REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT dated as of January 23, 2024 among EQUITABLE HOLDINGS, INC. as the Guarantor the SUBSIDIARY ACCOUNT PARTIES party hereto and MUFG BANK, LTD., as LC Issuer
Execution Version
dated as of
January 23, 2024
among
EQUITABLE HOLDINGS, INC.
as the Guarantor
as the Guarantor
the SUBSIDIARY ACCOUNT PARTIES
party hereto
and
MUFG BANK, LTD.,
as LC Issuer
$200,000,000
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
(continued)
Page
ii
SCHEDULES
Schedule I Material Subsidiaries and Subsidiary Account Parties
Schedule II Hybrid Instruments
Schedule III Debt
EXHIBITS
Exhibit A Form of Letter of Credit
Exhibit B Form of Letter of Credit Request
Exhibit C Form of Subsidiary Joinder Agreement
iii
REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT dated as of January 23, 2024 among: EQUITABLE HOLDINGS, INC., a Delaware corporation, the SUBSIDIARY ACCOUNT PARTIES party hereto and MUFG BANK, LTD., as LC Issuer.
WHEREAS, the Guarantor wishes to facilitate reinsurance cessions for its Affiliates by enabling the Subsidiary Account Parties to provide the Letter of Credit to the beneficiaries for statutory recognition of reinsurance ceded to reinsurers;
WHEREAS, to induce the LC Issuer to enter into this Agreement and to issue the Letter of Credit, the Guarantor will enter into this Agreement and execute the Guarantee Agreement in favor of the LC Issuer; and
WHEREAS, the Bank is prepared to issue the Letter of Credit upon the terms and subject to the conditions stated in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and other good and valuable consideration, including the covenants, terms and conditions hereinafter contained, and to induce the LC Issuer to issue the Letter of Credit, the LC Issuer, the Guarantor and the Subsidiary Account Parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01 Definitions. The following terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:
“AB Entities” means AllianceBernstein Corporation, AllianceBernstein Holding L. P., AllianceBernstein L. P. and any of their subsidiaries.
“Adjusted Consolidated Net Worth” means, at any date, without duplication, the sum of (a) the consolidated shareholders’ equity, determined in accordance with GAAP, of the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, plus (b) the aggregate Hybrid Instrument Amount plus (c) the VA Adjustment Amount; provided that, in determining such Adjusted Consolidated Net Worth, there shall be excluded (i) any “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)” shown on the consolidated balance sheet of the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP, (ii) the effect of any election under the fair value option in FASB ASC 825 permitting a Person to measure its financial assets or liabilities at the fair value thereof, and the related tax impact and (iii) all noncontrolling interests (as determined in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, entitled “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements”) shown on the consolidated balance sheet of the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries.
“Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR” means an interest rate per annum equal to (a) Daily Simple SOFR, plus (b) 0.10% per annum.
“Adjusted Term SOFR Rate” means, for any interest period, an interest rate per annum equal to (a) the Term SOFR Rate, plus (b) 0.10% per annum.
“Affected Financial Institution” means (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution.
“Affiliate” of any Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person.
“Agreement” means this Reimbursement Agreement, as it may be amended or modified and in effect from time to time.
“Alternate Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the NYFRB Rate in effect on such day plus ½ of 1% and (c) the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate for a one month interest period as published two U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such day (or if such day is not a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, the immediately preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day) plus 1%; provided that for the purpose of this definition, the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate for any day shall be based on the Term SOFR Reference Rate at approximately 5:00 a.m. Chicago time on such day (or any amended publication time for the Term SOFR Reference Rate, as specified by the CME Term SOFR Administrator in the Term SOFR Reference Rate methodology); provided further that if the Alternate Base Rate as so determined would be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate, respectively.
“Anti-Corruption Laws” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.16.
“Anti-Money Laundering Laws” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.16.
“Applicable Lending Office” means, as to the LC Issuer, its office, branch or Affiliate located at its address set forth on the signature pages hereto or such other office, branch or Affiliate of the LC Issuer as it may hereafter designate as its Applicable Lending Office for purposes hereof by notice to the Guarantor.
“Available Tenor” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark, as applicable, any tenor for such Benchmark or payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark, as applicable, that is or may be used for determining the length of an interest period pursuant to this Agreement as of such date.
“Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an Affected Financial Institution.
“Bail-In Legislation” means, (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law, regulation, rule or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).
“Benchmark” means, initially, the Term SOFR Rate; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event and the related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to Daily Simple SOFR or the Term SOFR Rate, as applicable, or the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement.
“Benchmark Replacement” means, for any Available Tenor, the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the LC Issuer for the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date:
(1) Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR; or
2
(2) the sum of: (a) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by the LC Issuer, with the consent of the Guarantor (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a replacement benchmark rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a benchmark rate as a replacement for the then-current Benchmark for Dollar-denominated syndicated or bilateral credit facilities at such time in the United States and (b) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;
If the Benchmark Replacement as determined pursuant to clause (1) or (2) above would be less than the Floor, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.
“Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of the then-current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement, the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the LC Issuer, with the consent of the Guarantor (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for Dollar-denominated syndicated or bilateral credit facilities at such time.
“Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Alternate Base Rate,” the definition of “Business Day,” the definition of “U.S. Government Securities Business Day,” timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, length of lookback periods, the applicability of breakage provisions, and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the LC Issuer decides in its reasonable discretion may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark and to permit the administration thereof by the LC Issuer in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the LC Issuer decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the LC Issuer determines that no market practice for the administration of such Benchmark exists, in such other manner of administration as the LC Issuer decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents).
“Benchmark Replacement Date” means, with respect to any Benchmark, the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:
(1) in the case of clause (1) or (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (a) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (b) the date on which the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or
(2) in the case of clause (3) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the first date on which such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) has been determined and announced by the regulatory supervisor for the
3
administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) to be no longer representative; provided, that such non-representativeness will be determined by reference to the most recent statement or publication referenced in such clause (3) and even if any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) continues to be provided on such date.
For the avoidance of doubt, (i) if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination and (ii) the “Benchmark Replacement Date” will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (1) or (2) with respect to any Benchmark upon the occurrence of the applicable event or events set forth therein with respect to all then-current Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).
“Benchmark Transition Event” means, with respect to any Benchmark, the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:
(1)a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof), permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);
(2)a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof), the Federal Reserve Board, the NYFRB, the CME Term SOFR Administrator, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), in each case, a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), which states that the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) permanently or indefinitely; provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or
(3)a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are no longer, or as a of a specified future date will no longer be, representative.
For the avoidance of doubt, a “Benchmark Transition Event” will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any Benchmark if a public statement or publication of information set forth above has occurred with respect to each then-current Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).
“Benchmark Unavailability Period” means the period (if any) (x) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date pursuant to clauses (1) or (2) of that definition has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Credit Document in accordance with Section 2.03 and (y)
4
ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Credit Document in accordance with Section 2.03.
“Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership or control as required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.
“Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.
“Benefit Arrangement” means at any time an employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA which is not a Plan or a Multiemployer Plan and which is maintained or otherwise contributed to by any member of the ERISA Group.
“Business Day” means any day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday or other day on which banks are authorized or required by law to close in New York City); provided that, in relation to any interest rate settings, fundings, disbursements, settlements or payments, any such day that is also a U.S. Government Securities Business Day.
“Capital Stock” means any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation, any and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person (other than a corporation), including partnership interests and membership interests, and any and all warrants, rights or options to purchase or other arrangements or rights to acquire any of the foregoing.
“Change of Control” means any event or series of events by which any person or group of persons (within the meaning of Section 13 or 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) shall have acquired beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the SEC under said Act) of 35% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Guarantor.
“CME Term SOFR Administrator” means CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited as administrator of the forward-looking term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) (or a successor administrator).
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor statute.
“Collateral Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(e).
“Consolidated Subsidiary” means, at any date, any Subsidiary the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the Guarantor in its consolidated financial statements if such statements were prepared as of such date; provided that, for purposes of Sections 4.04(a) and (b) and 5.01, the term “Consolidated Subsidiary” shall include each of the AB Entities and the Investment Entities to the extent the accounts of such entity are required to be consolidated with those of the Guarantor in its consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP; provided further that, for purposes of the calculation of Adjusted Consolidated Net Worth and Consolidated Total Indebtedness, the term “Consolidated Subsidiary” shall include each of the AB Entities to the extent the accounts of such entity are required to be consolidated with those of the Guarantor in the consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP but only to the extent of the Guarantor’s direct or indirect proportional ownership of the AB Entities.
“Consolidated Total Capitalization” means, at any date, for the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, the sum of, without duplication, (i) Consolidated Total Indebtedness plus (ii) Adjusted Consolidated Net Worth.
5
“Consolidated Total Indebtedness” means, at any date, for the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, the sum of, without duplication, (i) the aggregate amount of all Non-Operating Indebtedness plus (ii) the aggregate amount of all Disqualified Capital Stock and Hybrid Instruments of such Person to the extent such amount would not be included in the determination of Adjusted Consolidated Net Worth.
“Corresponding Tenor” with respect to any Available Tenor means, as applicable, either a tenor (including overnight) or an interest payment period having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustment) as such Available Tenor.
“Credit Documents” means (a) this Agreement, (b) the Guarantee Agreement, (c) any fee letter and (d) with respect to the Letter of Credit, collectively, any application therefor and any other agreements, instruments, guarantees or other documents (whether general in application or applicable only to the Letter of Credit) governing or providing for (i) the rights and obligations of the parties concerned or at risk with respect to the Letter of Credit or (ii) any collateral security for any of such obligations, each as the same may be modified and supplemented and in effect from time to time.
“Daily Simple SOFR” means, for any day (a “SOFR Rate Day”), a rate per annum equal to SOFR for the day (such day “SOFR Determination Date”) that is five (5) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to (i) if such SOFR Rate Day is a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, such SOFR Rate Day or (ii) if such SOFR Rate Day is not a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, the U.S. Government Securities Business Day immediately preceding such SOFR Rate Day, in each case, as such SOFR is published by the SOFR Administrator on the SOFR Administrator’s Website; provided that if Daily Simple SOFR as so determined would be less than 0.00%, such rate shall be deemed to be 0.00% for purposes of this Agreement. Any change in Daily Simple SOFR due to a change in SOFR shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in SOFR without notice to the Guarantor.
“Debt” of any Person means, at any date, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services, except trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business, (d) all obligations of such Person as lessee under capital leases, (e) all non-contingent obligations of such Person to reimburse any bank or other Person in respect of amounts paid under a letter of credit, banker’s acceptance or similar instrument, (f) all Debt of others secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Debt is assumed by such Person, (g) all Debt of others guaranteed by such Person, and (h) all obligations of such Person in respect of Disqualified Capital Stock (and, for the avoidance of doubt, Debt shall include Hybrid Instruments); provided that the definition of “Debt” does not include any obligations of such Person (x) under repurchase or reverse repurchase agreements to repurchase or resell (as applicable) securities (or other property) which arise out of or in connection with the sale of the same or substantially similar securities (or other property) or (y) to return collateral pledged in respect of or in connection with the loan of such securities.
“Default” means any condition or event which constitutes an Event of Default or which with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.
“Default Rate” means a per annum rate of interest equal to the Alternate Base Rate plus two percent (2.00%).
“Derivative Financial Products” of any Person means all obligations (including whether pursuant to any master agreement or any particular agreement or transaction) of such Person in
6
respect of any rate swap transaction, basis swap, forward rate transaction, interest rate future, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap, equity or equity index option, bond option, interest rate option, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency future, currency option or any other similar transaction (including any option with respect to any of the foregoing) or any combination thereof.
“Disqualified Capital Stock” means that portion of any Capital Stock (other than Capital Stock that is solely redeemable, or at the election of the issuer thereof (not subject to any condition), may be redeemed, with Capital Stock that is not Disqualified Capital Stock) which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable at the option of the holder thereof), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the sole option of the holder thereof, on or prior to 180 days after the first anniversary of the Termination Date.
“Disqualified Institution” means each of the (a) certain banks, financial institutions and other institutional lenders and Persons identified to the LC Issuer in writing on or prior to the date hereof, (b) bona fide competitors of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries identified in writing by the Guarantor to the LC Issuer from time to time, (c) those Persons primarily engaged in private equity, venture capital or mezzanine or distressed lending and identified in writing by the Guarantor to the LC Issuer from time to time and (d) Affiliates of the Persons or entities referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above to the extent clearly identifiable by name or identified in writing by the Guarantor to the LC Issuer from time to time; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall any supplement to the list of Disqualified Institutions apply retroactively to disqualify any Persons that have previously acquired a participation interest under this Agreement that is otherwise permitted by this Agreement, but upon the effectiveness of such designation, any such Person may not acquire any additional participations; provided, further, that no supplement to such list shall be effective until the third Business Day following the LC Issuer’s receipt of such supplement in writing; provided, further that any bona fide debt fund or investment vehicle that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of business which is managed, sponsored or advised by any Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with a competitor or its controlling owner shall be deemed not to be a competitor of the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries.
“Dividing Person” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Division.”
“Division” means the division of assets, liabilities, and/or obligations of a Person (the “Dividing Person”) among two or more Persons (whether pursuant to a “plan of division” or similar arrangement), which may or may not include the Dividing Person and pursuant to which the Dividing Person may or may not survive.
“Dollars” and the sign “$” means lawful money in the United States of America.
“Early Termination” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Material Unpaid Derivative Product Indebtedness.”
“EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any institution established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.
7
“EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
“EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.
“Effective Date” means the date this Agreement becomes effective in accordance with Section 3.02.
“Environmental Laws” means any and all federal, state, local and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or other governmental restrictions relating to the environment or to emissions, discharges or releases of pollutants, contaminants, petroleum or petroleum products, chemicals or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes into the environment including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, ground water or land, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of pollutants, contaminants, petroleum or petroleum products, chemicals or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes or the clean-up or other remediation thereof.
“EQ AZ” means EQ AZ Life RE Company, an Arizona corporation.
“Equity Issuance” means, with respect to any Person, (a) any issuance or sale by such Person of (i) any Capital Stock, (ii) any warrants or options exercisable in respect of Capital Stock (other than any warrants or options issued to directors, officers or employees of such Person in their capacity as such and any Capital Stock issued upon the exercise thereof) or (iii) any other security or instrument representing Capital Stock (or the right to obtain any Capital Stock) in such Person or (b) the receipt by such Person of any contribution to its capital (whether or not evidenced by any equity security) by any other Person; provided that Equity Issuance shall not include, with respect to any Subsidiary of the Guarantor, any such issuance or sale by such Subsidiary to the Guarantor or another Subsidiary or any capital contribution by the Guarantor or another Subsidiary to such Subsidiary.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or any successor statute.
