.
2.05 Termination or Reduction of Commitments by Borrower. The Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, terminate the Aggregate Commitments, or from time to time permanently reduce the Aggregate Commitments; provided that (i) any such notice shall be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. five Business Days prior to the date of termination or reduction, (ii) any such partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount of $5,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, and (iii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Aggregate Commitments if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Total Outstandings would exceed the lesser of (A) Aggregate Commitments or (B) the Borrowing Base then in effect. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Lenders of any such notice of termination or reduction of the Aggregate Commitments. Any reduction of the Aggregate Commitments shall be applied to the Commitment of each Lender according to its Applicable Percentage. All fees accrued until the effective date of any termination of the Aggregate Commitments shall be paid on the effective date of such termination.
2.06 Repayment of Loans. The Borrower shall repay to the Lenders on the Termination Date the aggregate principal amount of Loans outstanding on such date.
2.07 Interest.
(a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) below, (i) each Variable Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Daily LIBOR Rate plus the Applicable Margin, and (ii) each Fixed Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Fixed Rate for such Loan plus the Applicable Margin.Applicable Rate.
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(b) (i) If any amount of principal of any Loan is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
(ii) If any amount (other than principal of any Loan) payable by the Borrower under any Loan Document is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, then upon the request of the Required Lenders, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
(iii) Upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists, the Borrower shall pay interest on the principal amount of all outstanding Obligations hereunder at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
(iv) Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.
(c) Interest on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified herein. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.
2.08 Fees.
(a) Commitment Fee. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender in accordance with its Applicable Percentage, a commitment fee at a rate per annum equal to the Commitment Fee Rate times the actual daily amount by which the Aggregate Commitments exceed the Outstanding Amount, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.15. The commitment fee shall accrue at all times during the Availability Period, including at any time during which one or more of the conditions in Article IV is not met, and shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and on the last day of the Availability Period.
(b) Upfront Fee. On the Closing Date, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender in accordance with its Applicable Percentage, an upfront fee equal to 0.10% of the Aggregate Commitments.
2.09 [Reserved.]
2.10 Termination of Commitments by Lenders. Each Lender’s Commitment Amount permanently shall reduce to $0 and each Lender’s Commitment shall terminate on the Termination Date.
2.11 Computation of Interest and Fees. All computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year). Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid, provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.13(a), bear interest for one day. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
2.12 Evidence of Debt.
(a) The Credit Extensions made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and by the Administrative Agent in the ordinary course of business. The accounts or records maintained by the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Credit Extensions made by the Lenders to the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower
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hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Lender made through the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the Administrative Agent) a Note, which shall evidence such Lender’s Loans in addition to such accounts or records. Each Lender may attach schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, Type (if applicable), amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.
2.13 Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback.
(a) General. All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrower hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the Administrative Agent’s Office in Dollars and in immediately available funds not later than 2:00 p.m. on the date specified herein. The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its Applicable Percentage (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lender’s Lending Office. All payments received by the Administrative Agent after 2:00 p.m. shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. If any payment to be made by the Borrower shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.
(b) Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent. (i) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to 12:00 noon on the date of such Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available in accordance with and at the time required by Section 2.02 and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing, and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to the Loans. If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.
(ii) Payments by Borrower; Presumptions by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender, in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.
A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or the Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this subsection (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.
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(c) Failure to Satisfy Conditions Precedent. If any Lender makes available to the Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Article II, and such funds are not made available to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent because the conditions to the applicable Credit Extension set forth in Article IV are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.
(d) Obligations of Lenders Several. The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Loans and to make payments pursuant to Section 10.04(c) are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan or to make any payment under Section 10.04(c) on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan or to make its payment under Section 10.04(c).
(e) Funding Source. Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.
2.14 Sharing of Payments by Lenders. If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of the Loans made by it resulting in such Lender’s receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of such Loans and accrued interest thereon greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and other amounts owing them, provided that:
(i) if any such participations or subparticipations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations or subparticipations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and
(ii) the provisions of this Section shall not be construed to apply to (x) any payment made by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including the application of funds arising from the existence of a Defaulting Lender), or (y) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans to any assignee or participant, other than an assignment to the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this Section shall apply).
The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.
2.15 Defaulting Lenders.
(a) Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable Law:
(i) Waivers and Amendments. That Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in Section 10.01.
(ii) Reallocation of Payments. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of that Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VIII or otherwise, and including any amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by that Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 10.08), shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has
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failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; third, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a non-interest bearing deposit account and released in order to satisfy obligations of that Defaulting Lender to fund Loans under this Agreement; fourth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; fifth, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and sixth, to that Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share and (y) such Loans were made at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of all non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of that Defaulting Lender. Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender shall be deemed paid to and redirected by that Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.
(iii) Certain Fees. That Defaulting Lender shall not be entitled to receive any commitment fee pursuant to Section 2.08(a) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrower shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender).
(b) Defaulting Lender Cure. If the Borrower and the Administrative Agent agree in writing in their sole discretion that a Defaulting Lender should no longer be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein, that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages, whereupon that Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.
ARTICLE III.
TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY
3.01 Taxes.
(a)Payments Free of Taxes; Obligation to Withhold; Payments on Account of Taxes.
(i) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall to the extent permitted by applicable Laws be made free and clear of and without reduction or withholding for any Taxes. If, however, applicable Laws require the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to withhold or deduct any Tax, such Tax shall be withheld or deducted in accordance with such Laws as determined by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, upon the basis of the information and documentation to be delivered pursuant to subsection (e) below.
(ii) If the Borrower or the Administrative Agent shall be required by the Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes, including both United States Federal backup withholding and withholding taxes, from any payment, then (A) the Administrative Agent shall withhold or make such deductions as are determined by the Administrative Agent to be required based upon the information and documentation it has received pursuant to subsection (e) below, (B) the Administrative Agent shall timely pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with the Code, and (C) to the extent that the withholding or
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deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, the sum payable by the Borrower shall be increased as necessary so that after any required withholding or the making of all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent or Lender, as the case may be, receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.
(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower. Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) above, the Borrower shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Laws.
(c) Tax Indemnifications.
(i)Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) or (b) above, the Borrower shall, and does hereby, indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Lender, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) withheld or deducted by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent or paid by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. The Borrower shall also, and does hereby, indemnify the Administrative Agent, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, for any amount which a Lender for any reason fails to pay indefeasibly to the Administrative Agent as required by clause (ii) of this subsection. A certificate as to the amount of any such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(ii) Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) or (b) above, each Lender shall, and does hereby, indemnify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, against any and all Taxes and any and all related losses, claims, liabilities, penalties, interest and expenses (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Borrower or the Administrative Agent) incurred by or asserted against the Borrower or the Administrative Agent by any Governmental Authority as a result of the failure by such Lender, as the case may be, to deliver, or as a result of the inaccuracy, inadequacy or deficiency of, any documentation required to be delivered by such Lender to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection (e). Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this clause (ii). The agreements in this clause (ii) shall survive the resignation and/or replacement of the Administrative Agent, any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other Obligations.
(d) Evidence of Payments. Upon request by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, after any payment of Taxes by the Borrower or by the Administrative Agent to a Governmental Authority as provided in this Section 3.01, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent or the Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Borrower, as the case may be, the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of any return required by Laws to report such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be.
(e) Status of Lenders; Tax Documentation.
(i)Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable Law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will
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enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 3.01(e)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.
(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is a U.S. Person,
(A) any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;
(B) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:
(I) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;
(II) executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI;
(III) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN-E; or
(IV) to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit M-2 or Exhibit M-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit M-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;
(C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such
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supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable Law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and
(D) if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
(iii) Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered pursuant to this Section 3.01 expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.
(f) Treatment of Certain Refunds. Unless required by applicable Laws, at no time shall the Administrative Agent have any obligation to file for or otherwise pursue on behalf of a Lender, or have any obligation to pay to any Lender, any refund of Taxes withheld or deducted from funds paid for the account of such Lender. If the Administrative Agent or any Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Borrower or with respect to which the Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section, it shall pay to the Borrower an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Borrower under this Section with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, such Lender and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided that the Borrower, upon the request of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event the Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. This subsection shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.
3.02 Illegality. If any Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable Lending Officelending office to make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to the Daily LIBOR Rate (Term SOFR Reference Rate, Adjusted Term SOFR, Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR, or any component thereof)of any of the foregoing rates, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Daily LIBOR Rate (or any component thereof), or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars in the London interbank marketTerm SOFR Reference Rate, Adjusted Term SOFR, Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR, or any component of any of the foregoing rates, then, onupon notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower (through the Administrative Agent, the Daily LIBOR Rate applicable to such Lender will instead be determined by such alternate method as reasonably selected by) (an “Illegality Notice”), any obligation of the Lenders to make SOFR Loans, and any right of the Borrower to continue SOFR Loans or to convert Loans to SOFR Loans, shall be suspended until each affected Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of an Illegality Notice, (a) all Loans shall thereafter bear interest (payable monthly in arrears on the last day of each month) at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin until the Administrative Agent is advised in writing by sucheach affected Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Daily LIBOR Rate (or any component thereof).Term SOFR Reference Rate, Adjusted Term SOFR, Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR, or any component of any of the foregoing rates, and (b) the Borrower shall pay accrued and unpaid interest on all Loans, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05.
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3.03 Increased Costs.
(a) Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:
(i) impose, modify, increase or deem applicable any reserve, assessment, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender;
(ii) subject any Lender to any tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender in respect thereof (except for Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes covered by Section 3.01 and the imposition of, or any change in the rate of, any Excluded Tax payable by such Lender); or
(iii) impose on any Lender or the London interbankeurodollar market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement made by such Lender;
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Loan or Commitments, or to reduce the return received by such Lender in connection with such Loans or Commitments, or to increase the cost to such Lender, or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender, the Borrower will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
(b) Capital Requirements. If any Lender determines that (i) any Change in Law or (ii) any change after the date of this Agreement in the Risk Based Capital Guidelines, affecting such Lender or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lender’s holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by such Lender to a level below that which such Lender or such Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law or Risk Based Capital Guidelines (taking into consideration such Lender’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s holding company with respect to liquidity and capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.
(c) Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender setting forth the calculation of the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in subsection (a) or (b) of this Section and delivered to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
(d) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender for any Change in Law pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than nine months prior to the date that such Lender knew of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the nine-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).
3.04 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.
(a) Designation of a Different Lending Office. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.03, or the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, or if any Lender gives a notice pursuant to Section 3.02, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Sections 3.01 or 3.03, as the case may be, in the future, or eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 3.02, as applicable,
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and (ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.
(b) Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.03, or the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, the Borrower may replace such Lender in accordance with Section 10.13.
3.05 Breakage Obligations. In the event that (a) the Borrower shall have accepted the Administrative Agent’s offer of a Fixed Rate with respect to a particular proposed Fixed Rate Loan, and such Fixed Rate Loan was not made because either (i) the Borrower rejected such Fixed Rate Loan or the proceeds thereof, or (ii) such Fixed Rate Loan was not advanced by the Administrative Agent or any Lender because any condition precedent therefor set forth in Article IV was not satisfied, or (b) for any reason any Fixed Rate Loan shall have been, prior to the end of the Fixed Period therefor, either repaid, prepaid or converted to a Variable Rate Loan (including, without limitation, as a result of the acceleration thereof in accordance with Section 8.02), then in any such case referred to in clause (a) or clause (b) above (each a “Breakage Event”), the Administrative Agent shall promptly (and in any event within ten (10) Business Days thereafter) (X) determine the Fixed Rate Breakage Amount arising out of such Breakage Event, and (Y) deliver a certificate thereof to the Borrower stating such Fixed Breakage Amount. In the event such Fixed Rate Breakage Amount is a positive number, such Fixed Rate Breakage Amount shall be paid to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent within two (2) Business Days after the delivery of such certificate to the Borrower. In the event such Fixed Rate Breakage Amount is a negative number, such Fixed Rate Breakage Amount shall be paid to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower within two (2) Business Days after the delivery of such certificate to the Borrower.
. In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any TS Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any TS Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any TS Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.03 and is revoked in accordance therewith), (d) the assignment of any TS Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 3.04(b), or (e) the delivery of an Illegality Notice, then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate each Lender for any loss, cost and expense attributable to such event, including any loss, cost or expense arising from the liquidation or redeployment of funds or from any fees payable. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 2 Business Days after receipt thereof.
3.06 Survival. All of the Borrower’s obligations under this Article III shall survive termination of the Aggregate Commitments, repayment of all other Obligations hereunder, and resignation of the Administrative Agent.
3.07 Benchmark Replacement Setting. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document:
(a) Replacing USD LIBOR. On March 5, 2021 the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), the regulatory supervisor of USD LIBOR’s administrator (“IBA”), announced in a public statement the future cessation or loss of representativeness of overnight/Spot Next, 1-month, 3-month, 6-month and 12- month USD LIBOR tenor settings. On the earlier of (i) the date that all Available Tenors of USD LIBOR have either permanently or indefinitely ceased to be provided by IBA or have been announced by the FCA pursuant to public statement or publication of information to be no longer representative and (ii) the Early Opt-in Effective Date, if Benchmark Replacement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior any setting of the then-current Benchmark is USD LIBOR, the Benchmark, then (x) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (a) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of any setting of such Benchmark on such day and allsetting and subsequent Benchmark settings without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document. If the and (y) if a Benchmark Replacement is Daily Simple SOFR, all interest payments will be payable on a quarterly basis.
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(b) determined in accordance with clause (b) of Replacing Future Benchmarks. Upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, (i) the the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace the then-currentsuch Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of any Benchmark setting at or after 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date notice of such Benchmark Replacement is provided to the Borrower and the Lenders without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or further action or consent of the Borrower or any Lender, or (ii) in the event that no Benchmark Replacement has been selected in accordance with clause (2) of the defined term “Benchmark Replacement”, the Borrower shall immediately prepay all Loans bearing interest by reference to such Benchmark. At any time that the administrator of the then-current Benchmark has permanently or indefinitely ceased to provide such Benchmark or such Benchmark has been announced by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark pursuant to public statement or publication of information to be no longer representative of the underlying market and economic reality that such Benchmark is intended to measure and that representativeness will not be restored, the Borrower (x) may revoke any request for a borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Loans to be made, converted or continued that would bear interest by reference to such Benchmark, and (y) the Borrower shall immediately prepay all Loans bearing interest by reference to such Benchmark. so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such Benchmark Replacement from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders. If the Benchmark Replacement is Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR, all interest payments will be payable on a monthly basis.
(b) (c) Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. In connection with the implementation anduse, administration, adoption or implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
(c) (d) Notices; Standards for Decisions and Determinations. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of (i) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement and (ii) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes in connection with the use, administration, adoption or implementation of a Benchmark Replacement. The Administrative Agent will notify the Borrower of (x) the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to Section 3.07(d) and (y) the commencement of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Administrative Agent or, if applicable, any Lender (or group of Lenders) pursuant to this Section 3.07, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its or their sole discretion and without consent from any other party heretoto this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section. The Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept any responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to, (i) the continuation of, administration of, submission of, calculation of or any other matter related to USD LIBOR or any Benchmark, any component definition thereof or rates referenced in the definition thereof or with respect to any alternative, successor or replacement rate thereto (including any then-current Benchmark or any Benchmark Replacement), including whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any Benchmark Replacement), as it may or may not be adjusted pursuant to Section 3.07, will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, or have the same volume or liquidity as, such Benchmark or any other Benchmark prior to its discontinuance or unavailability, or (ii) the effect, implementation or composition of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. 3.07.
(d) (e) Unavailability of Tenor of Benchmark. AtNotwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, at any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (i) if thea then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including Term SOFR or USD LIBOR)Reference Rate) and either (A) any tenor for such Benchmark is not displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion or (B) the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark has provided a public statement or publication of information announcing that any tenor for such Benchmark is not or will not be representative, then the Administrative Agent may remove any tenormodify the definition of “Interest Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for any settings
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of such Benchmark that isat or after such time to remove such unavailable or non-representative for Benchmark (including Benchmark Replacement) settings and (ii)tenor and (ii) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (i) above either (A) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for such Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement therefor) or (B) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is not or will not be representative for such Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for all settings of such Benchmark at or after such time to reinstate any such previously removed tenor for Benchmark (including Benchmark Replacement) settings.
(f) No Liability. The Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept any responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to, (i) the continuation of, administration of, submission of, calculation of or any other matter related to USD LIBOR or any Benchmark, any component definition thereof or rates referenced in the definition thereof or with respect to any alternative, successor or replacement rate thereto (including any then-current Benchmark or any Benchmark Replacement), including whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any Benchmark Replacement), as it may or may not be adjusted pursuant to this Section 3.07, will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, or have the same volume or liquidity as, such Benchmark or any other Benchmark prior to its discontinuance or unavailability, or (ii) the effect, implementation or composition of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes.
(e) Benchmark Unavailability Period. Upon the Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of TS Loans to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a Borrowing of or conversion to DSS Loans.
