AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT among HIGHLAND CREDIT STRATEGIES FUND, as Borrower LIBERTY STREET FUNDING LLC, as Conduit Lender THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, ACTING THROUGH ITS NEW YORK AGENCY, as Secondary Lender and THE BANK...
Exhibit (13)(g)
AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
among
HIGHLAND CREDIT STRATEGIES FUND,
as Borrower
as Borrower
LIBERTY STREET FUNDING LLC,
as Conduit Lender
as Conduit Lender
and
Dated as of August 22, 2008
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION |
1 | |||
SECTION 1.01. Definitions |
1 | |||
SECTION
1.02. Rules of Construction |
27 | |||
SECTION 1.03. Computation of Time Periods |
28 | |||
ARTICLE II ADVANCES TO THE BORROWER |
28 | |||
SECTION 2.01. Advance Facility |
28 | |||
SECTION 2.02. Making of Advances |
28 | |||
SECTION 2.03. Noteless Agreement; Evidence of Indebtedness |
29 | |||
SECTION 2.04. Maturity of the Advances |
30 | |||
SECTION 2.05. Prepayment of the Advances |
30 | |||
SECTION 2.06. Yield |
31 | |||
SECTION 2.07. Increased Costs |
31 | |||
SECTION 2.08. Compensation |
32 | |||
SECTION 2.09. Additional Yield on Eurodollar Rate Advances |
33 | |||
SECTION 2.10. Termination or Reduction of the Total Commitment |
33 | |||
SECTION 2.11. Rescission or Return of Payment |
33 | |||
SECTION 2.12. Fees Payable by Borrower |
34 | |||
SECTION 2.13. Post Default Interest |
34 | |||
SECTION 2.14. Payments |
34 | |||
SECTION 2.15. Ratable Payments |
35 | |||
SECTION 2.16. Borrower’s Obligations Absolute |
35 | |||
ARTICLE III CONDITIONS PRECEDENT |
35 | |||
SECTION 3.01. Conditions Precedent to the Effectiveness of this Agreement |
35 | |||
SECTION 3.02. Conditions Precedent to All Advances |
36 | |||
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES |
37 | |||
SECTION 4.01. Representations and Warranties of the Borrower |
37 | |||
ARTICLE V COVENANTS |
40 | |||
SECTION 5.01. Affirmative Covenants of the Borrower |
40 | |||
SECTION 5.02. Negative Covenants of the Borrower |
45 | |||
ARTICLE VI EVENTS OF DEFAULT |
48 | |||
SECTION 6.01. Events of Default |
48 | |||
ARTICLE VII PLEDGE OF PLEDGED COLLATERAL; RIGHTS OF THE AGENT |
50 |
i
Page | ||||
SECTION 7.01. Security Interests |
50 | |||
SECTION 7.02. Substitution of Collateral and Release of Security Interest |
51 | |||
SECTION 7.03. Application of Proceeds |
52 | |||
SECTION 7.04. Rights and Remedies upon Event of Default |
53 | |||
SECTION 7.05. Remedies Cumulative |
54 | |||
SECTION 7.06. Enforcement of Remedies under the Custodial Agreement and Loan Documents |
54 | |||
SECTION 7.07. Authorization to File Financing Statements |
54 | |||
ARTICLE VIII THE AGENT |
55 | |||
SECTION 8.01. Authorization and Action |
55 | |||
SECTION 8.02. Delegation of Duties |
55 | |||
SECTION
8.03. Agent’s Reliance, Etc. |
55 | |||
SECTION 8.04. Indemnification |
56 | |||
SECTION 8.05. Successor Agent |
56 | |||
SECTION 8.06. Notice of Name Change |
57 | |||
ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS |
57 | |||
SECTION 9.01. No Waiver; Modifications in Writing |
57 | |||
SECTION
9.02. Notices, Etc. |
58 | |||
SECTION 9.03. Taxes |
58 | |||
SECTION 9.04. Costs and Expenses; Indemnification |
61 | |||
SECTION 9.05. Execution in Counterparts |
62 | |||
SECTION 9.06. Assignability |
62 | |||
SECTION 9.07. Governing Law |
64 | |||
SECTION 9.08. Severability of Provisions |
64 | |||
SECTION 9.09. Confidentiality |
64 | |||
SECTION 9.10. Merger |
65 | |||
SECTION 9.11. No Proceedings; No Recourse |
65 | |||
SECTION 9.12. Survival of Representations and Warranties |
65 | |||
SECTION 9.13. Loan Documents |
65 | |||
SECTION
9.14. Submission to Jurisdiction; Waivers; Etc. |
66 | |||
SECTION 9.15. E-Mail Reports |
67 | |||
SECTION 9.16. Waiver of Jury Trial |
67 | |||
SECTION 9.17. Several Obligations |
.67 | |||
SECTION 9.18. Limitation on Liability |
67 | |||
SECTION 9.19. Amendment and Restatement |
67 |
ii
SCHEDULES
Schedule I
|
Certain Advance Rates | |
Schedule II
|
Form of Investor Report | |
Schedule III
|
Form of Weekly Portfolio Report | |
Schedule IV
|
Industry Classification Criteria | |
Schedule V
|
Scope of Audit | |
Schedule VI
|
[Reserved] | |
Schedule VII
|
Principal Office | |
Schedule VIII
|
Foreign Currency Advance Rates |
EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT A
|
Form of Advance Note (if requested) | |
EXHIBIT B
|
Form of Notice of Borrowing | |
EXHIBIT C
|
Form of Assignment and Acceptance | |
EXHIBIT D
|
Form of Notice of Prepayment | |
EXHIBIT E
|
Perfection Representations, Warranties and Covenants |
iii
AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT, dated as of August 22, 2008
among LIBERTY STREET FUNDING LLC, as the Conduit Lender, THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, ACTING THROUGH
ITS NEW YORK AGENCY and the other Secondary Lenders (as hereinafter defined) from time to time
parties hereto, THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, ACTING THROUGH ITS NEW YORK AGENCY, as agent for the
Secured Parties (as hereinafter defined) (in such capacity, together with its successors and
assigns, the “Agent”), and HIGHLAND CREDIT STRATEGIES FUND, a Delaware statutory trust
(together with its permitted successors and assigns, the “Borrower”).
W
I T N E S S E
T H:
WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Conduit Lender (as hereinafter defined), the Secondary Lenders and
the Agent are parties to that certain Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of August
25, 2006 (as heretofore amended, the “Existing Credit Agreement”); and
WHEREAS, the parties wish to amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement in its entirety;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual covenants herein contained,
the parties hereto agree that the Existing Credit Agreement shall be amended and restated in its
entirety as of the date hereof as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION
DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION
SECTION 1.01. Definitions.
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
“Adjusted Asset Value” means in respect of any Borrowing Base Eligible Asset, as of
any date of determination, an amount equal to the product of (i) the Asset Value of such Borrowing
Base Eligible Asset as of such date, and (ii) the applicable Advance Rate for such Borrowing Base
Eligible Asset.
“Advance” means each borrowing by the Borrower pursuant to Article II,
provided that if the Conduit Lender assigns a portion of any Advance made by it pursuant to
an Asset Purchase Agreement or otherwise or any Secondary Lender assigns a portion of any
outstanding Advance made by it pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance, the portion of such
Advance retained by such Conduit Lender or Secondary Lender, as the case may be, and the portion of
such Advance acquired by such assignee shall each be deemed to constitute separate Advances which
were made on the same Borrowing Date for purposes of this Agreement.
“Advance Note” means each promissory note, if any, issued by the Borrower to the
Conduit Lender or a Secondary Lender in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.03,
substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, as the same may from time to time be amended,
supplemented, waived or modified.
“Advance Rate” means (a) in respect of Cash, 100%, (b) in respect of Eligible
Government Securities, Eligible Money Market Investments and Eligible Repurchase Agreements, (i) if
such Asset has a next-day maturity, 100% and (ii) otherwise, (A) if such Asset is rated by S&P, 90%
or (B) if such Asset is not rated by S&P, 89%, (c) in respect of Eligible Commercial Paper, 96.6%,
(d) in respect of Class A Loan Assets, 82.7%, (e) in respect of Class B Loan Assets, 76.6%, (f) in
respect of Class C Loan Assets, 60.3%,(g) in respect of Class D Loan Assets, 50.5%, (h) in respect
of any Bond Asset, Second Lien Loan Asset or Senior Unsecured Loan Asset, the Advance Rate
determined according to Schedule I hereto, (i) in respect of Large Cap Equity Securities, 37.0%,
(j) in respect of Mid-Cap Equity Securities, 30.2%, (k) in respect of Small Cap Equity Securities,
15.3% and (l) in respect of Eligible Convertible Securities, the rate set forth in the foregoing
clauses (j)-(l) for the Eligible Equity Security into which such security is convertible;
provided, that (i) in the case of any Foreign Currency Asset, the Advance Rate with respect
to such Asset shall be the product of (A)(1) the rate determined in accordance with the foregoing
sentence minus (2) 5.0% multiplied by (B)(1) if such Foreign Currency Asset is subject to a
currency hedge reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, 100% (2) if such Foreign Currency Asset is not
subject to such a currency hedge but is denominated or payable in a currency specified on
Schedule VIII hereto, the foreign currency Advance Rate specified with respect to such
currency on Schedule VIII hereto and (3) otherwise, zero and (ii) in the case of any
Emerging Market Equity Security or any Convertible Security convertible into an Emerging Market
Equity Security, the Advance Rate with respect thereto shall be 15%.
“Advantage Data” means the secondary market bond pricing service maintained by
Advantage Data Inc.
“Adverse Claim” means any Lien or other right, claim, encumbrance or any other type of
preferential arrangement in, of or on any Person’s assets or properties in favor of any other
Person, other than in the case of the Borrower, Permitted Liens.
“Adviser” means Highland Capital or any replacement investment adviser appointed for
the Borrower in accordance with this Agreement.
“Advisory Agreement” means the Investment Advisory Agreement, dated as of June 29,
2006, between Highland Capital and the Borrower, as the same may be amended, supplemented, waived
or modified as permitted under this Agreement.
“Affected Person” means each Lender, each Secondary Lender, any other entity which
enters into a commitment to make or purchase any Advance or any interest therein or to provide any
liquidity or credit enhancement to the Conduit Lender, and any of their respective Affiliates, any
corporation controlling any Lender or any Secondary Lender and any permitted assignee or
participant of any Lender or any Secondary Lender.
“Affiliate” means, in respect of a referenced Person, (a) another Person controlling,
controlled by or under common control with such referenced Person (which in the
2
case of the Conduit Lender and the Agent shall also include any entity which is a special
purpose entity that issues promissory notes and has a relationship to the Agent comparable to that
of the Conduit Lender) or (b) any officer (exclusive of a “ministerial officer” with no authority
to bind a Person), director of or partner in the referenced Person. The terms “control,”
“controlling,” “controlled” and the like mean the direct or indirect possession of the power to
direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person or the disposition of its
assets or properties, whether through ownership, by contract, arrangement or understanding, or
otherwise.
“Agent” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introduction to this
Agreement.
“Agent’s Account” means the special account (account number 2308363CORBK77, ABA No.
00-000-000, Reference: Highland Credit Strategies Fund Revolving Credit Facility, Attention: Loan
Operations) of the Agent maintained at the office of BNS at its Principal Office or to such other
account as the Agent shall designate in writing to the Borrower.
“Aggregate Custodian’s Advance Amount” means the sum of (i) the aggregate unpaid
Dollar amount of all outstanding Custodian’s Overdraft Advances of cash, (ii) the aggregate Asset
Value of all Custodian’s Overdraft Advances of securities to the extent not reimbursed by the
Borrower, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii) above, to the extent not incurred to
pay any fee or expense owing to the Custodian (as securities intermediary, collateral agent,
Custodian or otherwise), and (iii) the accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the amounts set
forth in clauses (i) and (ii) above.
“Agreement” means this Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, as the same may from
time to time be amended, supplemented, waived or modified.
“Alternate Base Rate” means in respect of any Advance for any Settlement Period, a
fluctuating interest rate per annum as shall be in effect from time to time, which rate shall be at
all times equal to the sum of (i) the Applicable Margin plus (ii) the highest of (a) the
Base Rate for such Advance and (b) one-half of one percent (0.5%) per annum above the Federal Funds
Rate.
“Applicable Account” means (i) with respect to amounts owing and payable to the
Conduit Lender under the Program Documents, the special account (account number 2158-13, ABA No.
026-002532, Reference: Highland Strategic Capital Fund) of the Conduit Lender maintained at BNS or
to such other account as the Agent shall designate in writing to the Borrower, and (ii) with
respect to all other amounts owing and payable to any other Secured Party, any Affected Person or
any Indemnified Party under the Program Documents, the Agent’s Account.
“Applicable Law” means any Law of any Authority, including, without limitation, all
Federal and state banking or securities laws, to which the Person in question is subject or by
which it or any of its property is bound.
“Applicable Margin” means, with respect to the Eurodollar Rate, 1.50% per annum and
with respect to the Alternate Base Rate, 1.00% per annum.
3
“Asset Coverage Test” means, as of any date of determination, the Borrower’s “senior
securities representing indebtedness” (as defined in Sections 18(g) and 61(a)(4)of the Investment
Company Act) have “asset coverage” (as defined in Section 18(h) of the Investment Company Act) of
at least 300%, computed on such date of determination regardless of whether or not dividends or
distributions are being made on such date, or whether Debt is being incurred on such date, as if
each outstanding Advance constituted a “senior security” without regard to whether such Advance is
a loan for “temporary purposes” or otherwise excludable from the definition of “senior securities”
under Section 18(g) of the Investment Company Act.
“Asset Purchase Agreement” means the Asset Purchase Agreement or similar agreement
entered into by a Secondary Lender (other than BNS) concurrently with an Assignment and Acceptance.
“Assets” means a collective reference to all items which would be classified as an
“asset” on the balance sheet of the Borrower in accordance with GAAP.
“Asset Value” means, as of any day of determination (a) in respect of Cash, the amount
of such Cash, and (b) in respect of any other Asset, the Value of such Asset computed in the manner
as such Value is required to be computed by the Borrower in accordance with valuation procedures
adopted by the Borrower’s Board of Directors, as from time to time in effect, and in accordance
with Applicable Law, including without limitation, the rules, regulations and interpretations of
the SEC under the Investment Company Act; provided, that (i) in respect of any Asset that
constitutes an Equity Security in respect of which a Permitted Call Option has been sold by the
Borrower, the Asset Value of such Asset shall be the lesser of (A) the Value of such Asset as
computed in accordance with clause (b) of this definition, and (B) the amount that the holder of
such Permitted Call Option is required to pay to exercise such Permitted Call Option and purchase
such Equity Security, (ii) the Asset Value of any Asset shall be net of the Borrower’s liabilities
relating thereto, including without limitation all of the Borrower’s obligations to pay any unpaid
portion of the purchase price thereof, (iii) the Asset Value of any Eligible Repurchase Agreement
shall be determined by the cost plus accrued interest and (iv) when calculating the “Asset Value”
of any Asset the Borrower shall calculate such value in good faith using one of the following
procedures: (A) a quotation received from a Pricing Service, (B) the average of three quotations
received from independent dealers making a market in such security (or, if only two such quotes are
available, the lower of such quotes) (at least one of which quotations must be in writing) or (C)
the last closing price thereof established on a public trading market; provided, further, that for
any Asset for which independent reliable market quotations (which may consist of only an
independent dealer quotation) are not available (or which is not otherwise valued for the Borrower
by a Pricing Service), the Asset Value of such Asset shall be deemed zero for purposes of this
definition.
“Assignee Rate” means, in respect of any Advance made by a Secondary Lender, acquired
by a Lender (other than the Conduit Lender) or funded by the Conduit Lender through participations,
an interest rate per annum equal to the sum of the Applicable Margin plus the Eurodollar
Rate for the applicable Settlement Period; provided, however, that in case of:
(i) any Advance with respect to which, on or prior to the first day of the related
Settlement Period, a Lender (other than the Conduit Lender) or Secondary
4
Lender shall have notified the Agent that the introduction of or any change in or in
the interpretation of any law or regulation makes it unlawful, or any central bank or other
governmental authority asserts that it is unlawful, for such Lender or Secondary Lender to
fund such Advance at the Assignee Rate set forth above, the “Assignee Rate” applicable to
such Advance shall be an interest rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate until the
date two Business Days after such Lender or such Secondary Lender shall have subsequently
notified the Agent that such circumstances no longer exist;
(ii) any Advance previously funded by the Conduit Lender through the issuance of
promissory notes and with respect to which the Agent receives notice that such Advance has
ceased to be so funded by the Conduit Lender, for a period of two Business Days following
receipt of such notice the “Assignee Rate” applicable to such Advance shall be an interest
rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate; and
(iii) any Advance that is less than $500,000, the “Assignee Rate” applicable to such
Advance shall be an interest rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate.
“Assignment and Acceptance” means the Assignment and Acceptance, in substantially the
form of Exhibit C hereto, entered into by a Secondary Lender, an Eligible Assignee, the Agent and,
if required by the terms of Section 9.06(b), the Borrower, pursuant to which such Eligible
Assignee became a party to this Agreement.
“Authority” means any governmental or quasi-governmental authority (including the
National Association of Securities Dealers, the stock exchanges, the SEC and any accounting board
or authority (whether or not a part of government) which is responsible for the establishment or
interpretation of national or international accounting principles, in each case whether foreign or
domestic), whether executive, legislative, judicial, administrative or other, or any combination
thereof, including, without limitation, any Federal, state, territorial, county, municipal or other
government or governmental or quasi-governmental agency, arbitrator, board, body, branch, bureau,
commission, corporation, court, department, instrumentality, master, mediator, panel, referee,
system or other political unit or subdivision or other entity of any of the foregoing, whether
domestic or foreign.
“Base Rate” means, for any day, the rate of interest in effect for such day as
publicly announced from time to time by BNS at its Principal Office as its “reference rate.” Such
“reference rate” is set by BNS based upon various factors, including BNS’s costs and desired
return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing
some loans, which may be priced at, above or below such announced rate.
“Benefit Arrangement” means an employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section
3(3) of ERISA which is subject to the provisions of Title I of ERISA and is not a Plan or a
Multiemployer Plan.
“BNS” means The Bank of Nova Scotia, acting through its New York Agency, and its
successors.
5
“Bond Asset” means any Asset that is a direct interest in a corporate bond obligation.
“Borrower” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the introduction to this
Agreement.
“Borrower Obligations” means all indebtedness, whether absolute, fixed or contingent,
at any time or from time to time owing by the Borrower to any Secured Party or any Affected Person
under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Program Document, including without
limitation, all amounts payable by the Borrower in respect of the Advances, with interest thereon,
and the amounts payable under Sections 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 2.11, 2.12, 2.13, 7.04(b),
9.03 and 9.04 of this Agreement.
“Borrower’s Account” means the account designated Account No. 340120383888 and ABA No.
000000000 maintained with PFPC or such other account as the Borrower shall designate in writing to
the Agent.
“Borrowing Base” means on the date any determination thereof is made, an amount equal
to (i) the aggregate Adjusted Asset Value of all Eligible Collateral as of such date of
determination in which the Agent has a valid and perfected first priority security interest free
and clear of Adverse Claims, minus (ii) the Borrowing Base Excess Amount as of such date of
determination.
“Borrowing Base Eligible Asset” means Cash, any Eligible Money Market Investment, any
Eligible Loan Asset, any Eligible Commercial Paper Note, any Eligible Repurchase Agreement, any
Eligible Bond Asset, any Eligible Government Security, any Eligible Convertible Security and any
Eligible Equity Security (including, without limitation, any such Asset constituting a Foreign
Asset) which the Borrower is permitted to purchase in accordance with the Investment Policies and
Restrictions which are free and clear of all Adverse Claims; provided, that such Asset (a)
does not constitute (i) a Derivatives Transaction, an Illiquid Asset, or a Foreign Security System
Asset or (ii) an Asset which is the subject of a reverse repurchase agreement, dollar roll, short
sale, call option, securities lending transaction or other Derivatives Transaction (other than (A)
Permitted Call Options or (B) Derivatives Transactions entered into solely to protect against
interest rate or currency risk which have not been entered into for speculative purposes),
including, without limitation, any cash or other Asset maintained in a segregated account with the
Custodian relating to any outstanding reverse repurchase agreement, put option or other Derivatives
Transaction entered into by the Borrower or any cash or Asset subject to a Lien described in clause
(viii) of the definition of Permitted Lien and (b) except with respect to Eligible Loan Assets and
Cash, has an industry CUSIP, SEDOL or ISIN number that has been provided to the Custodian.
“Borrowing Base Excess Amount” means as of any date any determination thereof is made,
an amount equal to the sum (without duplication) of:
(i) the amount by which the aggregate Adjusted Asset Value of all
Eligible Collateral (other than Cash and Eligible Government Securities)
issued or Guaranteed or owing from by any Person (together with all
6
Affiliates of such Person), exceeds five percent (5%) of the aggregate
Adjusted Asset Value of all Eligible Collateral;
(ii) the amount by which the aggregate Adjusted Asset Value of all
Eligible Collateral issued or Guaranteed by or owing from one or more Persons
in a single Industry Class, exceeds twenty percent (20%) of the aggregate
Adjusted Asset Value of all Eligible Collateral;
(iii) [Intentionally Omitted];
(iv) the amount by which the aggregate Adjusted Asset Value of all
Eligible Collateral which constitute Foreign Assets exceeds twenty percent
(20%) of the aggregate Adjusted Asset Value of all Eligible Collateral;
(v) the amount by which the aggregate Adjusted Asset Value of all
Eligible Collateral which constitute Foreign Assets relating to Obligors in
any single Developed Market (other than the United States of America) exceeds
twenty percent (20%) of the aggregate Adjusted Asset Value of all Eligible
Collateral;
(vi) the amount by which the aggregate Adjusted Asset Value of all
Eligible Collateral which constitute Emerging Market Assets exceeds ten
percent (10%) of the aggregate Adjusted Asset Value of all Eligible
Collateral;
(vii) the amount by which the Adjusted Asset Value of all Eligible
Collateral which constitutes Distressed Loan Assets or Distressed Bond
Assets, in the aggregate, exceeds thirty-five percent (35%) of the aggregate
Adjusted Asset Value of all Eligible Collateral; and
(viii) the amount by which the aggregate Adjusted Asset Value of all
Eligible Collateral which constitutes participations in Loan Assets from
individual Selling Institutions exceeds ten percent (10%) of the aggregate
Adjusted Asset Value of all Eligible Collateral.
“Borrowing Base Test” means as of any date of determination that the Borrowing Base
shall be equal to or greater than Credits Outstanding.
“Borrowing Date” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.02.
“Business Day” means any day on which (i) banks are not authorized or required to
close in New York, New York or Philadelphia, Pennsylvania or the New York Stock Exchange is not
authorized or required to close, and (ii) if this definition of “Business Day” is utilized in
connection with a Eurodollar Rate Advance, dealings in dollar deposits are carried out in the
London interbank market.
“Cash” means United States Dollars immediately available on the day in question and
credited to the Collateral Account.
7
“Class A Loan Asset” means as of any date of determination, a Borrowing Base Eligible
Asset which (i) is a Senior Secured Loan Asset, (ii) is not a Distressed Loan Asset, and (iii) has
an Asset Value which is greater than ninety percent (90%) of its par value as of such date of
determination.
“Class B Loan Asset” means as of any date of determination, a Borrowing Base Eligible
Asset which (i) is a Senior Secured Loan Asset, (ii) is not a Distressed Loan Asset, and (iii) has
an Asset Value which is equal to or less than ninety percent (90%) of its par value as of such date
of determination.