“ERISA Group” means the Guarantor and all members of a controlled group of corporations and all trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control which, together with the Guarantor, are treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or 414(c) of the Code.
“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor Person), as in effect from time to time.
“Event of Default” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01.
“Evergreen Letter of Credit” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01.
“Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the rate calculated by the NYFRB based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depositary institutions, as determined in such manner as shall be set forth on the NYFRB’s Website from time to time, and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as the effective federal funds rate; provided that if the Federal Funds Effective Rate as so determined would be less than 0.00%, such rate shall be deemed to be 0.00% for the purposes of this Agreement.
8
“Financial Officer” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer, or other senior financial officer of the Guarantor, in each case, to the extent duly authorized to deliver certifications hereunder.
“Floor” means the benchmark rate floor, if any, provided in this Agreement initially (as of the execution of this Agreement, the modification, amendment or renewal of this Agreement or otherwise) with respect to the Term SOFR Rate or Daily Simple SOFR, as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt, the initial Floor for each of the Term SOFR Rate and Daily Simple SOFR is 0.00%.
“Guarantee” by any Person means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Debt of any other Person and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Debt (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (ii) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Debt of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), provided that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
“Guarantee Agreement” means the Guarantee Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, made by the Guarantor in favor of the LC Issuer.
“Guarantor” means Equitable Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its successors.
“Hybrid Instrument Amount” means, with respect to any Hybrid Instruments, the principal amount (which principal amount may be a portion of the aggregate principal amount) of such Hybrid Instrument that is accorded equity credit treatment by S&P and/or Moody’s at the time of issuance thereof; provided that, (i) in the case such Hybrid Instruments are given equity credit by both S&P and Moody’s, the higher of the two amounts shall apply, (ii) the equity credit treatment given by S&P and Moody’s to any Hybrid Instrument at the time of issuance shall be deemed to apply to such Hybrid Instrument to the extent such Hybrid Instrument remains outstanding, irrespective of any change in the equity credit treatment given by either such rating agency to such Hybrid Instrument at any time after the date of issuance (it being agreed, for avoidance of doubt, that any change in the amount or percentage of the equity credit given to such Hybrid Instrument that is contemplated in the equity credit treatment given to such Hybrid Instrument as of the date of issuance (including, without limitation, any such change resulting from the life to maturity of such Hybrid Instrument or the amount of all such Hybrid Instruments as a percentage of total adjusted capital (as determined by S&P or Moody’s)) shall continue to be given effect after the date of issuance in determining the Hybrid Instrument Amount), unless such change results from an amendment or modification to such Hybrid Instrument, and (iii) the Hybrid Instrument Amount that is included in the determination of Adjusted Consolidated Net Worth shall not, at any time, exceed 15% of Consolidated Total Capitalization.
“Hybrid Instruments” means Securities (as defined below) that are given at least some equity credit by S&P or Moody’s (and as to which, in the case of any Hybrid Instrument issued after the Effective Date, the Guarantor shall have provided evidence of such equity credit to the LC Issuer), provided that the term “Hybrid Instruments” shall exclude any Securities to the extent recorded in the shareholder’s equity section of the consolidated balance sheet of the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries most recently filed with the SEC. As used herein “Securities” means any stock, share, partnership interest, membership interest in a limited liability company, voting trust certificate, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-
9
sharing agreement or arrangement, option, warrant, bond, debenture, note, or other evidence of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as “securities” or any certificates of interest, shares or participations in temporary or interim certificates for the purchase or acquisition of, or any right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing.
“Index Debt” means senior, unsecured, long-term indebtedness for borrowed money of the Guarantor that is not guaranteed by any other Person or subject to any other credit enhancement.
“Insurance Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary which is subject to the regulation of, and is required to file statements with, any governmental body, agency or official in any State or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia which regulates insurance companies or the doing of an insurance business therein.
“Investment Entity” means a joint venture, partnership, limited liability company or other Person that is not wholly-owned by the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries, in respect of which none of the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries directly or indirectly exercises or has the contractual right (pursuant to the terms of the relevant joint venture agreement, partnership agreement, operating agreement or limited liability company agreement or similar agreement) to exercise day-to-day management or control over the business or affairs of such Person (provided, that the Guarantor or its Subsidiaries shall not be considered to have control solely as a result of having a veto or consent right over certain material actions or decisions, including, without limitation, the incurrence of indebtedness or other obligations or the entry into certain other material transactions).
“LC Disbursement” means a payment made by the LC Issuer pursuant to the Letter of Credit.
“LC Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of the outstanding Letter of Credit at such time plus (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements under the Letter of Credit that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the relevant Subsidiary Account Party at such time.
“LC Issuer” means MUFG Bank, Ltd., in its capacity as LC Issuer hereunder.
“Letter of Credit” means the letter of credit issued under Section 2.01.
“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset. For the purposes of this Agreement, the Guarantor or any Subsidiary shall be deemed to own subject to a Lien any asset which it has acquired or beneficially holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or other title retention agreement relating to such asset.
“Margin Stock” has the meaning given to it in Regulations T, U and X.
“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, financial condition or operations of the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, taken as a whole or (b) the validity or enforceability of any of the Credit Documents or the material rights and remedies of the LC Issuer under the Credit Documents.
“Material Subsidiary” means (a) any Subsidiary that has total assets (including, without limitation, Capital Stock of its Subsidiaries) in excess of 10% of the total assets of the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries (based upon and as of the date of the filing of the most recent
10
consolidated balance sheet of the Guarantor delivered pursuant to Section 4.04 or 5.01) and (b) any Subsidiary of the Guarantor whose Subsidiaries include one or more Material Subsidiaries. In the event that the aggregate total assets of the Material Subsidiaries represents less than 80% of the consolidated total assets of the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries (as reported on the Guarantor’s most recent consolidated balance sheet furnished pursuant to Section 4.04 or 5.01), the Guarantor shall promptly designate by written notice to the LC Issuer an additional Subsidiary or Subsidiaries as Material Subsidiaries in order that, after such designation, the aggregate total assets of the Material Subsidiaries represent at least 80% of the consolidated total assets of the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries (as reported on the Guarantor’s most recent consolidated balance sheet furnished pursuant to Section 4.04 or 5.01).
“Material Unpaid Derivative Product Indebtedness” means, at any time, any obligations of the Guarantor or any of its Material Subsidiaries then due and payable by the Guarantor or any of its Material Subsidiaries in respect of one or more swap contracts (giving effect to any legally enforceable netting agreements) as a result of such swap contracts being terminated, accelerated or closed-out by the counter-party prior to the scheduled termination of such swap contracts (an “Early Termination”), where such Early Termination was the result of an event of default or other similar breach of such swap contracts attributable to the Guarantor or any of its Material Subsidiaries.
“Moody’s” means Xxxxx’x Investors Service, Inc.
“Multiemployer Plan” means at any time an employee pension benefit plan within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which any member of the ERISA Group is then making or accruing an obligation to make contributions or has within the preceding five plan years made contributions, including for these purposes any Person which ceased to be a member of the ERISA Group during such five-year period.
“NAIC” means the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and any successor thereto.
“NAIC Approved Bank” means a bank that is a bank listed on the most current “List of Qualified U.S. Financial Institutions” approved by the NAIC (the “NAIC Approved Bank List”) (or any branch or related entity of such bank that qualifies as a Qualified U.S. Financial Institution in accordance with the Purposes and Procedures Manual of the NAIC Investment Analysis Office).
“NAIC Approved Bank List” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “NAIC Approved Bank”.
“NAIC-Compliant Provisions” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a).
“Net Proceeds” means, with respect to any Equity Issuance, the aggregate cash proceeds received in respect of such Equity Issuance, net of all reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses paid to third parties (other than Affiliates of the Guarantor) in connection therewith; provided that Net Proceeds of any Equity Issuance shall not include any proceeds received in respect of the exercise of stock options held by officers, directors, employees, or consultants of the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries.
“Non-Operating Indebtedness” of any Person means, at any date, all Debt (other than Operating Indebtedness) of such Person.
“NYFRB” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
11
“NYFRB Rate” means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate in effect on such day (or for any day that is not a Business Day, for the immediately preceding Business Day); provided that if none of such rates are published for any day that is a Business Day, the term “NYFRB Rate” means the rate for a federal funds transaction quoted at 11:00 a.m. on such day received to the LC Issuer from a federal funds broker of recognized standing selected by it; provided, further, that if any of the aforesaid rates shall be less than 0.00%, such rate shall be deemed to be 0.00% for purposes of this Agreement.
“NYFRB’s Website” means the website of the NYFRB at xxxx://xxx.xxxxxxxxxx.xxx, or any successor source.
“Obligations” means all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Obligor arising under any Credit Document or otherwise with respect to the Letter of Credit, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Obligor or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding
“Obligor” means each of the Guarantor and each Subsidiary Account Party.
“Operating Indebtedness” of any Person means, at any date, without duplication, any Debt of such Person (a) in respect of or supporting (including any Guarantee of Debt in respect thereof) AXXX, XXX and other similar life reserve requirements, (b) incurred in connection with repurchase agreements and securities lending, (c) to the extent the proceeds of which are used directly or indirectly (including for the purpose of funding portfolios that are used to fund trusts in order) to support AXXX, XXX and other similar life reserves, (d) to the extent the proceeds of which are used to fund discrete customer-related assets or pools of assets (and related hedge instruments and capital) that are at least notionally segregated from other assets and have sufficient cash flow to pay principal and interest thereof, with insignificant risk of other assets of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries being called upon to make such principal and interest payments, (e) excluded entirely from financial leverage by both S&P and Moody’s in their evaluation of such person, (f) consisting of loans and other obligations owing to Federal Home Loan Banks or (g) (i) incurred by or on behalf of collateralized loan obligation investment vehicles managed by AB Broadly Syndicated Loan Manager LLC, including as a part of customary warehouse financing, or (ii) incurred by Investment Entities, in the case of each of (i) and (ii) for which there is no recourse to the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries.
“Overnight Bank Funding Rate” means, for any day, the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight eurodollar transactions denominated in Dollars by U.S.-managed banking offices of depository institutions, as such composite rate shall be determined by the NYFRB as set forth on the NYFRB’s Website from time to time, and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as an overnight bank funding rate.
“Ownership Interests” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.08.
“Parent” means, with respect to the LC Issuer, any Person as to which the LC Issuer is, directly or indirectly, a subsidiary.
“Participant” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.05(b).
“Participant Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.05(b).
12
“Patriot Act” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.16.
“Payment Account” means an account designated by the LC Issuer in a notice to the Guarantor to which payments hereunder are to be made.
“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any entity succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.
“Person” means an individual, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a trust or any other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.
“Plan” means at any time an employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) which is covered by Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code and either (i) is maintained, or contributed to, by any member of the ERISA Group for employees of any member of the ERISA Group or (ii) has at any time within the preceding five years been maintained, or contributed to, by any Person which was at such time a member of the ERISA Group for employees of any Person which was at such time a member of the ERISA Group.
“Prime Rate” means the rate of interest last quoted by The Wall Street Journal as the “Prime Rate” in the U.S. or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases to quote such rate, the highest per annum interest rate published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the “bank prime loan” rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by the LC Issuer) or any similar release by the Federal Reserve Board (as determined by the LC Issuer). Each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced or quoted as being effective.
“Quarterly Dates” means the last day of March, June, September and December in each year, the first of which shall be the first such day after the Effective Date.
“Reference Time” with respect to any setting of the then-current Benchmark means (1) if such Benchmark is the Term SOFR Rate, 5:00 a.m. (Chicago time) on the day that is two Business Days preceding the date of such setting, (2) if such Benchmark is Daily Simple SOFR, then four Business Days prior to such setting or (3) if such Benchmark is none of the Term SOFR Rate or Daily Simple SOFR, the time determined by the LC Issuer in its reasonable discretion.
“Regulation S-X” means Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and as interpreted by the SEC.
“Regulations T, U and X” means Regulations T, U and X, respectively, of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, in each case as in effect from time to time.
“Related Parties” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.
“Relevant Governmental Body” shall mean the Federal Reserve Board and/or the NYFRB, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board and/or the NYFRB or, in each case, any successor thereto.
13
“Resolution Authority” means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.
“S&P” means Standard and Poor’s Ratings Services.
“Sanctions” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.16.
“Sanctions Laws” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.16.
“SEC” means Securities and Exchange Commission or any governmental body, agency or official succeeding to its principal functions.
“Secured Obligations” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(e).
“Sell-Down Event” means the end of the 90 day period (or such longer period as the LC Issuer may approve) following any event or series of events as a result of which the Guarantor ceases to own, directly or indirectly, shares of the outstanding shares of common stock of either the AB Entities or Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company representing 51% or more of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding common stock of either the AB Entities or Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company, respectively; provided, that no Sell-Down Event shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) the relevant event or series of events has been waived by the LC Issuer or (ii) the Guarantor or the Subsidiary Account Parties have provided cash collateral to the LC Issuer in an amount equal to the face amount of the outstanding Letter of Credit at such time.
“SOFR” means a rate equal to the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the SOFR Administrator.
“SOFR Administrator” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate).
“SOFR Administrator’s Website” means the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, currently at xxxx://xxx.xxxxxxxxxx.xxx, or any successor source for the secured overnight financing rate identified as such by the SOFR Administrator from time to time.
“SOFR Determination Date” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Daily Simple SOFR”.
“SOFR Rate Day” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Daily Simple SOFR”.
“Statutory Statement” means a statement of the condition and affairs of an Insurance Subsidiary, prepared in accordance with accounting procedures and practices prescribed or permitted by an applicable insurance regulatory authority or the NAIC, as modified in accordance with permitted practices approved by an applicable insurance regulatory authority, and filed with an applicable insurance regulatory authority or the NAIC.
“Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity of which securities or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions are at the time directly or indirectly owned by the Guarantor, but excluding: (i) the AB Entities, and (ii) the Investment Entities.
“Subsidiary Account Party” means EQ AZ and each other direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Guarantor that becomes a successor Subsidiary Account Party in accordance with the terms of Section 8.11.
14
“Subsidiary Joinder Agreement” means a joinder to this Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit C.
“Term SOFR Determination Day” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Term SOFR Reference Rate”.
“Term SOFR Rate” means, for the applicable Corresponding Tenor as of the applicable Reference Time, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, as such rate is published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator.
“Term SOFR Reference Rate” means, for any day and time (such day, the “Term SOFR Determination Day”) the rate per annum published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator as the forward-looking rate based on SOFR with a tenor comparable to the applicable interest period; provided that if the Term SOFR Reference Rate as so determined would be less than 0.00%, such rate shall be deemed to be 0.00% for purposes of this Agreement. If by 5:00 pm (New York City time) on such Term SOFR Determination Day, the “Term SOFR Reference Rate” for the applicable tenor has not been published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Rate has not occurred, then so long as such day is otherwise a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such Term SOFR Determination Day will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate as published in respect of the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate was published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator, so long as such first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day is not more than five (5) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such Term SOFR Determination Day.
“Termination Date” means the earliest to occur of (i) January 23, 2029 or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day, as such date may be modified in accordance with Section 2.01(b) or Section 2.01(e), (ii) upon the occurrence of a Sell-Down Event, on the date thereof or (iii) the date of acceleration of any of the Obligations pursuant to Section 6.01.
“UK Financial Institution” means any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any person subject to IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms.
“UK Resolution Authority” means the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution.
“Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.
“U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any day except for (i) a Saturday, (ii) a Sunday or (iii) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in United States government securities.
“VA Adjustment Amount” means, at any date, an amount equal to the GMxB accounting asymmetry portion of the “Variable annuity product features” adjustments set forth under “Non-GAAP Operating Earnings” in the notes to the financial statements of the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2023 plus such amount for each subsequent fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been delivered to the LC
15
Issuer in accordance with Section 5.01, on a cumulative basis and without duplication; provided that such adjustments shall be determined in a manner materially consistent with past practice as reflected in the calculation for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2023 that was provided to the LC Issuer prior to the Effective Date. The VA Adjustment Amount may be a positive value (in which case it shall increase Adjusted Consolidated Net Worth) or negative value (in which case it shall reduce Adjusted Consolidated Net Worth) or zero.
“Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, (a) with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule, and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers.
SECTION 1.02 Accounting Terms and Determinations.
(a)All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP, as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the audited financial statements or statutory statements, as of the Effective Date, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein.
(b)If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any requirement set forth in any Credit Document, and either the Guarantor or the LC Issuer shall so request, the LC Issuer and the Guarantor shall negotiate in good faith to amend such requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the LC Issuer); provided that, until so amended, (i) such requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP as in effect prior to such change therein and (ii) the Guarantor shall provide to the LC Issuer financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.
ARTICLE II THE CREDITS
SECTION 1.01 Letter of Credit.
(a)General. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, on or around the Effective Date, the LC Issuer agrees to issue a Letter of Credit denominated in Dollars for the account of such Subsidiary Account Party, in a face amount equal to $200,000,000.
The Letter of Credit shall be a standby letter of credit in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, with such changes therein as may be requested by the relevant Subsidiary Account Party, so long as the LC Issuer approves such changes. The Letter of Credit shall be unconditional. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, if the relevant Subsidiary Account Party requests that the Letter of Credit include additional provisions (or revisions to the form attached hereto as Exhibit A) in order to satisfy the requirements for letters of credit under credit-for-reinsurance provisions in the jurisdiction of organization of the beneficiary of the Letter of Credit with respect to reinsurance reserve credit requirements by providing written notice to the LC Issuer at least five (5) Business
16
Days prior to issuance of the Letter of Credit (or such shorter time as may be agreed by the LC Issuer) specifying the requested additional provisions and a summary of the reasons therefor, the Letter of Credit shall include such requested or revised provisions (such provisions, “NAIC-Compliant Provisions”) unless the issuance of the Letter of Credit with any such NAIC-Compliant Provisions would, in the reasonable judgment of the LC Issuer, materially increase the potential liability of the LC Issuer, and the Guarantor or the Subsidiary Account Party has not otherwise agreed to compensate the LC Issuer for any such increased liability in a manner reasonably acceptable to the LC Issuer. The LC Issuer shall not be obligated to verify that any requested NAIC-Compliant Provisions satisfy such requirements for reserve credit. In no event shall the Letter of Credit be transferable.
(b)Notice of Issuance, Amendment or Extension. To request the issuance of the Letter of Credit (or the amendment or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Subsidiary Account Party shall hand deliver or telecopy (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the LC Issuer) to the LC Issuer, not later than noon (New York City time) three Business Days (or such shorter time as the LC Issuer may agree in a particular instance in its sole discretion) prior to the requested date of issuance, amendment or extension, a notice, substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto (or such other form as may be agreed between such Subsidiary Account Party and the LC Issuer), requesting the issuance of the Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment or extension, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which the Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with Section 2.01(d)), the amount of the Letter of Credit, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and the terms and conditions of (and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend or extend, as the case may be) the Letter of Credit (which shall comply with Section 2.01(a)). Any amendment to the Letter of Credit is subject to the consent and approval of the beneficiary of the Letter of Credit.
To the extent agreed by the LC Issuer in its sole discretion, the Letter of Credit may provide for the automatic extension of the expiry date thereof, unless the LC Issuer shall give notice to the beneficiary thereof on or before the date that is 60 days prior to the stated expiration date (or such shorter or longer period of time as may be agreed between the Guarantor and the LC Issuer, but in no event shorter than 30 days) that such expiry date shall not be extended (in such case, the “Evergreen Letter of Credit” and such notice, a “Non-Extension Notice”) (it being understood and agreed that, notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the renewal of the Evergreen Letter of Credit upon an automatic extension shall not require any notice or request to be delivered under Section 2.01(b) or under the Letter of Credit); provided, that the Letter of Credit shall not by its terms expire later than one year after the Termination Date with a properly executed Non-Extension Notice.
(c)Limitations on Amounts; Reductions. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that (i) the LC Issuer shall not have any obligation to issue any letter of credit hereunder other than the Letter of Credit issued on the Effective Date and (ii) the face amount of the Letter of Credit shall permanently and irrevocably be reduced, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, concurrently with any LC Disbursement in respect thereof, and in no event shall the face amount of the Letter of Credit be increased without the prior written consent of the LC Issuer. For the avoidance of doubt, the Letter of Credit is non-revolving.
(d)Expiry Date. The Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date five years after the date of the issuance of the Letter of Credit (provided that the Letter of Credit shall contain “evergreen” provisions for the renewal or extension thereof to a date not later than one year after the then current expiry date thereof) or (ii) the first anniversary of the Termination Date with a properly executed Non-Extension Notice.
17
The Guarantor shall cause the Letter of Credit outstanding on or after the date that is five Business Days prior to the Termination Date to be cash collateralized in accordance with Section 2.02(e) on or prior to such date and for so long as the Letter of Credit is outstanding.
(e)Extensions to the Termination Date. So long as (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the relevant anniversary of the Effective Date and (ii) the LC Issuer has not given written notice of non-extension to the Obligors on or before the date that is 60 days prior to the relevant anniversary of the Effective Date (or such shorter or longer period of time as may be agreed between the Guarantor and the LC Issuer, but in no event shorter than 30 days), the Termination Date will be extended by one additional year as of each of the first five anniversaries of the Effective Date, such that if each of the five extensions take effect, the final Termination Date shall be ten years from the Effective Date; provided, however, the then-existing Termination Date will not be eligible for further extension following the occurrence of a Sell-Down Event.
(f)Conditions to Issuance, Etc. The LC Issuer shall have no obligation to issue, amend or extend the Letter of Credit, so long as:
(i)Any order, judgment or decree of any governmental authority or arbitrator shall have been entered or rendered which by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the LC Issuer from issuing the Letter of Credit;
(ii)Any law applicable to LC Issuer or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any governmental authority with jurisdiction over the LC Issuer shall prohibit, or request that the LC Issuer refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or the Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the LC Issuer with respect to any the Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the LC Issuer is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Effective Date, or shall impose upon the LC Issuer any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Effective Date and which the LC Issuer in good xxxxx xxxxx material to it;
(iii)Except as otherwise agreed by LC Issuer, the Letter of Credit is in an initial amount less than $1,000,000;
(iv)The Letter of Credit is to be denominated in a currency other than US Dollars;
(v)More than one (1) Letter of Credit is outstanding;
(vi)A Sell-Down Event shall have occurred or would have occurred but for the posting of cash collateral as described in clause (ii) of the definition of “Sell-Down Event”; or
(vii)The Letter of Credit contains any provisions for automatic reinstatement of the stated amount after any drawing thereunder.
SECTION 1.02 Reimbursement for LC Disbursements, Cover, Etc.
(a)Reimbursement. If the LC Issuer shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of the Letter of Credit the relevant Subsidiary Account Party shall reimburse the LC Issuer in respect of any such LC Disbursement by paying to the LC Issuer an amount equal to such LC Disbursement not later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Business Day
18
immediately following the day that the Guarantor on behalf of the relevant Subsidiary Account Party receives notice of such LC Disbursement.
(b)Reimbursement Obligations Absolute. The obligations of the Subsidiary Account Party to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in Section 2.02(a) and of the Guarantor under the Guarantee Agreement shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of the Letter of Credit, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under the Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment under the Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of the Letter of Credit, (iv) at any time or from time to time, without notice to the Guarantor or any Subsidiary Account Party, the time for any performance of or compliance with any of such reimbursement obligations of any Subsidiary Account Party or party thereto shall be waived, extended or renewed, (v) any of such reimbursement obligations of any Subsidiary Account Party or party thereto shall be amended or otherwise modified in any respect, or any guarantee of any of such reimbursement obligations or any security therefor shall be released, substituted or exchanged in whole or in part or otherwise dealt with, (vi) any lien or security interest granted to, or in favor of, the LC Issuer as security for any of such reimbursement obligations shall fail to be perfected, (vii) the occurrence of any Default, (viii) the existence of any proceedings of the type described in Section 6.01(g) or (h) with respect to any other Subsidiary Account Party or party thereto of any of such reimbursement obligations, (ix) any lack of validity or enforceability of any of such reimbursement obligations against any other Subsidiary Account Party or party thereto of any of such reimbursement obligations, or (x) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section 2.02, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of the obligations of the Guarantor or any Subsidiary Account Party hereunder.
Neither the LC Issuer nor any of its Related Parties shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance of the Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to the Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond their control; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the LC Issuer from liability to any Obligor to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential, special, indirect and punitive damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Obligors to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by such Obligor that are caused by (x) the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the LC Issuer, as the case may be, or (y) its willful failure to make an LC Disbursement in respect of any drawing properly made under the Letter of Credit as provided in Section 2.02(c), in the case of each of the foregoing clauses (x) and (y), as determined in a final and non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction. The parties hereto expressly agree that:
(i)the LC Issuer may accept documents that appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of the Letter of Credit without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and may make payment upon presentation of documents that appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of the Letter of Credit;
19
(ii)the LC Issuer shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to decline to accept such documents and to make such payment if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of the Letter of Credit; and
(iii)this sentence shall establish the standard of care to be exercised by the LC Issuer when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under the Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof (and the parties hereto hereby waive, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any standard of care inconsistent with the foregoing).
(c)Disbursement Procedures. The LC Issuer shall, within a reasonable time following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under the Letter of Credit. The LC Issuer shall promptly after such examination notify the Guarantor (who shall notify the relevant Subsidiary Account Party) by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of such demand for payment; provided, however, the failure to provide such notice shall not create any liability for the LC Issuer or in any way limit or diminish the obligations of the Obligors under the Credit Documents. With respect to any drawing properly made under any the Letter of Credit the LC Issuer will make an LC Disbursement in respect of the Letter of Credit in accordance with its liability under the Letter of Credit and this Agreement. The LC Issuer will make any such LC Disbursement available to the beneficiary of the Letter of Credit by promptly crediting the amount of the LC Disbursement to the account identified by such beneficiary in connection with such demand for payment. Promptly following any LC Disbursement by LC Issuer in respect of any the Letter of Credit, the LC Issuer will notify the Guarantor (who shall notify the relevant Subsidiary Account Party) of such LC Disbursement; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the relevant Subsidiary Account Party of its obligation to reimburse the LC Issuer with respect to any such LC Disbursement, the Guarantor of its guarantee pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement, or any of the relevant Subsidiary Account Party’s or the Guarantor’s obligations hereunder.
(d)Interim Interest. If any LC Disbursement is made, then, unless such LC Disbursement has been reimbursed in full in cash on the date such LC Disbursement is made (without regard for when notice thereof is given), the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the relevant Subsidiary Account Party reimburses such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate plus 1.00%.
(e)Provision of Cover. In the event the Guarantor or the Subsidiary Account Parties shall have provided (or be required to provide) cash collateral for the outstanding Letter of Credit pursuant to Section 2.01(d), Section 6.01 or in connection with a Sell-Down Event, the LC Issuer will establish a separate cash collateral account (the “Collateral Account”), which may be a “securities account” (as defined in Section 8-501 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in New York (the “NY UCC”)), in the name and under the sole dominion and control of the LC Issuer (and, in the case of a securities account, in respect of which the LC Issuer is the “entitlement holder” (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(7) of the NY UCC)) into which there shall be deposited from time to time such amounts paid to the LC Issuer as cash collateral for the applicable LC Exposure. As collateral security for the prompt payment in full in cash when due of the Obligations and all reimbursement obligations in respect of LC Disbursements, all interest thereon, and all other obligations of the Obligors under the Credit Documents whether or not then outstanding or due and payable (such obligations being herein collectively called the “Secured Obligations”), each Obligor hereby pledges and grants to the LC Issuer, for the benefit of the LC Issuer as provided herein, a security interest in all of its right, title and interest in and to the Collateral Account and the balances from time to time in the Collateral Account (including the investments and reinvestments therein provided for below). The balances from time to time in the Collateral Account shall not constitute payment of any Secured Obligations until applied
20
by the LC Issuer as provided herein. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, funds held in the Collateral Account shall be subject to withdrawal only as provided in this Section 2.02(e). Amounts on deposit in the Collateral Account may be held uninvested or be invested and reinvested by the LC Issuer in such short-term investments as the LC Issuer shall determine in its sole discretion. All such investments and reinvestments shall be held in the name and be under the sole dominion and control of the LC Issuer and shall be credited to the Collateral Account. At any time, and from time to time, while an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the LC Issuer may liquidate any such investments and reinvestments and credit the proceeds thereof to the Collateral Account and apply or cause to be applied such proceeds and any other balances in the Collateral Account to the payment of any of the Secured Obligations due and payable. If at any time (i) no Default has occurred and is continuing and (ii) all of the Secured Obligations then due have been paid in full in cash but the Letter of Credit remains outstanding, the LC Issuer shall, from time to time, at the request of the Guarantor, deliver to the relevant Obligor, against receipt but without any recourse, warranty or representation whatsoever, such of the balances in the Collateral Account as exceed the aggregate undrawn face amount of the outstanding Letter of Credit. When all of the Secured Obligations shall have been paid in full in cash and the Letter of Credit has expired or been terminated, the LC Issuer shall promptly deliver to the Guarantor, for account of the relevant Obligor, against receipt but without any recourse, warranty or representation whatsoever, the balances remaining in the Collateral Account.
SECTION 1.03 Benchmark Replacement.
(a)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Credit Document, if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time in respect of any setting of the then-current Benchmark, then if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (1) or (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Credit Document in respect of such Benchmark setting and subsequent Benchmark settings without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Credit Document.
(b)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Credit Document, the LC Issuer will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Credit Document, any amendments implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Credit Document.