3.08 Inability to Determine Rates.
(a) Adjusted Term SOFR. Subject to Section 3.07, if, on or prior to the first day of any Interest Period for any TS Loan:
(i) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that “Adjusted Term SOFR” cannot be determined pursuant to the definition thereof, or
(ii) the Required Lenders determine that for any reason in connection with any request for a TS Loan or a conversion thereto or a continuation thereof that Adjusted Term SOFR for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed TS Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Lenders of making and maintaining such TS Loan, and the Required Lenders have provided notice of such determination to the Administrative Agent,
the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Lender. Upon notice thereof by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower, any obligation of the Lenders to make TS Loans, and any right of the Borrower to continue TS Loans or to convert DSS Loans to TS Loans, shall be suspended (to the extent of the affected TS Loans or affected Interest Periods) until the Administrative Agent (with respect to clause (b), at the instruction of the Required Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, (i) the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of TS Loans (to the extent of the affected TS Loans or affected Interest Periods) or, failing that, the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a Borrowing of or conversion to DSS Loans in the amount specified therein and (ii) any outstanding affected TS Loans will be deemed to have been converted into DSS Loans at the end of the applicable Interest Period. Upon any such conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so converted, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05.
(b) Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR. If the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that “Daily Simple SOFR” or “Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR” cannot be determined pursuant to the definition thereof on any given day, the interest rate on DSS Loans shall instead be the Alternate Base Rate until the Administrative Agent revokes such determination.
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ARTICLE IV.
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS
4.01 Conditions of Initial Credit Extension. The obligation of each Lender to make its initial Credit Extension hereunder is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:
(a) The Administrative Agent’s receipt of the following, each of which shall be originals or telecopies (followed promptly by originals) unless otherwise specified, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer, each dated the Closing Date (or, in the case of certificates of governmental officials, a recent date before the Closing Date) and each in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders:
(i) executed counterparts of this Agreement, sufficient in number for distribution to the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Borrower;
(ii) an original Note executed by the Borrower in favor of each Lender requesting a Note;
(iii) such certificates of Organization Documents, resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or other certificates of Responsible Officers as the Administrative Agent may require evidencing the identity, authority and capacity of each Responsible Officer thereof authorized to act as a Responsible Officer in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;
(iv) such documents and certifications as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require to evidence that the Borrower is duly organized or formed, and that the Borrower is validly existing, in good standing and qualified to engage in business in each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(v) a favorable opinion of Paul Hastings LLP, or other counsel to the Borrower reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent;
(vi) a certificate of a Responsible Officer either (A) attaching copies of all consents, licenses and approvals required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower and the validity against the Borrower of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and such consents, licenses and approvals shall be in full force and effect, or (B) stating that no such consents, licenses or approvals are so required;
(vii) a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer certifying (A) that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied, and (B) that there has been no event or circumstance since November 30, 2014 that has had or could be reasonably expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;
(viii) a duly completed Borrowing Base Certificate as of the Closing Date, signed by a Responsible Officer;
(ix) the Administrative Agent shall have received evidence, in form and substance satisfactory to it, that any Indebtedness under any existing credit or loan agreements or other agreements or instruments for borrowed money (other than the Senior Notes) has been repaid in full and all obligations, debts and liabilities of the Borrower under such agreements or instruments shall have been terminated and the Borrower has been released from all liability and all obligations, covenants and agreements under such agreements or instruments;
(x) A Form FR U-1 for the Borrower for each Lender, in form and substance satisfactory to such Lender;
(xi) evidence that all insurance required to be maintained pursuant to the Loan Documents has been obtained and is in effect; and
(xii) such other assurances, certificates, documents, consents or opinions as the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders reasonably may require.
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(b) The Administrative Agent shall be satisfied that the Securities Intermediary will provide daily access to the Securities Account and its current value.
(c) Any fees required to be paid on or before the Closing Date shall have been paid.
(d) Unless waived by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall have paid all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent (directly to such counsel if requested by the Administrative Agent) to the extent invoiced prior to or on the Closing Date, plus such additional amounts of such fees, charges and disbursements as shall constitute its reasonable estimate of such fees, charges and disbursements incurred or to be incurred by it through the closing proceedings (provided that such estimate shall not thereafter preclude a final settling of accounts between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent).
(e) The Closing Date shall have occurred on or before June 15, 2015.
Without limiting the generality of the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 9.03, for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 4.01, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.
4.02 Conditions to all Credit Extensions. The obligation of each Lender to honor any Request for Credit ExtensionLoan Notice is subject to the following conditions precedent:
(a) The representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in Article V or any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall be true and correct on and as of the date of such Credit Extension, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes of this Section 4.02, the representations and warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 5.05 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01.
(b) No Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Credit Extension or from the application of the proceeds thereof.
(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received a Borrowing Base Certificate dated not more than 1 day prior to the date of such request.
(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received a Request for Credit ExtensionLoan Notice in accordance with the requirements hereof.
(e) Upon the request of any Lender, the Borrower shall have provided to such Lender the documentation and other information so requested in connection with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money-laundering rules and regulations, including the Act.
Each Request for Credit ExtensionLoan Notice submitted by the Borrower shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Credit Extension.
ARTICLE V.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
The Borrower represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that:
5.01 Existence, Qualification and Power. The Borrower (a) is duly organized or formed, validly existing and, as applicable, in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority and all requisite governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals to (i) own or lease its assets and carry on its business and (ii) execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and (c) is duly qualified and is licensed and, as applicable, in good standing under the
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Laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license; except in each case referred to in clause (b)(i) or (c), to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered as such under the Investment Company Act.
5.02 Authorization; No Contravention. The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of each Loan Document, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action, and do not and will not (a) contravene the terms of any of such Person’s Organization Documents; (b) conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of, or the creation of any Lien under, or require any payment to be made under (i) any Contractual Obligation to which such Person is a party or affecting such Person or the properties of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award to which such Person or its property is subject; or (c) violate any Law. The Borrower is not an Affected Financial Institution.
5.03 Governmental Authorization; Other Consents. No approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is necessary or required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, the Borrower of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
5.04 Binding Effect. This Agreement has been, and each other Loan Document, when delivered hereunder, will have been, duly executed and delivered by the Borrower. This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document when so delivered will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower, enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with its terms.
5.05 Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect.
(a) The Audited Financial Statements (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; (ii) fairly present the financial condition of the Borrower as of the date thereof and its results of operations for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; and (iii) show all material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of the Borrower as of the date thereof, including liabilities for taxes, material commitments and Indebtedness.
(b) The unaudited Statement of Net Assets of the Borrower dated as of February 28, 2015, and the related statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the fiscal quarter ended on that date (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein, and (ii) fairly present the financial condition of the Borrower as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby, subject, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), to the absence of footnotes and to normal year-end audit adjustments. Schedule 5.05 sets forth all material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of the Borrower as of the date of such financial statements, including liabilities for taxes, material commitments and Indebtedness.
(c) Since the date of the Audited Financial Statements, there has been no event or circumstance, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.06 Litigation. There are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower after due and diligent investigation, threatened or contemplated, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, by or against the Borrower or against any of its properties or revenues that (a) purport to affect or pertain to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, or (b) either individually or in the aggregate, if determined adversely, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.07 No Default. The Borrower is not in default under or with respect to any Contractual Obligation that could, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
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5.08 Ownership of Property; Liens. The Borrower has good record and marketable title in fee simple to, or valid leasehold interests in, all real property necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of its business, except for such defects in title as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The property of the Borrower is subject to no Liens, other than Liens permitted by Section 7.01.
5.09 Environmental Compliance. The Borrower conducts in the ordinary course of business a review of the effect of existing Environmental Laws and claims alleging potential liability or responsibility for violation of any Environmental Law on their respective businesses, operations and properties, and as a result thereof the Borrower has reasonably concluded that such Environmental Laws and claims could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.10 Insurance. The properties of the Borrower are insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of the Borrower, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where the Borrower operates.
5.11 Taxes. The Borrower has filed all Federal, state and other material tax returns and reports required to be filed, and has paid all Federal, state and other material taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges levied or imposed upon it or its properties, income or assets otherwise due and payable, except those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP. There is no proposed tax assessment against the Borrower that would, if made, have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower is not party to any tax sharing agreement.
5.12 ERISA Compliance.
(a) Each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Federal or state laws. Each Pension Plan that is intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that the form of such Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and the trust related thereto has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(a) of the Code, or an application for such a letter is currently being processed by the Internal Revenue Service. To the best knowledge of the Borrower, nothing has occurred that would prevent or cause the loss of such tax-qualified status.
(b) There are no pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Plan that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) (i) No ERISA Event has occurred, and neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate is aware of any fact, event or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to constitute or result in an ERISA Event with respect to any Pension Plan; (ii) the Borrower and each ERISA Affiliate has met all applicable requirements under the Pension Funding Rules in respect of each Pension Plan, and no waiver of the minimum funding standards under the Pension Funding Rules has been applied for or obtained; (iii) as of the most recent valuation date for any Pension Plan, the funding target attainment percentage (as defined in Section 430(d)(2) of the Code) is 60% or higher and neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate knows of any facts or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause the funding target attainment percentage for any such plan to drop below 60% as of the most recent valuation date; (iv) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any liability to the PBGC other than for the payment of premiums, and there are no premium payments which have become due that are unpaid; (v) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or Section 4212(c) of ERISA; and (vi) no Pension Plan has been terminated by the plan administrator thereof nor by the PBGC, and no event or circumstance has occurred or exists that could reasonably be expected to cause the PBGC to institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate any Pension Plan.
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(d) Assuming that no portion of the assets used to fund any Loan constitute Plan Assets, none of the following (individually or collectively) constitute a “prohibited transaction” within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code for which an exemption is not available: (i) the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents, (ii) the incurrence of any obligation under the Loan Documents, (iii) the making of any Loan, (iv) the payment by the Borrower of any principal, interest, fee or other sum owing under the Loan Documents, or (v) the consummation of any other transaction contemplated by the Loan Documents.
5.13 Subsidiaries; Equity Interests. The Borrower has no Subsidiaries. The Borrower has no equity investments in any other corporation or entity other than those permitted by Section 7.02. All of the outstanding Equity Interests in the Borrower have been validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable.
5.14 Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act.
(a) Except for the Federal Reserve Form U-1 to be executed and delivered by the Borrower, no filing or other action is required under the provisions of Regulations T, U or X in connection with the execution and delivery by the Borrower of this Agreement and neither the making of any Loan in accordance with this Agreement nor the use of the proceeds thereof, will violate or be inconsistent with the provisions of Regulations T, U or X.
(b) The Borrower is in compliance with the Investment Company Act, including but not limited to all leverage regulations specified in Section 18 of the Investment Company Act.
5.15 Disclosure. The Borrower has disclosed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which it is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No report, financial statement, certificate or other information furnished (whether in writing or orally) by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document (in each case, as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time.
5.16 Compliance with Laws. The Borrower is in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its properties, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted or (b) the failure to comply therewith, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.17 Taxpayer Identification Number. The Borrower’s true and correct U.S. taxpayer identification number is set forth on Schedule 10.02.
5.18 Sanctions, Anti-Terrorism, Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Corruption.
(a) None of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any director, trustee, officer, employee, agent, or affiliate of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a Person that is, or is owned or controlled by Persons that are: (i) the subject or target of any sanctions administered or enforced by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”), or (ii) located, organized or resident in a region, country or territory that is, or whose government is, the subject of Sanctions, including, without limitation, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Crimea and Syria.
(b) No Affected Person or any Person that owns or controls (directly or indirectly) the Borrower or receives (directly or indirectly) any proceeds of any Loan (i) conducts any business or engages in making or receiving any contribution of goods, services or money to or for the benefit of any Sanctioned Person or in any Sanctioned Country, (ii) deals in, or otherwise engages in any transaction related to, any property or interests in property blocked pursuant to any Anti-Terrorism Law, (iii) engages in or conspires to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in any Anti-Terrorism Law, or (iv) has violated any Anti-Terrorism Law.
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(c) No Affected Person or any Person that owns or controls (directly or indirectly) the Borrower, or receives (directly or indirectly) any proceeds of any Loan (i) has engaged in any transaction, investment, undertaking or activity that conceals the identity, source or destination of the proceeds from any category of prohibited offenses designated by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering, or (ii) otherwise violated any applicable law regarding money laundering.
(d) The Borrower and each Subsidiary thereof is in compliance with the FCPA, and any foreign counterpart thereof. Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof has made a payment, offering, or promise to pay, or authorized the payment of, money or anything of value (i) in order to assist in obtaining or retaining business for or with, or directing business to, any foreign official, foreign political party, party official or candidate for foreign political office, (ii) to a foreign official, foreign political party or party official or any candidate for foreign political office, or (iii) with the intent to induce the recipient to misuse his or her official position to direct business wrongfully to the Borrower or any other Person in violation of the FCPA.
(e) The Borrower and each Subsidiary thereof has implemented and maintains, and is in compliance with, policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance by each Affected Person with all applicable laws regarding Sanctions and money laundering, Anti-Terrorism Laws and Anti-Corruption Laws.
ARTICLE VI.
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder or any Loan or other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, the Borrower shall:
6.01 Financial Statements. Deliver to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, in form and detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:
(a) as soon as available, but in any event within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower (or, if earlier, 15 days after the date required to be filed with the SEC) (commencing with the fiscal year ending November 30, 2014), a balance sheet of the Borrower as at the end of such fiscal year, and the related statements of income or operations, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of an independent certified public accountant of nationally recognized standing reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit;
(b) as soon as available, but in any event within 60 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower (or, if earlier, 5 days after the date required to be filed with the SEC) (commencing with the fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2015), a balance sheet of the Borrower as at the end of such fiscal quarter, the related statements of income or operations for such fiscal quarter and for the portion of the Borrower’s fiscal year then ended, and the related statements of changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the portion of the Borrower’s fiscal year then ended, in each case setting forth in comparative form, as applicable, the figures for the corresponding fiscal quarter of the previous fiscal year and the corresponding portion of the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, certified by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower as fairly presenting the financial condition, results of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Borrower in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.
6.02 Certificates; Other Information. Deliver to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, in form and detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:
(a) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(a) and (b), a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower (which delivery may, unless the Administrative Agent, or a Lender requests executed originals, be by electronic communication including fax or email and shall be deemed to be an original authentic counterpart thereof for all purposes);
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(b) on the 1st day of each month commencing July 1, 2015, a duly completed Borrowing Base Certificate as of the close of business on the last Business Day of the immediately preceding calendar month signed by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower (which delivery may, unless the Administrative Agent, or a Lender requests executed originals, be by electronic communication including fax or email and shall be deemed to be an original authentic counterpart thereof for all purposes);
(c) promptly after any request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, copies of any detailed audit reports, management letters or recommendations submitted to the board of directors (or the audit committee of the board of directors) of the Borrower by independent accountants in connection with the accounts or books of the Borrower, or any audit of the Borrower;
(d) promptly after the same are publicly available, copies of each annual report, proxy or financial statement or other report or communication sent to the stockholders of the Borrower, and copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which the Borrower files or be required to file with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and not otherwise required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant hereto;
(e) promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any statement or report furnished to any holder of debt securities of the Borrower thereof pursuant to the terms of any indenture, loan or credit or similar agreement and not otherwise required to be furnished to the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.01 or any other clause of this Section 6.02;
(f) promptly, and in any event within five Business Days after receipt thereof by the Borrower, copies of each notice or other correspondence received from the SEC (or comparable agency in any applicable non-U.S. jurisdiction) concerning any investigation or possible investigation or other inquiry by such agency regarding financial or other operational results of the Borrower; and
(g) promptly following any request therefor, (i) such other information regarding the operations, business, properties, liabilities (actual or contingent), condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Borrower, or compliance with the terms of the Loan Documents, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) may from time to time reasonably request; or (ii) information and documentation requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for purposes of compliance with applicable “know your customer” requirements under the Act or other applicable anti-money laundering laws.
Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) or Section 6.02(e) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents (in readily printable format), or provides a link thereto (in readily printable format), on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 10.02; or (ii) on which such documents (in readily printable format) are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that: (i) the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent or any Lender upon its request to the Borrower to deliver such paper copies until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and (ii) the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender (by telecopier or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents (in readily printable format). The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or to maintain paper copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower with any such request by a Lender for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.
The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent may make available to the Lenders materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks or another similar electronic system (the “Platform”) and (b) certain of the Lenders (each, a “Public Lender”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons’ securities. The
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Borrower hereby agrees that (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 10.07); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Side Information;” and (z) the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Side Information.”
6.03 Notices. Promptly notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender:
(a) of the occurrence of any Default;
(b) of any matter that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, including (i) breach or non-performance of, or any default under, a Contractual Obligation of the Borrower; (ii) any dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension between the Borrower and any Governmental Authority; or (iii) the commencement of, or any material development in, any litigation or proceeding affecting the Borrower, including pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws;
(c) of the occurrence of any ERISA Event;
(d) of any material change in accounting policies or financial reporting practices by the Borrower; and
(e) of any announcement by Fitch (or any other rating agency that has rated the Senior Notes) of any change or possible change in the Senior Notes’ credit rating.
Each notice pursuant to this Section 6.03 shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto. Each notice pursuant to Section 6.03(a) shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of this Agreement and any other Loan Document that have been breached.