“Class C Loan Asset” means as of any date of determination, a Borrowing Base Eligible
Asset which (i) is a Senior Secured Loan Asset, (ii) is a Distressed Loan Asset, and (iii) has an
Asset Value which is greater than eighty-five percent (85%) of its par value as of such date of
determination.
“Class D Loan Asset” means as of any date of determination, a Borrowing Base Eligible
Asset which (i) is a Senior Secured Loan Asset, (ii) is a Distressed Loan Asset, and (iii) has an
Asset Value which is equal to or less than eighty-five percent (85%) of its par value as of such
date of determination.
“Closing Date” means August 25, 2006.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, or any
successor statute.
“Collateral Account” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Control
Agreement.
“Conduit Lender” means Liberty Street Funding LLC, together with its permitted
successors and assigns that constitute special purpose entities that issue promissory notes or
other debt securities.
“Control Agreement” means the Control Agreement dated as of the Closing Date among the
Borrower, the Agent and PFPC, as the same may from time to time be amended, supplemented, waived or
modified.
“Controlling Jurisdiction” means, with respect to any Asset, (a) the jurisdiction
under the laws of which the Borrower is organized, and (b) any other jurisdiction recourse to the
courts of which may be necessary for Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties to enforce their rights
as creditors with a first priority perfected security interest the assets which constitute Pledged
Collateral.
“Convertible Security” means a security that is convertible or exchangeable into an
Equity Security.
“CP Rate” for each day during a Settlement Period for any Advance means to the extent
the Conduit Lender funds such Advance on such day by issuing promissory notes, the per annum rate
equivalent to the weighted average of the per annum rates paid or payable by the
8
Conduit Lender from time to time as interest on or otherwise (by means of interest rate xxxxxx
or otherwise) in respect of those promissory notes issued by the Conduit Lender that are allocated,
in whole or in part, by the Agent (on behalf of the Conduit Lender) to fund the making or
maintenance of such Advance on such day during such Settlement Period as determined by the Agent
(on behalf of the Conduit Lender) and reported to the Borrower, which rates shall reflect and give
effect to the commissions of placement agents and dealers in respect of such promissory notes, to
the extent such commissions are allocated, in whole or in part, to such promissory notes by the
Agent on behalf of the Conduit Lender; provided, however, that if any component of
such rate is a discount rate, in calculating the “CP Rate” for such day the Agent shall for such
component use the rate resulting from converting such discount rate to an interest bearing
equivalent rate per annum.
“Credits Outstanding” means at any time a determination thereof is made, an amount
equal to the sum of (i) the outstanding principal amount of all Advances, plus (ii) any
unpaid and past due Yield accrued on the outstanding advances, plus (iii) the Yield that would
accrue on the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Advances through the sixty (60) day
period following such date of determination, computed by reference to the Assignee Rate based upon
the applicable Eurodollar Rates plus the Applicable Margin for a thirty (30) day period in
effect as of the time of determination, plus (iv) the Aggregate Custodian’s Advance Amount
plus (v) $150,000 plus (vi) an amount equal to the obligations of the Borrower described in
clauses (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) and
(vii) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” (including, without limitation, amounts owing
to the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement and Permitted Expenses) reasonably expected to be
incurred by the Borrower during the thirty (30) day period following such date of determination.
“Custodial Agreement” means the Custodian Services Agreement, dated as of June 1,
2006, between the Borrower and PFPC, as the same may from time to time be amended, restated,
supplemented, waived or modified as permitted under the Program Documents.
“Custodian” means PFPC, as custodian under the Custodial Agreement and as securities
intermediary under the Control Agreement, and its permitted successors and assigns in such
capacities.
“Custodian’s Overdraft Advances” means any advance of cash, assets or securities by
the Custodian pursuant to or in connection with the Custodial Agreement.
“Debt” means with respect to any Person, at any date, without duplication, (i) all
“senior securities representing indebtedness” (as defined in Sections 18(g) and 61(a)(4) of the
Investment Company Act), (ii) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, including without
limitation, all obligations of such Person which are evidenced by letters of credit or letter of
credit reimbursement arrangements, (iii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds,
debentures, notes, acceptances or other similar instruments, (iv) all obligations of such Person to
pay the deferred purchase price of property or services, (v) all obligations of such Person as
lessee which are capitalized in accordance with GAAP, (vi) all Debt of others secured by a Lien on
any asset of such Person, whether or not such Debt is assumed by such Person, (vii) payment
obligations, fixed or contingent, under investment, financial derivative or similar contracts
(other than covered short sales), (viii) all Debt of others Guaranteed by such Person, and (ix) to
the
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extent not otherwise included, all items which in accordance with GAAP would be included in
determining total liabilities as shown on the liabilities side of such Person’s balance sheet.
“Declaration of Trust” means that certain Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the
Borrower, dated as of March 10, 2006, as the same may from time to time be amended, restated,
supplemented, waived or modified as permitted under the Program Documents.
“Default” means any event which, with the passage of time, the giving of notice, or
both, would constitute an Event of Default.
“Derivatives Transaction” means any financial futures contract, option, forward
contract, warrant, swap, swaption, collar, floor, cap, synthetic security and any other agreement,
instrument and derivative and other transactions of a similar nature (whether currency linked,
index linked, insurance risk linked, credit linked or otherwise) or any other financial instrument,
traded on or off an exchange, the price of which is directly dependent upon the value of one or
more underlying securities, equity indices, debt instruments (including Loan Assets), commodities,
other derivative instruments, or any agreed upon pricing index or arrangement; provided,
that a Structured Finance Asset shall not constitute a Derivatives Transaction.
“Developed Market” means any country which is a member of the Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development and which has a sovereign credit rating for “foreign currency”
of at least “AA-” and “Aa3” from S&P and Moody’s, respectively.
“Developed Market Asset” means any Foreign Asset issued or Guaranteed by any Person
organized under the laws of a Developed Market, and, in the case of any Loan Asset or Bond Asset,
the Obligor of which is organized under the laws of a Developed Market.
“DIP Loan Asset” means a Loan Asset with respect to which (i) the Obligor is a debtor
in possession under the Bankruptcy Code and (ii) the related loan was incurred by such Obligor and
secured by assets of such Obligor pursuant to Section 364(d) of the Bankruptcy Code.
“Distressed Bond Asset” means, as of any date of determination, a Bond Asset (a) the
Obligor of which is the subject of a bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation or other similar
proceeding, (b) which is in default beyond the applicable grace period, if any, as to payment of
principal or interest, or (c) which is rated less than “Ca” by Moody’s or less than “CC” by S&P or
which, if unrated, is in the reasonable judgment of the Adviser, of equivalent credit quality;
provided, that any such Bond Asset that (i) has an Asset Value which is greater than eighty percent
(80%) of its par value as of such date of determination and (ii) is not in default beyond any
applicable grace period as to payment of interest shall not constitute a Distressed Bond Asset and
(A) if such Bond Asset is secured, such Bond Asset shall constitute a Class B Loan Asset for all
purposes hereunder and (B) is such Bond Asset is unsecured, such Bond Asset shall constitute a Bond
Asset for all purposes hereunder having ratings from S&P and Moody’s that correspond to ratings
provided on bonds trading at a price relative to par similar to such Bond Asset.
“Distressed Loan Asset” means, as of any date of determination, a Loan Asset (a) the
Obligor of which is the subject of a bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation or other similar
proceedings, (b) which is in default beyond the applicable grace period, if any, as to payment of
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principal or interest, (c) which is otherwise classified by the Adviser or the Borrower as
“distressed” or “non-performing,” (d) in respect of which the related Obligor is rated less than
“Ca” by Moody’s or less than “CC” by S&P or which, if unrated, is in the reasonable judgment of the
Adviser of equivalent credit quality or (e) in respect of which there is a default or a breach of a
material provision under the related Loan Documents or a “default” or “event of default” has
occurred and is continuing under the related Loan Documents; provided, that any such Loan Asset
that (i) has an Asset Value which is greater than eighty percent (80%) of its par value as of such
date of determination and (ii) is not in default beyond any applicable grace period as to payment
of interest shall not constitute a Distressed Loan Asset and shall constitute a Class B Loan Asset
for all purposes hereunder.
“Dollars” and “$” mean lawful money of the United States of America.
“Eligible Assignee” means any financial or other institution acceptable to the Agent.
“Eligible Bond Asset” at any time means a Bond Asset (i) with respect to which the
interest payable on the principal amount thereof by the related Obligor is payable in cash; (ii)
which is part of an issuance of corporate debt securities with an original aggregate principal
amount as of the Origination Date of such Bond Asset which is at least equal to $50,000,000; and
(iii) which has a scheduled final maturity date no later than the thirtieth (30th)
anniversary after the related Origination Date.
“Eligible Collateral” means at any time the Pledged Collateral which constitutes
Borrowing Base Eligible Assets.
“EJV” means the secondary market fixed income securities pricing service database
maintained by Reuters.
“Eligible Commercial Paper Note” means a promissory note (i) issued in the commercial
paper market by an obligor having its principal office in the United States of America, having a
maturity of not more than 270 days and which (a) is rated at least “A-1+” by S&P and at least “P-1”
by Moody’s, (ii) custodied with the Custodian or a sub-custodian pursuant to the Custodial
Agreement, (iii) subject to the Custodian’s control in accordance with the Control Agreement, (iv)
credited to the Collateral Account, and (v) in respect of which all actions have been taken under
this Agreement and the Control Agreement to create and perfect in the Agent, for the benefit of the
Secured Parties, a first priority perfected security interest.
“Eligible Convertible Security” means a Convertible Security which is convertible or
exchangeable into an Eligible Equity Security.
“Eligible Equity Security” means an Equity Security (other than Preferred Stock) that
(a) is currently listed on, and has been listed for at least the past fifteen (15) months on, an
Eligible Stock Exchange, (b) has a per share trading price of at least $1.00, (c) which was issued
by an issuer having an equity market capitalization of at least $100,000,000 and (d) is not
Restricted Stock.
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“Eligible Government Securities” means direct obligations of the United States of
America or of its agencies or instrumentalities that are entitled to the full faith and credit of
the United States of America and that, other than treasury bills, provide for the periodic payment
of interest and the full payment of principal at maturity or call for redemption and are held in an
account maintained by the Custodian and in respect of which all actions have been taken under this
Agreement and the Control Agreement to create and perfect in the Agent, for the benefit of the
Secured Parties, a first priority perfected security interest.
“Eligible Loan Asset” at any time means a Loan Asset:
(i) with respect to which the interest payable on the principal amount thereof by the
related Obligor is payable in cash;
(ii) in respect of which the Borrower’s interest is not a subparticipation;
(iii) which has a scheduled final maturity date no later than the tenth
(10th) anniversary after the related Origination Date;
(iv) constitutes a Senior Secured Loan Asset, Second Lien Loan Asset or Senior
Unsecured Loan Asset;
(v) which is part of a syndicated credit facility with an aggregate outstanding
principal amount of all loans under such facility on the Origination Date of such Loan Asset
which is at least equal to $50,000,000;
(vi) which relates to Loan Documents in which the Borrower’s interest (direct or
participating) in the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all loans thereunder is no
greater than thirty-three and one-third percent (33.33%);
(vii) in respect of which the related Loan Documents are not subject to any
confidentiality arrangement which would preclude the Agent from reviewing such Loan
Documents;
(viii) in which the Borrower’s interest in all collateral security therefor and
principal and interest payments thereunder is no less than pro rata and pari
passu with all other lenders under (or participants in) the related credit facility
or, to the extent such Loan Assets constitutes an interest in a second-lien facility, is no
less than pro rata and pari passu with all other lenders under (or
participants in) such second-lien facility;
(ix) in respect of which, if the Borrower’s interest therein is that of a participant,
the credit rating of the related Selling Institution is no less than “A-” from S&P and “A3”
from Moody’s;
(x) the pledge of which under Article VII of this Agreement, would not conflict with or
constitute a default under or be prohibited by any anti assignment or other provisions
contained in the related Loan Documents, except for anti-assignment provisions rendered
ineffective by applicable law; and
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(xi) in respect of which the credit rating of the related Transaction Agent or its
controlling Affiliate is no less than “A-” from S&P or “A3” from Moody’s.
“Eligible Money Market Investment” means an investment in a money market fund having a
rating of “AAAm” or “AAAm-g” from S&P and a rating of “P-1” from Moody’s and held in an account
maintained by the Custodian and in respect of which all actions have been taken under this
Agreement and the Control Agreement to create and perfect in the Agent, for the benefit of the
Secured Parties, a first priority perfected security interest.
“Eligible Repurchase Agreement” means a repurchase agreement with a maturity of less
than five (5) days with respect to which the Borrower has purchased the investment which is the
subject of such repurchase agreement for cash, entered into by the Borrower with a third party
whose short term debt instruments are rated “A-1” or “A-1+” by S&P and “P-1” by Moody’s and held in
an account maintained by the Custodian and in respect of which all actions have been taken under
this Agreement and the Control Agreement to create and perfect in the Agent, for the benefit of the
Secured Parties, a first priority perfected security interest.
“Eligible Stock Exchange” means any of the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock
Exchange, the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, the Boston Stock Exchange, the Washington Stock
Exchange, the Midwest Stock Exchange, NASDAQ and National Market Quotations.
“E-Mail Report” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.15.
“Equity Securities” means common stock, Preferred Stock, warrants, trust certificates,
real estate investment trusts, membership interests or partnership interests; provided,
that any Asset that otherwise constitutes a Structured Finance Asset shall be deemed not to
constitute an Equity Security.
“Emerging Market Asset” means any Foreign Asset that is not a Developed Market Asset.
“Emerging Market Bond Asset” means any Bond Asset that is an Emerging Market Asset.
“Emerging Market Equity Security” means any Equity Security that is an Emerging Market
Asset.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from
time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder.
“ERISA Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person under common
control with such Person within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.
“Eurocurrency Liabilities” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Regulation
D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time.
13
“Eurodollar Additional Yield” means additional Yield on the outstanding principal of
each Advance during the Settlement Period in respect of such Advance in respect of which Yield is
computed by reference to the Eurodollar Rate, for such Settlement Period, at a rate per annum equal
at all times during such Settlement Period to the remainder obtained by subtracting (i) the
Eurodollar Rate for such Settlement Period from (ii) the rate obtained by dividing such Eurodollar
Rate referred to in clause (i) above by that percentage equal to one-hundred percent (100%) minus
the Eurodollar Rate Reserve Percentage of the applicable Lender or Secondary Lender, as the case
may be, for such Settlement Period.
“Eurodollar Rate” means, for any Eurodollar Rate Advance for any Settlement Period, an
interest rate per annum equal to the rate per annum at which deposits in Dollars are offered by the
principal office of BNS in London, England to prime banks in the London interbank market at 11:00
A.M. (London time) two (2) Business Days before the first day of such Settlement Period in an
amount substantially equal to the outstanding principal amount of such Eurodollar Rate Advance on
such first day and for a period substantially equal to such Settlement Period.
“Eurodollar Rate Advance” means an Advance the Yield on which is computed with
reference to the Eurodollar Rate.
“Eurodollar Rate Reserve Percentage” for any Settlement Period for any Eurodollar Rate
Advance means the reserve percentage applicable during such Settlement Period under regulations
issued from time to time by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor)
(or if more than one such percentage shall be applicable, the daily average of such percentages for
those days in such Settlement Period during which any such percentage shall be so applicable) for
determining the maximum reserve requirement (including, without limitation, any emergency,
supplemental or other marginal reserve requirement) for a Lender or any Secondary Lender with
respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency Liabilities (or any other
category of liabilities that includes deposits by reference to which the interest rate on
Eurocurrency Liabilities is determined) having a term comparable to such Settlement Period.
“Event of Default” means any of the events, acts or occurrences set forth in Section
6.01.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules
and regulations of the SEC thereunder, all as from time to time in effect, or any successor law,
rules or regulations, and any reference to any statutory or regulatory provision shall be deemed to
be a reference to any successor statutory or regulatory provision.
“Excluded Taxes” means with respect to any Person (a) income, franchise or similar
Taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income or net profits by the United States of America, or
by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such recipient is organized, in which its principal
office is located or in which it is otherwise doing business or, in the case of any Secured Party,
in which its applicable lending office is located, (b) any branch profits Taxes imposed by the
United States of America or any similar Tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which the Borrower
is located, (c) any withholding Tax that is imposed on amounts payable to
14
such Person at the time such Person becomes a party to this Agreement (or designates a new
lending office), except to the extent that such Person (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at
the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from
the Borrower pursuant to Section 9.03(a) and (d) Taxes, to the extent the imposition of such Taxes
is attributable to such Person’s failure to comply with Section 9.03(e) or any Taxes imposed as a
result of such Person’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.
“Existing Credit Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the
Recitals hereto.
“Federal Funds Rate” means, for any period, a fluctuating interest rate per annum
equal for each day during such period to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal
funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as
published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day)
by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is
a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by BNS
from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.
“Fee Letter” means that certain amended and restated letter agreement dated the date
hereof between the Borrower and the Agent, as the same may from time to time be amended,
supplemented, waived or modified.
“Floating Rate” means an interest rate calculated by reference to the prime rate, the
London interbank offered rate, the certificate of deposit rate, the federal funds rate or any other
per annum rate commonly referred to in the United States of America banking industry as a “floating
rate”.
“Foreign Asset” means any Asset issued or Guaranteed by any Person organized under the
laws of any country other than the United States of America and, in the case of any Loan Asset or
Bond Asset, the Obligor of which is organized under the laws of any country other than the United
States of America.
“Foreign Currency Asset” means any Asset which is denominated or payable in a currency
other than Dollars.
“Foreign Security System Asset” means an Asset held by a sub-custodian of the
Custodian which is not located in the United States of America.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America,
in effect from time to time, consistently applied.
“Governmental Authorizations” means all franchises, permits, licenses, approvals,
consents and other authorizations of all Authorities.
“Governmental Filings” means all filings, including franchise and similar tax filings,
and the payment of all fees, assessments, interests and penalties associated with such filing with
all Authorities.
15
“Guarantee” by any Person means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such
Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Debt or other obligation of any other Person and,
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or
otherwise, of such Person (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or
payment of) such Debt or other obligation (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements,
or by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or
to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (ii) entered into for the purpose of
assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Debt or other obligation of the payment thereof or
to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided that the
term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of
business. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
“Highland Capital” means Highland Capital Management, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership, and its successors.
“Illiquid Asset” means as of any date, any Asset (i) for which there is no established
public or private institutional trading market, such that such Asset may be reasonably expected to
be sold in such market within fourteen (14) days in the ordinary course of business at a price
approximating the Asset Value of such Asset on such date subject only to fluctuations in the market
price therefor, (ii) the fair market value of which is not readily ascertainable from recognized
independent sources in the market for such Assets or (iii) otherwise classified as an “illiquid
security” by the Borrower or the Adviser.
“Indemnified Taxes” means all Taxes other than Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes.
“Industry Class” means each industry class determined by the Adviser based upon the
criteria set forth on Schedule IV hereto, as such Schedule IV may be amended and supplemented from
time to time with the prior written consent of the Agent.
“Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the
rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder, as modified or interpreted by orders of the SEC, or
other interpretative releases or letters issued by the SEC or its staff, all as from time to time
in effect, or any successor law, rules or regulations, and any reference to any statutory or
regulatory provision shall be deemed to be a reference to any successor statutory or regulatory
provision.
“Investment Policies and Restrictions” means the provisions dealing with investment
objectives, policies, distributions, investment restrictions, tender offers, repurchases, leverage
and non-diversified status as set forth in the Borrower’s Prospectus in effect on the Closing Date
as modified as permitted under this Agreement.
“Investor Report” means the Investor Report of the Borrower substantially in the form
of Schedule II hereto.
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“Large Cap Equity Security” means any Borrowing Base Eligible Asset that constitutes
an Eligible Equity Security issued by an issuer having equity market capitalization of at least
$10,000,000,000.
“Law” means any action, code, consent decree, constitution, decree, directive,
enactment, finding, guideline, law, injunction, interpretation, judgment, order, ordinance, policy
statement, proclamation, promulgation, regulation, requirement, rule, rule of law, rule of public
policy, settlement agreement, statute, or writ, of any Authority, or any particular section, part
or provision thereof.
“Lender” means the Conduit Lender, together with all Persons which acquire or are
obligated to acquire any interest in any Advance from the Conduit Lender under the Asset Purchase
Agreement or in the case of BNS, under any similar arrangement, or otherwise.
“Lender Termination Date” means the date which is the earlier to occur of (i) the
Secondary Lender Stated Expiration Date, and (ii) the date on which the Total Commitment is reduced
to zero or terminated pursuant to the terms hereof, including, without limitation, pursuant to
Section 2.10 or Section 6.01.
“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement,
encumbrance, lien or security interest (statutory or other), or preference, priority or other
security agreement or preferential arrangement 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, and the filing of any financing
statement under the UCC or comparable law of any jurisdiction).
“Liquidation Fee” means, in respect of any Advance for any Settlement Period which is
funded by the Conduit Lender during which the principal on such Advance is repaid by the Borrower
in whole or in part prior to the end of said Settlement Period, the amount, if any, by which (i)
the additional Yield (calculated without taking into account any Liquidation Fee or any shortened
duration of such Settlement Period) which would have accrued during such Settlement Period on the
reduction of the outstanding principal amount of such Advance relating to such Settlement Period
had such reductions remained as outstanding principal, exceeds (ii) that income, if any, received
by the Conduit Lender’s investing the proceeds of such reductions of principal.
“Loan Asset” means any Asset that is a direct or participation or subparticipation
interest in or assignment or novation of a loan or other extension of credit (other than a Bond
Asset).
“Loan Documents” means with respect to any Loan Asset, each loan agreement, promissory
note, collateral security agreement, participation certificate, guarantee and any other agreement
or document evidencing, securing, governing or executed in connection with such Loan Asset,
including without limitation, the agreements and instruments in respect of which the Borrower
acquired such Loan Asset.
“Loan X Service” means the secondary market loan pricing service maintained by Markit
Group Limited.
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“LSTA/LPC Xxxx-to-Market Pricing Service” means the secondary market pricing service
for bank loan assets sponsored by The Loan Syndications and Trading Association, Inc. in
association with the Loan Pricing Corporation.
“Margin Stock” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Regulation U.
“Margin Stock Percentage” means, as of any date of determination, the then current
percentage of market value assigned by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System under
Section 221.7 of Regulation U to Margin Stock (which percentage, as of the Restatement Effective
Date, is fifty percent (50%)).
“Material Adverse Effect” means (i) a material adverse effect on the ability of the
Borrower to fully perform its material obligations under this Agreement or any other Program
Document, (ii) a material adverse effect on any Secured Party’s right, title and interest in any
material amount of the Pledged Collateral or on the rights and remedies of any Secured Party under
any Program Document, (iii) a material adverse effect on the validity or enforceability of this
Agreement or any other Program Document or (iv) a material adverse effect on the business,
financial position, operations, Assets or properties of the Borrower or the Adviser.
“Maturity Date” means (i) with respect to any Advance funded by a Lender, the Lender
Termination Date (or if such day is not a Business Day, the Business Day immediately preceding such
date), and (ii) with respect to any Advance made by a Secondary Lender, the Secondary Lender
Termination Date (or if such day is not a Business Day, the Business Day immediately preceding such
date).
“Mid-Cap Equity Security” means any Borrowing Base Eligible Asset that constitutes an
Eligible Equity Security issued by an issuer having equity market capitalization that is (i) less
than $10,000,000,000 and (ii) equal to or greater than $2,000,000,000.
“Moody’s” means Xxxxx’x Investors Service, Inc., together with its successors.