(c)The LC Issuer will promptly notify the Guarantor of (1) any occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, (2) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, (3) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes, (4) the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to clause (d) below and (5) the commencement or conclusion of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the LC Issuer pursuant to this Section 2.03, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its sole discretion and without consent from any other party to this Agreement or any other Credit Document, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 2.03.
(d)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Credit Document, at any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark
21
Replacement), (i) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including the Term SOFR Rate) and either (a) any tenor for such Benchmark is not displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the LC Issuer in its reasonable discretion or (b) the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark has provided a public statement or publication of information announcing that any tenor for such Benchmark is or will be no longer representative, then the LC Issuer may modify the definition of “Interest Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for any Benchmark settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable or non-representative tenor and (ii) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (i) above either (a) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (b) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is or will no longer be representative for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then the LC Issuer may modify the definition of “Interest Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor.
(e)Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the LC Issuer pursuant to this Section 2.03, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its sole discretion and without consent from any other party hereto, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 2.03.
(f)The LC Issuer does not warrant or accept any responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to, the administration of, submission of, calculation of or availability of or any other matter related to any interest rate used in this Agreement, or with respect to any alternative or successor rate thereto, or replacement rate thereof, including without limitation, whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement reference rate will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, the existing interest rate being replaced or have the same volume or liquidity as did any interest rate prior to its discontinuance or unavailability.
SECTION 1.04 Fees.
(a)[reserved].
(b)The Guarantor agrees to pay or cause each Subsidiary Account Parties to pay to the LC Issuer for its own account a letter of credit fee with respect to the Letter of Credit issued for such Subsidiary Account Party’s account, which shall accrue at a rate separately agreed in writing among the Obligors and the LC Issuer on the average daily aggregate undrawn amount of the Letter of Credit during the period of time while the Letter of Credit is outstanding. Letter of Credit fees accrued through and including each Quarterly Date shall be payable in arrears on the fifteenth day following such Quarterly Date, commencing on the first Quarterly Date to occur after the Effective Date; provided that all such fees shall be payable on the date on which the Letter of Credit is terminated.
(c)Each Subsidiary Account Party agrees to pay, on demand, to the LC Issuer (with respect to the Letter of Credit issued for its account) for its own account, all commissions, charges, costs and expenses with respect to the issuance, amendment, renewal and extension of the Letter of Credit and drawings and other transactions relating thereto in amounts reasonably and customarily charged from time to time in like circumstances by the LC Issuer or, as may be separately agreed from time to time by the Guarantor and the LC Issuer.
22
(d)All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available funds, to the LC Issuer. Fees paid hereunder shall not be refundable under any circumstances.
SECTION 1.05 [Reserved].
SECTION 1.06 Payments Generally.
(a)The Obligors shall make or cause to be made each payment required to be made by them hereunder (whether reimbursement of LC Disbursements, fees, amounts under Article VII or otherwise) or under any other Credit Document (except to the extent otherwise provided therein) not later than 2:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without set-off or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the LC Issuer, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the LC Issuer at its Payment Account, except as otherwise expressly provided in the relevant Credit Document, and except that payments pursuant to Section 8.03 and Article VII shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments hereunder or under any other Credit Document shall be made in Dollars.
(b)If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the LC Issuer to pay fully all amounts of unreimbursed LC Disbursements in respect of the Letter of Credit or interest thereon and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, to pay interest and fees then due hereunder in respect of such Letters of Credit, (ii) second, to pay such unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due hereunder and (iii) third, to pay all other Secured Obligations (other than contingent reimbursement or indemnification obligations as to which no claim has been asserted).
(c)Amounts owed hereunder which are not paid when due shall accrue interest at the Default Rate, such interest to be payable upon demand.
SECTION 1.07 Computation of Interest and Fees. Interest based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year) and paid for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). All other interest and fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and paid for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).
SECTION 1.08 Provisions Relating to NAIC Approved Banks. The LC Issuer confirms that it is, as of the date of this Agreement, listed on the NAIC Approved Bank List.
ARTICLE III CONDITIONS
SECTION 1.01 Each Credit Extension. The obligation of the LC Issuer to issue, amend, or extend the Letter of Credit is subject to the satisfaction (or waiver in accordance with Section 8.04) of the following conditions:
(a)the conditions precedent to effectiveness set forth in Section 3.02 shall have been satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 8.04) and the Effective Date shall have occurred and none of the conditions or circumstances in Section 2.01(f) shall be then occurring;
23
(b)[reserved];
(c)in the event of an amendment that results in a reduction of the face amount of the Letter of Credit, receipt by the LC issuer of a notice, dated the date thereof and signed by the beneficiary of the Letter of Credit, specifying such reduction to the face amount of the Letter of Credit;
(d)receipt by the LC Issuer of a notice of issuance, amendment or extension, as the case may be, as required by Section 2.01(b);
(e)immediately before and after issuance, amendment or extension of the Letter of Credit no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(f)the representations and warranties (other than, except with respect to an extension of credit on the Effective Date, the representations and warranties in Sections 4.04(d) and Section 4.05 (in the case of Section 4.05, as to matters that have been disclosed in writing to the LC Issuer)) of the applicable Obligors contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such issuance, amendment or extension of the Letter of Credit (except that such representations and warranties which are qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect shall be true and correct in all respects) (or, if any such representation or warranty is expressly stated to have been made as of a specific date, as of such specific date).
Each issuance, amendment or extension of the Letter of Credit hereunder shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Guarantor on the date of such issuance, amendment or extension, as the case may be, as to the satisfaction of the conditions specified in clauses (a), (e) and (f) of this Section 3.01.
SECTION 1.02 Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective on the first date that all of the following conditions shall have been satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 8.04):
(a)receipt by the LC Issuer of counterparts of this Agreement and the Guarantee Agreement signed by each of the Persons listed on the signature pages hereto and thereto, as applicable;
(b)receipt by the LC Issuer of an opinion of internal and external counsel to the Guarantor addressed to it and dated the Effective Date, covering such matters relating to the Obligors, this Agreement, the Guarantee Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby as the LC Issuer shall reasonably request (and the Guarantor hereby requests such counsel to deliver such opinions);
(c)receipt by the LC Issuer of a certificate, dated the Effective Date and signed by a Financial Officer of the Guarantor, certifying: (i) (x) that the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of such date (except that such representations and warranties which are qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect shall be true and correct in all respects) (or, if any such representation or warranty is expressly stated to have been made as of a specific date, as of such specific date) and (y) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) as to clause (g) of this Section 3.02 and (iii) calculations of Adjusted Consolidated Net Worth and Consolidated Total Indebtedness to Consolidated Total Capitalization calculated as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter for which financial statements of the Guarantor are available;
24
(d)receipt by the LC Issuer of such documents and certificates as the LC Issuer may reasonably request relating to the organization, existence and good standing of the Obligors, the authorization of the transactions contemplated hereby and any other legal matters relating to each of the Obligors, this Agreement, the Guarantee Agreement or the transaction contemplated hereby, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the LC Issuer, including a certified copy of the resolutions (or equivalent approvals) of the Board of Directors (or equivalent governing body) of each Obligor, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the LC Issuer, authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and other Credit Documents;
(e)at least five (5) days prior to the Effective Date, (i) receipt by the LC Issuer of all documents, instruments and other information regarding any Obligor as it may reasonably request in connection with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act, to the extent requested from the Guarantor at least ten (10) days prior to the Effective Date and (ii) to the extent that any Obligor qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, the LC Issuer that has requested, in a written notice to the Guarantor at least ten (10) days prior to the Effective Date, a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to the applicable Obligor shall have such Beneficial Ownership Certification;
(f)receipt by the LC Issuer of evidence as of the Effective Date as to payment of all fees required to be paid, and all expenses required to be paid or reimbursed for which invoices have been presented (including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel to the LC Issuer required to be paid as of the Effective Date and invoiced at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Effective Date) in connection with this Agreement, on or before the Effective Date; and
(g)there shall not have occurred a material adverse change since December 31, 2022 in the business, financial condition or operations of the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
The LC Issuer shall promptly notify the Guarantor of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding on all parties hereto.
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
On the Effective Date and each other date as required by the Credit Documents, the Guarantor represents and warrants that:
SECTION 1.01 Corporate Existence and Power. The Guarantor (a) is a corporation duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, (b) has (i) all corporate power and authority and (ii) all material governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals required, in each case, to own or lease its assets and carry on its business as now conducted and (c) is duly qualified and is licensed and, as applicable, in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license, except in each case referred to in the foregoing clauses (b)(ii) and (c) to the extent that such failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 1.02 Corporate and Governmental Authorization; Contravention. The execution, delivery and performance by each Obligor of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents to which it is a party are within such Obligor’s corporate, limited liability or partnership powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, limited liability company or partnership action, require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any
25
governmental body, agency or official (except such as have been completed or made and are in full force and effect) and do not contravene, or constitute a default under, any provision of (x) applicable law or regulation, (y) the articles of incorporation or by-laws or other constituent documents of such Obligor or (z) any material agreement, judgment, injunction, order, decree or other instrument binding upon any Obligor or any Material Subsidiary or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of any Obligor or any Material Subsidiary, except in each case referred to in the foregoing clauses (x) and (z) to the extent such contravention or default, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 1.03 Binding Effect. This Agreement and the other Credit Documents to which it is a party constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of each of the Obligors, in each case enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except as the same may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity.
SECTION 1.04 Financial Information; No Material Adverse Change.
(a)The consolidated balance sheets of the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, and the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows and shareholders’ equity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, reported on by PricewaterhouseCoopers, copies of which have been delivered to the LC Issuer, fairly present, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, the consolidated financial position of the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date and their consolidated results of operations and changes in financial position for the period covered by such financial statements.
(b)The audited consolidated balance sheets of the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2023 and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income, cash flows and shareholders’ net investment for the period then ended, copies of which have been delivered to the LC Issuer, fairly present, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a basis consistent with the financial statements referred to in subsection (a) of this Section 4.04, the consolidated financial position of the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date and their consolidated results of operations and changes in financial position for such period (subject to normal year-end adjustments and, to the extent permitted by Regulation S-X, the absence of footnotes).
(c)A copy of a duly completed and signed annual Statutory Statement or other similar report of or for each Insurance Subsidiary that is a Material Subsidiary or Subsidiary Account Party (other than EQ AZ) in the form filed with the governmental body, agency or official which regulates insurance companies in the jurisdiction in which such Insurance Subsidiary is domiciled for the year ended December 31, 2022 has been delivered to the LC Issuer and fairly presents, in accordance with statutory accounting principles, the information contained therein.
(d)Except as set forth in the Guarantor’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, since December 31, 2022, there has been no material adverse change in the business, financial condition or operations of the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, considered as a whole.
SECTION 1.05 Litigation. Except as set forth in the sections entitled “Legal Proceedings” of the Guarantor’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 or Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, there is no action, suit or proceeding pending, or to the knowledge of the Guarantor threatened, against any of the Obligors or any of the Guarantor’s Material Subsidiaries before any court or arbitrator or any governmental body,
26
agency or official (a) which has or would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (b) which in any manner draws into question the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other Credit Document. The Guarantor has reasonably concluded that its, its Material Subsidiaries’ and the Subsidiary Account Parties’ compliance with Environmental Laws is unlikely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 1.06 Compliance with ERISA. Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, each member of the ERISA Group has fulfilled its obligations under the minimum funding standards of ERISA and the Code with respect to each Plan and is in compliance in all material respects with the presently applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code with respect to each Plan. Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, no member of the ERISA Group has (i) sought a waiver of the minimum funding standard under Section 412 of the Code in respect of any Plan, (ii) failed to make any required contribution or payment to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan or in respect of any Benefit Arrangement, or made any amendment to any Plan or Benefit Arrangement, which has resulted or could result in the imposition of a Lien or the posting of a bond or other security under ERISA or the Code (other than a bond or other security required in connection with the creation and adoption of a pension plan for the Guarantor) or (iii) incurred any liability under Title IV of ERISA other than a liability to the PBGC for premiums under Section 4007 of ERISA.
SECTION 1.07 Taxes. The Guarantor and its Subsidiaries have filed all income tax returns and all other material tax returns which are required to be filed by them and have paid all taxes due pursuant to such returns or pursuant to any assessment received by the Guarantor or any Subsidiary, except for any such taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been made (or the Guarantor or such Subsidiary has determined in its reasonable discretion that no reserve is required), or except in each case to the extent that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 1.08 Subsidiaries. Each of the Guarantor’s Material Subsidiaries and each Subsidiary Account Party (a) is a corporation or limited liability company that is duly incorporated or organized, validly existing and (except where such concept is not applicable) in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, (b) has all corporate or limited liability power (as applicable) and authority and all material governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals, in each case, required to own or lease its assets and carry on its business as now conducted and (c) is duly qualified and is licensed and, as applicable, in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license, except in each case referred to in the foregoing clauses (b) and (c) to the extent that such failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 1.09 Not an Investment Company. None of the Obligors or the Material Subsidiaries is an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
SECTION 1.10 Obligations to be Pari Passu. The obligations of each Obligor under this Agreement and each other Credit Document to which it is a party rank pari passu as to priority of payment and in all other respects with all other material unsecured and unsubordinated Debt of such Obligor, with the exception of those obligations that are mandatorily preferred by law and not by contract.
SECTION 1.11 No Default. No event has occurred and is continuing which constitutes, or which, with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both, would constitute, a
27
default under or in respect of any material agreement, instrument or undertaking to which any Obligor or any Material Subsidiary is a party or by which any Obligor or any Material Subsidiary or any of their respective assets is bound, unless such default would not have or be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 1.12 Material Subsidiaries and Subsidiary Account Parties. Set forth as Schedule I hereto is a true, correct and complete list of each Material Subsidiary and Subsidiary Account Party, in each case designated as such, as of the date hereof.
SECTION 1.13 Full Disclosure. None of the reports, financial statements, certificates or other written information furnished by or on the behalf of the Guarantor to the LC Issuer in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents or delivered hereunder or thereunder (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished), contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading as of the date made; provided that, (i) with respect to projected or pro forma financial information, the Guarantor represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time furnished (it being understood that such projections and forecasts are subject to uncertainties and contingencies and no assurances can be given that such projections or forecasts will be realized) and (ii) with respect to statements, information and reports derived from Persons unaffiliated with the Guarantor, the Guarantor represents that it has no knowledge of any material misstatement therein. If applicable, as of the Effective Date, to the best knowledge of the Guarantor, the information included in any Beneficial Ownership Certification provided on or prior to the Effective Date to the LC Issuer in connection with this Agreement is true and correct in all respects.