6.04 Payment of Obligations. Pay and discharge as the same shall become due and payable, all its obligations and liabilities, including (a) all tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges or levies upon it or its properties or assets, unless the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by the Borrower; and (b) all lawful claims which, if unpaid, would by law become a Lien upon its property (other than a Permitted Lien), but subject to any subordination provisions contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing such Indebtedness.
6.05 Preservation of Existence, Etc. (a) Preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence and good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization except in a transaction permitted by Section 7.04 or 7.05; (b) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges, permits, licenses and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) preserve or renew all of its registered patents, trademarks, trade names and service marks, the non-preservation of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.06 Maintenance of Properties. (a) Maintain, preserve and protect all of its material properties and equipment necessary in the operation of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted; and (b) make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and replacements thereof except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.07 Maintenance of Insurance. Maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of the Borrower, insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business, of such types and in such amounts as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons and providing for not less than 30 days’ prior notice to the Administrative Agent of termination, lapse or cancellation of such insurance.
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6.08 Compliance with Laws. Comply in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its business or property, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted; or (b) the failure to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Without limiting the generality of the forgoing, the Borrower shall remain in compliance in all material respects with the Investment Company Act, including but not limited to all leverage regulations specified in the Investment Company Act.
6.09 Books and Records. (a) Maintain proper books of record and account, in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP consistently applied shall be made of all financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of the Borrower; and (b) maintain such books of record and account in material conformity with all applicable requirements of any Governmental Authority having regulatory jurisdiction over the Borrower.
6.10 Inspection Rights. Permit representatives and independent contractors of the Administrative Agent and each Lender to visit and inspect any of its properties, to examine its corporate, financial and operating records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its directors, officers, and independent public accountants, all at the expense of the Borrower and at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as may be reasonably desired, upon reasonable advance notice to the Borrower; provided, however, that so long as no Event of Default exists the Borrower will not be required to pay for more than one inspection by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders per calendar year; provided, further, that when an Event of Default exists the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or any of their respective representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Borrower at any time during normal business hours and without advance notice.
6.11 Use of Proceeds. Use the proceeds of the Credit Extensions for (i) the acquisition of investments in the ordinary course of business and (ii) general corporate purposes, in each case not in contravention of any Law or of any Loan Document.
6.12 Protection of Acceptable Assets. To (a) defend the Acceptable Assets against all claims and demands of all Persons at any time claiming the same or any interest (other than a Permitted Lien) therein, and (b) do whatever the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, from time to time, to effect the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including cooperating with the Administrative Agent’s representatives; keeping records; and paying claims which might, if unpaid, become a Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) on the Acceptable Assets.
6.13 Securities Account. The Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, promptly after its receipt thereof, a copy of each monthly account statement for the Securities Account. The Borrower further agrees that the Administrative Agent shall have the right, should it so elect, to monitor the Securities Account from time to time on a “real time” or other electronic basis, and to that end the Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes and instructs the Securities Intermediary to take such steps as may be necessary to allow the Administrative Agent to so monitor the Securities Account. The foregoing right to monitor the Securities Account shall give the Administrative Agent the right to monitor all aspects of the Securities Account, including, without limitation, the right to monitor all financial assets held therein and all trading activity relating thereto. The Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold the Securities Intermediary harmless from and against any losses, damages or expenses the Securities Intermediary may incur as a result of the Securities Intermediary permitting the Administrative Agent to monitor the Securities Account as provided in this Section, except for any such losses, damages or expenses that arise out of the Securities Intermediary’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Securities Intermediary shall be a third-party beneficiary of this Section.
6.14 Daily Securities Account Information. The Borrower shall, or shall cause the Securities Intermediary to, before the end of each Business Day directly provide the Administrative Agent such information as the Administrative Agent may request to allow monitoring of the Securities Account, including the financial assets held therein and all trading activity relating thereto, on a daily basis. The Administrative Agent shall have the right, should it so elect to monitor the Securities Account from time to time on a “real time” or other electronic basis, and to that end, the Borrower, if so requested by the Administrative Agent, will take appropriate action to authorize and instruct the Securities Intermediary to take such steps as necessary to allow the Agent to so monitor the Securities Account, not less frequently than at the end of each Business Day.
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6.15 Credit Rating. The Borrower shall secure a minimum unsecured credit rating of its Senior Notes, if any, of A by Fitch, or equivalent nationally recognized statistical rating organization reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent within 60 days of the Closing Date and maintain such rating at all times thereafter.
6.16 Asset Coverage Compliance. As of the end of each month during the Availability Period, regardless of whether the Borrower has incurred new Indebtedness, the Borrower shall maintain an “Asset Coverage” (as defined in Section 18(h) of the Investment Company Act), equal to or greater than the requirements of the Investment Company Act as if the Borrower had incurred new Indebtedness as of such date. In addition, at no time shall (a) the Borrower’s “Asset Coverage” (as defined in Section 18(h) of the Investment Company Act) be less than 200% and (b) one or more Loans or any principal thereof be outstanding. Borrower will include in each Borrowing Base Certificate required hereby a calculation of the “Asset Coverage” demonstrating compliance with this Section 6.16 in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
ARTICLE VII.
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder or any Loan or other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, the Borrower shall not:
7.01 Liens. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than the following:
(a) Liens pursuant to any Loan Document;
(b) Liens for taxes or other governmental charges not yet due or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP;
(c) carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business which are not overdue for a period of more than 30 days or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person;
(d) pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation, other than any Lien imposed by ERISA;
(e) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts and leases (other than Indebtedness), statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business; and
(f) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar encumbrances affecting real property which, in the aggregate, are not substantial in amount, and which do not in any case materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the applicable Person.
If, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower at any time creates or suffers to exist any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) on any assets, including, if applicable, any proceeds thereof (such assets and, if applicable, such proceeds being collectively referred to herein as “Encumbered Property”), to secure any Indebtedness, in addition to any other rights or remedies the Administrative Agent or the Lender may have, the Borrower shall be deemed to have granted to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of each Lender at such time, without further action on any Person’s part, a security interest in the Encumbered Property as security for all existing and future Obligations. In such event and insofar as the Encumbered Property consists of the Securities Account or any financial assets held therein: (1) the Administrative Agent and the Securities Intermediary shall be authorized, without notice to, the consent of or other action by the Borrower, to take such action as the Administrative Agent deems necessary or advisable to perfect or otherwise assure the Administrative Agent with respect to such security interest (including, without limitation, to provide the Administrative Agent control of the Encumbered Property held in the Securities Account, as the term “control” is defined in §8-106(d)(2) of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in any jurisdiction); and (2) if so requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower, at its expense, shall cause the holder of any such Lien granted
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to a Person other than the Administrative Agent to take such action as the Administrative Agent reasonably deems necessary or advisable to cause the priority of such Lien to rank on a pari passu basis with the Administrative Agent’s Liens.
7.02 Investments. Make or permit to remain outstanding any Investment except:
(a) Investments in the ordinary course of its business; and
(b) Swap Contracts in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.
7.03 Indebtedness. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:
(a) accrued expenses and trade account payables incurred in the ordinary course of the Borrower’s business;
(b) the Senior Notes;
(c) Indebtedness to the Lenders under this Agreement;
(d) obligations (contingent or otherwise) of the Borrower existing or arising under any Swap Contract, provided that (i) such obligations are (or were) entered into by such Person in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of directly mitigating risks associated with liabilities, commitments, investments, assets, or property held or reasonably anticipated by such Person, or changes in the value of securities issued by such Person, and not for purposes of speculation or taking a “market view;” and (ii) such Swap Contract does not contain any provision exonerating the non-defaulting party from its obligation to make payments on outstanding transactions to the defaulting party; and
(e) other Indebtedness approved in advance by the Required Lenders in a writing delivered to the Borrower.
7.04 Fundamental Changes. Merge, divide, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate with or into another Person, or acquire (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all the assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) of any Person; provided, however, that the foregoing prohibition on acquisitions by the Borrower shall not prohibit the Borrower from acquiring investment property in the ordinary course of its business.
7.05 Dispositions. Make any Disposition or enter into any agreement to make any Disposition, except:
(a) Dispositions of obsolete or worn out property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in the ordinary course of business; and
(b) Dispositions of investment property in the ordinary course of business;
7.06 Restricted Payments. So long as any Default has occurred and is continuing declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so.
7.07 Change in Nature of Business. Engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business conducted by the Borrower on the date hereof or any business substantially related or incidental thereto.
7.08 Transactions with Affiliates. Enter into any transaction of any kind with any Affiliate of the Borrower other than Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C., whether or not in the ordinary course of business, other than on fair and reasonable terms substantially as favorable to the Borrower as would be obtainable by the Borrower at the time in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate.
7.09 Amount Invested in Single Issuer. The Borrower shall not make any investment in any single master limited partnership or other single issuer if, immediately after giving effect to such investment, the aggregate fair market value of all investments in such issuer would exceed 10% of the Borrower’s total assets at such time.
7.10 Securities Intermediary. Change or permit any change to the Securities Intermediary without the prior written approval of the Administrative Agent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld).
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7.11 Sanctions, Anti-Terrorism, Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Corruption.
(a) The Borrower will not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the Loans, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, (i) to fund, finance or facilitate any activities or business of or with any Person, or in any region, country or territory, that, at the time of such funding, financing or facilitating is, or whose government is, the subject of Sanctions, or (ii) in any other manner that would result in a violation of Sanctions by any Person (including any Person participating in the Loans, whether as underwriter, lender, advisor, investor, or otherwise).
(b) The Borrower will not, and will not cause or permit any Subsidiary thereof to, violate any applicable law, rule or regulation regarding Sanctions or money laundering, or any Anti-Terrorism Law or Anti-Corruption Law.
(c) The Borrower and each Subsidiary thereof shall at all times maintain, and be in compliance with, policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance by each Affected Person with all applicable laws, rules and regulations regarding Sanctions and money laundering, Anti-Terrorism Laws and Anti-Corruption Laws.
ARTICLE VIII.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
8.01 Events of Default. Any of the following shall constitute an Event of Default:
(a) Non-Payment. The Borrower fails to pay (i) when and as required to be paid herein, any amount of principal of any Loan, or (ii) within 3 Business Days of when and as required to be paid herein any interest on any Loan, any fee due hereunder, or any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document; or
(b) Specific Covenants. The Borrower fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Section 6.01, 6.02, 6.03, 6.05, 6.10, 6.11, 6.12, 6.13, 6.14, 6.15 or 6.16 or Article VII; provided that with respect to any failure to perform or observe Section 6.02(b) or Section 6.16 such failure shall continue for 5 days; or
(c) Other Defaults. The Borrower fails to perform or observe any other covenant or agreement (not specified in subsection (a) or (b) above) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or observed and such failure continues for 30 days; or
(d) Representations and Warranties. Any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower herein, in any other Loan Document, or in any document delivered in connection herewith or therewith shall be incorrect or misleading when made or deemed made; or
(e) Cross-Default. The Borrower (A) fails to make any payment when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) in respect of any Indebtedness (including Indebtedness under Swap Contracts) or Guarantee (other than Indebtedness hereunder) having an aggregate principal amount (including undrawn committed or available amounts and including amounts owing to all creditors under any combined or syndicated credit arrangement) of more than the Threshold Amount, or (B) fails to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or Guarantee or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event occurs, the effect of which default or other event is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or the beneficiary or beneficiaries of such Guarantee (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to be demanded or to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity, or such Guarantee to become payable or cash collateral in respect thereof to be demanded; or
(f) Insolvency Proceedings, Etc. Borrower institutes or consents to the institution of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer for it or for all or any material part of its property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer is appointed without the application or consent of such Person and the appointment continues undischarged or unstayed for 60 calendar days; or any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law relating to any such Person or to all or any material part of its property is instituted without the consent of such Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for 60 calendar days, or an order for relief is entered in any such proceeding; or
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(g) Inability to Pay Debts; Attachment. (i) The Borrower becomes unable or admits in writing its inability or fails generally to pay its debts as they become due, or (ii) any writ or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process is issued or levied against all or any material part of the property of the Borrower and is not released, vacated or fully bonded within 30 days after its issue or levy; or
(h) Judgments. There is entered against the Borrower (i) one or more final judgments or orders for the payment of money in an aggregate amount (as to all such judgments or orders) exceeding the Threshold Amount (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer does not dispute coverage), or (ii) any one or more non-monetary final judgments that have, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and, in either case, (A) enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order, or (B) there is a period of 30 consecutive days during which such judgment remains unpaid, unstayed on appeal, undischarged, unbonded, or undismissed; or
(i) ERISA. (i) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower under Title IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount, or (ii) the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount; or
(j) Invalidity of Loan Documents. Any provision of any Loan Document, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder or satisfaction in full of all the Obligations, ceases to be in full force and effect; or the Borrower or any other Person contests in any manner the validity or enforceability of any provision of any Loan Document; or the Borrower denies that it has any or further liability or obligation under any Loan Document, or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind any provision of any Loan Document; or
(k) Change of Control. There occurs any Change of Control; or
(l) Investment Advisor. The Borrower changes the Investment Advisor, and such new Investment Advisor is not reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent; provided, however, changing the Investment Advisor shall not be deemed an Event of Default, if having such Event of Default violates the Investment Company Act; or the Borrower shall fail to be a closed-end management investment company registered as such under the Investment Company Act.
8.02 Remedies Upon Event of Default. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Administrative Agent shall, at the request of, or may, with the consent of, the Required Lenders, take any or all of the following actions:
(a) declare the Commitment of each Lender to make Loans to be terminated, whereupon such Commitments shall be terminated;
(b) declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower; and
(c) exercise on behalf of itself and the Lenders all rights and remedies available to it and the Lenders under the Loan Documents;
provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, the obligation of each Lender to make Loans shall automatically terminate, the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, in each case without further act of the Administrative Agent or any Lender.
8.03 Application of Funds. After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 8.02 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable as set forth in the proviso to Section 8.02), any amounts
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received on account of the Obligations shall, subject to the provision of Section 2.13, be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:
First, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent and amounts payable under Article III) payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;
Second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal and interest) payable to the Lenders (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders and amounts payable under Article III), ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;
Third, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans and other Obligations, ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;
Fourth, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans, ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them; and
Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Law.
ARTICLE IX.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
9.01 Appointment and Authority. Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints The Bank of Nova Scotia to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and the Borrower shall not have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions.
9.02 Rights as a Lender. The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.
9.03 Exculpatory Provisions. The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent:
(a) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;
(b) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law; and
(c) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its
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Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.
The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 10.01 and 8.02) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or a Lender.
The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.
9.04 Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender one full Business Day prior to the making of such Loan. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.
9.05 Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.
9.06 Resignation of Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, with the consent of the Borrower, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may with the consent of the Borrower and on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that if the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (1) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and (2) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender directly, until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above in this Section. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan
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Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section). The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article IX and Section 10.04 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.
9.07 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders. Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.
9.08 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.08 and 10.04) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.07 and 10.04.
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.
9.09 Erroneous Payments.
(a) If the Administrative Agent (x) notifies a Lender, or any Person who has received funds on behalf of a Lender (any such Lender or other recipient (and each of their respective successors and assigns), a “Payment Recipient”), that the Administrative Agent has determined in its sole discretion (whether or not after receipt of any notice under immediately succeeding clause (b)) that any funds (as set forth in such notice from the Administrative Agent) received by such Payment Recipient from the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates were erroneously or mistakenly transmitted to, or otherwise erroneously or mistakenly received by, such Payment Recipient (whether or not known to such Payment Recipient) (any such funds, whether transmitted or received as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees, distribution or otherwise, individually and collectively, an “Erroneous Payment”) and (y) demands the return of such Erroneous Payment (or a portion thereof), such Erroneous Payment shall at all times remain the property of the Administrative Agent pending its return or repayment as contemplated below in this Section 9.09 and held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, and such Lender shall (or, with respect to
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any Payment Recipient who received such funds on its behalf, shall cause such Payment Recipient to) promptly, but in no event later than two (2) Business Days thereafter (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, specify in writing), return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made, in same day funds (in the currency so received), together with interest thereon (except to the extent waived in writing by the Administrative Agent) in respect of each day from and including the date such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Payment Recipient to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent in same day funds at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect. A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Payment Recipient under this clause (a) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.
(b) Without limiting immediately preceding clause (a), each Payment Recipient agrees that if it receives a payment, prepayment or repayment (whether received as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees, distribution or otherwise) from the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) (x) that is in a different amount than, or on a different date from, that specified in this Agreement or in a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment, (y) that was not preceded or accompanied by a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates), or (z) that such Payment Recipient otherwise becomes aware was transmitted, or received, in error or by mistake (in whole or in part), then in each such case:
(i) it acknowledges and agrees that (A) in the case of immediately preceding clauses (x) or (y), an error and mistake shall be presumed to have been made (absent written confirmation from the Administrative Agent to the contrary) or (B) an error and mistake has been made (in the case of immediately preceding clause (z)), in each case, with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment; and
(ii) such Payment Recipient shall (and shall cause any other recipient that receives funds on its behalf to) promptly (and, in all events, within one (1) Business Day of its knowledge of the occurrence of any of the circumstances described in immediately preceding clauses (x), (y) and (z)) notify the Administrative Agent of its receipt of such payment, prepayment or repayment, the details thereof (in reasonable detail) and that it is so notifying the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 9.09(b).
