Attached files

file filename
EX-10.2 - EX-10.2 - PS BUSINESS PARKS, INC./MDpsb-20170110xex10_2.htm
8-K - 8-K - PS BUSINESS PARKS, INC./MDpsb-20170110x8k.htm

Exhibit 10.1





Picture 18Loan Number:3514ZF





Revolving Credit CUSIP Number:











THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT



Dated as of January 10, 2017



by and among



PS BUSINESS PARKS, L.P.,



as Borrower,



The financial institutions party hereto

and their assignees under Section 13.5,



as Lenders,



and



WELLS FARGO Bank, National Association,



as Administrative Agent







 


 

Table of Contents

 

Page

 



 

 

 

ARTICLE I

Definitions.....................................................................................................................



Section 1.1

Definitions...........................................................................................................



Section 1.2

General; References to Central Time.......................................................................

23 



Section 1.3

Financial Attributes of Non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries.............................................

24 

ARTICLE II

Credit Facility.................................................................................................................

24 



Section 2.1

Revolving Loans...................................................................................................

24 



Section 2.2

Direct Debit.........................................................................................................

25 



Section 2.3

Intentionally Omitted.............................................................................................

26 



Section 2.4

Letters of Credit...................................................................................................

26 



Section 2.5

Intentionally Omitted.............................................................................................

30 



Section 2.6

Rates and Payment of Interest on Loans.................................................................

30 



Section 2.7

Number of Interest Periods.....................................................................................

30 



Section 2.8

Repayment of Loans.............................................................................................

31 



Section 2.9

Prepayments.........................................................................................................

31 



Section 2.10

Continuation.........................................................................................................

31 



Section 2.11

Conversion...........................................................................................................

32 



Section 2.12

Notes.....................................................................................................................

32 



Section 2.13

Voluntary Reductions of the Commitment.................................................................

33 



Section 2.14

Intentionally Omitted.............................................................................................

33 



Section 2.15

Expiration Date of Letters of Credit Past Commitment Termination.............................

33 



Section 2.16

Amount Limitations...............................................................................................

33 



Section 2.17

Increase in Commitments.......................................................................................

33 



Section 2.18

Funds Transfer Disbursements...............................................................................

34 

ARTICLE III

Payments, Fees and Other General Provisions...................................................................

35 



Section 3.1

Payments.............................................................................................................

35 



Section 3.2

Pro Rata Treatment...............................................................................................

35 



Section 3.3

Sharing of Payments, Etc.......................................................................................

36 



Section 3.4

Several Obligations...............................................................................................

36 



Section 3.5

Fees.......................................................................................................................

36 



Section 3.6

Computations.......................................................................................................

37 



Section 3.7

Usury.....................................................................................................................

37 



Section 3.8

Statements of Account...........................................................................................

38 

 

1

 

 


 

Table of Contents

(continued)

Page

 



Section 3.9

Defaulting Lenders...............................................................................................

38 



Section 3.10

Taxes.....................................................................................................................

41 

ARTICLE IV

UNENCUMBERED POOL...........................................................................................

45 



Section 4.1

Unencumbered Pool.............................................................................................

45 

ARTICLE V

Yield Protection, Etc.......................................................................................................

45 



Section 5.1

Additional Costs; Capital Adequacy.........................................................................

45 



Section 5.2

Suspension of LIBOR Loans.................................................................................

47 



Section 5.3

Illegality.................................................................................................................

48 



Section 5.4

Compensation.......................................................................................................

48 



Section 5.5

Treatment of Affected Loans.................................................................................

48 



Section 5.6

Affected Lenders.................................................................................................

49 



Section 5.7

Change of Lending Office.....................................................................................

49 



Section 5.8

Assumptions Concerning Funding of LIBOR Loans...................................................

50 

ARTICLE VI

Conditions Precedent.....................................................................................................

50 



Section 6.1

Initial Conditions Precedent.....................................................................................

50 



Section 6.2

Conditions Precedent to All Loans and Letters of Credit.............................................

52 

ARTICLE VII

Representations and Warranties.......................................................................................

52 



Section 7.1

Representations and Warranties.............................................................................

52 



Section 7.2

Survival of Representations and Warranties, Etc.......................................................

58 

ARTICLE VIII

Affirmative Covenants...................................................................................................

58 



Section 8.1

Preservation of Existence and Similar Matters.........................................................

58 



Section 8.2

Compliance with Applicable Law.............................................................................

59 



Section 8.3

Maintenance of Property.......................................................................................

59 



Section 8.4

Conduct of Business.............................................................................................

59 



Section 8.5

Insurance.............................................................................................................

59 



Section 8.6

Payment of Taxes and Claims.................................................................................

59 



Section 8.7

Books and Records; Inspections.............................................................................

59 



Section 8.8

Use of Proceeds...................................................................................................

60 



Section 8.9

Environmental Matters...........................................................................................

60 



Section 8.10

Further Assurances...............................................................................................

61 



Section 8.11

Material Contracts.................................................................................................

61 



Section 8.12

REIT Status.........................................................................................................

61 





 

 

 

 

2

 

 


 

Table of Contents

(continued)

Page

 



Section 8.13

Exchange Listing...................................................................................................

61 



Section 8.14

Asset Dispositions; Restrictions on Fundamental Changes; Certain Obligations.............

61 

ARTICLE IX

Information...................................................................................................................

62 



Section 9.1

Quarterly Financial Statements...............................................................................

62 



Section 9.2

Year‑End Statements.............................................................................................

62 



Section 9.3

Compliance Certificate...........................................................................................

62 



Section 9.4

Other Information.................................................................................................

63 



Section 9.5

Electronic Delivery of Certain Information...............................................................

65 



Section 9.6

Public/Private Information.....................................................................................

65 



Section 9.7

USA Patriot Act Notice; Compliance.......................................................................

66 

ARTICLE X

Negative Covenants.......................................................................................................

66 



Section 10.1

Financial Covenants...............................................................................................

66 



Section 10.2

Negative Pledge...................................................................................................

67 



Section 10.3

Restrictions on Intercompany Transfers...................................................................

68 



Section 10.4

Intentionally Omitted.............................................................................................

68 



Section 10.5

Plans.....................................................................................................................

68 



Section 10.6

Fiscal Year...........................................................................................................

68 



Section 10.7

Modifications of Organizational Documents and Material Contracts.............................

68 



Section 10.8

Intentionally Omitted.............................................................................................

69 



Section 10.9

Transactions with Affiliates.....................................................................................

69 



Section 10.10

Environmental Matters...........................................................................................

69 



Section 10.11

Intentionally Omitted.............................................................................................

69 



Section 10.12

Derivatives Contracts...........................................................................................

69 



Section 10.13

Sanction.................................................................................................................

69 

ARTICLE XI

Default...........................................................................................................................

69 



Section 11.1

Financial Covenants...............................................................................................

69 



Section 11.2

Remedies Upon Event of Default...........................................................................

73 



Section 11.3

Remedies Upon Default.........................................................................................

73 



Section 11.4

Marshaling; Payments Set Aside.............................................................................

74 



Section 11.5

Allocation of Proceeds...........................................................................................

74 



Section 11.6

Letter of Credit Collateral Account.........................................................................

74 



Section 11.7

Intentionally Omitted.............................................................................................

76 



 

3

 

 


 

Table of Contents

(continued)

Page

 



 

 

 



Section 11.8

Performance by Administrative Agent.....................................................................

76 



Section 11.9

Rights Cumulative.................................................................................................

76 

ARTICLE XII

The Administrative Agent...............................................................................................

76 



Section 12.1

Appointment and Authorization...............................................................................

76 



Section 12.2

Administrative Agent as Lender.............................................................................

77 



Section 12.3

Approvals of Lenders...........................................................................................

78 



Section 12.4

Notice of Events of Default...................................................................................

78 



Section 12.5

Administrative Agent’s Reliance.............................................................................

78 



Section 12.6

Indemnification of Administrative Agent...................................................................

79 



Section 12.7

Lender Credit Decision, Etc...................................................................................

80 



Section 12.8

Successor Administrative Agent.............................................................................

80 



 

 

 

ARTICLE XIII

Miscellaneous...............................................................................................................

81 



Section 13.1

Notices...................................................................................................................

81 



Section 13.2

Expenses...............................................................................................................

83 



Section 13.3

Setoff.....................................................................................................................

83 



Section 13.4

Litigation; Jurisdiction; Other Matters; Waivers.........................................................

84 



Section 13.5

Successors and Assigns.........................................................................................

85 



Section 13.6

Amendments and Waivers.....................................................................................

89 



Section 13.7

Nonliability of Administrative Agent and Lenders.......................................................

90 



Section 13.8

Confidentiality.......................................................................................................

91 



Section 13.9

Indemnification.....................................................................................................

91 



Section 13.10

Termination; Survival.............................................................................................

92 



Section 13.11

Severability of Provisions.......................................................................................

93 



Section 13.12

GOVERNING LAW.............................................................................................

93 



Section 13.13

Counterparts.........................................................................................................

93 



Section 13.14

Obligations with Respect to Loan Parties and Subsidiaries.........................................

93 



Section 13.15

Independence of Covenants...................................................................................

93 



Section 13.16

Limitation of Liability.............................................................................................

93 



Section 13.17

Entire Agreement.................................................................................................

93 



Section 13.18

Construction.........................................................................................................

94 



Section 13.19

Headings...............................................................................................................

94 



Section 13.20

Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions.......................

94 





 

 

 

 

4

 

 


 

Table of Contents

(continued)

Page

 



Section 13.21

Amendment and Restatement; No Novation.............................................................

94 



 

 

5

 

 


 

 







 

SCHEDULE I

Commitments

SCHEDULE 1.1

List of Loan Parties

SCHEDULE 4.1

Unencumbered Assets

SCHEDULE 7.1(b)

Ownership Structure

SCHEDULE 7.1(g)

Indebtedness and Guaranties

SCHEDULE 7.1(i)

Litigation

SCHEDULE 7.1(s)

Affiliate Transactions



 



 

EXHIBIT A

Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement

EXHIBIT B

Form of Notice of Borrowing

EXHIBIT C

Form of Notice of Continuation

EXHIBIT D

Form of Notice of Conversion

EXHIBIT E

Form of Note

EXHIBIT F

Form of Disbursement Instruction Agreement

EXHIBITS G

Forms of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates

EXHIBIT H

Form of Compliance Certificate

EXHIBIT I

Form of Unencumbered Asset Certificate







 

-  1  -


 

 

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT

THIS THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated as of January 10, 2017, by and among PS BUSINESS PARKS, L.P., a California limited partnership (the “Borrower”), each of the financial institutions initially a signatory hereto together with their successors and assignees under Section 13.5 (the “Lenders”), and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent (the “Administrative Agent”).

WHEREAS, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders made available to Borrower a revolving credit facility in the amount of $250,000,000, which included a $5,000,000 letter of credit subfacility (the “Existing Credit Facility”) pursuant to that certain Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2014, as amended, by and among Borrower, the Lenders and Administrative Agent (the “Original Credit Agreement”).

WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend and restate the Original Credit Agreement to provide, among other things, for the continued availability to Borrower of a revolving credit facility in the amount of $250,000,000, which will include a $5,000,000 letter of credit subfacility, in accordance with the terms and conditions contained herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, the parties hereto agree that the Original Credit Agreement is amended and restated as follows:

ARTICLE I  Definitions

Section 1.1  Definitions.

In addition to terms defined elsewhere herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings for the purposes of this Agreement:

Additional Costs” has the meaning given that term in Section 5.1(b).

Administrative Agent” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as contractual representative of the Lenders under this Agreement, or any successor Administrative Agent appointed pursuant to Section 12.8.

Administrative Questionnaire” means the Administrative Questionnaire completed by each Lender and delivered to the Administrative Agent in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders from time to time.

Affected Lender” has the meaning given that term in Section 5.6.

Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified 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.

Agreement Date” means the date as of which this Agreement is dated.

"Anti-Corruption Laws"  means: (a) the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended; (b) the U.K. Bribery Act 2010, as amended; and (c) any other anti-bribery or anti-corruption laws, regulations or ordinances applicable to the Borrower or Guarantor.  

-  1  -


 

 

"Anti-Money Laundering Laws"  means applicable laws or regulations in any jurisdiction in which Borrower, Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries is located or doing business that relates to money laundering, any predicate crime to money laundering, or any financial record keeping and reporting requirements related thereto.

Applicable Facility Fee” means the percentage set forth in the table below corresponding to the Level at which the “Applicable Margin” is determined in accordance with the definition thereof:



Level

Borrower’s Credit Rating (S&P/Moody’s or equivalent)

Facility Fee

1

A/A2 (or equivalent) or better

0.10%

2

A-/A3 (or equivalent)

0.125%

3

BBB+/Baa1 (or equivalent)

0.15%

4

BBB/Baa2 (or equivalent)

0.20%

5

BBB-/Baa3 (or equivalent)

0.25%

6

BB+/Ba1 (or equivalent) or lower or unrated

0.30%

Any change in the applicable Level at which the Applicable Margin is determined shall result in a corresponding and simultaneous change in the Applicable Facility Fee.  The provisions of this definition shall be subject to Section 2.6(c).

Applicable Law” means all international, foreign, federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes, executive orders, 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.

Applicable Margin” means the percentage rate set forth in the table below corresponding to the level (each a “Level”) into which the Borrower’s Credit Rating then falls.  As of the Agreement Date, the Applicable Margin is determined based on Level 2.  Any change in the Borrower’s Credit Rating which would cause it to move to a different Level shall be effective as of the first (1st) day of the first (1st) calendar month immediately following receipt by the Administrative Agent of written notice delivered by the Borrower in accordance with Section 9.4 that the Borrower’s Credit Rating has changed; provided,  however, if the Borrower has not delivered the notice required by such Section but the Administrative Agent becomes aware that the Borrower’s Credit Rating has changed, then the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, adjust the Level effective as of the first (1st) day of the first (1st) calendar month following the date the Administrative Agent becomes aware that the Borrower’s Credit Rating has changed.  The Applicable Margin shall be determined based on the Level corresponding to the lower of the highest two Credit Ratings; provided that if the highest two Credit Ratings are from S&P and Moody’s, then the Applicable Margin shall be determined based on the highest of such two Credit Ratings.  During any period for which the Borrower has received a Credit Rating from only one Rating Agency, then the Applicable Margin shall be determined based on such Credit Rating so long as such Credit Rating is from either S&P or Moody’s.  During any period that the Borrower has (a) not received a Credit Rating from any Rating Agency or (b) received a Credit Rating from only one Rating Agency that is neither S&P or Moody’s, the Applicable Margin shall be determined based on Level 6.  The provisions of this definition shall be subject to Section 2.6(c).

-  2  -

 


 

 



Level

Borrower’s Credit Rating (S&P/Moody’s or equivalent)

Applicable Margin for LIBOR Loans

Applicable Margin for  Base Rate Loans

1

A/A2 (or equivalent) or better

0.80%

0.00%

2

A-/A3

0.825%

0.00%

3

BBB+/Baa1 (or equivalent)

0.90%

0.00%

4

BBB/Baa2 (or equivalent)

1.00%

0.00%

5

BBB-/Baa3 (or equivalent)

1.20%

0.20%

6

BB+/Ba1 (or equivalent) or lower or unrated

1.55%

0.55%



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 any entity that administers or manages a Lender.

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 13.5), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit A or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

Bail-In Legislation” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

Bankruptcy Code” means the Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended.

Base Rate” means, at any time, the highest of (a) the Prime Rate, (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50% and (c) the LIBOR Market Index Rate plus 1.0%; each change in the Base Rate shall take effect simultaneously with the corresponding change or changes in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Rate or the LIBOR Market Index Rate (provided that clause (c) shall not be applicable during any period in which LIBOR is unavailable or unascertainable). If the Base Rate determined as provided above would be less than zero, the Base Rate shall be deemed to be zero.

Base Rate Loan” means a Loan (or any portion thereof) bearing interest at a rate based on the Base Rate.

Benefit Arrangement” means at any time an employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA which is not a Plan or a Multiemployer Plan and which is maintained or otherwise contributed to by any member of the ERISA Group.

Borrower” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph hereof and shall include the Borrower’s successors and permitted assigns.

Borrower Information” has the meaning given that term in Section 2.6(c).

Business Day” means (a) for all purposes other than as set forth in clause (b) below, any day (other than a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday) on which banks in New York, New York, are open for the conduct of their commercial banking business, and (b) with respect to all notices and determinations in

-  3  -

 


 

 

connection with, and payments of principal and interest on, any LIBOR Loan, or any Base Rate Loan as to which the interest rate is determined by reference to LIBOR, any day that is a Business Day described in clause (a) and that is also a day for trading by and between banks in Dollar deposits in the London interbank market.  Unless specifically referenced in this Agreement as a Business Day, all references to “days” shall be to calendar days.

Capital Lease” means, as applied to any Person, any lease of any property (whether real, personal or mixed) by that Person as lessee which, in conformity with GAAP, is or should be accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of that Person.

Capitalization Rate” means 7.0%.

Capitalized Lease Obligations” means obligations under a lease (or other arrangement conveying the right to use property) to pay rent or other amounts that are required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP.  The amount of a Capitalized Lease Obligation is the capitalized amount of such obligation as would be required to be reflected on a balance sheet of the applicable Person prepared in accordance with GAAP as of the applicable date.

Cash Collateralize” means, to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Issuing Bank or the Lenders, as collateral for Letter of Credit Liabilities or obligations of Lenders to fund participations in respect of Letter of Credit Liabilities, cash or deposit account balances or, if the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank shall agree in their sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank.  “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:  (a) securities issued, guaranteed or insured by the United States of America or any of its agencies with maturities of not more than one year from the date acquired; (b) certificates of deposit with maturities of not more than one year from the date acquired issued by a United States federal or state chartered commercial bank of recognized standing, or a commercial bank organized under the laws of any other country which is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or a political subdivision of any such country, acting through a branch or agency, which bank has capital and unimpaired surplus in excess of $500,000,000 and which bank or its holding company has a short‑term commercial paper rating of at least A‑2 or the equivalent by S&P or at least P‑2 or the equivalent by Moody’s; (c) reverse repurchase agreements with terms of not more than seven (7) days from the date acquired, for securities of the type described in clause (a) above and entered into only with commercial banks having the qualifications described in clause (b) above; (d) commercial paper issued by any Person incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof and rated at least A‑2 or the equivalent thereof by S&P or at least P‑2 or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s, in each case with maturities of not more than one year from the date acquired; and (e) investments in money market funds registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, which have net assets of at least $500,000,000 and at least eighty-five percent (85%) of whose assets consist of securities and other obligations of the type described in clauses (a) through (d) above.

Commitment” means, as to each Lender, such Lender’s obligation to make Loans pursuant to Section 2.1, and to issue (in the case of the Issuing Bank) and to participate (in the case of the other Lenders) in Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.4(i), in an amount up to, but not exceeding the amount set forth for such Lender on Schedule I as such Lender’s “Commitment Amount” or as set forth in any applicable Assignment and Assumption, or agreement executed by a Person becoming a Lender in accordance with Section 2.17, as the same may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.13 or increased or reduced

-  4  -

 


 

 

as appropriate to reflect any assignments to or by such Lender effected in accordance with Section 13.5 or increased as appropriate to reflect any increase effected in accordance with Section 2.17.

Commitment Percentage” means, as to each Lender with a Commitment, the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of (a) the amount of such Lender’s Commitment to (b) the aggregate amount of the Commitments of all Lenders; provided,  however, that if at the time of determination the Commitments have been terminated or been reduced to zero, the “Commitment Percentage” of each Lender with a Commitment shall be the “Commitment Percentage” of such Lender in effect immediately prior to such termination or reduction.

Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.) as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

Compliance Certificate” has the meaning given that term in Section 9.3.

Connection Income Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.

Continue,” “Continuation” and “Continued” each refers to the continuation of a LIBOR Loan from one Interest Period to another Interest Period pursuant to Section 2.10.

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.

Convert,” “Conversion” and “Converted” each refers to the conversion of a Loan of one Type into a Loan of another Type pursuant to Section 2.11.

Credit Exposure” means, as to any Lender at any time, the aggregate principal amount at such time of its outstanding Loans and such Lender’s participation in Letter of Credit Liabilities at such time.

Credit Event” means any of the following:  (a) the making (or deemed making) of any Loan, (b) the Conversion of a Base Rate Loan into a LIBOR Loan, (c) the Continuation of a LIBOR Loan and (d) the issuance of a Letter of Credit or the amendment of a Letter of Credit that extends the maturity, or increases the Stated Amount, of such Letter of Credit.

Credit Rating” means the rating assigned by a Rating Agency to the senior unsecured long term Indebtedness of a Person.

Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar Applicable Laws relating to the relief of debtors in the United States of America or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.

Default” means any of the events specified in Section 11.1, whether or not there has been satisfied any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both.

Defaulting Lender” means, subject to Section 3.9(f), any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within two (2) Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s reasonable determination that one or more conditions precedent to

-  5  -

 


 

 

funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit) within two (2) Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lender’s obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender’s reasonable determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) has failed, within three (3) Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower), 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 appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity, or (iii) become the subject of a Bail-in Action; 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 so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States of America or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender.  Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 3.9(f)) upon delivery of written notice of such determination to the Borrower, the Issuing Bank and each Lender.

Derivatives Contract” means a “swap agreement” as defined in Section 101 of the Bankruptcy Code.

Derivatives Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Derivatives Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement or provision relating thereto, (a) for any date on or after the date such Derivatives Contracts have been terminated or closed out, the termination amount or value determined in accordance therewith, and (b) for any date prior to the date such Derivatives Contracts have been terminated or closed out, the then-current mark-to-market value for such Derivatives Contracts, determined based upon one or more mid-market quotations or estimates provided by any recognized dealer in Derivatives Contracts (which may include the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Affiliate of any of them).

Development Property” means a Property currently under development (i) upon which a certificate of occupancy has not been obtained in accordance with Applicable Law and local building and zoning ordinances and (ii) on which the improvements (other than tenant improvements on unoccupied space) related to the development have not been substantially completed. A Development Property on which all improvements (other than tenant improvements on unoccupied space) related to the development of such Property have been completed for at least 18 months shall cease to constitute a Development Property notwithstanding the fact that such Property has not achieved an Occupancy Rate of at least 80%.

-  6  -

 


 

 

Disbursement Instruction Agreement” means an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit F to be executed and delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Section 6.1(a), as the same may be amended, restated or modified from time to time with the prior written approval of the Administrative Agent.

Dollars” or “$” means the lawful currency of the United States of America.

EBITDA” means, with respect to a Person for any period and without duplication: (a) net income (loss) of such Person for such period determined on a consolidated basis excluding the following (but only to the extent included in determining net income (loss) for such period): (i) depreciation and amortization; (ii) interest expense; (iii) income tax expense; (iv) extraordinary or nonrecurring items, including without limitation, gains and losses from the sale of operating Properties; and (v) equity in net income (loss) of its Unconsolidated Affiliates; plus (b) such Person’s Ownership Share of EBITDA of its Unconsolidated Affiliates; less (c) Reserve for Replacements.  EBITDA shall be adjusted to remove any impact from straight line rent leveling adjustments required under GAAP and amortization of intangibles pursuant to FASB ASC 805.  For purposes of this definition, nonrecurring items shall be deemed to include (x) gains and losses on early extinguishment of Indebtedness, (y) severance and other restructuring charges and (z) transaction costs of acquisitions not permitted to be capitalized pursuant to GAAP.

EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

Effective Date” means the later of (a) the Agreement Date and (b) the date on which all of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 6.1 shall have been fulfilled or waived by all of the Lenders.

Eligible Assignee” means (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender, (c) an Approved Fund and (d) any other Person (other than a natural person) approved by the Administrative Agent (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

Environmental Claims” means any and all administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, accusations, allegations, notices of noncompliance or violation, investigations (other than internal reports prepared by any Person in the ordinary course of business and not in response to any third party action or request of any kind) or proceedings relating in any way to any actual or alleged violation of or liability under any Environmental Law or relating to any permit issued, or any approval given, under any such Environmental Law, including, without limitation, any and all claims by Governmental Authorities for enforcement, cleanup, removal, response, remedial or other actions or damages, contribution, indemnification cost recovery, compensation or injunctive relief resulting from Hazardous Materials or arising from alleged injury or threat of injury to human health or the environment.

Environmental Laws” means any Applicable Law relating to environmental protection or the manufacture, storage, remediation, disposal or clean‑up of Hazardous Materials including, without

-  7  -

 


 

 

limitation, the following: Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.; Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.; Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq.; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.; National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. § 4321 et seq.; regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency, any applicable rule of common law and any judicial interpretation thereof relating primarily to the environment or Hazardous Materials, and any analogous or comparable state or local laws, regulations or ordinances that concern Hazardous Materials or protection of the environment.

Equity Interest” means, with respect to any Person, any share of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, any warrant, option or other right for the purchase or other acquisition from such Person of any share of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, whether or not certificated, any security convertible into or exchangeable for any share of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrant, right or option for the purchase or other acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and any other ownership or profit interest in such Person (including, without limitation, partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such share, warrant, option, right or other interest is authorized or otherwise existing on any date of determination.

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as in effect from time to time.

ERISA Event” means, with respect to the ERISA Group, (a) any “reportable event” as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived); (b) the withdrawal of a member of the ERISA Group from a Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it 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) the incurrence by a member of the ERISA Group of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Multiemployer Plan; (d) the incurrence by any member of the ERISA Group of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (e) the institution of proceedings to terminate a Plan or Multiemployer Plan by the PBGC; (f) the failure by any member of the ERISA Group to make when due required contributions to a Multiemployer Plan or Plan unless such failure is cured within thirty (30) days or the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard; (g) any other event or condition that might reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan or Multiemployer Plan or the imposition of liability under Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA; (h) the receipt by any member of the ERISA Group of any notice or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from any member of the ERISA Group of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent (within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA), in reorganization (within the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA), or in “critical” status (within the meaning of Section 432 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 305 of ERISA); (i)  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 any member of the ERISA Group or the imposition of any Lien in favor of the PBGC under Title IV of ERISA; or (j) a determination that a Plan is, or is reasonably expected to be, in “at risk” status (within the meaning of Section 430 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 303 of ERISA).

ERISA Group” means the Borrower, any Subsidiary and all members of a controlled group of corporations and all trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control, which, together with the Borrower or any Subsidiary, are treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code.

-  8  -

 


 

 

EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.

Event of Default” means any of the events specified in Section 11.1,  provided that any requirement for notice or lapse of time or any other condition has been satisfied.

Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Loan Party, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the liability of such Loan Party for or the Guarantee of such Loan Party of, or the grant by such Loan Party of a Lien to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any liability or guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Loan Party’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder at the time the liability for or the Guarantee of such Loan Party or the grant of such Lien becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation.  If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such Guarantee or Lien is or becomes illegal for the reasons identified in the immediately preceding sentence of this definition.

Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable Lending Office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to an Applicable Law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 5.6) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 3.10, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 3.10(g) and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

Existing Credit Facility” has the meaning given that term in the first WHEREAS clause above.



FASB ASC” means the Accounting Standards Codification of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with) and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Federal Funds Rate” means, for any period, a fluctuating interest rate per annum equal for each day during such period to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the immediately preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal Funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Administrative Agent.

-  9  -

 


 

 

Fee Letter” means that certain fee letter dated as of January 10, 2017, by and between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

Fees” means the fees and commissions provided for or referred to in Section 3.5 and any other fees payable by the Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document.

Fixed Charges” means, with respect to a Person and for a given period:  (a) the Interest Expense of such Person for such period, plus (b) the aggregate of all regularly scheduled principal payments on Indebtedness payable by such Person during such period (excluding balloon, bullet or similar payments of principal due upon the stated maturity of Indebtedness), plus (c) the aggregate amount of all Preferred Dividends paid by such Person during such period.  The Guarantor’s Ownership Share of the Fixed Charges of its Unconsolidated Affiliates will be included in when determining the Fixed Charges of the Guarantor.

Foreign Lender” means (a) if the Borrower is a U.S. Person, a Lender that is not a U.S. Person, and (b) if the Borrower is not a U.S. Person, a Lender that is resident or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes.

