EXHIBIT 10.50
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PLEDGE AGREEMENT
from
TAL INTERNATIONAL CONTAINER CORPORATION,
as PLEDGOR
in favor of
NATIONAL CITY BANK, in its capacity as Collateral Agent,
as PLEDGEE
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Dated as of August 15, 2007
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Table of Contents
Page
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1. SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS.................................................2
2. DEFINITIONS..............................................................3
3. PLEDGE OF SECURITIES, ETC................................................6
3.1 Pledge.............................................................6
3.2 Procedures.........................................................9
3.3 Subsequently Acquired Collateral..................................10
3.4 Transfer Taxes....................................................11
3.5 Certain Representations and Warranties Regarding the Collateral...11
4. APPOINTMENT OF SUB-AGENTS; ENDORSEMENTS, ETC............................11
5. VOTING, ETC., WHILE NO DESIGNATED EVENT OF DEFAULT......................11
6. DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS.......................................12
7. REMEDIES IN CASE OF A DESIGNATED EVENT OF DEFAULT.......................12
8. REMEDIES, CUMULATIVE, ETC...............................................14
9. APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS.................................................14
10. PURCHASERS OF COLLATERAL................................................14
11. PLEDGEE NOT A PARTNER OR LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY MEMBER...............14
12. FURTHER ASSURANCES; POWER-OF-ATTORNEY...................................15
13. THE PLEDGEE AS COLLATERAL AGENT.........................................16
14. TRANSFER BY THE PLEDGOR.................................................16
15. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE PLEDGOR................16
16. PLEDGOR'S OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE, ETC.....................................18
17. SALE OF COLLATERAL WITHOUT REGISTRATION.................................18
18. TERMINATION; RELEASE....................................................19
19. NOTICES, ETC............................................................20
20. WAIVER; AMENDMENT.......................................................20
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21. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS..................................................20
22. HEADINGS DESCRIPTIVE....................................................20
23. GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; VENUE; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL..20
24. PLEDGOR'S DUTIES........................................................21
25. COUNTERPARTS............................................................21
26. SEVERABILITY............................................................22
27. RECOURSE................................................................22
ANNEX A - [NOT USED]
ANNEX B - SCHEDULE OF PLEDGED SUBSIDIARIES
ANNEX C - SCHEDULE OF PLEDGED STOCK
ANNEX D - SCHEDULE OF PLEDGED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS
ANNEX E - SCHEDULE OF PLEDGED PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
ANNEX F - SCHEDULE OF PLEDGED TRUST BENEFICIAL INTERESTS
ANNEX G - FORM OF AGREEMENT REGARDING UNCERTIFICATED SECURITIES, LIMITED
LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS AND PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
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PLEDGE AGREEMENT
PLEDGE AGREEMENT (as amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented
from time to time, this "Agreement"), dated as of August 15, 2007 is made by TAL
International Container Corporation, a Delaware corporation (together with its
successors and permitted assigns, the "Pledgor"), in favor of National City
Bank, as collateral agent for the benefit of the Lender Creditors (as defined
below) and as collateral agent for the benefit of all of the Secured Creditors
(as defined below) (in such capacities and (in either case) together with any
successor collateral agent, the "Pledgee"). Except as otherwise defined herein,
all capitalized terms used herein and defined in the Credit Agreement (as
defined below) shall be used herein as therein defined.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, The Pledgor, the lenders from time to time party thereto
(the "Lenders"), and National City Bank, as administrative agent (together with
any successor Administrative Agent, the "Administrative Agent"), have entered
into a Credit Agreement, dated as of August 15, 2007, providing for the making
of Loans to the Pledgor (the Lenders and the Administrative Agent are herein
called the "Lender Creditors") (as used herein, the term "Credit Agreement"
means the Credit Agreement described above in this paragraph, as the same may
from time to time be amended, modified, extended, renewed, replaced, restated,
supplemented and/or refinanced from time to time, and including any agreement
extending the maturity of, or refinancing or restructuring (including, but not
limited to, the inclusion of additional obligors or guarantors thereunder or any
increase in the amount borrowed) of all or any portion of, the Obligations under
such Credit Agreement);
WHEREAS, the Pledgor may at any time and from time to time enter
into one or more Hedging Agreements (each a "Applicable Hedging Agreement") with
one or more Hedge Counterparties;
WHEREAS, the Lender Creditors and the Hedge Counterparties are
collectively referred to herein as the "Secured Creditors";
WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to (i) the making of Loans to
the Pledgor under the Credit Agreement and (ii) the Hedge Counterparties
entering into Hedging Agreements, that the Pledgor shall have executed and
delivered to the Pledgee this Agreement;
WHEREAS, each Pledgor will obtain benefits from the incurrence of
Loans under the Credit Agreement and by entering Applicable Hedging Agreement
and, accordingly, desires to execute this Agreement in order to satisfy the
conditions described in the immediately preceding recital and to induce the
Lenders to make Loans to the Pledgor and for the Hedge Counterparties to enter
into Hedging Agreements with the Pledgor;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and other benefits
accruing to the Pledgor, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the Pledgor hereby makes the following representations and
warranties to the Pledgee for the benefit
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of the Secured Creditors and hereby covenants and agrees with the Pledgee for
the benefit of the Secured Creditors as follows:
1. SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS. This Agreement is made by the
Pledgor for the benefit of the Secured Creditors to secure:
(i) the full and prompt payment when due (whether at stated
maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of all obligations,
liabilities and indebtedness (including, without limitation,
principal, premium, interest (including, without limitation, all
interest that accrues after the commencement of any case, proceeding
or other action relating to the bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or similar proceeding of the Pledgor at the rate
provided for in the respective documentation, whether or not a claim
for post-petition interest is allowed in any such proceeding),
reimbursement obligations for fees, costs and indemnities) of the
Pledgor to the Lender Creditors, whether now existing or hereafter
incurred under, arising out of, or in connection with, the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the due performance and
compliance by the Pledgor with all of the terms, conditions and
agreements contained in the Credit Agreement and in the other Loan
Documents (all such obligations, liabilities and indebtedness under
this clause (i), except to the extent consisting of obligations or
indebtedness with respect to the Applicable Hedging Agreements being
herein collectively, called the "Loan Document Obligations");
(ii) the full and prompt payment when due (whether at stated
maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of all obligations,
liabilities and indebtedness (including, without limitation, all
interest that accrues after the commencement of any case, proceeding
or other action relating to the bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or similar proceeding of the Pledgor at the rate
provided for in the respective documentation, whether or not a claim
for post-petition interest is allowed in any such proceeding) owing
by the Pledgor to the Hedge Counterparties, whether now existing or
hereafter incurred under, arising out of or in connection with any
Applicable Hedging Agreement, whether such Applicable Hedging
Agreement is now in existence or hereinafter arising, and the due
performance and compliance by the Pledgor with all of the terms,
conditions and agreements contained in each such Applicable Hedging
Agreement (all such obligations, liabilities and indebtedness under
this clause (ii) being herein collectively called the "Hedging
Obligations");
(iii) any and all sums advanced by the Pledgee in order to
preserve the Collateral or preserve its security interest in the
Collateral; and
(iv) in the event of any proceeding for the collection or
enforcement of any indebtedness, obligations, or liabilities of the
Pledgor referred to in clauses (i) through (iii) above, after a
Designated Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
the reasonable expenses of retaking, holding, preparing for sale or
lease, selling or otherwise disposing of or realizing on the
Collateral, or of any
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exercise by the Pledgee of its rights hereunder, together with
reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs;
all such obligations, liabilities, indebtedness, sums and expenses set forth in
clauses (i) through (iv) of this Section 1 being herein collectively called the
"Obligations", it being acknowledged and agreed that the "Obligations" shall
include extensions of credit of the types described above, whether outstanding
on the date of this Agreement or extended from time to time after the date of
this Agreement.