For the avoidance of doubt, the failure to deliver a notice to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 9.09(b) shall not have any effect on a Payment Recipient’s obligations pursuant to Section 9.09(a) or on whether or not an Erroneous Payment has been made.
(c) Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off, net and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document, or otherwise payable or distributable by the Administrative Agent to such Lender under any Loan Document with respect to any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts, against any amount that the Administrative Agent has demanded to be returned under immediately preceding clause (a).
(d) (i) In the event that an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered by the Administrative Agent for any reason, after demand therefor in accordance with immediately preceding clause (a), from any Payment Recipient that has received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) (such unrecovered amount, an “Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency”), upon the Administrative Agent’s notice to such Payment Recipient at any time, then effective immediately (with the consideration therefor being acknowledged by the parties hereto), (A) such Payment Recipient shall be deemed to have assigned its Loans (but not its Commitment) with respect to which such Erroneous Payment was made (the “Erroneous Payment Impacted Loans”) in an amount equal to the Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency (or such lesser amount as the Administrative Agent may specify) (such assignment of the Erroneous Payment Impacted Loans, the “Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment”) (on a cashless basis and such amount calculated at par plus any accrued and unpaid interest (with the assignment fee to be waived by the Administrative Agent in such instance)), and is hereby (together with the Borrower) deemed to execute and deliver an Assignment and Assumption with respect to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, and such Payment Recipient shall deliver any Notes evidencing such Loans to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent (but the failure of such Person to deliver any such Notes shall not affect the effectiveness of the foregoing assignment), (B) the Administrative Agent as the assignee Lender shall be deemed to have acquired the Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, (C) upon such
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deemed acquisition, the Administrative Agent as the assignee Lender shall become a Lender hereunder with respect to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment and the assigning Lender shall cease to be a Lender hereunder with respect to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, its obligations under the indemnification provisions of this Agreement and its applicable Commitment which shall survive as to such assigning Lender, (D) the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall each be deemed to have waived any consents required under this Agreement to any such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, and (E) the Administrative Agent will reflect in the Register its ownership interest in the Loans subject to the Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment. For the avoidance of doubt, no Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment will reduce the Commitment of any Lender and such Commitment shall remain available in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(ii) Subject to Section 10.06 (but excluding, in all events, any assignment consent or approval requirements (whether from the Borrower or otherwise)), the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion, sell any Loans acquired pursuant to an Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment and upon receipt of the proceeds of such sale, the Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency owing by the applicable Lender shall be reduced by the net proceeds of the sale of such Loan (or portion thereof), and the Administrative Agent shall retain all other rights, remedies and claims against such Lender (and/or against any recipient that receives funds on its respective behalf). In addition, an Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency owing by the applicable Lender (x) shall be reduced by the proceeds of prepayments or repayments of principal and interest, or other distribution in respect of principal and interest, received by the Administrative Agent on or with respect to any such Loans acquired from such Lender pursuant to an Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment (to the extent that any such Loans are then owned by the Administrative Agent) and (y) may, in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent, be reduced by any amount specified by the Administrative Agent in writing to the applicable Lender from time to time.
(e) The parties hereto agree that (x) irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent may be equitably subrogated, in the event that an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered from any Payment Recipient that has received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) for any reason, the Administrative Agent shall be subrogated to all the rights and interests of such Payment Recipient (and, in the case of any Payment Recipient who has received funds on behalf of a Lender, to the rights and interests of such Lender) under the Loan Documents with respect to such amount (the “Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights”) (provided that the Borrower’s obligations under the Loan Documents in respect of Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights shall not be duplicative of such obligations in respect of Loans that have been assigned to the Administrative Agent under an Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment) and (y) an Erroneous Payment shall not pay, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise satisfy any obligation owed by the Borrower under the Loan Documents; provided that this Section 9.09 shall not be interpreted to increase (or accelerate the due date for), or have the effect of increasing (or accelerating the due date for), the obligations of the Borrower under the Loan Documents relative to the amount (and/or timing for payment) of the obligations that would have been payable had such Erroneous Payment not been made by the Administrative Agent, provided further, that for the avoidance of doubt, immediately preceding clauses (x) and (y) shall not apply to the extent any such Erroneous Payment is, and solely with respect to the amount of such Erroneous Payment that is, comprised of funds received by the Administrative Agent from the Borrower for the purpose of making such Erroneous Payment.
(f) To the extent permitted by applicable law, no Payment Recipient shall assert any right or claim to an Erroneous Payment, and hereby waives, and is deemed to waive, any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by the Administrative Agent for the return of any Erroneous Payment received, including, without limitation, any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar doctrine.
(g) Each party’s obligations, agreements and waivers under this Section 9.09 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent, any transfer of rights or obligations by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and/or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations of the Borrower (or any portion thereof) under any Loan Document.
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ARTICLE X.
MISCELLANEOUS
10.01 Amendments, Etc. No Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, no amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Required Lenders and the Borrower, and acknowledged by the Administrative Agent, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, however, that no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:
(a) waive any condition set forth in Section 4.01(a) without the written consent of each Lender;
(b) extend or increase the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 8.02) without the written consent of such Lender;
(c) postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment or mandatory prepayment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them) hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;
(d) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan, or any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby; provided, however, that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to amend the definition of “Default Rate” or to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest at the Default Rate;
(e) change Section 8.03 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of each Lender; or
(f) change any provision of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender;
and, provided further, that no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (x) the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender and (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender more adversely than other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.
10.02 Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication.
(a) Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in subsection (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopier as follows:
(i) if to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address specified for such Person on Schedule 10.02; and
(ii) if to any other Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire (including, as appropriate, notices delivered solely to the Person designated by a Lender on its Administrative Questionnaire then in effect for the delivery of notices that may contain material non-public information relating to the Borrower).
Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by telecopier shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall
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be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient). Notices and other communications delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in subsection (b) below, shall be effective as provided in such subsection (b).
(b) Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender pursuant to Article II if such Lender has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.
(c) The Platform. THE PLATFORM, IF ANY, IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Borrower’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of Borrower Materials through the Internet, except to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent Party; provided, however, that in no event shall any Agent Party have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other Person for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages).
(d) Change of Address, Etc. Each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Each other Lender may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent. In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent from time to time to ensure that the Administrative Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, telecopier number and electronic mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender. Furthermore, each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws, to make reference to Borrower Materials that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal or state securities laws.
(e) Reliance by Administrative Agent and Lenders. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient,
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varied from any confirmation thereof. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower. All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.
10.03 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement. No failure by any Lender or the Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents against the Borrower shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 8.02 for the benefit of all the Lenders; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit (a) the Administrative Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Administrative Agent) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (b) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 10.08 (subject to the terms of Section 2.11), or (c) any Lender from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of a proceeding relative to the Borrower under any Debtor Relief Law; and provided, further, that if at any time there is no Person acting as Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, then (i) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.02 and (ii) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (b), and (c) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 2.11, any Lender may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to it and as authorized by the Required Lenders.
10.04 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.
(a) Costs and Expenses. The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent), in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), and (ii) all out of pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent or any Lender (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent or any Lender), in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or (B) in connection with the Loans made hereunder, including all such out of pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans.
(b) Indemnification by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) and each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (the Administrative Agent, each Lender and each such Related Party, an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee), incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by the Borrower arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or, in the case of the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) and its Related Parties only, the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including in respect of any matters addressed in Section 3.01), (ii) any Loan or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom, (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Borrower, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Borrower, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought
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by a third party or by the Borrower, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (y) result from a claim brought by the Borrower against an Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee’s obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if the Borrower has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(c) Reimbursement by Lenders. To the extent that the Borrower for any reason fails to indefeasibly pay any amount required under subsection (a) or (b) of this Section to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof) or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount, provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) in connection with such capacity. The obligations of the Lenders under this subsection (c) are subject to the provisions of Section 2.10(d).
(d) Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee referred to in subsection (b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Indemnitee through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than for direct or actual damages resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee as determined by a final and nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(e) Payments. All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than ten Business Days after demand therefor.
(f) Survival. The agreements in this Section shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.
10.05 Payments Set Aside. To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower is made to the Administrative Agent or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Effective Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
10.06 Successors and Assigns.
(a) Successors and Assigns 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 permitted hereby, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of
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the Administrative Agent and each Lender (and any attempted assignment by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section 10.06, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this Section 10.06, or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of subsection (f) of this Section 10.06 (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section 10.06 and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(b) Assignments by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:
(i) Minimum Amounts.
(A) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and
(B) in any case not described in subsection (b)(i)(A) of this Section 10.06, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided, however, that concurrent assignments to members of an Assignee Group and concurrent assignments from members of an Assignee Group to a single Eligible Assignee (or to an Eligible Assignee and members of its Assignee Group) will be treated as a single assignment for purposes of determining whether such minimum amount has been met.
(ii) Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Commitment assigned;
(iii) Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by subsection (b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in addition:
(A) the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) shall be required unless (1) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (2) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; and
(B) the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender.
(iv) Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount of $3,500; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment. The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.
(v) No Assignment to Certain Persons. No such assignment shall be made (A) to the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates, or (B) to any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who,
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upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (B), or (C) to a natural person.
(vi) Certain Additional Payments. In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon) and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable Law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.
Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.03 and 10.04 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment. Upon request, the Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with subsection (d) of this Section.
(c) Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower (and such agency being solely for tax purposes), shall maintain at the Administrative Agent’s Office a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. In addition, the Administrative Agent shall maintain on the Register information regarding the designation, and revocation of designation, of any Lender as a Defaulting Lender. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(d) Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person, a Defaulting Lender or the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement.
Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in the first
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proviso to Section 10.01 that affects such Participant. Subject to subsection (e) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01 and 3.03 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.11 as though it were a Lender.
(e) Limitations upon Participant Rights. A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 3.01 or 3.03 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 3.01 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 3.01(e) as though it were a Lender.
(f) Certain Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
10.07 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality. The Administrative Agent and each Lender agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates’ respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, advisors, service providers and representatives (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations, (g) with the consent of the Borrower or (h) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower. The Administrative Agent will use reasonable efforts to promptly notify the Borrower of any disclosures of Information pursuant to clauses (b), (c) and (e) above; provided that the failure to so notify the Borrower will not affect the rights or obligations of any party under this Agreement. For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Borrower relating to the Borrower or its business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.
Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders acknowledges that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning the Borrower, (b) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (c) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws, in all material respects.
10.08 Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and
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although such obligations of the Borrower may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lender different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided, that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.13 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.
10.09 Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the “Maximum Rate”). If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.
10.10 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Unless otherwise stated in writing at such time, delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy or other electronic imaging means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
10.11 Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the Administrative Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Credit Extension, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied.
10.12 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.12, if and to the extent that the enforceability of any provisions in this Agreement relating to Defaulting Lenders shall be limited by Debtor Relief Laws, as determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent, then such provisions shall be deemed to be in effect only to the extent not so limited.
10.13 Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender or any Participant requests compensation under Section 3.03, or the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender, any Participant or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, or if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, or if any Lender gives
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notice under Section 3.02, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender or Participant as the case may be to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by Section 10.06), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that:
(a) the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee specified in Section 10.06(b);
(b) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to 100% of the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);
(c) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 3.03 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 3.01, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter; and
(d) such assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws.
A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.
10.14 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.
(a) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.
(b) SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. THE BORROWER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH DISTRICT STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY LENDER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST THE BORROWER OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.
(c) WAIVER OF VENUE. THE BORROWER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.
(d) SERVICE OF PROCESS. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 10.02. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT
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WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.
10.15 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
10.16 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility. In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that: (i) (A) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrower and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, on the other hand, (B) the Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) the Borrower is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) (A) the Administrative Agent and each Lender is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any obligation to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Administrative Agent, each Lender and each Affiliate of the Administrative Agent and each Lender may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower and its Affiliates, and the Administrative Agent does not have any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower or its Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Borrower hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent and each Lender with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.
10.17 Electronic Execution of Assignments and Loan Documents. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of each Assignment and Assumption or Loan Document, or any amendment, supplement or other modification thereto, by telecopy, emailed .pdf or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of the actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart thereof. The words “execution”, “signed”, “signature”, “delivery” and words of like import in or relating to any document to be signed in connection with an Assignment and Assumption, the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that nothing herein shall require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to accept electronic signatures in any form or format without its prior written consent. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrower hereby (i) agrees that, for all purposes, including without limitation, in connection with any workout, restructuring, enforcement of remedies, bankruptcy proceedings or litigation among the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and/or the Borrower, electronic images of each Assignment and Assumption or Loan Document (in each case, including with respect to any signature pages thereto) shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as any paper original, and (ii) waives any argument, defense or right to contest the validity or enforceability of any Assignment and Assumption or Loan Document based solely on the lack of paper original copies thereof, including with respect to any signature pages thereto. For purposes hereof, “Electronic Signature” means an electronic sound, symbol, or process
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attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a Person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record.
10.18 USA PATRIOT Act. Each Lender that is subject to the Act (as hereinafter defined) and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Act. The Borrower shall, promptly following a request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, provide all documentation and other information that the Administrative Agent or such Lender requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Act.
10.19 Time of the Essence. Time is of the essence of the Loan Documents.
10.20 K.S.A. §16-118 Required Notice. This statement is provided pursuant to K.S.A. §16-118: “THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT IS A FINAL EXPRESSION OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CREDITORS AND THE DEBTOR AND SUCH WRITTEN CREDIT AGREEMENT MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF ANY PRIOR ORAL CREDIT AGREEMENT OR OF A CONTEMPORANEOUS ORAL CREDIT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CREDITORS AND DEBTOR.” THE FOLLOWING SPACE CONTAINS ANY NON-STANDARD TERMS, INCLUDING THE REDUCTION TO WRITING OF ANY PREVIOUS ORAL CREDIT AGREEMENT:
NONE.
The creditors and debtor, by their respective initials or signatures below, confirm that no unwritten credit agreement exists between the parties:
Creditor:_____________________
Debtor:_____________________
10.21 Certain ERISA Matters.
(a) Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower, that at least one of the following is and will be true:
(i) such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise) of one or more Benefit Plans with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Aggregate Commitments or this Agreement,
(ii) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Aggregate Commitments and this Agreement,
(iii) (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans,
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the Aggregate Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Aggregate Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 8414 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Aggregate Commitments and this Agreement, or
(iv) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.
(b) In addition, unless either (1) sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or (2) a Lender has provided another representation, warranty and covenant in accordance with sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower, that the Administrative Agent is not a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender involved in such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Aggregate Commitments and this Agreement (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related hereto or thereto).
(c) For purposes of this Section 10.21, the following terms have the following meanings:
“Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in and subject to Section 4975 of the Code or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.
“PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.
10.22 Acknowledgement Regarding any Supported QFCs.
To the extent that any Loan Document (i) constitutes a QFC (such Loan Document, a “Loan Document QFC”), or (ii) provides support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for any Loan Document QFC, any Financial Contract or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “QFC Credit Support”, and each such QFC, a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that such Loan Document and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States):
(a) In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under such Loan Document that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such Loan Document were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.
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(b) As used in this Section 10.22, the following terms have the following meanings:
“BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.
“Covered Entity” means any of the following: (i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).
“Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.
“QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).
10.23 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Affected Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:
(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an Affected Financial Institution; and
(b) the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:
(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;
(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or
(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
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TORTOISE PIPELINE & ENERGY FUND, INC.
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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The Bank of Nova Scotia — Tortoise Pipeline & Energy Fund Credit Agreement
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THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, as the Administrative Agent and as a Lender
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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The Bank of Nova Scotia — Tortoise Pipeline & Energy Fund Credit Agreement
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SCHEDULE 2.01
COMMITMENTS
AND APPLICABLE PERCENTAGES
Lender
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Commitment
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Applicable Percentage
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The Bank of Nova Scotia
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$
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15,000,000
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100.000000000%
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Total
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$
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15,000,000
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100.000000000%
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EXHIBIT A
FORM OF LOAN NOTICE
Date: _____________, __________
The Bank of Nova Scotia
250 Vesey Street, 23rd Floor
New York, NY 10281
Attn: Aron Lau
720 King Street West, 4th Floor
Toronto, ON Canada M5V 2T3
Attn: Corporate Loan Team
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of June 15, 2015 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Agreement;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among Tortoise Pipeline & Energy Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“Borrower”), each lender from time to time party hereto (collectively, “Lenders” and individually, a “Lender”), and THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, as Administrative Agent.
[For a Loan Notice submitted in connection with a borrowing of a Loan under Section 2.02(a)]1
1. Pursuant to Section 2.02(a) of the Agreement, the undersigned hereby gives notice of its intention to borrow a Loan (the “Proposed Borrowing”) under the Agreement, and in connection therewith sets forth below the information relating to such borrowing as required by Section 2.02(a) of the Agreement:
(a) The aggregate amount of the Proposed Borrowing is $_____________.
