As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 11, 2011
Registration No. 333-169326
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Amendment No. 6
to
Form S-11
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
FOR REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
OF SECURITIES OF CERTAIN REAL ESTATE COMPANIES
American Assets Trust, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Governing Instruments)
11455 El Camino Real, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92130
(858) 350-2600
(Address, Including Zip Code and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrants Principal Executive Offices)
John W. Chamberlain
Chief Executive Officer and President
American Assets Trust, Inc.
11455 El Camino Real, Suite 200, San Diego, California 92130
(858) 350-2600
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
Scott N. Wolfe, Esq. Julian T.H. Kleindorfer, Esq. Michael E. Sullivan, Esq. |
David W. Bonser, Esq. Samantha S. Gallagher, Esq. Hogan Lovells US LLP 555 Thirteenth Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20004 (202) 637-5600 |
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
If any of the Securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, check the following box: ¨
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement of the same offering. ¨
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):
Large accelerated filer ¨ |
Accelerated filer ¨ | |
Non-accelerated filer x |
Smaller reporting company ¨ | |
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
American Assets Trust, Inc. has prepared this Amendment No. 6 to the Registration Statement on Form S-11 (File No. 333-19326) solely for the purpose of filing Exhibits 5.1, 8.1, 10.57, 23.1 and 23.2 and updated versions of Exhibits 3.1, 10.5, 10.44 and 10.45. No changes have been made to the preliminary prospectus constituting Part I of the Registration Statement or to Part II of the Registration Statement (other than to reflect in the Exhibit Table the filing of the aforementioned exhibits).
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 31. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following table itemizes the expenses incurred by us in connection with the issuance and registration of the securities being registered hereunder. All amounts shown are estimates except for the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee.
SEC Registration Fee |
$ | 40,998 | ||
NYSE Listing Fee |
152,400 | |||
FINRA Filing Fee |
58,000 | |||
Printing and Engraving Expenses |
375,000 | |||
Legal Fees and Expenses (other than Blue Sky) |
4,220,000 | |||
Accounting and Fees and Expenses |
1,050,000 | |||
Transfer Agent and Registrar Fees |
7,500 | |||
Other Expenses |
3,615,102 | |||
Total |
9,519,000 | |||
Item 32. Sales to Special Parties.
None.
Item 33. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.
On July 16, 2010 we issued 1,000 shares of our common stock to the Ernest Rady Trust U/D/T March 10, 1983 in connection with the initial capitalization of our company for an aggregate purchase price of $1,000. The issuance of such shares was effected in reliance upon an exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act.
In connection with the formation transactions, an aggregate of 7,029,689 shares of common stock and 18,145,453 common units with an aggregate value of $503.5 million, based on the mid-point of the range of prices on the cover of the prospectus, will be issued to certain persons owning interests in the entities that own the properties comprising our portfolio as consideration in the formation transactions. All such persons had a substantive, pre-existing relationship with us and made elections to receive such securities in the formation transactions prior to the filing of this registration statement with the SEC. Prior to the filing of this registration statement, each such person consented to the contribution or merger of the entity or entities in which he or she holds an investment either to or with and into us or our operating partnership or with and into a wholly owned subsidiary of our operating partnership (or, in the case of reverse mergers, certain subsidiaries of our operating partnership will merge with and into such entities). All of such persons are accredited investors as defined under Regulation D of the Securities Act. The issuance of such shares and units will be effected in reliance upon exemptions from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and Regulation D of the Securities Act.
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Item 34. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty that is established by a final judgment and is material to the cause of action. Our charter contains a provision which eliminates our directors and officers liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.
Maryland law requires a Maryland corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made or threatened to be made a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that: (a) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; (b) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. However, under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification and then only for expenses. In addition, Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporations receipt of (a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and (b) a written undertaking by him or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.
Our charter authorizes us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, to obligate ourselves and our bylaws obligate us, to indemnify any present or former director or officer or any individual who, while a director or officer of our company and at our request, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, trustee, member or manager of another corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity from and against any claim or liability to which that individual may become subject or which that individual may incur by reason of his or her service in any of the foregoing capacities and to pay or reimburse his or her reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. Our charter and bylaws also permit us to indemnify and advance expenses to any individual who served a predecessor of our company in any of the capacities described above and any employees or agents of our company or a predecessor of our company. Furthermore, our officers and directors are indemnified against specified liabilities by the underwriters, and the underwriters are indemnified against certain liabilities by us, under the underwriting agreement relating to this offering. See Underwriting.
We intend to enter into indemnification agreements with each of our executive officers and directors whereby we indemnify such executive officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law against all expenses and liabilities, subject to limited exceptions. These indemnification agreements also provide that upon an application for indemnity by an executive officer or director to a court of appropriate jurisdiction, such court may order us to indemnify such executive officer or director.
In addition, our directors and officers are indemnified for specified liabilities and expenses pursuant to the partnership agreement of American Assets Trust, L.P., the partnership of which we serve as sole general partner.
Item 35. Treatment of Proceeds from Stock Being Registered.
None.
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Item 36. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(A) Financial Statements. See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes thereto.
(B) Exhibits. The attached Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 37. Undertakings.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
The undersigned registrant hereby further undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit, or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that the registrant meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-11 and has duly caused this Amendment No. 6 to the registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Diego, State of California, on this 11th day of January, 2011.
AMERICAN ASSETS TRUST, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ JOHN W. CHAMBERLAIN | |
John W. Chamberlain | ||
Chief Executive Officer and President |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Amendment No. 6 to the registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
/s/ ERNEST S. RADY Ernest S. Rady |
Executive Chairman of the Board of (Principal Executive Officer) |
January 11, 2011 | ||
/s/ JOHN W. CHAMBERLAIN John W. Chamberlain |
Chief Executive Officer and President |
January 11, 2011 | ||
/s/ ROBERT F. BARTON Robert F. Barton |
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
January 11, 2011 |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit |
||
1.1(6) | Form of Underwriting Agreement | |
3.1(7) | Articles of Amendment and Restatement of American Assets Trust, Inc. | |
3.2(6) | Amended and Restated Bylaws of American Assets Trust, Inc. | |
4.1(6) | Form of Certificate of Common Stock of American Assets Trust, Inc. | |
5.1 | Opinion of Venable LLP | |
8.1 | Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP with respect to tax matters | |
10.1(5) | Form of Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of American Assets Trust, L.P. | |
10.2(1) | Form of Registration Rights Agreement among American Assets Trust, Inc. and the persons named therein | |
10.3(6) | American Assets Trust, Inc. and American Assets Trust, L.P. 2011 Equity Incentive Award Plan | |
10.4(4) | Form of American Assets Trust, Inc. Restricted Stock Award Agreement (Time Vesting) | |
10.5(7) | Form of Indemnification Agreement between American Assets Trust, Inc. and its directors and officers | |
10.6(5) | Representation, Warranty and Indemnity Agreement by and among American Assets Trust, Inc., American Assets Trust, L.P. and Ernest Rady Trust U/D/T March 10, 1983, dated as of September 13, 2010 | |
10.7(1) | Indemnity Escrow Agreement by and among American Assets Trust, Inc., American Assets Trust, L.P. and the Ernest Rady Trust U/D/T March 10, 1983, dated as of September 13, 2010 | |
10.8(1) | Form of Tax Protection Agreement by and among American Assets Trust, Inc., American Assets Trust, L.P., and each partner set forth in Schedule I, Schedule II and Schedule III thereto | |
10.9(2) | Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among American Assets Trust, L.P. and the entities set forth on Schedule I thereto, dated as of September 13, 2010 | |
10.10(2) | Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among American Assets Trust, Inc. and the entities set forth on Schedule I thereto, dated as of September 13, 2010 | |
10.11(2) | Form of Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among American Assets Trust, L.P. and the OP sub forward merger entities named therein | |
10.12(2) | Form of Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among American Assets Trust, L.P. and the OP sub reverse merger entities named therein | |
10.13(2) | Form of Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among American Assets Trust, Inc. and the REIT sub forward merger entities named therein | |
10.14(2) | OP Contribution Agreement by and among American Assets Trust, L.P., American Assets Trust, Inc., and the contributors set forth on Schedule I thereto, dated as of September 13, 2010 | |
10.15(2) | Form of OP Sub Contribution Agreement by and among American Assets Trust, L.P., the subsidiary entity named therein, American Assets Trust, Inc. and the contributors set forth on Schedule I thereto | |
10.16(2) | Management Business Contribution Agreement by and between American Assets, Inc. and American Assets Trust Management, LLC, dated as of September 13, 2010 |
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Exhibit |
||
10.17(1) | Deed of Trust and Security Agreement by Alamo Stonecrest Holdings, LLC and Alamo Vista Holdings, LLC, as trustor, in favor of Heritage Title Company of Austin, Inc., as trustee, for the benefit of Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital Inc., as beneficiary, dated as of December 31, 2003 | |
10.18(1) | Form of Promissory Note by the borrower named therein to Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital Inc. | |
10.19(2) | Mortgage, Assignment of Leases and Rents, Security Agreement, Financing Statement and Fixture Filing by Waikele Reserve West Holdings, LLC and Waikele Venture Holdings, LLC, as mortgagor, to Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage, Inc., as mortgagee, dated as of October 28, 2004 | |
10.20(1) | First Amendment to Mortgage, Assignment of Leases and Rents, Security Agreement, Financing Statement and Fixture Filing by and among Waikele Reserve West Holdings, LLC, Waikele Venture Holdings, LLC and Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage, Inc., dated as of January 5, 2005 | |
10.21(1) | Note Severance and Loan Document Modification Agreement by and between Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage, Inc., Waikele Reserve West Holdings, LLC and Waikele Venture Holdings, LLC, dated as of November 3, 2004 | |
10.22(1) | Form of Substitute Note by the borrower named therein to Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage, Inc. | |
10.23(1) | Deed of Trust and Security Agreement by Landmark Venture Holdings, LLC and Landmark Firehill Holdings, LLC, as trustor, in favor of Chicago Title Company, as trustee, for the benefit of Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital Inc., as beneficiary, dated as of June 13, 2005 | |
10.24(1) | Form of Promissory Note by the borrower named therein to Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital Inc. | |
10.25(1) | Deed of Trust and Security Agreement by Del MontePOH, LLC, Del MonteDMSJH, LLC, Del MonteKMBC, LLC and Del MonteDMCH, LLC, as trustor, in favor of First American Title Insurance Company, as trustee, for the benefit of Column Financial, Inc., as beneficiary, dated as of June 30, 2005 | |
10.26(1) | Form of Promissory Note by the borrower named therein to Column Financial, Inc. | |
10.27 | Reserved | |
10.28 | Reserved | |
10.29 | Reserved | |
10.30 | Reserved | |
10.31 | Reserved | |
10.32(1) | Mortgage, Assignment of Leases and Rents, Security Agreement, Financing Statement and Fixture Filing by ABW Holdings LLC, as mortgagor, to Column Financial, Inc., as mortgagee, dated as of February 15, 2007 | |
10.33(1) | First Amendment to Mortgage and Other Loan Documents by and among ABW Holdings LLC, American Assets, Inc. Outrigger Enterprises, Inc. and Column Financial, Inc., dated as of October 31, 2007 | |
10.34(1) | Promissory Note by ABW Holdings LLC, as maker, to Column Financial, Inc., dated as of February 15, 2007 | |
10.35(1) | Multifamily Deed of Trust, Assignment of Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing by Loma Palisades, a California general partnership, as trustor, to First American Title Insurance Company, as trustee, for the benefit of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as beneficiary, dated as of June 30, 2008 | |
10.36(1) | Multifamily Note by Loma Palisades, a California general partnership, to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated as of June 30, 2008 |
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Exhibit |
||
10.37 | Reserved | |
10.38(3) | Form of Transition Services Agreement between American Assets, Inc. and American Assets Trust, L.P. | |
10.39 | Reserved | |
10.40(2) | Management Agreement for Waikiki Beach Walk®Retail between ABW Holdings LLC and Retail Resort Properties LLC, dated as of November 1, 2007 | |
10.41(2) | Outrigger Hotels HawaiiHotel Management AgreementEmbassy SuitesWaikiki Beach Walk Hotel by and among EBW Hotel LLC, Waikele Venture Holdings, LLC, Broadway 225 Sorrento Holdings, LLC, Broadway 225 Stonecrest Holdings, LLC and Outrigger Hotels Hawaii, dated as of January 10, 2006 | |
10.42 | Reserved | |
10.43(6) | Form of Employment Agreement among American Assets Trust, Inc., American Assets Trust, L.P. and each of John W. Chamberlain, Robert F. Barton, Adam Wyll and Patrick Kinney | |
10.44(7) | Form of Employment Agreement among American Assets Trust, Inc., American Assets Trust, L.P. and Ernest S. Rady | |
10.45(7) | Independent Director Compensation Policy | |
10.46(4) | Form of American Assets Trust, Inc. Restricted Stock Award Agreement (Performance Vesting) | |
10.47(5) | Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among American Assets Trust, L.P. and the entities set forth on Schedule I thereto, dated as of December 16, 2010 | |
10.48(5) | Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among American Assets Trust, Inc. and the entities set forth on Schedule I thereto, dated as of December 16, 2010 | |
10.49(5) | Form of Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among American Assets Trust, L.P. and the OP sub forward merger entities named therein | |
10.50(5) | Form of Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among American Assets Trust, L.P. and the OP sub reverse merger entities named therein | |
10.51(5) | Form of Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among American Assets Trust, Inc. and the REIT sub forward merger entities named therein | |
10.52(5) | Amendment to OP Contribution Agreement by and among American Assets Trust, L.P., American Assets Trust, Inc. and the contributors set forth on Schedule I thereto, dated as of December 16, 2010 | |
10.53(5) | Form of Amendment to OP Sub Contribution Agreement by and among American Assets Trust, L.P., the subsidiary named therein, American Assets Trust, Inc. and the contributors set forth on Schedule I thereto | |
10.54(5) | Reimbursement Agreement by and among American Assets, Inc., American Assets Trust, Inc. and American Assets Trust, L.P., dated as of December 16, 2010 | |
10.55(6) | Assignment Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2010, by and among American Assets Trust, L.P., American Assets Trust, Inc. and the Ernest Rady Trust U/D/T March 10, 1983 (regarding assignment of interest in Carmel Mountain Pad, LLC) | |
10.56(6) | Form of Franchise License AgreementEmbassy SuitesWaikiki Beach WalkHonolulu, Hawaii between Embassy Suites Franchise LLC and WBW Hotel Lessee, LLC |
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Exhibit |
||
10.57 | Form of Credit Agreement among American Assets Trust, L.P., as the Borrower, American Assets Trust, Inc., as a Guarantor, Bank Of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer, and the other lenders party thereto and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Syndication Agent | |
21.1(5) | List of Subsidiaries of the Registrant | |
23.1 | Consent of Venable LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1) | |
23.2 | Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1) | |
23.3(6) | Consent of Ernst & Young LLP | |
23.4(6) | Consent of Accuity LLP | |
23.5(5) | Consent of Rosen Consulting Group | |
24.1(1) | Power of Attorney (included on the Signature Page) | |
99.1(5) | Rosen Consulting Group Market Study | |
99.2(3) | Consent of Larry E. Finger | |
99.3(3) | Consent of Edward F. Lange, Jr. | |
99.4(3) | Consent of Duane A. Nelles | |
99.5(3) | Consent of Thomas S. Olinger | |
99.6(3) | Consent of Robert S. Sullivan |
* |
To be filed by amendment. | |
(1) |
Previously filed with the Registration Statement on Form S-11 filed by the Registrant on September 13, 2010. | |
(2) |
Previously filed with Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-11/A filed by the Registrant on October 20, 2010. | |
(3) |
Previously filed with Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-11/A filed by the Registrant on November 12, 2010. | |
(4) |
Previously filed with Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-11/A filed by the Registrant on December 6, 2010. | |
(5) |
Previously filed with Amendment No. 4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-11/A filed by the Registrant on December 17, 2010. | |
(6) |
Previously filed with Amendment No. 5 to the Registration Statement on Form S-11/A filed by the Registrant on January 3, 2011. | |
(7) |
Previously filed, but amended version filed herewith. |
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Exhibit 3.1
AMERICAN ASSETS TRUST, INC.
ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT
FIRST: American Assets Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Corporation), desires to amend and restate its charter (the Charter) as currently in effect and as hereinafter amended.
SECOND: The following provisions are all the provisions of the Charter currently in effect and as hereinafter amended:
ARTICLE I
NAME
The name of the Corporation is:
American Assets Trust, Inc.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSE
The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are to engage in any lawful act or activity (including, without limitation or obligation, engaging in business as a real estate investment trust (a REIT) under Sections 856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor statute (the Code)) for which corporations may be organized under the general laws of the State of Maryland as now or hereafter in force.
ARTICLE III
PRINCIPAL OFFICE IN STATE AND RESIDENT AGENT
The address of the principal office of the Corporation in the State of Maryland is c/o The Corporation Trust Incorporated, 351 West Camden Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201. The name of the resident agent of the Corporation in the State of Maryland is The Corporation Trust Incorporated, whose post address is 351 West Camden Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201. The resident agent is a Maryland corporation.
ARTICLE IV
PROVISIONS FOR DEFINING, LIMITING
AND REGULATING CERTAIN POWERS OF THE
CORPORATION AND OF THE STOCKHOLDERS AND DIRECTORS
Section 4.1 Number of Directors. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. The number of directors of the Corporation is one (1), which number may be increased or decreased only by the Board of Directors pursuant to the Bylaws of the Corporation (the Bylaws), but shall never be less than the minimum number required by the Maryland General Corporation Law (the MGCL). The name of the director who shall serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor is duly elected and qualify is:
Ernest S. Rady
The Board of Directors may increase or decrease the number of directors and may fill any vacancy, whether resulting from an increase in the number of directors or otherwise, on the Board of Directors in the manner provided in the Bylaws.
The Corporation elects, at such time as it becomes eligible under Section 3-802 of the MGCL to make the election provided for under Section 3-804(c) of the MGCL, that, except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of stock, any and all vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which such vacancy occurred.
Section 4.2 Extraordinary Actions. Except as specifically provided in Section 4.8 of this Article IV (relating to removal of directors), notwithstanding any provision of law permitting or requiring any action to be taken or approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares entitled to cast a greater number of votes, any such action shall be effective and valid if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and taken or approved by the affirmative vote of holders of shares entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
Section 4.3 Authorization by Board of Stock Issuance. The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance from time to time of shares of stock of the Corporation of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, or securities or rights convertible into shares of its stock of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration as the Board of Directors may deem advisable (or without consideration in the case of a stock split or
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stock dividend), subject to such restrictions or limitations, if any, as may be set forth in the MGCL, the Charter or the Bylaws.
Section 4.4 Preemptive and Appraisal Rights. Except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of classified or reclassified shares of stock pursuant to Section 6.4 or as may otherwise be provided by a contract approved by the Board of Directors, no holder of shares of stock of the Corporation shall, as such holder, have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any additional shares of stock of the Corporation or any other security of the Corporation which it may issue or sell. Holders of shares of stock shall not be entitled to exercise any rights of an objecting stockholder provided for under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the MGCL or any successor statute unless the Board of Directors, upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors, shall determine that such rights apply, with respect to all or any classes or series of stock, to one or more transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which holders of such shares would otherwise be entitled to exercise such rights.
Section 4.5 Indemnification. The Corporation shall have the power, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, to obligate itself to indemnify, and to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to, (a) any individual who is a present or former director or officer of the Corporation or (b) any individual who, while a director or officer of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, member, manager or trustee of another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or any other enterprise from and against any claim or liability to which such person may become subject or which such person may incur by reason of his or her service in such capacity. The Corporation shall have the power, with the approval of the Board of Directors, to provide such indemnification and advancement of expenses to a person who served a predecessor of the Corporation in any of the capacities described in (a) or (b) above and to any employee or agent of the Corporation or a predecessor of the Corporation.
Section 4.6 Determinations by Board. The determination as to any of the following matters, made in good faith by or pursuant to the direction of the Board of Directors consistent with the Charter, shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Corporation and every holder of shares of its stock: the amount of the net income of the Corporation for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends, redemption of its stock or the payment of other distributions on its stock; the amount of paid-in surplus, net assets, other surplus, annual or other cash flow, funds from operations, net profit, net assets in excess of capital, undivided profits or excess of profits over losses on sales of assets; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges shall have been created shall have been paid or discharged); any interpretation of the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers or rights, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of any class or series of stock of the Corporation; the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked price to be applied in determining the fair value, of any asset owned or held by the Corporation or of any shares of stock of the Corporation; the number of shares of stock of any class of the Corporation; any matter relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition of
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any assets by the Corporation; or any other matter relating to the business and affairs of the Corporation or required or permitted by applicable law, the Charter or Bylaws or otherwise to be determined by the Board of Directors.
Section 4.7 REIT Qualification. If the Corporation elects to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Board of Directors shall take such actions as it determines are necessary or appropriate to preserve the status of the Corporation as a REIT; however, if the Board of Directors determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to continue to be qualified as a REIT, the Board of Directors may revoke or otherwise terminate the Corporations REIT election pursuant to Section 856(g) of the Code. The Board of Directors also may determine that compliance with one or more of the restrictions or limitations on stock ownership and transfers set forth in Article VI is no longer required for REIT qualification.
Section 4.8 Removal of Directors. Subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock to elect or remove one or more directors, any director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and then only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors. For the purpose of this paragraph, cause shall mean, with respect to any particular director, conviction of a felony or a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction holding that such director caused demonstrable, material harm to the Corporation through bad faith or active and deliberate dishonesty.
ARTICLE V
STOCK
Section 5.1 Authorized Shares. The Corporation has authority to issue 500,000,000 shares of stock, consisting of 490,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share (Common Stock), and 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share (Preferred Stock). The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of stock having par value is $5,000,000. If shares of one class of stock are classified or reclassified into shares of another class of stock pursuant to Section 5.2, 5.3 or 5.4 of this Article V, the number of authorized shares of the former class shall be automatically decreased and the number of shares of the latter class shall be automatically increased, in each case by the number of shares so classified or reclassified, so that the aggregate number of shares of stock of all classes that the Corporation has authority to issue shall not be more than the total number of shares of stock set forth in the first sentence of this paragraph. The Board of Directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire Board and without any action by the stockholders of the Corporation, may amend the Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that the Corporation has authority to issue.
Section 5.2 Common Stock. Subject to the provisions of Article VI and except as may otherwise be specified in the terms of any class or series of Common Stock, each share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote. The Board of Directors may reclassify any unissued shares of Common Stock from time to time in one or more classes or series of stock.
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Section 5.3 Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors may classify any unissued shares of Preferred Stock and reclassify any previously classified but unissued shares of Preferred Stock of any series from time to time, in one or more classes or series of stock.
Section 5.4 Classified or Reclassified Shares. Prior to issuance of classified or reclassified shares of any class or series, the Board of Directors by resolution shall: (a) designate that class or series to distinguish it from all other classes and series of stock of the Corporation; (b) specify the number of shares to be included in the class or series; (c) set or change, subject to the provisions of Article VI and subject to the express terms of any class or series of stock of the Corporation outstanding at the time, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, including, without limitation, restrictions on transferability, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series; and (d) cause the Corporation to file articles supplementary with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (SDAT). Any of the terms of any class or series of stock set or changed pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 5.4 may be made dependent upon facts or events ascertainable outside the Charter (including determinations by the Board of Directors or other facts or events within the control of the Corporation) and may vary among holders thereof, provided that the manner in which such facts, events or variations shall operate upon the terms of such class or series of stock is clearly and expressly set forth in the articles supplementary or other charter document.
Section 5.5 Charter and Bylaws. The rights of all stockholders and the terms of all stock are subject to the provisions of the Charter and the Bylaws.
Section 5.6 Stockholders Consent in Lieu of Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting if a unanimous written consent setting forth the action is given in writing or by electronic transmission by each stockholder entitled to vote on the matter and filed with the minutes of proceedings of the stockholders.
ARTICLE VI
RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER AND OWNERSHIP OF SHARES
Section 6.1 Definitions. For the purpose of this Article VI, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit. The term Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit shall mean not more than 7.275% in value of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock, subject to adjustment from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 6.2.8, excluding any such outstanding Common Stock which is not treated as outstanding for federal income tax purposes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining the percentage ownership of Capital Stock by any Person, shares of Capital Stock that are treated as Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned by such Person shall be deemed outstanding. The
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value of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock shall be determined by the Board of Directors in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive for all purposes hereof.
Beneficial Ownership. The term Beneficial Ownership shall mean ownership of shares of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that are actually owned or would be treated as owned through the application of Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Sections 856(h)(1)(B) and 856(h)(3) of the Code. The terms Beneficial Owner, Beneficially Owns and Beneficially Owned shall have the correlative meanings.
Business Day. The term Business Day shall mean any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.
Capital Stock. The term Capital Stock shall mean all classes or series of stock of the Corporation, including, without limitation, Common Stock and Preferred Stock.
Charitable Beneficiary. The term Charitable Beneficiary shall mean one or more beneficiaries of the Trust as determined pursuant to Section 6.3.6, provided that each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.
Common Stock Ownership Limit. The term Common Stock Ownership Limit shall mean 7.275% (in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, and subject to adjustment from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 6.2.8) of the aggregate of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation, excluding any such outstanding Common Stock which is not treated as outstanding for federal income tax purposes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining the percentage ownership of Common Stock by any Person, shares of Common Stock that are treated as Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned by such Person shall be deemed to be outstanding. The number and value of shares of outstanding Common Stock of the Corporation shall be determined by the Board of Directors in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive for all purposes hereof.
Constructive Ownership. The term Constructive Ownership shall mean ownership of shares of Capital Stock by a Person, whether the interest in the shares of Capital Stock is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that are actually owned or would be treated as owned through the application of Section 318(a) of the Code, as modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the Code. The terms Constructive Owner, Constructively Owns and Constructively Owned shall have the correlative meanings.
Excepted Holder. The term Excepted Holder shall mean any stockholder of the Corporation for whom an Excepted Holder Limit is created by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 6.2.7.
Excepted Holder Limit. The term Excepted Holder Limit shall mean for each Excepted Holder, the percentage limit established by the Board of Directors for such Excepted Holder pursuant to Section 6.2.7, which limit may be expressed, in the discretion of the Board of
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Directors, as one or more percentages and/or numbers of shares of Capital Stock, and may apply with respect to one or more classes of Capital Stock or to all classes of Capital Stock in the aggregate, provided that the affected Excepted Holder agrees to comply with the requirements established by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 6.2.7 and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 6.2.8.
Individual. The term Individual means an individual, a trust qualified under Section 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code, a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, or a private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, provided that, except as set forth in Section 856(h)(3)(A)(ii) of the Code, a trust described in Section 401(a) of the Code and exempt from tax under Section 501(a) of the Code shall be excluded from this definition.
Initial Date. The term Initial Date shall mean the date of the closing of the issuance of Common Stock pursuant to the initial public offering of the Corporation.
Market Price. The term Market Price on any date shall mean, with respect to any class or series of outstanding shares of Capital Stock, the Closing Price for such Capital Stock on such date. The Closing Price on any date shall mean the last sale price for such Capital Stock, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for such Capital Stock, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE or, if such Capital Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on the NYSE, as reported on the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which such Capital Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if such Capital Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price, or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the principal automated quotation system on which such Capital Stock is quoted, if such Capital Stock is not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Capital Stock selected by the Board of Directors or, in the event that no trading price is available for such Capital Stock, the fair market value of the Capital Stock, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.
NYSE. The term NYSE shall mean the New York Stock Exchange.
Person. The term Person shall mean an Individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, estate, trust, association, joint stock company or other entity and also includes a group as that term is used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Prohibited Owner. The term Prohibited Owner shall mean, with respect to any purported Transfer, any Person who, but for the provisions of Section 6.2.1, would Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock, and if appropriate in the context, shall also mean any Person who would have been the record owner of the shares that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.
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Restriction Termination Date. The term Restriction Termination Date shall mean the first day after the Initial Date on which the Board of Directors determines pursuant to Section 4.7 of the Charter that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT or that compliance with the restrictions and limitations on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfers of shares of Capital Stock set forth herein is no longer required in order for the Corporation to qualify as a REIT.
Transfer. The term Transfer shall mean any issuance, sale, transfer, gift, assignment, devise or other disposition, as well as any other event that causes any Person to acquire, or change its level of, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership, or any agreement to take any such actions or cause any such events, of Capital Stock or the right to vote or receive dividends on Capital Stock, including (a) the granting or exercise of any option (or any disposition of any option), (b) any disposition of any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock or any interest in Capital Stock or any exercise of any such conversion or exchange right and (c) Transfers of interests in other entities that result in changes in Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Capital Stock; in each case, whether voluntary or involuntary, whether owned of record, Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned and whether by operation of law or otherwise. The terms Transferring and Transferred shall have the correlative meanings.
Trust. The term Trust shall mean any trust provided for in Section 6.3.1.
Trustee. The term Trustee shall mean the Person who is not affiliated with either the Corporation or any Prohibited Owner, which Person is appointed by the Corporation to serve as trustee of the Trust.
Section 6.2 Capital Stock.
Section 6.2.1 Ownership Limitations. During the period commencing on the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date, but subject to Section 6.4:
(a) Basic Restrictions.
(i) (1) No Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, (2) no Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Common Stock in excess of the Common Stock Ownership Limit and (3) no Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess of the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder.
(ii) No Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock to the extent that such Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of shares of Capital Stock could result in the Corporation being closely held within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year), or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT (including, but not
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limited to, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership that could result in (1) the Corporation Constructively Owning an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code, or (2) any manager of a qualified lodging facility, within the meaning of Section 856(d)(9)(D) of the Code, leased by the Company to one of its taxable REIT subsidiaries failing to qualify as an eligible independent contractor, within the meaning of Section 856(d)(9)(A) of the Code, in either case if the income derived by the Corporation from such tenant or such taxable REIT subsidiary, taking into account any other income of the Corporation that would not qualify under the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code, would cause the Corporation to fail to satisfy any of such gross income requirements).
(iii) Any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock that, if effective, would result in the Capital Stock being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 Persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) shall be void ab initio, and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock.
Without limitation of the application of any other provision of this Article VI, it is expressly intended that the restrictions on ownership and Transfer described in this Section 6.2.1 of Article VI shall apply to restrict the rights of any members or partners in limited liability companies or partnerships to exchange their interest in such entities for shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation.
(b) Transfer in Trust. If any Transfer of shares of Capital Stock (whether or not such Transfer is the result of a transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system) occurs which, if effective, would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 6.2.1(a)(i) or (ii):
(i) then that number of shares of the Capital Stock, the Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate Section 6.2.1(a)(i) or (ii) (rounded up to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically transferred to a Trust for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary, as described in Section 6.3, effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of such Transfer, and such Person shall acquire no rights in such shares; or
(ii) if the Transfer to the Trust described in clause (i) of this sentence would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of Section 6.2.1(a)(i) or (ii), then the Transfer of that number of shares of Capital Stock that otherwise would cause any Person to violate Section 6.2.1(a)(i) or (ii) shall be void ab initio, and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such shares of Capital Stock.
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In determining which shares of Capital Stock are to be transferred to a Trust in accordance with this Section 6.2.1(b) and Section 6.3 hereof, shares shall be so transferred to a Trust in such manner as minimizes the aggregate value of the shares that are transferred to the Trust (except as provided in Section 6.2.6) and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, on a pro rata basis. To the extent that, upon a transfer of shares of Capital Stock pursuant to this Section 6.2.1(b), a violation of any provision of Section 6.2.1(a) would nonetheless be continuing (as, for example, where the ownership of shares of Capital Stock by a single Trust would result in the shares of Capital Stock being Beneficially Owned (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) by fewer than 100 Persons), then shares of Capital Stock shall be transferred to that number of Trusts, each having a Trustee and a Charitable Beneficiary or Beneficiaries that are distinct from those of each other Trust, such that there is no violation of any provision of Section 6.2.1(a) hereof.
Section 6.2.2 Remedies for Breach. If the Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee thereof shall at any time determine in good faith that a Transfer or other event has taken place that results in a violation of Section 6.2.1 or that a Person intends or has attempted to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of any shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 6.2.1 (whether or not such violation is intended), the Board of Directors or a committee thereof shall take such action as it deems advisable, in its sole and absolute discretion, to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such Transfer or other event, including, without limitation, causing the Corporation to redeem shares, refusing to give effect to such Transfer on the books of the Corporation or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer or other event; provided, however, that any Transfer or attempted Transfer or other event in violation of Section 6.2.1 shall automatically result in the transfer to the Trust described above, or, where applicable, such Transfer (or other event) shall be void ab initio as provided above irrespective of any action (or non-action) by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof.
Section 6.2.3 Notice of Restricted Transfer. Any Person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Capital Stock that will or may violate Section 6.2.1(a) or any Person who would have owned shares of Capital Stock that resulted in a transfer to the Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.2.1(b) shall immediately give written notice to the Corporation of such event or, in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least fifteen (15) days prior written notice, and shall provide to the Corporation such other information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Transfer on the Corporations status as a REIT.
Section 6.2.4 Owners Required To Provide Information. From the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date:
(a) every owner of five percent or more (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder) of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock, within thirty (30) days after the end of each taxable year, shall give written notice to the Corporation stating the name and
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address of such owner, the number of shares of each class or series of Capital Stock Beneficially Owned and a description of the manner in which such shares are held. Each such owner shall provide promptly to the Corporation in writing such additional information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial Ownership on the Corporations status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and the Common Stock Ownership Limit; and
(b) each Person who is a Beneficial Owner or Constructive Owner of shares of Capital Stock and each Person (including the stockholder of record) who is holding shares of Capital Stock for a Beneficial or Constructive Owner shall, on demand, provide to the Corporation in writing such information as the Corporation may request, in good faith, in order to determine the Corporations status as a REIT and to comply with requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance.
Section 6.2.5 Remedies Not Limited. Subject to Section 4.7, nothing contained in this Section 6.2 shall limit the authority of the Board of Directors to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable to protect the Corporation and the interests of its stockholders in preserving the Corporations status as a REIT.
Section 6.2.6 Ambiguity. In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of this Article VI, including Section 6.2, Section 6.3, or any definition contained in Section 6.1 or any defined term used in this Article VI but defined elsewhere in the Charter, the Board of Directors shall have the power to determine the application of the provisions of this Article VI with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it. In the event Section 6.2 or 6.3 requires an action by the Board of Directors and the Charter fails to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the Board of Directors shall have the power to determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of Sections 6.1, 6.2 or 6.3. Absent a decision to the contrary by the Board of Directors (which the Board of Directors may make in its sole and absolute discretion), if a Person would have (but for the remedies set forth in Section 6.2.2) acquired Beneficial or Constructive Ownership of shares of Capital Stock in violation of Section 6.2.1, such remedies (as applicable) shall apply first to the shares of Capital Stock which, but for such remedies, would have been actually owned by such Person, and second to shares of Capital Stock which, but for such remedies, would have been Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned (but not actually owned) by such Person, pro rata among the Persons who actually own such shares of Capital Stock based upon the relative number of the shares of Capital Stock held by each such Person.
Section 6.2.7 Exceptions.
(a) Subject to Section 6.2.1(a)(ii), the Board of Directors of the Corporation, in its sole and absolute discretion, may exempt (prospectively or retroactively) a Person from the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit or the Common Stock Ownership Limit, as the case may be, or may establish or increase an Excepted Holder Limit for such Person, if the Board of Directors reasonably
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determines, based on such representations, covenants and undertakings from such Person to the extent required by the Board of Directors, and as are reasonably necessary or prudent to ascertain, that such exemption could not cause or permit:
(i) five or fewer Individuals to Beneficially Own more than 49% in value of the outstanding Capital Stock (taking into account the then current Common Stock Ownership Limit and Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, any then existing Excepted Holder Limits, and the Excepted Holder Limit of such Person); or
(ii) the Corporation to Constructively Own more than a 9.9% interest (that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code) in any tenant of the Corporation or any tenant of any entity directly or indirectly owned, in whole or in part, by the Corporation (for this purpose, in the Board of Directors sole and absolute discretion, a tenant from whom the Corporation (or an entity directly or indirectly owned, in whole or in part, by the Corporation) derives (and is expected to continue to derive) a sufficiently small amount of revenue such that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, rent from such tenant would not adversely affect the Corporations ability to qualify as a REIT shall not be treated as a tenant of the Corporation).
(b) Prior to granting any exception pursuant to Section 6.2.7(a), the Board of Directors may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the Board of Directors in its sole and absolute discretion, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure the Corporations status as a REIT. Notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, the Board of Directors may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting such exception.
(c) Subject to Section 6.2.1(a)(ii), an underwriter which participates in a public offering or a private placement of Capital Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock) may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock) in excess of the Common Stock Ownership Limit, the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, or both such limits, but only to the extent necessary to facilitate such public offering or private placement.
(d) The Board of Directors may only reduce the Excepted Holder Limit for an Excepted Holder: (1) with the written consent of such Excepted Holder at any time, or (2) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements and undertakings entered into with such Excepted Holder in connection with the establishment of the Excepted Holder Limit for that Excepted Holder. No Excepted Holder Limit shall be reduced to a percentage that is less than the Common Stock Ownership Limit or the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, as applicable.
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Section 6.2.8 Increase or Decrease in Aggregate Stock Ownership and Common Stock Ownership Limits. Subject to Section 6.2.1(a)(ii) and the rest of this Section 6.2.8, the Board of Directors may, in its sole and absolute discretion, from time to time increase or decrease the Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or the Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit for one or more Persons; provided, however, that a decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit will not be effective for any Person who Beneficially Owns or Constructively Owns, as applicable, shares of Capital Stock in excess of such decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit at the time such limit is decreased, until such time as such Persons Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Capital Stock, as applicable, equals or falls below the decreased Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit, but any further acquisition of shares of Capital Stock or increased Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of shares of Capital Stock will be in violation of the Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit and, provided further, that the new Common Stock Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Stock Ownership Limit (taking into account any then existing Excepted Holder Limits) would not allow five or fewer Individuals to Beneficially Own more than 49% in value of the outstanding Capital Stock.
Section 6.2.9 Legend. Each certificate representing shares of Capital Stock, if any, shall bear substantially the following legend:
The shares represented by this certificate are subject to restrictions on Beneficial and Constructive Ownership and Transfer for the purpose of the Corporations maintenance of its status as a Real Estate Investment Trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). Subject to certain further restrictions and except as expressly provided in the Corporations Charter, (i) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of the Corporations Common Stock in excess of 7.275% (in value or number of shares) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (ii) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation in excess of 7.275% of the value of the total outstanding shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation, unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (iii) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Capital Stock that would result in the Corporation being closely held under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT; and (iv) no Person may Transfer shares of Capital Stock if such Transfer would result in the Capital Stock of the Corporation being owned by fewer than 100 Persons. Any Person who Beneficially Owns or Constructively Owns or attempts to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock which causes or will cause a Person to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own shares of Capital Stock in excess or in violation of the above limitations must immediately notify the Corporation. If any of
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the restrictions on transfer or ownership set forth in (i) through (iii) above are violated, the shares of Capital Stock represented hereby will be automatically transferred to a Trustee of a Trust for the benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. In addition, the Corporation may take other actions, including redeeming shares upon the terms and conditions specified by the Board of Directors in its sole and absolute discretion if the Board of Directors determines that ownership or a Transfer or other event may violate the restrictions described above. Furthermore, upon the occurrence of certain events, attempted Transfers in violation of the restrictions described above may be void ab initio. All capitalized terms in this legend have the meanings defined in the Charter of the Corporation, as the same may be amended from time to time, a copy of which, including the restrictions on transfer and ownership, will be furnished to each holder of Capital Stock of the Corporation on request and without charge. Requests for such a copy may be directed to the Secretary of the Corporation at its Principal Office.
Instead of the foregoing legend, a certificate may state that the Corporation will furnish a full statement about certain restrictions on ownership and transfer of the shares to a stockholder on request and without charge.
Section 6.3 Transfer of Capital Stock in Trust.
Section 6.3.1 Ownership in Trust. Upon any purported Transfer or other event described in Section 6.2.1(b) that would result in a transfer of shares of Capital Stock to a Trust, such shares of Capital Stock shall be deemed to have been transferred to the Trustee as trustee of a Trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. Such transfer to the Trustee shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the purported Transfer or other event that results in the transfer to the Trust pursuant to Section 6.2.1(b). The Trustee shall be appointed by the Corporation and shall be a Person who is not affiliated with either the Corporation or any Prohibited Owner. Each Charitable Beneficiary shall be designated by the Corporation as provided in Section 6.3.6.
