CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of November 4, 2009 between HIGHLAND FLOATING RATE ADVANTAGE FUND and THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA Bryan Cave LLP 1290 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10104-3300
Exhibit (k)(5)
EXECUTION COPY
dated as of November 4, 2009
between
between
and
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA
Xxxxx Xxxx LLP
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Article 1. DEFINITIONS |
1 | |||
Section 1.1 Defined Terms |
1 | |||
Section 1.2 Terms Generally |
16 | |||
Section 1.3 Accounting Terms |
16 | |||
Article 2. THE CREDITS |
17 | |||
Section 2.1 Commitment |
17 | |||
Section 2.2 LIBOR Loans |
17 | |||
Section 2.3 Termination and Reduction of Commitment |
17 | |||
Section 2.4 Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt |
18 | |||
Section 2.5 Prepayments of Loans |
18 | |||
Section 2.6 Payments Generally |
18 | |||
Article 3. INTEREST, FEES, YIELD PROTECTION, ETC. |
19 | |||
Section 3.1 Interest |
19 | |||
Section 3.2 Fees |
19 | |||
Section 3.3 Increased Costs |
20 | |||
Section 3.4 Taxes |
21 | |||
Section 3.5 Alternate Rate of Interest |
22 | |||
Section 3.6 Illegality |
23 | |||
Section 3.7 Break Funding Payments |
23 | |||
Section 3.8 Mitigation Obligations |
23 | |||
Article 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES |
24 | |||
Section 4.1 Organization and Power |
24 | |||
Section 4.2 Authority and Execution |
24 | |||
Section 4.3 Binding Agreement |
24 | |||
Section 4.4 Litigation |
24 | |||
Section 4.5 Approvals and Consents |
24 | |||
Section 4.6 No Conflict |
25 | |||
Section 4.7 Taxes |
25 | |||
Section 4.8 Compliance |
25 | |||
Section 4.9 Property |
26 | |||
Section 4.10 Federal Reserve Regulations; Use of Loan Proceeds |
26 | |||
Section 4.11 No Material Adverse Change |
26 | |||
Section 4.12 Material Agreements |
26 | |||
Section 4.13 Financial Condition |
26 | |||
Section 4.14 No Misrepresentation |
26 | |||
Section 4.15 Legal Status |
27 | |||
Section 4.16 Investment Company Status |
27 | |||
Article 5. CONDITIONS |
28 | |||
Section 5.1 Effective Date |
28 |
Section 5.2 Each Credit Event |
29 | |||
Article 6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS |
30 | |||
Section 6.1 Financial Statements and Other Information |
30 | |||
Section 6.2 Notice of Material Events |
31 | |||
Section 6.3 Legal Existence |
31 | |||
Section 6.4 Insurance |
31 | |||
Section 6.5 Payment of Indebtedness and Performance of Obligations |
32 | |||
Section 6.6 Observance of Legal Requirements |
32 | |||
Section 6.7 Books and Records; Visitation |
32 | |||
Section 6.8 Purpose of Loans |
32 | |||
Article 7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS |
33 | |||
Section 7.1 Indebtedness; Senior Securities |
33 | |||
Section 7.2 Liens |
33 | |||
Section 7.3 Fundamental Changes |
34 | |||
Section 7.4 Restricted Payments |
34 | |||
Section 7.5 Fundamental Policies |
34 | |||
Section 7.6 Amendments and Changes |
34 | |||
Section 7.7 Financial Covenants |
35 | |||
Section 7.8 Investment |
35 | |||
Article 8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT |
35 | |||
Section 8.1 Events of Default |
35 | |||
Section 8.2 Remedies |
37 | |||
Article 9. MISCELLANEOUS |
38 | |||
Section 9.1 Notices |
38 | |||
Section 9.2 Waivers; Amendments |
38 | |||
Section 9.3 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver |
39 | |||
Section 9.4 Successors and Assigns |
40 | |||
Section 9.5 Survival |
40 | |||
Section 9.6 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness |
40 | |||
Section 9.7 Severability |
41 | |||
Section 9.8 Right of Setoff |
41 | |||
Section 9.9 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process |
41 | |||
Section 9.10 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL |
42 | |||
Section 9.11 Headings |
42 | |||
Section 9.12 Interest Rate Limitation |
42 | |||
Section 9.13 Non-Recourse |
43 | |||
Section 9.14 Treatment of Certain Information |
43 | |||
Section 9.15 USA Patriot Act Notice |
44 | |||
Section 9.16 Limitation on Liability |
44 | |||
Section 9.17 Security |
44 |
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EXHIBITS: |
||||
Exhibit A Form of Note |
||||
Exhibit B Outline of Opinion of Counsel to the Borrower |
||||
Exhibit C Form of Written Borrowing Request |
||||
Exhibit D Form of Closing Certificate |
||||
Exhibit E Form of Federal Reserve Form FR U-1 |
||||
Exhibit F Form of Compliance Certificate |
||||
Exhibit G Form of Security Agreement |
||||
Exhibit H Form of Control Agreement |
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CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of November 4, 2009, between Highland Floating Rate Advantage Fund,
a Delaware statutory trust and The Bank of Nova Scotia.
The parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Defined Terms
As used in this Credit Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:
“ABR Loan” means a Loan (or any portion thereof) bearing interest based on the
Alternate Base Rate.
“Adjusted Asset Coverage” means, with respect to the Borrower as of any date, the
ratio on such date of (a) Adjusted Total Net Assets of the Borrower to (b) Adjusted Senior Debt of
the Borrower.
“Adjusted LIBO Rate” means, with respect to any LIBOR Loan for any Interest Period, an
interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) equal to (a) the
LIBO Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by (b) the Statutory Reserve Rate.
“Adjusted Senior Debt” means, with respect to the Borrower as of any date, the sum of
each of the following (without duplication) on such date: (a) Senior Debt of the Borrower
plus (b) the net liabilities (excluding Ordinary Liabilities), if any, of the Borrower
under all Derivative Agreements determined on a xxxx-to-market basis, plus (c) all Secured
Liabilities of the Borrower, plus (d) all Segregated Liabilities of the Borrower.
“Adjusted Total Net Assets” means, with respect to the Borrower as of any date, an
amount (without duplication) equal to the following on such date: (a) Total Net Assets of the
Borrower minus (b) the Value of all Excluded Assets of the Borrower, minus (c) the
Value of all Excluded Investments of the Borrower, minus (d) the excess, if any, of (i) the
Value of all of the Borrower’s assets that are subject to a Lien (other than Liens referred to in
Section 7.2(b), (c), (d), (f) and (g)), that are segregated, or that are on deposit to satisfy
margin requirements, minus (ii) the sum of all Secured Liabilities and all Segregated
Liabilities of the Borrower.
“Affiliate” of a Person means (a) any other Person directly or indirectly owning,
controlling, or holding with power to vote, greater than 50% of the outstanding voting securities
of such Person, (b) any other Person greater than 50% of whose outstanding voting securities are
directly or indirectly owned, controlled, or held with power to vote, by such Person, or (c) any
Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, such other
Person. For purposes of this defined term, “control” means the power to exercise a controlling
influence over the management or policies of a company, and “controlling” and “controlled” shall
have correlative meanings.
“Alternate Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of
(a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) 2.00% plus the Federal Funds Effective Rate in
effect on such day, (c) 2.00% plus the Overnight Eurodollar Rate, and (d) 5.00%. Any
change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective
Rate or the Overnight Eurodollar Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of
such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Overnight Eurodollar Rate.
“Anti-Terrorism Order” means Executive Order No. 13224 on Terrorist Financing,
effective September 24, 2001.
“Applicable Accounting Principles” means, with respect to the Borrower, those
accounting principles required by the ICA and prescribed by the SEC for the Borrower and, to the
extent not so required or prescribed, GAAP.
“Applicable Money Market” means any money market applicable to LIBOR Loans.
“Applicable Rate” means, with respect to each (a) ABR Loan, the Alternate Base Rate
plus 1.50%, or (b) LIBOR Loan, the Adjusted LIBO Rate plus 2.50%.
“Asset-backed Security” means a type of bond or note that is based on one or more
pools of assets, or collateralized by the cash flows from one or more pools of underlying assets,
and includes collateralized bond obligations, collateralized loan obligations and collateralized
mortgage obligations.
“Bank” means The Bank of Nova Scotia.
“Board” means the Borrower’s board of trustees.
“Board of Governors” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the
United States of America.
“Borrower” means Highland Floating Rate Advantage Fund, a Delaware statutory trust.
“Borrowing Asset Value” means, at any time, the sum of (a) Net Asset Value plus (b)
the Loan Balance.
“Borrowing Request” means a request for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.2
and, if required in writing, in the form of Exhibit C.
“Broadstripe” means Broadstripe, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
“Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which
commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed,
provided that, when used in connection with a LIBOR Loan, the term “Business Day”
shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in dollar deposits in the
London interbank market.
“Change in Law” means (a) the adoption of any law, rule or regulation after the
2
Effective Date, (b) any change in any law, rule or regulation or in the interpretation or
application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the Effective Date or (c) compliance by the
Bank (or, for purposes of Section 3.3(b), by any lending office of the Bank or by the Bank’s
holding company) with any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law)
of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the Effective Date.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
“Commitment” means the commitment of the Bank hereunder to make Loans in an aggregate
amount not exceeding $170,000,000 at any one time outstanding, as such commitment may be reduced
from time to time pursuant to Section 2.3.
“Commitment Termination Date” means the earlier to occur of (a) the Scheduled
Commitment Termination Date, or (b) such earlier date on which the Bank’s obligations to make Loans
shall have otherwise terminated or been terminated.
“Control Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(g).
“Custodian” means PFPC Trust Company, in its capacity as custodian under the Custody
Agreement.
“Custody Agreement” means the Custodian Services Agreement, dated as of October 18,
2004, by and between the Borrower and PFPC Trust Company, in its capacity as custodian thereunder.
“Default” means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that
upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.
“Delayed Settlement Investment” means, as of any date, any Investment with respect to
which the Borrower has entered into a trade and such trade has not settled within ten (10) days of
the date of such trade.
“Derivative” means (i) any rate, basis, commodity, currency, debt or equity swap
including, without limitation, a credit default swap), (ii) any put, cap, collar or floor
agreement, (iii) any rate, basis, commodity, currency, debt or equity futures or forward agreement,
(iv) any rate, basis, commodity, currency, debt or equity option representing an obligation to buy
or sell a security, commodity, currency, debt or equity, (v) any financial instrument whose value
is derived from the value of something else (including, without limitation, a credit linked note),
or (vi) any Hedging Agreement or other contract under which the parties agree to payments between
or among them based upon the value of an underlying asset or other data at a particular point in
time.
“Derivative Agreement” means an agreement between the Borrower and one or more
counterparties with respect to a Derivative.
“Derivative Asset Value” means, at any time, the net amount, if any, which the
Borrower would be entitled, in accordance with each Derivative Agreement, to receive from the
3
counterparties thereto if each such Derivative Agreement and all transactions thereunder
terminated at such time in accordance therewith on a complete no fault basis.
“Derivative Liability Value” means, at any time, the greater of (a) the net amount, if
any, which the Borrower would be obligated, in accordance with each Derivative Agreement, to pay to
the counterparties thereto if each such Derivative Agreement and all transactions thereunder
terminated at such time in accordance therewith on a complete no fault basis, and (b) the fair
market value of all margin or other collateral posted by the Borrower as security for the
performance of its obligations under such Derivative Agreement.