(b) The date (which shall be a Business Day) of such Proposed Borrowing is ___________, 20 ______ (the “Proposed Borrowing Date”).
(c) The Proposed Borrowing is to be [a DSS Loan] [a TS Loan having an Interest Period of _____________].
(d) Proceeds of the Proposed Borrowing are to be wired or otherwise transferred to: [Specify exact wire or transfer instructions].
2. The Borrower hereby certifies that:
(a) on and as of the date hereof, no Default has occurred and is continuing, and
(b) on and as of the Proposed Borrowing Date, the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) of the Agreement have been satisfied.
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[For a Loan Notice submitted in connection with a conversion or continuation of a Loan under Section 2.03]2
1. Pursuant to Section 2.03 of the Agreement, the undersigned hereby gives notice of its intention to [convert all or any portion of a DSS Loan to a TS Loan] [convert all or any portion of a DSS Loan to a TS Loan] [continue all or any portion of a TS Loan as a TS Loan having an additional Interest Period] (the “Proposed [Conversion][Continuation]”) under the Agreement, and in connection therewith sets forth below the information relating to such borrowing as required by Section 2.03 of the Agreement:
(a) The aggregate amount of the Loan to be [converted][continued] is $_____________. Such Loan is a [DSS Loan][TS Loan].
(b) The date (which shall be a Business Day) of such Proposed [Conversion][Continuation] is _____________, 20____.
The Loan to be [converted][continued] shall be [converted into a [DSS Loan][TS Loan having an Interest Period of _____________]] [continued as a TS Loan having an Interest Period of _____________].
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Loan Notice to be executed by its duly authorized representative as of the date first above written.
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Tortoise Pipeline & Energy Fund, Inc.
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By:
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Title:
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The Bank of Nova Scotia — Tortoise Pipeline & Energy Fund Credit Agreement
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Exhibit (d)(1)
![](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1526329/000117494723001178/tcomputershare_logo.jpg)
Depositary and Information Agent Agreement
Between
Tortoise Pipeline & Energy Fund, Inc.
And
Computershare Trust Company, N.A., Computershare Inc.
And
Georgeson LLC
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THIS DEPOSITARY AND INFORMATION AGENT AGREEMENT dated as of September 7, 2023 (the “Effective Date”), is by and between Tortoise Pipeline & Energy Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Purchaser”), having its principal office and place of business at 6363 College Boulevard, Overland Park, Kansas 66211, and Computershare Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Computershare”), and its wholly owned subsidiary Computershare Trust Company, N.A., a federally chartered trust company (“Trust Company”, and together with Computershare, “Agent”), each having a principal office and place of business at 150 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021, and, for purposes of the services provided under Article II hereof, Georgeson LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (”Georgeson”).
ARTICLE I — DEPOSITARY SERVICES
1. APPOINTMENT
1.1 The Purchaser is offering to purchase up to _5% of its outstanding____ shares of Common Stock, $ _0.001 per share__ par value (the “Shares”), at 98% of pricing date NAV to the seller in cash, upon the terms and conditions set forth in its Offer to Purchase date October 2nd, 2023 (the “Offer to Purchase”) and in the letter of transmittal in a form acceptable to Agent (the “Letter of Transmittal”), which together, as they may be amended from time to time, constitute the “Offer”. Each Purchaser hereby appoints Agent to act as depositary and information agent in connection with the Offer and Agent hereby accepts such appointment in accordance with and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
1.2 The “Expiration Date” for the Offer shall be 5:00 p.m. New York time, on November 1st, 2023, unless and until a Purchaser shall have extended the period of time for which the Offer is open, in which event the term “Expiration Date” shall mean the latest time and date at which the Offer, as so extended by such Purchaser from time to time, shall expire. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the same meanings as in the Offer.
1.3 Promptly after the date hereof, the Purchaser will furnish Agent as depository, with a certified list, in a format acceptable to Agent, of holders of the Shares of record at the date noted above on which the Offer to Purchase becomes effective (the “Effective Time”), including each such holder’s name, address, taxpayer identification number (“TIN”), Share amount with applicable tax lot detail, any certificate detail or indication of accounts holding the Shares through the Direct Registration System (“Book Entry Shares”) and information regarding any applicable account stops or blocks (the “Record Stockholders List”).
1.4 No later than the earlier of (i) forty-five (45) days after the Expiration Date or (ii) January 15 of the year following the year in which the Expiration Date occurs, the Purchaser shall deliver, to Agent as depository written direction on the adjustment of cost basis for covered securities that arise from or are affected by this Offer in accordance with current Internal Revenue Service regulations and as set forth in the Tax Instruction/Cost Basis Information Letter attached hereto as Exhibit A.
2. TENDER OF SHARES
Agent, in its capacity as depositary, will receive tenders of the Shares. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Agent is authorized to accept such tenders of the Shares in accordance with the Offer, and to act in accordance with the following instructions:
2.1 The Shares shall be considered validly tendered to Agent only if:
(a) Agent receives prior to the Expiration Date, (i) certificates for such Shares (or a Confirmation (as defined in paragraph (b) below) relating to such Shares), if applicable, (ii) a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal or an Agent’s Message (as defined in paragraph (b) below) relating thereto, and (iii) if applicable, a final determination by Purchaser of the adequacy of the items received, in accordance with Article I, Section 8 hereof; or
(b) Agent receives (i) a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (as defined in Article I, Section 2.2(b) below) relating to such Shares prior to the Expiration Date, (ii) certificates for such Shares (or a Confirmation relating to such Shares), if applicable, and either a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal or an Agent’s Message relating thereto, prior to the end of the [third] trading day on the New York Stock Exchange after the Expiration Date, and (iii) if applicable, a final determination by the Purchaser of the adequacy of the items received, in accordance with Article I, Section 8 hereof.
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2.2 For the purpose of this Agreement:
(a) a “Confirmation” shall be a confirmation of book-entry transfer of the Shares into an Agent account at The Depository Trust Company (the “Book-Entry Transfer Facility”) to be established and maintained by Agent in accordance with Article I, Section 3 hereof;
(b) a “Notice of Guaranteed Delivery” shall be a notice of guaranteed delivery in the form agreed upon by the parties hereto or, if sent by a Book-Entry Transfer Facility, a message transmitted through electronic means in accordance with the usual procedures of such Book-Entry Transfer Facility and Agent; provided, however, that if such notice is sent by a Book-Entry Transfer Facility through electronic means, it must state that such Book-Entry Transfer Facility has received an express acknowledgment from the participant on whose behalf such notice is given that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the form of such notice; and an “Agent’s Message” shall be a message transmitted through electronic means by a Book-Entry Transfer Facility, in accordance with the normal procedures of such Book-Entry Transfer Facility and Agent, to and received by Agent and forming part of a Confirmation, which states that such Book-Entry Transfer Facility has received an express acknowledgment from the participant in such Book-Entry Transfer Facility tendering the Shares which are the subject of such Confirmation that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the Letter of Transmittal, and that the Purchaser may enforce such agreement against such participant. The term Agent’s Message shall also include any hard copy printout evidencing such message generated by a computer terminal maintained at Agent’s office.
(c) The Purchaser acknowledges that in connection with the Offer Agent may enter into agreements or arrangements with a Book-Entry Transfer Facility which, among other things, provide that (i) delivery of an Agent’s Message will satisfy the terms of the Offer with respect to the Letter of Transmittal, (ii) such agreements or arrangements are enforceable against the Purchaser by such Book-Entry Transfer Facility or participants therein and (iii) Agent, as depositary, is authorized to enter into such agreements or arrangements on behalf of the Purchaser. Without limiting any other provision of this Agreement, Agent is expressly authorized to enter into any such agreements or arrangements on behalf of the Purchaser and to make any necessary representations or warranties in connection thereunder, and any such agreement or arrangement shall be enforceable against the Purchaser.
(d) If any holder of the Shares as of the Effective Time reports to Agent that his or her failure to surrender a certificate representing any Shares registered in his or her name at the Effective Time according to the Record Stockholders List is due to the theft, loss or destruction of such certificate, upon Agent’s receipt from such stockholder of (a) an affidavit of such theft, loss or destruction, (b) an open penalty surety bond in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, and (c) payment of all applicable fees, Agent will make and payment due in connection with the Offer to the former stockholder as though the certificate for the Shares had been surrendered. Agent may charge holders an administrative fee for processing payment with respect to the Shares represented by lost certificates, which shall be charged only once in instances where a single surety bond obtained covers multiple certificates in a single account. Agent may receive compensation, including in the form of commissions for services provided in connection with surety programs offered to stockholders.
3. BOOK-ENTRY ACCOUNT
Agent shall take steps to establish and, subject to such establishment, maintain an account at each Book-Entry Transfer Facility for book-entry transfers of the Shares, as set forth in the Letter of Transmittal.
4. PROCEDURE FOR DISCREPANCIES
Agent shall follow its regular procedures to attempt to reconcile any discrepancies between the number of Shares that any Letter of Transmittal may indicate are owned by a tendering stockholder and the number that the Record Stockholders List indicates such stockholder owned. In any instance where Agent cannot reconcile such discrepancies by following such procedures, Agent will consult with the Purchaser for instructions as to the number of Shares, if any; Agent is authorized to accept as validly tendered. In the absence of such instructions, Agent is authorized not to accept any such Shares and will return to the tendering stockholder (at Agent’s option by either first class mail under a blanket surety bond or insurance protecting Agent, the Purchaser from losses or liabilities arising out of the non-receipt or
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non-delivery of such Shares or by registered mail insured separately for the value of such Shares) to such stockholder’s address as set forth in the Letter of Transmittal any such Shares, the related Letters of Transmittal and any other documents received with such Shares.
5. PROCEDURE FOR DEFICIENT ITEMS
5.1 Agent shall examine any certificate representing the Shares, Letter of Transmittal, Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, Agent’s Message and any other document required by the Letter of Transmittal that is received by Agent as depositary to determine whether any tender may be defective. In the event Agent concludes that any Letter of Transmittal, Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, Agent’s Message or other document has been improperly completed, executed or transmitted, any certificate representing the Shares is not in proper form for transfer or some other irregularity in connection with the tender of the Shares exists, Agent is authorized, subject to 8.2 below, to advise the tendering stockholder or transmitting Book-Entry Transfer Facility, as the case may be, of the existence of the irregularity. Agent is not authorized to accept any tender that is not made in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer, or any other tender which Agent deems to be defective, unless Agent shall have received from the Purchaser the applicable Letter of Transmittal (or if the tender was made by means of a Confirmation containing an Agent’s Message, a written notice), duly dated and signed by an authorized officer of the Purchaser, indicating that any defect or irregularity in such tender has been cured or waived and that such tender has been accepted by the Purchaser.
5.2 Promptly upon concluding that any tender is defective, Agent shall use reasonable efforts in accordance with Agent’s regular procedures to notify the person tendering such Shares, or Book-Entry Transfer Facility transmitting the Agent’s Message, as the case may be, of such determination and, when necessary, return the subject Shares to such person in the manner described in Article I, Section 8 hereof. The Purchaser shall have full discretion to determine whether any tender is complete and proper and shall have the absolute right to reject any or all tenders of any Shares determined by it not to be in proper form and to determine whether the acceptance of or payment for such tenders may, in the opinion of counsel for the Purchaser, be unlawful; it being specifically agreed that Agent shall have neither discretion nor responsibility with respect to these determinations. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Purchaser also reserves the absolute right to waive any of the conditions of the Offer or any defect or irregularity in the tender of any Shares. The interpretation by the Purchaser of the terms and conditions of the Offer to Purchase, the Letter of Transmittal and the instructions thereto, a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery or an Agent’s Message (including without limitation the determination of whether any tender is complete and proper) shall be final and binding.
5.3 If less than all of the Shares validly tendered pursuant to the Offer are to be accepted because the Offer is oversubscribed by the Expiration Date, the Purchaser shall provide Agent with instructions regarding proration as soon as practicable. Agent shall maintain accurate records as to all the Shares tendered prior to or on the Expiration Date.
6. REPORT OF TENDER ACTIVITY
6.1. Agent shall forward up to 10 reports of tender activity, by email, beginning 2 weeks prior to the initial expiration date, to each of the parties named below as to the following information, based upon a preliminary review as of the close of business on the preceding business day: (i) the number of the Shares tendered; (ii) the number of the Shares tendered represented by certificates physically held by Agent; (iii) the number of the Shares represented by Notices of Guaranteed Delivery; (iv) the number of the Shares withdrawn; and (v) the cumulative totals of the Shares in categories (i) through (iv) above. At the expiration of the offer Agent shall provide a master list of the Shares elected, including a complete list of the electing stockholders.
6.2. Agent may furnish to the Purchaser, upon reasonable request, ad hoc reports. Fees for such reports will be as set forth on the Schedule of Fees attached hereto as Exhibit B. At the expiration of the Offer Agent shall provide a master list of the Shares tendered, including a complete list of the tendering stockholders.
7. NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL
Agent will return to any person tendering the Shares, in the manner described in Article I, Section 8 hereof, any Shares tendered by such person but duly withdrawn pursuant to the Offer to Purchase. To be effective, Agent must receive a written notice of withdrawal at its address as set forth on the back page of the Offer to Purchase, within the time period specified for withdrawal in the Offer to Purchase or other method mutually agreed to by the Purchaser and Agent. Any notice of withdrawal must specify the name of the registered holder of the Shares to be withdrawn, the number of the Shares to be withdrawn and, if such Shares are represented by a physical certificate, the number of such certificate. Agent is authorized and directed to examine any notice of withdrawal to determine whether it believes any such notice may be defective. In the event Agent concludes that any such notice is defective it shall, after consultation with and on
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the instructions of the Purchaser, use reasonable efforts in accordance with its regular procedures to notify the person delivering such notice of such determination. All questions as to the form and validity (including time of receipt) of notices of withdrawal will be determined by the Purchaser in its sole discretion, whose determination shall be final and binding. Any Shares withdrawn in accordance with the procedures set forth in this section shall no longer be considered to be properly tendered unless such Shares are re-tendered prior to the Expiration Date in accordance with Article I, Section 2 hereof.
8. RETURN OF SHARES
If, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Offer, the Purchaser has notified Agent that it does not accept certain of the Shares tendered or purported to be tendered or a stockholder has withdrawn any tendered Shares, the Purchaser instructs the Agent to promptly return tendered certificated Shares, by canceling all such certificated Shares and issuing an equal number of book-entry Shares in Direct Registration System to each tendering holder and mail a transaction advice reflecting such to each holder, together with any other documents received, to the person who deposited the same. Any transaction advice for such Shares and other documents shall be delivered by Agent, at its option, by:
a) first class mail under a blanket surety bond or insurance protecting Agent, the Purchaser from losses or liabilities arising out of the non-receipt or non-delivery of such Shares; or
b) registered mail insured separately for the value of such Shares. If any such Shares were tendered or purported to be tendered by means of a Confirmation containing an Agent’s Message, Agent shall notify the Book-Entry Transfer Facility that transmitted such Confirmation of the Purchaser’s decision not to accept the Shares.
9. AMENDMENT/EXTENSION OF OFFER
Any amendment to or extension of the Offer, as the Purchaser shall from time to time determine, shall be effective upon notice to Agent from the Purchaser given prior to the time the Offer would otherwise have expired, and shall be promptly confirmed by the Purchaser in writing; provided that Agent may rely on and shall be authorized and protected in acting or failing to act upon any such notice even if such notice is not confirmed in writing or such confirmation conflicts with such notice. If at any time the Offer shall be terminated as permitted by the terms thereof, the Purchaser shall promptly notify Agent of such termination. For purpose of this Agreement, an extension or subsequent offer period (an “Extension”) shall last up to 10 business days. Any Extension period exceeding 10 business days will incur additional fees commensurate with that extension or extensions.
10. DISTRIBUTION OF ENTITLEMENTS
10.1 If, under the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, the Purchaser becomes obligated to accept and pay for the Shares validly tendered, the Purchaser shall:
a) Provide Agent with a Notice of Acceptance in a form mutually agreed to by Agent and the Purchaser
b) Provide Agent with instructions to coordinate the transfer of the Shares purchased in a form mutually agreed to by Agent and the Purchaser (the “Transfer of Shares”)
c) Deposit with Agent sufficient federal or other immediately available funds to pay, subject to the terms and conditions of the Offer, all stockholders for whom payment for the Shares are to be drawn, less any adjustments required by the terms of the Offer and all applicable tax withholdings (“Tender Consideration”),
10.2 Upon the Transfer of the Shares and deposit of immediately available funds, Agent shall deliver or cause to be delivered to stockholders who have validly tendered their Shares (or such holders’ designated payees), consistent with this Agreement and the Letter of Transmittal, official bank checks, or other method as mutually agreed between Agent and the Purchaser, in the amount of the applicable purchase price specified in the Offer (less any applicable tax withholding) for the Shares theretofore properly tendered and purchased under the terms and conditions of the Offer (the “Payment Event”). Tender Consideration must be received by Agent prior to 9:00 a.m. New York City time for Payment Event to commence on the same day that Tender Consideration is received by Agent. Agent will not be obligated to calculate or pay interest to any holder or any other party claiming through a holder or otherwise.