SECTION 1.14 Hybrid Instruments. Set forth as Schedule II hereto is a true, correct and complete list of each Hybrid Instrument of the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries outstanding as of the date hereof, specifying in each case the equity credit treatment given to each such Hybrid Instrument by S&P and/or Moody’s as of the Effective Date.
SECTION 1.15 Margin Regulations. The Letter of Credit will not be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the Regulations of the FRB, including Regulations T, U and X. After the issuance of the Letter of Credit hereunder, not more than 25% of the value (as determined by any reasonable method) of the assets of any of the Obligors is represented by Xxxxxx Xxxxx.
SECTION 1.16 Sanctioned Persons; Anti-Corruption Laws; Patriot Act. None of the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Guarantor, any of their respective directors, officers, employees or agents is the target of any sanctions or economic embargoes administered or enforced by the U.S. Department of State, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of Treasury, the European Union, France or His Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, in each case, to the extent applicable (collectively, “Sanctions”, and the associated laws, rules, regulations and orders, collectively, “Sanctions Laws”). Each of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers and, to the knowledge of the Guarantor, employees and agents is in compliance, in all material respects, with (i) all Sanctions Laws, (ii) the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption laws, rules, regulations and orders (collectively, “Anti-Corruption Laws”) and (iii) applicable provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001) the “Patriot Act”) and any other applicable terrorism and money laundering laws, rules, regulations and orders (collectively, “Anti-Money Laundering Laws”), except in each case to the extent that such non-compliance therewith would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or
28
reasonably be expected to result in the LC Issuer violating any such Sanctions Laws, Anti-Corruption Laws or Anti-Money Laundering Laws. No part of the Letter of Credit will be used by any Obligor, directly or knowingly indirectly, (A) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities or business of or with, or making any payments to, any Person or in any country or territory that, at the time of such funding, financing or facilitating, is the target of Sanction Laws in violation of applicable Sanctions Laws or (B) for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of any Anti-Corruption Law.
SECTION 1.17 EEA Financial Institutions. No Obligor is an EEA Financial Institution.
ARTICLE V COVENANTS
Until the Letter of Credit shall have expired or terminated or been cash collateralized to the satisfaction of the LC Issuer and all Secured Obligations shall have been paid in full in cash (other than contingent reimbursement or indemnification obligations as to which no claim has been asserted), the Guarantor agrees that:
SECTION 1.01 Information.
The Guarantor will deliver to each of the LC Issuer:
(a)on or before the date on which such financial statements are required to be filed with the SEC (or, if the Guarantor is not required to file such financial statements with the SEC, no later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Guarantor), the consolidated balance sheet of the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal year and the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows and shareholders’ equity for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on in a manner acceptable to the SEC by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or other independent public accountants of nationally recognized standing;
(b)on or before the date on which such financial statements are required to be filed with the SEC (or, if the Guarantor is not required to file such financial statements with the SEC, 45 days after the end of each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year of the Guarantor), the consolidated balance sheet of the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of each quarter and the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows and shareholders’ equity for such quarter and for the portion of the Guarantor’s fiscal year ended at the end of such quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding quarter and the corresponding portion of the Guarantor’s previous fiscal year, all certified (subject to normal year-end adjustments and, to the extent permitted by Regulation S-X, the absence of footnotes) as to fairness of presentation, generally accepted accounting principles and consistency with the most recent audited consolidated financial statements of the Guarantor and its Consolidated Subsidiaries delivered to the LC Issuer (except for changes concurred in by the Guarantor’s independent public accountants) by a Financial Officer;
(c)(I) substantially concurrently with the delivery of each set of financial statements referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Guarantor (i) setting forth in reasonable detail the calculations required to establish whether the Guarantor was in compliance with the requirements of Section 5.07 on the date of such financial statements, (ii) stating that such Financial Officer, as the case may be, has no knowledge of any Default existing on the date of such certificate or, if such Financial Officer has knowledge of the existence on such date of any Default, setting forth the details thereof and the action which the
29
Guarantor is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto, and (iii) a reconciliation to such financial statements of any inclusions to, or exclusions from, the calculations of Adjusted Consolidated Net Worth, Consolidated Total Indebtedness and Consolidated Total Capitalization, and (II) simultaneously with the delivery of each set of financial statements referred to in clause (a) and (b) above a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Guarantor specifying any changes to the list of Material Subsidiaries as of the last day of the fiscal period to which such financial statements relate;
(d)within ten days after the required date for filing with such governmental body, agency or official (after giving effect to any extensions granted by such governmental body, agency or official), a copy of a duly completed and signed annual Statutory Statement (or any successor form thereto) required to be filed by each Insurance Subsidiary that is a Material Subsidiary or a Subsidiary Account Party with the governmental body, agency or official which regulates insurance companies in the jurisdiction in which such Insurance Subsidiary is domiciled, in the form submitted to such governmental body, agency or official;
(e)within ten days after the required date for filing with such governmental body, agency or official (after giving effect to any extensions granted by such governmental body, agency or official), a copy of a duly completed and signed quarterly Statutory Statement (or any successor form thereto) required to be filed by each Insurance Subsidiary that is a Material Subsidiary or a Subsidiary Account Party with the governmental body, agency or official which regulates insurance companies in the jurisdiction in which such Insurance Subsidiary is domiciled, in the form submitted to such governmental body, agency or official (it being understood and agreed that the Obligors shall have no obligation to deliver quarterly Statutory Statements if the filing of quarterly Statutory Statements is not required by the applicable government agency, body or official);
(f)within five Business Days of any Financial Officer of the Guarantor learning of the occurrence of any Default, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Guarantor setting forth the details thereof and the action which the Guarantor is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;
(g)promptly upon the filing thereof, copies of all registration statements (other than the exhibits thereto and any registration statements on Form S-8 or its equivalent) and reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K (or their equivalents) which the Guarantor shall have filed with the SEC;
(h)promptly after Moody’s or S&P shall have announced a change in the rating established or deemed to have been established for the Index Debt, written notice of such rating change;
(i)except to the extent prohibited by applicable law, regulatory policy, or regulatory restriction (as determined in the reasonable good faith judgment of the Guarantor), from time to time such additional information regarding the financial position or business of the Guarantor as the LC Issuer may reasonably request; provided that neither the Guarantor nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to disclose any (i) trade secrets of the Guarantor or its Subsidiaries, (ii) information subject to attorney-client privilege to the extent disclosure thereof would impair such privilege or (iii) information subject to confidentiality obligations to third parties the disclosure of which would cause the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries to be in breach of such obligations; and
(j)promptly following any reasonable request therefor, information necessary for the LC Issuer to comply with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations including the Patriot Act and, to the extent the Guarantor qualifies as a
30
“legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, in each case, as the LC Issuer may reasonably request.
Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 (a), (b), (d), (e) or (g) may be delivered electronically on the following Internet websites: (a) the Guarantor’s website at an address to be designated in writing to the LC Issuer, (b) with respect to Section 5.01(a), (b) or (g) the SEC’s website xxx.xxx.xxx (to the extent that any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) or (c) such other third party website that shall have been identified by the Guarantor in a notice to the LC Issuer and that is accessible by the LC Issuer without charge, and in each case if so delivered shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date such materials are publicly available; provided that (i) the Guarantor shall deliver electronic copies of such information to the LC Issuer promptly upon the request of the LC Issuer and (ii) the Guarantor shall have notified the LC Issuer of the posting of such documents delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a), (b), (d) and (e).
SECTION 1.02 Payment of Obligations. Each Obligor will pay and discharge, and the Guarantor will cause each Material Subsidiary to pay and discharge, at or before maturity, all their respective material obligations and liabilities, including, without limitation, tax liabilities, that if not paid, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, except where (a) the same may be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) such Obligor or such Material Subsidiary has set aside, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, appropriate reserves for the accrual of any of the same and (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided that, for avoidance of doubt, solely with respect to tax liabilities, an obligation shall be considered to be delinquent or in default for purposes of this Section only if there has first been notice and demand therefore (as defined in Section 6306 of the Code and similar provisions of applicable law) by a tax authority.
SECTION 1.03 Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence. The Guarantor will continue, and will cause each Material Subsidiary and Subsidiary Account Party to continue, to engage in the business of insurance and/or investment management or businesses incidental, related or complementary thereto and will preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect, and will cause each Material Subsidiary and Subsidiary Account Party to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect (a) their respective corporate existence and (b) their respective rights, privileges, licenses and franchises, other than, in the case of the foregoing clause (b), the loss of which would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; except that if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Default has occurred and is continuing, (i) any Subsidiary may merge with or into the Guarantor, provided that the Guarantor shall be the surviving entity, (ii) any Material Subsidiary or Subsidiary Account Party may merge with or into any other Subsidiary, provided that such Material Subsidiary or Subsidiary Account Party shall be the surviving entity or, if such Material Subsidiary or Subsidiary Account Party is not the surviving entity, the surviving entity shall be deemed to be a Material Subsidiary or caused to become a Subsidiary Account Party in accordance with Section 8.11, as applicable, (iii) any Material Subsidiary or Subsidiary Account Party may sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of its assets to the Guarantor or to another Material Subsidiary or Subsidiary Account Party and (iv) the Guarantor or any Subsidiary Account Party may merge or consolidate with another Person in accordance with the terms of Section 5.09. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Guarantor may liquidate or dissolve any Subsidiary (other than the Subsidiary Account Party) if (i) the board of directors of the Guarantor determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and (ii) the assets of such liquidated or dissolved Subsidiary are received by (x) in the case of the liquidation or dissolution of a Material Subsidiary, a Material Subsidiary or the Guarantor, (y) in the case of the liquidation or dissolution of a Subsidiary Account Party, a
31
Subsidiary Account Party or the Guarantor or (z) in the case of any other liquidation or dissolution, a Subsidiary or the Guarantor.
SECTION 1.04 Maintenance of Property; Insurance.
(a)The Guarantor will keep, and will cause each Material Subsidiary and Subsidiary Account Party to keep, all property useful and necessary in its business in good working order and condition, except, in each case, to the extent that failure to do so would not be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(b)The Guarantor will maintain, and will cause each Material Subsidiary and Subsidiary Account Party to maintain (either in the name of the Guarantor or in such Subsidiary’s own name) with financially sound and responsible insurance companies, insurance on all their respective properties and against at least such risks, in each case as is consistent with sound business practice for companies in substantially the same industry as the Guarantor and its Material Subsidiaries and Subsidiary Account Parties; and the Guarantor will furnish to the LC Issuer, upon request, information presented in reasonable detail as to the insurance so carried.
SECTION 1.05 Compliance with Laws. The Guarantor will comply, and will cause each Subsidiary to comply, in all material respects, with all applicable laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and requirements of governmental bodies, agencies and officials (including, without limitation, Sanctions Laws, Anti-Corruption Laws, Anti-Money-Laundering Laws, Environmental Laws and ERISA and the rules and regulations thereunder) except (i) where the necessity of compliance therewith is contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or (ii) where such non-compliance therewith would not (A) reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (B) in the case of the laws, rules, regulations and orders referred to in Section 4.16, reasonably be expected to result in the LC Issuer violating such laws, rules, regulations or orders.
SECTION 1.06 Inspection of Property, Books and Records. The Guarantor will keep, and will cause each Material Subsidiary and Subsidiary Account Party to keep, proper books of record and account in which entries that are full, true and correct in all material respects shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities; and, subject in all cases to Section 8.09, will permit, and will cause each Material Subsidiary and Subsidiary Account Party to permit, representatives of the LC Issuer to visit and inspect any of their respective properties, to examine and make abstracts from any of their respective books and records and to discuss their respective affairs, finances and accounts with their respective officers, employees, actuaries and independent public accountants, all upon reasonable notice, at such reasonable times during ordinary business hours; provided that such inspections shall be limited to once per fiscal year of the Guarantor, unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, in which case such inspection rights may be exercised as often as the LC Issuer desires and at the expense of the Guarantor; provided, further, that neither the Guarantor nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to disclose any (i) trade secrets of the Guarantor or its Subsidiaries, (ii) information subject to attorney-client privilege to the extent disclosure thereof would impair such privilege or (iii) information subject to confidentiality obligations to third parties the disclosure of which would cause the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries to be in breach of such obligations.
SECTION 1.07 Financial Covenants.
(a)Minimum Adjusted Consolidated Net Worth. From and after the Effective Date, the Guarantor will not permit its Adjusted Consolidated Net Worth, calculated as of the end of each fiscal quarter, to be less than an amount equal to the sum of (i) $8,187,000,000 plus
32
(ii) 50% of the aggregate amount of the Net Proceeds of Equity Issuances by the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries after March 31, 2021.
(b)Total Indebtedness to Total Capitalization Ratio. From and after the Effective Date, the Guarantor will not permit the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Indebtedness to (b) Consolidated Total Capitalization to exceed 0.35 to 1.00, calculated as of the last day of each fiscal quarter.
SECTION 1.08 Negative Pledge. The Guarantor will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create or suffer to exist any Lien upon any present or future Capital Stock or any other Ownership Interests (as defined below) of any of its Material Subsidiaries (other than any Subsidiary established primarily for the purpose of reinsuring liabilities associated with the level premium term business, the universal life business with secondary guarantees or variable annuities of the Guarantor or any Insurance Subsidiary). As used herein “Ownership Interests” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of Capital Stock of such Person and all debt securities of such Person that can be converted or exchanged for Capital Stock of such Person, whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such Capital Stock or debt securities are outstanding on any date of determination.
SECTION 1.09 Consolidations, Mergers, Divisions, and Sales of Assets. No Obligor will (i) consolidate or merge with or into any other Person, or consummate a Division as the Dividing Person or (ii) sell, lease or otherwise transfer, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the assets of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any other Person; provided that the Guarantor or any Subsidiary Account Party may merge or consolidate with another Person if (x) the Guarantor or such Subsidiary Account Party, as applicable, is the corporation surviving such merger or consolidation or, in the case of a merger or consolidation by a Subsidiary Account Party with and into another Person where such other Person is the surviving entity, such Person meets the requirements for a Subsidiary Account Party set out in Section 8.11 and is or becomes a Subsidiary Account Party pursuant to Section 8.11 and (y) immediately after giving effect to such merger or consolidation, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
SECTION 1.10 Use of Credit. The Letter of Credit shall be used only to support reinsurance among the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries. The Letter of Credit will not be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the Regulations of the FRB, including Regulations T, U and X.
SECTION 1.11 Obligations to be Pari Passu. The obligations of each Obligor under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents to which it is a party will rank at all times pari passu as to priority of payment and in all other respects with all other material unsecured and unsubordinated Debt of the such Obligor, with the exception of those obligations that are mandatorily preferred by law and not by contract.