“Derivative Termination Value” means, at any time, the amount (whether such amount be
positive or negative) equal to the Derivative Asset Value minus the Derivative Liability Value.
“Distressed Investment” means any (a) Investment (i) an obligor or issuer of which is
the subject of a bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation or other similar proceeding, (ii) which, if a
debt investment or preferred equity investment, is in default beyond the applicable grace period,
if any, as to payment of any principal, interest, dividend or distribution, (iii) that is a debt
investment that has a Distressed Rating, (iv) which is otherwise classified by the Borrower or its
Investment Adviser (or any sub-adviser) as “distressed” or “non-performing”, or (v) in respect of
which, if it is a debt Investment, there is a default or a breach of a material provision under the
related indenture, loan documents or other governing agreements or a “default” or “event of
default” has occurred and is continuing under the related indenture, loan documents or other
governing agreements, in each case beyond any applicable grace period, or (b) Derivative one or
more of the counterparties in respect of which (i) is the subject of a bankruptcy, insolvency,
liquidation or other similar proceeding, (ii) is in default beyond the original applicable grace
period, if any, with respect to any payment thereunder, (iii) has a short-term unsecured,
non-credit enhanced issuer debt rating of equivalent to a Distressed Rating, or (iv) which is in
default or a breach of a material provision under the related Derivative Agreement or other
governing agreements or a “default” or “event of default” has occurred and is continuing under the
related Derivative Agreement or other governing agreements, in each case beyond any applicable
grace period.
“Distressed Rating” means, with respect to any debt investment or credit worthiness of
an issuer, such investment or issuer (as the case may be) is (a) rated CCC+ or below by S&P (or the
equivalent rating of another independent rating agency (other than Xxxxx’x) if not so rated by S&P)
or Caa1 or below by Xxxxx’x (or the equivalent rating of another independent rating agency (other
than S&P) if not so rated by Xxxxx’x), or (b) if clause (a) does not apply, is reasonably
equivalent or of similar quality, as reasonably determined pursuant to any policy of the Investment
Adviser, to any debt investment or issuer that is so rated.
“dollars” or “$” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.
“Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.
“Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.1.
4
“Excluded Assets” means, with respect to the Borrower, (a) all equipment, if any, (b)
all securities held that are in default (except to the extent that the Borrower is required or
permitted to attribute a value thereto pursuant to the ICA, the rules thereunder and Applicable
Accounting Principles) or determined to be worthless pursuant to any applicable policy of the
Borrower, and (c) all deferred organizational and offering expenses.
“Excluded Collateral” has the meaning set forth in the Security Agreement.
“Excluded Investments” means, without duplication, the following Investments of the
Borrower: (a) Loan Investments of the Borrower that are not Quotable Investments, (b) Loan
Investments other than Secured Loan Investments, (c) Loan Investments other than Senior Loan
Investments, (d) Second Lien Loan Investments, (e) Loan Investments consisting of participation
interests or subparticipation interests in a loan or other extension of credit, (f) collateralized
loan obligations, (g) equity Investments that are not traded on a securities exchange that is
nationally-recognized within the country in which such securities exchange is located, (h) Delayed
Settlement Investments, (i) Investments in or with respect to Broadstripe to the extent that, in
the aggregate, the Value of such Investments exceeds 5% of Total Net Assets, and (j) Distressed
Investments, Illiquid Investments and Unrated Investments to the extent that, in the aggregate, the
Value of such Investments exceeds 25% of Total Net Assets.
“Excluded Taxes” means, with respect to the Bank or any other recipient of any payment
to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower under any Loan Document, (a) income
or franchise taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income by the United States of America, or
by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal
office is located or, in the case of the Bank, in which its applicable lending office is located,
and (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States of America or any similar tax imposed
by any other jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located.
“Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum (expressed as a
decimal, rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher 1/100 of 1%) equal to the weighted
average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve
System arranged by federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of
New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day, provided that (a) if the day for which such
rate is to be determined is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day shall
be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the
Business Day succeeding such next preceding Business Day, and (b) if such rate is not so published
for any day, the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day shall be the average of the quotations
for such day on such transactions received by the Bank.
“Federal Reserve Form” means a Form FR U-1 duly completed by the Bank and executed by
the Borrower, the statements made in which shall, in the reasonable opinion of the Bank, permit the
transactions contemplated hereby in compliance with Regulation U, together with all instruments,
certificates and other documents executed or delivered in connection therewith or attached thereto.
5
“Foreign Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.4(e).
“Fundamental Policies” means, collectively, (i) the policies and objectives for, and
limits and restrictions on, investing by the Borrower set forth in its Prospectus as in effect on
the Effective Date and which may be changed only by a vote of a majority of the Borrower’s
outstanding voting securities (as defined in Section 2(a)(42) of the ICA), and (ii) all policies
limiting the incurrence of Indebtedness by the Borrower set forth in its Prospectus as in effect on
the Effective Date.
“Funding Obligation Amount” means, as of any date, the sum (without duplication), of
the following: (a) the aggregate amount of unfunded commitments of the Borrower to make loans or
other advances to any Person(s) pursuant to debt or loan facilities, plus (b) the aggregate
amount of all accrued and unpaid interest and fees payable by the Borrower (whether or not then
due), plus (c) the aggregate amount of all dividends declared by the Borrower which remain
unpaid, plus (d) the aggregate Repurchase Obligation.
“Funding Reserve Amount” means, as of any date, the sum (without duplication) of the
following: (a) all cash and cash equivalents (in each case to the extent denominated in dollars) of
the Borrower, plus (b) the Value of all United States Treasury Securities held by the
Borrower, plus (c) the excess, if any, of the Commitment over the Loan Balance.
“G-12 Country” means any one of Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy,
Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States of America or any
other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency,
authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, arbitrator, central bank or other entity
exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or
functions of or pertaining to government.
“Governmental Issuer” means a nation, a governmental agency of a nation the
obligations of which are backed by the full faith and credit of such nation, or a supranational
organization to which one or more nations belong.
“Guarantee” of or by any Person (the “guarantor”) means any obligation,
contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of
guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “primary
obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the
guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase
or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds
for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property,
securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other
obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other
financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor as to enable the primary obligor
to pay such
6
Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit
or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation, provided that the
term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of
business. The term “Guaranteed” has a meaning correlative thereto.
“Hedging Agreement” means any interest rate protection agreement, foreign currency
exchange agreement, commodity price protection agreement, credit default swap, total return swap,
credit linked note or other interest or currency exchange rate or commodity price hedging
arrangement.
“ICA” means the Investment Company Act of l940.
“Illiquid Investment” means, as of any date, any Investment (a) that has any material
condition to or restriction on the ability of the Borrower, the Bank or any assignee of either
thereof to sell, assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise encumber or liquidate the same
in a commercially reasonable time and manner (other than customary securities law arrangements or
restrictions), whether or not such condition or restriction is intrinsic to such Investment,
provided that any condition or restriction that could reasonably be expected to (i)
prohibit or delay any such sale, assignment, transfer, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrancing or
liquidation for more than seven (7) Business Days, or (ii) require any payment (other than a
nominal amount) in connection therewith, shall be deemed to be such a material condition or
restriction within the meaning of this defined term, or (b) that constitutes a Delayed Settlement
Investment.
“Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such
Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by or otherwise in respect
of bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person upon which
interest charges are customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or
other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (e) all obligations
of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding current
accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (f) all Indebtedness of others
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 owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not
the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (g) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of
such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty, (h) all
obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances, (i) all
net payment obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person under Derivative Agreements, (j)
all obligations of such Person under reverse repurchase agreements, (k) all obligations of such
Person in respect of Senior Securities Representing Indebtedness, and (l) all Guarantees by such
Person of any of the foregoing. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of
any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the
extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other
relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that
such Person is not liable therefor.
“Indemnified Taxes” means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.
7
“Indemnitee” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.3(b).
“Indirect Fund” means any Borrower, or any series or portfolio thereof, that has made,
or is making, investments in reliance upon Sections 12(d)(1)(E), (F), (G) or (J) of the ICA.
“Interest Period” means, with respect to any LIBOR Loan, the period commencing on the
date of such Loan and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one
month thereafter, provided that (i) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a
Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, unless
such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such
Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, and (ii) any Interest Period that
commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no
numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the
last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period.
“Investment” means, with respect to any Person, any direct or indirect portfolio
investment by such Person in, or portfolio exposure (including through Derivatives) of such Person
to (a) currencies, commodities, loans or securities, or any indexes on currencies, commodities,
loans, securities, interest rates, or indexes, (b) any Derivative, or (c) any other medium for
investment.
“Investment Adviser” means, with respect to the Borrower, the investment adviser or
investment manager therefor.
“Investment Limitation Default” means, as of any date:
(i) the aggregate Value of all Illiquid Investments (excluding Delayed Settlement
Investments and Investments in or with respect to Broadstripe) of the Borrower exceeds 5% of
Total Net Assets;
(ii) the aggregate Value of all Unrated Investments of the Borrower exceeds 5% of Total
Net Assets;
(iii) the aggregate Value of all Distressed Investments of the Borrower exceeds 20% of
Total Net Assets;
(iv) the aggregate Value of all Investments (excluding Investments in or with respect
to Broadstripe) of the Borrower issued by any single issuer exceeds 5% of Total Net Assets;
(v) the aggregate Value of all Investments of the Borrower in any single industry
(excluding, to the extent included therein, Investments issued by Governmental Issuers)
exceeds 25% of Total Net Assets;
(vi) the aggregate Value of all Investments of the Borrower in collateralized loan
obligations exceeds 5% of Total Net Assets;
8
(vii) the Borrower makes or maintains any Investment in any Asset-backed Security
(other than a collateralized loan obligation);
(viii) the aggregate Value of all Investments of the Borrower issued by one or more
issuers formed or otherwise domiciled in any single nation (other than the United States of
America or Canada) exceeds 10% of Total Net Assets, or the aggregate Value of all
Investments of the Borrower denominated in the currency of any single nation (other than the
United States of America or Canada) exceeds 10% of Total Net Assets;
(ix) the aggregate Value of all Investments of the Borrower issued by one or more
issuers formed or otherwise domiciled in any nation (other than a G-12 Country or a state,
province or other political subdivision of a G-12 Country) exceeds 10% of Total Net Assets,
or the aggregate Value (at the applicable spot rate) of all Investments of the Borrower
denominated in an Other Currency exceeds 10% of Total Net Assets;
(x) the Borrower enters into or remains subject to any Derivative, repurchase
agreement, reverse repurchase, securities lending arrangement or other similar transaction
unless (A) the collateral, if any, received or receivable by the Borrower in connection
therewith is solely in the form of cash or short-term U.S. treasury securities, and (B) each
counterparty thereto has a minimum senior unsecured unenhanced long term debt rating of at
least A- by S&P (or the equivalent rating of another independent rating agency (other than
Xxxxx’x) if not so rated by S&P) and at least A3 by Moody’s (or the equivalent rating of
another independent rating agency (other than S&P) if not so rated by Moody’s); or
(xi) the Borrower makes or maintains any Investment in or with respect to Broadstripe,
other than any such Investment existing on the Effective Date.