“Xxxxx’x Rating” means, at any time with respect to any Bond Asset, Second Lien Loan
Asset or Senior Unsecured Loan Asset, the rating issued by Moody’s and then in effect with respect
to such Asset or, if no such rating is available with respect to such Asset, the rating issued by
Moody’s and then in effect with respect to the Obligor thereof; provided, that, with
respect to any Emerging Market Bond Asset, the Xxxxx’x Rating shall be the lower of (i) the rating
determined in accordance with the foregoing sentence and (ii) the sovereign credit rating for
“foreign currency” assigned by Moody’s to the country in which the related Obligor is organized.
“Multiemployer Plan” means an employee pension benefit plan within the meaning of
Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
“Municipal Authority” means any state, territorial, county, municipal or other local
government or any governmental agency, corporation, department, instrumentality or other political
unit or subdivision or other entity of any of the foregoing.
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“New York UCC” means the UCC as in effect from time to time in the State of New York.
“Notice of Borrowing” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.02.
“Notice of Exclusive Control” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the
Control Agreement.
“Obligor” means (i) in respect of any Loan Asset, the Person primarily obligated under
the related Loan Documents to repay the loan or extension of credit which is the subject of such
Loan Asset and (ii) in respect of any Bond Asset, the issuer thereof and any other Person primarily
obligated to repay the obligations thereunder.
“Origination Date” means (i) in respect of any Loan Asset the initial date on which
the proceeds of the loan or other extension of credit which is the subject of such Loan Asset was
advanced to the Obligor under the related Loan Documents and (ii) in respect of any Bond Asset, the
initial date on which the proceeds of the issuance of such Asset was advanced to the Obligor
thereof.
“Other Taxes” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.03(b).
“Percentage” of any Secondary Lender means, (i) with respect to BNS, the percentage
set forth on the signature page to this Agreement, or such amount as reduced by any Assignment and
Acceptance entered into with an Eligible Assignee, or (ii) with respect to a Secondary Lender that
has entered into an Assignment and Acceptance, the percentage set forth therein as such Secondary
Lender’s Percentage, or such amount as reduced by an Assignment and Acceptance entered into between
such Secondary Lender and an Eligible Assignee.
“Perfection Representations, Warranties and Covenants” means those perfection
representations, warranties and covenants set forth in Exhibit E, attached hereto.
“Permitted Call Option” means a call option in respect of common stock which grants to
the buyer of such call option the right to purchase such common stock at a fixed price before a
specified date.
“Permitted Debt” means (i) Debt arising under this Agreement or the other Program
Documents to the Secured Parties, (ii) accrued expenses and current trade accounts payable incurred
in the ordinary course of the Borrower’s business which are not overdue for a period of more than
thirty (30) days or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (iii) Debt
in favor of the Custodian relating to Custodian’s Overdraft Advances incurred in the ordinary
course of the Borrower’s business, which are not overdue and which do not exceed the amount
permitted by Section 5.02(o), (iv) fee and expense obligations to the Custodian and other
similar agents which are providing services in respect of the Borrower’s Assets in each case which
have arisen in the ordinary course of the Borrower’s business which are not overdue for a period in
excess of thirty (30) days, (v) Debt (other than Debt for borrowed money) arising in connection
with transactions in the ordinary course of the Borrower’s business in connection with its
purchasing of Assets, Derivatives Transactions, reverse repurchase
19
agreements or dollar rolls to the extent such transactions are permitted under the Investment
Company Act and the Borrower’s Investment Policies and Restrictions, (vi) obligations of the
Borrower to fund future extensions of credit under the Loan Documents relating to its Loan Assets
which do not exceed five percent (5%) of the aggregate Asset Value of the Borrower’s Assets and
which are not overdue, and (vii) Debt in respect of judgments or awards that have been in force for
less than the applicable period for taking an appeal so long as such judgments or awards do not
constitute an Event of Default and so long as execution is not levied thereunder or in respect of
which the Borrower (A) shall at the time in good faith be diligently prosecuting an appeal or
proceeding for review and in respect of which a stay of execution shall have been obtained pending
such appeal or review, or (B) shall have obtained an unsecured performance bond in respect of such
judgment or award.
“Permitted Expenses” shall mean fees, compensation, costs and expenses owing to PFPC
secured by a prior security interest ahead of the security interest of Agent in the Pledged
Collateral to the extent permitted under Section 10 of the Control Agreement.
“Permitted Liens” means in respect of any Asset of the Borrower, (i) Liens of any
Secured Party created by or pursuant to this Agreement or the Control Agreement, (ii) Liens of the
Custodian securing the Custodian’s Overdraft Advances to the extent such Custodian’s Overdraft
Advances do not exceed the amount permitted by Section 5.02(o), (iii) Liens of the Custodian
securing indemnification payments owing by the Borrower in favor of the Custodian in an amount not
to exceed $100,000, (iv) Liens of the Custodian for Permitted Expenses which are not overdue for a
period of thirty (30) days, (v) Liens of the Custodian which are by the terms of the Control
Agreement expressly subordinated to the payment of the Borrower Obligations, (vi) Liens (other than
non-possessory Liens which pursuant to Applicable Law are, or may be, entitled to take priority (in
whole or in part) over prior, perfected liens and security interests) for taxes, assessments or
other governmental charges or levies not at the time delinquent or being diligently contested in
good faith by appropriate actions diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves in
accordance with GAAP shall have been set aside on the Borrower’s books, (vii) Liens in respect of
judgments or awards that have been in force for less than the applicable period for taking an
appeal so long as such judgments or awards do not constitute an Event of Default and so long as the
Borrower shall at the time in good faith be diligently prosecuting an appeal or proceeding for
review and in respect of which a stay of execution shall have been obtained pending such appeal or
review, (viii) Liens in respect of Debt permitted under clause (iv) of the definition of Permitted
Debt and (ix) Liens on cash or Assets posted as collateral for short sales, trades of credit
default swaps and other Derivatives Transactions in the ordinary course of business in accordance
with the Investment Policies and Restrictions (including, without limitation, cash or Assets (x)
commingled in a pooled account with cash or Assets deposited therein as collateral for Derivatives
Transactions by other Persons administered or managed by the Advisor and (y) subject to a Lien
securing obligations of the Borrower and such other Persons with respect to Derivatives
Transactions).
“Permitted Senior Securities” means “senior securities” within the meaning of the
Investment Company Act which constitute Advances under this Agreement, Derivatives Transactions,
repurchase transactions, reverse repurchase transactions or commitments of the Borrower to fund
future advances or other extensions of credit under any Loan Document, to the
20
extent the issuance of any such senior security by the Borrower is not in contravention of the
Investment Company Act or the Borrower’s Investment Policies and Restrictions.
“Person” means an individual or a corporation (including a business trust),
partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint stock company, limited
liability company, government (or an agency or political subdivision thereof) or other entity of
any kind.
“PFPC” means PFPC Trust Company, a Delaware limited purpose trust company, and its
successors.
“Plan” means an employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) which
is covered by Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of
the Code.
“Pledged Collateral” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.01.
“Post-Default Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate as in
effect from time to time plus two percent (2.00%).
“Preferred Stock” means a security, including a trust preferred security, which
represents an equity interest in an issuer that entitles the holder to receive, in preference to
holders of other equity interests (other than other classes of preferred stock) such as common
stock, dividends and a fixed share of the proceeds resulting from the liquidation of such issuer.
“Pricing Service” means Advantage Data, EJV, Loan X Service and LSTA/LPC
Xxxx-to-Market Pricing Service.
“Principal Office” means the principal office of BNS presently located at New York,
New York or at such other location as the Agent shall designate in writing to the Borrower.
“Private Authorizations” means all franchises, permits, licenses, approvals, consents
and other authorizations of all Persons (other than Authorities) including, without limitation,
those with respect to trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, computer software
programs, technical and other know-how.
“Proceeds” shall have, with reference to any asset or property, the meaning assigned
to it under the UCC and, in any event, shall include, but not be limited to, any and all amounts
from time to time paid or payable under or in connection with such asset or property.
“Program Documents” means this Agreement, the Advance Notes, the Asset Purchase
Agreement, the Control Agreement, the Custodial Agreement, the Advisory Agreement, the Fee Letter
and the other agreements, documents and instruments entered into or delivered in connection
herewith or therewith.
21
“Program Termination Date” means the later to occur of (i) the Secondary Lender
Termination Date, and (ii) the date that all Borrower Obligations have been finally paid in full;
provided, however, that if any payment in respect of any Borrower Obligation made
to any Secured Party must be rescinded or returned for any reason whatsoever (including the
insolvency or bankruptcy of the Borrower) such Borrower Obligation shall be deemed to be reinstated
as though such payment had not been made and the Program Termination Date shall be deemed to have
not occurred.
“Prospectus” means with respect to the Borrower the prospectus dated June 23, 2006
filed with the SEC as a part of the Borrower’s registration statement on Form N-2, as amended (or
any successor SEC form), and shall include, without limitation, the related statement of additional
information, if any, included in such registration statement, and all supplements, amendments and
modifications thereto as of the Closing Date, and as further supplemented, amended or modified in
accordance with Applicable Law, including, without limitation, the Securities Act and the
Investment Company Act.
“Rating Agencies” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.09(a).
“Rating Agency Condition” means, with respect to any amendment, modification,
supplement, termination or waiver of this Agreement, that prior confirmation has been obtained from
each Rating Agency that such action will not result in the reduction, withdrawal or suspension of
such Rating Agency’s rating of the Advances.
“Regulation U” means Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System, as in effect from time to time.
“Regulation X” means Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System, as in effect from time to time.
“Requested Amount” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.02.
“Responsible Officer” means in respect of any Person, the president, the executive
vice president, the senior vice president, any vice president, the treasurer, general counsel or
any other duly authorized officer of such Person; provided that the Agent shall have
received a manually signed certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of such Person as to
the incumbency of, and bearing a manual specimen signature of, such duly authorized officer.
“Restatement Effective Date” means the first date on which the conditions precedent
specified in Section 3.01 shall have been fully satisfied.
“Restricted Payments” means (i) the declaration of any distribution or dividends
(other than distributions payable solely in shares of beneficial interest in the Borrower) on, or
the payment on account of, or the setting apart of assets for a sinking or other analogous fund
for, or the purchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition of any class of stock of the
Borrower or of any warrants, options or other rights to acquire the same (or to make any payment to
any Person, such as “phantom stock” payments), whether now or hereafter outstanding, either
22
directly or indirectly, whether in cash, property or in obligations of the Borrower, and (ii)
the payment of fees and expenses to the Adviser or the Administrator or any Affiliate of the
Adviser or the Administrator, as applicable, as compensation for the provision of managerial,
administrative services or otherwise.
“Restricted Stock” means any Equity Security that (i) constitutes a “Restricted
Security” (as defined in Rule 144(a)(e) under the Securities Act) or (ii) is traded on Pink Sheets
or a similar quotation system for over-the-counter securities.
“Revolving Credit Facility” means any credit facility in respect of which the Borrower
has or may have any direct or indirect obligation to fund any additional loans or extensions of
credit.
“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc., together
with its successors.
“S&P Rating” means, at any time with respect to any Bond Asset, Second Lien Loan Asset
or Senior Unsecured Loan Asset, the rating issued by S&P and then in effect with respect to such
Asset or, if no such rating is available with respect to such Asset, the rating issued by S&P and
then in effect with respect to the Obligor thereof; provided, that, with respect to any
Emerging Market Bond Asset, the S&P Rating shall be the lower of (i) the rating determined in
accordance with the foregoing sentence and (ii) the sovereign credit rating for “foreign currency”
assigned by S&P to the country in which the related Obligor is organized.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other governmental authority
of the United States of America at the time administrating the Securities Act, the Investment
Company Act or the Exchange Act.
“Secondary Lender Commitment” means (i) with respect to BNS, an amount equal to the
Total Commitment, as such amount shall be adjusted by any Assignment and Acceptance entered into
between BNS and an Eligible Assignee in accordance with and subject to Section 9.06(b), or
(ii) with respect to a Secondary Lender that has entered into an Assignment and Acceptance, the
amount set forth therein as such Secondary Lender’s “Secondary Lender Commitment” in each case as
such amount may be reduced by an Assignment and Acceptance entered into between such Secondary
Lender and an Eligible Assignee in accordance with and subject to Section 9.06(b), and as
may be further reduced (or terminated) pursuant to the next sentence. Any reduction (or
termination) of the Total Commitment pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall reduce ratably
(or terminate) each Secondary Lender’s Secondary Lender Commitment. References to the unused
portion of any Secondary Lender’s Secondary Lender Commitment shall mean, at any time, such
Secondary Lender’s Secondary Lender Commitment then in effect, minus the outstanding principal
amount of the Advances funded by such Secondary Lender.
“Secondary Lender Stated Expiration Date” means August 21, 2009; provided that prior
to such date (or the date so extended pursuant to this proviso), upon the Borrower’s written
request to the Agent, which request shall be received by the Agent, not more than sixty (60) days
nor less than thirty (30) days prior to the then current Secondary Lender Stated
23
Expiration Date, one or more Secondary Lenders having in the aggregate 100% of the Total
Commitment may, in their sole discretion, consent, which consent shall be given not less than
twenty (20) days after the date the Agent receives such request to extend the Secondary Lender
Stated Expiration Date (the date any such consent is given, the “Extension Date”), to the
extension of the Secondary Lender Stated Expiration Date to the date occurring 364 days after such
Extension Date; provided, however, that any failure of any Secondary Lender to
respond to the Borrower’s request for such extension shall be deemed a denial of such request by
such Secondary Lender.
“Secondary Lender Termination Date” means the earlier of (i) the Secondary Lender
Stated Expiration Date, and (ii) the date the Total Commitment shall terminate pursuant to
Section 2.10 or Section 6.01.
“Secondary Lenders” means BNS and each Eligible Assignee that becomes a party to this
Agreement pursuant to Section 9.06(b).
“Second Lien Loan Asset” means a Secured Loan Asset (other than a Senior Secured Loan
Asset) that (a) is only subordinated in right of payment to a Senior Secured Loan Asset and (b) is
secured by a valid second priority perfected security interest in or lien on specified collateral
securing the applicable Obligor’s obligation under such Secured Loan Asset that in the opinion of
the Adviser has value at least equal to the amount of such Secured Loan Asset, which specified
collateral does not consist solely of common stock or shares issued by such Obligor or any
Affiliates or intangible assets.
“Secured Loan Asset” means a Loan Asset that is secured by a valid and perfected
security interest in specified collateral.
“Senior Secured Loan Asset” means a Secured Loan Asset that is not subordinated by its
terms to indebtedness of the applicable Obligor for borrowed money, trade claims, capitalized
leases, or other similar obligations, with a first priority security interest in collateral that in
the opinion of the Adviser has value at least equal to the amount of such Secured Loan Asset and is
not a DIP Loan Asset.
“Senior Unsecured Loan Asset” means a Loan Asset that is not (i) subordinated by its
terms to indebtedness of the borrower for borrowed money or (ii) secured by a valid and perfected
security interest in collateral.
“Secured Parties” means the Agent, the Lenders, the Secondary Lenders and their
respective successors and assigns.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and
regulations of the SEC thereunder, all as from time to time in effect, or any successor law, rules
or regulations, and any reference to any statutory or regulatory provisions shall be deemed to be a
reference to any successor statutory or regulatory provision.
“Security Entitlement” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section
8-102(a)(17) of the UCC.
24
“Selling Institution” means in respect of any Loan Asset which constitutes a
participation interest, the Person which has granted or sold to the Borrower a participation
interest in the loan or other extension of credit which is the subject of such Loan Asset.
“Settlement Date” means the date which is two (2) Business Days after the end of each
Settlement Period; provided that (i) for purposes of the payment of Yield, with respect to any
Settlement Period for which Yield is computed by reference to the Eurodollar Rate, the Settlement
Date shall be the last day of the Settlement Period and (ii) for purposes of the payment of any
fees, the Settlement Date shall be the date which is two (2) Business Days after the end of each
calendar month.
“Settlement Period” means in respect of any Advance:
(a) in the case of any Advance in respect of which Yield is computed by reference to the CP
Rate, the period beginning on the date such Advance was made and ending on the last day of the
calendar month in which such Advance was made, and thereafter each successive period commencing on
the first day of each calendar month during the term of this Agreement and ending on the last day
of such calendar month during the term of this Agreement;
(b) in the case of any Advance in respect of which Yield is computed by reference to the
Eurodollar Rate, the period beginning on either (i) the date such Advance was made as, or converted
to, a Eurodollar Rate Advance or (ii) as applicable, the date on which the previous Settlement
Period with respect thereto determined in accordance with this paragraph expired, and ending on the
numerically corresponding day in the following calendar month; provided, that (A) if any
such Settlement Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Settlement Period shall
be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall
in the next calendar month, in which case such Settlement Period shall end on the next preceding
Business Day and (B) any such Settlement Period that commences on the last Business Day of a
calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the following
calendar month) shall end on the last Business Day of the following calendar month;
(c) in the case of any Advance in respect of which Yield is computed by reference to the
Alternate Base Rate, the period beginning on the date such Advance was made as, or converted to, an
Advance accruing Yield at such rate and ending on the last day of the calendar month in which such
Advance was made and, thereafter each successive period commencing on the first day of each
calendar month during the term of this Agreement and ending on the last day of such calendar month
during the term of this Agreement;
provided, however, that in the case of any Settlement Period for any Advance which
commences before the Maturity Date for such Advance and would otherwise end on a date occurring
after such Maturity Date, such Settlement Period shall end on such Maturity Date and the duration
of each Settlement Period which commences on or after the Maturity Date for such Advance may be any
period (including, without limitation, a period of one day) as shall be selected from time to time
by the Agent; provided, further, that if pursuant to the terms hereof the interest
rate applicable to any Advance shall change during the term of any Settlement Period, such
Settlement Period shall end on the date of such change of rate.
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“Small Cap Equity Security” means any Borrowing Base Eligible Asset that constitutes
an Eligible Equity Security issued by an issuer having equity market capitalization of less than
$2,000,000,000.
“Structured Finance Asset” means any Asset that is a debt obligation or pass-through
security issued by a special purpose trust or other entity structured to be bankruptcy remote and
representing a direct or indirect participation in, or that is secured by, a diversified pool of
assets, including, without limitation, commercial or residential real property, commercial loans,
bonds, credit card receivables, leases or other financial assets.
“Taxes” means any taxes, levies, imposts, duties, fees, assessments, deductions,
withholdings or other charges of whatever nature, including income, receipts, excise, property,
sales, use, transfer, license, payroll, withholding, social security, franchise, intangibles, stamp
or recording taxes imposed by any taxing Authority, and all interest, penalties and similar
liabilities relating thereto.
“Termination Event” means the occurrence of any of the following:
(a) the Borrower shall purchase any Asset not contemplated by the Prospectus or the Investment
Policies and Restrictions in effect on the Closing Date and shall not have sold such Asset within
ten (10) Business Days after the earlier of (i) the Borrower or the Adviser obtaining knowledge
that such Asset does not comply with the Prospectus or the Investment Policies and Restrictions or
(ii) receipt by the Borrower of notice from the Agent detailing such non-compliance;
(b) the Borrower shall, without the prior written consent of the Agent, engage in any line of
business not contemplated by the Prospectus or the Investment Policies and Restrictions in effect
on the Closing Date; or
(c) the Borrower shall, without the prior written consent of the Agent, permit any material
change in the Investment Policies and Restrictions in effect on the Closing Date or the fundamental
investment objectives, policies and restrictions (as such term is defined in the Investment Company
Act) of the Borrower (it being agreed that any such change requiring the consent or approval of the
shareholders of the Borrower shall be deemed material for purposes of this paragraph (c)).
“Total Commitment” means $380,000,000, as such amount may be reduced pursuant to
Section 2.10.
“Transaction Agent” means a commercial bank, insurance company, finance company or
other financial institution that is acting as agent or trustee under the Loan Documents relating to
any Loan Asset.
“Trustee” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Declaration of Trust.
“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code, as from time to time in effect in the
applicable jurisdictions.
26
“Value” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2(a)(41) of the
Investment Company Act.
“Weekly Portfolio Report” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section
5.01(e)(viii).
“Yield” means for any Advance during any Settlement Period:
(i) if such Advance will be funded or maintained by the Conduit Lender during such
Settlement Period through the issuance of promissory notes, for each day during such
Settlement Period,
CPR x P
|
+ | LF |
(ii) if such Advance will be funded or maintained during such Settlement Period by the
Conduit Lender through the sale of a participation, or by a Secondary Lender or a Lender
(other than the Conduit Lender), for each day during such Settlement Period,
AR x P
|
+ | LF |
where:
AR
|
= | the Assignee Rate for such Advance on such day | ||
P
|
= | the outstanding principal amount of such Advance on such day | ||
CPR
|
= | the CP Rate for such Advance on such day | ||
LF
|
= | the Liquidation Fee, if any, for such Advance for such Settlement Period (expressed as a daily amount); |
provided, further, that Yield for any Advance shall not be considered paid by
any distribution to the extent that at any time all or a portion of such distribution is rescinded
or must otherwise be returned for any reason.
SECTION 1.02. Rules of Construction.
For all purposes of this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the
context otherwise requires (i) singular words shall connote the plural as well as the singular, and
vice versa (except as indicated), as may be appropriate, (ii) the words “herein,” “hereof” and
“hereunder” and other words of similar import used in this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a
whole and not to any particular appendix, article, schedule, section, paragraph, clause, exhibit or
other subdivision, (iii) the headings, subheadings and table of contents set forth in this
Agreement are solely for convenience of reference and shall not constitute a part of this
27
Agreement nor shall they affect the meaning, construction or effect of any provision hereof,
(iv) references in this Agreement to “including” shall mean including without limiting the
generality of any description preceding such term, and for purposes hereof the rule of ejusdem
generis shall not be applicable to limit a general statement, followed by or referable to an
enumeration of specific matters, to matters similar to those specifically mentioned, and (v) each
of the parties to this Agreement and its counsel have reviewed and revised, or requested revisions
to, this Agreement, and the usual rule of construction that any ambiguities are to be resolved
against the drafting party shall be inapplicable in the construction and interpretation of this
Agreement.
SECTION 1.03. Computation of Time Periods.
Unless otherwise stated in this Agreement, in the computation of a period of time from a
specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including” and the words
“to” and “until” both mean “to but excluding”.
ARTICLE II
ADVANCES TO THE BORROWER
ADVANCES TO THE BORROWER
SECTION 2.01. Advance Facility.
On the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, including without limitation, Sections 3.01
and 3.02, the Conduit Lender may, in its sole discretion, make Advances to the Borrower on any
Borrowing Date from the date hereof to the Lender Termination Date. On the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth, including without limitation, Sections 3.01 and 3.02 and during the period
from the date hereof to the Secondary Lender Termination Date, the Secondary Lenders shall make
Advances to the Borrower, ratably in accordance with their respective Secondary Lender Commitments,
to the extent the Conduit Lender has determined not to make such Advance. Under no circumstances
shall the Conduit Lender or any Secondary Lender make any such Advance, to the extent that after
giving effect to the making of such Advance the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding
Advances would exceed the Total Commitment. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms
and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay and reborrow Advances.
SECTION 2.02. Making of Advances.