2. DEFINITIONS. (a) Unless otherwise defined herein, all
capitalized terms used herein and defined in the Credit Agreement shall be used
herein as therein defined. Reference to singular terms shall include the plural
and vice versa.
(b) The following capitalized terms used herein shall have the
definitions specified below:
"Administrative Agent" shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals hereto.
"Adverse Claim" shall have the meaning given such term in Section
8-102(a)(1) of the UCC.
"Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the first paragraph
hereof.
"Certificated Security" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 8-102(a)(4) of the UCC.
"Clearing Corporation" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 8-102(a)(5) of the UCC.
"Collateral" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1 hereof.
"Credit Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals
hereto.
"Designated Event of Default" shall mean (i) any Designated Event of
Default under, and as defined in, the Credit Agreement, and (ii) any event of
default (or similar term) by an Assignor under, and as defined in, any
Applicable Hedging Agreement.
"Foreign Subsidiary" means any direct Subsidiary of the Pledgor
(other than TAL Advantage I LLC and any other Special Purpose Vehicle created in
connection with a Permitted Securitization) that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.
"Hedging Obligations" shall have the meaning provided in the
definition of "Obligations" in Section 1(ii) hereof.
"Indenture Trustee" shall mean the indenture trustee under the
Master Indenture Documents.
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"Investment Property" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 9-102(a)(49) of the UCC.
"Lender Creditors" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals
hereto.
"Lenders" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.
"Limited Liability Company Assets" shall mean all assets, whether
tangible or intangible and whether real, personal or mixed (including, without
limitation, all limited liability company capital and interest in other limited
liability companies), at any time owned by the Pledgor in respect of any Limited
Liability Company Interest.
"Limited Liability Company Interests" shall mean the entire limited
liability company membership interest at any time owned by the Pledgor in any
limited liability company which is a Pledged Entity.
"Loan Document Obligations" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 1(i) hereof.
"Location" of the Pledgor has the meaning given such term in Section
9-307 of the UCC.
"Material Foreign Subsidiary" shall mean, as of any date of
determination, any Foreign Subsidiary that, as of such date of determination,
shall hold Originally Pledged Assets with an aggregate Originally Pledged Asset
Value in excess of $15 million.
"Obligations" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1 hereof.
"Originally Pledged Asset" shall mean any specific asset or property
that (i) constituted Security Agreement Collateral as of the Effective Date and
(ii) was, following the Effective Date, contributed or otherwise transferred by
the Pledgor to any Foreign Subsidiary.
"Originally Pledged Asset Value" shall mean, with respect to any
Originally Pledged Asset, as of any date of determination, the Net Book Value of
such Originally Pledged Asset.
"Partnership Assets" shall mean all assets, whether tangible or
intangible and whether real, personal or mixed (including, without limitation,
all partnership capital and interest in other partnerships), at any time owned
by the Pledgor in respect of any Partnership Interest.
"Partnership Interest" shall mean the entire general partnership
interest or limited partnership interest at any time owned by the Pledgor in any
general partnership or limited partnership which is a Pledged Entity.
"Pledge Event Date" shall mean the first date on which the aggregate
Originally Pledged Asset Value of all Originally Pledged Assets then held by the
Foreign Subsidiaries as of such date shall exceed $50 million.
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"Pledged Entity" shall mean, from and after the occurrence of the
Pledge Event Date, each Material Foreign Subsidiary; provided, however, that the
term Pledged Entity shall not include TAL Advantage I LLC and any other Special
Purpose Vehicle created in connection with a Permitted Securitization. For the
avoidance of doubt, prior to the occurrence of the Pledge Event Date, there are
no Pledged Entities.
"Pledgee" shall have the meaning set forth in the first paragraph
hereof.
"Pledgor" shall have the meaning set forth in the first paragraph
hereof.
"Proceeds" shall have the meaning given such term in Section
9-102(a)(64) of the UCC.
"Registered Organization" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 9-102(a)(70) of the UCC.
"Secured Creditors" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals
hereto.
"Secured Debt Agreements" shall mean and include this Agreement, the
Credit Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents and any Applicable Hedging
Agreements.
"Securities Account" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 8-501(a) of the UCC.
"Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
as in effect from time to time.
"Securities Intermediary" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 8-102(14) of the UCC.
"Security" and "Securities" shall mean all Stock and all other
interests in Pledged Entities within the meaning given such term in Section
8-102(a)(15) of the UCC.
"Security Agreement Collateral" shall mean "Collateral" as such term
is defined in the Security Agreement.
"Security Entitlement" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 8-102(a)(17) of the UCC.
"Stock" shall mean all of the issued and outstanding shares of
Capital Stock of any Pledged Entity.
"Termination Date" shall have the meaning set forth in the Security
Agreement.
"Transmitting Utility" has the meaning given such term in Section
9-102(a)(80) of the UCC.
"Trust Assets" shall mean all assets, whether tangible or intangible
and whether real, personal or mixed (including, without limitation, all special
units of beneficial interest and
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other interests in any Trust), at any time owned by the Pledgor in respect of
any Trust Beneficial Interests.
"Trust Beneficial Interests" the entire beneficial interest at any
time owned by the Pledgor in any Trust which is a Pledged Entity.
"UCC" shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the
State of New York from time to time; provided that all references herein to
specific Sections or subsections of the UCC are references to such Sections or
subsections, as the case may be, of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in
the State of New York on the date hereof.
"Uncertificated Security" shall have the meaning given such term in
Section 8-102(a)(18) of the UCC.
"Voting Capital Stock" of any Person shall mean all classes of
Capital Stock of such Person entitled to vote.
3. PLEDGE OF SECURITIES, ETC.
3.1 Pledge. The Pledgor does hereby grant unto the Pledgee in its
capacity solely as collateral agent for the equal and ratable benefit of the
Secured Creditors, as security for the prompt payment and performance when due
of all Obligations, a continuing security interest in all of the right, title
and interest of the Pledgor in, to and under all of the following property (and
all rights therein) of the Pledgor, or in which or to which the Pledgor has any
rights, in each case whether now existing or hereafter from time to time
acquired:
(a) all Securities and all options and warrants from time to time
to purchase Securities (including, without limitation, those set forth on
Annex C hereto);
(b) all Limited Liability Company Interests (including, without
limitation, those set forth on Annex D hereto) and all of its right, title
and interest in each limited liability company to which each such Limited
Liability Company Interest relates, whether now existing or hereafter
acquired, including, without limitation, to the fullest extent permitted
under the terms and provisions of the documents and agreements governing
such Limited Liability Company Interests and applicable law:
(A) all its capital therein and its interest in all profits,
income, surpluses, losses, Limited Liability Company Assets and
other distributions to which the Pledgor shall at any time be
entitled in respect of such Limited Liability Company Interests;
(B) all other payments due or to become due to the Pledgor
in respect of Limited Liability Company Interests, whether under any
limited liability company agreement or otherwise, whether as
contractual obligations, damages, insurance proceeds or otherwise;
(C) all of its claims, rights, powers, privileges,
authority, options, security interests, liens and remedies, if any,
under any limited liability company
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agreement or operating agreement, or at law or otherwise in respect
of such Limited Liability Company Interests;
(D) all present and future claims, if any, of the Pledgor
against any such limited liability company in respect of such
Limited Liability Company Interests for monies loaned or advanced,
for services rendered or otherwise;
(E) all of the Pledgor's rights under any limited liability
company agreement or operating agreement or at law to exercise and
enforce every right, power, remedy, authority, option and privilege
of the Pledgor relating to such Limited Liability Company Interests,
including any power to terminate, cancel or modify any such limited
liability company agreement or operating agreement, to execute any
instruments and to take any and all other action on behalf of and in
the name of any of the Pledgor in respect of such Limited Liability
Company Interests and any such limited liability company, to make
determinations, to exercise any election (including, but not limited
to, election of remedies) or option or to give or receive any
notice, consent, amendment, waiver or approval, together with full
power and authority to demand, receive, enforce, collect or receipt
for any of the foregoing or for any Limited Liability Company Asset,
to enforce or execute any checks, or other instruments or orders, to
file any claims and to take any action in connection with any of the
foregoing; and
(F) all other property hereafter delivered in substitution
for or in addition to any of the foregoing, all certificates and
instruments representing or evidencing such other property and all
cash, securities, interest, dividends, rights and other property at
any time and from time to time received, receivable or otherwise
distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all thereof;
(c) all Partnership Interests (including, without limitation,
those set forth on Annex E hereto) and all of its right, title and
interest in each partnership to which each such Partnership Interest
relates, whether now existing or hereafter acquired, including, without
limitation, to the fullest extent permitted under the terms and provisions
of the documents and agreements governing such Partnership Interests and
applicable law:
(A) all its capital therein and its interest in all profits,
income, surpluses, losses, Partnership Assets and other
distributions to which the Pledgor shall at any time be entitled in
respect of such Partnership Interests;
(B) all other payments due or to become due to the Pledgor
in respect of Partnership Interests, whether under any partnership
agreement or otherwise, whether as contractual obligations, damages,
insurance proceeds or otherwise;
(C) all of its claims, rights, powers, privileges,
authority, options, security interests, liens and remedies, if any,
under any partnership agreement or operating agreement, or at law or
otherwise in respect of such Partnership Interests;
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(D) all present and future claims, if any, of the Pledgor
against any such partnership in respect of such Partnership
Interests for monies loaned or advanced, for services rendered or
otherwise;
(E) all of the Pledgor's rights under any partnership
agreement or operating agreement or at law to exercise and enforce
every right, power, remedy, authority, option and privilege of the
Pledgor relating to such Partnership Interests, including any power
to terminate, cancel or modify any partnership agreement or
operating agreement, to execute any instruments and to take any and
all other action on behalf of and in the name of the Pledgor in
respect of such Partnership Interests and any such partnership, to
make determinations, to exercise any election (including, but not
limited to, election of remedies) or option or to give or receive
any notice, consent, amendment, waiver or approval, together with
full power and authority to demand, receive, enforce, collect or
receipt for any of the foregoing or for any Partnership Asset, to
enforce or execute any checks, or other instruments or orders, to
file any claims and to take any action in connection with any of the
foregoing; and
(F) all other property hereafter delivered in substitution
for or in addition to any of the foregoing, all certificates and
instruments representing or evidencing such other property and all
cash, securities, interest, dividends, rights and other property at
any time and from time to time received, receivable or otherwise
distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all thereof; and
(d) all Trust Beneficial Interests (including, without limitation,
those set forth on Annex F hereto) and all of its right, title and
interest in each trust to which each such Trust Beneficial Interest
relates, whether now existing or hereafter acquired, including, without
limitation, to the fullest extent permitted under the terms and provisions
of the documents and agreements governing such Trust Beneficial Interests
and applicable law:
(A) all its capital therein and its interest in all profits,
income, surpluses, losses, Trust Assets and other distributions to
which the Pledgor shall at any time be entitled in respect of such
Trust Beneficial Interests;
(B) all other payments due or to become due to the Pledgor
in respect of Trust Beneficial Interests, whether under any trust
agreement or otherwise, whether as contractual obligations, damages,
insurance proceeds or otherwise;
(C) all of its claims, rights, powers, privileges,
authority, options, security interests, liens and remedies, if any,
under any trust agreement, or at law or otherwise in respect of such
Trust Beneficial Interests;
(D) all present and future claims, if any, of the Pledgor
against any such Trust in respect of such Trust Beneficial Interests
for monies loaned or advanced, for services rendered or otherwise;
(E) all of the Pledgor's rights under any trust agreement or
operating agreement or at law to exercise and enforce every right,
power, remedy, authority,
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option and privilege of the Pledgor relating to such Trust
Beneficial Interests, including any power to terminate, cancel or
modify any trust agreement, to execute any instruments and to take
any and all other action on behalf of and in the name of the Pledgor
in respect of such Trust Beneficial Interests and any such trust, to
make determinations, to exercise any election (including, but not
limited to, election of remedies) or option or to give or receive
any notice, consent, amendment, waiver or approval, together with
full power and authority to demand, receive, enforce, collect or
receipt for any of the foregoing or for any Trust Asset, to enforce
or execute any checks, or other instruments or orders, to file any
claims and to take any action in connection with any of the
foregoing; and
(F) all other property hereafter delivered in substitution
for or in addition to any of the foregoing, all certificates and
instruments representing or evidencing such other property and all
cash, securities, interest, dividends, rights and other property at
any time and from time to time received, receivable or otherwise
distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all thereof; and
(e) all Proceeds of any and all of the foregoing;
all of the foregoing, to the extent now existing or hereinafter from time to
time acquired, collectively the "Collateral". Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Collateral shall in no event include more than 65% of the total outstanding
Voting Capital Stock, Limited Liability Company Interests or the Partnership
Interests, as applicable, of any Pledged Entity.
3.2 Procedures. On the Pledge Event Date, and at any time
thereafter that the Pledgor owns, acquires or obtains any right, title or
interest in any Collateral, such Collateral shall automatically (and without the
taking of any action by the Pledgor) be pledged pursuant to Section 3.1 of this
Agreement and, in addition thereto, the Pledgor shall (to the extent provided
below) take the following actions as set forth below (as promptly as practicable
and, in any event, within 10 Business Days (or such longer period if consented
to by the Pledgee in writing in its sole discretion) after it obtains such
Collateral) for the benefit of the Pledgee and the other Secured Creditors:
(i) with respect to a Certificated Security (other than a
Certificated Security credited on the books of a Clearing
Corporation or Securities Intermediary), the Pledgor shall
physically deliver such Certificated Security to the Pledgee,
together with duly executed undated blank stock powers or other
equivalent instruments of transfer;
(ii) with respect to a Certificated Security, Uncertificated
Security, Partnership Interest or Limited Liability Company Interest
credited on the books of a Clearing Corporation or Securities
Intermediary (including a Federal Reserve Bank, Participants Trust
Company or The Depository Trust Company), the Pledgor shall promptly
notify the Pledgee thereof and, upon the Pledgee's request, shall
promptly (1) take all actions required to comply in all material
respects with the applicable rules of such Clearing Corporation or
Securities Intermediary, (2) use commercially reasonable efforts to
perfect the security interest of the
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Pledgee under applicable law (including, in any event, under
Sections 9-314(a), (b) and (c), 9-106 and 8-106(d) of the UCC) and
(y) take such other actions as the Pledgee reasonably deems
necessary or desirable to effect the foregoing; and
(iii) with respect to a Partnership Interest or a Limited
Liability Company Interest (other than a Partnership Interest or
Limited Liability Company Interest credited on the books of a
Clearing Corporation or Securities Intermediary), (1) if such
Partnership Interest or Limited Liability Company Interest is
represented by a certificate and is a Security for purposes of the
UCC, the procedure set forth in Section 3.2(a)(i) hereof shall apply
thereto, and (2) if such Partnership Interest or Limited Liability
Company Interest is not represented by a certificate and is a
Security for purposes of the UCC, the procedure set forth in Section
3.2(a)(ii) hereof shall apply thereto.
(b) In addition to the actions required to be taken pursuant to
Section 3.2(a) hereof, the Pledgor shall take the following additional
actions with respect to the Collateral:
(i) with respect to all Collateral of the Pledgor whereby or
with respect to which the Pledgee may obtain "control" thereof
within the meaning of Section 8-106 of the UCC (or under any
provision of the UCC as same may be amended or supplemented from
time to time, or under the laws of any relevant State other than the
State of New York), the Pledgor shall take all actions as may be
requested from time to time by the Pledgee so that "control" of such
Collateral is obtained and at all times held by the Pledgee; and
(ii) the Pledgor shall from time to time cause appropriate
financing statements (on appropriate forms) under the Uniform
Commercial Code as in effect in the various relevant States,
covering all Collateral hereunder (with the form of such financing
statements to be satisfactory to the Pledgee), to be filed in the
relevant filing offices so that at all times the Pledgee's security
interest in all Investment Property and other Collateral which can
be perfected by the filing of such financing statements (in each
case to the maximum extent perfection by filing may be obtained
under the laws of the relevant States, including, without
limitation, Section 9-312(a) of the UCC) is so perfected.
(c) The Pledgee in its sole capacity as collateral agent for the
benefit of the Secured Creditors with respect to the Obligations hereby
agrees and acknowledges that, to the extent that it has possession or will
have possession of any Collateral, it has acquired or will acquire
possession of Collateral and shall hold such Collateral on behalf of
itself as well as on behalf of the Secured Creditors, in accordance with
Sections 8-301(a)(2), 9-313(a) and 9-313(c) of the UCC.
3.3 Subsequently Acquired Collateral. If the Pledgor shall acquire
(by purchase, stock dividend, distribution or otherwise) any additional
Collateral at any time or from time to time after the date hereof, (i) such
Collateral shall automatically (and without any further action being required to
be taken) be subject to the pledge and security interests created pursuant
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to Section 3.1 hereof, (ii) the Pledgor will thereafter take (or cause to be
taken) all action (as promptly as practicable and, in any event, within 10
Business Days (or such longer period if consented to by the Pledgee in writing
in its sole discretion) after it obtains such Collateral) with respect to such
Collateral in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 3.2 hereof,
and (iii) will promptly thereafter deliver to the Pledgee (x) a certificate
executed by an authorized officer of the Pledgor describing such Collateral and
certifying that the same has been duly pledged in favor of the Pledgee (for the
benefit of the Secured Creditors) hereunder and (y) supplements to Annexes A
through G hereto as are necessary to cause such Annexes to be complete and
accurate at such time.
3.4 Transfer Taxes. Each pledge of Collateral under Section 3.1 or
Section 3.3 hereof shall be accompanied by any transfer tax stamps required in
connection with the pledge of such Collateral.
3.5 Certain Representations and Warranties Regarding the
Collateral. The Pledgor represents and warrants that on the date hereof: (i)
each Pledged Entity, and the direct ownership thereof, is listed in Annex B
hereto; (ii) the Stock (and any warrants or options to purchase Stock) pledged
hereunder held by the Pledgor in any Pledged Entity consists of the number and
type of shares of the stock (or warrants or options to purchase any stock) of
the corporation(s) as described in Annex C hereto; (iii) such Stock referenced
in clause (ii) of this paragraph constitutes that percentage of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of the issuing corporation as is set forth in Annex C
hereto; (iv) the Limited Liability Company Interests pledged hereunder held by
the Pledgor consist of the number and type of interests of the Person(s)
described in Annex D hereto; (v) each such Limited Liability Company Interest
referenced in clause (iv) of this paragraph constitutes that percentage of the
issued and outstanding Capital Stock of the issuing Person as set forth in Annex
D hereto; (vi) the Partnership Interests pledged hereunder held by the Pledgor
consist of the number and type of interests of the Person(s) described in Annex
E hereto; (vii) each such Partnership Interest referenced in clause (vi) of this
paragraph constitutes that percentage or portion of the entire partnership
interest of the Partnership as set forth in Annex E hereto; (viii) the Trust
Beneficial Interests pledged hereunder held by the Pledgor consist of the number
and type of interests of the Person(s) described in Annex F hereto; (ix) each
such Trust Beneficial Interest referenced in clause (viii) of this paragraph
constitutes that percentage or portion of the entire trust interest of any Trust
as set forth in Annex F hereto; and (x) the Pledgor has complied with the
respective procedure set forth in Section 3.2(a) hereof with respect to each
item of Collateral described in Annexes C through F hereto.
4. APPOINTMENT OF SUB-AGENTS; ENDORSEMENTS, ETC. The Pledgee
shall have the right to appoint one or more sub-agents for the purpose of
retaining physical possession of the Collateral, which may be held (in the
discretion of the Pledgee) in the name of the relevant Pledgor, endorsed or
assigned in blank or in favor of the Pledgee or any nominee or nominees of the
Pledgee or a sub-agent appointed by the Pledgee.
5. VOTING, ETC., WHILE NO DESIGNATED EVENT OF DEFAULT. Unless and
until there shall have occurred and be continuing any Designated Event of
Default, the Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and other
consensual rights pertaining to the Collateral owned by it, and to give
consents, waivers or ratifications in respect thereof;
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provided that, in each case, no vote shall be cast or any consent, waiver or
ratification given or any action taken or omitted to be taken which would
violate, result in a breach of any covenant contained in, or be inconsistent
with any of the terms of any Secured Debt Agreement, or which could reasonably
be expected to have the effect of materially impairing the value of the
Collateral or any part thereof or the position or interests of the Pledgee or
any other Secured Creditor in the Collateral, unless expressly permitted by the
terms of the Secured Debt Agreements. All such rights of the Pledgor to vote and
to give consents, waivers and ratifications shall cease in case a Designated
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and the Pledgee chooses to
exercise the rights granted to it pursuant to Section 7 hereof.
6. DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS. Unless and until there
shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default, all cash dividends,
cash distributions, cash Proceeds and other cash amounts payable in respect of
the Collateral shall be paid to the Pledgor. The Pledgee shall be entitled to
receive directly, and to retain as part of the Collateral:
(i) all other or additional stock, notes, certificates,
limited liability company interests, partnership interests,
instruments or other securities or property (including, but not
limited to, cash dividends other than as set forth above) paid or
distributed by way of dividend or otherwise in respect of the
Collateral;
(ii) all other or additional stock, notes, certificates,
limited liability company interests, partnership interests,
instruments or other securities or property (including, but not
limited to, cash (although such cash may be paid directly to the
Pledgor so long as no Event of Default then exists)) paid or
distributed in respect of the Collateral by way of stock-split,
spin-off, split-up, reclassification, combination of shares or
similar rearrangement; and
(iii) all other or additional stock, notes, certificates,
limited liability company interests, partnership interests,
instruments or other securities or property (including, but not
limited to, cash) which may be paid in respect of the Collateral by
reason of any consolidation, merger, exchange of stock, conveyance
of assets, liquidation or similar corporate or other reorganization.
Nothing contained in this Section 6 shall limit or restrict in any way the
Pledgee's right to receive the proceeds of the Collateral in any form in
accordance with Section 3 of this Agreement. All dividends, distributions or
other payments which are received by the Pledgor contrary to the provisions of
this Section 6 or Section 7 hereof shall be received in trust for the benefit of
the Pledgee, shall be segregated from other property or funds of the Pledgor and
shall be forthwith paid over to the Pledgee as Collateral in the same form as so
received (with any necessary endorsement).
7. REMEDIES IN CASE OF A DESIGNATED EVENT OF DEFAULT. (a) If
there shall have occurred and be continuing a Designated Event of Default, then
and in every such case, the Pledgee shall be entitled to exercise all of the
rights, powers and remedies (whether vested in it by this Agreement, any other
Secured Debt Agreement or by law) for the protection and enforcement of its
rights in respect of the Collateral, and the Pledgee shall be
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entitled to exercise all the rights and remedies of a secured party under the
UCC as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction and also shall be entitled,
without limitation, to exercise the following rights, which the Pledgor hereby
agrees to be commercially reasonable:
(i) to receive all amounts payable in respect of the
Collateral otherwise payable under Section 6 hereof to the Pledgor;
(ii) to transfer all or any part of the Collateral into the
Pledgee's name or the name of its nominee or nominees;
(iii) to vote (and exercise all rights and powers in respect
of voting) all or any part of the Collateral (whether or not
transferred into the name of the Pledgee) and give all consents,
waivers and ratifications in respect of the Collateral and otherwise
act with respect thereto as though it were the outright owner
thereof (the Pledgor hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing
the Pledgee the proxy and attorney-in-fact of the Pledgor, with full
power of substitution to do so);
(iv) at any time and from time to time to sell, assign and
deliver, or grant options to purchase, all or any part of the
Collateral, or any interest therein, at any public or private sale,
without demand of performance, advertisement or, notice of intention
to sell or of the time or place of sale or adjournment thereof or to
redeem or otherwise purchase or dispose (all of which are hereby
waived by the Pledgor), for cash, on credit or for other property,
for immediate or future delivery without any assumption of credit
risk, and for such price or prices and on such terms as the Pledgee
in its absolute discretion may determine, provided at least 10 days'
written notice of the time and place of any such sale shall be given
to the Pledgor. The Pledgee shall not be obligated to make any such
sale of Collateral regardless of whether any such notice of sale has
theretofore been given. The Pledgor hereby waives and releases to
the fullest extent permitted by law any right or equity of
redemption with respect to the Collateral, whether before or after
sale hereunder, and all rights, if any, of marshalling the
Collateral and any other security or the Obligations or otherwise.
At any such sale, unless prohibited by applicable law, the Pledgee
on behalf of the Secured Creditors may bid for and purchase all or
any part of the Collateral so sold free from any such right or
equity of redemption. Neither the Pledgee nor any other Secured
Creditor shall be liable for failure to collect or realize upon any
or all of the Collateral or for any delay in so doing nor shall any
of them be under any obligation to take any action whatsoever with
regard thereto; and
(v) to set off any and all Collateral against any and all
Obligations.
(b) If there shall have occurred and be continuing any Designated
Event of Default, then and in every such case, the Pledgee shall be
entitled to vote (and exercise all rights and powers in respect of voting)
all or any part of the Collateral (whether or not transferred into the
name of the Pledgee) and give all consents, waivers and ratifications in
respect of the Collateral and otherwise act with respect thereto as though
it were the
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outright owner thereof (the Pledgor hereby irrevocably constituting and
appointing the Pledgee the proxy and attorney-in-fact of the Pledgor, with
full power of substitution to do so).
8. REMEDIES, CUMULATIVE, ETC. Each and every right, power and
remedy of the Pledgee provided for in this Agreement or in any other Secured
Debt Agreement, or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute
shall be cumulative and concurrent and shall be in addition to every other such
right, power or remedy. The exercise or beginning of the exercise by the Pledgee
or any other Secured Creditor of any one or more of the rights, powers or
remedies provided for in this Agreement or any other Secured Debt Agreement or
now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute or otherwise shall
not preclude the simultaneous or later exercise by the Pledgee or any other
Secured Creditor of all such other rights, powers or remedies, and no failure or
delay on the part of the Pledgee or any other Secured Creditor to exercise any
such right, power or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof. Notice to or
demand on the Pledgor in any case shall entitle it to any other or further
notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of any
of the rights of the Pledgee or any other Secured Creditor to any other or
further action in any circumstances without notice or demand.
9. APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS. (a) All monies collected by the
Pledgee upon any sale or other disposition of any Collateral pursuant to the
enforcement of this Agreement or the exercise of any of the remedial provisions
hereof, together with all monies received by the Pledgee hereunder in respect of
the Collateral (including all monies received in respect of post-petition
interest) as a result of any such enforcement or the exercise of any such
remedial provisions or as a result of any distribution of any Collateral upon
the bankruptcy, arrangement, receivership, assignment for the benefit of
creditors or any other action or proceeding involving the readjustment of the
obligations and indebtedness of the Pledgor, or the application of any
Collateral to the payment thereof or any distribution of Collateral upon the
liquidation or dissolution of the Pledgor, or the winding up of the assets or
business of the Pledgor or under any insurance policies insuring any of the
Collateral, shall be applied in the manner provided in the Security Agreement.
(b) It is understood and agreed that the Pledgor shall remain
liable with respect to its Obligations to the extent of any deficiency
between the amount of the proceeds of the Collateral pledged by it
hereunder and the aggregate amount of such Obligations.
10. PURCHASERS OF COLLATERAL. Upon any sale of the Collateral by
the Pledgee hereunder (whether by virtue of the power of sale herein granted,
pursuant to judicial process or otherwise), the receipt of the Pledgee or the
officer making such sale shall be a sufficient discharge to the purchaser or
purchasers of the Collateral so sold, and such purchaser or purchasers shall not
be obligated to see to the application of any part of the purchase money paid
over to the Pledgee or such officer or be answerable in any way for the
misapplication or nonapplication thereof.
11. PLEDGEE NOT A PARTNER OR LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY MEMBER. (a)
Nothing herein shall be construed to make the Pledgee or any other Secured
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Creditor liable as a member of any limited liability company or as a partner of
any partnership and neither the Pledgee nor any other Secured Creditor by virtue
of this Agreement or otherwise (except as referred to in the following sentence)
shall have any of the duties, obligations or liabilities of a member of any
limited liability company or as a partner in any partnership. The parties hereto
expressly agree that, unless the Pledgee shall become the absolute owner of
Collateral consisting of a Limited Liability Company Interest or a Partnership
Interest pursuant hereto, this Agreement shall not be construed as creating a
partnership or joint venture among the Pledgee, any other Secured Creditor, the
Pledgor and/or any other Person.
(b) Except as provided in the last sentence of paragraph (a) of
this Section 11, the Pledgee, by accepting this Agreement, did not intend
to become a member of any limited liability company or a partner of any
partnership or otherwise be deemed to be a co-venturer with respect to the
Pledgor, any limited liability company, partnership and/or any other
Person either before or after an Event of Default shall have occurred. The
Pledgee shall have only those powers set forth herein and the Secured
Creditors shall assume none of the duties, obligations or liabilities of a
member of any limited liability company or as a partner of any partnership
or the Pledgor except as provided in the last sentence of paragraph (a) of
this Section 11.
(c) The Pledgee and the other Secured Creditors shall not be
obligated to perform or discharge any obligation of the Pledgor as a
result of the pledge hereby effected.
(d) The acceptance by the Pledgee of this Agreement, with all the
rights, powers, privileges and authority so created, shall not at any time
or in any event obligate the Pledgee or any other Secured Creditor to
appear in or defend any action or proceeding relating to the Collateral to
which it is not a party, or to take any action hereunder or thereunder, or
to expend any money or incur any expenses or perform or discharge any
obligation, duty or liability under the Collateral.
12. FURTHER ASSURANCES; POWER-OF-ATTORNEY. (a) The Pledgor agrees
that it will join with the Pledgee in executing and, at the Pledgor's own
expense, file and refile under the UCC or other applicable law such financing
statements, continuation statements and other documents, in form reasonably
acceptable to the Pledgee, in such offices as the Pledgee may reasonably deem
necessary or appropriate and wherever required or permitted by law in order to
perfect and preserve the Pledgee's security interest in the Collateral hereunder
and hereby authorizes the Pledgee to file financing statements and amendments
thereto relative to all or any part of the Collateral (including, without
limitation, financing statements which list the Collateral specifically and/or
"all assets" as collateral) without the signature of the Pledgor where permitted
by law, and agrees to do such further acts and things and to execute and deliver
to the Pledgee such additional conveyances, assignments, agreements and
instruments (including updated Annexes hereto, when applicable) as the Pledgee
may reasonably require or deem advisable to carry into effect the purposes of
this Agreement or to further assure and confirm unto the Pledgee its rights,
powers and remedies hereunder or thereunder.
(b) The Pledgor hereby constitutes and appoints the Pledgee its
true and lawful attorney-in-fact, irrevocably, with full authority in the
place and stead of the
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Pledgor and in the name of the Pledgor or otherwise, from time to time
after the occurrence and during the continuance of a Designated Event of
Default, in the Pledgee's discretion, to act, require, demand, receive and
give acquittance for any and all monies and claims for monies due or to
become due to the Pledgor under or arising out of the Collateral, to
endorse any checks or other instruments or orders in connection therewith
and to file any claims or take any action or institute any proceedings and
to execute any instrument which the Pledgee may deem necessary or
advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, which appointment
as attorney is coupled with an interest.
13. THE PLEDGEE AS COLLATERAL AGENT. The Pledgee will hold in
accordance with this Agreement all items of the Collateral at any time received
under this Agreement. It is expressly understood, acknowledged and agreed by
each Secured Creditor that by accepting the benefits of this Agreement each such
Secured Creditor acknowledges and agrees that the obligations of the Pledgee as
holder of the Collateral and interests therein and with respect to the
disposition thereof, and otherwise under this Agreement, are only those
expressly set forth in this Agreement and in Section 14 of the Credit Agreement.
The Pledgee shall act hereunder on the terms and conditions set forth herein, in
Section 14 of the Credit Agreement.
14. TRANSFER BY THE PLEDGOR. Except as permitted pursuant to the
Secured Debt Agreements, the Pledgor will not sell or otherwise dispose of,
grant any option with respect to, or mortgage, pledge or otherwise encumber any
of the Collateral or any interest therein.
15. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE PLEDGOR. (a)
The Pledgor represents, warrants and covenants that:
(i) it is the legal, beneficial and record owner of, and has
good and marketable title to, all of its Collateral consisting of
one or more Securities, Partnership Interests and Limited Liability
Company Interests and that it has sufficient interest in all of its
Collateral in which a security interest is purported to be created
hereunder for such security interest to attach (subject, in each
case, to no pledge, lien, mortgage, hypothecation, security
interest, charge, option, Adverse Claim or other encumbrance
whatsoever, except the liens and security interests created by this
Agreement);
(ii) it has full power, authority and legal right to pledge
all the Collateral pledged by it pursuant to this Agreement;
(iii) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Pledgor and constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Pledgor enforceable against the Pledgor in
accordance with its terms, except to the extent that the
enforceability hereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws
affecting creditors' rights generally and by general equitable
principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or
at law);
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(iv) except to the extent already obtained or made, no
consent of any other party (including, without limitation, any
stockholder, partner, member or creditor of the Pledgor or any of
its Subsidiaries) and no consent, license, permit, approval or
authorization of, exemption by, notice or report to, or
registration, filing or declaration with, any governmental authority
is required to be obtained by the Pledgor in connection with (a) the
execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by the Pledgor,
(b) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement against the
Pledgor (except as set forth in clause (iii) above), (c) the
perfection or enforceability of the Pledgee's security interest in
the Collateral or (d) except for compliance with or as may be
required by applicable laws, the exercise by the Pledgee of any of
its rights or remedies provided herein;
(v) all of the Collateral (consisting of Securities, Limited
Liability Company Interests and Partnership Interests) has been duly
and validly issued, is fully paid and non-assessable and is subject
to no options to purchase or similar rights;
(vi) the pledge, collateral assignment and delivery to the
Pledgee of the Collateral consisting of Certificated Securities
pursuant to this Agreement creates a valid and perfected first
priority security interest in such Certificated Securities, and the
proceeds thereof, subject to no prior Lien or encumbrance or to any
agreement purporting to grant to any third party a Lien or
encumbrance on the property or assets of the Pledgor which would
include the Securities (other than the liens and security interests
permitted under the Secured Debt Agreements then in effect) and the
Pledgee is entitled to all the rights, priorities and benefits
afforded by the UCC or other relevant law as enacted in any relevant
jurisdiction to perfect security interests in respect of such
Collateral; and
(vii) "control" (as defined in Section 8-106 of the UCC) has
been obtained by the Pledgee over all of the Collateral consisting
of Securities with respect to which such "control" may be obtained
pursuant to Section 8-106 of the UCC, except to the extent that the
obligation of the applicable Pledgor to provide the Pledgee with
"control" of such Collateral has not yet arisen under this
Agreement; provided that in the case of the Pledgee obtaining
"control" over Collateral consisting of a Security Entitlement, the
Pledgor shall have taken all steps in its control so that the
Pledgee obtains "control" over such Security Entitlement.
(b) The Pledgor covenants and agrees that it will defend the
Pledgee's right, title and security interest in and to the Collateral and
the proceeds thereof against the claims and demands of all persons
whomsoever; and the Pledgor covenants and agrees that it will have like
title to and right to pledge any other property at any time hereafter
pledged to the Pledgee by the Pledgor as Collateral hereunder and will
likewise defend the right thereto and security interest therein of the
Pledgee and the other Secured Creditors.
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(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the
Credit Agreement, the Pledgor covenants and agrees that in no event shall
the Pledgor enter into a control or similar agreement with respect to any
Uncertificated Security held by the Pledgor representing the Capital Stock
in any Pledged Entity of the Pledgor other than in favor of the Pledgee.
16. PLEDGOR'S OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE, ETC. The obligations of the
Pledgor under this Agreement shall be absolute and unconditional and shall
remain in full force and effect without regard to, and shall not be released,
suspended, discharged, terminated or otherwise affected by, any circumstance or
occurrence whatsoever (other than termination of this Agreement or release of
Collateral pursuant to Section 18 hereof), including, without limitation:
(a) any renewal, extension, amendment or modification of, or
addition or supplement to or deletion from any Secured Debt Agreement
(other than this Agreement in accordance with its terms), or any other
instrument or agreement referred to therein, or any assignment or transfer
of any thereof;
(b) any waiver, consent, extension, indulgence or other action or
inaction under or in respect of any such agreement or instrument
including, without limitation, this Agreement (other than a waiver,
consent, extension, indulgence or other action or inaction with respect to
this Agreement in accordance with its terms);
(c) any furnishing of any additional security to the Pledgee or
its assignee or any acceptance thereof or any release of any security by
the Pledgee or its assignee;
(d) any limitation on any party's liability or obligations under
any such instrument or agreement or any invalidity or unenforceability, in
whole or in part, of any such instrument or agreement or any term thereof;
or
(e) any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, composition,
adjustment, dissolution, liquidation or other like proceeding relating to
the Pledgor or any Subsidiary of the Pledgor, or any action taken with
respect to this Agreement by any trustee or receiver, or by any court, in
any such proceeding, whether or not the Pledgor shall have notice or
knowledge of any of the foregoing.
17. SALE OF COLLATERAL WITHOUT REGISTRATION. If at any time when
the Pledgee shall determine to exercise its right to sell all or any part of the
Collateral consisting of Securities, Limited Liability Company Interests or
Partnership Interests pursuant to Section 7 hereof, and such Collateral or the
part thereof to be sold shall not, for any reason whatsoever, be effectively
registered under the Securities Act, as then in effect, the Pledgee may, in its
sole and absolute discretion, sell such Collateral or part thereof by private
sale in such manner and under such circumstances as the Pledgee may deem
necessary or advisable in order that such sale may legally be effected without
such registration. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in any such
event the Pledgee, in its sole and absolute discretion (i) may proceed to make
such private sale notwithstanding that a registration statement for the purpose
of registering such Collateral or part thereof shall have been filed under such
Securities Act, (ii) may approach and negotiate with a single possible purchaser
to effect such sale, and (iii) may
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restrict such sale to a purchaser who will represent and agree that such
purchaser is purchasing for its own account, for investment, and not with a view
to the distribution or sale of such Collateral or part thereof. In the event of
any such sale, the Pledgee shall incur no responsibility or liability for
selling all or any part of the Collateral at a price which the Pledgee, in its
sole and absolute discretion, may in good xxxxx xxxx reasonable under the
circumstances, notwithstanding the possibility that a substantially higher price
might be realized if the sale were deferred until the registration as aforesaid.
18. TERMINATION; RELEASE. (a) On the Termination Date, this
Agreement shall terminate and the Pledgee, at the request and expense of the
Pledgor, will execute if necessary and deliver to the Pledgor a proper
instrument or instruments acknowledging the satisfaction and termination of this
Agreement (including, without limitation, UCC termination statements and
instruments of satisfaction, discharge and/or reconveyance), and will duly
release from the security interest created hereby and assign, transfer and
deliver to the Pledgor (without recourse and without any representation or
warranty) such of the Collateral as may be in the possession of the Pledgee and
as has not theretofore been sold or otherwise applied or released pursuant to
this Agreement, together with any moneys at the time held by the Pledgee or any
of its sub-agents hereunder and, with respect to any Collateral consisting of an
Uncertificated Security, a Partnership Interest or a Limited Liability Company
Interest (other than an Uncertificated Security, Partnership Interest or Limited
Liability Company Interest credited on the books of a Clearing Corporation or
Securities Intermediary), a termination of the agreement relating thereto
executed and delivered by the issuer of such Uncertificated Security pursuant to
Section 3.2(a)(ii) or by the respective partnership or limited liability company
pursuant to Section 3.2(a)(iv)(2).
(b) In the event that any part of the Collateral is sold or
otherwise disposed of (to a Person other than any of the Pledgor's
Affiliates) in connection with a sale or other disposition permitted by
the respective Secured Debt Agreements, the Pledgee will duly release from
the security interest created hereby (and, at the request, cost and
expense of the Pledgor, will execute and deliver such documentation,
including termination or partial release statements and the like in
connection therewith) and assign, transfer and deliver to the Pledgor
(without recourse and without any representation or warranty) such of the
Collateral as is then being (or has been) so sold or otherwise disposed
of, or released, and as may be in the possession of the Pledgee and has
not theretofore been released pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) At any time that the Pledgor desires that Collateral be
released as provided in the foregoing Section 18(a) or (b), it shall
deliver to the Pledgee (and the relevant sub-agent, if any, designated
pursuant to Section 4 hereof) a certificate signed by a Senior Designated
Officer of the Pledgor stating that the release of the respective
Collateral is permitted pursuant to Section 18(a) or (b) hereof.
(d) The Pledgee shall have no liability whatsoever to any other
Secured Creditor as the result of any release of Collateral by it in
accordance with (or which the Pledgee in the absence of gross negligence
and willful misconduct believes to be in accordance with) this Section 18.
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19. NOTICES, ETC. Except as otherwise specified herein, all
notices, requests, demands or other communications to or upon the respective
parties hereto shall be sent or delivered by mail, telegraph, telex, telecopy,
cable or courier service and all such notices and communications shall, when
mailed, telegraphed, telexed, telecopied, or cabled or sent by courier, be
effective when deposited in the mails, delivered to the telegraph company, cable
company or overnight courier, as the case may be, or sent by telex or
telecopier, except that notices and communications to the Pledgee or the Pledgor
shall not be effective until received by the Pledgee or the Pledgor, as the case
may be. All notices and other communications shall be in writing and addressed
as set forth in the Credit Agreement.
20. WAIVER; AMENDMENT. None of the terms and conditions of this
Agreement may be changed, waived, modified or varied in any manner whatsoever
except in accordance with the requirements specified in the Security Agreement.
21. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall create a
continuing security interest in the Collateral and shall (i) remain in full
force and effect, subject to release and/or termination as set forth in Section
18, (ii) be binding upon the Pledgor, its successors and assigns; provided,
however, that the Pledgor shall not assign any of its rights or obligations
hereunder without the prior written consent of the Pledgee, and (iii) inure,
together with the rights and remedies of the Pledgee hereunder, to the benefit
of the Pledgee, the other Secured Creditors and their respective successors,
transferees and assigns. All agreements, statements, representations and
warranties made by the Pledgor herein or in any certificate or other instrument
delivered by the Pledgor or on its behalf under this Agreement shall be
considered to have been relied upon by the Secured Creditors and shall survive
the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Secured Debt
Agreements regardless of any investigation made by the Secured Creditors or on
their behalf.
22. HEADINGS DESCRIPTIVE. The headings of the several Sections of
this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not in any way affect
the meaning or construction of any provision of this Agreement.
23. GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; VENUE; WAIVER OF
JURY TRIAL. (a) THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES
HEREUNDER SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND BE GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF
THE STATE OF NEW YORK. ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS
AGREEMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR OF THE UNITED
STATES FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, IN EACH CASE WHICH ARE LOCATED IN
THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, AND, BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE
PLEDGOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY,
GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID
COURTS. THE PLEDGOR HEREBY FURTHER IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH
COURTS LACK PERSONAL JURISDICTION OVER SUCH PLEDGOR, AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR
CLAIM IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT BROUGHT
IN ANY OF THE AFORESAID COURTS THAT ANY SUCH COURT LACKS PERSONAL JURISDICTION
OVER SUCH
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PLEDGOR. THE PLEDGOR FURTHER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OUT
OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE
MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO
ANY SUCH PLEDGOR AT ITS ADDRESS FOR NOTICES AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 19 ABOVE,
SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE 30 DAYS AFTER SUCH MAILING. THE PLEDGOR HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION TO SUCH SERVICE OF PROCESS AND FURTHER
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING
COMMENCED HEREUNDER OR UNDER ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT THAT SUCH SERVICE OF
PROCESS WAS IN ANY WAY INVALID OR INEFFECTIVE. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE
RIGHT OF THE PLEDGEE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, OR ANY SECURED CREDITOR, TO SERVE
PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR
OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST THE PLEDGOR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.
(b) THE PLEDGOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT
MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY OF THE AFORESAID
ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT
OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT BROUGHT IN THE COURTS REFERRED TO IN CLAUSE
(a) ABOVE AND HEREBY FURTHER IRREVOCABLY WAIVES AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR
CLAIM IN ANY SUCH COURT THAT ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY
SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.
(c) EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY
WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR
COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.
24. PLEDGOR'S DUTIES. It is expressly agreed, anything herein
contained to the contrary notwithstanding, that the Pledgor shall remain liable
to perform all of the obligations, if any, assumed by it with respect to the
Collateral and the Pledgee shall not have any obligations or liabilities with
respect to any Collateral by reason of or arising out of this Agreement, except
for the safekeeping of Collateral actually in the Pledgee's possession, nor
shall the Pledgee be required or obligated in any manner to perform or fulfill
any of the obligations of the Pledgor under or with respect to any Collateral.
25. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each
of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which
shall together constitute one and the same instrument. A set of counterparts
executed by all the parties hereto shall be lodged with the Pledgor and the
Pledgee. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement by facsimile or
by electronic means shall be equally effective as of the delivery of an
originally executed counterpart.
-21-
26. SEVERABILITY. Any provision of this Agreement which is
prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction,
be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without
invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or
unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render
unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
27. RECOURSE. This Agreement is made with full recourse to the
Pledgor and pursuant to and upon all the representations, warranties, covenants
and agreements on the part of the Pledgor contained herein and in the other
Secured Debt Agreements.
-22-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Pledgor and the Pledgee have caused this Pledge
Agreement to be executed by their duly elected officers duly authorized as of
the date first above written.
TAL INTERNATIONAL CONTAINER
CORPORATION, Pledgor
By: _______________________________
Name:
Title:
Accepted and Agreed to:
NATIONAL CITY BANK,
as Collateral Agent for the Secured Creditors
By: ___________________________
Name:
Title:
Annex A
Page 1
[NOT USED]
Annex B
Page 1
SCHEDULE OF PLEDGED SUBSIDIARIES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JURISDICTION OF
SUBSIDIARY NAME PERCENTAGE OWNERSHIP ORGANIZATION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NONE
Annex C
Page 1
SCHEDULE OF PLEDGED STOCK
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUB-CLAUSE OF
SECTION 3.2(a)
NAME OF ISSUING TYPE OF NUMBER OF CERTIFICATE PERCENTAGE OF PLEDGE
CORPORATION SHARES SHARES NO. OWNED AGREEMENT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NONE
Annex D
Page 1
SCHEDULE OF PLEDGED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS
NONE
Annex E
Page 1
SCHEDULE OF PLEDGED PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
NONE
Annex F
Page 1
SCHEDULE OF PLEDGED TRUST BENEFICIAL INTERESTS
Undivided Trust Interest Certificate, evidencing an exclusive undivided
interest in all Trust Assets other than SUBI Assets issued by TAL International
Titling Trust. Number UTI-1.
Annex G
Page 1
FORM OF AGREEMENT REGARDING UNCERTIFICATED SECURITIES,
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS AND PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
AGREEMENT (as amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented from
time to time, this "Agreement"), dated as of [_______ __, 20__], among TAL
International Container Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Pledgor"),
National City Bank, not in its individual capacity but solely as Collateral
Agent (the "Pledgee"), and [__________], as the issuer of the [Uncertificated
Securities] [Limited Liability Company Interests] [Partnership Interests] (as
defined below) (the "Issuer"). Except as otherwise defined herein, all
capitalized terms used herein and defined in the Pledge Agreement (as defined
below) shall be used as herein as therein defined.
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Pledgor and the Pledgee have entered into a Pledge
Agreement, dated as of August 15, 2007 (as amended, restated, modified and/or
supplemented from time to time, the "Pledge Agreement"), under which, among
other things, in order to secure the payment of the Obligations (as defined in
the Pledge Agreement), the Pledgor has or will pledge to the Pledgee for the
benefit of the Secured Creditors (as defined in the Pledge Agreement), and grant
a security interest in favor of the Pledgee for the benefit of the Secured
Creditors in, all of the right, title and interest of the Pledgor in and to any
and all ["uncertificated securities" (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(18) of the
Uniform Commercial Code, as adopted in the State of New York) ("Uncertificated
Securities")] [Partnership Interests (as defined in the Pledge Agreement)]
[Limited Liability Company Interests (as defined in the Pledge Agreement)], from
time to time issued by the Issuer, whether now existing or hereafter from time
to time acquired by the Pledgor (with all of such [Uncertificated Securities]
[Partnership Interests] [Limited Liability Company Interests] being herein
collectively called the "Issuer Pledged Interests"); and
WHEREAS, the Pledgor desires the Issuer to enter into this Agreement
in order to perfect the security interest of the Pledgee under the Pledge
Agreement in the Issuer Pledged Interests, to vest in the Pledgee control of the
Issuer Pledge Interests and to provide for the rights of the parties under this
Agreement;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
promises and agreements contained herein, and for other valuable consideration,
the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto
hereby agree as follows:
1. The Pledgor hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs the Issuer,
and the Issuer hereby agrees, to comply with any and all instructions and orders
originated by the Pledgee (and its successors and assigns) regarding any and all
of the Issuer Pledged Interests without the further consent by the registered
owner (including the Pledgor), and, following its receipt of a notice from the
Pledgee stating that the Pledgee is exercising exclusive control of the Issuer
Pledged Interests, not to comply with any instructions or orders regarding any
or all of the Issuer Pledged Interests originated by any person or entity other
than the Pledgee (and its successors and assigns) or a court of competent
jurisdiction; provided, however, until such time as the Issuer receives a notice
from the Pledgee stating that the Pledgee is exercising exclusive control of the
Annex G
Page 2
Issuer Pledged Interests, the Issuer may comply with any and all instructions
and orders originated by the Pledgor.
2. The Issuer hereby certifies that (i) no notice of any security
interest, lien or other encumbrance or claim affecting the Issuer Pledged
Interests (other than the security interest of the Pledgee) has been received by
it, and (ii) the security interest of the Pledgee in the Issuer Pledged
Interests has been registered in the books and records of the Issuer.
3. The Issuer hereby represents and warrants that (i) the pledge by the
Pledgor of, and the granting by the Pledgor of a security interest in, the
Issuer Pledged Interests to the Pledgee, for the benefit of the Secured
Creditors, does not violate the charter, by-laws, partnership agreement,
membership agreement or any other agreement governing the Issuer or the Issuer
Pledged Interests, and (ii) the Issuer Pledged Interests consisting of capital
stock of a corporation are fully paid and nonassessable.
4. All notices, statements of accounts, reports, prospectuses,
financial statements and other communications to be sent to the Pledgor by the
Issuer in respect of the Issuer will also be sent to the Pledgee at the
following address (or such other address as the Pledgee may notify the other
parties hereto in writing):
National City Bank
000 Xxxxxx Xxx., 0xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
5. Following its receipt of a notice from the Pledgee stating that the
Pledgee is exercising exclusive control of the Issuer Pledged Interests and
until the Pledgee shall have delivered written notice to the Issuer that all of
the Obligations have been paid in full and this Agreement is terminated, the
Issuer will send any and all redemptions, distributions, interest or other
payments in respect of the Issuer Pledged Interests from the Issuer for the
account of the Pledgee only by wire transfers to such account as the Pledgee
shall instruct.
6. Except as expressly provided otherwise in Sections 4 and 5, all
notices, instructions, orders and communications hereunder shall be sent or
delivered by mail, telegraph, telex, telecopy, cable or overnight courier
service and all such notices and communications shall, when mailed, telexed,
telecopied, cabled or sent by overnight courier, be effective when deposited in
the mails or delivered to overnight courier, prepaid and properly addressed for
delivery on such or the next Business Day, or sent by telex or telecopier,
except that notices and communications to the Pledgee or the Issuer shall not be
effective until received. All notices and other communications shall be in
writing and addressed as follows:
Annex G
Page 3
(a) if to the Pledgor, at c/o:
_________________
_________________
_________________
Attention: ____________
Telephone No.: ________
Telecopier No.: _______
(b) if to the Pledgee, at the address given in Section 4 hereof;
(c) if to the Issuer, at:
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
or at such other address as shall have been furnished in writing by any Person
described above to the party required to give notice hereunder. As used in this
Section 6, "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or other
day in which banks in New York are authorized to remain closed.
7. This Agreement shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of
the Pledgor and the Issuer and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable
by the Pledgee and its successors and assigns. This Agreement may be executed in
any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which
shall constitute one instrument. In the event that any provision of this
Agreement shall prove to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be
deemed to be severable from the other provisions of this Agreement which shall
remain binding on all parties hereto. None of the terms and conditions of this
Agreement may be changed, waived, modified or varied in any manner whatsoever
except in writing signed by the Pledgee, the Issuer and the Pledgor.
8. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the law of the State of New York.
Annex G
Page 4
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Pledgor, the Pledgee and the Issuer have caused
this Agreement to be executed by their duly elected officers duly authorized as
of the date first above written.
TAL INTERNATIONAL CONTAINER
CORPORATION, as Pledgor
By: _______________________________
Name:
Title:
NATIONAL CITY BANK,
not in its individual capacity
but solely as Collateral Agent
for the Secured Creditors
By: _______________________________
Name:
Title:
[________________________________],
as the Issuer
By: _______________________________
Name:
Title:
