AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
Exhibit k.10.
Deal CUSIP 00000XXX0
Revolving Loan CUSIP 00000XXX0
$157,500,000
AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of June 23, 2014
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Agent and as Lead Arranger
Table of Contents
Section 1 General Definitions
|
1
|
||
1.1
|
Definitions
|
1
|
|
1.2
|
Accounting and Other Terms
|
10
|
|
1.3
|
General Rules
|
11
|
|
Section 2 Credit Facility
|
11
|
||
2.1
|
Total Credit Facility
|
11
|
|
2.2
|
Revolving Credit Loans
|
11
|
|
2.3
|
Swingline Loans
|
12
|
|
2.4
|
Reduction and Changes of Commitments
|
13
|
|
2.5
|
Pro Rata Treatment
|
13
|
|
2.6
|
Amended and Restated Credit Facility
|
13
|
|
Section 3 Finance Charges, Repayment and Other Terms
|
14
|
||
3.1
|
Interest Rate
|
14
|
|
3.2
|
Payments of Principal, Interest and Costs
|
15
|
|
3.3
|
Voluntary Prepayments
|
15
|
|
3.4
|
Mandatory Prepayments
|
15
|
|
3.5
|
Method of Payment
|
16
|
|
3.6
|
Use of Proceeds
|
16
|
|
3.7
|
Notice and Manner of Borrowing
|
16
|
|
3.8
|
Minimum Amount
|
17
|
|
3.9
|
Yield Protection; Capital Adequacy
|
17
|
|
3.10
|
Application of Payments and Collections
|
18
|
|
3.11
|
Periodic Statement
|
18
|
|
3.12
|
Non-Receipt of Funds by Agent
|
19
|
|
3.13
|
Several Obligations
|
19
|
|
3.14
|
Balance; Sharing of Payments
|
20
|
|
3.15
|
Libor Loan Provisions
|
20
|
|
3.16
|
Defaulting Bank
|
21
|
|
3.17
|
Replacement of Bank
|
22
|
|
3.18
|
Taxes
|
22
|
|
Section 4 Lending Conditions
|
25
|
||
4.1
|
Credit Documents
|
25
|
|
4.2
|
Additional Conditions Precedent to Initial Loans
|
26
|
|
4.3
|
Conditions Precedent to All Loans
|
27
|
|
Section 5 Representations And Warranties
|
27
|
||
5.1
|
Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Borrower
|
27
|
i
Section 6 Covenants
|
29
|
||
6.1
|
Affirmative Covenants
|
29
|
|
6.2
|
Negative Covenants
|
33
|
|
Section 7 Events of Default
|
34
|
||
7.1
|
Events of Default
|
34
|
|
7.2
|
Obligation to Lend; Acceleration
|
36
|
|
7.3
|
Remedies
|
36
|
|
7.4
|
Ranking of Loans; Compliance with Investment Company Act of 1940
|
36
|
|
Section 8 Agency Provisions
|
37
|
||
8.1
|
Appointment, Powers and Immunities
|
37
|
|
8.2
|
Reliance by Agent
|
37
|
|
8.3
|
Defaults
|
37
|
|
8.4
|
Rights as a Bank
|
38
|
|
8.5
|
Indemnification
|
38
|
|
8.6
|
Non-Reliance on Agent and other Banks
|
38
|
|
8.7
|
Failure to Act
|
38
|
|
8.8
|
Resignation or Removal of Agent
|
39
|
|
8.9
|
Representation of Banks
|
39
|
|
8.10
|
Obligations Several
|
39
|
|
Section 9 Miscellaneous
|
39
|
||
9.1
|
Notices
|
39
|
|
9.2
|
Reimbursement of Expenses
|
39
|
|
9.3
|
Indemnity
|
40
|
|
9.4
|
Entire Agreement; Modification of Agreement
|
40
|
|
9.5
|
Successors and Assigns
|
41
|
|
9.6
|
Participations.
|
41
|
|
9.7
|
Assignments
|
42
|
|
9.8
|
Nonliability of Banks.r
|
44
|
|
9.9
|
Accounting
|
44
|
|
9.10
|
Indulgences Not Waivers
|
44
|
|
9.11
|
Severability
|
45
|
|
9.12
|
General Waivers by Borrower
|
45
|
|
9.13
|
Execution in Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures
|
45
|
|
9.14
|
Captions
|
45
|
|
9.15
|
USA PATRIOT ACT NOTIFICATION
|
46
|
|
9.16
|
Governing Law; Consent to Forum
|
46
|
|
9.17
|
Waiver of Jury Trial; Limitation on Damages
|
46
|
|
9.18
|
Document Imaging and Electronic Transactions
|
46
|
|
9.19
|
Controlling Document
|
47
|
|
9.20
|
K.S.A. §16-118 Required Notice
|
48
|
ii
Table of Exhibits
Exhibit A – Commitments
|
|
Exhibit B – Form of Revolving Credit Note
|
|
Exhibit C – Form of Swingline Note
|
|
Exhibit D – Form of Borrowing Base Certificate
|
|
Exhibit E – Form of Assignment and Assumption
|
iii
AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
This Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made effective as of June 23, 2014, by and among TORTOISE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE CORPORATION, a Maryland corporation (the “Borrower”); U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., a national banking association, THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, and each other lender from time to time identified as having a Commitment on Exhibit A hereto and who becomes a party hereto (each a “Bank” and, collectively, the “Banks”); U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as the lender for Swingline Loans (in such capacity, the “Swingline Lender”); and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as agent for the Banks hereunder (in such capacity, the “Agent”); and as lead arranger hereunder (in such capacity, the “Lead Arranger”).
WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Banks and the Agent are parties to a Credit Agreement dated as of March 22, 2007, which has been amended by First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of May 29, 2007; Second Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of October 31, 2007; Third Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of March 21, 2008; Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of March 20, 2009; Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of June 20, 2009; Sixth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of June 20, 2010; Seventh Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of March 9, 2011; Eighth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of June 20, 2011; Ninth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of June 18, 2012; Tenth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of June 17, 2013; Eleventh Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of January 15, 2014; and Twelfth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of June 16, 2014 (as so amended, the “Original Credit Agreement”);
WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested an increase in the amount of the existing credit facility and certain other modifications to the existing credit facility as a result of the merger by certain Affiliates of Borrower into Borrower on or about the date of this Agreement, and the Banks are willing to agree to the foregoing requests, subject, however, to the terms, conditions and agreements set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend and restate the Original Credit Agreement in its entirety pursuant to this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
Section 1
General Definitions
1.1 Definitions. When used in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:
“1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as the same may be amended from time to time.
“Acceptable Assets” means (1) New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), American Stock Exchange (AMEX), or National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation (NASDAQ) securities with a market value of greater than or equal to $5.00 per share; (2) debt issues of the United States government, or any of its agencies; (3) debt issues with a Xxxxx’x rating of no less than “Baa,” or a Standard & Poor’s rating of no less than “BBB”; (4) preferred shares with a Standard & Poor’s rating of “A” or higher; (5) shares of registered open-end or closed-end investment companies; (6) shares of unit investment trusts issued by registered investment companies; and (7) shares of exchange traded funds issued by registered investment companies.
Credit Agreement - Page 1
“Affected Bank” is defined in Section 3.17.
“Affiliate” means a Person (1) which owns or otherwise has an interest in five percent or more of any equity interest of the Borrower, (2) five percent or more of the equity interests of which the Borrower (or any shareholder or other equity holder, director, officer, employee or subsidiary of the Borrower or any combination thereof) owns or otherwise has an interest in, or (3) which, directly or through one or more intermediaries, is controlled by, controls, or is under common control with the Borrower. For purposes of subpart (3) above, “control” means the ability, directly or indirectly, to affect the management or policies of a Person by virtue of an ownership interest, by right of contract or any other means.
“Agent” means U.S. Bank in its capacity as contractual representative of the Banks pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement, and not in its individual capacity as a Bank, and any successor Agent appointed pursuant to Section 8.
“Agreement” means this Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, as amended, renewed, restated, replaced, consolidated or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Approved Fund” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Bank, (b) an Affiliate of a Bank or (c) an entity or any Affiliate of any entity that administer or manages a Bank.
“Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Bank and another Person (with the consent of any party whose consent is required pursuant to Section 9.5 and/or Section 9.7), and accepted by the Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit E or any other form approved by the Agent.
“Authorized Officer” means any of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Senior Vice President, Treasurer or the Chairman of the Board of the Borrower, acting singly.
“Banks” shall have the meaning given to such term in the introductory paragraph hereof and shall include the Swingline Lender. The term shall also include any assignee of a Bank under Section 9.7.
“Base Rate” means, as of any date, the greater of (1) the Prime Rate, or (2) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%.
“Borrowing Base Certificate” means a certificate, in favor of the Agent, signed by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto, or in such other form as the Agent may reasonably request from time to time, which sets forth in reasonable detail the computations necessary to determine the Borrowing Base at a particular time.
“Borrowing Base” means, at any date, an amount equal to (1) 33-1/3% of the total value of the Acceptable Assets of the Borrower on such date, minus (2) all of the Borrower’s “senior securities representing indebtedness” (as such term is used in the 1940 Act) other than the Loans, as set forth in the Borrowing Base Certificate most recently delivered to the Agent pursuant to Sections 6.1(b)(3) and/or 4.3(c).
“Business Day” means (i) with respect to any borrowing, payment or rate selection of Libor Loans, a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks generally are open in Kansas City, Missouri and London, England for the conduct of substantially all of their commercial lending activities, interbank wire transfers can be made on the Fedwire system and dealings in Dollars are carried on in the London interbank market and (ii) for all other purposes, a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks generally are open in Kansas City, Missouri for the conduct of substantially all of their commercial lending activities and interbank wire transfers can be made on the Fedwire system.
Credit Agreement - Page 2
“Central Time” means the time as in effect in the central time zone in the United States from time to time.
“Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if (1) any Person or group of Persons acting in concert shall own, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, shares representing more than 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Borrower; or (2) a change shall occur in the Board of Directors of the Borrower such that the individuals who constituted the Board of Directors of the Borrower as of the Closing Date cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the directors of the Borrower then in office.
“Change in Law” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.9(a) of this Agreement.
“Chosen Forum” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.16 of this Agreement.
“Closing Date” means the date of this Agreement as set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, reformed or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Commitments” means, as to each Bank, at any date, without duplication, its Revolving Credit Loan Commitment and its Swingline Exposure, all at such date; provided, however, that, in the case of the Swingline Lender (solely in its capacity as the Swingline Lender), its Commitments shall mean its Swingline Loan Commitment.
“Credit Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, the Notes and any other agreements or documents with the Agent or the Banks existing on or after the Closing Date evidencing or otherwise relating to any of the transactions described in or contemplated by this Agreement, and any amendments, renewals, restatements, replacements, consolidations or other modifications of any of the foregoing from time to time.
“Daily Reset Libor Rate” means, with respect to each day, the rate determined by the Agent equal to the quotient of (1) the average offered rate for deposits in Dollars for delivery of such deposits on a one-month basis, which appears on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page (or, any successor thereto) as of 11:00 a.m., London time (or such other time as of which such rate appears), or, if not available, the rate for such deposits determined by the Agent, in the Agent’s sole and reasonable discretion, at such time based on such other published service of general application as shall be selected by the Agent, in the Agent’s sole discretion, for such purpose, divided by (2) one minus the Eurocurrency Reserve Requirement, if any, on such day.
“Debt” means any of the following: (1) indebtedness or liability for borrowed money; (2) obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments; (3) obligations for the deferred purchase price of property or services; (4) obligations as lessee under capital leases; (5) current liabilities in respect of unfunded vested benefits under Plans covered by ERISA; (6) obligations under letters of credit or acceptance facilities; (7) all guarantees, endorsements (other than for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business) and other contingent obligations to purchase, to provide funds for payment, to supply funds to invest in any Person, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss; and (8) obligations secured by a Lien, whether or not the obligations have been assumed.
Credit Agreement - Page 3
“Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States of America, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.
“Default Rate” has the meaning provided in Section 3.1(b) of this Agreement.
“Default” means an event or condition the occurrence of which would, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both, become an Event of Default.
“Defaulting Bank” means, subject to Section 3.16(b), any Bank that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within two (2) Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Bank notifies the Agent and the Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Bank’s determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied or waived, or (ii) pay to the Agent, the Swingline Lender or any other Bank any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Swingline Loans) within two (2) Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Borrower, the Agent, or the Swingline Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Bank’s obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Bank’s determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) has failed, within three (3) Business Days after written request by the Agent or the Borrower, to confirm in writing to the Agent and the Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Bank shall cease to be a Defaulting Bank pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Agent and the Borrower), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets (other than an Undisclosed Administration), including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity; provided that a Bank shall not be a Defaulting Bank solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Bank or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Bank with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Bank (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Bank. Any determination by the Agent that a Bank is a Defaulting Bank under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Bank shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Bank (subject to Section 3.16(b)) upon delivery of written notice of such determination to the Borrower, the Swingline Lender and each Bank.
“Dollars” and “$” means lawful money of the United States of America.
“Encumbered Property” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(a) of this Agreement.
“Environmental Laws” means all federal, state, local and other applicable statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations, judicial orders or decrees, common law theories of liability, governmental or quasi-governmental directives or notices or other laws or matters existing on or after the Closing Date relating in any respect to occupational safety, health or environmental protection.
Credit Agreement - Page 4
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and all rules and regulations from time to time promulgated thereunder.
“Eurocurrency Reserve Requirement” means, for any Loan for any Interest Period therefor, the daily average of the stated maximum rate (expressed as a decimal) at which reserves (including any marginal, supplemental or emergency reserves) are required to be maintained during such Interest Period under Regulation D by member banks of the Federal Reserve System in New York City with deposits exceeding one billion dollars against “Eurocurrency liabilities” (as such term is used in Regulation D) but without benefit or credit of proration, exemptions or offsets that might otherwise be available from time to time under Regulation D. Without limiting the effect of the foregoing, the Eurocurrency Reserve Requirement shall reflect any other reserves required to be maintained against (1) any category of liabilities that includes deposits by reference to which the Libor Rate or the Daily Reset Libor Rate for Loans is to be determined, or (2) any category of extension of credit or other assets that include Loans for which the interest rate is determined on the basis of a Libor Rate or a Daily Reset Libor Rate.
“Event of Default” has the meaning provided in Section 7.1 of this Agreement.
“Excluded Taxes” means, in the case of each Bank or applicable Lending Installation and the Agent, (i) Taxes imposed on its overall net income, franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes imposed on it, by the respective jurisdiction under the laws of which such Bank or the Agent is incorporated or is organized or in which its principal executive office is located or, in the case of a Bank, in which such Bank’s applicable Lending Installation is located, (ii) in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender, any withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such Non-U.S. Lender except to the extent that, pursuant to Section 3.18(a), amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Bank’s assignor immediately before such Bank became a party hereto or to such Bank immediately before it changed its Lending Installation, or is attributable to the Non-U.S. Lender’s failure to comply with Section 3.18(f), and (iii) any U.S. federal withholding taxes imposed by FATCA.
“Expenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2 of this Agreement.
“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof.
“Federal Funds Rate” means the rate per annum determined by the Agent, in its sole discretion, for commercial overnight reserve trading transactions (for the Business Day immediately preceding the date of determination by the Agent) as quoted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or such financial news services (electronic or otherwise) as the Agent may elect, in its sole discretion, to use from time to time, which rate shall change with and be effective on the date of any change in such rate.
“Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time in the United States of America.
Credit Agreement - Page 5
“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States of America or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including, without limitation, any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank) and any group or body charged with setting financial accounting or regulatory capital rules or standards (including, without limitation, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Bank for International Settlements or the Basel Committee on Banking Supervisory Practices or any successor or similar authority to any of the foregoing).
“Hazardous Substance” means any hazardous, toxic, dangerous or otherwise environmentally unsound substance, waste or other material, in whatever form, as defined or described in, or contemplated by, any Environmental Law and any other hazardous, toxic, dangerous or otherwise environmentally unsound substance, waste or other material in whatever form, or any other substance, waste or other material regulated by any Environmental Law.
“Indemnified Taxes” means Taxes imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower under any Credit Document, other than Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes.
“Interest Period” means, with respect to any Loan in which interest accrues at a Libor Rate, the period commencing on the date such Loan is made and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the first, second, third or sixth calendar month thereafter, except, that each Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on any day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the appropriate subsequent calendar month) shall end on the last Business Day of the appropriate subsequent calendar month; provided, however, that (a) no Interest Period may extend beyond the Termination Date, and (b) if an Interest Period would end on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next Business Day unless such Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which event such Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day.
“Interim Threshold” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4(a) of this Agreement.
“Investment Advisor” means any person (other than a bona fide officer, director, trustee, member of an advisory board, or employee of the Borrower, as such) who, pursuant to contract with the Borrower, regularly furnishes advice to the Borrower with respect to the desirability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities or other property, or is empowered to determine what securities or other property shall be purchased or sold by the Borrower.
“Lead Arranger” means U.S. Bank, and its successors, in its capacity as Lead Arranger.
“Lending Installation” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.9(a) of this Agreement.
“Libor Loan” means any Loan for which the interest rate is determined on the basis of a Libor Rate or a Daily Reset Libor Rate.