Fronting Exposure” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the outstanding Letter of Credit Liabilities other than Letter of Credit Liabilities as to which such Defaulting Lender’s 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 a Person and for a given period, (a) net income (loss) of such Person for such period determined on a consolidated basis, minus (or plus) (b) gains (or losses) from debt restructuring and sales of property during such period, plus (c) depreciation with respect to such Person’s real estate assets and amortization of such Person for such period, all after adjustment for Unconsolidated Affiliates.  Adjustments for Unconsolidated Affiliates will be calculated to reflect funds from operations on the same basis.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (including Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification”) or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States of America, which are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination.

Governmental Approvals” means all authorizations, consents, approvals, licenses and exemptions of, registrations and filings with, and reports required to be made to, all Governmental Authorities.

Governmental Authority” means any national, state or local government (whether domestic or foreign), any political subdivision thereof or any other governmental, quasi‑governmental, judicial, administrative, public or statutory instrumentality, authority, body, agency, bureau, commission, board, department or other entity (including, without limitation, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Comptroller of the Currency or the Federal Reserve Board, any central bank or any comparable authority) or any arbitrator with authority to bind a party at law.

-  10  -

 


 

 

Gross Asset Value” means, at a given time, the sum (without duplication) of (a) Operating Property Value at such time, plus (b) all cash and cash equivalents (excluding any tenant deposits not included in the calculation of “Indebtedness” and other cash and cash equivalents the disposition of which is restricted) and marketable securities (to the extent reasonably capable of being verified) of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries at such time, plus (c) the current book value of all Development Property and Unimproved Land of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries, plus (d) the current book value of all Mortgage Receivables and other tangible investments of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, plus (e) the current gross book value of all Property (other than a Development Property or any Property described in clause (c) above) acquired by the Borrower or any Subsidiary during the immediately preceding period of six consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower, plus (f) the contractual purchase price of Properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries subject to purchase obligations, repurchase obligations, forward commitments and unfunded obligations to the extent such obligations and commitments are included in determinations of Total Liabilities.  The Guarantor’s Ownership Share of assets held by Unconsolidated Affiliates (excluding assets of the type described in the immediately preceding clause (b)) will be included in the calculation of Gross Asset Value consistent with the above described treatment for wholly owned assets.  To the extent that Gross Asset Value attributable to Unimproved Land, marketable securities, Mortgage Receivables, Development Property, and assets held by Unconsolidated Affiliates would, in the aggregate, exceeds 30.0%, such excess shall be excluded from Gross Asset Value.

Ground Lease means a ground lease containing terms and conditions customarily required by mortgagees making a loan secured by the interest of the holder of the leasehold estate demised pursuant to a ground lease, including without limitation, the following: (a) a remaining term (exclusive of any unexercised extension options) of 40 years or more from the Agreement Date; (b) the right of the lessee to mortgage and encumber its interest in the leased property, and to amend the terms of any such mortgage or encumbrance, in each case, without the consent of the lessor; (c) the obligation of the lessor to give the holder of any mortgage Lien on such leased property written notice of any defaults on the part of the lessee and agreement of such lessor that such lease will not be terminated until such holder has had a reasonable opportunity to cure or complete foreclosures, and fails to do so; (d) acceptable transferability of the lessee’s interest under such lease, including ability to sublease; (e) acceptable limitations on the use of the leased property; and (f) clearly determinable rental payment terms which in no event contain profit participation rights.

Guarantor” means PS Business Parks, Inc., a California corporation.

Guaranty,” “Guaranteed” or to “Guarantee” as applied to any obligation means and includes:  (a) a guaranty (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), directly or indirectly, in any manner, of any part or all of such obligation, or (b) an agreement, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, and whether or not constituting a guaranty, the practical effect of which is to assure the payment or performance (or payment of damages in the event of nonperformance) of any part or all of such obligation whether by:  (i) the purchase of securities or obligations, (ii) the purchase, sale or lease (as lessee or lessor) of property or the purchase or sale of services primarily for the purpose of enabling the obligor with respect to such obligation to make any payment or performance (or payment of damages in the event of nonperformance) of or on account of any part or all of such obligation, or to assure the owner of such obligation against loss, (iii) the supplying of funds to or in any other manner investing in the obligor with respect to such obligation, (iv) repayment of amounts drawn down by beneficiaries of letters of credit (including Letters of Credit), or (v) the supplying of funds to or investing in a Person on account of all or any part of such Person’s obligation under a Guaranty of any obligation or indemnifying or holding harmless, in any way, such Person against any part or all of such obligation. 

Hazardous Materials” means all or any of the following:  (a) substances that are defined or listed in, or otherwise classified pursuant to, any applicable Environmental Laws as “hazardous substances,”

-  11  -

 


 

 

“hazardous materials,” “hazardous wastes,” “toxic substances” or any other formulation intended to define, list or classify substances by reason of deleterious properties such as ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, “TCLP” toxicity, or “EP toxicity”; (b) oil, petroleum or petroleum derived substances, natural gas, natural gas liquids or synthetic gas and drilling fluids, produced waters and other wastes associated with the exploration, development or production of crude oil, natural gas or geothermal resources; (c) any flammable substances or explosives or any radioactive materials; (d) asbestos in any form; (e) toxic mold; and (f) electrical equipment which contains any oil or dielectric fluid containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of fifty parts per million.

Indebtedness” means, with respect to a Person, at the time of computation thereof, all of the following (without duplication):  (a) all obligations of such Person in respect of money borrowed or for the deferred purchase price of property or services including trade debt incurred in the ordinary course of business); (b) all obligations of such Person, whether or not for money borrowed (i) represented by notes payable, or drafts accepted, in each case representing extensions of credit, (ii) evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, or (iii) constituting purchase money indebtedness, conditional sales contracts, title retention debt instruments or other similar instruments, upon which interest charges are customarily paid or that are issued or assumed as full or partial payment for property or for services rendered; (c) Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person; (d) all reimbursement obligations (contingent or otherwise) of such Person under or in respect of any letters of credit or acceptances (whether or not the same have been presented for payment); (e) all Off-Balance Sheet Obligations of such Person; (f) all obligations of such Person to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment in respect of any Mandatorily Redeemable Stock issued by such Person or any other Person, valued at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends; (g) net obligations under any Derivatives Contract not entered into as a hedge against interest rate risk in respect of existing Indebtedness, in an amount equal to the Derivatives Termination Value thereof at such time (but in no event less than zero); (h) all Indebtedness of other Persons which such Person has Guaranteed or is otherwise recourse to such Person (except for guaranties of customary exceptions for fraud, misapplication of funds, environmental indemnities, voluntary bankruptcy, collusive involuntary bankruptcy and other similar customary exceptions to non-recourse liability); (i) all Indebtedness of another Person secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property or assets owned by such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such Indebtedness or other payment obligation; and (j) all obligations of such Person in respect of any purchase obligation, repurchase obligation, takeout commitment or forward equity commitment, in each case evidenced by a contractual agreement (excluding any such obligation (i) to the extent the obligation can be satisfied by the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Mandatorily Redeemable Stock) and (ii) which such Person can terminate without incurring expenses and losses in excess of 5.0% of the aggregate amount payable by such Person if the transaction contemplated by such contractual agreement were to be consummated in accordance with its terms).  All Loans and Letter of Credit Liabilities shall constitute Indebtedness of the Borrower.

Indemnified Taxes” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower or any other Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in the immediately preceding clause (a), Other Taxes.

Intellectual Property” has the meaning given that term in Section 7.1(t).

Interest Expense” means, with respect to a Person and for any period, without duplication, total interest expense of such Person, including capitalized interest not funded under a construction loan interest reserve account, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP for such period.  The

-  12  -

 


 

 

Guarantor’s Ownership Share of the Interest Expense of its Unconsolidated Affiliates will be included in when determining the Interest Expense of the Guarantor.

Interest Period” means with respect to each LIBOR Loan, each period commencing on the date such LIBOR Loan is made, or in the case of the Continuation of a LIBOR Loan the last day of the preceding Interest Period for such Loan, and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the first (1st), third (3rd)  or sixth (6th) calendar month thereafter, as the Borrower may select in a Notice of Borrowing, Notice of Continuation or Notice of Conversion, as the case may be, except that each Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on any day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the appropriate subsequent calendar month) shall end on the last Business Day of the appropriate subsequent calendar month; and

Notwithstanding the foregoing:  (i) if any Interest Period for a Loan would otherwise end after the Termination Date, such Interest Period shall end on the Termination Date; and (ii) each Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day shall end on the immediately following Business Day (or, if such immediately following Business Day falls in the next calendar month, on the immediately preceding Business Day).

Internal Revenue Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Investment” means, with respect to any Person, any acquisition or investment (whether or not of a controlling interest) by such Person, by means of any of the following:  (a) the purchase or other acquisition of any Equity Interest in another Person, (b) a loan, advance or extension of credit to, capital contribution to, Guaranty of Indebtedness of, or purchase or other acquisition of any Indebtedness of, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person, or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of assets of another Person that constitute the business or a division or operating unit of another Person.  Any commitment to make an Investment in any other Person, as well as any option of another Person to require an Investment in such Person, shall constitute an Investment.  Except as expressly provided otherwise, for purposes of determining compliance with any covenant contained in a Loan Document, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.

Investment Grade Rating”  means a Credit Rating of BBB- or higher from S&P and Baa3 or higher from Moody’s.

Issuing Bank” means Wells Fargo in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.4.

L/C Commitment Amount” has the meaning given to that term in Section 2.4(a).

L/C Disbursement” has the meaning given to that term in Section 3.9(b).

Lender” means each financial institution from time to time party hereto as a “Lender”, together with its respective successors and permitted assigns. 

Lender Parties” means, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Issuing Bank, each co-agent or sub-agent appointed by the Administrative Agent from time to time pursuant to Section 11.5, any other holder from time to time of any of any Obligations and, in each case, their respective successors and permitted assigns.

-  13  -

 


 

 

Lending Office” means, for each Lender and for each Type of Loan, the office of such Lender specified in such Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire or in the applicable Assignment and Assumption, or such other office of such Lender as such Lender may notify the Administrative Agent in writing from time to time.

Letter of Credit” has the meaning given that term in Section 2.4(a).

Letter of Credit Collateral Account” means a special deposit account maintained by the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders, and under the sole dominion and control of the Administrative Agent.

Letter of Credit Documents” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, collectively, any application therefor, any certificate or other document presented in connection with a drawing under such Letter of Credit and any other agreement, instrument or other document governing or providing for (a) the rights and obligations of the parties concerned or at risk with respect to such Letter of Credit or (b) any collateral security for any of such obligations.

Letter of Credit Liabilities” means, without duplication, at any time and in respect of any Letter of Credit (a) the Stated Amount of such Letter of Credit plus (b) the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Reimbursement Obligations of the Borrower at such time due and payable in respect of all drawings made under such Letter of Credit.  For purposes of this Agreement, a Lender (other than the Lender then acting as Issuing Bank) shall be deemed to hold a Letter of Credit Liability in an amount equal to its participation interest under Section 2.4 in the related Letter of Credit, and the Lender then acting as the Issuing Bank shall be deemed to hold a Letter of Credit Liability in an amount equal to its retained interest in the related Letter of Credit after giving effect to the acquisition by the Lenders (other than the Lender then acting as the Issuing Bank) of their participation interests under such Section.

Level” has the meaning given that term in the definition of the term “Applicable Margin.”

LIBOR” means, with respect to any LIBOR Loan for any Interest Period, the rate of interest obtained by dividing (i) the rate of interest per annum determined on the basis of the rate for deposits in Dollars for a period equal to the applicable Interest Period which appears on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page (or any applicable successor page) at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the first (1st) day of the applicable Interest Period by (ii) a percentage equal to one (1) minus the stated maximum rate (stated as a decimal) of all reserves, if any, required to be maintained with respect to Eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency liabilities”) as specified in Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or against any other category of liabilities which includes deposits by reference to which the interest rate on LIBOR Loans is determined or any applicable category of extensions of credit or other assets which includes loans by an office of any Lender outside of the United States of America).  If, for any reason, the rate referred to in the preceding clause (i) does not appear on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page (or any applicable successor page), then the rate to be used for such clause (i) shall be determined by the Administrative Agent to be the arithmetic average of the rate per annum at which deposits in Dollars would be offered by first class banks in the London interbank market to the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Day prior to the first day of the applicable Interest Period for a period equal to such Interest Period.  Any change in the maximum rate or reserves described in the preceding clause (ii) shall result in a change in LIBOR on the date on which such change in such maximum rate becomes effective. If LIBOR determined as provided above would be less than zero, LIBOR shall be deemed to be zero.

LIBOR Loan” means a Loan (or any portion thereof) (other than a Base Rate Loan) bearing interest at a rate based on LIBOR.

-  14  -

 


 

 

LIBOR Market Index Rate” means, for any day, LIBOR as of that day that would be applicable for a LIBOR Loan having a one-month Interest Period determined at approximately 11:00 a.m. Central time for such day (rather than 11:00 a.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period as otherwise provided in the definition of “LIBOR”), or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day.  The LIBOR Market Index Rate shall be determined on a daily basis.

Lien” as applied to the property of any Person means:  (a) any security interest, encumbrance, mortgage, deed to secure debt, deed of trust, assignment of leases and rents, pledge, lien, hypothecation, assignment, charge or lease constituting a Capitalized Lease Obligation, conditional sale or other title retention agreement, or other security title or encumbrance of any kind in respect of any property of such Person, or upon the income, rents or profits therefrom; and (b) any arrangement, express or implied, under which any property of such Person is transferred, sequestered or otherwise identified for the purpose of subjecting the same to the payment of Indebtedness or performance of any other obligation in priority to the payment of the general, unsecured creditors of such Person.

Loan” means a loan made by a Lender to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.1(a).

Loan Document” means this Agreement, each Note, the Guaranty, each Letter of Credit Document, the Fee Letter and each other document or instrument now or hereafter executed and delivered by a Loan Party in connection with, pursuant to or relating to this Agreement.

Loan Party” means each of the Borrower, the Guarantor and each other Person who guarantees all or a portion of the Obligations and/or who pledges any collateral to secure all or a portion of the Obligations.  Schedule 1.1 sets forth the Loan Parties in addition to the Borrower as of the Agreement Date.

Mandatorily Redeemable Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Equity Interest of such Person which by the terms of such Equity Interest (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable or exercisable), upon the happening of any event or otherwise, (a) matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (other than an Equity Interest to the extent redeemable in exchange for common stock or other equivalent common Equity Interests at the option of the issuer of such Equity Interest), (b) is convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Indebtedness or Mandatorily Redeemable Stock, or (c) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or part (other than an Equity Interest which is redeemable solely in exchange for common stock or other equivalent common Equity Interests), in the case of each of clauses (a) through (c), on or prior to the Termination Date.

Material Adverse Effect” means (i) a condition, circumstance or event materially adverse to, (ii) a material adverse effect on or (iii) a material adverse change in, as the case may be, any one or more of the following: (a) the business, assets, results of operations or financial condition of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (b) the ability of any Loan Party to perform its obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party.

Material Contract” means any contract or other arrangement (other than the Loan Documents), whether written or oral, to which the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other Loan Party is a party as to which the breach, nonperformance, cancellation or failure to renew (if renewable by its terms) by any party thereto could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.

-  15  -

 


 

 

Mortgage” means a mortgage, deed of trust, deed to secure debt or similar security instrument made by a Person owning an interest in real estate granting a Lien on such interest in real estate as security for the payment of Indebtedness.

Mortgage Receivable” means a promissory note secured by a Mortgage of which the Borrower or a Subsidiary is the holder and retains the rights of collection of all payments thereunder.

Multiemployer Plan” means at any time a multiemployer plan within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which any member of the ERISA Group is then making or accruing an obligation to make contributions or has within the preceding six plan years made contributions, including for these purposes any Person which ceased to be a member of the ERISA Group during such six-year period.

Negative Pledge” means, with respect to a given asset, any provision of a document, instrument or agreement (other than any Loan Document) which prohibits or purports to prohibit the creation or assumption of any Lien on such asset as security for Indebtedness of the Person owning such asset or any other Person; provided,  however, that an agreement that conditions a Person’s ability to encumber its assets upon the maintenance of one or more specified ratios that limit such Person’s ability to encumber its assets but that do not generally prohibit the encumbrance of its assets, or the encumbrance of specific assets, shall not constitute a Negative Pledge.

Net Operating Income” means, for any Property and for a given period, the following (without duplication and determined on a consistent basis with prior periods):  (a) rents and other revenues received in the ordinary course from such Property (including proceeds from rent loss or business interruption insurance (but not in excess of the actual rent otherwise payable) but excluding pre-paid rents and revenues and security deposits except to the extent applied in satisfaction of tenants’ obligations for rent), minus (b) all expenses paid (excluding interest but including an appropriate accrual for property taxes and insurance) related to the ownership, operation or maintenance of such Property, including but not limited to, property taxes, assessments and the like, insurance, utilities, payroll costs, maintenance, repair and landscaping expenses, marketing expenses, and general and administrative expenses (including an appropriate allocation for legal, accounting, advertising, marketing and other expenses incurred in connection with such Property, but specifically excluding general overhead expenses of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries and any property management fees), minus (c) the Reserve for Replacements for such Property as of the end of such period, minus (d) the actual property management fee paid during such period with respect to such Property.

Non-Defaulting Lender” means, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.

Nonrecourse Indebtedness” means, with respect to a Person, Indebtedness for borrowed money in respect of which recourse for payment (except for customary exceptions for fraud, misapplication of funds, environmental indemnities, voluntary bankruptcy, collusive involuntary bankruptcy and other similar customary exceptions to nonrecourse liability) is contractually limited to specific assets of such Person encumbered by a Lien securing such Indebtedness; provided that if any event occurs after which recourse for payment for such Indebtedness is no longer limited to specific assets of such Person, such Indebtedness shall not be Nonrecourse Indebtedness after such event.

Note” means a promissory note of the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit E, payable to the order of a Lender in a principal amount equal to the amount of such Lender’s Commitment and includes, without limitation, the Fifth Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Note by Borrower to Lender, dated as of the date hereof.

-  16  -

 


 

 

Notice of Borrowing” means a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit B-1 (or such other form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and containing the information required in such Exhibit) to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.1(b) evidencing the Borrower’s request for a borrowing of Loans.

Notice of Continuation” means a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit C (or such other form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and containing the information required in such Exhibit) to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.10 evidencing the Borrower’s request for the Continuation of a LIBOR Loan.

Notice of Conversion” means a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit D (or such other form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and containing the information required in such Exhibit) to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.11 evidencing the Borrower’s request for the Conversion of a Loan from one Type to another Type.

Obligations” means, individually and collectively:  (a) the aggregate principal balance of, and all accrued and unpaid interest on, all Loans; (b) all Reimbursement Obligations and all other Letter of Credit Liabilities; and (c) all other indebtedness, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties owing to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender of every kind, nature and description, under or in respect of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, including, without limitation, the Fees and indemnification obligations, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or not due, contractual or tortious, liquidated or unliquidated, and whether or not evidenced by any promissory note.

Occupancy Rate” means, with respect to a Property at any time, the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of (a) the net rentable square footage of such Property actually occupied by tenants that are not Affiliates of the Borrower and paying rent, pursuant to binding leases to (b) the aggregate net rentable square footage of such Property.

Off-Balance Sheet Obligations means liabilities and obligations of the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other Person in respect of “off-balance sheet arrangements” (as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act) which the Guarantor would be required to disclose in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section of the Guarantor’s report on Form 10‑Q or Form 10‑K (or their equivalents) which the Guarantor is required to file with the SEC.

OFAC” means the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Office Park Property” means each commercial office, light industrial or retail property owned by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries.

Operating Property Value” means, as of a given date, the EBITDA of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal quarter most recently ended multiplied by 4 and divided by the Capitalization Rate.  For purposes of determining Operating Property Value (a) EBITDA from Properties acquired, or disposed of, by the Guarantor or any Subsidiary during the immediately preceding period of six fiscal quarters of the Guarantor shall be excluded, (b) EBITDA from Development Properties shall be excluded, and (c) with respect to a Property owned by a Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, only the Guarantor’s Ownership Share of the EBITDA of such Property shall be used when determining Operating Property Value.

-  17  -

 


 

 

Original Credit Agreement” has the meaning given that term in the first WHEREAS clause above.



Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).

Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 5.6).

Ownership Share” means, with respect to any Subsidiary of a Person (other than a Wholly Owned Subsidiary) or any Unconsolidated Affiliate of a Person, such Person’s relative nominal direct and indirect ownership interest (expressed as a percentage) in such Subsidiary or Unconsolidated Affiliate determined in accordance with the applicable provisions of the declaration of trust, articles or certificate of incorporation, articles of organization, partnership agreement, joint venture agreement or other applicable organizational document of such Subsidiary or Unconsolidated Affiliate.

Participant” has the meaning given that term in Section 13.5(d).

Participant Register” has the meaning given that term in Section 13.5(d).

Patriot Act” means The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Title III of Pub. L. No. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)).

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and any successor agency.

Permitted Liens” means:

(a)Liens (excluding any Lien imposed pursuant to any of the provisions of ERISA or pursuant to any Environmental Laws) for taxes, assessments or charges of any Governmental Authority or claims not yet due;

(b)Liens (other than any Lien imposed under ERISA) incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business (including without limitation surety bonds and appeal bonds) in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security benefits or to secure the performance of tenders, bids, leases, contracts (other than for the repayment of Indebtedness), and statutory obligations;

(c)Liens imposed by laws, such as mechanics’ liens and other similar liens arising in the ordinary course of business which secure payment of obligations not more than thirty (30) days past due or which are being contested as permitted under this Agreement;

(d)any Liens which are approved by the Requisite Lenders;

-  18  -

 


 

 

(e)rights of lessees under leases and the rights of lessors under Capital Leases;

(f)judgment Liens arising from a judgment or order by any court or other tribunal so long as (i) such judgment or order is paid, stayed or dismissed through appropriate appellate proceedings on or before sixty (60) days from the date of entry and (ii) the amount thereof is equal to or less than $500,000; and

(g)Liens on Properties other than Unencumbered Assets.

 “Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited partnership, general partnership, joint stock company, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, joint venture, association, company, trust, bank, trust company, land trust, business trust or other organization, whether or not a legal entity, or any other nongovernmental entity, or any Governmental Authority.

Plan” means at any time an employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) which is covered by Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code and either (a) is maintained, or contributed to, by any member of the ERISA Group for employees of any member of the ERISA Group or (b) has at any time within the preceding six years been maintained, or contributed to, by any Person which was at such time a member of the ERISA Group for employees of any Person which was at such time a member of the ERISA Group.

Post-Default Rate” means, with respect to any Obligation, a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate as in effect from time to time plus the Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans plus two percent  (2.0%).

Preferred Dividends” means, for any period and without duplication, all Restricted Payments paid during such period on Preferred Equity Interests issued by the Borrower or a Subsidiary.  Preferred Dividends shall not include dividends or distributions (a) paid or payable solely in Equity Interests (other than Mandatorily Redeemable Stock) payable to holders of such class of Equity Interests, (b) paid or payable to the Borrower or a Subsidiary, or (c) constituting or resulting in the redemption of Preferred Equity Interests, other than scheduled redemptions not constituting balloon, bullet or similar redemptions in full.

Preferred Equity Interests” means, with respect to any Person, Equity Interests in such Person which are entitled to preference or priority over any other Equity Interest in such Person in respect of the payment of dividends or distribution of assets upon liquidation or both.

Prime Rate” means, at any time, the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by the Lender then acting as the Administrative Agent as its prime rate.  Each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective as of the opening of business on the day such change in such prime rate occurs.  The parties hereto acknowledge that the rate announced publicly by the Lender acting as Administrative Agent as its prime rate is an index or base rate and shall not necessarily be its lowest or best rate charged to its customers or other banks.

Principal Office” means the office of the Administrative Agent located at 600 South 4th Street, 9th Floor, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55415, or any other subsequent office that the Administrative Agent shall have specified as the Principal Office by written notice to the Borrower and the Lenders.

Pro Rata Share” means, as to each Lender, the ratio, expressed as a percentage of (a) the amount of such Lender’s Commitment to (b) the aggregate amount of the Commitments of all Lenders; provided,  however, that if at the time of determination the Commitments have terminated or been reduced to zero, the “Pro Rata Share” of each Lender shall be the ratio, expressed as a percentage of (A) the sum of the

-  19  -

 


 

 

unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and Letter of Credit Liabilities owing to such Lender as of such date to (B) the sum of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and Letter of Credit Liabilities of all Lenders as of such date.  If at the time of determination the Commitments have terminated and there are no outstanding Loans or Letter of Credit Liabilities, then the Pro Rata Shares of the Lenders shall be determined as of the most recent date on which Commitments were in effect or Loans or Letters of Credit Liabilities were outstanding.

Property” means a parcel (or group of related parcels) of real property developed (or to be developed) by the Guarantor, the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any Unconsolidated Affiliate.

PSA” means Public Storage, a Maryland real estate investment trust.

Qualified Plan” means a Benefit Arrangement that is intended to be tax-qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Rating Agency” means S&P, Moody’s or any other nationally recognized securities rating agency selected by the Borrower and approved of by the Administrative Agent in writing.

Recipient” means (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) any Lender and (c) any Issuing Bank, as applicable.

Recourse Indebtedness” means, with respect to a Person, Indebtedness for borrowed money that is not Nonrecourse Indebtedness.

Register” has the meaning given that term in Section 13.5(c).

Regulatory Change” means, with respect to any Lender, any change effective after the Agreement Date in Applicable Law (including without limitation, Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) or the adoption or making after such date of any interpretation, directive or request applying to a class of banks, including such Lender, of or under any Applicable Law (whether or not having the force of law and whether or not failure to comply therewith would be unlawful) by any Governmental Authority or monetary authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof or compliance by any Lender with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy or liquidity.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (a) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (b) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Regulatory Change,” regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

Reimbursement Obligation” means the absolute, unconditional and irrevocable obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the Issuing Bank for any drawing honored by the Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit.

REIT” means a Person qualifying for treatment as a “real estate investment trust” under the Internal Revenue Code.

Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, counsel, other advisors and representatives of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

-  20  -

 


 

 

Requisite Lenders” means, as of any date, (a) Lenders having at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the aggregate amount of the Commitments, or (b) if the Commitments have been terminated or reduced to zero, Lenders holding at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the principal amount of the aggregate outstanding Loans and Letter of Credit Liabilities; provided that (i) in determining such percentage at any given time, all then existing Defaulting Lenders will be disregarded and excluded, and (ii) at all times when two or more Lenders (excluding Defaulting Lenders) are party to this Agreement, the term “Requisite Lenders” shall in no event mean less than two Lenders.  For purposes of this definition, a Lender shall be deemed to hold a Letter of Credit Liability to the extent such Lender has acquired a participation therein under the terms of this Agreement and has not failed to perform its obligations in respect of such participation.

Reserve for Replacements” for any period and with respect to any Property, an amount equal to (i) the aggregate square footage of all completed space of such Property, times (ii) $0.95, times (iii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in such period and the denominator of which is 365. If the term Reserve for Replacements is used without reference to any specific Property, then it shall be determined on an aggregate basis with respect to all Properties and the applicable Ownership Shares of all Properties of all Unconsolidated Affiliates.

Responsible Officer” means with respect to the Borrower or any Subsidiary, the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer and the chief legal officer of the Borrower or such Subsidiary.

Restricted Payment” means (a) any dividend or other distribution, direct or indirect, on account of any shares of any class of stock or other Equity Interest of the Guarantor, the Borrower, or any other Subsidiary now or hereafter outstanding, except a dividend or other distribution payable solely in shares of that class of stock to the holders of that class; (b) any redemption, conversion, exchange, retirement, sinking fund or similar payment, purchase or other acquisition for value, direct or indirect, of any shares of any class of stock or other Equity Interest of the Guarantor, the Borrower or any other Subsidiary now or hereafter outstanding, except solely in exchange for shares of the Guarantor’s common stock; and (c) any payment made to retire, or to obtain the surrender of, any outstanding warrants, options or other rights to acquire any Equity Interests of the Guarantor, the Borrower or any other Subsidiary now or hereafter outstanding.

Sanction” or “Sanctions” means individually and collectively, any and all economic or financial sanctions, sectoral sanctions, trade embargoes and anti-terrorism laws applicable to the activities subject to this Agreement, including but not limited to those imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by:  (a) the United States of America, including those administered by the OFAC, the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Department of Commerce, or through any existing or future Executive Order, (b) the United Nations Security Council, (c) the European Union, (d) the United Kingdom, or (e) any other relevant Sanctions authorities with jurisdiction over Borrower, Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries.

