VRDP SHARES PURCHASE AGREEMENT DATED AS OF JUNE 16, 2020 BETWEEN THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS TENDER AND PAYING AGENT AND THE TORONTO-DOMINION BANK, acting through its New York branch, AS LIQUIDITY PROVIDER BLACKROCK MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND III,...
EXHIBIT 99.6
|
VRDP SHARES PURCHASE AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF
JUNE 16, 0000 XXXXXXX
XXX XXXX XX XXX XXXX MELLON,
AS TENDER AND PAYING AGENT
AND
THE TORONTO-DOMINION BANK, acting through its New York branch,
AS LIQUIDITY PROVIDER
BLACKROCK MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND III, INC.
SERIES W-7
VARIABLE RATE DEMAND PREFERRED SHARES (“VRDP SHARES”)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS |
|
| 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 1.01 Definitions |
|
| 1 |
|
Section 1.02 Incorporation of Certain Definitions by Reference |
|
| 11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE II PURCHASE OBLIGATION |
|
| 11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 2.01 Commitment to Purchase VRDP Shares |
|
| 11 |
|
Section 2.02 Method of Purchasing |
|
| 12 |
|
Section 2.03 Extension of Scheduled Termination Date |
|
| 18 |
|
Section 2.04 Reduction of Available Commitment |
|
| 19 |
|
Section 2.05 Claw-Back Provision |
|
| 19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE TENDER AND PAYING AGENT |
|
| 20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 3.01 Existence; Binding Effect |
|
| 20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE LIQUIDITY PROVIDER |
|
| 20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 4.01 Existence |
|
| 20 |
|
Section 4.02 Authorization; Contravention |
|
| 20 |
|
Section 4.03 Binding Effect |
|
| 21 |
|
Section 4.04 Financial Information |
|
| 21 |
|
Section 4.05 Litigation |
|
| 21 |
|
Section 4.06 Consents |
|
| 21 |
|
Section 4.07 Ranking |
|
| 21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE V DUTIES OF THE TENDER AND PAYING AGENT |
|
| 22 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 5.01 Duties and Responsibilities |
|
| 22 |
|
Section 5.02 Rights of the Tender and Paying Agent |
|
| 22 |
|
Section 5.03 Tender and Paying Agent’s Disclaimer |
|
| 24 |
|
Section 5.04 Concerning the Securities Depository |
|
| 24 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE VI COVENANTS OF THE LIQUIDITY PROVIDER |
|
| 25 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 6.01 Fund Insolvency Event |
|
| 25 |
|
Section 6.02 Waiver |
|
| 25 |
|
Section 6.03 Notice of Extraordinary Corporate Event |
|
| 26 |
|
Section 6.04 Additional Information |
|
| 26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
ARTICLE VII MISCELLANEOUS |
|
| 26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 7.01 Resignation or Removal of the Tender and Paying Agent |
|
| 26 |
|
Section 7.02 Notices |
|
| 26 |
|
Section 7.03 No Waivers |
|
| 28 | |
Section 7.04 Amendments and Waivers |
|
| 28 |
|
Section 7.05 Successors and Assigns |
|
| 28 |
|
Section 7.06 Term of this Agreement |
|
| 28 |
|
Section 7.07 New York Law |
|
| 29 |
|
Section 7.08 Waiver of Jury Trial |
|
| 29 |
|
Section 7.09 Counterparts |
|
| 29 |
|
Section 7.10 Beneficiaries |
|
| 30 |
|
Section 7.11 Entire Agreement |
|
| 30 |
|
Section 7.12 Regulatory Matters |
|
| 30 |
|
Section 7.13 Severability |
|
| 30 |
|
Section 7.14 Articles and Section Headings |
|
| 30 |
|
Section 7.15 Nonpetition Covenant—Liquidity Provider |
|
| 30 |
|
Section 7.16 Nonpetition Covenant—Tender and Paying Agent |
|
| 31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Schedule I - Description of VRDP Shares; Remarketing Agent |
|
| S I-1 |
|
Schedule II |
|
| S II-1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit A - Notice of Purchase |
|
| Ex. B-1 |
|
Exhibit B - Mandatory Purchase Notice |
|
| Ex. A-1 |
|
Exhibit C - Notice of Tender |
|
| Ex. C-1 |
|
Exhibit D - Notice of Revocation |
|
| Ex. X-0 |
|
0 |
XXXX XXXXXX
XXXXXXXX AGREEMENT
VRDP SHARES PURCHASE AGREEMENT, dated as of June 16, 2020 between THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, a New York banking corporation, including its successors and assigns, as tender and paying agent (the “Tender and Paying Agent”) and THE TORONTO-DOMINION BANK, acting through its New York branch, including its successors and assigns, as liquidity provider (the “Liquidity Provider”).
WHEREAS, BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc., a closed-end investment company organized as a Maryland corporation (the “Fund”), has authorized the issuance to Holders (as defined below) of its Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares, as set forth on Schedule I hereto, which are subject to this Agreement (the “VRDP Shares”);
WHEREAS, the Fund wishes to replace the current liquidity provider of the VRDP Shares with the Liquidity Provider and maintain the liquidity of the VRDP Shares by providing for the right of the Holders and Beneficial Owners (as defined below) to tender VRDP Shares pursuant to the Statement (as defined below) and for the obligation of the Liquidity Provider to purchase VRDP Shares pursuant to the Purchase Obligation (as defined below);
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Tender and Paying Agent Agreement (as defined below), the Fund has retained the Tender and Paying Agent to perform certain duties with respect to the VRDP Shares, including entering into and performing its duties under this Agreement (as defined below); and
WHEREAS, the Statement provides that the Fund for the benefit of the Holders and Beneficial Owners of VRDP Shares shall (i) maintain an agreement providing a Purchase Obligation on an ongoing basis to the extent that the Fund can do so on a commercially reasonable basis, and (ii) provide Holders and Beneficial Owners with advance notice of any termination of the Purchase Obligation;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the respective agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01 Definitions.
The following terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:
“1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
“Agent Member” means a Person with an account at the Securities Depository that holds one or more VRDP Shares through the Securities Depository, directly or indirectly, for a Beneficial Owner and that will be authorized and instructed, directly or indirectly, by a Beneficial Owner to disclose information to the Remarketing Agent and the Tender and Paying Agent with respect to such Beneficial Owner.
4 |
“Agreement” means this VRDP Shares Purchase Agreement, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.
“Alternate VRDP Shares Purchase Agreement” means any agreement with a successor liquidity provider replacing this Agreement (or any replacement therefor) upon its termination in accordance with its terms and containing a Purchase Obligation substantially similar to the Purchase Obligation herein, as determined by the Fund.
“Available Commitment” as of any day means, with respect to the VRDP Shares, the sum of the aggregate Liquidation Preference of the VRDP Shares then Outstanding plus all accumulated but unpaid dividends, whether or not earned or declared on such VRDP Shares.
“Beneficial Owner” means a Person in whose name VRDP Shares are recorded as beneficial owner of such VRDP Shares by the Securities Depository, an Agent Member or other securities intermediary on the records of such Securities Depository, Agent Member or securities intermediary, as the case may be, or such Person’s subrogee, including the Liquidity Provider to the extent it is at any time such a beneficial owner of VRDP Shares (irrespective of any assignment or transfer by the Liquidity Provider of its voting rights).
“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Fund or any duly authorized committee thereof.
“Business Day” means a day other than a day (a) on which commercial banks in The City of New York, New York are required or authorized by law or executive order to close or (b) on which the New York Stock Exchange is closed.
“Charter” means the Articles of Incorporation of the Fund, and all amendments thereto, as filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of the State of Maryland.
“Closing Date” means June 16, 2020.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Conditional Acceptance” means a conditional acceptance by the Liquidity Provider of an extension of the Scheduled Termination Date.
“Deposit Securities” means, as of any date, any United States dollar-denominated security or other investment of a type described below that either (i) is a demand obligation payable to the holder thereof on any Business Day or (ii) has a maturity date, mandatory redemption date or mandatory payment date, on its face or at the option of the holder, preceding the relevant payment date in respect of which such security or other investment has been deposited or set aside as a Deposit Security:
5 |
(1) cash or any cash equivalent;
(2) any U.S. Government Security;
(3) any Municipal Obligation that has a credit rating from at least one (1) NRSRO that is the highest applicable rating generally ascribed by such NRSRO to Municipal Obligations as of the date of the Statement (or such rating’s future equivalent), including (A) any such Municipal Obligation that has been pre-refunded by the issuer thereof with the proceeds of such refunding having been irrevocably deposited in trust or escrow for the repayment thereof and (B) any such fixed or variable rate Municipal Obligation that qualifies as an eligible security under Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act;
(4) any investment in any money market fund registered under the 1940 Act that qualifies under Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, or similar investment vehicle described in Rule 12d1-1(b)(2) under the 1940 Act, that invests principally in Municipal Obligations or U.S. Government Securities or any combination thereof; or
(5) any letter of credit from a bank or other financial institution that has a credit rating from at least one (1) NRSRO that is the highest applicable rating generally ascribed by such NRSRO to bank deposits or short-term debt of banks or other financial institutions as of the date of the Statement (or such rating’s future equivalent).
“Dividend Payment Date” except as otherwise provided in the Statement, means the date that is the first (1st) Business Day of each calendar month.
“Effective Date” means 5:00 p.m. New York City time on June 24, 2020, which shall be the effective date of this Agreement.
“Effective Leverage Ratio” has the meaning set forth in the Fee Agreement.
“Effective Leverage Ratio Cure Period” has the meaning set forth in the Fee Agreement.
“Electronic Means” means email transmission, facsimile transmission or other similar electronic means of communication providing evidence of transmission (but excluding online communications systems covered by a separate agreement) acceptable to the sending party and the receiving party, in any case if operative as between the relevant two (2) parties, or, if not operative, by telephone (promptly confirmed by any other method set forth in this definition), which, in the case of notices to the Tender and Paying Agent, shall be sent by such means as set forth in the Tender and Paying Agent Agreement or as specified in the related notice.
“Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Extraordinary Corporate Event” means as to the Liquidity Provider, (i) the consolidation or amalgamation with, or merger with and into, or the transfer of all or substantially all of the Liquidity Provider’s assets to, another entity, or (ii) the dissolution, for any reason, of the Liquidity Provider other than in connection with the consolidation or amalgamation with, or merger with and into another entity, or the transfer of all or substantially all of the Liquidity Provider’s assets to another entity; provided, however, that with respect to (i) above, an Extraordinary Corporate Event does not include any of the listed occurrences where (x) the surviving entity, or transferee of all or substantially all of the Liquidity Provider’s assets, (a) assumes all of the obligations of the Liquidity Provider under the terms of this Agreement and (b) has short-term debt ratings in one of the two (2) highest rating categories from the Requisite NRSROs and (y) the Liquidity Provider has provided notice in writing to the Fund confirming the information described in (x) at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled date of the applicable listed occurrence in (i) above.
6 |
“Failed Remarketing Condition” means a Failed Remarketing Condition—Purchased VRDP Shares or a Failed Remarketing Condition—Unpurchased VRDP Shares.
“Failed Remarketing Condition—Purchased VRDP Shares” means that the Liquidity Provider acquires and continues to be the beneficial owner for federal income tax purposes of any VRDP Shares in connection with purchases made pursuant to the Purchase Obligation (whether as a result of an unsuccessful Remarketing or a Mandatory Purchase) on any Purchase Date including VRDP Shares that the Liquidity Provider continues to be the beneficial owner of for federal income tax purposes after the expiration or termination of this Agreement.
“Failed Remarketing Condition—Purchased VRDP Shares Redemption” means redemption by the Fund, at a redemption price equal to $100,000 per share plus accumulated but unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not earned or declared) to, but excluding, the date fixed by the Board for redemption, of VRDP Shares that the Liquidity Provider shall have acquired pursuant to the Purchase Obligation and continued to be the beneficial owner of for federal income tax purposes for a continuous period of six (6) months during which such VRDP Shares are tendered for Remarketing on each Business Day in accordance with the Related Documents but cannot be successfully remarketed pursuant to such Remarketings (i.e., a Failed Remarketing Condition—Purchased VRDP Shares shall have occurred and be continuing for such period of time with respect to such VRDP Shares), determined by the Fund on a first-in, first-out basis, in accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Fee Agreement and the Statement.
