Interest Rate Adjustment The interest rate payable will be subject to adjustments from time to time if either Moody’s or S&P or, if applicable, Fitch or any “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act selected by the Company (as certified by a resolution of the Company’s board of directors) as a replacement for Moody’s or S&P, as the case may be (each, a “Substitute Rating Agency”) downgrades (or downgrades and subsequently upgrades) the credit rating assigned to the Notes, in the manner described below. Each of Moody’s, S&P and any Substitute Rating Agency is an “Interest Rate Rating Agency,” and together they are “Interest Rate Rating Agencies.”
(a) If the rating assigned by Moody’s (or, if applicable, any Substitute Rating Agency) of the Notes is decreased to a rating set forth in the immediately following table, the interest rate on the Notes will increase such that it will equal the interest rate payable on the Notes of such series on the date of their initial issuance plus the percentage set forth opposite the rating in the table below (plus, if applicable, the percentage set forth opposite the rating in the table under Section 108(b) below): Ba1 0.25 % Ba2 0.50 % Ba3 0.75 % B1 or below 1.00 % * Including the equivalent ratings of any Substitute Rating Agency.
(b) If the rating assigned by S&P (or, if applicable, any Substitute Rating Agency) of a series of Notes is decreased to a rating set forth in the immediately following table, the interest rate on the Notes of such series will increase such that it will equal the interest rate payable on the Notes of such series on the date of their initial issuance plus the percentage set forth opposite the rating in the table below (plus, if applicable, the percentage set forth opposite the rating in the table under Section 108(a) above): BB+ 0.25 % BB 0.50 % BB- 0.75 % B+ or below 1.00 % * Including the equivalent ratings of any Substitute Rating Agency. If at any time the interest rate on the Notes of a series has been increased and any of the Interest Rate Rating Agencies subsequently upgrades its rating of the Notes of such series, the interest rate on the Notes of such series will be decreased such that the interest rate for the Notes of such series equals the interest rate payable on the Notes of such series on the date of their initial issuance plus the percentages set forth opposite the ratings from the tables above in effect immediately following the upgrade in rating. If Moody’s (or any Substitute Rating Agency) subsequently upgrades its rating of the Notes of such series to Baa3 (or its equivalent, in the case of a Substitute Rating Agency) or higher, and S&P (or any Substitute Rating Agency) upgrades its rating to BBB- (or its equivalent, in the case of a Substitute Rating Agency) or higher, the interest rate on the Notes of such series will be decreased to the interest rate payable on the Notes of such series on the date of their initial issuance (and if one such upgrade occurs and the other does not, the interest rate on the Notes of such series will be decreased so that it does not reflect any increase attributable to the upgrading Interest Rate Rating Agency). In addition, the interest rates on the Notes of a series will permanently cease to be subject to any adjustment described above (notwithstanding any subsequent downgrade in the ratings by any of the Interest Rate Rating Agencies) if the Notes of such series become rated Baa1 and BBB+ (or, in either case, the equivalent thereof, in the case of a Substitute Rating Agency) or higher by Moody’s and S&P (or, in either case, any Substitute Rating Agency), respectively (or one of these ratings if the Notes of such series are only rated by one rating agency). Each adjustment required by any downgrade or upgrade in a rating set forth above, whether occasioned by the action of Moody’s or S&P (or, in either case, any Substitute Rating Agency), shall be made independent of any and all other adjustments. In no event shall (1) the interest rate on the Notes of a series be reduced to below the interest rate payable on the Notes of such series on the date of their initial issuance or (2) the total increase in the interest rate on the Notes of such series exceed 2.00% above the interest rate payable on the Notes of such series on the date of their initial issuance. No adjustments in the interest rate of the Notes of a series shall be made solely as a result of an Interest Rate Rating Agency ceasing to provide a rating on the Notes of such series. If at any time less than two Interest Rate Rating Agencies provide a rating of the Notes of such series for reasons beyond the Company’s control, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain a rating of the Notes of such series from a Substitute Rating Agency, if one exists, in which case, for purposes of determining any increase or decrease in the interest rate on the Notes of such series pursuant to the tables above (a) such Substitute Rating Agency will be substituted for the last Interest Rate Rating Agency to provide a rating of the Notes of such series but which has since ceased to provide such rating, (b) the relative rating scale used by such Substitute Rating Agency to assign ratings to senior unsecured debt will be determined in good faith by an independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by the Company and, for purposes of