“Libor Rate” means, for any Interest Period, the rate per annum determined by the Agent to equal the quotient of (1) the London interbank offered rate for Dollars for such Interest Period, as quoted two Business Days immediately preceding the date of the proposed Libor Loan in the “Money Rates” section of The Wall Street Journal or, if not available, by Bloomberg, Telerate or any other financial news services (electronic or otherwise) used by the Agent from time to time in accordance with commercially reasonable industry standards, divided by (2) one minus the Eurocurrency Reserve Requirement for such Interest Period.
Credit Agreement - Page 6
“Lien” means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, security interest, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), or preference, priority, or other security agreement or preferential arrangement, charge or encumbrance of any kind or nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing, or the filing of any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code or comparable law of any jurisdiction to evidence any of the foregoing.
“Loans” means all Revolving Credit Loans and the Swingline Loans. The term “Loan” may refer to all Revolving Credit Loans or Swingline Loans then outstanding or, as the context so requires, any particular Revolving Credit Loan or Swingline Loan then outstanding under this Agreement.
“Material Adverse Effect” means (1) a material adverse effect on the assets, liabilities, business, prospects, operations, income or condition, financial or otherwise, of the Borrower, (2) a material impairment of the ability of the Borrower to pay, perform or observe its obligations under the Credit Documents, or (3) a material impairment of the enforceability or availability of the rights or remedies stated to be available to the Agent or any Bank under the Credit Documents.
“Non-U.S. Lender” means a Bank that is not a United States person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
“Notes” means, collectively, the Revolving Credit Notes and the Swingline Note.
“Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Credit Document, but “Other Taxes” shall not include Excluded Taxes.
“Outstanding Credit Exposure” means, as to any Bank at any time, the sum of the aggregate principal dollar amount of its Loans outstanding at such time.
“Participant Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(c) of this Agreement.
“Participants” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(a) of this Agreement.
“Permitted Debt” means any of the following: (1) accrued expenses and trade account payables incurred in the ordinary course of the Borrower’s business; (2) the Senior Notes; (3) Debt to the Banks under this Agreement; (4) interest rate protection agreements; (5) the Permitted Scotia Debt; and (6) other Debt approved in advance by the Required Banks in a writing delivered to the Borrower.
“Permitted Scotia Debt” means unsecured Debt of the Borrower to The Bank of Nova Scotia in a principal amount not to exceed $100,000,000.
“Permitted Liens” means any of the following: (1) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges not delinquent or being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are maintained on the Borrower’s books; (2) Liens arising out of deposits in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, old age pensions or other social security or retirement benefits legislation; (3) deposits or pledges to secure bids, tenders, contracts (other than contracts for the payment of money), leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, and other obligations of like nature arising in the ordinary course of the Borrower’s business; (4) Liens imposed by law, such as mechanics’, workers’, materialmen’s, carriers’ or other like Liens (excluding, however, any Lien in favor of a landlord) arising in the ordinary course of the Borrower’s business which secure the payment of obligations which are not past due or which are being diligently contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are maintained on the Borrower’s books; and (5) rights of way, zoning restrictions, easements and similar encumbrances affecting the Borrower’s real property which do not materially interfere with the use of such property.
Credit Agreement - Page 7
“Person” means an individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust, governmental entity or any other entity, organization or group whatsoever.
“Plan” means an employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) maintained for employees of the Borrower on or after the Closing Date.
“Prime Rate” means a basis on which the rate of interest is from time to time calculated for loans making reference thereto, and may not be the lowest, best or most favored of the interest rates offered by U.S. Bank National Association.
“Pro-Rata Share” means, at any date, with respect to a Bank, in each case expressed as a percentage (rounded to 12 decimal places, or such other number of decimal places as the Agent, acting in a commercially reasonable manner, may select from time to time):
(1) | Make Revolving Credit Loans. In the case of a Bank’s obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans, a fraction: (a) the numerator of which is the amount of such Bank’s Revolving Credit Loan Commitment on such date, and (b) the denominator of which is the aggregate amount of all Banks’ Revolving Credit Loan Commitments on such date. |
(2) | Swingline Exposure. In the case of a Bank’s obligation to reimburse the Swingline Lender for Swingline Loans, a fraction: (a) the numerator of which is the amount of such Bank’s Revolving Credit Loan Commitment on such date, and (b) the denominator of which is the aggregate amount of all Banks’ Revolving Credit Loan Commitments on such date. |
(3) | Receive Principal or Interest. In the case of a Bank’s right to receive payments of principal and interest with respect to its outstanding Revolving Credit Loans (including any such Revolving Credit Loans arising out of Swingline Loans), a fraction: (a) the numerator of which is the aggregate unpaid principal amount of such Bank’s Loans giving rise to such principal or interest payment on such date, and (b) the denominator of which is the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Banks’ Loans giving rise to such principal or interest payment on such date. |
(4) | Indemnification; Other. In the case of a Bank’s obligations under Section 8.5 hereof, or in any other case not addressed in subparts (1) through (3) above, a fraction: (a) the numerator of which is the amount of such Bank’s Revolving Credit Loan Commitment, and (b) the denominator of which is the aggregate amount of all Banks’ Revolving Credit Loan Commitments (the foregoing fraction shall be calculated without regard to whether such Bank or any other Bank has any commitment to make Revolving Credit Loans on such date). |
Credit Agreement - Page 8
“Purchasers” is defined in Section 9.7(a) of this Agreement.
“Register” is defined in Section 9.7(d) of this Agreement.
“Regulation D” means Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as from time to time in effect and any successor thereto or other regulation or official interpretation of said Board of Governors relating to reserve requirements applicable to member banks of the Federal Reserve System.
“Regulatory Change” means any change after the Closing Date in federal, state, local or foreign laws or regulations (including, without limitation, Regulation D, but, subject to the Borrower’s obligations otherwise provided herein, not including a change in the Eurocurrency Reserve Requirement), or the adoption or making after such date of any interpretations, directives or requirements applying to a class of banks including the Agent and/or Banks under any federal, state, local or foreign laws or regulations (whether or not having the force of law) by any court or governmental or monetary authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof.
“Required Banks” shall mean, at any date, one or more Banks having at least (1) 100% of the Commitments on such date, or (2) if on such date the Commitments have terminated, 100% of the outstanding principal balance of the Loans.
“Revolving Credit Loan Commitment” means, as to each Bank, its obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans under Section 2.2 hereof in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Bank’s name on Exhibit A hereto under the column entitled “Revolving Credit Loan Commitment Amount,” or as such amount may be modified by any assignment made pursuant to this Agreement.
“Revolving Credit Loans” has the meaning provided in Section 2.2(a) of this Agreement.
“Revolving Credit Note” has the meaning provided in Section 2.2(b) of this Agreement.
“Risk-Based Capital Guidelines” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.9(b) of this Agreement.
“Securities Account” means securities account number XX-XXXX held at the Securities Intermediary.
“Securities Intermediary” means U.S. Bank National Association.
“Senior Notes” means any unsecured "senior securities representing indebtedness" (as
such term is used in the 1940 Act) issued by the Borrower other than the Loans and the Permitted Scotia Debt.
“Swingline Exposure” means, at any date, with respect to any Bank, its Pro-Rata Share of the outstanding principal amount of Swingline Loans on such date.
“Swingline Lender” has the meaning given to such term in the introductory paragraph hereof.
Credit Agreement - Page 9
“Swingline Loan Commitment” means, as to the Swingline Lender, its obligation to make Swingline Loans pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof, in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Bank’s name on Exhibit A hereto under the column entitled “Swingline Loan Commitment Amount.”
“Swingline Loans” has the meaning provided in Section 2.3(a) of this Agreement.
“Swingline Note” has the meaning provided in Section 2.3(b) of this Agreement.
“Taxes” means any and all present or future taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings, and any and all liabilities with respect to the foregoing, including interest, additions to tax and penalties applicable thereto.
“Termination Date” means June 15, 2015; provided, however, if such day is not a Business Day, the Termination Date shall be the immediately preceding Business Day.
“Transferee” is defined in Section 9.7(e).
“TYY Credit Agreement” is defined in Section 3.6.
“Undisclosed Administration” means in relation to a Bank the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official by a supervisory authority or regulator under or based on the law in the country where such Bank is subject to home jurisdiction supervision if applicable law requires that such appointment is not to be publicly disclosed.
“Unused Line Fee” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1(c) of this Agreement.
“U.S. Bank” means U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association, in its individual capacity, and its successors
1.2 Accounting and Other Terms.
(a) General. All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, all references to “dollars” or “$” are to United States dollars. This Agreement and the other Credit Documents shall be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring construction against the party causing any such document or any portion thereof to be drafted. The Section and other headings in this Agreement and any index at the beginning of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect any of the terms of this Agreement. Similarly, any page footers or headers or similar word processing, document or page identification numbers in this Agreement or any index or exhibit are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect any of the terms of this Agreement, nor shall there be any requirement that any such footers or other numbers be consistent from page to page. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, any reference to a Section of this Agreement refers to all Sections and Subsections thereunder. Any pronoun used herein shall be deemed to cover all genders. Defined terms used in this Agreement may be set forth in Section 1.1 or other Sections of this Agreement, and all such definitions defined in the singular shall have a corresponding meaning when used in the plural and vice versa.
Credit Agreement - Page 10
(b) Changes in GAAP. If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Credit Document, and either the Borrower or the Agent shall so request, the Agent and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP; provided, however, that, until so amended, (1) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein, and (2) the Borrower shall provide to the Agent financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.
1.3 General Rules. For the purposes of this Agreement, the words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to a particular section, paragraph or other subdivision. Terms defined in the singular have a corresponding meaning when used in the plural and vice versa. Similarly, verbs defined in one tense have a corresponding meaning when used in another tense.
Section 2
Credit Facility
2.1 Total Credit Facility. Each Bank severally agrees, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, to make a total credit facility of up to the amount of the Commitments available to the Borrower upon its request therefor, as provided in this Section 2.
2.2 Revolving Credit Loans.
(a) General. Each Bank severally agrees, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, to make revolving credit loans (“Revolving Credit Loans”) to the Borrower from time to time on any Business Day during the period from and including the Closing Date to, but excluding the Termination Date in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding up to but not exceeding the lesser of (A) the amount of such Bank’s Revolving Credit Loan Commitment at such time, or (B) such Bank’s Pro-Rata Share of the Borrowing Base at such time. In no event shall any Bank be obligated to make a Revolving Credit Loan if any Default or Event of Default exists or would result from the making of such Revolving Credit Loan. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Borrower may borrow, repay and re-borrow under the Revolving Credit Loan facility.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, on or after the date of this Agreement, the Borrower may increase the total amount of the Commitments, in an aggregate principal amount of up to $50,000,000, without the consent of any Bank but subject to the arrangement of additional commitments with financial institutions acceptable to the Borrower and the Agent; provided that in each case (1) no Bank will be required to increase its Revolving Credit Loan Commitment, (2) the Agent shall have no responsibility to arrange any such additional commitments unless the Agent shall consent to such undertaking in a prior writing; and in any event, the Agent’s responsibility to arrange any additional commitments shall be subject to such conditions, including, but not limited to, fee arrangements, as the Agent may provide in connection therewith, (3) there is no continuing Default or Event of Default, and (4) the conditions to making a Revolving Credit Loan, as provided in Section 4.3 below, are satisfied.
Credit Agreement - Page 11
(b) Revolving Credit Note. The Revolving Credit Loans made by each Bank under its Revolving Credit Loan Commitment shall be evidenced by, and shall be payable in accordance with the terms and conditions of, a promissory note of the Borrower in favor of such Bank in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto (as to such Bank, as the same may be amended, renewed, restated, replaced, consolidated or otherwise modified from time to time, its “Revolving Credit Note”). Each Revolving Credit Note shall be in a principal amount equal to the amount of its Revolving Credit Loan Commitment then in effect and otherwise duly completed. Each Loan made by each Bank under its Revolving Credit Loan Commitment, and all payments and prepayments made on account of the principal thereof, shall be recorded by such Bank on its books and records.
2.3 Swingline Loans.
(a) General. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, the Swingline Lender, in its sole discretion, may make loans (“Swingline Loans”) to the Borrower from time to time on any Business Day during the period from and including the Closing Date but excluding the Termination Date in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding up to but not exceeding the Swingline Loan Commitment at such time; provided, however, the aggregate principal balance of all Swingline Loans then outstanding (or which would be outstanding if such Swingline Loan were to be made) at any time plus the aggregate principal balance of all Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding shall not exceed the lesser of (1) the total Commitments of all Banks at such time, or (2) the Borrowing Base; provided further, the Swingline Lender shall have no obligation to make a Swingline Loan if the Swingline Lender has received notice from the Borrower or any Bank that one or more of the conditions precedent set forth in this Agreement have not been satisfied. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, during such period the Borrower may borrow, repay and re-borrow Swingline Loans
If the Borrower does not repay any Swingline Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Swingline Note or any of the other Credit Documents, then the Banks shall reimburse the Swingline Lender on demand for the unpaid amount of such Swingline Loans. Such reimbursements shall be made by the Banks in accordance with their respective Pro-Rata Shares and shall thereafter be reflected as Revolving Credit Loans of the Banks on the books and records of the Agent. Each Bank shall fund its respective Pro-Rata Share of Revolving Credit Loans as required to repay Swingline Loans outstanding to the Swingline Lender upon demand by the Swingline Lender but in no event later than 2:00 p.m., Central Time, on the next succeeding Business Day after such demand is made. No Bank’s obligation to fund its Pro-Rata Share of a Swingline Loan shall be affected by any other Bank’s failure to fund its Pro-Rata Share of a Swingline Loan. Similarly, the Borrower’s obligation to repay Swingline Loans shall not be affected by any Bank’s failure to reimburse the Swingline Lender pursuant to this Section 2.3.
If any portion of any principal payment made by the Borrower to the Swingline Lender on account of any Swingline Loan shall be recovered by or on behalf of the Borrower from the Swingline Lender in bankruptcy or otherwise, the loss of the amount so recovered shall be ratably shared among all of the Banks in accordance with their respective Pro-Rata Shares.
Each Bank acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to reimburse Swingline Loans in accordance with the terms of this Section 2.3 is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including, without limitation, the existence of a Default or an Event of Default. Further, each Bank agrees and acknowledges that if prior to the reimbursing of any outstanding Swingline Loans pursuant to this Section 2.3, one of the events described in Section 7.1(f) shall have occurred, each Bank will, on the date the applicable Revolving Credit Loan would have been made, purchase, without warranty or recourse, an undivided participating interest in the Swingline Loan to be reimbursed in an amount equal to its Pro-Rata Share of the aggregate amount of such Swingline Loan. Each Bank will immediately transfer to the Swingline Lender, in immediately available funds, the amount of its participation and upon receipt thereof the Swingline Lender will deliver to such Bank a certificate evidencing such participation dated the date of receipt of such funds and for such amount. Whenever, at any time after the Swingline Lender has received from any Bank such Bank’s participating interest in a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender receives any payment on account thereof, the Swingline Lender will distribute to such Bank its participating interest in such amount (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Bank’s participating interest was outstanding and funded).
Credit Agreement - Page 12
The parties acknowledge that the Swingline Loan facility referred to in this Section 2.3 is a subfacility of the Revolving Credit Loan facility referred to in Section 2.2, above and, accordingly, its use by the Borrower shall act to reduce, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, the amount of credit otherwise available to the Borrower under such Revolving Credit Loan facility.
(b) Swingline Note. Swingline Loans made by the Swingline Lender shall be evidenced by a promissory note of the Borrower in favor of the Swingline Lender in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto (as the same may be amended, renewed, restated, replaced, consolidated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Swingline Note”). The Swingline Note shall be in a principal amount equal to the total Swingline Loan Commitment then in effect and otherwise duly completed.
2.4 Reduction and Changes of Commitments.
(a) The Borrower shall have the right to terminate in whole or reduce in part the unused portion of the Commitments, upon notice as provided herein; provided, however, that each reduction in the Revolving Credit Loan Commitments is an amount of not less than $1,000,000 and whole multiples of $1,000,000; provided, further, that no reduction shall be permitted if, after giving effect thereto, and to any prepayment made therewith, the outstanding and unpaid principal amount of the Loans shall exceed the Commitments. Any reduction in part of the unused portion of a Bank’s Revolving Credit Loan Commitment shall be made in the proportion that such Bank’s Revolving Credit Loan Commitment bears to the total amount of the Revolving Credit Loan Commitments.
(b) The Borrower shall give the Agent notice (and the Agent shall promptly notify the Banks in writing) at least three (3) Business Days prior to any such reduction or termination provided in this Section 2.4.
(c) Commitments once reduced in accordance with Section 2.4(a) may not be reinstated.
2.5 Pro Rata Treatment. Except as otherwise provided herein:
(a) each borrowing of Revolving Credit Loans hereunder shall be made from the Banks, and each termination or reduction of the amount of the Revolving Credit Loan Commitments shall be applied to such Commitments of the Banks, in each case in accordance with the Banks’ respective Pro-Rata Shares; and
(b) each payment and prepayment by the Borrower of principal of or interest on the Loans shall be made to the Agent for the account of the Banks in accordance with their respective Pro-Rata Shares (but not any other fees or amounts payable to the Agent whether pursuant to a separate letter or otherwise) shall be made to the Agent for the benefit of the Banks in accordance with their respective Pro-Rata Shares.
2.6 Amended and Restated Credit Facility. This Agreement amends, restates and replaces the Original Credit Agreement in its entirety. It is the intention and understanding of the parties that this Agreement shall continue the obligations under the Original Credit Agreement, shall act as a refinancing of the debt and other obligations evidenced by the Original Credit Agreement and shall not act as a novation of the Original Credit Agreement or the debt or obligations thereunder.
Credit Agreement - Page 13
Section 3
Finance Charges, Repayment and Other Terms
3.1 Interest Rate.
(a) General.
(1) | Revolving Credit Loans. Interest on each advance of a Revolving Credit Loan hereunder shall accrue at an annual rate equal to, at the Borrower’s election, (i) the Libor Rate plus 1.125% or (ii) the Daily Reset Libor Rate plus 1.125%, as the Borrower shall specify, pursuant to Section 3.7(a) below. |
(2) | Swingline Loans. Interest on each advance of a Swingline Loan hereunder shall accrue at an annual rate equal to the Daily Reset Libor Rate plus 1.125%. |
(b) Default Rate. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 3.1(a) above, upon or after the occurrence and during the continuation of any Event of Default, the principal amount of each Loan shall bear interest at a per annum rate equal to three percent (3%) above the interest rate that would otherwise apply under Section 3.1(a) above (the “Default Rate”).
(c) Unused Line Fee. The Borrower shall pay to the Agent (to be allocated by the Agent to the Banks in accordance with their respective Pro-Rata Shares), on the first day of each fiscal quarter, for the immediately preceding fiscal quarter, an unused line fee (the “Unused Line Fee”) at a rate per annum equal to 0.150% (calculated on a daily basis, computed on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual number of days elapsed (or if the Agent so elects, on the basis of twelve 30-day months for the actual number of days elapsed)) for such preceding fiscal quarter of the difference between (a) the Banks’ total credit facility commitments under this Agreement (including any increase of such commitments pursuant to Section 2.2 above), and (b) the average outstanding principal balance at the end of each day for such preceding fiscal quarter.
(d) Computation of Interest. Interest on the outstanding principal balance of all Loans and all other obligations, if any, under the Credit Documents with respect to which interest accrues pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be calculated on a daily basis, computed on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual number of days elapsed (or if the Agent so elects, on the basis of twelve 30-day months for the actual number of days elapsed).
(e) Usury. In no contingency or event whatsoever shall the aggregate of all amounts deemed interest hereunder or under any Note and charged or collected pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other Credit Documents exceed the highest rate permissible under any law which a court of competent jurisdiction shall, in a final determination, deem applicable thereto. If such a court determines that any amount of interest charged or received hereunder or under the other Credit Documents is in excess of the highest applicable rate, any such excess shall be applied to any other obligations then due and payable by the Borrower under the Credit Documents, whether principal, interest, fees or otherwise, and the remainder of such excess interest, if any, shall be refunded to the Borrower, and such rate shall automatically be reduced to the maximum rate permitted by such law.
Credit Agreement - Page 14
3.2 Payments of Principal, Interest and Costs. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Borrower agrees to pay, to the Agent for the account of each Bank, the Borrower’s obligations under the Credit Documents as follows:
(a) Revolving Credit Loans.
(1) | Interest. Accrued interest on the outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Credit Loans of such Bank is payable on: (A) in the case of a Revolving Credit Loan that accrues interest at a Libor Rate, (i) the earlier of: (I) the last day of each Interest Period or (II) the date that is three months following the first day of the then current Interest Period, or (B) in the case of a Revolving Credit Loan that accrues interest at a Daily Reset Libor Rate, on the first day of each month, and (C) with respect to all Revolving Credit Loans, the Termination Date. |
(2) | Principal. The outstanding principal balance of the Revolving Credit Loans of such Bank is payable on the Termination Date. |
(b) Swingline Loans.
(1) | Interest. Accrued interest on the outstanding principal balance of Swingline Loans is payable on (A) the first day of each month, and (B) the Termination Date. |
(2) | Principal. The outstanding principal balance of the Swingline Loans is payable on the Termination Date. |
(c) Other Obligations. Costs, fees and expenses and any other obligations payable by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement or the other Credit Documents shall be payable as and when provided in this Agreement or the other Credit Documents, as the case may be, or, if no specific provision for payment is made, on demand.
3.3 Voluntary Prepayments. The Borrower shall have the right, without penalty or premium, to prepay the Loans in whole or in part at any time and from time to time after the Closing Date; provided; however, if the Borrower prepays all or any part of a Loan on any day other than the last day of the then-current Interest Period, the Borrower shall pay to the Agent the amounts due each Bank under such circumstances in accordance with Section 3.15(c) of this Agreement.
3.4 Mandatory Prepayments.
(a) Borrowing Base Compliance. The sum of the outstanding balance of all Loans shall not, at any time, exceed the Borrowing Base; provided, however, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, during the period between the dates in which the Borrower is required to provide a Borrowing Base Certificate to the Agent, pursuant to Sections 4.3(c) and 6.1(b)(3) of this Agreement, the sum of the outstanding balance of all Loans may be less than or equal to, but may not exceed, an amount (the “Interim Threshold”) equal to (i) 50% of the total value of the Acceptable Assets of the Borrower less (ii) all of the Borrower’s “senior securities representing indebtedness” (as such term is used in the 1940 Act) other than Loans. If at any time the sum of the outstanding Loans exceeds the amount permitted hereby, the Borrower shall immediately prepay the Loans in an amount equal to the amount of such excess.
Credit Agreement - Page 15
(b) Legal Requirement. If at any time the Borrower, the Agent or any Bank, as the case may be, is required by applicable law to prepay or to cause to be prepaid all or any portion of the Loans, the Borrower shall immediately prepay the Loans in an amount sufficient to satisfy such legal requirement. For purposes of the preceding sentence, “applicable law” and “legal requirement” shall include, without limitation, any legal requirement or restriction imposed by virtue of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the 1940 Act.
3.5 Method of Payment.
(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Borrower shall make each payment due under this Agreement, the Notes and the other Credit Documents, in immediately available funds, without notice or demand, and without exercising any right of set-off, deduction or counterclaim, not later than 1:00 p.m., Central Time, on the date when due, in Dollars, to the Agent at such office as the Agent may designate from time to time by giving notice thereof to the Borrower. Payments received after 1:00 p.m., Central Time, shall be deemed received by the Agent on the next following Business Day, and interest shall accrue on such amount until such next Business Day. Insofar as the Borrower’s obligations are concerned, payment to the Agent shall constitute payment to the Banks.
(b) The Agent shall remit to each Bank its Pro-Rata Share of all payments of principal and interest under the Loans received by the Agent on the Business Day the Agent receives such payments; provided, however, that if any such payment is received by the Agent after 2:00 p.m., Central Time, on such Business Day, then the Agent shall endeavor to remit to each Bank its Pro-Rata Share of such payment on such Business Day but shall be under no duty to do so. If the Agent fails to remit any such payment received after 2:00 p.m., Central Time, on any Business Day, the Agent shall remit to each Bank its Pro-Rata Share of such payment on the next following Business Day.
(c) All payments from the Agent to a Bank, and all payments from a Bank to the Agent, in each case contemplated by this Agreement, shall be made by electronic funds transfer or by such other means and pursuant to such instructions as the Agent and such Bank may agree from time to time, any such agreement to be confirmed in writing at the request of the Agent or such Bank.
(d) If the due date of any payment under this Agreement, the Notes or any of the other Credit Documents would otherwise fall on a day which is not a Business Day such payment date shall (unless otherwise expressly provided herein) be extended to the immediately succeeding Business Day and interest shall be payable for any principal so extended for the period of such extension.
3.6 Use of Proceeds. The Revolving Credit Loans shall be used solely for purposes of (a) refinancing the indebtedness evidenced by the Original Credit Agreement, (b) refinancing the principal indebtedness of Tortoise Energy Capital Corporation to the Banks pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of March 22, 2007 (the “TYY Credit Agreement”) among Tortoise Energy Capital Corporation and the Banks, which is being assumed by the Borrower in connection with the merger of Tortoise Energy Capital Corporation into the Borrower concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, and (c) the Borrower’s general working capital and other general corporate needs. Upon repayment of the indebtedness assumed by the Borrower under the TYY Credit Agreement in the aggregate amount of $37,533,730.80, the TYY Credit Agreement will be paid in full.
Credit Agreement - Page 16
3.7 Notice and Manner of Borrowing.
(a) The Borrower shall give the Agent notice (and the Agent shall promptly notify the Banks in writing) of each borrowing hereunder: (i) in the case of a Loan that accrues interest based on a Daily Reset Libor Rate, by noon Central Time of the Business Day such Loan is to be disbursed to the Borrower, and (ii) in the case of a Loan that accrues interest at a rate other than a Daily Reset Libor Rate, at least three (3) Business Days before the Business Day such Loan is to be disbursed to the Borrower, and the Borrower shall specify and provide: (i) the proposed funding date of such Loan, (ii) the amount of such Loan and whether the Loan requested is a Revolving Credit Loan or a Swingline Loan, (iii) if such Loan is to bear interest based on the Libor Rate, the Interest Period requested by the Borrower for such Loan, (iv) the then current total fair market value of the financial assets in the Securities Account and any and all other assets of the Borrower, (v) a Borrowing Base Certificate, substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto, executed by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower providing the current Borrowing Base, stating that the Borrower is in compliance with all applicable leverage regulations of the 1940 Act, and providing Borrower’s current “Asset Coverage” pursuant to Section 18(h) of the 1940 Act; and (vi) only in the case of a Revolving Credit Loan, whether such Loan shall accrue interest at a Daily Reset Libor Rate. All notices given under this Section by the Borrower shall be irrevocable and shall be given not later than 11:00 a.m. Central Time on the day which is not less than the number of Business Days specified above for such notice. For purposes of this Section, the Borrower and the Banks agree that the Agent may rely and act upon any request for a Loan from any individual who the Agent, absent gross negligence or willful misconduct, believes to be a representative of the Borrower.
(b) Not later than 2:00 p.m., Central Time, on the date specified for each borrowing hereunder, each Bank shall make available to the Agent the amount of the Revolving Credit Loan to be made by it on such date, at such account maintained by the Agent as the Agent shall specify, in immediately available funds, for the account of the Borrower. The amount so received by the Agent shall, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, promptly be made available to the Borrower by depositing the same, in immediately available funds, in one or more accounts of the Borrower maintained with the Agent.
3.8 Minimum Amount. Each borrowing of a Loan that accrues interest at a Daily Reset Libor Rate shall be in an amount of at least $250,000 and a whole multiple of $25,000. Each borrowing of a Loan that accrues interest at a rate other than a Daily Reset Libor Rate shall be in an amount of at least $1,000,000 and a whole multiple of $250,000.
3.9 Yield Protection; Capital Adequacy.
(a) Yield Protection. If, after the date of this Agreement, there occurs any adoption of or change in any law, governmental or quasi-governmental rule, regulation, policy, guideline, interpretation, or directive (whether or not having the force of law) or in the interpretation, promulgation, implementation or administration thereof by any governmental or quasi-governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, including, notwithstanding the foregoing, all requests, rules, guidelines or directives (x) in connection with the Xxxx-Xxxxx Xxxx Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or (y) promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Regulations and Supervisory Practices (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States financial regulatory authorities, in each case of clauses (x) and (y), regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued, promulgated or implemented, or compliance by any Bank or applicable office, branch, subsidiary or affiliate (herein, a “Lending Installation”) of such Bank with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority, central bank or comparable agency (any of the foregoing, a "Change in Law") which:
Credit Agreement - Page 17
(i) subjects any Bank or any applicable Lending Installation or the Agent to any Taxes on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto, or
(ii) imposes or increases or deems applicable any reserve, assessment, insurance charge, special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Bank or any applicable Lending Installation (other than reserves and assessments taken into account in determining the interest rate applicable to Libor Loans), or
(iii) imposes any other condition (other than Taxes) the result of which is to increase the cost to any Bank or any applicable Lending Installation of making, funding or maintaining its Libor Loans or reduces any amount receivable by any Bank or any applicable Lending Installation in connection with its Libor Loans or participations therein, or requires any Bank or any applicable Lending Installation to make any payment calculated by reference to the amount of Libor Loans or participations therein held or interest received by it, by an amount deemed material by such Bank,
and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Person of making or maintaining its Loans or Commitment or to reduce the return received by such Person in connection with such Loans or Commitment or participations therein, then, within fifteen (15) days after demand by such Person, the Borrower shall pay such Person, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Person for such increased cost or reduction in amount received.
(b) Changes in Capital Adequacy Regulations. If a Bank determines the amount of capital or liquidity required or expected to be maintained by such Bank, any Lending Installation of such Bank, or any corporation or holding company controlling such Bank is increased as a result of (i) a Change in Law or (ii) any change after the date of this Agreement in the Risk-Based Capital Guidelines, then, within fifteen (15) days of demand by such Bank, the Borrower shall pay such Bank the amount necessary to compensate for any shortfall in the rate of return on the portion of such increased capital which such Bank determines is attributable to this Agreement, its Outstanding Credit Exposure or its Commitment to make Loans, as the case may be, hereunder (after taking into account such Bank‘s policies as to capital adequacy or liquidity), in each case that is attributable to such Change in Law or change in the Risk-Based Capital Guidelines, as applicable. As used herein, “Risk-Based Capital Guidelines” means (i) the risk-based capital guidelines in effect in the United States on the date of this Agreement, including transition rules, and (ii) the corresponding capital regulations promulgated by regulatory authorities outside the United States including transition rules, and any amendments to such regulations adopted prior to the date of this Agreement.
3.10 Application of Payments and Collections. The Borrower irrevocably waives the right to direct the application of any and all payments and collections at any time or times after the Closing Date received by the Agent from or on behalf of the Borrower, and the Borrower agrees that the Agent and each affected Bank has the continuing exclusive right to apply and reapply any and all such payments and collections received at any time or times after the Closing Date by the Agent or its agent against the Borrower’s obligations under the Credit Documents, in such manner as the Agent and each affected Bank may deem advisable, notwithstanding any entry by the Agent or any Bank upon any of its books and records.
Credit Agreement - Page 18
3.11 Periodic Statement. The Agent may, in its sole discretion, account to the Borrower with a periodic statement of loan balances, charges and payments made or received pursuant to this Agreement, and any such statement rendered by the Agent shall be deemed final, binding and conclusive upon the Borrower unless the Agent is notified by the Borrower in writing to the contrary within 45 days after the date such statement is made available to the Borrower. Any such notice by the Borrower shall only be deemed an objection to those items specifically objected to in such notice.
3.12 Non-Receipt of Funds by Agent.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Agent shall not be required to make any amount available to the Borrower hereunder except to the extent that the Agent shall have received such amounts from the Banks as set forth herein; provided, however, that unless the Agent shall have been notified by a Bank prior to the time the applicable Loan is to be made hereunder that such Bank does not intend to make its Pro-Rata Share of the applicable Loan available to the Agent, the Agent may (but is not required to) assume that such Bank has made such Pro-Rata Share available to the Agent prior to such time, and the Agent may in reliance upon such assumption make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Bank has not in fact made its share of the applicable borrowing available to the Agent, then the applicable Bank and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Agent, at (i) in the case of payment to be made by such Bank, the greater of the daily average of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, and (ii) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, the Base Rate. If the Borrower and such Bank shall pay such interest to the Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period. If such Bank pays its share of the applicable borrowing to the Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Bank’s Loan included in such borrowing. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Bank that shall have failed to make such payment to the Agent. If at any time a Bank is obligated to make a Loan but does not make such Loan available, either to the Borrower or the Agent, as applicable, such unfunded amount shall be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of calculating the Unused Line Fee.
(b) Unless the Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Banks hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment in full, the Agent may (but is not required to) assume that the Borrower has made such payment in full to the Agent on such date and the Agent in its sole discretion may, but shall not be obligated to, in reliance upon such assumption, cause to be distributed to each Bank on such due date an amount equal to the amount then due such Bank. If and to the extent the Borrower shall not have so made such payment in full to the Agent, each Bank shall repay to the Agent forthwith on demand such amount distributed to such Bank together with interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount is distributed to such Bank until the date such Bank repays such amount to the Agent, at the greater of the daily average of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.
3.13 Several Obligations. The failure of any Bank to make any Loan to be made by it on the date specified therefor shall not relieve any other Bank of its obligation to make its Loan on such date, but neither any Bank nor the Agent shall be responsible for the failure of any other Bank to make a Loan to be made by such other Bank.