Section 6.3.2 Status of Shares Held by the Trustee. Shares of Capital Stock held by the Trustee shall be issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation. The Prohibited Owner shall have no rights in the shares held by the Trustee. The Prohibited Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any shares held in trust by the Trustee, shall have no rights to dividends or other distributions and shall not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares held in the Trust. The Prohibited Owner shall have no claim, cause of action, or any other recourse whatsoever against the purported transferor of such Capital Stock.
Section 6.3.3 Dividend and Voting Rights. The Trustee shall have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other distributions with respect to shares of Capital Stock held in the Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee shall
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be paid by the recipient of such dividend or other distribution to the Trustee upon demand and any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Trustee. Any dividend or distribution so paid to the Trustee shall be held in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to shares held in the Trust and, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee, the Trustee shall have the authority (at the Trustees sole and absolute discretion) (i) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Corporation that the shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee and (ii) to recast such vote in accordance with the desires of the Trustee acting for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary; provided, however, that if the Corporation has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the Trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article VI, until the Corporation has received notification that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred into a Trust, the Corporation shall be entitled to rely on its share transfer and other stockholder records for purposes of preparing lists of stockholders entitled to vote at meetings, determining the validity and authority of proxies and otherwise conducting votes of stockholders.
Section 6.3.4 Sale of Shares by Trustee. Within twenty (20) days of receiving notice from the Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trust, the Trustee of the Trust shall sell the shares held in the Trust to a Person or Persons, designated by the Trustee, whose ownership of the shares will not violate the ownership limitations set forth in Section 6.2.1(a). Upon such sale, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as provided in this Section 6.3.4. The Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (1) the price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the shares or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value for the shares in connection with the event causing the shares to be held in the Trust (e.g., in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the Market Price of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the Trust and (2) the price per share received by the Trustee (net of any commissions and other expenses of sale) from the sale or other disposition of the shares held in the Trust. The Trustee shall reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and other distributions which have been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.3.3 of this Article VI. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner shall be immediately paid to the Charitable Beneficiary. If, prior to the discovery by the Corporation that shares of Capital Stock have been transferred to the Trustee, such shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then (i) such shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Trust and (ii) to the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such shares that exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 6.3.4, such excess shall be paid to the Trustee upon demand.
Section 6.3.5 Purchase Right in Capital Stock Transferred to the Trustee. Shares of Capital Stock transferred to the Trustee shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to the Corporation, or its designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that resulted in such transfer to the Trust (or, in
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the case of a devise, gift or other transaction, the Market Price at the time of such devise, gift or other transaction) and (ii) the Market Price on the date the Corporation, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Corporation shall reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and distributions which have been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.3.3 of this Article VI. The Corporation shall pay the amount of such reduction to the Trustee for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. The Corporation shall have the right to accept such offer until the Trustee has sold the shares held in the Trust pursuant to Section 6.3.4. Upon such a sale to the Corporation, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the shares sold shall terminate and the Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner.
Section 6.3.6 Designation of Charitable Beneficiaries. By written notice to the Trustee, the Corporation shall designate one or more nonprofit organizations to be the Charitable Beneficiary of the interest in the Trust such that the shares of Capital Stock held in the Trust would not violate the restrictions set forth in Section 6.2.1(a) in the hands of such Charitable Beneficiary. Neither the failure of the Corporation to make such designation nor the failure of the Corporation to appoint the Trustee before the automatic transfer provided for in Section 6.2.1(b)(i) shall make such transfer ineffective, provided that the Corporation thereafter makes such designation and appointment.
Section 6.4 NYSE Transactions. Nothing in this Article VI shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of the NYSE or any other national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that the settlement of any transaction occurs shall not negate the effect of any other provision of this Article VI and any transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this Article VI.
Section 6.5 Enforcement. The Corporation is authorized specifically to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief, to enforce the provisions of this Article VI.
Section 6.6 Non-Waiver. No delay or failure on the part of the Corporation or the Board of Directors in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of any right of the Corporation or the Board of Directors, as the case may be, except to the extent specifically waived in writing.
Section 6.7 Severability. If any provision of this Article VI or any application of any such provision is determined to be invalid by any federal or state court having jurisdiction over the issues, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected and other applications of such provisions shall be affected only to the extent necessary to comply with the determination of such court.
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ARTICLE VII
AMENDMENTS
The Corporation reserves the right from time to time to make any amendment to its Charter now or hereafter authorized by law, including any amendment altering the terms or contract rights, as expressly set forth in the Charter, of any shares of outstanding stock. All rights and powers conferred by the Charter on stockholders, directors and officers are granted subject to this reservation. Except as set forth in the next sentence of the Charter, and except for those amendments permitted to be made without stockholder approval under Maryland law or by specific provision in the Charter, any amendment to the Charter shall be valid only if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. However, any amendment to Section 4.8, Section 5.6 or to this sentence of the Charter shall be valid only if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.
ARTICLE VIII
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
To the maximum extent that Maryland law in effect from time to time permits limitation of the liability of directors and officers of a corporation, no present or former director or officer of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for money damages. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article VIII, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Charter or Bylaws inconsistent with this Article VIII, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding sentence with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.
THIRD: The amendment to and restatement of the Charter as hereinabove set forth have been duly advised by the Board of Directors and approved by the stockholders of the Corporation as required by law.
FOURTH: The current address of the principal office of the Corporation is as set forth in Article III of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the Charter.
FIFTH: The name and address of the Corporations current resident agent is as set forth in Article III of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the Charter.
SIXTH: The number of directors of the Corporation and the names of those currently in office are as set forth in Article IV of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the Charter.
SEVENTH: The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation had authority to issue immediately prior to this amendment and restatement was 1,000,000 shares, $0.01 par value per share of common stock. The aggregate par value of all shares of stock having par value was $10,000.
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EIGHTH: The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation has authority to issue pursuant to the foregoing amendment and restatement of the Charter is 500,000,000, consisting of 490,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, and 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share. The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of stock having par value is $5,000,000.
NINTH: The undersigned Chief Executive Officer acknowledges these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be the corporate act of the Corporation and as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned Chief Executive Officer acknowledges that, to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Chief Executive Officer and attested to by its Secretary as of the 3rd day of January, 2010.
ATTEST: | AMERICAN ASSETS TRUST, INC.: | |||||||
/s/ Adam Wyll | By: | /s/ John Chamberlain | ||||||
Name: Adam Wyll Title: Secretary |
Name: John Chamberlain Title: Chief Executive Officer |
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Exhibit 5.1
January 11, 2011
American Assets Trust, Inc.
11455 El Camino Real, Suite 200
San Diego, California 92130
Re: | Registration Statement on Form S-11 |
Commission File No 333-169326 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have served as Maryland counsel to American Assets Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company), in connection with certain matters of Maryland law arising out of the registration of up to 28,750,000 shares (the Shares) of the Companys common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the Common Stock), including up to 3,750,000 shares of Common Stock to be sold pursuant to any underwriters overallotment option, in an underwritten initial public offering of the Common Stock covered by the above-referenced Registration Statement, and all amendments thereto (collectively, the Registration Statement), filed by the Company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act).
In connection with our representation of the Company, and as a basis for the opinion hereinafter set forth, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following documents (hereinafter collectively referred to as the Documents):
1. The Registration Statement and the Prospectus included therein, in the form in which it was transmitted to the Commission under the Securities Act;
2. The charter of the Company (the Charter), certified by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (the SDAT);
3. The Bylaws of the Company, certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;
4. A certificate of the SDAT as to the good standing of the Company, dated as of a recent date;
5. Resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company (the Board) or a duly authorized committee thereof relating to, among other matters, the
American Assets Trust, Inc.
January 11, 2011
Page 2
registration and issuance of the Shares (the Resolutions), certified as of the date hereof by an officer of the Company;
6. A certificate executed by an officer of the Company, dated as of the date hereof; and
7. Such other documents and matters as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to express the opinion set forth below, subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein.
In expressing the opinion set forth below, we have assumed the following:
1. Each individual executing any of the Documents, whether on behalf of such individual or another person, is legally competent to do so.
2. Each individual executing any of the Documents on behalf of a party (other than the Company) is duly authorized to do so.
3. Each of the parties (other than the Company) executing any of the Documents has duly and validly executed and delivered each of the Documents to which such party is a signatory, and such partys obligations set forth therein are legal, valid and binding and are enforceable in accordance with all stated terms.
4. All Documents submitted to us as originals are authentic. The form and content of all Documents submitted to us as unexecuted drafts do not differ in any respect relevant to this opinion from the form and content of such Documents as executed and delivered. All Documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies conform to the original documents. All signatures on all Documents are genuine. All public records reviewed or relied upon by us or on our behalf are true and complete. All representations, warranties, statements and information contained in the Documents are true and complete. There has been no oral or written modification of or amendment to any of the Documents, and there has been no waiver of any provision of any of the Documents, by action or omission of the parties or otherwise.
5. The Shares will not be issued or transferred in violation of any restriction or limitation contained in Article VI of the Charter.
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein, it is our opinion that:
1. The Company is a corporation duly incorporated and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Maryland and is in good standing with the SDAT.
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January 11, 2011
Page 3
2. The issuance of the Shares has been duly authorized and, when and if delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the Registration Statement, the Resolutions and any other resolutions adopted by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof relating thereto, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
The foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Maryland and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other law. We express no opinion as to compliance with any federal or state securities laws, including the securities laws of the State of Maryland, or as to federal or state laws regarding fraudulent transfers. To the extent that any matter as to which our opinion is expressed herein would be governed by the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Maryland, we do not express any opinion on such matter. The opinion expressed herein is subject to the effect of any judicial decision which may permit the introduction of parol evidence to modify the terms or the interpretation of agreements.
The opinion expressed herein is limited to the matters specifically set forth herein and no other opinion shall be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated. We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion if any applicable law changes after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might change the opinion expressed herein after the date hereof.
This opinion is being furnished to you for submission to the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of the name of our firm therein. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Venable LLP
Exhibit 8.1
|
355 South Grand Avenue Los Angeles, California 90071-1560 Tel: +1.213.485.1234 Fax: +1.213.891.8763 www.lw.com
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FIRM /AFFILIATE OFFICES | ||||
Abu Dhabi Barcelona Beijing Brussels Chicago Doha Dubai Frankfurt Hamburg Hong Kong Houston London Los Angeles Madrid Milan |
Moscow Munich New Jersey New York Orange County Paris Riyadh Rome San Diego San Francisco Shanghai Silicon Valley Singapore Tokyo Washington, D.C. | |||
January 11, 2011 |
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American Assets Trust, Inc. | ||||
11455 El Camino Real, Suite 200, | ||||
San Diego, California 92130 | ||||
Re: | American Assets Trust, Inc. |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as tax counsel to American Assets Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company), in connection with its filing of a registration statement on Form S-11 dated September 13, 2010 (File No. 333-169326) (as amended, the Registration Statement) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Act), relating to the registration of up to 28,750,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share (the Common Stock), as set forth in the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement.
You have requested our opinion concerning certain of the federal income tax considerations relating to the Company. This opinion is based on various facts and assumptions, including the facts set forth in the Registration Statement concerning the business, assets and governing documents of the Company and its subsidiaries. We have also been furnished with, and with your consent have relied upon, certain representations made by the Company and its subsidiaries with respect to certain factual matters through a certificate of an officer of the Company, dated as of the date hereof (the Officers Certificate). With your permission, we have assumed that the conclusion reached in the opinion of Venable LLP, counsel for the Company, dated as of the date hereof, with respect to certain matters of Maryland law is correct and accurate.
In our capacity as tax counsel to the Company, we have made such legal and factual examinations and inquiries, including an examination of originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of such documents, corporate records and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of this opinion. For the purposes of our opinion, we have not made an independent investigation or audit of the facts set forth in the
January 11, 2011
Page 2
above referenced documents or in the Officers Certificate. In addition, in rendering this opinion we have assumed the truth and accuracy of all representations and statements made to us that are qualified as to knowledge or belief, without regard to such qualification. In our examination, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures thereon, the legal capacity of natural persons executing such documents and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies.
We are opining herein only as to the federal income tax laws of the United States, and we express no opinion with respect to the applicability thereto, or the effect thereon, of other federal laws or the laws of any state or other jurisdiction, or as to any matters of municipal law or the laws of any other local agencies within any state.
Based on such facts, assumptions and representations, it is our opinion that:
1. | Commencing with its taxable year ending December 31, 2011, the Company will be organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a real estate investment trust (a REIT) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and its proposed method of operation will enable it to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT under the Code; and |
2. | The statements set forth in the Registration Statement under the caption Federal Income Tax Considerations, insofar as they purport to describe or summarize certain provisions of the statutes or regulations referred to therein, are accurate descriptions or summaries in all material respects. |
No opinion is expressed as to any matter not discussed herein.
This opinion is rendered to you as of the date of this letter, and we undertake no obligation to update this opinion subsequent to the date hereof. This opinion is based on various statutory provisions, regulations promulgated thereunder and interpretations thereof by the Internal Revenue Service and the courts having jurisdiction over such matters, all of which are subject to change either prospectively or retroactively. Any such change may affect the conclusions stated herein. Also, any variation or difference in the facts from those set forth in the Registration Statement or the Officers Certificate may affect the conclusions stated herein. As described in the Registration Statement, the Companys qualification and taxation as a REIT depend upon the Companys ability to meet the various qualification tests imposed under the Code, including through actual annual operating results, asset composition, distribution levels and diversity of stock ownership, the results of which have not been and will not be reviewed by Latham & Watkins LLP. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the actual results of the Companys operation for any particular taxable year will satisfy such requirements.
This opinion is rendered for your benefit in connection with the transaction described above. This opinion may not be relied upon by you for any other purpose, or furnished to, assigned to, quoted to or relied upon by any other person, firm or other entity for any purpose without our prior written consent, which may be granted or withheld in our discretion, provided
January 11, 2011
Page 3
that this opinion may be relied upon by persons entitled to rely on it pursuant to applicable provisions of federal securities law and persons purchasing Common Stock.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm name in the Registration Statement under the captions Federal Income Tax Considerations and Legal Matters. In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules or regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Latham & Watkins LLP
Exhibit 10.5
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (Agreement) is made and entered into as of the day of , 20 , by and between American Assets Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company), and (Indemnitee).
WHEREAS, at the request of the Company, Indemnitee currently serves as [a director] [and] [an officer] of the Company and may, therefore, be subjected to claims, suits or proceedings arising as a result of [his][her] service; and
WHEREAS, as an inducement to Indemnitee to serve or continue to serve as [a director] [and] [an officer], the Company has agreed to indemnify and to advance expenses and costs incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any such claims, suits or proceedings, to the maximum extent permitted by law; and
WHEREAS, the parties by this Agreement desire to set forth their agreement regarding indemnification and advance of expenses;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:
Section 1. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(a) Change in Control means (i) a transaction or series of transactions (other than an offering of common stock of the Company or other securities of the Company that may be substituted for common stock to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) whereby any person or related group of persons (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) (other than the Company, any of its subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or a person that, prior to such transaction, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Companys securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition; or
(ii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Companys Board of Directors (the Board of Directors) together with any new director(s) (other than a director designated by a person who shall have entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Section 1(a)(i) or Section 1(a)(iii)) whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Companys shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the two year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; or
(iii) The consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination or (y) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Companys assets in any single transaction or series of related transactions or (z) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case other than a transaction:
(A) which results in the Companys voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Company or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Companys assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such person, the Successor Entity)) directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the Successor Entitys outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction, and
(B) after which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this Section 1(a)(iii)(B) as beneficially owning 50% or more of combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction.
(b) Corporate Status means the status of a person as a present or former director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company. As a clarification and without limiting the circumstances in which Indemnitee may be serving at the request of the Company, service by Indemnitee shall be deemed to be at the request of the Company if Indemnitee serves or served as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise (i) of which a majority of the voting power or equity interest is owned directly or indirectly by the Company or (ii) the management of which is controlled directly or indirectly by the Company.
(c) Disinterested Director means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification and/or advance of Expenses is sought by Indemnitee.
(d) Effective Date means the date set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
(e) Expenses means any and all reasonable and out-of-pocket attorneys fees and costs, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and any other disbursements or expenses incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in or otherwise participating in a Proceeding. Expenses shall also include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding including, without limitation, the premium, security for and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond or other appeal bond or its equivalent.
(f) Independent Counsel means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to or participant or witness in the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification or advance of Expenses hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Independent Counsel shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitees rights under this Agreement.
(g) Proceeding means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including any appeal therefrom, except one pending or
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completed on or before the Effective Date, unless otherwise specifically agreed in writing by the Company and Indemnitee. If Indemnitee reasonably believes that a given situation may lead to or culminate in the institution of a Proceeding, such situation shall also be considered a Proceeding.
Section 2. Services by Indemnitee. Indemnitee [will serve][serves] as [a director] [and] [an officer] of the Company. However, this Agreement shall not impose any independent obligation on Indemnitee or the Company to continue Indemnitees service to the Company. This Agreement shall not be deemed an employment contract between the Company (or any other entity) and Indemnitee.
Section 3. General. The Company shall indemnify, and advance Expenses to, Indemnitee (a) as provided in this Agreement and (b) otherwise to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect on the Effective Date and as amended from time to time; provided, however, that no change in Maryland law shall have the effect of reducing the benefits available to Indemnitee hereunder based on Maryland law as in effect on the Effective Date. The rights of Indemnitee provided in this Section 3 shall include, without limitation, the rights set forth in the other sections of this Agreement, including any additional indemnification permitted by Section 2-418(g) of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the MGCL).
Section 4. Standard for Indemnification. If, by reason of Indemnitees Corporate Status, Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party to any Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitees behalf in connection with any such Proceeding unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of Indemnitee was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) Indemnitee actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal Proceeding, Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that [his][her] conduct was unlawful.
Section 5. Certain Limits on Indemnification. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (other than Section 6), Indemnitee shall not be entitled to:
(a) indemnification hereunder if the Proceeding was one by or in the right of the Company and Indemnitee is adjudged to be liable to the Company;
(b) indemnification hereunder if Indemnitee is adjudged to be liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received in any Proceeding charging improper personal benefit to Indemnitee, whether or not involving action in the Indemnitees Corporate Status; or
(c) indemnification or advance of Expenses hereunder if the Proceeding was brought by Indemnitee, unless: (i) the Proceeding was brought to enforce indemnification under this Agreement, and then only to the extent in accordance with and as authorized by Section 12 of this Agreement, or (ii) the Companys charter or Bylaws, a resolution of the stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or of the Board of Directors or an agreement approved by the Board of Directors to which the Company is a party expressly provide otherwise.
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Section 6. Court-Ordered Indemnification. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, a court of appropriate jurisdiction, upon application of Indemnitee and such notice as the court shall require, may order indemnification of Indemnitee by the Company in the following circumstances:
(a) if such court determines that Indemnitee is entitled to reimbursement under Section 2-418(d)(1) of the MGCL, the court shall order indemnification, in which case Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover the Expenses of securing such reimbursement; or
(b) if such court determines that Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, whether or not Indemnitee (i) has met the standards of conduct set forth in Section 2-418(b) of the MGCL or (ii) has been adjudged liable for receipt of an improper personal benefit under Section 2-418(c) of the MGCL, the court may order such indemnification as the court shall deem proper. However, indemnification with respect to any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company or in which liability shall have been adjudged in the circumstances described in Section 2-418(c) of the MGCL shall be limited to Expenses.
Section 7. Indemnification for Expenses of an Indemnitee Who is Wholly or Partially Successful. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, and without limiting any such provision, to the extent that Indemnitee was or is, by reason of [his][her] Corporate Status, made a party to (or otherwise becomes a participant in) any Proceeding and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of such Proceeding, Indemnitee shall be indemnified for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitees behalf in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee under this Section 7 for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitees behalf in connection with each such claim, issue or matter, allocated on a reasonable and proportionate basis. For purposes of this Section 7 and, without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.
Section 8. Advance of Expenses for Indemnitee. If, by reason of Indemnitees Corporate Status, Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party to any Proceeding, the Company shall, without requiring a preliminary determination of Indemnitees ultimate entitlement to indemnification hereunder, advance all reasonable Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding within ten days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall include or be preceded or accompanied by a written affirmation by Indemnitee of Indemnitees good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Company as authorized by law and by this Agreement has been met and a written undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A or in such form as may be required under applicable law as in effect at the time of the execution thereof, to reimburse the portion of any Expenses advanced to Indemnitee relating to claims, issues or matters in the Proceeding as to
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which it shall ultimately be established that the standard of conduct has not been met by Indemnitee and which have not been successfully resolved as described in Section 7 of this Agreement. To the extent that Expenses advanced to Indemnitee do not relate to a specific claim, issue or matter in the Proceeding, such Expenses shall be allocated on a reasonable and proportionate basis. The undertaking required by this Section 8 shall be an unlimited general obligation by or on behalf of Indemnitee and shall be accepted without reference to Indemnitees financial ability to repay such advanced Expenses and without any requirement to post security therefor.
Section 9. Indemnification and Advance of Expenses as a Witness or Other Participant. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is or may be, by reason of Indemnitees Corporate Status, made a witness or otherwise asked to participate in any Proceeding, whether instituted by the Company or any other party, and to which Indemnitee is not a party, Indemnitee shall be advanced all reasonable Expenses and indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitees behalf in connection therewith within ten days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting any such advance or indemnification from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee.
Section 10. Procedure for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification.
(a) To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. Indemnitee may submit one or more such requests from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in Indemnitees sole discretion. The officer of the Company receiving any such request from Indemnitee shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board of Directors in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification.
(b) Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 10(a) above, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitees entitlement thereto shall promptly be made in the specific case: (i) if a Change in Control shall have occurred, by Independent Counsel, in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, which Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Indemnitee and approved by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 2-418(e)(2)(ii) of the MGCL, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld; or (ii) if a Change in Control shall not have occurred, (A) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Disinterested Directors or, if such a quorum cannot be obtained, then by a majority vote of a duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors consisting solely of one or more Disinterested Directors, (B) if Independent Counsel has been selected by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 2-418(e)(2)(ii) of the MGCL and approved by the Indemnitee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, by Independent Counsel, in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee or (C) if so directed by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors, by the stockholders of the Company. If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be
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made within ten days after such determination. Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination in the discretion of the Board of Directors or Independent Counsel if retained pursuant to clause (ii)(B) of this Section 10(b). Any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification) and the Company shall indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.
(c) The Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel, if one is appointed.
Section 11. Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings.
(a) In making any determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 10(a) of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making of any determination contrary to that presumption.
(b) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or entry of an order of probation prior to judgment, does not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet the requisite standard of conduct described herein for indemnification.
(c) The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or any other director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining any other right to indemnification under this Agreement.
Section 12. Remedies of Indemnitee.
(a) If (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advance of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Sections 8 or 9 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement within 60 days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Sections 7 or 9 of this Agreement within ten days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, or (v) payment of indemnification pursuant to any other section of this Agreement or the charter or Bylaws of the Company is not made within ten days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication in an appropriate court located in
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the State of Maryland, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, of Indemnitees entitlement to such indemnification or advance of Expenses. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at Indemnitees option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Indemnitee shall commence a proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration within 180 days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 12(a); provided, however, that the foregoing clause shall not apply to a proceeding brought by Indemnitee to enforce [his][her] rights under Section 7 of this Agreement. Except as set forth herein, the provisions of Maryland law (without regard to its conflicts of laws rules) shall apply to any such arbitration. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitees right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.
(b) In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification or advance of Expenses, as the case may be, under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proving that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advance of Expenses, as the case may be. If Indemnitee commences a judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to this Section 12, Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advances pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement until a final determination is made with respect to Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification (as to which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or lapsed). The Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all of the provisions of this Agreement.
(c) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12, absent a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitees statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification.
(d) In the event that Indemnitee is successful in seeking, pursuant to this Section 12, a judicial adjudication of or an award in arbitration to enforce Indemnitees rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover from the Company, and shall be indemnified by the Company for, any and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him in such judicial adjudication or arbitration. If it shall be determined in such judicial adjudication or arbitration that Indemnitee is entitled to receive part but not all of the indemnification or advance of Expenses sought, the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such judicial adjudication or arbitration shall be appropriately prorated.
(e) Interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the maximum rate allowed to be charged for judgments under the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland for amounts which the Company pays or is obligated to pay for the period (i) commencing with either the tenth day after the date on which the Company was requested to advance Expenses in accordance with Sections 8 or 9 of this Agreement or the 60th day after the
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date on which the Company was requested to make the determination of entitlement to indemnification under Section 10(b) of this Agreement, as applicable, and (ii) ending on the date such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company.
Section 13. Defense of the Underlying Proceeding.
(a) Indemnitee shall notify the Company promptly in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, request or other document relating to any Proceeding which may result in the right to indemnification or the advance of Expenses hereunder and shall include with such notice a description of the nature of the Proceeding and a summary of the facts underlying the Proceeding. The failure to give any such notice shall not disqualify Indemnitee from the right, or otherwise affect in any manner any right of Indemnitee, to indemnification or the advance of Expenses under this Agreement unless the Companys ability to defend in such Proceeding or to obtain proceeds under any insurance policy is materially and adversely prejudiced thereby, and then only to the extent the Company is thereby actually so prejudiced.
(b) Subject to the provisions of the last sentence of this Section 13(b) and of Section 13(c) below, the Company shall have the right to defend Indemnitee in any Proceeding which may give rise to indemnification hereunder; provided, however, that the Company shall notify Indemnitee of any such decision to defend within 15 calendar days following receipt of notice of any such Proceeding under Section 13(a) above. The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, consent to the entry of any judgment against Indemnitee or enter into any settlement or compromise which (i) includes an admission of fault of Indemnitee, (ii) does not include, as an unconditional term thereof, the full release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Proceeding, which release shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee or (iii) would impose any Expense, judgment, fine, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee. This Section 13(b) shall not apply to a Proceeding brought by Indemnitee under Section 12 of this Agreement.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13(b) above, if in a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party by reason of Indemnitees Corporate Status, (i) Indemnitee reasonably concludes, based upon an opinion of counsel approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, that Indemnitee may have separate defenses or counterclaims to assert with respect to any issue which may not be consistent with other defendants in such Proceeding, (ii) Indemnitee reasonably concludes, based upon an opinion of counsel approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, that an actual or apparent conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest exists between Indemnitee and the Company, or (iii) if the Company fails to assume the defense of such Proceeding in a timely manner, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be represented by separate legal counsel of Indemnitees choice, subject to the prior approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, at the expense of the Company. In addition, if the Company fails to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement or in the event that the Company or any other person takes any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any Proceeding to deny or to recover from Indemnitee the benefits intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall have the right to retain counsel of Indemnitees choice,
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subject to the prior approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, at the expense of the Company (subject to Section 12(d) of this Agreement), to represent Indemnitee in connection with any such matter.
Section 14. Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Subrogation.
(a) The rights of indemnification and advance of Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the charter or Bylaws of the Company, any agreement or a resolution of the stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or of the Board of Directors, or otherwise. Unless consented to in writing by Indemnitee, no amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in [his][her] Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal, regardless of whether a claim with respect to such action or inaction is raised prior or subsequent to such amendment, alteration or repeal. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right or remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right or remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prohibit the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
(b) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.
Section 15. Insurance. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to acquire directors and officers liability insurance, on terms and conditions deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors, with the advice of counsel, covering Indemnitee or any claim made against Indemnitee by reason of [his][her] Corporate Status and covering the Company for any indemnification or advance of Expenses made by the Company to Indemnitee for any claims made against Indemnitee by reason of [his][her] Corporate Status. Without in any way limiting any other obligation under this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee for any payment by Indemnitee arising out of the amount of any deductible or retention and the amount of any excess of the aggregate of all judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding over the coverage of any insurance referred to in the previous sentence. The purchase, establishment and maintenance of any such insurance shall not in any way limit or affect the rights or obligations of the Company or Indemnitee under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the Indemnitee shall not in any way limit or affect the rights or obligations of the Company under any such insurance policies. If, at the time the Company receives notice from any source of a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies.
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Section 16. Coordination of Payments. The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable or payable or reimbursable as Expenses hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.
Section 17. Reports to Stockholders. To the extent required by the MGCL, the Company shall report in writing to its stockholders the payment of any amounts for indemnification of, or advance of Expenses to, Indemnitee under this Agreement arising out of a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company with the notice of the meeting of stockholders of the Company next following the date of the payment of any such indemnification or advance of Expenses or prior to such meeting.
Section 18. Duration of Agreement; Binding Effect.
(a) This Agreement shall continue until and terminate on the later of (i) the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company and (ii) the date that Indemnitee is no longer subject to any actual or possible Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement).
(b) The indemnification and advance of Expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitees spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.
(c) The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.
(d) The Company and Indemnitee agree that a monetary remedy for breach of this Agreement, at some later date, may be inadequate, impracticable and difficult of proof, and further agree that such breach may cause Indemnitee irreparable harm. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree that Indemnitee may enforce this Agreement by seeking injunctive relief and/or
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specific performance hereof, without any necessity of showing actual damage or irreparable harm and that by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance, Indemnitee shall not be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which Indemnitee may be entitled. Indemnitee shall further be entitled to such specific performance and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bonds or other undertakings in connection therewith. The Company acknowledges that, in the absence of a waiver, a bond or undertaking may be required of Indemnitee by a court, and the Company hereby waives any such requirement of such a bond or undertaking.
Section 19. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.
Section 20. Identical Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. One such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought shall be sufficient to evidence the existence of this Agreement.
Section 21. Headings. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.
Section 22. Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
Section 23. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (i) delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, on the day of such delivery, or (ii) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed:
(a) If to Indemnitee, to the address set forth on the signature page hereto.
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(b) If to the Company, to:
American Assets Trust, Inc.
11455 El Camino Real, Suite 200
San Diego, California 92130
Attn: Secretary
or to such other address as may have been furnished in writing to Indemnitee by the Company or to the Company by Indemnitee, as the case may be.
Section 24. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to its conflicts of laws rules.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
AMERICAN ASSETS TRUST, INC. | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: | ||
INDEMNITEE | ||
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Name: | ||
Address: |
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EXHIBIT A
AFFIRMATION AND UNDERTAKING TO REPAY EXPENSES ADVANCED
The Board of Directors of American Assets Trust, Inc.
Re: Affirmation and Undertaking
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This Affirmation and Undertaking is being provided pursuant to that certain Indemnification Agreement dated the day of , 20 , by and between American Assets Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company), and the undersigned Indemnitee (the Indemnification Agreement), pursuant to which I am entitled to advance of Expenses in connection with [Description of Proceeding] (the Proceeding).
Terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings specified in the Indemnification Agreement.
I am subject to the Proceeding by reason of my Corporate Status or by reason of alleged actions or omissions by me in such capacity. I hereby affirm my good faith belief that at all times, insofar as I was involved as [a director] [an officer] of the Company, in any of the facts or events giving rise to the Proceeding, I (1) did not act with bad faith or active or deliberate dishonesty, (2) did not receive any improper personal benefit in money, property or services and (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that any act or omission by me was unlawful.
In consideration of the advance of Expenses by the Company for reasonable attorneys fees and related Expenses incurred by me in connection with the Proceeding (the Advanced Expenses), I hereby agree that if, in connection with the Proceeding, it is established that (1) an act or omission by me was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and (a) was committed in bad faith or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty or (2) I actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, I had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful, then I shall promptly reimburse the portion of the Advanced Expenses relating to the claims, issues or matters in the Proceeding as to which the foregoing findings have been established.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Affirmation and Undertaking on this day of , 20 .
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Name: |
Exhibit 10.44
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this Agreement), dated as of , 2010, is entered into by and among American Assets Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the REIT), American Assets Trust, L.P., a Maryland limited partnership (the Operating Partnership) and Ernest S. Rady (the Executive).
WHEREAS, the REIT and the Operating Partnership (collectively, the Company) desire to employ the Executive and to enter into an agreement embodying the terms of such employment; and
WHEREAS, the Executive desires to accept employment with the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Employment Period. Subject to the provisions for earlier termination hereinafter provided, the Executives employment hereunder shall be for a term (as extended pursuant to this Section 1, the Employment Period) commencing on the Effective Date (as defined below) and ending on the third anniversary of the Effective Date (unless the Executives employment is terminated prior to such date pursuant to Section 3 below) (the Initial Termination Date); provided, however, that the Employment Period shall automatically be extended for one additional year on the Initial Termination Date and on each subsequent anniversary of the Initial Termination Date thereafter (each such extension, a Renewal Year), unless either the Executive or the Company elects not to so extend the Employment Period by notifying the other party, in writing, of such election (a Non-Renewal) not less than sixty (60) days prior to the last day of the Employment Period as then in effect. For purposes of this Agreement, Effective Date shall mean the date of the closing of the initial public offering of shares of the REITs common stock.
2. Terms of Employment.
(a) Position and Duties.
(i) During the Employment Period, the Executive shall serve as Executive Chairman of the REIT and the Operating Partnership, and shall perform such employment duties as are usual and customary for such positions. The Executive shall report directly to the Board of Directors of the REIT (the Board). In addition, during
the Employment Period, the Company shall cause the Executive to be nominated to stand for election to the Board at any meeting of stockholders of the REIT during which any such election is held and the Executives term as director will expire if he is not reelected; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to cause such nomination if any of the events constituting Cause (as defined below) have occurred and not been cured. Provided that the Executive is so nominated and is elected to the Board, the Executive hereby agrees to serve as a member of the Board. At the Companys request, the Executive shall serve the Company and/or its subsidiaries and affiliates in other capacities in addition to the foregoing consistent with the Executives position as Executive Chairman of the REIT and the Operating Partnership. In the event that the Executive, during the Employment Period, serves in any one or more of such additional capacities, the Executives compensation shall not be increased beyond that specified in Section 2(b) hereof. In addition, in the event the Executives service in one or more of such additional capacities is terminated, the Executives compensation, as specified in Section 2(b) hereof, shall not be diminished or reduced in any manner as a result of such termination provided that the Executive otherwise remains employed under the terms of this Agreement.
(ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive may be entitled, the Executive agrees to devote a significant majority of his business time and attention to the business and affairs of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the Employment Period, it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to (A) continue to serve as Chairman of the Board of Insurance Company of the West, (B) serve on boards, committees or similar bodies of charitable or nonprofit organizations, (C) fulfill limited teaching, speaking and writing engagements, and (D) manage his personal investments, in each case, so long as such activities do not materially interfere or conflict with the performance of the Executives duties and responsibilities under this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent that any such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of the Executives responsibilities to the Company; provided, that (1) no such activity that violates the provisions of Section 7 shall be permitted and (2) Executive shall notify the Board prior to engaging in any new real estate related business activities after the Effective Date that are unrelated to the performance of Executives duties hereunder.
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(iii) During the Employment Period, the Executive shall perform the services required by this Agreement at the Companys principal offices located in San Diego, California (the Principal Location), except for travel to other locations as may be necessary to fulfill the Executives duties and responsibilities hereunder.
(b) Compensation, Benefits, Etc.
(i) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall receive a base salary (the Base
Salary) of
$250,000 per annum. The Base Salary shall be reviewed annually by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the Compensation Committee) and may be increased from time to time by the Compensation Committee
in its sole discretion. The Base Salary shall be paid in accordance with the Companys normal payroll practices for executive salaries generally, but no less often than monthly. The Base Salary shall not be reduced after any increase in
accordance herewith and the term Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall refer to Base Salary as so increased.
(ii) Annual Bonus. In addition to the Base Salary, the Executive may be eligible to earn, for each fiscal year of the Company ending during the Employment Period, an annual cash performance bonus (an Annual Bonus) under the Companys bonus plan or program applicable to senior executives. The amount of the Annual Bonus, if any, shall be determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion based on such performance criteria as the Compensation Committee shall determine in its sole discretion. Except as otherwise provided in Section 4(a) below, Executive must be employed on the date of payment of the Annual Bonus in order to be eligible to receive an Annual Bonus for such fiscal year. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that nothing contained herein confers on the Executive any right to an Annual Bonus in any year, and that whether the Company pays him an Annual Bonus and the amount of any such Annual Bonus shall be determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion.
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(iii) Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be eligible to participate in all other incentive plans, practices, policies and programs, and all savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs, in each case that are available generally to senior executives of the Company.
(iv) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period, the Executive and the Executives eligible family members shall be eligible for participation in the welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs (including, if applicable, medical, dental, disability, employee life, group life and accidental death insurance plans and programs) maintained by the Company for its senior executives.
(v) Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable business expenses incurred by the Executive in accordance with the policies, practices and procedures of the Company provided to senior executives of the Company.
(vi) Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to such fringe benefits and perquisites as are provided by the Company to its senior executives from time to time, in accordance with the policies, practices and procedures of the Company, and shall receive such additional fringe benefits and perquisites as the Company may, in its discretion, from time-to-time provide.
(vii) Vacation. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the plans, policies, programs and practices of the Company applicable to its senior executives but in no event less than five (5) weeks per calendar year.
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(viii) Indemnification Agreement. The parties hereby acknowledge that in connection with the execution of this Agreement, they are entering into an Indemnification Agreement (the Indemnification Agreement), substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, which shall become effective as of the Effective Date.
3. Termination of Employment.
(a) Death or Disability. The Executives employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executives death during the Employment Period. Either the Company or the Executive may terminate the Executives employment in the event of the Executives Disability during the Employment Period. For purposes of this Agreement, Disability shall mean the absence of the Executive from the Executives duties with the Company on a full-time basis for ninety (90) consecutive days or for a total of one hundred eighty (180) days in any twelve (12)-month period, in either case as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness which is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and reasonably acceptable to the Executive or the Executives legal representative.
(b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executives employment during the Employment Period for Cause or without Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, Cause shall mean the occurrence of any one or more of the following events unless, to the extent capable of correction, the Executive fully corrects the circumstances constituting Cause within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the Notice of Termination (as defined below):
(i) the Executives willful and continued failure to substantially perform his duties with the Company (other than any such failure resulting from the Executives incapacity due to physical or mental illness or any such actual or anticipated failure after his issuance of a Notice of Termination for Good Reason), after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board, which demand specifically identifies the manner in which the Board believes that the Executive has not substantially performed his duties;
(ii) the Executives willful commission of an act of fraud or dishonesty resulting in reputational, economic or financial injury to the Company;
(iii) the Executives commission of, or entry by the Executive of a guilty or no contest plea to, a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude;
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(iv) a willful breach by the Executive of his fiduciary duty to the Company which results in reputational, economic or other injury to the Company; or
(v) the Executives willful and material breach of the Executives obligations under a written agreement between the Company and the Executive, including without limitation, such a breach of this Agreement.
For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of the Executive, shall be considered willful unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the Executives action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or based upon the advice of counsel for the Company shall be presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company.
(c) Good Reason. The Executives employment may be terminated by the Executive for Good Reason or by the Executive without Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, Good Reason shall mean the occurrence of any one or more of the following events without the Executives prior written consent:
(i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties materially inconsistent in any respect with the Executives position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by Section 2(a) hereof, or any other action by the Company which results in a material diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose any isolated, insubstantial or inadvertent actions not taken in bad faith and which are remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(ii) the Companys material reduction of the Executives Base Salary;
(iii) a material change in the geographic location of the Principal Location which shall, in any event, include only a relocation of the Principal Location by more than thirty (30) miles from its existing location;
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(iv) the Companys material breach of its obligations under this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive will not be deemed to have resigned for Good Reason unless (1) the Executive provides the Company with written notice setting forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed by the Executive to constitute Good Reason within sixty (60) days after the date of the occurrence of any event that the Executive knows or should reasonably have known to constitute Good Reason, (2) the Company fails to cure such acts or omissions within thirty (30) days following its receipt of such notice, and (3) the effective date of the Executives termination for Good Reason occurs no later than thirty (30) days after the expiration of the cure period.
(d) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by a Notice of Termination to the other parties hereto given in accordance with Section 11(b) hereof. For purposes of this Agreement, a Notice of Termination means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executives employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not more than thirty days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executives or the Companys rights hereunder.
(e) Termination of Offices and Directorships. Upon termination of the Executives employment for any reason, unless otherwise specified in a written agreement between the Executive and the Company, the Executive shall be deemed to have resigned from all offices, directorships, and other employment positions if any, then held with the Company, and shall take all actions reasonably requested by the Company to effectuate the foregoing.
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4. Obligations of the Company upon Termination.