Sanctioned Country” means a country or territory which is itself the subject or target of any applicable Sanctions.

Sanctioned Person” means any Person that is a target of Sanctions, including without limitation, a Person that is: (a) listed on OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List; (b) listed on OFAC’s Consolidated Sanctions List; (c) a legal entity that is deemed by OFAC to be a Sanctions target based on the ownership of such legal entity by Sanctioned Peron(s); or (d) a Person that is a Sanctions target pursuant to any territorial or country-based Sanctions program.

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

-  21  -

 


 

 

Secured Indebtedness” means, with respect to a Person as of a given date, the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness of such Person outstanding on such date that is secured in any manner by any Lien on any property and, in the case of the Guarantor, shall include (without duplication) the Guarantor’s Ownership Share of the Secured Indebtedness of its Unconsolidated Affiliates.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, together with all rules and regulations issued thereunder.

Securities Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, together with all rules and regulations issued thereunder.

Solvent” means, when used with respect to any Person, that (a) the fair value and the fair salable value of its assets are each in excess of the fair valuation of its total liabilities (including all contingent liabilities computed at the amount which, in light of all facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that could reasonably be expected to become an actual and matured liability); (b) such Person is able to pay its debts or other obligations in the ordinary course as they mature; and (c) such Person has capital not unreasonably small to carry on its business and all business in which it proposes to be engaged.

 “S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business, or any successor.

Stated Amount” means the amount available to be drawn by a beneficiary under a Letter of Credit from time to time, as such amount may be increased or reduced from time to time in accordance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.

Subsidiary” means, for any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which at least a majority of the Equity Interests having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other individuals performing similar functions of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, and shall include all Persons the accounts of which are consolidated with those of such Person pursuant to GAAP.  Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to “Subsidiary” or “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower and the Guarantor.

Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a (47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

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.

Tenant Lease” means any lease entered into by the Borrower, any Loan Party or any Subsidiary with respect to any portion of a Property.

Termination Date” means January 10, 2022.

Total Budgeted Cost” means, with respect to a Development Property, and at any time, the aggregate amount of all costs budgeted to be paid, incurred or otherwise expended or accrued by the

-  22  -

 


 

 

Borrower, a Subsidiary or an Unconsolidated Affiliate with respect to such Property to achieve an Occupancy Rate of one hundred percent (100%), including without limitation, all amounts budgeted with respect to all of the following:  (a) acquisition of land and any related improvements; (b) a reasonable and appropriate reserve for construction interest; (c) a reasonable and appropriate operating deficit reserve; (d) tenant improvements; (e) leasing commissions and (f) other hard and soft costs associated with the development or redevelopment of such Property.  With respect to any Property to be developed in more than one phase, the Total Budgeted Cost shall exclude budgeted costs (other than costs relating to acquisition of land and related improvements) to the extent relating to any phase for which (i) construction has not yet commenced and (ii) a binding construction contract has not been entered into by the Borrower, any other Subsidiary or any Unconsolidated Affiliate, as the case may be.

Total Liabilities” means, as of a given date, the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries and the Guarantor’s Ownership Share of all Indebtedness of its Unconsolidated Affiliates, determined on a consolidated basis.

Type” with respect to any Loan, refers to whether such Loan or portion thereof is a LIBOR Loan or a Base Rate Loan.

UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in any applicable jurisdiction.

Unconsolidated Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person in whom such Person holds an Investment, which Investment is accounted for in the financial statements of such Person on an equity basis of accounting and whose financial results would not be consolidated under GAAP with the financial results of such Person on the consolidated financial statements of such Person.

“Unencumbered Asset” means a Property which satisfies all of the following requirements: (a) such Property is a fully developed commercial office, light industrial or retail property; (b) such Property is owned in fee simple, or leased under a Ground Lease, by the Guarantor, any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Guarantor, the Borrower or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower; (c)  such Property is located in a State of the United States of America or in the District of Columbia; (d) regardless of whether such Property is owned by the Guarantor or a Subsidiary of the Guarantor, the Guarantor has the right directly, or indirectly through a Subsidiary of the Guarantor, to take the following actions without the need to obtain the consent of any Person: (i) to create Liens on such Property as security for Indebtedness of the Guarantor or such Subsidiary, as applicable, and (ii) to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of such Property; (e) neither such Property, nor if such Property is owned by a Subsidiary of the Guarantor, any of the Guarantor’s direct or indirect ownership interest in such Subsidiary, is subject to (i) any Lien other than Permitted Liens or (ii) any Negative Pledge; (f) such Property is not a Development Property; (g) such Property is free of all structural defects or major architectural deficiencies, title defects, environmental conditions or other adverse matters except for defects, deficiencies, conditions or other matters which, individually or collectively, are not material to the profitable operation of such Property, and (h) such Property constitutes an Unencumbered Asset under Section 4.1.

“Unencumbered Asset Certificate” means a report in substantially the form of Exhibit I, certified by the chief financial officer or the controller of the Borrower, in form and detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. 

Unencumbered Asset Value means at a given time, the sum (without duplication) of all of the following of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis: (a) cash and Cash Equivalents (other than tenant deposits and other cash and Cash Equivalents, the disposition of which is restricted in any way); plus (b) for Unencumbered Assets that are not Development Properties and that have been owned or leased during the immediately

-  23  -

 


 

 

preceding period of six consecutive fiscal quarters, the quotient of (i) Unencumbered NOI times 4, divided by (ii) the Capitalization Rate; plus (c) the current gross book value of all Unencumbered Assets that are not Development Properties acquired during the immediately preceding period of six consecutive fiscal quarters; plus (d) the current book value of all (i) Development Property, and (ii) Unimproved Land, of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries that meet the definition of Unencumbered Asset (other than the requirements of sections (a) and (f) of such definition).  Notwithstanding the above, no Property or any other assets described in clauses (a) through (d) above owned or held (on in the case of any Property subject to a Ground Lease, leased) by a Subsidiary (other than the Borrower) shall be included in the calculation of Unencumbered Asset Value, if such Subsidiary (or any Subsidiary (other than the Borrower) that directly or indirectly owns such Subsidiary) has incurred, acquired or suffered to exist any Recourse Indebtedness.  In addition, to the extent that (i) the amount of Unencumbered Asset Value attributable to Properties that are subject to a Ground Lease would exceed 10% of Unencumbered Asset Value, such excess shall be excluded and (ii) the amount of Unencumbered Asset Value attributable to Development Properties and Unimproved Land would, in the aggregate, exceed 10% of the Unencumbered Asset Value, such excess shall be excluded.

Unencumbered NOI” means, as of a given date, the Net Operating Income for all Unencumbered Assets for the fiscal quarter of the Borrower most recently ended; provided, that none of the Net Operating Income of any Unencumbered Assets owned or leased directly or indirectly by any Subsidiary (other than the Borrower) that has incurred, acquired or suffered to exist any Recourse Indebtedness shall be included in the calculation of Unencumbered NOI.

Unencumbered Pool” means the pool of Unencumbered Assets to be calculated as part of the Unencumbered Asset Value. 

Unimproved Land” means land on which no development (other than improvements that are not material and are temporary in nature) has occurred.

Unsecured Indebtedness”  means, with respect to a Person, Indebtedness of such Person that is not Secured Indebtedness; provided,  however, that any Indebtedness that is secured only by a pledge of Equity Interests shall be deemed to be Unsecured Indebtedness.

Unsecured Interest Expense” means, with respect to a Person and for any period, all Interest Expense of such Person for such period attributable to Unsecured Indebtedness of such Person.

Unsecured Liabilities” means, as to any Person as of a given date, the following (without duplication):  (a) all liabilities which would, in conformity with GAAP, be properly classified as a liability on the balance sheet of such Person as of such date, plus (b) all Indebtedness of such Person (to the extent not included in the preceding clause (a)), minus (c) all liabilities included in the preceding clauses (a) and (b) that are secured by a Lien.

U.S. Person” means any Person that is a “United States Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code.

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.10(g)(ii)(B)(III).

Wells Fargo” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, and its successors and assigns.

Wholly Owned Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of a Person in respect of which (i) at least 99% of the Equity Interests (other than, in the case of a corporation, directors’ qualifying shares) are at the

-  24  -

 


 

 

time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person or one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person, and (ii) the balance of the Equity Interests are at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by the Guarantor (or any wholly-owned Subsidiary of Guarantor).

Withdrawal Liability” means any liability as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from a Multiemployer Plan as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

Withholding Agent” means (a) the Borrower, (b) any other Loan Party and (c) the Administrative Agent, as applicable.

Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

Section 1.2  General; References to Central Time.

Unless otherwise indicated, all accounting terms, ratios and measurements shall be interpreted or determined in accordance with GAAP from time to time; provided that, if at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Borrower or Requisite 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 appropriate Lenders pursuant to Section 13.6); provided further that, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Borrower shall provide to the 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.    Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the calculation of liabilities shall not include any fair value adjustments to the carrying value of liabilities to record such liabilities at fair value pursuant to electing the fair value option election under FASB ASC 825-10-25 (formerly known as FAS 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities) or other FASB standards allowing entities to elect fair value option for financial liabilities.  References in this Agreement to “Sections,” “Articles,” “Exhibits” and “Schedules” are to sections, articles, exhibits and schedules herein and hereto unless otherwise indicated.  references in this Agreement to any document, instrument or agreement (a) shall include all exhibits, schedules and other attachments thereto, (b) except as expressly provided otherwise in any Loan Document, shall include all documents, instruments or agreements issued or executed in replacement thereof, to the extent permitted hereby and (c) shall mean such document, instrument or agreement, or replacement or predecessor thereto, as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time to the extent not otherwise stated herein or prohibited hereby and in effect at any given time.  Wherever from the context it appears appropriate, each term stated in either the singular or plural shall include the singular and plural, and pronouns stated in the masculine, feminine or neuter gender shall include the masculine, the feminine and the neuter.  Unless explicitly set forth to the contrary, a reference to “Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of the Borrower or a Subsidiary of such Subsidiary and a reference to an “Affiliate” means a reference to an Affiliate of the Borrower.  Titles and captions of Articles, Sections, subsections and clauses in this Agreement are for convenience only, and neither limit nor amplify the provisions of this Agreement.  Unless otherwise indicated, all references to time are references to Central time daylight or standard, as applicable.

-  25  -

 


 

 

Section 1.3  Financial Attributes of Non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries.

When determining the Applicable Margin and compliance by the Guarantor or the Borrower with any financial covenant contained in any of the Loan Documents (a) only the Ownership Share of the Guarantor or the Borrower, as applicable, of the financial attributes of a Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary shall be included and (b) the Guarantor’s Ownership Share of the Borrower shall be deemed to be one hundred percent (100.0%). 

ARTICLE II  Credit Facility

Section 2.1  Revolving Loans.

(a) Making of Loans.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, including without limitation, Section 2.16, each Lender severally and not jointly agrees to make Loans to the Borrower during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the Termination Date, in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding up to, but not exceeding, such Lender’s Commitment.  Each borrowing of Loans that are to be (i) Base Rate Loans shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of $500,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in excess thereof and (ii) LIBOR Loans shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in excess thereof.  Notwithstanding the immediately preceding two sentences but subject to Section 2.16, a borrowing of Loans may be in the aggregate amount of the unused Commitments.  Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow Loans.

(b) Requests for Loans.  Not later than 12:00 p.m. Central time at least one (1) Business Day prior to a borrowing of Loans that are to be Base Rate Loans and not later than 11:00 a.m. Central time at least three (3) Business Days prior to a borrowing of Loans that are to be LIBOR Loans, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a Notice of Borrowing.  Each Notice of Borrowing shall specify the aggregate principal amount of the Loans to be borrowed, the date such Loans are to be borrowed (which must be a Business Day), the use of the proceeds of such Loans, the Type of the requested Loans, and if such Loans are to be LIBOR Loans, the initial Interest Period for such Loans.  Each Notice of Borrowing shall be irrevocable once given and binding on the Borrower.  Prior to delivering a Notice of Borrowing, the Borrower may (without specifying whether a Loan will be a Base Rate Loan or a LIBOR Loan) request that the Administrative Agent provide the Borrower with the most recent LIBOR available to the Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent shall provide such quoted rate to the Borrower on the date of such request or as soon as possible thereafter.

(c) Funding of Loans.  Promptly after receipt of a Notice of Borrowing under the immediately preceding subsection (b), the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the proposed borrowing.  Each Lender shall deposit an amount equal to the Loan to be made by such Lender to the Borrower with the Administrative Agent at the Principal Office, in immediately available funds not later than 11:00 a.m. Central time on the date of such proposed Loans.  Subject to fulfillment of all applicable conditions set forth herein, the Administrative Agent shall make available to the Borrower in the account specified in the Disbursement Instruction Agreement, not later than 2:00 p.m. Central time on the date of the requested borrowing of Loans, the proceeds of such amounts received by the Administrative Agent.

(d) Assumptions Regarding Funding by Lenders.  With respect to Loans to be made after the Effective Date, unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified by any Lender that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent a Loan to be made by such Lender in connection with any borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender will make the proceeds of such Loan available to the Administrative Agent in accordance with this Section, and the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to), in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower the

-  26  -

 


 

 

amount of such Loan to be provided by such Lender.  In such event, if such Lender does not make available to the Administrative Agent the proceeds of such Loan, then such Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent on demand the amount of such Loan with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such Loan is made available to the Borrower but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) 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 and (ii) 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 the amount of such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or 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 to the Administrative Agent the amount of such Loan, the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in the 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 available the proceeds of a Loan to be made by such Lender.

Section 2.2  Direct Debit

In order to assure timely payment to the Administrative Agent of accrued interest, principal, fees and late charges due and owing under the Loan, the Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent to directly debit the Borrower's demand deposit account with the Administrative Agent, account number 4828-665364, for payment when due of all such amounts payable hereunder.  The Borrower represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent that the Borrower is the legal owner of said account.  Written confirmation of the amount and purpose of any such direct debit shall be given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent not less frequently than monthly.  In the event any direct debit hereunder is returned for insufficient funds, the Borrower shall pay the Administrative Agent upon demand, in immediately available funds, all amounts and expenses due and owing to the Administrative Agent. 

Section 2.3    Intentionally Omitted.

Section 2.4  Letters of Credit.

(a) Letters of Credit.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including without limitation, Section 2.16, the Issuing Bank, on behalf of the Lenders, agrees to issue for the account of the Borrower during the period from and including the Effective Date to, but excluding, the date thirty (30) days prior to the Termination Date, one or more standby letters of credit (each a “Letter of Credit”) up to a maximum aggregate Stated Amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed $5,000,000, as such amount may be reduced from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof (the “L/C Commitment Amount”).

(b) Terms of Letters of Credit.  At the time of issuance, the amount, form, terms and conditions of each Letter of Credit, and of any drafts or acceptances thereunder, shall be subject to approval by the Issuing Bank and the Borrower.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may (i) the expiration date of any Letter of Credit extend beyond the date that is thirty (30) days prior to the Termination Date, or (ii) any Letter of Credit have an initial duration in excess of one year; provided,  however, a Letter of Credit may contain a provision providing for the automatic extension of the expiration date in the absence of a notice of non-renewal from the Issuing Bank but in no event shall any such provision permit the extension of the expiration date of such Letter of Credit beyond the date that is thirty (30) days prior to the Termination Date.  The initial Stated Amount of each Letter of Credit shall be at least $50,000 (or such lesser amount as may be acceptable to the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower).

(c) Requests for Issuance of Letters of Credit.  The Borrower shall give the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent written notice (or a telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) at least five

-  27  -

 


 

 

(5) Business Days prior to the requested date of issuance of a Letter of Credit, such notice to describe in reasonable detail the proposed terms of such Letter of Credit and the nature of the transactions or obligations proposed to be supported by such Letter of Credit, and in any event shall set forth with respect to such Letter of Credit the proposed (i) initial Stated Amount, (ii) beneficiary, and (iii) expiration date.  The Borrower shall also execute and deliver such customary applications and agreements for standby letters of credit, and other forms as requested from time to time by the Issuing Bank.  Provided the Borrower has given the notice prescribed by the first sentence of this subsection and delivered such applications and agreements referred to in the preceding sentence, subject to the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the satisfaction of any applicable conditions precedent set forth in Section 6.2, the Issuing Bank shall issue the requested Letter of Credit on the requested date of issuance for the benefit of the stipulated beneficiary but in no event prior to the date five (5) Business Days following the date after which the Issuing Bank has received all of the items required to be delivered to it under this subsection.  The Issuing Bank shall not at any time be obligated to issue any Letter of Credit if such issuance would conflict with, or cause the Issuing Bank or any Lender to exceed any limits imposed by, any Applicable Law.  References herein to “issue” and derivations thereof with respect to Letters of Credit shall also include extensions or modifications of any outstanding Letters of Credit, unless the context otherwise requires.  Upon the written request of the Borrower, the Issuing Bank shall deliver to the Borrower a copy of each issued Letter of Credit within a reasonable time after the date of issuance thereof.  To the extent any term of a Letter of Credit Document is inconsistent with a term of any Loan Document, the term of such Loan Document shall control. 

(d) Reimbursement Obligations.  Upon receipt by the Issuing Bank from the beneficiary of a Letter of Credit of any demand for payment under such Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of the amount to be paid by the Issuing Bank as a result of such demand and the date on which payment is to be made by the Issuing Bank to such beneficiary in respect of such demand; provided,  however, that the Issuing Bank’s failure to give, or delay in giving, such notice shall not discharge the Borrower in any respect from the applicable Reimbursement Obligation.  The Borrower hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably agrees to pay and reimburse the Issuing Bank for the amount of each demand for payment under such Letter of Credit at or prior to the date on which payment is to be made by the Issuing Bank to the beneficiary thereunder, without presentment, demand, protest or other formalities of any kind.  Upon receipt by the Issuing Bank of any payment in respect of any Reimbursement Obligation, the Issuing Bank shall promptly pay to each Lender that has acquired a participation therein under the second sentence of the immediately following subsection (i) such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of such payment.

(e) Manner of Reimbursement.  Upon its receipt of a notice referred to in the immediately preceding subsection (d), the Borrower shall advise the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank whether or not the Borrower intends to borrow hereunder to finance its obligation to reimburse the Issuing Bank for the amount of the related demand for payment and, if it does, the Borrower shall submit a timely request for such borrowing as provided in the applicable provisions of this Agreement.  If the Borrower fails to so advise the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, or if the Borrower fails to reimburse the Issuing Bank for a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit by the date of such payment, the failure of which the Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent, then (i) if the applicable conditions contained in Article VI would permit the making of Loans, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a borrowing of Loans (which shall be Base Rate Loans) in an amount equal to the unpaid Reimbursement Obligation and the Administrative Agent shall give each Lender prompt notice of the amount of the Loan to be made available to the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 noon Central time and (ii) if such conditions would not permit the making of Loans, the provisions of subsection (j) of this Section shall apply.  The limitations set forth in the second sentence of Section 2.1(a) shall not apply to any borrowing of Base Rate Loans under this subsection.

-  28  -

 


 

 

(f) Effect of Letters of Credit on Commitments.  Upon the issuance by the Issuing Bank of any Letter of Credit and until such Letter of Credit shall have expired or been cancelled, the Commitment of each Lender shall be deemed to be utilized for all purposes of this Agreement in an amount equal to the product of (i) such Lender’s Commitment Percentage and (ii) (A) the Stated Amount of such Letter of Credit plus (B) any related Reimbursement Obligations then outstanding.

(g) Issuing Bank’s Duties Regarding Letters of Credit; Unconditional Nature of Reimbursement Obligations.  In examining documents presented in connection with drawings under Letters of Credit and making payments under such Letters of Credit against such documents, the Issuing Bank shall only be required to use the same standard of care as it uses in connection with examining documents presented in connection with drawings under letters of credit in which it has not sold participations and making payments under such letters of credit.  The Borrower assumes all risks of the acts and omissions of, or misuse of the Letters of Credit by, the respective beneficiaries of such Letters of Credit.  In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, none of the Issuing Bank, Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders shall be responsible for, and the Borrower’s obligations in respect of Letters of Credit shall not be affected in any manner by, (i) the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effects of any document submitted by any party in connection with the application for and issuance of or any drawing honored under any Letter of Credit even if such document should in fact prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged; (ii) the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign any Letter of Credit, or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason; (iii) failure of the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit to comply fully with conditions required in order to draw upon such Letter of Credit; (iv) errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, cable, telex, telecopy, electronic mail or otherwise, whether or not they be in cipher; (v) errors in interpretation of technical terms; (vi) any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under any Letter of Credit, or of the proceeds thereof; (vii) the misapplication by the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit, or of the proceeds of any drawing under any Letter of Credit; or (viii) any consequences arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent or the Lenders.  None of the above shall affect, impair or prevent the vesting of any of the Issuing Bank’s or Administrative Agent’s rights or powers hereunder.  Any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Issuing Bank under or in connection with any Letter of Credit, if taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable judgment), shall not create against the Issuing Bank any liability to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any Lender.  In this connection, the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the Issuing Bank for any drawing made under any Letter of Credit, and to repay any Loan made pursuant to the second sentence of the immediately preceding subsection (e), shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and any other applicable Letter of Credit Document under all circumstances whatsoever, including without limitation, the following circumstances:  (A) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit Document or any term or provisions therein; (B) any amendment or waiver of or any consent to departure from all or any of the Letter of Credit Documents; (C) the existence of any claim, setoff, defense or other right which the Borrower may have at any time against the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent, any Lender, any beneficiary of a Letter of Credit or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or in the Letter of Credit Documents or any unrelated transaction; (D) any breach of contract or dispute between the Borrower, the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other Person; (E) any demand, statement or any other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein or made in connection therewith being untrue or inaccurate in any respect whatsoever; (F) any non‑application or misapplication by the beneficiary of a Letter of Credit or of the proceeds of any drawing under such Letter of Credit; (G) payment by the Issuing Bank under any Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate which does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; and (H) any other act,

-  29  -

 


 

 

omission to act, delay or circumstance whatsoever that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable defense to or discharge of the Borrower’s Reimbursement Obligations.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section or Section 13.9, but not in limitation of the Borrower’s unconditional obligation to reimburse the Issuing Bank for any drawing made under a Letter of Credit as provided in this Section and to repay any Loan made pursuant to the second sentence of the immediately preceding subsection (e), the Borrower shall have no obligation to indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in respect of any liability incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or such Lender arising solely out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or such Lender in respect of a Letter of Credit as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable judgment.  Except as otherwise provided in this Section, nothing in this Section shall affect any rights the Borrower may have with respect to the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender with respect to any Letter of Credit.

(h) Amendments, Etc.  The issuance by the Issuing Bank of any amendment, supplement or other modification to any Letter of Credit shall be subject to the same conditions applicable under this Agreement to the issuance of new Letters of Credit (including, without limitation, that the request therefor be made through the Issuing Bank), and no such amendment, supplement or other modification shall be issued unless either (i) the respective Letter of Credit affected thereby would have complied with such conditions had it originally been issued hereunder in such amended, supplemented or modified form or (ii) the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, if any, required by Section 13.6 shall have consented thereto.  In connection with any such amendment, supplement or other modification, the Borrower shall pay the fees, if any, payable under the last sentence of Section 3.5(c).  

(i) Lenders’ Participation in Letters of Credit.  Immediately upon the issuance by the Issuing Bank of any Letter of Credit each Lender shall be deemed to have absolutely, irrevocably and unconditionally purchased and received from the Issuing Bank, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation to the extent of such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the liability of the Issuing Bank with respect to such Letter of Credit and each Lender thereby shall absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably assume, as primary obligor and not as surety, and shall be unconditionally obligated to the Issuing Bank to pay and discharge when due, such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of the Issuing Bank’s liability under such Letter of Credit.  In addition, upon the making of each payment by a Lender to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank in respect of any Letter of Credit pursuant to the immediately following subsection (j), such Lender shall, automatically and without any further action on the part of the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent or such Lender, acquire (i) a participation in an amount equal to such payment in the Reimbursement Obligation owing to the Issuing Bank by the Borrower in respect of such Letter of Credit and (ii) a participation in a percentage equal to such Lender’s Commitment Percentage in any interest or other amounts payable by the Borrower in respect of such Reimbursement Obligation (other than the Fees payable to the Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 3.5(c)).

(j) Payment Obligation of Lenders.  Each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Issuing Bank, on demand in immediately available funds in Dollars the amount of such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of each drawing paid by the Issuing Bank under each Letter of Credit to the extent such amount is not reimbursed by the Borrower pursuant to the immediately preceding subsection (d); provided,  however, that in respect of any drawing under any Letter of Credit, the maximum amount that any Lender shall be required to fund, whether as a Loan or as a participation, shall not exceed such Lender’s Commitment Percentage of such drawing except as otherwise provided in Section 3.9(d).  If the notice referenced in the second sentence of Section 2.4(e) is received by a Lender not later than 11:00 a.m. Central time, then such Lender shall make such payment available to the Administrative Agent not later than 2:00 p.m. Central time on the date of demand therefor; otherwise, such payment shall be made available to the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. Central time on the next succeeding Business

-  30  -

 


 

 

Day.  Each Lender’s obligation to make such payments to the Administrative Agent under this subsection, and the Administrative Agent’s right to receive the same for the account of the Issuing Bank, shall be absolute, irrevocable and unconditional and shall not be affected in any way by any circumstance whatsoever, including without limitation, (i) the failure of any other Lender to make its payment under this subsection, (ii) the financial condition of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, (iii) the existence of any Default or Event of Default, including any Event of Default described in Section 11.1(e) or (f), or (iv) the termination of the Commitments.  Each such payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or deduction whatsoever.

(k) Information to Lenders.  Promptly following any change in Letters of Credit outstanding, the Issuing Bank shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, which shall promptly deliver the same to each Lender and the Borrower, a notice describing the aggregate amount of all Letters of Credit outstanding at such time.  Upon the request of any Lender from time to time, the Issuing Bank shall deliver any other information reasonably requested by such Lender with respect to each Letter of Credit then outstanding.  Other than as set forth in this subsection, the Issuing Bank shall have no duty to notify the Lenders regarding the issuance or other matters regarding Letters of Credit issued hereunder.  The failure of the Issuing Bank to perform its requirements under this subsection shall not relieve any Lender from its obligations under the immediately preceding subsection (j).

Section 2.5  Intentionally Omitted.

Section 2.6  Rates and Payment of Interest on Loans.

(a) Rates.  The Borrower promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan made by such Lender for the period from and including the date of the making of such Loan to but excluding the date such Loan shall be paid in full, at the following per annum rates:

(i) during such periods as such Loan is a Base Rate Loan, at the Base Rate (as in effect from time to time), plus the Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans; and

(ii) during such periods as such Loan is a LIBOR Loan, at LIBOR for such Loan for the Interest Period therefor, plus the Applicable Margin.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, while an Event of Default exists, upon the election of the Requisite Lenders, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender and the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, interest at the Post-Default Rate on the outstanding principal amount of any Loan made by such Lender, on all Reimbursement Obligations and on any other amount payable by the Borrower hereunder or under the Notes held by such Lender to or for the account of such Lender (including without limitation, accrued but unpaid interest to the extent permitted under Applicable Law). 

(b) Payment of Interest.  All accrued and unpaid interest on the outstanding principal amount of each Loan shall be payable (i)  monthly in arrears on the first (1st) day of each month, commencing with the first (1st) full calendar month occurring after the Effective Date and (ii) on any date on which the principal balance of such Loan is due and payable in full (whether at maturity, due to acceleration or otherwise).  Interest payable at the Post-Default Rate shall be payable from time to time on demand.  All determinations by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate hereunder shall be conclusive and binding on the Lenders and the Borrower for all purposes, absent manifest error.

(c) Borrower Information Used to Determine Applicable Interest Rates.  The parties understand that the applicable interest rate for the Obligations and certain fees set forth herein may be

-  31  -

 


 

 

determined and/or adjusted from time to time based upon certain financial ratios and/or other information to be provided or certified to the Lenders by the Borrower (the “Borrower Information”).  If it is subsequently determined that any such Borrower Information was incorrect (for whatever reason, including without limitation because of a subsequent restatement of earnings by the Borrower) at the time it was delivered to the Administrative Agent, and if the applicable interest rate or fees calculated for any period were lower than they should have been had the correct information been timely provided, then, such interest rate and such fees for such period shall be automatically recalculated using correct Borrower Information.  The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower in writing of any additional interest and fees due because of such recalculation, and the Borrower shall pay such additional interest or fees due to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender, within five (5) Business Days of receipt of such written notice.  Any recalculation of interest or fees required by this provision shall survive the termination of this Agreement, and this provision shall not in any way limit any of the Administrative Agent’s, the Issuing Bank’s, or any Lender’s other rights under this Agreement.