determining the applicable ratings included in the applicable table above with respect to such Substitute Rating Agency, such ratings will be deemed to be the equivalent ratings used by Moody’s or S&P, as applicable, in such table and (c) the interest rate on the Notes of a series will increase or decrease, as the case may be, such that the interest rate equals the interest rate payable on the Notes of a series on the date of their initial issuance plus the appropriate percentage, if any, set forth opposite the deemed equivalent rating from such Substitute Rating Agency in the applicable table above (taking into account the provisions of clause (b) above) (plus any applicable percentage resulting from a decreased rating by the other Interest Rate Rating Agency). For so long as only one Interest Rate Rating Agency provides a rating of the Notes of a series, any subsequent increase or decrease in the interest rate of the Notes of such series necessitated by a reduction or increase in the rating by the Interest Rate Rating Agency providing the rating shall be twice the applicable percentage set forth in the applicable table above. For so long as no Interest Rate Rating Agency provides a rating of the Notes of a series, the interest rate on the Notes of such series will increase to, or remain at, as the case may be, 2.00% above the interest rate payable on the Notes of such series on the date of their initial issuance. Any interest rate increase or decrease described above will take effect from the first day of the interest period commencing after the date on which a rating change occurs that requires an adjustment in the interest rate. If any Interest Rate Rating Agency changes its rating of the Notes of a series more than once prior to any particular interest payment date, the last change by such agency prior to such interest payment date will control for purposes of any interest rate increase or decrease with respect to the Notes of a series described above relating to such rating agency’s action. If the interest rate payable on the Notes of a series is increased as described above, the term “interest,” as used with respect to the Notes of such series, will be deemed to include any such additional interest unless the context otherwise requires.
Determination of Applicable Interest Rate As soon as practicable on each Interest Rate Determination Date, Bank shall determine (which determination shall, absent manifest error in calculation, be final, conclusive and binding upon all parties) the interest rate that shall apply to the LIBOR Advances for which an interest rate is then being determined for the applicable Interest Period and shall promptly give notice thereof (in writing or by telephone confirmed in writing) to Borrower.
Interest Rate Determination (a) To the extent required hereunder, each Reference Bank agrees to furnish to the Administrative Agent timely information for the purpose of determining each Eurodollar Rate. If fewer than two Reference Banks furnish such timely information to the Administrative Agent for the purpose of determining any such rate, the Administrative Agent shall determine such interest rate on the basis of timely information furnished by the remaining Reference Bank.
(b) The Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice to the applicable Borrower and the Lenders of the applicable interest rate determined by the Administrative Agent for purposes of Section 2.09(a) or (b), and, if applicable, the applicable rate, if any, furnished by each Reference Bank for the purpose of determining the applicable interest rate under Section 2.09(b).
(c) If, with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Advances, (i) the Required Lenders notify the Administrative Agent that the Eurodollar Rate for any Interest Period for such Advances will not adequately reflect the cost to such Required Lenders of making, funding or maintaining their respective Eurodollar Rate Advances for such Interest Period, or (ii) the Reference Banks notify the Administrative Agent that adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining the applicable interest rate on the basis provided for in the definition of Eurodollar Rate, the Administrative Agent shall forthwith so notify the Borrowers and the Lenders, whereupon (A) each Eurodollar Rate Advance will automatically, on the last day of the then existing Interest Period therefor, Convert into a Base Rate Advance, and (B) the obligation of the Lenders to make, or to Convert Advances into, Eurodollar Rate Advances shall be suspended until the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrowers and the Lenders that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist.
(d) If the applicable Borrower shall fail to select the duration of any Interest Period for any Eurodollar Rate Advances in accordance with the provisions contained in the definition of “Interest Period” in Section 1.01, the Administrative Agent will forthwith so notify such Borrower and the Lenders and such Advances will automatically, on the last day of the then existing Interest Period therefor, Convert into Base Rate Advances.
(e) On the date on which the aggregate unpaid principal amount of Eurodollar Rate Advances comprising any Borrowing shall be reduced, by payment or prepayment or otherwise, to less than $10,000,000, such Advances shall automatically Convert into Base Rate Advances.