“Failed Remarketing Condition—Unpurchased VRDP Shares” means that a Beneficial Owner (other than the Liquidity Provider or its affiliates) continues to hold VRDP Shares, that were subject to a Tender in accordance with this Agreement, after any Purchase Date as a result of the failure by the Liquidity Provider for any reason to purchase such VRDP Shares pursuant to the Purchase Obligation (whether as a result of an unsuccessful Remarketing or a Mandatory Purchase) (“Unpurchased VRDP Shares”), until such time as all Outstanding Unpurchased VRDP Shares are (i) successfully remarketed pursuant to a Remarketing, (ii) purchased by the Liquidity Provider pursuant to the Purchase Obligation, or (iii) if not successfully remarketed pursuant to a Remarketing or purchased by the Liquidity Provider pursuant to the Purchase Obligation, the subject of a validly tendered Notice of Revocation (or any combination of the foregoing); and any Unpurchased VRDP Shares shall be deemed tendered for Remarketing until the earliest to occur of the foregoing events (i), (ii) or (iii) with respect to such Unpurchased VRDP Shares.
“Fee Agreement” means the VRDP Shares Fee Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2020, between the Fund and the Liquidity Provider, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, or any similar agreement with a successor liquidity provider.
“Final Notice of Purchase” means, in connection with an Optional Tender or a Mandatory Tender, a Notice of Purchase delivered by the Tender and Paying Agent to the Liquidity Provider (or directly to the Liquidity Provider by Beneficial Owners or their Agent Members, in the case of an Optional Tender, or Holders, in the case of a Mandatory Tender, if there is no Tender and Paying Agent or for any reason the Tender and Paying Agent does not perform its obligations) on the Purchase Date indicating the number of VRDP Shares to be purchased on such date pursuant to the Purchase Obligation, or, in connection with a Mandatory Purchase, the Mandatory Purchase Notice delivered by the Fund or the Tender and Paying Agent on behalf of the Fund.
7 |
“Fitch” means Fitch Ratings.
“Fund” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“Fund Insolvency Event” means that the Fund becomes a debtor under Title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code or becomes subject to insolvency or liquidation proceedings under any United States federal or state, or other applicable law.
“Global VRDP Shares” means the VRDP Shares issued in book-entry form, deposited with the Tender and Paying Agent on behalf of the Securities Depository and registered in the name of a nominee of the Securities Depository.
“Holder” means a Person in whose name a VRDP Share is registered in the registration books of the Fund maintained by the Tender and Paying Agent.
The word “including” means “including without limitation.”
“Investment Adviser” means BlackRock Advisors, LLC, or any successor company or entity.
“Liquidation Preference,” with respect to a given number of VRDP Shares, means $100,000 times that number.
“Liquidity Provider” has the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.
“Liquidity Provider Ratings Event” means the Liquidity Provider shall fail to maintain at any time short-term debt ratings in one of the two highest rating categories from the Requisite NRSROs.
“Liquidity Provider Ratings Event Termination Date” means the date established by the Tender and Paying Agent, acting upon instructions of the Fund pursuant to the Tender and Paying Agent Agreement, for termination of this Agreement upon the occurrence of a Liquidity Provider Ratings Event, which date shall be not less than sixteen (16) days nor more than thirty (30) days following the date on which such Liquidity Provider Ratings Event first occurs.
“Losses” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(o).
“Mandatory Purchase” means the mandatory purchase of Outstanding VRDP Shares by the Liquidity Provider pursuant to this Agreement in connection with a Mandatory Purchase Event.
“Mandatory Purchase Date” means the Purchase Date for a Mandatory Purchase determined in accordance with the Statement and this Agreement.
8 |
“Mandatory Purchase Event” means, (i) in connection with the termination of this Agreement due to its expiration as of a Scheduled Termination Date, by the fifteenth (15th) day prior to any such Scheduled Termination Date, (a) the Liquidity Provider shall not have agreed to an extension or further extension of the Scheduled Termination Date to a date not earlier than 364 days from the Scheduled Termination Date of this Agreement then in effect, and (b) the Fund shall not have obtained and delivered to the Tender and Paying Agent an Alternate VRDP Shares Purchase Agreement with a termination date not earlier than 364 days from the Scheduled Termination Date of this Agreement, or (ii) in connection with the termination of this Agreement due to a Liquidity Provider Ratings Event or Related Party Termination Event, by the fifteenth (15th) day prior to the Liquidity Provider Ratings Event Termination Date or Related Party Termination Date, as the case may be, the Fund shall not have obtained and delivered to the Tender and Paying Agent an Alternate VRDP Shares Purchase Agreement with a termination date not earlier than 364 days from the Liquidity Provider Ratings Event Termination Date or Related Party Termination Date, as the case may be, of this Agreement. The Mandatory Purchase Event shall be deemed to occur on such fifteenth (15th) day prior to any Scheduled Termination Date, Liquidity Provider Ratings Event Termination Date or Related Party Termination Date, as the case may be.
“Mandatory Purchase Notice” means, in connection with the Mandatory Purchase of VRDP Shares, a notice substantially in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit B, delivered by the Fund or the Tender and Paying Agent on behalf of the Fund to the Holders and the Liquidity Provider specifying a Mandatory Purchase Date.
“Mandatory Tender,” with respect to a Mandatory Tender Event, means the mandatory tender of all VRDP Shares by Holders for Remarketing, or, in the event (i) no Remarketing occurs on or before the Purchase Date or (ii) pursuant to an attempted Remarketing, VRDP Shares remain unsold and the Remarketing Agent does not purchase for its own account the unsold VRDP Shares tendered to the Tender and Paying Agent for Remarketing (provided, that the Remarketing Agent may seek to sell such VRDP Shares in a subsequent Remarketing prior to the Purchase Date), for purchase by the Liquidity Provider at the Purchase Price pursuant to Section 2 of Part II of the Statement and this Agreement.
“Mandatory Tender Event” means (a) each failure by the Fund to make a scheduled payment of dividends on a Dividend Payment Date; (b) the occurrence of a Liquidity Provider Ratings Event (which shall constitute a single Mandatory Tender Event upon the occurrence of such Liquidity Provider Ratings Event, whether or not continuing and whether or not such Liquidity Provider Ratings Event also results in a Mandatory Purchase Event; provided that, following restoration of the short-term debt ratings to the requisite level, a subsequent Liquidity Provider Ratings Event shall constitute a new Mandatory Tender Event); (c) in the event of a failure by the Fund to pay the Liquidity Provider the applicable fee when due in advance under the terms of the Fee Agreement by seven Business Days prior to the beginning of the month to which such payment relates, if the Liquidity Provider (in its sole discretion) thereafter provides written notice to the Fund that such failure to pay such fee constitutes a Mandatory Tender Event; (d) the eighth (8th) day prior to the scheduled date of the occurrence of an Extraordinary Corporate Event; (e) the Fund shall have obtained and delivered to the Tender and Paying Agent an Alternate VRDP Shares Purchase Agreement by the fifteenth (15th) day prior to the Scheduled Termination Date, Liquidity Provider Ratings Event Termination Date or Related Party Termination Date, as the case may be, of this Agreement; (f) the Fund shall have provided a Notice of Proposed Special Rate Period in accordance with the Statement; or (g) in the event of a breach by the Fund of its Effective Leverage Ratio covenant with the Liquidity Provider set forth in the Fee Agreement and the failure to cure such breach within sixty (60) days from the date of such breach (which 60-day period would include the Effective Leverage Ratio Cure Period), if the Liquidity Provider (in its sole discretion) thereafter provides written notice to the Fund and the Tender and Paying Agent that the failure to timely cure such breach constitutes a Mandatory Tender Event (subject to the Fund curing such breach prior to the delivery date of such notice from the Liquidity Provider).
9 |
“Mandatory Tender Notice” means, in connection with the Mandatory Tender of VRDP Shares, a notice, substantially in the form attached to the VRDP Shares Remarketing Agreement as Annex II, delivered by the Fund or the Tender and Paying Agent on behalf of the Fund to the Holders and the Liquidity Provider in accordance with this Agreement and specifying a Mandatory Tender Event and Purchase Date.
“Moody’s” means Xxxxx’x Investors Service, Inc.
“Municipal Obligations” means Municipal Bonds as defined under the caption “The Fund’s Investments” in the Offering Memorandum.
“Notice of Purchase” means, as the context requires, a Preliminary Notice of Purchase or a Final Notice of Purchase, in each case, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto.
“Notice of Redemption” has the meaning specified in paragraph (c) of Section 10 of Part I of the Statement.
“Notice of Revocation” means, in connection with the revocation by a Beneficial Owner or its Agent Member of its Notice of Tender, a notice, substantially in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit D and the Tender and Paying Agent Agreement as Exhibit C, delivered by a Beneficial Owner or its Agent Member to the Tender and Paying Agent indicating an intention to revoke the tender of some or all of the VRDP Shares for sale on a Purchase Date pursuant to Section 1 of Part II of the Statement.
“Notice of Tender” means, in connection with an Optional Tender, a notice, substantially in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit C and the Tender and Paying Agent Agreement as Exhibit A, delivered by a Beneficial Owner or its Agent Member to the Tender and Paying Agent indicating an intention to tender VRDP Shares for sale on a Purchase Date pursuant to Section 1 of Part II of the Statement.
“NRSRO” means a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act, that is not an “affiliated person” (as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the 0000 Xxx) of the Fund or the Liquidity Provider, including, at the date hereof, Moody’s, Fitch and S&P.
“Offering Memorandum” means the Offering Memorandum of the Fund relating to the offering and sale of the VRDP Shares, to be dated on or prior to the Effective Date, as amended, revised or supplemented from time to time, including in connection with any Remarketing, if applicable.
10 |
“Optional Tender” means any tender of VRDP Shares by a Beneficial Owner or its Agent Member to the Tender and Paying Agent, other than a Mandatory Tender, for Remarketing or, in the event (i) no Remarketing occurs on or before the Purchase Date, or (ii) pursuant to an attempted Remarketing, VRDP Shares remain unsold and the Remarketing Agent does not purchase for its own account the unsold VRDP Shares tendered to the Tender and Paying Agent for Remarketing (provided, that the Remarketing Agent may seek to sell such VRDP Shares in a subsequent Remarketing prior to the Purchase Date), for purchase by the Liquidity Provider pursuant to Section 2 of Part II of the Statement and this Agreement.
“Outstanding” means, as of any date with respect to the VRDP Shares, the number of VRDP Shares theretofore issued by the Fund except, without duplication, (i) any VRDP Shares theretofore cancelled or delivered to the Tender and Paying Agent for cancellation or redemption by the Fund, (ii) any VRDP Shares with respect to which the Fund has given a Notice of Redemption and irrevocably deposited with the Tender and Paying Agent sufficient Deposit Securities to redeem such VRDP Shares, pursuant to Section 10 of Part I of the Statement, (iii) any VRDP Shares as to which the Fund shall be a Beneficial Owner, and (iv) any VRDP Shares represented by any certificate in lieu of which a new certificate has been executed and delivered by the Fund; provided, however, with respect to clause (ii), any such VRDP Shares will be deemed to be Outstanding for purposes of this Agreement until redeemed by the Fund.
“Person” means and includes an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated association, a joint venture or other entity or a government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
“Preliminary Notice of Purchase” means a Notice of Purchase delivered by the Tender and Paying Agent to the Liquidity Provider (or directly to the Liquidity Provider by Beneficial Owners or their Agent Members if there is no Tender and Paying Agent or for any reason the Tender and Paying Agent does not perform its obligations) on the Business Day immediately preceding a Purchase Date indicating the number of VRDP Shares to be purchased on the Purchase Date pursuant to the Purchase Obligation.