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ARTICLE II – Information Agent Services
Information Agent Services
1. Services. Georgeson shall perform the information agent services described in the attached Exhibit B (such services, collectively, the “IA Services”).
2. Fees. In consideration of Georgeson’s performance of the IA Services, the Purchaser shall pay Georgeson the amounts, and pursuant to the terms, set forth on the attached Exhibit B, together with the Expenses (as defined below). The Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that the Schedule of Fees shall be subject to adjustment if the Purchaser requests Georgeson to provide services with respect to additional matters or a revised scope of work.
3. Expenses. In addition to the fees and charges described in paragraphs (2) hereof, Georgeson shall charge the Purchaser, and the Purchaser shall be solely responsible, for the following costs and expenses (collectively, the “Expenses”):
a. Costs and expenses incidental to the Offer, including without limitation the mailing or delivery of Offer materials;
b. Costs and expenses relating to Georgeson’s work with its agents or other parties involved in the Offer, including without limitation charges for bank threshold lists, data processing, telephone directory assistance, facsimile transmissions or other forms of electronic communication;
c. Costs and expenses incurred by Georgeson at the Purchaser’s request or for the Purchaser’s convenience, including without limitation for copying, printing of additional and/or supplemental material and travel by Georgeson’s personnel; and
d. Any other costs and expenses authorized by the Purchaser during the course of the Offer, including without limitation those relating to advertising (including production and posting), media relations and analytical services.
e. The Purchaser shall pay all applicable taxes incurred in connection with the delivery of the IA Services or Expenses.
4. Custodial Charges. Georgeson agrees to check, itemize and pay on the Purchaser’s behalf the charges of brokers and banks, with the exception of Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (which will bill the Purchaser directly), for forwarding the Purchaser’s offering material to beneficial owners. The Purchaser shall reimburse Georgeson for such broker and bank charges in the manner described in the Fees & Services Schedule.
ARTICLE III – GENERAL PROVISIONS
1. PROCEDURE FOR DISCREPANCIES
Agent shall follow its regular procedures to attempt to reconcile any discrepancies between the number of certificated Shares that any Letter of Transmittal may indicate are owned by a surrendering stockholder and the number that the Record Stockholders List indicates such stockholder owned of record as of the Effective Time. In any instance where Agent cannot reconcile such discrepancies by following such procedures, Agent will consult with the Purchaser for instructions as to the number of certificated Shares, if any; Agent is authorized to accept for exchange. In the absence of such instructions, Agent is authorized not to accept any such certificated Shares for exchange and will return to the surrendering stockholder in accordance with its standard procedures to such stockholder’s address as set forth in the Letter of Transmittal any certificates for the Shares surrendered in connection therewith, the related Letters of Transmittal and any other documents received with such Shares.
2. PROCEDURE FOR DEFICIENT ITEMS
2.1 Agent shall examine the Letter of Transmittal and certificates for the Shares received by it as agent to ascertain whether they appear to have been completed and executed in accordance with the instructions set forth in the Letter of Transmittal. In the event Agent determines that any Letter of Transmittal does not appear to have been properly completed or executed, or where the certificates representing the Shares do not appear to be in proper form for surrender,
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or any other deficiency in connection with the surrender appears to exist, the Purchaser authorizes and instructs Agent to follow, where possible, its regular procedures, set forth in Article III, Section 2.3 below, to attempt to cause such irregularity to be corrected. Agent is not authorized to waive any deficiency in connection with the surrender, unless the Purchaser provides written authorization to waive such deficiency, subject to applicable law and regulations.
2.2 If a Letter of Transmittal specifies that payment for the Shares is to be made to a person other than the person in whose name a surrendered certificate is registered, Agent will issue no Tender Consideration until such Letter of Transmittal has been properly endorsed with a signature guarantee from an eligible guarantor institution approve by the Securities Transfer Association, and accompanied by any other evidence of authority that may be reasonably required by the Agent, and otherwise put in proper form for transfer.
2.3 If any such deficiency with respect to any certificated Shares is neither corrected nor waived, Agent shall: (a) convert the Shares represented by such certificate to a Book Entry position and (b) Send to such holder a defect letter describing the applicable defects and asking that the deficiencies be corrected.
3. ELIGIBILITY OF SHARES FOR PAYMENT
Agent requests specific information with respect to affiliates, Shares ineligible for tender, and any stockholder plans affected by this Offer including any treasury positions. Purchaser agrees to provide all such applicable information on the list of affiliates, ineligible Shares and plans attached hereto as Exhibit C, as requested.
4. DEPOSIT OF FUNDS
4.1 All funds received by Computershare pursuant to this Agreement that are to be distributed or applied by Computershare in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (the “Funds”) shall be delivered to Computershare by 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time (“ET”) and in no event later than 12:00 p.m. ET on the Effective Time. Funding after 9:00 a.m. but before 12:00 p.m. on the Effective Time may cause delays in payments to be made on the Effective Time. Delivery of the Funds on any day after 12:00 p.m. ET will be subject to the terms of Article III, Section 4.4, below. Once received by Computershare, the Funds shall be held by Computershare as agent for the Purchaser. Until paid or distributed in accordance with this Agreement, the Funds shall be deposited in one or more bank accounts to be maintained by Computershare in its name as agent for the Purchaser. Until paid pursuant to this Agreement, Computershare may hold or invest the Funds through such accounts in: (i) bank accounts, short term certificates of deposit, bank repurchase agreements, and disbursement accounts with commercial banks with Tier 1 capital exceeding $1 billion or with an average rating above investment grade by S&P (LT Local Issuer Credit Rating), Moody’s (Long Term Rating) and Fitch Ratings, Inc. (LT Issuer Default Rating) (each as reported by Bloomberg Finance L.P.), (ii) cash management sweeps to AAA fixed NAV money market funds that comply with Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, (iii) funds backed by obligations of, or guaranteed by, the United States of America, municipal securities, or (iv) debt or commercial paper obligations rated A-1 or P-1 or better by S&P Global Inc. (“S&P”) or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), respectively.
4.2 Computershare will only draw upon the Funds in such account(s) as required from time to time in order to make the payments for the Shares and any applicable tax withholding payments. Computershare shall have no responsibility or liability for any diminution of the Funds that may result from any deposit or investment made by Computershare in accordance with this Article III, Section 4, including any losses resulting from a default by any bank, financial institution or other third party. Computershare may from time to time receive interest, dividends or other earnings in connection with such deposits. Computershare shall not be obligated to pay such interest, dividends or earnings to the Purchaser, any holder or any other party.
4.3 Computershare is acting as Agent hereunder and is not a debtor of the Purchaser in respect of the Funds.
4.4 In the case of late-day funding, which means delivery of the Funds to Computershare after 12:00 p.m. ET on any day, regardless of whether such funding occurs prior to, or after, the Effective Time as set forth in Article III, Section 4.1 above (“Late-Day Funding”), Federal Deposit Insurance or other bank liquidity charges may apply in connection with the overnight deposit of the Funds with commercial banks. The parties hereto agree that any such charges assessed as a result of Late-Day Funding will be charged to the Purchaser and the Purchaser hereby agrees to pay such charges.
4.5 The Purchaser agrees to deliver the Funds by wire to the account(s) listed on the attached Exhibit D, which may be amended in writing from time to time.
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5. International Currency Exchange
Computershare at its option may offer its International Currency Exchange (“ICE”) Service (the “Service”) to certain shareholders whereby any such shareholder can elect to receive their payment in a currency other than U.S. Dollars, via a convenient and secure currency conversion service. The Service is voluntary and will only be utilized at the direction of the eligible shareholder electing such Service and agreeing to the terms and condition of the Service as described in the ICE Registration Form included with a Letter of Transmittal and sent to eligible shareholders. Agent shall charge a fee to participants for processing. The Purchaser will not incur fees resulting from the Service.
6. DATE/TIME STAMP
Each document received by Agent relating to its duties hereunder shall be dated and time stamped when received.
7. LOST CERTIFICATES If any holder of the Shares as of the Effective Time reports to Agent that his or her failure to surrender a certificate representing any Shares registered in his or her name at the Effective Time according to the record stockholders list is due to the theft, loss or destruction of such certificate, upon Agent’s receipt from such stockholder of (i) an affidavit of such theft, loss or destruction, (ii) an open penalty surety bond in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, and (iii) payment of all applicable fees, Agent will make payment of the consideration to the former stockholder as though the certificate for the Shares had been surrendered. Agent may charge holders an administrative fee for processing payment with respect to the Shares represented by lost certificates, which shall be charged only once in instances where a single surety bond obtained covers multiple certificates in a single account. Agent may receive compensation, including in the form of commissions for services provided in connection with surety programs offered to stockholders.
8. TAX REPORTING
8.1 Agent shall prepare and file with the appropriate governmental agency and mail to each stockholder, as applicable, all appropriate tax information forms, including but not limited to Forms 1099-B, covering payments or any other distributions made by Agent pursuant to this Agreement during each calendar year, or any portion thereof, during which Agent performs services hereunder, as described in the Tax Instruction /Cost Basis Information Letter attached hereto as Exhibit A. Any cost basis or tax adjustments required after the Effective Time will incur additional fees.
8.2 With respect to any surrendering stockholder whose TIN has not been certified as correct, Agent shall deduct and withhold the appropriate backup withholding tax from any payment made to such stockholder pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code.
8.3 Should any issue arise regarding federal income tax reporting or withholding, Agent shall take such reasonable action as the Purchaser may reasonably request in writing. Such action may be subject to additional fees.
9. UNCLAIMED PROPERTY The Agent shall report unclaimed property to each state in compliance with state laws. The Agent will charge the Purchaser its standard fees plus expenses (including the cost of due diligence mailings) for such services. The Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that in the case of reports made and property delivered pursuant to an initial or voluntary compliance program administered by private auditing agents retained by state unclaimed property administrators, the Agent will be compensated for its efforts in facilitating the Purchaser’s involvement in such a program including the provision of the necessary records and remittance of property in the manner required by the program by means of an expense reimbursement payment based on a percentage of the property remitted to the states through participation in the program. The Purchaser will not be charged for any services performed by the Agent in conjunction with the program to the extent that the Agent receives an expense reimbursement and agrees to reimburse Agent for any expenses incurred in the performance of such services.
10. AUTHORIZATIONS AND PROTECTIONS
As agent for the Purchaser hereunder, Agent and Georgeson, respectively:
10.1 Shall have no duties or obligations other than those specifically set forth herein or as may subsequently be agreed to in writing by Agent or Georgeson, as applicable, and the Purchaser;
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10.2 Shall have no obligation to make any payment for the Shares unless the Purchaser shall have provided the necessary federal or other immediately available funds to pay in full amounts due and payable with respect thereto;
10.3 Shall be regarded as making no representations and having no responsibilities as to the validity, sufficiency, value, or genuineness of any certificates or the Shares represented thereby surrendered hereunder and will not be required to or be responsible for and will make no representations as to, the validity, sufficiency, value or genuineness of the Offer;
10.4 Shall not be obligated to take any legal action hereunder; if, however, Agent or Georgeson, as applicable, determines to take any legal action hereunder, and where the taking of such action might, in such party’s judgment, subject or expose it to any expense or liability, Agent or Georgeson, as applicable, shall not be required to act unless it shall have been furnished with an indemnity satisfactory to it;
10.5 May rely on and shall be fully authorized and protected in acting or failing to act upon any certificate, instrument, opinion, notice, letter, telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or other document or security delivered to Agent and believed by Agent or by Georgeson, as applicable, to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper party or parties;
10.6 Shall not be liable or responsible for any recital or statement contained in the Offer to Purchase or any other documents relating thereto;
10.7 Shall not be liable or responsible for any failure of the Purchaser or any other party to comply with any of its covenants and obligations relating to the Offer, including without limitation obligations under applicable securities laws;
10.8 Shall not be liable to any holder of the Shares for any property that has been delivered to a public official pursuant to applicable abandoned property law;
10.9 May, from time to time, rely on instructions provided by the Purchaser concerning the services provided hereunder. Further, Agent or Georgeson, as applicable, may apply to any officer or other authorized person of Purchaser for instruction, and may consult with legal counsel for Agent or Georgeson, as applicable, or the Purchaser with respect to any matter arising in connection with the services provided hereunder. Agent and its agents and subcontractors shall not be liable and shall be indemnified by Purchaser under Article III, Section 12.2 of this Agreement for any action taken or omitted by Agent or Georgeson, as applicable, in reliance upon any Purchaser instructions or upon the advice or opinion of such counsel. Neither Agent nor Georgeson shall be held to have notice of any change of authority of any person, until receipt of written notice thereof from the Purchaser;
10.10 May rely on and be fully authorized and protected in acting or failing to act upon (a) any guaranty of signature by an “eligible guarantor institution” that is a member or participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program or other comparable “signature guarantee program” or insurance program in addition to, or in substitution for, the foregoing; or (b) any law, act, regulation or any interpretation of the same even though such law, act, or regulation may thereafter have been altered, changed, amended or repealed;
10.11 Either in connection with, or independent of the instruction term in Article III, Section 10.9 above, Agent or Georgeson, as applicable, may consult counsel satisfactory to such party (including internal counsel), and the advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by Agent or Georgeson, as applicable, hereunder in good faith and in reliance upon the advice of such counsel;
10.12 May perform any of its duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and neither Agent nor Georgeson shall be liable or responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with reasonable care hereunder; and
10.13 Is not authorized, and shall have no obligation, to pay any brokers, dealers, or soliciting fees to any person.
11. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
11.1 Agent. Agent represents and warrants to Purchaser that:
(a) Governance. Trust Company is a federally chartered trust company duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the United States and Computershare is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and each has full power, authority and legal right to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement; and
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(b) Compliance with Laws. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Agent has been duly authorized by all necessary action, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Agent enforceable against Agent in accordance with its terms, will not require the consent of any third party that has not been given, and will not violate, conflict with or result in the breach of any material term, condition or provision of (i) any existing law, ordinance, or governmental rule or regulation to which Agent is subject, (ii) any judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree or award of any court, arbitrator or governmental or regulatory official, body or authority applicable to Agent, (iii) Agent’s incorporation documents or by-laws, or (iv) any material agreement to which Agent is a party.
11.2 Purchaser. Purchaser represents and warrants to Agent that:
(a) Governance. It is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland, and it has full power, authority and legal right to enter into and perform this Agreement;
(b) Compliance with Laws. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Purchaser has been duly authorized by all necessary action, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Purchaser enforceable against Purchaser in accordance with its terms, will not require the consent of any third party that has not been given, and will not violate, conflict with or result in the breach of any material term, condition or provision of (i) any existing law, ordinance, or governmental rule or regulation to which Purchaser is subject, (ii) any judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree or award of any court, arbitrator or governmental or regulatory official, body or authority applicable to Purchaser, (iii) Purchaser’s incorporation documents or by-laws, (iv) any material agreement to which Purchaser is a party, or (v) any applicable stock exchange rules; and
(c) Shares. The Shares issued and outstanding on the date hereof have been duly authorized, validly issued and are fully paid and are non-assessable.
11.3 Georgeson. Georgeson represents and warrants to Purchaser that:
(a) Governance. Information Agent is an LLC duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has full power, authority and legal right to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement; and
(b) Compliance with Laws. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Georgeson has been duly authorized by all necessary action, constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Georgeson enforceable against Georgeson in accordance with its terms, will not require the consent of any third party that has not been given, and will not violate, conflict with or result in the breach of any material term, condition or provision of (i) any existing law, ordinance, or governmental rule or regulation to which Georgeson is subject, (ii) any judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree or award of any court, arbitrator or governmental or regulatory official, body or authority applicable to Georgeson, (iii) Georgeson’s incorporation documents or by-laws, or (iv) any material agreement to which Georgeson is a party.
12. INDEMNIFICATION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
12.1 Liability. Agent and Georgeson shall only be liable, severally and not jointly, for any loss or damage determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be a result of Agent’s or Georgeson‘s respective gross negligence or willful misconduct; provided that any respective liability of Agent and Georgeson will be limited in the aggregate to the amounts paid hereunder by Purchaser to Agent or Georgeson, respectively, as fees and charges, but not including reimbursable expenses.
12.2 Indemnity. Purchaser shall indemnify and hold Agent and Georgeson harmless from and against, and neither Agent nor Georgeson shall be responsible for, any and all losses, claims, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees and expenses, payments, expenses and liability (collectively, “Losses”) arising out of or attributable to Agent’s or Georgeson’s respective duties under this Agreement or this appointment, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any Loss or enforcing this Agreement, except for any liability of Agent or Georgeson as set forth in Article III, Section 12.1 above.
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13. DAMAGES
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no party shall be liable to any other for any incidental, indirect, special or consequential damages of any nature whatsoever, including, but not limited to, loss of anticipated profits, occasioned by a breach of any provision of this Agreement even if apprised of the possibility of such damages.