Credit Agreement - Page 19
3.14 Balance; Sharing of Payments.
(a) If any Bank shall obtain payment of any principal of or interest on any Loan through the exercise of any right of set‑off, banker’s lien or counterclaim or similar right or otherwise, and, as a result of such payment, such Bank shall have received a greater percentage of the principal or interest then due hereunder by the Borrower to such Bank than its Pro-Rata Share thereof, it shall promptly purchase from such other Banks participations in (or, if and to the extent specified by such Bank, direct interests in) the Loans made by such other Banks (or in interest due thereon, as the case may be) in such amounts, and make such other adjustments from time to time as shall be equitable, to the end that all the Banks shall share the benefit of such excess payment (net of any expenses which may be incurred by such Bank in obtaining or preserving such excess payment) pro rata in accordance with the unpaid principal and/or interest on the Loans held by each of the Banks. To such end, all the Banks shall make appropriate adjustments among themselves (by the resale of participations sold or otherwise) if such payment is rescinded or must otherwise be restored. Nothing in this Agreement shall require any Bank to exercise any such right or shall affect the right of any Bank to exercise, and retain the benefits of exercising, any such right with respect to any other indebtedness or obligation of the Borrower. If, under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, any Bank receives a secured claim in lieu of a set‑off to which this Section 3.14 applies, such Bank shall, to the extent practicable, exercise its rights in respect of such secured claim in a manner consistent with the rights of the Banks entitled under this Section 3.14 to share in the benefits of any recovery on such secured claim.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 3.14(a) above, if any Bank at any time has a separate credit relationship with the Borrower – separate and apart from such Person’s credit relationship with the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents – and such Person exercises any right of set-off, banker’s lien or other right or claim with respect to any amounts due such Person by the Borrower under any such separate credit relationship, then all proceeds of such set-off, banker’s lien or other right or claim, as the case may be, shall first be applied against the Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, before being applied against the Borrower’s obligations under such separate credit relationship.
3.15 Libor Loan Provisions.
(a) Market Disruption. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Agent, in consultation with the Banks, reasonably determines (in its sole discretion and which determination shall be conclusive) that (i) any condition exists which impairs the Agent’s or any Bank’s ability to readily and reliably ascertain the Libor Rate or Daily Reset Libor Rate, as the case may be, for Loans (whether due to disruption in the relevant markets, suspension of quotations, or otherwise), or (ii) the Libor Rate or Daily Reset Libor Rate, as determined pursuant to the definition thereof, will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost of maintaining or funding any Loan that accrues interest either at the Libor Rate or Daily Reset Libor Rate, then, in each case, the Agent shall give the Borrower prompt notice thereof, and so long as such condition remains in effect, interest shall accrue on the Loans at the Base Rate. In each case the Agent agrees to give notice to the Borrower promptly after the circumstances specified in this paragraph (a) no longer exist.
Credit Agreement - Page 20
(b) Illegality; Regulatory Change. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if it becomes unlawful for any Bank to honor its obligation to make or maintain Loans hereunder, then such Bank shall promptly notify the Borrower thereof (with a copy to the Agent), and for the period of such illegality, interest shall accrue on the Loans at a rate designated by the Agent which shall be the Agent’s Base Rate. Furthermore, if, by reason of any Regulatory Change, any Bank becomes subject to restrictions on the amount of a category of deposits or liabilities which it may hold which includes deposits by reference to which the interest rate on Loans is determined as provided in this Agreement or a category of assets of such Bank which includes Loans for which the interest rate is determined on the basis of a Libor Rate or a Daily Reset Libor Rate, then, if such Bank so elects by notice to the Borrower thereof (with a copy to the Agent), interest shall, for the duration of such Regulatory Change, accrue on the Loans made by such Bank at a rate designated by the Agent which shall be the Agent’s Base Rate. Such Bank agrees to give notice to the Borrower (with a copy to the Agent) promptly after the circumstances specified in this paragraph (b) no longer exist.
(c) Breakage Costs; Funding Indemnification. If any payment or prepayment is made or applied in respect of any Loan before the last day of the applicable Interest Period (whether due to voluntary prepayment, acceleration of the Loan, or otherwise), the Borrower shall pay to the Agent, as liquidated damages for the loss of the bargain and/or anticipated resulting damages and not as a penalty, an amount which, when added to the interest otherwise accruing in respect of such Loan, would enable the Banks to realize the rate due on the Loans hereunder on the principal amount of such Loan for the entirety of such Interest Period. Similarly, if the Borrower fails to borrow any Loan on the date for borrowing specified hereunder, the Borrower shall pay to the Agent such amount as shall be sufficient, in the reasonable judgment of the Agent, to compensate it for any loss, cost or expense resulting therefrom.
3.16 Defaulting Bank.
(a) Remedies Against Defaulting Bank. In addition to the rights and remedies that may be available to the Agent or the Borrower under this Agreement or applicable law, if at any time a Bank is a Defaulting Bank, such Defaulting Bank’s right to collect any fee that it may be entitled to under this Agreement or to participate in the administration of the Loans pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, including without limitation, any right to vote in respect of, to consent to or to direct any action or inaction of the Agent or to be taken into account in the calculation of the Required Banks, shall be suspended while such Bank remains a Defaulting Bank; provided, however, that the Commitments of such Bank may not be increased and the period of such Commitments may not be extended without such Bank’s written consent. If a Bank is a Defaulting Bank because it has failed to make timely payment to the Agent of any amount required to be paid to the Agent hereunder (without giving effect to any notice or cure periods), in addition to other rights and remedies which the Agent or the Borrower may have under this Agreement, the Agent shall be entitled (i) to collect interest from such Defaulting Bank on such delinquent payment for the period from the date on which the payment was due until the date on which the payment is made at the greater of the daily average of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, (ii) to withhold or setoff and to apply in satisfaction of the defaulted payment and any related interest, any amounts otherwise payable to such Defaulting Bank under this Agreement or any other Credit Document until such defaulted payment and related interest has been paid in full and such default no longer exists, and (iii) to bring an action or suit against such Defaulting Bank in a court of competent jurisdiction to recover the defaulted amount and any related interest. Any amounts received by the Agent in respect of a Defaulting Bank’s Loans shall not be paid to such Defaulting Bank and shall be held uninvested by the Agent and either applied against the purchase price of such Loans under the following subsection (b) or paid to such Defaulting Bank upon the default of such Defaulting Bank being cured.
(b) Purchase from Defaulting Bank. Any Bank that is not a Defaulting Bank shall have the right, but not the obligation, in its sole discretion, to acquire all of a Defaulting Bank’s Commitments and such Defaulting Bank’s rights under the Loans outstanding and payable to such Defaulting Bank. If more than one Bank exercises such right, each such Bank shall have the right to acquire such Defaulting Bank’s Commitments and rights pro rata in accordance with each purchasing Bank’s Revolving Credit Loan Commitments at such time. Upon any such purchase, the Defaulting Bank’s interest in its Loans and its rights hereunder (but not its liability in respect thereof or under the Credit Documents or this Agreement to the extent the same relate to the period prior to the effective date of the purchase) shall terminate on the date of purchase, and the Defaulting Bank shall promptly execute all documents reasonably requested to surrender and transfer such interest to the purchaser thereof, including an assignment agreement in the form of Exhibit E. The purchase price for the Commitments of a Defaulting Bank shall be equal to the amount of the principal balance of the Loans outstanding and owed by the Borrower to the Defaulting Bank. The purchaser shall pay to the Defaulting Bank in immediately available funds in Dollars on the date of such purchase the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest and fees on the Loans made by such Defaulting Bank hereunder (it being understood that such accrued and unpaid interest and fees may be paid pro rata to the purchasing Bank and the Defaulting Bank by the Agent at a subsequent date upon receipt of payment of such amounts from the Borrower). Prior to payment of such purchase price to a Defaulting Bank, the Agent shall apply against such purchase price any amounts retained by the Agent pursuant to the last sentence of the immediately preceding subsection (a). The Defaulting Bank shall be entitled to receive amounts owed to it by the Borrower under the Credit Documents which accrued prior to the date of the default by the Defaulting Bank, to the extent the same are received by the Agent from or on behalf of the Borrower. There shall be no recourse against any Bank or the Agent for the payment of such sums except to the extent of the receipt of payments from any other party or in respect of the Loans.
Credit Agreement - Page 21
(c) Reduction of Swingline Loan Commitment of Defaulting Bank. At any time a Bank becomes a Defaulting Bank, then, at the Agent’s option in its sole discretion such Defaulting Bank’s Swingline Loan Commitment, if any, shall be reduced to the amount of such Defaulting Bank’s outstanding Swingline Loans, without prejudice to the Borrower’s rights under Section 2.2 of this Agreement.
3.17 Replacement of Bank. If the Borrower is required pursuant to Section 3.9 to make any additional payment to any Bank or if any Bank defaults in its obligation to make a Loan, reimburse the Swingline Lender pursuant to Section 2.3 or declines to approve an amendment or waiver that is approved by the Required Banks or otherwise becomes a Defaulting Bank (any Bank so affected an “Affected Bank”), the Borrower may elect, if such amounts continue to be charged or such suspension is still effective, to replace such Affected Bank as a Bank party to this Agreement, provided that no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such replacement, and provided further that, concurrently with such replacement, (i) another bank or other entity which is reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower and the Agent shall agree, as of such date, to purchase for cash at par the Loan amounts and other Obligations due to the Affected Bank under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents pursuant to an assignment substantially in the form of Exhibit E and to become a Bank for all purposes under this Agreement and to assume all obligations of the Affected Bank to be terminated as of such date and to comply with the requirements of Section 9.7 applicable to assignments, and (ii) the Borrower shall pay to such Affected Bank in same day funds on the day of such replacement (A) all interest, fees and other amounts then accrued but unpaid to such Affected Bank by the Borrower hereunder to and including the date of termination, including without limitation payments due to such Affected Bank under Section 3.9, and (B) an amount, if any, equal to the payment which would have been due to such Bank on the day of such replacement under Section 3.15(c) had the Loans of such Affected Bank been prepaid on such date rather than sold to the replacement Bank.
3.18 Taxes.
(a) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower under any Credit Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If any applicable law requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment, then the Borrower shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax or Other Tax, then the sum payable by the Borrower shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.18) the applicable Bank or the Agent receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.
Credit Agreement - Page 22
(b) The Borrower shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law or at the option of the Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.
(c) The Borrower shall indemnify the Bank or the Agent, within fifteen (15) days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes and Other Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes and Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 3.18) payable or paid by such Bank or the Agent or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Bank or the Agent and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes and Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Bank (with a copy to the Agent), or by the Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Bank, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(d) Each Bank shall severally indemnify the Agent, within fifteen (15) days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes and Other Taxes attributable to such Bank (but only to the extent that the Borrower has not already indemnified the Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and Other Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Bank’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.5 relating to assignment and participations, and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Bank, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Agent in connection with any Credit Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Bank by the Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Bank hereby authorizes the Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Bank under any Credit Document or otherwise payable by the Agent to the Bank from any other source against any amount due to the Agent under this paragraph (d).
(e) As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by the Borrower to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 3.18, the Borrower shall deliver to the Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.
(f) (i) Any Bank that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Credit Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Agent, promptly upon such Bank becoming a “Bank” hereunder or, if thereafter, promptly upon such Bank’s becoming entitled to such exemption or reduction, such properly completed and executed documentation as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Bank, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Agent to determine whether or not such Bank is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Sections 3.18(f)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Bank’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Bank to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Bank.
(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
Credit Agreement - Page 23
(A) any Bank that is a United States Person for U.S. federal income Tax purposes shall deliver to the Borrower and the Agent on or prior to the date on which such Bank becomes a Bank under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Agent), executed originals of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Bank is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding Tax;
(B) any Non-U.S. Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Non-U.S. Lender becomes a Bank under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:
(1) in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming the benefits of an income Tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Credit Document, executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such Tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Credit Document, IRS Form W-8BEN establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such Tax treaty;
(2) executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI;
(3) in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate to the effect that such Non-U.S. Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (y) executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN; or
(4) to the extent a Non-U.S. Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8IMY or IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable.
(C) any Non-U.S. Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Non-U.S. Lender becomes a Bank under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower or the Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and
Credit Agreement - Page 24
(D) if a payment made to a Bank under any Credit Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Bank were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Bank shall deliver to the Borrower and the Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Agent 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 Borrower or the Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Bank has complied with such Bank’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
(iii) Each Bank 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 Borrower and the Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.
(g) If any party receives a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 3.18 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.18), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party 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 indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (g), the indemnified party will not be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (g) in excess of the amount that would place the indemnified party in the same net after-Tax position that the indemnified party would have been in if the indemnification payments or additional amounts giving rise to such refund had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.
(h) Each party’s obligations under this Section 3.18 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Bank, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Credit Document.
Section 4
Lending Conditions
4.1 Credit Documents. Notwithstanding anything herein or in the other Credit Documents to the contrary, the Banks shall not be obligated to make the initial Loans under this Agreement to the Borrower until the Agent shall have received the following documents, duly executed and delivered by all parties thereto, and otherwise satisfactory in form and content to the Agent:
(a) Credit Agreement. This Agreement;
(b) Notes. The Revolving Credit Notes and the Swingline Note;
(c) Loan Disbursement Instructions; Borrowing Base Certificate. Written instructions from the Borrower to the Agent directing the disbursement of proceeds of the initial Loans made pursuant to this Agreement, and an initial Borrowing Base Certificate from the Borrower reflecting that the Borrower has sufficient assets to support Loans in the amount requested by the Borrower on the date of such certificate;
Credit Agreement - Page 25
(d) Form U-1. A Form U-1 for the Borrower whereby, among other things, the Borrower represents and warrants that the proceeds of each Loan may be used to purchase or carry margin stock, the Borrower hereby concurring with the assessment of the market value of any margin stock and other investment property described therein as of the date provided therein;
(e) Opinion of Borrower’s Counsel. The favorable written opinion to the Agent of Husch Xxxxxxxxx LLP, counsel to the Borrower, regarding the Borrower, the Credit Documents, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Credit Documents and such other matters and in such form as the Agent may reasonably require;
(f) Certificate of Borrower’s Secretary. A certificate executed by the Borrower’s secretary whereby such secretary affirms that, among other things, attached to such certificate is (1) a copy of the Borrower’s board resolutions authorizing the borrowing of monies and all other matters set forth in or contemplated by the Credit Documents, (2) a copy of the Borrower’s by-laws in effect on the Closing Date, (3) a copy of the Borrower’s articles or certificate of incorporation and all amendments thereto, and (4) a certificate of good standing for the Borrower, dated on or not more than 10 days prior to the Closing Date, from the Secretary of State of the state of incorporation of the Borrower and from the Secretary of State of Kansas; and
(g) Other Items. Such other agreements, documents and assurances as the Agent may reasonably request in connection with the transactions described in or contemplated by the Credit Documents.
If the Agent, in its sole and absolute discretion, elects to make a Loan notwithstanding the Borrower’s failure to comply with all of the terms of this Section, then the Agent or any Bank shall not be deemed to have waived the Borrower’s compliance therewith, nor to have waived any of the Agent’s or Banks’ other rights under this Agreement; and in any event the Agent, if it so elects, may declare an immediate Event of Default if the Borrower fails to furnish to the Agent on demand any of the Credit Documents described in this Section or otherwise fails to comply with any condition precedent set forth in any Credit Document, in each case irrespective of whether such failure occurs on or after the Closing Date or the making of such Loan.
4.2 Additional Conditions Precedent to Initial Loans. The obligation of each Bank to make the initial Loans under this Agreement shall also be subject to the satisfaction, in the Agent’s sole judgment, of each of the following conditions precedent:
(a) Consummation of the merger of Tortoise Energy Capital Corporation and Tortoise North American Energy Corporation with and into Borrower;
(b) Since the date of the most recent financial statements of the Borrower submitted by the Borrower to the Agent immediately prior to the Closing Date, there shall not have occurred any act or event which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(c) No action, proceeding, investigation, regulation or legislation shall have been instituted, threatened or proposed before any court, governmental agency or legislative body to enjoin, restrain or prohibit, or to obtain damages in respect of, or which is related to or arises out of this Agreement or the other Credit Documents or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or which, in the Agent’s reasonable determination, would make it inadvisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Credit Documents; and
Credit Agreement - Page 26
(d) The Borrower shall have paid all legal fees and other closing or like costs and expenses of the Agent and the Banks which the Borrower is obligated to pay hereunder.
4.3 Conditions Precedent to All Loans. The obligation of each Bank to make each Loan under this Agreement (including, without limitation, the initial Loan) shall be subject to the further conditions precedent that, on the date of each such Loan:
(a) The following statements shall be true: (1) the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in this Agreement and the other Credit Documents are correct on and as of the date of such Loan as though made on and as of such date, and (2) there exists no Default or Event of Default as of such date, nor would any Default or Event of Default result from the making of the Loan requested by the Borrower;
(b) The Borrower shall have signed and sent to the Agent a request for borrowing, setting forth in writing the amount of the Loan requested and the other information required pursuant to Section 3.7 of this Agreement;
(c) The Borrower shall have furnished to the Agent a completed Borrowing Base Certificate, signed by the Borrower, and dated not more than one day prior to the date of the Borrower’s request for such Loan; and
(d) The Agent shall have received such other approvals, opinions or documents as it may reasonably request.
The Borrower agrees that the making of a request by the Borrower for a Revolving Credit Loan or Swingline Loan, whether in writing, by telephone or otherwise, shall constitute a certification by the Borrower that all representations and warranties of the Borrower in the Credit Documents are true as of the date thereof and that all required conditions to the making of the Revolving Credit Loan and/or Swingline Loan have been met.
Section 5
Representations And Warranties
5.1 Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Borrower. The Borrower represents, and warrants to the Agent and the Banks as follows:
(a) Organization and Existence. The Borrower (1) is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its incorporation as reflected in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement, (2) is in good standing in all other jurisdictions in which it is required to be qualified to do business as a foreign corporation, and (3) has obtained all licenses and permits and has filed all registrations necessary to the operation of its business; except where the failure to so qualify or to obtain such licenses or permits could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Authorization by the Borrower. The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of the Credit Documents (1) are within the Borrower’s corporate powers, (2) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or similar action, (3) do not contravene the Borrower’s articles or certificate of incorporation or by-laws, or any law or contractual restriction binding on or affecting the Borrower or its properties (including, without limitation, any contractual restriction arising under or otherwise related to the Senior Notes), and (4) do not result in or require the creation of a Lien upon any of the Borrower’s existing or future assets.