“Purchase Date,” with respect to any purchase of VRDP Shares, means (i) in connection with an Optional Tender, the date specified in a Notice of Tender, which date shall be no earlier than the seventh (7th) day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) following delivery to the Tender and Paying Agent of the Notice of Tender, (ii) in connection with a Mandatory Tender, the date specified in the Mandatory Tender Notice (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day), subject to the immediately succeeding sentence below, or (iii) in connection with a Mandatory Purchase, the Mandatory Purchase Date specified in the Mandatory Purchase Notice (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day). The Purchase Date in respect of a Mandatory Tender Event shall be not later than seven (7) days following the date a Mandatory Tender Notice is sent to Holders by Electronic Means; provided, that: (A) the Purchase Date in connection with the failure of the Fund to pay the applicable fee to the Liquidity Provider may not be later than the last Business Day of the month such payment was due; (B) the Purchase Date in connection with the occurrence of an Extraordinary Corporate Event may not be later than the Business Day immediately preceding the occurrence of the Extraordinary Corporate Event (and, if no earlier Purchase Date is specified in a Mandatory Tender Notice with respect to such Extraordinary Corporate Event, the Business Day immediately preceding the occurrence of the Extraordinary Corporate Event shall be deemed to be the Purchase Date irrespective of the failure to have given or sent a Mandatory Tender Notice); (C) the Purchase Date in connection with the Fund obtaining an Alternate VRDP Shares Purchase Agreement may not be later than the Business Day immediately preceding the termination of this Agreement and the effective date of such Alternate VRDP Shares Purchase Agreement (which may not be later than the termination date of this Agreement); and (D) the Purchase Date in connection with a Notice of Proposed Special Rate Period may not be later than the first (1st) day of such proposed Special Rate Period.
11 |
“Purchase Obligation” means the unconditional and irrevocable obligation of the Liquidity Provider during the term and pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to purchase Outstanding VRDP Shares on any Purchase Date at the Purchase Price from Beneficial Owners, in the case of any Optional Tender, and Holders, in the case of any Mandatory Tender or any Mandatory Purchase, in each case following delivery of a Final Notice of Purchase with respect to such VRDP Shares.
“Purchase Price” means an amount equal to the Liquidation Preference of any VRDP Shares to be purchased on a Purchase Date, plus any accumulated but unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not earned or declared), if any, to, but excluding, the relevant Purchase Date.
“Purchased VRDP Shares” means all VRDP Shares purchased by the Liquidity Provider pursuant to Article II of this Agreement, so long as the Liquidity Provider continues to be the beneficial owner for federal income tax purposes of such VRDP Shares.
“Related Documents” means this Agreement, the Charter, the Statement, the VRDP Shares, the VRDP Shares Remarketing Agreement, the Fee Agreement and the Tender and Paying Agent Agreement.
“Related Party” means a related party for purposes of Section 267(b) or Section 707(b) of the Code, as such provisions may be amended from time to time.
“Related Party Termination Date” means the effective date of the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms following the occurrence of a Related Party Termination Event.
“Related Party Termination Event” means the Liquidity Provider becoming a Related Party of the Fund other than through the acquisition of VRDP Shares pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
“Remarketing” means the remarketing of VRDP Shares by the Remarketing Agent on behalf of the Beneficial Owners thereof pursuant to an Optional Tender or on behalf of the Holders thereof pursuant to a Mandatory Tender, as provided in the VRDP Shares Remarketing Agreement and the Statement.
“Remarketing Agent” means, with respect to the VRDP Shares, the Person or Persons designated as Remarketing Agent for the VRDP Shares with the prior written consent of the Liquidity Provider (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), initially as set forth in Schedule I hereto, and its or their permitted successors and assigns. The Liquidity Provider’s execution of this Agreement shall constitute its consent to the designation of the Remarketing Agent set forth in Schedule I.
12 |
“Remarketing Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(h).
“Requisite NRSROs” means (i) any two (2) NRSROs that have issued a rating with respect to a security or class of debt obligations of an issuer; or (ii) if only one (1) NRSRO has issued a rating with respect to such security or class of debt obligations of an issuer at the time a purchaser Acquires (as such term is defined from time to time in Rule 2a-7 under the 0000 Xxx) the security, that NRSRO.
“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, a Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business.
“Scheduled Termination Date” means July 9, 2021, or any succeeding date to which the term of this Agreement is extended pursuant to Section 2.03.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities Depository” means The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, and any substitute for or successor to such securities depository that shall maintain a book-entry system with respect to the VRDP Shares.
“Special Optional Tender Provisions” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(e).
“Special Rate Period” with respect to the VRDP Shares, has the meaning specified in paragraph (a) of Section 4 of Part I of the Statement.
“Statement” means the Articles Supplementary Establishing and Fixing the Rights and Preferences of the VRDP Shares, as amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions thereof, as applicable with respect to the Fund.
“Tender” means either a Mandatory Tender or an Optional Tender, as applicable.
“Tender and Paying Agent” means The Bank of New York Mellon or, with the prior written consent of the Liquidity Provider (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), any successor Person, which has entered into an agreement with the Fund to act in such capacity as the Fund’s tender agent, transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursing agent, paying agent, redemption price disbursing agent and calculation agent in connection with the payment of regularly scheduled dividends with respect to VRDP Shares.
“Tender and Paying Agent Agreement” means the amended and restated tender and paying agent agreement, dated as of June 16, 2020, by and between the Fund and the Tender and Paying Agent, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, or any similar agreement with a successor tender and paying agent.
“Termination Event” means a termination of this Agreement (a) on a Scheduled Termination Date, as such date may be extended pursuant to the terms hereof, (b) following written notice provided by the Tender and Paying Agent pursuant to Section 7.06(b) hereof following the occurrence of a Liquidity Provider Ratings Event at any time during the term hereof or (c) on a Related Party Termination Date.
13 |
“U.S. Government Securities” means direct obligations of the United States or of its agencies or instrumentalities that are entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States and that, other than United States Treasury Bills, provide for the periodic payment of interest and the full payment of principal at maturity or call for redemption.
“VRDP Shares” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“VRDP Shares Remarketing Agreement” means the VRDP Shares remarketing agreement, dated as of June 16, 2020, by and between the Fund and the Remarketing Agent, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, or any similar agreement with a successor remarketing agent.
“written” or “in writing” means any form of written communication, including communication by means of telex, telecopier or electronic mail.
Section 1.02 Incorporation of Certain Definitions by Reference.
Each capitalized term used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning provided therefor (including by incorporation by reference) in the Statement. Any day not referred to herein as a Business Day shall mean a calendar day.
ARTICLE II
PURCHASE OBLIGATION
Section 2.01 Commitment to Purchase VRDP Shares.
(a) The Liquidity Provider agrees, commencing on the Effective Date of this Agreement, to purchase at the Purchase Price any Outstanding VRDP Shares that are properly tendered in accordance with the Statement and this Agreement, including, without limitation to any other provision of this Agreement, on the Purchase Date for a Mandatory Tender in connection with the Fund obtaining an Alternate VRDP Shares Purchase Agreement and the Purchase Date for a Mandatory Purchase Event. The Liquidity Provider agrees that in no event shall amounts paid by it in respect of the Purchase Price be paid from funds or property of the Fund, including, without limitation, any funds derived from funds that the Fund may have on deposit with the Liquidity Provider. The obligation of the Liquidity Provider to purchase VRDP Shares pursuant to this Agreement shall run to the benefit of those beneficiaries identified in Section 7.10 and shall be unconditional and irrevocable in accordance with the provisions hereof, without regard to, without limitation, any failure of the representations, warranties, agreements or performance of the Tender and Paying Agent set forth herein or of the Fund set forth in the Fee Agreement or the termination of the obligations of the Remarketing Agent under Section 10 of the VRDP Shares Remarketing Agreement.
14 |
(b) The obligation of the Liquidity Provider hereunder to purchase VRDP Shares of any Holder or Beneficial Owner on any Purchase Date shall be unconditional upon delivery to the Liquidity Provider of a written Final Notice of Purchase from the Tender and Paying Agent by Electronic Means or, if there is no Tender and Paying Agent or for any reason the Tender and Paying Agent does not perform its obligations hereunder, from any Holder or Beneficial Owner; provided that, in the case of a Mandatory Purchase, the Final Notice of Purchase shall automatically be deemed given upon the Mandatory Purchase Notice being delivered to the Liquidity Provider in accordance herewith.
(c) In the case of an Optional Tender or a Mandatory Tender, the Liquidity Provider shall be obligated to purchase only those Outstanding VRDP Shares subject to a Final Notice of Purchase. In the case of a Mandatory Purchase, the Liquidity Provider shall be obligated to purchase all Outstanding VRDP Shares.
Section 2.02 Method of Purchasing.
(a) Pursuant to an Optional Tender, Beneficial Owners may elect to tender their VRDP Shares (in denominations equal to the Liquidation Preference) for purchase at the Purchase Price on the Purchase Date designated in the Notice of Tender (or if such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day) by a proper delivery of a Notice of Tender to the Tender and Paying Agent. Each Notice of Tender will be irrevocable (except as described below) and effective upon receipt by the Tender and Paying Agent and shall:
(i) be delivered by a Beneficial Owner, directly or through its Agent Member, by email transmission (or if email transmission shall be unavailable, by facsimile transmission), to the Tender and Paying Agent not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on any Business Day;
(ii) state the series and the aggregate number of VRDP Shares to be purchased, the CUSIP number of the VRDP Shares to be purchased and the Purchase Date and be in substantially the form of and contain such other information specified in Exhibit C to this Agreement; and
(iii) state that the tendering Beneficial Owner acknowledges that such Beneficial Owner is required to deliver the VRDP Shares that are the subject of a Notice of Tender (that has not been duly revoked as described below) on or before 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Purchase Date.
(b) Upon receipt of a Notice of Tender, the Tender and Paying Agent shall provide a copy of such notice to the Liquidity Provider and the Remarketing Agent (with a copy to the Fund) as promptly as practicable by Electronic Means, but no later than 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date of receipt or deemed receipt. Any Notice of Tender that is delivered to the Tender and Paying Agent by a Beneficial Owner or its Agent Member after 2:00 p.m., New York City time, shall be deemed to have been received by the Tender and Paying Agent on the next succeeding Business Day, and the Purchase Date shall be adjusted such that the Purchase Date shall be the Business Day next succeeding the date specified as the Purchase Date in the Notice of Tender. The Tender and Paying Agent’s determination as to whether a Notice of Tender has been properly delivered shall be conclusive and binding on a Beneficial Owner and its Agent Member.
15 |
(c) VRDP Shares are subject to Mandatory Tender upon the occurrence of a Mandatory Tender Event. So long as the VRDP Shares are in book-entry form and held through the Securities Depository, any Mandatory Tender will be effected automatically through the book-entry system of the Securities Depository, without any action required on the part of the Holders or Beneficial Owners.
(i) Promptly following the occurrence of a Mandatory Tender Event, and in any event within three (3) Business Days thereafter, the Fund, or the Tender and Paying Agent at the direction of the Fund (provided, that the Tender and Paying Agent may require up to two (2) Business Days prior notification by Electronic Means by the Fund), shall provide a Mandatory Tender Notice by Electronic Means to the Holders, the Remarketing Agent and the Liquidity Provider, specifying a Purchase Date for all Outstanding VRDP Shares. Any notice given in respect of a Mandatory Tender under the Statement shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holders receive such notice.
(ii) Upon the occurrence of a Mandatory Tender Event, all Outstanding VRDP Shares automatically shall be subject to Mandatory Tender and delivered to the Tender and Paying Agent for purchase on the designated Purchase Date by purchasers in the Remarketing in the event of a successful Remarketing or otherwise by the Liquidity Provider, including any VRDP Shares previously tendered pursuant to an Optional Tender for which the Purchase Date has not yet occurred. In the event that VRDP Shares are issued in certificated form outside the book-entry system of the Securities Depository and a Holder of VRDP Shares fails to deliver such VRDP Shares to which a Mandatory Tender relates on or prior to the Purchase Date, the Holder of such VRDP Shares shall not be entitled to any payment (including any accumulated but unpaid dividends thereon, whether or not earned or declared) other than the Purchase Price of such undelivered VRDP Shares as of the scheduled Purchase Date. Any such undelivered VRDP Shares shall be deemed to be delivered to the Tender and Paying Agent, and the Tender and Paying Agent shall place stop-transfer orders against the undelivered VRDP Shares. Any moneys held by the Tender and Paying Agent for the purchase of undelivered VRDP Shares shall be held in a separate account by the Tender and Paying Agent, shall not be invested, and shall be held for the exclusive benefit of the Holder of such undelivered VRDP Shares. The undelivered VRDP Shares shall be deemed to be no longer Outstanding (except as to entitlement to payment of the Purchase Price), and the Fund shall issue to the purchaser replacement VRDP Shares certificates in lieu of such undelivered VRDP Shares.