The Borrower shall give the Agent written notice (which notice shall be irrevocable and
effective only upon receipt by the Agent) of each request for an Advance (each such request a
“Notice of Borrowing”) not later than 12:00 noon (New York City time) on the day which is
two (2) Business Days prior to the proposed borrowing date, which notice shall specify (i) the
proposed borrowing date therefor (each such date, a “Borrowing Date”), and (ii) the
aggregate principal amount of the proposed borrowing (the “Requested Amount”). Any such
Notice of Borrowing shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, dated the date such
request is being made, signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and otherwise appropriately
completed. The Requested Amount specified in any Notice or Borrowing shall be at least $1,000,000
and in integral multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof. During the period prior to the Lender
Termination Date, the Conduit Lender shall promptly notify the Agent whether it has determined to
make a proposed Advance and the Agent shall promptly thereafter
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notify the Borrower whether the Conduit Lender has determined to make such Advance. If the
Conduit Lender has declined to make such proposed Advance, the Agent shall promptly send notice of
the proposed borrowing to all of the Secondary Lenders concurrently by telecopier, telex or cable
specifying the Borrowing Date for such borrowing, each Secondary Lender’s Percentage multiplied by
the Requested Amount and whether the Yield for such Advance is calculated based on the Eurodollar
Rate or the Alternate Base Rate. On each Borrowing Date, the Conduit Lender or the Secondary
Lenders shall, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, make available to the
Borrower at the Borrower’s Account Advances in an amount equal to the Requested Amount in
immediately available funds. To the extent not covered by Section 2.08, the Borrower shall
indemnify the Conduit Lender, each Secondary Lender and the Agent against any loss or expense
incurred by them as a result of any failure by the Borrower to accept any Advance requested in a
Notice of Borrowing or as a result of the failure of the Borrower to receive any Advance requested
in a Notice of Borrowing as a result of the failure of any condition precedent to the making of
such Advance to be satisfied, including, without limitation, any loss or expense incurred by reason
of the liquidation or reemployment of funds acquired or requested to fund such Advance.
SECTION 2.03. Noteless Agreement; Evidence of Indebtedness.
(a) Each Lender and each Secondary Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice
an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender or such Secondary
Lender, as applicable, resulting from each Advance made by such Lender or such Secondary Lender, as
applicable, from time to time, including the amounts of principal and Yield thereon and paid to
such Lender or Secondary Lender, as applicable, from time to time hereunder.
(b) The Agent shall maintain accounts in which it will record (i) the amount of each Advance
made hereunder and the Settlement Period with respect thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal and
Yield due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender and each
Secondary Lender hereunder, and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Agent hereunder from
the Borrower and each Lender’s and each Secondary Lender’s share thereof.
(c) The entries maintained in the accounts maintained pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) of this
Section 2.03 shall be rebuttable presumptive evidence of the existence and amounts of the Borrower
Obligations therein recorded; provided, however, that the failure of the Agent, any
Lender or any Secondary Lender to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any
manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Borrower Obligations in accordance with
their terms.
(d) The Conduit Lender or any Secondary Lender may request that its Advances be evidenced by
an Advance Note. In such event, the Borrower shall promptly prepare, execute and deliver to the
Conduit Lender or such Secondary Lender, as applicable, an Advance Note payable to the order of the
Conduit Lender or such Secondary Lender, as applicable. Thereafter, the Advances evidenced by such
Advance Note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after any assignment pursuant to
Section 9.06) be represented by one or more Advance Notes payable to the order of the payee named
therein or any assignee pursuant to
29
Section 9.06, except to the extent that the Conduit Lender, such Secondary Lender or assignee
subsequently returns to the Borrower any such Advance Note for cancellation and requests that such
Advance once again be evidenced as described in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 2.03. In
connection with any assignment pursuant to Section 9.06, if the assigning Secondary Lender shall
have an Advance Note issued to it, the assigning Secondary Lender shall promptly return its Advance
Note to the Borrower marked “cancelled”.
SECTION 2.04. Maturity of the Advances.
The principal amount of and the accrued and unpaid Yield on each outstanding Advance shall be
due and payable by the Borrower on the Maturity Date for such Advance.
SECTION 2.05. Prepayment of the Advances.
(a) The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time, upon not less than
one (1) Business Day’s prior written notice in the form of Exhibit D hereto or telephonic notice
(in the case of telephonic notice, promptly confirmed in writing in the form of Exhibit D hereto)
to the Agent specifying the date and amount of such prepayment, to prepay (without any premium or
penalty, except for any Liquidation Fee or amount payable under Section 2.08) all or a portion of
the outstanding Advances, together with unpaid Yield on all Advances that are paid in full on such
date of prepayment, on a Business Day; provided that any such prepayment, if a partial
prepayment, shall be at least $1,000,000 and in integral multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof.
(b) If on any Business Day the Borrower is not in full compliance with the Borrowing Base
Test, the Borrower shall on such date of date of determination (a “Determination Date”) (I)
notify the Agent of such failure to comply, and (II) on the Business Day next succeeding such
Determination Date (each such date, a “Compliance Certification Date”) prepay Advances
(together with Yield thereon) in an amount necessary to cause the Borrower to be in full compliance
with the Borrowing Base Test on such Compliance Certification Date; provided,
however, that to the extent the Borrower does not have sufficient available funds to fully
cure such compliance shortfall on such Compliance Certification Date, then the Borrower shall (i)
on such Compliance Certification Date prepay outstanding Advances in the amount of its available
funds; (ii) as promptly as practicable and in any event no later than the close of business on the
twelfth (12th) Business Day following such Determination Date prepay Advances in a
principal amount (and pay the Yield thereon) at least sufficient to cause the Borrowing Base to be
at least equal to the product of (x) 1.05 and (y) the Credits Outstanding, as determined on such
Compliance Certification Date; and (iii) no later than the close of business on such Compliance
Certification Date, deliver to the Agent a certificate, signed by an Responsible Officer of the
Borrower, that (1) certifies the amount of the compliance shortfall and (2) certifies that the
requirements of this Section 2.05(b) shall be satisfied on or prior to the twelfth
(12th) Business Day following such Determination Date.
(c) If at any time the aggregate credit extended by the Lenders and the Secondary Lenders in
connection with this Agreement exceeds the sum of (x) the product of (a) the Margin Stock
Percentage multiplied by (b) the current market value (as defined in Regulation U) of all Margin
Stock of the Borrower, plus, (y) the good faith loan value (as determined in
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accordance with Regulation U) of all other Assets of the Borrower, the Borrower shall
immediately prepay the outstanding Advances in an amount equal to such excess, together with all
accrued and unpaid Yield thereon.
(d) Subject to Section 7.03, the amount of each prepayment under this Section 2.05 shall be
applied ratably to the Advances of each Lender and each Secondary Lender in the order in which such
Advances were made by such Lender or Secondary Lender; provided, however, that the
amount of such prepayment shall be applied first to any outstanding Advances of the
applicable Lender or Secondary Lender in respect of which Yield is computed by reference to the
Alternate Base Rate, second to any outstanding Advances of the applicable Lender or
Secondary Lender in respect of which Yield is computed by reference to the Eurodollar Rate, and
third to any outstanding Advances of the applicable Lender or Secondary Lender in respect
of which Yield is computed by reference to the CP Rate.
(e) If at any time the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Advances exceeds the
Total Commitment, the Borrower shall immediately repay the outstanding Advances in an amount equal
to such excess, together with all accrued and unpaid Yield thereon.
SECTION 2.06. Yield.
(a) The Borrower hereby agrees to pay the Yield computed with reference to the principal
amount of each Advance outstanding from time to time. Yield accruing in respect of any Advance for
any Settlement Period shall be due and payable on the Settlement Date immediately succeeding such
Settlement Period and as required by Section 2.05.
(b) The Agent shall prepare and send to the Borrower an invoice with respect to each
Settlement Date on the second Business Day preceding such Settlement Date setting forth (i) amounts
due on such Settlement Date in respect of Yield and fees hereunder and (ii) the rates of interest
used in determining such Yield.
(c) It is the intention of the parties hereto that the Yield on the Advances shall not exceed
the maximum rate permissible under applicable law. Accordingly, anything herein or in any Advance
Note to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event any Yield is charged to, collected from or
received from or on behalf of the Borrower by the Lenders or the Secondary Lenders pursuant hereto
or thereto in excess of such maximum lawful rate, then the excess of such payment over that maximum
shall be applied first to the payment of amounts then due and owing by the Borrower to the Secured
Parties under the Program Documents (other than in respect of principal and Yield on Advances) and
then to the reduction of the outstanding principal balance of the Advances.
SECTION 2.07. Increased Costs.
(a) If, due to either (i) the introduction of or any change (other than any change by way of
imposition or increase of reserve requirements reflected in the Eurodollar Rate Reserve Percentage)
in or in the interpretation of any Applicable Law or (ii) the compliance with any directive or
guideline issued by, or request from any central bank or other Authority (whether or not having the
force of law), there shall be any increase in the cost to any Affected Person of agreeing to make
or making, funding or maintaining Eurodollar Rate Advances to the
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Borrower, then the Borrower shall from time to time, upon demand by such Affected Person pay
to the Agent for the account of such Affected Person additional amounts sufficient to compensate
such Affected Person for such increased cost. A certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the
amount of such increased cost, submitted to the Borrower by an Affected Person, shall be conclusive
and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in this Agreement, in no event shall this Section 2.07(a) apply to any Taxes, which shall
be governed exclusively by Section 9.03.
(b) If an Affected Person determines that compliance with (i) any Applicable Law or (ii) any
directive or guideline issued by, or request from, any central bank or other Authority charged with
the interpretation or administration thereof (whether or not having the force of law), in either
case, (A) affects or would affect the amount of capital required or reasonably expected to be
maintained by such Affected Person and that the amount of such capital is increased by or based
upon the existence of such Affected Person’s commitment under the Program Documents or upon such
Affected Person’s making, funding or maintaining Advances, (B) increases the cost of making or
maintaining such commitment under the Program Documents or making, funding or maintaining such
Advances to any Affected Person or (C) reduces the return of an Affected Person in connection with
the Program Documents, then, promptly upon written demand of such Affected Person (with a copy of
such demand to the Agent), the Borrower shall immediately pay to the Agent for the account of such
Affected Person, from time to time as specified by such Affected Person, additional amounts
sufficient to compensate such Affected Person for such increased cost and/or reduced return in
light of such circumstances. A certificate setting forth in reasonable detail such amounts and the
circumstances giving rise thereto submitted to the Borrower by such Affected Person shall be
conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in this Agreement, in no event shall this Section 2.07(b) apply to any Taxes,
which shall be governed exclusively by Section 9.03.
(c) Failure or delay on the part of any Affected Person to demand compensation pursuant to
this Section 2.07 shall not constitute a waiver of such Affected Person’s right to demand such
compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate an Affected Person
pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 180 days prior to
the date that such Affected Person notifies the Borrower of the event giving rise to such costs or
reductions and of such Affected Person’s intention to claim compensation therefor;
provided, that if any change giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is
retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of
retroactive effect thereof.
SECTION 2.08. Compensation.
Without duplication of any amount due by the Borrower in respect of any Liquidation Fee, the
Borrower shall compensate each Affected Person, upon its written request (which request shall set
forth the basis for requesting such amounts), for all reasonable losses, expenses and liabilities
(including, without limitation, any interest paid by such Affected Person to lenders of funds
borrowed by it to make or carry its Eurodollar Rate Advances and any loss sustained by such
Affected Person in connection with the re employment of such funds), which such Affected Person may
sustain: (i) if for any reason (other than a default by such Affected
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Person) a borrowing of any Eurodollar Rate Advance by the Borrower does not occur on a date
specified therefor in the Notice of Borrowing (whether or not withdrawn), (ii) if any prepayment of
any of the Borrower’s Eurodollar Rate Advances occurs on a date which is not the last day of a
Settlement Period applicable thereto, (iii) if any prepayment of any of the Borrower’s Eurodollar
Rate Advances is not made on any date specified in a notice of prepayment given by the Borrower, or
(iv) as a consequence of any other default by the Borrower to repay its Eurodollar Rate Advances
when required by the terms of this Agreement.
SECTION 2.09. Additional Yield on Eurodollar Rate Advances.
So long as any Affected Person shall be required under regulations of the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting
of or including Eurocurrency Liabilities, the Borrower shall pay to such Affected Person Eurodollar
Additional Yield on the principal amount of each outstanding Advance on each date on which Yield is
payable on such Advance. Such Eurodollar Additional Yield shall be determined by such Affected
Person and notified to the Borrower through the Agent within thirty (30) days after any payment is
made with respect to which such additional Yield is requested. A certificate as to such Eurodollar
Additional Yield submitted to the Borrower and the Agent shall be conclusive and binding for all
purposes, absent manifest error.
SECTION 2.10. Termination or Reduction of the Total Commitment.
(a) The Borrower may at any time, upon ten (10) Business Days prior written notice to the
Agent, terminate in whole or reduce in part the unused portion of the Total Commitment; provided
that each such partial reduction of the Total Commitment shall be in an amount equal to at least
$5,000,000 or an integral multiple thereof. Upon any such reduction in the Total Commitment, the
Borrower shall immediately make any repayment required pursuant to Section 2.05(e).
(b) The Total Commitment shall automatically terminate in whole on the date seventy-five (75)
days following delivery of a notice of termination by the Agent after the occurrence of a
Termination Event.
(c) The Borrower shall provide each Rating Agency prompt written notice of any termination or
reduction of the Total Commitment pursuant to this Section 2.10.
SECTION 2.11. Rescission or Return of Payment.
The Borrower further agrees that, if at any time all or any part of any payment theretofore
made by it to any Secured Party or their designees is or must be rescinded or returned for any
reason whatsoever (including, without limitation, the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of
the Borrower or any of its Affiliates), the obligation of the Borrower to make such payment to such
Secured Party shall, for the purposes of this Agreement, to the extent that such payment is or must
be rescinded or returned, be deemed to have continued in existence and this Agreement shall
continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, as to such obligations, all as
though such payment had not been made.
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SECTION 2.12. Fees Payable by Borrower.
The Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent and the Secondary Lenders such fees as are set forth
in the Fee Letter.
SECTION 2.13. Post Default Interest.
Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of any Event of Default, the outstanding
principal amount of all Advances and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any interest
payments thereon not paid when due and any fees and other amounts then due and payable hereunder,
shall bear interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code
or other applicable bankruptcy laws, whether or not such interest is allowed or allowable in any
such proceeding) at the Post-Default Rate. Interest at the Post-Default Rate shall accrue from the
initial date of the applicable Event of Default until that Event of Default is cured or waived and
shall be payable upon demand.
SECTION 2.14. Payments.
(a) All amounts owing and payable to any Secured Party, any Affected Person or any Indemnified
Party in respect of the Advances and other Borrower Obligations, including, without limitation, the
principal thereof, Yield, fees, indemnities, expenses or other amounts payable under the Program
Documents, shall be paid in Dollars, in immediately available funds on or prior to 11:00 a.m. (New
York City time) on the date due without counterclaim, setoff, deduction, defense, abatement,
suspension or deferment to the Applicable Account. Any payment paid after 11:00 a.m. (New York
City time) on any day shall be deemed to have been made on the next Business Day for all purposes
of this Agreement (other than Section 6.01(a)).
(b) All computations of interest at the Post-Default Rate and all computations of Yield, fees
and other Borrower Obligations shall be made on the basis of a year of 360 days for the actual
number of days elapsed. Whenever any payment or deposit to be made hereunder shall be due on a day
other than a Business Day, such payment or deposit shall be made on the next succeeding Business
Day and such extension of time shall be included in the computation of such payment or deposit.
(c) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, upon receipt of funds deposited
into the Agent’s Account, the Agent shall distribute such funds, first to the Lenders and
the Secondary Lenders on a pro rata basis in accordance with such amounts owed to each Lender and
Secondary Lender in payment in full of all accrued and unpaid Yield owing to the Lenders and
Secondary Lenders, second to the Lenders, the Secondary Lenders or the Agent, on a pro rata
basis in accordance with such amounts owed to each such Person in payment of any other fees or
other amounts owed by the Borrower to the Lenders, the Secondary Lenders and the Agent under this
Agreement and the other Program Documents (other than in respect of the principal amount of the
Advances), third to the payment of the principal amount of the Advances owing to such
Lenders and Secondary Lenders, and fourth to the Secured Parties on a pro rata basis in
accordance with the amounts owed to each such Person.
(d) During the continuance of an Event of Default all payments in respect of the Borrower
Obligations, payable by or on behalf of the Borrower, including all Proceeds
34
resulting from the sale or disposition of the Pledged Collateral shall be remitted to the
Agent’s Account and applied in accordance with Section 7.03(a).
SECTION 2.15. Ratable Payments.
If any Secondary Lender or Lender (other than the Conduit Lender), whether by set-off,
bankers’ lien, counterclaim or otherwise, has any payment made to it with respect to any Borrower
Obligations owing to it in a greater proportion than that received by any other Lender or Secondary
Lender entitled to receive a ratable share of such payments, such Lender or Secondary Lender
agrees, promptly upon demand, to purchase for cash without recourse or warranty a portion of the
unpaid Borrower Obligations held by the other Lenders and Secondary Lenders so that after such
purchase each Lender and Secondary Lender will hold its ratable proportion of such unpaid Borrower
Obligations; provided that if all or any portion of such excess amount is thereafter
recovered from such Secondary Lender or Lender, as the case may be, such purchase shall be
rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, but without interest.
SECTION 2.16. Borrower’s Obligations Absolute.
The Borrower’s obligations under this Agreement and under the other Program Documents shall be
absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms
hereof and thereof, under any and all circumstances and irrespective of any setoff, counterclaim or
defense to payment which the Borrower, the Adviser or any other Person may have or have had against
any Secured Party or any other Person.
ARTICLE III
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
SECTION 3.01. Conditions Precedent to the Effectiveness of this Agreement.
The effectiveness of this Agreement and the Conduit Lender’s and the Secondary Lenders’
obligations hereunder shall be subject to the conditions precedent that the Agent shall have
received (or waived receipt thereof) the following, each (unless otherwise indicated) in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent in sufficient copies for the Conduit Lender and the
Secondary Lenders:
(a) each of the Program Documents duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto, which
shall be in full force and effect;
(b) the signed opinions of counsel to the Borrower addressed to the Agent, the Conduit Lender
and each Secondary Lender as to such matters as the Agent, the Conduit Lender and each Secondary
Lender shall have reasonably requested;
(c) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying (i) as to its
certificate of incorporation or declaration of trust, as applicable, by-laws and valuation
procedures, (ii) as to the resolutions of its Board of Directors or Board of Trustees, as
applicable, approving this Agreement and the other Program Documents to which it is a party and the
35
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, (iii) that its representations and warranties
set forth in the Program Documents to which it is a party are true and correct, (iv) that, after
giving effect to this Agreement, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and
(v) the incumbency and specimen signature of each of its officers authorized to execute the Program
Documents to which it is a party and of each of its Responsible Officers for purposes of this
Agreement;
(d) a pro-forma Investor Report, which shall evidence compliance with the terms of the Program
Documents, including compliance with the Borrowing Base Test and the Asset Coverage Test as of the
Restatement Effective Date;
(e) the fees to be received by it on or prior to the Restatement Effective Date under this
Agreement and the Fee Letter; and
(f) such other instruments, certificates and documents from the Borrower as the Agent shall
have reasonably requested, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.
SECTION 3.02. Conditions Precedent to All Advances.
The obligation of the Conduit Lender and the Secondary Lenders to make any Advance (including
the initial Advances) on any Borrowing Date shall be subject to the fulfillment of the following
conditions:
(a) each of the representations and warranties of the Borrower and the Custodian contained in
this Agreement, the Control Agreement, and the other Program Documents shall be true and correct as
of such date and shall continue to be true immediately after giving effect to such Advance;
(b) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at or prior to the
time of the making of such Advance or shall result from the making of such Advance;
(c) the conditions precedent set forth in Section 3.01 shall have been fully satisfied
or waived;
(d) immediately after giving effect to such Advance and all other Advances to be made on such
date the Borrower shall be in full compliance with each of the Borrowing Base Test and the Asset
Coverage Test;
(e) immediately after the making of any such Advance and all other Advances to be made on such
date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Advances shall not exceed the Total
Commitment;
(f) the Agent shall have received a pro-forma Investor Report, which shall evidence compliance
with the terms of this Agreement, including compliance with the Asset Coverage Test and the
Borrowing Base Test, after giving effect to all borrowings on such Borrowing Date;
36
(g) the aggregate credit extended by the Lenders and the Secondary Lenders in connection with
this Agreement does not exceed the sum of (x) the Margin Stock Percentage of the current market
value (as defined in Regulation U) of all Margin Stock of the Borrower, plus (y) the good faith
loan value (as determined in accordance with Regulation U) of all other Assets of the Borrower;
(h) the Agent shall have received (i) with respect to the initial Advance to the Borrower, a
Form FR G-3 and a Form FR U-1, each duly completed, executed and delivered by the Borrower
demonstrating the compliance of such initial borrowing with Regulation U, and (ii) with respect to
each subsequent Advance to the Borrower, a Notice of Borrowing that shall constitute an amendment
to the Form FR G-3 and the Form FR U-1 previously delivered in accordance with the provisions of
Section 221.3(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation U; and
(i) the Agent shall have received such other instruments, certificates and documents as the
Agent shall reasonably request.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
SECTION 4.01. Representations and Warranties of the Borrower.
The Borrower represents and warrants to each of the Secured Parties on and as of the
Restatement Effective Date, each Borrowing Date and each date that any Asset is credited to or
removed from the Collateral Account (and in respect of clause (l) below, each date such information
is provided), as follows:
(a) Due Organization. The Borrower is duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware as a Delaware business trust, with full power and
authority to own and operate its assets and properties, conduct the business in which it is now
engaged and to execute and deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other
Program Documents to which it is a party.
(b) Due Qualification and Good Standing. The Borrower is duly qualified to do
business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business, assets
and properties, including, without limitation, the performance of its obligations under this
Agreement and the other Program Documents to which it is a party, requires such qualification.
(c) Due Authorization; Execution and Delivery; Legal, Valid and Binding;
Enforceability. The execution and delivery by the Borrower of, and the performance by the
Borrower of its obligations under the Program Documents to which it is a party and the other
instruments, certificates and agreements contemplated thereby are within its trust powers and have
been duly authorized by all requisite action by the Borrower and have been duly executed and
delivered by the Borrower and constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Borrower
enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with their respective terms, except as
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance,
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally
and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at
law).
37
(d) Noncontravention. Neither the execution and delivery by the Borrower of this
Agreement, the other Program Documents to which it is a party, or any instrument, certificate or
agreement referred to herein or therein, or contemplated hereby or thereby, nor the consummation of
the transactions herein or therein contemplated, nor compliance with the terms, conditions and
provisions hereof or thereof by it, will (i) conflict with, or result in a breach or violation of,
or constitute a default under its declaration of trust or other organizational documents, (ii)
conflict with or contravene (A) any Applicable Law, (B) any contractual restriction binding on or
affecting the Borrower or any of its Assets, or (C) any order, writ, judgment, award, injunction or
decree binding on or affecting the Borrower or any of its Assets, (iii) result in a breach or
violation of, or constitute a default under, or permit the acceleration of any obligation or
liability in, or but for any requirement of the giving of notice or the passage of time (or both)
would constitute such a conflict with, breach or violation of, or default under, or permit any such
acceleration in, any contractual obligation or any agreement or document to which it is a party or
by which it or any of its properties is bound (or to which any such obligation, agreement or
document relates), or (iv) result in any Adverse Claim upon any Asset of the Borrower.
(e) Governmental Authorizations; Private Authorizations; Governmental Filings. The
Borrower has obtained all necessary Governmental Authorizations and Private Authorizations, and
made all Governmental Filings necessary for the execution and delivery by the Borrower of, and the
performance by the Borrower of its obligations under this Agreement, the other Program Documents to
which it is a party and the agreements, certificates and instruments contemplated hereby or
thereby, and no Governmental Authorization, Private Authorization or Governmental Filing which has
not been obtained or made, is required to be obtained or made by it in connection with the
execution and delivery by the Borrower of, or the performance of its obligations under this
Agreement and the other Program Documents.