(a) Without Cause or For Good Reason. Subject to Section 4(e) below, if, the Executive incurs a separation from service from the Company (within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)) (a Separation from Service) during the Employment Period by reason of (1) a termination of the Executives employment by the Company without Cause (other than by reason of the Executives death or Disability), or (2) a termination of the Executives employment by the Executive for Good Reason:
(i) The Executive shall be paid, in a single lump-sum payment on the date of the Executives termination of employment, the aggregate amount of the Executives earned but unpaid Base Salary and accrued but unpaid vacation pay through the date of such termination (the Accrued Obligations) and any Annual Bonus required to be paid to the Executive pursuant to Section 2(b)(ii) above for any fiscal year of the Company that ends on or before the Date of Termination to the extent not previously paid (the Unpaid Bonus) (or, if the amount of the Unpaid Bonus has not yet been determined as of the date of the Executives termination of employment, such Unpaid Bonus shall be paid to the Executive on the date annual bonuses for the relevant fiscal year are paid to the Companys executives generally, but in no event later than March 15th of the calendar year following the end of the calendar year to which such Unpaid Bonus relates);
(ii) In addition, the Executive shall be paid, in a single lump-sum payment on the sixtieth (60th) day after the date of Executives Separation from Service (such date, the Date of Termination), an amount equal to two (2) (the Severance Multiple) times the sum of (x) the Base Salary in effect on the Date of Termination, plus (y) the highest Annual Bonus earned by the Executive (regardless of whether such amount was paid out on a current basis or deferred) during the Employment Period (or, in the event that the Date of Termination occurs prior to the end of the completion of the first full fiscal year of the Company during the Employment Period, then the amount in clause (y) shall be determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion), plus (z) the highest Equity Award Value (as defined below) of any Annual Grant made to the Executive by the Company during the Employment Period. For purposes of this Agreement, Equity Award Value shall mean (A) with respect to Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (each as defined in the Companys 2011 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the Incentive Plan)), the grant date fair value, as computed in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation Stock Compensation (or any successor accounting standard), and (B) with respect to Awards (as defined in the Incentive Plan)
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other than Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (and excluding cash Awards under the Incentive Plan), the product of (1) the number of shares or units subject to such Award, times (2) the fair market value of a share of the REITs common stock on the date of grant as determined under the Incentive Plan. For purposes of this Agreement, Annual Grant shall mean the grant of an equity-based Award that constitutes a component of a given years annual compensation package and shall not include any isolated, one-off or non-recurring grant outside of the Executives annual compensation package, such as (but not limited to) an initial hiring Award, a retention Award, an Award that relates to multi-year or other long-term performance, an outperformance Award or other similar award, in any event, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this Section 4(a)(ii), Annual Bonus shall include any portion of the Executives Annual Bonus received in the form of equity rather than cash.
(iii) All outstanding equity awards held by the Executive on the Date of Termination shall immediately become fully vested and exercisable.
(iv) The Executive shall be paid, in a single lump-sum payment on the sixtieth (60th) day after the Date of Termination, an amount equal to the amount the Executive would be required to pay for continued health coverage under Section 4980B of the Code and the regulations thereunder during the period commencing on the Date of Termination and ending on the eighteen (18)-month anniversary of the Date of Termination (which amount shall be calculated by reference to the applicable premium as of the Date of Termination).
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall be a condition to the Executives right to receive the amounts provided for in Sections 4(a)(ii), 4(a)(iii) and 4(a)(iv) above that the Executive execute and deliver to the Company an effective release of claims in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the Release) within twenty-one (21) days (or, to the extent required by law, forty-five (45) days) following the Date of Termination and that Executive not revoke such Release during any applicable revocation period.
(b) Company Non-Renewal. Subject to Section 4(e) below, in the event that the Executive incurs a Separation from Service during the Employment Period by reason of a Non-Renewal of the Employment Period by the Company and the Executive is willing and able, at the time of such Non-Renewal, to continue performing services on the terms and conditions set forth herein for the Renewal Year that would have occurred but for the Non-Renewal, then the Executive shall be entitled to the payments and benefits provided in Section 4(a) hereof, subject to the terms and conditions of Section 4(a) (including, without limitation, the Release requirement contained therein).
(c) For Cause, Without Good Reason or Other Terminations. If the Executives employment shall be terminated by the Company for Cause, by the Executive without Good Reason or for any other reason not enumerated in this Section 4, in any case, during the Employment Period, the Company shall pay to the Executive the Accrued Obligations in cash within thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination (or by such earlier date as may be required by applicable law).
(d) Death or Disability. Subject to Section 4(e) below, if the Executive incurs a Separation from Service by reason of the Executives death or Disability during the Employment Period:
(i) The Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executives estate or beneficiaries or to the Executive, as applicable, in cash on or as soon as practicable following the Date of Termination;
(ii) Any Unpaid Bonus shall be paid to the Executives estate or beneficiaries or to the Executive, as applicable, on the Date of Termination (or, if the amount of the Unpaid Bonus has not yet been determined as of the Date of Termination,
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such Unpaid Bonus shall be paid to the Executives estate or beneficiaries or to the Executive, as applicable, on the date annual bonuses for the relevant fiscal year are paid to the Companys executives generally, but in no event later than March 15th of the calendar year following the end of the calendar year to which such Unpaid Bonus relates); and
(iii) All outstanding equity awards held by the Executive on the Date of Termination shall immediately become fully vested and exercisable.
(e) Six-Month Delay. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no compensation or benefits, including without limitation any severance payments or benefits payable under Section 4 hereof, shall be paid to the Executive during the six (6)-month period following the Executives separation from service (within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code) if the Company determines that paying such amounts at the time or times indicated in this Agreement would be a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code. If the payment of any such amounts is delayed as a result of the previous sentence, then on the first business day following the end of such six (6)-month period (or such earlier date upon which such amount can be paid under Section 409A of the Code without resulting in a prohibited distribution, including as a result of the Executives death), the Company shall pay the Executive a lump-sum amount equal to the cumulative amount that would have otherwise been payable to the Executive during such period.
(f) Exclusive Benefits. Except as expressly provided in this Section 4 and subject to Section 5 below, the Executive shall not be entitled to any additional payments or benefits upon or in connection with his termination of employment. In addition, the Executive acknowledges and agrees that he is not entitled to any reimbursement by the Company for any taxes payable by the Executive as a result of the payments and benefits received by the Executive pursuant to this Section 4, including, without limitation, any income or excise tax imposed by Sections 409A and 4999 of the Code.
(g) No Mitigation. The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in this Section 4 by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any payment or benefit provided for in this Section 4 be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as the result of employment by another employer or self-employment or by retirement benefits; provided, however, that loans, advances (other than salary advances) or other amounts owed by the Executive to the Company under a written agreement may be offset by the Company against amounts payable to Executive under this Section 4.
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5. Non-Exclusivity of Rights. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of or any contract or agreement with the Company at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or agreement except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.
6. Limitation on Payments.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in the event that any payment or benefit received or to be received by the Executive (including any payment or benefit received in connection with a termination of the Executives employment, whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or agreement) (all such payments and benefits, including the payments and benefits under Section 4 hereof, being hereinafter referred to as the Total Payments) would be subject (in whole or part), to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code (the Excise Tax), then, after taking into account any reduction in the Total Payments provided by reason of Section 280G of the Code in such other plan, arrangement or agreement, the cash severance payments under this Agreement shall first be reduced, and the noncash severance payments hereunder shall thereafter be reduced, to the extent necessary so that no portion of the Total Payments is subject to the Excise Tax but only if (i) the net amount of such Total Payments, as so reduced (and after subtracting the net amount of federal, state and local income taxes on such reduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such reduced Total Payments) is greater than or equal to (ii) the net amount of such Total Payments without such reduction (but after subtracting the net amount of federal, state and local income taxes on such Total Payments and the amount of Excise Tax to which the Executive would be subject in respect of such unreduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such unreduced Total Payments). The Total Payments shall be reduced in the following order: (A) reduction of any cash severance payments otherwise payable to the Executive that are exempt from Section 409A of the Code; (B) reduction of any other cash payments or benefits otherwise payable to the Executive that are exempt from Section 409A of the Code, but excluding any payments attributable to any acceleration of vesting or payments with respect to any equity award that are exempt from Section 409A of the Code; (C) reduction of any other payments or benefits otherwise payable to Employee on a pro-rata basis or such other manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code, but excluding any payments attributable to any acceleration of vesting and payments with respect to any equity award that are exempt from Section 409A of the Code; and (D) reduction of any payments attributable to any acceleration of vesting or payments with respect to any equity award that are exempt from Section 409A of the Code, in each case beginning with payments that would otherwise be made last in time.
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(b) For purposes of determining whether and the extent to which the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax, (i) no portion of the Total Payments the receipt or enjoyment of which the Executive shall have waived at such time and in such manner as not to constitute a payment within the meaning of Section 280G(b) of the Code shall be taken into account; (ii) no portion of the Total Payments shall be taken into account which, in the written opinion of independent auditors of nationally recognized standing (Independent Advisors) selected by the Company, does not constitute a parachute payment within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code (including by reason of Section 280G(b)(4)(A) of the Code) and, in calculating the Excise Tax, no portion of such Total Payments shall be taken into account which, in the opinion of Independent Advisors, constitutes reasonable compensation for services actually rendered, within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code, in excess of the Base Amount (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) allocable to such reasonable compensation; and (iii) the value of any non cash benefit or any deferred payment or benefit included in the Total Payments shall be determined by the Independent Advisors in accordance with the principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code.
7. Confidential Information and Non-Solicitation.
(a) The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, which shall have been obtained by the Executive in connection with the Executives employment by the Company and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by acts by the Executive or representatives of the Executive in violation of this Agreement). After termination of the Executives employment with the Company, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data, to anyone other than the Company and those designated by it; provided, however, that if the Executive receives actual notice that the Executive is or may be required by law or legal process to communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data, the Executive shall promptly so notify the Company.
(b) While employed by the Company and, for a period of one (1) year after the Date of Termination, the Executive shall not directly or indirectly solicit, induce, or encourage any employee or consultant of any member of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates to terminate their employment or other relationship with the Company and its
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subsidiaries and affiliates or to cease to render services to any member of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates and the Executive shall not initiate discussion with any such person for any such purpose or authorize or knowingly cooperate with the taking of any such actions by any other individual or entity. During his employment with the Company and thereafter, the Executive shall not use any trade secret of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates to solicit, induce, or encourage any customer, client, vendor, or other party doing business with any member of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates to terminate its relationship therewith or transfer its business from any member of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates and the Executive shall not initiate discussion with any such person for any such purpose or authorize or knowingly cooperate with the taking of any such actions by any other individual or entity.
(c) In recognition of the facts that irreparable injury will result to the Company in the event of a breach by the Executive of his obligations under Sections 7(a) and (b) hereof, that monetary damages for such breach would not be readily calculable, and that the Company would not have an adequate remedy at law therefor, the Executive acknowledges, consents and agrees that in the event of such breach, or the threat thereof, the Company shall be entitled, in addition to any other legal remedies and damages available, to specific performance thereof and to temporary and permanent injunctive relief (without the necessity of posting a bond) to restrain the violation or threatened violation of such obligations by the Executive.
8. Representations. The Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company that (a) the Executive is entering into this Agreement voluntarily and that the performance of his obligations hereunder will not violate any agreement between the Executive and any other person, firm, organization or other entity, and (b) the Executive is not bound by the terms of any agreement with any previous employer or other party to refrain from competing, directly or indirectly, with the business of such previous employer or other party that would be violated by his entering into this Agreement and/or providing services to the Company pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
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9. Successors.
(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executives legal representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.
(c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, Company shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.
10. Payment of Financial Obligations. The payment or provision to the Executive by the Company of any remuneration, benefits or other financial obligations pursuant to this Agreement shall be allocated among the Operating Partnership, the REIT and any subsidiary or affiliate thereof in such manner as such entities determine in order to reflect the services provided by the Executive to such entities; provided, however, that the Operating Partnership and the REIT shall be jointly and severally liable for such obligations.
11. Miscellaneous.
(a) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without reference to principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect.
(b) Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to the Executive: at the Executives most recent address on the records of the Company.
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If to the REIT or the Operating Partnership:
American Assets Trust, Inc.
11455 El Camino Real, Suite 200
San Diego, CA 92130
Attn: General Counsel
with a copy to:
Latham & Watkins
355 South Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90071-1560
Attn: Julian Kleindorfer
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.
(c) Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Company determines, in its good faith judgment, that any transfer or deemed transfer of funds hereunder is likely to be construed as a personal loan prohibited by Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, then such transfer or deemed transfer shall not be made to the extent necessary or appropriate so as not to violate the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(d) Section 409A of the Code.
(i) To the extent applicable, this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if the Company determines that any compensation or benefits payable under this Agreement may be subject to Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance, the Company shall work in good faith with the Executive to adopt such amendments to this Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Company determines are necessary or appropriate to avoid the imposition of taxes under Section 409A of the Code, including without limitation, actions intended to (i) exempt the compensation and benefits payable under this Agreement from Section 409A of the Code, and/or (ii) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance;
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provided, however, that this Section 11(d) shall not create an obligation on the part of the Company to adopt any such amendment, policy or procedure or take any such other action, nor shall the Company have any liability for failing to do so.
(ii) To the extent permitted under Section 409A of the Code, any separate payment or benefit under this Agreement or otherwise shall not be deemed nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code and Section 4(e) hereof to the extent provided in the exceptions in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) or any other applicable exception or provision of Section 409A of the Code.
(iii) To the extent that any payments or reimbursements provided to the Executive under this Agreement, including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 2(b)(vii), are deemed to constitute compensation to the Executive to which Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv) would apply, such amounts shall be paid or reimbursed reasonably promptly, but not later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred. The amount of any such payments eligible for reimbursement in one year shall not affect the payments or expenses that are eligible for payment or reimbursement in any other taxable year, and the Executives right to such payments or reimbursement of any such expenses shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit.
(e) Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.
(f) Withholding. The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such Federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(g) No Waiver. The Executives or the Companys failure to insist upon strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including, without limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section 3(c) hereof, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement.
(h) Entire Agreement. As of the Effective Date, this Agreement, together with the Indemnification Agreement, constitutes the final, complete and exclusive agreement between the Executive and the Company with respect to the subject matter hereof and replaces and supersedes any and all other agreements, offers or
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promises, whether oral or written, by any member of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates (a Predecessor Employer), or representative thereof, whose business or assets any member of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates succeeded to in connection with the initial public offering of the common stock of the REIT or the transactions related thereto. The Executive agrees that any such agreement, offer or promise between the Executive and a Predecessor Employer (or any representative thereof) is hereby terminated and will be of no further force or effect, and the Executive acknowledges and agrees that upon his execution of this Agreement, he will have no right or interest in or with respect to any such agreement, offer or promise. In the event that the Effective Date does not occur, this Agreement (including, without limitation, the immediately preceding sentence) shall have no force or effect.
(i) Amendment. No amendment or other modification of this Agreement shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by the parties hereto.
(j) Counterparts. This Agreement and any agreement referenced herein may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
(k) Right to Advice of Counsel. The Executive acknowledges that he has the right to, and has been advised to, consult with an attorney regarding the execution of this Agreement and any release hereunder; by his signature below, the Executive acknowledges that he understands this right and has either consulted with an attorney regarding the execution of this Agreement or determined not to do so.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executives hand and, pursuant to the authorization from the Board, each of the REIT and the Operating Partnership has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.
AMERICAN ASSETS TRUST, INC., | ||
a Maryland corporation | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
AMERICAN ASSETS TRUST, L.P., a Maryland limited partnership | ||
By: | AMERICAN ASSETS TRUST, INC. | |
Its: | General Partner | |
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
EXECUTIVE | ||
| ||
Ernest S. Rady |
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EXHIBIT A
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (Agreement) is made and entered into as of the day of , 20 , by and between American Assets Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company), and (Indemnitee).
WHEREAS, at the request of the Company, Indemnitee currently serves as [a director] [and] [an officer] of the Company and may, therefore, be subjected to claims, suits or proceedings arising as a result of [his][her] service; and
WHEREAS, as an inducement to Indemnitee to serve or continue to serve as [a director] [and] [an officer], the Company has agreed to indemnify and to advance expenses and costs incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any such claims, suits or proceedings, to the maximum extent permitted by law; and
WHEREAS, the parties by this Agreement desire to set forth their agreement regarding indemnification and advance of expenses;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:
Section 1. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:
(a) Change in Control means (i) a transaction or series of transactions (other than an offering of common stock of the Company or other securities of the Company that may be substituted for common stock to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) whereby any person or related group of persons (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) (other than the Company, any of its subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or a person that, prior to such transaction, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Companys securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition; or
(ii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Companys Board of Directors (the Board of Directors) together with any new director(s) (other than a director designated by a person who shall have entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Section 1(a)(i) or Section 1(a)(iii)) whose election by the Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Companys shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the two year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; or
(iii) The consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination or (y) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Companys assets in any single transaction or series of related transactions or (z) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case other than a transaction:
(A) which results in the Companys voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Company or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Companys assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such person, the Successor Entity)) directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the Successor Entitys outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction, and
(B) after which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this Section 1(a)(iii)(B) as beneficially owning 50% or more of combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction.
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(b) Corporate Status means the status of a person as a present or former director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company. As a clarification and without limiting the circumstances in which Indemnitee may be serving at the request of the Company, service by Indemnitee shall be deemed to be at the request of the Company if Indemnitee serves or served as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise (i) of which a majority of the voting power or equity interest is owned directly or indirectly by the Company or (ii) the management of which is controlled directly or indirectly by the Company.
(c) Disinterested Director means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification and/or advance of Expenses is sought by Indemnitee.
(d) Effective Date means the date set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
(e) Expenses means any and all reasonable and out-of-pocket attorneys fees and costs, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and any other disbursements or expenses incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in or otherwise participating in a Proceeding. Expenses shall also include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding including, without limitation, the premium, security for and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond or other appeal bond or its equivalent.
(f) Independent Counsel means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to or participant or witness in the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification or advance of Expenses hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Independent Counsel shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitees rights under this Agreement.
(g) Proceeding means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including any appeal therefrom, except one pending or
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completed on or before the Effective Date, unless otherwise specifically agreed in writing by the Company and Indemnitee. If Indemnitee reasonably believes that a given situation may lead to or culminate in the institution of a Proceeding, such situation shall also be considered a Proceeding.
Section 2. Services by Indemnitee. Indemnitee [will serve][serves] as [a director] [and] [an officer] of the Company. However, this Agreement shall not impose any independent obligation on Indemnitee or the Company to continue Indemnitees service to the Company. This Agreement shall not be deemed an employment contract between the Company (or any other entity) and Indemnitee.
Section 3. General. The Company shall indemnify, and advance Expenses to, Indemnitee (a) as provided in this Agreement and (b) otherwise to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect on the Effective Date and as amended from time to time; provided, however, that no change in Maryland law shall have the effect of reducing the benefits available to Indemnitee hereunder based on Maryland law as in effect on the Effective Date. The rights of Indemnitee provided in this Section 3 shall include, without limitation, the rights set forth in the other sections of this Agreement, including any additional indemnification permitted by Section 2-418(g) of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the MGCL).
Section 4. Standard for Indemnification. If, by reason of Indemnitees Corporate Status, Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party to any Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitees behalf in connection with any such Proceeding unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of Indemnitee was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and (i) was committed in bad faith or (ii) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) Indemnitee actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal Proceeding, Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that [his][her] conduct was unlawful.
Section 5. Certain Limits on Indemnification. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (other than Section 6), Indemnitee shall not be entitled to:
(a) indemnification hereunder if the Proceeding was one by or in the right of the Company and Indemnitee is adjudged to be liable to the Company;
(b) indemnification hereunder if Indemnitee is adjudged to be liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received in any Proceeding charging improper personal benefit to Indemnitee, whether or not involving action in the Indemnitees Corporate Status; or
(c) indemnification or advance of Expenses hereunder if the Proceeding was brought by Indemnitee, unless: (i) the Proceeding was brought to enforce indemnification under this Agreement, and then only to the extent in accordance with and as authorized by Section 12 of this Agreement, or (ii) the Companys charter or Bylaws, a resolution of the stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or of the Board of Directors or an agreement approved by the Board of Directors to which the Company is a party expressly provide otherwise.
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Section 6. Court-Ordered Indemnification. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, a court of appropriate jurisdiction, upon application of Indemnitee and such notice as the court shall require, may order indemnification of Indemnitee by the Company in the following circumstances:
(a) if such court determines that Indemnitee is entitled to reimbursement under Section 2-418(d)(1) of the MGCL, the court shall order indemnification, in which case Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover the Expenses of securing such reimbursement; or
(b) if such court determines that Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, whether or not Indemnitee (i) has met the standards of conduct set forth in Section 2-418(b) of the MGCL or (ii) has been adjudged liable for receipt of an improper personal benefit under Section 2-418(c) of the MGCL, the court may order such indemnification as the court shall deem proper. However, indemnification with respect to any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company or in which liability shall have been adjudged in the circumstances described in Section 2-418(c) of the MGCL shall be limited to Expenses.
Section 7. Indemnification for Expenses of an Indemnitee Who is Wholly or Partially Successful. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, and without limiting any such provision, to the extent that Indemnitee was or is, by reason of [his][her] Corporate Status, made a party to (or otherwise becomes a participant in) any Proceeding and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of such Proceeding, Indemnitee shall be indemnified for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitees behalf in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee under this Section 7 for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitees behalf in connection with each such claim, issue or matter, allocated on a reasonable and proportionate basis. For purposes of this Section 7 and, without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.
Section 8. Advance of Expenses for Indemnitee. If, by reason of Indemnitees Corporate Status, Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party to any Proceeding, the Company shall, without requiring a preliminary determination of Indemnitees ultimate entitlement to indemnification hereunder, advance all reasonable Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding within ten days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall include or be preceded or accompanied by a written affirmation by Indemnitee of Indemnitees good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Company as authorized by law and by this Agreement has been met and a written undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A or in such form as may be required under applicable law as in effect at the time of the execution thereof, to reimburse the portion of any Expenses advanced to Indemnitee relating to claims, issues or matters in the Proceeding as to
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which it shall ultimately be established that the standard of conduct has not been met by Indemnitee and which have not been successfully resolved as described in Section 7 of this Agreement. To the extent that Expenses advanced to Indemnitee do not relate to a specific claim, issue or matter in the Proceeding, such Expenses shall be allocated on a reasonable and proportionate basis. The undertaking required by this Section 8 shall be an unlimited general obligation by or on behalf of Indemnitee and shall be accepted without reference to Indemnitees financial ability to repay such advanced Expenses and without any requirement to post security therefor.
Section 9. Indemnification and Advance of Expenses as a Witness or Other Participant. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is or may be, by reason of Indemnitees Corporate Status, made a witness or otherwise asked to participate in any Proceeding, whether instituted by the Company or any other party, and to which Indemnitee is not a party, Indemnitee shall be advanced all reasonable Expenses and indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitees behalf in connection therewith within ten days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting any such advance or indemnification from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee.
Section 10. Procedure for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification.
(a) To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. Indemnitee may submit one or more such requests from time to time and at such time(s) as Indemnitee deems appropriate in Indemnitees sole discretion. The officer of the Company receiving any such request from Indemnitee shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board of Directors in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification.
(b) Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 10(a) above, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitees entitlement thereto shall promptly be made in the specific case: (i) if a Change in Control shall have occurred, by Independent Counsel, in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, which Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Indemnitee and approved by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 2-418(e)(2)(ii) of the MGCL, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld; or (ii) if a Change in Control shall not have occurred, (A) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Disinterested Directors or, if such a quorum cannot be obtained, then by a majority vote of a duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors consisting solely of one or more Disinterested Directors, (B) if Independent Counsel has been selected by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 2-418(e)(2)(ii) of the MGCL and approved by the Indemnitee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, by Independent Counsel, in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee or (C) if so directed by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors, by the stockholders of the Company. If it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be
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made within ten days after such determination. Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination in the discretion of the Board of Directors or Independent Counsel if retained pursuant to clause (ii)(B) of this Section 10(b). Any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification) and the Company shall indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.
(c) The Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel, if one is appointed.
Section 11. Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings.
(a) In making any determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 10(a) of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making of any determination contrary to that presumption.
(b) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or entry of an order of probation prior to judgment, does not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet the requisite standard of conduct described herein for indemnification.
(c) The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any other director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or any other director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining any other right to indemnification under this Agreement.
Section 12. Remedies of Indemnitee.
(a) If (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advance of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Sections 8 or 9 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement within 60 days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Sections 7 or 9 of this Agreement within ten days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, or (v) payment of indemnification pursuant to any other section of this Agreement or the charter or Bylaws of the Company is not made within ten days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication in an appropriate court located in
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the State of Maryland, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, of Indemnitees entitlement to such indemnification or advance of Expenses. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at Indemnitees option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Indemnitee shall commence a proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration within 180 days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 12(a); provided, however, that the foregoing clause shall not apply to a proceeding brought by Indemnitee to enforce [his][her] rights under Section 7 of this Agreement. Except as set forth herein, the provisions of Maryland law (without regard to its conflicts of laws rules) shall apply to any such arbitration. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitees right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.
(b) In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification or advance of Expenses, as the case may be, under this Agreement and the Company shall have the burden of proving that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advance of Expenses, as the case may be. If Indemnitee commences a judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to this Section 12, Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any advances pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement until a final determination is made with respect to Indemnitees entitlement to indemnification (as to which all rights of appeal have been exhausted or lapsed). The Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all of the provisions of this Agreement.
(c) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 10(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12, absent a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitees statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification.
(d) In the event that Indemnitee is successful in seeking, pursuant to this Section 12, a judicial adjudication of or an award in arbitration to enforce Indemnitees rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover from the Company, and shall be indemnified by the Company for, any and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him in such judicial adjudication or arbitration. If it shall be determined in such judicial adjudication or arbitration that Indemnitee is entitled to receive part but not all of the indemnification or advance of Expenses sought, the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such judicial adjudication or arbitration shall be appropriately prorated.
(e) Interest shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee at the maximum rate allowed to be charged for judgments under the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland for amounts which the Company pays or is obligated to pay for the period (i) commencing with either the tenth day after the date on which the Company was requested to advance Expenses in accordance with Sections 8 or 9 of this Agreement or the 60th day after the
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date on which the Company was requested to make the determination of entitlement to indemnification under Section 10(b) of this Agreement, as applicable, and (ii) ending on the date such payment is made to Indemnitee by the Company.
Section 13. Defense of the Underlying Proceeding.
(a) Indemnitee shall notify the Company promptly in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, request or other document relating to any Proceeding which may result in the right to indemnification or the advance of Expenses hereunder and shall include with such notice a description of the nature of the Proceeding and a summary of the facts underlying the Proceeding. The failure to give any such notice shall not disqualify Indemnitee from the right, or otherwise affect in any manner any right of Indemnitee, to indemnification or the advance of Expenses under this Agreement unless the Companys ability to defend in such Proceeding or to obtain proceeds under any insurance policy is materially and adversely prejudiced thereby, and then only to the extent the Company is thereby actually so prejudiced.
(b) Subject to the provisions of the last sentence of this Section 13(b) and of Section 13(c) below, the Company shall have the right to defend Indemnitee in any Proceeding which may give rise to indemnification hereunder; provided, however, that the Company shall notify Indemnitee of any such decision to defend within 15 calendar days following receipt of notice of any such Proceeding under Section 13(a) above. The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, consent to the entry of any judgment against Indemnitee or enter into any settlement or compromise which (i) includes an admission of fault of Indemnitee, (ii) does not include, as an unconditional term thereof, the full release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Proceeding, which release shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee or (iii) would impose any Expense, judgment, fine, penalty or limitation on Indemnitee. This Section 13(b) shall not apply to a Proceeding brought by Indemnitee under Section 12 of this Agreement.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13(b) above, if in a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party by reason of Indemnitees Corporate Status, (i) Indemnitee reasonably concludes, based upon an opinion of counsel approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, that Indemnitee may have separate defenses or counterclaims to assert with respect to any issue which may not be consistent with other defendants in such Proceeding, (ii) Indemnitee reasonably concludes, based upon an opinion of counsel approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, that an actual or apparent conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest exists between Indemnitee and the Company, or (iii) if the Company fails to assume the defense of such Proceeding in a timely manner, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be represented by separate legal counsel of Indemnitees choice, subject to the prior approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, at the expense of the Company. In addition, if the Company fails to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement or in the event that the Company or any other person takes any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any Proceeding to deny or to recover from Indemnitee the benefits intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall have the right to retain counsel of Indemnitees choice,
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subject to the prior approval of the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, at the expense of the Company (subject to Section 12(d) of this Agreement), to represent Indemnitee in connection with any such matter.
Section 14. Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Subrogation.
(a) The rights of indemnification and advance of Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the charter or Bylaws of the Company, any agreement or a resolution of the stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or of the Board of Directors, or otherwise. Unless consented to in writing by Indemnitee, no amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in [his][her] Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal, regardless of whether a claim with respect to such action or inaction is raised prior or subsequent to such amendment, alteration or repeal. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right or remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right or remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prohibit the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.
(b) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.
Section 15. Insurance. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to acquire directors and officers liability insurance, on terms and conditions deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors, with the advice of counsel, covering Indemnitee or any claim made against Indemnitee by reason of [his][her] Corporate Status and covering the Company for any indemnification or advance of Expenses made by the Company to Indemnitee for any claims made against Indemnitee by reason of [his][her] Corporate Status. Without in any way limiting any other obligation under this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee for any payment by Indemnitee arising out of the amount of any deductible or retention and the amount of any excess of the aggregate of all judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding over the coverage of any insurance referred to in the previous sentence. The purchase, establishment and maintenance of any such insurance shall not in any way limit or affect the rights or obligations of the Company or Indemnitee under this Agreement except as expressly provided herein, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the Indemnitee shall not in any way limit or affect the rights or obligations of the Company under any such insurance policies. If, at the time the Company receives notice from any source of a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party or a participant (as a witness or otherwise) the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of such Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies.
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Section 16. Coordination of Payments. The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable or payable or reimbursable as Expenses hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.
Section 17. Reports to Stockholders. To the extent required by the MGCL, the Company shall report in writing to its stockholders the payment of any amounts for indemnification of, or advance of Expenses to, Indemnitee under this Agreement arising out of a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company with the notice of the meeting of stockholders of the Company next following the date of the payment of any such indemnification or advance of Expenses or prior to such meeting.
Section 18. Duration of Agreement; Binding Effect.
(a) This Agreement shall continue until and terminate on the later of (i) the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or as a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company and (ii) the date that Indemnitee is no longer subject to any actual or possible Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto and any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement).
(b) The indemnification and advance of Expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or a director, trustee, officer, partner, manager, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise that such person is or was serving in such capacity at the request of the Company, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitees spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.
(c) The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.
(d) The Company and Indemnitee agree that a monetary remedy for breach of this Agreement, at some later date, may be inadequate, impracticable and difficult of proof, and further agree that such breach may cause Indemnitee irreparable harm. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree that Indemnitee may enforce this Agreement by seeking injunctive relief and/or
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specific performance hereof, without any necessity of showing actual damage or irreparable harm and that by seeking injunctive relief and/or specific performance, Indemnitee shall not be precluded from seeking or obtaining any other relief to which Indemnitee may be entitled. Indemnitee shall further be entitled to such specific performance and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions and permanent injunctions, without the necessity of posting bonds or other undertakings in connection therewith. The Company acknowledges that, in the absence of a waiver, a bond or undertaking may be required of Indemnitee by a court, and the Company hereby waives any such requirement of such a bond or undertaking.
Section 19. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section, paragraph or sentence of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.
Section 20. Identical Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. One such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought shall be sufficient to evidence the existence of this Agreement.
Section 21. Headings. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.
Section 22. Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
Section 23. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (i) delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, on the day of such delivery, or (ii) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed:
(a) If to Indemnitee, to the address set forth on the signature page hereto.
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(b) If to the Company, to:
American Assets Trust, Inc.
11455 El Camino Real, Suite 200
San Diego, California 92130
Attn: Secretary
or to such other address as may have been furnished in writing to Indemnitee by the Company or to the Company by Indemnitee, as the case may be.
Section 24. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to its conflicts of laws rules.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
AMERICAN ASSETS TRUST, INC. | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
INDEMNITEE | ||
| ||
Name: | ||
Address: |
A-13
EXHIBIT A
AFFIRMATION AND UNDERTAKING TO REPAY EXPENSES ADVANCED
The Board of Directors of American Assets Trust, Inc.
Re: Affirmation and Undertaking
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This Affirmation and Undertaking is being provided pursuant to that certain Indemnification Agreement dated the day of , 20 , by and between American Assets Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the Company), and the undersigned Indemnitee (the Indemnification Agreement), pursuant to which I am entitled to advance of Expenses in connection with [Description of Proceeding] (the Proceeding).
Terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings specified in the Indemnification Agreement.
I am subject to the Proceeding by reason of my Corporate Status or by reason of alleged actions or omissions by me in such capacity. I hereby affirm my good faith belief that at all times, insofar as I was involved as [a director] [an officer] of the Company, in any of the facts or events giving rise to the Proceeding, I (1) did not act with bad faith or active or deliberate dishonesty, (2) did not receive any improper personal benefit in money, property or services and (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that any act or omission by me was unlawful.
In consideration of the advance of Expenses by the Company for reasonable attorneys fees and related Expenses incurred by me in connection with the Proceeding (the Advanced Expenses), I hereby agree that if, in connection with the Proceeding, it is established that (1) an act or omission by me was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and (a) was committed in bad faith or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty or (2) I actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, I had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful, then I shall promptly reimburse the portion of the Advanced Expenses relating to the claims, issues or matters in the Proceeding as to which the foregoing findings have been established.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Affirmation and Undertaking on this day of , 20 .
|
Name: |
EXHIBIT B
GENERAL RELEASE
For valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned does hereby release and forever discharge the Releasees hereunder, consisting of American Assets Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation, American Assets Trust, L.P., a Maryland limited partnership, and each of their partners, subsidiaries, associates, affiliates, successors, heirs, assigns, agents, directors, officers, employees, representatives, lawyers, insurers, and all persons acting by, through, under or in concert with them, or any of them, of and from any and all manner of action or actions, cause or causes of action, in law or in equity, suits, debts, liens, contracts, agreements, promises, liability, claims, demands, damages, losses, costs, attorneys fees or expenses, of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, fixed or contingent (hereinafter called Claims), which the undersigned now has or may hereafter have against the Releasees, or any of them, by reason of any matter, cause, or thing whatsoever from the beginning of time to the date hereof. The Claims released herein include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any Claims in any way arising out of, based upon, or related to the employment or termination of employment of the undersigned by the Releasees, or any of them; any alleged breach of any express or implied contract of employment; any alleged torts or other alleged legal restrictions on Releasees right to terminate the employment of the undersigned; and any alleged violation of any federal, state or local statute or ordinance including, without limitation, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination In Employment Act, the Americans With Disabilities Act, and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Release shall not operate to release any rights or claims of the undersigned (i) to payments or benefits under either Section 4(a) or 4(b) of that certain Employment Agreement, dated as of January , 2011, between American Assets Trust, Inc., American Assets Trust, L.P. and the undersigned (the Employment Agreement), whichever is applicable to the payments and benefits provided in exchange for this release, (ii) with respect to Section 2(b)(vi) or 6 of the Employment Agreement, (iii) to accrued or vested benefits the undersigned may have, if any, as of the date hereof under any applicable plan, policy, practice, program, contract or agreement with the Company, or (iv) to indemnification and/or advancement of expenses pursuant to the Indemnification Agreement (as defined in the Employment Agreement).
THE UNDERSIGNED ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE HAS BEEN ADVISED BY LEGAL COUNSEL AND IS FAMILIAR WITH THE PROVISIONS OF CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE SECTION 1542, WHICH PROVIDES AS FOLLOWS:
A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR
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HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.
THE UNDERSIGNED, BEING AWARE OF SAID CODE SECTION, HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHTS HE MAY HAVE THEREUNDER, AS WELL AS UNDER ANY OTHER STATUTES OR COMMON LAW PRINCIPLES OF SIMILAR EFFECT.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OLDER WORKERS BENEFIT PROTECTION ACT OF 1990, THE UNDERSIGNED IS HEREBY ADVISED AS FOLLOWS:
(A) HE HAS THE RIGHT TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE SIGNING THIS RELEASE;
(B) HE HAS TWENTY-ONE (21) DAYS TO CONSIDER THIS RELEASE BEFORE SIGNING IT; AND
(C) HE HAS SEVEN (7) DAYS AFTER SIGNING THIS RELEASE TO REVOKE THIS RELEASE, AND THIS RELEASE WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE UPON THE EXPIRATION OF THAT REVOCATION PERIOD.
The undersigned represents and warrants that there has been no assignment or other transfer of any interest in any Claim which he may have against Releasees, or any of them, and the undersigned agrees to indemnify and hold Releasees, and each of them, harmless from any liability, Claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses and attorneys fees incurred by Releasees, or any of them, as the result of any such assignment or transfer or any rights or Claims under any such assignment or transfer. It is the intention of the parties that this indemnity does not require payment as a condition precedent to recovery by the Releasees against the undersigned under this indemnity.
The undersigned agrees that if he hereafter commences any suit arising out of, based upon, or relating to any of the Claims released hereunder or in any manner asserts against Releasees, or any of them, any of the Claims released hereunder, then the undersigned agrees to pay to Releasees, and each of them, in addition to any other damages caused to Releasees thereby, all attorneys fees incurred by Releasees in defending or otherwise responding to said suit or Claim.
The undersigned further understands and agrees that neither the payment of any sum of money nor the execution of this Release shall constitute or be construed as an admission of any liability whatsoever by the Releasees, or any of them, who have consistently taken the position that they have no liability whatsoever to the undersigned.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Release this day of , .
Ernest S. Rady |
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Exhibit 10.45
AMERICAN ASSETS TRUST, INC.
INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR COMPENSATION POLICY
Non-employee members of the board of directors (the Board) of American Assets Trust, Inc. (the Company) shall be eligible to receive cash and equity compensation commencing on the date of the closing of the Companys initial public offering (the Public Trading Date) as set forth in this Independent Director Compensation Policy (this Policy). The cash and equity compensation described in this Independent Director Compensation Policy shall be paid or be made, as applicable, automatically and without further action of the Board, to each member of the Board who is not an employee of the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company (each, an Independent Director) who may be eligible to receive such cash or equity compensation, unless such Independent Director declines the receipt of such cash or equity compensation by written notice to the Company. This Policy shall remain in effect until it is revised or rescinded by further action of the Board. The terms and conditions of this Policy shall supersede any prior cash or equity compensation arrangements between the Company and its Independent Directors.
1. Cash Compensation.
(a) Annual Retainers. Each Independent Director shall be eligible to receive an annual retainer of $20,000 for service on the Board.
(b) Additional Annual Retainers. In addition, an Independent Director shall receive the following additional annual retainers:
(i) Chairperson of the Audit Committee. An Independent Director serving as Chairperson of the Audit Committee shall receive an additional annual retainer of $10,000 for such service.
(ii) Chairperson of the Compensation Committee. An Independent Director serving as Chairperson of the Compensation Committee shall receive an additional annual retainer of $5,000 for such service.
(iii) Chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. An Independent Director serving as Chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall receive an additional annual retainer of $5,000 for such service.
(c) Meeting Fees. Each Independent Director shall be eligible to receive $1,500 for each Board meeting attended in person and $750 for each Board meeting attended by telephone. In addition, each Independent Director who serves on a committee of the Board shall be eligible for an additional $1,000 for each committee meeting attended in person and $500 for each committee meeting attended by telephone. Committee meeting fees will be paid regardless of whether a Board meeting is scheduled for the same day.
(d) Payment of Retainers and Fees. The annual retainers described in subsections (a) and (b) shall be earned on a quarterly basis based on a calendar quarter and shall be paid by the Company in arrears not later than the fifth business day following the end of each calendar quarter. In the event an Independent Director does not serve as an Independent Director, or in the applicable positions described in subsection (b), for an entire calendar quarter, the retainer paid to such Independent Director shall be prorated for the portion of such calendar quarter actually served as an Independent Director, or in such position, as applicable. The meeting fees described in subsection (c) shall be paid within thirty days following the applicable meeting date. Independent Directors may be permitted to elect to receive vested shares of common stock in lieu of the foregoing retainers and fees in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Companys 2011 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the 2011 Plan).
2. Equity Compensation. The Independent Directors shall be granted the following restricted stock awards. The awards described below shall be granted under and shall be subject to the terms and provisions of the 2011 Plan and shall be granted subject to the execution and delivery of award agreements, including attached exhibits, in substantially the same forms previously approved by the Board, setting forth the vesting schedule applicable to such awards and such other terms as may be required by the 2011 Plan.
(a) Initial Awards. A person who is serving as an Independent Director on the Public Trading Date shall be eligible to receive such number of shares of restricted common stock on the Public Trading Date as is determined by dividing (i) $40,000 by (ii) the initial price to the public of the Companys common stock. The awards described in this subsection (a) shall be referred to as Initial Awards. No Independent Director shall be granted more than one Initial Award.