Section 2.7  Number of Interest Periods.

There may be no more than ten (10) different Interest Periods outstanding at the same time.

Section 2.8  Repayment of Loans

The Borrower shall repay the entire outstanding principal amount of, and all accrued but unpaid interest on, the Loans on the Termination Date.

Section 2.9  Prepayments.

(a) Optional.  Subject to Section 5.4, the Borrower may prepay any Loan at any time without premium or penalty.  The Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent at least three (3) Business Days prior written notice of the prepayment of any Loan.  Each voluntary prepayment of Loans shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in excess thereof. 

(b) Mandatory.

(i) Commitment Overadvance.  If at any time the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Loans, together with the aggregate amount of all Letter of Credit Liabilities, exceeds the aggregate amount of the Commitments, the Borrower shall immediately upon demand pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders then holding Commitments (or if the Commitments have been terminated, then holding outstanding Loans and/or Letter of Credit Liabilities), the amount of such excess.

(ii) Intentionally Omitted

(iii) Intentionally Omitted

(iv) Application of Mandatory Prepayments.  Amounts paid under the preceding subsection (b)(i) shall be applied to pay all amounts of principal outstanding on the Loans and any Reimbursement Obligations pro rata in accordance with Section 3.2 and if any Letters of Credit are outstanding at such time, the remainder, if any, shall be deposited into the Letter of Credit Collateral Account for application to any Reimbursement Obligations.  If the Borrower is required to pay any outstanding LIBOR Loans by reason of this Section prior to the end of the applicable Interest Period therefor, the Borrower shall pay all amounts due under Section 5.4.

-  32  -

 


 

 

(c) No Effect on Derivatives Contracts.  No repayment or prepayment of the Loans pursuant to this Section shall affect any of the Borrower’s obligations under any Derivatives Contracts entered into with respect to the Loans.

Section 2.10  Continuation.

So long as no Default or Event of Default exists, the Borrower may on any Business Day, with respect to any LIBOR Loan, elect to maintain such LIBOR Loan or any portion thereof as a LIBOR Loan by selecting a new Interest Period for such LIBOR Loan.  Each Continuation of a LIBOR Loan shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in excess of that amount, and each new Interest Period selected under this Section shall commence on the last day of the immediately preceding Interest Period.  Each selection of a new Interest Period shall be made by the Borrower giving to the Administrative Agent a Notice of Continuation not later than 12:00 p.m. Central time on the third Business Day prior to the date of any such Continuation.  Such notice by the Borrower of a Continuation shall be by telephone (promptly followed by the delivery of a written Notice of Conversion), telecopy, electronic mail or other similar form of communication in the form of a Notice of Continuation, specifying (a) the proposed date of such Continuation, (b) the LIBOR Loans and portions thereof subject to such Continuation and (c) the duration of the selected Interest Period, all of which shall be specified in such manner as is necessary to comply with all limitations on Loans outstanding hereunder.  Each Notice of Continuation shall be irrevocable by and binding on the Borrower once given.  Promptly after receipt of a Notice of Continuation, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the proposed Continuation.  If the Borrower shall fail to select in a timely manner a new Interest Period for any LIBOR Loan in accordance with this Section, such Loan will automatically, on the last day of the current Interest Period therefor, continue as a LIBOR Loan with an Interest Period of one month; provided,  however, that if a Default or Event of Default exists, such Loan will automatically, on the last day of the current Interest Period therefor, Convert into a Base Rate Loan notwithstanding the first sentence of Section 2.11 or the Borrower’s failure to comply with any of the terms of such Section.

Section 2.11  Conversion.

The Borrower may on any Business Day, upon the Borrower’s giving of a Notice of Conversion to the Administrative Agent by telecopy, electronic mail or other similar form of communication, Convert all or a portion of a Loan of one Type into a Loan of another Type; provided,  however, a Base Rate Loan may not be Converted into a LIBOR Loan if a Default or Event of Default exists.  Each Conversion of Base Rate Loans into LIBOR Loans shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in excess of that amount.  Each such Notice of Conversion shall be given not later than 12:00 p.m. Central time three (3) Business Days prior to the date of any proposed Conversion.  Promptly after receipt of a Notice of Conversion, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the proposed Conversion.  Subject to the restrictions specified above, each Notice of Conversion shall be by telephone (promptly followed by the delivery of a written Notice of Conversion), telecopy, electronic mail or other similar form of communication in the form of a Notice of Conversion specifying (a) the requested date of such Conversion, (b) the Type of Loan to be Converted, (c) the portion of such Type of Loan to be Converted, (d) the Type of Loan such Loan is to be Converted into and (e) if such Conversion is into a LIBOR Loan, the requested duration of the Interest Period of such Loan.  Each Notice of Conversion shall be irrevocable by and binding on the Borrower once given.

Section 2.12  Notes.

(a) Notes.  Except in the case of a Lender that has notified the Administrative Agent in writing that it elects not to receive a Note, the Loans made by each Lender shall, in addition to this Agreement, also

-  33  -

 


 

 

be evidenced by a Note, payable to the order of such Lender in a principal amount equal to the amount of its Commitment as originally in effect and otherwise duly completed. 

(b) Records.  The date, amount, interest rate, Type and duration of Interest Periods (if applicable) of each Loan made by each Lender to the Borrower, and each payment made on account of the principal thereof, shall be recorded by such Lender on its books and such entries shall be binding on the Borrower absent manifest error; provided,  however, that (i) the failure of a Lender to make any such record shall not affect the obligations of the Borrower under any of the Loan Documents and (ii) if there is a discrepancy between such records of a Lender and the statements of accounts maintained by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 3.8, in the absence of manifest error, the statements of account maintained by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 3.8 shall be controlling.

(c) Lost, Stolen, Destroyed or Mutilated Notes.  Upon receipt by the Borrower of (i) written notice from a Lender that a Note of such Lender has been lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated, and (ii)(A) in the case of loss, theft or destruction, an unsecured agreement of indemnity from such Lender in form reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower, or (B) in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation of such Note, the Borrower shall at its own expense execute and deliver to such Lender a new Note dated the date of such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note.

Section 2.13  Voluntary Reductions of the Commitment.

The Borrower shall have the right to terminate or reduce the aggregate unused amount of the Commitments (for which purpose use of the Commitments shall be deemed to include the aggregate amount of all Letter of Credit Liabilities) at any time and from time to time without penalty or premium upon not less than five (5) Business Days prior written notice to the Administrative Agent of each such termination or reduction, which notice shall specify the effective date thereof and the amount of any such reduction (which in the case of any partial reduction of the Commitments shall not be less than $10,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess of that amount in the aggregate) and shall be irrevocable once given and effective only upon receipt by the Administrative Agent (“Commitment Reduction Notice”); provided,  however, the Borrower may not reduce the aggregate amount of the Commitments below $50,000,000 unless the Borrower is terminating the Commitments in full.    Promptly after receipt of a Commitment Reduction Notice the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the proposed termination or Commitment reduction.  The Commitments, once reduced or terminated pursuant to this Section, may not be increased or reinstated.  The Borrower shall pay all interest and fees on the Loans accrued to the date of such reduction or termination of the Commitments to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders, including but not limited to any applicable compensation due to each Lender in accordance with Section 5.4.

Section 2.14  Intentionally Omitted.

Section 2.15  Expiration Date of Letters of Credit Past Commitment Termination.

If on the date the Commitments are terminated or reduced to zero (whether voluntarily, by reason of the occurrence of an Event of Default or otherwise) there are any Letters of Credit outstanding hereunder and the aggregate Stated Amount of such Letters of Credit exceeds the balance of available funds on deposit in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account, then the Borrower shall, on such date, pay to the Administrative Agent, for its benefit and the benefit of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, for deposit into the Letter of Credit Collateral Account, an amount of money equal to the amount of such excess.

-  34  -

 


 

 

Section 2.16  Amount Limitations.

Notwithstanding any other term of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, no Lender shall be required to make a Loan, the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue a Letter of Credit and no reduction of the Commitments pursuant to Section 2.13 shall take effect, if immediately after the making of such Loan, the issuance of such Letter of Credit or such reduction in the Commitments, the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Loans, together with the aggregate amount of all Letter of Credit Liabilities, would exceed the aggregate amount of the Commitments at such time.

Section 2.17  Increase in Commitments.

The Borrower shall have the right to request, at any time and from time to time, increases in the aggregate amount of the Commitments by providing written notice to the Administrative Agent, which notice shall be irrevocable once given; provided,  however, that after giving effect to any such increases the aggregate amount of the Commitments shall not exceed $400,000,000.  Each such increase in the Commitments must be an aggregate minimum amount of $25,000,000 and integral multiples of $25,000,000 in excess thereof.  The Administrative Agent, in consultation with the Borrower, shall manage all aspects of the syndication of such increase in the Commitments, including decisions as to the selection of the existing Lenders and/or other banks, financial institutions and other institutional lenders to be approached with respect to such increase and the allocations of the increase in the Commitments among such existing Lenders and/or other banks, financial institutions and other institutional lenders.  No Lender shall be obligated in any way whatsoever to increase its Commitment or provide a new Commitment, and any new Lender becoming a party to this Agreement in connection with any such requested increase must be an Eligible Assignee.  If a new Lender becomes a party to this Agreement, or if any existing Lender is increasing its Commitment, such Lender shall on the date it becomes a Lender hereunder (or in the case of an existing Lender, increases its Commitment) (and as a condition thereto) purchase from the other Lenders its Commitment Percentage (determined with respect to the Lenders’ respective Commitments and after giving effect to the increase of Commitments) of any outstanding Loans, by making available to the Administrative Agent for the account of such other Lenders, in same day funds, an amount equal to (A) the portion of the outstanding principal amount of such Loans to be purchased by such Lender, plus (B) the aggregate amount of payments previously made by the other Lenders under Section 2.4(j) that have not been repaid, plus (C) interest accrued and unpaid to and as of such date on such portion of the outstanding principal amount of such Loans.  The Borrower shall pay to the Lenders amounts payable, if any, to such Lenders under Section 5.4 as a result of the prepayment of any such Loans.  Effecting the increase of the Commitments under this Section is subject to the following conditions precedent:  (x) no Default or Event of Default shall be in existence on the effective date of such increase, (y) the representations and warranties made or deemed made by the Borrower and any other Loan Party in any Loan Document to which such Loan Party is a party shall be true and correct in all material respects (except in the case of a representation or warranty qualified by materiality, in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct in all respects) on the effective date of such increase except to the extent that such representations and warranties expressly relate solely to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects (except in the case of a representation or warranty qualified by materiality, in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of such earlier date) and except for changes in factual circumstances specifically and expressly permitted hereunder, and (z) the Administrative Agent shall have received each of the following, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:  (i) if not previously delivered to the Administrative Agent, copies certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of (A) all partnership or other necessary action taken by the Borrower to authorize such increase and (B) all partnership or other necessary action taken by the Guarantor authorizing the guaranty of such increase; and (ii) an opinion of counsel to the Guarantor and general partner of the Borrower, addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders covering such matters as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent; and (iii) new Notes executed

-  35  -

 


 

 

by the Borrower, payable to any new Lenders and replacement Notes executed by the Borrower, payable to any existing Lenders increasing their Commitments, in the amount of such Lender’s Commitment at the time of the effectiveness of the applicable increase in the aggregate amount of the Commitments.  In connection with any increase in the aggregate amount of the Commitments pursuant to this Section 2.17 any Lender becoming a party hereto shall (1) execute such documents and agreements as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request and (2) in the case of any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside of the United States of America, provide to the Administrative Agent, its name, address, tax identification number and/or such other information as shall be necessary for the Administrative Agent to comply with “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation, the Patriot Act.

Section 2.18  Funds Transfer Disbursements

The Borrower hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to disburse the proceeds of any Loan made by the Lenders or any of their Affiliates pursuant to the Loan Documents as requested by an authorized representative of the Borrower to any of the accounts designated in the Disbursement Instruction Agreement. 

ARTICLE III  Payments, Fees and Other General Provisions

Section 3.1  Payments.

(a) Payments by Borrower.  Except to the extent otherwise provided herein, all payments of principal, interest, Fees and other amounts to be made by the Borrower under this Agreement, the Notes or any other Loan Document shall be made in Dollars, in immediately available funds, without setoff, deduction or counterclaim (excluding Taxes required to be withheld pursuant to Section 3.10), to the Administrative Agent at the Principal Office, not later than 1:00 p.m. Central time on the date on which such payment shall become due (each such payment made after such time on such due date to be deemed to have been made on the next succeeding Business Day).  Subject to Section 11.5, the Borrower shall, at the time of making each payment under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, specify to the Administrative Agent the amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder to which such payment is to be applied.  Each payment received by the Administrative Agent for the account of a Lender under this Agreement or any Note shall be paid to such Lender by wire transfer of immediately available funds in accordance with the wiring instructions provided by such Lender to the Administrative Agent from time to time, for the account of such Lender at the applicable Lending Office of such Lender.  Each payment received by the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank under this Agreement shall be paid to the Issuing Bank by wire transfer of immediately available funds in accordance with the wiring instructions provided by the Issuing Bank to the Administrative Agent from time to time, for the account of the Issuing Bank.  In the event the Administrative Agent fails to pay such amounts to such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such amounts, the Administrative Agent shall pay interest on such amount until paid at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect.  If the due date of any payment under this Agreement or any other Loan Document would otherwise fall on a day which is not a Business Day such date shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day and interest shall continue to accrue at the rate, if any, applicable to such payment for the period of such extension.

(b) Presumptions Regarding Payments by Borrower.  Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the Issuing Bank 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 (but shall not be obligated to), in reliance upon such assumption, distribute

-  36  -

 


 

 

to the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, 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 Issuing Bank, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent on demand that amount so distributed to such Lender or the Issuing Bank, 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.

Section 3.2  Pro Rata Treatment.

Except to the extent otherwise provided herein:  (a) each borrowing from the Lenders under Sections 2.1(a),  2.4(e) and 2.5(e) shall be made from the Lenders, each payment of the fees under Sections 3.5(a),  3.5(b), the first sentence of 3.5(c), and 3.5(e) shall be made for the account of the Lenders, and each termination or reduction of the amount of the Commitments under Section 2.13 shall be applied to the respective Commitments of the Lenders, pro rata according to the amounts of their respective Commitments; (b) each payment or prepayment of principal of Loans shall be made for the account of the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the respective unpaid principal amounts of the Loans held by them, provided that, subject to Section 3.9, if immediately prior to giving effect to any such payment in respect of any Loans the outstanding principal amount of the Loans shall not be held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with their respective Commitments in effect at the time such Loans were made, then such payment shall be applied to the Loans in such manner as shall result, as nearly as is practicable, in the outstanding principal amount of the Loans being held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with such respective Commitments; (c) each payment of interest on Loans shall be made for the account of the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the amounts of interest on such Loans then due and payable to the respective Lenders; (d) the Conversion and Continuation of Loans of a particular Type (other than Conversions provided for by Sections 5.1(c) and 5.5) shall be made pro rata among the Lenders according to the amounts of their respective Loans and the then current Interest Period for each Lender’s portion of each such Loan of such Type shall be coterminous; and (e) the Lenders’ participation in, and payment obligations in respect of, Letters of Credit under Section 2.4, shall be in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages. 

Section 3.3  Sharing of Payments, Etc.

If a Lender shall obtain payment of any principal of, or interest on, any Loan made by it to the Borrower under this Agreement or shall obtain payment on any other Obligation owing by the Borrower or any other Loan Party through the exercise of any right of set-off, banker’s lien, counterclaim or similar right or otherwise or through voluntary prepayments directly to a Lender or other payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any other Loan Party to a Lender not in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and such payment should be distributed to the Lenders in accordance with Section 3.2 or Section 11.5, as applicable, such Lender shall promptly purchase from the other Lenders participations in (or, if and to the extent specified by such Lender, direct interests in) the Loans made by the other Lenders or other Obligations owed to such other Lenders in such amounts, and make such other adjustments from time to time as shall be equitable, to the end that all the Lenders shall share the benefit of such payment (net of any reasonable expenses which may actually be incurred by such Lender in obtaining or preserving such benefit) in accordance with the requirements of Section 3.2 or Section 11.5, as applicable.  To such end, all the Lenders shall make appropriate adjustments among themselves (by the resale of participations sold or otherwise) if such payment is rescinded or must otherwise be restored.  The Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation (or direct interest) in the Loans or other Obligations owed to such other Lenders may exercise all rights of set-off, banker’s lien, counterclaim or similar rights with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct holder of Loans in the amount of such participation.  Nothing contained herein shall require any Lender to exercise any such right or shall affect

-  37  -

 


 

 

the right of any Lender to exercise and retain the benefits of exercising, any such right with respect to any other indebtedness or obligation of the Borrower.

Section 3.4  Several Obligations.

No Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make a Loan or to perform any other obligation to be made or performed by such other Lender hereunder, and the failure of any Lender to make a Loan or to perform any other obligation to be made or performed by it hereunder shall not relieve the obligation of any other Lender to make any Loan or to perform any other obligation to be made or performed by such other Lender.

Section 3.5  Fees.

(a) Closing Fee.  On the Effective Date, the Borrower agrees to pay to Administrative Agent and each Lender all loan fees as have been agreed to in writing by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

(b) Facility Fee.  During the period from the Effective Date to but excluding the Termination Date, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders a facility fee equal to one-fourth of the product of (i) the daily aggregate amount of the Commitments (whether or not utilized) times (ii) the Applicable Facility Fee (which shall be further pro-rated for any period not equal to a whole fiscal quarter). Such fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the first (1st) day of each January, April, July and October during the term of this Agreement and on the Termination Date or any earlier date of termination of the Commitments or reduction of the Commitments to zero.  The Borrower acknowledges that the fee payable hereunder is a bona fide commitment fee and is intended as reasonable compensation to the Lenders for committing to make funds available to the Borrower as described herein and for no other purposes. 

(c) Letter of Credit Fees.  The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a letter of credit fee at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Margin for LIBOR Loans times the daily average Stated Amount of each Letter of Credit for the period from and including the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit (x) to and including the date such Letter of Credit expires or is cancelled or terminated or (y) to but excluding the date such Letter of Credit is drawn in full.  In addition to such fees, the Borrower shall pay to the Issuing Bank solely for its own account, any fees set forth in the Fee Letter.  The fees provided for in this subsection shall be nonrefundable and payable in arrears (i) quarterly on the first (1st) day of January, April, July and October, (ii) on the Termination Date, (iii) on the date the Commitments are terminated or reduced to zero and (iv) thereafter from time to time on demand of the Administrative Agent.  The Borrower shall pay directly to the Issuing Bank from time to time on demand all commissions, charges, costs and expenses in the amounts customarily charged or incurred by the Issuing Bank from time to time in like circumstances with respect to the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any other transaction relating thereto.

(d) Intentionally Omitted

(e) Intentionally Omitted

(f) Intentionally Omitted

(g) Administrative and Other Fees.  The Borrower agrees to pay the administrative and other fees of the Administrative Agent as provided in the Fee Letter and as may be otherwise agreed to in writing from time to time by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent. 

-  38  -

 


 

 

Section 3.6  Computations.

Unless otherwise expressly set forth herein, any accrued interest on any Loan, any Fees or any other Obligations due hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of three hundred sixty (360) days and the actual number of days elapsed.

Section 3.7  Usury.

In no event shall the amount of interest due or payable on the Loans or other Obligations exceed the maximum rate of interest allowed by Applicable Law and, if any such payment is paid by the Borrower or any other Loan Party or received by any Lender, then such excess sum shall be credited as a payment of principal, unless the Borrower shall notify the respective Lender in writing that the Borrower elects to have such excess sum returned to it forthwith.  It is the express intent of the parties hereto that the Borrower not pay and the Lenders not receive, directly or indirectly, in any manner whatsoever, interest in excess of that which may be lawfully paid by the Borrower under Applicable Law.  The parties hereto hereby agree and stipulate that the only charge imposed upon the Borrower for the use of money in connection with this Agreement is and shall be the interest specifically described in Section 2.6(a)(i) through (iv).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties hereto further agree and stipulate that all agency fees, syndication fees, facility fees, closing fees, letter of credit fees, underwriting fees, default charges, late charges, funding or “breakage” charges, increased cost charges, attorneys’ fees and reimbursement for costs and expenses paid by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to third parties or for damages incurred by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, in each case, in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, are charges made to compensate the Administrative Agent or any such Lender for underwriting or administrative services and costs or losses performed or incurred, and to be performed or incurred, by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in connection with this Agreement and shall under no circumstances be deemed to be charges for the use of money.  All charges other than charges for the use of money shall be fully earned and nonrefundable when due.

Section 3.8  Statements of Account.

The Administrative Agent will account to the Borrower monthly with a statement of Loans, accrued interest and Fees, charges and payments made pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and such account rendered by the Administrative Agent shall be deemed conclusive upon the Borrower absent manifest error.  The failure of the Administrative Agent to deliver such a statement of accounts shall not relieve or discharge the Borrower from any of its obligations hereunder.

Section 3.9  Defaulting Lenders.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as such Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law:

(a) Waivers and Amendments.  Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definition of Requisite Lenders and in Section 13.6.

(b) Defaulting Lender Waterfall.  Any payment of principal, interest, Fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article XI or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 13.3 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 such Defaulting

-  39  -

 


 

 

Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Issuing Bank hereunder; third, to Cash Collateralize the Issuing Bank’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with subsection (e) below; fourth, as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such 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 deposit account and released pro rata in order to (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (y) Cash Collateralize the Issuing Bank’s future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with subsection (e) below; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders or the Issuing Bank as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender or the Issuing Bank against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s 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 such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth, to such 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 amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender under Section 2.4(j) in respect of Letters of Credit (such amounts “L/C Disbursements”), in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Article V were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and L/C Disbursements 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 Disbursements owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letter of Credit Liabilities are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages (determined without giving effect to the immediately following subsection (d)).  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 subsection shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

(c) Certain Fees.

(i) No Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive any Fee payable under Section 3.5(b) 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, other than as provided in Section 3.9(c)(iii) below).

(ii) Each Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive the Fee payable under Section 3.5(c) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to its Commitment Percentage of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral pursuant to the immediately following subsection (e).

(iii) With respect to any Fee not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to the immediately preceding clauses (i) or (ii), the Borrower shall (x) pay to each Non‑Defaulting Lender that portion of any such Fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s participation in Letter of Credit Liabilities that has been reallocated to such Non‑Defaulting Lender pursuant to the immediately following subsection (d), (y) pay to the Issuing Bank the amount of any such Fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to such Issuing Bank’s Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (z) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such Fee.

-  40  -

 


 

 

(d) Reallocation of Participations to Reduce Fronting Exposure.  All or any part of such Defaulting Lender’s participation in Letter of Credit Liabilities shall be reallocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages (determined without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) but only to the extent that (x) the conditions set forth in Article VI are satisfied at the time of such reallocation (and, unless the Borrower shall have otherwise notified the Administrative Agent at such time, the Borrower shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such conditions are satisfied at such time), and (y) such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Credit Exposure of any Non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such Non-Defaulting Lender’s Commitment.  No reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a Non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such Non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation.

(e) Cash Collateral.

(i) If the reallocation described in the immediately preceding subsection (d) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under law, Cash Collateralize the Issuing Bank’s Fronting Exposure in accordance with the procedures set forth in this subsection.

(ii) At any time that there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, within 1 Business Day following the written request of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall Cash Collateralize the Issuing Bank’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender (determined after giving effect to the immediately preceding subsection (d) and any Cash Collateral provided by such Defaulting Lender) in an amount not less than the aggregate Fronting Exposure of the Issuing Bank with respect to Letters of Credit issued and outstanding at such time.

(iii) The Borrower, and to the extent provided by any Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender, hereby grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Issuing Bank, and agree to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such Cash Collateral as security for the Defaulting Lenders’ obligation to fund participations in respect of Letter of Credit Liabilities, to be applied pursuant to the immediately following clause (iv).  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 and the Issuing Bank as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the aggregate Fronting Exposure of the Issuing Bank with respect to Letters of Credit issued and outstanding at such time, the Borrower 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 (after giving effect to any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender).

(iv) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under this Section in respect of Letters of Credit shall be applied to the satisfaction of the Defaulting Lender’s obligation to fund participations in respect of Letter of Credit Liabilities (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may otherwise be provided for herein.

(v) Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce the Issuing Bank’s Fronting Exposure shall no longer be required to be held as Cash Collateral pursuant to this subsection following (x) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure (including by the

-  41  -

 


 

 

termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender), or (y) the determination by the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided that, subject to the immediately preceding subsection (b), the Person providing Cash Collateral and the Issuing Bank may (but shall not be obligated to) agree that Cash Collateral shall be held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations and provided further that to the extent that such Cash Collateral was provided by the Borrower, such Cash Collateral shall remain subject to the security interest granted pursuant to the Loan Documents.

(f) Defaulting Lender Cure.  If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank agree in writing that a Lender is no longer 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 at par 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 to be held pro rata by the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages (determined without giving effect to the immediately preceding subsection (d)), whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to Fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided,  further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

(g) New Letters of Credit.  So long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, extend, renew or increase any Letter of Credit unless it is satisfied that it will have no Fronting Exposure after giving effect thereto.

(h) Purchase of Defaulting Lender’s Commitment.  During any period that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Borrower may, by the Borrower giving written notice thereof to the Administrative Agent, such Defaulting Lender and the other Lenders, demand that such Defaulting Lender assign its Commitment and Loans to an Eligible Assignee subject to and in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.5(b).  No party hereto shall have any obligation whatsoever to initiate any such replacement or to assist in finding an Eligible Assignee.  In addition, any Lender who is not a Defaulting Lender may, but shall not be obligated, in its sole discretion, to acquire the face amount of all or a portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment and Loans via an assignment subject to and in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.5(b).  In connection with any such assignment, such Defaulting Lender shall promptly execute all documents reasonably requested to effect such assignment, including an appropriate Assignment and Assumption and, notwithstanding Section 13.5(b), shall pay to the Administrative Agent an assignment fee in the amount of $7,500.  The exercise by the Borrower of its rights under this Section shall be at the Borrower’s sole cost and expense and at no cost or expense to the Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders.

Section 3.10  Taxes.

(a) Issuing Bank.  For purposes of this Section, the term “Lender” includes the Issuing Bank and the term “Applicable Law” includes FATCA.

(b) Payments Free of Taxes.  Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower or any other Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by Applicable Law.  If any Applicable Law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of

-  42  -

 


 

 

any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Applicable Law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the Borrower or other applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.

(c) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower.  The Borrower and the other Loan Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Applicable Law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.

(d) Indemnification by the Borrower.  The Borrower and the other Loan Parties shall jointly and severally indemnify each Recipient, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority.  A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(e) Indemnification by the Lenders.  Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that the Borrower or another Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 13.5 relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority.  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 any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this subsection.

(f) Evidence of Payments.  As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by the Borrower or any other Loan Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section, the Borrower or such other 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 the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(g) Status of Lenders.

(i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding.  In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested

-  43  -

 


 

 

by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by Applicable Law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in the immediately following clauses (ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D)) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is a U.S. Person:

(A) any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), an electronic copy (or an original if requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent) of an executed IRS Form W-9 (or any successor form) certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;

(B) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, an electronic copy (or an original if requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent) of an executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

an electronic copy (or an original if requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent) of an executed IRS Form W-8ECI;

in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit G-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable; or 

-  44  -

 


 

 

to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, an electronic copy (or an original if requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent) of an executed IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit G-2 or Exhibit G-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit G-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

(C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), an electronic copy (or an original if requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent) of any other form prescribed by Applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by Applicable Law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

(D) if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by Applicable Law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by Applicable Law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment.  Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

(h) Treatment of Certain Refunds.  If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund).  Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this subsection (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event

-  45  -

 


 

 

that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this subsection, in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this subsection the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid.  This subsection shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.

(i) Survival.  Each party’s obligations under this Section shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.

ARTICLE IV  UNENCUMBERED POOL

Section 4.1  Unencumbered Pool.