16 |
(d) A Beneficial Owner or its Agent Member that delivered a Notice of Tender in connection with an Optional Tender may deliver in writing by email transmission (or if email transmission shall be unavailable, by facsimile transmission) to the Tender and Paying Agent, not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on or prior to the Business Day immediately preceding the Purchase Date, a Notice of Revocation, a form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit D, to the effect that such Beneficial Owner wishes to revoke its election to tender some or all of the VRDP Shares that were specified in such Notice of Tender to be purchased. Any Notice of Revocation delivered to the Tender and Paying Agent shall be promptly delivered by Electronic Means by the Tender and Paying Agent to the Liquidity Provider and the Remarketing Agent (with a copy to the Fund) by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Business Day immediately preceding the relevant Purchase Date. The Remarketing Agent (following receipt of such Notice of Revocation) shall notify the Tender and Paying Agent and the Liquidity Provider of the number of VRDP Shares specified in such Notice of Revocation that are subject to an agreement of sale pursuant to a Remarketing by Electronic Means not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Business Day immediately preceding the Purchase Date. The Tender and Paying Agent shall contact the Remarketing Agent by Electronic Means by 1:45 p.m., New York City time, if such notification has not been received by such time. The Tender and Paying Agent shall deliver such notification to the Beneficial Owner or its Agent Member promptly following receipt from the Remarketing Agent, and in any event by 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Business Day immediately preceding the Purchase Date. Any such Notice of Revocation shall be effective (without further action on the part of the Beneficial Owner or its Agent Member) as a revocation of the Optional Tender of the number of VRDP Shares specified therein as being sought to be revoked, but (except as set forth below) only if and to the extent that the Remarketing Agent has not entered into an agreement to sell such VRDP Shares. A Notice of Revocation shall be effective as to the number of VRDP Shares specified therein as having been revoked less the number of such VRDP Shares in respect of which the Remarketing Agent has so notified the Tender and Paying Agent and the Liquidity Provider that it has entered into an agreement of sale. Notwithstanding the foregoing, tendered VRDP Shares, if any, that remain unsold on the related Purchase Date shall be allocated by the Remarketing Agent to each Notice of Revocation received in respect of VRDP Shares tendered for purchase on such Purchase Date and not already satisfied in the chronological order in which each such Notice of Revocation was received by the Tender and Paying Agent, and each such Notice of Revocation shall be effective only to the extent of such allocation and availability of unsold VRDP Shares.
(e) In connection with any Special Rate Period designated pursuant to the Statement, the Board, without the vote or consent of any Holder of VRDP Shares but with prior written consent of the Liquidity Provider, in the Notice of Special Rate Period relating to the VRDP Shares, as delivered to the Remarketing Agent and the Liquidity Provider, may provide for optional tender provisions relating solely to such Special Rate Period (“Special Optional Tender Provisions”) whereby the minimum number of days’ notice required for an Optional Tender may exceed seven (7) days as specified in the Special Optional Tender Provisions for such Special Rate Period.
(f) Pursuant to the Statement, the Fund has agreed in the Fee Agreement to use its best efforts to engage at all times a Remarketing Agent that is a nationally recognized securities dealer with experience in remarketing variable-rate securities whose appointment has been consented to in writing by the Liquidity Provider (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) to use its best efforts to find purchasers for all VRDP Shares properly tendered pursuant to a Tender.
17 |
(g) In connection with any attempted Remarketing, all tendered VRDP Shares shall be remarketed at the Purchase Price of such VRDP Shares. The calculation of the Purchase Price of the VRDP Shares that are remarketed or purchased by the Liquidity Provider shall be made by the Remarketing Agent in advance of such Remarketing or purchase and, together with the details of the aggregate number and Purchase Price of remarketed VRDP Shares and the aggregate number and Purchase Price of VRDP Shares to be purchased by the Liquidity Provider pursuant to the Purchase Obligation, shall be communicated by the Remarketing Agent to the Fund, the Liquidity Provider and the Tender and Paying Agent by Electronic Means by 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Business Day immediately preceding the Purchase Date, as described below. The proceeds of any sale of any remarketed VRDP Shares by the Remarketing Agent relating to tendered VRDP Shares will be used by the Tender and Paying Agent for the purchase of the tendered VRDP Shares at the Purchase Price, and the terms of the sale will provide for the wire transfer of such Purchase Price by the Remarketing Agent to be received by the Tender and Paying Agent no later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the related Purchase Date for payment to the Agent Member of the Beneficial Owner, in the case of an Optional Tender, or Holder, in the case of a Mandatory Tender, tendering VRDP Shares for sale through the Securities Depository in immediately available funds against delivery of the tendered VRDP Shares to the Tender and Paying Agent through the Securities Depository, the delivery of such VRDP Shares to the Tender and Paying Agent through the Securities Depository no later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the related Purchase Date, and the re-delivery of such VRDP Shares by means of “FREE” delivery through the Securities Depository to the Remarketing Agent for delivery to the purchaser’s Agent Member through the Securities Depository by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the related Purchase Date.
(h) By 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Business Day immediately preceding each Purchase Date, the Remarketing Agent shall deliver a notice to the Tender and Paying Agent and the Liquidity Provider (a “Remarketing Notice”), by Electronic Means, that sets forth the number of VRDP Shares, if any, that it successfully remarketed for purchase on such Purchase Date and the aggregate Purchase Price of such sold VRDP Shares and the number of VRDP Shares, if any, not successfully remarketed for purchase on such Purchase Date and the aggregate Purchase Price of such unsold VRDP Shares to be paid by the Liquidity Provider. If the Remarketing Notice states that the Remarketing Agent has not successfully remarketed all of the VRDP Shares to be purchased on such Purchase Date, the Tender and Paying Agent shall promptly, and in any event not later than 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on such Business Day, deliver by Electronic Means to the Liquidity Provider (with a copy to the Fund) a Preliminary Notice of Purchase that, subject to delivery of the Final Notice of Purchase on the Purchase Date described below, provides for the purchase by the Liquidity Provider of the number of such VRDP Shares that the Remarketing Agent stated in the Remarketing Notice as not having been successfully remarketed, including the aggregate Purchase Price of such VRDP Shares, as calculated by the Remarketing Agent. If the Remarketing Notice states that the Remarketing Agent has not successfully remarketed all of the VRDP Shares to be purchased on such Purchase Date (or if proceeds from a Remarketing of any tendered VRDP Shares have not been received for any reason by the Tender and Paying Agent by 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Purchase Date), the Tender and Paying Agent shall deliver by Electronic Means to the Liquidity Provider (with a copy to the Fund) by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on such Purchase Date a Final Notice of Purchase that states the number of VRDP Shares required to be purchased by the Liquidity Provider. For purposes of the Final Notice of Purchase, any tendered VRDP Shares for which proceeds from a Remarketing have not been received for any reason by the Tender and Paying Agent by 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Purchase Date (other than VRDP Shares owned by the Remarketing Agent or Liquidity Provider and tendered for Remarketing), shall be treated as not having been successfully remarketed and shall be required to be purchased by the Liquidity Provider. Except for manifest error, the payment obligation of the Liquidity Provider shall equal the Purchase Price of the VRDP Shares stated in the Final Notice of Purchase delivered to the Liquidity Provider, as being required to be purchased by the Liquidity Provider.
18 |
(i) The Liquidity Provider shall, no later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on a Purchase Date for any VRDP Shares, wire transfer the aggregate Purchase Price of all VRDP Shares in respect of which Final Notices of Purchase have been delivered to it for purchase on such date, as follows: (i) in the case of a Final Notice of Purchase delivered by the Tender and Paying Agent, by wire transfer, in immediately available funds, to the account of the Tender and Paying Agent specified by the Tender and Paying Agent in any such Final Notice of Purchase and (ii) in the case of a Final Notice of Purchase delivered by a Beneficial Owner or its Agent Member, in the case of an Optional Tender, or by a Holder, in the case of a Mandatory Tender, in the event there is no Tender and Paying Agent or for any reason the Tender and Paying Agent does not perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Liquidity Provider has received a Remarketing Notice that such VRDP Shares have not been the subject of an agreement of sale in a Remarketing and has received written notice from the Fund that there is no Tender and Paying Agent or that the Tender and Paying Agent does not intend to perform its obligations hereunder, by payment against delivery of the VRDP Shares that are the subject of any such Final Notice of Purchase, in each case above, through means of the Securities Depository in the case of Global VRDP Shares. The Fund is required pursuant to the Statement, in the event there is no Tender and Paying Agent or for any reason the Tender and Paying Agent does not perform its obligations under this Agreement, to (i) upon becoming aware thereof, promptly notify the Liquidity Provider, the Remarketing Agent and Holders by Electronic Means of such event and (ii) so long as such event is continuing, use its best efforts to direct the Remarketing Agent to forward, concurrently with the delivery thereof to the Liquidity Provider or as promptly as practicable thereafter, any Remarketing Notice to each Beneficial Owner or Holder tendering VRDP Shares that are the subject of such notice(s).
(j) Upon receipt by the Tender and Paying Agent from the Beneficial Owner or its Agent Member, in the case of an Optional Tender, or from the Holder, in the case of a Mandatory Tender, of tendered VRDP Shares and the payment by the Tender and Paying Agent to such Beneficial Owner or its Agent Member, or such Holder as the case may be, of the Purchase Price therefor on the applicable Purchase Date, the Tender and Paying Agent shall deliver to the Liquidity Provider, by means of “FREE” delivery through the system of the Securities Depository, VRDP Shares in satisfaction of the Liquidity Provider’s Purchase Obligation on such Purchase Date. Any funds paid by the Liquidity Provider and held in the account of the Tender and Paying Agent for the payment of the Purchase Price shall be held in trust (i) in the case of an Optional Tender, on the Purchase Date, for the benefit of the tendering Beneficial Owners or their Agent Members until the VRDP Shares are delivered by the tendering Beneficial Owners or their Agent Members and, after the Purchase Date, for the benefit of the Liquidity Provider, for payment of the Purchase Price upon delivery of the VRDP Shares or, with respect to VRDP Shares that are not delivered, for return to the Liquidity Provider upon its request and (ii) in the case of a Mandatory Tender, for the benefit of the tendering Holders until delivery of the VRDP Shares by the tendering Holders against payment therefor. Any funds paid by the Remarketing Agent and held in an account of the Tender and Paying Agent for the payment of the Purchase Price in connection with a Remarketing shall be held in trust (i) in the case of an Optional Tender, on the Purchase Date, for the benefit of the tendering Beneficial Owners or their Agent Members until the VRDP Shares are delivered by the tendering Beneficial Owners or their Agent Members and, after the Purchase Date, for the benefit of the Remarketing Agent on account of purchasers purchasing in a Remarketing or for the Remarketing Agent’s account to the extent it has advanced the Purchase Price of any VRDP Shares on behalf of one or more purchasers, as applicable, for payment of the Purchase Price upon delivery of the VRDP Shares or, with respect to VRDP Shares that are not delivered, for return to the Remarketing Agent on account of purchasers purchasing in a Remarketing or for the Remarketing Agent’s account to the extent it has advanced the Purchase Price of any VRDP Shares on behalf of one or more purchasers, as applicable, upon the Remarketing Agent’s request and (ii) in the case of a Mandatory Tender, for the benefit of the tendering Holders until delivery of the VRDP Shares by the tendering Holders against payment therefor. Upon receipt of VRDP Shares from the tendering Beneficial Owners or their Agent Members, in the case of an Optional Tender, or from the tendering Holders, in the case of a Mandatory Tender, by the Tender and Paying Agent, the Tender and Paying Agent shall pay, subject to receipt of the Purchase Price by the Tender and Paying Agent in the form of proceeds of a Remarketing from the Remarketing Agent, with respect to VRDP Shares remarketed by the Remarketing Agent, or in the form of payment pursuant to this Agreement from the Liquidity Provider, with respect to the VRDP Shares subject to purchase pursuant to the Purchase Obligation, the Purchase Price for such VRDP Shares to such tendering Beneficial Owner, Agent Member or Holder, as the case may be. In accordance with and subject to the foregoing, the Tender and Paying Agent shall effect any such payment on the applicable Purchase Date.
19 |
(k) Except as otherwise expressly provided for herein, the purchase and delivery of tendered Global VRDP Shares and their Remarketing will be accomplished in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Securities Depository.