(b) Subsequent Awards. A person who is an Independent Director immediately following each annual meeting of the Companys stockholders after the Public Trading Date and who will continue to serve as an Independent Director immediately following such meeting shall be automatically granted such number of shares of restricted common stock on the date of such annual meeting as is determined by dividing (i) $40,000 by (ii) the Fair Market Value per share (as defined in the 2011 Plan) of the Companys common stock on the date of such grant. The awards described in this subsection (b) shall be referred to as Subsequent Awards.
(c) Termination of Employment of Employee Directors. Members of the Board who are employees of the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company who subsequently terminate their employment with the Company and any parent or subsidiary of the Company and remain on the Board will not receive an Initial Award pursuant to subsection (a) above, but to the extent that they are otherwise eligible, will be eligible to receive, after termination from employment with the Company and any parent or subsidiary of the Company, Subsequent Awards as described in subsection (b) above.
(d) Terms of Awards Granted to Independent Directors
(i) Purchase Price. The purchase price per share of each share of restricted common stock granted to an Independent Director shall be equal to the par value of the Companys common stock.
(ii) Vesting. Each Initial Award and Subsequent Award will initially be subject to forfeiture in the event of an Independent Directors termination of service on the Board. Each Initial Award and each Subsequent Award shall vest and be released from the forfeiture restriction as to one-third of the shares subject to such award on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant, subject to the Independent Director continuing in service on the Board through such dates. No portion of an Initial Award or Subsequent Award which is unvested at the time of an Independent Directors termination of service on the Board shall become vested thereafter. All of an Independent Directors Initial Awards and Subsequent Awards shall vest in full upon the occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined in the 2011 Plan).
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Exhibit 10.57
CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of January , 2011
among
AMERICAN ASSETS TRUST, L.P.,
as the Borrower,
AMERICAN ASSETS TRUST, INC.,
as a Guarantor,
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and
L/C Issuer,
and
The Other Lenders Party Hereto
and
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
and
WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC,
as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners
and
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.,
as Syndication Agent
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section |
Page | |||||
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS |
||||||
1.01. | Defined Terms | 1 | ||||
1.02. | Other Interpretive Provisions | 39 | ||||
1.03. | Accounting Terms | 39 | ||||
1.04. | Rounding | 40 | ||||
1.05. | Times of Day | 40 | ||||
1.06. | Letter of Credit Amounts | 40 | ||||
ARTICLE II THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS |
||||||
2.01. | The Revolving Credit Borrowings | 40 | ||||
2.02. | Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans | 41 | ||||
2.03. | Letters of Credit | 42 | ||||
2.04. | Swing Line Loans | 51 | ||||
2.05. | Prepayments | 54 | ||||
2.06. | Termination or Reduction of Commitments | 55 | ||||
2.07. | Repayment of Loans | 55 | ||||
2.08. | Interest | 56 | ||||
2.09. | Fees | 56 | ||||
2.10. | Computation of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Rate | 57 | ||||
2.11. | Evidence of Debt | 58 | ||||
2.12. | Payments Generally; Administrative Agents Clawback | 58 | ||||
2.13. | Sharing of Payments by Lenders | 60 | ||||
2.14. | Extension of Maturity Date | 61 | ||||
2.15. | Increase in Commitments | 63 | ||||
2.16. | Cash Collateral | 64 | ||||
2.17. | Defaulting Lenders | 66 | ||||
2.18. | Collateral; Borrowing Base | 67 | ||||
ARTICLE III TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY |
||||||
3.01. | Taxes | 72 | ||||
3.02. | Illegality | 76 | ||||
3.03. | Inability to Determine Rates | 77 | ||||
3.04. | Increased Costs; Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans | 78 | ||||
3.05. | Compensation for Losses | 79 | ||||
3.06. | Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders | 80 |
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3.07. | Survival | 80 | ||||
ARTICLE IV CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS |
||||||
4.01. | Conditions of Effectiveness | 81 | ||||
4.02. | Conditions to All Credit Extensions | 84 | ||||
ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES |
||||||
5.01. | Existence, Qualification and Power | 85 | ||||
5.02. | Authorization; No Contravention | 85 | ||||
5.03. | Governmental Authorization; Other Consents | 85 | ||||
5.04. | Binding Effect | 86 | ||||
5.05. | Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect | 86 | ||||
5.06. | Litigation | 86 | ||||
5.07. | No Default | 87 | ||||
5.08. | Ownership of Property; Liens | 87 | ||||
5.09. | Environmental Compliance | 87 | ||||
5.10. | Insurance | 89 | ||||
5.11. | Taxes | 89 | ||||
5.12. | ERISA Compliance | 89 | ||||
5.13. | Subsidiaries; Equity Interests; Loan Parties | 90 | ||||
5.14. | Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act | 90 | ||||
5.15. | Disclosure | 91 | ||||
5.16. | Compliance with Laws | 91 | ||||
5.17. | Intentionally Omitted | 91 | ||||
5.18. | Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc. | 91 | ||||
5.19. | Solvency | 91 | ||||
5.20. | Casualty, Etc. | 91 | ||||
5.21. | Labor Matters | 92 | ||||
5.22. | Collateral Documents | 92 | ||||
5.23. | Anti-Money Laundering and Economic Sanctions Laws | 92 | ||||
5.24. | REIT Status; Stock Exchange Listing | 92 | ||||
ARTICLE VI AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS |
||||||
6.01. | Financial Statements | 93 | ||||
6.02. | Certificates; Other Information | 94 | ||||
6.03. | Notices | 96 | ||||
6.04. | Payment of Obligations | 97 | ||||
6.05. | Preservation of Existence, Etc. | 97 | ||||
6.06. | Maintenance of Properties | 97 | ||||
6.07. | Maintenance of Insurance | 98 |
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6.08. | Compliance with Laws | 98 | ||||
6.09. | Books and Records | 98 | ||||
6.10. | Inspection Rights | 98 | ||||
6.11. | Use of Proceeds | 98 | ||||
6.12. | Additional Collateral; Additional Loan Parties | 99 | ||||
6.13. | Compliance with Environmental Laws | 100 | ||||
6.14. | Preparation of Environmental Reports | 100 | ||||
6.15. | Further Assurances | 100 | ||||
6.16. | Maintenance of REIT Status; New York Stock Exchange Listing | 101 | ||||
6.17. | Compliance with Terms of Leaseholds | 101 | ||||
6.18. | Information Regarding Collateral | 101 | ||||
6.19. | Material Contracts | 102 | ||||
ARTICLE VII NEGATIVE COVENANTS |
||||||
7.01. | Liens | 102 | ||||
7.02. | Indebtedness | 104 | ||||
7.03. | Investments | 105 | ||||
7.04. | Fundamental Changes | 107 | ||||
7.05. | Dispositions | 107 | ||||
7.06. | Restricted Payments | 108 | ||||
7.07. | Change in Nature of Business | 109 | ||||
7.08. | Transactions with Affiliates | 109 | ||||
7.09. | Burdensome Agreements | 109 | ||||
7.10. | Use of Proceeds | 110 | ||||
7.11. | Financial Covenants | 110 | ||||
7.12. | Accounting Changes | 111 | ||||
7.13. | Amendment, Waivers and Terminations of Certain Agreements | 111 | ||||
7.14. | Tax Sharing and Indemnification Agreements | 111 | ||||
ARTICLE VIII EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES |
||||||
8.01. | Events of Default | 111 | ||||
8.02. | Remedies upon Event of Default | 114 | ||||
8.03. | Application of Funds | 114 | ||||
ARTICLE IX ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT |
||||||
9.01. | Appointment and Authority | 116 | ||||
9.02. | Rights as a Lender | 116 | ||||
9.03. | Exculpatory Provisions | 116 | ||||
9.04. | Reliance by Administrative Agent | 117 | ||||
9.05. | Delegation of Duties | 118 |
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9.06. | Resignation of Administrative Agent | 118 | ||||
9.07. | Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders | 119 | ||||
9.08. | No Other Duties, Etc. | 119 | ||||
9.09. | Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim | 119 | ||||
9.10. | Collateral and Guaranty Matters | 120 | ||||
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS |
||||||
10.01. | Amendments, Etc. | 121 | ||||
10.02. | Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communications | 123 | ||||
10.03. | No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement | 125 | ||||
10.04. | Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver | 126 | ||||
10.05. | Payments Set Aside | 128 | ||||
10.06. | Successors and Assigns | 128 | ||||
10.07. | Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality | 133 | ||||
10.08. | Right of Setoff | 134 | ||||
10.09. | Interest Rate Limitation | 134 | ||||
10.10. | Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness | 135 | ||||
10.11. | Survival of Representations and Warranties | 135 | ||||
10.12. | Severability | 135 | ||||
10.13. | Replacement of Lenders | 135 | ||||
10.14. | Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc. | 136 | ||||
10.15. | WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL | 137 | ||||
10.16. | No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility | 138 | ||||
10.17. | Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents | 138 | ||||
10.18. | USA PATRIOT Act | 138 | ||||
10.19. | ENTIRE AGREEMENT | 139 |
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SCHEDULES | ||
I | Guarantors | |
II | Initial Eligible Portfolio Properties | |
III | Exceptions to Recourse Liability | |
2.01 | Commitments and Applicable Percentages | |
5.09(b)(ii) | Storage Tanks | |
5.09(b)(iv) | Asbestos Properties | |
5.09(c) | Environmental Compliance | |
5.11 | Tax Sharing Agreements | |
5.12(d) | Pension Plans | |
5.13 | Subsidiaries and Other Equity Investments; Loan Parties | |
5.18 | Taxpayer Identification Number | |
7.01(n) | Existing Liens | |
7.03 | Existing Investments | |
7.09 | Burdensome Agreements | |
10.02 | Administrative Agents Office, Certain Addresses for Notices |
EXHIBITS | ||
Form of | ||
A | Loan Notice | |
B | Swing Line Loan Notice | |
C | Note | |
D | Compliance Certificate | |
E-1 | Assignment and Assumption | |
E-2 | Administrative Questionnaire | |
F | Borrowing Base Certificate | |
G | Guaranty Agreement | |
H | Pledge Agreement | |
I-1 | Perfection Certificate | |
I-2 | Perfection Certificate Supplement | |
J | Solvency Certificate | |
K | United States Tax Compliance Certificate |
CREDIT AGREEMENT
This CREDIT AGREEMENT (Agreement) is entered into as of January , 2011 among AMERICAN ASSETS TRUST, L.P., a Maryland limited partnership (the Borrower), AMERICAN ASSETS TRUST, INC. a Maryland corporation (the REIT), each lender from time to time party hereto (collectively, the Lenders and individually, a Lender), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer.
PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS:
The Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide a revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $250,000,000 as such amount may be increased from time to time in accordance with Section 2.15 up to an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $400,000,000, or reduced from time to time in accordance with Section 2.06, and the Lenders have indicated their willingness to lend and the L/C Issuer has indicated its willingness to issue letters of credit, in each case, on the terms and subject to the 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:
Adjusted Borrowing Base means, at any time, the excess, if any, of (i) the Borrowing Base at such time, minus (ii) the Excess Recourse Debt Amount at such time
Administrative Agent means Bank of America in its capacity as administrative agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent.
Administrative Agents Office means the Administrative Agents 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 the Borrower and the Lenders.
Administrative Questionnaire means an Administrative Questionnaire in substantially the form of Exhibit E-2 or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
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; provided, however, in no event shall the Administrative Agent or any Lender or any of their respective Affiliates be deemed an Affiliate of the Borrower or any Affiliated Investor.
Affiliated Investor means any Subsidiary of the Borrower that owns a Portfolio Property.
Aggregate Commitments means, at any time, the aggregate amount of the Lenders Commitments at such time.
Aggregate Construction Costs Investment Amount means, at any time, the excess of (a) the aggregate amount of Investments made on or after the Closing Date and on or prior to such time by the REIT and its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 7.03(e) in respect of costs to construct Portfolio Properties under development (reduced by, in the case of any Portfolio Property that has become a Stabilized Portfolio Property after the Closing Date but on or prior to such time, the amount of any such Investments made in such Portfolio Property pursuant Section 7.03(e)), minus (b) with respect to any Portfolio Property under development in which an Investment was made by the REIT or a Subsidiary thereof after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 7.03(e) and such Portfolio Property (or all of the Equity Interests of the Subsidiary or Subsidiaries, as applicable, that own such Portfolio Property or the direct or indirect parent(s) thereof) is later Disposed of by the REIT or such Subsidiary prior to the Stabilization Date of such Portfolio Property to a Person that is not an Affiliate of the REIT, the lesser of (x) the Net Cash Proceeds received by the REIT or such Subsidiary in respect of such Disposition and (y) the aggregate amount of Investments made by the REIT or such Subsidiary after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 7.03(e) in such Portfolio Property.
Aggregate Non-Loan Party Investment Amount means, at any time, the excess of (a) the aggregate amount of Investments made on or after the Closing Date and on or prior to such time by the REIT and its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 7.03(b)(iv) directly or indirectly in any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party (each, a Non-Loan Party Subsidiary), minus (b) with respect to each Non-Loan Party Subsidiary in which an Investment was made by the REIT or a Subsidiary thereof pursuant to Section 7.03(b)(iv) and which Non-Loan Party Subsidiary is subsequently Disposed of by the REIT or such Subsidiary to a Person that is not an Affiliate of the REIT, the lesser of (x) the Net Cash Proceeds received by the REIT or such Subsidiary in respect of the Disposition of such Non-Loan Party Subsidiary and (y) the amount of such Investment made by the REIT or such Subsidiary after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 7.03(b)(iv) in such Non-Loan Party Subsidiary.
Aggregate Real Estate Loan Investment Amount means, at any time, the excess of (a) the aggregate amount of Investments made on or after the Closing Date and on or prior to such time by the REIT and its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 7.03(d) consisting of commercial mortgage loans and commercial real estate-related mezzanine loans, minus (b) with respect to each such Investment that was originated or acquired after the Closing Date by the REIT or a Subsidiary thereof and subsequently Disposed of by the REIT or such Subsidiary to a Person that is not an Affiliate of the REIT, the lesser of (x) the Net Cash Proceeds received by the REIT or such Subsidiary in respect of the Disposition of such Investment and (y) the amount of such Investment made by the REIT or such Subsidiary pursuant to Section 7.03(d) at the time such Investment was originated or acquired by the REIT or such Subsidiary.
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Aggregate Unconsolidated Affiliate Investment Amount means, at any time, the excess of (a) the aggregate amount of Investments made after the Closing Date and on or prior to such time by the REIT and its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 7.03(b)(iii) directly or indirectly in any Unconsolidated Affiliate, minus (b) with respect to each Unconsolidated Affiliate in which an Investment was made by the REIT or a Subsidiary thereof pursuant to Section 7.03(b)(iii) and which Unconsolidated Affiliate is subsequently Disposed of by the REIT or such Subsidiary to a Person that is not an Affiliate of the REIT, the lesser of (x) the Net Cash Proceeds received by the REIT or such Subsidiary in respect of the Disposition of such Unconsolidated Affiliate and (y) the amount of such Investment made by the REIT or such Subsidiary after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 7.03(b)(iii) in such Unconsolidated Affiliate.
Aggregate Unimproved Land Holdings Investment Amount means, at any time, the excess of (a) the aggregate amount of Investments made after the Closing Date and on or prior to such time by the REIT and its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 7.03(c) in respect of unimproved land holdings (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the amount of any such Investments made after the Closing Date constituting costs to construct Portfolio Properties under development that are included in the calculation of Aggregate Construction Costs Investment Amount), minus (b) with respect to any unimproved land holding in which an Investment was made by the REIT or a Subsidiary thereof after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 7.03(c) and such unimproved land holding (or all of the Equity Interests of the Subsidiary or Subsidiaries as applicable, that own such unimproved land holding or the direct or indirect parent(s) thereof) is later Disposed of by the REIT or such Subsidiary to a Person that is not an Affiliate of the REIT, the lesser of (x) the Net Cash Proceeds received by the REIT or such Subsidiary in respect of such Disposition and (y) the aggregate amount of Investments made by the REIT or such Subsidiary after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 7.03(c) in such unimproved land holding.
Agreement means this Credit Agreement.
Annual Capital Expenditure Adjustment means (i) in the case of any Hotel Property, (x) if such Hotel Property has been owned by one or more Affiliated Investors for at least four consecutive full fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, 4% of the annual gross revenues from such Hotel Property as set forth in the financial statements for the then most recently ended four consecutive fiscal quarter period of the REIT delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and (y) if such Hotel Property has not been owned by one or more Affiliated Investors for at least four consecutive full fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, 4% of the gross revenues from such Hotel Property for the period commencing on the first day of the first fiscal quarter to occur after such Hotel Property is acquired by an Affiliated Investor and ending the last day of the then most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower for which financial statements have been provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, annualized, (ii) in the case of any Portfolio Property consisting of an office or retail property, the average annual tenant improvements/leasing reserves and the average general reserve, all such amounts to be approved by the Administrative Agent on the Closing Date and, if the Maturity Date is extended pursuant to Section 2.14, on the Initial Revolver Maturity Date and (iii) in the case of any Portfolio Property consisting of a residential property, an amount equal to $500 multiplied by the number of units in such residential property.
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Anti-Money Laundering Laws means any and all laws, judgments, orders, executive orders, decrees, ordinances, rules, regulations, statutes, case law or treaties applicable to a Loan Party, its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, related to terrorism financing or money laundering including any applicable provision of Title III of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act (USA PATRIOT Act) of 2001 (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56) and The Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act (also known as the Bank Secrecy Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 5311-5330 and 12 U.S.C. §§ 1818(s), 1820(b) and 1951-1959).
Applicable Capitalization Rate means, (i) in the case of any Portfolio Property consisting of a traditional multi-family property (which, for example, shall include a multi-family apartment, duplex or condo complex), 6.75%, (ii) in the case of any Portfolio Property consisting of a non-traditional multi-family property (which, for example, shall include a recreational vehicle (RV) park), 7.00%, (iii) in the case of any Portfolio Property consisting of an office or retail property, 7.50% and (iv) in the case of a Hotel Property, 8.25%, in each case as such percentage may be increased by the Required Lenders pursuant to Section 2.14(c) in connection with an extension of the Maturity Date.
Applicable Fee Rate means, with respect to any calendar quarter (or portion thereof, as applicable), the Applicable Fee Rate shall be determined as set forth in the pricing grid below based upon the Average Daily Line Usage for such calendar quarter (or portion thereof).
Applicable Fee Rate | ||||
Pricing Level |
Average Daily Line Usage |
Commitment Fee | ||
1 | < 50% | 0.50% | ||
2 | ³ 50% | 0.35% |
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 Lenders Commitment at such time, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.17. If the commitment of each Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans and the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 8.02, or if the 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.
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Applicable Rate means, (i) from the Closing Date to the date on which the Administrative Agent and the Lenders receive a Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 6.02(b) for the fiscal quarter of the REIT ending March 31, 2011, [ %] per annum for Base Rate Loans and [ %] per annum for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Letter of Credit Fees and (ii) thereafter, the applicable percentage per annum set forth below determined by reference to the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as set forth in the most recent Compliance Certificate received by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.02(b):
Applicable Rate | ||||||
Pricing Level |
Consolidated Leverage Ratio |
Eurodollar Rate (Letters of Credit) |
Base Rate | |||
1 |
³ 55% | 3.50% | 2.50% | |||
2 |
³ 50% but < 55% | 3.00% | 2.00% | |||
3 |
³ 45% but < 50% | 2.75% | 1.75% | |||
4 |
< 45% | 2.50% | 1.50% |
Any increase or decrease in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the first Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(b); provided, however, that if a Compliance Certificate is not delivered when due in accordance with such Section, then Pricing Level 1 shall apply as of the first Business Day after the date on which such Compliance Certificate was required to have been delivered and shall remain in effect until the date on which such Compliance Certificate is delivered.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this definition, the determination of the Applicable Rate for any period shall be subject to the provisions of Section 2.10(b).
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.
Arrangers means, collectively, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, in their capacities as joint bookrunners and joint lead arrangers.
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 Eligible 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-1 or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
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Attributable Indebtedness means, on any date, without duplication, (a) in respect of any Capitalized 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, (b) in respect of any Synthetic Lease Obligation, the capitalized amount of the remaining lease or similar payments under the relevant lease or other applicable agreement or instrument that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease or other agreement or instrument were accounted for as a Capitalized Lease and (c) all Synthetic Debt of such Person.
Audited Financial Statements means the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Predecessor for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders equity and cash flows for such fiscal year of the Predecessor, including the notes thereto.
Availability Period means the period from and including the Closing Date to the earliest of (i) the Maturity Date, (ii) the date of termination of the Commitments pursuant to Section 2.06, and (iii) the date of termination of the commitment of each Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans and of the obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions pursuant to Section 8.02.
Average Daily Line Usage means, with respect to any calendar quarter (or portion thereof, as applicable), the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of (a) the average daily sum during such calendar quarter (or portion thereof) of (i) the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Credit Loans (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, Swing Line Loans) and (ii) the Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations to (b) the average daily amount of the Aggregate Commitments during such calendar quarter (or portion thereof).
Bank of America means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.
Base Rate means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1%, (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its prime rate, and (c) the Eurodollar Rate plus 1.00%. The prime rate is a rate set by Bank of America based upon various factors including Bank of Americas costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in such prime rate announced by Bank of America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.
Base Rate Loan means a Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.
Borrower has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.
Borrower Limited Partnership Agreement means the Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of the Borrower, dated as December , 2010, among the REIT, as general partner, and the limited partners from time to time party thereto.
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Borrower Materials has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.
Borrowing means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Revolving Credit Loans of the same Type and, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01.
Borrowing Base means, at any time, an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the Capitalized Amount at such time and (b) the Mortgageability Amount at such time; provided, that (i) not more than 20% of the Borrowing Base at any time may be in respect of Eligible Portfolio Properties that are not office, retail or multi-family properties (and, for purposes of determining compliance with such 20% limitation, if a property is considered multi-use, the Borrower shall be permitted to include the Portfolio Property Net Operating Income which is attributable to such Eligible Portfolio Propertys office, retail or multi-family component), with any excess over the foregoing limit being excluded from the Borrowing Base and (ii) no single Eligible Portfolio Property may account for more than 20% of the Borrowing Base at any time, with any excess over the foregoing limit being excluded from the Borrowing Base.
Borrowing Base Certificate means a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit F (or another form acceptable to the Administrative Agent) setting forth the calculation of the Borrowing Base, in such detail as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. All calculations of the Borrowing Base in connection with the preparation of any Borrowing Base Certificate shall originally be made by the Borrower and certified to the Administrative Agent; provided, that the Administrative Agent shall have the right to review and adjust any such calculation to correct any errors or inconsistencies with the requirements of this Agreement.
Borrowing Base Eligibility Criteria has the meaning specified in Section 2.18(b).
Borrowing Base Inclusion Request has the meaning specified in Section 2.18(b)(i).
Broadway 225 Sorrento means Broadway 225 Sorrento Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
Broadway 225 Stonecrest means Broadway 225 Stonecrest Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
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 Agents Office is located and, if such day relates to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, means any such day that is also a London Banking Day.
Capitalized Amount means, at any time, (a) the sum of the Capitalized Values for each Eligible Portfolio Property included in the Borrowing Base at such time, multiplied by (b) sixty percent (60%).
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Capitalized Value means (a) at any time with respect to any Portfolio Property owned by one or more Affiliated Investors for at least four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, an amount equal to (i) the excess of (x) the Portfolio Property Net Operating Income of such Portfolio Property for the then most recently ended four-fiscal quarter period of the REIT for which financial statements have been provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, minus (y) the Annual Capital Expenditure Adjustment for such Portfolio Property, divided by (ii) the Applicable Capitalization Rate for such Portfolio Property, (b) at any time with respect to any Portfolio Property owned by one or more Affiliated Investors for at least two full fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, but less than four full fiscal quarters in which financial statements have been provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, an amount equal to (i) the excess of (x) the product of (A) the Portfolio Property Net Operating Income of such Portfolio Property for the then most recently ended two-fiscal quarter period of the REIT for which financial statements have been provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders multiplied by (B) two, minus (y) the Annual Capital Expenditure Adjustment for such Portfolio Property, divided by (ii) the Applicable Capitalization Rate for such Portfolio Property, and (c) at any time with respect to any Newly Acquired Portfolio Property, the acquisition cost paid by the applicable Affiliated Investor for such Newly Acquired Portfolio Property.
Capitalized Leases means all leases that have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capitalized leases.
Cash Collateralize means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender (as applicable) and the Lenders, as collateral for L/C Obligations, Obligations in respect of Swing Line Loans or obligations of the Lenders to fund participations in respect of either thereof (as the context may require), cash or deposit account balances or a letter of credit issued by an issuer reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender (as applicable), in each case, (i) in an amount equal to 105% of the aggregate amount of the L/C Obligations, Obligations in respect of Swing Line Loans or obligations of the Lenders to fund participations in respect of either thereof being secured by such collateral, and (ii) pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to (a) the Administrative Agent and (b) the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender (as applicable). Cash Collateral shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.
Cash Equivalents means any of the following types of Investments:
(a) readily marketable obligations issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than 360 days from the date of acquisition thereof; provided that the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged in support thereof;
(b) time deposits with, or insured certificates of deposit or bankers acceptances of, any commercial bank that (i) (A) is a Lender or (B) is organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia
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or is the principal banking subsidiary of a bank holding company organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and is a member of the Federal Reserve System, (ii) issues (or the parent of which issues) commercial paper rated as described in clause (c) of this definition and (iii) has combined capital and surplus of at least $1,000,000,000, in each case with maturities of not more than 90 days from the date of acquisition thereof;
(c) commercial paper issued by any Person organized under the laws of any state of the United States of America and rated at least Prime-1 (or the then equivalent grade) by Moodys or at least A-1 (or the then equivalent grade) by S&P, in each case with maturities of not more than 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof; and
(d) Investments, classified in accordance with GAAP as current assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, in money market investment programs registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, which are administered by financial institutions that have the highest rating obtainable from either Moodys or S&P, and the portfolios of which are limited solely to Investments of the character, quality and maturity described in clauses (a), (b) and (c) of this definition.
CERCLA means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980.
CERCLIS means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Information System maintained by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
CFC means a Person that is a controlled foreign corporation under Section 957 of the Code.
Change in Law means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, 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 or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority.
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) other than the Permitted Holders becomes the beneficial owner (as 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 35% or more
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of the equity securities of the REIT entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of the REIT 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 12 consecutive months, a majority of the members of the board of directors or other equivalent governing body of the REIT 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);
(c) (i) the REIT shall cease to be the sole general partner of the Borrower or shall cease to own, directly, (x) 100% of the general partnership interests of the Borrower and (y) Equity Interests of the Borrower representing a majority of the total economic interests of the Equity Interests of the Borrower, in each case free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Judgment Liens and Liens permitted under Section 7.1(a), (b) and (m)) or (ii) any holder of a limited partnership interest in the Borrower is provided with or obtains voting rights with respect to such limited partnership interest that deprive the REIT, in its capacity as general partner of the Borrower, of its right to manage the Borrower in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice); or
(d) the Borrower shall cease to own, directly or indirectly, 100% (or, with respect to any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary on the date it becomes a Guarantor, such lesser percentage of the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary owned by the Borrower on the date such Subsidiary becomes a Guarantor) of the Equity Interests of each of the Guarantors (other than the REIT), except for the Disposition of a Guarantor expressly permitted under this Agreement.
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, as amended.
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Collateral means all of the Collateral referred to in the Collateral Documents and all of the other property that is or is intended under the terms of the Collateral Documents to be subject to Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Creditor Parties.
Collateral Documents means, collectively, the Pledge Agreement and each of the other agreements, instruments or documents that creates or perfects or purports to create or perfect a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Creditor Parties.
Commitment means, as to each Lender, its obligation to (a) make Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01, (b) purchase participations in L/C Obligations, and (c) purchase participations in Swing Line Loans, in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lenders name on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption or New Lender Joinder Agreement pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be increased by such Lender pursuant to Section 2.15 or otherwise adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement. On the Closing Date the maximum aggregate amount of Commitments of all Lenders is $250,000,000.
Commitment Fee has the meaning specified in Section 2.09(a).
Compliance Certificate means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D.
Consolidated EBITDA means, for any period, without duplication, an amount equal to Consolidated Net Income for such period (a) plus the following to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income: (i) Consolidated Interest Expense (plus, to the extent not already included in such Consolidated Interest Expense, amortization of deferred financing costs), (ii) the provision for federal, state, local and foreign income taxes of the Consolidated Group (including the Consolidated Group Pro Rata Share of the provision for Federal, state, local and foreign incomes taxes of each Unconsolidated Affiliate), (iii) non-cash charges of the Consolidated Group (excluding any non-cash charge that results in an accrual of a reserve for a cash charge in any future period), (iv) the Consolidated Group Pro Rata Share of non-cash charges of Unconsolidated Affiliates (excluding any non-cash charge that results in an accrual of a reserve for a cash charge in any future period), (v) acquisition closing costs of the Consolidated Group that were capitalized prior to FAS 141-R reducing such Consolidated Net Income (including the Consolidated Group Pro Rata Share of acquisition closing costs of Unconsolidated Affiliates that were capitalized prior to FAS 141-R reducing such Consolidated Net Income), (vi) depreciation and amortization expense of the Consolidated Group (including the Consolidated Group Pro Rata Share of depreciation and amortization expense of each Unconsolidated Affiliate) and (vii) one-time costs and expenses relating to the effectiveness of the credit facility evidenced by this Agreement, the Initial Public Offering of the REIT and the transactions relating thereto, to the extent such fees and expenses are incurred on prior to the date that is ninety-days following the Closing Date and minus (b)(i) non-cash items of the Consolidated Group increasing such Consolidated Net Income (other than the reversal of any accrual of a reserve referred to in the parenthetical in clause (a)(iii) of this definition, except to the extent such reversal results from a cash payment) and (ii) the Consolidated Group Pro Rata Share of non-cash items of Unconsolidated Affiliates increasing such Consolidated Net Income (other than the reversal of any accrual of a reserve referred to in the parenthetical in clause (a)(iv) of this definition, except to the extent such reversal results from a cash payment).
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purposes of calculating Consolidated EBITDA:
(i) for the four fiscal quarters ending March 31, 2011, Consolidated EBITDA shall be deemed to equal the product of (a) the Consolidated EBITDA for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2011, as determined in accordance with the preceding paragraph of this definition of Consolidated EBITDA, multiplied by (b) 4;
(ii) for the four fiscal quarters ending June 30, 2011, Consolidated EBITDA shall be deemed to equal the product of (a) the sum of Consolidated EBITDA for the two consecutive fiscal quarters ending June 30, 2011, as determined in accordance with the preceding paragraph of this definition of Consolidated EBITDA, multiplied by (b) 2; and
(iii) for the four fiscal quarters ended September 30, 2011, Consolidated EBITDA shall be deemed to equal the product of (a) the sum of Consolidated EBITDA for the three consecutive fiscal quarters ending September 30, 2011, as determined in accordance with the preceding paragraphs of this definition of Consolidated EBITDA, multiplied by (b) 4/3.
Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio means the ratio as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of the REIT of (i) Consolidated EBITDA for the four consecutive fiscal quarter period of the REIT then ending to (ii) Consolidated Fixed Charges for such four consecutive fiscal quarter period.
Consolidated Fixed Charges means, for any period, the sum, without duplication, of (i) Consolidated Interest Expense, (ii) scheduled payments of principal on Consolidated Total Indebtedness (excluding any balloon payments payable on maturity of any such Consolidated Total Indebtedness), (iii) the amount of dividends or distributions paid or required to be paid by any member of the Consolidated Group (other than to another member of the Consolidated Group) during such period in respect of its preferred Equity Interests and (iv) the Consolidated Group Pro Rata Share of the amount of dividends or distributions paid or required to be paid by any Unconsolidated Affiliate during such period in respect of its preferred Equity Interests (to Persons other than (x) a member of the Consolidated Group or (y) an Unconsolidated Affiliate in which the percentage of Equity Interests of such Unconsolidated Affiliate owned by the Consolidated Group is greater than or equal to the percentage of Equity Interests owned by the Consolidated Group in the Unconsolidated Affiliate paying the dividend or distribution).
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purposes of calculating Consolidated Fixed Charges:
(i) for the four fiscal quarters ending March 31, 2011, Consolidated Fixed Charges shall be deemed to equal the product of (a) the Consolidated Fixed Charges for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2011, as determined in accordance with the preceding paragraph of this definition of Consolidated Fixed Charges, multiplied by (b) 4;
(ii) for the four fiscal quarters ending June 30, 2011, Consolidated Fixed Charges shall be deemed to equal the product of (a) the sum of Consolidated Fixed Charges for the two consecutive fiscal quarters ending June 30, 2011, as determined in accordance with the preceding paragraph of this definition of Consolidated Fixed Charges, multiplied by (b) 2; and
(iii) for the four fiscal quarters ended September 30, 2011, Consolidated Fixed Charges shall be deemed to equal the product of (a) the sum of Consolidated Fixed Charges for the three consecutive fiscal quarters ending September 30, 2011, as determined in accordance with the preceding paragraphs of this definition of Consolidated Fixed Charges, multiplied by (b) 4/3.
Consolidated Group means, collectively, the Loan Parties and their Consolidated Subsidiaries.
Consolidated Group Pro Rata Share means, with respect to any Unconsolidated Affiliate, the percentage interest held by the Consolidated Group, in the aggregate, in such Unconsolidated Affiliate determined by calculating the percentage of Equity Interests of such Unconsolidated Affiliate owned by the Consolidated Group.
Consolidated Interest Expense means, for any period, without duplication, the sum of (i) total cash interest expense (including, for the avoidance of doubt, capitalized interest) of the Consolidated Group for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP plus (ii) the Consolidated Group Pro Rata Share of total cash interest expense (including, for the avoidance of doubt, capitalized interest) of each Unconsolidated Affiliate for such period determined in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Leverage Ratio means, as of any date of determination, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of (i) Consolidated Total Indebtedness as of such date, less the Unrestricted Cash Amount as of such date to (ii) the Total Asset Value as of such date.
Consolidated Net Income means, with respect to any period, the sum of (i) the net income (or loss) of the Consolidated Group for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, excluding any extraordinary or non-recurring gain (or extraordinary or non-recurring loss) realized during such period by any member of the Consolidated Group plus (ii) the Consolidated Group Pro Rata Share of the net income (or loss) of each Unconsolidated Affiliate for such period determined in accordance with GAAP, excluding any extraordinary or non-recurring gain (or extraordinary or non-recurring loss) realized during such period by such Unconsolidated Affiliate.
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Consolidated Subsidiaries means, as to any Person, all Subsidiaries of such Person that are consolidated with such Person for financial reporting purposes under GAAP.
Consolidated Tangible Net Worth means, as of any date of determination, for the Consolidated Group on a consolidated basis, (a) Shareholders Equity of the Consolidated Group on that date, minus (b) the Intangible Assets of the Consolidated Group on that date, plus (c) accumulated depreciation expense on the assets of the Consolidated Group on that date determined in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Total Indebtedness means, as at any date of determination, the sum of (i) the aggregate amount of all Indebtedness of the Consolidated Group that would be reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of the Consolidated Group as of such date prepared in accordance with GAAP plus (ii) the Consolidated Group Pro Rata Share of the aggregate amount of all Indebtedness of each Unconsolidated Affiliate that would be reflected on a balance sheet of such Unconsolidated Affiliate prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Total Secured Indebtedness means, as at any date of determination, the sum of (i) the aggregate amount of all Secured Indebtedness of the Consolidated Group (other than Indebtedness outstanding under this Agreement) that would be reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of the Consolidated Group as of such date prepared in accordance with GAAP plus (ii) the Consolidated Group Pro Rata Share of the aggregate amount of all Secured Indebtedness of each Unconsolidated Affiliate that would be reflected on a balance sheet of such Unconsolidated Affiliate prepared in accordance with GAAP.
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 each of the following: (a) a Borrowing and (b) an L/C Credit Extension.
Creditor Parties means, collectively, (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) the Lenders, (c) the L/C Issuer, (d) the Hedge Banks, (e) each co-agent or sub-agent appointed by the Administrative Agent from time to time pursuant to Section 9.05, (f) any Lender (or any Affiliate of a Lender) in its capacity as a provider of any treasury management services to, for the benefit of or otherwise in respect of a Loan Party (including, without limitation, treasury management services consisting of intraday credit, Automated Clearing House (ACH) services, foreign exchange services, overdrafts and zero balance arrangements), and (g) the other Persons the Obligations owing to which are or are purported to be secured by the Collateral under the terms of the Collateral Documents.
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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) when used with respect to Obligations other than Letter of Credit Fees, an interest rate equal to (i) the Base Rate plus (ii) the Applicable Rate for Base Rate Loans plus (iii) 2% per annum; and (b) when used with respect to Letter of Credit Fees, a rate equal to the Applicable Rate for Letter of Credit Fees plus 2% per annum. If the Default Rate is imposed as a result of the occurrence of a Specified Event of Default, the Applicable Rate for Base Rate Loans and for Letter of Credit Fees for purposes of this definition shall be determined based on Pricing Level 1 of the pricing grid set forth in the definition of Applicable Rate (without regard to the Consolidated Leverage Ratio).
Defaulting Lender means, subject to Section 2.17(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 or participations in respect of Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans, within three Business Days of the date required to be funded by it hereunder, unless such obligation is the subject of a good faith dispute, (b) has notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any Lender that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations or has made a public statement 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, provided that any such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender under this clause (c) upon receipt of confirmation by the Administrative Agent in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that such Lender 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, or (iii) 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.
Disposed Portfolio Property means, as of any date of determination, any Portfolio Property that is directly or indirectly disposed of by any member of the Consolidated Group to a Person that is not a member of the Consolidated Group during the then most recently ended fiscal quarter of the REIT for which financial statements have been provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.
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Disposition or Dispose means the sale, transfer, license, lease (other than a real estate lease entered into in the ordinary course of business) 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.
Economic Sanctions Laws means any and all laws, judgments, orders, executive orders, decrees, ordinances, rules, regulations, statutes, case law or treaties applicable to a Loan Party, its Subsidiaries or Affiliates relating to economic sanctions and terrorism financing, including any applicable provisions of the Trading with the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. App. §§ 5(b) and 16, as amended), the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, (50 U.S.C. §§ 1701-1706, as amended) and Executive Order 13224 (effective September 24, 2001), as amended.
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)).
Eligible Portfolio Properties means, collectively, the Initial Eligible Portfolio Properties and any other Portfolio Property that is included in the Borrowing Base in accordance with Section 2.18(b) which, in each case, at all times satisfies each of the Borrowing Base Eligibility Criteria listed in clauses (iii) through (x) of Section 2.18(b).
Embargoed Person means any party that (i) is publicly identified on the most current list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons published by the U.S. Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) or (ii) resides, is organized or chartered, or has a place of business in a country or territory that is the subject of OFAC sanctions programs.
Environment means ambient air, indoor air, surface water, groundwater, drinking water, soil, surface and subsurface strata, and natural resources such as wetlands, flora and fauna.
Environmental Laws means any and all Federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution or the protection of the Environment or of human health (to the extent related to exposure to Hazardous Materials), including those relating to the manufacture, generation, handling, transport, storage, treatment, Release or threat of Release of Hazardous Materials.
Environmental Liability means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries 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
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Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
Environmental Permit means any permit, approval, identification number, license or other authorization required under any Environmental Law.
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 a Pension Plan, or 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; (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; or (i) a failure by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to meet all applicable requirements under the Pension Funding Rules in respect of a Pension Plan, whether or not waived, or the failure by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan.
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Eurodollar Rate means:
(a) for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the rate per annum equal to (i) the British Bankers Association LIBOR Rate (BBA LIBOR), as published by Reuters (or such other commercially available source providing quotations of BBA LIBOR as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two London Banking Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for Dollar deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period or (ii) if such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period shall be the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the rate at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in same day funds in the approximate amount of the Eurodollar Rate Loan being made, continued or converted by Bank of America and with a term equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered by Bank of Americas London Branch to major banks in the London interbank eurodollar market at their request at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two London Banking Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period; and
(b) for any interest calculation with respect to a Base Rate Loan on any date, the rate per annum equal to (i) BBA LIBOR, at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time determined two London Banking Days prior to such date for Dollar deposits being delivered in the London interbank market for a term of one month commencing that day or (ii) if such published rate is not available at such time for any reason, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the rate at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the date of determination in same day funds in the approximate amount of the Base Rate Loan being made or maintained and with a term equal to one month would be offered by Bank of Americas London Branch to major banks in the London interbank Eurodollar market at their request at the date and time of determination.
Eurodollar Rate Loan means a Revolving Credit Loan that bears interest at a rate based on clause(a) of the definition of Eurodollar Rate.
Event of Default has the meaning specified in Section 8.01.
Excess Recourse Debt Amount means, at any time, the greater of (i) the aggregate amount of all Recourse Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) of the REIT and its Subsidiaries at such time, minus $20,000,000 and (ii) $0.
Excluded Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of the Borrower that (i) does not own all or any portion of any Eligible Portfolio Property, (ii) does not, directly or indirectly, own all or any portion of the Equity Interests of any Subsidiary that owns an Eligible Portfolio Property and (iii) is (v) an Excluded TRS Subsidiary, (w) an Immaterial Subsidiary, (x) a Subsidiary in which the Borrower and/or its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries directly, indirectly or beneficially own more than 50% but less than 75% of the Equity Interests of such
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Subsidiary having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or members of any other governing body of such Subsidiary, (y) a borrower or guarantor of Secured Indebtedness (or a direct or indirect parent of such borrower or guarantor (other than the Borrower or the REIT)), and the terms of such Secured Indebtedness prohibit such Subsidiary from becoming a Guarantor or (z) a CFC that is unable to become a Guarantor without, in the reasonable judgment of the REIT, causing adverse tax consequences to the Consolidated Group.
Excluded Taxes means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Documents, (a) taxes imposed on or measured by its overall net income (however denominated), and franchise taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income taxes), by a jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) as a result of such recipient being organized or having its principal office in such jurisdiction or, in the case of any Lender, in having its applicable Lending Office in such jurisdiction, (b) any taxes in the nature of the branch profits tax within the meaning of Section 884 of the Code imposed by any jurisdiction described in clause (a), (c) other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower under Section 10.13, any United States federal withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such Person pursuant to any Laws in effect at the time such Person becomes a party hereto (or designates a new Lending Office), except to the extent that such Person (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new Lending Office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from any Loan Party with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 3.01(a)(ii) or (c), (d) any withholding tax that is attributable to such Persons failure to comply with Section 3.01(e) hereto, and (e) any United States federal withholding tax that would not have been imposed but for a failure by a Lender (or any financial institution through which any payment is made to such Lender) to comply with the procedures, certifications, information reporting, disclosure, or other related requirements of Sections 1471-1474 of the Code and any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable.
Excluded TRS Subsidiary means (a) a TRS Subsidiary; provided that such TRS Subsidiary does not own any assets or conduct any business or operations, other than its ownership of all of the Equity Interests of a Hotel Lessee Subsidiary and activities ancillary or incidental thereto or (b) a Hotel Lessee Subsidiary, in each case if, in the reasonable judgment of the REIT, the Guarantee of the Obligations by such Person would cause adverse tax consequences to the Consolidated Group.
FASB ASC means the Accounting Standards Codification of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.
Federal Funds Rate means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) charged to Bank of America on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent.
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Fee Letter means the letter agreement, dated November 3, 2010, among the REIT, Bank of America, MLPF&S, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC.
FRB means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.
Fronting Exposure means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to the L/C Issuer, such Defaulting Lenders Applicable Percentage of the outstanding L/C Obligations other than L/C Obligations as to which such Defaulting Lenders participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof, and (b) with respect to the Swing Line Lender, such Defaulting Lenders Applicable Percentage of Swing Line Loans other than Swing Line Loans as to which such Defaulting Lenders participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof.
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.
Funds From Operations means, with respect to any fiscal period and without double counting, an amount equal to the Consolidated Net Income (or deficit), excluding gains (or losses) from sales of property, plus depreciation and amortization and after adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures; provided that for purposes of complying with Section 7.06(d), Funds From Operations shall exclude impairment charges, charges from the early extinguishment of indebtedness and other non-cash charges as evidenced by a certification of a Responsible Officer of the REIT containing calculations in reasonable detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Adjustments for unconsolidated partnerships and joint ventures will be calculated to reflect Funds From Operations on the same basis. Except as otherwise expressly set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, Funds From Operations shall be reported in accordance with the NAREIT Policy Bulletin dated April 5, 2002, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
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).
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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.
Guarantors means, collectively, (i) the REIT and (ii) each Subsidiary of the REIT listed on Schedule I (which schedule includes all Subsidiaries of the REIT (other than the Borrower) that are not Excluded Subsidiaries on the Closing Date) and each other Subsidiary of the REIT that becomes a guarantor of the Obligations in accordance with Section 6.12(b), in each case to the extent such Subsidiary is not released from its guarantee of the Obligations by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement or the Guaranty Agreement.
Guaranty Agreement means the Continuing Guaranty made by the Guarantors in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, substantially in the form of Exhibit G.
Hazardous Materials means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, natural gas, natural gas liquids, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, toxic mold, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances, wastes, chemicals, pollutants, contaminants or compounds of any nature in any form regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.
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Hedge Bank means any Person that, at the time it enters into an interest rate Swap Contract permitted under Section 7.01, is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, in its capacity as a party to such interest rate Swap Contract.
Hotel Lessee Subsidiary means a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of a TRS Subsidiary that (i) is the lessee of a Hotel Property owned by one or more Guarantors, (ii) does not conduct any business or operations, other than acting as lessee and operator of such Hotel Property and activities incidental or ancillary thereto, (iii) is not an obligor with respect to any Indebtedness and (iv) does not have any Liens encumbering any of its property, assets or revenues other than Permitted Judgment Liens and Liens permitted under Section 7.01 (other than clauses (g), (j) and (k) of Section 7.01).
Hotel Property means a Portfolio Property that is (i) operated by or on behalf of one or more Affiliated Investors as a hotel and (ii) designated as a Hotel Property in a written notice executed by a Responsible Officer of the REIT and delivered to the Administrative Agent.
Hotel Property Mortgageability Amount means, as of any date, the maximum amount of Total Revolving Credit Outstandings that could be outstanding on such date such that the ratio of (i) the aggregate Mortgageability Cash Flow from all Hotel Properties that are Eligible Portfolio Properties as of such date to (ii) the Implied Hotel Property Debt Service of such Total Revolving Credit Outstandings would equal 1.75 to 1.00.
Immaterial Subsidiary means, as of any date, any Subsidiary of the Borrower (i) whose assets, when taken together with the assets of all other Subsidiaries of the Borrower that are designated as Immaterial Subsidiaries in accordance with clause (ii) of this definition, have an aggregate book value of less than $20,000,000 and (ii) is designated as an Immaterial Subsidiary in a written notice executed by a Responsible Officer of the REIT and delivered to the Administrative Agent.
Implied Hotel Property Debt Service means, as of any date with respect to the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings on such date, an imputed annual amount of principal and interest that would be due on such Total Revolving Credit Outstandings if such Total Revolving Credit Outstandings were a fully amortizing loan with equal monthly payments of principal and interest over a period of twenty-five years at a per annum interest rate equal to the greater of (i) three percent (3.00%) in excess of the then most-recently published annual yield to maturity of the U.S. Treasury Constant Maturity Series with a ten (10) year maturity, as such yield is reported on such date in the Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 Selected Interest Rates, or any successor publication, published by the FRB in effect on the date of calculation and (ii) 7.50%.
Implied Non-Hotel Property Debt Service means, as of any date with respect to the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings on such date, an imputed annual amount of principal and interest that would be due on such Total Revolving Credit Outstandings if such Total Revolving Credit Outstandings were a fully amortizing loan with equal monthly payments of principal and interest over a period of thirty years at a per annum interest rate equal to the
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greater of (i) three percent (3.00%) in excess of the then most-recently published annual yield to maturity of the U.S. Treasury Constant Maturity Series with a ten (10) year maturity, as such yield is reported on such date in the Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 Selected Interest Rates, or any successor publication, published by the FRB in effect on the date of calculation and (ii) 7.50%.
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:
(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;
(b) the maximum amount of all direct or contingent obligations of such Person arising under letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers acceptances and similar instruments (including bank guaranties, surety bonds, comfort letters, keep-well agreements and capital maintenance agreements), in each case to the extent such instruments or agreements support financial, rather than performance, obligations;
(c) net obligations of such Person under any Swap Contract;
(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);
(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;
(f) all Attributable Indebtedness in respect of Capitalized Leases and Synthetic Lease Obligations of such Person and all Synthetic Debt of such Person;
(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, 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
(h) all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.
For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of the REIT or any Subsidiary thereof shall include the Consolidated Group Pro Rata Share of the foregoing items and components thereof attributable to Indebtedness of Unconsolidated Affiliates. 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 Capitalized 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.
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Indemnified Taxes means all Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.
Indemnitees has the meaning specified in Section 10.04(b).
Information has the meaning specified in Section 10.07.
Initial Eligible Portfolio Properties means those Portfolio Properties set forth on Schedule II hereto.
Initial Public Offering means the issuance by the REIT of its common Equity Interests in an underwritten primary public offering (other than a public offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-8) pursuant to an effective registration statement filed with the SEC in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933.
Initial Revolver Maturity Date means January , 2014.
Intangible Assets means assets that are considered to be intangible assets under GAAP, including customer lists, goodwill, computer software, copyrights, trade names, trademarks, patents, franchises, licenses, unamortized deferred charges, unamortized debt discount and capitalized research and development costs.
Interest Payment Date means, (a) as to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and the Maturity Date; provided, however, that if any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Rate Loan exceeds three months, the respective dates that fall every three months after the beginning of such Interest Period shall also be Interest Payment Dates; and (b) as to any Base Rate Loan or Swing Line Loan, the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date.
Interest Period means, as to each Eurodollar Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date such Eurodollar Rate Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Rate Loan and ending on the date one, two, three or six months thereafter, as selected by the Borrower in its Loan Notice; provided that:
(a) any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day;
(b) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and
(c) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date.
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Investment means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect (a) investment by such Person, consisting of (i) the purchase or other acquisition of Equity Interests or other securities of another Person or (ii) a loan, advance, other extension of credit 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, (b) purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of assets of another Person that constitute a business unit or all or a substantial part of the business of, such Person or (c) purchase, acquisition or other investment in any real property or real property-related assets (including, without limitation, mortgage loans and other real estate-related debt investments, investments in unimproved land holdings and Portfolio Properties, and costs to construct real property assets under development). 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.
IP Rights has the meaning specified in Section 5.17.
IRS means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
ISP means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the International Standby Practices 1998 published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, Inc. (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).
Issuer Documents means with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Application, and any other document, agreement and instrument entered into by the L/C Issuer and the Borrower (or any Subsidiary) or in favor of the L/C Issuer and relating to such Letter of Credit.
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.
L/C Advance means, with respect to each Lender, such Lenders funding of its participation in any L/C Borrowing in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.
L/C Borrowing means an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on the date when made or refinanced as a Revolving Credit Borrowing.
L/C Credit Extension means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the increase of the amount thereof.
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L/C Issuer means Bank of America in its capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, or any successor issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder.
L/C Obligations means, at any date of determination, the aggregate amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all Unreimbursed Amounts, including all L/C Borrowings. For purposes of computing the amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06. For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be outstanding in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.
Lender has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto and, as the context requires, includes the Swing Line Lender.
Lending Office means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender described as such in such Lenders Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
Letter of Credit means any standby letter of credit issued hereunder.
Letter of Credit Application means an application and agreement for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit in the form from time to time in use by the L/C Issuer.
Letter of Credit Expiration Date means the day that is seven days prior to the Maturity Date then in effect (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day).
Letter of Credit Fee has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(i).
Letter of Credit Sublimit means, at any time, an amount equal to twenty percent (20%) of the Aggregate Commitments at such time. The Letter of Credit Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Aggregate Commitments.
Lien means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, easement, right-of-way or other encumbrance on title to real property, 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, 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 in the form of a Revolving Credit Loan or a Swing Line Loan.
Loan Documents means, collectively, (a) this Agreement, (b) the Notes, (c) the Guaranty Agreement, (d) the Collateral Documents, (e) the Fee Letter and (f) each Issuer Document.
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Loan Notice means a notice of (a) a Revolving Credit Borrowing, (b) a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or (c) a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, pursuant to Section 2.02(a), which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A.
Loan Parties means, collectively, the Borrower and each Guarantor.
London Banking Day means any day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.
Material Adverse Effect means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, assets, properties, liabilities (actual or contingent) or condition (financial or otherwise) of the REIT or the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (b) a material adverse effect on the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document, or of the ability of the REIT or the Borrower and the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, to perform their obligations under any Loan Document; or (c) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against any Loan Party of any Loan Document to which it is a party.
Material Contract means, with respect to any Person, each contract to which such Person is a party involving aggregate consideration payable to or by such Person of $25,000,000 or more in any year or otherwise material to the business, condition (financial or otherwise), operations, performance, properties or prospects of such Person.
Maturity Date means later of (i) the Initial Revolving Maturity Date and (ii) if the Initial Revolver Maturity Date is extended pursuant to Section 2.14, such extended maturity date as determined pursuant to such Section; provided, however, that, in each case, if such date is not a Business Day, the Maturity Date shall be the next preceding Business Day.
MLPF&S means Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and its successors.
Moodys means Moodys Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.
Mortgageability Amount means, as of any date, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Hotel Property Mortgageabilty Amount on such date, plus (ii) the Non-Hotel Property Mortgageability Amount on such date.
Mortgageability Cash Flow means (a) as of any time with respect to any Eligible Portfolio Property owned by one or more Affiliated Investors for at least four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, an amount equal to (i) the Portfolio Property Net Operating Income for such Portfolio Property for the then most recently ended four fiscal quarter period of the REIT for which financial statements have been provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, minus (ii) the Annual Capital Expenditure Adjustment for such Eligible Portfolio Property at such time and (b) as of any time with respect to any Eligible Portfolio Property owned by one or more Affiliated Investors for less than four full fiscal quarters in which financial statements have been provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, an amount equal to (i) the
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Portfolio Property Net Operating Income for such Portfolio Property for the then most recently ended fiscal quarter of the REIT for which financial statements have been provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b), (or, if prior to the first delivery of such financial statements or if such Eligible Portfolio Property has not been owned by one or more Affiliated Investors for an entire fiscal quarter covered in any such financial statements, as set forth in the then most recent financial statements delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders containing a full fiscal quarter of Portfolio Property Net Operating Income for such Eligible Portfolio Property under prior ownership), multiplied by four, minus (ii) the Annual Capital Expenditure Adjustment for such Eligible Portfolio Property at such time.
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.
Net Cash Proceeds means (a) with respect to any issuance and sale by the REIT of any its Equity Interests, the excess of (i) the sum of the cash and Cash Equivalents received by the REIT in connection with such issuance and sale, less (ii) underwriting discounts and commissions, and other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel), incurred by the REIT in connection with such issuance or sale and (b) with respect to any Disposition by the REIT or a Subsidiary thereof, the excess, if any, of (i) the sum of cash and Cash Equivalents received in connection with such transaction over (ii) the sum of (A) the principal amount of any Indebtedness incurred prior to the Closing Date (or, in the case of any asset acquired by the REIT or a Subsidiary thereof after the Closing Date, the principal amount of any Indebtedness incurred on or prior to the date of the acquisition of such asset) that is secured by the applicable asset and that is required to be repaid in connection with such transaction, (B) the expenses incurred by the REIT or such Subsidiary in connection with such transaction and (C) income taxes reasonably estimated to be actually payable within one year of the date of the relevant transaction as a result of any gain recognized in connection therewith.
New Lender Joinder has the meaning specified in Section 2.15(c).
Newly-Acquired Portfolio Property means, as of any date of determination, any Portfolio Property acquired by any member of the Consolidated Group from a Person that was not a member of the Consolidated Group during the then most recently ended two consecutive fiscal quarter period of the REIT.
Non-Hotel Property means a Portfolio Property that is not a Hotel Property.
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Non-Hotel Property Mortgageability Amount means, as of any date, the maximum amount of Total Revolving Credit Outstandings that could be outstanding on such date such that the ratio of (i) the aggregate Mortgageability Cash Flow from all Non-Hotel Properties that are Eligible Portfolio Properties as of such date to (ii) the Implied Non-Hotel Property Debt Service of such Total Revolving Credit Outstandings would equal 1.50 to 1.00.
Non-Recourse Indebtedness means Indebtedness of a Person that is not Recourse Indebtedness.
Non-Stabilized Portfolio Property means, as of any date of determination, any Portfolio Property (i) that was previously (but is no longer) under development and in which an Investment was made by the REIT or a Subsidiary thereof after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 7.03(e) and (ii) in respect of which the Stabilization Date has not occurred on or prior to such date.
Note means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of a Lender evidencing Revolving Credit Loans or Swing Line Loans, as the case may be, made by such Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit C.
NPL means the National Priorities List under CERCLA.
Obligations means, collectively, (i) all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Loan Party arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan, Letter of Credit or Secured Hedge Agreement, in each case 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 any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof 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 and (ii) all indebtedness, liabilities, duties and obligations of any Loan Party arising out of any Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender providing treasury management services to, for the benefit of or otherwise in respect of such Loan Party, including, without limitation, intraday credit, Automated Clearing House (ACH) services, foreign exchange services, overdrafts and zero balance arrangements, and any instruments, agreements or other documents executed in connection therewith.
OFAC has the meaning set forth in the definition of Embargoed Person.
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.
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Other Taxes means any and all present or future stamp or documentary Taxes or any other excise, property or similar Taxes 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.
Outstanding Amount means (a) with respect to any Revolving Credit Loan or Swing Line Loan, as applicable, on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of such Revolving Credit Loan or Swing Line Loan, as the case may be, occurring on such date; and (b) with respect to any L/C Obligations on any date, the amount of such L/C Obligations on such date after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension occurring on such date and any other changes in the aggregate amount of the L/C Obligations as of such date, including as a result of any reimbursements by the Borrower of Unreimbursed Amounts.
Pacific Stonecrest means Pacific Stonecrest Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
Participant has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(d).
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 such related rules, as and set forth in Sections 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.
Perfection Certificate shall mean a certificate in the form of Exhibit I-1 or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent, as the same shall be supplemented from time to time by a Perfection Certificate Supplement or otherwise.
Perfection Certificate Supplement shall mean a certificate supplement in the form of Exhibit I-2 or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
Permitted Holders means Ernest S. Rady and the Rady Affiliates.
Permitted Investments means Investments by the REIT, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries made pursuant to Section 7.03(b)(iii), (c), (d), or (e).
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Permitted Judgment Liens means Liens permitted under Section 7.01(g) (solely to the extent the aggregate amount of the judgments secured by such Liens under Section 7.01(g) encumbering Portfolio Properties included in the Borrowing Base, Collateral, Equity Interests of the Borrower owned by the REIT, and Equity Interests of Pacific Stonecrest, Broadway 225 Stonecrest, Broadway 225 Sorrento and Excluded TRS Subsidiaries does not exceed $10,000,000.
Person means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.
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.
Platform has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.
Pledge Agreement means the Pledge Agreement between the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit H.
Portfolio Property means any real property owned by a Subsidiary of the Borrower.
Portfolio Property Net Operating Income means, with respect to any Portfolio Property for any period, an amount equal to (i) the aggregate gross revenues from the operation of such Portfolio Property from tenants in occupancy and paying rent during such period (or, in the case of a Hotel Property, from the operation of such Portfolio Property during such period), minus (ii) all expenses and other proper charges incurred during such period in connection with the operation of such Portfolio Property (including accruals for real estate taxes and insurance, but excluding any management fees, debt service charges, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and other non-cash expenses), which expenses and accruals shall be calculated in accordance with GAAP.
Predecessor means a combination of certain real estate entities which include American Assets, Inc. and controlling and non-controlling interests in 21 retail, office, multifamily and mixed-use operating properties and certain land parcels.
Public Lender has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.
Rady Affiliates shall mean (i) all lineal descendants of Ernest S. Rady and all spouses and adopted children of Ernest S. Rady and such descendants; (ii) all trusts for the benefit of any person described in clause (i) and trustees of such trusts; (iii) all legal representatives of any person or trust described in clause (i) or (ii); and (iv) all partnerships, corporations, limited liability companies or other entities Controlling, Controlled by or under common Control with Ernest S. Rady or any person, trust or other entity described in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii).
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Real Estate Investment Trust means any Person that qualifies as a real estate investment trust under Sections 856 through 860 of the Code.
Recourse Indebtedness means Indebtedness, or any Guarantee or credit support of any kind with respect to any Indebtedness (including any undertaking, indemnity, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness), in respect of which recourse for payment (except for customary exceptions for fraud, misrepresentation, misapplication of cash, waste, environmental claims and liabilities, prohibited transfers, violations of single purpose entity covenants, and other circumstances customarily excluded by institutional lenders from exculpation provisions and/or included in separate guaranty or indemnification agreements in non-recourse or tax-exempt financings of real estate, including those set forth on Schedule III) is to any Loan Party.
Register has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(c).
Related Parties means, with respect to any Person, such Persons Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees and advisors of such Person and of such Persons Affiliates.
Release means any release, spill, emission, discharge, deposit, disposal, leaking, pumping, pouring, dumping, emptying, injection or leaching into the Environment, or into, from or through any building, structure or facility.
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) with respect to a Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Revolving Credit Loans, a Loan Notice, (b) with respect to an L/C Credit Extension, a Letter of Credit Application, and (c) with respect to a Swing Line Loan, a Swing Line Loan Notice.
Required Lenders means, as of any date of determination, at least two Lenders holding more than 50% of the sum of the (a) Total Revolving Credit Outstandings (with the aggregate amount of each Lenders risk participation and funded participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans being deemed held by such Lender for purposes of this definition) and (b) aggregate unused Commitments; provided that the unused Commitment of, and the portion of the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders.
Responsible Officer means the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer or controller of a Loan Party and solely for purposes of the delivery of incumbency certificates pursuant to Section 4.01, the secretary or any assistant secretary of a Loan Party. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.
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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 any Person or any of its Subsidiaries, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such capital stock or other Equity Interest, or on account of any return of capital to any Persons stockholders, partners or members (or the equivalent of any thereof).
Revolving Credit Borrowing means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Revolving Credit Loans of the same Type and, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01(b).
Revolving Credit Loan has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.
S&P means Standard & Poors Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor thereto.
SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.
Section 2.10(b) Termination Date has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.10(b).
Secured Hedge Agreement means any interest rate Swap Contract permitted under Section 7.02 that is entered into by and between any Loan Party and any Hedge Bank.
Secured Indebtedness means, with respect to any Person, all Indebtedness of such Person that is secured by a mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, encumbrance, security interest or other Lien.
Secured Total Asset Value means, as of any time for the Consolidated Group, the sum of (i) Total Asset Value, (ii) all cash and Cash Equivalents owned by the Consolidated Group and (iii) the Consolidated Group Pro Rata Share of all cash and Cash Equivalents owned by Unconsolidated Affiliates, in each case at such time.
Shareholders Equity means, as of any date of determination, consolidated shareholders equity of the Consolidated Group as of that date determined in accordance with GAAP.
Significant Subsidiary means, as of any date, any one or more Excluded Subsidiaries whose assets have an aggregate book value that is greater than five percent (5.00%) of the aggregate book value of the assets of the Consolidated Group.
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Solvent and Solvency mean, with respect to any Person on any date of determination, that on such date (a) the fair value of the property of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of such Person, (b) the present fair salable value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (c) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Persons ability to pay such debts and liabilities as they mature, (d) such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which such Persons property would constitute an unreasonably small capital, and (e) such Person is able to pay its debts and liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the ordinary course of business. The amount of contingent liabilities at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in the light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.
Solvency Certificate means a Solvency Certificate of the chief financial officer of the REIT substantially in the form of Exhibit J.
Specified Event of Default means an Event of Default arising (i) under Section 8.01(a) or (f) or (ii) as a result of the Borrowers failure to comply with any of the covenants contained in Section 7.11.
Stabilization Date means, with respect to any Portfolio Property under development in which an Investment was made by the REIT or a Subsidiary thereof pursuant to Section 7.03(e) and subsequent to such Investment the construction of such Portfolio Property has been substantially completed, the date that is the earlier of (i) the last day of the first full fiscal quarter of the REIT following substantial completion of such construction for which financial statements have been provided to the Administrative and the Lenders and in which Portfolio Property Net Operating Income of such Portfolio Property for such fiscal quarter is greater than $0 and (ii) the last day of the second full fiscal quarter of the REIT following substantial completion of such construction in which financial statements have been provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.
Stabilized Portfolio Property means, as of any date of determination, any Portfolio Property (i) that was previously (but is no longer) under development and in which an Investment was made by the REIT or a Subsidiary thereof after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 7.03(e) and (ii) in respect of which the Stabilization Date has occurred on or prior to such date.
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 REIT.
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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).
Swing Line Borrowing means a borrowing of a Swing Line Loan pursuant to Section 2.04.
Swing Line Lender means Bank of America in its capacity as provider of Swing Line Loans, or any successor swing line lender hereunder.
Swing Line Loan has the meaning specified in Section 2.04(a).
Swing Line Loan Notice means a notice of a Swing Line Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.04(b), which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit B.
Swing Line Sublimit means, at any time, an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the Aggregate Commitments at such time. The Swing Line Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Aggregate Commitments.
Synthetic Debt means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination thereof, all obligations of such Person in respect of transactions entered into by such Person that are intended to function primarily as a borrowing of funds (including any minority interest transactions that function primarily as a borrowing) but are not otherwise included in the definition of Indebtedness or as a liability on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.
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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 (including sale and leaseback transactions), in each case, creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the application of any Debtor Relief Laws to 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.
Threshold Amount means $35,000,000.
Total Asset Value means, as of any time for the Consolidated Group, without duplication, (a) an amount equal (i) to the sum of the Portfolio Property Net Operating Income of each Portfolio Property owned by the Consolidated Group for the then most recently ended fiscal quarter of the REIT for which financial statements have been provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (excluding each Disposed Portfolio Property, each Newly-Acquired Portfolio Property and each Non-Stabilized Portfolio Property), divided by the Applicable Capitalization Rate for each such Portfolio Property, multiplied by (ii) four, plus (b) the acquisition cost paid by the applicable member(s) of the Consolidated Group for each Newly-Acquired Portfolio Property, plus (c) the aggregate book value of all Permitted Investments owned by the Consolidated Group at such time, plus (d) the Consolidated Group Pro Rata Share of each of the items referenced in clauses (a) through (c) of this definition (and the components thereof) to the extent relating to Portfolio Properties, or Permitted Investments, as applicable, owned by Unconsolidated Affiliates; provided, that for purposes of Section 7.03(b)(iii), (b)(iv), (c), (d) and (e), Total Asset Value shall also include all cash and Cash Equivalents owned by the Consolidated Group at such time.
Total Revolving Credit Outstandings means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Revolving Credit Loans, Swing Line Loans and L/C Obligations.
TRS Subsidiary means a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the REIT that is a taxable REIT subsidiary under Section 856(l) of the Code.
Type means, with respect to a Revolving Credit Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Rate Loan.
UCC means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York; provided that, if perfection or the effect of perfection or non-perfection or the priority of any security interest in any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, UCC means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection, effect of perfection or non-perfection or priority.
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Unconsolidated Affiliate means, at any date, any Person (x) in which the Consolidated Group, directly or indirectly, holds an Equity Interest, which investment is accounted for in the consolidated financial statements of the Consolidated Group on an equity basis of accounting and (y) whose financial results are not consolidated with the financial results of the Consolidated Group under GAAP.
United States and U.S. mean the United States of America.
Unreimbursed Amount has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c)(i).
Unrestricted Cash Amount means, as of any date, an amount equal to the greater of (a) the excess of (i) the aggregate amount of cash and Cash Equivalents of the Consolidated Group on such date that are not subject to any pledge, Lien or control agreement (excluding statutory Liens in favor of any depositary bank where such cash is maintained), minus (ii) the sum of (x) $15,000,000, plus (y) amounts included in the foregoing clause (i) that are held in the name of, or in the possession or control of a Person (other than any possession or control by such Person arising solely from such Person acting in its capacity as a depository or financial intermediary for, or on behalf of, a member of the Consolidated Group) that is not the REIT, the Borrower or any their respective Subsidiaries as deposits or security for contractual obligations plus (z) the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings on such date and (b) $0.
Waikiki Condominium Documents means, collectively, the following documents and other items with respect to the Waikiki Hotel Property: (i) the Declaration of Condominium Property Regime of Beach Walk, dated November 10, 2005, as amended, (ii) Plans of the Beach Walk Condominium Property, (iii) Condominium File Plan No. 4113, (iv) Land Court Condominium Map No. 1757, (v) the Condominium By-Laws, (vi) Agreement for Joint Development and Restrictive Covenant Regarding Lanai Enclosures (Waikiki Beach Walk; Planned Development Resort) dated January 19, 2005, February 1, 2005, March 28, 2005, April 5, 2005 and April 6, 2005, (vii) Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions For Waikiki Beach Walk, dated January 19, 2005 and March 28, 2005 and (viii) Declaration of Lewers Street Redevelopment Area Covenants dated January 19, 2005 and March 28, 2005.
Waikiki Embassy Suites Franchise License Agreement means the Franchise License Agreement, dated as of , 2011, between Waikiki Embassy Suites Franchise Licensor and WBW Hotel Lessee.
Waikiki Embassy Suites Franchise License Comfort Letter means that certain letter agreement, dated as of January , 2011, among Waikiki Embassy Suites Franchise Licensor, WBW Hotel Lessee and the Administrative Agent relating to the pledge provided in favor of the Administrative Agent of Equity Interests of certain of the owners of the Waikiki Hotel Property.
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Waikiki Embassy Suites Franchise Licensor means Embassy Suites Franchise LLC.
Waikiki Hotel Documents means, collectively, the Waikiki Condominium Documents, the Waikiki Embassy Suites Franchise License Agreement, the Waikiki Embassy Suites Franchise License Comfort Letter, the Waikiki Lease Agreement, the Waikiki Lease Side Letter, the Waikiki Tenancy-In-Common Agreement and the Waikiki Management Agreement.
Waikiki Hotel Owners means, collectively, EBW Hotel LLC, a Hawaii limited liability company, Waikele Venture Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Broadway 225 Sorrento and Broadway 225 Stonecrest.
Waikiki Hotel Property means the Hotel Property located at 201 Beachwalk Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815 known as Embassy Suites at Waikiki Beach Walk.
Waikiki Lease Agreement means the Lease Agreement, dated as of January , 2011, between WBW Hotel Lessee and the Waikiki Hotel Owners.
Waikiki Lease Side Letter means the letter agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Waikiki Hotel Owners, WBW Hotel Lessee and the Administrative Agent relating to the Waikiki Lease Agreement.
Waikiki Management Agreement means the Hotel Management Agreement, dated as of January 10, 2006, as amended by the First Amendment to Hotel Management Agreement, dated as of , between WBW Hotel Lessee and Outrigger Hotels Hawaii.
Waikiki Tenancy-In-Common Agreement means the Tenancy-In-Common Agreement, dated as of , as amended by the First Amendment to Tenancy-In-Common Agreement, dated as of , among the Waikiki Hotel Owners.
WBW Hotel Lessee means WBW Hotel Lessee, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
Wholly Owned Subsidiary shall mean, as to any Person, (a) any corporation 100% of whose Equity Interests (other than directors qualifying shares) is at the time owned by such Person and/or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such person and (b) any partnership, association, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity in which such Person and/or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person have a 100% equity interest at such time.
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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 Persons 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, Preliminary Statements, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Preliminary Statements, 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 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 Audited Financial Statements, 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 Consolidated Group 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.
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(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.
(c) Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. All references herein to consolidated financial statements of the REIT and its Subsidiaries or the Consolidated Group or to the determination of any amount for the REIT and its Subsidiaries or the Consolidated Group on a consolidated basis or any similar reference shall, in each case, be deemed to include each variable interest entity that the REIT or the Consolidated Group, as applicable, is required to consolidate pursuant to FASB ASC 810 as if such variable interest entity were a Subsidiary as defined herein.
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. Letter of Credit Amounts. Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided, however, that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Issuer Document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.
ARTICLE II
THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS
2.01. The Revolving Credit Borrowings. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender severally agrees to make loans (each such loan, a Revolving Credit Loan) to the Borrower from time to time, on any Business Day during the Availability
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Period, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of such Lenders Commitment; provided, however, that after giving effect to any Revolving Credit Borrowing, (i) the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings shall not exceed the lesser of (x) the Adjusted Borrowing Base at such time and (y) the Aggregate Commitments and (ii) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Revolving Credit Loans of any Lender, plus such Lenders Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, plus such Lenders Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans shall not exceed such Lenders Commitment. Within the limits of each Lenders Commitment, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.01, prepay under Section 2.05, and reborrow under this Section 2.01. Revolving Credit Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Rate Loans, as further provided herein.
2.02. Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans.
(a) Each Revolving Credit Borrowing, each conversion of Revolving Credit Loans from one Type to the other, and each continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be made upon the Borrowers irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone. Each such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) three Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans or of any conversion of Eurodollar Rate Loans to Base Rate Loans, and (ii) on the requested date of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans. 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 Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. Each Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $3,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Except as provided in Sections 2.03(c) and 2.04(c), each Borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $300,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof. Each Loan Notice (whether telephonic or written) shall specify (i) whether the Borrower is requesting a Revolving Credit Borrowing, a conversion of Revolving Credit Loans from one Type to the other, or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, (ii) the requested date of the Borrowing, conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans to be borrowed, converted or continued, (iv) the Type of Revolving Credit Loans to be borrowed or to which existing Revolving Credit Loans are to be converted, and (v) if applicable, the duration of the Interest Period with respect thereto. If the Borrower fails to specify a Type of Revolving Credit Loan in a Loan Notice or if the Borrower fails to give a timely notice requesting a conversion or continuation, then the applicable Revolving Credit Loans shall be made as, or converted to, Base Rate Loans. Any such automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the applicable Eurodollar Rate Loans. If the Borrower requests a Borrowing of, conversion to, or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans in any such Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Swing Line Loan may not be converted to a Eurodollar Rate Loan.
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(b) Following receipt of a Loan Notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of its Applicable Percentage of the applicable Revolving Credit Loans, and if no timely notice of a conversion or continuation is provided by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the details of any automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans described in Section 2.02(a). Each Lender shall make the amount of its Revolving Credit Loan available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agents Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in the applicable 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 Bank of America 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; provided, however, that if, on the date a Loan Notice with respect to a Revolving Credit Borrowing is given by the Borrower, there are L/C Borrowings outstanding, then the proceeds of such Revolving Credit Borrowing, first, shall be applied to the payment in full of any such L/C Borrowings, and second, shall be made available to the Borrower as provided above.
(c) Except as otherwise provided herein, a Eurodollar Rate Loan may be continued or converted only on the last day of an Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate Loan. During the existence of a Default, no Loans may be requested as, converted to or continued as Eurodollar Rate Loans without the consent of the Required Lenders.
(d) The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the interest rate applicable to any Interest Period for Eurodollar Rate Loans upon determination of such interest rate. At any time that Base Rate Loans are outstanding, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of any change in Bank of Americas prime rate used in determining the Base Rate promptly following the public announcement of such change.
(e) After giving effect to all Revolving Credit Borrowings, all conversions of Revolving Credit Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Revolving Credit Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than five (5) Interest Periods in effect in respect of the Revolving Credit Loans.
2.03. Letters of Credit.
(a) The Letter of Credit Commitment. (i) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (A) the L/C Issuer agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the Lenders set forth in this Section 2.03, (1) from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Closing Date until the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, to issue Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, and to amend or extend Letters of Credit previously issued by it, in accordance with Section 2.03(b), and (2) to honor drawings under the Letters of Credit; and (B) the Lenders severally agree to participate in Letters of Credit issued for the account of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries and any drawings thereunder;
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provided that after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension with respect to any Letter of Credit, (x) the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings shall not exceed the lesser of the (1) the Adjusted Borrowing Base at such time and (2) the Aggregate Commitments, (y) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Revolving Credit Loans of any Lender, plus such Lenders Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, plus such Lenders Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans shall not exceed such Lenders Commitment, and (z) the Outstanding Amount of the L/C Obligations shall not exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit. Each request by the Borrower for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be a representation by the Borrower that the L/C Credit Extension so requested complies with the conditions set forth in the proviso to the preceding sentence. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Borrowers ability to obtain Letters of Credit shall be fully revolving, and accordingly the Borrower may, during the foregoing period, obtain Letters of Credit to replace Letters of Credit that have expired or that have been drawn upon and reimbursed.
(ii) The L/C Issuer shall not issue any Letter of Credit if, subject to Section 2.03(b)(iii), the expiry date of the requested Letter of Credit would occur more than twelve months after the date of issuance or last extension, unless the Required Lenders have approved such expiry date.
(iii) The L/C Issuer shall not be under any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if:
(A) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the L/C Issuer from issuing the Letter of Credit, or any Law applicable to the L/C Issuer or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the L/C Issuer shall prohibit, or request that the L/C Issuer refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or the Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer with respect to the Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the L/C Issuer is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon the L/C Issuer any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing Date and which the L/C Issuer in good faith deems material to it;
(B) the issuance of the Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the L/C Issuer applicable to letters of credit generally;
(C) except as otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer, the Letter of Credit is in an initial stated amount less than $100,000;
(D) the Letter of Credit is to be denominated in a currency other than Dollars; or
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(E) any Lender is at that time a Defaulting Lender, unless the L/C Issuer has entered into arrangements, including the delivery of Cash Collateral, satisfactory to the L/C Issuer (in its sole discretion) with the Borrower or such Lender to eliminate the L/C Issuers actual or potential Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.17(a)(iv)) with respect to the Defaulting Lender arising from either the Letter of Credit then proposed to be issued or that Letter of Credit and all other L/C Obligations as to which the L/C Issuer has actual or potential Fronting Exposure, as it may elect in its sole discretion.
(iv) The L/C Issuer shall not amend any Letter of Credit if the L/C Issuer would not be permitted at such time to issue the Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof.
(v) The L/C Issuer shall be under no obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if (A) the L/C Issuer would have no obligation at such time to issue the Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof, or (B) the beneficiary of the Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to the Letter of Credit.
(vi) The L/C Issuer shall act on behalf of the Lenders with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith, and the L/C Issuer shall have all of the benefits and immunities (A) provided to the Administrative Agent in Article IX with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by the L/C Issuer in connection with Letters of Credit issued by it or proposed to be issued by it and Issuer Documents pertaining to such Letters of Credit as fully as if the term Administrative Agent as used in Article IX included the L/C Issuer with respect to such acts or omissions, and (B) as additionally provided herein with respect to the L/C Issuer.
(b) Procedures for Issuance and Amendment of Letters of Credit; Auto-Extension Letters of Credit. (i) Each Letter of Credit shall be issued or amended, as the case may be, upon the request of the Borrower delivered to the L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) in the form of a Letter of Credit Application, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. Such Letter of Credit Application must be received by the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. at least two Business Days (or such later date and time as the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer may agree in a particular instance in their sole discretion) prior to the proposed issuance date or date of amendment, as the case may be. In the case of a request for an initial issuance of a Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the L/C Issuer: (A) the proposed issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (B) the amount thereof; (C) the expiry date thereof; (D) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof; (E) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (F) the full text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (G) the purpose and nature of the requested Letter of Credit; and (H) such other matters as the L/C Issuer may require. In the case of a request for an amendment of any outstanding Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the L/C Issuer (1) the Letter of Credit to be amended; (2) the proposed date of amendment thereof (which shall be a Business Day); (3) the nature of the proposed amendment; and (4) such other matters as the L/C Issuer may require. Additionally, the Borrower shall furnish to the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent such other documents and information pertaining to such requested Letter of Credit issuance or amendment, including any Issuer Documents, as the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent may require.
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(ii) Promptly after receipt of any Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has received a copy of such Letter of Credit Application from the Borrower and, if not, the L/C Issuer will provide the Administrative Agent with a copy thereof. Unless the L/C Issuer has received written notice from any Lender, the Administrative Agent or any Loan Party, at least one Business Day prior to the requested date of issuance or amendment of the applicable Letter of Credit, that one or more applicable conditions contained in Article IV shall not then be satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the L/C Issuer shall, on the requested date, issue a Letter of Credit for the account of the Borrower (or the applicable Subsidiary) or enter into the applicable amendment, as the case may be, in each case in accordance with the L/C Issuers usual and customary business practices. Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the L/C Issuer a risk participation in such Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the product of such Lenders Applicable Percentage times the amount of such Letter of Credit.
(iii) If the Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the L/C Issuer may, in its sole discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic extension provisions (each, an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit); provided that any such Auto-Extension Letter of Credit must permit the L/C Issuer to prevent any such extension at least once in each twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the Non-Extension Notice Date) in each such twelve-month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued. Unless otherwise directed by the L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the L/C Issuer for any such extension. Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the L/C Issuer to permit the extension of such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than the Letter of Credit Expiration Date; provided, however, that the L/C Issuer shall not permit any such extension if (A) the L/C Issuer has determined that it would not be permitted, or would have no obligation at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its revised form (as extended) under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisions of clause (ii) or (iii) of Section 2.03(a) or otherwise), or (B) it has received notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is seven Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date (1) from the Administrative Agent that the Required Lenders have elected not to permit such extension or (2) from the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied, and in each such case directing the L/C Issuer not to permit such extension.
(iv) Promptly after its delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to an advising bank with respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, the L/C Issuer will also deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment.
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(v) If the expiry date of any Letter of Credit would occur after the Maturity Date, the Borrower hereby agrees that it will at least thirty (30) days prior to the Maturity Date (or, in the case of a Letter of Credit issued or extended on or after thirty (30) days prior to the Maturity Date, on the date of such issuance or extension, as applicable) Cash Collateralize such Letter of Credit.
(c) Drawings and Reimbursements; Funding of Participations. (i) Upon receipt from the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit of any notice of a drawing under such Letter of Credit, the L/C Issuer shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent thereof. Not later than 11:00 a.m. on the date of any payment by the L/C Issuer under a Letter of Credit (each such date, an Honor Date), the Borrower shall reimburse the L/C Issuer through the Administrative Agent in an amount equal to the amount of such drawing. If the Borrower fails to so reimburse the L/C Issuer by such time, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the Honor Date, the amount of the unreimbursed drawing (the Unreimbursed Amount), and the amount of such Lenders Applicable Percentage thereof. In such event, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Revolving Credit Borrowing of Base Rate Loans to be disbursed on the Honor Date in an amount equal to the Unreimbursed Amount, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified in Section 2.02 for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject to the amount of the unutilized portion of the Commitments and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than the delivery of a Loan Notice). Any notice given by the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(i) may be given by telephone if immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.
(ii) Each Lender shall upon any notice pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) make funds available (and the Administrative Agent may apply Cash Collateral provided for this purpose) for the account of the L/C Issuer at the Administrative Agents Office in an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the Unreimbursed Amount not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in such notice by the Administrative Agent, whereupon, subject to the provisions of Section 2.03(c)(iii), each Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Loan to the Borrower in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the L/C Issuer.
(iii) With respect to any Unreimbursed Amount that is not fully refinanced by a Revolving Credit Borrowing of Base Rate Loans because the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 cannot be satisfied or for any other reason, the Borrower shall be deemed to have incurred from the L/C Issuer an L/C Borrowing in the amount of the Unreimbursed Amount that is not so refinanced, which L/C Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the Default Rate. In such event, each Lenders payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(ii) shall be deemed payment in respect of its participation in such L/C Borrowing and shall constitute an L/C Advance from such Lender in satisfaction of its participation obligation under this Section 2.03.
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(iv) Until each Lender funds its Revolving Credit Loan or L/C Advance pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) to reimburse the L/C Issuer for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit, interest in respect of such Lenders Applicable Percentage of such amount shall be solely for the account of the L/C Issuer.
(v) Each Lenders obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans or L/C Advances to reimburse the L/C Issuer for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, as contemplated by this Section 2.03(c), shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the L/C Issuer, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided, however, that each Lenders obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than delivery by the Borrower of a Loan Notice ). No such making of an L/C Advance shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the L/C Issuer for the amount of any payment made by the L/C Issuer under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as provided herein.
(vi) If any Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.03(c) by the time specified in Section 2.03(c)(ii), then, without limiting the other provisions of this Agreement, the L/C Issuer shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the L/C Issuer at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the L/C Issuer in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the L/C Issuer in connection with the foregoing. If such Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Lenders Loan included in the relevant Borrowing or L/C Advance in respect of the relevant L/C Borrowing, as the case may be. A certificate of the L/C Issuer submitted to any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this Section 2.03(c)(vi) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(d) Repayment of Participations. (i) At any time after the L/C Issuer has made a payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any Lender such Lenders L/C Advance in respect of such payment in accordance with Section 2.03(c), if the Administrative Agent receives for the account of the L/C Issuer any payment in respect of the related Unreimbursed Amount or interest thereon (whether directly from the Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of Cash Collateral applied thereto by the Administrative Agent), the Administrative Agent will distribute to such Lender its Applicable Percentage thereof in the same funds as those received by the Administrative Agent.
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(ii) If any payment received by the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) is required to be returned under any of the circumstances described in Section 10.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the L/C Issuer in its discretion), each Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer its Applicable Percentage thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned by such Lender, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
(e) Obligations Absolute. The obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the L/C Issuer for each drawing under each Letter of Credit and to repay each L/C Borrowing shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances, including the following:
(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of Credit, this Agreement, or any other Loan Document;
(ii) the existence of any claim, counterclaim, setoff, defense or other right that the Borrower or any Subsidiary may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the L/C Issuer or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or by such Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating thereto, or any unrelated transaction;
(iii) any draft, demand, certificate or other document presented under such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; or any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under such Letter of Credit;
(iv) any payment by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment made by the L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit to any Person purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law; or
(v) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, including any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
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The Borrower shall promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit and each amendment thereto that is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of noncompliance with the Borrowers instructions or other irregularity, the Borrower will immediately notify the L/C Issuer. The Borrower shall be conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against the L/C Issuer and its correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.
(f) Role of L/C Issuer. Each Lender and the Borrower agree that, in paying any drawing under a Letter of Credit, the L/C Issuer shall not have any responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight draft, certificates and documents expressly required by the Letter of Credit) or to ascertain or inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the authority of the Person executing or delivering any such document. None of the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the L/C Issuer shall be liable to any Lender for (i) any action taken or omitted in connection herewith at the request or with the approval of the Lenders or the Required Lenders, as applicable; (ii) any action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct; or (iii) the due execution, effectiveness, validity or enforceability of any document or instrument related to any Letter of Credit or Issuer Document. The Borrower hereby assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of any Letter of Credit; provided, however, that this assumption is not intended to, and shall not, preclude the Borrowers pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other agreement. None of the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the L/C Issuer shall be liable or responsible for any of the matters described in clauses (i) through (v) of Section 2.03(e); provided, however, that anything in such clauses to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower may have a claim against the L/C Issuer, and the L/C Issuer may be liable to the Borrower, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by the Borrower which the Borrower proves were caused by the L/C Issuers willful misconduct or gross negligence or the L/C Issuers willful failure to pay under any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it by the beneficiary of a sight draft and certificate(s) strictly complying with the terms and conditions of a Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the L/C Issuer may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and the L/C Issuer shall not be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason.
(g) Applicability of ISP. Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the L/C Issuer and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued, the rules of the ISP shall apply to such Letter of Credit.
(h) Letter of Credit Fees. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender in accordance with its Applicable Percentage a Letter of Credit fee (the Letter of Credit Fee) for each Letter of Credit equal to the Applicable Rate times the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit; provided, however, any Letter
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of Credit Fees otherwise payable for the account of a Defaulting Lender with respect to any Letter of Credit as to which such Defaulting Lender has not provided Cash Collateral satisfactory to the L/C Issuer pursuant to this Section 2.03 shall be payable, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law, to the other Lenders in accordance with the upward adjustments in their respective Applicable Percentages allocable to such Letter of Credit pursuant to Section 2.17(a)(iv), with the balance of such fee, if any, payable to the L/C Issuer for its own account. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06. Letter of Credit Fees shall be (i) due and payable on the last Business Day after the end of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and thereafter on demand and (ii) computed on a quarterly basis in arrears. If there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the daily amount available to be drawn under each Letter of Credit shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Specified Event of Default or, upon request of the Required Lenders while any other Event of Default exists, all Letter of Credit Fees shall accrue at the Default Rate.
(i) Fronting Fee and Documentary and Processing Charges Payable to L/C Issuer. The Borrower shall pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own account a fronting fee with respect to each Letter of Credit, at the rate per annum equal to 0.125%, computed on the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit on a quarterly basis in arrears. Such fronting fee shall be due and payable on the tenth Business Day after the end of each March, June, September and December in respect of the most recently-ended quarterly period (or portion thereof, in the case of the first payment), commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and thereafter on demand. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06. In addition, the Borrower shall pay directly to the L/C Issuer for its own account the customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of the L/C Issuer relating to letters of credit as from time to time in effect. Such customary fees and standard costs and charges are due and payable on demand and are nonrefundable.
(j) Conflict with Issuer Documents. In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Issuer Document, the terms hereof shall control.
(k) Letters of Credit Issued for Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding that a Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder is in support of any obligations of, or is for the account of, a Subsidiary, the Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse the L/C Issuer hereunder for any and all drawings under such Letter of Credit. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of the Borrower, and that the Borrowers business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Subsidiaries.
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2.04. Swing Line Loans.
(a) The Swing Line. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swing Line Lender agrees that it, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Lenders set forth in this Section 2.04, may, in its sole discretion, make loans (each such loan, a Swing Line Loan) 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 the Swing Line Sublimit, notwithstanding the fact that such Swing Line Loans, when aggregated with the Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Credit Loans and L/C Obligations of the Lender acting as Swing Line Lender, may exceed the amount of such Lenders Commitment; provided, however, that after giving effect to any Swing Line Loan, (i) the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings shall not exceed the lesser of (x) the Adjusted Borrowing Base at such time and (y) the Aggregate Commitments, and (ii) for each Lender other than the Swing Line Lender, the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Revolving Credit Loans of such Lender at such time, plus such Lenders Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations at such time, plus such Lenders Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all Swing Line Loans at such time shall not exceed such Lenders Commitment, and provided further that the Borrower shall not use the proceeds of any Swing Line Loan to refinance any outstanding Swing Line Loan. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.04, prepay under Section 2.05, and reborrow under this Section 2.04. Each Swing Line Loan shall bear interest only at a rate based on the Base Rate. Immediately upon the making of a Swing Line Loan, each Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the Swing Line Lender a risk participation in such Swing Line Loan in an amount equal to the product of such Lenders Applicable Percentage times the amount of such Swing Line Loan.
(b) Borrowing Procedures. Each Swing Line Borrowing shall be made upon the Borrowers irrevocable notice to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone. Each such notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. on the requested borrowing date, and shall specify (i) the amount to be borrowed, which shall be a minimum of $300,000, and (ii) the requested borrowing date, which shall be a Business Day. Each such telephonic notice must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent of a written Swing Line Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. Promptly after receipt by the Swing Line Lender of any telephonic Swing Line Loan Notice, the Swing Line Lender will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has also received such Swing Line Loan Notice and, if not, the Swing Line Lender will notify the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) of the contents thereof. Unless the Swing Line Lender has received notice (by telephone or in writing) from the Administrative Agent (including at the request of any Lender) prior to 2:00 p.m. on the date of the proposed Swing Line Borrowing (A) directing the Swing Line Lender not to make such Swing Line Loan as a result of the limitations set forth in the first proviso to the first sentence of Section 2.04(a), or (B) that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Article IV is not then satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swing Line Lender will, not later than 3:00 p.m. on the borrowing date specified in such Swing Line Loan Notice, make the amount of its Swing Line Loan available to the Borrower at its office by crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of the Swing Line Lender in immediately available funds.
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(c) Refinancing of Swing Line Loans. (i) The Swing Line Lender at any time in its sole and absolute discretion may request, on behalf of the Borrower (which hereby irrevocably authorizes the Swing Line Lender to so request on its behalf), that each Lender make a Base Rate Loan in an amount equal to such Lenders Applicable Percentage of the amount of Swing Line Loans then outstanding. Such request shall be made in writing (which written request shall be deemed to be a Loan Notice for purposes hereof) and in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.02, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified therein for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject to the unutilized portion of the Aggregate Commitments and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02. The Swing Line Lender shall furnish the Borrower with a copy of the applicable Loan Notice promptly after delivering such notice to the Administrative Agent. Each Lender shall make an amount equal to its Applicable Percentage of the amount specified in such Loan Notice available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds (and the Administrative Agent may apply Cash Collateral available with respect to the applicable Swing Line Loan) for the account of the Swing Line Lender at the Administrative Agents Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on the day specified in such Loan Notice, whereupon, subject to Section 2.04(c)(ii), each Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Loan to the Borrower in such amount. The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the Swing Line Lender.
(ii) If for any reason any Swing Line Loan cannot be refinanced by such a Revolving Credit Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.04(c)(i), the request for Base Rate Loans submitted by the Swing Line Lender as set forth herein shall be deemed to be a request by the Swing Line Lender that each of the Lenders fund its risk participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan and each Lenders payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender pursuant to Section 2.04(c)(i) shall be deemed payment in respect of such participation.
(iii) If any Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.04(c) by the time specified in Section 2.04(c)(i), the Swing Line Lender shall be entitled to recover from such Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the Swing Line Lender at a rate per annum equal to the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Swing Line Lender in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Swing Line Lender in connection with the foregoing. If such Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Lenders Loan included in the relevant Borrowing or funded participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan, as the case may be. A certificate of the Swing Line Lender submitted to any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (iii) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
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(iv) Each Lenders obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans or to purchase and fund risk participations in Swing Line Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the Swing Line Lender, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided, however, that each Lenders obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02. No such funding of risk participations shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to repay Swing Line Loans, together with interest as provided herein.
(d) Repayment of Participations. (i) At any time after any Lender has purchased and funded a risk participation in a Swing Line Loan, if the Swing Line Lender receives any payment on account of such Swing Line Loan, the Swing Line Lender will distribute to such Lender its Applicable Percentage thereof in the same funds as those received by the Swing Line Lender.
(ii) If any payment received by the Swing Line Lender in respect of principal or interest on any Swing Line Loan is required to be returned by the Swing Line Lender under any of the circumstances described in Section 10.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Swing Line Lender in its discretion), each Lender shall pay to the Swing Line Lender its Applicable Percentage thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned, at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate. The Administrative Agent will make such demand upon the request of the Swing Line Lender. The obligations of the Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
(e) Interest for Account of Swing Line Lender. The Swing Line Lender shall be responsible for invoicing the Borrower for interest on the Swing Line Loans. Until each Lender funds its Base Rate Loan or risk participation pursuant to this Section 2.04 to refinance such Lenders Applicable Percentage of any Swing Line Loan, interest in respect of such Applicable Percentage shall be solely for the account of the Swing Line Lender.
(f) Payments Directly to Swing Line Lender. The Borrower shall make all payments of principal and interest in respect of the Swing Line Loans directly to the Swing Line Lender.
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2.05. Prepayments.
(a) Optional. (i) The Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent (which notice, in the case of a termination of the full amount of the Aggregate Commitments and prepayment of all Loans in connection therewith, may state that it is conditioned on the Borrower receiving proceeds of other financing, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by providing notice to the Administrative Agent) if such financing is not received by the Borrower on or prior to the proposed termination date of the Aggregate Commitments), at any time or from time to time voluntarily prepay Revolving Credit Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (A) such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (1) three Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of Eurodollar Rate Loans and (2) on the date of prepayment of Base Rate Loans; (B) any prepayment of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $3,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof; and (C) any prepayment of Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $300,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof or, in each case, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding. Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the Type(s) of Loans to be prepaid and, if Eurodollar Rate Loans are to be prepaid, the Interest Period(s) of such Loans. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of each such notice, and of the amount of such Lenders ratable portion of such prepayment (based on such Lenders Applicable Percentage). 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. Any prepayment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05. Subject to Section 2.17, each such prepayment shall be paid to the Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages.
(ii) The Borrower may, upon notice to the Swing Line Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at any time or from time to time, voluntarily prepay Swing Line Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (A) such notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. on the date of the prepayment, and (B) any such prepayment shall be in a minimum principal amount of $300,000. Each such notice shall specify the date and amount 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) Mandatory. (i) If for any reason the sum of the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings at any time exceeds the lesser of (A) the Adjusted Borrowing Base at such time and (B) the Aggregate Commitments then in effect, the Borrower shall immediately prepay Revolving Credit Loans, Swing Line Loans and L/C Borrowings and/or Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (other than the L/C Borrowings) in an aggregate amount equal to such excess.
(ii) Prepayments made pursuant to this Section 2.05(b), Section 2.18(c) or Section 2.18(d), first, shall be applied ratably to the L/C Borrowings and the Swing Line Loans, second, shall be applied ratably to the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans, and, third, shall be used to Cash Collateralize the remaining L/C Obligations. Upon the drawing of any Letter of Credit that has been Cash Collateralized, the funds held as Cash Collateral shall be applied (without any further action by or notice to or from the Borrower or any other Loan Party) to reimburse the L/C Issuer or the Lenders, as applicable.
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2.06. Termination or Reduction of Commitments.
(a) Optional. The Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, terminate the Aggregate Commitments, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit, or from time to time permanently reduce the Aggregate Commitments, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit; 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 (which notice, in the case of a termination of the full amount of the Aggregate Commitments, may state that it is conditioned on the Borrower receiving proceeds of other financing, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by providing notice to the Administrative Agent) if such financing is not received by the Borrower on or prior to the proposed termination date of the Aggregate Commitments), (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 (A) the Aggregate Commitments if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings would exceed the lesser of (1) the Adjusted Borrowing Base at such time and (2) the Aggregate Commitments (as so reduced), (B) the Letter of Credit Sublimit if, after giving effect thereto, the Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations not fully Cash Collateralized hereunder would exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit, or (C) the Swing Line Sublimit if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Outstanding Amount of Swing Line Loans would exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit.
(b) Application of Commitment Reductions; Payment of Fees. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Lenders of any termination or reduction of the Letter of Credit Sublimit, Swing Line Sublimit or the Aggregate Commitments under this Section 2.06. Upon any reduction of the Aggregate Commitments, the Commitment of each Lender shall be reduced by such Lenders Applicable Percentage of such reduction amount. All fees in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility accrued until the effective date of any termination of the Revolving Credit Facility shall be paid on the effective date of such termination.
2.07. Repayment of Loans.
(a) Revolving Credit Loans. The Borrower shall repay to the Lenders on the Maturity Date the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans outstanding on such date.
(b) Swing Line Loans. The Borrower shall repay each Swing Line Loan on the earlier to occur of (i) the date five Business Days after such Swing Line Loan is made and (ii) the Maturity Date.
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2.08. Interest.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.08(b), (i) each Eurodollar Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Rate; (ii) each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate; and (iii) each Swing Line Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate applicable to Base Rate Loans.
(b) (i) While any Specified Event of Default exists, or upon the request of the Required Lenders while any other 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.
(ii) 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.
2.09. Fees. In addition to certain fees described in Sections 2.03(h) and (i) and Section 2.14(b).
(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 (the Commitment Fee) equal to the Applicable Fee Rate times the actual daily amount by which the Aggregate Commitments exceeds the sum of (i) the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Credit Loans (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, Swing Line Loans) and (ii) the Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.17. 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. The commitment fee shall be calculated quarterly in arrears, and if there is any change in the Applicable Fee Rate during any quarter, the actual daily amount shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Fee Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Fee Rate was in effect.
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(b) Other Fees. (i) The Borrower shall pay to the Arrangers and the Administrative Agent for their own respective accounts fees in the amounts and at the times specified in the Fee Letter. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.
(ii) The Borrower shall pay to the Lenders such fees as shall have been separately agreed upon in writing in the amounts and at the times so specified. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.
2.10. Computation of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Rate.
(a) All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans (including Base Rate Loans determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate) shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which may result 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 2.12(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.
(b) If, as a result of any restatement of or other adjustment to the financial statements of the Consolidated Group or for any other reason, the Borrower or the Lenders determine that (i) the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as calculated by the REIT as of any applicable date was inaccurate and (ii) a proper calculation of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio would have resulted in higher pricing for such period, the Borrower shall immediately and retroactively be obligated to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, promptly on demand by the Administrative Agent (or, after 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, automatically and without further action by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer), an amount equal to the excess of the amount of interest and fees that should have been paid for such period over the amount of interest and fees actually paid for such period. This paragraph shall not limit the rights of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, under Section 2.03(c)(iii), 2.03(h) or 2.08(b) or under Article VIII. The Borrowers obligations under this paragraph shall survive for a period of nine (9) months following the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment of all other Obligations hereunder (the last day of such nine-month period being referred to herein as the Section 2.10(b) Termination Date); provided, that if after the Section 2.10(b) Termination Date it is discovered that there was an inaccuracy in the calculation of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio for a period ending prior to the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and repayment in full of the Obligations, and such inaccuracy (x) resulted from the gross
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negligence, willful misconduct or fraud of the REIT and (y) gives rise to obligations under this Section 2.10(b), then such obligations of the Borrower under this paragraph shall nevertheless survive the Section 2.10(b) Termination Date and shall be due and payable by the Borrower on the date of discovery of such inaccuracy.
2.11. 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 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 written 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 Lenders 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.
(b) In addition to the accounts and records referred to in Section 2.11(a), each Lender and the Administrative Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Lender of participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by the Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any Lender in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.
2.12. Payments Generally; Administrative Agents 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 Agents 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 Lenders 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 on computing interest or fees, as the case may be.
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(b) (i) Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing of Eurodollar Rate Loans (or, in the case of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, prior to 12:00 noon on the date of such Borrowing) that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lenders share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.02 (or, in the case of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, 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 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 Base Rate 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 Lenders 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 time at which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer 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 or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, 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 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 Revolving Credit 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 Revolving Credit Loans, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line 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, to fund any such participation 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, to purchase its participation 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 Revolving Credit 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.
(f) Insufficient Funds. If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, L/C Borrowings, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, toward payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, toward payment of principal and L/C Borrowings then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and L/C Borrowings then due to such parties.
2.13. Sharing of Payments by Lenders. If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of (a) Obligations due and payable to such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time in excess of its ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such Obligations due and payable to such Lender at such time to (ii) the aggregate amount of the Obligations due and payable to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time) of payments on account of the Obligations due and payable to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time obtained by all the Lenders at such time or (b) Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time in excess of its ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to such Lender at such time to (ii) the aggregate amount of the Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Parties at such time) of payment on account of the Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time obtained by all of the Lenders at such time then the Lender
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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 and subparticipations in L/C Obligations and Swing Line 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 Obligations then due and payable to the Lenders or owing (but not due and payable) to the Lenders, as the case may be, 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), (y) the application of Cash Collateral provided for in Section 2.16, or (z) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or subparticipations in L/C Obligations or Swing Line Loans to any assignee or participant, other than an assignment to the REIT, 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.
2.14. Extension of Maturity Date.
(a) Requests for Extension. The Borrower may, by written notice to the Administrative Agent (such notice, an Extension Notice) not earlier than 120 days and not later than 30 days prior to the Initial Revolver Maturity Date, request that the Lenders extend the Maturity Date for an additional twelve (12) months from the Initial Maturity Date. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such Extension Notice promptly to the Lenders following its receipt thereof.
(b) Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness of Maturity Date Extension. As conditions precedent to such extension, the Borrower shall, on or prior to the Initial Revolver Maturity Date, satisfy each of the following requirements for such extension to become effective:
(i) The Administrative Agent shall have received an Extension Notice within the period required under clause (a) above;
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(ii) On the date of such Extension Notice and both immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such extension of the Maturity Date, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
(iii) The Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent, for the pro rata benefit of the Lenders based on their respective Applicable Percentage as of such date, an extension fee in an amount equal to 0.35% of the Aggregate Commitments as in effect on the Initial Revolver Maturity Date (it being agreed that such Extension Fee shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason); and
(iv) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of each Loan Party dated as of the Initial Revolver Maturity Date signed by a Responsible Officer of such Loan Party (i) certifying and attaching the resolutions adopted by such Loan Party approving or consenting to such extension and (ii) in the case of the Borrower, certifying that, before and after giving effect to such extension, (A) the representations and warranties contained in Article V and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Initial Revolver Maturity Date, except (x) to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct as of such earlier date, (y) any representation or warranty that is already by its terms qualified as to materiality, Material Adverse Effect or similar language shall be true and correct in all respects as of such date after giving effect to such qualification and (z) for purposes of this Section 2.14, 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 subsections (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01, and (B) no Default exists.
(c) Increase in Applicable Capitalization Rate. If the Borrower requests an extension of the Maturity Date in accordance with the provisions of clause (a) of this Section 2.14, then, at the request of the Required Lenders, each of the percentages set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) of the definition of Applicable Capitalization Rate may be increased by up to 0.50%, on a one-time basis, effective as of the Initial Revolver Maturity Date. Any such increase of one or more of such percentages shall be reasonably determined by the Required Lenders on the basis of then current market conditions and data. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower of any increase in any of the percentages set forth in the definition of Applicable Capitalization Rate within fifteen (15) Business Days following the Administrative Agents and Lenders receipt of the Extension Notice; provided, that if the Extension Notice is received by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders less than forty-five (45) days prior to the Initial Revolver Maturity Date, then the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower of any such increases in such percentages within ten (10) Business Days following the Administrative Agents and Lenders receipt of the Extension Notice. In the event the Required Lenders request to increase any of the percentages set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) of the definition of Applicable Capitalization Rate, then the Borrower may withdraw its Extension Notice by providing written notice of such withdrawal to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders; provided, that any such notice of withdrawal must be
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received by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders no later than thirty (30) days prior to the Initial Revolver Maturity Date (and if such notice of withdrawal is received by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders after such date, it shall not be an effective withdrawal).
2.15. Increase in Commitments.
(a) Request for Increase. Provided there exists no Default, upon written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower may from time to time request an increase in the Aggregate Commitments by an amount (in the aggregate for all such requests) not exceeding $150,000,000; provided that (i) any such request for an increase shall be in a minimum amount of $25,000,000, (ii) the Borrower may make a maximum of three such requests and (iii) the written consent of the Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) shall be required for any such increase in the Aggregate Commitments. If the Administrative Agent consents to the Borrowers request for an increase in the Aggregate Commitments, the Administrative Agent shall promptly inform the Lenders of such request made by the Borrower. On or prior to the time that the Administrative Agent informs the Lenders of the Borrowers request for an increase in the Aggregate Commitments, the Borrower (in consultation with the Administrative Agent) shall specify the time period within which each Lender is requested to respond (which shall in no event be less than ten Business Days from the date of delivery of such notice to the Lenders).
(b) Lender Elections to Increase. Each Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent within such time period whether or not it agrees to increase its Commitment and, if so, whether by an amount equal to, greater than, or less than its Applicable Percentage of such requested increase. Any Lender not responding within such time period shall be deemed to have declined to increase its Commitment.
(c) Notification by Administrative Agent; Additional Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and each Lender of the Lenders responses to each request made hereunder. To achieve the full amount of a requested increase and subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower may also invite additional Eligible Assignees to become Lenders pursuant to a joinder agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel (a New Lender Joinder Agreement).
(d) Effective Date and Allocations. If the Aggregate Commitments are increased in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall determine the effective date (the Increase Effective Date) and the final allocation of such increase. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the final allocation of such increase and the Increase Effective Date.
(e) Conditions to Effectiveness of Increase. As conditions precedent to such increase, (i) the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of each Loan Party dated as of the Increase Effective Date (in sufficient copies for each Lender) signed by a Responsible Officer of such Loan Party (x) certifying and attaching the resolutions adopted by such Loan Party approving or consenting to such increase, and (y) in the case of the
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Borrower, certifying that, before and after giving effect to such increase, (A) the representations and warranties contained in Article V and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Increase Effective Date, except to the extent that (1) such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct as of such earlier date, (2) any representation or warranty that is already by its terms qualified as to materiality, Material Adverse Effect or similar language shall be true and correct in all respects as of such date after giving effect to such qualification and (3) that for purposes of this Section 2.15, 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, and (B) no Default exists, (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received (x) a New Lender Joinder Agreement duly executed by the Borrower and each Eligible Assignee that is becoming a Lender in connection with such increase, which New Lender Joinder Agreement shall be acknowledged and consented to in writing by the Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuer and (y) written confirmation from each existing Lender, if any, participating in such increase of the amount by which its Commitment will be increased, which confirmation shall be acknowledged and consented to in writing by the Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuer and (iii) the Borrower shall have paid to the Arrangers the fee required to be paid pursuant to the Fee Letter in connection therewith. The Borrower shall prepay any Loans outstanding on the Increase Effective Date (and pay any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05) to the extent necessary to keep the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans ratable with any revised Applicable Percentages arising from any nonratable increase in the Commitments under this Section.
(f) Conflicting Provisions. This Section shall supersede any provisions in Section 2.13 or 10.01 to the contrary.
2.16. Cash Collateral.
(a) Certain Credit Support Events. Upon the request of the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuer (i) if the L/C Issuer has honored any full or partial drawing request under any Letter of Credit and such drawing has resulted in an L/C Borrowing, or (ii) if, as of the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, any L/C Obligation for any reason remains outstanding, the Borrower shall, in each case, immediately Cash Collateralize the then Outstanding Amount of all applicable L/C Obligations. At any time that there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, immediately upon the request of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to cover all Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.17(a)(iv) and any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender). If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that any funds held as Cash Collateral are subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent or that the total amount of such funds is less than the aggregate Fronting Exposure, the Borrower will, forthwith upon demand by the Administrative Agent, pay to the Administrative Agent, as additional funds to be deposited as Cash Collateral, an amount equal to the excess of (x) such aggregate Fronting Exposure over (y) the total amount of funds, if any, then held as Cash Collateral that the Administrative Agent determines to be free and clear of any such right and claim. Upon the drawing of any Letter of Credit for which funds are on deposit as Cash Collateral, such funds shall be applied, to the extent permitted under applicable Laws, to reimburse the L/C Issuer.
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(b) Grant of Security Interest. All Cash Collateral (other than credit support not constituting funds subject to deposit) shall be maintained in blocked, interest bearing deposit accounts at Bank of America. The Borrower, and to the extent provided by any Lender, such Lender, hereby grants to (and subjects to the control of) the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders (including the Swing Line Lender), and agrees to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein, and all other property so provided as collateral pursuant hereto, and in all proceeds of the foregoing, all as security for the obligations to which such Cash Collateral may be applied pursuant to Section 2.16(c). If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the applicable Fronting Exposure and other obligations secured thereby, the Borrower or the relevant Defaulting Lender will, promptly upon demand by the Administrative Agent, pay or provide to the Administrative Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency.
(c) Application. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under any of this Section 2.16 or Sections 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.17 or 8.02 in respect of Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans shall be held and applied to the satisfaction of the specific L/C Obligations, Swing Line Loans, obligations to fund participations therein (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) and other obligations for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may be provided for herein.
(d) Release. Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce Fronting Exposure or other obligations shall be released promptly following (i) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure or other obligations giving rise thereto (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender (or, as appropriate, its assignee following compliance with Section 10.06(b)(vi))) or (ii) the Administrative Agents good faith determination that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided, however, (x) that Cash Collateral furnished by or on behalf of a Loan Party shall not be released during the continuance of a Default or Event of Default (and following application as provided in this Section 2.16 may be otherwise applied in accordance with Section 8.03), and (y) the Person providing Cash Collateral and the L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as applicable, may agree that Cash Collateral shall not be released but instead held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations.
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2.17. 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 Lenders 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 and in the definition of Required Lenders.
(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, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to the L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder; third, if so determined by the Administrative Agent or requested by the L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, to be held as Cash Collateral for future funding obligations of that Defaulting Lender of any participation in any Swing Line Loan or Letter of Credit; fourth, as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Revolving Credit Loan in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth, 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 Revolving Credit Loans under this Agreement; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, the L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lenders breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh, 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 Lenders breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth, 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 or L/C Borrowings in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share and (y) such Loans or L/C Borrowings 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, and L/C Borrowings owed to, all non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or L/C Borrowings owed to, 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 or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.17(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by that Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.
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(iii) Certain Fees. That Defaulting Lender (x) shall not be entitled to receive any commitment fee pursuant to Section 2.09(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) and (y) shall be limited in its right to receive Letter of Credit Fees as provided in Section 2.03(h).
(iv) Reallocation of Applicable Percentages to Reduce Fronting Exposure. During any period in which there is a Defaulting Lender, for purposes of computing the amount of the obligation of each non-Defaulting Lender to acquire, refinance or fund participations in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans pursuant to Sections 2.03 and 2.04, the Applicable Percentage of each non-Defaulting Lender shall be computed without giving effect to the Commitment of that Defaulting Lender; provided, that, (i) each such reallocation shall be given effect only if, at the date the applicable Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, no Default or Event of Default exists; and (ii) the aggregate obligation of each non-Defaulting Lender to acquire, refinance or fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans shall not exceed the positive difference, if any, of (1) the Commitment of that non-Defaulting Lender minus (2) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of the Loans of that Lender.
(b) Defaulting Lender Cure. If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuer 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 (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), 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 and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages (without giving effect to Section 2.17(a)(iv)), 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 Lenders having been a Defaulting Lender.
2.18. Collateral; Borrowing Base.
(a) Collateral. The obligations of the Borrower and Guarantors under the Loan Documents shall be secured by a perfected first priority security interest in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Creditor Parties, in the Collateral.
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(b) Requirements for Portfolio Properties to be Included in the Borrowing Base. Prior to any Portfolio Property being included in the Borrowing Base (and, in the case of the requirements set forth in clauses (iii) through (x) below, at all times that such Portfolio Property is included in the Borrowing Base as provided in Section 2.18(c)), each of the following requirements shall have been satisfied with respect to such Portfolio Property (such requirements being referred to herein as the Borrowing Base Eligibility Criteria):
(i) The Borrower shall have provided the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with a written request for such Portfolio Property to be admitted into the Borrowing Base, which request shall be accompanied by (w) reasonably detailed property diligence materials (including, without limitation, historical operating statements and third party reports (including, without limitation, a title report)) with respect to such Portfolio Property, (x) with respect to any Portfolio Property that has been owned by an Affiliated Investor for less than two full fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available, a calculation in reasonable detail of the acquisition cost of such Portfolio Property, (y) a description of such Portfolio Property (including, without limitation, whether such Portfolio Property is a hotel, a traditional multi-family property, a non-traditional multi-family property, an office or retail property or a multi-use property) and (z) such additional documents and information as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent (on behalf of itself or a Lender) (such written request, together with the accompanying materials specified herein, is referred to herein as the Borrowing Base Inclusion Request).
(ii) The Required Lenders shall have approved the inclusion of such Portfolio Property in the Borrowing Base; it being agreed that if any Lender fails to respond to any such approval requested in a Borrowing Base Inclusion Request within ten (10) Business Days after its receipt thereof from the Administrative Agent, such Lender shall be deemed to have approved such request.
(iii) The Affiliated Investor that owns such Portfolio Property shall be a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower and organized under the laws of the United States or any State thereof, and all of the Equity Interests of such Affiliated Investor (together with all of the Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower that owns Equity Interests of such Affiliated Investor) are pledged as Collateral in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Creditor Parties, pursuant to the Collateral Documents; provided, that in the case of the Waikiki Hotel Property, the Equity Interests of Pacific Stonecrest, Broadway 225 Stonecrest and Broadway 225 Sorrento shall not be required to be pledged as Collateral so long as (1) the Secured Indebtedness of the Subsidiaries of Pacific Stonecrest existing on the Closing Date remains outstanding, and such Secured Indebtedness expressly prohibits a pledge of such Equity Interests, (2) Broadway 225 Stonecrest does not at any time own more than 9.40% of the Waikiki Hotel Property, (3) Broadway 225 Sorrento does not at any time own more than 15.33% of the Waikiki Hotel Property, (4) none of Pacific Stonecrest, Broadway 225 Stonecrest nor Broadway 225 Sorrento at any time creates, incurs or suffers to exist any Indebtedness for which it is an obligor (other than their Guarantees of the Obligations) and (5) none of Pacific Stonecrest, Broadway 225 Stonecrest nor Broadway 225 Sorrento at any time creates, incurs or suffers to exist any Lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues, other than Permitted Judgment Liens and Liens permitted under Section 7.01 (other than clauses (g), (j) and (k) of Section 7.01); provided, further, that for the avoidance of doubt, any Hotel Lessee Subsidiary that has the right to use or occupy a Hotel Property pursuant to a lease with the fee owner(s) of such Hotel Property shall not be deemed to own such Hotel Property for purposes of this Section 2.18(b)(iii).
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(iv) Such Portfolio Property shall be located in the United States of America.
(v) The Affiliated Investor that owns such Portfolio Property shall be a Guarantor, and each Subsidiary of the Borrower that directly or indirectly owns any Equity Interests in such Affiliated Investor shall be a Guarantor; provided, that for the avoidance of doubt, any Hotel Lessee Subsidiary that has the right to use or occupy a Hotel Property pursuant to a lease with the fee owner(s) of such Hotel Property shall not be deemed to own such Hotel Property for purposes of this Section 2.18(b)(v).
(vi) Such Portfolio Property shall be free and clear of all negative pledges or any restrictions on the ability of the Affiliated Investor that owns such Portfolio Property to transfer or encumber such Portfolio Property, except for (1) the restrictions on Liens, assignments and transfers of assets existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 7.09 and (2) customary restrictions on Liens, assignments and transfers of assets contained in leases, licenses and other Contractual Obligations entered into in the ordinary course of business that (x) do not prevent the grant of a Lien on such Portfolio Property to secure the Obligations, (y) would not prevent a mortgagee of such Portfolio Property from transferring such Portfolio Property in the event such mortgagee were to foreclose on its Lien on such Portfolio Property and (z) do not materially impair or interfere in the use or operations of such Portfolio Property or the Administrative Agents and the Lenders rights and remedies under the Loan Documents.
(vii) The Affiliated Investor that owns such Portfolio Property shall not have any Indebtedness (other than the Obligations and other Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by such Affiliated Investor under Section 7.02) and shall not be subject to any proceedings under any Debtor Relief Law.
(viii) After giving pro forma effect to the inclusion of such Portfolio Property in the Borrowing Base, the minimum occupancy for all Portfolio Properties included in the Borrowing Base shall be at least 80%.
(ix) Such Portfolio Property shall not be subject to any ground leases or to any title, survey or other defects (other than defects constituting Liens permitted under Section 7.01(a), (b), (c), (f), (h), (i) and (m) and Permitted Judgment Liens) and all representations and warranties set forth in Section 5.09 with respect to such Portfolio Property shall be true and correct in all respects at all times.
(x) (1) There shall not exist any Lien or other encumbrance on (x) such Portfolio Property, other than Permitted Judgment Liens and Liens permitted under Section 7.01(a), (b), (c), (f), (h), (i) and (m), (y) any other assets or property of the
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Affiliated Investor that owns such Portfolio Property (including, without limitation, any income derived from such Portfolio Property), other than Liens permitted under Section 7.01 or (z) any of the Equity Interests of the Affiliated Investor that owns such Portfolio Property (or any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower that owns Equity Interests of such Affiliated Investor), including any right to receive distributions or other amounts in respect of such Equity Interests, other than Liens permitted under Section 7.01(a) or (b) and (2) additionally, in the case of the Waikiki Hotel Property, (v) there shall not be any assessment or special assessment of any kind payable by any Loan Party or Subsidiary thereof under any of the Waikiki Condominium Documents that has not been paid when due, (w) there shall not have occurred any default by any Waikiki Hotel Owner under the Waikiki Tenancy-In-Common Agreement, nor shall there be any loans made or outstanding to any Waikiki Hotel Owner as a result of a default by such Waikiki Hotel Owner under the Waikiki Tenancy-In-Common Agreement, (x) each of the Waikiki Hotel Documents (as in effect in the Closing Date) shall be, and continue to remain, in full force and effect, and no Loan Party or Subsidiary thereof shall consent to or otherwise approve any amendment, waiver or other modification to any Waikiki Hotel Document, or dispose of any of its rights or interests under any Waikiki Hotel Document, without the prior written consent of the Required Lenders, (y) the Borrower shall at all times own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the Equity Interests of WBW Hotel Lessee and (z) WBW Hotel Lessee shall (A) not at any time create, incur or suffer to exist any Indebtedness for which it is an obligor and (B) not at any time create, incur or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues other than Permitted Judgment Liens and Liens permitted under Section 7.01 (other than clauses (g), (j) and (k) of Section 7.01).
(xi) The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received a Borrowing Base Certificate presenting the Borrowers computation of the Borrowing Base after giving effect to the inclusion of such Portfolio Property in the Borrowing Base.
(xii) The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received a copy of the limited liability company operating agreement, partnership agreement, bylaws or other similar organizational documents of the Affiliated Investor who owns such Portfolio Property and each Subsidiary of the Borrower that directly or indirectly owns any Equity Interests in such Affiliated Investor, which organizational documents shall be (x) in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (y) certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as being true, correct and complete.
(xiii) The Administrative Agent shall have received such additional information regarding such Portfolio Property as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent (on behalf of itself or any Lender).
(c) Removal of Portfolio Property from the Borrowing Base as a Result of Failure to Satisfy Borrowing Base Eligibility Criteria. If, following the inclusion of any Portfolio Property in the Borrowing Base, such Portfolio Property at any time fails to satisfy any of the
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Borrowing Base Eligibility Criteria set forth in Section 2.18(b)(iii) through (x), then such Portfolio Property shall immediately be removed from the Borrowing Base. The Administrative Agent shall promptly provide the Borrower and the Lenders with notice of any such revocation. If, after giving effect to any such revocation and the removal of the applicable Portfolio Property from the Borrowing Base, the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings exceed the lesser of (i) Adjusted Borrowing Base at such time and (ii) the Aggregate Commitments, the Borrower shall immediately prepay Revolving Credit Loans, Swing Line Loans and L/C Borrowings and/or Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (other than the L/C Borrowings) in an aggregate amount equal to such excess in the manner specified in Section 2.05(b)(ii).