“LIBO Rate” means, with respect to any LIBOR Loan for any Interest Period, the rate of
interest per annum that appears on Reuters LIBOR01 Page as of 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business
Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period in an amount equal to $1,000,000 for dollar
deposits with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period. If Reuters LIBOR01 Page does not
include such a rate or is then unavailable, then LIBO Rate shall mean with respect to any LIBOR
Loan for any Interest Period, the rate of interest per annum quoted by the Bank to leading banks in
the London interbank market as the rate at which the Bank is offering dollar deposits in an amount
equal to $1,000,000 for dollar deposits with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period at
approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest
Period.
“LIBOR Loan” means a Loan (or any portion thereof) bearing interest based on the
Adjusted LIBO Rate.
“Lien” means, with respect to (a) any asset, (i) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien,
pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset, and (ii)
the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title
9
retention agreement relating to such asset, and (b) any securities, any purchase option, call
or similar right of a third party.
“Loan” means a loan made pursuant to Section 2.2 or an ABR Loan.
“Loan Balance” means, on any date of determination, an amount equal to the aggregate
outstanding principal balance of the Loans.
“Loan Documents” means this Credit Agreement, the Security Documents and the Note.
“Loan Investment” means any Investment (other than an Investment that is a direct
interest in a corporate bond obligation) that is a direct or participation or subparticipation
interest in or assignment or novation of a loan or other extension of credit.
“Margin Stock” has the meaning assigned to such term in Regulation U.
“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the property, assets,
income or financial condition of the Borrower, (b) the ability of the Borrower to perform any of
its monetary or other material obligations under any Loan Document or (c) the rights of, or
benefits available to, the Bank under any Loan Document.
“Material Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness under the Loan
Documents) in an aggregate principal amount exceeding the Threshold Amount.
“Maturity Date” means, (a) for each ABR Loan, the Commitment Termination Date, and (b)
for each LIBOR Loan, the earlier to occur of (i) the last day of the Interest Period for such LIBOR
Loan, and (ii) the Commitment Termination Date.
“Maximum Loan Value” means, at any time with respect to the Borrower’s assets
constituting (a) Margin Stock, the “current market value” (within the meaning of Regulation U)
thereof at such time, and (b) Non-Margin Assets, the “good faith loan value” (within the meaning of
Regulation U) thereof at such time.
“Maximum Permitted Borrowing” means, at any time of determination, an amount equal to
the least of (a) the maximum amount of Senior Debt that the Borrower would be permitted to incur
under the Fundamental Policies, (b) the maximum amount of Senior Debt that the Borrower would be
permitted to incur on such date under the ICA, (c) the sum on such date of (i) 50% of the Maximum
Loan Value of the Borrower’s Margin Stock (excluding any such Margin Stock that is subject to any
Lien (other than a Lien referred to in Section 7.2(b), (c), (d), (f) or (g)), that have been
segregated or that is on deposit to satisfy margin requirements) as of such date plus (ii)
the Maximum Loan Value of the Borrower’s Non-Margin Assets (excluding any such Non-Margin Assets
that are subject to any Lien (other than a Lien referred to in Section 7.2(b), (c), (d), (f) or
(g)), that are segregated or that are on deposit to satisfy margin requirements) as of such date,
and (d) 25% of (i) in connection with any Loan, the Pro-forma Borrowing Asset Value, or (ii) in all
other cases, the Borrowing Asset Value as of the immediately preceding Business Day.
10
“Measurement Date” means the date of the most recent audited financial statements of
the Borrower which were delivered to the Bank prior to the date of this Credit Agreement.
“Moody’s” means Xxxxx’x Investors Service, Inc.
“Net Asset Value” means, at any time of determination, an amount equal to Adjusted
Total Net Assets minus Adjusted Senior Debt.
“Non-Margin Assets” means assets of the Borrower which do not constitute Margin Stock,
provided, that, for purposes of this definition, “Non-Margin Assets” shall not include
“puts, calls or combinations thereof” within the meaning of Regulation U.
“Non-Recourse Person” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.13.
“Note” means the promissory note, substantially in the form of Exhibit A, payable to
the order of the Bank and dated the Effective Date, including all replacements thereof and
substitutions therefor.
“OFAC” means the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.
“Ordinary Liabilities” means, as of any date, “all liabilities and indebtedness”
(within the meaning of the first sentence of Section 18(h) of the ICA) of the Borrower not
represented by Senior Securities.
“Organization Documents” means, (a) with respect to any corporation, its certificate
of incorporation or charter, and by-laws, (b) with respect to any partnership, its partnership
agreement, (c) with respect to any limited liability company, its certificate of formation and
limited liability company agreement, (d) with respect to any business trust or statutory trust, its
certificate of trust, if any, and declaration of trust, and (e) with respect to any other Person,
the counterpart documents thereof.
“Other Currency” a national currency issued by any nation other than a G-12 Country.
“Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other
excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or
under any other Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with
respect to, this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document.
“Overnight Eurodollar Rate” means, with respect to any ABR Loan as of any date, the
rate of interest per annum that appears on the Reuters LIBOR01 Page as of 11:00 a.m., London time,
on such date as Interbank Rates (Overnight) for Dollars, provided that if the Reuters
LIBOR01 Page does not include such a rate or is then unavailable, then Overnight Eurodollar Rate
shall mean with respect to any ABR Loan, the rate of interest per annum quoted by the
Administrative Agent to leading banks in the London interbank market as the rate at which the
Administrative Agent is offering dollar deposits in an amount equal to $1,000,000 for
11
overnight dollar deposits at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, provided
further that if the day for which such rate is to be determined is not a Business Day, the
Overnight Eurodollar Rate for such day shall be such rate on the next preceding Business Day.
“Patriot Act” means the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law
October 26, 2001)), as amended.
“Permitted Investments” means all Investments of the Borrower, in each case (a) to the
extent that the Borrower has the power and authority under its Organization Documents to invest
therein, and (b) to the extent the investment therein, ownership thereof, or exposure thereto, by
the Borrower is in conformity with the Prospectus.
“Permitted Liens” means Liens permitted by Section 7.2.
“Permitted Successor Accounting Firm” means any of the following international
accounting firms: Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Ernst & Young, and KPMG.
“Permitted Successor Custodian” means any Person providing custodial services having
total assets of at least $50 billion.
“Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust,
joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.
“Prime Rate” means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time
by the Bank as its prime commercial lending rate; each change in the Prime Rate being effective
from and including the date such change is publicly announced as being effective. The Prime Rate
is not intended to be the lowest rate of interest charged by the Bank in connection with extensions
of credit to borrowers.
“Pro-forma Borrowing Asset Value” means, in connection with any Loan, the Borrowing
Asset Value as of the immediately preceding Business Day adjusted to give effect to such Loan and
the contemporaneous use of the proceeds thereof.
“Prospectus” means the prospectus and statement of additional information of the
Borrower both dated December 31, 2008, as declared effective by the SEC, and as amended or
supplemented from time to time.
“Quotable Investment” means, at any time, any Investment of the Borrower that may (as
a general matter) be fairly valued on a regular basis by reference to (a) the closing price thereof
on an exchange, (b) quotes therefor from not less than two broker-dealers that are not Affiliates
of the Borrower or the Borrower’s investment adviser, or (c) the market price therefor determined
by (i) any one pricing service that is not an Affiliate of the Borrower or the Borrower’s
investment adviser, provided that such pricing service indicates that such market price is based on
not less than two independent sources, or (ii) not less than two pricing services that are not
Affiliates of the Borrower or the Borrower’s investment adviser.
“Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.4(d).
12
“Regulated Investment Company” has the meaning set forth in Section 851 of the Code.
“Regulation D” means Regulation D of the Board of Governors as from time to time in
effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.
“Regulation T” means Regulation T of the Board of Governors as from time to time in
effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.
“Regulation U” means Regulation U of the Board of Governors as from time to time in
effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.
“Regulation X” means Regulation X of the Board of Governors as from time to time in
effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.
“Related Parties” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s
Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person
and such Person’s Affiliates.
“Repurchase Obligation” means, as of any date, with respect to each Repurchase Offer,
an amount (to the extent unpaid by the Borrower) equal to (a) the Repurchase Shares subject to such
Repurchase Offer, multiplied by (b) the Repurchase Price for such Repurchase Offer.
“Repurchase Offer” means any offer by the Borrower (whether periodic or otherwise) to
repurchase shares of which it is the issuer.
“Repurchase Price” means, with respect to any Repurchase Offer as of any date, an
amount equal to (a) on or before the Repurchase Pricing Date with respect to such Repurchase Offer,
the Borrower’s most recent net asset value per share, or (b) the Borrower’s net asset value per
share on the Repurchase Pricing Date.
“Repurchase Pricing Date” means, with respect to any Repurchase Request, the date on
which the Borrower determines the net asset value per share applicable to the repurchase of the
Borrower’s shares tendered thereby.
“Repurchase Request” means, with respect to each Repurchase Offer, the tender of
shares of the Borrower in response thereto.
“Repurchase Request Deadline” means, with respect to any Repurchase Offer, the later
of (a) the date by which the Borrower must receive Repurchase Requests in response thereto, or (b)
the date by which the Borrower must receive withdrawals or modifications of Repurchase Requests
that shall have been previously submitted in response thereto.
“Repurchase Shares” means, with respect to any Repurchase Offer as of any date, an
amount equal to (a) prior to the Repurchase Request Deadline therefor, the maximum number of shares
of the Borrower that are subject to such Repurchase Offer, or (b) at all other times, the aggregate
number of shares (but not in excess of the number of shares determined under clause
13
(a) above) subject to Repurchase Requests in response to such Repurchase Offer.
“Restricted Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.4.
“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, a division of The XxXxxx-Xxxx
Companies, Inc.
“Sanctioned Country” shall mean a country subject to a sanctions program identified on
the list maintained by OFAC.
“Sanctioned Person” shall mean (a)(i) an agency of the government of a Sanctioned
Country, (ii) an organization controlled by a Sanctioned Country, or (iii) a person resident in a
Sanctioned Country, to the extent subject to a sanctions program administered by OFAC, or (b) a
Person named on the list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” maintained by
OFAC.
“Scheduled Commitment Termination Date” means November 3, 2010.
“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and/or any other Governmental
Authority succeeding to the functions thereof with respect to the ICA and the Securities Act.
“Second Lien Loan Investment” means a Secured Loan Investment with respect to which
the security interest related thereto on the assets of the related obligor(s) is, by agreement or
otherwise, second or otherwise junior to another security interest covering substantially all of
the same assets.
“Secured Liabilities” means all liabilities (excluding Ordinary Liabilities) of the
Borrower secured by Liens.
“Secured Loan Investment” means a Loan Investment that is secured by a valid and
perfected security interest in substantially all of the assets of the related obligor(s).
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933.
“Security Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(f).
“Security Documents” means the Security Agreement, the Control Agreement and each
other agreement, instrument or other document executed or delivered pursuant thereto.
“Segregated Liabilities” means all liabilities and other obligations (excluding
Ordinary Liabilities) of the Borrower relating to assets that have been segregated or are otherwise
subject to margin arrangements.
“Senior Debt” means, as of any date, the aggregate amount of Senior Securities
Representing Indebtedness of the Borrower, provided that if at the time of calculation
thereof the aggregate amount of all Senior Securities Representing Indebtedness of the Borrower is
zero, for purposes of such calculation such aggregate amount shall be one (1).
14
“Senior Loan Investment” means a Loan Investment that is not subordinated by its terms
or by agreement to indebtedness of the applicable obligor(s) for borrowed money, trade claims,
capitalized leases, or other similar obligations.