(f) Security Interest. All Borrowing Base Eligible Assets of the Borrower (including
Cash but excluding Loan Assets) are held in or credited to the Collateral Account. This Agreement
and the Control Agreement and the actions required to be taken pursuant to the terms hereof and
thereof are, and at all times shall be, effective to create and perfect in the Agent for the
benefit of the Secured Parties a first priority perfected security interest in the Pledged
Collateral (subject to the Lien of the Custodian securing (i) the Custodian’s Overdraft Advances to
the extent permitted by Section 5.02(o), (ii) indemnification payments owing by the Borrower in
favor of the Custodian in an amount not to exceed $100,000 and (iii) Permitted Expenses of the
Custodian in an amount not to exceed $50,000) free and clear of all Adverse Claims.
(g) Borrowing Base Eligible Assets, Adverse Claims, Etc. The Borrower owns each
Borrowing Base Eligible Asset free and clear of Adverse Claims and as of the initial Borrowing Date
and at all times thereafter, the Agent has a first priority perfected security interest in the
Pledged Collateral (subject to the Lien of the Custodian securing (i) the Custodian’s Overdraft
Advances to the extent permitted by Section 5.02(o), (ii) indemnification payments owing by the
Borrower in favor of the Custodian in an amount not to exceed $100,000 and (iii) Permitted Expenses
of the Custodian in an amount not to exceed $50,000) free and clear of all Adverse Claims and no
actions, except as have been taken, are necessary or advisable to perfect or protect such security
interest free and clear of Adverse Claims.
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(h) No Financing Statement. No effective financing statements or other instruments
similar in effect covering any Asset of the Borrower are on file in any recording office, except
those filed in favor of the Agent pursuant to this Agreement.
(i) Principal Office; Organization. The Borrower’s principal place of business and
chief executive office is at the addresses set forth in Schedule VII, the Borrower’s jurisdiction
of organization is the State of Delaware and the Borrower has not transacted any business under any
name other than “Highland Credit Strategies Fund.”
(j) Pending Litigation or Other Proceeding. There are no pending or, to the best of
the Borrower’s knowledge, threatened investigations, actions, suits or proceedings involving the
Borrower which could give rise to a reasonable possibility of a Material Adverse Effect.
(k) Investment Company Act, Etc. The Borrower is and will continue to be registered
as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company as such term is used in the
Investment Company Act and is in full compliance with the Investment Company Act and the Investment
Policies and Restrictions.
(l) Information and Reports. The Prospectus, each Investor Report, each Weekly
Portfolio Report, each Notice of Borrowing and all other written information, reports, certificates
and statements (with respect to which, other than the Investor Report, the Weekly Portfolio Report
and each Notice of Borrowing, shall be taken as a whole) provided by or on behalf of the Borrower
to any Secured Party for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement, the other Program
Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby is, and all such information hereafter
provided by or on behalf of the Borrower to any Secured Party is and will be (except for
projections and forward looking statements (other than any pro forma Investor Report)) true,
correct and complete in all material respects as of the date to which such information speaks and
no such information contains, or will contain, any material misrepresentation or any omission to
state therein matters necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading in any material
respect when considered in its entirety.
(m) Applicable Law. The Borrower is in full compliance with all Applicable Law,
including, without limitation, the Securities Act and the Investment Company Act, including the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(n) ERISA. Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate of the Borrower (i) is now or
has during the past five years been a member of an ERISA Group or (ii) has or during the past five
years has had any liability or obligation with respect to any Plan, Multiemployer Plan or Benefit
Arrangement.
(o) No Default or Event of Default. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and
is continuing and on each Borrowing Date and immediately after the making of each Advance each of
the conditions precedent to the making of Advances set forth in Section 3.02 are fully satisfied.
(p) Borrowing Base Test; Asset Coverage Test, Etc. The Borrowing Base Test and the
Asset Coverage Test are fully satisfied; provided that if on any date this
39
representation is made (other than a Borrowing Date) the Borrower is in full compliance with
the requirements set forth in clause (b) of Section 2.05, the Borrower shall be deemed to be in
compliance with the Borrowing Base Test for purposes of this clause (p) as of such date.
(q) Internal Revenue Code. The Borrower is qualified, and intends to continue to
qualify, as a “regulated investment company” within the meaning of the Code, and as such its income
is not and will not be subject to tax at the trust level under the Code.
(r) Taxes. The Borrower has filed all United States Federal income tax returns and
all other material tax returns which are required to be filed by it, if any, and has paid all taxes
due pursuant to such returns, if any, or pursuant to any assessment for material taxes received by
the Borrower, except for any taxes or assessments which are being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings and with respect thereto adequate reserves have been established in
accordance with GAAP and the non-payment of which would otherwise not give rise to a Material
Adverse Effect and the charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Borrower in respect of
taxes or other governmental charges, if any, are, in the opinion of the Borrower, adequate.
(s) Financial Condition. Each financial statement delivered by the Borrower to the
Agent in accordance with Section 5.01(e) fairly presents the financial condition of the Borrower in
accordance with GAAP as of the date such balance sheets are stated or certified. Since the date of
formation of the Borrower, there has been no material adverse change in the business, Assets,
condition (financial or otherwise) or operations of the Borrower.
(t) Regulations U and X. Neither the making of any Advance nor the use of proceeds
thereof will violate or be inconsistent with the provisions of Regulation U or Regulation X.
(u) Perfection Representations, Warranties and Covenants. The Perfection
Representations, Warranties and Covenants set forth in Exhibit E shall be a part of this
Agreement for all purposes.
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS
COVENANTS
SECTION 5.01. Affirmative Covenants of the Borrower.
The Borrower covenants and agrees that it shall:
(a) Compliance with Agreements, Laws, Etc. (i) Duly observe, comply with and conform
to all requirements of Applicable Law relative to the conduct of its business or to its Assets,
including without limitation the Investment Company Act, (ii) preserve and keep in full force and
effect the legal existence of the Borrower, (iii) preserve and keep in full force and effect all
rights, privileges, qualifications and franchises of the Borrower material to the conduct of its
business, (iv) comply with the terms and conditions of each Program Document to which it is a
party, and (v) obtain, maintain and keep in full force and effect all material Governmental
Authorizations, Private Authorizations and Governmental Filings which are necessary or
40
appropriate to properly carry out its business and the transactions contemplated to be
performed by the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Program Documents.
(b) Taxes. Cause to be computed, paid and discharged when due all taxes, assessments
and other governmental charges or levies imposed upon it, or upon any income or Assets of the
Borrower, prior to the day on which penalties are attached thereto, unless and to the extent that
the same shall be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which
adequate reserves have been established on the books of the Borrower in accordance with GAAP and
the non-payment of which would not otherwise give rise to a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Further Assurances. Promptly, at its expense, execute and deliver such further
instruments and take such further action in order to (i) establish and protect the rights,
interests and remedies created, or intended to be created, in favor of the Secured Parties
including, without limitation, all such actions which are necessary or advisable to maintain and
protect the Agent’s first priority perfected security interest in the Pledged Collateral for the
benefit of the Secured Parties free and clear of Adverse Claims, (ii) enable the Secured Parties to
enforce their rights and remedies under the Program Documents, including, without limitation, to do
all things necessary at the request of the Agent during the continuance of an Event of Default to
have each Loan Asset which constitutes Pledged Collateral and the related Loan Documents assigned
to the Agent or its designee, and (iii) effectuate the intent and purpose of, and to carry out the
terms of, the Program Documents.
(d) Continued Existence. Keep the State of Delaware as its jurisdiction of
organization and keep its principal place of business and chief executive office at the address of
the Borrower set forth in Section 9.02 or, upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the
Agent, in any other jurisdiction of organization or at any other locations in jurisdictions where
all actions reasonably requested by the Agent to protect and perfect the Agent’s first priority
perfected security interest in the Pledged Collateral have been taken and completed.
(e) Financial Statement; Accountants’ Reports; Other Information. Provide to the
Agent (with enough additional copies for the Conduit Lender and each Secondary Lender):
(i) as soon as available, and in any event within one hundred twenty (120) days after
the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a statement of assets and liabilities of the
Borrower as at the end of such fiscal year, and statements of operations and of changes in
net assets of the Borrower for such fiscal year, and the Borrower’s portfolio of investments
as of the end of such fiscal year, with an audit report thereon issued by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or other independent certified public accountants of nationally
recognized standing, together with the comparable report for the prior fiscal year;
(ii) as soon as available and in any event within sixty (60) days after the end of each
semi-annual fiscal period of the Borrower, a statement of assets and liabilities of the
Borrower as at the end of such period, a statement of operations and of changes in net
assets of the Borrower for such period, and the Borrower’s portfolio of investments as of
the end of such period, all in reasonable detail and stating in
41
comparative form the respective figures for the comparable period in the preceding
year, prepared in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied and all certified (subject to
normal year-end adjustment) as to fairness of presentation in all material respects by a
Responsible Officer of the Borrower;
(iii) simultaneously with the delivery of each set of financial statements referred to
in clauses (i) and (ii) above, a statement of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower to the
effect that nothing has come to the attention of such Responsible Officer to cause such
Responsible Officer to believe that any Default or Event of Default existed on the date of
such statements;
(iv) as soon as possible, and in any event within two (2) Business Days after a
Responsible Officer of the Borrower has knowledge of the occurrence of any Termination
Event, Default or Event of Default, a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower
setting forth the details thereof and, in the case of a Default or Event of Default, the
action which the Borrower is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;
(v) as soon as possible, and in any event within two (2) Business Days, after a
Responsible Officer of the Borrower has knowledge of any failure by the Custodian to perform
or observe any term, covenant or agreement on its part to be performed under the Custodial
Agreement or the Control Agreement which failure gives rise to a reasonable possibility of a
Material Adverse Effect, written notice thereof executed by a Responsible Officer of the
Borrower;
(vi) promptly upon the mailing thereof to the shareholders of the Borrower generally,
copies of all financial statements, reports and proxy statements so mailed;
(vii) promptly upon the filing thereof, copies of all registration statements (other
than the exhibits thereto and any registration statements on Form N-2 or its equivalent) and
annual and semi-annual reports which the Borrower shall have filed with the SEC;
(viii) on or before the third Business Day of each week, weekly portfolio reports and
weekly covenant compliance certificates in substantially the form of Schedule III attached
hereto (each a “Weekly Portfolio Report”) with respect to the immediately preceding
calendar week, signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower (which certificate shall
include a calculation of the Borrower’s compliance with the Borrowing Base Test and Asset
Coverage Test as of the end of such calendar week);
(ix) on or before the tenth (10th) Business Day of each calendar month (or (A) as more
frequently as the Agent shall request at the direction of a Rating Agency or (B) during the
continuance of a Default or Event of Default more frequently as the Agent shall reasonably
request (which may be daily)), an Investor Report substantially in the form of Schedule II
hereto, as of the last Business Day of the immediately preceding calendar month (or other
relevant period if delivered on a daily or weekly basis), together
42
with a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower in substantially the form
of Annex A to the Investor Report;
(x) promptly upon its receipt of and contemporaneously with its giving of any notice
relating to the termination of the Custodial Agreement or the Control Agreement, copies of
any such notice;
(xi) prior to the issuance by the Borrower of any preferred shares, notice of such
issuance which notice shall include the offering materials to be used in connection with the
issuance of such preferred shares;
(xii) prompt notice of any amendment or modification to the Investment Policies and
Restrictions or the Asset valuation procedures of the Borrower, which notice shall include,
in reasonable detail, a description of any such change;
(xiii) from time to time upon the reasonable request of the Agent, copies of a current
report identifying the locations of any Pledged Collateral maintained by the Borrower or
which is in the possession of or is maintained in securities accounts with an agent or
sub-custodian of the Custodian which report shall specify the Pledged Collateral held by
each agent or sub-custodian;
(xiv) as soon as possible, and in any event within one (1) Business Day after a
Responsible Officer of the Borrower has knowledge that (A) the Borrowing Base as of any date
is equal to or less than 105% of the Credits Outstanding as of such date, (B) the Borrowing
Base as of any date is equal to or less than the Credits Outstanding as of such date or (C)
following any occurrence described in the foregoing clause (B), the Borrower shall have
caused the Borrowing Base of any date to be equal to or greater than the Credits Outstanding
as of such date, a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth the
details of such occurrence; and
(xv) from time to time such additional information regarding the financial position or
business of the Borrower as the Agent may reasonably request.
The Borrower shall provide each Rating Agency a copy of each item delivered to the Agent pursuant
to the foregoing clauses (i), (iv), (ix) and (xiv) (and each other
item described above as any Rating Agency shall request from time to time).
(f) Maintenance of Insurance. Maintain in force with financially sound and reputable
insurers, policies with respect to its assets and property and business against such risks and
contingencies and in such amounts as are customary in the case of closed-end funds engaged in
similar lines of business of comparable size and financial strength and as may be required by the
Investment Company Act.
(g) Maintenance of Business. Remain at all times a non-diversified, closed-end
management investment company for the purposes of the Investment Company Act and continue to engage
in business of the same general type as now conducted by the Borrower, and will continue to be a
Delaware business trust and will preserve, renew and keep in full force and
43
effect its existence and rights, privileges and franchises necessary or desirable in the
normal conduct of business and will at all times remain registered under the Investment Company
Act.
(h) Audits. Annually within 120 days of the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower
(or more frequently as the Agent, for itself and as agent for the Secured Parties may require after
the occurrence of and during the continuance of a Default or an Event of Default) and at the sole
cost and expense of the Borrower (i) cause PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, or another independent
nationally recognized accounting firm selected by the Borrower and reasonably satisfactory to the
Agent, to enter the premises of the Borrower and any Person to whom the Borrower delegates all or
any portion of its duties under any Program Document and examine and audit the books, records and
accounts of the Borrower and such other Person relating to its business, financial condition,
operations and the Borrower’s and such other Person’s performance under the Program Documents as
determined pursuant to the scope of audit set forth on Schedule V hereto, (ii) permit such
accounting firm to discuss the Borrower’s and such other Person’s affairs and finances with the
officers, partners, employees and accountants of any of them, (iii) cause such accounting firm to
provide to the Agent, for itself and as agent for the Secured Parties, and each Rating Agency with
a certified report in respect of the foregoing, which shall be in form and scope reasonably
satisfactory to the Agent, for itself and as agent for the Secured Parties, and (iv) authorize such
accounting firm to discuss such affairs, finances and performance with representatives of the Agent
and its designees; it being understood that any such annual audit and report of such accountants
may be coordinated with the Borrower’s regular audits by the Borrower’s accountants
provided, however, that upon the occurrence or continuance of a Default or Event of
Default the scope of such audit specified in Schedule V may be expanded upon the request of the
Agent to explore the cause and nature of such Default or Event of Default or to confirm that any
such event has been cured or rectified.
(i) Access to Records. Permit the Agent or any Person designated by the Agent to,
upon reasonable advance notice and during normal hours, visit and inspect at reasonable intervals
its and any Person to which it delegates any of its duties under the Program Documents, books,
records and accounts relating to its business, financial condition, operations, Assets and its
performance under the Program Documents and to discuss the foregoing with its and such Person’s
officers, partners, employees and accountants, all as often as the Agent may reasonably request.
(j) Investment Policies and Restrictions. At all times (i) be in compliance in all
material respects with the Investment Policies and Restrictions, (ii) maintain necessary liquidity
to meet its obligations and (iii) cause all Derivatives Transactions entered into by the Borrower
to be in compliance with the applicable criteria therefor established by S&P.
(k) Defense of Secured Parties’ Interest. Warrant and defend each of the Secured
Parties’ right and interest in, to and under the Pledged Collateral against all Adverse Claims of
all Persons whomsoever.
(l) Custody and Control. At all times cause all Borrowing Base Eligible Assets of the
Borrower (including all instruments and other investments, if any, evidencing the same and all Loan
Documents) to constitute Pledged Collateral and to be (i) custodied with the Custodian or a
sub-custodian of the Custodian pursuant to the Custodial Agreement, and (ii)
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subject to the control and custody of the Custodian or a sub-custodian of the Custodian in
accordance with the Custodial Agreement and the Control Agreement; provided that if such
Borrowing Base Eligible Asset is a Loan Asset and concurrently with any request to register such
Loan Asset in the name of the Borrower, the Borrower shall deliver instructions to all Selling
Institutions, Transaction Agents and Obligors related to such Loan Asset requiring that any
instrument evidencing such Loan Asset be delivered to the Custodian. At all times cause (x) all
Borrowing Base Eligible Assets of the Borrower (including Cash but excluding Loan Assets) to be
held or credited to the Collateral Account and (y) all Assets of the Borrower (including Cash but
excluding (1) Loan Assets, (2) cash held in the Borrower’s Account in connection with any
Restricted Payment permitted under 5.02(m) and (3) any cash or Assets maintained in a segregated
account with the Custodian subject to a Lien described in clause (viii) of the definition of
Permitted Lien) to be held or credited to the Collateral Account. At all times cause all Loan
Documents to be held at the address of the Borrower set forth in Section 9.02 or, such other
location as the Borrower shall designate upon twenty (20) days’ prior written notice to the Agent.
Provide to the Custodian a CUSIP, SEDOL or ISIN number with respect to each Borrowing Base Eligible
Asset (other than Loan Assets and Cash).
(m) Notice of Litigation or Other Proceedings. Promptly give notice in writing to the
Agent of all litigation, arbitration proceedings and regulatory proceedings affecting the Borrower
or the Assets of the Borrower, except such proceedings which could not give rise to a reasonable
possibility of a Material Adverse Effect.
(n) Maintenance of Books of Record and Account. Keep proper books of record and
account in which full, true and correct entries shall be made of all dealings and transactions in
relation to its business and activities in accordance with the requirements of the SEC or under the
Investment Company Act.
(o) Proceeds of Pledged Collateral. Cause all Proceeds of the Pledged Collateral to
be subject to the control and custody of the Custodian or a sub-custodian of the Custodian in
accordance with the Custodial Agreement and the Control Agreement if a Default or Event of Default
shall be continuing or would occur as a result of the failure to so cause such control and custody
to occur.
(p) Use of Proceeds. Use the net proceeds of any Advance made hereunder solely for
the purpose of (i) financing the purchasing and holding of Assets of the Borrower or (ii) for
general corporate purposes.
(q) Perfection Representations, Warranties and Covenants. The Perfection
Representations, Warranties and Covenants set forth in Exhibit E shall be a part of this
Agreement for all purposes.
SECTION 5.02. Negative Covenants of the Borrower.
The Borrower covenants and agrees that the Borrower shall not:
(a) Impairment of Rights. Enter into any agreement containing any provision which
would be violated or breached by the performance of its obligations under any Program Document.
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(b) [Reserved]
(c) Creation of Debt. Create, assume or suffer to exist any Debt or any Guarantee,
except for Permitted Debt.
(d) Mergers; Sale of Assets. Adopt or carry out any plan of liquidation, partial
liquidation, reorganization, incorporation, recapitalization, merger or consolidation nor sell,
transfer or otherwise dispose of all or any substantial portion of its Assets (whether in one
transaction or a series of related transactions), without the prior written consent of the Agent.
(e) Investments. Purchase or acquire the obligations or stock of, or any other
interest in, or make loans, advances or capital contributions to, any Person, except such
obligations, stocks, loans, advances, capital contributions or other interests as comply with the
Borrower’s Investment Policies and Restrictions.
(f) Custodial Agreement; Investment Policies and Restrictions; Advisory Agreement.
Without the prior written consent of the Agent (i) cancel or terminate the Custodial Agreement,
(ii) permit or consent to any material amendment, modification or waiver of the Custodial Agreement
unless the Borrower has delivered to the Agent a copy thereof together with a certificate of a
Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying that such amendment, modification or waiver could
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) take any action inconsistent in
any material respect with the Prospectus or the Investment Policies and Restrictions, (iv) permit
or cause the Advisory Agreement to be terminated or (v) permit or cause the Advisory Agreement to
be amended, waived or otherwise modified in any respect that (A) could reasonably be expected to be
adverse to any Secured Party or (B) would require the consent or approval of the shareholders of
the Borrower; provided, that with respect to the foregoing clause (v) such consent of the
Agent shall not be unreasonably withheld; or.
(g) Amendments to Organizational Documents. Amend, terminate, supplement or otherwise
modify its declaration of trust, by-laws or other organizational documents in any manner that could
reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to any Secured Party.
(h) ERISA. (i) Become an ERISA Affiliate of any Person that has any liability to any
Plan, Multiemployer Plan or Benefit Arrangement or (ii) incur any liability or obligation with
respect to any Plan, Multiemployer Plan or Benefit Arrangement.
(i) [Reserved]
(j) Liens. Create, assume or suffer to exist any Adverse Claim on any Asset now owned
or hereafter acquired by it.
(k) Senior Securities. Issue any “senior securities”, as such term is defined and
used in the Investment Company Act, other than (i) shares of preferred stock of the Borrower with
respect to which the Agent has received prior written notice as to such issuance and (ii) Permitted
Senior Securities.
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(l) Margin Requirements. Extend credit to others for the purpose of buying or
carrying any “margin stock” in such a manner as to violate Regulation U or Regulation X or use any
portion of any Advance in violation of Regulation U or Regulation X.
(m) Restricted Payments. Make any Restricted Payment (i) if any Default or Event of
Default shall be continuing or shall result therefrom, (ii) if immediately after giving effect to
such payment the Borrower will not be in full compliance with the Borrowing Base Test and the Asset
Coverage Test, (iii) at any time after the Agent shall have delivered a Notice of Exclusive Control
to the Custodian (unless such Notice of Exclusive Control has been revoked in writing by the
Agent), or (iv) at any time after the Maturity Date of the Advances shall have occurred.
Notwithstanding anything in clause (i) of this Section 5.02(m) to the contrary, the Borrower shall
not be prohibited from making a Restricted Payment which constitutes a dividend during the
continuance of a Default if (i) such dividend was declared prior to the occurrence of such Default,
and (ii) after the payment of such dividend the Borrower will be in full compliance with the
Borrowing Base Test and the Asset Coverage Test.
(n) Name Change. Change its name (i) without giving the Agent at least thirty (30)
days prior written notice, and (ii) unless all actions necessary and appropriate to protect and
perfect the Secured Parties’ first priority perfected security interest in the Pledged Collateral
have been taken and completed.
(o) Custodian’s Overdraft Advances. Permit the Aggregate Custodian’s Advance Amount
to at any time exceed $5,000,000.
(p) Pledged Collateral; Notice of Exclusive Control. Without the prior written
consent of the Agent, sell, dispose of or substitute any Pledged Collateral or originate any
entitlement orders or other instructions with respect to any Pledged Collateral unless immediately
following any such sale, disposition or substitution the Borrower will be in full compliance with
the Borrowing Base Test. After the Borrower has received written notice of delivery by the Agent
to the Custodian of a Notice of Exclusive Control, unless such Notice of Exclusive Control is
revoked in writing by the Agent, give any instruction to the Custodian in respect of the Pledged
Collateral without the prior written consent of the Agent.
(q) Equity Securities. Purchase or otherwise possess publicly-traded Equity
Securities or Convertible Securities issued by a single issuer that exceed (or are convertible into
Equity Securities that exceed) five percent (5%) of the aggregate Asset Value of the outstanding
Equity Securities of such issuer as the number of such Equity Securities are reported in the most
recent report or statement published by such issuer. Purchase publicly-traded Equity Securities or
Convertible Securities of any class issued by a single issuer that exceed (or are convertible into
publicly-traded Equity Securities of any class that exceed) the average reported weekly trading
volume of such class of Equity Security.
(r) Subsidiaries. Establish any Subsidiaries without the prior written consent of the
Agent.