(d) Removal of Portfolio Properties Included in the Borrowing Base by the Borrower. A Portfolio Property may be removed from the Borrowing Base by the Borrower upon the completion of the following conditions precedent to the reasonable satisfaction of the Administrative Agent:
(i) The Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders on or prior to the date that is ten (10) Business Days prior to the date on which such release is to be effected, a written notice of its desire to remove such Portfolio Property from the Borrowing Base, together with a reasonably detailed description of the transaction contemplated to occur with respect to such Portfolio Property requiring its release (a Borrowing Base Release Notice).
(ii) If any giving effect to the release of such Portfolio Property from the Borrowing Base, there would be less than five (5) Portfolio Properties in the Borrowing Base, the Required Lenders shall have approved the removal of such Portfolio Property from the Borrowing Base; it being agreed that if any Lender fails to respond to any such approval requested in a Borrowing Base Release Notice within five (5) Business Days after its receipt thereof from the Administrative Agent, such Lender shall be deemed to have denied such request.
(iii) On or before the date that is seven (7) Business Days prior to the date of the proposed release, the Borrower shall have submitted to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the REIT certifying to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that (1) the release of such Portfolio Property from the Borrowing Base is in connection with a sale, financing or other transaction, as applicable, undertaken by a Loan Party and involving such Portfolio Property, and the removal of such Portfolio Property from the Borrowing Base is necessary or advisable to facilitate such transaction, (2) immediately after giving effect to such release, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (3) immediately after giving effect to such release, the Loan Parties are in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11 on a pro forma basis as if the removal had occurred on the last day of the then mostly recently ended fiscal quarter of the REIT (and such certificate shall contain a reasonably detailed calculation thereof) and (4) the representations and warranties of the Borrower and each other Loan Party contained in Article V or any other Loan Document, or which
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are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such release and immediately after giving effect to such release, except (i) 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, (ii) to the extent that any such representations and warranties relate to the Portfolio Property being released, (iii) any representation or warranty that is already by its terms qualified as to materiality, Material Adverse Effect or similar language shall be true and correct in all respects as of such date after giving effect to such qualification and (iv) for purposes of this Section 2.18(d), 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.
(iv) On or before the date that is five (5) Business Days prior to the date of the proposed release, the Borrower shall have submitted to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (x) a Borrowing Base Certificate giving pro forma effect to the proposed release of such Portfolio Property from the Borrowing Base. If, after giving effect to the proposed release of such Portfolio Property from the Borrowing Base, the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings would exceed the lesser of (x) the Adjusted Borrowing Base at such time and (y) the Aggregate Commitments at such time, the Borrower shall, simultaneously with or prior to the consummation of such release, prepay Revolving Credit Loans, Swing Line Loans and L/C Borrowings and/or Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (other than the L/C Borrowings) in an aggregate amount equal to such excess in the manner specified in Section 2.05(b)(ii).
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 any Loan Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without reduction or withholding for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes. If, however, applicable Laws require the applicable withholding agent to withhold or deduct any Indemnified Taxes (including Other Taxes), such Tax shall be withheld or deducted in accordance with such Laws as determined in good faith by the applicable withholding agent.
(ii) If the applicable withholding agent shall be required by applicable Laws to withhold or deduct any Taxes, from any payment, then (A) the applicable withholding agent shall withhold or make such deductions, (B) the applicable withholding agent shall timely pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Laws, and (C) to the extent the Taxes so withheld and deducted are Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after any required withholding or all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) have been made, the Administrative Agent, Lender or L/C Issuer, as the case may be, receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.
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(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Loan Parties. Without limiting or duplicating the provisions of subsection (a) above, the relevant Loan Party shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Laws.
(c) Tax Indemnifications. (i) Without limiting or duplicating 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) payable by such 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 an Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(ii) To the extent required by any applicable Law, the Administrative Agent may deduct or withhold from any payment to any Lender an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding Tax. Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) or (b) above, if any Governmental Authority asserts a claim that the Borrower or the Administrative Agent did not properly withhold Tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender (because the appropriate form was not delivered, was not properly executed or because such Lender failed to notify the Borrower or the Administrative Agent of a change in circumstances that rendered the exemption from, or reduction of, withholding Tax ineffective, or for any other reason), then each Lender shall, and does hereby, indemnify and hold harmless the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, fully for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by the Administrative Agent as Taxes or otherwise, 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), whether or not such Tax was correctly or legally asserted. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. 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.
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(d) Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable, after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes paid by a Loan Party to a Governmental Authority as provided in this Section 3.01, such Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, 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 Administrative Agent.
(e) Status of Lenders. Each Lender shall, at such times as are reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, provide the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with any documentation prescribed by Law, or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, certifying as to any entitlement of such Lender to an exemption from, or reduction in, any withholding Tax with respect to any payments to be made to such Lender under the Loan Documents. Each such Lender shall, whenever a lapse in time or change in circumstances renders such documentation expired, obsolete or inaccurate in any material respect, deliver promptly to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent updated or other appropriate documentation (including any new documentation reasonably requested by the applicable withholding agent) or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of its inability to do so. Unless the applicable withholding agent has received forms or other documents satisfactory to it indicating that payments under any Loan Document to or for a Lender are not subject to withholding tax or are subject to such Tax at a rate reduced by an applicable tax treaty, the Borrower, Administrative Agent or other applicable withholding agent shall withhold amounts required to be withheld by applicable Law from such payments at the applicable statutory rate.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:
(i) Each Lender that is a United States person (as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or before the date on which it becomes a party to this Agreement two properly completed and duly signed original copies of IRS Form W-9 (or any successor form) certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding.
(ii) Each Lender that is not a United States person (as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or before the date on which it becomes a party to this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter when required by Law or upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent) whichever of the following is applicable:
(I) two duly completed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN (or any successor forms) claiming eligibility for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States of America is a party,
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(II) two duly completed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI (or any successor forms),
(III) in the case of a Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate, in substantially the form of Exhibit K (any such certificate a United States Tax Compliance Certificate), or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent, to the effect that such Lender is not (A) a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) a 10 percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (C) a controlled foreign corporation described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, and that no payments in connection with the Loan Documents are effectively connected with such Lenders conduct of a U.S. trade or business and (y) two duly completed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN (or any successor forms),
(IV) to the extent a Lender is not the beneficial owner (for example, where the Lender is a partnership, or is a Lender that has granted a participation), IRS Form W-8IMY (or any successor forms) of the Lender, accompanied by a Form W-8ECI, W-8BEN, United States Tax Compliance Certificate, Form W-9, Form W-8IMY (or other successor forms) or any other required information from each beneficial owner, as applicable (provided that, if the Lender is a partnership (and not a participating Lender) and one or more beneficial owners are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, the United States Tax Compliance Certificate shall be provided by such Lender on behalf of such beneficial owner(s)), or
(V) any other form prescribed by applicable requirements of U.S. federal income tax Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax duly completed together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable requirements of Law to permit the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.
Each Lender shall, from time to time after the initial delivery by such Lender of the forms described above, whenever a lapse in time or change in such Lenders circumstances renders such forms, certificates or other evidence so delivered expired, obsolete or inaccurate, promptly (1) deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) renewals, amendments or additional or successor forms, properly completed and duly executed by such Lender, together with any other certificate or statement of exemption required in order to confirm or establish such Lenders status or that such Lender is entitled to an exemption from or reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax or (2) notify Administrative Agent and the Borrower of its inability to deliver any such forms, certificates or other evidence.
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Notwithstanding any other provision of this clause (e), a Lender shall not be required to deliver any form that such Lender is not legally eligible to deliver.
(f) Treatment of Certain Refunds. Unless required by applicable Law, 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, as the case may be. If the Administrative Agent or any Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by a Loan Party or with respect to which a Loan Party has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section, it shall pay to such Loan Party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by such Loan Party under this Section with respect to the Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) incurred by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund net of any Taxes payable by the Administrative Agent or Lender), provided that the applicable Loan Party, upon the request of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to such Loan Party (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to 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.
(g) Payments made by Administrative Agent. For the avoidance of doubt, any payments made by the Administrative Agent to any Lender shall be treated as payments made by the applicable Loan Party.
(h) Lender treated as Partnership. If any Lender is treated as partnership for purposes of an applicable Indemnified Tax or Other Tax, any withholding made by such Lender shall be treated as if such withholding had been made by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent.
(i) L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lenders. For purposes of this Section 3.01, the term Lender shall include any L/C Issuer and any Swing Line Lender.
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 Office to make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate, 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 market, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, (i) any obligation of such Lender to make or continue Eurodollar Rate Loans or to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended, and (ii) if such notice asserts the
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illegality of such Lender making or maintaining Base Rate Loans the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate component of the Base Rate, the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Eurodollar Rate component of the Base Rate, in each case until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, (x) the Borrower shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, convert all Eurodollar Rate Loans of such Lender to Base Rate Loans (the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Eurodollar Rate component of the Base Rate), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans and (y) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate, the Administrative Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the Base Rate applicable to such Lender without reference to the Eurodollar Rate component thereof until the Administrative Agent is advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.
3.03. Inability to Determine Rates. If the Required Lenders determine that for any reason in connection with any request for a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a conversion to or continuation thereof that (a) Dollar deposits are not being offered to banks in the London interbank eurodollar market for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such Eurodollar Rate Loan, (b) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan or in connection with an existing or proposed Base Rate Loan, or (c) the Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Lender. Thereafter, (x) the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended, and (y) in the event of a determination described in the preceding sentence with respect to the Eurodollar Rate component of the Base Rate, the utilization of the Eurodollar Rate component in determining the Base Rate shall be suspended, in each case until the Administrative Agent (upon the instruction of the Required Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein.
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3.04. Increased Costs; Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans.
(a) Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:
(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, 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 (except any reserve requirement contemplated by Section 3.04(e)) or the L/C Issuer;
(ii) subject any Lender or the L/C Issuer to any Tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, any participation in a Letter of Credit or any Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender or the L/C Issuer 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 the L/C Issuer); or
(iii) impose on any Lender or the L/C Issuer or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or Eurodollar Rate Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Loan the interest on which is determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate (or, in the case of clause (ii) above, any Loan), or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan, or to increase the cost to such Lender or the L/C Issuer of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or the L/C Issuer hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender or the L/C Issuer, the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
(b) Capital Requirements. If any Lender or the L/C Issuer determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or the L/C Issuer or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lenders or the L/C Issuers holding company, if any, regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lenders or the L/C Issuers capital or on the capital of such Lenders or the L/C Issuers holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the L/C Issuer, to a level below that which such Lender or the L/C Issuer or such Lenders or the L/C Issuers holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lenders or the L/C Issuers policies and the policies of such Lenders or the L/C Issuers holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer or such Lenders or the L/C Issuers holding company for any such reduction suffered.
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(c) Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender or the L/C Issuer setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the L/C Issuer 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 or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
(d) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the L/C Issuer to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lenders or the L/C Issuers right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the L/C Issuer 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 or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lenders or the L/C Issuers 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).
(e) Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans. The Borrower shall pay to each Lender, as long as such Lender shall be required to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as Eurocurrency liabilities), additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurodollar Rate Loan equal to the actual costs of such reserves allocated to such Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), which shall be due and payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan, provided the Borrower shall have received at least 10 days prior notice (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of such additional interest from such Lender. If a Lender fails to give notice 10 days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional interest shall be due and payable 10 days from receipt of such notice.
3.05. Compensation for Losses. Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) from time to time, the Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:
(a) any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise);
(b) any failure by the Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower; or
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(c) any assignment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 10.13;
including any loss of anticipated profits and any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained. The Borrower shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing.
For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the Lenders under this Section 3.05, each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each Eurodollar Rate Loan made by it at the Eurodollar Rate for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the London interbank eurodollar market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Eurodollar Rate Loan was in fact so funded.
3.06. Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.
(a) Designation of a Different Lending Office. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender, the L/C Issuer, or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 3.01, or if any Lender gives a notice pursuant to Section 3.02, then such Lender or the L/C Issuer shall, as applicable, 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 or the L/C Issuer, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.04, as the case may be, in the future, or eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 3.02, as applicable, and (ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be, to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as the case may be. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender or the L/C Issuer in connection with any such designation or assignment.
(b) Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or if 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.
3.07. Survival. All of the Borrowers obligations under this Article III shall survive termination of the Aggregate Commitments, repayment of all other Obligations hereunder, and resignation of the Administrative Agent.
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ARTICLE IV
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS
4.01. Conditions of Effectiveness. The effectiveness of this Agreement and the obligation of the L/C Issuer and each Lender to make the initial Credit Extensions hereunder is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:
(a) The Administrative Agents receipt of the following, each of which shall be original, or e-mail (in a .pdf format) or telecopies (followed promptly by originals) unless otherwise specified, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the signing Loan Party, 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 and the Guaranty Agreement;
(ii) a Note executed by the Borrower in favor of each Lender requesting a Note prior to the Closing Date;
(iii) the Pledge Agreement, duly executed by each Loan Party, together with:
(A) certificates or instruments, if any, representing the Certificated Securities (as defined in the Pledge Agreement), if any, accompanied by all endorsements and/or powers required by the Pledge Agreement,
(B) proper financing statements, to be filed under the Uniform Commercial Code of all jurisdictions that the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or desirable in order to perfect the Liens created under the Pledge Agreement, covering the Collateral described in the Pledge Agreement,
(C) completed requests for information listing all effective financing statements filed in the jurisdictions referred to in clause (B) above that name any Loan Party as debtor, together with copies of such other financing statements,
(D) a Perfection Certificate, in substantially the form of Exhibit I-1, duly executed by each of the Loan Parties; and
(E) evidence that all other actions, recordings and filings that the Administrative Agent may deem reasonably necessary or desirable in order to perfect the Liens created under the Pledge Agreement have been taken (including receipt of duly executed payoff letters and UCC-3 terminations, if any);
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(iv) such certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or other certificates of Responsible Officers of each Loan Party as the Administrative Agent may reasonably 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 to which such Loan Party is a party;
(v) such documents and certifications as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require to evidence that each Loan Party is duly organized or formed, and each Loan Party 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;
(vi) a favorable opinion of Latham & Watkins, LLP, counsel to the Loan Parties, addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, as to such matters concerning the Loan Parties and the Loan Documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request;
(vii) a favorable opinion of in-house counsel to the Loan Parties, addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, as to such matters concerning the Loan Parties and the Loan Documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request;
(viii) a favorable opinion of Venable LLP, local counsel to the Loan Parties in Maryland, addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, as to such matters concerning the Loan Parties and the Loan Documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request;
(ix) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of each Loan Party either (A) attaching copies of all consents, licenses and approvals required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by such Loan Party and the validity against such Loan Party 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;
(x) a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower (x) certifying that (1) the conditions specified in this Section 4.01 have been satisfied (other than those conditions contingent upon the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent and/or the Lenders with respect to certain items received by them under this Section 4.01) and (2) no action, suit, investigation or proceeding is pending or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened in any court or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority related to the credit facility being provided under this Agreement or that could
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reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (y) attaching copies of the operating agreements, partnership agreements or other applicable organizational documents of each Person whose Equity Interests are included in the Collateral, which organizational documents shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
(xi) a Borrowing Base Certificate duly certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower;
(xii) a Solvency Certificate from the Loan Parties certifying that, after giving effect to the transactions to occur on the Closing Date (including, without limitation, any Credit Extension to occur on the Closing Date), the REIT and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, are Solvent;
(xiii) evidence that all insurance required to be maintained pursuant to the Loan Documents has been obtained and is in effect (and the amount, types and terms and conditions of all such insurance shall be satisfactory to the Lenders), together with the certificates of insurance and endorsements, naming, with respect to each policy of liability insurance maintained by any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Creditor Parties, as an additional insured;
(xiv) the financial statements referenced in Sections 5.01(a) and (b).
(xv) such other assurances, certificates, documents, consents or opinions as the Administrative Agent or any Arranger reasonably may require.
(b) (i) All fees required to be paid to the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers on or before the Closing Date shall have been paid and (ii) all fees required to be paid to the Lenders on or before the Closing Date shall have been paid.
(c) All due diligence with respect to the REIT, the Borrower and their respective Subsidiaries and the Initial Eligible Portfolio Properties, in scope and determination satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, Arrangers and the Lenders in their sole discretion, shall have been completed.
(d) There shall not have occurred since June 30, 2010 any event or condition that has had or could reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(e) 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,
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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).
(f) The consummation of an Initial Public Offering by the REIT with Net Cash Proceeds received by the REIT in respect thereof in an amount not less than $425,000,000, and the REIT and its Subsidiaries shall have been formed.
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 written 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 Extension (other than a Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Revolving Credit Loans to the other Type, or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans) is subject to the following conditions precedent:
(a) The representations and warranties of the Borrower and each other Loan Party 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 in all material respects on and as of the date of the proposed Credit Extension, except (i) 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, (ii) any representation or warranty that is already by its terms qualified as to materiality, Material Adverse Effect or similar language shall be true and correct in all respects as of such date after giving effect to such qualification and (iii) 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 and, if applicable, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender shall have received a Request for Credit Extension in accordance with the requirements hereof; and
(d) After giving effect to the proposed Credit Extension, the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings shall not exceed the lesser of the (i) the Adjusted Borrowing Base at such time and (ii) the Aggregate Commitments.
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Each Request for Credit Extension (other than a Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Revolving Credit Loans to the other Type or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans) submitted by the Borrower shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a), (b) and (d) have been satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Credit Extension.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Each of the REIT and the Borrower represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that:
5.01. Existence, Qualification and Power. Each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries (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 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.
5.02. Authorization; No Contravention. The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which such Person is a party 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 Persons 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, except in each case referred to in clause (b) or (c) hereof, to the extent the same could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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 (a) the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, any Loan Party of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (b) the grant by any Loan Party of the Liens granted by it pursuant to the Collateral Documents, (c) the perfection or maintenance of the Liens created under the Collateral Documents (including the first priority nature thereof), except for filings and recording required under the UCC or (d) the exercise by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of its rights under the Loan Documents or the remedies in respect of the Collateral pursuant to the Collateral Documents.
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5.04. Binding Effect. This Agreement has been, and each other Loan Document, when delivered hereunder, will have been, duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is party thereto. This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document when so delivered will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against each Loan Party that is party thereto in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors rights generally, or by general equitable principles relating to enforceability.
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 and (ii) fairly present the financial condition of the Predecessor as of the date thereof and its results of operations, cash flows and changes in shareholders equity for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein.
(b) The pro forma consolidated balance sheets of the Consolidated Group as of December 31, 2009, March 31, 2010, June 30, 2010 and September 30, 2010, and related statements of income, shareholders equity and cash flows, prepared giving effect to the transactions contemplated under Section 4.01(f) as if such transactions had occurred on such dates, (i) accurately reflect all material adjustments necessary to give effect to the transactions contemplated under Section 4.01(f) and (ii) present fairly the pro forma consolidated financial position of the Consolidated Group as of their respective dates, as if the transactions contemplated under Section 4.01(f) had occurred on such dates and (iii) show all material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of the Consolidated Group as of the date thereof, including liabilities for Taxes, material commitments and Indebtedness.
(c) Since December 31, 2009, 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.
(d) The consolidated forecasted balance sheet, statement of income and cash flows of the Consolidated Group delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(c) were prepared in good faith on the basis of the assumptions stated therein, which assumptions were fair in light of the conditions existing at the time of delivery of such forecasts, and represented, at the time of delivery, the Borrowers best estimate of its future financial condition and performance; provided, such forecasts are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered by such forecasts may differ from such forecasts and that the differences may be material.
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 in writing, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, by or against any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries or against any of their properties or revenues that (a) purport to affect or pertain to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, or (b) either individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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5.07. No Default. Neither any Loan Party nor any Subsidiary thereof is 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.
5.08. Ownership of Property; Liens. Each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries 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 each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries is subject to no Liens, other than Liens permitted by Section 7.01.
5.09. Environmental Compliance.
(a) The Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries conduct 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.
(b) (i) None of the Portfolio Properties that are included in the Borrowing Base, and except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, none of the other properties currently or formerly owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, is listed or formally proposed for listing on the NPL or on the CERCLIS or any analogous foreign, state or local list or is adjacent to any such property; (ii) there are no and, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, have never been any underground or above-ground storage tanks for storage of Hazardous Materials on or at (A) any Portfolio Properties that are included in the Borrowing Base except for any such existing underground storage tanks that are operated in material compliance with applicable Environmental Laws and are not the subject of any pending or threatened investigation or enforcement by any Governmental Authority, or any ongoing remediation or removal and any prior storage tanks were closed in material compliance with applicable Environmental Laws, as evidenced by a no further action letter or other similar document issued by the applicable Governmental Authority, and all such existing or prior storage tanks are disclosed on Schedule 5.09(b)(ii), (B) except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, any other property currently owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties on any property formerly owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries; (iii) there are no and to the knowledge of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries after due inquiry never have been any surface impoundments, septic tanks, pits, sumps or lagoons in which Hazardous Materials are being or have been treated, stored or
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disposed on any Portfolio Property that is included in the Borrowing Base, or, except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or on any other property currently owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties after due inquiry, on any property formerly owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (iv) there is no asbestos or asbestos-containing material on, at or in any property currently owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries except any such property at which asbestos or asbestos-containing materials are managed in material compliance with a written asbestos operations, abatement and maintenance plan and all applicable Environmental Laws, and each such property is identified on Schedule 5.09(b)(iv); and (v) Hazardous Materials have not been Released on, at, under or from any Portfolio Property that is included in the Borrowing Base, or, except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, any other property currently or formerly owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, in a manner, form or amount which could reasonably be expected to result in a material Environmental Liability of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary.
(c) (i) Neither any Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is undertaking, and has not completed, either individually or together with other potentially responsible parties, any investigation or assessment or remedial or response action relating to any actual or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials at, on, under, or from any site, location or operation, either voluntarily or pursuant to the order of any Governmental Authority or the requirements of any Environmental Law, except as set forth on Schedule 5.09(c) or with respect to any such investigation or assessment or remedial or response action initiated after the Closing Date, as disclosed to the Administrative Agent in writing; and (ii) all Hazardous Materials generated, used, treated, handled or stored at, or transported to or from, any property currently or formerly owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries have been disposed of in a manner, either of which could not reasonably expected to result in a material Environmental Liability of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries.
(d) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.09(d), the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries: (i) are, and within the period of all applicable statutes of limitation have been, in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws; (ii) hold all Environmental Permits (each of which is in full force and effect) required for any of their current or intended operations or for any Portfolio Property that is included in the Borrowing Base and hold all material Environmental Permits (each of which is in full force and effect) required for any of their current or intended operations or for each other property owned, leased, or otherwise operated by any of them; (iii) are, and within the period of all applicable statutes of limitation have been, in compliance in all material respects with all of their Environmental Permits that pertain to a Portfolio Property that is included in the Borrowing Base and, except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect in compliance with all of their Environmental Permits that pertain to any of their other properties; and (iv) in each case to the extent within the control of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries, each of their Environmental Permits will be timely renewed and complied with, any additional Environmental Permits that may be required of any of them will be timely obtained and complied with, without material expense, and compliance with any Environmental Law that is or is expected to become applicable to any of them will be timely attained and maintained, without material expense.
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5.10. Insurance. The properties of each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries 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 such Loan Party or the applicable Subsidiary operates.
5.11. Taxes. Each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries has timely filed all federal, state and other material tax returns and reports required to be filed, and has timely paid all federal, state and other material Taxes (whether or not shown on a tax return), including in its capacity as a withholding agent, levied or imposed upon it or its properties, income or assets otherwise due and payable, except those Taxes 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 material tax assessment or other claim against, and no material tax audit with respect to, any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.11, on the Closing Date, neither any Loan Party nor any Subsidiary thereof is party to any tax sharing, tax indemnification or other similar agreement. Except as could not be reasonably expected to, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, neither any Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries has ever participated in a listed transaction or a reportable transaction within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4.
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 in writing, 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 or Multiemployer
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Plan; (ii) 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; (iii) 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; (iv) 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 (v) 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.
(d) Neither the REIT nor any ERISA Affiliate maintains or contributes to, or has any unsatisfied obligation to contribute to, or liability under, any active or terminated Pension Plan other than those listed on Schedule 5.12(d) hereto.
5.13. Subsidiaries; Equity Interests; Loan Parties. As of the Closing Date, no Loan Party has any Subsidiaries other than those specifically disclosed in Part (a) of Schedule 5.13, and all of the outstanding Equity Interests in such Subsidiaries have been validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and are owned by the Persons and in the amounts specified on Part (a) of Schedule 5.13. As of the Closing Date, no Loan Party has any equity investments in any other corporation or entity other than those specifically disclosed in Part (b) of Schedule 5.13. Set forth on Part (c) of Schedule 5.13 is, as of the Closing Date, a complete and accurate list of all Loan Parties, showing (as to each Loan Party) the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, the address of its principal place of business and its U.S. taxpayer identification number or, in the case of any non-U.S. Loan Party that does not have a U.S. taxpayer identification number, its unique identification number issued to it by the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization.
5.14. Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act.
(a) The Borrower is not engaged and will not engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the FRB), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock. Following the application of the proceeds of each Borrowing or drawing under each Letter of Credit, not more than 25% of the value of the assets (either of the Borrower only or of the REIT and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis) subject to the provisions of Section 7.02 or Section 7.05 or subject to any restriction contained in any agreement or instrument between the Borrower and any Lender or any Affiliate of any Lender relating to Indebtedness and within the scope of Section 8.01(e) will be margin stock.
(b) None of the Loan Parties is or is required to be registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
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5.15. Disclosure. No written report, financial statement, certificate or other information furnished by or at the direction of any Loan Party 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 which, when taken as a whole, contained at the time of delivery any material misstatement of fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading; provided that, with respect to projections, estimates and other forward-looking information, the Borrower and the REIT represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time.
5.16. Compliance with Laws. Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary thereof 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. Intentionally Omitted.
5.18. Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc. Each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries owns, or possesses the right to use, all of the material trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, patents, patent rights, franchises, licenses and other intellectual property rights (collectively, IP Rights) that are reasonably necessary for the operation of its businesses, without conflict with the rights of any other Person (except for such conflicts that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect). To the knowledge of the Borrower, no slogan or other advertising device, product, process, method, substance, part or other material now employed, or now contemplated to be employed, by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries infringes upon any rights held by any other Person. No claim or litigation regarding any of the foregoing is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened in writing, which, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.19. Solvency. The REIT and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, are Solvent.
5.20. Casualty, Etc. Neither the businesses nor the properties of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries are affected by any fire, explosion, accident, strike, lockout or other labor dispute, drought, storm, hail, earthquake, embargo, act of God or of the public enemy or other casualty (whether or not covered by insurance), condemnation or eminent domain proceeding that, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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5.21. Labor Matters. There are no collective bargaining agreements or Multiemployer Plans covering the employees of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliates as of the Closing Date and neither any Loan Party nor any Subsidiary thereof has suffered any strikes, walkouts, work stoppages or other material labor difficulty within the last five years that, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.22. Collateral Documents. The provisions of the Collateral Documents are effective to create in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Creditor Parties a legal, valid and enforceable first priority Lien on all right, title and interest of the respective Loan Parties in the Collateral described therein. Except for filings completed on or prior to the Closing Date and as contemplated hereby and by the Collateral Documents, no filing or other action will be necessary to perfect such Liens.
5.23. Anti-Money Laundering and Economic Sanctions Laws.
(a) No Loan Party, none of its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of each Loan Party, none of its Affiliates and none of the respective officers, directors, brokers or agents of such Loan Party, such Subsidiary or Affiliate (i) has violated or is in violation of any applicable Anti-Money Laundering Law or (ii) has engaged or engages in any transaction, investment, undertaking or activity that conceals the identity, source or destination of the proceeds from any category of offenses designated in any applicable law, regulation or other binding measure implementing the Forty Recommendations and Nine Special Recommendations published by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Developments Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering.
(b) No Loan Party, none of its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of each Loan Party, none of its Affiliates and none of the respective officers, directors, brokers or agents of such Loan Party, such Subsidiary or such Affiliate that is acting or benefiting in any capacity in connection with the Loans is an Embargoed Person.
(c) Except as otherwise authorized by OFAC, no Loan Party, none of its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of each Loan Party, none of its Affiliates and none of the respective officers, directors, brokers or agents of such Loan Party, such Subsidiary or such Affiliate acting or benefiting in any capacity in connection with the Loans (i) conducts any business or engages in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any Embargoed Person, (ii) deals in, or otherwise engages in any transaction related to, any property or interests in property blocked pursuant to any applicable Economic Sanctions Laws or (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 applicable prohibitions set forth in any Economic Sanctions Laws.
5.24. REIT Status; Stock Exchange Listing. The REIT is qualified as a Real Estate Investment Trust. The shares of common Equity Interests of the REIT are listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
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ARTICLE VI
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, any Loan or other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding, each of the REIT and the Borrower shall, and shall (except in the case of the covenants set forth in Sections 6.01, 6.02 and 6.03) cause each of their respective Subsidiaries to:
6.01. Financial Statements. Deliver to the Administrative Agent, in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:
(a) as soon as available, but in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the REIT (or, if earlier, 15 days after the date required to be filed with the SEC) (commencing with the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, a consolidated balance sheet of the Consolidated Group as at the end of such fiscal year, and the related consolidated 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 Required Lenders, 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 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the REIT (or, if earlier, 5 days after the date required to be filed with the SEC) (commencing with the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2011), a consolidated balance sheet of the Consolidated Group as at the end of such fiscal quarter, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations for such fiscal quarter and for the portion of the REITs fiscal year then ended, and the related consolidated statements of changes in shareholders equity and cash flows for the portion of the REITs 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 REIT as fairly presenting the financial condition, results of operations, shareholders equity and cash flows of the Consolidated Group in accordance with GAAP, subject only to customary year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes; and
(c) as soon as available, but in any event at least 15 days before the end of each fiscal year of the Consolidated Group on a consolidated basis, including forecasts prepared by management of the REIT, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, of consolidated balance sheets and statements of income or operations and cash flows of the Consolidated Group on a quarterly basis for the immediately following fiscal year (including the fiscal year in which the Maturity Date occurs).
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As to any information contained in materials furnished pursuant to Section 6.02(d), the Borrower shall not be separately required to furnish such information under Section 6.01(a) or (b) above, but the foregoing shall not be in derogation of the obligation of the Borrower to furnish the information and materials described in Sections 6.01(a) and (b) above at the times specified therein.
6.02. Certificates; Other Information. Deliver to the Administrative Agent, in form and detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:
(a) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Section 6.01(a), a certificate of its independent certified public accountants certifying such financial statements and stating that in making the examination necessary therefor no knowledge was obtained of any Default under the financial covenants set forth herein or, if any such Default shall exist, stating the nature and status of such event;
(b) 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 REIT (which delivery may, unless the Administrative Agent, or a Lender through the Administrative Agent 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 any Loan Party by independent accountants in connection with the accounts or books of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or any audit of any of them;
(d) promptly after the same are available, (x) copies of each annual report, proxy or financial statement or other report or communication sent to the stockholders or other equityholders of the REIT, (y) copies of each annual report, proxy, financial statement or other financial report sent to the limited partners of the Borrower, and (z) copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof files with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or with any national securities exchange, and in any case not otherwise required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant hereto;
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(e) promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any material statement or report furnished to any holder of debt securities of any Loan Party 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 any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, copies of each material notice or other material written 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 any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof;
(g) promptly after the assertion or occurrence thereof, notice of any action or proceeding against or of any noncompliance by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries with any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(h) on a quarterly basis (and in any case within 45 days after the last day of each fiscal quarter of the REIT), or more frequently if requested by the Administrative Agent upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a Default, a Borrowing Base Certificate, together with a calculation (certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower) of (x) the percentage of the aggregate occupancy for all Portfolio Properties included in the Borrowing Base and (y) the portion of the Borrowing Base in respect of Eligible Portfolio Properties that are not office, retail or multi-family properties;
(i) as soon as available, but in any event within 30 days after the end of each fiscal year of the REIT, a report summarizing the insurance coverage (specifying type, amount and carrier) in effect for each Loan Party and containing such additional information as the Administrative Agent, or any Lender through the Administrative Agent, may reasonably specify; and
(j) promptly, such additional information regarding the business, financial, legal or corporate affairs of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, 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.
Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) or Section 6.02(d) (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 REIT posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the REITs website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 10.02; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the REITs 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 (through the Administrative Agent) to deliver such paper copies until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by
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the Administrative Agent or such Lender (through the Administrative Agent) and (ii) the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (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. 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 (through the Administrative Agent) or maintaining its copies of such documents.
The Borrower and the REIT hereby acknowledge that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Arrangers will make available to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the REIT or 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 Borrower hereby agrees that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to identify that portion of the Borrower Materials that may be distributed to the Public Lenders and that (w) all such Borrower Materials 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, the Arrangers, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) 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 and the Arrangers 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:
(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 any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof; (ii) any dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension between any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof and any Governmental Authority; or (iii) the commencement of, or any material development in, any litigation or proceeding affecting any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, including pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws, in each case that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
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(c) of the occurrence of any ERISA Event; or
(d) of any material change in accounting policies or financial reporting practices by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof.
Each notice pursuant to Section 6.03 shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower 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. (a) Pay and discharge as the same shall become due and payable, all its obligations and liabilities, including (i) all federal, state and other material 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 (which proceedings have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the property or assets subject to any such Lien) and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by the REIT, the Borrower or such Subsidiary; (ii) all lawful claims which, if unpaid, would by law become a Lien upon its property (other than a Lien permitted under Section 7.01); and (iii) all Indebtedness, as and when due and payable, but subject to any subordination provisions contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing such Indebtedness, but only to the extent the failure to pay such Indebtedness would constitute an Event of Default; and (b) timely file all material tax returns required to be filed.
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 properties and equipment necessary in the operation of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (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; and (c) use the standard of care typical in the industry in the operation and maintenance of its facilities.
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6.07. Maintenance of Insurance. Maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies that are not Affiliates of the REIT, 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, in the case of all liability insurance maintained by a Loan Party, shall (i) provide for not less than 30 days (or 10 days in the case of termination for failure to pay premiums) prior notice to the Administrative Agent of termination, lapse or cancellation of such insurance and (ii) name the Administrative Agent as additional insured on behalf of the Creditor Parties.
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.
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 REIT, the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be; 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 REIT, the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be.
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 (provided, that the Borrower shall be permitted to have its representatives present during any such discussions with its 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, that so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (x) no more than one (1) such visit and inspection by the Administrative Agent during any year shall be at the expense of the Borrower and (y) any such visit and inspection by a Lender shall be at the sole expense of such Lender; provided, further, however, 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 solely for general corporate purposes, including working capital, the payment of capital expenses, acquisitions and development and redevelopment of Portfolio Properties, in each case not in contravention of any Law or of any Loan Document.
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6.12. Additional Collateral; Additional Loan Parties.
(a) Additional Collateral. With respect to (i) any property acquired after the Closing Date that is intended to be subject to the Lien created by any of the Collateral Documents but is not so subject and (ii) any Affiliated Investor who owns a Portfolio Property that is included in the Borrowing Base after the Closing Date, promptly (and in any event within 10 Business Days after such acquisition or on or prior to the inclusion of such Portfolio Property in the Borrowing Base, as applicable) (i) cause the owner of such property (or, in the case of the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower that, directly or indirectly, owns any Equity Interests of an Affiliated Investor whose Portfolio Property is included in the Borrowing Base, the Borrower or such Subsidiary) to execute a joinder to the Pledge Agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), (ii) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent such amendments or supplements to the relevant Collateral Documents or such other documents as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably deem necessary or advisable to grant to the Administrative Agent, for its benefit and for the benefit of the other Creditor Parties, a Lien on such property (or, in the case of an Affiliated Investor whose Portfolio Property is included in the Borrowing Base after the Closing Date, all of the Equity Interests held by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, in such Affiliated Investor) subject to no Liens other than Permitted Judgment Liens and Liens permitted under Section 7.01(a), (b) or (m), (iii) deliver to the Administrative Agent the items referenced in Section 4.01(a)(iii), (iv), (v), (vi) and (xii) with respect to the owner of such property or the direct and indirect owners of Equity Interests of such Affiliated Investor, as applicable, and (iv) take all actions necessary to cause such Lien to be duly perfected in accordance with all applicable Laws, including, without limitation, the delivery of the certificates, if any, representing Equity Interests (together with undated stock powers or other appropriate instruments of transfer executed and delivered in blank by a duly authorized officer of the holder(s) of such Equity Interests) and the filing of financing statements in such jurisdictions as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent; provided, that for the avoidance of doubt, any Hotel Lessee Subsidiary that has the right to use or occupy a Hotel Property pursuant to a lease with the fee owner(s) of such Hotel Property shall not be deemed to own such Hotel Property for purposes of this Section 6.12(a). The Borrower shall otherwise take such actions and execute and/or deliver to the Administrative Agent such documents as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably require to confirm the validity, perfection and priority of the Lien of the Collateral Documents on such properties.
(b) Additional Guarantors. With respect to (i) any Person that is or becomes a Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) of the Borrower after the Closing Date, and/or (ii) any Subsidiary of the Borrower that ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary after the Closing Date, on or prior to such time that such Person becomes a Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary) or ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary or such Portfolio Property is included in the Borrowing Base, as applicable, (x) cause such Person to execute a joinder agreement to the Guaranty Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (y) deliver to the Administrative Agent the items referenced in Section 4.01(a)(iv), (v) and (vi) with respect to such Person and (z) provide the Administrative Agent with the U.S. taxpayer identification for such Person (or the equivalent thereof, in the event such Person is not organized under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia).
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6.13. Compliance with Environmental Laws. Comply, and take commercially reasonable actions to cause all lessees and other Persons operating or occupying its properties to comply, in all material respects, with all applicable Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits; obtain and renew all Environmental Permits necessary for the operations at each Portfolio Property that is included in the Borrowing Base, and except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, at each of its other properties; and conduct any investigation, study, sampling and testing, and undertake any cleanup, response or other corrective action required under and in material compliance with Environmental Law to remediate all Hazardous Materials at, on, under or emanating from any of the Portfolio Properties included in the Borrowing Base, and except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, at each of its other properties; provided, however, that neither the REIT nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to undertake any such cleanup, removal, remedial or other action to the extent that its obligation to do so is being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings and appropriate reserves are being maintained with respect to such circumstances in accordance with GAAP.
6.14. Preparation of Environmental Reports. At the request of the Required Lenders from time to time (but, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, not more than once in any calendar year), provide to the Lenders within 60 days after such request, at the expense of the Borrower, an environmental site assessment report for any properties owned, leased or operated by it described in such request, prepared by an environmental consulting firm acceptable to the Administrative Agent, indicating the presence or absence of Hazardous Materials and the estimated cost of any compliance, response or other corrective action to address any Hazardous Materials on such properties; without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if the Administrative Agent determines at any time that a material risk exists that any such report will not be provided within the time referred to above, the Administrative Agent may retain an environmental consulting firm to prepare such report at the expense of the Borrower, and the Borrower and the REIT each hereby grants and agrees to cause any Subsidiary that owns or leases any property described in such request to grant at the time of such request to the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, such firm and the Administrative Agents or representatives thereof an irrevocable non-exclusive license, subject to the rights of tenants or necessary consent of landlords, to enter onto their respective properties to undertake such an assessment.
6.15. Further Assurances. Promptly upon request by the Administrative Agent, or any Lender through the Administrative Agent, (a) correct any material defect or error that may be discovered in any Loan Document or in the execution, acknowledgment, filing or recordation thereof, and (b) do, execute, acknowledge, deliver, record, re-record, file, re-file, register and re-register any and all such further acts, deeds, certificates, assurances and other instruments as the Administrative Agent, or any Lender through the Administrative Agent, may reasonably require from time to time in order to (i) carry out more effectively the purposes of the Loan Documents, (ii) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, subject any Loan Partys or any of its Subsidiaries properties, assets, rights or interests to the Liens
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now or hereafter intended to be covered by any of the Collateral Documents, (iii) perfect and maintain the validity, effectiveness and priority of any of the Collateral Documents and any of the Liens intended to be created thereunder and (iv) assure, convey, grant, assign, transfer, preserve, protect and confirm more effectively unto the Creditor Parties the rights granted or now or hereafter intended to be granted to the Creditor Parties under any Loan Document or under any other instrument executed in connection with any Loan Document to which any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries is or is to be a party, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to do so.
6.16. Maintenance of REIT Status; New York Stock Exchange Listing. The REIT will elect to be taxed as a Real Estate Investment Trust for its taxable year ending December 31, 2011, and will at all times continue to qualify for taxation as a Real Estate Investment Trust. The REIT will also at all times be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
6.17. Compliance with Terms of Leaseholds. Make all payments and otherwise perform all obligations in respect of all leases of real property to which the REIT or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, keep such leases in full force and effect and not allow such leases to lapse or be terminated or any rights to renew such leases to be forfeited or cancelled, notify the Administrative Agent of any default by any party with respect to such leases and cooperate with the Administrative Agent in all respects to cure any such default, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to do so, except, in any case, where the failure to do so, either individually or in the aggregate, could not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.18. Information Regarding Collateral.
(a) Not effect any change (i) in any Loan Partys legal name, (ii) in the location of any Loan Partys chief executive office, (iii) in any Loan Partys identity or organizational structure, (iv) in any Loan Partys Federal Taxpayer Identification Number (or equivalent thereof) or organizational identification number, if any, or (v) in any Loan Partys jurisdiction of organization (in each case, including by merging with or into any other entity, reorganizing, dissolving, liquidating, reorganizing or organizing in any other jurisdiction), until (A) it shall have given the Administrative Agent not less than ten Business Days prior written notice (in the form of certificate signed by a Responsible Officer), or such lesser notice period agreed to by the Administrative Agent, of its intention so to do, clearly describing such change and providing such other information in connection therewith as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request and (B) it shall have taken all action reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent to maintain the perfection and priority of the security interest of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Creditor Parties in the Collateral, if applicable. Each Loan Party agrees to promptly provide the Administrative Agent with certified Organization Documents reflecting any of the changes described in the preceding sentence.
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(b) Concurrently with each delivery of financial statements pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b), deliver to the Administrative Agent a Perfection Certificate Supplement and a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the REIT and the chief legal officer of the REIT certifying that all actions have been taken and all UCC financing statements or other appropriate filings, recordings or registrations, including all refilings, rerecordings and reregistrations, containing a description of the Collateral have been filed of record in each governmental, municipal or other appropriate office in each jurisdiction necessary to protect and perfect the security interests and Liens under the Collateral Documents for a period of not less than 18 months after the date of such certificate (except as noted therein with respect to any continuation statements to be filed within such period).
6.19. Material Contracts. Perform and observe all the terms and provisions of each Material Contract to be performed or observed by it, maintain each such Material Contract in full force and effect, enforce each such Material Contract in accordance with its terms, take all such action to such end as may be from time to time requested by the Administrative Agent and, upon request of the Administrative Agent, make to each other party to each such Material Contract such demands and requests for information and reports or for action as any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries is entitled to make under such Material Contract, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to do so, except, in any case, where the failure to do so, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
ARTICLE VII
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, any Loan or other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding, the REIT and the Borrower shall not, nor shall they permit any of their respective Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
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 not yet due or Liens for taxes which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted (which proceedings have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the property or assets subject to any such Lien), if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP;
(c) carriers, warehousemens, mechanics, materialmens, repairmens 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 (which proceedings have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the property or assets subject to any such Lien), if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP;
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(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;
(f) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, restrictive covenants, encroachments, protrusions 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, and any replacement, extension or renewal of any such Lien;
(g) Liens securing judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(h);
(h) All Liens disclosed in the title report for any Eligible Portfolio Property included in the Borrowing Base, to the extent such title report was submitted to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the time such Eligible Portfolio Property was approved for inclusion in the Borrowing Base by the Required Lenders;
(i) The rights of tenants under leases and subleases of Portfolio Properties entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice of the REIT and its Subsidiaries or the Predecessor; provided, that (i) such leases and subleases contain market terms and conditions (excluding rent) and (ii) such Liens do not secure any Indebtedness;
(j) Liens encumbering assets of a Loan Party or Subsidiary thereof not otherwise permitted under this Section 7.01; provided, that (i) such Liens do not at any time encumber any Collateral or any Portfolio Property included in the Borrowing Base and (ii) the aggregate amount of obligations secured by Liens pursuant to this clause (j) does not at any time exceed $25,000,000;
(k) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.02(c); provided that (i) such Liens do not at any time encumber any Collateral or any Portfolio Property included in the Borrowing Base, (ii) in the case of any such Lien incurred by a Loan Party, such Lien does not encumber any property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness, (iii) in the case of any such Lien incurred by a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, such Lien does not encumber any property other than the property of such Subsidiary and (iv) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost or fair market value of the property encumbered thereby (as of the date of the incurrence of such Indebtedness), whichever is lower;
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(l) All Liens with respect to any Portfolio Property not included in the Borrowing Base that are (i) existing on the Closing Date, to the extent such Liens are disclosed in the title report for such Portfolio Property delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders prior to the Closing Date or (ii) existing on the date such Portfolio Property is acquired by a Subsidiary of the Borrower, to the extent such Liens are disclosed in the title report for such Portfolio Property received by such Subsidiary on or prior to the date of such acquisition;
(m) Mortgage filings and other lien filings existing on the Closing Date with respect to Indebtedness (x) that has been paid or defeased in full on or prior to the Closing Date and (y) in which no member of the Consolidated Group has any outstanding duties, liabilities or obligations (other than contingent indemnification and similar reimbursement obligations that survive the repayment of such Indebtedness for which no claim has been made); provided, that such Mortgage filings and other lien filings are terminated within ten (10) Business Days after the Closing Date; and
(n) Liens existing on the Closing Date and listed on Schedule 7.01(n).
provided, that notwithstanding the foregoing clauses of this Section 7.01, in no event shall any Liens (other than Permitted Judgment Liens and Liens permitted by clauses (a), (b), (c), (f), (h), (i) and (m) above) encumber any of the Collateral or any of the Portfolio Property included in the Borrowing Base.
7.02. Indebtedness. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:
(a) the Obligations;
(b) Recourse Indebtedness of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries (in addition to Indebtedness under the Loan Documents) owing to Persons that are not members of the Consolidated Group in an aggregate outstanding principal amount at any time not to exceed $35,000,000;
(c) Non-Recourse Indebtedness of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries; provided, that after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence thereof, the Loan Parties are in compliance with the financial covenants contained in Section 7.11(a) through (d);
(d) intercompany loans and advances to the extent expressly permitted under Section 7.03(b); provided that all such intercompany Indebtedness owed by any Loan Party shall be unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to the payment in full of the Obligations pursuant to the terms of any applicable promissory notes or an intercompany subordination agreement, in each case, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent; and
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(e) the Guaranty by a Loan Party of Recourse Indebtedness of another Loan Party permitted to be incurred by such other Loan Party under clause (b) above.
7.03. Investments. Make or hold any Investments, except:
(a) Investments held by the REIT and its Subsidiaries in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents;
(b) Investments of (i) the Borrower in any Guarantor that is a party to the Pledge Agreement, (ii) a Guarantor in the Borrower or any other Guarantor that is a party to the Pledge Agreement, (iii) the Borrower or a Guarantor, directly or indirectly, in any Unconsolidated Affiliate so long as, after giving effect to any such Investment, (x) the Aggregate Unconsolidated Affiliate Investment Amount does not exceed 20% of the Total Asset Value at such time and (y) the Aggregate Unconsolidated Affiliate Investment Amount, when taken together with the Aggregate Real Estate Loan Investment Amount at such time, the Aggregate Construction Costs Investment Amount at such time, the Aggregate Unimproved Land Holdings Investment Amount at such time and the Aggregate Non-Loan Party Investment Amount at such time, does not exceed 25% of the Total Asset Value at such time, (iv) the Borrower or a Guarantor, directly or indirectly, in any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party so long as, after giving effect to any such Investment, (x) the Aggregate Non-Loan Party Investment Amount does not exceed 20% of the Total Asset Value at such time and (y) the Aggregate Non-Loan Party Investment Amount, when taken together with the Aggregate Real Estate Loan Investment Amount at such time, the Aggregate Construction Costs Investment Amount at such time, the Aggregate Unimproved Land Holdings Investment Amount at such time and the Aggregate Unconsolidated Affiliate Investment Amount at such time, does not exceed 25% of the Total Asset Value at such time, or (v) any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party to any other Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party;
(c) Investments in unimproved land holdings so long as, after giving effect to any such Investment, (i) the Aggregate Unimproved Land Holdings Investment Amount does not exceed 5% of the Total Asset Value at such time and (ii) the Aggregate Unimproved Land Holdings Investment Amount, when taken together with the Aggregate Real Estate Loans Investment Amount at such time, the Aggregate Construction Costs Investment Amount at such time, the Aggregate Unconsolidated Affiliate Investment Amount at such time and the Aggregate Non-Loan Party Investment Amount at such time, does not exceed 25% of the Total Asset Value at such time;
(d) Investments (whether originated or acquired by the REIT or a Subsidiary thereof) consisting of commercial mortgage loans and commercial real estate-related mezzanine loans so long as, after giving effect to any such Investment, (i) the Aggregate Real Estate Loan Investment Amount does not exceed 10% of the Total Asset Value at such time and (ii) the Aggregate Real Estate Loan Investment Amount, when taken together with the Aggregate Construction Costs Investment
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Amount at such time, the Aggregate Unimproved Land Holdings Investment Amount at such time, the Aggregate Unconsolidated Affiliate Investment Amount at such time and the Aggregate Non-Loan Party Investment Amount at such time, does not exceed 25% of the Total Asset Value at such time;
(e) Investments in respect of costs to construct Portfolio Properties under development so long as, after giving effect to any such Investment, (i) the Aggregate Construction Costs Investment Amount does not exceed 15% of the Total Asset Value at such time and (ii) the Aggregate Construction Costs Investment Amount, when taken together with the Aggregate Real Estate Loan Investment Amount at such time, the Aggregate Unimproved Land Holdings Investment Amount at such time, the Aggregate Unconsolidated Affiliate Investment Amount at such time and the Aggregate Non-Loan Party Investment Amount at such time, does not exceed 25% of the Total Asset Value at such time;
(f) Investments in income producing Portfolio Properties not constituting (i) Investments in unimproved land holdings, (ii) commercial mortgage loans and commercial real estate-related mezzanine loans or (iii) Investments in respect of costs to construct Portfolio Properties under development;
(g) equity Investments owned as of the Closing Date in Subsidiaries;
(h) Investments consisting of deposits, prepayments and other credits to suppliers and extensions of trade credit made in the ordinary course of business consistent with the past practices of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and the Predecessor;
(i) loans and advances to employees of the REIT and its Subsidiaries made in the ordinary course of business in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $1,000,000;
(j) Investments existing on the date of this Agreement and set forth on Schedule 7.03;
(k) Investments received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of, or settlement of delinquent accounts and disputes with, customers and suppliers, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
(l) Investments consisting of debt securities, equity securities and other non-cash consideration received as consideration for a Disposition permitted by Section 7.05;
(m) the acquisition of all of the Equity Interests of a Person that owns an income producing Portfolio Property so long as such Person becomes a Guarantor in accordance with Section 6.12(b);
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(n) other Investments not otherwise permitted hereunder in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000 at any time outstanding; and
(o) Investments in Swap Contracts permitted under Section 7.02 entered into 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.
7.04. Fundamental Changes. Merge, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate with or into another Person, or Dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person, except that, so long as no Default exists or would result therefrom:
(a) any Subsidiary of the Borrower may merge, liquidate or dissolve into, or consolidate with (i) the Borrower, provided that the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person or (ii) any one or more other Subsidiaries of the Borrower, provided that (i) if any Guarantor is merging with, liquidating into or consolidating with another Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Guarantor, such Guarantor shall be the continuing or surviving Person and (ii) if any Guarantor party to the Pledge Agreement is merging with, liquidating into or consolidating with another Guarantor that is not party to the Pledge Agreement, the surviving Guarantor must also be a party to the Pledge Agreement;
(b) any Subsidiary of the Borrower may Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to the Borrower or to another Subsidiary of the Borrower; provided that (i) if the transferor in such a transaction is a Guarantor, then the transferee must either be the Borrower or a Guarantor, (ii) if the transferor is a party to the Pledge Agreement, then the transferee must be a party to the Pledge Agreement and (iii) if the Equity Interests of the transferor constitute Collateral, then the Equity Interests of the transferee must constitute Collateral; and
(c) Dispositions permitted by Section 7.05(d), (e) and (f) shall be permitted.
7.05. Dispositions. Make any Disposition or enter into any agreement to make any Disposition, or, in the case of any Subsidiary of the Borrower, issue, sell or otherwise dispose of any of such Subsidiarys Equity Interests to any Person, except:
(a) Dispositions of obsolete or worn out property, and of inventory, fixtures, furniture and equipment, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in the ordinary course of business;
(b) Dispositions of property by any Subsidiary of the Borrower to the Borrower or to another Subsidiary of the Borrower; provided, that (i) if the transferor is a Guarantor, then the transferee must be a Guarantor, (ii) if the transferor is a party to the Pledge Agreement, then the transferee must be a party to the Pledge Agreement and (iii) if the property subject to such Disposition includes any Collateral, then, after giving effect to such Disposition, such property shall continue to constitute Collateral;
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(c) Dispositions permitted by Section 7.04;
(d) the Disposition of an Eligible Portfolio Property (or the Equity Interests of any Subsidiary of the Borrower that directly or indirectly owns such Portfolio Property), but only to the extent that such Portfolio Property is removed from the Borrowing Base in accordance with Section 2.18(d);
(e) Dispositions of assets (other than Equity Interests of the Borrower or a Subsidiary thereof) not constituting a Portfolio Property included in the Borrowing Base;
(f) the sale or other Disposition (whether by sale, merger, liquidation or otherwise) of any of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of any Subsidiary of the Borrower that does not own (i) any Portfolio Property included in the Borrowing Base or (ii) Equity Interests, directly or indirectly, of any Affiliated Investor that owns any Portfolio Property included in the Borrowing Base; and
(g) the dedication of space or other Disposition of property required or requested by any Governmental Authority in connection with and in furtherance of constructing structures or improvements reasonably related to the development, construction and operation of the Portfolio Properties; provided, that in each case such dedication or other Disposition is in furtherance of, and does not materially impair or interfere in the use or operations (or intended use or operations) of, such Portfolio Property.
7.06. Restricted Payments. Declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except that the following shall be permitted:
(a) each Subsidiary of the Borrower may make Restricted Payments to the Borrower and the Guarantors (other than the REIT), and each Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Guarantor may make Restricted Payments to another Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Guarantor;
(b) the REIT and each Subsidiary thereof may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in the common stock or other common Equity Interests of such Person or its direct or indirect parent (and, to the extent constituting a dividend or distribution under applicable Laws, the issuance of common or preferred Equity Interests in connection with the conversion of any Indebtedness);
(c) (i) the REIT and each Subsidiary thereof may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire Equity Interests or warrants or options to obtain such Equity Interests issued by it with the proceeds received from the substantially concurrent issue of new shares of its or its direct or indirect parents common stock or other
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common Equity Interests, (ii) the REIT and/or the Borrower may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire limited partnership interests of the Borrower held by a limited partner thereof in exchange for Equity Interests of the REIT so long as, after giving effect to any such purchase, redemption or other acquisition, a Change of Control does not occur and (iii) the Borrower may redeem limited partnership interests of the Borrower held by a limited partner thereof for cash to the extent such a redemption is required by the Borrower Limited Partnership Agreement; provided, that the aggregate amount of cash paid for all such redemptions made pursuant to this clause (iii) shall not exceed $10,000,000;
(d) the Borrower shall be permitted to declare and pay pro rata dividends on its Equity Interests or make pro rata distributions with respect thereto, in an amount for any fiscal year of the Borrower equal to the greater of (i) 95% of Funds From Operations for such fiscal year and (ii) such amount that will result in the REIT receiving the necessary amount of funds required to be distributed to its equityholders in order for the REIT to (x) maintain its status as a Real Estate Investment Trust for federal and state income tax purposes and (y) avoid the payment of federal or state income or excise tax; provided, however, if an Event of Default under Section 8.01(a) shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, the Borrower shall only be permitted to declare and pay pro rata dividends on its Equity Interests or make pro rata distributions with respect thereto in an amount that will result in the REIT receiving the minimum amount of funds required to be distributed to its equityholders in order for the REIT to maintain its status as a Real Estate Investment Trust for federal and state income tax purposes; and
(e) the REIT shall be permitted to dividend or distribute to the holders of its Equity Interests any amounts received by the REIT pursuant to Section 7.06(d).
7.07. Change in Nature of Business. Engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business conducted by the REIT, the Borrower and their respective Subsidiaries 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 REIT, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, other than on fair and reasonable terms substantially as favorable to the REIT or a Subsidiary thereof as would be obtainable by the REIT or such Subsidiary at the time in a comparable arms length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate; provided that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to (i) transactions between or among the Loan Parties, (ii) transactions between or among Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties and (iii) Investments and Restricted Payments expressly permitted hereunder.
7.09. Burdensome Agreements. Enter into any Contractual Obligation (other than this Agreement or any other Loan Document ) that limits the ability of (i) any Subsidiary of the REIT or the Borrower that is a Loan Party to make Restricted Payments to the REIT, the Borrower, any Guarantor or to otherwise transfer property to the Borrower or any Guarantor,
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(ii) the REIT or any other Guarantor to Guarantee the Indebtedness of the Borrower under this Agreement or (iii) any Loan Party to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist Liens on property of such Person to secure the Obligations; provided, however, that this clause (iii) shall not prohibit any negative pledge incurred or provided in favor of any holder of Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.02(c) solely to the extent any such negative pledge relates to the property financed by or the subject of such Indebtedness and the Equity Interests of the direct and indirect owners of such property (but in no event shall any such negative pledge relate to (x) any Collateral, (y) any Portfolio Property included in the Borrowing Base or (z) the REIT, the Borrower or any Affiliated Investor who owns a Portfolio Property included in the Borrowing Base (or any direct or indirect parent of such Affiliated Investor), other than the restrictions on pledges of the Equity Interests of Pacific Stonecrest, Broadway 225 Stonecrest and Broadway 225 Sorrento existing on the Closing Date); provided, further, that this Section 7.09 shall not prohibit (1) the restrictions on Liens, assignments and transfers of assets existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 7.09 and (2) customary restrictions on Liens, assignments and transfers of assets (other than Collateral) contained in leases, licenses and other Contractual Obligations entered into in the ordinary course of business that (x) do not prevent the grant of a Lien on any Portfolio Property to secure the Obligations, (y) would not prevent a mortgagee of a Portfolio Property from transferring such Portfolio Property in the event such mortgagee were to foreclose on its Lien on such Portfolio Property and (z) do not materially impair or interfere in the use or operations of such assets or the Administrative Agents and the Lenders rights and remedies under the Loan Documents.
7.10. Use of Proceeds. Use the proceeds of any Credit Extension, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, to purchase or carry margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the FRB) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose.
7.11. Financial Covenants.
(a) Consolidated Tangible Net Worth. Permit Consolidated Tangible Net Worth at any time to be less than the sum of (i) $[Amount equal to 75% of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth on the Closing Date to be provided] and (ii) 85% of the Net Cash Proceeds received by the REIT from issuances and sales of Equity Interests of the REIT occurring after the Closing Date (other than any such Net Cash Proceeds received in connection with any dividend reinvestment program).
(b) Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio. Permit Consolidated Total Secured Indebtedness to be greater than (i) at any time on or prior to December 31, 2012, 57.50% of the Secured Total Asset Value at such time and (ii) at any time after December 31, 2012, 50% of the Secured Total Asset Value at such time.
(c) Consolidated Leverage Ratio. Permit the amount of Consolidated Total Indebtedness minus the Unrestricted Cash Amount to be greater than (i) at any time on or prior to December 31, 2011, 65% of the Total Asset Value at such time and (ii) at any time after December 31, 2011, 60% of the Total Asset Value at such time.
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(d) Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. Permit the Consolidated Fixed Coverage Ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter of the REIT to be less than 1.50 to 1.00.
7.12. Accounting Changes. Make any change in (a) accounting policies or reporting practices, except as required or permitted by GAAP, or (b) fiscal year.
7.13. Amendment, Waivers and Terminations of Certain Agreements. Directly or indirectly, consent to, approve, authorize or otherwise suffer or permit (a) any amendment, change, cancellation, termination or waiver in any respect of (i) the terms of any Organization Document of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, other than amendments, changes and modifications that are not adverse in any material respect to the REIT, any of the other Loan Parties, any Subsidiary thereof, the Administrative Agent or the Lenders or (ii) the terms of any Contractual Obligation of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (b) any amendment, change or other modification in respect of the terms of the tax protection agreement set forth on Schedule 5.11, other than amendments, changes and modifications that are not adverse to the REIT, any of the other Loan Parties, any Subsidiary thereof, the Administrative Agent or the Lenders.
7.14. Tax Sharing and Indemnification Agreements. Enter into any tax sharing, tax indemnification or other similar agreement, except for the tax protection agreement existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 5.11 and any such other agreements entered into after the Closing Date that (i) are not more onerous on the Borrower than the agreement set forth on Schedule 5.11 (as in effect on the Closing Date) and (ii) do not have terms, provisions, covenants, obligations, indemnification provisions or remedies that are more adverse to, or more burdensome on, the Borrower than those contained in the agreement set forth on Schedule 5.11 (as in effect on the Closing Date); provided, that in no event shall any Loan Party or Subsidiary thereof (other than the Borrower) (i) have any duties or obligations under any tax sharing, tax indemnification or other similar agreement or (ii) provide any Guarantee or other credit support of any kind with respect to any such agreement.
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 or any other Loan Party fails to (i) pay when and as required to be paid herein, any amount of principal of any Loan or any L/C Obligation or deposit any funds as Cash Collateral in respect of L/C Obligations, or (ii) pay within three Business Days after the same becomes due, any interest on any Loan or on any L/C Obligation, or any fee due hereunder, or (iii) pay within five Business Days after the same becomes due, any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document; or
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(b) The Borrower or the REIT fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Section 2.03(b)(v), 6.01, 6.02, 6.03, 6.05, 6.07, 6.11, 6.16 or Article VII, or any of the Loan Parties fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in the Guaranty Agreement or the Pledge Agreement; or
(c) Other Defaults. Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe (i) the covenant set forth in Section 6.12, and such failure continues for ten (10) Business Days or (ii) any other covenant or agreement (not specified in Section 8.01(a), (b) or (c)(i) 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 or any other Loan Party herein, in any other Loan Document, or in any document delivered in connection herewith or therewith shall be incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed made; or
(e) Cross-Default. (i) Any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof (A) fails to make any payment when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) in respect of (x) any Recourse Indebtedness (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 $25,000,000, or (y) any Non-Recourse Indebtedness 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 $50,000,000 or (B) fails to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness 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 a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) 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 cash collateral in respect thereof to be demanded; or
(f) Insolvency Proceedings, Etc. Any Loan Party or any Significant Subsidiary thereof 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) Any Loan Party or any Significant Subsidiary thereof 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 any such Person and is not released, vacated or fully bonded within 30 days after its issue or levy; or
(h) Judgments. There is entered against any Loan Party or any Significant Subsidiary thereof (i) one or more final judgments or orders for the payment of money in an aggregate amount (as to all such judgments and orders) exceeding the Threshold Amount (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer is rated at least A by A.M. Best Company, has been notified of the potential claim and 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 15 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect; or
(i) ERISA. (i) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof to the Pension Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount, (ii) any Loan Party 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 (iii) an ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in an annual liability of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof to the Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount or which, in the context of such continuing annual liability, otherwise has, or could reasonably be expect to result in, a Material Adverse Effect; 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 any Loan Party or any other Person contests in any manner the validity or enforceability of any provision of any Loan Document; or any Loan Party denies that it has any or further liability or obligation under any provision of 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
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(l) Collateral Documents. Any Collateral Document after delivery thereof shall for any reason cease to create a valid and perfected first priority Lien (subject to Liens permitted by Section 7.01) on the Collateral purported to be covered thereby; or
(m) REIT Status. The REIT shall, for any reason, fail to maintain its status as a Real Estate Investment Trust, after taking into account any cure provisions set forth in the Code that are complied with by the REIT.
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 and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions to be terminated, whereupon such commitments and obligation 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;
(c) require that the Borrower Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (in an amount equal to the then Outstanding Amount thereof); and
(d) exercise on behalf of itself, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer all rights and remedies available to it, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer 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 and any obligation of the L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions 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, and the obligation of the Borrower to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations as aforesaid shall automatically become effective, 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 and the L/C Obligations have automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized as set forth in the proviso to Section 8.02), any amounts received on account of the Obligations shall, subject to the provisions of Sections 2.16 and 2.17, 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;
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Second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal, interest and Letter of Credit Fees) payable to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders and the L/C Issuer (including fees and time charges for attorneys who may be employees of any Lender or the L/C Issuer) arising under the Loan Documents 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 Letter of Credit Fees and interest on the Loans and L/C Borrowings, ratably among the Lenders and the L/C Issuer 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 and L/C Borrowings, and Obligations then owing under Secured Hedge Agreements that are interest rate Swap Contracts and that relate specifically to Loans, ratably among the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the applicable Hedge Banks in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them;
Fifth, to payment of that portion of the Obligations then constituting Obligations then owing under all Secured Hedge Agreements not described in clause Third above, and Obligations of the type specified in clause (ii) of the definition of Obligations, ratably among the applicable Hedge Banks and any Lender (or Affiliate thereof) (in its capacity as provider of Obligations of the type specified in clause (ii) of the definition of Obligations);
Sixth, to the payment of any amounts remaining unpaid in respect of the Obligations (other than Obligations First, Second, Third, Fourth or Fifth above);
Seventh, to the Administrative Agent for the account of the L/C Issuer, to Cash Collateralize that portion of L/C Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit to the extent not otherwise Cash Collateralized by the Borrower pursuant to Sections 2.03 and 2.16; 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.
Subject to Sections 2.03(c) and 2.16, amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fifth above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur. If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above.
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ARTICLE IX
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
9.01. Appointment and Authority. Each of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer hereby irrevocably appoints Bank of America 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, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, and neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party shall 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 REIT or any Subsidiary or other 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 Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.
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(d) 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, except for any default relating to the payment of principal of or interest on any Loan, unless and until notice describing such Default is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or the L/C Issuer.
(e) 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 the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the Collateral Documents, (v) the value or the sufficiency of any Collateral, 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, or the issuance of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or the L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or the L/C Issuer unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or the L/C Issuer prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. 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.
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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, the L/C Issuer and the Borrower. In addition, the Administrative Agent shall resign at the written direction of the Required Lenders to the extent (a) Administrative Agent becomes the subject of a bankruptcy, insolvency, conservatorship, receivership, custodianship or similar proceeding, or (b) the Administrative Agent is determined, in a final nonappealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction, to be grossly negligent in the performance of its material obligations and/or dates hereunder or to have engaged in willful misconduct in the performance of such obligations and/or duties. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with 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 on behalf of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, 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 (a) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders or the L/C Issuer under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed) and (b) 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 and the L/C Issuer 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 successors 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 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 Agents resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article 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.
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Any resignation by Bank of America as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section shall also constitute its resignation as L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender. Upon the acceptance of a successors appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, (i) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender, (ii) the retiring L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender shall be discharged from all of their respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and (iii) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to the retiring L/C Issuer to effectively assume the obligations of the retiring L/C Issuer with respect to such Letters of Credit.
9.07. Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer 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 and the L/C Issuer 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. No Other Duties, Etc. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, neither the Arrangers nor the Syndication Agent listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent, a Lender or the L/C Issuer hereunder.
9.09. 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 any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or L/C Obligation 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, L/C Obligations 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, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.03(h) and (i), 2.09 and 10.04) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
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(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 and the L/C Issuer to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, if the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the L/C Issuer, 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 2.09 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 or the L/C Issuer any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or the L/C Issuer to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or the L/C Issuer or in any such proceeding.
9.10. Collateral and Guaranty Matters. Each of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion,
(a) to release any Lien on (x) any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document (i) upon termination of the Aggregate Commitments and payment in full of all Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations) and the expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit (other than Letters of Credit as to which other arrangements satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuer shall have been made), (ii) that is sold or disposed of or to be sold or disposed of as part of or in connection with any sale or other disposition permitted hereunder or under any other Loan Document to a Person that is not a Loan Party or (iii) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing in accordance with Section 10.01 or (y) any Equity Interests of a Subsidiary of the Borrower granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document if such Subsidiary (A) does not own a Portfolio Property that is included in the Borrowing Base and (B) does not, directly or indirectly, own any Equity Interests of any Affiliated Investor that owns a Portfolio Property included in the Borrowing Base; and
(b) to release any Guarantor that is a Subsidiary of the Borrower from its obligations under the Guaranty Agreement if such Person (i) ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted hereunder or (ii) becomes an Excluded Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted hereunder and in accordance with the terms hereof.
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Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agents authority to release its interest in any Collateral or to release any Guarantor that is a Subsidiary of the REIT from its obligations under the Guaranty Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.10. In each case as specified in this Section 9.10, the Administrative Agent will, at the Borrowers expense, execute and deliver to the applicable Loan Party such documents as such Loan Party may reasonably request to evidence the release of such item of Collateral from the assignment and security interest granted under the Collateral Documents, or to release such Guarantor that is a Subsidiary of the REIT from its obligations under the Guaranty Agreement, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents and this Section 9.10.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
10.01. Amendments, Etc. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by the Borrower or any other Loan Party therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Required Lenders and the Borrower or the applicable Loan Party, as the case may be, 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, without the written consent of each Lender;
(b) extend (except as provided in Section 2.14) or increase the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 8.02) without the written consent of such Lender; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the waiver of any Default or any condition set forth in Section 4.02 shall not be deemed to be an extension or increase of the Commitment of any Lender;
(c) postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment (excluding mandatory prepayments) of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them) hereunder or under such other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender entitled to such payment;
(d) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or L/C Borrowing, or (subject to clause (iv) of the second proviso to this Section 10.01) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document, without the written consent of each Lender entitled to such amount; provided, however, that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary (i) to amend the definition of Default Rate or to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest or Letter of Credit Fees at the Default Rate or (ii) to amend any financial covenant hereunder (or any defined term used therein) even if the effect of such amendment would be to reduce the rate of interest on any Loan or L/C Borrowing or to reduce any fee payable hereunder;
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(e) change any provision of this Section 10.01 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;
(f) change any of the terms or provisions in any Loan Document requiring pro rata payments, distributions, commitment reductions or sharing of payments without the consent of each Lender; provided, that with the consent of the Required Lenders, such terms and provisions may be amended on customary terms in connection with an amend and extend transaction;
(g) release (i) the Borrower or (ii) Guarantors collectively constituting all or substantially all of the value of the Guaranty Agreement from its obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, without the written consent of each Lender, except as expressly provided in the Loan Documents; or
(h) release all or substantially all of the Collateral in any transaction or series of related transactions, without the written consent of each Lender, except as expressly provided in the Loan Documents;
and provided, further, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the L/C Issuer in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the L/C Issuer under this Agreement or any Issuer Document relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by it; (ii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Swing Line Lender in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Swing Line Lender under this Agreement; (iii) 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; and (iv) the Fee Letter may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto. 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;
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and, provided further, that if, in connection with any proposed amendment, waiver, or consent (a Proposed Change) requiring the consent of all Lenders or all affected Lenders, the consent of Required Lenders is obtained, but the consent of other requisite Lenders is not obtained (any such Lender whose consent is not obtained as described in this paragraph being referred to as a Non-Consenting Lender), then, so long as the Administrative Agent is not a Non-Consenting Lender, at Borrowers request, Administrative Agent or an Eligible Assignee shall have the right (but not the obligation) with Administrative Agents approval, to purchase from the Non-Consenting Lenders, and the Non-Consenting Lenders agree that they shall sell, all the Non-Consenting Lenders Commitments for an amount equal to the principal balances thereof and all accrued interest and fees with respect thereto through the date of sale pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance, without premium or discount. Administrative Agent is irrevocably appointed as attorney-in-fact to execute any such Assignment and Acceptance if such Lender fails to execute same within ten (10) days of such request of assignment. Such Lender shall be entitled to receive, in cash, concurrently with such assignment, all amounts owed to it under the Loan Documents, including all principal, interest and fees through the date of assignment (but excluding any prepayment charge).
10.02. Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communications.
(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 or by electronic mail (subject to clause (b) below) as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:
(i) if to a Loan Party, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number 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 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 and the L/C Issuer hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures
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approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or the L/C Issuer pursuant to Article II if such Lender or the L/C Issuer, as applicable, 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 senders 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 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 THE AGENT PARTIES 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 any Loan Party, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of any Loan Partys or the Administrative Agents transmission of Borrower Materials through the Internet. In addition, in no event shall any Agent Party have any liability to any Loan Party, any Lender, the L/C Issuer 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 REIT, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender 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, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender. 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
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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 Lenders 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, L/C Issuer and Lenders. The Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic Loan Notices and Swing Line Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of a Loan Party 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, varied from any confirmation thereof. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer, 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 a Loan Party. 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, the L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document 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, and provided under each other Loan Document, 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 Loan Parties or any of them 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 and the L/C Issuer; 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) the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender from exercising the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (c) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 10.08 (subject to the terms of Section 2.13), or (d) any Lender from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing
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pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of a proceeding relative to any Loan Party 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), (c) and (d) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 2.13, 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, MLPF&S and their respective Affiliates (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent and MLPF&S), 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); provided, that, the fees and expenses of counsel of the Administrative Agent and MLPF&S payable under this clause (i) shall be limited to one primary counsel, one specialty counsel in each specialty, one local counsel in each local jurisdiction, and one or more conflicts counsels if one or more conflicts of interest arise, (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the L/C Issuer in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer), and shall pay all fees and time charges for attorneys who may be employees of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer, 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 Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.
(b) Indemnification by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), the Arrangers, each Lender and the L/C Issuer, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called 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), and shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnitee from all fees and time charges and disbursements for attorneys who may be employees of any Indemnitee, incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by the Borrower or any other Loan Party 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 or the consummation of the transactions
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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 Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the L/C Issuer to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous Materials at, on, under or emanating from any property owned, leased or operated by the REIT, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the REIT, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries, 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 by a third party or by the REIT or any other Loan Party or any of the REITs or such Loan Partys directors, shareholders or creditors, 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 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.
(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), the Arrangers, the L/C Issuer or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the Arrangers, the L/C Issuer or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lenders 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), the Arrangers or the L/C Issuer 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), the Arrangers or L/C Issuer in connection with such capacity. The obligations of the Lenders under this subsection (c) are subject to the provisions of Section 2.12(d).
(d) Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, none of the REIT, the Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof shall assert, and the REIT and the Borrower each 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 Letter of Credit 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.
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(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 L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender, 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 any Loan Party is made to the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer 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, the L/C Issuer 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 and the L/C Issuer 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 Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders and the L/C Issuer 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 neither the REIT nor the Borrower may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender 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 Section 10.06(b), (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.06(d), or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of Section 10.06(f) (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 and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
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(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 (including for purposes of this Section 10.06(b), participations in L/C Obligations and in Swing Line 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 Lenders 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, the 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 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 Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Commitment assigned, except that this clause (ii) shall not apply to the Swing Line Lenders rights and obligations in respect of Swing Line Loans;
(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 or delayed) 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; provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within five (5) Business Days after having received notice thereof;
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(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;
(C) the consent of the L/C Issuer (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for any assignment; and
(D) the consent of the Swing Line Lender (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for any assignment.
(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, the REIT or any of the Borrowers or the REITs respective Affiliates or Subsidiaries, or (B) to any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, 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 and participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line 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.
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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 Lenders 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, 3.04, 3.05 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 Section 10.06(d).
(c) Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower (and such agency being solely for tax purposes), shall maintain at the Administrative Agents 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 (and related interest amounts) of the Loans and L/C Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the Register). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall 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 Registrar 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 Borrowers Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a Participant) in all or a portion of such Lenders rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans (including such Lenders participations in L/C Obligations and/or Swing Line Loans) owing to it); provided that (i) such Lenders 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, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lenders 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,
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agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in the first 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, 3.04 and 3.05 (subject to the requirements and limitations of such Sections) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Section 10.06(b). 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 2.13 as though it were a Lender.
Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and related interest amounts) of each participants interest in the Loans or other obligations under this Agreement (the Participant Register). The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.
(e) Limitations upon Participant Rights. A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 3.01 or 3.04 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation.
(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.
(g) Resignation as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender after Assignment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time Bank of America assigns all of its Commitment and Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to Section 10.06(b), Bank of America may, (i) upon 30 days notice to the Borrower and the Lenders, resign as L/C Issuer and/or (ii) upon 30 days notice to the Borrower, resign as Swing Line Lender. In the event of any such resignation as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, the Borrower shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders a successor L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder; provided, however, that no failure by the Borrower to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of Bank of America as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be. If Bank of America resigns as L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c)). If Bank of America resigns as Swing Line Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swing Line Lender
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provided for hereunder with respect to Swing Line Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(c). Upon the appointment of a successor L/C Issuer and/or Swing Line Lender, (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, and (b) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to Bank of America to effectively assume the obligations of Bank of America with respect to such Letters of Credit.
10.07. Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer 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 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 any Eligible Assignee invited to be a Lender pursuant to Section 2.15 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 (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower.
For purposes of this Section, Information means all information received from the REIT or any Subsidiary relating to the REIT or any Subsidiary or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the L/C Issuer on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the REIT or any Subsidiary thereof. 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, the Lenders and the L/C Issuer acknowledges that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning the REIT or a Subsidiary thereof, as the case may be, (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.
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10.08. Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, the L/C Issuer and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, after obtaining the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), 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, the L/C Issuer or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower or any other Loan Party against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower or such Loan Party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender or the L/C Issuer, irrespective of whether or not such Lender or the L/C Issuer shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrower or such Loan Party may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lender or the L/C Issuer 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 2.17 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, the L/C Issuer and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, the L/C Issuer or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender and the L/C Issuer 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.
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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. 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 or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding.
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, the L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, as applicable, then such provisions shall be deemed to be in effect only to the extent not so limited.
10.13. Replacement of Lenders. If (i) any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or (ii) if 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 (iii) if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender or (iv) if any other circumstance exists hereunder that gives the Borrower the right to replace a Lender as a party hereto, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender 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);
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(b) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to 100% of the outstanding principal of its Loans and L/C Advances from the assignee and any amounts payable by the Borrower pursuant to Section 3.01, 3.04 or 3.05 from the Borrower (it being understood that the Assignment and Assumption relating to such assignment shall provide that any interest and fees that accrued prior to the effective date of the assignment shall be for the account of the replaced Lender and such amounts that accrue on and after the effective date of the assignment shall be for the account of the replacement Lender);
(c) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 3.04 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. Each Lender agrees that, if the Borrower elects to replace such Lender in accordance with this Section 10.13, it shall promptly execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption to evidence the assignment and shall deliver to the Administrative Agent any Note (if a Note has been issued in respect of such Lenders Loans) subject to such Assignment and Assumption; provided that the failure of any such Lender to execute an Assignment and Assumption shall not render such assignment invalid and such assignment shall be recorded in the Register.
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 GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS THEREOF).
(b) SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. EACH OF THE BORROWER AND THE REIT IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT 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
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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 NEW YORK 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, ANY LENDER OR THE L/C ISSUER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST THE BORROWER OR THE REIT OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.
(c) WAIVER OF VENUE. EACH OF THE BORROWER AND THE REIT 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 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.
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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), each of the Borrower and the REIT acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Affiliates understanding, that: (i) (A) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers are arms-length commercial transactions between the Borrower, the REIT and their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers, on the other hand, (B) each of the Borrower and the REIT has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) each of the Borrower and the REIT 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 the Arrangers each 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, the REIT or any of their respective Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) neither the Administrative Agent nor the Arrangers have any obligation to the Borrower, the REIT or any of their respective 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 and the Arrangers and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower, the REIT and their respective Affiliates, and neither the Administrative Agent nor the Arrangers have any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower, the REIT or any of their respective Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by law, each of the Borrower and the REIT hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers 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 Certain Other Documents. The words execution, signed, signature, and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption or in any amendment or other modification hereof (including waivers and consents) shall be deemed to include electronic signatures 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 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.
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 each Loan Party, which information includes the name
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and address of each Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify each Loan Party 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. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG THE PARTIES.
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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.
AMERICAN ASSETS TRUST, L.P. | ||
By: | American Assets Trust, Inc., its sole general partner | |
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: | ||
AMERICAN ASSETS TRUST, INC. | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
S-1
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
S-2
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as a Lender, L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender | ||
By: |
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Name: | ||
Title: |
S-3
, | ||
as a Lender | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
S-4