(a) Initial Unencumbered Pool.  As of the Effective Date, the Unencumbered Pool consists of the Unencumbered Assets identified on Schedule 4.1 hereto. 

(b) Disqualification of an Unencumbered Asset.  If any Unencumbered Asset no longer satisfies the requirements set forth in the definition of “Unencumbered Asset”, the Requisite Lenders shall have the right, at any time and from time to time, to notify the Borrower that, effective upon the giving of such notice, such Property shall no longer be considered an Unencumbered Asset. 

(c) Additional Unencumbered Assets. After the Effective Date, a Property shall be included as an Unencumbered Asset upon delivery to the Administrative Agent of an Unencumbered Asset Certificate pursuant to Section 9.4(d), setting forth the information required to be contained therein and assuming that such Property is included as an Unencumbered Asset.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, upon the Administrative Agent’s receipt of such certificate, such Property shall be included as an Unencumbered Asset.

(d) Withdrawal of an Unencumbered Asset. A Property shall cease to be included as an Unencumbered Asset for purposes of this Agreement if either (i) such Property ceases to satisfy the requirements of the definition of the term “Unencumbered Assets” applicable to it (with the termination effective immediately) or (ii) such Property is noted to have been removed as an Unencumbered Asset in an Unencumbered Asset Certificate subsequently submitted pursuant to this Agreement (with the termination effective as of the date of receipt by the Administrative Agent of such Unencumbered Asset Certificate). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Property will be terminated as an Unencumbered Asset if (i) a Default or Event of Default exists or (ii) a Default or Event of Default would exist immediately after such Property is terminated as an Unencumbered Asset.

ARTICLE V  Yield Protection, Etc.

Section 5.1  Additional Costs; Capital Adequacy.

(a) Capital Adequacy.  If any Lender, or subject to (and not in duplication of) Section 13.5(d), any Participant determines that, as the result of a  Regulatory Change, compliance with any law or regulation or with any guideline or request from any central bank or other Governmental Authority (whether

-  46  -

 


 

 

or not having the force of law) affects or would affect the amount of capital required or expected to be maintained by such Lender or such Participant, or any corporation controlling such Lender or such Participant, as a consequence of its Commitments or its making or maintaining Loans or participating in Letters of Credit below the rate which such Lender or such Participant or such corporation controlling such Lender or such Participant could have achieved but for such compliance (taking into account the policies of such Lender or such Participant or such corporation with regard to capital), then the Borrower shall, from time to time, within thirty (30) days after written demand by such Lender or such Participant, pay to such Lender or such Participant  additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender or such Participant or such corporation controlling such Lender or such Participant to the extent that such Lender or such Participant determines such increase in capital is allocable to such Lender’s or such Participant’s obligations hereunder.

(b) Additional Costs.  In addition to, and not in limitation of or in duplication of the immediately preceding subsection, the Borrower shall promptly pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of a Lender from time to time such amounts as such Lender may determine to be necessary to compensate such Lender for any costs incurred by such Lender that it determines are attributable to its making or maintaining of any LIBOR Loans or its obligation to make any LIBOR Loans hereunder, any reduction in any amount receivable by such Lender under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents in respect of any of such LIBOR Loans or such obligation or the maintenance by such Lender of capital in respect of its LIBOR Loans or its Commitments (such increases in costs and reductions in amounts receivable being herein called “Additional Costs”), resulting from any Regulatory Change that:

(i) subjects such Lender to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on any of such LIBOR Loans or its Commitments;

(ii) imposes or modifies any reserve, special deposit or similar requirements (other than Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or other similar reserve requirement applicable to any other category of liabilities or category of extensions of credit or other assets by reference to which the interest rate on LIBOR Loans is determined to the extent utilized when determining LIBOR for such Loans) relating to any extensions of credit or other assets of, or any deposits with or other liabilities of, or other credit extended by, or any other acquisition of funds by such Lender (or its parent corporation), or any commitment of such Lender (including, without limitation, the Commitments of such Lender hereunder); or

(iii) has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on capital of such Lender to a level below that which such Lender could have achieved but for such Regulatory Change (taking into consideration such Lender’s policies with respect to capital adequacy).

(c) Lender’s Suspension of LIBOR Loans.  Without limiting the effect of the provisions of the immediately preceding subsections (a) and (b), if by reason of any Regulatory Change, any Lender becomes subject to restrictions on the amount of such a category of liabilities or assets that it may hold, then, if such Lender so elects by notice to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), the obligation of such Lender to make or Continue, or to Convert Base Rate Loans into, LIBOR Loans hereunder shall be suspended until such Regulatory Change ceases to be in effect (in which case the provisions of Section 5.5 shall apply); provided, such Lender shall not have such right to make such an election in reliance on subsection (b)(i) above if Borrower is obligated to pay such Additional Costs hereunder.

(d) Additional Costs in Respect of Letters of Credit.  Without limiting the obligations of the Borrower under the preceding subsections of this Section (but without duplication), if as a result of any Regulatory Change or any risk-based capital guideline or other requirement heretofore or hereafter issued

-  47  -

 


 

 

by any Governmental Authority there shall be imposed, modified or deemed applicable any Tax (other than Indemnified Taxes, Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and Connection Income Taxes), reserve, special deposit, capital adequacy or similar requirement against or with respect to or measured by reference to Letters of Credit and the result shall be to increase the cost to the Issuing Bank of issuing (or any Lender of purchasing participations in) or maintaining its obligation hereunder to issue (or purchase participations in) any Letter of Credit or reduce any amount receivable by the Issuing Bank or any Lender hereunder in respect of any Letter of Credit, then, upon demand by the Issuing Bank or such Lender, the Borrower shall promptly pay (and in any event within one (1) Business Day of such demand) to the Issuing Bank or, in the case of such Lender, to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender, from time to time as specified by the Issuing Bank or such Lender, such additional amounts as shall be sufficient to compensate the Issuing Bank or such Lender for such increased costs or reductions in amount.

(e) Notification and Determination of Additional Costs.  Each of the Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank, each Lender and each Participant as the case may be, agrees to notify the Borrower (and in the case of the Issuing Bank, a Lender or a Participant, to notify the Administrative Agent) of any event occurring after the Agreement Date entitling the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, such Lender or such Participant to compensation under any of the preceding subsections of this Section as promptly as practicable; provided,  however, that the failure of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, any Lender or any Participant to give such notice shall not release the Borrower from any of its obligations hereunder (and in the case of a Lender, to the Administrative Agent); provided, further, however, that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate the Administrative Agent, a Lender, any Issuing Bank or a Participant pursuant to this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the date that the Administrative Agent, such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such Participant, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the event entitling such Person to compensation under this Section, and of such Person’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Regulatory Change giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).  The Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, each Lender and each Participant, as the case may be, agrees to furnish to the Borrower (and in the case of the Issuing Bank or a Lender to the Administrative Agent as well) a certificate setting forth the basis and amount of each request for compensation under this Section.  Determinations by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or such Lender, as the case may be, of the effect of any Regulatory Change shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error, provided that such determinations are made on a reasonable basis and in good faith.  The Borrower shall pay the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and or any such Lender, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within fifteen (15) days after receipt thereof.

Section 5.2  Suspension of LIBOR Loans.

Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, if, on or prior to the determination of LIBOR for any Interest Period:

(a) the Administrative Agent reasonably determines (which determination shall be conclusive) that quotations of interest rates for the relevant deposits referred to in the definition of LIBOR are not being provided in the relevant amounts or for the relevant maturities for purposes of determining rates of interest for LIBOR Loans as provided herein or is otherwise unable to determine LIBOR; or

(b) the Administrative Agent reasonably determines (which determination shall be conclusive) that the relevant rates of interest referred to in the definition of LIBOR upon the basis of which the rate of interest for LIBOR Loans for such Interest Period is to be determined are not likely to adequately cover the cost to any Lender of making or maintaining LIBOR Loans for such Interest Period;

-  48  -

 


 

 

then the Administrative Agent shall give the Borrower and each Lender prompt notice thereof and, so long as such condition remains in effect, the Lenders shall be under no obligation to, and shall not, make additional LIBOR Loans, Continue LIBOR Loans or Convert Loans into LIBOR Loans and the Borrower shall, on the last day of each current Interest Period for each outstanding LIBOR Loan, either prepay such Loan or Convert such Loan into a Base Rate Loan.

Section 5.3  Illegality.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if any Lender shall determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding) that it is unlawful for such Lender to honor its obligation to make or maintain LIBOR Loans hereunder, then such Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower thereof (with a copy of such notice to the Administrative Agent) and such Lender’s obligation to make or Continue, or to Convert Loans of any other Type into, LIBOR Loans shall be suspended until such time as such Lender may again make and maintain LIBOR Loans (in which case the provisions of Section 5.5 shall be applicable).

Section 5.4  Compensation.

The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, such amount or amounts as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably determine shall be sufficient to compensate such Lender for any loss, cost or expense attributable to:

(a) any payment or prepayment (whether mandatory or optional) of a LIBOR Loan or Conversion of a LIBOR Loan, made by such Lender for any reason (including, without limitation, acceleration) on a date other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan; or

(b) any failure by the Borrower for any reason (including, without limitation, the failure of any of the applicable conditions precedent specified in Section 6.2 to be satisfied) to borrow a LIBOR Loan from such Lender on the date for such borrowing, or to Convert a Base Rate Loan into a LIBOR Loan or Continue a LIBOR Loan on the requested date of such Conversion or Continuation.

Not in limitation of the foregoing, such compensation shall include, without limitation, in the case of a LIBOR Loan, an amount equal to the then present value of (A) the amount of interest that would have accrued on such LIBOR Loan for the remainder of the Interest Period at the rate applicable to such LIBOR Loan, less (B) the amount of interest that would accrue on the same LIBOR Loan for the same period if LIBOR were set on the date on which such LIBOR Loan was repaid, prepaid or Converted or the date on which the Borrower failed to borrow, Convert or Continue such LIBOR Loan, as applicable, calculating present value by using as a discount rate LIBOR quoted on such date.  Upon the Borrower’s request, the Administrative Agent shall provide the Borrower with a statement setting forth the basis for requesting such compensation and the method for determining the amount thereof.  Any such statement shall be conclusive absent manifest error, provided such determinations are made on a reasonable basis and in good faith.

Section 5.5  Treatment of Affected Loans.

If the obligation of any Lender to make LIBOR Loans or to Continue, or to Convert Base Rate Loans into, LIBOR Loans shall be suspended pursuant to Section 5.1(c),  Section 5.2 or Section 5.3 then such Lender’s LIBOR Loans shall be automatically Converted into Base Rate Loans on the last day(s) of the then current Interest Period(s) for LIBOR Loans (or, in the case of a Conversion required by Section 5.1(c),  Section 5.2, or Section 5.3 on such earlier date as such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, may specify to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent, as applicable)) and, unless and until such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, gives notice as provided below

-  49  -

 


 

 

that the circumstances specified in Section 5.1,  Section 5.2 or Section 5.3 that gave rise to such Conversion no longer exist:

(i) to the extent that such Lender’s LIBOR Loans have been so Converted, all payments and prepayments of principal that would otherwise be applied to such Lender’s LIBOR Loans shall be applied instead to its Base Rate Loans; and

(ii) all Loans that would otherwise be made or Continued by such Lender as LIBOR Loans shall be made as or Converted into Base Rate Loans, and all Base Rate Loans of such Lender that would otherwise be Converted into LIBOR Loans shall remain as Base Rate Loans.

If such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, gives notice to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent, as applicable) that the circumstances specified in Section 5.1(c),  5.2 or 5.3 that gave rise to the Conversion of such Lender’s LIBOR Loans pursuant to this Section no longer exist (which such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, agrees to do promptly upon such circumstances ceasing to exist) at a time when LIBOR Loans made by other Lenders are outstanding, then such Lender’s Base Rate Loans shall be automatically Converted, on the first day(s) of the next succeeding Interest Period(s) for such outstanding LIBOR Loans, to the extent necessary so that, after giving effect thereto, all Loans held by the Lenders holding LIBOR Loans and by such Lender are held pro rata (as to principal amounts, Types and Interest Periods) in accordance with their respective Commitments.

Section 5.6  Affected Lenders.

If (a) a Lender requests compensation pursuant to Section 3.10 or 5.1, and the Requisite Lenders are not also doing the same, (b) the obligation of any Lender to make LIBOR Loans or to Continue, or to Convert Base Rate Loans into, LIBOR Loans shall be suspended pursuant to Section 5.1(c) or 5.3 but the obligation of the Requisite Lenders shall not have been suspended under such Sections or (c) a Lender has not approved any consent, waiver or amendment which, pursuant to the terms of Section 13.6(b), requires the approval of all affected Lenders, and the Requisite Lenders have approved such consent, waiver or amendment, then, so long as there does not then exist any Default or Event of Default, the Borrower may demand that such Lender (the “Affected Lender”), and upon such demand the Affected Lender shall promptly, assign its Commitment to an Eligible Assignee subject to and in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.5(b) for a purchase price equal to (x) the aggregate principal balance of all Loans then owing to the Affected Lender, plus (y) the aggregate amount of payments previously made by the Affected Lender under Section 2.4(j) that have not been repaid, plus (z) any accrued but unpaid interest thereon and accrued but unpaid fees owing to the Affected Lender, or any other amount as may be mutually agreed upon by such Affected Lender and Eligible Assignee.  Each of the Administrative Agent and the Affected Lender shall reasonably cooperate in effectuating the replacement of such Affected Lender under this Section, but at no time shall the Administrative Agent, such Affected Lender, any other Lender or any Titled Agent be obligated in any way whatsoever to initiate any such replacement or to assist in finding an Eligible Assignee.  The exercise by the Borrower of its rights under this Section shall be at the Borrower’s sole cost and expense and at no cost or expense to the Administrative Agent, the Affected Lender or any of the other Lenders.  The terms of this Section shall not in any way limit the Borrower’s obligation to pay to any Affected Lender compensation owing to such Affected Lender pursuant to this Agreement (including, without limitation, pursuant to Sections 3.10,  5.1 or 5.4) with respect to any period up to the date of replacement.

Section 5.7  Change of Lending Office.

Each Lender agrees that it will use reasonable efforts (consistent with its internal policy and legal and regulatory restrictions) to designate an alternate Lending Office with respect to any of its Loans affected by the matters or circumstances described in Sections 3.10,  5.1 or 5.3 to reduce the liability of the Borrower

-  50  -

 


 

 

or avoid the results provided thereunder, so long as such designation is not disadvantageous to such Lender as determined by such Lender in its sole discretion, except that such Lender shall have no obligation to designate a Lending Office located in the United States of America.

Section 5.8  Assumptions Concerning Funding of LIBOR Loans.

Calculation of all amounts payable to a Lender under this Article shall be made as though such Lender had actually funded LIBOR Loans through the purchase of deposits in the relevant market bearing interest at the rate applicable to such LIBOR Loans in an amount equal to the amount of the LIBOR Loans and having a maturity comparable to the relevant Interest Period; provided,  however, that each Lender may fund each of its LIBOR Loans in any manner it sees fit and the foregoing assumption shall be used only for calculation of amounts payable under this Article. 

ARTICLE VI  Conditions Precedent

Section 6.1  Initial Conditions Precedent.

The obligation of the Lenders to effect or permit the occurrence of the first Credit Event hereunder, whether as the making of a Loan or the issuance of a Letter of Credit, is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the following conditions precedent:

(a) The Administrative Agent shall have received each of the following, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:

(i) counterparts of this Agreement executed by each of the parties hereto;

(ii) Notes executed by the Borrower, payable to each applicable Lender;

(iii) the Third Amended and Restated Repayment Guaranty executed by the Guarantor;

(iv) an opinion of counsel to the Guarantor and general partner of the Borrower, addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent;

(v) the articles of incorporation or certificate of limited partnership, as applicable, of each Loan Party certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State of California;

(vi) a certificate of good standing (or certificate of similar meaning) with respect to each Loan Party issued as of a recent date by the Secretary of State of California and certificates of qualification to transact business or other comparable certificates issued as of a recent date by each Secretary of State (and any state department of taxation, as applicable) of each state in which such Loan Party is required to be so qualified and where failure to be so qualified could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; 

(vii) a certificate of incumbency signed by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary (or other individual performing similar functions) of each Loan Party with respect to each of the officers of such Loan Party authorized to execute and deliver the Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party, and in the case of the Borrower, authorized to execute and deliver on behalf of the Borrower Notices of Borrowing, requests for Letters of Credit, Notices of Conversion and Notices of Continuation; 

-  51  -

 


 

 

(viii) copies certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary (or other individual performing similar functions) of each Loan Party of (A) the by-laws of such Loan Party, if a corporation, the operating agreement, if a limited liability company, the partnership agreement, if a limited or general partnership, or other comparable document in the case of any other form of legal entity and (B) all corporate, partnership, member or other necessary action taken by such Loan Party to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party;

(ix) a Compliance Certificate calculated on a pro forma basis for the Borrower’s fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2016; 

(x) a Disbursement Instruction Agreement effective as of the Agreement Date; 

(xi) the Fee Letter; 

(xii) evidence that the Fees, if any, then due and payable under Section 3.5, together with all other fees, expenses and reimbursement amounts due and payable to the Administrative Agent and any of the Lenders, including without limitation, the fees and expenses of counsel to the Administrative Agent, have been paid; and

(xiii) such other documents, agreements and instruments as the Administrative Agent, or any Lender through the Administrative Agent, may reasonably request;

(b) there shall not have occurred or become known to the Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders any event, condition, situation or status since the date of the information contained in the financial and business projections, budgets, pro forma data and forecasts concerning the Borrower and its Subsidiaries delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders prior to the Agreement Date that has had or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) no litigation, action, suit, investigation or other arbitral, administrative or judicial proceeding shall be pending or threatened which could reasonably be expected to (A) result in a Material Adverse Effect or (B) restrain or enjoin, impose materially burdensome conditions on, or otherwise materially and adversely affect, the ability of the Borrower or any other Loan Party to fulfill its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party;

(d) the Borrower and each other Loan Party shall have received all approvals, consents and waivers, and shall have made or given all necessary filings and notices as shall be required to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby without the occurrence of any default under, conflict with or violation of (A) any Applicable Law or (B) any agreement, document or instrument to which any Loan Party is a party or by which any of them or their respective properties is bound, except for such approvals, consents, waivers, filings and notices the receipt, making or giving of which could not reasonably be likely to (X) have a Material Adverse Effect, or (Y) restrain or enjoin or impose materially burdensome conditions on, or otherwise materially and adversely affect the ability of the Borrower to fulfill its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party; and

(e) the Borrower and each other Loan Party shall have provided all information requested by the Administrative Agent and each Lender in order to comply with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation, the Patriot Act.

-  52  -

 


 

 

Section 6.2  Conditions Precedent to All Loans and Letters of Credit.

In addition to satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent contained in Section 6.1, the obligations of (i) Lenders to make any Loans and (ii) the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit are each subject to the further conditions precedent that:  (a) no Default or Event of Default shall exist as of the date of the making of such Loan or date of issuance of such Letter of Credit or would exist immediately after giving effect thereto, and no violation of the limits described in Section 2.16 would occur after giving effect thereto; (b) the representations and warranties made or deemed made by the Borrower and each other Loan Party in the Loan Documents to which any of them is a party, shall be true and correct in all material respects (except in the case of a representation or warranty qualified by materiality, in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the date of the making of such Loan or date of issuance of such Letter of Credit with the same force and effect as if made on and as of such date except to the extent that such representations and warranties expressly relate solely to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects (except in the case of a representation or warranty qualified by materiality, in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of such earlier date) and except for changes in factual circumstances specifically and expressly permitted hereunder and (c) in the case of the borrowing of Loans, the Administrative Agent shall have received a timely Notice of Borrowing, and in the case of the issuance of a Letter of Credit the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent shall have received a timely request for the issuance of such Letter of Credit.  Each Credit Event shall constitute a certification by the Borrower to the effect set forth in the preceding sentence (both as of the date of the giving of notice relating to such Credit Event and, unless the Borrower otherwise notifies the Administrative Agent prior to the date of such Credit Event, as of the date of the occurrence of such Credit Event).  In addition, the Borrower shall be deemed to have represented to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders at the time any Loan is made or any Letter of Credit is issued that all conditions to the making of such Loan or issuing of such Letter of Credit contained in this Article VI have been satisfied.  Unless set forth in writing to the contrary, the making of its initial Loan by a Lender shall constitute a certification by such Lender to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that the conditions precedent for initial Loans set forth in Sections 6.1 and 6.2 that have not previously been waived by the Lenders in accordance with the terms of this Agreement have been satisfied. 

ARTICLE VII  Representations and Warranties

Section 7.1  Representations and Warranties

In order to induce the Administrative Agent and each Lender to enter into this Agreement and to make Loans and, in the case of the Issuing Bank, to issue Letters of Credit, the Borrower represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and each Lender as follows:

(a) Organization; Power; Qualification.  Each of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties is a corporation, partnership or other legal entity, duly organized or formed, validly existing and in good standing under the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation, has the power and authority to own or lease its respective properties and to carry on its respective business as now being and hereafter proposed to be conducted and is duly qualified and is in good standing as a foreign corporation, partnership or other legal entity, and authorized to do business, in each jurisdiction in which the character of its properties or the nature of its business requires such qualification or authorization and where the failure to be so qualified or authorized could reasonably be expected to have, in each instance, a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Ownership Structure.  Part I of Schedule 7.1(b) is, as of the Agreement Date, a complete and correct list of all Subsidiaries of the Borrower setting forth for each such Subsidiary, (i) the jurisdiction of organization of such Subsidiary, (ii) each Person holding any Equity Interest in such Subsidiary, (iii) the

-  53  -

 


 

 

nature of the Equity Interests held by each such Person and (iv) the percentage of ownership of such Subsidiary represented by such Equity Interests.  As of the Agreement Date, except as disclosed in Schedule 7.1(b), (A) each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries owns, free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), and has the unencumbered right to vote, all outstanding Equity Interests in each Person shown to be held by it on such Schedule, (B) all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each such Person organized as a corporation is validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and (C) there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, commitments, preemptive rights or agreements of any kind (including, without limitation, any stockholders’ or voting trust agreements) for the issuance, sale, registration or voting of, or outstanding securities convertible into, any additional shares of capital stock of any class, or partnership or other ownership interests of any type in, any such Person.  As of the Agreement Date, Part II of Schedule 7.1(b) correctly sets forth all Unconsolidated Affiliates of the Borrower, including the correct legal name of such Person, the type of legal entity which each such Person is, and all Equity Interests in such Person held directly or indirectly by the Borrower.

(c) Authorization of Loan Documents and Borrowings.  The Borrower has the right and power, and has taken all necessary action to authorize it, to borrow and obtain other extensions of credit hereunder.  The Borrower and each other Loan Party has the right and power, and has taken all necessary action to authorize it, to execute, deliver and perform each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party in accordance with their respective terms and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.  The Loan Documents to which the Borrower or any other Loan Party is a party have been duly executed and delivered by the duly authorized officers of such Person and each is a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Person enforceable against such Person in accordance with its respective terms, except as the same may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, and other similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and the availability of equitable remedies for the enforcement of certain obligations (other than the payment of principal) contained herein or therein and as may be limited by equitable principles generally.

(d) Compliance of Loan Documents with Laws.  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which any Loan Party is a party in accordance with their respective terms and the borrowings and other extensions of credit hereunder do not and will not, by the passage of time, the giving of notice, or both:  (i) require any Governmental Approval or violate any Applicable Law (including all Environmental Laws) relating to the Borrower or any other Loan Party; (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute a default under the organizational documents of any Loan Party, or any indenture, agreement or other instrument to which the Borrower or any other Loan Party is a party or by which it or any of its respective properties may be bound; or (iii) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien upon or with respect to any property now owned or hereafter acquired by any Loan Party other than in favor of the Administrative Agent for its benefit and the benefit of the other Lender Parties.

(e) Compliance with Law; Governmental Approvals.  Each of the Borrower, the other Loan Parties and the other Subsidiaries is in compliance with each Governmental Approval and all other Applicable Laws relating to it except for noncompliances which, and Governmental Approvals the failure to possess which, could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to cause a Default or Event of Default or have a Material Adverse Effect.

(f) Title to Properties; LiensSchedule 4.1 is, as of the Agreement Date, a complete and correct listing of all Unencumbered Assets.  Each of the Borrower, each other Loan Party and each other Subsidiary has good, marketable and legal title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, its respective assets, except to the extent that failure to have such title or interest could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. 

-  54  -

 


 

 

(g) Existing Indebtedness; Total LiabilitiesSchedule 7.1(g) is, as of the Agreement Date, a complete and correct listing of all Indebtedness (including all Guarantees) that has been incurred by each of the Borrower, the other Loan Parties and the other Subsidiaries since the last day of the accounting period for which financial statements have been filed with the SEC, if such Indebtedness is individually in an amount exceeding $1,000,000 and also secured by any Lien, a description of all of the property subject to such Lien.  As of the Agreement Date, the Borrower, the other Loan Parties and the other Subsidiaries have performed and are in compliance with all of the terms of such Indebtedness and all instruments and agreements relating thereto, and no default or event of default, or event or condition which with the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default or event of default, exists with respect to any such Indebtedness.

(h) Intentionally Omitted.

(i) Litigation.  Except as set forth on Schedule 7.1(i), there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending (nor, to the knowledge of any Responsible Officer of any Loan Party, are there any actions, suits or proceedings threatened) against or in any other way relating adversely to or affecting the Borrower, any other Loan Party, any other Subsidiary or any of their respective property in any court or before any arbitrator of any kind or before or by any other Governmental Authority which, (i) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) in any manner draws into question the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document.  There are no strikes, slow downs, work stoppages or walkouts or other labor disputes in progress or threatened relating to, any Loan Party or any other Subsidiary which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(j) Taxes.  All federal and state income tax returns and all other material tax returns of the Borrower, each other Loan Party and each other Subsidiary required by Applicable Law to be filed have been duly filed, and all federal and state income taxes and all other material taxes, assessments and other governmental charges or levies upon, each Loan Party, each other Subsidiary and their respective properties, income, profits and assets which are due and payable have been paid, except any such nonpayment or non-filing which is at the time permitted under Section 8.6.  All charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Borrower, the other Loan Parties and the other Subsidiaries in respect of any taxes or other governmental charges are in accordance with GAAP in all material respects.

(k) Financial Statements.  The Borrower has furnished to each Lender copies of (i) the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Loan Parties and their consolidated Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, and the related audited consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flow for the fiscal years ended on such dates, with the opinion thereon of Ernst & Young, LLP, and (ii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Loan Parties and their consolidated Subsidiaries for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2016, and the related unaudited consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flow of the Loan Parties and their consolidated Subsidiaries for the one fiscal quarter period ended on such date.  Such financial statements (including in each case related schedules and notes) are complete and correct in all material respects and present fairly, in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods involved, the consolidated financial position of the Loan Parties and their consolidated Subsidiaries as at their respective dates and the results of operations and the cash flow for such periods (subject, as to interim statements, to the absence of footnotes and to changes resulting from normal year‑end audit adjustments).  Neither the Loan Parties nor any of their Subsidiaries has on the Agreement Date any material contingent liabilities, liabilities, liabilities for taxes, unusual or long-term commitments or unrealized or forward anticipated losses from any unfavorable commitments that would be required to be set forth in its financial statements or notes thereto, except as referred to or reflected or provided for in said financial statements.

-  55  -

 


 

 

(l) No Material Adverse Change.  Since December 31, 2015, there has been no event, change, circumstance or occurrence that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(m) SolvencyEach of the Loan Parties is Solvent.

(n) ERISA.

(i) Each Benefit Arrangement is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code and other Applicable Laws in all material respects.  Except with respect to Multiemployer Plans, each Qualified Plan (A) has received a favorable determination from the Internal Revenue Service applicable to such Qualified Plan’s current remedial amendment cycle (as defined in Revenue Procedure 2007-44 or “2007-44” for short), (B) has timely filed for a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service during its staggered remedial amendment cycle (as defined in 2007-44) and such application is currently being processed by the Internal Revenue Service, (C) had filed for a determination letter prior to its “GUST remedial amendment period” (as defined in 2007-44) and received such determination letter and the staggered remedial amendment cycle first following the GUST remedial amendment period for such Qualified Plan has not yet expired, or (D) is maintained under a prototype plan and may rely upon a favorable opinion letter issued by the Internal Revenue Service with respect to such prototype plan.  To the best knowledge of the Borrower, nothing has occurred which would cause the loss of its reliance on each Qualified Plan’s favorable determination letter or opinion letter.