(s) Industry Classifications. Without the prior written consent of the Agent, permit
any change in any industry classification criteria set forth on Schedule IV hereto.
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ARTICLE VI
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
SECTION 6.01. Events of Default.
If any of the following events (each an “Event of Default”) shall occur:
(a) the Borrower or the Custodian shall fail to make or cause to be made in the manner and
when due any payment or deposit to be made or to be caused to be made by it under this Agreement or
any of the other Program Documents to which it is a party and such failure shall continue for (i)
in the case of any principal payments on any Advance (other than the failure to comply with Section
2.05(b) in which no grace period or requirement of notice shall apply), two (2) Business Days, and
(ii) in the case of all other payments (other than the failure to comply with Section 2.05(b) in
which no grace period or requirement of notice shall apply), three (3) Business Days; or
(b) the Borrower shall (i) fail to be in compliance with the Asset Coverage Test, provided
that if a Responsible Officer of the Borrower has certified that the Borrower is taking all steps
necessary to cause the Borrower to be in full compliance with the Asset Coverage Test within five
(5) Business Days after such date of determination, such event shall not constitute an Event of
Default unless such non-compliance shall continue for five (5) Business Days after such date of
determination, or (ii) fail to comply with clause (b) of Xxxxxxx 0.00, xxxxxxx (x), (x)(xx),
(x)(x), (x), (x) or (p) of Section 5.01, Section 5.02 or Section 9.11; or
(c) the Borrower or the Custodian shall fail to perform or observe any other term, covenant or
agreement on its part to be performed or observed under this Agreement or any other Program
Document and (except with respect to any such failure of the Custodian that gives rise to a
reasonable possibility of a Material Adverse Effect) such failure shall continue for thirty (30)
Business Days; or
(d) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by the Borrower or the Custodian under
or in connection with this Agreement or any other Program Document or any other certificate,
information or report delivered by or on behalf of the Borrower or the Custodian shall be deemed to
have been false or incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made or delivered; or
(e) the Agent shall for any reason cease to have a valid and perfected first priority security
interest in the Pledged Collateral (subject to the Lien of the Custodian securing (i) the
Custodian’s Overdraft Advances to the extent permitted by Section 5.02(o), (ii) indemnification
payments owing by the Borrower in favor of the Custodian in an amount not to exceed $100,000 and
(iii) Permitted Expenses of the Custodian in an amount not to exceed $50,000) free and clear of all
Adverse Claims or the Custodian, as collateral agent and/or securities intermediary under the
Control Agreement, shall not have custody and control, as contemplated by the Control Agreement, of
the Pledged Collateral; or
(f) the Borrower, the Adviser or the Custodian shall generally not pay its debts as such debts
become due, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally, or shall make a
general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or any proceeding shall be
48
instituted by or against the Borrower, the Adviser or the Custodian seeking to adjudicate it a
bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment,
protection, relief, or composition of it or its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy,
insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors, or seeking the entry of an order for relief or
the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for any
substantial part of its property and, in the case of any such proceeding instituted against it (but
not instituted by it), either (x) such proceeding shall remain undismissed or unstayed for a period
of sixty (60) days, (y) an order for relief against the Borrower shall have been entered and such
order remains unstayed for a period of sixty (60) days, or (z) an order shall have been entered
appointing a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it, or for any substantial
part of its property and such order remains unstayed and in effect for a period of sixty (60) days;
or the Borrower, the Adviser or the Custodian shall take any corporate action to authorize any of
the actions set forth above in this subsection; provided, however, that the
occurrence of any event set forth in this clause (f) in respect of the Custodian shall not
constitute an Event of Default if, prior to the day which is forty-five (45) days after the
Borrower has actual knowledge of circumstances which give rise to such event, a successor
custodian, reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, shall have been appointed as custodian under the
Custodial Agreement and shall have assumed the obligations of the Custodian under the Custodial
Agreement and the Control Agreement and the Agent shall have received such certificates and
opinions as it shall have reasonably requested, all in form, scope and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Agent; or
(g) any provision of any Program Document shall cease to be a legal, valid and binding
obligation of any of the parties purported to be bound thereby, enforceable in accordance with its
respective terms or the Borrower or the Custodian shall so assert in writing; or
(h) any judgment or order, or any series of judgments or orders, shall have been entered
against the Borrower, provided that (i) such judgments or orders shall aggregate to $10,000,000 or
more, and (ii) enforcement actions have been commenced with respect thereto and have not been
dismissed or stayed pending appeal for sixty (60) days of such entry; or
(i) either (1) PFPC Trust Company (or (i) an Affiliate of PFPC Trust Company to the extent
permitted to succeed PFPC Trust Company as Custodian under the Custodial Agreement without the
consent of the Borrower or (ii) any other successor approved of in writing by the Agent (such
consent not to be unreasonably withheld)) shall at any time cease to serve as Custodian under the
Custodial Agreement or the Control Agreement, unless a successor thereto reasonably satisfactory to
the Agent shall have assumed the duties of Custodian thereunder and in accordance with the terms of
the Program Documents, or (2) the Custodian shall have given notice of the termination of the
Custodial Agreement or the Control Agreement; provided, however, that the event
specified in clause (2) above shall not constitute an Event of Default if prior to the tenth
(10th) Business Day immediately preceding the effective date of such termination a
successor custodian reasonably satisfactory to the Agent shall have been appointed as custodian
under the Custodial Agreement and shall have assumed the obligations of the Custodian under the
Custodial Agreement and the Control Agreement and the Agent shall have received such certificates
and opinions as it shall have reasonably requested; or
49
(j) any event or condition shall occur which results in the acceleration of the maturity of
any Debt of the Borrower which Debt in the aggregate is at least $10,000,000 or enables (or, with
the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would enable) the holder of such Debt or any Person
acting on such holder’s behalf to accelerate the maturity thereof; or
(k) Highland Capital (or (i) an Affiliate of Highland Capital reasonably acceptable to the
Agent or (ii) any other Person acceptable to the Agent in its sole discretion) is not the current
investment adviser for the Borrower; or
(l) the Adviser shall acquire all or substantially all of the assets of another Person, unless
the Agent has consented to the same in writing (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld);
then, and in any such event, in addition to all rights and remedies specified in this Agreement,
including without limitation, Article VII, and the rights and remedies of a secured party under
Applicable Law including, without limitation the UCC, the Agent, upon the direction of the Conduit
Lender, may, by notice to the Borrower, declare the Lender Termination Date and the Secondary
Lender Termination Date to have occurred and declare the outstanding Advances to be due and payable
(in which case the Lender Termination Date and the Secondary Lender Termination Date and the
Maturity Date shall be deemed to have occurred); provided that, upon the occurrence of any
event (without any requirement for the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both) described
in subsection (f) of this Section 6.01, the Lender Termination Date, the Secondary Lender
Termination Date and the Maturity Date shall be deemed to have automatically occurred.
ARTICLE VII
PLEDGE OF PLEDGED COLLATERAL;
RIGHTS OF THE AGENT
PLEDGE OF PLEDGED COLLATERAL;
RIGHTS OF THE AGENT
SECTION 7.01. Security Interests.
In consideration of the Lenders and the Secondary Lenders making and maintaining the Advances,
and as collateral security for the prompt, complete and unconditional payment and performance of
all of the Borrower Obligations, the Borrower hereby grants to the Agent for the benefit of the
Secured Parties a continuing Lien upon and security interest in, all of the Borrower’s right, title
and interest in, to and under all of the Borrower’s accounts, equipment, fixtures, inventory,
investment property, payment intangibles, goods, chattel paper (both tangible and intangible),
general intangibles, letter-of-credit rights, financial assets, supporting obligations, commercial
tort claims, contract rights, instruments, promissory notes and documents, together with all books
and records, customer lists, credit files, computer files, programs, printouts and other computer
materials and records related thereto, and all products and proceeds thereof, whether now owned or
existing or hereafter arising or acquired and wheresoever located, including, without limitation,
each of the following (collectively, the “Pledged Collateral”):
(i) all of the cash, Assets, investments and property from time to time credited to the
Collateral Account, and all Security Entitlements with respect to the
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Collateral Account and all Loan Assets of the Borrower evidenced by, secured by or
governed by any Loan Document;
(ii) the Collateral Account (together with all other accounts in which the
distributions referred to in clause (iii) below are remitted);
(iii) all interest, dividends, stock dividends, stock splits, distributions and other
money or property of any kind distributed in respect of the Assets, investments, property
and Security Entitlements described in clause (i) above, including without limitation the
principal, interest, fees and other payments in respect of such Loan Assets;
(iv) all rights and remedies of the Borrower under the Loan Documents and the Custodial
Agreement in respect of the Assets, investments, property and Security Entitlements
described in clause (i) above;
(v) all security interests, liens, collateral, property, guaranties, supporting
obligations, insurance and other agreements or arrangements of whatever character from time
to time supporting or securing payment of the Assets, investments, property and Security
Entitlements described in clause (i) above;
(vi) all accounts, contract rights, documents, instruments, securities, investment
property, chattel paper, general intangibles (including payment intangibles), inventory,
goods, equipment and all other property of every kind and nature, now owned or hereafter
acquired in respect of the Assets, investments, property and Security Entitlements described
in clause (i) above;
(vii) all books, records and other information (including, without limitation, computer
programs, tapes, discs, punch cards, data processing software and related property and
rights) relating to the Assets, investments, property and Security Entitlements described in
clause (i) above; and
(viii) all Proceeds of any and all of the foregoing.
Terms not otherwise defined in this Section 7.01 shall have the meaning set forth in Article 8 or
9, as applicable, of the New York UCC.
SECTION 7.02. Substitution of Collateral and Release of Security Interest.
(a) Subject to Section 5.02(p), so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing or would occur as a consequence of such sale, disposition or substitution and the
Borrowing Base Test will be satisfied immediately following such sale, disposition or substitution,
the Borrower may originate entitlement orders and instructions with respect to the Collateral
Account and may sell or dispose of or substitute Pledged Collateral in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement and the Control Agreement. The Agent and the Secured Parties acknowledge and agree
that upon the sale or disposition of an Asset which constitutes Pledged Collateral by the Borrower
in compliance with the terms and conditions of this Section 7.02(a), the security interest of the
Secured Parties in such Asset shall immediately terminate.
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(b) After the Program Termination Date, the Agent at the request of the Borrower shall
execute, deliver and file such instruments as the Borrower shall reasonably request in order to
reassign, release or terminate its security interest in the Pledged Collateral. Any and all
actions under this Section 7.02 shall be without any recourse to, or representation or warranty by,
the Agent or any Secured Party and shall be at the sole cost and expense of the Borrower.
SECTION 7.03. Application of Proceeds.
(a) After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, all amounts
remitted to the Agent’s Account in respect of the Borrower Obligations, including without
limitation all Proceeds resulting from the sale or other disposition of the Pledged Collateral
shall be applied by the Agent in the following order and priority:
First, to the payment of all amounts advanced or expended by the Agent and all costs
and expenses incurred by the Agent in connection with the enforcement of the Secured Parties’
rights and remedies under the Program Documents;
Second, to the extent funds are remaining after the above application, to the Lenders
and the Secondary Lenders for the payment of all accrued and unpaid Yield on all outstanding
Advances on a pro-rata basis according to the amount of accrued Yield owing to each Lender and each
Secondary Lender;
Third, to the extent funds are remaining after the above applications, to the Secured
Parties for the payment of all fees payable under the Fee Letter on a pro rata basis according to
the amount of such fees owing to each Secured Party;
Fourth, to the extent funds are remaining after the above applications, to the Lenders
and the Secondary Lenders for the payment of the principal amount of each outstanding Advance on a
pro-rata basis according to the amount of principal owing to each Lender and each Secondary Lender;
and
Fifth, to the extent funds are remaining after the above applications, to the Secured
Parties and any Affected Person for the payment of all other Borrower Obligations owing pursuant to
this Agreement and the other Program Documents on a pro rata basis according to the amounts owed to
each Person.
The Agent shall, after the final payment in full of all Advances and the occurrence of the
Program Termination Date, remit the remaining excess Proceeds which it had received from the sale
or disposition of the Pledged Collateral to the Borrower’s Account.
(b) For purposes of determining the application to be made of such monies and other cash
proceeds by the Agent to the Lenders and the Secondary Lenders pursuant to this Section 7.03, the
Agent may rely exclusively upon a certificate or other statement of a Lender or a Secondary Lender,
as the case may be, setting forth in reasonable detail the amount then owing to such Lender and
such Secondary Lender, as the case may be. The Agent shall not be liable for any application of
funds in accordance with any certificate or direction delivered pursuant to this Section 7.03;
provided, however, that no application of funds in accordance with any certificate
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delivered pursuant to this Section 7.03 shall be deemed to restrict or limit the right of any
party to contest with the purported obligee its respective liability in respect of the amount set
forth in such certificate.
SECTION 7.04. Rights and Remedies upon Event of Default.
(a) The Agent (for itself and on behalf of the other Secured Parties) shall have all of the
rights and remedies of a secured party under the UCC and other Applicable Law, subject to
compliance with all contractual provisions applicable to Pledged Collateral which are required to
be complied with by the Agent. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of
Default, the Agent or its designees may (i) deliver a Notice of Exclusive Control to the Custodian;
(ii) instruct the Custodian to deliver any or all of the Pledged Collateral and any Loan Documents
relating to the Pledged Collateral to the Agent or its designees and otherwise give all
instructions and entitlement orders to the Custodian regarding the Pledged Collateral; (iii)
require the Borrower to terminate the purchase of any additional Assets, whereupon the Borrower
agrees to cease purchasing Assets (other than, as set forth in the Control Agreement, with respect
to any transaction which is in the process of being executed prior to the delivery of a Notice of
Exclusive Control); (iv) in accordance with the Control Agreement, require that the Custodian
immediately take action to liquidate the Assets to pay amounts due and payable in respect of the
Borrower Obligations; (v) sell or otherwise dispose of the Pledged Collateral, all without judicial
process or proceedings; (vi) take control of the Proceeds of any such Pledged Collateral; (vii)
subject to the provisions of the applicable Loan Documents, exercise any consensual or voting
rights in respect of the Pledged Collateral; (viii) release, make extensions, discharges, exchanges
or substitutions for, or surrender all or any part of the Pledged Collateral; (ix) enforce the
Borrower’s rights and remedies under the Custodial Agreement with respect to the Pledged
Collateral; (x) institute and prosecute legal and equitable proceedings to enforce collection of,
or realize upon, any of the Pledged Collateral; (xi) require that the Borrower and the Custodian
immediately take action to liquidate the Assets to pay amounts due and payable in respect of the
Borrower Obligations; (xii) remove from the Borrower’s, the Adviser’s and their respective agents’
(other than, except as set forth in the Control Agreement, the Custodian) place of business all
books, records and documents relating to the Pledged Collateral unless copies thereof shall have
been provided to the Agent which copies of such books and records shall thereafter be deemed to be
originals thereof; and/or (xiii) notify all Selling Institutions, Transaction Agents and Obligors
related to the Loan Assets which constitute Pledged Collateral to make payments in respect thereof
directly to the Agent’s Account; (xiv) at the request of the Agent execute all documents and
agreements which are necessary or appropriate to have the Pledged Collateral which constitutes Loan
Assets to be assigned to the Agent or its designee; and (xv) endorse the name of the Borrower upon
any items of payment relating to the Pledged Collateral or upon any proof of claim in bankruptcy
against an account debtor. For purposes of taking the actions described in Subsections (i) through
(xv) of this Section 7.04(a) the Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints the Agent as its
attorney-in-fact (which appointment being coupled with an interest is irrevocable while any of the
Borrower Obligations remain unpaid), with power of substitution, in the name of the Agent or in the
name of the Borrower or otherwise, for the use and benefit of the Agent, but at the cost and
expense of the Borrower and without notice to the Borrower. The Agent shall comply in all material
respects with any applicable law binding upon it with respect to its sale of the Pledged
Collateral, including, without limitation, any obligation to act in a commercially reasonable
manner.
53
(b) All sums paid or advanced by the Agent in connection with the foregoing and all costs and
expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred in
connection therewith, together with interest thereon at the Post-Default Rate from the date of
payment until repaid in full, shall be paid by the Borrower to the Agent on demand and shall
constitute and become a part of the Borrower Obligations secured hereby.
SECTION 7.05. Remedies Cumulative.
Each right, power, and remedy of the Agent and the other Secured Parties, or any of them, as
provided for in this Agreement or in the other Program Documents or now or hereafter existing at
law or in equity or by statute or otherwise shall be cumulative and concurrent and shall be in
addition to every other right, power, or remedy provided for in this Agreement or in the other
Program Documents or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute or otherwise, and
the exercise or beginning of the exercise by the Agent or any other Secured Party of any one or
more of such rights, powers, or remedies shall not preclude the simultaneous or later exercise by
such Persons of any or all such other rights, powers, or remedies.
SECTION 7.06. Enforcement of Remedies under the Custodial Agreement and Loan
Documents.
(a) The Borrower agrees that it shall (i) upon the request of the Agent (and at the Borrower’s
own expense) diligently enforce the rights and remedies under the Custodial Agreement and at law or
equity against the Custodian for the breach by the Custodian of any term, covenant or agreement
thereunder relating to or affecting any Pledged Collateral, and (ii) diligently enforce its rights
and remedies under the Loan Documents relating to the Pledged Collateral. The Borrower shall at
all times enforce its rights and remedies under the Custodial Agreement and the Loan Documents with
the same degree of care and diligence that it would exercise if this Agreement had not been entered
into; provided that the Borrower shall not, in enforcing such rights and remedies, settle
any claim against the Custodian without the prior written consent of the Agent (which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld).
(b) The Borrower agrees that to the extent not expressly prohibited by the terms of the
related Loan Documents, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, it
shall (i) upon the written request of the Agent promptly forward to the Agent all information and
notices which it receives under or in connection with the Loan Documents relating to the Pledged
Collateral, and (ii) act and refrain from acting in respect of any request, act, decision or vote
under the Loan Documents relating to the Pledged Collateral only in accordance with the direction
of the Agent.
SECTION 7.07. Authorization to File Financing Statements. The Borrower hereby
irrevocably authorizes the Agent at any time and from time to time to file in any filing office in
any UCC jurisdiction any initial financing statements and amendments thereto that indicate the
Pledged Collateral as all assets of the Borrower or words of similar effect or as being of an equal
or lesser scope or with greater detail.
54
ARTICLE VIII
THE AGENT
THE AGENT
SECTION 8.01. Authorization and Action.
Each Lender and each of the Secondary Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the
Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement
and the other Program Documents as are delegated to the Agent by the terms hereof and thereof,
together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The Agent shall not have any duties
or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein or in the other Program Documents, or
any fiduciary relationship with any Secured Party, and no implied covenants, functions,
responsibilities, duties or obligations or liabilities on the part of the Agent shall be read into
this Agreement or any other Program Document or otherwise exist for the Agent. As to any matters
not expressly provided for by this Agreement or the other Program Documents, the Agent shall not be
required to exercise any discretion or take any action, but shall be required to act or to refrain
from acting (and shall be fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the
instructions of the Lenders or the Secondary Lenders; provided, however, that the
Agent shall not be required to take any action which exposes the Agent to personal liability or
which is contrary to this Agreement, the other Program Documents or Applicable Law. Each Lender
and each Secondary Lender agrees that in any instance in which the Program Documents provide that
the Agent’s consent may not be unreasonably withheld, provide for the exercise of the Agent’s
reasonable discretion, or provide to a similar effect, it shall not in its instructions to the
Agent withhold its consent or exercise its discretion in an unreasonable manner.
SECTION 8.02. Delegation of Duties.
The Agent may execute any of its duties under this Agreement and each other Program Document
by or through agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all
matters pertaining to such duties. The Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or
misconduct of any agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.
SECTION 8.03. Agent’s Reliance, Etc.
Neither the Agent nor any of its directors, officers, agents or employees shall be liable for
any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them under or in connection with this Agreement or
any of the other Program Documents, except for its or their own gross negligence or willful
misconduct. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Agent: (i) may consult with
legal counsel (including counsel for the Borrower or the Adviser) and independent public
accountants and other experts selected by it and shall not be liable for any action taken or
omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants
or experts; (ii) makes no warranty or representation to any Secured Party or any other Person and
shall not be responsible to any Secured Party or any Person for any statements, warranties or
representations (whether written or oral) made in or in connection with this Agreement or the other
Program Documents; (iii) shall not have any duty to ascertain or to inquire as to the performance
or observance of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement, the
55
other Program Documents or any Loan Documents on the part of the Borrower, the Adviser, the
Custodian or any other Person or to inspect the property (including the books and records) of the
Borrower, the Adviser, the Custodian or any other Person; (iv) shall not be responsible to any
Secured Party or any other Person for the due execution, legality, validity, enforceability,
genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement, the other Program Documents, any Loan Document
or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto; and (v) shall incur no
liability under or in respect of this Agreement or any other Program Document by acting upon any
notice, consent, certificate or other instrument or writing (which may be delivered by telecopier,
telegram, cable or telex) believed by it to be genuine and signed or sent by the proper party or
parties.
SECTION 8.04. Indemnification.
Each of the Secondary Lenders agrees to indemnify and hold the Agent harmless (to the extent
not reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower) from and against any and all liabilities,
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or
disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted
against the Agent in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any other Program
Document or any action taken or omitted by the Agent under this Agreement or any other Program
Document; provided that no Secured Party shall be liable for any portion of such
liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or
disbursements resulting from the Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. Without
limitation of the foregoing, each of the Secondary Lenders agrees to reimburse the Agent promptly
upon demand for any out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable counsel fees) incurred by the
Agent in connection with the administration or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal
proceedings or otherwise) or legal advice in respect of rights or responsibilities under this
Agreement or the other Program Documents, to the extent that the Agent is not reimbursed for such
expenses by or on behalf of the Borrower. Each Secondary Lender shall be obligated to pay its Pro
Rata Share of all amounts payable to the Agent under this Section 8.04. As used in this Section
8.04, the term “Pro Rata Share” in respect of any Secondary Lender means the fraction,
expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the Secondary Lender Commitment of such
Secondary Lender and the denominator of which is the Total Commitment.
SECTION 8.05. Successor Agent.
The Agent may, upon thirty (30) days’ notice to the Conduit Lender and the Secondary Lenders,
resign as Agent. If the Agent shall resign, then the Lenders during such thirty (30) day period
shall appoint from among the Secondary Lenders a successor agent. If for any reason a successor
agent is not so appointed and does not accept such appointment during such thirty (30) day period,
the Agent may appoint a successor agent. Any resignation of the Agent shall be effective upon the
appointment of a successor agent pursuant to this Section 8.05 and the acceptance of such
appointment by such successor. After the effectiveness of any retiring Agent’s resignation
hereunder as Agent, the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations
hereunder and under the other Program Documents and the provisions of this Article VIII and Section
9.04 shall continue in effect for its benefit with respect to any
56
actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under this Agreement and under
the other Program Documents.
SECTION 8.06. Notice of Name Change.
In the event the Agent shall receive notice from the Borrower pursuant to Section
5.02(n) that the Borrower intends to change its name, the Agent shall promptly provide notice
of such name change to each Rating Agency.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 9.01. No Waiver; Modifications in Writing.
No failure or delay on the part of any Secured Party in exercising any right, power or remedy
hereunder or with respect to the Advances shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single
or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise
thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. The remedies provided for herein are
cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies that may be available to any Secured Party, at law
or in equity. No amendment, modification, supplement, termination or waiver of this Agreement
shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Borrower, the Agent and
the Conduit Lender and the Rating Agency Condition shall have been satisfied with respect thereto.