Credit Agreement - Page 27
(c) Approval of Governmental Bodies. No authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority or regulatory body is required for the due execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of the Credit Documents or the exercise by the Bank of its rights thereunder.
(d) Default or Event of Default. No Default or Event of Default has occurred or is occurring.
(e) Disclosure. Neither this Agreement, nor any of the other Credit Documents, nor any certificate or statement furnished to the Agent or any Bank in connection herewith or otherwise, at the time it was executed, delivered and/or furnished, contained any untrue statement of material fact, or omitted to state a material fact which was necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or therein not materially misleading. There is no fact known to the Borrower which is expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(f) Enforceability of Obligations. The Credit Documents are the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Borrower enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with their respective terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws affecting the enforceability of creditors’ rights generally and subject to the discretion of courts in applying equitable remedies.
(g) Financial Statements. All financial statements of the Borrower which have been furnished to the Agent and/or the Banks fairly present the financial condition of the Borrower, as of the dates reflected on the financial statements, and fairly present the results of its operations for the period covered thereby, all in accordance with GAAP, except for the omission of footnotes in interim financial statements and subject to normal year-end adjustments. There has been no material adverse change in the financial condition or results from operations of the Borrower since the dates of the most recent financial statements of the Borrower submitted to the Agent and/or the Banks.
(h) Litigation. There is no pending or threatened action or proceeding affecting the Borrower or any of its properties before any court, governmental agency or arbitrator which, if determined adversely to the Borrower, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(i) Existing Debt. The Borrower has no Debt other than Permitted Debt.
(j) Taxes. The Borrower has filed all required federal, state, local and other tax returns and has paid, or made adequate provision for the payment of, any taxes due pursuant thereto or pursuant to any assessment received by the Borrower except such taxes, if any, as are being contested in good faith and as to which adequate reserves have been provided.
(k) Stock and Records. All outstanding capital stock of the Borrower was and is properly issued, and all books and records of the Borrower, including but not limited to its minute books, by-laws and books of account, are accurate and complete in all material respects. The Borrower is not obligated on or after the Closing Date to redeem or otherwise acquire, or pay any dividends or make any other distributions in respect of, any of its stock.
Credit Agreement - Page 28
(l) Contracts. The Borrower is not in default under or has not otherwise violated the terms of any contract or other agreement to which such Person is a party or by which such Person is bound, except for any such default the consequences of which would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
(m) Hazardous Materials. The Borrower has complied with all Environmental Laws and all of its facilities, leaseholds, assets and other property comply with all Environmental Laws, except where such failure to comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There are no outstanding or threatened citations, notices or orders of non-compliance issued to the Borrower or relating to its facilities, leaseholds, assets or other property. The Borrower has been issued all licenses, certificates, permits or other authorizations required under any Environmental Law or by any federal, state or local governmental or quasi-governmental entity, except where the failure to obtain such license, certificate, permit or other authorization could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(n) Title to Property; Liens. The Borrower has good and marketable title to all property purported to be owned by it subject to no Liens other than Permitted Liens.
(o) Insolvency. After the execution and delivery of the Credit Documents and the disbursement of the Loans hereunder, the Borrower will not be insolvent within the meaning of the United States Bankruptcy Code or unable to pay its debts as they mature.
(p) Survival of Representations. All representations and warranties made in this Section 5 shall survive the execution and delivery of the Credit Documents and the making of the Loans.
Section 6
Covenants
6.1 Affirmative Covenants. So long as any Loan remains unpaid or the Banks have any commitment to extend credit to or for the benefit of the Borrower, the Borrower covenants to the Agent and the Banks as follows:
(a) Compliance with Laws. The Borrower shall comply with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders affecting the Borrower or its properties, including, without limitation, all ERISA and all Environmental Laws, except where such failure to comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Without limiting the foregoing, the Borrower shall remain in material compliance, at all times, with the 1940 Act, including but not limited to, all leverage regulations specified in the 1940 Act.
(b) Reporting Requirements. The Borrower shall furnish to the Agent:
(1) | Quarterly Statements. As soon as available and in any event within 60 days after the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, an internally prepared balance sheet of the Borrower as of the end of such quarter and internally prepared income statements as of the end of such quarter for such quarter and for the fiscal year-to-date, each certified to the Agent by the Borrower’s chief financial officer as to fairness of presentation and conformity with GAAP; |
Credit Agreement - Page 29
(2) | Audited Year-End Statements. As soon as available and in any event within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, final audited financial statements (as described above but including a statement of changes in financial position) as of the end of such fiscal year of the Borrower reported on by and accompanied by the unqualified opinion of independent certified public accountants selected by the Borrower and reasonably acceptable to the Agent, and a copy of any management, operation or other letter or correspondence from such accountant to the Borrower in connection therewith; |
(3) | Borrowing Base Certificate. So long as any Loan remains unpaid, and no later than the first (1st) Business Day of each calendar month, a Borrowing Base Certificate for the immediately preceding calendar month; and |
(4) | Other. Such other information respecting the condition or operations, financial or otherwise, of the Borrower as the Agent may reasonably request from time to time. |
All financial statements described in clauses (1) and (2) above shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP on a basis applied consistently with the financial statements of the Borrower delivered to the Agent for the period ending most immediately prior to the Closing Date, except that unaudited financial statements shall be subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and need not contain footnotes.
(c) Preservation of Business and Corporate Existence. The Borrower shall: (1) carry on and conduct its principal business substantially as it is now being conducted; (2) maintain in good standing its existence and its right to transact business in those states in which it is now or may after the Closing Date be doing business; and (3) maintain all licenses, permits and registrations necessary to the conduct of its business; except where the failure to so maintain its right to transact business or to maintain such licenses, permits or registrations could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Insurance. The Borrower shall keep insured at all times with financially sound and reputable insurers which are reasonably satisfactory to the Agent (1) all of the Borrower’s property of an insurable nature, including, without limitation, all real estate, equipment, fixtures and inventories, against fire and other casualties in such a manner and to the extent that like properties are usually insured by others owning properties of a similar character in a similar locality or as otherwise required by the Agent, with the proceeds of such casualty insurance payable solely to the Agent, and (2) against liability on account of damage to persons or property (including product liability insurance and all insurance required under all applicable worker’s compensation laws) caused by the Borrower or its officers, directors, employees, agents or contractors in such a manner and to the extent that like risks are usually insured by others conducting similar businesses in the places where the Borrower conducts its business or as otherwise required by the Agent, with the Agent being named as an additional insured under such liability policies. The Borrower shall cause the insurers under all of its insurance policies to provide the Agent at least 30 days prior written notice of the termination of any such policy before such termination shall be effective and to agree to such other matters in respect of any such casualty insurance as provided in the Agent’s loss payee endorsement provided to the Borrower. In addition, the Borrower will, upon request of the Agent at any time, furnish a written summary of the amount and type of insurance carried, the names of the insurers and the policy numbers, and deliver to the Agent certificates with respect thereto.
Credit Agreement - Page 30
(e) Payment of Taxes. The Borrower shall pay and discharge, before they become delinquent, all taxes, assessments and other governmental charges imposed upon it, its properties, or any part thereof, or upon the income or profits therefrom and all claims for labor, materials or supplies which if unpaid might be or become a Lien or charge upon any of its property, except such items as it is in good faith appropriately contesting and as to which adequate reserves have been provided to the Agent’s satisfaction.
(f) Employee Plans. The Borrower shall: (1) notify the Agent promptly of the establishment of any Plan, except that prior to the establishment of any “welfare plan” (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) covering any employee of the Borrower for any period after such employee’s termination of employment other than such period required by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 or “defined benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(35) of ERISA), it will obtain the Agent’s prior written approval of such establishment; (2) at all times make prompt payments or contributions to meet the minimum funding standards of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, with respect to each Plan; (3) promptly after the filing thereof, furnish to the Agent a copy of any report required to be filed pursuant to Section 103 of ERISA in connection with each Plan for each Plan year, including but not limited to the Schedule B attached thereto, if applicable; (4) notify the Agent promptly of any “reportable event” (as defined in ERISA) or any circumstances arising in connection with any Plan which might constitute grounds for the termination thereof by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or for the appointment by the appropriate United States District Court of a trustee to administer the Plan, the initiation of any audit or inquiry by the Internal Revenue Service or the Department of Labor of any Plan or transaction(s) involving or related to any Plan, or any “prohibited transaction” as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; (5) notify the Agent prior to any action that could result in the assertion of liability under Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA caused by the complete or partial withdrawal from any multiemployer plan or to terminate any defined benefit plan sponsored by the Borrower; and (6) promptly furnish such additional information concerning any Plan as the Agent, it its sole discretion, may from time to time request.
(g) Notice of Default. The Borrower shall give prompt written notice to the Agent of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default under any of the Credit Documents. Similarly, the Borrower shall give prompt written notice to the Agent of any failure to pay, perform or observe or any other default by the Borrower under any other existing or future agreement by which the Borrower is bound if such default could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(h) Books and Records; Inspection; Audits. The Borrower shall: (1) maintain complete and accurate books and financial records in accordance with GAAP (except that interim financial statements need not contain footnotes and may be subject to normal year-end audit adjustments); (2) during normal working hours permit the Agent, the Banks and Persons designated by the Agent and the Banks to visit and inspect its properties and to inspect its books and financial records (including its journals, orders, receipts and correspondence which relates to its accounts receivable), and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts receivable and operations with its directors, officers, employees and agents and its independent public accountants; and (3) permit the Agent, the Banks and Persons designated by the Agent and the Banks to perform reviews of such books and financial records when and as requested by the Agent or any Bank.
(i) Further Assurances. The Borrower agrees to execute, deliver or perform, or cause to be executed, delivered or performed, all such documents, agreements or acts, as the case may be, as the Agent may reasonably request from time to time to create, evidence or assure the Agent’s or any Bank’s rights and remedies under, or as contemplated by, the Credit Documents or at law or in equity.
Credit Agreement - Page 31
(j) Securities Account. The Borrower shall deliver to the Agent, promptly after its receipt thereof, a copy of the monthly account statement for the Securities Account. The Borrower further agrees that the Agent shall have the right, should it so elect, to monitor the Securities Account from time to time on a “real time” or other electronic basis, and to that end the Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes and instructs the Securities Intermediary to take such steps as may be necessary to allow the Agent to so monitor the Securities Account. The foregoing right to monitor the Securities Account shall give the Agent the right to monitor all aspects of the Securities Account, including, without limitation, the right to monitor all financial assets held therein and all trading activity relating thereto. The Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold the Securities Intermediary harmless from and against any losses, damages or expenses the Securities Intermediary may incur as a result of the Securities Intermediary permitting the Agent to monitor the Securities Account as provided in this Section, except for any such losses, damages or expenses that arise out of the Securities Intermediary’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Securities Intermediary shall be a third-party beneficiary of this Section.
(k) Daily Securities Account Information. In the event that the Agent is not the custodian of the Securities Account and the financial assets held therein, the Borrower shall before the end of each Business Day directly provide the Agent such information as the Agent may request to allow monitoring of the Securities Account, including the financial assets held therein and all trading activity relating thereto, on a daily basis. The Agent shall have the right, should it so elect to monitor the Securities Account from time to time on a “real time” or other electronic basis, and to that end, Borrower, if so requested by the Agent, will take appropriate action to authorize and instruct the custodian of the Securities Account to take such steps as necessary to allow the Agent to so monitor the Securities Account, not less frequently than at the end of each Business Day.
(l) Litigation. The Borrower shall promptly give to the Agent and the Banks, notice of:
(1) | any pending or threatened action or proceeding affecting the Borrower or any of its properties before any court, governmental agency or arbitrator which, if determined adversely to the Borrower, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. |
(2) | (i) the issuance by any Governmental Authority of any injunction, order or other restraint prohibiting, or having the effect of prohibiting or delaying, any action on the part of the Borrower, or (ii) the institution of any litigation or similar proceedings seeking any such injunction, order or other restraint which, in the case of subpart (i) hereof, would have, and in the case of subpart (ii) hereof, would reasonably be expected to have if the outcome were adverse, a Material Adverse Effect. |
(m) Credit Rating. The Borrower shall maintain a minimum unsecured credit rating with respect to the Senior Notes of “A” by Fitch, Inc. (or an equivalent nationally recognized statistical rating organization).
(n) Custodian of Securities Account. In the event that U.S. Bank National Association shall not be the custodian of the Securities Account, the Borrower agrees to take such actions and enter into such agreements as U.S. Bank National Association, in its sole discretion, shall deem necessary to establish a security interest securing the Borrower’s payment and performance under this Agreement, the Notes and the other Credit Documents.
Credit Agreement - Page 32
(o) Asset Coverage Compliance. As of the end of each month during the term of the Loans, regardless of whether the Borrower has incurred new debt, the Borrower shall maintain an “Asset Coverage” (as defined in Section 18(h) of the 1940 Act), equal to or greater than the requirements of the 1940 Act as if the Borrower had incurred new debt as of such date. In addition, at no time shall Borrower’s “Asset Coverage” (as defined in Section 18(h) of the 0000 Xxx) of senior securities representing indebtedness be less than 200%.
6.2 Negative Covenants. So long as any Loan remains unpaid or the Banks have any commitment to extend credit to or for the benefit of the Borrower, the Borrower covenants to the Agent and the Banks as follows:
(a) Liens. The Borrower shall not create or suffer to exist any Lien on or with respect to any of its properties, whether the Borrower owns or has an interest in such property on the Closing Date or at any time thereafter, except for Permitted Liens. If, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower at any time creates or suffers to exist any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) on any Property, including, if applicable, any proceeds thereof (such Property and, if applicable, such proceeds being collectively referred to herein as “Encumbered Property”), to secure any Debt (including, without limitation, the Permitted Scotia Debt and any Debt evidenced by any of the Senior Notes), the Borrower shall be deemed to have granted to the Agent and the Banks at such time, without further action on any Person’s part, a security interest in the Encumbered Property as security for all existing and future obligations of the Borrower to the Agent and the Banks under the Credit Documents. In such event and insofar as the Encumbered Property consists of the Securities Account or any financial assets held therein: (1) the Agent and the Securities Intermediary shall be authorized – without notice to, the consent of or other action by the Borrower – to take such action as the Agent deems necessary or advisable to perfect or otherwise assure the Agent with respect to such security interest (including, without limitation, to provide the Agent control of the Encumbered Property held in the Securities Account, as the term “control” is defined in §8-106(d)(2) of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in any jurisdiction); and (2) if so requested by the Agent, the Borrower, at its expense, shall cause the holder of any such Lien granted to a Person other than the Agent or the Banks to take such action as the Agent reasonably deems necessary or advisable to cause the priority of such Lien to rank on a pari passu basis with the Agent’s and the Banks’ Liens.
(b) Debt. The Borrower shall not create or suffer to exist any Debt except for Permitted Debt. The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that notwithstanding any reference in this Agreement to “senior securities,” Borrower shall not be permitted to incur Debt other than as expressly permitted in this Section 6.2(b).
(c) Structure; Disposition of Assets. The Borrower shall not merge or consolidate with or otherwise acquire, or be acquired by, any other Person; provided, however, that the foregoing prohibition on acquisitions by the Borrower shall not prohibit the Borrower from acquiring investment property in the ordinary course of its business and provided, further that the Banks acknowledge that on or about the Closing Date, Tortoise Energy Capital Corporation and Tortoise North American Energy Corporation merged with and into Borrower, with Borrower being the surviving entity. The Borrower shall not sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property, except for the disposition of obsolete equipment and the sale or other disposition of investment property in the ordinary course of the Borrower’s business.
(d) Subsidiaries; New Business. The Borrower shall not (a) change its corporate structure or create any subsidiary, (b) render any services or otherwise enter into any business which is not substantially similar to that existing on the Closing Date, or (c) liquidate, wind-up or dissolve itself.
Credit Agreement - Page 33
(e) Conflicting Agreements. The Borrower shall not enter into any agreement any term or condition of which conflicts with any provision of this Agreement or the other Credit Documents.
(f) Changes in Accounting Principles; Fiscal Year. The Borrower shall not make any change in its principles or methods of accounting as currently in effect, except such changes as are required by GAAP, nor shall the Borrower, without first obtaining the Agent’s written consent, change its fiscal year.
(g) Dividends and Distributions. So long as a Default or an Event of Default is occurring, the Borrower shall not declare or pay, directly or indirectly, any dividend or make any other distribution (by reduction of capital or otherwise), whether in cash, property, securities or otherwise, with respect to any shares of its capital stock or directly or indirectly redeem, purchase, retire or otherwise acquire for value any shares of any class of its capital stock or set aside any amount for any such purpose.
(h) Investments and Joint Ventures. The Borrower shall not make or permit to remain outstanding any investment in any Person or enter into any joint venture; provided, however, Borrower shall not be prohibited from making or permitting to remain outstanding any investment in the ordinary course of its business; and provided further, Borrower may purchase interest rate protection in a form acceptable to the Agent and the Banks, which may cover a mutually agreed upon notional amount of the Senior Notes and/or the Permitted Scotia Debt.