(ii) With respect to any Benefit Arrangement that is a retiree welfare benefit arrangement, all amounts have been accrued on the applicable ERISA Group’s financial statements in accordance with FASB ASC 715.  The “benefit obligation” of all Plans does not exceed the “fair market value of plan assets” for such Plans by more than $25,000,000 all as determined by and with such terms defined in accordance with FASB ASC 715.

(iii) Except as could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect:  (i) no ERISA Event has occurred or is expected to occur; (ii) there are no pending, or to the best knowledge of the Borrower, threatened, claims, actions or lawsuits or other action by any Governmental Authority, plan participant or beneficiary with respect to a Benefit Arrangement; (iii) there are no violations of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Benefit Arrangement; and (iv) no member of the ERISA Group has engaged in a non-exempt “prohibited transaction,” as defined in Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code, in connection with any Plan, that would subject any member of the ERISA Group to a tax on prohibited transactions imposed by Section 502(i) of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code.

(o) Absence of Default.  None of the Loan Parties or any of the other Subsidiaries is in default under its certificate or articles of incorporation or formation, bylaws, partnership agreement or other similar organizational documents, and no event has occurred, which has not been remedied, cured or waived:  (i) which constitutes a Default or an Event of Default; or (ii) which constitutes, or which with the passage of time, the giving of notice, or both, would constitute, a default or event of default by, any Loan Party or any other Subsidiary under any agreement (other than this Agreement) or judgment, decree or order to which any such Person is a party or by which any such Person or any of its respective properties may be bound where such default or event of default could, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(p) Environmental Laws.  Each of the Borrower, each other Loan Party and the other Subsidiary:  (i) is in compliance with all Environmental Laws applicable to its business, operations and the

-  56  -

 


 

 

Properties, (ii) has obtained all Governmental Approvals which are required under Environmental Laws, and each such Governmental Approval is in full force and effect, and (iii) is in compliance with all terms and conditions of such Governmental Approvals, where with respect to each of the immediately preceding clauses (i) through (iii) the failure to obtain or to comply with could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  Except for any of the following matters that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, no Loan Party has any knowledge of, or has received notice of, any past, present, or pending releases, events, conditions, circumstances, activities, practices, incidents, facts, occurrences, actions, or plans that, with respect to any Loan Party or any other Subsidiary, their respective businesses, operations or with respect to the Properties, may:  (x) cause or contribute to an actual or alleged violation of or noncompliance with Environmental Laws, (y) cause or contribute to any other potential common‑law or legal claim or other liability, or (z) cause any of the Properties to become subject to any restrictions on ownership, occupancy, use or transferability under any Environmental Law or require the filing or recording of any notice, approval or disclosure document under any Environmental Law and, with respect to the immediately preceding clauses (x) through (z) is based on or related to the on-site or off-site manufacture, generation, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport, removal, clean up or handling, or the emission, discharge, release or threatened release of any wastes or Hazardous Material, or any other requirement under Environmental Law.  There is no civil, criminal, or administrative action, suit, demand, claim, hearing, notice, or demand letter, mandate, order, lien, request, investigation, or proceeding pending or, to the Borrower’s knowledge after due inquiry, threatened, against the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary relating in any way to Environmental Laws which, reasonably could be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  None of the Properties is listed on or proposed for listing on the National Priority List promulgated pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 and its implementing regulations, or any state or local priority list promulgated pursuant to any analogous state or local law.  To the Borrower’s knowledge, no Hazardous Materials generated at or transported from the Properties are or have been transported to, or disposed of at, any location that is listed or proposed for listing on the National Priority List or any analogous state or local priority list, or any other location that is or has been the subject of a clean-up, removal or remedial action pursuant to any Environmental Law, except to the extent that such transportation or disposal could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. 

(q) Investment Company.  None of the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary is (i) an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or (ii) subject to any other Applicable Law which purports to regulate or restrict its ability to borrow money or obtain other extensions of credit or to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to perform its obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party.

(r) Margin Stock.  None of the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of buying or carrying “margin stock” within the meaning of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

(s) Affiliate Transactions.  Except as permitted by Section 10.9 or as otherwise set forth on Schedule 7.1(s), no Loan Party is a party to or bound by any agreement or arrangement  with any Affiliate.

(t) Intellectual Property.  Each of the Loan Parties and each other Subsidiary owns or has the right to use, under valid license agreements or otherwise, all patents, licenses, franchises, trademarks, trademark rights, service marks, service mark rights, trade names, trade name rights, trade secrets and copyrights (collectively, “Intellectual Property”) necessary to the conduct of its businesses, without known conflict with any patent, license, franchise, trademark, trademark right, service mark, service mark right, trade secret, trade name, copyright, or other proprietary right of any other Person.  All such Intellectual

-  57  -

 


 

 

Property is fully protected and/or duly and properly registered, filed or issued in the appropriate office and jurisdictions for such registrations, filing or issuances.  No material claim has been asserted by any Person with respect to the use of any such Intellectual Property by the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary, or challenging or questioning the validity or effectiveness of any such Intellectual Property.  The use of such Intellectual Property by the Borrower, the other Loan Parties and the other Subsidiaries does not infringe on the rights of any Person, subject to such claims and infringements as do not, in the aggregate, give rise to any liabilities on the part of the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(u) Business.  As of the Agreement Date, the Borrower, the other Loan Parties and the other Subsidiaries are engaged in the business of owning, operating, developing and managing real estate, together with other business activities incidental thereto.

(v) Broker’s Fees.  No broker’s or finder’s fee, commission or similar compensation will be payable with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby.  No other similar fees or commissions will be payable by any Loan Party for any other services rendered to the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary ancillary to the transactions contemplated hereby.

(w) Accuracy and Completeness of Information.  All written information, reports and other papers and data (other than financial projections and other forward looking statements) furnished to the Administrative Agent or any Lender by, on behalf of, or at the direction of, the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary were, at the time the same were so furnished and when taken as a whole, complete and correct in all material respects, in the case of financial statements, present fairly, in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the periods involved, the financial position of the Persons involved as at the date thereof and the results of operations for such periods (subject, as to interim statements, to changes resulting from normal year end audit adjustments and absence of full footnote disclosure).  All financial projections and other forward looking statements prepared by or on behalf of the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary that have been or may hereafter be made available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender were or will be prepared in good faith based on assumptions believed to be reasonable.  No fact is known to any Loan Party which has had, or could reasonably be expected in the future to have, a Material Adverse Effect which has not been set forth in the financial statements referred to in Section 7.1(k) or in such information, reports or other papers or data or otherwise disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.  No document furnished or written statement made to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation, preparation or execution of, or pursuant to, this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, when taken together with all other information so furnished, contains or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact, or omits or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein not misleading.

(x) Not Plan Assets; No Prohibited Transactions.  None of the assets of the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary constitutes “plan assets” within the meaning of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code and the respective regulations promulgated thereunder.  Assuming that no Lender funds any amount payable by it hereunder with “plan assets,” as that term is defined in 29 C.F.R. 2510.3-101, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and the extensions of credit and repayment of amounts hereunder, do not and will not constitute “prohibited transactions” under ERISA or the Internal Revenue Code.

(y) Sanctions, Anti-Corruption and Anti-Money Laundering Laws

(i)  None of (x) the Borrower, the Guarantor, or, to the knowledge of any Responsible Officer of the Borrower, any of their respective directors, officers or employees while acting on

-  58  -

 


 

 

behalf of the Borrower or Guarantor, as applicable, or (y) to the knowledge of any Responsible Officer of the Borrower, any agent of the Borrower or the Guarantor while acting in any capacity in connection with this Agreement is:  (1) a Sanctioned Person; (2) primarily owned by, controlled by or acting on behalf of a Sanctioned Person; (3) has its assets located in a Sanctioned Country in violation of applicable Sanctions; (4) directly or, to the knowledge of any Responsible Officer of Borrower, indirectly derives revenues from investments in, or transactions with, Sanctioned Persons; or (5) has taken any action, directly or, to the knowledge of any Responsible Officer of Borrower, indirectly, that would result in a material violation by such Persons of any Anti-Corruption Laws.  Each of Borrower and Guarantor has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with the Anti-Corruption Laws.



(ii) Each of (x) the Borrower, the Guarantor, and, to the knowledge of any Responsible Officer of the Borrower, each of their respective directors, officers or employees while acting on behalf of the Borrower or Guarantor, as applicable, and (y) to the knowledge of any Responsible Officer of the Borrower, each agent of the Borrower or the Guarantor while acting in any capacity in connection with this Agreement is:  (1) is in compliance with all Anti-Corruption Laws and Anti-Money Laundering Laws; (2) is not under administrative, civil or criminal investigation for a material violation of applicable Anti-Corruption or Anti-Money Laundering Laws; and (3) has not received on behalf of the Borrower notice from or made on behalf of Borrower a voluntary disclosure to any governmental entity regarding a possible violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws or Anti-Money Laundering Laws.

(iii)No proceeds of any Loan has been used, directly or, to the knowledge of any Responsible Officer of Borrower, indirectly, by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of any Responsible Officer of Borrower, any of their respective directors, officers, or employees while acting on behalf of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, or, to the knowledge of any Responsible Officer of Borrower, any agent of the Borrower or such Subsidiary while acting in any capacity with this Agreement,  (1) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws, (2) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any impermissible activity, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, including any impermissible payments (directly or, to the knowledge of any Responsible Officer of Borrower, indirectly) to a Sanctioned Person or a Sanctioned Country or (3) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.



(z) REIT Status.  The Guarantor qualifies as, and has elected to be treated as, a REIT and is in compliance with all requirements and conditions imposed under the Internal Revenue Code to allow the Guarantor to maintain its status as a REIT.

Section 7.2  Survival of Representations and Warranties, Etc.

All statements contained in any certificate, financial statement or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of any Loan Party or any other Subsidiary to the Administrative Agent or any Lender pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents (including, but not limited to, any such statement made in or in connection with any amendment thereto) shall constitute representations and warranties made by the Borrower under this Agreement.  All representations and warranties made under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be deemed to be made at and as of the Agreement Date, the Effective Date, the date on which any increase of the Commitments is effectuated pursuant to Section 2.17 and at and as of the date of the occurrence of each Credit Event, except to the extent that such representations and warranties expressly relate solely to an earlier date (in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects (except in the case of a representation

-  59  -

 


 

 

or warranty qualified by materiality, in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of such earlier date) and except for changes in factual circumstances specifically and expressly permitted hereunder.  All such representations and warranties shall survive the effectiveness of this Agreement, the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of the Loans and the issuance of the Letters of Credit.

ARTICLE VIII  Affirmative Covenants

For so long as this Agreement is in effect, unless the Requisite Lenders (or, if required pursuant to Section 13.6, each affected Lender) shall otherwise consent in the manner provided for in Section 13.6,  the Borrower shall comply with the following covenants:

Section 8.1  Preservation of Existence and Similar Matters.

Unless otherwise permitted under Section 8.14, the Borrower shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party and each other Subsidiary to, (a) preserve and maintain its respective existence in the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation, (b) preserve and maintain its respective material rights, franchises, licenses and privileges in the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation and (c) qualify and remain qualified and authorized to do business in each jurisdiction in which the character of its properties or the nature of its business requires such qualification and authorization, except where a failure to preserve and maintain or qualify and remain qualified and authorized could reasonably not be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 8.2  Compliance with Applicable Law.

The Borrower shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party and each other Subsidiary to, comply with all Applicable Law, including the obtaining of all Governmental Approvals, the failure with which to comply could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 8.3  Maintenance of Property.

In addition to the requirements of any of the other Loan Documents, the Borrower shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party and each other Subsidiary to, in the ordinary course of business, (a) protect and preserve all of its respective material properties, including, but not limited to, all Intellectual Property necessary to the conduct of its respective business, and maintain in good repair, working order and condition all tangible properties, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and (b) from time to time make or cause to be made all needed and appropriate repairs, renewals, replacements and additions to such properties, so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly conducted at all times.

Section 8.4  Conduct of Business.

The Borrower shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party and each other Subsidiary to, carry on its respective businesses as described in Section 7.1(u) or any businesses substantially similar or related thereto.

Section 8.5  Insurance.

In addition to the requirements of any of the other Loan Documents, the Borrower shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party and each other Subsidiary to, maintain insurance (on a replacement cost basis) with financially sound and reputable insurance companies against such risks and in such amounts as is customarily maintained by Persons engaged in similar businesses or as may be required by Applicable Law.

-  60  -

 


 

 

Section 8.6  Payment of Taxes and Claims.

The Borrower shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party and each other Subsidiary to, pay and discharge when due (a) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits or upon any properties belonging to it, and (b) all lawful claims of materialmen, mechanics, carriers, warehousemen and landlords for labor, materials, supplies and rentals which, if unpaid, might become a Lien on any properties of such Person; provided,  however, that this Section shall not require the payment or discharge of any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP.

Section 8.7  Books and Records; Inspections.

The Borrower shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party and each other Subsidiary to, keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities.  The Borrower shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party and each other Subsidiary to, permit representatives of the Administrative Agent (who may be accompanied by representatives of the Lenders) to visit and inspect any of their respective properties, to examine and make abstracts from any of their respective books and records and to discuss their respective affairs, finances and accounts with their respective officers, employees and independent public accountants (in the presence of an officer of the Borrower if an Event of Default does not then exist), all at such reasonable times during business hours and as often as may reasonably be requested and so long as no Event of Default exists, with reasonable prior notice; provided that  (i) representatives of the Loan Parties and Subsidiaries may be present during all such inspections and discussions, (ii) each representative of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall take reasonable steps to minimize disruption to the operations of each Loan Party and each Subsidiary caused by such inspection; and (iii) nothing contained herein shall require any Loan Party or any Subsidiary to permit Administrative Agent or any Lender to examine or otherwise have access to any matter that is protected from disclosure by the attorney-client privilege or the doctrine of attorney work product.  The Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse the Administrative Agent and the Lenders for their reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with the exercise of their rights under this Section only if such exercise occurs while a Default or Event of Default exists.  If requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall execute an authorization letter addressed to its accountants authorizing the Administrative Agent to discuss the financial affairs of the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary with Borrower’s accountants.

Section 8.8  Use of Proceeds.

The Borrower will use the proceeds of Loans only (a) for the payment of pre-development and development costs incurred in connection with Properties owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary; (b) to finance acquisitions otherwise permitted under this Agreement; (c) to finance capital expenditures and the repayment of Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries; and (d) to provide for the general working capital needs of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and for other general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.  The Borrower shall only use Letters of Credit for the same purposes for which it may use the proceeds of Loans.  The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary to, use any part of such proceeds to purchase or carry, or to reduce or retire or refinance any credit incurred to purchase or carry, any margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U or Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any such margin stock.

-  61  -

 


 

 

Section 8.9  Environmental Matters.

Except where failure to comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party and each other Subsidiary to, (a) comply with all Environmental Laws, (b) use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all other Persons occupying, using or present on the Properties to comply, with all Environmental Laws, and (c) promptly take all actions and pay or arrange to pay all costs necessary for it and for the Properties to comply with all Environmental Laws and all Governmental Approvals, including actions to remove and dispose of all Hazardous Materials and to clean up the Properties as required under Environmental Laws.  The Borrower shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party and each other Subsidiary to, promptly take all actions necessary to prevent the imposition of any Liens on any of their respective properties arising out of or related to any Environmental Laws.  Nothing in this Section shall impose any obligation or liability whatsoever on the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

Section 8.10  Further Assurances.

At the Borrower’s cost and expense and upon request of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party to, duly execute and deliver or cause to be duly executed and delivered, to the Administrative Agent such further instruments, documents and certificates, and do and cause to be done such further acts that may be reasonably necessary or advisable in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent to carry out more effectively the provisions and purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

Section 8.11  Material Contracts.

The Borrower shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party and each other Subsidiary to, duly and punctually perform and comply with any and all material representations, warranties, covenants and agreements expressed as binding upon any such Person under any Material Contract.  The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary to, do or knowingly permit to be done anything to impair the value of any of the Material Contracts to the extent such impairment could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. 

Section 8.12  REIT Status.

The Guarantor shall maintain its status as, and election to be treated as, a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code.

Section 8.13  Exchange Listing.

The Guarantor shall maintain at least one class of common shares of the Guarantor having trading privileges on the New York Stock Exchange or NYSE Amex Equities or which is subject to price quotations on The NASDAQ Stock Market’s National Market System. 

Section I.1

   Asset Dispositions; Restrictions on Fundamental Changes; Certain Obligations.

(a)

Subject to clause (b), each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries may sell, lease or otherwise dispose of assets in the normal course of its business and so long as such dispositions do not result in a violation of any other provision of this Agreement. 

(b)

Except as permitted pursuant to clause (c), no Loan Party and no Subsidiary shall directly or indirectly, enter into any merger, consolidation, reorganization or recapitalization, reclassify its Equity

-  62  -

 


 

 

Interests, liquidate, wind up or dissolve or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or substantially all of its or their business or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired.

(c)

No Loan Party and no Subsidiary shall engage in any material acquisition, merger, formation, investment in any partnership/joint venture/Subsidiary, asset acquisition (other than of Office Park Property) or transfer of assets without first giving notice thereof to Agent and certifying compliance with all covenants of this Agreement after giving effect to the proposed transaction.  For purposes of this clause (c), “material” is defined as any transaction in which the obligation of a Loan Party or a Subsidiary equals or exceeds ten percent (10%) of Gross Asset Value.  With respect to any proposed acquisition of Office Park Property, if the Acquisition Price of such Office Park Property is greater than ten percent (10%) of Gross Asset Value, then within fifteen (15) days prior to the scheduled closing of the acquisition Borrower must certify compliance with all covenants of this Agreement after giving effect to the proposed transaction.

ARTICLE IX  Information

For so long as this Agreement is in effect, unless the Requisite Lenders (or, if required pursuant to Section 13.6, each affected Lender) shall otherwise consent in the manner set forth in Section 13.6, the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent for distribution to each of the Lenders:

Section 9.1  Quarterly Financial Statements.

As soon as available and in any event within five (5) days after the same is required to be filed with the SEC (but in no event later than fifty (50) days after the end of each of the first, second and third fiscal quarters of the Borrower), the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Loan Parties and their consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such period and the related unaudited consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Loan Parties and their consolidated Subsidiaries for such period, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures as of the end of and for the corresponding periods of the previous fiscal year, all of which shall be certified by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Guarantor, in his or her opinion, to present fairly, in accordance with GAAP and in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Loan Parties and their consolidated Subsidiaries as at the date thereof and the results of operations for such period (subject to normal year‑end audit adjustments and absence of footnotes). 

Section 9.2  Year‑End Statements.

As soon as available and in any event within five (5) days after the same is required to be filed with the SEC (but in no event later than ninety-five (95) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower), the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Loan Parties and their consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year and the related audited consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Loan Parties and their consolidated Subsidiaries for such fiscal year, setting forth in comparative form the figures as at the end of and for the previous fiscal year, all of which shall be (a) certified by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Guarantor, in his or her opinion, to present fairly, in accordance with GAAP and in all material respects, the financial position of the Loan Parties and their consolidated Subsidiaries as at the date thereof and the result of operations for such period and (b) accompanied by the report thereon of Ernst & Young, LLP or any other independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing acceptable to the Administrative Agent, whose report shall not be subject to (i) any “going concern” or like qualification or exception or (ii) any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit.

-  63  -

 


 

 

Section 9.3  Compliance Certificate.

At the time the financial statements are furnished pursuant to Sections 9.1 and 9.2, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H (a “Compliance Certificate”) executed on behalf of the Borrower by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Guarantor (a) setting forth in reasonable detail as of the end of such fiscal quarter or fiscal year, as the case may be, the calculations required to establish whether the Borrower was in compliance with the covenants contained in Section 10.1; and (b) stating that no Default or Event of Default exists, or, if such is not the case, specifying such Default or Event of Default and its nature, when it occurred and the steps being taken by the Borrower with respect to such event, condition or failure. 

Section 9.4  Other Information.

(a) Upon the request of the Administrative Agent, copies of all reports, if any, submitted to any Loan Party or its Board of Directors by its independent public accountants including, without limitation, any management report;

(b) Within five (5) Business Days of the filing thereof, copies of all registration statements (excluding the exhibits thereto (unless requested by the Administrative Agent) and any registration statements on Form S‑8 or its equivalent), reports on Forms 10‑K, 10‑Q and 8‑K (or their equivalents) and all other periodic reports which any Loan Party or any other Subsidiary shall file with the SEC or any national securities exchange;

(c) Promptly upon the mailing thereof to the shareholders of the Guarantor generally, copies of all financial statements, reports and proxy statements so mailed and promptly upon the issuance thereof copies of all press releases issued by the Guarantor, any Subsidiary or any other Loan Party;

(d) Within ninety-five (95) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, and within fifty (50) days after the end of each other fiscal quarter of the Borrower, an Unencumbered Asset Certificate, which shall include (i) a schedule of the Properties that constitute Unencumbered Assets, (ii) the amount of Unencumbered Asset Value attributable to Properties that are subject to a Ground Lease, or that constitute Development Property or Unimproved Land, (iii) the Occupancy Rate of all Unencumbered Assets, (iv) the calculations required to establish Unencumbered Asset Value, and (v) a schedule of the Properties that no longer constitute Unencumbered Assets;

(e) Within fifty (50) days after the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, an operating summary with respect to each Property then included in calculations of the Gross Asset Value, including without limitation, a quarterly and year-to-date statement of Net Operating Income and a leasing/occupancy status report together with a current rent roll for such Property;    

(f) Intentionally Omitted;

(g) Intentionally Omitted;

(h) If any ERISA Event shall occur that individually, or together with any other ERISA Event that has occurred, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, a certificate of the chief executive officer or chief financial officer of the Guarantor setting forth details as to such occurrence and the action, if any, which the Guarantor or the Borrower or applicable member of the ERISA Group is required or proposes to take;

-  64  -

 


 

 

(i) To the extent a Responsible Officer of any Loan Party or any other Subsidiary is aware of the same, prompt notice of the commencement of any proceeding or investigation by or before any Governmental Authority and any action or proceeding in any court or other tribunal or before any arbitrator against or in any other way relating to, or affecting, any Loan Party or any other Subsidiary or any of their respective properties, assets or businesses which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(j) Intentionally Omitted;

(k) Prompt notice of any change in the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition, results of operations or business prospects of any Loan Party which has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect;

(l) Prompt notice upon a Responsible Officer becoming aware of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default or any event which constitutes or which with the passage of time, the giving of notice, or otherwise, would constitute a default or event of default by any Loan Party or any other Subsidiary under any Material Contract to which any such Person is a party or by which any such Person or any of its respective properties may be bound;

(m) Intentionally Omitted;

(n) Prompt notice of any order, judgment or decree in excess of $25,000,000 having been entered against any Loan Party or any other Subsidiary or any of their respective properties or assets;

(o) Intentionally Omitted;

(p) Intentionally Omitted;

(q) Promptly upon the request of the Administrative Agent, evidence of the Borrower’s calculation of the Ownership Share with respect to a Subsidiary or an Unconsolidated Affiliate, such evidence to be in form and detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(r) Promptly, upon any change in the Borrower’s or any Loan Party’s Credit Rating, a certificate stating that the Borrower’s Credit Rating or a Loan Party’s Credit Rating has changed and the new Credit Rating that is in effect;

(s) Promptly, upon each request, information identifying the Borrower (or any Loan Party) as a Lender may request in order to comply with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation, the Patriot Act;

(t) Intentionally Omitted;

(u) Intentionally Omitted;

(v) From time to time and promptly upon each request, such data, certificates, reports, statements, opinions of counsel, documents or further information regarding any Property or the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition, results of operations or business prospects of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, or any other Loan Party as the Administrative Agent or any Lender through the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

-  65  -

 


 

 

Section 9.5  Electronic Delivery of Certain Information.

(a) Documents required to be delivered pursuant to the Loan Documents may be delivered by electronic communication and delivery, including, the Internet, e-mail or intranet websites to which the Administrative Agent and each Lender have access (including a commercial, third-party or government website such as www.sec.gov <http://www.sec.gov> or a website sponsored or hosted by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower) provided that the foregoing shall not apply to (i) notices to any Lender (or the Issuing Bank) pursuant to Article II and (ii) any Lender that has notified the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that it cannot or does not want to receive electronic communications.  The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic delivery pursuant to procedures approved by it for all or particular notices or communications.  Documents or notices delivered electronically shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date and time on which the Administrative Agent or the Borrower posts such documents or the documents become available on a commercial, third party or government website and the Administrative Agent or Borrower notifies each Lender of said posting and provides a link thereto provided that (i) no such notice shall be required for any document posted on <http://www.sec.gov>, and (ii) if such notice or other communication is not sent or posted during the normal business hours of the recipient, said posting date and time shall be deemed to have commenced as of 11:00 a.m. Central time on the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.  The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or to maintain paper copies of the documents delivered electronically, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower with any such request for delivery.  Each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it of copies and maintaining its documents.

(b) Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Article II may be delivered electronically to a website provided for such purpose by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the procedures provided to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent.

Section 9.6  Public/Private Information.

The Borrower shall cooperate with the Administrative Agent in connection with the publication of certain materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower.  Documents required to be delivered pursuant to the Loan Documents shall be delivered by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (collectively, “Information Materials”) pursuant to this Article and the Borrower shall designate Information Materials (a) that are either available to the public or not material with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or any of their respective securities for purposes of United States federal and state securities laws, as “Public Information” and (b) that are not Public Information as “Private Information.”  The Administrative Agent and the Borrower acknowledge and agree that the Guarantor is obligated to file reports under the Securities Exchange Act.  All Information Materials filed with or furnished to the SEC by, or on behalf of, the Borrower pursuant to the Securities Act or filed by, or on behalf of, the Guarantor with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act, distributed by, or on behalf of, the Borrower or Guarantor by press release through a widely disseminated news or wire service, or otherwise expressly designated by the Borrower as Public Information are hereby designated as Public Information and all other Information Materials are hereby designated as Private Information.

Section 9.7  USA Patriot Act Notice; Compliance.

The Patriot Act and federal regulations issued with respect thereto require all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record certain information that identifies individuals or business entities which open an “account” with such financial institution.  Consequently, a Lender (for itself and/or Administrative Agent for all Lenders hereunder) may from time-to-time request, and the Borrower shall, and shall cause the other

-  66  -

 


 

 

Loan Parties to, provide to such Lender, such Loan Party’s name, address, tax identification number and/or such other identification information as shall be necessary for such Lender to comply with federal law.  An “account” for this purpose may include, without limitation, a deposit account, cash management service, a transaction or asset account, a credit account, a loan or other extension of credit, and/or other financial services product.

ARTICLE X  Negative Covenants

For so long as this Agreement is in effect, unless the Requisite Lenders (or, if required pursuant to Section 13.6, each affected Lender) shall otherwise consent in the manner set forth in Section 13.6, the Borrower shall comply with the following covenants:

Section 10.1  Financial Covenants.

(a) Ratio of Total Liabilities to Gross Asset Value.  The Borrower shall not permit the ratio of (i) Total Liabilities of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries to (ii) Gross Asset Value to exceed 0.60 to 1.00 at any time.

(b) Ratio of EBITDA to Fixed Charges.  The Borrower shall not permit the ratio of (i) EBITDA of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries for any fiscal quarter to (ii) Fixed Charges of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal quarter, to be less than 1.50 to 1.00 as of the last day of such fiscal quarter.

(c) Ratio of Secured Indebtedness to Gross Asset Value.  The Borrower shall not permit the ratio of (i) Secured Indebtedness of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries to (ii) Gross Asset Value to exceed 0.40 to 1.00 at any time.

(d) Ratio of Unencumbered NOI to Unsecured Interest Expense.  The Borrower shall not permit the ratio of (i) Unencumbered NOI for any fiscal quarter to (ii) Unsecured Interest Expense of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries for such fiscal quarter, to be less than 1.50 to 1.00 as of the last day of such fiscal quarter.

(e) Ratio of Unencumbered Asset Value to Unsecured Indebtedness.  The Borrower shall not permit the ratio of (i) Unencumbered Asset Value of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis, to (ii) Unsecured Indebtedness of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis, to be less than 0.60 to 1.00 at any time. 

(f) Intentionally Omitted.