14. CONFIDENTIALITY
14.1 Definition. “Confidential Information” shall mean any and all technical or business information relating to a party, including, without limitation, financial, marketing and product development information, shareholder data (including any non-public information of such shareholder), proprietary information, and the terms and conditions (but not the existence) of this Agreement, that is disclosed or otherwise becomes known to the other party or its affiliates, agents or representatives before or during the term of this Agreement. Confidential Information constitutes trade secrets and is of great value to the owner (or its affiliates). Confidential Information shall not include any information that is: (a) already known to the other party or its affiliates at the time of the disclosure; (b) publicly known at the time of the disclosure or becomes publicly known through no wrongful act or failure of the other party; (c) subsequently disclosed to the other party or its affiliates on a non-confidential basis by a third party not having a confidential relationship with the owner and which rightfully acquired such information; or (d) independently developed by one party without access to the Confidential Information of the other.
14.2 Use and Disclosure. All Confidential Information of a party will be held in confidence by the other party with at least the same degree of care as such party protects its own confidential or proprietary information of like kind and import, but not less than a reasonable degree of care. Neither party will disclose in any manner Confidential Information of the other party in any form to any person or entity without the other party’s prior consent. However, each party may disclose relevant aspects of the other party’s Confidential Information to its officers, affiliates, agents, subcontractors and employees to the extent reasonably necessary to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement and such disclosure is not prohibited by applicable law. Without limiting the foregoing, each party will implement such physical and other security measures and controls which are designed to protect (a) the security and confidentiality of Confidential Information; (b) against any threats or hazards to the security and integrity of Confidential Information; and (c) against any unauthorized access to or use of Confidential Information. To the extent that a party delegates any duties and responsibilities under this Agreement to an agent or other subcontractor, the party ensures that such agent and subcontractor are contractually bound to confidentiality terms consistent with the terms of this Article III, Section 14.
14.3 Required or Permitted Disclosure. In the event that any requests or demands are made for the disclosure of Confidential Information, other than requests to Agent or Georgeson, as applicable, for shareholder records pursuant to standard subpoenas from state or federal government authorities (e.g., divorce and criminal actions), the party receiving such request will promptly notify the other party to secure instructions from an authorized officer of such party as to such request and to enable the other party the opportunity to obtain a protective order or other confidential treatment, unless such notification is otherwise prohibited by law or court order. Each party expressly reserves the right, however, to disclose Confidential Information to any person whenever it is advised by counsel that it may be held liable for the failure to disclose such Confidential Information or if required by law or court order.
14.4 Unauthorized Disclosure. As may be required by law and without limiting any party’s rights in respect of a breach of this Article III, Section 14, each party will promptly:
(a) Notify the other party in writing of any unauthorized possession, use or disclosure of the other party’s Confidential Information by any person or entity that may become known to such party;
(b) Furnish to the other party full details of the unauthorized possession, use or disclosure; and
(c) Use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent a recurrence of any such unauthorized possession, use or disclosure of Confidential Information.
14.5 Costs. Each party will bear the costs it incurs as a result of compliance with this Article III, Section 14.
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15. TERMINATION
15.1 Depositary. The Agent or the Purchaser may, with respect to the depositary services, terminate this Agreement upon 30 days prior written notice to the other party. Unless so terminated, this Agreement shall continue in effect until all Shares have been received and paid for, or until the final delivery of all Tender Consideration(s) to the appropriate states as unclaimed property. In the event of such termination, the Purchaser will appoint a successor agent and inform Agent of the name and address of any successor agent so appointed, provided that no failure by the Purchaser to appoint such a successor agent shall affect the termination of this Agreement or the discharge of Agent as agent hereunder. Upon any such termination, Agent shall be relieved and discharged of any further responsibilities with respect to its duties hereunder. Upon payment of all outstanding fees and expenses hereunder, Agent shall promptly forward to the Purchaser or its designee any unpaid Tender Consideration deposited with Agent pursuant to Article III, Section 4 hereof.
15.2 Information Agent. Either Georgeson or the Purchaser may, with respect to the IA Services, terminate this Agreement upon 30 days prior written notice to the other party. Unless so terminated, this Agreement shall, with respect to IA Services continue in effect for the term of the Offer and any extension thereof, and shall terminate upon the final expiration of the Offer.
15.3 Notices of termination delivered pursuant to Article III, Section 15.1, above, will not be deemed to terminate IA Services. Likewise, termination pursuant to Article III, Section 15.2, above, will not be deemed to terminate depositary services.
16. COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES
16.1 The Purchaser shall pay to Agent and to Georgeson, respectively, compensation in accordance with the attached Exhibit B, together with reimbursement for reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel, regardless of whether any Shares are surrendered to Agent, for Agent’s services as agent hereunder, and for Georgeson’s services as information agent hereunder.
16.2 The Purchaser shall be charged for certain expenses advanced or incurred by Agent and Georgeson in connection with the performance of their respective duties hereunder. Such charges include, but are not limited to, stationery and supplies, such as checks, envelopes and paper stock, as well as any disbursements for telephone and document creation and delivery. While both Agent and Georgeson endeavor to maintain such charges (both internal and external) at competitive rates, these charges may not reflect actual out-of-pocket costs, and may include handling charges to cover internal processing and use of Agent’s and Georgeson’s billing systems.
16.3 If any out-of-proof condition caused by the Purchaser or any of its prior agents arises during any terms of this agreement, the Purchaser will, promptly upon Agent’s request, provide Agent with funds or Shares sufficient to resolve the out-of-proof condition.
16.4 All amounts owed to Agent and Georgeson hereunder are due within thirty (30) days of the invoice date. Delinquent payments are subject to a late payment charge of one and one half percent (1.5%) per month commencing forty-five (45) days from the invoice date. The Purchaser agrees to reimburse Agent and Georgeson for any attorney’s fees and any other costs associated with collecting delinquent payments.
16.5 The parties hereto agree that in the event that Agent and Georgeson commence performance under this Agreement, which performance may include, inter alia, initial project set-up activity, balancing and reconciliation, loading files, preparing letters of transmittal or other documents, as applicable, but the transaction contemplated hereunder is not initiated for any reason, the Purchaser agrees to pay, in any event, the Event Management fee and the IA Services base fee, set forth in Exhibit B, attached hereto. In addition, the Purchaser agrees to pay any expenses incurred by the Agent in connection with the services hereunder, up to and including the date on which Agent receives written notice of termination pursuant to Article III, Section 15 hereof.
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16.6 Following initiation and notice of termination of this Agreement for any reason, the Purchaser hereby agrees to pay on or before the effective date of such termination (a) all fees earned and expenses set forth on the attached Exhibit B incurred by Agent through and including the date of such termination, including, in any event, the Event Management Fee, and (b) all costs and expenses associated with the movement of records, materials, and services to Purchaser or the successor agent, including all reasonable expense.
16.7 Purchaser is responsible for all taxes, levies, duties, and assessments levied on services purchased under this Agreement (collectively, “Transaction Taxes”). Computershare is responsible for collecting and remitting Transaction Taxes in all jurisdictions in which Computershare is registered to collect such Transaction Taxes. Computershare shall invoice Purchaser for such Transaction Taxes that Computershare is obligated to collect upon the furnishing of services provided hereunder. Purchaser shall pay such Transaction Taxes according to the terms in Article III, Section 16.1, above. Computershare shall timely remit to the appropriate governmental authorities all such Transaction Taxes that Computershare collects from Purchaser. To the extent that Purchaser provides Computershare with valid exemption certificates, direct pay permits, or other documentation that exempts Computershare from collecting Transaction Taxes from Purchaser, invoices issued for services hereunder provided after Computershare’s receipt of such certificates, permits, or other documentation will not reflect exempted Transaction Taxes. Computershare is solely responsible for the payment of all personal property taxes, franchise taxes, corporate excise or privilege taxes, property or license taxes, taxes relating to Computershare’s personnel, and taxes based on Computershare’s net income or gross revenues relating to services provided hereunder.
17. ASSIGNMENT
Neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by Purchaser or Agent without the written consent of the other; provided, however, that Agent may, without further consent of Purchaser, assign any of its rights and obligations hereunder to any affiliated agent registered under Rule 17Ac2-1 promulgated under the 1934 Act.
18. SUBCONTRACTORS AND UNAFFILIATED THIRD PARTIES
18.1 Subcontractors. Agent may, without further consent of Purchaser, subcontract with (a) any affiliates, or (b) unaffiliated subcontractors for such services as may be required from time to time (e.g. lost shareholder searches, escheatment, telephone and mailing services); provided, however, that Agent shall be as fully responsible to Purchaser for the acts and omissions of any subcontractor as it is for its own acts and omissions.
18.2 Unaffiliated Third Parties. Nothing herein shall impose any duty upon Agent in connection with or make Agent liable for the actions or omissions to act of unaffiliated third parties (other than subcontractors referenced in Article III, Section 18.1 of this Agreement) such as, by way of example and not limitation, airborne services, delivery services, the U.S. mails, and telecommunication companies, provided, if Agent selected such company, Agent exercised due care in selecting the same.
19. MISCELLANEOUS
19.1 Notices. All notices, demands and other communications given pursuant to the terms and provisions hereof shall be in writing, shall be deemed effective on the date of receipt, and may be sent by overnight delivery services, or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested to:
If to the Purchaser:
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with an additional copy to:
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Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C. 6363 College Boulevard, Suite 100A Overland Park, KS 66211
Attn: Brad Adams badams@tortoiseecofin.com
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Sean Wickliffe (swickliffe@tortoiseecofin.com)
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Invoice for Fees and Services (if different than above):
Same as above.
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If to Agent (as applicable):
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with an additional copy to:
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Computershare Inc. 480 Washington Blvd, 29th Floor Jersey City, NJ 07310 Attn: Corp Actions Relationship Manager
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Computershare Inc. 150 Royall Street Canton, MA 02021 Attn: Legal Department
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Or
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Computershare Inc. 150 Royall Street Canton, MA 02021 Attn: Corp Actions Relationship Manager
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If to Georgeson:
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with an additional copy to:
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Georgeson LLC 1290 Avenue of the Americas, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10104 Attn: Relationship Manager
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Georgeson LLC 480 Washington Blvd, 29th Floor Jersey City, NJ 07310 Attn: Legal Department
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19.2 No Expenditure of Funds. No provision of this Agreement shall require Agent or Georgeson, as applicable, to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of its rights if it shall believe in good faith that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
19.3 Publicity. No party shall issue a news release, public announcement, advertisement, or other form of publicity concerning the existence of this Agreement or the Services to be provided hereunder without obtaining the prior written approval of the other party, which may be withheld in the other party’s sole discretion; provided that Agent and Georgeson may each use Purchaser’s name in their respective customer lists or otherwise as required by law or regulation.
19.4 Successors. All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or for the benefit of Purchaser or Agent and Georgeson, as applicable, shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.
19.5 Amendments. This Agreement may be amended or modified by a written amendment executed by the parties hereto and, to the extent required, authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors of Purchaser.
19.6 Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provision, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.
19.7 Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of law. The parties irrevocably, (a) submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court sitting in New York City or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, (b) waive, to the fullest extent they may effectively do so, any defense based on inconvenient forum, improper venue or lack of jurisdiction to the maintenance of any such action or proceeding, and (c) waive all right to trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Neither Agent nor Georgeson shall be required hereunder to comply with the laws or regulations of any country other than the United States of America or any political subdivision thereof. Agent and Georgeson may each consult with foreign counsel, at Purchaser’s expense, to resolve any foreign law issues that may arise as a result of Purchaser or any other party being subject to the laws or regulations of any foreign jurisdiction.
19.8 Force Majeure. Neither Agent nor Georgeson will be liable for any delay or failure in performance when such delay or failure arises from circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation acts of God, acts of government in its sovereign or contractual capacity, acts of public enemy or terrorists, acts of civil or military authority, war, riots, civil strife, terrorism, blockades, sabotage, rationing, embargoes, epidemics, pandemics, outbreaks of infectious diseases or any other public health crises, earthquakes, fire, flood, other natural disaster, quarantine or
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any other employee restrictions, power shortages or failures, utility or communication failure or delays, labor disputes, strikes, or shortages, supply shortages, equipment failures, or software malfunctions.
19.9 Third Party Beneficiaries. The provisions of this Agreement are intended to benefit only Agent, Georgeson, Purchaser and their respective permitted successors and assigns. No rights shall be granted to any other person by virtue of this Agreement, and there are no third party beneficiaries hereof.
19.10 Survival. All provisions regarding indemnification, warranty, liability and limits thereon, compensation and expenses and confidentiality and protection of proprietary rights and trade secrets shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.
19.11 Priorities. In the event of any conflict, discrepancy, or ambiguity between the terms and conditions contained in (a) this Agreement, (b) any schedules or attachments hereto, and (c) Offer to Purchase, the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement shall take precedence.
19.12 Merger of Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes any prior agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether oral or written.
19.13 No Strict Construction. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event any ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by all parties hereto, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement.
19.14 Descriptive Headings. Descriptive headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.
19.15 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. A signature to this Agreement transmitted electronically shall have the same authority, effect, and enforceability as an original signature.
[The remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank. Signature page follows.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement by their duly authorized officers as of Effective Date hereof.
TORTOISE PIPELINE & eNERGY FUND, INC.
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By:
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Name:
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P. Bradley Adams
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Title:
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Chief Executive Officer
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COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A., and
COMPUTERSHARE INC.,
On behalf of both entities
GEORGESON LLC
Exhibit A
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Tax Instruction and Cost Basis Information Letter
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Exhibit B
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Schedule of Fees
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Exhibit C
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List of affiliates, Ineligible Shares, and Plans
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Exhibit D
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Wire Instructions
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EXHIBIT A;
Section 1
Standard Tax Reporting Instructions
Pursuant to the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, financial intermediaries such as Computershare must report cost basis for certain types of securities acquired after January 1, 2011 to both security holders and the IRS. In preparation for the year-end tax reporting to be performed by Computershare under our service agreement for the corporate actions event described in Section 2 of this agreement, please (a) complete the below Year End Tax Reporting Package and (b) provide us with the pertinent issuer statement (i.e., hard copy or website link requested in Section 4 below) as required of issuers under Internal Revenue Code Section 6045B and the underlying Treasury regulations.
In the event that you have not yet produced the issuer statement, kindly provide us with the requisite information at your earliest convenience when completed. You may find it helpful to refer to the below link on the IRS website for some background information regarding the issuer’s obligation to produce the issuer statement.
https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/form-8937-report-of-organizational-actions-affecting-basis-of-securities
Please review, complete, execute and return the Year End Tax Reporting Package or the Form 8937, attached documents via e-mail. By requesting cost basis information, Computershare has fulfilled its regulatory obligation. Failure to provide correct basis information may result in a liability to you as an issuer, but if we can provide additional details, please feel free to call upon us.
Additional information may be required based on the completion of the information provided below.
PLEASE NOTE: If IRC sections 302/304 apply to this Corporate Actions event, please reach out to the Corporate Actions Relationship Manager listed on Wire Instruction Exhibit of this Agreement to provide further details.
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Year End Tax Reporting Package
Computershare cannot provide tax advice for purposes of completing this worksheet. Please consult your tax counsel to determine your respective tax reporting requirements.
Shareholder accounts without certified TIN, or certification of foreign status on our system of record will be subject to backup withholding tax at the applicable rate in accordance with IRS rules and regulations regarding 1099 tax reporting. The applicable backup withholding tax deducted from their payment will be remitted to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Holders will need to claim any refund of over withholding directly from the IRS and not Computershare. Please note residents or holders that are uncertified, and reside in the state of CA will be withheld an additional 7% which will be remitted to the state of CA.
Important: Computershare uses Constructive Receipt (refer to below definition) reporting for its standard tax reporting default. Deviations from our Standard Default Tax Terms, late submissions and subsequent corrections after the event is over will be subject to additional fees, by appraisal. If Computershare does not receive the completed tax letter by the expiration of the offer/effective date of the distribution or exchange, Computershare will use our Standard Default Tax Terms.
Computershare will perform form suppression on de minimis reporting for the following: on 1099-B tax forms less than $20 in proceeds and fractional share issuance if no withholding; 1099-DIV tax forms less than $10 in dividend income if no withholding.
Computershare will not be liable for any IRS penalties resulting from any client changes to this tax letter or client delay in any final tax instructions that will alter our initial tax reporting instructions. Should any withholding be remitted late to the IRS as a result of any changes to your initial tax reporting instructions. Company and/or Purchaser will be responsible for obligations related to penalties and interest as noted under the Section of the Agreement titled “Indemnification and Limitation of Liability.”
Definitions:
Constructive Receipt: Constructive Receipt means that any corporate action exchange proceeds would be reported to the IRS in the year the merger is effective, whether or not the shareholder has presented the requisite and valid documentation in such year.
Standard Default Tax Terms: The share consideration (if any) is considered a non-taxable event with no Fair Market Value Reporting (FMV) on shares. Principal and CIL are reported on form 1099B as constructive receipt. In the event of an exchange, dividends declared after the effective date, will accrue on the shares issuable to un-exchanged holders and tax reported “as if” paid currently.
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Section 2 — Client Information
Client Name:
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Tortoise Pipeline & Energy Fund, Inc.
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Issue Description/Type:
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Regulated Investment Company (RIC)
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CUSIP Number(s):
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89148H207
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Will you require Computershare to perform tax reporting services for this transaction?