(l) In the event of a Failed Remarketing Condition, of which the Tender and Paying Agent has received notice labeled “Notice of Failed Remarketing Condition” by Electronic Means from the Fund, the Tender and Paying Agent shall provide notice of such Failed Remarketing Condition within two (2) Business Days of receipt by the Tender and Paying Agent of such notice of such Failed Remarketing Condition, by Electronic Means (or by first class mail, postage prepaid, in the case where the VRDP Shares are in physical form outside the book-entry system of the Securities Depository), to the Holders (with a copy to the Fund).
(m) At any time that no Purchase Obligation is in effect (or with respect to a Remarketing of VRDP Shares held by the Liquidity Provider as to which any then effective Purchase Obligation by a successor liquidity provider is inapplicable), any VRDP Shares unsold in a Remarketing shall be returned to the tendering Beneficial Owners or their Agent Members, or the relevant tendering Holders, as the case may be, by the Tender and Paying Agent.
(n) VRDP Shares are subject to Mandatory Purchase by the Liquidity Provider upon the occurrence of a Mandatory Purchase Event. Promptly following the occurrence of a Mandatory Purchase Event, and in any event within three (3) Business Days thereafter, the Fund, or the Tender and Paying Agent at the direction of the Fund (provided, that the Tender and Paying Agent may require up to two (2) Business Days prior notification by Electronic Means by the Fund), shall provide a Mandatory Purchase Notice by Electronic Means to the Holders and the Liquidity Provider, specifying a Mandatory Purchase Date for all Outstanding VRDP Shares. The Mandatory Purchase Date shall not be later than seven (7) days following the date a Mandatory Purchase Notice is sent to Holders by Electronic Means, and in any event shall be not later than the Business Day immediately preceding the termination of this Agreement. Any notice given in respect of a Mandatory Purchase under the Statement shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holders receive such notice. Upon the occurrence of a Mandatory Purchase Event, all Outstanding VRDP Shares automatically shall be subject to Mandatory Purchase by the Liquidity Provider at the Purchase Price on the Mandatory Purchase Date, including any VRDP Shares tendered pursuant to an Optional Tender or Mandatory Tender for which the Purchase Date has not yet occurred. In the event that VRDP Shares are issued in certificated form outside the book-entry system of the Securities Depository and a Holder fails to deliver such VRDP Shares to which a Mandatory Purchase relates, on or prior to the Mandatory Purchase Date, the Holder of such VRDP Shares shall not be entitled to any payment (including any accumulated but unpaid dividends thereon, whether or not earned or declared) other than the Purchase Price of such undelivered VRDP Shares as of the scheduled Purchase Date. Any such undelivered VRDP Shares shall be deemed to be delivered to the Tender and Paying Agent, and the Tender and Paying Agent shall place stop-transfer orders against the undelivered VRDP Shares. Any moneys held by the Tender and Paying Agent for the purchase of undelivered VRDP Shares shall be held in a separate account, shall not be invested, and shall be held for the exclusive benefit of the Holder of such undelivered VRDP Shares. The undelivered VRDP Shares shall be deemed to be no longer Outstanding (except as to entitlement to payment of the Purchase Price), and the Fund will issue to the purchaser replacement VRDP Shares certificates in lieu of such undelivered VRDP Shares.
20 |
(o) The Liquidity Provider shall not have any responsibility for, or incur any liability in respect of, any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) (“Losses”) relating to any act by the Tender and Paying Agent, or any failure by the Tender and Paying Agent to act or to perform any of its obligations, other than Losses arising out of the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Liquidity Provider.
(p) VRDP Shares purchased by the Liquidity Provider pursuant to this Section 2.02 shall be delivered to the Liquidity Provider or its nominee as specified by the Liquidity Provider.
(q) If there is no Tender and Paying Agent or for any reason the Tender and Paying Agent does not perform any of its foregoing obligations hereunder on behalf of any Beneficial Owner or Holder, such Beneficial Owner or its Agent Member or Holder may perform any such obligations in place of the Tender and Paying Agent (if any) with respect to the VRDP Shares of such Beneficial Owner or Holder and payments shall be made to the account(s) specified by such Beneficial Owners or Holders.
Section 2.03 Extension of Scheduled Termination Date.
Under the Fee Agreement, the Fund shall have the right, exercisable not more than one hundred twenty (120) days nor less than ninety (90) days prior to the Scheduled Termination Date, to request that the Liquidity Provider extend the term of such Scheduled Termination Date for an additional period of up to 180 days or, if mutually agreed upon by the parties to the Fee Agreement, a period greater than 180 days, which request may be conditioned upon terms and conditions that are different from the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Fee Agreement then in effect. The Liquidity Provider shall, no later than thirty (30) days after receiving such request, notify the Fund and the Tender and Paying Agent of its acceptance or rejection of such request, which acceptance by the Liquidity Provider may be a Conditional Acceptance conditioned upon terms and conditions which are different from the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Fee Agreement then in effect or the terms and conditions proposed by the Fund in making an extension request. If the Liquidity Provider fails to notify the Fund and the Tender and Paying Agent of its acceptance or rejection of the Fund’s request for extension within such 30-day period, such failure to respond shall constitute a rejection of such request. If the Liquidity Provider provides a Conditional Acceptance, then the Fund shall have thirty (30) days thereafter to notify the Liquidity Provider and the Tender and Paying Agent of its acceptance or rejection of the terms and conditions specified in the Liquidity Provider’s Conditional Acceptance. The Fund’s failure to notify the Liquidity Provider and the Tender and Paying Agent within the 30-day period will be deemed a rejection of the terms and conditions specified in the Liquidity Provider’s Conditional Acceptance. Under the Fee Agreement, the Fund will acknowledge and agree that the Liquidity Provider may grant or deny any request for extension of the Scheduled Termination Date in its sole and absolute discretion.
21 |
Section 2.04 Reduction of Available Commitment.
As of the opening of business on the day following the Liquidity Provider’s receipt of written notice (which the Tender and Paying Agent will provide within two (2) Business Days of receipt of notice from the Fund) of any redemption or other repurchase of VRDP Shares consummated by the Fund, the Available Commitment shall automatically be reduced by the amount applicable to the VRDP Shares so redeemed or otherwise repurchased; and the Available Commitment in respect of such VRDP Shares shall be extinguished and shall not thereafter be revived, except with the prior written consent of the Liquidity Provider. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein is intended to expand the terms of the Purchase Obligation.
Section 2.05 Claw-Back Provision.
In the event that any dividends or redemption proceeds paid by the Fund on Outstanding VRDP Shares prior to the occurrence of a Fund Insolvency Event are required to be, and are, paid over to the bankruptcy estate of the Fund pursuant to a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction arising out of a Fund Insolvency Event, any Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) of VRDP Shares that has paid over to the bankruptcy estate of the Fund pursuant to such judgment any dividends or redemption proceeds previously received from the Fund may demand reimbursement from the Liquidity Provider of any amounts so paid. The Liquidity Provider agrees to make such reimbursement payment within three (3) Business Days of receipt of any such demand for payment made in writing and accompanied by evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Liquidity Provider of payment made to the bankruptcy estate of the Fund by or on behalf of the demanding party. In connection with any reimbursement payment by the Liquidity Provider, the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) of VRDP Shares shall be deemed to have transferred, assigned and conveyed to the Liquidity Provider the right to receive from the Fund and the bankruptcy estate of the Fund any such dividends or redemption proceeds in exchange for the reimbursement payment by the Liquidity Provider, and the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) shall execute, acknowledge and deliver such further conveyances, assignments and other documents as the Liquidity Provider may reasonably request and are reasonably necessary in order to effectuate such assignment. The provisions of this Section 2.05 shall survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement, in respect of any dividends or redemption proceeds paid by the Fund on Outstanding VRDP Shares during the term of this Agreement, and shall be in addition to any other obligation of the Liquidity Provider under this Agreement.
22 |
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE TENDER AND PAYING AGENT
The representations and warranties set out in this Article III are given hereunder by the Tender and Paying Agent on the Closing Date only and are not repeated on any subsequent date.
Section 3.01 Existence; Binding Effect.
The Tender and Paying Agent represents and warrants to the Liquidity Provider that (i) the Tender and Paying Agent is duly organized and is validly existing as a banking corporation under the laws of the State of New York, (ii) it has the corporate power to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and each other Related Document to which it is a party and (iii) this Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Tender and Paying Agent except as the same may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws related to or affecting the rights of creditors generally from time to time in effect and by general principles of equity.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE LIQUIDITY PROVIDER
The representations and warranties set out in this Article IV are given hereunder by the Liquidity Provider on Closing Date only and are not repeated on any subsequent date.
Section 4.01 Existence.
The Liquidity Provider is a Canadian chartered bank duly established and validly existing under the Bank Act (Canada) and duly licensed to operate its New York branch located at 00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 (the “New York Branch”). The Liquidity Provider has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Purchase Obligation, and to do so acting through its New York Branch.
Section 4.02 Authorization; Contravention.
The execution, delivery and performance by the Liquidity Provider of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Purchase Obligation, are within the Liquidity Provider’s powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary action, require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or official and do not violate or contravene, or constitute a default under, any provision of applicable law, charter, ordinance or regulation or of any agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument binding upon the Liquidity Provider or result in the creation or imposition of any lien or encumbrance on any asset of the Liquidity Provider, except for such violations, contraventions, defaults, liens or encumbrances that would not have a material adverse effect on the Liquidity Provider’s ability to pay when due and otherwise perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Fee Agreement, including, without limitation, the Purchase Obligation; provided, however, that the foregoing exception shall not apply to any violation or contravention of the Liquidity Provider’s charter.
23 |
Section 4.03 Binding Effect.
This Agreement, including, without limitation, the Purchase Obligation, constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Liquidity Provider, enforceable in accordance with its terms except as (i) the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and (ii) the availability of equitable remedies may be limited by equitable principles of general applicability, it being understood that the enforceability of indemnification provisions may be subject to limitations imposed under applicable securities laws.
Section 4.04 Financial Information.
The consolidated financial statements of the Liquidity Provider, which comprise the consolidated balance sheet as at October 31, 2019 and October 31, 2018, and the consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended October 31, 2019, copies of which are publicly available, present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Liquidity Provider and its consolidated subsidiaries as at October 31, 2019 and October 31, 2018, and its financial performances and its cash flows for each of the years in the period ended October 31, 2019 in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Since the date of the most recent such financial statement, no transaction or event has occurred and no change has occurred in the condition (financial or otherwise) or operations of the Liquidity Provider that would materially and adversely affect its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or the Fee Agreement, including, without limitation, the Purchase Obligation.
Section 4.05 Litigation.
Except as disclosed in the Offering Memorandum or in the publicly available financial statements of the Liquidity Provider, no action, suit, proceeding or investigation is pending or (to the best knowledge of the Liquidity Provider) overtly threatened in writing against the Liquidity Provider in any court or before any governmental authority in any way contesting or, if decided adversely, would affect the validity of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Purchase Obligation.
Section 4.06 Consents.
All consents, licenses, approvals, validations and authorizations of, and registrations, validations or declarations by or with, any court or any regulatory, supervisory or governmental agency, bureau or agency required to be obtained in connection with the performance by the Liquidity Provider under this Agreement or the execution and delivery by, or the validity or enforceability against, the Liquidity Provider of this Agreement and the other Related Documents to which the Liquidity Provider is a party have been obtained and are in full force and effect.
24 |
Section 4.07 Ranking.
The obligations of the Liquidity Provider hereunder rank pari passu with all other senior unsecured obligations of the Liquidity Provider (other than any such obligations preferred by statute or by operation of law).
ARTICLE V
DUTIES OF THE TENDER AND PAYING AGENT
Section 5.01 Duties and Responsibilities.
(a) The Tender and Paying Agent is acting solely as agent for the Fund hereunder and owes no duties, fiduciary or otherwise, to any other Person by reason of this Agreement, other than to the Liquidity Provider as and to the extent expressly provided for herein.
(b) The Tender and Paying Agent undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Agreement and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Tender and Paying Agent.
(c) In the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on its part, the Tender and Paying Agent shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. The Tender and Paying Agent shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith unless and to the extent it is negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.
Section 5.02 Rights of the Tender and Paying Agent.
(a) The Tender and Paying Agent shall not incur liability for following the instructions herein contained or expressly provided for, or written instructions authorized hereby. The Tender and Paying Agent may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any communication authorized hereby and upon any written instruction, notice, request, direction, consent, report, certificate, share certificate or other instrument, paper or document, believed by it, in the absence of manifest error or bad faith, to be genuine. The Tender and Paying Agent shall not be liable for acting upon any telephone communication authorized hereby which the Tender and Paying Agent reasonably believes in the absence of bad faith to have been given by the Fund, a Holder, a Beneficial Owner, an Agent Member, the Liquidity Provider or the Remarketing Agent. The Tender and Paying Agent may record telephone communications with the Fund, the Liquidity Provider and the Remarketing Agent in connection with its duties hereunder.
(b) The Tender and Paying Agent may consult with counsel of its choice and the advice or opinion of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
(c) The Tender and Paying Agent shall not be required to advance, expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur or become exposed to financial liability in the performance of its duties hereunder.
25 |
(d) The Tender and Paying Agent may perform its duties and its rights hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and shall not be responsible for misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney not affiliated with the Tender and Paying Agent appointed by it with due care hereunder. The Tender and Paying Agent shall notify the Fund of the appointment of any such non-affiliated agents or attorneys hereunder.
(e) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event shall the Tender and Paying Agent be liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits), even if the Tender and Paying Agent has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
(f) The Tender and Paying Agent shall not be obligated to take any legal action hereunder that might, in its judgment, involve any expenses or liability, unless it has been furnished with indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it.
(g) The Tender and Paying Agent shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions; loss or malfunctions of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority and governmental action. The Tender and Paying Agent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to commence performance of its obligations during any of the foregoing circumstances.
(h) The Tender and Paying Agent makes no representation as to, and shall have no liability with respect to, the correctness of the recitals in, or the validity (with respect to parties other than the Tender and Paying Agent), accuracy or adequacy of this Agreement (including any schedules hereto), any VRDP Shares, the Statement, any offering material used in connection with the offer and sale of any VRDP Shares or any other agreement or instrument executed in connection with the transactions contemplated herein or in any thereof.
(i) The permissive right of the Tender and Paying Agent under this Agreement to take or omit to take any action shall not be construed as a duty.
(j) The Tender and Paying Agent may request that the Liquidity Provider deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Agreement, which certificate may be signed by any Person authorized to sign such a certificate, including any Person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.
(k) Unless otherwise mutually agreed in writing between the Liquidity Provider and the Tender and Paying Agent, the Tender and Paying Agent shall have no duty or obligation to pay any interest or earnings on or with respect to amounts held or deposited hereunder or to invest any funds deposited with it at any time pursuant to this Agreement. In the event the Liquidity Provider and the Tender and Paying Agent shall otherwise agree, any interest or earnings on or with respect to any amount held or deposited hereunder shall be remitted to the Fund in accordance with such agreement. The Tender and Paying Agent shall be under no duty or obligation to collateralize or pledge any security therefor, or to segregate any amounts hereunder except as may be required by law; provided, however, that the Tender and Paying Agent shall hold any Purchase Price received from the Liquidity Provider, with respect to VRDP Shares subject to purchase pursuant to the Purchase Obligation, or the Remarketing Agent, with respect to VRDP Shares remarketed by the Remarketing Agent, in separate accounts in trust for the benefit of the parties specified in Section 2.02(j)) or the return of such Purchase Price to the Liquidity Provider or the Remarketing Agent as provided in Section 2.02(j)).
26 |
(l) The Tender and Paying Agent, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of VRDP Shares with the same rights it would have if it were not Tender and Paying Agent.
(m) Nothing contained herein shall be construed to require the Tender and Paying Agent to advance its own funds to any Holder if sufficient funds have not been deposited with the Tender and Paying Agent by the Fund for the purpose of making payments hereunder.
(n) Except as set out in Section 5.04(b), the Tender and Paying Agent shall have no duty to examine and shall not be charged with knowledge of the contents of any report, information or document delivered to it hereunder. The Tender and Paying Agent shall have no duty to determine the occurrence or continuance of any event or events that constitute a Liquidity Provider Ratings Event, Mandatory Tender Event, Mandatory Purchase Event, Failed Remarketing Condition, Failed Remarketing Condition—Purchased VRDP Shares Redemption, or Related Party Termination Event, or to determine whether any agreement satisfies the requirements of an Alternate VRDP Shares Purchase Agreement.
(o) The Tender and Paying Agent has no obligation under the terms of this Agreement or otherwise to enforce any rights or exercise any remedies that may be available to any Holder or Beneficial Owner or other Person that arise out of or relate to this Agreement or otherwise.
Section 5.03 Tender and Paying Agent’s Disclaimer.
The Tender and Paying Agent makes no representation as to the validity (except with respect to itself) or adequacy of this Agreement or any VRDP Shares issued or to be issued.
27 |
Section 5.04 Concerning the Securities Depository.
(a) Neither the Liquidity Provider nor the Tender and Paying Agent shall have any responsibility or obligation to any Beneficial Owner of an interest in the Global VRDP Shares, an Agent Member or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Securities Depository or its nominee or of any Agent Member, with respect to any ownership interest in the Global VRDP Shares or with respect to the delivery to any Agent Member, Beneficial Owner or other Person (other than the Securities Depository to the extent provided in the Related Documents) of any notice (including any Notice of Redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such VRDP Shares. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under this Agreement or the other Related Documents shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered holders (which shall be the Securities Depository or its nominee in the case of Global VRDP Shares). The rights of Beneficial Owners in the Global VRDP Shares shall be exercised only through the Securities Depository subject to the applicable procedures of the Securities Depository. The Liquidity Provider and the Tender and Paying Agent shall be entitled to rely and shall be fully protected in acting upon information furnished by the Securities Depository with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners. The Fund and the Tender and Paying Agent shall be entitled to deal with the Securities Depository, and any nominee thereof that is the registered holder of any Global VRDP Shares for all purposes of this Agreement or the other Related Documents relating to such Global VRDP Shares (including the payment of dividends, redemption price, if any, and additional amounts, if any, and the giving of instructions or directions by or to the owner or holder of a beneficial ownership interest in such Global VRDP Shares), as the sole holder of such Global VRDP Shares and shall have no obligations to the Beneficial Owners thereof. Neither the Liquidity Provider nor the Tender and Paying Agent shall have any responsibility or liability for any acts or omissions of the Securities Depository with respect to such Global VRDP Shares, for the records of the Securities Depository, including records in respect of beneficial ownership interests in respect of any such Global VRDP Shares, for any transactions between the Securities Depository and any Agent Member or between or among the Securities Depository, any such Agent Member and/or any holder or owner of a beneficial interest in such Global VRDP Shares, or for any transfers of beneficial interests in any such Global VRDP Shares.
(b) The Tender and Paying Agent shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under the other Related Documents or this Agreement or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any VRDP Shares (including any transfers between or among Agent Members or Beneficial Owners of interests in any Global VRDP Shares), other than to require delivery of such certificates, other documentation or evidence, if any, as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of this Agreement, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS OF THE LIQUIDITY PROVIDER
The Liquidity Provider agrees that, so long as there is any Purchase Obligation hereunder or any amount payable by it hereunder:
Section 6.01 Fund Insolvency Event.
The Liquidity Provider agrees to perform all of its obligations hereunder, including the obligation to purchase the VRDP Shares in accordance with Article II herein, notwithstanding a Fund Insolvency Event.
Section 6.02 Waiver.
In the event of a termination of this Agreement as a result of a Termination Event, the Liquidity Provider waives its right with respect to the exercise of the Purchase Obligation provided by any successor liquidity provider in an Alternate VRDP Purchase Agreement in respect of any Purchased VRDP Shares, but not, for the avoidance of doubt, any right of any Holders or Beneficial Owners of any such Purchased VRDP Shares, subsequent to the sale of such Purchased VRDP Shares by the Liquidity Provider in a successful Remarketing or otherwise to exercise such Purchase Obligation provided by any successor liquidity provider in accordance with the terms of such Alternate VRDP Purchase Agreement.
28 |
Section 6.03 Notice of Extraordinary Corporate Event.
To the extent permitted under applicable confidentiality restrictions, the Liquidity Provider shall provide (a) written notice of an Extraordinary Corporate Event and (b) the written notice referred to in clause (y) in the definition of an Extraordinary Corporate Event, to the Fund at least ten (10) days prior to the scheduled date of the occurrence of an Extraordinary Corporate Event or ten (10) days prior to the scheduled date of the applicable listed occurrence in clause (i) of such definition, respectively.
Section 6.04 Additional Information.
If at any time the Liquidity Provider is not furnishing information to the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, in order to preserve the exemption for resales and transfers under Rule 144A, the Liquidity Provider shall furnish, or cause to be furnished, to Holders and Beneficial Owners of VRDP Shares and prospective purchasers of VRDP Shares, upon request, information with respect to the Liquidity Provider satisfying the requirements of subsection (d)(4) of Rule 144A.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.01 Resignation or Removal of the Tender and Paying Agent.
Any resignation or removal of the Tender and Paying Agent shall be effective only upon a replacement Tender and Paying Agent entering into a replacement of this Agreement with the Liquidity Provider.
Section 7.02 Notices.
All notices, requests and other communications to the Liquidity Provider shall be in writing (including by Electronic Means), except in the case of notices and other communications permitted to be given by telephone, and shall be given to such party at its address or telecopy number or email address set forth below or to such other Person and/or such other address or telecopy number or email address as such party may hereafter specify for the purpose by notice to the other party. All notices, requests, demands and communications to be delivered to the Tender and Paying Agent shall be sent by Electronic Means to the attention of the Tender and Paying Agent at the office of the Tender and Paying Agent as set forth below or to such other Persons and/or such other addresses, telecopy numbers or email addresses as such party may hereafter specify for the purpose of notice to the other party. Each such notice, request or other communication shall be effective (i) if given by mail, upon receipt, or (ii) if given by any other means, when delivered at the address specified in this Section. The notice address for each party is specified below:
29 |
(a) if to the Liquidity Provider:
The Toronto-Dominion Bank, acting through its New York branch
00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxxxx, Head of Municipal Products
Tel: (000) 000-0000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Email: xxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx and
XXXXxxxxxx-XxxXxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
Wire Instructions:
Bank of America, NT & SA
New York, NY
ABA# 000000000
Credit: Toronto Dominion (TEXAS) LLC
Account#: 0000-0-00000
(b) if to the Tender and Paying Agent:
The Bank of New York Mellon
Corporate Trust Division
Dealing and Trading Group
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 0 Xxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx-Xxxxx, Vice President
Tel: (000) 000-0000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Email: xxxxxx.xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx
Wire Instructions:
The Bank of New York Mellon
New York New York
ABA# 021 000 018
For Further Credit to Account #0000000000
Acct Name: BlackRock MY Qlty Fd 3 – Fund
Ref: mm/dd/yy and Event (e.g., Purchase Date or Mandatory Tender)
Attn: Xxxxxx Xxxxxx-Xxxxx, Tel: (000) 000-0000
Any payments required to be made by either party to the other, or any VRDP Shares required to be delivered by the Tender and Paying Agent to the Liquidity Provider, unless otherwise provided in a Related Document or otherwise instructed in writing by the applicable party, shall be made in immediately available funds or delivered, by wire transfer, to the account of the applicable party listed under “Wire Instructions.”
30 |
Section 7.03 No Waivers.
(a) The rights of the Liquidity Provider hereunder are separate from and in addition to any rights that the Liquidity Provider, as a holder of any VRDP Shares, may have under the terms of such VRDP Shares or any Related Document or otherwise.
(b) No failure or delay by the Liquidity Provider in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder or under the VRDP Shares or any other Related Document shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. No failure or delay by the Liquidity Provider in exercising any right, power or privilege under or in respect of the VRDP Shares or any other Related Document shall affect the rights, powers or privileges of the Liquidity Provider hereunder or thereunder or shall operate as a limitation or waiver thereof. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
Section 7.04 Amendments and Waivers.
Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived with the consent of the Fund if, but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed by the Tender and Paying Agent and the Liquidity Provider; provided, that no amendment or waiver that affects any preference, right or power of the VRDP Shares or the Holders thereof shall be made except as permitted under the Charter and the Statement, and agreed to by the Fund. The provisions of Section 7.10 relating to the third-party beneficiary rights of the Holders and Beneficial Owners may be amended only with the prior written consent of the Holders of 100% of the Outstanding VRDP Shares.