“Senior Security” shall have the meaning set forth in the first sentence of Section
18(g) of the ICA.
“Senior Security Representing Indebtedness” shall have the meaning set forth in the
first sentence of Section 18(g) of the ICA.
“Status” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.16.
“Statutory Reserve Rate” means a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of
which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the
maximum reserve percentages (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves)
expressed as a decimal established by the Board of Governors to which the Bank is subject for
eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency liabilities” in Regulation D). Such
reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D. LIBOR Loans shall
be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without
benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time
to the Bank under such Regulation D or any comparable regulation. The Statutory Reserve Rate shall
be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.
“Taxes” means any and all current or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties,
deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority.
“Threshold Amount” means the lesser of (a) 1.0% of the aggregate Net Asset Value of
the Borrower, and (b) $10,000,000.
“Total Net Assets” means, as of any date, (a) the “value of the total assets” (within
the meaning of the first sentence of Section 18(h) of the ICA) of the Borrower less (b) the
Ordinary Liabilities of the Borrower.
“Transactions” means the (a) execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of
each Loan Document to which it is a party, (b) borrowing of the Loans and (c) use of the proceeds
of the Loans.
“Unrated Investment” means any debt security or preferred Investment that, as of any
date of determination, (a) is not publicly rated by S&P, Xxxxx’x or another nationally-recognized
statistical rating organization, or (b) has not been privately rated within the 365 days
immediately preceding such date.
“Value” means, as of any day of determination in respect of any Investment of the
Borrower, the Value of such Investment computed in the manner such Value is required to be computed
by the Borrower in accordance with the Prospectus and applicable law
(including the ICA), provided
that (a) with respect to any Investment that is not valued daily, the Value of such Investment
shall be deemed zero for purposes of this definition, (b) with respect to any
15
Investment that is not a Quotable Investment, the Value of such Investment shall (subject
to clause (d) below) be deemed zero for purposes of this definition, (c) except as otherwise
provided in clauses (a) and (b) above, the Value of any Derivative shall be the Derivative
Termination Value thereof, and (d) the Value of each Investment shall be net of the Borrower’s
liabilities relating thereto, including all of the Borrower’s obligations to pay any unpaid portion
of the purchase price thereof.
Section 1.2 Terms Generally
The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the
terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding
masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be
deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to
have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise, (a)
any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be
construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments,
supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any definition of or reference to any law, rule
or regulation shall be construed as referring to such law, rule or regulation as from time to time
amended and any successor thereto and in the case of such law, the rules and regulations
promulgated from time to time thereunder, (c) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed
to include such Person’s successors and permitted assigns, (d) the words “herein”, “hereof” and
“hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Credit Agreement in
its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, and (e) all references herein to Articles,
Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and
Exhibits and Schedules to, this Credit Agreement.
Section 1.3 Accounting Terms
As used in the Loan Documents and in any certificate, opinion or other document made or
delivered pursuant thereto, accounting terms not defined in Section 1.1, and accounting terms
partly defined in Section 1.1, to the extent not defined, shall have the respective meanings given
to them under Applicable Accounting Principles. If at any time any change in Applicable Accounting
Principles would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in this
Credit Agreement and (i) the Borrower notifies the Bank that the Borrower objects to determining
compliance with such financial ratio or requirement on the basis of Applicable Accounting
Principles in effect immediately after such change becomes effective or (ii) the Bank so objects,
then the Borrower’s compliance with such ratio or requirement shall be determined on the basis of
Applicable Accounting Principles in effect immediately before such change becomes effective, until
either such notice is withdrawn by the Borrower or the Bank, as the case may be, or the Borrower
and the Bank otherwise agree. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the computation of
financial ratios and requirements set forth in this Credit Agreement shall be consistent with the
Borrower’s financial statements required to be delivered hereunder.
16
ARTICLE 2. THE CREDITS
Section 2.1 Commitment
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Bank agrees to make loans to the
Borrower from time to time during the period from the Effective Date through the Business Day
immediately preceding the Commitment Termination Date, provided that immediately after
giving effect thereto, (a) the Loan Balance will not exceed the Commitment, and (b) the Borrower
will not have exceeded the Maximum Permitted Borrowing. Within the foregoing limits and subject to
the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Loans.
Section 2.2 LIBOR Loans
To request a LIBOR Loan, the Borrower shall make a telephonic Borrowing Request to the Bank,
not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, three (3) Business Days before the date of the
proposed LIBOR Loan. Such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed
promptly by hand delivery or facsimile to the Bank of a duly executed Borrowing Request duly signed
by or on behalf of the Borrower. Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify:
(I) the requested date for such LIBOR Loan (which shall be a Business Day), (II) the amount of such
LIBOR Loan, which shall be either $1,000,000 or in an integral multiple of $1,000,000, and (IV) the
Interest Period therefor (which may not end after the Scheduled Commitment Termination Date). Each
such written Borrowing Request shall specify the additional information required by Exhibit C.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall the Borrower be permitted to
borrow a LIBOR Loan if, immediately after giving effect thereto, there would be more than three (3)
LIBOR Loans outstanding. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Bank shall make
each LIBOR Loan by transferring the proceeds thereof to a custodial account at the Custodian in the
name of the Borrower.
Section 2.3 Termination and Reduction of Commitment
(a) Unless previously terminated, the Commitment shall terminate on the Scheduled Commitment
Termination Date.
(b) The Commitment shall automatically be reduced by $25,000,000 on each of January 31, 2010,
April 30, 2010 and July 31, 2010.
(c) The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, without premium or
penalty, the Commitment, provided that (i) the Borrower may not terminate or reduce the
Commitment if, immediately after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent repayment of the Loans
in accordance with Section 2.4 or 2.5, the Loan Balance would exceed the Commitment, and (ii) each
such reduction shall be in a minimum amount of $1,000,000 or in an integral multiple of $1,000,000.
(d) The Borrower shall notify the Bank of any election to terminate or reduce the Commitment
under paragraph (c) of this Section at least three Business Days prior to the effective date of
such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective
17
date thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be
irrevocable and any termination or reduction of the Commitment hereunder shall be permanent. Each
termination or reduction of the Commitment shall be accompanied by the payment of accrued and
unpaid commitment fees to the extent required by Section 3.2.
Section 2.4 Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt
(a) The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Bank the then unpaid principal
amount of each Loan on the Maturity Date therefor.
(b) In the event that on any date the Loan Balance exceeds the Commitment, the Borrower shall
immediately prepay the Loans by the amount of such excess.
(c) In the event that on any date, the Borrower shall either fail to be in compliance with
Section 7.7(a) or the Maximum Permitted Borrowing has been exceeded, the Borrower shall, on such
date, repay the Loans and take such other actions as may be necessary such that, immediately after
giving effect to such repayment and other actions, the Maximum Permitted Borrowing is not exceeded
and the Borrower is in compliance with Section 7.7(a).
(d) The Bank, acting solely for this purpose as agent of the Borrower, shall maintain in
accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the outstanding principal of
and accrued interest on each Loan (the “Register”). The entries made in such account or
accounts shall, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law and not inconsistent with any
entries made in the Note, be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations
recorded therein, provided that the failure of the Bank to maintain such accounts or any
error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans (and
interest thereon) in accordance with the terms of this Credit Agreement.
Section 2.5 Prepayments of Loans
The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time, without premium or
penalty, to prepay any Loan in whole or in part. The Borrower shall notify the Bank by telephone
(confirmed by telecopy) of any prepayment hereunder not later than, (i) in the case of LIBOR Loans,
2:00 p.m., New York City time, three Business Days prior to date of prepayment, and (ii) in the
case of prepayment of ABR Loans, 12:00 noon, New York City time on the date of prepayment. Each
such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of
each Loan or portion thereof to be prepaid. Each partial prepayment of any Loan shall be in a
minimum amount of $1,000,000 or in an integral multiple of $1,000,000. Prepayments shall be
accompanied by accrued and unpaid interest to the extent required by Section 3.1.
Section 2.6 Payments Generally
The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder or under any other
Loan Document (whether of principal of Loans, interest, fees, or otherwise) prior to 2:00 p.m., New
York City time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without setoff or
counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date shall be deemed to have been
received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating
18
interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Bank at its office at Xxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, or such other office as to which the Bank may notify
the Borrower. Except as may be otherwise provided in the defined term “Interest Period”, if any
payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be
extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest,
interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments hereunder shall
be made in dollars. If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Bank
from the Borrower to pay fully all amounts of principal of Loans, interest, fees and other amounts
then due under the Loan Documents, such funds shall be applied to the obligations owing to the
Bank: (i) first, to payment of such amounts (excluding principal, interest and fees), in such
order as the Bank may choose, (ii) second, to such interest and fees then due, and (iii) third, to
such principal of the Loans then due. All amounts paid under the Loan Documents shall not be
refundable under any circumstances.
ARTICLE
3. INTEREST, FEES, YIELD PROTECTION, ETC.
Section 3.1 Interest
(a) Each Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Rate,
provided that if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, then, so long as such
Event of Default is continuing, (i) the principal balance of such Loan shall bear interest at a
rate per annum equal to the Applicable Rate plus 2.00%, and (ii) all other amounts owing under the
Loan Documents that are not paid when due, shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment,
at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate plus 2.00%.
(b) Accrued and unpaid interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on the Maturity Date
therefor and, with respect to ABR Loans, on the last day of each calendar month, provided
that (1) interest accrued and unpaid pursuant to each of clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (a) of
this Section shall be payable on demand, and (2) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any
Loan, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the
date of such repayment or prepayment. All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a
year of 360 days (provided that interest computed by reference to the Prime Rate shall be on the
basis of a year of 365 days) for the actual number of days elapsed (including the day a Loan is
made but excluding the date of repayment). The Adjusted LIBO Rate, the Alternate Base Rate, the
Federal Funds Effective Rate, the LIBO Rate, the Overnight Eurodollar Rate and the Prime Rate shall
be determined by the Bank in accordance with the provisions of this Credit Agreement, and such
determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
Section 3.2 Fees
The Borrower shall pay to the Bank a commitment fee, at a rate per annum equal to 2.0% during
the period from and including the date on which this Credit Agreement shall have become effective
in accordance with Section 9.6 to but excluding the date on which the Commitment terminates, on the
daily amount of the excess of the Commitment over the Loan Balance. Accrued and unpaid commitment
fees shall be payable in arrears on the last Business Day of March, June, September and December of
each year, each date on which the
19
Commitment is reduced and on the date on which the Commitment terminates, commencing on the
first such date to occur after the date hereof. All commitment fees shall be computed on the basis
of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the
first day but excluding the last day).
Section 3.3 Increased Costs
(a) If any Change in Law shall:
(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar
requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by,
the Bank; or
(ii) impose on the Bank or any Applicable Money Market any other condition affecting
this Credit Agreement or any Loan,
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be (1) to increase the cost to the Bank of making or
maintaining any Loan, or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by the Bank
hereunder (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the Borrower will pay to the Bank
such amount as will compensate the Bank for such increased costs or reduced amount, or (2) to
increase the cost to the Bank of maintaining the Commitment, then the Borrower will pay to the Bank
such amount as will compensate the Bank for such increased costs.
(b) If the Bank determines in good faith that any Change in Law regarding capital requirements
has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on the Bank’s capital or on the capital
of the Bank’s holding company, as a consequence of this Credit Agreement or any Loan made by the
Bank hereunder to a level below that which the Bank or the Bank’s holding company could have
achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration the Bank’s policies and the policies
of the Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the
Borrower will pay to the Bank such additional amount or amounts as will compensate the Bank or the
Bank’s holding company for (i) any such reduction suffered as a consequence of such Loan, and (ii)
any other such reduction.
(c) A certificate of the Bank setting forth the Bank’s reasonable good faith determination of
the additional amount or amounts necessary to compensate the Bank or its holding company, as
applicable, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower
and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The amount shown as payable on any such certificate
shall be due within ten days after receipt thereof. In determining such additional amounts of
compensation, the Bank will act reasonably and in good faith.
(d) Failure or delay on the part of the Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section
shall not constitute a waiver of the Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided
that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate the Bank pursuant to this Section for any
increased costs or reductions incurred more than 90 days prior to the date that the Bank notifies
the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of the
Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; and provided further that, if the Change
in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the
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90-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect
thereof.
Section 3.4 Taxes
(a) Each payment by the Borrower under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and
without deduction for Indemnified Taxes and Other Taxes, provided that, if the Borrower
shall be required to deduct any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes from such payments, then (i) the
sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that, after making all required deductions
(including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section), the Bank receives
an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the
Borrower shall make such deductions and (iii) the Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to
the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.
(b) In addition, the Borrower shall pay all Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority
in accordance with applicable law.
(c) The Borrower shall indemnify the Bank, within ten days after written demand therefor, for
the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes paid by the Bank on or with respect to any
payment under the Loan Documents (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on
or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) and any penalties, interest and reasonable
expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other
Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A
certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by the Bank
shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(d) As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the
Borrower to a Governmental Authority, the Borrower shall deliver to the Bank 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 Bank.
(e) In the event that the Bank (or any successor or assign) shall be a Foreign Lender, such
Person shall, to the extent it may lawfully do so, deliver to the Borrower on or prior to the date
on which it extends credit under this Credit Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the
reasonable request of the Borrower, but only if such Person is legally entitled to do so), any form
prescribed by applicable Requirements of Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction
in United States federal withholding tax duly completed together with such supplementary
documentation as may be prescribed by applicable Requirements of Law to permit the Borrower to
determine the withholding or deduction required to be made. For purposes of this Section, (i)
"Foreign Lender” shall mean any Person that is not, for United States federal income tax
purposes, (A) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, (B) a corporation,
partnership or other entity treated as a corporation or partnership created or organized in or
under the laws of the United States, or any political subdivision thereof, (C) an estate whose
income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its
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source or (D) a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary
supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more United States persons have the
authority to control all substantial decisions of such trust, and (ii) “Requirements of
Law” shall mean, collectively, any and all requirements of any Governmental Authority including
any and all laws, judgments, orders, decrees, ordinances, rules, regulations, statutes or case law.
The Borrower shall not be obligated to indemnify or pay any additional amount with respect to
Indemnified Taxes under this Section 3.4 to the extent such Indemnified Taxes are imposed solely
because the Bank fails to timely provide the forms or certificates required under this Section 3.4.
(f) If the Bank determines that it has received a refund of any Indemnified Taxes or Other
Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Borrower or with respect to which the Borrower has
paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.4, it shall pay to the Borrower an amount equal
to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by
the Borrower under this Section 3.4 with respect to the Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes giving
rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Bank and without interest (other
than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund),
provided that the Borrower agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower (plus any
penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Bank in
the event the Bank is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. This paragraph
shall not be construed to require the Bank to make any such determination with respect to a refund
of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes or make available its tax returns (or any other information
relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.
Section 3.5 Alternate Rate of Interest
If the Bank determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that,
with respect to any existing or requested Loan the pricing of which is determined by reference to
an Applicable Money Market (each an “Affected Loan”), by reason of one or more
circumstances arising after the date hereof affecting such Applicable Money Market, adequate and
reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the rate of interest applicable to such Affected
Loan, or that such rate of interest will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Bank of
making or maintaining such Affected Loan because of (x) any change since the date hereof in any
applicable law or governmental rule, regulation, order or directive (whether or not having the
force of law) or in the interpretation or administration thereof or (y) other circumstances arising
after the date hereof affecting the Bank or such Applicable Money Market, then the Bank may give
notice thereof to the Borrower by telephone or telecopy and (A) upon the giving of such notice,
each existing Affected Loan shall automatically be deemed converted into and redenominated as an
ABR Loan and shall thereafter bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Rate
therefor, and (B) until such notice is rescinded by the Bank, the Bank shall have no obligation to
make any new Loan that would be an Affected Loan. The Bank agrees that promptly after it shall
have determined, with respect to any notice given by it under this Section, that the circumstance
or circumstances that gave rise to such notice with respect to an Affected Loan no longer exist,
the Bank shall by notice to the Borrower rescind such notice with respect to such Affected Loan.
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Section 3.6 Illegality
Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, if any Change in Law shall make it unlawful for
the Bank to make or maintain any LIBOR Loan or to give effect to its obligations as contemplated
hereby with respect to any LIBOR Loan, then, by written notice to the Borrower:
(a) the Bank may, if such Change in Law makes it unlawful to make LIBOR Loans, declare that
LIBOR Loans will not thereafter (for the duration of such unlawfulness) be made, whereupon any
request for a LIBOR Loan shall be deemed a request for an ABR Loan, unless such declaration shall
be subsequently withdrawn; and
(b) the Bank may, if such Change in Law makes it unlawful to maintain LIBOR Loans, require
that all outstanding LIBOR Loans be converted to ABR Loans, in which event all such LIBOR Loans
shall be automatically converted to ABR Loans, as of the effective date of such notice.
Section 3.7 Break Funding Payments
In the event of (a) the payment or prepayment (voluntary or otherwise) of any principal of any
LIBOR Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a
result of an Event of Default), or (b) the failure to borrow any LIBOR Loan on the date specified
in any notice delivered pursuant hereto, then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate the
Bank for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. Such loss, cost or expense shall
be deemed to include an amount determined by the Bank to be the excess, if any, of (x) the amount
of interest that would have accrued on the principal amount of such LIBOR Loan had such event not
occurred, at the Adjusted LIBO Rate that would have been applicable to such LIBOR Loan, for the
period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor
(or, in the case of a failure to borrow for the period that would have been the Interest Period for
such Loan), over (y) the amount of interest that would accrue on such principal amount for such
period at the interest rate that the Bank would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such
period, for deposits in dollars of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the
eurocurrency market. A certificate of the Bank setting forth any amount or amounts that the Bank
is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be
conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay the Bank the amount shown as due on any
such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
Section 3.8 Mitigation Obligations
If the Bank requests compensation under Section 3.5, or if the Borrower is required to pay any
additional amount to the Bank or any Governmental Authority for the account of the Bank pursuant to
Section 3.4, then, upon the request of the Borrower, the Bank shall use reasonable efforts to
designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans (or any participation
therein) hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices,
branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of the Bank, such designation or assignment (i) would
eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.4 or 3.5, as the case may be, in the
future and (ii) would not subject the Bank to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not
otherwise be disadvantageous to the Bank. The Borrower shall pay all
23
reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Bank in connection with any such designation or
assignment.
ARTICLE 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
In order to induce the Bank to enter into this Credit Agreement and make the Loans, the
Borrower makes the following representations and warranties to the Bank:
Section 4.1 Organization and Power
The Borrower (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
the jurisdiction of its organization and (b) is duly qualified to do business and in good standing
in each jurisdiction in which the failure to be so qualified could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower has all requisite power and authority to own its property
and to carry on its business as now conducted.
Section 4.2 Authority and Execution
The Borrower has full legal power and authority to enter into, execute, deliver and perform
the terms of the Loan Documents, all of which have been duly authorized by all proper and necessary
action, and the Borrower is in full compliance with its Organization Documents. The Borrower has
duly executed and delivered the Loan Documents to which it is a party.
Section 4.3 Binding Agreement
The Loan Documents constitute the valid and legally binding obligations of the Borrower to the
extent it is a party thereto, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except as such
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar
laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally.
Section 4.4 Litigation
There are no actions, suits or proceedings at law or in equity or by or before any
Governmental Authority (whether purportedly on behalf of the Borrower) pending or, to the knowledge
of the Borrower, threatened against it or maintained by it that may affect the property or rights
of the Borrower, which (a) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) are
not purely frivolous and call into question the validity or enforceability of, or otherwise seek to
invalidate, any Loan Document, or (c) might, individually or in the aggregate, materially adversely
affect any of the transactions contemplated by any Loan Document.
Section 4.5 Approvals and Consents
No consent, authorization or approval of, filing (other than the filing of each financing
statement in the form attached to the Security Agreement in the office indicated on such financing
statement) with, notice to, or exemption by, the holders of any securities issued by the Borrower,
any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required to authorize, or is required in
connection with, the execution and delivery by the Borrower of, and the performance by the Borrower
of its obligations under, the Loan Documents or is required as a condition to the
24
validity or enforceability of the Loan Documents with respect to or against the Borrower or
its property or assets. No provision of any applicable treaty, statute, law (including any
applicable usury or similar law), rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority will prevent the
execution and delivery by the Borrower or performance by the Borrower of its obligations under, or
affect the validity with respect to or against the Borrower of, the Loan Documents.
Section 4.6 No Conflict
The Borrower is not in default under any mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, judgment,
decree or order to which it is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound, which
defaults, taken as a whole, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The
execution, delivery or carrying out by the Borrower of the terms of the Loan Documents, the Loans
hereunder and the use by the Borrower of the proceeds thereof (a) will not (i) violate any statutes
or regulations, including the ICA, of any Governmental Authority applicable to the Borrower or (ii)
constitute a default under, conflict with, require any consent under (other than consents which
have been obtained), or result in the creation or imposition of, or obligation to create, any Lien
(other than pursuant to the Security Agreement) upon the property of the Borrower pursuant to the
terms of any such mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, judgment, decree or order, which
defaults, conflicts and consents, if not obtained, could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect, and (b) are not inconsistent with the Fundamental Policies.
Section 4.7 Taxes
The Borrower has filed or caused to be filed all tax returns required to be filed and has
paid, or has made adequate provision for the payment of, all Taxes shown to be due and payable on
said returns or in any assessments made against it (other than those being contested in good faith
and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, and for which adequate reserves have been set
aside in accordance with Applicable Accounting Principles) which, if not so filed or paid, could
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and no tax Liens (other than those
permitted by Section 7.2(b)) have been filed against the Borrower or any of its property. The
charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Borrower with respect to all federal, state,
local and other Taxes are adequate, and the Borrower knows of no unpaid assessment which is due and
payable against it or any claims being asserted against it which could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect, except such thereof as are being contested in good faith and by
appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, and for which adequate reserves have been set aside
in accordance with Applicable Accounting Principles.
Section 4.8 Compliance
The Borrower is not in default with respect to any judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree
or decision of any Governmental Authority, which default could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower is complying in all material respects with all applicable
statutes and regulations, including the ICA and the Securities Act, and of all Governmental
Authorities, a violation of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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Section 4.9 Property
The Borrower has good and marketable title to all of its property with respect to which the
absence of such marketable title could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Effect, subject to no Liens other than Permitted Liens.
Section 4.10 Federal Reserve Regulations; Use of Loan Proceeds
Except for the Federal Reserve Form to be executed and delivered by the Borrower, no filing or
other action is required under the provisions of Regulations T, U or X in connection with the
execution and delivery by the Borrower of this Credit Agreement and neither the making of any Loan
in accordance with this Credit Agreement nor the use of the proceeds thereof, will violate or be
inconsistent with the provisions of Regulations T, U or X.
Section 4.11 No Material Adverse Change
Since the Measurement Date, the Borrower has conducted its businesses only in the ordinary
course and there has been no material adverse change in its business, assets or condition,
financial or otherwise, of the Borrower.
Section 4.12 Material Agreements
Each of (a) the custody agreements to which the Borrower is a party are in full force and
effect in all material respects and (b) all agreements between the Borrower and the Investment
Adviser are in full force and effect, except to the extent that failure of such other agreements to
be in full force and effect could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.13 Financial Condition
The statement of assets and liabilities of the Borrower as of the Measurement Date and the
related statements of operations and changes in net assets for the fiscal year then ended, copies
of which, certified by independent public accountants, have heretofore been delivered to the Bank,
fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position of the Borrower as of such date
and the results of its operations for such period in conformity with Applicable Accounting
Principles.
Section 4.14 No Misrepresentation
No representation or warranty contained in any Loan Document and no certificate or report from
time to time furnished by the Borrower to the Bank in connection with the transactions contemplated
thereby, contains or will contain a misstatement of material fact, or, to the best knowledge of the
Borrower, omits or will omit to state a material fact required to be stated in order to make the
statements therein contained not misleading in the light of the circumstances under which made.
26
Section 4.15 Legal Status
(a) The Borrower is not an “enemy” or an “ally of the enemy” within the meaning of Section 2
of the Trading with the Enemy Act of the United States of America (50 U.S.C. App. §§ 1 et seq.), as
amended. The Borrower is not in violation of (i) the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, (ii)
any of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR,
Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) or any enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto
or (iii) the Patriot Act (as defined in Section 9.15). The Borrower (I) is not a blocked person
described in section 1 of the Anti-Terrorism Order or (II) to the best of its knowledge, is not
engaged in any dealings or transactions, or is otherwise associated, with any such blocked person.
(b) The Borrower (i) is not a Sanctioned Person, (ii) does not have more than 15% of its
assets in Sanctioned Countries, and (iii) does not derive more than 15% of its operating income
from investments in, or transactions with Sanctioned Persons or Sanctioned Countries. No part of
the proceeds of any Loan will be used directly or indirectly to fund any operations in, finance any
investments or activities in or make any payments to, a Sanctioned Person or a Sanctioned Country.
(c) The Borrower is in compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 78dd-1,
et seq., and any foreign counterpart thereto. The Borrower has not made a payment, offering, or
promise to pay, or authorized the payment of, money or anything of value (i) in order to assist in
obtaining or retaining business for or with, or directing business to, any foreign official,
foreign political party, party official or candidate for foreign political office, (ii) to a
foreign official, foreign political party or party official or any candidate for foreign political
office, or (iii) with the intent to induce the recipient to misuse his or her official position to
direct business wrongfully to the Borrower in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, 15
U.S.C. §§ 78dd-1, et seq.
Section 4.16 Investment Company Status
(a) The Borrower has the following status (“Status”): (i) it qualifies as a Regulated
Investment Company, (ii) it is a “registered investment company” within the meaning of Section 8 of
the ICA, (iii) it is a “closed-end company” and a “non-diversified company” in each case within the
meaning of Section 5 of the ICA, (iv) it is neither an “affiliate” (within the meaning of Section
23A of the Federal Reserve Act, as amended) of, nor an “affiliated person” (as defined in Section
2(a)(3) of the ICA) of, the Bank, (v) it is not an Indirect Fund, (vi) it has only one series of
capital stock, and (vii) it is in compliance with the Fundamental Policies.
(b) The Borrower is not subject to any statute, rule, regulation or organizational or offering
document which prohibits or limits the incurrence of Indebtedness under the Loan Documents, except
for the limitations set forth in the ICA, state securities laws to the extent applicable, and the
Fundamental Policies.
27
(c) The Borrower has not issued any of its securities in violation of any Federal or State
securities laws applicable thereto, except to the extent that any such violation could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
ARTICLE 5. CONDITIONS
Section 5.1 Effective Date
The obligation of the Bank to make Loans hereunder shall not become effective until the date
(the “Effective Date”) on which each of the following conditions is satisfied, or waived in
accordance with Section 9.2 (and the Bank shall notify the Borrower of the Effective Date, and such
notice shall be conclusive and binding):
(a) The Bank shall have received either (i) a counterpart of this Credit Agreement signed on
behalf of the Borrower or (ii) written evidence satisfactory to the Bank (which may include
telecopy transmission of a signed signature page of this Credit Agreement) that the Borrower has
signed a counterpart of this Credit Agreement.
(b) The Bank shall have received a Note, dated the Effective Date, executed on behalf of the
Borrower.
(c) The Bank shall have received a favorable written opinion (addressed to the Bank and dated
the Effective Date) from counsel to the Borrower acceptable to the Bank, the substance of which is
set forth in Exhibit B. The Borrower hereby requests such counsel to deliver such opinion.
(d) The Bank shall have received a certificate, dated the Effective Date and signed by
authorized representatives (who shall be acceptable to the Bank) of the Borrower, substantially in
the form of Exhibit D hereto.
(e) The Bank shall have received a copy of an initial Federal Reserve Form, substantially in
the form of Exhibit E hereto, duly executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Borrower, in form
and substance acceptable to the Bank.
(f) The Bank shall have received a security agreement, dated the Effective Date and signed by
an authorized representative (who shall be acceptable to the Bank) on behalf of the Borrower,
substantially in the form of Exhibit G hereto (the “Security Agreement”).
(g) The Bank shall have received a control agreement, dated the Effective Date and signed by
an authorized representative (who shall be acceptable to the Bank) on behalf of the Borrower,
substantially in the form of Exhibit H hereto (the “Control Agreement”).
(h) The Bank shall have received Uniform Commercial Code, federal tax and judgment lien search
reports with respect to each applicable public office where Liens would customarily be filed
against the Borrower disclosing that there are no Liens of record in such official’s office
covering the Borrower or any asset or property thereof.
28
(i) The Bank shall have received all fees and other amounts due and payable by the Borrower on
or prior to the Effective Date, including, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all
reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower
hereunder.
(j) Prior to or simultaneously with the Effective Date, the Borrower shall have repaid all
principal, and paid all interest, fees and other sums owing by the Borrower under the Amended and
Restated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of October 7, 2008 among the Conduit
Lenders party thereto, the Secondary Lenders party thereto, the Managing Agents party thereto, The
Bank of Nova Scotia, acting through its New York agency, as agent for the Secured Parties and
Highland Floating Rate Advantage Fund, and each other Loan Document (as defined therein) and all
agreements and commitments with respect thereto shall have been cancelled or terminated (other than
provisions thereof which, by their terms, provide that they shall survive any termination), all
Liens securing the same shall have been released and terminated, and the Bank shall have received
satisfactory evidence of all of the foregoing.
Section 5.2 Each Credit Event
The obligation of the Bank to make any Loan is subject to the satisfaction of the following
conditions:
(a) In the event that, immediately after giving effect to such Loan and any simultaneous
repayment of any other Loan, the Loan Balance would exceed the Loan Balance immediately prior to
giving effect to such Loan, (i) the representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth in
each Loan Document to which it is a party shall be true and correct in all respects on and as of
the date of such Loan, and (ii) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
(b) The Bank shall have received a written Borrowing Request signed by the Borrower setting
forth the information required by Section 2.2.
(c) To the extent required by Regulation U, the Bank shall have received (i) a copy of a
Federal Reserve Form, duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and completed for delivery to the
Bank, in form acceptable to the Bank, or (ii) a current list of Margin Stock and Non-Margin Assets
of the Borrower, in a form acceptable to the Bank and in all respects in compliance with Regulation
U, including Section 221.3((c)(2)(iv) hereof.
(d) The Bank shall have received such other documentation and assurances as shall be
reasonably required by it in connection herewith.
Each request for a Loan by the Borrower shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty
by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraph (a) of this Section.
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ARTICLE 6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
Until the Commitment has expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each
Loan and all fees and other amounts payable by the Borrower under the Loan Documents shall have
been paid in full, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Bank that:
Section 6.1 Financial Statements and Other Information
The Borrower shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Bank:
(a) as soon as available, but in any event within 60 days after the end of each fiscal year of
the Borrower, a copy of its Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at the end of such fiscal year,
together with the related Schedule of Investments and Statements of Operations and Changes in Net
Assets as of and through the end of such fiscal year; each such Statement of Assets and Liabilities
and the related Schedule of Investments and Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets
shall be certified without qualification by independent public accountants, which certification
shall (i) state that the examination by such independent public accountants in connection with such
financial statements has been made in accordance with those auditing standards required by the ICA
and prescribed by the SEC for the Borrower or, to the extent not so required or prescribed,
generally accepted auditing standards in the United States and (ii) include the opinion of such
independent public accountants that such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with
Applicable Accounting Principles, except as otherwise specified in such opinion;
(b) as soon as available, but in any event within 60 days after the end of the first
semiannual accounting period in each fiscal year of the Borrower, a copy of the Borrower’s
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at the end of such semiannual period, together with the
related Schedule of Investments and Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets for such
period;
(c) as soon as available, but in any event not later than 45 days after the end of each
quarterly accounting period in each fiscal year of the Borrower, the Borrower shall deliver to the
Bank a duly completed certificate of a duly authorized representative (who shall be acceptable to
the Bank) of the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit F hereto;
(d) as soon as available, but in any event not later than seven days after the end of each
calendar month, the Borrower shall deliver to the Bank a duly completed certificate of a duly
authorized representative (who shall be acceptable to the Bank) of the Borrower, substantially in
the form of Exhibit F hereto;
(e) on the first Business Day of each calendar week, the Borrower shall deliver to the Bank a
report certified by an officer of the Borrower listing the Borrower’s portfolio holdings and the
market price of each such holding, determined by any one pricing service that is not an Affiliate
of the Borrower or the Borrower’s investment adviser, as of the close of business on the last
Business Day of the immediately preceding calendar week;
(f) as soon as practicable, a copy of each general mailing to the shareholders of the Borrower
to the extent such mailing includes a Prospectus or any material
30
change in the terms thereof, including any material change in the investment objectives or any
change in (i) its Fundamental Policies, (ii) limitations on borrowings, or (iii) the identity of
the directors, trustees, executive officers or other similar Person of the Borrower or its
Investment Adviser;
(g) prompt written notice of any contest referred to in Sections 6.5 or 6.6;
(h) promptly after the execution thereof, copies of all material amendments or other material
changes to the Fundamental Policies, all investment advisory contracts, and any new investment
advisory contracts entered into after the Effective Date;
(i) prompt written notice in the event that the Borrower decides to seek the approval of the
Board or, if necessary, its shareholders to effect a change in any of its Fundamental Policies; and
(j) promptly after request therefor, such other information as the Bank may reasonably request
from time to time;
Section 6.2 Notice of Material Events
The Borrower shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Bank prompt written notice of the
following, together with a statement of a duly authorized representative (who shall be acceptable
to the Bank) of the Borrower setting forth in reasonable detail the event or development requiring
such notice and, if applicable, any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto:
(a) the occurrence of any Default;
(b) the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any Governmental
Authority against or affecting the Borrower that, if adversely determined, could in the good faith
opinion of the Borrower reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and
(c) the occurrence of any other development that has resulted, or could reasonably be expected
to result, in a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 6.3 Legal Existence
The Borrower shall maintain its legal existence in good standing in the jurisdiction of its
organization and shall maintain its qualification to do business in each other jurisdiction in
which the failure so to do could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 6.4 Insurance |
The Borrower shall maintain insurance with financially sound insurance carriers in at least
such amounts and against at least such risks as are usually insured against by entities
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engaged in the same or a similar business or as may otherwise be required by the ICA or the
SEC (including such fidelity bond coverage as shall be required by Rule 17g-1 promulgated under the
ICA or any successor provision and errors and omissions insurance); and furnish to the Bank, upon
written request, full information as to the insurance carried.
Section 6.5 Payment of Indebtedness and Performance of Obligations
The Borrower shall pay and discharge when due all lawful Indebtedness, obligations and claims
for labor, materials and supplies or otherwise which, if unpaid, could reasonably be expected to
(a) have a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower or (b) give rise to the imposition of a Lien
(other than a Permitted Lien) upon the property of the Borrower, unless and to the extent only that
the validity of such Indebtedness, obligation or claim shall be contested in good faith and by
appropriate proceedings diligently conducted by or on behalf of the Borrower, and provided
that such reserve or other appropriate provision as shall be required in accordance with Applicable
Accounting Principles shall have been made therefor.
Section 6.6 Observance of Legal Requirements
The Borrower shall observe and comply in all material respects with all laws (including the
ICA and the Code), ordinances, orders, judgments, rules, regulations, certifications, franchises,
permits, licenses, directions and requirements of all Governmental Authorities, which may then be
applicable to the Borrower, a violation of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect, except such thereof as shall be contested in good faith and by appropriate
proceedings diligently conducted by or on behalf of the Borrower, provided that such
reserve or other appropriate provision as shall be required in accordance with Applicable
Accounting Principles shall have been made therefor.
Section 6.7 Books and Records; Visitation
The Borrower shall (a) keep proper books of record and account in which complete, true and
correct entries in conformity with Applicable Accounting Principles and all material requirements
of law shall be made of all material dealings and transactions in relation to its business and
activities, (b) upon reasonable prior notice (which shall in no event be required to be more than
(i) one Business Day prior, at any time that a Default has occurred and is continuing, or (ii) five
Business Days prior, at all other times) permit representatives of the Bank to visit the offices of
the Borrower and to discuss the properties, assets, income and financial condition of the Borrower
with the duly authorized representatives thereof and to inspect the books, property and records of
the Borrower, and (c) upon the reasonable request of the Bank, deliver to the Bank a detailed list
of assets of the Borrower.
Section 6.8 Purpose of Loans
The Borrower shall use the proceeds of each Loan for its general business purposes, including
the purchase of investment securities, provided that in no event shall the proceeds of any
Loan be used for purposes which would violate any provision of any applicable statute, rule,
regulation, order or restriction applicable to the Borrower or Regulation U.
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Section 6.9 Maintenance of Status
The Borrower will maintain at all times its Status.
ARTICLE 7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS
Until the Commitment has expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each
Loan and all fees and other amounts payable by the Borrower under the Loan Documents shall have
been paid in full, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Bank that:
Section 7.1 Indebtedness; Senior Securities
The Borrower will not (I) create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any liability for
Indebtedness, except (a) Indebtedness under the Loan Documents, (b) Indebtedness (other than
Indebtedness for borrowed money) (i) incurred in the ordinary course of business, (ii) permitted to
be incurred in accordance with the Fundamental Policies, and (iii) which, immediately after giving
effect thereto and any simultaneous repayment of any other Indebtedness would not cause the
Borrower to have exceeded the Maximum Permitted Borrowing, and (c) Indebtedness to the Custodian
(i) incurred for the purposes of clearing and settling purchases and sales of securities, or (ii)
up to an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000,000 at any one time outstanding under this clause
(ii), (1) for temporary or emergency purposes, or (2) related to any foreign exchange transactions,
or (II) issue, sell, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Senior Security, except Senior
Securities Representing Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereunder.
Section 7.2 Liens
The Borrower will not create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its
property or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except:
(a) Liens in respect of Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.1(I)(b) and (c);
(b) Liens for Taxes, assessments or similar charges incurred in the ordinary course of
business which are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate
proceedings diligently conducted, and for which adequate reserves have been set aside in accordance
with Applicable Accounting Principles, provided that enforcement of such Liens is stayed
pending such contest;
(c) Liens imposed by law created in the ordinary course of business for amounts not yet due or
which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, and
for which adequate reserves have been set aside in accordance with Applicable Accounting
Principles, provided that enforcement of such Liens is stayed pending such contest;
(d) Liens arising out of judgments or decrees affecting the property attributable to the
Borrower which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently
conducted, and for which adequate reserves have been set aside in
33
accordance with Applicable Accounting Principles, provided that enforcement thereof is
stayed pending such contest;
(e) Liens in respect of obligations arising from any (i) repurchase, reverse repurchase or
securities lending agreement, (ii) option contract, futures contract, forward contract, (iii)
contract for the delayed delivery of securities, or (iv) Derivative Agreement, provided
that each such obligation is incurred in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with the
Fundamental Policies;
(f) Liens created or arising out of the Loan Documents; and
(g) Liens arising in the ordinary course of business under the Custody Agreement, to the
extent permitted by the Control Agreement.
Section 7.3 Fundamental Changes
The Borrower will not (a) consolidate or merge into or with any Person, or (b) in any single
transaction or series of related transactions, sell, lease or otherwise transfer, directly or
indirectly, all or substantially all of its property.
Section 7.4 Restricted Payments
The Borrower will not declare or pay, or allow to be declared or paid, any dividend,
distribution or similar payment (including a purchase or repurchase of the shares issued by the
Borrower) in respect of its shares (each a “Restricted Payment”) if, immediately before or
after giving effect thereto, an Event of Default shall or would exist, except:
(a) the Borrower may make Restricted Payments to the extent required in order to qualify as a
Regulated Investment Company and to otherwise minimize or eliminate federal or state income taxes
payable by the Borrower; and
(b) the Borrower may make Restricted Payments to the extent required to satisfy any Repurchase
Obligation required pursuant to its Fundamental Policies.
Section 7.5 Fundamental Policies
The Borrower will not (a) make or maintain any investment in violation of the ICA or the
Fundamental Policies or (b) amend or otherwise modify the Fundamental Policies.
Section 7.6 Amendments and Changes
(a) The Borrower will not amend or otherwise modify its Organization Documents or the Custody
Agreement, in each case in any way which would adversely affect the rights or remedies of the Bank
under the Loan Documents.
(b) The Borrower will not change its fiscal year if such change would have a Material Adverse
Effect. Subject to Section 1.3, the Borrower will not change or permit
34
any change in the accounting principles applied to it, except as required by Applicable
Accounting Principles, if such change would have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 7.7 Financial Covenants |
(a) The Borrower will not permit the Adjusted Asset Coverage to be less than 4.00:1.00 at any
time.
(b) The Borrower shall not permit the Maximum Permitted Borrowing to be exceeded at any time.
(c) The Borrower shall not permit the Borrower’s assets minus the Borrower’s liabilities to be
less than $465,000,000 at any time.
(d) The Borrower shall not permit the Funding Obligation Amount to exceed the Funding Reserve
Amount at any time.
Section 7.8 Investment
(a) The Borrower will not purchase, acquire, or otherwise have exposure (including pursuant to
any Derivative Agreement) to, any Investment, other than Permitted Investments.
(b) The Borrower will not enter into or otherwise acquire or hold any Derivative except to
mitigate a risk to which the Borrower is subject.
(c) The Borrower will not purchase or otherwise acquire, or sell or otherwise dispose of, any
Investment if, immediately after giving effect thereto, an Investment Limitation Default would
occur.
(d) The Borrower will not allow an Investment Limitation Default to occur.
ARTICLE 8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Section 8.1 Events of Default
Each of the following shall constitute an “Event of Default”:
(a) any principal of any Loan shall not be paid when and as the same shall become due and
payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;
(b) any interest on any Loan or any fee, commission or any other amount (other than an amount
referred to in paragraph (a) of this Section 8.1) payable under any Loan Document shall not be paid
when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a
period of three Business Days;
35
(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower in or
in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder,
or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in
connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder,
shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made;
(d) the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement
contained in (i) Section 6.1(d) and such failure shall remain unremedied for a period of five days,
or (ii) Sections 6.1(e), 6.3, 6.8 or 6.9 or in Article 7;
(e) the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement
contained in this Credit Agreement (other than those specified in paragraphs (a), (b) or (d) of
this Section 8.1), and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after the
Borrower shall, or reasonably should, have obtained knowledge thereof;
(f) the Borrower shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and
regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness when and as the same shall become due
and payable (after giving effect to any applicable grace period);
(g) any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior
to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits the holder or holders of any such Material
Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any such Material Indebtedness
to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to
its scheduled maturity, provided that this paragraph (g) shall not apply to secured
Indebtedness that becomes due solely as a result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property
or assets securing such Indebtedness;
(h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed
seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of the Borrower, or the debts of
the Borrower, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any Federal, state or foreign
bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the
appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for
the Borrower or for a substantial part of the assets of the Borrower; and, in any such case, such
proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or
ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;
(i) the Borrower shall (i) voluntarily commence (directly or on its behalf) any proceeding or
file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or
foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii)
consent to (directly or on its behalf) the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and
appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in paragraph (h) of this Section 8.1,
(iii) apply for or consent to (in either case, directly or on its behalf) the appointment of a
receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or for
a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a
36
petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the
benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;
(j) the Borrower shall become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay
its debts as they become due;
(k) (1) the Investment Adviser shall fail to be Highland Capital Management, L.P., an
Affiliate thereof, or any other successor thereto agreed in writing by the Bank in its sole and
absolute discretion, (2) the custodian for all of the assets of the Borrower shall fail to be PFPC
Trust Company, an Affiliate thereof, or a Permitted Successor Custodian, (3) the sole administrator
for the Borrower shall fail to be Highland Capital Management, L.P., an Affiliate thereof, or other
successor thereto agreed in writing by the Bank in its sole and absolute discretion, or (4) the
independent auditors for the Borrower shall fail to be PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, or a Permitted
Successor Accounting Firm;
(l) one or more judgments for the payment of money (not paid or covered by insurance) in an
aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount shall be rendered against the Borrower and the
same shall remain undischarged for a period of 60 consecutive days during which execution shall not
be effectively stayed, vacated or bonded or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment
creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of the Borrower to enforce any such judgment;
(m) any Loan Document shall cease, for any reason other than pursuant to its terms, to be in
full force and effect, or with respect to the Borrower, the Borrower shall so assert in writing or
shall disavow any of its obligations thereunder;
(n) the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement
contained in any Security Document;
(o) except as a result of any sale or other transfer of any asset in accordance with the terms
of the Loan Documents, any Lien purported to be created under the Security Agreement shall cease to
be, or shall be asserted by the Borrower not to be, a valid and perfected Lien on any Collateral
(as defined in the Security Agreement), with the priority required by the applicable Security
Document; or
(p) the Borrower makes a Restricted Payment to the extent necessary to satisfy any Repurchase
Obligation required pursuant to its Fundamental Policies and immediately before or after giving
effect thereto an Event of Default shall or would exist, unless (i) the only such Event of
Default was caused solely by the Borrower’s failure to observe Section 7.8(d), and (ii) the
aggregate sum of all such Restricted Payments in respect of such Repurchase Obligation did not
exceed 5% of Total Net Assets.
Section 8.2 Remedies
If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing then, and in every such event (other
than an event described in paragraph (h) or (i) of Section 8.1), and at any time thereafter during
the continuance of such event, the Bank may, by notice to the Borrower, take either or both of the
following actions, at the same or different times: (a) declare the
37
Commitment terminated, and thereupon the Commitment shall terminate immediately and/or (b)
declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any
principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable),
and thereupon the principal of such Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued
and unpaid interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued and unpaid
under the Loan Documents, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand,
protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower; and in the
case of any event described in paragraph (h) or (i) of Section 8.1, the Commitment shall
automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued
interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued and unpaid under the
Loan Documents, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or
other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.
ARTICLE 9. MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.1 Notices
Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by
telephone, all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall
be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent
by telecopy, as follows:
(a) if to the Borrower, to it at 00000 Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000, Attention
of Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, (Telephone No. (000) 000-0000; Telecopy No. (000) 000-0000), with a copy to
Ropes & Xxxx LLP, at Xxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000, Attention of Xxxxx
XxXxx, (Telephone No. (000) 000-0000; Telecopy No. (000) 000-0000); or
(b) if to the Bank, to it at Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx
00000, Attention of Xxxx Morale, (Telephone No. (000) 000-0000; Telecopy No. (000) 000-0000); with
a copy to 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx X0X0X0, Attention: Xxxxx Xxxxx (Telephone:
(000) 000-0000; Facsimile: (000) 000-0000).
Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications
hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices and other communications given to any
party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Credit Agreement shall be deemed to have
been given on the date of receipt.
Section 9.2 Waivers; Amendments |
(a) No failure or delay by the Bank in exercising any right or power under any Loan Document
shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or
power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any
other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and
remedies of the Bank under the Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or
remedies that the Bank would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of any Loan Document or
consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom
38
shall in any event be effective unless the Bank shall have consented thereto in writing, and
then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose
for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan shall not
be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Bank may have had notice or
knowledge of such Default at the time.
(b) Neither this Credit Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified
except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Bank.
Section 9.3 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver
(a) The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Bank and
its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Bank,
in connection with the preparation, negotiation, closing and administration of this Credit
Agreement or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions of any Loan Document
(whether or not the transactions contemplated thereby shall be consummated) and (ii) all
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Bank, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any
counsel for the Bank, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights against the
Borrower in connection with the Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or in
connection with the Loans made hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during
any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans.
(b) The Borrower shall indemnify the Bank and each Related Party thereof (each such Person
being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from all losses,
claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (collectively, “Losses”), including the
reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or
asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery by
the Borrower of any Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the
performance by the Borrower of its obligations under the Loan Documents or the consummation of the
Transactions or any other transactions contemplated thereby, (ii) any Loan or the use of the
proceeds thereof, or (iii) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding
relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory and
regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto. Subject to Section 9.3(c), nothing herein
contained shall prevent or prohibit the Borrower from bringing any action against the Bank to
recover any Losses suffered by the Borrower to the extent caused by the Bank’s failure to exercise
due care in the performance of its obligations under the Loan Documents. The parties hereto
expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the
Bank (as found by a final and nonappealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction), the
Bank shall be deemed to have exercised due care.
(c) To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower shall not assert, and hereby
waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect,
consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in
connection with, or as a result of, any Loan Document or any agreement,
39
instrument or other document contemplated thereby, the Transactions or any Loan or the use of
the proceeds thereof.
(d) All amounts due under this Section shall be payable promptly but in no event later than 10
days after written demand therefor.
Section 9.4 Successors and Assigns
The provisions of this Credit Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that (a) the
Borrower shall not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without
the prior written consent of the Bank (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower
without such consent shall be null and void) , (b) the Bank shall not assign or otherwise transfer
any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Borrower, such
consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, and (c) in the event of any assignment
hereunder, such assignment shall not be effective unless and until such assignment is recorded in
the Register. Nothing in this Credit Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer
upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted
hereby and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of the Bank) any legal
or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of any Loan Document. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary herein contained, the Bank may at any time pledge or assign a security
interest in all or any portion of its rights under the Loan Documents to secure obligations of the
Bank, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank;
provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release the Bank from any of its
obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for the Bank as a party hereto.
Section 9.5 Survival
All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower herein and in
the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Credit
Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall
survive the execution and delivery of this Credit Agreement and the making of any Loans, regardless
of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the
Bank may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the
time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the
principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under the
Loan Documents is outstanding and unpaid and so long as the Commitment has not expired or
terminated. The provisions of Sections 3.3, 3.7 and 9.3 shall survive and remain in full force and
effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the
Loans and the termination of the Commitment or the termination of this Credit Agreement or any
provision hereof.
Section 9.6 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness
This Credit Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on
different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which
40
when taken together shall constitute but one contract. This Credit Agreement and any separate
letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Bank constitute the entire contract among the
parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and
understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in
Section 5.1, this Credit Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the
Bank and when the Bank shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the
signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an
executed counterpart of this Credit Agreement by facsimile transmission shall be effective as
delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Credit Agreement.
Section 9.7 Severability
In the event any one or more of the provisions contained in this Credit Agreement should be
held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby (it
being understood that the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall
not in and of itself affect the validity of such provision in any other jurisdiction). The parties
shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable
provisions with valid provisions the legal and economic effect of which comes as close as possible
to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.
Section 9.8 Right of Setoff
If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Bank and its Affiliates are
hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable
law, to set-off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or
final) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by it to or for the credit or the
account of the Borrower against any of and all the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter
owing under this Credit Agreement held by it, irrespective of whether or not it shall have made any
demand under this Credit Agreement and although such obligations may be unmatured. The rights of
the Bank under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of
set-off) that it may have.
Section 9.9 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process
(a) THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF
THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE
APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.
(b) The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property,
to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any New York State court or Federal court of the United States
of America sitting in New York City, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or
proceeding arising out of or relating to the Loan Documents, or for recognition or enforcement of
any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that, to
the extent permitted by applicable law, all claims in respect of
41
any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State court or, to
the extent permitted by applicable law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees
that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in
other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this
Credit Agreement shall affect any right that the Bank may otherwise have to bring any action or
proceeding relating to this Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents against the Borrower, or
any of its property, in the courts of any jurisdiction.
(c) The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may
legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of
venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Loan Documents in any
court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably
waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to
the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.
(d) Each party to this Credit Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the
manner provided for notices in Section 9.1. Nothing in this Credit Agreement will affect the right
of any party to this Credit Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
Section 9.10 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL
EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT
IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF,
UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO
REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT
SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND
(B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS CREDIT
AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
Section 9.11 Headings
Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of
reference only, are not part of this Credit Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or
be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Credit Agreement.
Section 9.12 Interest Rate Limitation
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable
to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts that are treated as interest on such
Loan under applicable law (collectively the “charges”), shall exceed the maximum lawful
rate (the “maximum rate”) that may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved
by the Bank in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect
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of such Loan, together with all of the charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to
the maximum rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and the charges that would have been
payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section
shall be cumulated, and the interest and the charges payable to the Bank in respect of other Loans
or periods shall be increased (but not above the maximum rate therefor) until such cumulated
amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Effective Funds Rate to the date of
repayment, shall have been received by the Bank.
Section 9.13 Non-Recourse |
The Bank hereby agrees for the benefit of each and every trustee, director, officer and record
owner of any outstanding shares of the Borrower and any successor, assignee, heir, estate,
executor, administrator or personal representative of any such trustee, director, officer and
record owner of any outstanding shares (a “Non-Recourse Person”) that (a) no Non-Recourse
Person shall have any personal liability for any obligation of the Borrower under any Loan Document
or other instrument or document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto; (b) no claim against any
Non-Recourse Person may be made for any obligation of the Borrower under any Loan Document or other
instrument or document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto, whether for the payment of principal
of, or interest on, the Loans or for any fees, expenses or other amounts payable by the Borrower
hereunder or thereunder; and (c) the obligations or liabilities of the Borrower under any Loan
Document or other instrument or document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto, are enforceable
solely against the Borrower and its properties and assets.
Section 9.14 Treatment of Certain Information
The Bank agrees to use reasonable precautions to keep confidential, in accordance with the
Bank’s customary procedures for handling confidential information of the same nature, all
non-public information supplied by the Borrower pursuant to this Credit Agreement which (a)(i) is
clearly identified by such Person as being confidential at the time the same is delivered to the
Bank, or (ii) constitutes any financial statement, list of investments or other assets, financial
projections or forecasts, budget, compliance certificate, audit report, draft press release,
management letter or accountants’ certification delivered hereunder, and (b) as of any date of
determination, was received by the Bank within the immediately preceding two year period
(“Information”), provided, however, that nothing herein shall limit the disclosure
of any such Information (i) to such of its respective Related Parties as need to know such
Information, (ii) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or
similar legal process, or requested by any bank regulatory authority, (iii) on a confidential
basis, to prospective lenders or their counsel, (iv) to auditors or accountants, and any analogous
counterpart thereof, (v) in connection with any litigation to which the Bank is a party, (vi) to
the extent such Information (A) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of
this Credit Agreement, (B) becomes available to the Bank on a non-confidential basis from a source
other than the Borrower, or (C) was available to the Bank on a non-confidential basis prior to its
disclosure to the Bank by the Borrower; and (vii) to the extent the Borrower shall have consented
to such disclosure in writing. The Bank agrees that it will not purchase or sell securities of the
Borrower for its own account while in possession of any Information. The Bank acknowledges that
Information furnished to it pursuant to this Credit Agreement may include material non-public
information concerning the Borrower, its Related Parties or the Borrower’s securities, and
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confirms that it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public
information and that it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with those
procedures and applicable law. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan
Document, no provision thereof shall (1) restrict the Bank from providing information to Federal
Reserve supervisory staff, (2) require or permit, without the prior approval of the Federal
Reserve, the Bank to disclose to the Borrower or any affiliate that any information will be or was
provided to Federal Reserve supervisory staff, or (3) require or permit, without the prior approval
of the Federal Reserve, the Bank to inform the Borrower or any affiliate of a current or upcoming
Federal Reserve examination or any nonpublic Federal Reserve supervisory initiative or action.
Section 9.15 USA Patriot Act Notice
The Bank hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, it
is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which
information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow the
Bank to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Patriot Act.
Section 9.16 Limitation on Liability
This Credit Agreement is executed on behalf of the Borrower by the Borrower’s officers as
officers and not individually and the obligations imposed upon the Borrower by this Credit
Agreement are not binding upon any member of the Board or any of the Borrower’s officers or
shareholders individually but are binding only upon the Borrower and it assets and property.
Section 9.17 Security
All of the obligations of the Borrower under the Loan Documents are secured by the Security
Documents.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Credit Agreement to be duly executed
by their respective authorized representatives as of the day and year first above written.
HIGHLAND FLOATING RATE ADVANTAGE FUND | ||||||
By: Name: |
/s/ Xxx Xxxxxxxxx
|
|||||
Title: | President & CEO |
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA | ||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||||
Name: | Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||||
Title: | Managing Director |