(i) Transactions With Affiliates. Other than the advisor relationship existing on the Closing Date with Tortoise Capital Advisors, LLC, the Borrower shall not enter into or be a party to any transaction or arrangement, including without limitation, the purchase, sale or exchange of property of any kind or the rendering of any service, with any Affiliate, except in the ordinary course of and pursuant to the reasonable requirements of the Borrower’s business and upon fair and reasonable terms substantially as favorable to the Borrower as those which would be obtained in a comparable arms-length transaction with a non-Affiliate.
(j) Amount Invested in Single MLP. The Borrower shall not make any investment in any single master limited partnership or other single issuer if, immediately after giving effect to such investment, the aggregate fair market value of all investments in such issuer would exceed 10% of the Borrower’s total assets at such time.
Section 7
Events of Default
7.1 Events of Default. Each of the following events shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder:
(a) Monetary Default. The Borrower fails to pay any amounts when due with respect to the Loans,
(b) Non-monetary Default. The Borrower fails to perform or observe any obligation of the Borrower to the Agent or the Banks under the Credit Documents (other than as set forth in subsection (a), above) or any other term, covenant or other provision in any Credit Document in accordance with the terms thereof and, if such default is curable (it being specifically agreed that no default may be cured after the Termination Date), the Borrower fails to cure such default within five days after the earlier to occur of: (i) the knowledge of the Borrower, or (ii) written notice from the Agent (provided, however, nothing herein shall be deemed to require the Agent to give the Borrower notice of any default); or
Credit Agreement - Page 34
(c) Other Bank Default. Any “Event of Default” (as such term is defined in any other Credit Document to which the Borrower is a party) occurs; or
(d) Misrepresentation. Any representation or warranty made or furnished by the Borrower in connection with this Agreement or the other Credit Documents proves to be incorrect, incomplete or misleading in any material respect when made, or any such representation or warranty becomes incorrect, incomplete or misleading in any material respect and the Borrower fails to give the Agent prompt written notice thereof; or
(e) Cross-Default. The Borrower fails to pay any Debt (excluding any monetary obligation due the Agent or any Bank under the Credit Documents, as contemplated by Subsection (a) above, but including, without limitation, the Permitted Scotia Debt and the Senior Notes) or to perform or observe any other obligation or term in respect of such Debt, and, as a result of any such failure, the holder of such Debt accelerates or is entitled to accelerate the maturity thereof or requires or is entitled to require the Borrower or some other Person to purchase or otherwise acquire such Debt; or
(f) Insolvency. The Borrower ceases to be solvent or suffers the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or similar fiduciary or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or any petition for an order for relief is filed by or against the Borrower under the federal Bankruptcy Code or any similar state insolvency statute (except, in the case of a petition filed against the Borrower, if such proceeding is dismissed within 60 days after the petition is filed, unless prior thereto an order for relief is entered under the federal Bankruptcy Code); or the Borrower makes any offer of settlement, extension or composition to their respective unsecured creditors generally; or
(g) Contest Credit Documents. The Borrower challenges or contests in any action, suit or proceeding the validity or enforceability of any of the Credit Documents or the legality or enforceability of any obligation of the Borrower to the Agent or any Bank under the Credit Documents; or
(h) Judgments. One or more judgments, decrees or orders for the payment of money in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate during any 12-month period is rendered against the Borrower and remain unpaid, unstayed on appeal, undischarged, unbonded, or undismissed for 30 days; or
(i) Change in Control. Any Change in Control occurs; or
(j) Material Adverse Change. Any material adverse change occurs in the financial condition or economic prospects of the Borrower or any other act or event occurs which reasonably could be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or
(k) Investment Advisor. The Borrower changes the Investment Advisor, and such new Investment Advisor is not acceptable to the Required Banks; provided, however, changing the Investment Advisor shall not be deemed an Event of Default, if doing so violates the 1940 Act; or
(l) Reporting Requirements. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Borrower fails to perform or observe any reporting requirement under this Agreement, including, without limitation those listed in Section 6.1(b), or any other Credit Document, and such failure is not cured within five (5) Business Days from the date of such failure to perform or observe; or
Credit Agreement - Page 35
(m) Borrowing Base Compliance. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Borrower shall fail to comply with the Interim Threshold as set forth in Section 3.4(a) above, and such failure is not cured within five (5) Business Days from the date of such failure to perform or observe.
7.2 Obligation to Lend; Acceleration. After the occurrence and during the continuation of any Default, the Agent may (and, upon the request of the Required Banks, the Agent shall) declare the obligation of the Agent and/or any Bank to make Loans or to otherwise extend credit hereunder to be terminated, whereupon the same shall forthwith terminate. If any Event of Default described in Section 7.1(f) occurs, the obligation of the Agent and/or any Bank to make Loans or to otherwise extend credit hereunder shall automatically terminate, and the Notes, all outstanding principal, all interest thereon, and all other obligations of the Borrower to the Agent and/or any Bank under the Credit Documents shall immediately become due and payable without any election or action on the part of the Agent or any Bank and without presentment, protest or notice or demand of any kind, all of which are waived by the Borrower. After the occurrence and during the continuation of any Event of Default other than an Event of Default under Section 7.1(f), the Agent may (and, upon the request of the Required Banks, the Agent shall) declare the Notes, all outstanding principal, all interest thereon, and all other obligations of the Borrower to the Agent and/or any Bank under the Credit Documents to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon the Notes, outstanding all such interest thereon and all such other obligations shall become and be forthwith due and payable, without presentment, protest or further notice or demand of any kind, all of which are waived by the Borrower. If, notwithstanding the foregoing, after the occurrence and during the continuation of any Default or Event of Default, as the case may be, the Agent elects (any such election to be in the Agent’s sole and absolute discretion) to make one or more advances under this Agreement or to not accelerate all or any of the Borrower’s obligations, any such election shall not preclude the Agent from electing thereafter (in its sole and absolute discretion) to not make advances or to accelerate all or any of the Borrower’s obligations, as the case may be.
7.3 Remedies. Upon or after the occurrence and during the continuation of any Event of Default, the Agent has and may (and, upon request of the Required Banks, the Agent shall) exercise from time to time all rights and remedies available at law or in equity, all of which rights and remedies shall be cumulative, and none of which shall be exclusive, and all of which shall be in addition to any other rights or remedies contained in this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents.
7.4 Ranking of Loans; Compliance with Investment Company Act of 1940. Notwithstanding anything herein or in the other Credit Documents to the contrary, so long as the Senior Notes and/or the Permitted Scotia Debt constitute senior indebtedness of the Borrower, the Loans and all other obligations of the Borrower hereunder or under the other Credit Documents shall rank pari passu in all respects with the Permitted Scotia Debt and the Senior Notes, including with respect to distributions of the assets of the Borrower and with respect to the payment of interest; provided, however, that, if any Bank is deemed to have been granted a Lien pursuant to the second sentence of Section 6.2(a) of this Agreement, such Bank shall be entitled to enjoy the benefits of such Lien but shall share the net proceeds of any collateral realized on by the Agent or any Bank, to the extent the Agent or such Bank receives such proceeds, with the holders of the Permitted Scotia Debt and the Senior Notes on a pari passu basis. It is the intention of the Agent, the Banks and the Borrower to comply with the provisions of the 1940 Act. If any term, condition or other provision in this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents is deemed by the Securities and Exchange Commission or any court to render any Loan or other obligation incurred under any of the Credit Documents a separate “class of senior securities representing indebtedness,” for purposes of Section 18(c) of the 1940 Act, and to have preferential rights over the Permitted Scotia Debt and/or the Senior Notes in violation of Section 18(c) of the 1940 Act, the Agent, the Banks and the Borrower agree to diligently and in good faith negotiate an amendment to the applicable Credit Documents so as to comply with Section 18(c) of the 1940 Act provided that such amendment does not impair the Agent’s and/or the Banks’ fundamental economic rights under the Credit Documents.
Credit Agreement - Page 36
Section 8
Agency Provisions
8.1 Appointment, Powers and Immunities. Each Bank hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Agent to act as its agent hereunder and under the Credit Documents with such powers as are specifically delegated to the Agent by the terms hereof and thereof, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The Agent (which term as used in this sentence and in Section 9.5 hereof shall include reference to its Affiliates and its own and its Affiliates’ officers, directors, employees and agents): (a) shall have no duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Agreement or in any of the Credit Documents, and shall not by reason of this Agreement be a trustee or fiduciary for any Bank; (b) shall not be responsible to the Banks for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties contained in this Agreement or any of the other documents in any certificate or any of the other Credit Documents or received by an of them under, this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents, for the value, validity, effectiveness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement, any Note or any of the other Credit Documents or for any failure by the Borrower or any other Person to perform any of its obligations hereunder or thereunder, or for the satisfaction of any condition precedent specified in Section 4 hereof; (c) shall not be required to initiate or conduct any litigation or collection proceedings hereunder; and (d) shall not be responsible for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it hereunder or under any of the other Credit Documents, except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Agent shall be conclusively entitled to assume that the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4 hereof have been satisfied unless the Agent has received written notice from a Bank referring to the relevant Section and stating that the relevant condition has not been satisfied or unless the certificate furnished by the Borrower pursuant thereto so indicates. The Agent may employ agents and attorneys-in-fact and shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any such agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it in good faith. The Agent may deem and treat the payee of any Note as the holder thereof for all purposes hereof unless and until a written notice of the assignment or transfer thereof shall have been filed with the Agent.
8.2 Reliance by Agent. The Agent shall be entitled to rely on any certification, notice or other communication (including any thereof by telephone, telex, telegram or cable) believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed or sent by or on behalf of the proper Person or Persons, and on advice and statements of legal counsel, independent accountants and other experts selected by it. As to any matters not expressly provided for by this Agreement or any of the Credit Documents, the Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, hereunder or thereunder (as the case may be) in accordance with instructions signed by the Required Banks, and such instructions of the Required Banks and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding on all of the Banks. If the Agent shall seek the consent or approval of the Required Banks to the taking or refraining from taking of any action hereunder or under any of the Credit Documents, the Agent shall give notice thereof to each Bank and as soon as practicable notify each Bank at any time that the Required Banks have instructed the Agent to act or refrain from acting hereunder or thereunder (as the case may be).
8.3 Defaults. The Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default (other than the non-payment of principal of or interest on Loans) unless the Agent has received written notice from a Bank or the Borrower specifying such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default.” In the event that the Agent receives such a notice of the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default, the Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the Banks (and shall give each Bank prompt notice of each such nonpayment). The Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default as shall be directed by the Required Banks, provided that, unless and until the Agent shall have received such directions, the Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action or refrain from taking such action with respect to such default as it shall deem advisable in the best interest of the Banks.
Credit Agreement - Page 37
8.4 Rights as a Bank. With respect to its Commitment and the Loans made by it, U.S. Bank National Association (and any successor acting as Agent), in its capacity as a Bank hereunder shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Bank and may exercise the same as though it were not acting as the Agent, and the term “Bank” or “Banks” shall, unless the context otherwise indicates, include the Agent in its individual capacity. The Agent, its permitted successors and its Affiliates may, without having to account therefor to any Bank, accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust or other business with the Borrower and any of its Affiliates as if it were not acting as the Agent, and the Agent and its Affiliates may accept fees and other consideration from the Borrower and its Affiliates for services in connection with this Agreement or otherwise without having to account for the same to the Banks, except for any fees stated herein to be for the account of any of the Banks.
8.5 Indemnification. Each Bank severally, to the extent of its Pro-Rata Share, indemnifies the Agent (to the extent the Agent is not reimbursed by the Borrower) for any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses and/or disbursements of any kind and nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against it and/or any of its shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys, contractors or other representatives in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement, any of the other Credit Documents, any of the transactions contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, the costs, expenses and other amounts which the Borrower is obligated to pay under Section 9.2 hereof), any action or omission taken by the Agent or any of the other indemnified parties referred to above, and/or the enforcement of any of the terms of this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents; provided; however, that no Bank shall be liable for any portion of any of the foregoing resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Agent or any of the other indemnified parties referred to above.
8.6 Non-Reliance on Agent and other Banks. Each Bank agrees that it has, independently and without reliance on the Agent or any other Bank, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and evaluation of the Borrower and its own decision to enter into this Agreement and that it will, independently and without reliance on the Agent or any other Bank, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own analysis and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement. The Agent shall not be required to keep itself informed as to the performance or observance by the Borrower or any other Person of this Agreement or any other Credit Document or in respect of the properties or books of the Borrower or any other Person. Except for notices, reports and other documents and information expressly required to be furnished to the Banks by the Agent hereunder, the Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Bank with any credit or other information concerning the affairs, financial condition or business of the Borrower (or Affiliates) which may come into its possession or into the possession of any of its Affiliates.
8.7 Failure to Act. Except for action expressly required of the Agent hereunder or under any of the Credit Documents, the Agent shall in all cases be fully justified in failing or refusing to act hereunder or thereunder (as the case may be) unless it shall be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Banks against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.
Credit Agreement - Page 38
8.8 Resignation or Removal of Agent. Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Agent as provided below, the Agent may resign at any time by giving notice thereof to the Banks and the Borrower, and the Agent may be removed at any time with or without cause by the Required Banks. Upon any such resignation or removal, the Required Banks shall have the right to appoint a successor Agent with the consent of Borrower. If no such successor Agent shall have been so appointed by the Required Banks and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Agent’s giving of notice of resignation or the Required Banks’ removal of the retiring Agent, then the retiring Agent may, on behalf of the Banks, appoint a successor Agent with the consent of Borrower. Upon the acceptance or any appointment as Agent hereunder by a successor Agent, such successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. After any retiring Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder as Agent, the provisions of this Section 8.8 shall continue in effect for its benefit in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as the Agent.
8.9 Representation of Banks. The Banks severally represent that they will be taking the Notes issued hereunder for their own respective accounts to evidence loans made in the ordinary course of their commercial banking business, and not with a view of distribution of such Notes; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 8.9 shall create any rights or remedies in favor of the Borrower or anyone else against any Bank so long as such Bank acts in good faith upon the advice of its counsel with respect to compliance with applicable laws; provided further, that the assets of each Bank must be and shall always remain within the control of each Bank.
8.10 Obligations Several. Unless otherwise expressly provided for herein, the obligation of each Bank hereunder is several, and neither the Agent nor any Bank shall be responsible for the obligations of any other Bank hereunder, nor will the failure of any Bank to perform any of its obligations hereunder relieve any other Bank from the performance of its respective obligations hereunder. Nothing contained in this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents, and no action taken by the Banks pursuant hereto or thereto shall be deemed to constitute the Banks a partnership, association, joint venture or other entity or otherwise (except as expressly provided for herein) give rise to joint or vicarious liability between the Banks.
Section 9
Miscellaneous
9.1 Notices. All notices and other communications provided for herein (including, without limitation, any waivers or consents under this Agreement) shall be given or made by telex, telecopy, cable or otherwise in writing (each communication given by any of such means to be deemed to be “in writing” for purposes of this Agreement) and telexed, telecopied, cabled, mailed or delivered to the intended recipient at the “Address for Notices” specified below its name on the signature pages hereof, or, as to any party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the other parties hereto. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all such communications shall be deemed to have been duly given when transmitted by telex or fax, delivered to the cable office or personally delivered or, in the case of a mailed notice, upon deposit with the United States Postal Service, certified mail, return receipt requested, with postage prepaid, in each case given or addressed as aforesaid.
9.2 Reimbursement of Expenses. The Borrower agrees (a) to pay or reimburse the Agent on demand for its reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to the Agent), in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents and the making of the Loans hereunder, (b) to pay or reimburse the Agent and the Banks for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of such Persons (including reasonable counsels’ fees and expenses) in connection with the enforcement of this Agreement and any of the other Credit Documents, and all transfer, stamp, documentary or other similar taxes, assessments or charges levied by any Governmental Authority in respect of this Agreement, any of the Notes, or any of the other Credit Documents (except for any such tax imposed on or measured by the income of such Person), and (c) to pay or reimburse the Agent and the Banks for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including reasonable counsels’ fees and expenses) in connection with any litigation, contest dispute, suit, proceeding or action brought by a third party in any way relating to this Agreement, any of the other Credit Documents or the Borrower’s affairs (all of which are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Expenses”); then, in any and each such event, such Expenses shall be payable on demand.
Credit Agreement - Page 39
9.3 Indemnity. The Borrower agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Agent and the Banks and each shareholder, director, officer, employee, agent, attorney and other representative of or contractor for the Agent and/or the Banks from and against any and all damages, settlement amounts, expenses (including, without limitation, attorney’s fees and court costs), other losses, claims or other assertions of liability of any nature whatsoever incurred by or on behalf of or asserted against, as the case may be, any one or more of such indemnified parties at any time arising in whole or in part out of the Borrower’s failure to observe, perform or discharge any of the Borrower’s duties under any of the Credit Documents or any misrepresentation made by or on behalf of the Borrower under any of the Credit Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this indemnity shall extend to any claims asserted against the Agent and/or the Banks or such other indemnitees by any Person under any Environmental Laws or similar laws by reason of the Borrower’s or any other Person’s failure to comply with laws applicable to Hazardous Substances. The Borrower further agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Agent and the Banks and each shareholder, director, officer, employee, agent, attorney and other representative of or contractor for the Agent and the Banks from and against any and all damages, settlement amounts, expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and court costs), other losses, claims or other assertions of liability of any nature whatsoever incurred by or on behalf of or asserted against, as the case may be, any one or more of such indemnified parties at any time in connection with any one or more indemnified parties’ actions or inactions relating in any respect to this Agreement, any of the other Credit Documents or any of the transactions described in or contemplated by any of the foregoing, except to the extent such losses are determined by final nonappealable order from a court of competent jurisdiction to arise out of such indemnified party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. All indemnities given by the Borrower to the Agent and/or the Banks under the Credit Documents, including, without limitation, the indemnities set forth in this Section, shall survive the repayment of the Loans and the termination of this Agreement.
9.4 Entire Agreement; Modification of Agreement.
(a) Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the other Credit Documents, together with all other instruments, agreements and certificates executed by the parties in connection therewith or with reference thereto, embodies the entire agreement between the parties hereto and thereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and inducements, whether express or implied, oral or written.
(b) Modifications. This Agreement may not be modified, altered or amended, except by an agreement in writing signed by the Borrower and the Required Banks, and any provisions of this Agreement or the other Credit Documents may be waived by the Required Banks; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment or waiver shall be effective, without first obtaining the written consent of all Banks, that (a) extends the due date of any principal, interest or fee payment in respect of the Loans; (b) changes the amount or duration of any Bank’s Commitment; (c) releases the Borrower, in whole or in part, from any obligation under the Credit Documents to pay any principal or interest under the Loans; (d) reduces the rate of interest or fees provided hereunder; (e) changes the definition of “Pro-Rata Share”, or (f) changes the definition of “Required Banks” or amends the terms of this Section 9.4(b), or that otherwise has the effect of impairing any of the consent requirements contained in this Section 9.4(b) or in any other provision of this Agreement or the other Credit Documents where the consent of all the Banks or the Required Banks is required in connection with any matter.
Credit Agreement - Page 40
9.5 Successors and Assigns. The terms and provisions of the Credit Documents shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower and the Banks and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that (i) the Borrower shall not have the right to assign its rights or obligations under the Credit Documents without the prior written consent of each Bank, (ii) any assignment by any Bank must be made in compliance with Section 9.7, and (iii) any transfer by participation must be made in compliance with Section 9.6. Any attempted assignment or transfer by any party not made in compliance with this Section 9.5 shall be null and void, unless such attempted assignment or transfer is treated as a participation in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The parties to this Agreement acknowledge that clause (ii) of this Section 9.5 relates only to absolute assignments and this Section 9.5 does not prohibit assignments creating security interests, including, without limitation, (x) any pledge or assignment by any Bank of all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement and any Note to a Federal Reserve Bank or (y) in the case of a Bank which is a Fund, any pledge or assignment of all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement and any Note to its trustee in support of its obligations to its trustee; provided, however, that no such pledge or assignment creating a security interest shall release the transferor Bank from its obligations hereunder unless and until the parties thereto have complied with the provisions of Section 9.7. The Agent may treat the Person which made any Loan or which holds any Note as the owner thereof for all purposes hereof unless and until such Person complies with Section 9.7; provided, however, that the Agent may in its discretion (but shall not be required to) follow instructions from the Person which made any Loan or which holds any Note to direct payments relating to such Loan or Note to another Person. Any assignee of the rights to any Loan or any Note agrees by acceptance of such assignment to be bound by all the terms and provisions of the Credit Documents. Any request, authority or consent of any Person, who at the time of making such request or giving such authority or consent is the owner of the rights to any Loan (whether or not a Note has been issued in evidence thereof), shall be conclusive and binding on any subsequent holder or assignee of the rights to such Loan.
9.6 Participations.
(a) Permitted Participants; Effect. Any Bank may at any time sell to one or more entities (“Participants”) participating interests in any Outstanding Credit Exposure owing to such Bank, any Note held by such Bank, any Commitment of such Bank or any other interest of such Bank under the Credit Documents. In the event of any such sale by a Bank of participating interests to a Participant, such Bank’s obligations under the Credit Documents shall remain unchanged, such Bank shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, such Bank shall remain the owner of its Outstanding Credit Exposure and the holder of any Note issued to it in evidence thereof for all purposes under the Credit Documents, all amounts payable by the Borrower under this Agreement shall be determined as if such Bank had not sold such participating interests, and the Borrower and the Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Bank in connection with such Bank’s rights and obligations under the Credit Documents.
Credit Agreement - Page 41
(b) Voting Rights. Each Bank shall retain the sole right to approve, without the consent of any Participant, any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of the Credit Documents provided that each such Bank may agree in its participation agreement with its Participant that such Bank will not vote to approve any amendment, modification or waiver with respect to any Outstanding Credit Exposure or Commitment in which such Participant has an interest which would require consent of all of the Banks pursuant to the terms of Section 9.4(b) or of any other Credit Document.
(c) Benefit of Certain Provisions. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 3.9 (Yield Protection; Capital Adequacy), Section 3.15(c) (Funding Indemnification), Section 3.18 (Taxes), Section 9.2 (Reimbursement of Expenses), Section 9.3 (Indemnity) and Section 9.8 (Nonliability of Banks) to the same extent as if it were a Bank and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Section 9.7, provided that (i) a Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 3.9 than the Bank who sold the participating interest to such Participant would have received had it retained such interest for its own account, unless the sale of such interest to such Participant is made with the prior written consent of the Borrower, and (ii) a Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 3.18 than the Bank who sold the participating interest to such Participant would have received had it retained such interest for its own account (A) except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a change in treaty, law or regulation (or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority) that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation and (B), in the case of any Participant that would be a Non-U.S. Lender if it were a Bank, such Participant agrees to comply with the provisions of Section 3.18 to the same extent as if it were a Bank (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 3.18(f) shall be delivered to the participating Bank). Each Bank that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, 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 any Outstanding Credit Exposure, any Note, any Commitment or any other obligations under the Credit Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Bank shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant's interest in any Outstanding Credit Exposure, any Note, any Commitment or any other obligations under the Credit Documents) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Outstanding Credit Exposure, any Note, any Commitment or any other obligations under the Credit Documents 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 such Bank 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. For the avoidance of doubt, the Agent (in its capacity as Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.
9.7 Assignments.
(a) Permitted Assignments. Any Bank may at any time assign to one or more assignees (“Purchasers”) all or any part of its rights and obligations under the Credit Documents; provided, however, a “Purchaser” may not be a natural person, the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates. Such assignment shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit E or in such other form reasonably acceptable to the Agent as may be agreed to by the parties thereto. Each such assignment with respect to a Purchaser which is not a Bank or an Affiliate of a Bank or an Approved Fund shall either be in an amount equal to the entire applicable Commitment and Outstanding Credit Exposure of the assigning Bank or (unless each of the Borrower and the Agent otherwise consents) be in an aggregate amount not less than $5,000,000. The amount of the assignment shall be based on the Commitment or Outstanding Credit Exposure (if the Commitment has been terminated) subject to the assignment, determined as of the date of such assignment or as of the “Trade Date,” if the “Trade Date” is specified in the assignment.
Credit Agreement - Page 42
(b) Consents. The consent of the Borrower shall be required prior to an assignment becoming effective unless the Purchaser is a Bank, an Affiliate of a Bank or an Approved Fund, provided that the consent of the Borrower shall not be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; provided further that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Agent within five (5) Business Days after having received notice thereof. The consent of the Agent shall be required prior to an assignment becoming effective unless the Purchaser is a Bank, an Affiliate of a Bank or an Approved Fund. In addition, the consent of the Swingline Lender shall be required prior to an assignment of a Commitment becoming effective unless the Purchaser is a Bank with a Commitment. Any consent required under this Section 9.7(b) shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
(c) Effect; Assignment Effective Date. Upon (i) delivery to the Agent of an assignment, together with any consents required by Sections 9.7(a) and 9.7(b), and (ii) payment of a $3,500 fee to the Agent for processing such assignment (unless such fee is waived by the Agent), such assignment shall become effective on the effective date specified in such assignment. The assignment shall contain a representation by the Purchaser to the effect that none of the consideration used to make the purchase of the Commitment and Outstanding Credit Exposure under the applicable assignment agreement constitutes “plan assets” as defined under ERISA and that the rights and interests of the Purchaser in and under the Credit Documents will not be “plan assets” under ERISA. On and after the effective date of such assignment, such Purchaser shall for all purposes be a Bank party to this Agreement and any other Credit Document executed by or on behalf of the Banks and shall have all the rights and obligations of a Bank under the Credit Documents, to the same extent as if it were an original party thereto, and the transferor Bank shall be released with respect to the Commitment and Outstanding Credit Exposure assigned to such Purchaser without any further consent or action by the Borrower, the Banks or the Agent. In the case of an assignment covering all of the assigning Bank’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Bank shall cease to be a Bank hereunder but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of, and subject to, those provisions of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents which survive payment of the Obligations and termination of the applicable agreement. Any assignment or transfer by a Bank of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.7 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Bank of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with Section 9.6. Upon the consummation of any assignment to a Purchaser pursuant to this Section 9.7(c), the transferor Bank, the Agent and the Borrower shall, if the transferor Bank or the Purchaser desires that its Loans be evidenced by Notes, make appropriate arrangements so that new Notes or, as appropriate, replacement Notes are issued to such transferor Bank and new Notes or, as appropriate, replacement Notes, are issued to such Purchaser, in each case in principal amounts reflecting their respective Commitments, as adjusted pursuant to such assignment.
(d) Register. The Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in the United States of America, a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Banks, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts (and stated interest) of the Loans owing to each Bank pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Agent and the Banks may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Bank hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and each Bank at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
Credit Agreement - Page 43
(e) Dissemination of Information. The Borrower authorizes each Bank to disclose to any Participant or Purchaser or any other Person acquiring an interest in the Credit Documents by operation of law (each a “Transferee”) and any prospective Transferee any and all information in such Bank’s possession.
(f) Assignment by Borrower. The Borrower may not directly or indirectly sell, assign or transfer any interest in or rights under this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents.
9.8 Nonliability of Banks. The relationship between the Borrower on the one hand and the Banks and the Agent on the other hand shall be solely that of borrower and lender. Neither the Agent, the Lead Arranger nor any Bank shall have any fiduciary responsibilities to the Borrower. Neither the Agent, the Lead Arranger nor any Bank undertakes any responsibility to the Borrower to review or inform the Borrower of any matter in connection with any phase of the Borrower’s business or operations. The Borrower agrees that neither the Agent, the Lead Arranger nor any Bank shall have liability to the Borrower (whether sounding in tort, contract or otherwise) for losses suffered by the Borrower in connection with, arising out of, or in any way related to, the transactions contemplated and the relationship established by the Credit Documents, or any act, omission or event occurring in connection therewith, unless it is determined in a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction that such losses resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the party from which recovery is sought. Neither the Agent, the Lead Arranger nor any Bank shall have any liability with respect to, and the Borrower hereby waives, releases and agrees not to xxx for, any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages suffered by the Borrower in connection with, arising out of, or in any way related to the Credit Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby. It is agreed that the Lead Arranger shall, in its capacity as such, have no duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any other Credit Document. Each Bank acknowledges that it has not relied and will not rely on the Lead Arranger in deciding to enter into this Agreement or any other Credit Document or in taking or not taking any action.
9.9 Accounting. Except as provided to the contrary herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted and all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made in accordance with GAAP in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the financial statements referred to in Section 5.1(g); provided, however that, notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made without giving effect to (i) any election under Accounting Standards Codification Section 000-00-00 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any indebtedness or other liabilities of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries at “fair value”, as defined therein, or (ii) any treatment of indebtedness in respect of convertible debt instruments under Financial Accounting Standards Codification Subtopic 470-20 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any such indebtedness in a reduced or bifurcated manner as described therein, and such indebtedness shall at all times be valued at the full stated principal amount thereof.
9.10 Indulgences Not Waivers. The Agent’s or any Bank’s failure, at any time or times on or after the Closing Date, to require strict performance by the Borrower of any provision of this Agreement or the other Credit Documents shall not waive, affect or diminish any right of the Agent or the Banks thereafter to demand strict compliance and performance therewith. Any suspension or waiver by the Agent and/or any Bank of a Default or an Event of Default by the Borrower under this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents shall not suspend, waive or affect any other Default or Event of Default by the Borrower under this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents, whether the same is prior or subsequent thereto and whether of the same or of a different type. None of the undertakings, agreements, warranties, covenants and representations of the Borrower contained in this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents and no Default or Event of Default by the Borrower under this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents shall be deemed to have been suspended or waived by the Agent and/or any Bank, unless such suspension or waiver is by an instrument in writing specifying such suspension or waiver and is signed by a duly authorized representative of the Agent and directed and delivered to the Borrower.
Credit Agreement - Page 44
9.11 Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement.
9.12 General Waivers by Borrower. Except as otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement, the Borrower waives: (a) presentment, protest, demand for payment, notice of dishonor demand and protest and notice of presentment, default, notice of nonpayment, maturity, release, compromise, settlement, extension or renewal of any or all commercial paper, accounts receivable, contract rights, documents, instruments, chattel paper and guaranties at any time held by the Agent and the Banks on which the Borrower may in any way be liable and ratifies and confirms whatever the Agent and/or the Banks may do in this regard; (b) the benefit of all valuation, appraisement and exemption laws; and (c) any and all other notices, demands and consents in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents. Subject to the following sentence, the Borrower also waives any right of set-off or similar right the Borrower may at any time have against the Agent or any Bank as a defense to the payment or performance of the Borrower’s obligations under the Credit Documents. If the Borrower now or hereafter has any claim against the Agent or any Bank giving rise to any such right of set-off or similar right, the Borrower agrees not to assert such claim as a defense or right of set-off with respect to the Borrower’s obligations under the Credit Documents, and to instead assert any such claim, if the Borrower so elects to assert such claim, in a separate proceeding against the Agent or any Bank and not as a part of any proceeding or as a defense to any claim initiated by the Agent or any Bank to enforce any of the Agent’s or any Bank’s rights under any of the Credit Documents.
9.13 Execution in Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures. This Agreement and the other Credit Documents may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties thereto, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all of which counterparts taken together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. A signature of a party to any of the Credit Documents sent by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be deemed to constitute an original and fully effective signature of such party.
9.14 Captions. Captions and section headings appearing herein are included solely for convenience of reference and are not intended to affect the interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.
Credit Agreement - Page 45
9.15 USA PATRIOT ACT NOTIFICATION. The following notification is provided to Borrower pursuant to Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, 31 U.S.C. Section 5318:
Each Bank that is subject to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Act”) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Bank to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Act.
9.16 Governing Law; Consent to Forum. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Kansas without giving effect to any choice of law rules thereof. As part of the consideration for new value this day received, the Borrower consents to the jurisdiction of any state court located in Xxxxxxx County, Kansas or any federal court located in Wyandotte County, Kansas (collectively, the “Chosen Forum”), and waives personal service of any and all process upon it and consents that all such service of process be made by certified or registered mail directed to the Borrower at the address stated pursuant to Section 9.1 hereof and service so made shall be deemed to be completed upon delivery thereto. The Borrower waives any objection to jurisdiction and venue of any action instituted against it as provided herein and agrees not to assert any defense based on lack of jurisdiction or venue. The Borrower further agrees not to assert against the Agent or the Banks (except by way of a defense or counterclaim in a proceeding initiated by the Agent or any Bank) any claim or other assertion of liability relating to any of the Credit Documents, the Borrower’s obligations under the Credit Documents or the Agent’s or any Bank’s actions or inactions in respect of any of the foregoing in any jurisdiction other than the Chosen Forum. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect the Agent’s or any Bank’s right to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the other Credit Documents against the Borrower or its properties in courts of other jurisdictions.
9.17 Waiver of Jury Trial; Limitation on Damages. To the fullest extent permitted by law, and as separately bargained-for consideration to the Agent and the Banks, the Borrower waives any right to trial by jury (which the Agent and each Bank also waives) in any action, suit, proceeding or counterclaim of any kind arising out of or otherwise relating to any of the Credit Documents, the Borrower’s obligations under the Credit Documents or the Agent’s or the Banks’ actions or inactions in respect of any of the foregoing. To the fullest extent permitted by law, and as separately bargained-for consideration to the Agent and the Banks, the Borrower also waives any right it may have at any time to claim or recover in any litigation or other dispute involving the Agent or any Bank, whether the underlying claim or dispute sounds in contract, tort or otherwise, any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages or any damages other than, or in addition to, actual damages. The Borrower acknowledges that the Agent and the Banks are relying upon and would not enter into the transactions described in the Credit Documents on the terms and conditions set forth therein but for the Borrower’s waivers and agreements under this Section.
9.18 Document Imaging and Electronic Transactions. Borrower hereby acknowledges the receipt of a copy of this Agreement and all other Credit Documents. The Agent and each Bank may, on behalf of Borrower, create a microfilm or optical disk or other electronic image of this Agreement and any or all of the Credit Documents. The Agent and each Bank may store the electronic image of this Agreement and each of the Credit Documents in their electronic form and then destroy the paper originals as part of such Person’s normal business practices, with the electronic images deemed to be originals.
Credit Agreement - Page 46
9.19 Controlling Document. In the event of actual conflict in the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the Notes or any of the other Credit Documents, the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall prevail and control.
[Remainder of Page Left Intentionally Blank]
Credit Agreement - Page 47
K.S.A. §16-118 Required Notice. This statement is provided pursuant to K.S.A. §16-118: “THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT IS A FINAL EXPRESSION OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CREDITORS AND THE DEBTOR AND SUCH WRITTEN CREDIT AGREEMENT MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF ANY PRIOR ORAL CREDIT AGREEMENT OR OF A CONTEMPORANEOUS ORAL CREDIT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CREDITORS AND DEBTOR.” THE FOLLOWING SPACE CONTAINS ANY NON-STANDARD TERMS, INCLUDING THE REDUCTION TO WRITING OF ANY PREVIOUS ORAL CREDIT AGREEMENT:
NONE.
The creditors and debtor, by their respective initials or signatures below, confirm that no unwritten credit agreement exists between the parties:
Creditor:
|
|||
Creditor:
|
|||
Creditor:
|
|||
Debtor:
|
[signature page(s) to follow]
Credit Agreement - Page 48
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their duly authorized representatives as of the day and year first above written.
By:
|
||
Name:
|
||
Title:
|
Address for Notices:
00000 Xxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxx Xxxxx
Fax No.: 000-000-0000
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Husch Xxxxxxxxx LLP
0000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attn.: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Fax No.: 000-000-0000
Credit Agreement - Signature Page
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Agent, Swingline Lender, Lead Arranger and a Bank
By:
|
||
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
|
||
Title: Vice President
|
Address for Notices:
U.S. Bank National Association
0000 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx 00000
Attn.: Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Fax No.: 000-000-0000
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
0000 Xxxxx Xxxx.
Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attn.: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
Fax No.: 000-000-0000
Credit Agreement - Signature Page
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA,
a Bank
By:
|
||
Name:
|
||
Title:
|
Address for Notices:
The Bank of Nova Scotia
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx X0X 0X00
Attn: _____________________
Fax No. 000-000-0000
Credit Agreement - Signature Page
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
a Bank
By:
|
||
Name:
|
||
Title:
|
Address for Notices:
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
Attn: ___________________
Fax No. _________________
Credit Agreement - Signature Page
EXHIBIT A
(Banks and Commitments)
Bank
|
Revolving Credit Loan Commitment Amount
|
Swingline Loan Commitment Amount*
|
Bank’s Total Commitment Amount
|
Bank’s Pro-Rata Percentage
|
||||||||||||
U.S. Bank
National Association
|
$
|
65,000,000
|
$
|
10,000,000
|
$
|
65,000,000
|
41.000000000000
|
|||||||||
The Bank of Nova Scotia
|
$
|
65,000,000
|
0
|
$
|
65,000,000
|
41.000000000000
|
||||||||||
Bank of America, N.A.
|
$
|
27,500,000
|
0
|
$
|
27,500,000
|
17.460317460318
|
||||||||||
TOTALS:
|
$
|
157,500,000
|
$
|
10,000,000
|
$
|
157,500,000
|
1.000000000000
|
* | As more particularly described in the Agreement, the Swingline Loan Commitment is a subcommitment under the Revolving Credit Loan Commitments. Accordingly, extensions of credit under the Swingline Loan Commitment act to reduce, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, the amount of credit otherwise available under the Revolving Credit Loan Commitments. |
Credit Agreement - Exhibit A
EXHIBIT B
[Form of Revolving Credit Note]
REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE
$_________________
|
June ___, 2014
|
For value received, the undersigned, TORTOISE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE CORPORATION, a Maryland corporation (the “Borrower”), hereby promises to pay to the order of ___________________, a ______________________ (the “Bank”; which term shall include any subsequent holder hereof), at such place as may be expressly provided for in the Credit Agreement referred to below, the principal sum of ___________________ and 00/100 Dollars ($_________________) or, such lesser amount as shall equal the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans made by the Bank to the Borrower under the Credit Agreement, in lawful money of the United States of America, without set-off, deduction or counterclaim, and in immediately available funds, on the Termination Date, and to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each such Revolving Credit Loan, at such office, in like money and funds, for the period commencing on the date of such Revolving Credit Loan until such Revolving Credit Loan shall be paid in full, at the rates per annum and on the date provided in the Credit Agreement.
This Revolving Credit Note (the “Note”) is the Revolving Credit Note referred to in, is issued pursuant to, and is subject to the terms and conditions of, the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 23, 2014, among the Borrower, the Banks named therein (including the Bank) and U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent, Swingline Lender and Lead Arranger (as the same may be amended, renewed, restated, replaced, consolidated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), and evidences Revolving Credit Loans made by the Bank under its Revolving Credit Loan Commitment thereunder. To the extent of any direct conflict between the terms and conditions of this Note and the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement shall prevail and govern. Capitalized terms used and not defined in this Note have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
Interest shall accrue on the outstanding principal balance of this Note as provided in the Credit Agreement. Principal, interest and all other amounts, if any, payable in respect of this Note shall be payable as provided in the Credit Agreement. The Borrower’s right, if any, to prepay this Note is subject to the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement.
The Credit Agreement (the terms of which are hereby incorporated by reference) provides for the acceleration of the maturity of this Note upon the occurrence of certain events and for prepayments of Revolving Credit Loans upon the terms and conditions specified therein.
Time is of the essence of this Note. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower and any and all sureties, guarantors and endorsers of this Note and all other parties hereafter liable hereon waive grace, presentment, demand, protest, notice of dishonor, any and all other notices (including, but not limited to, notice of protest, notice of intention to accelerate and notice of acceleration), diligence in collecting and bringing suit against any party hereto, demands and consents in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note, and consent to any extensions of time, renewals, releases of any parties to or guarantors of this Note, waivers and any other modifications that may be granted or consented to by the Bank from time to time in respect of the time of payment or any other provision of this Note.
Credit Agreement - Exhibit B
This Note shall be governed by the laws of the State of Kansas, without regard to any choice of law rule thereof which gives effect to the laws of any other jurisdiction.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has executed and delivered this Note as of the date first above written.
By:
|
|||
Name:
|
|||
Title:
|
Credit Agreement - Exhibit B
EXHIBIT C
[Form of Swingline Note]
SWINGLINE NOTE
$10,000,000
|
June ___, 2014
|
For value received, the undersigned, TORTOISE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE CORPORATION, a Maryland corporation (the “Borrower”) hereby promises to pay to the order of U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association (the “Swingline Lender”), at such place as may be expressly provided for in the Credit Agreement referred to below, the principal sum of Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000), or such lesser amount as shall equal the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Swingline Loans made by the Swingline Lender to the Borrower under the Credit Agreement, in lawful money of the United States of America, and in immediately available funds, on the Termination Date, or such earlier date as provided in the Credit Agreement, referred to below, and to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan, at such office, in like money and funds, for the period commencing on the date of each Swingline Loan until such Swingline Loan shall be paid in full, at rates per annum and on the dates provided in the Credit Agreement.
This Swingline Note (the “Note”) is the Swingline Note referred to in, is issued pursuant to, and is subject to the terms and conditions of, the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 23, 2014, among the Borrower, the Banks named therein (including the Bank) and U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent, Swingline Lender and Lead Arranger, (as the same may be amended, renewed, restated, replaced, consolidated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), and evidences Swingline Loans made by the Swingline Lender under its Swingline Loan Commitment thereunder. To the extent of any direct conflict between the terms and conditions of this Note and the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement shall prevail and govern. Capitalized terms used and not defined in this Note have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
Interest shall accrue on the outstanding principal balance of this Note as provided in the Credit Agreement. Principal, interest and all other amounts, if any, payable in respect of this Note shall be payable as provided in the Credit Agreement. The Borrower’s right, if any, to prepay this Note is subject to the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement.
The Credit Agreement (the terms of which are hereby incorporated by reference) provides for the acceleration of the maturity of this Note upon the occurrence of certain events and for prepayments of Swingline Loans upon the terms and conditions specified therein.
Time is of the essence of this Note. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower and any and all sureties, guarantors and endorsers of this Note and all other parties hereafter liable hereon waive grace, presentment, demand, protest, notice of dishonor, any and all other notices (including, but not limited to, notice of protest, notice of intention to accelerate and notice of acceleration), diligence in collecting and bringing suit against any party hereto, demands and consents in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note, and consent to any extensions of time, renewals, releases of any parties to or guarantors of this Note, waivers and any other modifications that may be granted or consented to by the Swingline Lender from time to time in respect of the time of payment or any other provision of this Note.
Credit Agreement - Exhibit C
This Note shall be governed by the laws of the State of Kansas, without regard to any choice of law rule thereof which gives effect to the laws of any other jurisdiction.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has executed and delivered this Note as of the date first above written.
By:
|
|||
Name:
|
|||
Title:
|
Credit Agreement - Exhibit C
EXHIBIT D
[Form of Borrowing Base Certificate]
BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE
This Borrowing Base Certificate (“Certificate”) is delivered pursuant to Section ______ of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”), dated as of June 23, 2014, among Tortoise Energy Capital Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “Borrower”); certain lenders (the “Banks”); U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association, as the lender for Swingline Loans (in such capacity, the “Swingline Lender”); and U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association, as agent for the Banks hereunder (in such capacity, the “Agent”); and as lead arranger hereunder (in such capacity, the “Lead Arranger”). Capitalized terms used and not defined in this Certificate have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
The undersigned hereby certifies that he or she is an authorized xxxxxx of the Borrower and, as such, is authorized to execute and deliver this Certificate on behalf of the Borrower and, certifies to the Agent that:
1. Borrowing Base Calculation. The Borrowing Base for the Borrower, as of _________ __, 20__, is as follows:
A.
|
Total Value of Acceptable Assets
|
$
|
|
of Borrower (“Acceptable Assets”)
|
|||
B.
|
33-1/3% of Acceptable Assets
|
$
|
|
C.
|
Current outstanding borrowings under the
|
||
Permitted Scotia Debt
|
$
|
|
|
D.
|
“senior securities representing indebtedness”
|
$
|
|
(as such term is used in the 1940 Act), other
|
|||
than the Loans and the Permitted Scotia Debt
|
|||
E.
|
Borrowing Base (line B minus line C minus line D)
|
$
|
|
2. Calculation of Availability Under the Credit Agreement. The maximum amount of Loan available under the Credit Agreement as of __________ __, 20__, is as follows:
A.
|
Revolving Credit Loan Commitments
|
$
|
|
B.
|
Lesser of 1E or 2A
|
$
|
|
C.
|
Current Outstanding Balances on Revolving
|
$
|
|
Credit Loans and Swingline Loans
|
|||
D.
|
Availability
|
$
|
|
(line 2B minus line 2C)
|
|||
E.
|
Requested Advance (if any)
|
$
|
|
Exhibit D
3. Compliance with 1940 Act. As of ______________, 20__, the Borrower is in material compliance with the 1940 Act, including but not limited to, all leverage regulations specified in Section 6.1(o) of the Credit Agreement. As of the date hereof, the Borrower’s applicable “Asset Coverage” (as defined in Section 18(h) of the 0000 Xxx) is as follows:
(i)
|
Senior Securities Representing Indebtedness (as used in the 1940 Act)
|
%
|
|
(ii)
|
Senior Securities (as used in the 1940 Act) that are Stock
|
%
|
4. Reliance. This Certificate is delivered to the Agent for its benefit and the benefit of the Banks, the Swingline Lender and the Lead Arranger and may be conclusively relied upon by all such Persons.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this certificate on behalf of the Borrower as of the date first above written.
TORTOISE ENERGY CAPITAL CORPORATION
|
|||
By:
|
|
||
Name: | |||
Title:
|
Exhibit D
EXHIBIT E
[Form of Assignment and Assumption]
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT
Reference is made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 23, 2014, among Tortoise Energy Infrastructure Corporation; U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent, Lead Arranger, Swingline Lender and a Bank; The Bank of Nova Scotia, as a Bank; Bank of America, N.A., as a Bank; and the other Banks party thereto, as amended or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms (the “Credit Agreement”). Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
_______________________ (the “Assignor”) and ___________________ (the “Assignee”) hereby agree as follows:
1. The Assignor hereby sells and assigns to the Assignee without recourse and without representation or warranty (other than as expressly provided herein), and the Assignee hereby purchases and assumes from the Assignor, that interest in and to all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement as of the date hereof which represents the percentage interests specified in Item 1 of Annex I hereto (the “Assigned Share”) of all of the outstanding rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement relating to the facilities listed in Item 1 of Annex I hereto, including, without limitation, all rights and obligations with respect to the Assigned Share of the Revolving Credit Loans. After giving effect to such sale and assignment, the amount of the Assignee’s Revolving Credit Loan Commitment will be as set forth in Item 1(a) of Annex I hereto.
2. The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that it is the legal and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned by it hereunder and that such interest is free and clear of any lien or adverse claim; (b) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or the other Credit Documents or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Credit Agreement or the other Credit Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto; and (c) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of the Borrower or the performance or observance by the Borrower of any of Borrower’s obligations under the Credit Agreement or the other Credit Documents to which it is a party or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto.
3. The Assignee (a) confirms that it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents, together with copies of the financial statements referred to therein and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption Agreement; (b) agrees that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Agent, the Lead Arranger, the Swingline Lender, the Assignor or any other Bank, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit Agreement; (c) appoints and authorizes the Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents as are delegated to the Agent by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (d) agrees that it will perform in accordance with the terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Credit Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Bank.
Exhibit E
4. Following the execution of this Assignment and Assumption Agreement by the Assignor and the Assignee, an executed original hereof (together with all attachments) will be delivered to the Agent. The effective date of this Assignment and Assumption Agreement shall be the date of execution hereof by the Assignor and the Assignee and receipt by the Agent of the $3,500 assignment fee referred to in Section 9.7(c) of the Credit Agreement, or such later date, if any, which may be specified in Item 2 of Annex I hereto (the “Settlement Date”).
5. Upon the delivery of a fully executed original hereof to the Agent, as of the Settlement Date, (a) the Assignee shall be a party to the Credit Agreement and, to the extent provided in this Assignment and Assumption Agreement, have the rights and obligations of a Bank thereunder and under the other Credit Documents, including, without limitation, the obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans, (b) the Assignor shall, to the extent provided in this Assignment and Assumption Agreement, relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents, and (c) the Agent shall maintain at one of the Agent’s offices in Minneapolis, Minnesota a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and each Bank pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”), and the entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Agent and the Banks shall treat each Person whose name is recorded on the Register pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement as a Bank under the Credit Agreement.
6. It is agreed that the Assignee shall be entitled to all interest on the Assigned Share of the Revolving Credit Loans. It is further agreed that all payments of principal made on the Assigned Share of the Loans which occur on and after the Settlement Date will be paid directly by the Agent to the Assignee. Upon the Settlement Date, the Assignee shall pay to the Assignor an amount specified by the Assignor in writing which represents the Assigned Share of the principal amount of the Loans made by the Assignor pursuant to the Credit Agreement which are outstanding on the Settlement Date and which are being assigned hereunder. The Assignor and the Assignee shall make all appropriate adjustments, if any, in payments under the Credit Agreement for periods prior to the Settlement Date directly between themselves on the Settlement Date.
7. This Assignment and Assumption Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the same law that governs the Credit Agreement.
[signature page to follow]
Exhibit E
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused their duly authorized officers to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption Agreement, as of the date first above written.
[NAME OF ASSIGNOR] | |||
as Assignor | |||
By:
|
|||
Name:
|
|||
Title:
|
|||
[NAME OF ASSIGNEE] | |||
as Assignee | |||
By:
|
|||
Name:
|
|||
Title:
|
Exhibit E
Consent to Assignment and Assumption
Pursuant to Section 9.5 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned, as the Borrower and the Agent under the Credit Agreement, hereby consent to the Assignment and Assumption referred to above and the other agreements and provisions set forth above (the “Consent”). The undersigned further agree to execute and deliver such documents and take such other action as Assignor or Assignee may reasonably request from time to time to further evidence the foregoing Assignment and Assumption and other agreements and provisions. Further, as a material inducement to Assignor to transfer, and to Assignee to acquire, such right, title and interest in the Loans and other extensions of credit, as provided in the above Assignment and Assumption and as evidenced by the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents referred to therein (all such documents being collectively referred to herein as the “Transaction Documents”), the Borrower represents and warrants to Assignor and Assignee that there is no Event of Default then in effect and the Termination Date has not occurred. Capitalized terms used and not defined in this Consent have the meanings given to such terms in the Assignment and Assumption above or in the Credit Agreement, as the case may be. This Consent shall be governed by the same law that governs the Credit Agreement. This Consent may be validly executed and delivered by fax or other electronic transmission and in multiple counterparts by different parties hereto.
TORTOISE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE CORPORATION, | |||
the Borrower | |||
By:
|
|||
Name:
|
|||
Title:
|
|||
[NAME OF AGENT], | |||
as Agent | |||
By:
|
|||
Name:
|
|||
Title:
|
Exhibit E
Annex I to Assignment and Assumption Agreement
1. | Amounts: | ||||
Revolving Credit Loan Commitment Amount | |||||
(a)
|
Amount of Assigned Share1
|
$ | |||
(b)
|
Aggregate Amount for all Banks
|
$ | |||
(c)
|
Assignee’s Assigned Share Percentage2
|
$ |
|
||
2. | Settlement Date: | ____________, 20__ |
1 Must be at least $5,000,000.
2 Line 1(a) divided by line 1(b); round to 12 decimal places
Exhibit E