Section 7.05 Successors and Assigns.
The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Neither party hereto may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party and the Fund, except pursuant to the proviso to the definition of “Extraordinary Corporate Event”. Any assignment or transfer without such prior written consent shall be void. The obligations of the Liquidity Provider to purchase VRDP Shares pursuant to this Agreement shall run to the benefit of those beneficiaries identified in Section 7.10 and the Purchase Obligation evidenced hereby shall not be transferable except in connection with a transfer of VRDP Shares or any beneficial interest therein, whereupon the Purchase Obligation shall automatically run to the benefit of the transferee.
Section 7.06 Term of this Agreement.
(a) Subject to subsections (b) and (c) below, this Agreement shall terminate on the later of (i) the earlier of (x) the Scheduled Termination Date (as such date may be extended in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof) and (y) the reduction of the Available Commitment of the Liquidity Provider to zero; and (ii) the date of payment of all sums payable by the Liquidity Provider pursuant to this Agreement.
31 |
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the Tender and Paying Agent, acting upon instructions of the Fund, may terminate this Agreement prior to the Scheduled Termination Date (as such date may be extended in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof) in accordance with this Section 7.06(b) as of the Liquidity Provider Ratings Event Termination Date specified by notice in writing to the Liquidity Provider following the occurrence of a Liquidity Provider Ratings Event or (ii) this Agreement shall terminate prior to the Scheduled Termination Date (as such date may be extended in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof) as of a Related Party Termination Date upon the occurrence of a Related Party Termination Event. The Liquidity Provider will use reasonable efforts to notify the Tender and Paying Agent and the Fund as soon as practicable at any time the Liquidity Provider believes it is highly likely a Related Party Termination Event will occur.
(c) No expiration or termination of this Agreement shall be effective, so long as VRDP Shares are Outstanding, until the completion of a Mandatory Purchase in respect thereof, if then required under the Statement, including the purchase by the Liquidity Provider of any VRDP Shares required to be purchased by it as a result thereof pursuant to this Agreement.
Section 7.07 New York Law.
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by 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.
THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY SUBMIT TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE FEDERAL AND NEW YORK STATE COURTS LOCATED IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DISPUTE RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY MATTERS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
Section 7.08 Waiver of Jury Trial.
Each of the Tender and Paying Agent, the Liquidity Provider and each third party beneficiary of this Agreement hereby waives trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim brought by any of the parties hereto or beneficiaries hereof against the other on any matters whatsoever arising out of or in any way connected with this Agreement.
Section 7.09 Counterparts.
This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.
Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement or in any VRDP Share certificate, the words “execute,” “execution,” “signed” and “signature” and words of similar import used in or related to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement, the VRDP Share certificate or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including amendments, waivers, consents and other modifications) shall be deemed to include electronic signatures and the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature in ink or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as applicable, to the fullest extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act and any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.
Section 7.10 Beneficiaries.
This Agreement is not intended and shall not be construed to confer upon any Person other than the parties hereto and their successors and permitted assigns any rights or remedies hereunder, except that the agreement of the Liquidity Provider to purchase VRDP Shares in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement is made for the benefit of the Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of the VRDP Shares and shall be directly enforceable by the Holders or Beneficial Owners against the Liquidity Provider.
32 |
Section 7.11 Entire Agreement.
This Agreement shall constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the matters set forth herein and shall supersede any and all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.
Section 7.12 Regulatory Matters.
Each party hereto acknowledges and agrees that it shall not be a condition precedent to the Purchase Obligation that any seller of VRDP Shares demonstrate or account for any loss.
Section 7.13 Severability.
If any clause, provision or section hereof shall be ruled invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity or unenforceability of such clause, provision or section shall not affect any of the remaining clauses, provisions or sections hereof.
Section 7.14 Articles and Section Headings.
The Articles and Section headings and the Table of Contents herein are for convenience of reference only, and shall not affect the construction, or limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
Section 7.15 Nonpetition Covenant—Liquidity Provider.
Notwithstanding any prior termination of this Agreement, The Toronto-Dominion Bank, acting through its New York branch, solely in its capacity as Liquidity Provider, hereby covenants and agrees that it shall not, prior to the date which is one (1) year and one (1) day after the redemption and the payment in full of the VRDP Shares and all accumulated dividends thereon, petition or otherwise invoke the process of any court or government authority for the purpose of commencing a case against the Fund under any federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator or other similar official of the Fund or any substantial part of the property of the Fund; provided, however, that nothing in this provision shall preclude, or be deemed to stop, the Liquidity Provider from taking any action prior to the expiration of the aforementioned one (1) year and one (1) day period (x) in any case or proceeding voluntarily filed or commenced by the Fund, (y) in any involuntary insolvency proceeding filed or commenced against the Fund by a Person other than the Liquidity Provider, or (z) with respect to its rights or preferences as a Beneficial Owner or Holder of VRDP Shares.
Section 7.16 Nonpetition Covenant—Tender and Paying Agent.
Notwithstanding any prior termination of this Agreement, The Bank of New York Mellon, solely in its capacity as Tender and Paying Agent, hereby covenants and agrees that it shall not, prior to the date which is one (1) year and one (1) day after the redemption and the payment in full of the VRDP Shares and all accumulated dividends, petition or otherwise invoke process of any court or government authority for the purpose of commencing a case against, the Fund under any federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator or other similar official of the Fund or any substantial part of the property of the Fund; provided, however, that nothing in this provision shall preclude, or be deemed to stop, the Tender and Paying Agent from taking any action prior to the expiration of the aforementioned one (1) year and one (1) day period (x) in any case or proceeding voluntarily filed or commenced by the Fund, (y) in any involuntary insolvency proceeding filed or commenced against the Fund by a Person other than the Tender and Paying Agent, or (z) with respect to its rights or preferences as a Beneficial Owner or Holder of VRDP Shares.
[Signature Page Follows]
33 |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
The Bank of New York Mellon, | |||
| as Tender and Paying Agent |
| |
By: | /s/ Xxxxx X. XxXxxxxx | ||
| Name: | Xxxxx X. XxXxxxxx | |
Title: | Vice President | ||
| The Toronto-Dominion Bank |
| |
| as Liquidity Provider |
| |
|
|
|
|
| By: | /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx |
|
| Name: | Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx |
|
| Title: | Authorized Signature |
|
[Signature Page – MYI Purchase Agreement]
34 |
SCHEDULE I
Description of VRDP Shares: |
| 3,564 Series W-7 Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares, par value $0.10 per share, with a liquidation preference of $100,000 per share. |
|
|
|
Remarketing Agent: |
| TD Securities (USA) LLC |
35 |
SCHEDULE II
36 |
EXHIBIT A
To be completed by Tender and Paying Agent only — Check applicable Box: ☐This is a Preliminary Notice of Purchase ☐This is a Final Notice of Purchase |
|
NOTICE OF PURCHASE
[Date]
The Toronto-Dominion Bank, acting through its New York branch
00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxxxx, Head of Municipal Products
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Re: BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. - Series W-7 Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares (“VRDP Shares”)
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the VRDP Shares Purchase Agreement dated as of June 16, 2020 (as heretofore amended, modified or supplemented, the “Agreement”) between The Bank of New York Mellon, as the Tender and Paying Agent, and The Toronto-Dominion Bank, acting through its New York branch, as the Liquidity Provider. Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings given to them in or by reference to the Agreement.
Pursuant to Section 2.01(b) of the Agreement, the undersigned [Tender and Paying Agent] [Beneficial Owner] [Agent Member of a Beneficial Owner] [Holder] hereby notifies you of [number] VRDP Shares (CUSIP 00000X000) to be purchased by you on [•] [today] (the “Purchase Date”) pursuant to Section 2.02 of the Agreement. The aggregate Purchase Price of such VRDP Shares is dollars ($ ). Of such aggregate Purchase Price, dollars ($ ) comprises the aggregate liquidation preference of such VRDP Shares and dollars ($ ) comprises accumulated but unpaid dividends on such VRDP Shares to and including the Purchase Date.
The Purchase Price should be provided in immediately available funds to:
[Insert Appropriate Wire Instructions for the Tender and Paying Agent]
[If there is no Tender and Paying Agent or the Tender and Paying Agent does not perform its obligations:]
[Insert Appropriate Wire Instructions]
Exhibit A-1 |
Very truly yours, | |||
|
|
| |
| The Bank of New York Mellon, as Tender and Paying Agent |
| |
By: | |||
| Name: | ||
Title: | |||
| [To be executed only if there is no Tender and Paying Agent or the Tender and Paying Agent does not perform its obligations] |
| |
|
|
| |
| In the case of a Beneficial Owner: |
| |
|
|
|
|
| By: |
|
|
| Name: |
|
|
| Title: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| [Address of Beneficial Owner] |
| |
|
|
| |
| [To be executed only if there is no Tender and Paying Agent or the Tender and Paying Agent does not perform its obligations] |
| |
|
|
| |
| In the case of an Agent Member of a Beneficial Owner: |
| |
|
|
| |
| By: |
|
|
| Name: |
|
|
| Title: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit A-2 |
| [Address of Agent Member of a Beneficial Owner] |
| |
|
|
| |
| [To be executed only if there is no Tender and Paying Agent or the Tender and Paying Agent does not perform its obligations] |
| |
|
|
| |
| In the case of a Holder: |
| |
|
|
| |
| By: |
|
|
| Name: |
|
|
| Title: |
|
|
|
|
| |
| [Address of Holder] |
|
Exhibit A-3 |
EXHIBIT B
BLACKROCK MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND III, INC. (THE “FUND”)
SERIES W-7
VARIABLE RATE DEMAND PREFERRED SHARES (“VRDP SHARES”)
CUSIP NO. 00000X000*
MANDATORY PURCHASE NOTICE
In accordance with the Fund’s Articles Supplementary Establishing and Fixing the Rights and Preferences of the VRDP Shares dated May 17, 2011 (the “Articles Supplementary”), the Fund hereby notifies Holders and the Liquidity Provider of the Mandatory Purchase of the Outstanding VRDP Shares for purchase by the Liquidity Provider on the Mandatory Purchase Date specified below due to the occurrence of the following Mandatory Purchase Event:
The termination of the VRDP Shares Purchase Agreement prior to or on the Scheduled Termination Date where:
| (i) | at least fifteen (15) days prior to any such termination, (a) the Liquidity Provider has not agreed to an extension or further extension of the Scheduled Termination Date to a date not earlier than 180 days from the Scheduled Termination Date of the VRDP Shares Purchase Agreement currently in effect; and (b) the Fund has not obtained and delivered to the Tender and Paying Agent an Alternate VRDP Shares Purchase Agreement with a termination date not earlier than 180 days from the Scheduled Termination Date of the VRDP Shares Purchase Agreement; or |
|
|
|
| (ii) | by the fifteenth (15th) day prior to a Liquidity Provider Ratings Event Termination Date or Related Party Termination Date, as the case may be, the Fund has not obtained and delivered to the Tender and Paying Agent an Alternate VRDP Shares Purchase Agreement with a termination date not earlier than 180 days from the Liquidity Provider Ratings Event Termination Date or Related Party Termination Date, as the case may be, of the VRDP Shares Purchase Agreement. |
The Mandatory Purchase Date for purchase of all Outstanding VRDP Shares by the Liquidity Provider will be _____, 20_.
All Outstanding VRDP Shares will be automatically subject to Mandatory Purchase by the Liquidity Provider at the Purchase Price on the Mandatory Purchase Date, including any VRDP Shares tendered pursuant to an Optional Tender or Mandatory Tender for which the Purchase Date has not yet occurred.
____________________
* NOTE: Neither the Fund nor the Tender and Paying Agent shall be responsible for the selection or use of the CUSIP Numbers selected, nor is any representation made as to its correctness indicated in any notice or as printed on any VRDP Shares certificate. It is included solely as a convenience to Holders of VRDP Shares.
Exhibit B-1 |
In the event that VRDP Shares are issued in certificated form outside the book-entry system of the Securities Depository and a Holder fails to deliver such VRDP Shares to which a Mandatory Purchase relates, on or prior to the Mandatory Purchase Date, the Holder of such VRDP Shares shall not be entitled to any payment (including any accumulated but unpaid dividends thereon, whether or not earned or declared) other than the Purchase Price of such undelivered VRDP Shares as of the scheduled Purchase Date. Any such undelivered VRDP Shares shall be deemed to be delivered to the Tender and Paying Agent, and the Tender and Paying Agent shall place stop transfer orders against the undelivered VRDP Shares. Any moneys held by the Tender and Paying Agent for the purchase of undelivered VRDP Shares shall be held in a separate account, shall not be invested, and shall be held for the exclusive benefit of the Holder of such undelivered VRDP Shares. The undelivered VRDP Shares shall be deemed to be no longer Outstanding (except as to entitlement to payment of the Purchase Price), and the Fund will issue to the purchaser replacement VRDP Shares certificates in lieu of such undelivered VRDP Shares.
The Final Notice of Purchase to the Liquidity Provider will automatically be deemed given upon the delivery of this Mandatory Purchase Notice to the Liquidity Provider as provided in the VRDP Shares Purchase Agreement.
The Mandatory Purchase Notice shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holders receive this notice.
Terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Articles Supplementary.
Dated: _____________
BLACKROCK MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND III. INC. | |||
By: | |||
Name: | |||
Title: | |||
Exhibit X-0 |
XXXXXXX X
XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX XXX XXXX QUALITY FUND, INC. (THE “FUND”)
SERIES W-7
VARIABLE RATE DEMAND PREFERRED SHARES (“VRDP SHARES”)
NOTICE OF TENDER
Note: |
| The substance of this notice must be given by the Beneficial Owner or its Agent Member to The Bank of New York Mellon, as Tender and Paying Agent (the “Tender and Paying Agent”), appointed under the Amended and Restated Tender and Paying Agent Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2020, between BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. and the Tender and Paying Agent, in the manner provided in Schedule 1 hereto by email transmission (or if email transmission shall be unavailable, by facsimile transmission) at or prior to 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on any Business Day. Any Notice of Tender delivered after 2:00 p.m., New York City time, will be deemed to have been received by the Tender and Paying Agent on the next succeeding Business Day and the Purchase Date specified in this Notice of Tender will be adjusted such that the Purchase Date shall be the next succeeding Business Day following the Purchase Date specified in this Notice of Tender. The determination of the Tender and Paying Agent as to whether a Notice of Tender has been properly delivered shall be conclusive and binding upon the Beneficial Owner and its Agent Member. |
|
|
|
TO: |
| The Bank of New York Mellon, as Tender and Paying Agent |
1. In accordance with the Fund’s Articles Supplementary Establishing and Fixing the Rights and Preferences of the VRDP Shares dated May 17, 2011, (the “Articles Supplementary”), the undersigned, ____________________, [Beneficial Owner] [Agent Member of the Beneficial Owner] of the following VRDP Shares:
VRDP Shares Series |
| CUSIP Number |
| Number of VRDP Shares to be Tendered* |
|
| 00000X000 |
|
|
hereby notifies you of the election by the Beneficial Owner of the referenced VRDP Shares to tender such VRDP Shares for purchase in the amount of the Purchase Price for the number of VRDP Shares set forth above on the Purchase Date specified below, which is a Business Day and a date on which such VRDP Shares are subject to Optional Tender for purchase pursuant to a notice given on the date hereof. Such Purchase Date shall be on any day not less than seven (7) days (or, if such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day) after delivery of this Notice of Tender.
Purchase Date:__________
* VRDP Shares may be tendered only in denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples thereof.
Exhibit C-1 |
The name and DTC Participant No. of the Agent Member tendering on behalf of the Beneficial Owner is: ____________________
Name of Agent Member: ____________________
DTC Participant No. of Agent Member: ____________________
Name of Beneficial Owner: ____________________
Beneficial Owner’s account number: ____________________
The person to contact at the Beneficial Owner or its Agent Member and the related contact information are as follows:
Name: ____________________
Telephone No: ____________________
Email address: ____________________
The Beneficial Owner or its Agent Member acknowledges and agrees that the Person or Persons to whom or to whose order the Purchase Price of the tendered VRDP Shares is to be paid is/are the same as identified above.
2. The undersigned acknowledges the obligation of the tendering Beneficial Owner to deliver the VRDP Shares that are the subject of this Notice of Tender (that has not been duly revoked in accordance with the procedures referenced in Item 5 below) on or before 2:00 p.m., New York City time on the Purchase Date, and, in accordance with such obligation, the undersigned hereby undertakes to deliver or to cause to be delivered the VRDP Shares being sold [directly] or [through an Agent Member] to the Tender and Paying Agent, through the “funds against delivery” procedures of the Securities Depository, no later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Purchase Date. The undersigned hereby also assigns and transfers and directs the Securities Depository or its nominee or the Tender and Paying Agent to transfer the tendered VRDP Shares to the purchaser in accordance with the procedures described under Part II of the Statement, and otherwise according to the Securities Depository’s procedures, in exchange for the payment of the Purchase Price thereof on the Purchase Date.
3. The undersigned confirms its agreement that it hereby transfers to the purchaser of the VRDP Shares tendered pursuant to this Notice of Tender the right to receive from the Fund any dividends declared and unpaid for each day prior to the purchaser becoming the Beneficial Owner of the VRDP Shares in exchange for payment of the Purchase Price for such VRDP Shares by the purchaser.
4. The undersigned hereby represents and warrants for the benefit of the Tender and Paying Agent, the Remarketing Agent, the Liquidity Provider and the Fund that the undersigned has full power and authority to tender, exchange, assign and transfer the VRDP Shares to be tendered hereby, and that the transferee will acquire good and unencumbered title thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and not subject to any adverse claim, when the same are tendered.
Exhibit C-2 |
5. The undersigned acknowledges that this Notice of Tender is irrevocable and effective upon the receipt by the Tender and Paying Agent, except that a Notice of Revocation to tender any or all of the VRDP Shares specified in this Notice of Tender may be delivered by email transmission (or if email transmission shall be unavailable, by facsimile transmission) to the Tender and Paying Agent, not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on or prior to the Business Day immediately preceding the Purchase Date; provided, that the revocation will be effective only to the extent set forth in the Articles Supplementary.
6. Terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Articles Supplementary.
Dated: ____________________
[Complete applicable signature block below.] |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Print name of Beneficial Owner | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
[OR]
|
| |
Print name of Agent Member | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Exhibit C-3
SCHEDULE 1
NOTICE OF TENDER DELIVERY INFORMATION
FOR THE TENDER AND PAYING AGENT
This Notice of Tender must be delivered by the Beneficial Owner or its Agent Member to The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Tender and Paying Agent”) by email transmission at the email address listed below or such other email address as the Tender and Paying Agent shall designate, (or if email transmission shall be unavailable, by facsimile transmission to the fax number listed below or such other fax number as the Tender and Paying Agent shall designate) at or prior to 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on any Business Day. If this Notice of Tender is delivered after 2:00 p.m., New York City time, it will be deemed to have been received by the Tender and Paying Agent on the next succeeding Business Day, and the Purchase Date will be adjusted such that the Purchase Date will be the Business Day next succeeding the date specified as the Purchase Date in this Notice of Tender:
The Bank of New York Mellon
Corporate Trust Division
Dealing and Trading Group
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 0 Xxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Email: XxxxxXxxxXxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx;
xxxxxx.xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx
Fax: (000) 000-0000 (only if email transmission is unavailable)
This Notice of Tender shall not be deemed to be delivered unless and until the Tender and Paying Agent actually receives it by the above-described means.
Exhibit C-4 |
EXHIBIT D
BLACKROCK MUNIYIELD QUALITY FUND III, INC. (THE “FUND”)
SERIES W-7 VARIABLE RATE DEMAND PREFERRED SHARES (“VRDP SHARES”)
NOTICE OF REVOCATION
Note: | The substance of this notice must be given to The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Tender and Paying Agent”), in the manner provided in Schedule 1 hereto by email transmission (or if email transmission shall be unavailable, by facsimile transmission), at or prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on or prior to the Business Day immediately preceding the Purchase Date. |
1. In accordance with the Fund’s Articles Supplementary Establishing and Fixing the Rights and Preferences of the VRDP Shares (“VRDP Shares”) dated May 17, 2011 (the “Articles Supplementary”), the undersigned [Beneficial Owner] or [Agent Member of the Beneficial Owner] delivered to the Tender and Paying Agent on ____________ a Notice of Tender (the “Notice of Tender”) in connection with an Optional Tender relating to the following VRDP Shares:
VRDP Shares Series |
| CUSIP Number |
| Number of VRDP Shares Tendered* |
|
| 00000X000 |
|
|
and specifying the following additional information applicable to such Optional Tender and Notice of Tender: Purchase Date:
The name and DTC Participant No. of the Agent Member tendering on behalf of itself or the Beneficial Owner is:
Name of Agent Member: ____________________
DTC Participant No. of Agent Member: ____________________
Name of Beneficial Owner: ____________________
Beneficial Owner’s account number: ____________________
The person to contact at the Beneficial Owner or its Agent Member and the related contact information are as follows:
Name: ____________________
Telephone No: ____________________
Email address: ____________________
____________________
* VRDP Shares may be tendered only in denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples thereof.
Exhibit D-1 |
2. The undersigned, ____________________,[Beneficial Owner] [Agent Member of the Beneficial Owner] hereby requests revocation of the following number of VRDP Shares that were the subject of the Notice of Tender:
VRDP Shares Series |
| CUSIP Number |
| Number of VRDP Shares to be Tendered* |
|
| 00000X000 |
|
|
3. The undersigned hereby acknowledges that this Notice of Revocation shall only be effective as a revocation of the Optional Tender of such number of VRDP Shares that are the subject of the Notice of Tender if all of the following conditions are met:
| (I) | the Remarketing Agent has not entered into an agreement to sell such VRDP Shares; and |
|
|
|
| (ii) | this Notice of Revocation is received by the Tender and Paying Agent by email transmission (or if email transmission shall be unavailable, by facsimile transmission) not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Business Day immediately preceding the Purchase Date. |
4. The undersigned hereby acknowledges that this Notice of Revocation is irrevocable.
5. The undersigned acknowledges that this Notice of Revocation shall be effective to revoke the number of VRDP Shares requested to be revoked hereby only if and to the extent that the Remarketing Agent has so determined the effectiveness of such revocation with respect to such number of VRDP Shares (as evidenced by the Remarketing Agent below) and, to the extent not so effective, the Beneficial Owner (or its Agent Member on its behalf) continues to be obligated to tender such VRDP Shares for purchase for Optional Tender pursuant to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Notice of Tender.
6. Terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Articles Supplementary.
Dated: ____________________
[Complete applicable signature block below.] | |||
|
|
| |
| Print name of Beneficial Owner |
| |
By: | |||
| Name: | ||
Title: | |||
____________________
* VRDP Shares may be revoked only in denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples thereof.
Exhibit D-2 |
[OR] |
| ||
|
| ||
Print name of Agent Member | |||
|
|
|
|
| By: | ||
| Name: |
| |
| Title: |
|
Exhibit D-3 |
Extent to which this Notice of Revocation is Effective
The undersigned Remarketing Agent has determined in accordance with the Remarketing procedures set forth in Part II of the Statement that the foregoing Notice of Revocation is effective for the following number of VRDP Shares that are the subject of the Notice of Tender: VRDP Shares.
TD SECURITIES (USA) LLC | ||
|
|
|
By: | ||
Name: |
| |
Title: |
|
Dated: ________________
Exhibit D-4 |
SCHEDULE 1
NOTICE OF REVOCATION DELIVERY INFORMATION
FOR THE TENDER AND PAYING AGENT
This Notice of Revocation must be delivered by the Beneficial Owner or its Agent Member to The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Tender and Paying Agent”) by email transmission at the email address listed below or such other email address as the Tender and Paying Agent shall designate, (or if email transmission shall be unavailable, by facsimile transmission to the fax number listed below or such other fax number as the Tender and Paying Agent shall designate) at or prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Business Day immediately preceding the Purchase Date:
The Bank of New York Mellon
Corporate Trust Division
Dealing and Trading Group
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Email: XxxxxXxxxXxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx;
xxxxxx.xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx
Fax: (000) 000-0000 (only if email transmission is unavailable)
Exhibit D-5 |