***If you mark the above box “No”, an explanation of either how the consideration will be tax reported, or why tax reporting is not applicable (i.e. K1, W-2, etc.), is required. Please provide this explanation in Section 5 where it indicates “If you answered “No” in Section 2.
Section 3 — Standard 1099 Reporting
3.A — Principal payment/cash in lieu of fractional shares
If 3.A is not applicable, please check here and move to 3.B ☐
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Computershare to report principal payment on Form 1099-B.
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Yes, on Form 1099-B R Yes, on a form other than Form 1099-B. Please complete Section 3.C ☐
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Computershare to report cash in lieu payment for fractional shares made to holders.
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Yes, on Form 1099-B R Yes, on a form other than Form 1099-B. Please complete Section 3.C ☐
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3.B — Dividend Reporting (including accrued dividends for unexchanged accounts)
If 3.B is not applicable, please check here and move to Section 3.C
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R
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Dividends that have been paid in conjunction with Corporate Actions payments, deemed or accrued, such payment will be reported as Constructive Receipt on Form 1099-DIV or 1042-S.
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Computershare to report dividends on Forms 1099-DIV / 1042-S.
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Yes, Form 1099-DIV/1042-SB ☐ Yes, on a form other than Form 1099-DIV/1042=S. ☐ Please explain
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Did the Company and or Purchaser distribute qualified dividends (100% ordinary & 100% qualified) for this tax year on the Newco shares?
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Yes ☐
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*No ☐
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*If no, please provide us with your worksheet to ensure all reportable income or reclassification income, paid by Computershare as agent, is reported correctly. Please note that up to five decimal points can be utilized in the reallocation process. If you choose to use less than five decimal points this could result in rounding issues. Due to time constraints inherent with tax season, we will not be able to re-run tax forms due to rounding issues. Please provide us with your worksheet reflecting all distributions for this applicable tax year.
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3.C — Additional reporting
If 3.C is not applicable, please check here and move to Section 4 R
Does any of the following reporting need to be performed by Computershare for cash paid (i.e., principal, cash in lieu) if not to be tax reported on Form 1099-B?
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1099-INT
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☐
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1099-OID
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☐
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1099-MISC
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☐
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1099-DIV
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☐
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1042-S
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☐
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If you selected 1099-INT, 1099-OID or 1099-MISC above, please complete the below. Specify which box on the Form should be used for reportable amounts:
Reporting Box for 1099-INT:
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Reporting Box for 1099-OID:
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Reporting Box for 1099-MISC:
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If you selected 1099-DIV and/or 1042-S above, please complete the below.
Reporting for merger consideration (other than accrued and unpaid dividends as outlined below), on Form 1099-DIV and/or 1042-S is as follows:
Section 4 — Cost Basis
Please provide a copy of the completed Issuer Statement (IRS Form 8937) or link to where the Tax & Cost Basis information can be found. If you are unable to provide the link or information pertaining to the Issuer Statement or such IRS filing requirement does not apply, you must answer the questions below.
What are the Cost Basis implications due to this Corporate Action? Please include the details of any calculation that needs to be applied to existing cost basis, or provide an explanation if the IRS filing requirement for Form 8937 does not apply to this event.
N/A — Link to Form 8937 will be provided after completion of the offer.
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Section 5 — Additional Information
Did any of the following corporate changes occur during the same year in which this corporate action took place?
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a) Name Change?
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Yes ☐
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No R
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b) Tax Id Number Change?
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Yes ☐
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No R
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c) CUSIP Number Change?
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Yes ☐
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No R
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d) Cash Liquidating Distribution
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Yes ☐
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No R
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e) Non-Cash Liquidating Distribution
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Yes ☐
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No R
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f) Sale of Rights payment
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Yes ☐
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No R
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Is any additional tax reporting required, other than what has been stated in Section 3 above (specify below)?
If you answered “No” in Section 2 above indicating that you do not require Computershare to perform tax reporting, please explain below.
Section 6 — Additional Information continued
Is any additional tax withholding required other than what has been stated in Section 3 above (specify below)?
Section 7
Fair Market Value (FMV) Tax Reporting Instructions
Pursuant to the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, financial intermediaries such as Computershare must report cost basis for certain types of securities acquired after January 1, 2011 to both security holders and the IRS. In preparation for the year-end tax reporting to be performed by Computershare under our service agreement for the corporate actions event described in Section 1 of this agreement, please (a) complete the below Tax and Cost Basis package and (b) provide us with the pertinent issuer statement (i.e., hard copy or website link requested in Section 8 below) as required of issuers under Internal Revenue Code Section 6045B and the underlying Treasury regulations.
In the event that you have not yet produced the issuer statement, kindly provide us with the requisite information at your earliest convenience when completed. You may find it helpful to refer to the below link on the IRS website for some background information regarding the issuer’s obligation to produce the issuer statement.
https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/form-8937-report-of-organizational-actions-affecting-basis-of-securities
Please review, complete, execute and return the below Tax Letter and either the Cost Basis word document or the Form 8937, attached documents via e-mail. By requesting cost basis information, Computershare has fulfilled its regulatory obligation. Failure to provide correct basis information may result in a liability to you as an issuer, but if we can provide additional details, please feel free to call upon us.
Additional information may be required based on the completion of the information provided below.
PLEASE NOTE: If 302/304 Tax Reporting is requirements please reach out to the Corporate Actions Relationship Manager listed on the Wire Instruction Exhibit of this Agreement
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Year End Tax Reporting Package
Computershare cannot provide tax advice for purposes of completing this worksheet. Please consult your tax counsel to determine your respective tax reporting requirements.
Shareholder accounts without certified TIN, or foreign status on our system of record will be subject to backup withholding tax at the applicable rate in accordance with IRS rules and regulations regarding 1099 tax reporting. The applicable backup withholding tax deducted from their payment will be remitted to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Holders will need to claim any refund of over withholding directly from the IRS and not Computershare. Please note residents or holders that are uncertified, and reside in the state of CA will be withheld an additional 7% which will be remitted to the state of CA.
Important: Computershare uses Constructive Receipt reporting for its standard tax reporting default. Deviations from our Standard Default Tax Terms, late submissions and subsequent corrections after the event is over will be subject to additional fees, by appraisal. If Computershare does not receive the completed tax letter by the expiration of the offer/effective date of the distribution or exchange, Computershare will use our Standard Default Tax Terms.
Fair Market Value Reporting (FMV) is subject to additional fees, by appraisal.
Computershare will perform form suppression on de minimis reporting for the following: on 1099-B tax forms less than $20 in proceeds and fractional share issuance if no withholding; 1099-DIV tax forms less than $10 in dividend income if no withholding.
Computershare will not be liable for any IRS penalties resulting from any client changes to this tax letter or client delay in any final tax instructions that will alter our initial tax reporting instructions. Should any withholding be remitted late to the IRS as a result of any changes to your initial tax reporting instructions. Company will be responsible for obligations related to penalties and interest as noted under the Section of the Agreement titled “Indemnification and Limitation of Liability.”
Definitions:
Constructive Receipt: Constructive Receipt means that any corporate action exchange proceeds would be reported to the IRS in the year the merger is finalized, regardless of whether the shareholder has already processed the exchange or not.
Standard Default Tax Terms: The share distribution is considered a non-taxable event with no Fair Market Value Reporting (FMV) on shares. Principal and CIL are reported on form 1099B as constructive receipt. In the event of an exchange, dividends declared after the effective date, will accrue on the shares issuable to un-exchanged holders.
Fair Market Value (FMV) tax reporting: Refers to an exchange where the share consideration) is treated as fully taxable and reportable on Form 1099-B at the per share valuation provided by client.
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Section 8 — Client Information
Client Name:
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*Tax ID/EIN:
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*If FMV reporting is required, the Issuer (Acquirer) will be deemed the payor and you must provide your EIN for reporting purposes. In addition, Client must provide Computershare with completed IRS Form 2678 in order for Computershare to remit any backup withholding tax to the IRS on client’s behalf.
Will you require Computershare to perform FMV tax reporting services for this transaction?
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☐ Yes
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☐ No***
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***If you mark the above box “No” the value of all newly issued shares will NOT be tax reported to the holders and any cost basis and acquisition date of the surrendered target company shares will be carried over to the new shares. Please refer to Section 3.
Section 9
Fair Market Value reporting
We ask that you read each question below carefully and respond to each question accordingly as this questionnaire requires a great deal of attention.
Taxable Event Information
Please check one of the boxes below regarding the following statement.
This event requires Fair Market Value (FMV) reporting on Form 1099-B as the share consideration received in this transaction is a taxable event to former target holders and as such the basis of the new shares received will be the FMV rate and become covered shares (i.e., date of acquisition is the effective date).
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True ☐
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*False ☐
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*If the above statement is “False”, please provide an explanation as to why:
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If the FMV share consideration is nontaxable, and not tax reportable, please confirm by checking a box below:
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*True ☐
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**False ☐
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*If you selected “True”, please explain briefly why the FMV share consideration is nontaxable, and whether the “cash” (if any) is tax reportable on Form 1099-B:
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**If you selected “False” from the above, is the FMV of the share consideration treated as taxable and reportable on a 1099-B?
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Yes ☐
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*No ☐
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*If you selected “No”, please advise on the IRS Form & box number in which it should be reported:
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Gross Proceeds Information
If the transaction with a shareholder should be reported on a 1099-B, and the full amount of the consideration is treated as taxable, is the FMV of the stock consideration, as well as the cash (if any), reportable on Form 1099-B in Box 1d as “Proceeds”?
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Yes ☐
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*No ☐
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*If you selected “No”, please advise on the rationale as to why the cash and/or stock is not considered as “ proceeds” for 1099-B reporting purposes:
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If Form 1099-B reporting is required, should Box 7 on the Form 1099-B (“Check if loss is not allowed based on amount in 1d”) be checked?
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Yes ☐
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*No ☐
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Backup Withholding Information
If you selected “Yes” and indicated that FMV of the share consideration is a taxable exchange and reportable on a 1099-B as “Proceeds”, — please advise on the following questions:
• Is the share consideration subject to backup withholding? (Uncertified accounts would be entitled to a lowered share amount upon exchange due to withholding of shares to satisfy remittance to the IRS.)
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*If you selected “No”, please provide the basis for selecting “No” so that Tax can review this further.
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If you selected “Yes” and indicated that shares are subject to backup withholding, please confirm the following statement by selecting “Issuer/Acquirer Agrees”:
Computershare is hereby authorized by the Issuer/Acquirer to sell the appropriate number of shares from each shareholder’s share entitlement to cover applicable tax withholding obligations. The withholding obligation arises on the date the reportable consideration is paid. The shares sold to fund any backup withholding will be based on the amount of withholding required. The current share price may not be exactly the FMV price and may result in a shortage or overage that will either need to be returned to the company or covered by the company.
If you would prefer that Computershare does not fund the backup withholding obligation by selling the shares, the Issuer/Acquirer can fund the amount of backup withholding required to remit to the IRS in lieu of selling shares. Should you wish to proceed with this alternative, please select the box below:
Yes, we will fund the entire balance due in one single wire to Computershare for the backup withholding obligation ☐
If you checked the box above, to fund the backup withholding on FMV reporting, the funds you provided will be included in a “gross-up” calculation (to increase a net amount to include deductions, such as taxes, that would be incurred by the receiver) reported on a 1099-B as additional proceeds to the holder.
Fair Market Value (FMV)
Please provide the value per share associated with the FMV reporting of the share consideration:
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Form 8937
Please provide a copy of the Issuer Statement (IRS Form 8937) or link to where the Tax & Cost Basis information can be found. If you are unable to provide the link or information pertaining to the Issuer Statement, you must answer the questions below.
What are the Tax & Cost Basis implications due to this Corporate Action? Please include the details of any calculation that needs to be applied to determine the per share basis of the share consideration received by the target’s holders.
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Exhibit B
SCHEDULE OF FEES
Computershare
To Serve As Depositary,
And
Georgeson as Information Agent, In Connection With
Tortoise Pipeline & Energy Fund, Inc. Self-Tender Offer
A. FEES FOR SERVICES*
Depository Services
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Event Management
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$
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52,500.00
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Per Fund/CUSIP (First CUSIP is included in above Event Management fee)
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$
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10,000.00
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Per Tender processed
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$
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15.00
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Per Eligible Account (Registered)
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$
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5.00
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Per Payment (Registered)
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$
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4.00
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Per Account – Tax Servicing (Registered)
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$
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2.50
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Per Special Handling Presentation
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By appraisal
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Per Guarantee of Delivery or withdrawal
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$
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20.00
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Calculating pro-rata items, each
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$
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5.00
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Per extension or subsequent offering period, if applicable
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$
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2,500.00
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Tax Administration
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$
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2,500.00
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Expiration other than 5pm EST
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$
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5,000.00
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Information Agent Services
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Base Services (per fund)
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$
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3,000.00
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Dedicated Toll-Free Number, Call Center Staffing and Training
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$
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1,500.00
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Outbound communications to Registered/Retail Holders
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$
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6.50/call
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Inbound communications to call center
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$
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2.75/minute
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Per extension or subsequent offering period, if applicable
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$
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2,000.00
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Directory assistance (if required)
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$
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0.67 per account
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Mobile Phone upcharge
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$
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1.50 per number
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B. SERVICES COVERED
DEPOSITARY — Tender Offer
• Designating an operational team to carry out Depositary duties
• Reviewing the Depositary Agreement and other legal documents
• Interfacing with Georgeson (Info Agent), as necessary
• Reviewing the Communication Package (i.e., Letter of Transmittal (LT), enclosure letters and other documentation
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• Converting the Company shareholder files to Computershare’s corporate actions system
• Coordinating tender offer with The Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation to facilitate tenders from brokers and street shareholders
• Receiving, opening and processing returned LTs
• Curing defective LTs, including telephoning and writing shareholders in connection with unsigned or improperly executed LTs
• Canceling surrendered certificates
• Tracking and reporting the number of shares submitted and the submitting shareholders, as follows: Agent shall forward up to 10 reports of tender activity by email beginning the last 2 weeks before the expiration to each of the parties named below as to the following information, based upon a preliminary review as of the close of business on the preceding business day: (i) the number of Shares tendered; (ii) the number of Shares tendered represented by certificates physically held by Agent; (iii) the number of Shares represented by Notices of Guaranteed Delivery; (iv) the number of Shares withdrawn; and (v) the cumulative totals of Shares in categories (i) through (iv) above. At the expiration of the offer Agent shall provide a master list of Shares elected, including a complete list of the electing stockholders. Agent can furnish to the Purchaser, upon reasonable request, additional daily or inter-day ad hoc reports, for an additional fee of $100.00 per report.
• Calculating and issuing checks at the completion of the tender period, assuming receipt of properly executed Letters of Transmittal and surrender of shares
• Issuing tax forms and filing tax information with the IRS, as required
• Enclosing and mailing checks, Forms 1099-B and letters or notices to shareholders
• Replacing checks alleged to have been lost or destroyed
Information Agent — Tender Offer
BASE SERVICES
• Advance review of Offer documents
• Strategic advice relating to the Offer
• Coordination of tombstone advertisement placement in newspapers
• (cost for advertisement additional and dependent upon newspaper and size of advertisement)
• Dissemination of Offer documents to bank and broker community
• Communication with bank and broker community during Offer period
• Outreach to Professional Investors
• Communication with Depositary Agent to monitor progress of the offer
• Provide progress updates to the advisory team
ADDITIONAL/SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICES
• Dedicated Toll-Free Number, Call Center Staffing and Training
• Outbound communications to Registered/Retail Holders
• Inbound communications to call center
NOTE: The foregoing fees are exclusive of Expenses and custodial charges as described in paragraphs Article II, Sections 3 and 4 of this Agreement.
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C. ITEMS NOT COVERED
• All expenses such as ad hoc reports, printing, checks, postage, stationery, wire transfers, etc. (these will be billed as incurred)
D. ASSUMPTIONS
• Fee schedule based upon information known at this time about the transaction
• Significant changes made in the terms or requirements of this transaction could require modifications to this Fee schedule
• Project management fee include pre-launch and ongoing services related to the event, for up to 30 business days. Any application of an additional extension fee will apply for each subsequent two week extension period or any part thereof, of the offer, commencing immediately following the original offer period.
• Fee schedule assumes the use of Computershare’s standard legal agreement and Letter of Transmittal
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Exhibit C
LIST OF AFFILIATES
Shareholder
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Certificate Numbers of Old Shares
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Disposition
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SHARES INELIGIBLE FOR EXCHANGE
Shareholder
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Certificate Numbers of Old Shares
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Disposition
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PLANS AFFECTED BY THIS EXCHANGE
Plan Name
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Plan Administrator
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Disposition
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Exhibit D
Wire Instructions
Please wire all funds RELATED to this Transaction using the following instructions:
Bank Name:
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Account Name:
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Account Number:
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ABA Routing Number:
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Ref:
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If you have any questions, or need additional information please call me.
[ ]
Relationship Manager
Corporate Actions
T (XXX) XXX-XXX
XXXXXXXXX.XXXXXXXXXXXX@Computershare.com
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