SECTION 1.12 Certain Debt. The Guarantor will not at any time permit the sum of (i) Non-Operating Indebtedness of the Guarantor that is secured by a Lien on any property or assets of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries and (ii) Non-Operating Indebtedness of the Subsidiaries of the Guarantor to exceed $500,000,000, except (a) Debt set forth in Schedule III hereto, (b) Debt of any Subsidiary of the Guarantor owing to the Guarantor or another Subsidiary of the Guarantor and (c) additional Debt not permitted by the immediately preceding clauses (ii)(a) or (b) consisting of surplus notes issued by Subsidiaries of the Guarantor that are operating Insurance Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount of up to $1,000,000,000 outstanding at any time.
33
ARTICLE VI DEFAULTS
SECTION 1.01 Events of Default. If one or more of the following events (“Events of Default”) shall have occurred:
(a)(i) any Obligor shall fail to pay when due any reimbursement obligation in respect of an LC Disbursement or (ii) any Obligor shall fail to pay when due any interest on any LC Disbursement or any fees or any other amounts payable hereunder and such failure under this clause (ii) shall continue for five Business Days;
(b)any Obligor shall fail to observe or perform any covenant contained in Sections 5.01(f), 5.03(a), 5.07 through 5.12, inclusive, or its obligation to provide cash collateral pursuant to the last sentence of Section 2.01(d);
(c)any Obligor shall fail to observe or perform any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement or the other Credit Documents (other than those covered by clause (a) or (b) above) for 30 days after written notice thereof has been given to the Guarantor by the LC Issuer;
(d)any representation, warranty, certification or statement made by any Obligor in this Agreement, any other Credit Document or in any certificate, financial statement or other document delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall prove to have been incorrect (or incorrect in any material respect if such representation or warranty is not qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect) when made (or deemed made);
(e)any Obligor or any Material Subsidiary shall (i) fail to make any payment in respect of any Debt (other than extensions of credit hereunder) having a principal amount then outstanding of not less than $200,000,000 when due, and such failure shall continue beyond any applicable grace period or (ii) fail to make any payment in respect of any Derivative Financial Product when due, and such failure shall continue beyond any applicable grace period (and for this clause (ii) excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any amount the payment of which is being disputed in good faith in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures provided for in the contract governing such Derivative Financial Product), the non-payment of which would give rise to any Obligor or Material Subsidiary owing Material Unpaid Derivative Product Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $200,000,000, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii), except where such non-payment has been cured or waived prior to the exercise of any remedies under this Article VI;
(f)any event or condition shall occur which results in the acceleration of the maturity of any Debt (other than extensions of credit hereunder) having a principal or face amount then outstanding of not less than $200,000,000 of any Obligor or any Material Subsidiary, or an early termination event shall arise with respect to any Derivative Financial Product that creates, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Derivative Financial Product, a Material Unpaid Derivative Product Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $200,000,000;
(g)any Obligor or any Material Subsidiary shall commence a voluntary case or other proceeding seeking rehabilitation, dissolution, conservation, liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to itself or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, rehabilitator, dissolver, conservator, custodian or other similar official of it or any substantial part of its property, or shall consent to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against it,
34
or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become due, or shall take any corporate action to authorize any of the foregoing;
(h)an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against any Obligor or any Material Subsidiary seeking rehabilitation, dissolution, conservation, liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to it or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, rehabilitator, dissolver, conservator, custodian or other similar official of it or any substantial part of its property, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of 60 days; or an order for relief shall be entered against any Obligor or any such Material Subsidiary under the federal bankruptcy laws as now or hereafter in effect; or any governmental body, agency or official shall apply for, or commence a case or other proceeding to seek, an order for the rehabilitation, conservation, dissolution or other liquidation of any Obligor or any Material Subsidiary or of the assets or any substantial part thereof of any Obligor and any Material Subsidiary or any other similar remedy;
(i)any of the following events or conditions shall occur, which, in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to involve possible taxes, penalties and other liabilities in an aggregate amount that results in a Material Adverse Effect: (i) any member of the ERISA Group shall fail to pay when due any amount or amounts which it shall have become liable to pay under Title IV of ERISA; (ii) notice of intent to terminate a Plan shall be filed under Title IV of ERISA by any member of the ERISA Group, any plan administrator or any combination of the foregoing; (iii) the PBGC shall institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate, to impose liability (other than for premiums under Section 4007 of ERISA) in respect of, or to cause a trustee to be appointed to administer, any Plan; (iv) a condition shall exist by reason of which the PBGC would reasonably be expected to obtain a decree adjudicating that any Plan must be terminated; or (v) there shall occur a complete or partial withdrawal from, or a default, within the meaning of Section 4219(c)(5) of ERISA, with respect to, one or more Multiemployer Plans;
(j)a judgment or order for the payment of money in excess of $200,000,000 (after (without duplication) the actual amounts of insurance recoveries, offsets and contributions received and amounts thereof not yet received but which the insurer thereon has acknowledged in writing its obligation to pay) shall be rendered against any Obligor or a Material Subsidiary and such judgment or order shall continue unsatisfied and unstayed for a period of 60 days after entry of such judgment (and, for purposes of this clause, a judgment shall be stayed if, among other things, an appeal is timely filed and such judgment cannot be enforced);
(k)a Change of Control shall have occurred; or
(l)at any time after the execution and delivery thereof: (i) this Agreement or any Credit Document ceases to be in full force and effect (other than by reason of the payment in full in cash of the Secured Obligations (other than contingent reimbursement or indemnification obligations as to which no claim has been asserted) in accordance with the terms hereof (including, without limitation, the termination of the Letter of Credit)) or shall be declared null and void, for any reason other than the failure of the LC Issuer to take any action within its control; or (ii) any Obligor shall contest the validity or enforceability of any Credit Document in writing or deny in writing that it has any further liability, including with respect to future advances by the LC Issuer, under any Credit Document to which it is a party,
then, and in every such event, and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the LC Issuer may, by notice to the Guarantor take any or all of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) [reserved], (ii) declare all accrued interest, fees and other obligations of the Obligors to be due and payable, and thereupon the accrued interest and
35
all fees and other obligations of the Guarantor accrued hereunder shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Guarantor, (iii) demand cash collateral from the relevant Obligors in immediately available funds in an amount equal to the then aggregate undrawn amount of the Letter of Credit pursuant to Section 2.02(e) and (iv) enforce any remedies in respect of assets subject to a security interest in favor of the LC Issuer, including applying any cash collateral to repay any outstanding Obligations; provided that, in the case of any of the Events of Default specified in clause (g) or (h) above with respect to the Guarantor, without any notice to the Guarantor or any other act by the LC Issuer, any accrued interest and all fees and other obligations of the Guarantor accrued hereunder, and the obligations to provide cash collateral under clause (iii) above, shall automatically become due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Guarantor.
ARTICLE VII CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES
SECTION 1.01 Increased Cost and Reduced Return.
(a)Except with respect to the taxes which are governed solely by Section 7.02, if on or after the date hereof, in the case of the Letter of Credit or any obligation to issue, renew or extend the Letter of Credit, the adoption of any applicable law, rule or regulation, or any change in any applicable law, rule or regulation, or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by the LC Issuer (or its Applicable Lending Office) with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority, central bank or comparable agency shall impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve (including, without limitation, any such requirement imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance assessment or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, the LC Issuer (or its Applicable Lending Office), shall impose on the LC Issuer (or its Applicable Lending Office) or its obligation to issue the Letter of Credit, the outstanding Letter of Credit or reimbursement claims in respect of LC Disbursements, or shall subject the LC Issuer (or its Applicable Lending Office) to any taxes not governed by Section 7.02 on its letters of credit, commitments or other obligations and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost or expense to the LC Issuer (or its Applicable Lending Office) of issuing or maintaining the Letter of Credit, or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by the LC Issuer (or its Applicable Lending Office) under this Agreement or under other Credit Document with respect thereto, by an amount deemed by the LC Issuer to be material, then, within 15 days after demand by the LC Issuer, the Guarantor shall pay to the LC Issuer such additional amount or amounts as will compensate the LC Issuer for such increased cost or reduction.
(b)If the LC Issuer shall have determined that, after the Effective Date (subject to clause (d) below), the adoption of any applicable law, rule or regulation regarding capital adequacy, or any change in any applicable law, rule or regulation regarding capital adequacy or liquidity requirements, or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or any request or directive regarding capital adequacy or liquidity requirements (whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority, central bank or comparable agency, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on capital of the LC Issuer (or its Parent) as a consequence of the LC Issuer’s obligations hereunder to a level below that which the LC Issuer (or its Parent) could have achieved but for such adoption, change, request or directive (taking into consideration its policies with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity) by an amount deemed by the LC Issuer to be material, then from time to time, within 15 days after demand by the LC Issuer, the Guarantor shall pay to the LC Issuer such additional amount or amounts as will compensate the LC Issuer (or its Parent) for such
36
reduction. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7.01, the Guarantor shall not be required to compensate the LC Issuer pursuant to Section 7.01(a) or (b) for any amounts incurred more than 270 days prior to the date that the LC Issuer notifies the Guarantor of the LC Issuer’s intention to claim compensation therefor, to the extent the LC Issuer had knowledge of the circumstances giving rise to such claim for compensation and its effects on the rate of return on capital in respect of this facility prior to such 270 day period; provided that, if the change in law giving rise to any such increased cost or reductions is retroactive, then the 270 day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.
(c)The LC Issuer will promptly notify the Guarantor of any event of which it has knowledge, occurring after the date hereof, which will entitle the LC Issuer to compensation pursuant to this Section 7.01; provided, however, subject to the final sentence of Section 7.01(b), the failure to provide such notice shall not create any liability for the LC Issuer hereunder nor shall it in any way limit the obligations of the Obligors hereunder. A certificate of the LC Issuer claiming compensation under this Section 7.01 and setting forth the additional amount or amounts to be paid to it hereunder and, in reasonable detail, the LC Issuer’s computation of such amount or amounts, shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. In determining such amount, the LC Issuer may use any reasonable averaging and attribution methods.
(d)Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, for purposes of this Section 7.01, (x) the Xxxx-Xxxxx Xxxx Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the LC Issuer for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to have gone into effect after the Effective Date, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued; provided that the LC Issuer shall not demand compensation pursuant to this Section 7.01 as a result of increased cost or reduced return resulting from Basel III or the Xxxx-Xxxxx Xxxx Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act if it shall not at the time be the general policy or practice of the LC Issuer to demand such compensation from similarly situated borrowers (to the extent that, with respect to such increased cost or reduced return, the LC Issuer has the right to do so under its credit facilities with similarly situated borrowers).
SECTION 1.02 Taxes.
(a)For purposes of this Section 7.02, the following terms have the following meanings:
“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version of such sections that are substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among governmental authorities and implementing such Sections of the Code.
“Indemnified Taxes” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment by the Guarantor pursuant to this Agreement or any other Credit Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in (a), Other Taxes.
“Other Taxes” means any present or future stamp or documentary taxes and any other excise or property taxes, or similar charges or levies, which arise from any payment made pursuant to this Agreement or any other Credit Document or from the execution, delivery, registration or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Credit
37
Document, but excluding any such taxes described in clause (ii) of the definition of Excluded Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment.
“Taxes” means any and all present or future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings of any nature with respect to any payment by the Guarantor pursuant to this Agreement or any other Credit Document, and all liabilities with respect thereto, but excluding, in the case of the LC Issuer, (i) taxes imposed on its net income (however denominated), and franchise, branch profits or similar taxes imposed on it, by a jurisdiction under the laws of which the LC Issuer is organized or in which its principal executive office is located or, in the case of the LC Issuer, in which its Applicable Lending Office is located, (ii) taxes on or measured by its overall net income (however denominated), or any similar taxes imposed on it by reason of any present or former connection between such recipient and the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) imposing such taxes, other than connections arising solely as a result of the recipient’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, the making of any extension of credit hereunder or the performance of any action provided for hereunder, (iii) in the case of the LC Issuer, U.S. federal withholding taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of the LC Issuer with respect to an applicable interest in this Agreement pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which the LC Issuer acquires such interest in this Agreement or the LC Issuer changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to this Section 7.02, amounts with respect to such taxes were payable either to the LC Issuer’s assignor immediately before the LC Issuer became a party hereto or to the LC Issuer immediately before it changed its lending office, (iv) taxes attributable to such recipient’s failure to comply with Section 7.02(d) or Section 7.02(e) and any U.S. federal backup withholding Tax, and (v) any U.S. Federal withholding Taxes imposed by FATCA (all such excluded taxes enumerated in (i)–(v), “Excluded Taxes”). If the form provided by the LC Issuer pursuant to Section 7.02(d) at the time the LC Issuer first becomes a party to this Agreement indicates a United States interest withholding tax rate in excess of zero, any United States interest withholding tax at such rate imposed on payments by the Guarantor under this Agreement or any other Credit Document shall be excluded from the definition of “Taxes”.
“Withholding Agent” means the Guarantor.
(b)Any and all payments by any Withholding Agent to or for the account of the LC Issuer hereunder or under any other Credit Document shall be made free and clear and without deduction or withholding for any Taxes or Other Taxes; provided that, if any Withholding Agent shall be required by law to deduct any Taxes or Other Taxes from any such payments (for the avoidance of doubt, other than Excluded Taxes), (i) the sum payable by the Guarantor shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions and withholdings (including deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 7.02) the LC Issuer receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions or withholdings been made, (ii) such Withholding Agent (as the case may be) shall make such deductions or withholdings, (iii) such Withholding Agent (as the case may be) shall pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant taxation authority or other authority in accordance with applicable law and (iv) the Guarantor shall promptly furnish to the LC Issuer, at its address referred to in Section 8.01, the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof.
(c)The Guarantor agrees to indemnify the LC Issuer for the full amount of Taxes or Other Taxes, for the avoidance of doubt, other than Excluded Taxes, (including, without limitation, any Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on amounts payable under this Section 7.02), whether or not correctly or legally imposed, paid by the LC Issuer and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto. This indemnification shall be paid within 30 days after LC Issuer makes demand therefor. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Guarantor shall not be under any obligation to indemnify the LC Issuer under this Section
38
7.02 with respect to (i) any amounts withheld or deducted by the Guarantor prior to the date that is 270 days prior to the date that the LC Issuer makes a written demand therefor or (ii) any Indemnified Taxes paid by the LC Issuer if written demand therefor is made to the Guarantor on a date that is 270 days after the date the LC Issuer filed the tax return with respect to which such Indemnified Taxes relate.
(d)If the LC Issuer is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Credit Document, the LC Issuer shall deliver to the Guarantor, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Guarantor, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Guarantor as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, the LC Issuer, if reasonably requested by the Guarantor, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Guarantor as will enable the Guarantor to determine whether or not the LC Issuer is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, on or prior to the date of this Agreement, (i) LC Issuer, if it is not incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or a state thereof agrees that it will deliver to the Guarantor two duly completed copies of United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, W-8IMY or W-8ECI (as applicable), certifying in either case that the LC Issuer is entitled to receive payments under this Agreement without or with reduced deduction or withholding of any United States federal income taxes, and (ii) the LC Issuer, if it is incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or a state thereof agrees that it will deliver to the Guarantor two duly completed copies of United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-9. The LC Issuer, if it so delivers a Form W-9, W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, W-8IMY or W-8ECI (as applicable) further undertakes to deliver to the Guarantor two additional copies of such form (or successor form) on or before the date that such form expires or becomes obsolete or after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form so delivered by it, and such amendments thereto or extensions or renewals thereof as may be reasonably requested by the Guarantor certifying that the LC Issuer is entitled to receive payments under this Agreement without or with reduced deduction or withholding of any United States federal income taxes, unless the LC Issuer promptly notifies the Guarantor in writing of its legal inability to do so.
(e)If a payment made to the LC Issuer under any Credit Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if the LC Issuer fails to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), the LC Issuer shall deliver to the Guarantor and the Withholding Agent at the time prescribed by law and at such times reasonably requested by the Withholding Agent or the Guarantor such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Withholding Agent or the Guarantor sufficient for the Withholding Agent to comply with its obligations under FATCA and to determine that the LC Issuer has complied with such applicable reporting requirements or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (e), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement. The LC Issuer agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Guarantor and the Withholding Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.
(f)For any period with respect to which the LC Issuer has failed to provide the Guarantor with the appropriate form as required by Section 7.02(d) or Section 7.02(e) (whether or not the LC Issuer is lawfully able to do so, unless such failure is due to a change in treaty, law or regulation occurring subsequent to the date on which such form originally was required to be provided), the LC Issuer shall not be entitled to indemnification under Section 7.02 (b) or (c) with respect to any withholding of the United States federal income tax resulting
39
from such failure; provided that if the LC Issuer, which is otherwise exempt from or subject to a reduced rate of withholding tax, becomes subject to Taxes because of its failure to deliver a form required hereunder, the Guarantor shall take such commercially reasonable steps as the LC Issuer shall reasonably request to assist the LC Issuer to recover such Taxes from the applicable governmental authority.
(g)The LC Issuer shall, at the request of the Guarantor, use reasonable efforts (consistent with applicable legal and regulatory restrictions) to file any certificate or document requested by the Guarantor if the making of such a filing would avoid the need for or reduce the amount of any such additional amounts payable to or for the account of the LC Issuer pursuant to this Section 7.02 which may thereafter accrue and would not, in the sole judgment of the LC Issuer, require the LC Issuer to disclose any confidential or proprietary information or be otherwise disadvantageous to the LC Issuer. Furthermore, if the LC Issuer determines, it its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 7.02 (including the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 7.02), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund, net of all out-of-pocket expenses of such Indemnitee and without interest (other than interest paid by the relevant governmental authority). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such Indemnitee, shall repay to such Indemnitee the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (g) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant governmental authority) in the event that such Indemnitee is required to repay such refund to such governmental authority.
(h)Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 7.02 shall interfere with the rights of the LC Issuer to conduct its fiscal or tax affairs in such manner as it deems fit.
SECTION 1.03 Mitigation Obligations. If the LC Issuer requests compensation under Section 7.01, or if the Guarantor is required to pay any additional amount to the LC Issuer or any governmental body, agency or official for the account of the LC Issuer pursuant to Section 7.02, then the LC Issuer shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different Applicable Lending Office for funding or booking its LC Exposure hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of the LC Issuer (with the concurrence of the Guarantor), such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 7.01 or 7.02, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject the LC Issuer to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to the LC Issuer. The Guarantor hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the LC Issuer in connection with any such designation or assignment.
SECTION 1.04 Survival. The provisions of this Article shall survive the Termination Date and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.
ARTICLE VIII MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 1.01 Notices. All notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing (including by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by such party) and shall be given to such party: (a) in the case of any Obligor, at the Guarantor’s address set forth on the Guarantor’s signature page hereof, (b) in the case of the LC Issuer, at its address or telecopier number set forth on its respective signature page hereof or such other address or telephone number designated by LC Issuer in a written notice to Obligors, or (c) in the case of any other party, such other address or telecopier number as such party may hereafter specify for the purpose by notice to the LC Issuer and the Guarantor. Each such notice, request or other communication shall be effective (i) if given by mail, 72 hours after such communication is deposited in the mails with first class postage prepaid, addressed as
40
aforesaid and return receipt requested, (ii) if given by telecopier, when transmitted to the telecopier number specified in this Section 8.01 or (iii) if given by any other means, when delivered at the relevant address specified by such party pursuant to this Section 8.01; provided that notices to the LC Issuer under Article II or Article VIII shall not be effective until received.
The LC Issuer or the Guarantor may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
SECTION 1.02 No Waivers. No failure or delay by the LC Issuer in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Credit 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. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.
SECTION 1.03 Expenses; Indemnification; Non-Liability of the LC Issuer.
(a)The Guarantor shall pay (i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the LC Issuer and its Affiliates, including reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of one primary counsel and, if reasonably necessary, a single local counsel firm in each relevant material jurisdiction and a single regulatory counsel firm, for the LC Issuer, in connection with the preparation, due diligence, administration, closing and enforcement of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, any waiver or consent hereunder or any amendment hereof or any Default or alleged Default hereunder (it being understood and agreed that the aggregate fees and disbursement of counsel to the LC Issuer and its Affiliates prior to the Effective Date shall not exceed $30,000) and (ii) if an Event of Default occurs, all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the LC Issuer, including fees and disbursements of one firm of primary counsel and, if reasonably necessary, a single local counsel in each relevant material jurisdiction and a single regulatory counsel, in connection with such Event of Default and collection, bankruptcy, insolvency and other enforcement proceedings resulting therefrom.
(b)Each Obligor agrees to indemnify the LC Issuer, its Affiliates and its directors, officers, agents, advisors and employees of the foregoing (each an “Indemnitee”) and hold each Indemnitee harmless from and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages, reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses of any kind, including, without limitation, costs of settlement and the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and disbursements of one counsel for the Indemnitees, which may be incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with, or as a result of, any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding (whether or not such Indemnitee shall be designated a party thereto or whether such proceeding is brought by an Obligor, its equity holders or its creditors) relating to or arising out of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or any other transactions contemplated hereby; (ii) the Letter of Credit (or any drawing honored thereunder) or the use of proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the LC Issuer to honor a demand for payment under the Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not comply with the terms of the Letter of Credit); or (iii) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), whether based on contract, tort, or any other theory and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that no Indemnitee shall have the right to be indemnified hereunder to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses have resulted from (x) the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or its Related Parties, (y) the material breach in bad faith by such Indemnitee of its material obligations hereunder or (z) any claim, litigation, or proceeding solely among
41
Indemnitees brought by any Indemnitee against another Indemnitee that does not involve an act or omission (or alleged act or omission) by the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries, in the case of each of the foregoing clauses (x) and (y), as determined in a final and non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction. Paragraph (b) of this Section shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses arising from any non-Tax claim.
(c)To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Obligor shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby, the Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof. None of the Guarantor or its Related Parties shall have any liability under this Section 8.03 for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages arising out of, related to or in connection with any aspect of this Agreement or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or the transactions contemplated hereby; provided, that this sentence shall not limit the Guarantor’s indemnification obligations herein to the extent that such special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages are included in any third party claim in connection with which an Indemnitee is otherwise entitled to indemnification hereunder.
(d)The agreements in this Section 8.03 shall survive the Termination Date and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the Secured Obligations.
SECTION 1.04 Amendments and Waivers. Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived if, but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed by the Obligors and the LC Issuer.
SECTION 1.05 Successors and Assigns.
(a)The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that no Obligor may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement, without the prior written consent of the LC Issuer.
(b)The LC Issuer may at any time grant to one or more banks or other institutions (other than to any Disqualified Institution) (each a “Participant”) participating interests in the Letter of Credit. In the event of any such grant by the LC Issuer of a participating interest to a Participant, whether or not upon notice to the Guarantor, the LC Issuer shall remain solely responsible for the performance of its obligations hereunder, and the Guarantor shall continue to deal solely and directly with the LC Issuer in connection with the LC Issuer’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement pursuant to which the LC Issuer may grant such a participating interest shall provide that the LC Issuer shall retain the sole right and responsibility to enforce the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder including, without limitation, the right to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such participation agreement may provide that the LC Issuer will not agree to any modification, amendment or waiver of this Agreement described in the proviso of Section 8.05(a) without the consent of the Participant. The Guarantor agrees that each Participant shall, to the extent provided in its participation agreement, be entitled to the benefits of Article VIII with respect to its participating interest. An assignment or other transfer which is not permitted by subsection (c) or (d) of this Section shall be given effect for purposes of this Agreement only to the extent of a participating interest granted in accordance with this subsection (b). The LC Issuer that grants a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Guarantor, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Letter of
42
Credit or other obligations under this Agreement (the “Participant Register”); provided that the LC Issuer shall not have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register to any Person (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in the Letter of Credit or any other obligations under any Credit Document) except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that the Letter of Credit or such other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the LC Issuer shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.
(c)The LC Issuer may at any time assign to one or more NAIC Approved Banks all (but not a portion of) of its rights and obligations under this Agreement with (and subject to) the consent (which in each case shall be exercised in its sole discretion) of each Obligor.
(d)The LC Issuer may at any time assign all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to any Person to secure obligations of the LC Issuer, including, without limitation, to one or more of the Federal Reserve Banks which comprise the Federal Reserve System or other central banks. No such assignment shall release the LC Issuer from its obligations hereunder.
(e)No Participant shall be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 7.01 or 7.02 than the LC Issuer would have been entitled to receive with respect to the rights transferred, unless such transfer is made (i) with the Guarantor’s prior written consent, (ii) by reason of the provisions of Section 7.03 requiring such Participant to designate a different Applicable Lending Office under certain circumstances or (iii) at a time when the circumstances giving rise to such greater payment did not exist.
SECTION 1.06 New York Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
SECTION 1.07 Judicial Proceedings.
(a)Submission to Jurisdiction. Each Obligor hereby submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and of any New York State court sitting in New York City, borough of Manhattan, for purposes of all legal proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document or the transactions contemplated hereby. Each Obligor irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that any such proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
(b)Appointment of Agent for Service of Process. Each Subsidiary Account Party irrevocably designates and appoints the Guarantor, and the Guarantor hereby accepts such appointment, at its office in New York, New York set forth beneath the Guarantor’s signature on the signature page hereof, as the authorized agent of such Subsidiary Account Party, to accept and acknowledge on its behalf, service of any and all process which may be served in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in subsection (a) of this Section 8.07 in any federal or New York State court sitting in New York City. Said designation and appointment shall be irrevocable by each Subsidiary Account Party until all reimbursement obligations, interest thereon and all other amounts payable hereunder shall have been paid in full in cash in accordance with the provisions hereof and thereof.
43
(c)Service of Process. Each Obligor hereby consents to process being served in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in subsection (a) of this Section 8.07 in any federal or New York State court sitting in New York City by service of process upon its agent appointed as provided in subsection (b) of this Section 8.07; provided that, to the extent lawful and possible, notice of said service upon such agent shall be mailed by registered or certified air mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to such Obligor at its address specified on the signature page hereof (or, in the case of any Subsidiary Account Party, on the signature page of the Subsidiary Joinder Agreement to which it is a party) or to any other address of which such Obligor shall have given written notice to the LC Issuer. Each Obligor irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all claim of error by reason of any such service in such manner and agrees that such service shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon such Obligor in any such suit, action or proceeding and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be taken and held to be valid and personal service upon and personal delivery to such Obligor.
(d)No Limitation on Service or Suit. Nothing in this Section 8.07 shall affect the right of the LC Issuer to serve process in any other manner permitted by law or limit the right of the LC Issuer to bring proceedings against the Guarantor in the courts of any jurisdiction or jurisdictions.
SECTION 1.08 Counterparts; Integration; Headings. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding among the parties hereto and supersedes any and all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.
SECTION 1.09 Confidentiality. The LC Issuer agrees that it will maintain the confidentiality of, and will not use for any purpose (other than exercising its rights and enforcing its remedies hereunder and under the other Credit Documents), any written or oral information provided under this Agreement by or on behalf of the Guarantor (hereinafter collectively called “Confidential Information”), subject to the LC Issuer’s (a) obligation to disclose any such Confidential Information pursuant to a request or order under applicable laws and regulations or by a self-regulatory body or pursuant to a subpoena or other legal process, (b) right to disclose any such Confidential Information to its bank examiners, auditors, counsel and other professional advisors and to its subsidiaries and Affiliates and the subsidiaries and Affiliates of its holding company, provided that the LC Issuer shall cause each such subsidiary or Affiliate to maintain the Confidential Information on the same terms as the terms provided herein, (c) right to disclose any such Confidential Information in connection with any litigation or dispute involving the Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries and Affiliates, (d) right to provide such information to participants, prospective participants, prospective assignees or assignees pursuant to Section 8.05 (with the consent of the Guarantor (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld)) to its agents if prior thereto such participant, prospective participant, prospective assignee or agent agrees in writing to maintain the confidentiality of such information on terms substantially similar to those of this Section 8.09 as if it were the LC Issuer, (e) right to disclose any such Confidential Information in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Credit Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) with the prior written consent of the Guarantor, right to disclose any such Confidential Information on a confidential basis to any rating agency in connection with rating the Guarantor or its Subsidiaries or this facility and (g) right to provide such information with the Guarantor’s prior written consent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any such information supplied to the LC Issuer, participant, prospective participant or
44
prospective assignee under this Agreement shall cease to be Confidential Information if it is or becomes known to such Person by other than unauthorized disclosure, or if it is, at the time of disclosure, or becomes a matter of public knowledge.
SECTION 1.10 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OBLIGOR AND THE LC ISSUER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
SECTION 1.11 Joinder of Subsidiary Account Party.
(a)Any direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Guarantor that is organized under the laws of the United States and that is organized, licensed or regulated under applicable law as an insurance or reinsurance company may, to the extent contemplated by Sections 5.03 and 5.09, and upon the request of the Guarantor at any time, upon not less than three Business Days’ notice to the LC Issuer, become a party to this Agreement as a Subsidiary Account Party, provided that such Subsidiary shall have delivered an executed Subsidiary Joinder Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, to the LC Issuer for acceptance by it, and provided further that on and as of the date of acceptance of such Subsidiary Joinder Agreement by the LC Issuer (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) the LC Issuer shall have received all documents and instruments as they may reasonably request related to such Subsidiary, including legal opinions and information required to comply with “know your customer” or similar identification requirements of the LC Issuer, in each case, to the reasonable satisfaction of the LC Issuer and (iii) such Subsidiary Account Party shall be deemed to have appointed the Guarantor as its authorized agent pursuant to Section 8.07(b) to accept service of any and all process which may be served in any suit, action or proceeding of any nature in any federal or New York State court sitting in New York City arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document or the transactions contemplated hereby.
(b)[Reserved].
SECTION 1.12 USA PATRIOT Act. The LC Issuer hereby notifies each Obligor that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, the LC Issuer may be required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Obligor, which information includes the name and address of each Obligor and other information that will allow the LC Issuer to identify each Obligor in accordance with said Act. The Obligors hereby agree to provide any such information promptly upon the request of the LC Issuer.
SECTION 1.13 No Fiduciary Duty. The LC Issuer and its Affiliates (collectively, solely for purposes of this Section 8.13, the “LC Issuer”), may have economic interests that conflict with those of the Obligors, their respective stockholders and/or their affiliates. The Guarantor agrees that nothing in the Credit Documents or otherwise will be deemed to create an advisory, fiduciary or agency relationship or fiduciary or other implied duty between the LC Issuer, on the one hand, and the Guarantor, its stockholders or its affiliates, on the other. The Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that (i) the transactions contemplated by the Credit Documents (including the exercise of rights and remedies hereunder and thereunder) are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the LC Issuer, on the one hand, and the Guarantor, on the other, and (ii) in connection therewith and with the process leading thereto, (x) the LC Issuer has not assumed an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Guarantor, its stockholders or its affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby (or the exercise of rights or remedies with respect thereto) or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether the LC Issuer has advised, is currently advising or will advise the Guarantor, its stockholders or its Affiliates on other matters) or any other obligation to the Guarantor except the obligations
45
expressly set forth in the Credit Documents and (y) the LC Issuer is acting solely as principal and not as the agent or fiduciary of the Guarantor, its management, stockholders or creditors or any other Person. The Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that the Guarantor has consulted its own legal and financial advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate and that it is responsible for making its own independent judgment with respect to such transactions and the process leading thereto. The Guarantor agrees that it will not claim that the LC Issuer has rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owes a fiduciary or similar duty to the Guarantor, in connection with such transaction or the process leading thereto.
SECTION 1.14 Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the LC Issuer and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by the LC Issuer or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of any Obligor against any of and all the obligations of any Obligor at the time existing under this Agreement held by the LC Issuer or its Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not the LC Issuer or its Affiliates shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch office or Affiliate of the LC Issuer different from the branch office or Affiliate holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness. The rights of the LC Issuer under this Section 8.14 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including any other rights of setoff) which the LC Issuer may have. The LC Issuer agrees to notify the Guarantor promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.
SECTION 1.15 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other Credit Documents represent the final agreement among the parties and may not be contradicted by evidence of prior, contemporaneous, or subsequent oral agreements of the parties hereto. There are no unwritten oral agreements among the parties hereto.
SECTION 1.16 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Credit Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that, to the extent that such Credit Document is subject to the Bail-In Legislation under applicable law, any liability of any Affected Financial Institution arising under any Credit Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and, to the extent that any such Credit Document is subject, under applicable law, to the Bail-In Legislation, agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:
(a)the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an Affected Financial Institution; and
(b)the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:
(i)a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;
(ii)a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Credit Document; or
46
(iii)the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of the applicable Resolution Authority.
[Signature Pages Follow]
47
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.
GUARANTOR:
By:
Name:
Title:
U.S. Federal Tax Identification No.: 00-0000000
Attention:
Xxx Xxxxx, Treasurer
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
New York, New York 10105
Tel: 000-000-0000
With a copy to:
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Assistant Secretary
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
New York, New York 10105
Tel: 000-000-0000
[EQH – Signature Page to Reimbursement Agreement]
SUBSIDIARY ACCOUNT PARTY:
EQ AZ LIFE RE COMPANY
By:
Name:
Title:
[EQH – Signature Page to Reimbursement Agreement]
LC ISSUER:
MUFG BANK, LTD.,
as LC Issuer
By:
Name:
Title:
Address for Notices (all notices for the LC Issuer):
MUFG Bank, Ltd.
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
New York, NY 10020
Attention: Xxxxx Xxxx, Vice President, Global Financial Solutions
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Email: xxxxx@xx.xxxx.xx
Applicable Lending Office (Administrative Matters and LC Draws):
MUFG Bank, Ltd.
000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Jersey City, NJ 07311
Attention: Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Email: xxxxxx@xx.xxxx.xx
[EQH – Signature Page to Reimbursement Agreement]
SCHEDULE I
MATERIAL SUBSIDIARIES AND SUBSIDIARY ACCOUNT PARTIES
Material Subsidiaries
1. Equitable Financial Services, LLC
2. Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company
3. Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company of America
Subsidiary Account Parties
1.EQ AZ Life RE Company
SCHEDULE II
HYBRID INSTRUMENTS
None.
SCHEDULE III
DEBT
None.
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF LETTER OF CREDIT
| FOR INTERNAL IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES ONLY | |||||
| Our N° [ ] | |||||
Applicant: EQ AZ Life Re Company 0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 | |||||
| Issue Date: January 23, 2024 | |||||
Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit N° [ ]
Beneficiary:
Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxx Xxxxx – Treasurer
To: Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We, MUFG Bank, Ltd., acting as LC Issuer (the “Issuing Bank”), hereby establish this irrevocable, unconditional Standby Letter of Credit (this “Letter of Credit”) in favor of the aforesaid addressee (“Beneficiary”) for drawings up to United States Dollars Two Hundred Million and 00/100 (US$ 200,000,000.00) effective immediately. This Letter of Credit is issued by MUFG Bank, Ltd., acting through its New York Branch and is presentable and payable at 0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000, Attn: Trade Service Operations / SBLC Section for the amounts specified in any sight draft drawn hereunder, which amounts shall not, when aggregated with all other amounts paid by the Issuing Bank to the Beneficiary under this Letter of Credit, exceed the amount specified above, and expires with our close of business on January 23, 2029 (the “Expiration Date”). In no way are the obligations of the Issuing Bank under this Letter of Credit contingent upon reimbursement with respect thereto or upon the Issuing Bank’s ability to perfect any lien, security interest or any other reimbursement.
The term “Beneficiary” includes any successor by operation of law of the named Beneficiary including, without limitation, any liquidator, rehabilitator, receiver or conservator.
We hereby undertake to promptly honor your sight draft(s) drawn on the Issuing Bank, indicating its Letter of Credit number [ ], for all or any part of this Letter of Credit upon presentation to the Issuing Bank at 0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000, Attn: Trade Service Operations / SBLC Section on or before the expiration date or any automatically extended expiration date. The Issuing Bank makes this undertaking for an amount not to exceed the aggregate amount available under this Letter of Credit. Payment by the Issuing Bank with respect of amount owed by the Issuing Bank hereunder shall be transferred by the Issuing Bank to the Beneficiary’s account specified in the sight draft in form attached hereto as Appendix 1.
Except as expressly stated herein, this undertaking is not subject to any agreement, condition or qualification.
It is a condition of this Letter of Credit that the Expiration Date shall be deemed to be automatically extended, without amendment, for one year from the Expiration Date hereof, or any future Expiration Date, unless at least sixty (60) calendar days prior to any such Expiration Date (or such shorter or longer period of time as may be agreed between Equitable Holdings, Inc. and the LC Issuer, but in no event shorter than 30 calendar days), we notify you by registered mail or by overnight courier, addressed to MUFG Bank, Ltd., New York Branch, 0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 Attn: Trade Service Operations/SBLC Section, that we elect not to consider this Letter of Credit extended for any such additional period.
This Letter of Credit is subject to and governed by the Laws of the State of New York and the 2007 Revision of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits of the International Chamber of Commerce (Publication N° 600) and, in the event of any conflict, the Laws of the State of New York will control. If this Letter of Credit expires during any interruption of business as described in Article 36 of said Publication No. 600, the Issuing Bank hereby specifically agrees to effect payment if this Letter of Credit is drawn against, in accordance with the terms and conditions of such Letter of Credit, within thirty (30) calendar days after resumption of our business.
Very truly yours
MUFG Bank, Ltd.
New York Branch
By________________________________________
Name_____________________________________
Title______________________________________
APPENDIX 1
Form of Demand (U.S. dollars)
Form of Demand (U.S. dollars)
[on Beneficiary’s letterhead]
TO:
MUFG Bank, Ltd.,
New York Branch
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
New York, NY 10020
Dear Sir/Madam
IRREVOCABLE STANDBY LETTER OF CREDIT NO. ________________
With reference to the above, we hereby claim payment of [●] U.S. dollars (USD [●]) for account of [insert Applicant’s name] for the amount of which should be paid to the following account:
[●]
[Beneficiary]
Authorized signature
Name:
Title:
EXHIBIT B
[Form of Letter of Credit Request]
See attached.
 | MUFG Bank, Ltd. New York Branch | ||||
APPLICATION FOR STANDBY LETTER OF CREDIT | ||
| Office: | MUFG Bank, Ltd., New York Branch | FOR BANK USE ONLY | |||||||||||||||||||||
| IRREVOCABLE CREDIT NO. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Attn: | TSO/ Standby LC Section | MGR | LAD | A/O | |||||||||||||||||||
| Date: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Gentlemen, Please issue an irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit as set forth below and forward same to your correspondent/beneficiary for delivery to the beneficiary by [ ] Airmail [ ] Full cable | |||||||||||||||||||||||
ADVISING BANK (If Correspondent Bank) N/A | AMOUNT United States Dollars Two Hundred Million and 00/100 (USD $ 200,000,000.00) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
FOR ACCOUNT OF (Applicant Name/Address) EQ AZ Life Re Company 0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 | XX XXXXX OF (Beneficiary of SB LC)(Full Name/Address) Equitable Financial Life Insurance Company 0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Drafts must be presented to drawee on or before (Expiration Date): 5-year LC maturity (i.e., 1/21/29) with 1 year evergreen renewals triggered on annual anniversary. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Available by draft(s) at sight drawn at your option on you or any of your correspondents accompanied by the following documents: (Text of SBLC Wording/Format/Terms and conditions must be stated or attached here with) | ||||||||||||||||||||
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: Deliver to: All Banking Charges outside of U.S.A. are for ( )Beneficiary’s Account ( ) Applicant’s Account | ||||||||||||||||||||
Signature Verification | ||||||||||||||||||||
___________________________ By: | ||||||||||||||||||||
1
| MUFG Bank, Ltd. New York Branch | ||||
THIS LETTER OF CREDIT WILL BE SUBJECT TO [ X ] UCP (2007 REVISION, ICC PUBLICATION NO. 600) [ ] ISP98 (ICC PUBLICATION NO. 590 INTERNATIONAL STANDBY PRACTICES) (PLEASE SELECT APPLICABLE RULE) This Application is made subject to the Reimbursement Agreement heretofore executed by us and delivered to you, the provisions of which are hereby made applicable to this Application and the Letter of Credit. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| FOR BANK USE ONLY | INTERNAL BOOK ONLY Y/N______(If “Y” indicate reserved LC Number) | |||||||||||||||||||
Customer Code_______________________ | C/A.# | Cost Center | ||||||||||||||||||
Part Bought Code | PBLC.# | Cert # and Date_________________ | ||||||||||||||||||
| FOR P/S DETAILS ATTACH FORM SBLC3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Affil Y/N | Synd Y/N | Agent Bank Y/N__________ | Agent Bank ID | |||||||||||||||||
| FOR STANDBY COMM ATTACH FORM SBLC2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Evergreen Y/N____ | No. of Days________ | G/L Category | ||||||||||||||||||
| Facility Code________ | Guaranteed Y/N ______ | Funds Avail Y/N__________ | Purpose________________ | |||||||||||||||||
| Appr. # | Grade Date____________ | Review Date_____________ | Class__________________ | |||||||||||||||||
| SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Similar L/C (if any): (A duly approved copy of similar LC wording must be attached if applicable) | ||||||||||||||||||||
2
EXHIBIT C
Form of Subsidiary Joinder Agreement
[ ], 20[ ]
To MUFG Bank, Ltd.
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx, 0xx Xxxxx
New York, NY 10020
Re: Subsidiary Joinder Agreement
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Reimbursement Agreement (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Reimbursement Agreement”) dated as of January 23, 2024 among Equitable Holdings, Inc. (the “Guarantor”), the Subsidiary Account Parties party thereto from time to time and MUFG Bank, Ltd., as LC Issuer. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Reimbursement Agreement.
The Guarantor and the “Subject Subsidiary” (as identified on the signature pages below), have executed and hereby deliver this Subsidiary Joinder Agreement, pursuant to Section 8.11(a) of the Reimbursement Agreement, in order to designate the Subject Subsidiary as a Subsidiary Account Party to the Reimbursement Agreement.
Accordingly, the Guarantor and the Subject Subsidiary hereby represent and warrant and agree that as of the “Joinder Effective Date” (as defined below):
1.the Subject Subsidiary is [deemed to be a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Guarantor pursuant to the last sentence of Section 8.11(a)][a direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Guarantor];
2.the Subject Subsidiary is subject to and bound by each of the obligations of a Subsidiary Account Party contained in the Reimbursement Agreement as if the Subject Subsidiary were an original signatory to such Reimbursement Agreement;
3.no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the Reimbursement Agreement;
4.the guarantee of the Guarantor contained in Guarantee Agreement applies to all of the obligations of the Subject Subsidiary pursuant thereto; and
5.the Subject Subsidiary’s addresses for notices, other communications and service of process provided for in the Reimbursement Agreement shall be given in the manner, and with the effect, specified in Sections 8.01 and 8.07(c) of the Reimbursement Agreement to it at its “Address for Notices” specified on the signature pages below.
This Subsidiary Joinder Agreement shall become effective as of the date (the “Joinder Effective Date”) on which the LC Issuer confirms its acceptance of this Subsidiary Joinder Agreement as provided on the signature pages below in accordance with the terms of the Reimbursement Agreement. As of the Joinder Effective Date, the Subject Subsidiary shall be entitled to the rights, and subject to the obligations, of a Subsidiary Account Party contained in the Reimbursement Agreement. Except as expressly herein agreed with respect to the joinder of
the Subject Subsidiary as a Subsidiary Account Party, the Reimbursement Agreement shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect.
This Subsidiary Joinder Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement. This Subsidiary Joinder Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.
GUARANTOR
| By: | |||||
| Name: | |||||
| Title: | |||||
SUBJECT SUBSIDIARY
[_______________________]
a [___________________][corporation]
a [___________________][corporation]
| By: | |||||
| Name: | |||||
| Title: | |||||
Address for Notices
[______________________]
[______________________]
[______________________]
[______________________]
[______________________]
Attn:____________________
Tel: [___________________]
Fax: [___________________]
Fax: [___________________]
Agreed and Accepted:
this [____] [th] day of [____], 20[_]
MUFG BANK, LTD.,
as LC Issuer
| By: | |||||
| Name: | |||||
| Title: | |||||