(g) Dividends and Other Restricted Payments.  If an Event of Default under Section 11.1.(a),  (e) or (f) shall exist, or if as a result of the occurrence of any other Event of Default any of the Obligations have been accelerated pursuant to Section 11.2(a), the Guarantor and the Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of their respective Subsidiaries (other than Wholly Owned Subsidiaries) to, declare or make, or incur any liability to make, Restricted Payments during any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters in an aggregate amount in excess of the minimum amount of cash distributions required to be made by the Guarantor to its shareholders to maintain compliance with Section 8.12.   

Section 10.2  Negative Pledge

The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary to,

(a) create, assume, incur, or permit or suffer to exist, any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) upon any of the Unencumbered Assets or any direct or indirect ownership interest of the Borrower in any Subsidiary

-  67  -

 


 

 

owning any Unencumbered Asset, or (b) permit any Unencumbered Asset, or any direct or indirect ownership interest of the Borrower in any Subsidiary owning any Unencumbered Asset, to become subject to a Negative Pledge, if immediately prior to the creation, assumption, incurrence or existence of such Lien, or Unencumbered Asset or ownership interest becoming subject to a Negative Pledge, or immediately thereafter, a Default or Event of Default is or would be in existence, including without limitation, a Default or Event of Default resulting from a violation of any of the covenants contained in Section 10.1.



Section 10.3  Restrictions on Intercompany Transfers.

The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the ability of any Subsidiary to:  (a) pay dividends or make any other distribution on any of such Subsidiary’s capital stock or other equity interests owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary; (b) pay any Indebtedness owed to the Borrower or any Subsidiary; (c) make loans or advances to the Borrower or any Subsidiary; or (d) transfer any of its property or assets to the Borrower or any Subsidiary; other than (i) with respect to clauses (a) through (d) those encumbrances or restrictions contained in any Loan Document or, (ii) with respect to clause (d), customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into by the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business.

Section 10.4  Intentionally Omitted.

Section 10.5  Plans.

The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary to, permit any of its respective assets to become or be deemed to be “plan assets” within the meaning of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code and the respective regulations promulgated thereunder.  The Borrower shall not cause or permit to occur, and shall not permit any other member of the ERISA Group to cause or permit to occur, any ERISA Event if such ERISA Event could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 10.6  Fiscal Year.

The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any other Loan Party or other Subsidiary to, change its fiscal year from that in effect as of the Agreement Date.

Section 10.7  Modifications of Organizational Documents and Material Contracts.

The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary to, amend, supplement, restate or otherwise modify its certificate or articles of incorporation or formation, by-laws, operating agreement, declaration of trust, partnership agreement or other applicable organizational document if such amendment, supplement, restatement or other modification (a) is adverse to the interest of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Lenders or (b) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  The Borrower shall not enter into, and shall not permit any Subsidiary or other Loan Party to enter into, any amendment or modification to any Material Contract which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or default in the performance of any obligations of any Loan Party or other Subsidiary in any Material Contract or permit any Material Contract to be canceled or terminated prior to its stated maturity, except to the extent that any of the foregoing could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

-  68  -

 


 

 

Section 10.8  Intentionally Omitted.

Section 10.9  Transactions with Affiliates.

The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any other Loan Party to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except (a) as set forth on Schedule 7.1(s), (b) in the ordinary course of business at prices and on terms and conditions not less favorable to the Borrower or such other Loan Party than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, (c) transactions between or among the Guarantor, the Borrower and their respective Subsidiaries not involving any other Affiliate or (d) any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 10.1(g).

Section 10.10  Environmental Matters.

The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary and shall use commercially reasonable efforts (which shall include, for purposes of this Section, including customary provisions in lease agreements with tenants restricting such activities) not to permit any other Person to, use, generate, discharge, emit, manufacture, handle, process, store, release, transport, remove, dispose of or clean up any Hazardous Materials on, under or from the Properties in violation of any Environmental Law or in a manner that could reasonably be expected to lead to any environmental claim or pose a material risk to human health, safety or the environment, in each case which violation, claim or risk could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  Nothing in this Section shall impose any obligation or liability whatsoever on the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

Section 10.11  Intentionally Omitted.

Section 10.12  Derivatives Contracts.

The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary to, enter into or become obligated in respect of Derivatives Contracts other than Derivatives Contracts entered into by the Borrower, any such Loan Party or any such Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business and which establish an effective hedge in respect of liabilities, commitments or assets held or reasonably anticipated by the Borrower, such other Loan Party or such other Subsidiary.

Section 10.13 Sanctions.  

No proceeds of any Loan or Letter of Credit shall be used by Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents (i) for the purpose of providing financing to or otherwise making funds available to any Sanctioned Person, (ii) for the purpose of providing financing to or otherwise funding any transaction that would be prohibited by Sanctions or (iii) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.

ARTICLE XI  Default

Section 11.1  Events of Default.

Each of the following shall constitute an Event of Default, whatever the reason for such event and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of Applicable Law or pursuant to any judgment or order of any Governmental Authority:

(a) Default in Payment

-  69  -

 


 

 

(i) The Borrower shall fail to pay when due under this Agreement or any other Loan Document (whether upon demand, at maturity, by reason of acceleration or otherwise) the principal of any of the Loans or any Reimbursement Obligation.

(ii) The Borrower shall fail to pay when due under this Agreement or any other Loan Document (whether upon demand,  at maturity, by reason of acceleration or otherwise) any interest on any of the Loans or on any Reimbursement Obligation, or shall fail to pay any of the other payment Obligations owing by the Borrower under this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than the payments specified in Section 11.1(a)(i)), or any other Loan Party shall fail to pay when due any payment obligation owing by such Loan Party under any Loan Document to which it is a party and, in the case of this clause (ii) only, such failure shall continue for a period of ten (10) calendar days.

(b) Default in Performance.

(i) Any Loan Party shall (A) fail to perform or observe any term, covenant, condition or agreement on its part to be performed or observed and contained in Section 9.4(l) or Article X or (B) fail to perform or observe any term, covenant, condition or agreement on its part to be performed or observed and contained in Article IX (other than as referenced above) within ten (10) days of the date on which such term, covenant, condition or agreement was to have been performed or observed; or

(ii) Any Loan Party shall fail to perform or observe any term, covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to which it is a party and not otherwise mentioned in this Section, and in the case of this subsection (b)(ii) only, such failure shall continue for a period of thirty (30) days after the earlier of (x) the date upon which a Responsible Officer of the Borrower or such other Loan Party obtains knowledge of such failure or (y) the date upon which the Borrower has received written notice of such failure from the Administrative Agent; provided, however, that if any such failure referred to in this clause (ii) is reasonably capable of being cured but not within such 30-day period and the Borrower or other Loan Party has in good faith commenced to cure such failure prior to the expiration of such 30-day period and continues to diligently prosecute such cure, no Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred unless such failure has not been cured within 60 calendar days after the last day of such initial 30-day period.

(c) Misrepresentations.  Any written statement, representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Loan Party under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document, or any amendment hereto or thereto, or in any other writing or written statement at any time furnished by, or at the direction of, any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, shall at any time prove to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when furnished or made or deemed made.

(d) Indebtedness Cross‑Default.

(i) The Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary shall fail to make any payment when due and payable, after giving effect to the expiration of any grace period for such payment, in respect of any Indebtedness (other than the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations) having an aggregate outstanding principal amount of (each, a “Material Indebtedness”) (A) $25,000,000, in the case of any Derivatives Contract, having, without regard to the effect of any close-out netting provision, a Derivatives Termination Value, (B) $25,000,000, in the case of recourse Indebtedness of, or guaranteed by, Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary, and (C) $75,000,000, in the case of non-recourse Indebtedness of, or guaranteed by,

-  70  -

 


 

 

Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary, and, with respect to the foregoing subclauses (A), (B) and (C), in each case individually or in the aggregate with all other Indebtedness as to which such a failure exists; or 

(ii) (x) The maturity of any Material Indebtedness shall have been accelerated in accordance with the provisions of any indenture, contract or instrument evidencing, providing for the creation of or otherwise concerning such Material Indebtedness or (y) any Material Indebtedness shall have been required to be prepaid, repurchased, redeemed or defeased prior to the stated maturity thereof; or

(iii) Any other event shall have occurred and be continuing which, with or without the passage of time, the giving of notice, or otherwise, would permit any holder or holders of any Material Indebtedness, any trustee or agent acting on behalf of such holder or holders or any other Person, to accelerate the maturity of any such Material Indebtedness or require any such Material Indebtedness to be prepaid, repurchased, redeemed or defeased prior to its stated maturity; or

(e) Voluntary Bankruptcy Proceeding.  The Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary shall:  (i) commence a voluntary case under the Bankruptcy Code or other federal bankruptcy laws (as now or hereafter in effect); (ii) file a petition seeking to take advantage of any other Applicable Laws, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, winding‑up, or composition or adjustment of debts; (iii) consent to, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any petition filed against it in an involuntary case under such bankruptcy laws or other Applicable Laws or consent to any proceeding or action described in the immediately following subsection (f); (iv) apply for or consent to, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, the appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a receiver, custodian, trustee, or liquidator of itself or of a substantial part of its property, domestic or foreign; (v) admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as they become due; (vi) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (vii) make a conveyance fraudulent as to creditors under any Applicable Law; or (viii) take any corporate or partnership action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing.

(f) Involuntary Bankruptcy Proceeding.  A case or other proceeding shall be commenced against the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any Subsidiary in any court of competent jurisdiction seeking:  (i) relief under the Bankruptcy Code or other federal bankruptcy laws (as now or hereafter in effect) or under any other Applicable Laws, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, winding‑up, or composition or adjustment of debts; or (ii) the appointment of a trustee, receiver, custodian, liquidator or the like of such Person, or of all or any substantial part of the assets, domestic or foreign, of such Person, and in the case of either clause (i) or (ii) such case or proceeding shall continue undismissed or unstayed for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days, or an order granting the remedy or other relief requested in such case or proceeding (including, but not limited to, an order for relief under such Bankruptcy Code or such other federal bankruptcy laws) shall be entered.

(g) Revocation of Loan Documents.  Any Loan Party shall (or shall attempt to) disavow, revoke or terminate any Loan Document to which it is a party or shall otherwise challenge or contest in any action, suit or proceeding in any court or before any Governmental Authority the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or any Loan Document shall cease to be in full force and effect (except as a result of the express terms thereof).

(h) Judgment.  A judgment or order for the payment of money or for an injunction or other non-monetary relief shall be entered against the Borrower, any other Loan Party, or any other Subsidiary by any court or other tribunal and (i) such judgment or order shall continue for a period of thirty (30) days without being paid, stayed or dismissed through appropriate appellate proceedings and (ii) either (A) the amount of such judgment or order for which insurance has not been acknowledged in writing by the

-  71  -

 


 

 

applicable insurance carrier (or the amount as to which the insurer has denied liability) exceeds, individually or together with all other such judgments or orders entered against the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary, $25,000,000 or (B) in the case of an injunction or other non-monetary relief, such injunction or judgment or order could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(i) Attachment.  A warrant, writ of attachment, execution or similar process shall be issued against any property of the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary, which exceeds, individually or together with all other such warrants, writs, executions and processes, $25,000,000 in amount and such warrant, writ, execution or process shall not be paid, discharged, vacated, stayed or bonded for a period of thirty (30) days; provided,  however, that if a bond has been issued in favor of the claimant or other Person obtaining such warrant, writ, execution or process, the issuer of such bond shall execute a waiver or subordination agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent pursuant to which the issuer of such bond subordinates its right of reimbursement, contribution or subrogation to the Obligations and waives or subordinates any Lien it may have on the assets of the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary. 

(j) ERISA.

(i) Any ERISA Event shall have occurred that results or could reasonably be expected to result in liability to any member of the ERISA Group aggregating in excess of $25,000,000; or

(ii) The “benefit obligation” of all Plans exceeds the “fair market value of plan assets” for such Plans by more than $25,000,000, all as determined, and with such terms defined, in accordance with FASB ASC 715. 

(k) Loan Documents.  An Event of Default (as defined therein) shall occur under any of the other Loan Documents.

(l) Change of Control/Change in Management.

(i) Any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act, other than PSA, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act, except that a Person will be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all securities that such Person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than twenty-five percent (25.0%) of the total voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the Borrower; or

(ii) During any period of 12 consecutive months ending after the Agreement Date, individuals who at the beginning of any such 12‑month period constituted the Board of Directors of the Guarantor (together with any new directors whose election by such Board or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of the Guarantor was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved (but excluding any director whose initial nomination for, or assumption of office as, a director 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)) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of the Guarantor then in office.

-  72  -

 


 

 

Section 11.2  Remedies Upon Event of Default.

Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default the following provisions shall apply:

(a) Acceleration; Termination of Facilities.

(i) Automatic.  Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Sections 11.1(e) or 11.1(f), (1)(A) the principal of, and all accrued interest on, the Loans and the Notes at the time outstanding, (B) an amount equal to the Stated Amount of all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the date of the occurrence of such Event of Default for deposit into the Letter of Credit Collateral Account and (C) all of the other Obligations, including, but not limited to, the other amounts owed to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, the Notes or any of the other Loan Documents shall become immediately and automatically due and payable without presentment, demand, protest, or other notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by the Borrower on behalf of itself and the other Loan Parties, and (2) the Commitments and the obligation of the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder, shall all immediately and automatically terminate.

(ii) Optional.  If any other Event of Default shall exist, the Administrative Agent may, and at the direction of the Requisite Lenders shall:  (1) declare (A) the principal of, and accrued interest on, the Loans and the Notes at the time outstanding, (B) an amount equal to the Stated Amount of all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the date of the occurrence of such Event of Default for deposit into the Letter of Credit Collateral Account and (C) all of the other Obligations, including, but not limited to, the other amounts owed to the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, the Notes or any of the other Loan Documents to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon the same shall immediately become due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by the Borrower on behalf of itself and the other Loan Parties, and (2) terminate the Commitments and the obligation of the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder.

(b) Loan Documents.  The Requisite Lenders may direct the Administrative Agent to, and the Administrative Agent if so directed shall, exercise any and all of its rights under any and all of the other Loan Documents.

(c) Applicable Law.  The Requisite Lenders may direct the Administrative Agent to, and the Administrative Agent if so directed shall, exercise all other rights and remedies it may have under any Applicable Law.

(d) Appointment of Receiver.  To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to the appointment of a receiver for the assets and properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, without notice of any kind whatsoever and without regard to the adequacy of any security for the Obligations or the solvency of any party bound for its payment, to take possession of all or any portion of the property and/or the business operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and to exercise such power as the court shall confer upon such receiver.

Section 11.3  Remedies Upon Default.

Upon the occurrence of a Default specified in Section 11.1(f), the Commitments and the obligation of the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit shall immediately and automatically terminate.

-  73  -

 


 

 

Section 11.4  Marshaling; Payments Set Aside.

No Lender Party shall be under any obligation to marshal any assets in favor of any Loan Party or any other party or against or in payment of any or all of the Obligations.  To the extent that any Loan Party makes a payment or payments to a Lender Party, or a Lender Party enforces its security interest or exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or payments or the proceeds of such enforcement or setoff or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside and/or required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party under any bankruptcy law, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause, then to the extent of such recovery, the Obligations, or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied, and all Liens, rights and remedies therefor, shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such enforcement or setoff had not occurred.

Section 11.5  Allocation of Proceeds.

If an Event of Default exists, all payments received by the Administrative Agent (or any Lender as a result of its exercise of remedies permitted under Section 13.3) under any of the Loan Documents, in respect of any Obligations shall be applied in the following order and priority:

(a) to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts, including attorney fees, payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such and the Issuing Bank in its capacity as such, ratably among the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause (a) payable to them;

(b) to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal and interest) payable to the Lenders under the Loan Documents, including attorney fees, ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause (b) payable to them;

(c) intentionally omitted;

(d) to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations, ratably among the Lenders and the Issuing Bank in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause (d) payable to them;

(e) intentionally omitted;

(f) to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans, Reimbursement Obligations and other Letter of Credit Liabilities, ratably among the Lenders and the Issuing Bank in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause (f) payable to them; provided, however, to the extent that any amounts available for distribution pursuant to this clause are attributable to the issued but undrawn amount of an outstanding Letter of Credit, such amounts shall be paid to the Administrative Agent for deposit into the Letter of Credit Collateral Account; and;

(g) the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Applicable Law.

Section 11.6  Letter of Credit Collateral Account.

(a) As collateral security for the prompt payment in full when due of all Letter of Credit Liabilities and the other Obligations, the Borrower hereby pledges and grants to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders as provided herein, a

-  74  -

 


 

 

security interest in all of its right, title and interest in and to the Letter of Credit Collateral Account and the balances from time to time in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account (including the investments and reinvestments therein provided for below).  The balances from time to time in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account shall not constitute payment of any Letter of Credit Liabilities until applied by the Issuing Bank as provided herein.  Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, funds held in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account shall be subject to withdrawal only as provided in this Section.

(b) Amounts on deposit in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account shall be invested and reinvested by the Administrative Agent in such Cash Equivalents as the Administrative Agent shall determine in its sole discretion.  All such investments and reinvestments shall be held in the name of and be under the sole dominion and control of the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders; provided, that all earnings on such investments will be credited to and retained in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account.  The Administrative Agent shall exercise reasonable care in the custody and preservation of any funds held in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account and shall be deemed to have exercised such care if such funds are accorded treatment substantially equivalent to that which the Administrative Agent accords other funds deposited with the Administrative Agent, it being understood that the Administrative Agent shall not have any responsibility for taking any necessary steps to preserve rights against any parties with respect to any funds held in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account.

(c) If a drawing pursuant to any Letter of Credit occurs on or prior to the expiration date of such Letter of Credit, the Borrower and the Lenders authorize the Administrative Agent to use the monies deposited in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account to reimburse the Issuing Bank for the payment made by the Issuing Bank to the beneficiary with respect to such drawing.

(d) If an Event of Default exists, the Administrative Agent may (and, if instructed by the Requisite Lenders, shall) in its (or their) discretion at any time and from time to time elect to liquidate any such investments and reinvestments and apply the proceeds thereof to the Obligations in accordance with Section 11.5.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to liquidate and release any such amounts if such liquidation or release would result in the amount available in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account to be less than the Stated Amount of all Letters of Credit that remain outstanding.

(e) So long as no Default or Event of Default exists, and to the extent amounts on deposit in or credited to the Letter of Credit Collateral Account exceed the aggregate amount of the Letter of Credit Liabilities then due and owing, the Administrative Agent shall, from time to time, at the request of the Borrower, deliver to the Borrower within ten (10) Business Days after the Administrative Agent’s receipt of such request from the Borrower, against receipt but without any recourse, warranty or representation whatsoever, such amount of the credit balances in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account as exceeds the aggregate amount of Letter of Credit Liabilities at such time.  When all of the Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full and no Letters of Credit remain outstanding, the Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Borrower, against receipt but without any recourse, warranty or representation whatsoever, the balances remaining in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account.

(f) The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent from time to time such fees as the Administrative Agent normally charges for similar services in connection with the Administrative Agent’s administration of the Letter of Credit Collateral Account and investments and reinvestments of funds therein.

-  75  -

 


 

 

Section 11.7  Intentionally Omitted.

Section 11.8  Performance by Administrative Agent.

If the Borrower or any other Loan Party shall fail to perform any covenant, duty or agreement contained in any of the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent may, after notice to the Borrower, perform or attempt to perform such covenant, duty or agreement on behalf of the Borrower or such other Loan Party after the expiration of any cure or grace periods set forth herein.  In such event, the Borrower shall, at the request of the Administrative Agent, promptly pay any amount reasonably expended by the Administrative Agent in such performance or attempted performance to the Administrative Agent, together with interest thereon at the applicable Post-Default Rate from the date of such expenditure until paid.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any liability or responsibility whatsoever for the performance of any obligation of the Borrower under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

Section 11.9  Rights Cumulative.

(a) Generally.  The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders under this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which any of them may otherwise have under Applicable Law.  In exercising their respective rights and remedies the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders may be selective and no failure or delay by any such Lender Party in exercising any right shall operate as a waiver of it, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any power or right preclude its other or further exercise or the exercise of any other power or right.

(b) Enforcement by Administrative Agent.  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 Article XI. for the benefit of all the Lenders and the Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit (i) 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, (ii) the Issuing Bank from exercising the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as the Issuing Bank) hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, (iii) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 13.3 (subject to the terms of Section 3.3), or (iv) any Lender from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing 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 (x) the Requisite Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Article XI and (y) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (ii) and (iv) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 3.3, any Lender may, with the consent of the Requisite Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to it and as authorized by the Requisite Lenders.

ARTICLE XII  The Administrative Agent

Section 12.1  Appointment and Authorization.

Each Lender hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action as contractual representative on such Lender’s behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are specifically delegated to the Administrative Agent by the

-  76  -

 


 

 

terms hereof and thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.  Not in limitation of the foregoing, each Lender authorizes and directs the Administrative Agent to enter into the Loan Documents for the benefit of the Lenders.  Each Lender hereby agrees that, except as otherwise set forth herein, any action taken by the Requisite Lenders in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement or the Loan Documents, and the exercise by the Requisite Lenders of the powers set forth herein or therein, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto, shall be authorized and binding upon all of the Lenders.  Nothing herein shall be construed to deem the Administrative Agent a trustee or fiduciary for any Lender or to impose on the Administrative Agent duties or obligations other than those expressly provided for herein.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the use of the terms “Agent,” “Administrative Agent,” “agent” and similar terms in the Loan Documents with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any Applicable Law.  Instead, use of such terms is merely a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties.  The Administrative Agent shall deliver to each Lender, promptly upon receipt thereof by the Administrative Agent, copies of each of the financial statements, certificates, notices and other documents delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Article IX that the Borrower is not otherwise required to deliver directly to the Lenders.  The Administrative Agent will furnish to any Lender, upon the request of such Lender, a copy (or, where appropriate, an original) of any document, instrument, agreement, certificate or notice furnished to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Affiliate of the Borrower, pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document not already delivered or otherwise made available to such Lender pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any such other Loan Document.  As to any matters not expressly provided for by the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, enforcement or collection of any of the Obligations), the Administrative Agent shall not be required to exercise any discretion or take any action, but shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the instructions of the Requisite Lenders (or each of the affected Lenders if explicitly required under any other provision of this Agreement), and such instructions shall be binding upon all Lenders and all holders of any of the Obligations; provided,  however, that, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action which exposes the Administrative Agent to personal liability or which is contrary to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or Applicable Law.  Not in limitation of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent may exercise any right or remedy it or the Lenders may have under any Loan Document upon the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default unless the Requisite Lenders have directed the Administrative Agent otherwise.  Without limiting the foregoing, no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against the Administrative Agent as a result of the Administrative Agent acting or refraining from acting under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents in accordance with the instructions of the Requisite Lenders, or where applicable, all the Lenders.

Section 12.2  Administrative Agent as Lender.

The Lender acting as Administrative Agent shall have the same rights and powers as a Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, as the case may be, 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, include Wells Fargo in each case in its individual capacity.  Wells Fargo and its Affiliates may each accept deposits from, maintain deposits or credit balances for, invest in, lend money to, act as trustee under indentures of, serve as financial advisor to, and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Affiliate thereof as if it were any other bank and without any duty to account therefor to the Issuing Bank or any other Lenders.  Further, the Administrative Agent and any Affiliate may accept fees and other consideration from the Borrower for services in connection with this Agreement, or otherwise without having to account for the same to the Issuing Bank or any other Lenders.  The Issuing Bank and the Lenders acknowledge that, pursuant to such activities, Wells Fargo or its Affiliates may receive information regarding the Borrower,

-  77  -

 


 

 

other Loan Parties, other Subsidiaries and other Affiliates (including information that may be subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of such Person) and acknowledge that the Administrative Agent shall be under no obligation to provide such information to them.

Section 12.3  Approvals of Lenders.

All communications from the Administrative Agent to any Lender requesting such Lender’s determination, consent or approval (a) shall be given in the form of a written notice to such Lender, (b) shall be accompanied by a description of the matter or issue as to which such determination, consent or approval is requested, or shall advise such Lender where information, if any, regarding such matter or issue may be inspected, or shall otherwise describe the matter or issue to be resolved and (c) shall include, if reasonably requested by such Lender and to the extent not previously provided to such Lender, written materials provided to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower in respect of the matter or issue to be resolved.  Unless a Lender shall give written notice to the Administrative Agent that it specifically objects to the requested determination, consent or approval (together with a reasonable written explanation of the reasons behind such objection) within ten (10) Business Days (or such lesser or greater period as may be specifically required under the express terms of the Loan Documents) of receipt of such communication, such Lender shall be deemed to have conclusively approved of or consented to such. 

Section 12.4  Notice of Events of Default.

The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default unless the Administrative Agent has received notice from a Lender or the Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing with reasonable specificity such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default.”  If any Lender (excluding the Lender which is also serving as the Administrative Agent) becomes aware of any Default or Event of Default, it shall promptly send to the Administrative Agent such a “notice of default”; provided, a Lender’s failure to provide such a “notice of default” to the Administrative Agent shall not result in any liability of such Lender to any other party to any of the Loan Documents.  Further, if the Administrative Agent receives such a “notice of default,” the Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the Lenders.

Section 12.5  Administrative Agent’s Reliance.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement or any other Loan Documents, neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except for its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with its duties expressly set forth herein or therein as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (including its own counsel or counsel for the Borrower or any other Loan Party), independent public accountants and other experts selected by it and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts.  Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties:  (a) makes any warranty or representation to any Lender, the Issuing Bank or any other Person, or shall be responsible to any Lender, the Issuing Bank or any other Person for any statement, warranty or representation made or deemed made by the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Person in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document; (b) shall have any duty to ascertain or to inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the satisfaction of any conditions precedent under this Agreement or any Loan Document on the part of the Borrower or other Persons, or to inspect the property, books or records of the Borrower or any other Person; (c) shall be responsible to any Lender or the Issuing Bank for the due execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this

-  78  -

 


 

 

Agreement or any other Loan Document, any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto or any collateral covered thereby or the perfection or priority of any Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lender Parties in any such collateral; (d) shall have any liability in respect of any recitals, statements, certifications, representations or warranties contained in any of the Loan Documents or any other document, instrument, agreement, certificate or statement delivered in connection therewith; and (e) shall incur any liability under or in respect of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by acting upon any notice, consent, certificate or other instrument or writing (which may be by telephone, telecopy or electronic mail) believed by it to be genuine and signed, sent or given by the proper party or parties.  The Administrative Agent may execute any of its duties under the Loan Documents by or through agents, employees or attorneys-in-fact and shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agent or attorney-in-fact that it selects in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such agent or attorney-in-fact as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment.

Section 12.6  Indemnification of Administrative Agent.

Each Lender agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so) pro rata in accordance with such Lender’s respective Pro Rata Share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of any kind or nature whatsoever which may at any time be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent but not as a Lender) in any way relating to or arising out of the Loan Documents, any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by the Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents (collectively, “Indemnifiable Amounts”); provided,  however, that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of such Indemnifiable Amounts to the extent resulting from the Administrative Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable judgment; provided,  further, that no action taken in accordance with the directions of the Requisite Lenders (or each of the affected Lenders, if expressly required hereunder) shall be deemed to constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct for purposes of this Section.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Lender agrees to reimburse the Administrative Agent (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so) promptly upon demand for its ratable share of any out‑of‑pocket expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of the counsel to the Administrative Agent) incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution, administration, or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings, or otherwise) of, or legal advice with respect to the rights or responsibilities of the parties under, the Loan Documents, any suit or action brought by the Administrative Agent to enforce the terms of the Loan Documents and/or collect any Obligations, any “lender liability” suit or claim brought against the Administrative Agent and/or the Lenders, and any claim or suit brought against the Administrative Agent and/or the Lenders arising under any Environmental Laws.  Such out‑of‑pocket expenses (including counsel fees) shall be advanced by the Lenders on the request of the Administrative Agent notwithstanding any claim or assertion that the Administrative Agent is not entitled to indemnification hereunder upon receipt of an undertaking by the Administrative Agent that the Administrative Agent will reimburse the Lenders if it is actually and finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that the Administrative Agent is not so entitled to indemnification.  The agreements in this Section shall survive the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder or under the other Loan Documents and the termination of this Agreement.  If the Borrower shall reimburse the Administrative Agent for any Indemnifiable Amount following payment by any Lender to the Administrative Agent in respect of such Indemnifiable Amount pursuant to this Section, the Administrative Agent shall share such reimbursement on a ratable basis with each Lender making any such payment.