(f) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, (i) each Eurodollar Rate Advance will automatically, on the last day of the then existing Interest Period therefor, Convert into a Base Rate Advance and (ii) the obligation of the Lenders to make, or to Convert Advances into, Eurodollar Rate Advances shall be suspended.
Interest Rate Limitation Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the “Maximum Rate”). If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.
Alternate Rate of Interest; Illegality (a) If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing:
(i) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate for such Interest Period; or
(ii) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO Rate for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period; then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders by telephone, telecopy or other electronic transmission as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (x) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective, and (y) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing.
(b) If any Lender reasonably determines that any Change in Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted after the Effective Date that it is unlawful, for such Lender or its applicable lending office to make or maintain any Eurodollar Borrowing, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, any obligations of such Lender to make or continue any Eurodollar Borrowing or to convert ABR Borrowings to Eurodollar Borrowings shall be suspended until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower shall upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), either convert all Eurodollar Borrowings of such Lender to ABR Borrowings, either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Borrowings to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Loans (in which case the Borrower shall not be required to make payments pursuant to Section 2.13 in connection with such payment). Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted. Each Lender agrees to designate a different lending office if such designation will avoid the need for such notice and will not, in the determination of such Lender, otherwise be disadvantageous to it.
Applicable Interest Rate 5.10.1 In respect of Pre-Delivery Interest Periods or Interest Periods pursuant to Clause 5.3.1 and subject to Clause 5.3.1, Clause 5.12 and Clause 6, the rate of interest applicable to the Loan (or relevant part in the case of the division of the Loan under Clause 5.8) during a Pre-Delivery Interest Period or an Interest Period shall be the Floating Interest Rate.
5.10.2 In respect of Interest Periods pursuant to Clause 5.3.2 and subject to Clause 5.3.2, Clause 5.12 and Clause 6, the rate of interest applicable to the Loan (or relevant part in the case of the division of the Loan under Clause 5.8) during an Interest Period shall be the Fixed Rate.
Applicable Interest Rates (a) U.S.
Alternate Rate of Interest If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Borrowing:
(a) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the LIBO Rate, as applicable, for such Interest Period; or
(b) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the LIBO Rate, as applicable, for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period; then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders by telephone or telecopy as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Revolving Borrowing to, or continuation of any Revolving Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective and (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurodollar Revolving Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing; provided that if the circumstances giving rise to such notice affect only one Type of Borrowings, then the other Type of Borrowings shall be permitted.
Interest Rate Options The Borrower shall pay interest in respect of the outstanding unpaid principal amount of the Loans as selected by it from the Base Rate Option or LIBOR Rate Option set forth below applicable to the Loans, it being understood that, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Borrower may select different Interest Rate Options and different Interest Periods to apply simultaneously to the Loans comprising different Borrowing Tranches and may convert to or renew one or more Interest Rate Options with respect to all or any portion of the Loans comprising any Borrowing Tranche; provided that (i) there shall not be at any one time outstanding more than ten (10) Borrowing Tranches in the aggregate among all of the Loans and (ii) if an Event of Default or Potential Default exists and is continuing, the Borrower may not request, convert to, or renew the LIBOR Rate Option for any Loans and the Required Lenders may demand that all existing Borrowing Tranches bearing interest under the LIBOR Rate Option shall be converted immediately to the Base Rate Option, subject to the obligation of the Borrower to pay any indemnity under Section 5.9 [Indemnity] in connection with such conversion. If at any time the designated rate applicable to any Loan made by any Lender exceeds such Lender’s highest lawful rate, the rate of interest on such Lender’s Loan shall be limited to such Lender’s highest lawful rate.
Inability to Determine Applicable Interest Rate In the event that Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto), on any Interest Rate Determination Date with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Loans, that by reason of circumstances affecting the London interbank market adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining the interest rate applicable to such Loans on the basis provided for in the definition of Adjusted Eurodollar Rate, Administrative Agent shall on such date give notice (by telefacsimile or by telephone confirmed in writing) to Borrower and each Lender of such determination, whereupon (i) no Loans may be made as, or converted to, Eurodollar Rate Loans until such time as Administrative Agent notifies Borrower and Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, and (ii) any Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice given by Borrower with respect to the Loans in respect of which such determination was made shall be deemed to be rescinded by Borrower.