Any waiver of any provision of this Agreement, and any consent to any departure by the Borrower
from the terms of any provision of this Agreement, shall be effective only in the specific instance
and for the specific purpose for which given. No notice to or demand on the Borrower in any case
shall entitle the Borrower to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other
circumstances.
57
SECTION 9.02. Notices, Etc.
Except where telephonic instructions are authorized herein to be given, all notices, demands,
instructions and other communications required or permitted to be given to or made upon any party
hereto shall be in writing and shall be personally delivered or sent by registered, certified or
express mail, postage prepaid, or by prepaid telegram (with messenger delivery specified in the
case of a telegram), or by facsimile transmission, or by prepaid courier service, and shall be
deemed to be given for purposes of this Agreement on the day that such writing is received by the
intended recipient thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Section 9.02. Unless
otherwise specified in a notice sent or delivered in accordance with the foregoing provisions of
this Section 9.02, notices, demands, instructions and other communications in writing shall be
given to or made upon the respective parties hereto at their respective addresses (or to their
respective facsimile numbers) indicated below, and, in the case of telephonic instructions or
notices, by calling the telephone number or numbers indicated for such party below:
If to the Conduit Lender:
|
LIBERTY STREET FUNDING LLC | |
x/x Xxx Xxxx xx Xxxx Xxxxxx | ||
Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx | ||
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 | ||
Attention: Xxxxxxx Sun | ||
Telephone No. 000-000-0000 | ||
Facsimile No. 000-000-0000 | ||
If to the Agent:
|
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA | |
Asset-Backed Finance | ||
Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx | ||
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 | ||
Attention: Xxxxxx Xxxx | ||
Telephone No. 000-000-0000 | ||
Facsimile No. 000-000-0000 | ||
If to the Borrower:
|
HIGHLAND CREDIT STRATEGIES FUND | |
00000 Xxxx Xx., Xxxxx 000 | ||
Xxxxxx, XX 00000 | ||
Attention: Xxx Xxxxxxxxx | ||
Telephone No. 000-000-0000 | ||
Facsimile No. 000-000-0000 | ||
If to a Rating Agency:
|
To such address as the Agent shall specify from time to time. |
SECTION 9.03. Taxes.
(a) Any and all payments by the Borrower under this Agreement, the Advance Notes or any other
Program Document shall be made, in accordance with this Agreement, free
58
and clear of and without deduction for any Indemnified Taxes. If the Borrower shall be
required by law to deduct any Indemnified Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable hereunder,
under any Advance Note or under any other Program Document to any Secured Party, (i) the sum
payable shall be increased as may be necessary so that after making all required deductions
(including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 9.03) such Secured
Party receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made,
(ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions and (iii) the Borrower shall pay the full amount
deducted to the relevant taxation authority or other authority in accordance with Applicable Law.
(b) In addition, the Borrower agrees to pay any present or future stamp or documentary taxes
or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies which arise from any payment made
by the Borrower hereunder, under the Advance Notes or under any other Program Document or from the
execution, delivery or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement, the Advance
Notes or under any other Program Document (hereinafter referred to as “Other Taxes”).
(c) The Borrower will indemnify each of the Secured Parties for the full amount of Indemnified
Taxes or Other Taxes (including, without limitation, any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed
by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this Section 9.03) paid by any Secured Party in
respect of the Borrower and any liability (including penalties, interest and expenses) arising
therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were
correctly or legally asserted. This indemnification shall be made within thirty (30) days from the
date the Secured Party makes written demand therefor to the Borrower.
(d) Within thirty (30) days after the date of any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes,
the Borrower will furnish to the Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing
payment thereof.
(e) No increased payments by the Borrower to any Secured Party or Eligible Assignee shall be
required pursuant to this Section 9.03 if the applicable Secured Party or Eligible Assignee has not
complied with the requirements of this Section 9.03(e) unless such Secured Party or Eligible
Assignee is unable to comply with this Section 9.03(e) because of (x) a change in applicable law,
regulation or official interpretation thereof or (y) an amendment, modification or revocation of
any applicable tax treaty or a change in official position regarding the application or
interpretation thereof, in each case after the Closing Date (or, in the case of any Eligible
Assignee, after the date of the applicable assignment):
(i) Each Secured Party and Eligible Assignee that is a United States Person (as such
term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) shall deliver to the Borrower, in the
case of a Secured Party, on or prior to the Closing Date or, in the case of an Eligible
Assignee, on or prior to the date of such assignment, and at such other times as may be
necessary in the determination of the Borrower (in the reasonable exercise of its
discretion), two properly completed and duly executed originals of United States Internal
Revenue Service Form W-9 (or any successor form) certifying that such Secured Party or
Eligible Assignee is not subject to United States federal backup withholding tax.
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(ii) Each Secured Party and Eligible Assignee that is not a United States Person (as
such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) shall deliver to the Borrower, in
the case of a Secured Party, on or prior to the Closing Date or, in the case of an Eligible
Assignee, on or prior to the date of such assignment, and at such other times as may be
necessary in the determination of the Borrower (in the reasonable exercise of its
discretion), either of the following:
(x) if such Secured Party or Eligible Assignee is not (1) a “bank” as described
in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (2) a 10% shareholder of the Borrower (within
the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code) or (3) a controlled foreign
corporation related to the Borrower within the meaning of Section 864(d)(4) of the
Code, a statement, signed und penalty of perjury, to the effect that such Secured
Party or Eligible Assignee is eligible for a complete exemption from withholding of
United States federal income tax under the “portfolio interest” exemption and two
properly complete and duly executed originals of United States Internal Revenue
Service Form W-8BEN (or any successor form); or
(y) two (2) properly completed and duly executed originals of United States
Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or Form W-8ECI (or any successor forms),
certifying in either case that such Secured Party or Eligible Assignee is entitled
to receive any payment under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents
without deduction or withholding of any United States federal income tax, and such
other documentation required under the Code and reasonably requested by the Borrower
to establish that such Secured Party or Eligible Assignee is not subject to any such
deduction or withholding of United States federal income tax.
(f) If any Secured Party or Eligible Assignee determines, in its sole discretion, that it has
received a refund with respect to any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes or with respect to which the
Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to Section 9.03, it shall promptly pay to the
Borrower an amount equal to such refund actually received (but only to the extent of the indemnity
payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Borrower under this Section 9.03 with respect to
Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out of pocket expenses of
such Secured Party or Eligible Assignee; provided that the Borrower, upon the request of
such Secured Party or Eligible Assignee, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower to
such Secured Party or Eligible Assignee (plus any interest or other charges imposed by the relevant
Authority) in the event the Secured Party or Eligible Assignee is required to repay such refund to
an Authority.
(g) Each Secured Party shall take all reasonable actions (consistent with its internal policy
and with legal and regulatory restrictions) requested by Borrower to assist Borrower, at the sole
expense of Borrower, to recover from the relevant Authority any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes in
respect of which amounts were paid by Borrower pursuant to Sections 9.03(a), (b) or (c). However,
a Secured Party will not be required to take any action that would be, in the sole judgment of such
Secured Party, legally inadvisable, or commercially or otherwise disadvantageous to such Secured
Party, and in no event shall such Secured Party be
60
required to disclose any Tax returns or any other information that, in the sole judgment of
such Secured Party, is confidential.
(h) Any Secured Party claiming any increased or additional payments pursuant to Section
9.03(a), (b) or (c) or that becomes aware that such increased or additional payment will be
required shall use its reasonable efforts (consistent with legal and regulatory restrictions) to
change the jurisdiction of its lending office or any other office from which such Secured Party
makes or maintains any extension of credit under any Loan Documents, if the making of such would
avoid the need for or reduce the amount of any such increased or additional payment amount that may
thereafter accrue. In addition, each Secured Party shall take all actions that would not result in
unreasonable costs, administrative burdens or other hardships on such Secured Party and that are
consistent with applicable Law to (i) maintain all exemptions available to it from withholding
taxes (whether available by treaty or administrative waiver) and (ii) minimize any increased or
additional payment amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder.
SECTION 9.04. Costs and Expenses; Indemnification.
(a) The Borrower agrees to promptly pay on demand all reasonable costs and expenses of each of
the Secured Parties (including, without limitation, the fees and disbursements of counsel (whether
through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise)), in connection with the preparation, review,
negotiation, reproduction, execution, delivery, administration, modification and amendment of this
Agreement, the Advance Notes or any other Program Document, including, without limitation, the
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Secured Parties with respect thereto and with
respect to advising the Secured Parties, as to its rights, remedies and responsibilities under this
Agreement and the other Program Documents, all actuarial fees, UCC filing fees, periodic auditing
expenses and all other related fees and expenses. The Borrower agrees to promptly pay on demand
all costs and expenses of each of the Secured Parties (including, without limitation, the fees and
disbursements of counsel (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise)), in
connection with the enforcement of this Agreement, the Advance Notes or any other Program Document,
including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Secured
Parties with respect thereto and with respect to advising the Secured Parties, as to its rights,
remedies and responsibilities under this Agreement and the other Program Documents.
(b) In addition, the Borrower shall pay on demand in connection with the transaction
contemplated by the Program Documents, the applicable pro rata costs and expenses of the rating
agencies’ rating the Conduit Lender’s promissory notes.
(c) The Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Secured Party and each of their
Affiliates and the respective officers, directors, employees, agents, managers of, and any Person
controlling any of, the foregoing (each, an “Indemnified Party”) from and against any and
all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, obligations, expenses, penalties, actions, suits,
judgments and disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever, (including, without limitation, the
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) (collectively the “Liabilities”) that may be incurred
by or asserted or awarded against any Indemnified Party, in each case arising out of or in
connection with or by reason of the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance, administration
of or otherwise arising out of or incurred in connection with this Agreement or
61
any other Program Document or any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby (and regardless
of whether or not any such transactions are consummated), including, without limitation any such
Liability that is incurred or arises out of or in connection with, or by reason of any one or more
of the following: (i) preparation for a defense of, any investigation, litigation or proceeding
arising out of, related to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Program Document or
any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby; (ii) any breach or alleged breach of any
covenant by the Borrower or the Custodian contained in any Program Document; (iii) any
representation or warranty made or deemed made by the Borrower or the Custodian, contained in any
Program Document or in any certificate, statement or report delivered in connection therewith is,
or is alleged to be, false or misleading; (iv) any failure by the Borrower or the Adviser to comply
with any Applicable Law or contractual obligation binding upon it; (v) any failure to vest, or
delay in vesting, in the Secured Parties a first priority perfected security interest in all of the
Pledged Collateral; (vi) any action or omission, not expressly authorized by the Program Documents,
by the Borrower or the Adviser which has the effect of reducing or impairing the Pledged Collateral
or the rights of the Agent or the Secured Parties with respect thereto; (vii) any Default or Event
of Default; and (viii) any claim that any Secured Party has assumed any obligation or liability of
the Borrower under any Loan Document or otherwise; and (ix) any transactions related to the
funding, carrying or repayment of the outstanding principal amount of the Advances in connection
with the Program Documents; except to the extent any such Liability is found in a final,
non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted solely from such
Indemnified Party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.
(d) Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of the Borrower hereunder, the
agreements and obligations of the Borrower contained in this Section 9.04 shall survive the
termination of this Agreement and the payment in full of principal and Yield on the Advances.
SECTION 9.05. Execution in Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto
on separate counterparts, each of which counterparts, 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 agreement.
SECTION 9.06. Assignability.
(a) This Agreement and the Conduit Lender’s rights and obligations herein (including the
outstanding Advances) shall be assignable by the Conduit Lender and its successors and assigns to
an Eligible Assignee; provided that without the prior written consent of the Borrower
(which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed and which consent shall in any event
not be required if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing) such Conduit Lender
shall not assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any Person other than to a U.S.
Affiliate of the Agent which is a special purpose entity that issues promissory notes. Each such
assignor shall notify the Agent and the Borrower of any such assignment. Each such assignor may, in
connection with the assignment or participation, disclose to the assignee or participant any
information relating to the Borrower, including the Pledged Collateral, furnished to such assignor
by or on behalf of the Borrower or by the Agent; provided
62
that, prior to any such disclosure, the assignee or participant agrees to preserve the
confidentiality of any confidential information relating to the Borrower received by it from any of
the foregoing entities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of the Borrower, the
Conduit Lender may, pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement or otherwise, sell, assign, transfer
and convey all or any portion of the Advances maintained by the Conduit Lender, together with all
rights hereunder and under the Program Documents in respect thereof, to BNS and any other bank or
financial institution which is also a Secondary Lender.
(b) Each Secondary Lender may, with the written consent of the Borrower (which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed and which consent shall, in any event, not be required if
an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing), assign to any Eligible Assignee or to
any other Secondary Lender all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement
(including, without limitation, all or a portion of its Secondary Lender Commitment and the
outstanding Advances or interests therein owned by it); provided that the Borrower’s
consent to any such assignment shall not be required if the assignee is an existing Secondary
Lender or a U.S. Affiliate of an existing Secondary Lender. The parties to each such assignment
shall execute and deliver to the Agent an Assignment and Acceptance. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Section 9.06, any Secondary Lender may at any time pledge or grant a security
interest in all or any portion of its rights (including, without limitation, rights to payment of
principal and Yield) under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Secondary Lender, without
notice to or consent of the Borrower or the Agent; provided that no such pledge or grant of a
security interest shall release such Secondary Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or
substitute any such pledgee or grantee for such Secondary Lender as a party hereto.
(c) The Borrower may not assign its rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein
without the prior written consent of the Agent.
(d) The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that each Lender’s (other than the Conduit Lender)
and each Secondary Lender’s source of funds may derive in part from its participants. Accordingly,
references in Sections 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 9.03 and 9.04 and the other terms and provisions of this
Agreement and the other Program Documents to rates, determinations, reserve and capital adequacy
requirements, accounting principles, expenses, increased costs, reduced receipts and the like as
they pertain to the Lender and the Secondary Lenders shall be deemed also to include those of each
of its participants; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to reimburse
a participant of a Secondary Lender pursuant to Sections 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 9.03 and 9.04 in an
amount in excess of the amount that would have been payable to such Secondary Lender had such
participation not been made.
(e) The Agent shall maintain at its address specified in Section 9.02 or such other address as
the Agent shall designate in writing to the Lenders and Secondary Lenders, a copy of this Agreement
and each signature page hereto and each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to and accepted by it
and a register (the “Register”) for the recordation of the names and addresses of the
Lender and Secondary Lenders, their Secondary Lender Commitment, effective dates and Secondary
Lender Stated Expiration Date, and the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the outstanding
Advances made by each Lender and Secondary Lender under this Agreement. The entries in the
Register shall be conclusive and binding for all
63
purposes, absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Agent, the Lender and the Secondary
Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as a Lender or Secondary
Lender, as applicable, hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be
available for inspection by the Borrower or any Secondary Lender at any reasonable time and from
time to time upon reasonable prior notice. No interest hereunder may be transferred unless entered
in the Register.
SECTION 9.07. Governing Law.
THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK,
AND FOR ALL PURPOSES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF SAID STATE.
SECTION 9.08. Severability of Provisions.
Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction
shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or
unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof or affecting the validity or
enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
SECTION 9.09. Confidentiality.
(a) Each of the Secured Parties agrees (i) to keep all non-public information with respect to
the Borrower and the Adviser and their respective Affiliates which such Secured Party receives
pursuant to the Program Documents (collectively, the “Borrower Information”) confidential
and to disclose Borrower Information only to those of its officers, employees, agents, accountants,
legal counsel and other representatives of the Secured Parties (collectively, the “Secured
Party Representatives”), to providers of program-wide credit enhancement for the Conduit
Lender, and to S&P, Xxxxx’x and any other rating agency that rates the promissory notes of the
Conduit Lender (collectively, the “Rating Agencies”) which, in each case, may have a need
to know or review such Borrower Information for the purpose of assisting in the negotiation,
completion, administration and evaluation of this Agreement; (ii) to use the Borrower Information
only in connection with this Agreement and not for any other purpose; and (iii) to cause its
related Secured Party Representatives to comply with the provisions of this Section 9.09(a).
The provisions of this Section 9.09(a) shall not apply to any Borrower Information that is a
matter of general public knowledge or that has heretofore been made available to the public by any
Person other than any Secured Party or any Secured Party Representative or that is required to be
disclosed by applicable law or regulation or is requested by any Authority with jurisdiction over
any Secured Party or Secured Party Representative or any of its Affiliates.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower Information may be disclosed by any Secured
Party Representative to permitted assignees and participants and potential assignees and
participants under this Agreement to the extent such disclosure is made pursuant to a written
agreement of confidentiality substantially similar to this Section 9.09.
64
(c) The obligations of the Borrower, the Agent, each Secondary Lender and each Lender under
this section shall be in effect from the date of this Agreement until seven years from the date of
the termination of this Agreement
SECTION 9.10. Merger.
The Program Documents taken as a whole incorporate the entire agreement between the parties
thereto concerning the subject matter thereof. The Program Documents supersede any prior
agreements among the parties relating to the subject matter thereof.
SECTION 9.11. No Proceedings; No Recourse.
Each of the Borrower, the Agent, the Secondary Lenders and each assignee of an Advance or any
interest therein and each entity which enters into a commitment to make Advances to the Borrower
hereunder hereby agrees that it will not institute against the Conduit Lender any proceeding of the
type referred to in Section 6.01(f) so long as any promissory notes or other senior indebtedness
issued by the Conduit Lender shall be outstanding or there shall not have elapsed one year plus one
day since the last day on which any such promissory notes or other senior indebtedness shall have
been outstanding. The obligations of the Conduit Lender under and in connection with this
Agreement and the other Program Documents are solely the obligations of the Conduit Lender. It is
expressly agreed that no recourse shall be had for the payment of any amount owing in respect of
this Agreement or any other Program Document or for any other obligation or claim arising out of or
based upon this Agreement or any other Program Document, against any member, stockholder, employee,
officer, manager, director, organizer or incorporator of the Conduit Lender or against any member,
stockholder, employee, officer, manager, director, organizer or incorporator of any such member,
stockholder or manager.
SECTION 9.12. Survival of Representations and Warranties.
All representations and warranties made hereunder, in the other Program Documents and in any
document, certificate or statement delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith
or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the
Advances hereunder. The agreements in Sections 9.03, 9.04, 9.09 and 9.11 shall survive the
termination of this Agreement.
SECTION 9.13. Loan Documents.
No obligation or liability of the Borrower is intended to be assumed by the Agent or any other
Secured Party under or as a result of this Agreement or the other Program Documents, and the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including, without limitation, under any Loan
Document and, to the maximum extent permitted under provisions of law, the Agent and the other
Secured Parties expressly disclaim any such assumption. The Borrower shall indemnify, defend and
hold harmless the Agent and the other Secured Parties from any loss, liability or expense incurred
as a result of any claim that any such obligation or liability has been so assumed.
65
If an Event of Default under Section 6.01(f) in respect of the Borrower shall have occurred
and is continuing or the Agent shall have delivered a Notice of Exclusive Control to the Custodian,
and such notice has not been revoked by the Agent, the Borrower will use its best efforts to obtain
and give all necessary consents under all Loan Documents relating to any Pledged Collateral and
execute and deliver all agreements and documents which are necessary or appropriate in order to
enable the Secured Parties to enforce their rights and remedies hereunder and under the other
Program Documents, including without limitation, to permit the Pledged Collateral which constitutes
Loan Assets to be assigned to the Agent or its designees. In addition, the Borrower shall pay all
assignment fees which are required to be paid pursuant to the Loan Documents relating to the
Pledged Collateral in connection with the foregoing. The Agent and the Secured Parties acknowledge
that in order to enforce certain of their remedies in respect of the Pledged Collateral which
constitutes Loan Assets after the occurrence of an Event of Default, certain provisions of the
related Loan Documents may need to be complied with, including provisions requiring the consent of
the related Transaction Agent and/or Obligor.
SECTION 9.14. Submission to Jurisdiction; Waivers; Etc.
The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally:
(a) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this
Agreement or the other Program Documents to which it is a party, or for recognition and enforcement
of any judgment in respect thereof, to the non-exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the
State of New York, the courts of the United States of America for the Southern District of New
York, and the appellate courts of any of them;
(b) consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in any of such courts and
waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or
proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court
and agrees not to plead or claim the same;
(c) agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing
a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage
prepaid, to the Borrower at its address set forth in Section 9.02 or at such other address as may
be permitted thereunder;
(d) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any
other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right to xxx in any other jurisdiction or court;
(e) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or
recover in any legal action or proceeding against any Secured Party arising out of or relating to
this Agreement or any other Program Document any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential
damages; and
(f) acknowledges and agrees that in addition to any right of setoff, banker’s lien or
counterclaim a Secured Party may otherwise have, each Secured Party shall be entitled, at its
option, to set-off any amount owing by it to the Borrower or any balances held by it for the
account of the Borrower against any Borrower’s Obligations which is not paid when due.
66
SECTION 9.15. E-Mail Reports.
Subject to the following terms and conditions the Borrower may, unless otherwise notified to
the contrary by the Agent, transmit Investor Reports and Weekly Portfolio Reports to the Agent by
electronic mail (each an “E-Mail Report”). Each E-Mail Report shall be formatted as the
Agent may designate from time to time. Each E-Mail Report shall be sent to the Agent at an
electronic mail address designated by the Agent, and the executed “summary sheet” for each E-Mail
Report shall be transmitted via facsimile transmission to the Agent at the facsimile numbers
specified for the Agent in Section 9.02.
SECTION 9.16. Waiver of Jury Trial.
EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY
LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER PROGRAM DOCUMENT OR FOR ANY
COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN OR RELATING THERETO.
SECTION 9.17. Several Obligations.
Except for the commitment of the Secondary Lenders to make Advances if the Conduit Lender has
declined to make an Advance to the extent expressly required by Section 2.02, no Lender or
Secondary Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender or Secondary Lender to
make any Advance or to perform any obligation on this Agreement or any other Program Document. The
Agent shall not have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any Secondary Lender for the
Borrower’s, any Lender’s or any Secondary Lender’s, as the case may be, performance of, or failure
to perform, any of their respective obligations and duties under this Agreement or any other
Program Document. The Agent shall not have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any
Secondary Lender for the Borrower’s, any Lender’s or any Secondary Lender’s, as the case may be,
performance of, or failure to perform, any of their respective obligations and duties under this
Agreement or any other Program Document.
SECTION 9.18. Limitation on Liability.
The Borrower’s Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of the State of Delaware.
This Agreement is executed on behalf of the Borrower by the Borrower’s officers as officers and not
individually and the obligations imposed upon the Borrower by this Agreement are not binding upon
any of the Borrower’s trustees, officers or shareholders individually but are binding only upon the
assets and property of the Borrower.
SECTION 9.19. Amendment and Restatement. The Borrower, the Conduit Lender, the
Secondary Lenders and the Agent agree that, upon (i) the execution and delivery of this Agreement
by each party hereto and (ii) the satisfaction (or waiver thereof by the Agent) of the conditions
precedent set forth in Section 3.01, the terms and provisions of the Existing Credit
Agreement shall be amended, superseded and restated in their entirety by the terms and provisions
of this Agreement and, unless expressly stated to the contrary, each reference to the Existing
Credit Agreement in any of the Program Documents or any other document, instrument or agreement
delivered in connection therewith shall mean and be a reference to this Agreement. This Agreement
is not intended to and shall not constitute a novation of the Existing Credit
67
Agreement or the obligations and liabilities thereunder. The commitment of each of the
Secondary Lenders, the Conduit Lender and the Agent shall, on the date hereof, automatically be
deemed amended and the only commitments of the Secondary Lenders, the Conduit Lender and the Agent
shall be those hereunder.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their
respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written.
HIGHLAND CREDIT STRATEGIES FUND, as Borrower |
||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
Signature Page to
Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement
Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement
LIBERTY STREET FUNDING LLC, as Conduit Lender |
||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
Signature Page to
Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement
Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, ACTING THROUGH ITS NEW YORK AGENCY, as Agent |
||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
Signature Page to
Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement
Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, ACTING THROUGH ITS NEW YORK AGENCY, as Secondary Lender |
||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: Percentage: 100% |
||||
Signature Page to
Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement
Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF ADVANCE NOTE
ADVANCE NOTE
$ | , ___ |
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, on the Maturity Date (as defined in the Credit Agreement hereinafter
referred to) of each Advance made by the [Conduit Lender] [Secondary Lender] to the undersigned
(the “Borrower”) pursuant to the Credit Agreement (defined below), the Borrower hereby promises to
pay [INSERT NAME OF CONDUIT LENDER OR SECONDARY LENDER] (together with its successors and assigns
the [“Conduit Lender”] [“Secondary Lender”]) the unpaid principal amount of each such Advance, in
immediately available funds and in lawful money of the United States of America, and to pay Yield
on the unpaid balance of said principal Advance from the Borrowing Date thereof, until the
principal amount thereof shall have been paid in full, in like funds and money as provided in said
Credit Agreement for Advances made by the [Conduit Lender] [Secondary Lender] and at the maturity
thereof. Capitalized terms used in this promissory note unless otherwise defined herein shall have
the meaning assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.
This promissory note is an Advance Note referred to in the Amended and Restated Revolving
Credit and Security Agreement dated as of August 22, 2008 (as from time to time amended, modified,
or supplemented, the “Credit Agreement”) among the Borrower, [the Conduit Lender], [Secondary
Lender], the other banks and financial institutions parties thereto, and The Bank of Nova Scotia,
acting through its New York Agency, as agent. The date and principal amount of each Advance made
to the Borrower and of each repayment of principal thereon shall be recorded by the [Conduit
Lender] [Secondary Lender] or its designee on Schedule II attached to this Advance Note, and the
aggregate unpaid principal amount shown on such schedule shall be rebuttable presumptive evidence
of the principal amount owing and unpaid on the Advances made by the [Conduit Lender] [Secondary
Lender]. The failure to record or any error in recording any such amount on such schedule shall
not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligations of the Borrower hereunder or under the
Credit Agreement to repay the principal amount of the Advances together with all Yield accrued
thereon.
The Borrower’s Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of the State of Delaware.
This Agreement is executed on behalf of the Borrower by the Borrower’s officers as officers and not
individually and the obligations imposed upon the Borrower by this Agreement are not binding upon
any of the Borrower’s trustees, officers or shareholders individually but are binding only upon the
assets and property of the Borrower.
A-1
THIS PROMISSORY NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK.
HIGHLAND CREDIT STRATEGIES FUND |
||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
A-2
SCHEDULE II
TO EXHIBIT A
TO EXHIBIT A
This Advance Note evidences Advances made by [INSERT NAME OF CONDUIT LENDER OR SECONDARY
LENDER], (the [“Conduit Lender”] [“Secondary Lender”]) under the Amended and Restated Revolving
Credit and Security Agreement dated as of August 22, 2008 (as from time to time amended, modified,
or supplemented, the “Credit Agreement”) among the Borrower, LIBERTY STREET FUNDING LLC, as Conduit
Lender, THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, ACTING THROUGH ITS NEW YORK AGENCY, the other banks and financial
institutions parties thereto and THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, ACTING THROUGH ITS NEW YORK AGENCY, as
agent, in the principal amounts and on the dates set forth below, subject to the payments and
prepayments of principal set forth below:
PRINCIPAL | PRINCIPAL | PRINCIPAL | ||||||||||||||||
AMOUNT | AMOUNT PAID | BALANCE | NOTATION | |||||||||||||||
DATE | ADVANCED | OR PREPAID | OUTSTANDING | BY |
A-3
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF NOTICE OF BORROWING
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA,
ACTING THROUGH ITS NEW YORK AGENCY,
as Agent
Asset-Backed Finance
Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx Xxxx
ACTING THROUGH ITS NEW YORK AGENCY,
as Agent
Asset-Backed Finance
Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx Xxxx
NOTICE OF BORROWING
This Notice of Borrowing is made pursuant to Section 2.02 of that certain Amended and Restated
Revolving Credit and Security Agreement dated as of August 22, 2008, among LIBERTY STREET FUNDING
LLC, as lender (the “Conduit Lender”), The Bank of Nova Scotia, acting through its New York Agency,
and the other lenders parties thereto, The Bank of Nova Scotia, acting through its New York Agency,
as agent and Highland Credit Strategies Fund, as borrower (the “Borrower”) (as the same may from
time to time be amended, supplemented, waived or modified, the “Credit Agreement”). Unless
otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to those terms
in the Credit Agreement.
1. The Borrower hereby requests that on , ___(the “Borrowing Date”) it
receive borrowings under the Credit Agreement in an aggregate principal amount of
Dollars ($___) (the “Requested Amount”).
2. The Borrower hereby gives notice of its request for an Advance or Advances in the
aggregate principal amount equal to the Requested Amount to the Agent pursuant to Section 2.02 of
the Credit Agreement and requests the Conduit Lender or the Secondary Lender remit, or cause to be
remitted, the proceeds thereof to [the Borrower’s Account] [SPECIFY ACCOUNT, IF APPLICABLE].
3. The Borrower certifies that (i) the representations and warranties of the Borrower
contained or reaffirmed in Section 4.01 of the Credit Agreement are true and correct in all
material respects on and as of the date hereof to the same extent as though made on and as of the
date hereof (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to any
earlier date); (ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the Credit
Agreement or will result from the proposed borrowing; (iii) the Borrower has performed in all
material respects all agreements and satisfied all conditions under the Credit Agreement to be
performed by it on or before the date hereof; (iv) the conditions precedent to the making of the
proposed borrowings set forth in Article III of the Credit Agreement have been fully satisfied;
(v) immediately after the making of any such Advance, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of
all Advances shall not exceed the Total Commitment for the Borrower; and (vi)
B-1
immediately after giving effect to such Advance, the aggregate credit extended by the Lenders
and the Secondary Lenders under the Credit Agreement does not exceed the sum of (x) the Margin
Stock Percentage of the current market value (as defined in Regulation U) of all Margin Stock of
the Borrower as specified in Annex A hereto, plus, (y) the good faith loan value (as
determined in accordance with Regulation U) of all other Assets of the Borrower as specified in
Annex A hereto. It is the intent of the parties to the Credit Agreement that Annex A to
this Notice of Borrowing shall constitute an amendment to the Form FR U-1 or Form FR G-3 purpose
statement executed by the applicable Lenders or Secondary Lenders funding an Advance in connection
with this Notice of Borrowing, which amendment shall be attached to such purpose statement as
required by Section 221.3(c)(iv) of Regulation U. The Borrower further represents and warrants
that it owns the Pledged Collateral free and clear of any Adverse Claims and that the attached
current list of collateral of the Borrower adequately supports all credit extended under the Credit
Agreement as determined in accordance with Regulation U.
B-2
WITNESS my hand on this ___day of ____________, ___.
HIGHLAND CREDIT STRATEGIES FUND |
||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: |
B-3
Annex A
[CURRENT LIST OF COLLATERAL OF BORROWER WHICH ADEQUATELY
SUPPORTS ALL CREDIT EXTENDED UNDER THE CREDIT AGREEMENT]
SUPPORTS ALL CREDIT EXTENDED UNDER THE CREDIT AGREEMENT]
B-4
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
Reference is made to the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement dated as
of August 22, 2008 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit
Agreement”) among LIBERTY STREET FUNDING LLC (together with its successors and assigns, the
“Conduit Lender”), The Bank of Nova Scotia, ACTING THROUGH ITS NEW YORK AGENCY, together with the
other banks and financial institutions from time to time parties to the Credit Agreement (the
“Secondary Lenders”), The Bank of Nova Scotia, ACTING THROUGH ITS NEW YORK AGENCY, as agent for the
Secondary Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns, the “Agent”) and
HIGHLAND CREDIT STRATEGIES FUND (together with its permitted successors and assigns, the
“Borrower”). Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with the same meaning.
The “Assignor” and the “Assignee” referred to on Schedule II hereto agree as follows:
1. As of the Effective Date (as defined below), the Assignor hereby absolutely and
unconditionally sells and assigns, without recourse, to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby
purchases and assumes, without recourse to or representation of any kind (except as set forth
below) from Assignor, an interest in and to the Assignor’s rights and obligations under the
Credit Agreement and under the other Program Documents equal to the percentage interest
specified on Schedule II hereto, including the Assignor’s Secondary Lender Commitment and the
percentage interest specified on Schedule II hereto of the outstanding principal amount of the
Advances (such rights and obligations assigned hereby being the “Assigned Interests”). After
giving effect to such sale, assignment and assumption, the Assignee’s “Secondary Lender
Commitment” and the Assignee’s “Percentage” will be as set forth on Schedule II hereto.
2. The Assignor (i) represents and warrants that immediately prior to the Effective Date it
is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest free and clear of any Adverse Claim
created by the Assignor; (ii) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility
with respect to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the
Program Documents or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency
or value of, or the perfection or priority of any lien or security or ownership interest created
or purported to be created under or in connection with, the Program Documents or any other
instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto or the condition or value of the Assigned
Interest, Pledged Collateral, or any interest therein; and (iii) makes no representation or
warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the condition (financial or otherwise) of
any of the Borrower, the Agent, or any other Person, or the performance or observance by any
Person of any of its obligations under any Program Document or any instrument or document
furnished pursuant thereto.
C-1
3. The Assignee (i) confirms that it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement and the
other Program Documents, together with copies of any financial statements delivered pursuant to
Sections 5.01 of the Credit Agreement 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
Acceptance; (ii) agrees that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Agent, the
Assignor, the Conduit Lender or any other Secondary Lender 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 or in connection with any of the Program Documents; (iii)
confirms that it is an Eligible Assignee; (iv) appoints and authorizes the Agent to take such
action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers and discretion under the Program
Documents as are delegated to the Agent by the terms thereof, together with such powers and
discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto; (v) agrees that it will perform in accordance
with their terms all of the obligations that by the terms of the Program Documents are required
to be performed by it as a Secondary Lender; (vi) confirms that the assignment hereunder
complies with any applicable legal requirements including the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended; (vii) confirms that such Assignee is a United States Person (as defined in Section 7701
(a)(30) of the Code) or that such Assignee shall have provided the Agent with two Internal
Revenue Service forms W-8BEN and W-8ECI (or successor forms) certifying that the income from the
Assigned Interest is effectively connected with the conduct of such Person’s trade or business
in the United States of America; and (viii) confirms that such Assignee is not a partnership,
grantor trust or S corporation (as such terms are defined in the Internal Revenue Code).
4. Following the execution of this Assignment and Acceptance, it will be delivered to the
Agent for acceptance and recording by the Agent. The effective date for this Assignment and
Acceptance (the “Effective Date”) shall be the date of acceptance hereof by the Agent, unless a
later effective date is specified on Schedule II hereto.
5. Upon such acceptance and recording by the Agent, as of the Effective Date, (i) the
Assignee shall be a party to and bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement and, to the
extent provided in this Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a
Secondary Lender thereunder and under any other Program Document and (ii) the Assignor shall, to
the extent provided in this Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights and be released
from its obligations under the Credit Agreement and under any other Program Document.
6. Upon such acceptance and recording by the Agent, from and after the Effective Date, the
Agent shall make all payments under the Credit Agreement in respect of the Assigned Interest to
the Assignee. The Assignor and Assignee shall make all appropriate adjustments in payments under
the Credit Agreement and the Assigned Interests for periods prior to the Effective Date directly
between themselves.
7. This Assignment and Acceptance shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with,
the laws of the State of New York.
8. This Assignment and Acceptance may be executed in any number of counterparts and by
different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall
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be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the
same agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart of Schedule II to this Assignment and
Acceptance by telecopier shall be effective as a delivery of a manually executed counterpart of
this Assignment and Acceptance.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Assignor and the Assignee have caused Schedule 1 to this Assignment
and Acceptance to be executed by their officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date specified
thereon.
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Schedule II
Percentage interest transferred by Assignor: |
% | |||||
Assignee’s “Secondary Lender Commitment”: | $ | |||||
Assignor: | [INSERT NAME OF ASSIGNOR], |
|||||
as Assignor, |
||||||
By: | ||||||
Assignee: | [INSERT NAME OF ASSIGNEE] |
|||||
as Assignee |
||||||
By: | ||||||
Accepted, Consented to and
Acknowledged this ___day of
,
Acknowledged this ___day of
,
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, | ||||
ACTING THROUGH ITS NEW YORK AGENCY, | ||||
as Agent | ||||
By: |
||||
[HIGHLAND CREDIT STRATEGIES FUND | ||||
By:
|
]* | |||
* | If required pursuant to Section 9.06(b) |
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EXHIBIT D
FORM OF NOTICE OF PREPAYMENT
HIGHLAND CREDIT STRATEGIES FUND
00000 Xxxx Xx., Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
00000 Xxxx Xx., Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA ACTING
THROUGH ITS NEW YORK AGENCY, as Agent
Asset-Backed Finance
Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx Xxxx
THROUGH ITS NEW YORK AGENCY, as Agent
Asset-Backed Finance
Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx Xxxx
NOTICE OF PREPAYMENT
This Notice of Prepayment is made pursuant to Section 2.05 of that certain Amended and
Restated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement dated as of August 22, 2008, among LIBERTY STREET
FUNDING CORP., as lender (the “Conduit Lender”), The Bank of Nova Scotia, acting through its New
York Agency, and the other lenders parties thereto, The Bank of Nova Scotia, acting through its
New York Agency, as agent and Highland Credit Strategies Fund, as borrower (the “Borrower”) (as the
same may from time to time be amended, supplemented, waived or modified, the “Credit Agreement”).
Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to those
terms in the Credit Agreement.
1. The Borrower hereby gives notice that on , ___(the “Prepayment Date”) it
will prepay under the Credit Agreement in the principal amount of Dollars ($___)
(the “Prepayment Amount”).
2. The Borrower hereby gives notice of intent to prepay in the aggregate principal amount
equal to the Prepayment Amount to the Agent and the Conduit Lender pursuant to Section 2.05 of the
Credit Agreement and will remit, or cause to be remitted, the proceeds thereof to [INSERT ACCOUNT
INFORMATION].
3. The Borrower certifies that such prepayment is [a voluntary prepayment pursuant to Section
2.05(a), requires one (1) Business Day’s prior written notice, and shall be an integral multiple of
$100,000, with a minimum amount of $1,000,000][due to non-compliance with the Borrowing Base Test
pursuant to Section 2.05(b) and requires payment on the Prepayment Date][due to non-compliance with
the Asset Coverage Test and requires payment on the Prepayment Date][due to the requirements of
Section 2.05(c) and requires payment on the Prepayment Date].
D-1
4. The Prepayment Amount shall be applied to the Advances in the order in which such Advances
were made.
WITNESS my hand on this ___day of , ___.
HIGHLAND CREDIT STRATEGIES FUND |
||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
D-2
EXHIBIT E
PERFECTION REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
In addition to the representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Agreement, to induce
the Lender, the Secondary Lenders and the Agent to enter into the Agreement and, in the case of the
Lender and the Secondary Lender, to make Advances thereunder, the Borrower hereby represents,
warrants and covenants to the Agent, the Lender and the Secondary Lenders as to itself as follows:
General
1. The Agreement creates a valid and continuing security interest (as defined in the applicable
UCC) in the Pledged Collateral in favor of the Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, which
security interest is prior to all other Liens (subject to the Lien of the Custodian securing (i)
the Custodian’s Overdraft Advances to the extent permitted by Section 5.02(o), (ii) indemnification
payments owing by the Borrower in favor of the Custodian in an amount not to exceed $100,000 and
(iii) Permitted Expenses of the Custodian in an amount not to exceed $50,000), and is enforceable
as such as against creditors of and purchasers from the Borrower.
2. The Pledged Collateral held in the Collateral Account constitutes “security entitlements”
arising from “investment property” within the meaning of the applicable UCC.
3. The Collateral Account constitutes a “securities account” within the meaning of the applicable
UCC.
4. All of the Pledged Collateral that constitute securities entitlements have been and will have
been credited to the Collateral Account. The securities intermediary for the Collateral Account has
agreed to treat all assets credited to the Collateral Account as “financial assets” within the
meaning of the applicable UCC.
Creation
5. The Borrower owns and has good and marketable title to the Pledged Collateral free and clear of
any Lien, claim or encumbrance of any Person, excepting only the Liens of the Agent for the benefit
of the Secured Parties under the Agreement and Permitted Liens.
6. The Borrower has received all consents and approvals required by the terms of the Pledged
Collateral that constitute securities entitlements, certificated securities or uncertificated
securities to transfer to the Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a security interest and
rights in the Pledged Collateral under the Agreement.
Perfection
7. The Borrower has caused the filing of all appropriate financing statements in the proper filing
office in the appropriate jurisdictions under applicable law to the extent effective under the
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applicable UCC to perfect the security interest in the Pledged Collateral granted to the Agent for
the benefit of the Secured Parties under the Agreement.
8. With respect to Pledged Collateral that constitutes securities accounts or securities
entitlements, either:
(a) the Borrower has caused the filing of all appropriate financing statements in the proper
filing office in the appropriate jurisdictions under applicable law in order to perfect the
security interest granted in the Pledged Collateral to the Agent for the benefit of the
Secured Parties; or
(b) the Borrower has delivered to the Agent a fully executed agreement pursuant to which the
securities intermediary has agreed to comply with all entitlement orders originated by the
Agent relating to the Collateral Account without further consent by the Borrower; or
(c) the Borrower has taken all steps necessary to cause the securities intermediary to
identify in its records the Agent as the person having a security entitlement against the
securities intermediary in the Collateral Account.
9. With respect to Pledged Collateral that constitutes certificated securities (other than
securities entitlements), either:
(a) the Borrower has caused the filing of all appropriate financing statements in the proper
filing office in the appropriate jurisdictions under applicable law in order to perfect the
security interest granted in the Pledged Collateral to the Agent for the benefit of the
Secured Parties; or
(b) the Agent has received a written acknowledgment from the Custodian that the Custodian
(i) is not a securities intermediary, (ii) is holding the security certificates that
constitute or evidence the Pledged Collateral solely on behalf of and for the benefit of
Agent, and (iii) each such security certificate either (A) is in bearer form, (B) has been
indorsed by an effective indorsement to the Agent or the Custodian or in blank, or (C) has
been registered in the name of the Agent or the Custodian; or
(c) the Agent has received a written acknowledgment from the Custodian that the Custodian
(i) is a securities intermediary, (ii) is holding the security certificates in registered
form that constitute or evidence the Pledged Collateral on behalf of and for the benefit of
Agent, and (iii) each such security certificate either: (A) registered in the name of the
Agent, (B) payable to the order of the Agent, or (C) specially indorsed to the Agent by an
effective indorsement and has not been indorsed to the securities intermediary or in blank.
10. With respect to Pledged Collateral that constitute uncertificated securities (other than
securities entitlements), either:
(a) the Borrower has caused the filing of all appropriate financing statements in the proper
filing office in the appropriate jurisdictions under applicable law in order to
E-2
perfect the security interest granted in the Pledged Collateral to the Agent for the benefit
of the Secured Parties to the extent such security interest may be perfected by the filing
of financing statements under the UCC; or
(b) each issuer of any Pledged Collateral that constitutes an uncertificated security has
registered the Agent as the registered owner; or
(c) the Custodian, who is not a securities intermediary, has become the registered owner of
such uncertificated security on behalf of the Agent, and has acknowledged in writing that it
holds for the Agent; or
(d) the Borrower is the registered owner of such uncertificated security and each issuer of
such uncertificated securities has agreed in writing that it will comply with instructions
originated by the Agent without further consent by the Borrower.
Priority
11. No Other Grants. Other than the security interest granted to the Agent for the benefit
of the Secured Parties pursuant to the Agreement and other than with respect to Permitted Liens,
the Borrower has not pledged, assigned, sold, granted a security interest in, or otherwise conveyed
any of the Pledged Collateral. The Borrower has not authorized the filing of, or is not aware of
any financing statements against the Borrower that include a description of collateral covering the
Pledged Collateral other than any financing statement relating to the security interest granted to
the Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties under the Agreement or that has been terminated.
12. No Filings. The Borrower is not aware of any judgment, ERISA or tax lien filings
against the Borrower.
13. No Pledge or Assignment. None of the certificated securities that constitute or
evidence the Pledged Collateral has any marks or notations indicating that they have been pledged,
assigned or otherwise conveyed to any Person other than the Secured Parties.
14. Collateral Account in Name of the Borrower. The Collateral Account is not in the name
of any person other than the Borrower. The Borrower has not granted to the securities intermediary
of the Collateral Account the power to comply with entitlement orders of any person other than the
Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties.
15. Survival of Perfection Representations. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement or any other Loan Document, the Perfection Representations, Warranties and Covenants
contained in this Exhibit E shall be continuing, and remain in full force and effect
(notwithstanding any termination of the Total Commitments or any replacement of the Borrower or
termination of the Borrower’s rights to act as such) until such time as all obligations under
Agreement have been finally and fully paid and performed.
16. No Waiver. The parties to this Agreement: (a) shall not, without obtaining a
confirmation of the then-current rating of the Commercial Paper Notes (as defined below), waive any
of the Perfection Representations, Warranties and Covenants; (b) shall provide the Ratings
E-3
Agencies with prompt written notice of any breach of the Perfection Representations, Warranties and
Covenants and shall not, without obtaining a confirmation of the then-current rating of the
Commercial Paper Notes (as determined after any adjustment or withdrawal of the ratings following
notice of such breach) waive a breach of any of the Perfection Representations, Warranties and
Covenants. “Commercial Paper Notes” means promissory notes issued or to be issued by the
Conduit Lender to fund its Advances or investments in other financial assets.
17. Borrower to Maintain Perfection and Priority. The Borrower covenants that, in order to
evidence the interests of the Agent under the Agreement, the Borrower shall take such action, or
execute and deliver such instruments (other than effecting a Filing (as defined below), unless such
Filing is effected in accordance with this paragraph 17) as may be necessary or advisable
(including, without limitation, such actions as are requested by the Agent) to maintain and
perfect, as a first priority interest, the Agent’s security interest for the benefit of the Secured
Parties in the Pledged Collateral. The Borrower shall, from time to time and within the time
limits established by law, prepare and present to the Agent for the Agent to authorize (based in
reliance on the opinion of counsel hereinafter provided for) the Borrower to file, all financing
statements, amendments, continuations, initial financing statements in lieu of a continuation
statement, terminations, partial terminations, releases or partial releases, or any other filings
necessary or advisable to continue, maintain and perfect the Agent’s security interest for the
benefit of the Secured Parties in the Pledged Collateral as a first-priority interest (each a
“Filing”). The Borrower shall present each such Filing to the Agent together with (x) an
opinion of counsel to the effect that such Filing satisfies the requirements for a Filing of such
type under the UCC in the applicable jurisdiction (or if the UCC does not apply, the applicable
statute governing the perfection of security interests), and (y) a form of authorization for the
Agent’s signature. Upon receipt of such opinion of counsel and form of authorization, the Agent
shall promptly authorize in writing the Borrower to, and Borrower shall, effect such Filing under
the UCC without the signature of the Borrower, Agent or the Secured Parties where allowed by
applicable law. Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement to the contrary, the Borrower
shall not have any authority to effect a Filing without obtaining written authorization from the
Agent in accordance with this paragraph 17.
E-4