-  79  -

 


 

 

Section 12.7  Lender Credit Decision, Etc.

Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank expressly acknowledges and agrees that neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Related Parties has made any representations or warranties to the Issuing Bank or such Lender and that no act by the Administrative Agent hereafter taken, including any review of the affairs of the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary or Affiliate, shall be deemed to constitute any such representation or warranty by the Administrative Agent to the Issuing Bank or any Lender.  Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank acknowledges that it has made its own credit and legal analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any other Lender or counsel to the Administrative Agent, or any of their respective Related Parties, and based on the financial statements of the Borrower, the other Loan Parties, the other Subsidiaries and other Affiliates, and inquiries of such Persons, its independent due diligence of the business and affairs of the Borrower, the other Loan Parties, the other Subsidiaries and other Persons, its review of the Loan Documents, the legal opinions required to be delivered to it hereunder, the advice of its own counsel and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate.  Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any other Lender or counsel to the Administrative Agent or any of their respective Related Parties, and based on such review, advice, documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents.  The Administrative Agent shall not be required to keep itself informed as to the performance or observance by the Borrower or any other Loan Party of the Loan Documents or any other document referred to or provided for therein or to inspect the properties or books of, or make any other investigation of, the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary.  Except for notices, reports and other documents and information expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders and the Issuing Bank by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall have no duty or responsibility to provide any Lender or the Issuing Bank with any credit or other information concerning the business, operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Affiliate thereof which may come into possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties.  Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank acknowledges that the Administrative Agent’s legal counsel in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is only acting as counsel to the Administrative Agent and is not acting as counsel to any Lender or the Issuing Bank.

Section 12.8  Successor Administrative Agent.

The Administrative Agent may resign at any time as Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents by giving written notice thereof to the Lenders and the Borrower.  Upon any such resignation, the Requisite Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Administrative Agent which appointment shall, provided no Default or Event of Default exists, be subject to the Borrower’s approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed (except that the Borrower shall, in all events, be deemed to have approved each Lender and any of its Affiliates as a successor Administrative Agent).  If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence, and shall have accepted such appointment, within thirty (30) days after the current Administrative Agent’s giving of notice of resignation, then the current Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which shall be a Lender, if any Lender shall be willing to serve, and otherwise shall be an Eligible Assignee; provided that if the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that no Lender has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (1) the Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and (2) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made to each Lender and the Issuing Bank directly, until such time

-  80  -

 


 

 

as a successor Administrative Agent has been appointed as provided for above in this Section; provided,  further that such Lenders and the Issuing Bank so acting directly shall be and be deemed to be protected by all indemnities and other provisions herein for the benefit and protection of the Administrative Agent as if each such Lender or Issuing Bank were itself the Administrative Agent.  Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor Administrative Agent, such successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the current Administrative Agent, and the current Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under the Loan Documents.  Any resignation by an Administrative Agent shall also constitute the resignation as the Issuing Bank by the Lender then acting as Administrative Agent (the “Resigning Lender”).  Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder (i) the Resigning Lender shall be discharged from all duties and obligations of the Issuing Bank hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and (ii) the successor Issuing Bank shall issue letters of credit in substitution for all Letters of Credit issued by the Resigning Lender as Issuing Bank outstanding at the time of such succession (which letters of credit issued in substitutions shall be deemed to be Letters of Credit issued hereunder) or make other arrangements satisfactory to the Resigning Lender to effectively assume the obligations of the Resigning Lender with respect to such Letters of Credit.  After any Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Article XII shall continue to inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents.  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Administrative Agent may assign its rights and duties under the Loan Documents to any of its Affiliates by giving the Borrower and each Lender prior written notice.



ARTICLE XIII  Miscellaneous

Section 13.1  Notices.

Unless otherwise provided herein (including without limitation as provided in Section 9.5), communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed, telecopied, or delivered as follows:

If to the Borrower:

PS BUSINESS PARKS, L.P.
701 Western Avenue
Glendale, California 91201
Attention:  Chief Financial Officer
Telecopy Number: (818) 244-9267
Telephone Number: (818) 244-8080



If to the Administrative Agent:

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
401 B. Street, Suite 1100

San Diego, CA 92101
Attn:  Dale Northup
Telecopier:(619) 699-3105
Telephone:(619) 699-3025



If to the Administrative Agent under Article II:

-  81  -

 


 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Minneapolis Loan Center
MAC N9300-091

600 South 4th Street, 9th Floor

Minneapolis, Minnesota  55415
Attn:  Breanna Schmid
Telecopier:(866) 968-5584
Telephone:(612) 667-4485



If to the Issuing Bank:

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
401 B. Street, Suite 1100

San Diego, CA 92101
Attn:  Dale Northup
Telecopier:(619) 699-3105
Telephone:(619) 699-3025



If to any other Lender:

To such Lender’s address or telecopy number as set forth in the applicable Administrative Questionnaire



or, as to each party at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the other parties delivered in compliance with this Section; provided, a Lender or the Issuing Bank shall only be required to give notice of any such other address to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower.  All such notices and other communications shall be effective (i) if mailed, upon the first to occur of receipt or the expiration of three (3) days after the deposit in the United States Postal Service mail, postage prepaid and addressed to the address of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and Lenders at the addresses specified; (ii) if telecopied, when transmitted; (iii) if hand delivered or sent by overnight courier, when delivered; or (iv) if delivered in accordance with Section 9.5 to the extent applicable; provided,  however, that, in the case of the immediately preceding clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), non-receipt of any communication as of the result of any change of address of which the sending party was not notified or as the result of a refusal to accept delivery shall be deemed receipt of such communication.  Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, all notices or communications to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender under Article II shall be effective only when actually received.  None of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender shall incur any liability to any Loan Party (nor shall the Administrative Agent incur any liability to the Issuing Bank or the Lenders) for acting upon any telephonic notice referred to in this Agreement which the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or such Lender, as the case may be, believes in good faith to have been given by a Person authorized to deliver such notice or for otherwise acting in good faith hereunder.  Failure of a Person designated to get a copy of a notice to receive such copy shall not affect the validity of notice properly given to another Person.

Section 13.2  Expenses.

The Borrower agrees (a) to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent for all of its reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation and execution of, and any amendment, supplement or modification to, any of the Loan Documents (including due diligence expenses and reasonable travel expenses related to closing), and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent and all costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent in connection with the use of

-  82  -

 


 

 

IntraLinks, SyndTrak or other similar information transmission systems in connection with the Loan Documents and of the Administrative Agent in connection with the review of Properties for inclusion in calculations of the Unencumbered Asset Value and the Administrative Agent’s other activities under Article IV and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent relating to all such activities, (b) to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders for all their reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any rights under the Loan Documents, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of one firm of counsel to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and  the Lenders and, if necessary, one firm of local counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction (and, in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, where the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or a Lender, as the case may be, informs the Borrower of such conflict, another firm of counsel for such Person) and any payments in indemnification or otherwise payable by the Lenders to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Loan Documents, (c) without duplication of Section 3.10, to pay, and indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Lenders from, any and all recording and filing fees and any and all liabilities with respect to, or resulting from any failure to pay or delay in paying, documentary, stamp, excise and other similar taxes, if any, which may be payable or determined to be payable in connection with the execution and delivery of any of the Loan Documents, or consummation of any amendment, supplement or modification of, or any waiver or consent under or in respect of, any Loan Document and (d) to the extent not already covered by any of the preceding subsections, to pay or reimburse the fees and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and any Lender (subject to the limitations set forth in clause (b) above) incurred in connection with the representation of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or such Lender in any matter relating to or arising out of any bankruptcy or other proceeding of the type described in Sections 11.1(e) or 11.1(f), including, without limitation (i) any motion for relief from any stay or similar order, (ii) the negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery of any document relating to the Obligations and (iii) the negotiation and preparation of any debtor‑in‑possession financing or any plan of reorganization of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, whether proposed by the Borrower, such Loan Party, the Lenders or any other Person, and whether such fees and expenses are incurred prior to, during or after the commencement of such proceeding or the confirmation or conclusion of any such proceeding.  If the Borrower shall fail to pay any amounts required to be paid by it pursuant to this Section, the Administrative Agent and/or the Lenders may pay such amounts on behalf of the Borrower and such amounts shall be deemed to be Obligations owing hereunder.

Section 13.3  Setoff.

Subject to Section 3.3 and in addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under Applicable Law and not by way of limitation of any such rights, the Borrower hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, each Lender, each Affiliate of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, and each Participant, at any time or from time to time while an Event of Default exists, without notice to the Borrower or to any other Person, any such notice being hereby expressly waived, but in the case of the Issuing Bank, a Lender, an Affiliate of the Issuing Bank or a Lender, or a Participant, subject to receipt of the prior written consent of the Requisite Lenders exercised in their sole discretion, to set off and to appropriate and to apply any and all deposits (general or special, including, but not limited to, indebtedness evidenced by certificates of deposit, whether matured or unmatured) and any other indebtedness at any time held or owing by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, such Lender, any Affiliate of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or such Lender, or such Participant, to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against and on account of any of the Obligations, irrespective of whether or not any or all of the Loans and all other Obligations have been declared to be, or have otherwise become, due and payable as permitted by Section 11.2, and although such Obligations shall be contingent or unmatured.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section, if 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

-  83  -

 


 

 

further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.9 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, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders and (y) such 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.

Section 13.4  Litigation; Jurisdiction; Other Matters; Waivers

(a) EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT ANY DISPUTE OR CONTROVERSY BETWEEN OR AMONG THE BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE ISSUING BANK OR ANY OF THE LENDERS WOULD BE BASED ON DIFFICULT AND COMPLEX ISSUES OF LAW AND FACT AND WOULD RESULT IN DELAY AND EXPENSE TO THE PARTIES.  ACCORDINGLY, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH OF THE LENDERS, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE ISSUING BANK AND THE BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ITS RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING OF ANY KIND OR NATURE IN ANY COURT OR TRIBUNAL IN WHICH AN ACTION MAY BE COMMENCED BY OR AGAINST ANY PARTY HERETO ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR BY REASON OF ANY OTHER SUIT, CAUSE OF ACTION OR DISPUTE WHATSOEVER BETWEEN OR AMONG THE BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE ISSUING BANK OR ANY OF THE LENDERS OF ANY KIND OR NATURE RELATING TO ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS.

(b) THE BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE ISSUING BANK AND EACH LENDER HEREBY AGREE THAT THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA SITTING IN SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY, AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA SHALL HAVE JURISDICTION TO HEAR AND DETERMINE ANY CLAIMS OR DISPUTES BETWEEN OR AMONG THE BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE ISSUING BANK OR ANY OF THE LENDERS ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT BY REASON OF ANY SUIT, CAUSE OF ACTION OR DISPUTE WHATSOEVER BETWEEN OR AMONG THE BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE ISSUING BANK OR ANY OF THE LENDERS OF ANY KIND OR NATURE RELATING TO ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS IN ADVANCE TO SUCH JURISDICTION IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING COMMENCED IN SUCH COURTS.  EACH PARTY FURTHER WAIVES ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT OR THAT SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING WAS BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM AND EACH AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM THE SAME.  THE CHOICE OF FORUM SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO PRECLUDE THE BRINGING OF ANY ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE ISSUING BANK OR ANY LENDER OR THE ENFORCEMENT BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE ISSUING BANK OR ANY LENDER OF ANY JUDGMENT OBTAINED IN SUCH FORUM IN ANY OTHER APPROPRIATE JURISDICTION.

(c) THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED BY EACH PARTY WITH THE ADVICE OF COUNSEL AND WITH A FULL UNDERSTANDING OF THE LEGAL CONSEQUENCES THEREOF, AND SHALL SURVIVE THE PAYMENT OF THE LOANS AND ALL OTHER AMOUNTS PAYABLE HEREUNDER OR UNDER THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, THE TERMINATION OR EXPIRATION OF ALL LETTERS OF CREDIT AND THE TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT.

-  84  -

 


 

 

Section 13.5  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 Borrower nor any other Loan Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document 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 Eligible Assignee in accordance with the provisions of the immediately following subsection (b), (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of the immediately following subsection (d) or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of the immediately following subsection (e) (and, subject to the last sentence of the immediately following subsection (b), 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 the immediately following subsection (d) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) Assignments by Lenders.  Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

(i) Minimum Amounts.

(A) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of an  assigning Lender’s Commitment and/or 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 the immediately preceding subsection (A), the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the applicable Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (in each case, 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 in the case of any assignment of a Commitment, unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Default or Event of Default shall exist, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided,  however, that if, after giving effect to such assignment, the amount of the Commitment held by such assigning Lender or the outstanding principal balance of the Loans of such assigning Lender, as applicable, would be less than $5,000,000 in the case of a Commitment or Loans, then such assigning Lender shall assign the entire amount of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it.

(ii) Proportionate Amounts.  Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loan or the Commitment assigned.

(iii) Required Consents.  No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by clause (i)(B) of this subsection (b) and, in addition:

-  85  -

 


 

 

(A) the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless (x) a Default or Event of Default shall exist at the time of such assignment or (y) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; and

(B) the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments in respect of a Commitment if such assignment is to a Person that is not already a Lender with a Commitment, an Affiliate of such a Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such a Lender ; and

(C) the consent of the Issuing Bank shall be required for any assignment in respect of a Commitment.

(iv) Assignment and Acceptance; Notes.  The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $4,500 for each assignment (which fee the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive), and the assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.  If requested by the transferor Lender or the assignee, upon the consummation of any assignment, the transferor Lender, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall make appropriate arrangements so that new Notes are issued to the assignee and such transferor Lender, as appropriate.

(v) No Assignment to Certain Persons.  No such assignment shall be made to (A) the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries or (B) to any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or to any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (B).

(vi) No Assignment to Natural Persons.  No such assignment shall be made to a natural person.

(vii) 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, the Issuing Bank, and each other 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 in accordance with its Commitment Percentage.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under Applicable Law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the immediately following subsection (c), from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption,

-  86  -

 


 

 

the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 5.4,  13.2 and 13.9 and the other provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as provided in Section 13.10 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment; provided, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender having been a Defaulting Lender.  Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this paragraph 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 the immediately following subsection (d).

(c) Register.  The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at the Principal 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 stated interest) of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”).  The entries in the Register shall be conclusive 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.  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 or the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement.  Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any  provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to (w) increase such Lender’s Commitment, (x) extend the date fixed for the payment of principal on the Loans or portions thereof owing to such Lender, (y) reduce the rate at which interest is payable thereon or (z) release any Guarantor from its Obligations under the Guaranty, in each case, as applicable to that portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations that are subject to the participation.  The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.10,  5.1,  5.4 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 3.10(g) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 3.10(g) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Section 5.6 as if it were an assignee under subsection (b) of this Section; and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 5.1 or 3.10, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the rights and obligations sold to such Participant, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Regulatory Change that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation and the sale of the participation to such Participant was

-  87  -

 


 

 

made with the Borrower’s prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed). Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 5.6 with respect to any Participant.  To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 13.3 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 3.3 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 stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations.  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.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

(e) 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 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.

(f) No Registration.  Each Lender agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, it will not make any assignment hereunder in any manner or under any circumstances that would require registration or qualification of, or filings in respect of, any Loan or Note under the Securities Act or any other securities laws of the United States of America or of any other jurisdiction.

(g) Intentionally Omitted.

(h) USA Patriot Act Notice; Compliance.  In order for the Administrative Agent to comply with “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including without limitation, the Patriot Act, prior to any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside of the United States of America becoming a party hereto, the Administrative Agent may request, and such Lender shall provide to the Administrative Agent, its name, address, tax identification number and/or such other identification information as shall be necessary for the Administrative Agent to comply with federal law.

Section 13.6  Amendments and Waivers.

(a) Generally.  Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, (i) any consent or approval required or permitted by this Agreement or any other Loan Document to be given by the Lenders may be given, (ii) any term of this Agreement or of any other Loan Document may be amended, (iii) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary of any terms of this Agreement or such other Loan Document may be waived, and (iv) the continuance of any Default or Event of Default may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) with, but only with, the written consent of the Requisite Lenders (or the Administrative Agent at the written direction of the Requisite Lenders), and, in the case of an amendment to any Loan Document, the written consent of each Loan Party which is party thereto. 

-  88  -

 


 

 

(b) Consent of Lenders.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment, waiver or consent shall:

(i) increase (or reinstate) the Commitments of a Lender or subject a Lender to any additional obligations without the written consent of such Lender;

(ii) reduce the principal of, or interest that has accrued or the rates of interest that will be charged on the outstanding principal amount of, any Loans or other Obligations without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby; provided,  however, only the written consent of the Requisite Lenders shall be required for the waiver of interest payable at the Post-Default Rate, retraction of the imposition of interest at the Post-Default Rate and amendment of the definition of “Post-Default Rate”;

(iii) reduce the amount of any Fees payable to a Lender without the written consent of such Lender;

(iv) modify the definitions of “Termination Date” (except in accordance with Section 2.14) or “Commitment Percentage,” otherwise postpone any date fixed for, or forgive, any payment of principal of, or interest on, any Loans or for the payment of Fees or any other Obligations owing to the Lenders, or extend the expiration date of any Letter of Credit beyond the Termination Date, in each case, without the written consent of each Lender;

(v) modify the definition of “Pro Rata Share” or amend or otherwise modify the provisions of Section 3.2 without the written consent of each Lender;

(vi) amend this Section or amend the definitions of the terms used in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents insofar as such definitions affect the substance of this Section without the written consent of each Lender;

(vii) modify the definition of the term “Requisite Lenders” or modify in any other manner the number or percentage of the Lenders required to make any determinations or waive any rights hereunder or to modify any provision hereof without the written consent of each Lender;

(viii) release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty (except as contemplated by Section 8.14(b)) without the written consent of each Lender; or

(ix) amend, or waive the Borrower’s compliance with, Section 2.16 without the written consent of each Lender.

(c) Amendment of Administrative Agent’s Duties, Etc.  No amendment, waiver or consent unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent, in addition to the Lenders required hereinabove to take such action, shall affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.  Any amendment, waiver or consent relating to Section 2.4 or the obligations of the Issuing Bank under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall, in addition to the Lenders required hereinabove to take such action, require the written consent of the Issuing Bank.  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 Commitments of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased, reinstated or extended without the written consent of such Defaulting Lender and (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or

-  89  -

 


 

 

each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender more adversely than other affected Lenders shall require the written consent of such Defaulting Lender.  No waiver shall extend to or affect any obligation not expressly waived or impair any right consequent thereon and any amendment, waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose set forth therein.  No course of dealing or delay or omission on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right shall operate as a waiver thereof or otherwise be prejudicial thereto.  Any Event of Default occurring hereunder shall continue to exist until such time as such Event of Default is waived in writing in accordance with the terms of this Section, notwithstanding any attempted cure or other action by the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Person subsequent to the occurrence of such Event of Default.  Except as otherwise explicitly provided for herein or in any other Loan Document, no notice to or demand upon the Borrower shall entitle the Borrower to other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

(d) Technical Amendments.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 13.6, if the Administrative Agent and the Borrower have jointly identified an ambiguity, omission, mistake or defect in any provision of this Agreement or an inconsistency between provisions of this Agreement, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall be permitted to amend such provision or provisions to cure such ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency so long as to do so would not adversely affect the interests of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank.  Any such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any of other party to this Agreement.

Section 13.7  Nonliability of Administrative Agent and Lenders.

The relationship between the Borrower, on the one hand, and the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent, on the other hand, shall be solely that of borrower and lender.  None of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender shall have any fiduciary responsibilities to the Borrower and no provision in this Agreement or in any of the other Loan Documents, and no course of dealing between or among any of the parties hereto, shall be deemed to create any fiduciary duty owing by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender to any Lender, the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other Loan Party.  None of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender undertakes any responsibility to the Borrower to review or inform the Borrower of any matter in connection with any phase of the Borrower’s business or operations.

Section 13.8  Confidentiality.

The Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and each Lender shall maintain the confidentiality of all Information (as defined below) but in any event may make disclosure:  (a) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates’ other respective Related Parties (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) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any actual or proposed assignee, Participant or other transferee in connection with a potential transfer of any Commitment or participation therein as permitted hereunder, or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations; (c) as required or requested by any Governmental Authority or representative thereof or pursuant to legal process or in connection with any legal proceedings, or as otherwise required by Applicable Law; (d) to the Administrative Agent’s, Issuing Bank’s or such Lender’s independent auditors and other professional advisors (provided they shall be notified of the confidential nature of the information); (e) intentionally omitted; (f) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section actually known by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or such Lender to be a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, any Lender or any Affiliate of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender

-  90  -

 


 

 

on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower or any Affiliate of the Borrower; (g) to the extent requested by, or required to be disclosed to, any nationally recognized rating agency or regulatory or similar authority (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners) having or purporting to have jurisdiction over it; (h) to bank trade publications, such information to consist of deal terms and other information customarily found in such publications; (i) to any other party hereto; and (j) with the consent of the Borrower.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and each Lender may disclose any such confidential information, without notice to the Borrower or any other Loan Party, to Governmental Authorities in connection with any regulatory examination of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or such Lender or in accordance with the regulatory compliance policy of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or such Lender.  As used in this Section, the term “Information” means all information received from the Borrower, any other Loan Party, any other Subsidiary or Affiliate relating to any Loan Party or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower, any other Loan Party, any other Subsidiary or any Affiliate, provided that, in the case of any such information received from the Borrower, any other Loan Party, any other Subsidiary or any Affiliate after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential.  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.

Section 13.9  Indemnification.

(a) The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), the Issuing Bank, each Lender and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnified Party”) against, and hold each Indemnified Party harmless from, and shall pay or reimburse any such Indemnified Party for, any and all losses, claims (including without limitation, Environmental Claims), damages, liabilities and related expenses (including without limitation, the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnified Party (which counsel may be employees of any Indemnified Party)), incurred by any Indemnified Party or asserted against any Indemnified Party by any Person (including the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary) other than such Indemnified Party and its Related Parties, 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 or thereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the Issuing Bank 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 on or from any property owned or operated by the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary, or any Environmental Claim related in any way to the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary, (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding (an “Indemnity 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 Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Subsidiary, and regardless of whether any Indemnified Party is a party thereto, or (v) any claim (including without limitation, any Environmental Claims), investigation, litigation or other proceeding (whether or not the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender is a party thereto) and the prosecution and defense thereof, arising out of or in any way connected with the Loans, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, including without limitation, reasonable attorneys and consultant’s fees; provided,  however, that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnified Party, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a

-  91  -

 


 

 

court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party.

(b) If and to the extent that the obligations of the Borrower under this Section are unenforceable for any reason, the Borrower hereby agrees to make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of such obligations which is permissible under Applicable Law.

(c) The Borrower’s obligations under this Section shall survive any termination of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the payment in full in cash of the Obligations, and are in addition to, and not in substitution of, any of the other obligations set forth in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to which it is a party.

Section 13.10  Termination; Survival.

This Agreement shall terminate at such time as (a) all of the Commitments have been terminated, (b) all Letters of Credit have terminated or expired or been canceled (other than Extended Letters of Credit in respect of which the Borrower has satisfied the requirements to provide Cash Collateral as required in Section 2.4(b)), (c) none of the Lenders is obligated any longer under this Agreement to make any Loans and the Issuing Bank is no longer obligated under this Agreement to issue Letters of Credit and (d) all Obligations (other than obligations which survive as provided in the following sentence) have been paid and satisfied in full.  The indemnities to which the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders are entitled under the provisions of Sections 3.10,  5.1,  5.4,  12.6,  13.2 and 13.9 and any other provision of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and the provisions of Section 13.4, shall continue in full force and effect and shall protect the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders (i) notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, or of the other Loan Documents, against events arising after such termination as well as before and (ii) at all times after any such party ceases to be a party to this Agreement with respect to all matters and events existing on or prior to the date such party ceased to be a party to this Agreement. 

Section 13.11  Severability of Provisions.

If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision shall be deemed severed from the Loan Documents, and the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall remain in full force as though the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision had never been part of the Loan Documents.

Section 13.12  GOVERNING LAW.

THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS EXECUTED, AND TO BE FULLY PERFORMED, IN SUCH STATE. 

Section 13.13  Counterparts.

To facilitate execution, this Agreement and any amendments, waivers, consents or supplements may be executed in any number of counterparts as may be convenient or required (which may be effectively delivered by facsimile, in portable document format (“PDF”) or other similar electronic means).  It shall not be necessary that the signature of, or on behalf of, each party, or that the signature of all persons required to bind any party, appear on each counterpart.  All counterparts shall collectively constitute a single document.  It shall not be necessary in making proof of this document to produce or account for more than a single counterpart containing the respective signatures of, or on behalf of, each of the parties hereto.

-  92  -

 


 

 

Section 13.14  Obligations with Respect to Loan Parties and Subsidiaries.

The obligations of the Borrower to direct or prohibit the taking of certain actions by the other Loan Parties and Subsidiaries as specified herein shall be absolute and not subject to any defense the Borrower may have that the Borrower does not control such Loan Parties or Subsidiaries.

Section 13.15  Independence of Covenants.

All covenants hereunder shall be given in any jurisdiction independent effect so that if a particular action or condition is not permitted by any of such covenants, the fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or be otherwise within the limitations of, another covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default if such action is taken or condition exists.

Section 13.16  Limitation of Liability.

None of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, any Lender, or any of their respective Related Parties shall have any liability with respect to, and the Borrower hereby waives, releases, and agrees not to sue any of them upon, any claim for any special, indirect, incidental, consequential or punitive damages suffered or incurred by the Borrower in connection with, arising out of, or in any way related to, this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.

Section 13.17  Entire Agreement.

This Agreement and the other Loan Documents embody the final, entire agreement among the parties hereto and supersede any and all prior commitments, agreements, representations, and understandings, whether written or oral, relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof and may not be contradicted or varied by evidence of prior, contemporaneous, or subsequent oral agreements or discussions of the parties hereto.  There are no oral agreements among the parties hereto relating to any Loan Document.

Section 13.18  Construction.

The Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Borrower and each Lender acknowledge that each of them has had the benefit of legal counsel of its own choice and has been afforded an opportunity to review this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with its legal counsel and that this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be construed as if jointly drafted by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Borrower and each Lender.

Section 13.19  Headings.

The paragraph and section headings in this Agreement are provided for convenience of reference only and shall not affect its construction or interpretation.

Section 13.20 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

-  93  -

 


 

 

(a)the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and



(b)the effects of any Bail-in Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

(i)a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

(ii)a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

(iii)the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

Section 13.21  Amendment and Restatement; No Novation.

This Agreement constitutes an amendment and restatement of the Original Credit Agreement effective from and after the Effective Date. Upon satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 6.1, this Agreement shall exclusively control and govern the mutual rights and obligations of the parties hereto with respect to the Existing Credit Facility, and the Existing Credit Facility shall be superseded by this Agreement in all respects, in each case, on a prospective basis only.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not constitute a novation of any Loans, Letter of Credit Liabilities or other obligations owing to the Lenders or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, under the Original Credit Agreement based on facts or events occurring or existing prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement. On the Effective Date, the credit facilities described in the Original Credit Agreement shall be amended, supplemented, modified and restated in their entirety by the facilities described herein, and all loans, letters of credit and other obligations of the Borrower outstanding as of such date under the Original Credit Agreement, as amended, shall be deemed to be Loans, Letters of Credit and obligations outstanding under the corresponding facilities described herein, without any further action by any Person, except that the Administrative Agent shall make such transfers of funds as are necessary in order that the outstanding balance of such Loans, together with any Loans funded on the Effective Date, reflect the respective Commitments and Loans of the Lenders hereunder.







[Signatures on Following Pages]

 

-  94  -

 


 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement to be executed by their authorized officers all as of the day and year first above written.





PS BUSINESS PARKS, L.P.,

a California limited partnership



By:  PS Business Parks, Inc.,

a California corporation,

its general partner





By: /s/ Edward A. Stokx 

Name:Edward A. Stokx

Title:Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer















[Signatures Continued on Next Page]



 

Signature Page – Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement


 

 



Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, as Issuing Bank and as a Lender







By:/s/ Dale A. Northup

Name: Dale A. Northup

Title: Senior Vice President















Signature Page – Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement