ESCROW, SECURITY AND CONTROL AGREEMENT for CONTRACTUAL LIABILITY OBLIGATIONS Effective March 11, 2011 Among WORKERS’ ASSURANCE OF HAWAII, INC.
Exhibit 10.1
ESCROW, SECURITY AND CONTROL AGREEMENT
for
CONTRACTUAL LIABILITY OBLIGATIONS
Effective March 11, 2011
Among
WORKERS’ ASSURANCE OF HAWAII, INC.
as Grantor
and
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
as Escrow Agent
and
NATIONAL UNION FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY OF PITTSBURGH, PA.
on behalf of itself and its insurance company affiliates including but not limited
to:
AMERICAN HOME ASSURANCE COMPANY
CHARTIS CASUALTY COMPANY
CHARTIS PROPERTY CASUALTY COMPANY
COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY INSURANCE COMPANY
GRANITE STATE INSURANCE COMPANY
ILLINOIS NATIONAL INSURANCE CO.
NEW HAMPSHIRE INSURANCE COMPANY
THE INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA
as Beneficiary
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
PARTIES | 1 | |||||
RECITALS | 1 | |||||
ARTICLE I | ||||||
DEFINITIONS | ||||||
Section 1.1 | Defined Terms | 2 | ||||
Section 1.2 | Use of Defined Terms | 8 | ||||
ARTICLE II | ||||||
ESTABLISHMENT OF ESCROW; AUTHORITY | ||||||
OF AND CERTAIN DIRECTIONS TO ESCROW AGENT; SECURITY INTEREST | ||||||
Section 2.1 | Establishment of Escrow | 8 | ||||
Section 2.2 | Execution of Documents and Authorization to Take Certain Action | 9 | ||||
Section 2.3 | Establishment of Operating Account | 9 | ||||
Section 2.4 | Investment of Escrow Assets | 10 | ||||
Section 2.5 | Declaration of Escrow | 12 | ||||
Section 2.6 | Name of Escrow | 12 | ||||
Section 2.7 | Security Interest | 12 | ||||
ARTICLE III | ||||||
WITHDRAWALS FROM AND SUBSTITUTIONS TO ESCROW ESTATE: | ||||||
RECEIPT, DISTRIBUTION AND APPLICATION OF INCOME | ||||||
FROM THE ESCROW ESTATE; VOTING RIGHTS IN ESCROW ASSETS | ||||||
Section 3.1 | Withdrawals by Beneficiary | 14 | ||||
Section 3.2 | Substitution of Escrow Assets | 15 | ||||
Section 3.3 | Additions to the Escrow Estate | 16 | ||||
Section 3.4 | Amounts Received on Account of Escrow Assets | 16 | ||||
Section 3.5 | Payments to be made by Escrow Agent | 17 | ||||
Section 3.6 | Voting Rights and Defense of Title of Collateral | 17 | ||||
Section 3.7 | Risk Management’s Compensation | 18 |
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Page | ||||||
ARTICLE IV |
| |||||
DUTIES OF ESCROW AGENT | ||||||
Section 4.1 | Instructions of Beneficiary | 19 | ||||
Section 4.2 | No Implied Duties | 19 | ||||
Section 4.3 | No Unauthorized Transactions | 20 | ||||
Section 4.4 | Tax Returns | 20 | ||||
Section 4.5 | Books and Records of Escrow Agent | 20 | ||||
Section 4.6 | Valuation Report | 20 | ||||
Section 4.7 | Escrow Agent Liability | 21 | ||||
ARTICLE V | ||||||
THE ESCROW AGENT | ||||||
Section 5.1 | Acceptance of Escrow | 21 | ||||
Section 5.2 | Limitation of Duties | 21 | ||||
Section 5.3 | Representations and Warranties of Escrow Agent | 22 | ||||
Section 5.4 | Segregation of Funds | 22 | ||||
Section 5.5 | Reliance on Documents; Agents | 22 | ||||
Section 5.6 | Limitation on Liability of Escrow Agent . | 23 | ||||
Section 5.7 | The Escrow Agent’s Compensation, Expenses and Indemnification | 24 | ||||
ARTICLE VI |
| |||||
TRANSFER OF BENEFICIARY'S INTEREST | ||||||
Section 6.1 | Transfer of Interest | 25 | ||||
Section 6.2 | Notice of Assignment by Beneficiary | 25 | ||||
ARTICLE VII | ||||||
SUCCESSOR ESCROW AGENT; CO-ESCROW AGENT | ||||||
Section 7.1 | Successor Escrow Agent; Co-Escrow Agent | 25 | ||||
ARTICLE VIII | ||||||
TERMINATION; VALIDITY OF SALE | ||||||
Section 8.1 | Termination | 30 | ||||
Section 8.2 | Validity of Sale | 30 |
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Page | ||||
ARTICLE IX | ||||
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF GRANTOR | ||||
Section 9.1 | Representations and Warranties of Grantor | 31 | ||
ARTICLE X | ||||
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BENEFICIARY | ||||
Section 10.1 | Representations and Warranties of Beneficiary | 32 | ||
ARTICLE XI | ||||
MISCELLANEOUS | ||||
Section 11.1 | Notices | 33 | ||
Section 11.2 | Severability | 34 | ||
Section 11.3 | Modifications | 34 | ||
Section 11.4 | Counterparts | 34 | ||
Section 11.5 | Entire Agreement | 34 | ||
Section 11.6 | Benefits of Agreement | 34 | ||
Section 11.7 | Headings | 35 | ||
Section 11.8 | Dealings by Escrow Agent | 35 | ||
Section 11.9 | Governing Law and Venue | 35 | ||
EXHIBIT A | Initial Escrow Assets | 38 | ||
EXHIBIT B | Contractual Liability Policies | 39 |
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ESCROW AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACTUAL LIABILITY OBLIGATIONS
This ESCROW AGREEMENT FOR CONTRACTUAL LIABILITY OBLIGATIONS effective March 11, 2011, by and among WORKERS’ ASSURANCE OF HAWAII, INC. a Hawaii _Corporation (herein called the “Grantor”), THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, a New York corporation (herein, in its capacity as Escrow Agent, and together with its successors called the “Escrow Agent”), and NATIONAL UNION FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY OF PITTSBURGH, PA. on behalf of itself and its insurance company affiliates including but not limited to: AMERICAN HOME ASSURANCE COMPANY, CHARTIS CASUALTY COMPANY, CHARTIS PROPERTY CASUALTY COMPANY, COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY INSURANCE COMPANY, GRANITE STATE INSURANCE COMPANY, ILLINOIS NATIONAL INSURANCE CO., NEW HAMPSHIRE INSURANCE COMPANY, THE INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA (herein called the “Beneficiary”).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Beneficiary issued certain policies of insurance to Grantor’s parent, TrueBlue, Inc. (herein called the “Parent”) (said policies, together with all endorsements and addenda thereto, herein collectively the “Insurance Policies”); and
WHEREAS, the Beneficiary requires collateral from the Parent for Parent’s deductible and/or non-deductible reimbursement obligations arising from the Insurance Policies, and the Payment Agreement between TrueBlue, Inc. and National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa., on behalf of itself and its affiliates, effective July 1, 2003 (together with all addenda and schedules thereto the “Payment Agreement;” the Payment Agreement together with the Insurance Policies are herein collectively referred to as the “Insurance Program”); and
WHEREAS, the Grantor intends to issue the following contractual liability policy[ies] to the Parent:
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REFER TO EXHIBIT B
(collectively herein referred to as the “Contractual Liability Policy[ies]”); and
WHEREAS, via Assignment Agreement between the Parent, Grantor and Beneficiary, (i) Parent conveyed, and Beneficiary assumed, all legal and beneficial right, title and interest Parent has in and to the Contractual Liability Policy[ies] and (ii) Parent shall convey, and Beneficiary shall assume, all legal and beneficial right, title and interest Parent has in and to all future contractual liability policies issued by the Grantor relating to the Insurance Program (herein collectively referred to as the “Assignment Agreement[s]”); and
WHEREAS, the Grantor desires to create an escrow for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Beneficiary for the purpose of providing the collateral for the Grantor’s obligations under the Contractual Liability Policy[ies] and all future contractual liability policies issued by the Grantor relating to the Insurance Program; and
WHEREAS, the Escrow Agent is willing to accept the duties and obligations imposed hereunder.
NOW, THEREFORE, in order to induce the Beneficiary to accept this Escrow Agreement for Contractual Liability Obligations, the Contractual Liability Policy[ies] to be issued by the Grantor to Parent, the Payment Agreement to be executed and the Assignment Agreement[s] to be executed, and in consideration of the promises and of the mutual agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Defined Terms. As used in this Escrow, Security and Control Agreement for Contractual Liability Obligations the following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context otherwise requires:
“Affiliate” shall mean, with respect to any Person, a Person which directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person.
“Beneficiary” has the meaning assigned to that term in the introduction to this Escrow, Security and Control Agreement for Contractual Liability Obligations and shall include its successors and assigns by operation of law, including without limitation, any liquidator, rehabilitator, receiver, or conservator of the named Beneficiary.
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“Book Entry Form” shall mean with respect to government obligations and obligations of institutions, a form or system, as applicable, under which the legal ownership of government obligations and obligations of institutions may be transferred via wire only through a book entry on the books of The Federal Reserve Bank, The Depository Trust Company, or another depository approved in writing by the Beneficiary.
“Business Day” means any day which is not a Saturday, a Sunday, or a day on which banks and escrow companies in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.
“Cash” means United States Dollars.
“Control” (including the related terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”) shall mean, with respect to the definitions of “Affiliate” and “Subsidiary”, the ownership, directly or indirectly, of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock of a corporation.
“Default” means any default in any obligation under or breach of, or the making of any untrue or incorrect representation or warranty in connection with, this Escrow, Security and Control Agreement for Contractual Liability Obligations or the Grantor being the subject of any agreement or proceeding of insolvency, liquidation, receivership, or bankruptcy, whether voluntary or involuntary.
“Distributions” means all interest, dividends, or distributions, or payments in cash, securities and other property upon or with respect to any Escrow Asset including, without limitation, amounts received upon any purchase, redemption or retirement thereof.
“Dollars” or $ shall mean United States dollars.
“Escrow” means the security escrow created by this Escrow, Security and Control Agreement for Contractual Liability Obligations, and in no event shall such term be deemed to include the Escrow Agent, the Grantor, the Beneficiary or any of their respective assets.
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“Escrow Agreement” means this Escrow, Security and Control Agreement for Contractual Liability Obligations, as the same may from time to time be amended, modified or supplemented and in effect.
“Escrow Assets” means the Initial Escrow Assets and all other Qualified Assets conveyed, assigned and transferred to the Escrow by the Grantor or otherwise.
“Escrow Estate” means all present and future estate, right, title and interest of the Escrow Agent, including, without limitation, its security interest in and to the Escrow Assets.
“Escrow Obligations” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 5.6 hereof.
“Initial Escrow Assets” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.1 hereof.
“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind whatsoever.
“Market Value” means the value, as of the time any determination thereof is made, (i) with respect to any Qualified Asset listed under clause (A), (B), (C) or (D) of the definition thereof with a stated maturity within one (1) year from the date of purchase, with respect to interest bearing assets, the principal amount payable at the maturity of such assets and with respect to original issue discount assets, the purchase price of such assets, and (ii) with respect to any Qualified Asset listed under clause (A), with a stated maturity between one (1) and ten (10) years from the date of purchase, the bid price as provided by the pricing service then currently utilized by the Escrow Agent or, if not so provided, the average of the bid prices obtained from two nationally recognized government securities firms making a market in the issue, (iii) with respect to any Qualified Asset listed under clause (D), or other investments pre-approved in writing by the Beneficiary with a stated maturity between one (1) and ten (10) years) from the date of purchase, the bid price as provided by the pricing service then currently utilized by the Escrow Agent or, if not so provided, the average of the bid prices obtained from two major brokerage firms making a market in the issue, or, if no bid price can be obtained, the fair market value as determined by an independent third party, or the Escrow Agent, as approved by the Beneficiary, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, (iv) with respect to mutual funds, the net asset value per share thereof and (v) with respect to Cash, the dollar amount thereof.
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Escrow Assets which, at the time of such determination, are not Qualified Assets shall be deemed to have no Market Value.
“Obligations” shall mean:
All sums owing by Grantor to Beneficiary as security for the Contractual Liability Policy(ies).
“Operating Account” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.3 hereof.
“Parent” shall mean a Person (other than an individual) that, directly or indirectly, controls another Person (other than an individual).
“Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, escrow, unincorporated organization or similar organizations or any government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
“Physical Form” shall mean evidenced by a physical certificate or other written instrument issued to and registered in the name of the Beneficiary, bearer, or a nominee of the Escrow Agent.
“Qualified Assets” means (A) any evidence of indebtedness with a stated maturity within ten (10) years and one (1) month from the date of purchase issued by (i) the United States of America, or an instrumentality or agency thereof; or (ii) issued by any State, municipality or subdivision, instrumentality or agency thereof, provided that such securities issued by any State, municipality, or subdivision, instrumentality or agency thereof shall constitute Qualified Assets only if assigned ratings of at least A by Standard and Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of The XxXxxx-Xxxx Companies (S&P) or its equivalent by another Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (NRSRO), provided, however, only 20% of such securities may be assigned ratings of A, (B) any certificate of deposit, maturing not more than 180 days after the date of purchase, issued or guaranteed by a United States commercial banking institution which is a member of the Federal Reserve System and which has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than One Billion Dollars
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($1,000,000,000), (C) commercial paper, maturing not more than 180 days after the date of purchase, which is assigned a rating of “P-1” (or higher) by Xxxxx’x Investors Service, Inc., or “A-1” (or higher) by Standard and Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of The XxXxxx-Xxxx Companies (S&P), or its equivalent by another Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (NRSRO), (D) obligations of institutions with a stated maturity within ten (10) years and one (1) month from the date of purchase that are assigned ratings of at least A by S&P or its equivalent by another NRSRO, provided, however, only 30% of such obligations may be assigned ratings of A, (E) Cash, (F) residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) and commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) issued by a U.S. government agency or U.S. government-sponsored enterprise, with a stated maturity within ten (10) years and one (1) month from the date of purchase that are assigned ratings of at least AA- by S&P or its equivalent by another NRSRO, provided, however, only 20% of CMBS and RMBS may be held in the Escrow account, (G) shares of United States Securities and Exchange Commission registered money market mutual fund(s). Said mutual funds are to be pre-approved in writing by the Beneficiary. All Qualified Assets must satisfy the requirements specified in Section 1404 (a) (1), (2) and (10) of the New York Insurance Law. Commercial paper and other obligations of institutions must be issued by a corporation (other than the Grantor or Beneficiary or any Affiliate or Subsidiary thereof) which is organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America. The maximum amount that can be invested in the Commercial Paper or any other obligations of institutions of any one Person is 5% of the Required Reserve. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the term “Qualified Assets” shall not include (i) auction-rate securities; (ii) asset-backed securities; and (iii) mortgage-backed securities, except for CMBS and RMBS , issued by a U.S. government agency or U.S. government-sponsored enterprise. CMBS and RMBS must be issued by a U.S. government agency or U.S. government-sponsored enterprise and meet the criteria outlined in the Required Reserve definition.
“Required Reserve” means the sum of “Obligations” plus an amount set by the Beneficiary to guarantee the future payment by the Grantor to the Beneficiary of the amounts
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due the Beneficiary. The Beneficiary will review the Obligations periodically for adequacy in determining the Required Reserve. At Grantor’s request Beneficiary will co-operate with Grantor or Grantor’s designated actuarial consultant in the conduct of such reviews. The Required Reserve as determined above shall be then multiplied by the sum of 100% plus the risk factor produced by applying the then current Grantor and Beneficiary’s mutually approved investment guidelines. The risk factor, in conjunction with a portfolio that has an average duration of 47.5 months, shall be established in accordance with the following table:
Average Modified Adjusted Duration (Years)
1 - 10
AAA/AA- Corporates/Munis/CMBS/RMBS 1%
Note: cash, cash equivalents, US Treasuries, US Agencies, commercial paper and certificates of deposit have a risk factor of 0%.
The risk factor is to be set at the percentage equivalent to the modified adjusted duration permitted pursuant to the investment guidelines proposed by the Grantor and approved by the Beneficiary. The periodic calculation of the Required Reserve and any adjustment thereto shall be communicated by the Beneficiary to the Escrow Agent and Grantor and shall be final and binding on all parties.
If as a result of any periodic review of the Obligations, the Beneficiary finds that the Escrow Assets have a Market Value of less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Required Reserve, the Grantor, upon demand by the Beneficiary agrees to provide additional Qualified Assets in an amount equal to such shortfall in accordance with Section 3.3. If the Beneficiary finds that the Escrow Assets have a Market Value in excess of 100% of the Required Reserve as adjusted by the risk factor in accordance with the definition of Required Reserve, the Beneficiary will return such surplus to the Grantor upon a written request as specified in Article II, Section 2.4 of this Escrow Agreement.
“Risk Management” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 3.7 hereof.
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“Subsidiary” means a Person controlled, directly or indirectly, by another Person.
“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code in the State of New York or such other applicable jurisdiction as the context may require.
“Valuation Report” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 2.3 hereof.
Section 1.2 Use of Defined Terms. All terms defined in this Escrow Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificates, reports or other documents made or delivered pursuant to this Escrow Agreement, unless otherwise defined or unless the context otherwise requires.
ARTICLE II
ESTABLISHMENT OF ESCROW; AUTHORITY OF AND CERTAIN DIRECTIONS TO ESCROW AGENT
Section 2.1 Establishment of Escrow. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Escrow Agreement, the Grantor hereby establishes the Escrow and assigns, conveys, transfers and delivers to the Escrow Agent in escrow as secured party for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Beneficiary, Qualified Assets as listed in Exhibit A hereto (the “Initial Escrow Assets”), the receipt of which the Escrow Agent hereby acknowledges, to have and to hold such Qualified Assets and such additional Qualified Assets as shall be added to the Escrow (in such form as the Escrow Agent shall require to enable the Escrow Agent to sell or otherwise convert such additional Qualified Assets to Cash) in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Escrow Agreement for the uses and purposes set forth herein.
Assignment, conveyance, transfer and delivery of the Initial Escrow Assets (and such additional Qualified Assets as shall be added to the Escrow in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Escrow Agreement) shall be accomplished as follows: (i) securities, documents and instruments in Physical Form shall be delivered in suitable form for transfer by the Escrow Agent, accompanied by duly executed instruments of transfer or assignment in blank and (ii) securities in Book Entry Form, shall be delivered by such other method of transfer as may be appropriate including, where applicable, Book Entry on the books and records of the Escrow Agent or another depository as required in the definition of Book Entry
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Form, provided that the Beneficiary’s right to withdraw such securities is not impaired in any way. The Grantor hereby represents and warrants to the Beneficiary and the Escrow Agent that each of the Initial Escrow Assets is a Qualified Asset and, in the aggregate, have a Market Value of at least $ as of the date of transfer. The Escrow Agent, as Escrow Agent for the Beneficiary, shall administer the Escrow. The Escrow shall be subject to withdrawal in whole or in part by the Beneficiary as provided herein.
Section 2.2 Execution of Documents and Authorization to Take Certain Action. The Grantor hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs the Escrow Agent to take the following actions:
(a) To accept delivery of the Initial Escrow Assets delivered by the Grantor pursuant hereto and to accept delivery of additional Escrow Assets which may be delivered from time to time pursuant hereto;
(b) To establish and maintain the Operating Account in accordance with the terms of this Escrow Agreement;
(c) To make withdrawals from the Escrow Estate upon the written instruction of the Beneficiary in accordance with Article III hereof; and
(d) To accept instructions from the Beneficiary, and from time to time to execute and deliver such notes, instruments, endorsements, documents, agreements and certificates or take such other actions as may be instructed by the Beneficiary or which may be required to carry out the terms and provisions of this Escrow Agreement.
Section 2.3 Establishment of Operating Account. For purposes of this Escrow Agreement, the Escrow Agent is hereby directed to open and maintain at all times during the term of this Escrow Agreement an Operating Account within the Escrow for the benefit of the Beneficiary (said account being called the “Operating Account” and being identified as Account No. 172172. The Operating Account shall consist of the following components the “Principal Account” and the “Income Account”. All cash, checks, drafts, certificates, chattel paper and other instruments at any time and from time to time received by the Escrow Agent evidencing Escrow Assets or Distributions in respect of, or otherwise as proceeds of, Escrow Assets, shall
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be deposited in the Operating Account. The Escrow Agent shall deliver to the Grantor and the Beneficiary, on a monthly basis, a written statement (the “Valuation Report”) identifying in reasonable detail the Escrow Assets then on deposit in the Operating Account, specifying any withdrawals from or deposits to the Operating Account during such month, and certifying the aggregate Market Value of the Escrow Assets as of the close of business on the day preceding the date of such Valuation Report.
Section 2.4 Investment of Escrow Assets. Any Cash held in the Operating Account shall be invested and reinvested only in Qualified Assets by the Escrow Agent as directed in writing by the Grantor or if an event of Default has occurred, as directed in writing by the Beneficiary. All investments shall be (i) made in the name of the Escrow Agent for the account of the Escrow created by this Escrow Agreement, or (ii) made or held in nominee or “street” name, in the name of the Escrow Agent generally and (iii) held by or under the control of the Escrow Agent and deposited in the Operating Account. Principal received upon redemption or maturity of an asset and any such cash will be held in the Principal Account. The interest accruing and dividends paid thereon and any profit realized from such investments shall be credited as follows: (1) to the Principal Account, if the Market Value of the Escrow Assets falls below 100% of the Required Reserve; or (2) to the Income Account, if the Market Value of the Escrow Assets is greater than 100% of the Required Reserve, but only that amount that exceeds 100% of the Required Reserve shall be deposited into the Income Account. Any such interest, dividends, or other income realized from such investments, that was credited to the Income Account shall be paid, transferred or otherwise distributed to the Grantor in such manner as the Grantor shall elect and as the Grantor shall instruct the Escrow Agent in writing, provided and to the extent that, at the time of such payment, the aggregate Market Value of the Escrow Assets in the Operating Account shall exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the Required Reserve provided by the Beneficiary and no Default has occurred. The Grantor and the Beneficiary intend that all of such accumulated interest, dividends and other income to which the Grantor is entitled shall be so paid, transferred and distributed to the Grantor only after each annual re-evaluation of the Required Reserve. The Grantor may, but is not
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required to, engage any qualified investment advisor affiliated with the Escrow Agent or the Beneficiary in connection with the management of the Escrow Assets. Any such management of Escrow Assets by a qualified investment advisor as provided herein shall be for the account and at the risk of the Grantor, subject to the further limitations and requirements of this Escrow Agreement. The Grantor hereby acknowledges that it is not required under this Escrow Agreement to engage any such investment advisor to manage the Escrow Assets, but, if the Grantor should so decide, the selection of such advisor shall be the exclusive decision of the Grantor without any restriction imposed by the Beneficiary other than that (i) such advisor selected shall have been functioning in its investment advisory capacity continuously for at least 5 years prior to its engagement by the Grantor and (ii) at the time of such engagement, such advisor selected shall have under management at least $500 million of such assets described as Qualified Assets and (iii) will be added to this Escrow Agreement via Addendum.
All payments of interest, dividends and other income in respect to Assets in the Escrow Account shall be posted and credited by the Escrow Agent in the separate income column of the custody ledger (the “Income Account” as referenced in Section 2.3), within the Operating Account established and maintained by the Grantor at an office of the Escrow Agent in New York City. Any interest, dividend or other income automatically posted and credited on the payment date to the Income Account which is not subsequently received by the Escrow Agent shall be reimbursed by the Grantor to the Escrow Agent and the Escrow Agent may debit the Income Account for this purpose. Any amounts contained in the Income Account are part of the Assets, and as such, are subject to the terms and conditions of this Escrow Agreement with respect to the Escrow Assets.
During the term of this Escrow Agreement , Grantor shall have the right to seek approval from the Beneficiary for Beneficiary to withdraw assets from the Operating Account for the purpose of making payments to the Grantor of any amounts held in the Escrow that exceed 100 percent of the Required Reserve. Grantor shall seek such approval by delivering a written request (the “Withdrawal Request”) therefor to the Beneficiary, with a copy to the Escrow Agent, which Request shall set forth the amount in excess of 100 percent of the
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Required Reserve as adjusted by the risk factor provided for in the definition of Required Reserve sought to be withdrawn for the benefit of Grantor. Beneficiary shall be the sole judge of the Withdrawal Request, but shall not unreasonably or arbitrarily withhold its approval of any Withdrawal Request. Within thirty (30) days after its receipt of a Withdrawal Request, Beneficiary shall notify, in writing, Grantor and Escrow Agent of Beneficiary’s approval or rejection of such Withdrawal Request; if Beneficiary has rejected a Withdrawal Request, in whole or in part, it shall state its reason or reasons therefor in its written notice.
Section 2.5 Declaration of Escrow. The Escrow Agent hereby declares that it will hold the Escrow Estate upon the terms and conditions herein set forth for the sole use and benefit and under the sole control and direction of the Beneficiary, except as provided in Section 2.4.
Section 2.6 Name of Escrow. For purposes of convenience of reference, the escrow created by this Escrow Agreement may be referred to as the “WORKERS ASSURANCE HAWAII/NATIONAL UNION 2011 ESCROW”.
Section 2.7 Security Interest. The Beneficiary hereby appoints the Escrow Agent as its collateral agent to act as secured party for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Beneficiary with respect to each Escrow Asset in its possession or under its control. In such capacity, in addition to any other capacity in which it shall act hereunder, the Escrow Agent shall act as bailee or agent for the Beneficiary for the purpose of perfecting the Beneficiary’s security interest in each Escrow Asset, and that the Escrow Agent shall follow the instructions of the Beneficiary and shall take such actions with respect to each Escrow Asset as the Beneficiary may require to create, continue or perfect the Beneficiary’s security interest in each Escrow Asset.
Without limiting the provisions of this Escrow Agreement relating to the Escrow, the Grantor hereby grants a security interest in each of the Escrow Assets to the Escrow Agent as secured party for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Beneficiary, to secure the timely and complete payment and performance of all of the Obligations, whether in whole or in part, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, and all modifications, renewals, extensions, rearrangements, substitutions and replacements of the Obligations. All of the Escrow Assets that are delivered to the Escrow Agent shall constitute collateral security for any and all of the Obligations on the terms provided herein.
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The Grantor hereby transfers to the Escrow Agent as secured party for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Beneficiary exclusive control of (i) the Operating Account and each other account into which any Escrow Asset may be deposited or transferred and any and all funds and other property on deposit therein and (ii) each other Escrow Asset. The Grantor agrees that the Escrow Agent, as secured party for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Beneficiary, shall be entitled to direct the management and disposition of each Escrow Asset without further consent of the Grantor; provided, that the Beneficiary hereby authorizes the Escrow Agent to follow the directions of the Grantor with respect to the Escrow Assets to the extent and in the manner otherwise provided for herein. No Escrow Asset shall be deposited in any deposit account or securities account that is not a deposit account or securities account of the Escrow Agent unless the depositary or securities intermediary has executed a control agreement satisfactory to the Beneficiary.
As long as the Escrow Assets are pledged to the Escrow Agent for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Beneficiary, (i) the Escrow Agent waives any right to invade the Escrow Assets for any purpose not expressly provided for in this Escrow Agreement, including, without limitation, to cover margin debits or calls in any other account of the Grantor and (ii) the Escrow Agent waives and subordinates, in favor of the Beneficiary, any security interest, lien or right of setoff the the Escrow Agent may have with respect to the Escrow Assets. The Escrow Agent acknowledges that it has not received notice of any other security interest in the Escrow Assets. In the event any such notice is received, the Escrow Agent shall promptly notify the Beneficiary, and the same shall constitute a Default. The Grantor agrees that, except as created by this Escrow Agreement, it shall not suffer to exist any Lien on the Escrow Assets.
The Beneficiary may require, in its sole discretion, in order to secure the timely and complete payment of each and all of the Obligations, and the Grantor agrees at the Beneficiary’s request to take, any specific action advisable to assign, transfer and grant, convey and deliver to the Escrow Agent as secured party for the sole and exclusive benefit of the
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Beneficiary, a perfected, continuing first priority security interest in each or any of Escrow Assets and all of the proceeds thereof, and the Grantor shall make, and authorizes and instructs the Escrow Agent to make, all necessary and appropriate filings (including the filing of UCC-1 financing statements), to ensure that the Escrow Agent for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Beneficiary at all times has a perfected first priority security interest in all of the right, title and interest of the Grantor in and to each Escrow Asset. In addition, the Beneficiary may require, in its sole discretion, and the Grantor agrees at the Beneficiary’s request to take, all such actions as the Beneficiary deems advisable to ensure that it is the record and beneficial owner of the Escrow Assets, having good title to each Escrow Asset, free and clear of any Lien other than the Lien created by this Escrow Agreement .
In the event that a Default shall occur, including without limitation the failure of the Grantor to make any payment in respect of the Obligations required to be made by it, the Escrow Agent as a secured party for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Beneficiary shall have the right to exercise all remedies of a secured party with respect to each Escrow Asset under the UCC or other applicable law.
ARTICLE III
WITHDRAWALS FROM AND SUBSTITUTIONS TO THE ESCROW ESTATE: RECEIPT, DISTRIBUTION AND APPLICATION OF INCOME FROM THE ESCROW ESTATE; VOTING RIGHTS IN ESCROW ASSETS
SECTION 3.1 Withdrawals by Beneficiary. The Beneficiary shall have the exclusive and unconditional right, without prior written notice to the Grantor, at any time and from time to time to direct the Escrow Agent to withdraw, or order the transfer of, all or part of the Escrow Assets from the Escrow to the Beneficiary’s accounts or possessions. Each such direction (i) shall be in writing, electronic media, or by facsimile transmission, (ii) shall identify the specific Escrow Assets (and the amount thereof) to be withdrawn or transferred, (iii) if the Escrow Assets are not Cash, may authorize the Escrow Agent to sell the specified Escrow Assets for cash proceeds and (iv) shall provide instructions as to where the specified Escrow Assets or proceeds therefrom should be delivered or transferred. No Person other than the
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Beneficiary, except as provided in Section 2.4. may direct a withdrawal or transfer of Escrow Assets from the Escrow. The Escrow Agent shall have no duty or responsibility to verify the purpose of any withdrawal and shall provide prompt written notice to the Grantor of any such withdrawal or transfer.
Section 3.2 Substitution of Escrow Assets. The Grantor may at any time and from time to time request the Beneficiary to direct the withdrawal, or order the transfer of, all or part of the Escrow Assets from the Operating Account to the Grantor; provided that (i) either prior to or concurrently with any such transfer or withdrawal the Grantor shall assign, convey, transfer and deliver to the Escrow Agent Qualified Assets which have a Market Value on the date of transfer at least equal to the Market Value of the Escrow Assets requested to be withdrawn or transferred and (ii) after giving effect to such transaction, the Market Value of the Escrow Assets shall not be less than 100% of the Required Reserve. Each such request shall (i) be in writing or by telephone (confirmed in writing promptly thereafter), (ii) identify the specific Escrow Assets (and the amount thereof) to which such request relates and the manner in which and the location where such Escrow Assets should be delivered to the Grantor, (iii) identify the Qualified Assets proposed to be substituted and the Market Value thereof and (iv) provide the Market Value of all Escrow Assets after giving effect to the proposed substitution. If the Beneficiary, in its sole discretion, approves a request from the Grantor pursuant to this Section 3.2, the Beneficiary shall deliver appropriate directions to the Escrow Agent pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof for the withdrawal or transfer of the specified Escrow Assets; provided that the amount of Qualified Assets required by the first sentence of this Section 3.2 are delivered to the Escrow Agent by the Grantor prior to or concurrently with such withdrawal or transfer.
All investments and substitutions shall be in compliance with the definition of “Qualified Assets”. Any loss incurred from any investment pursuant to the terms of this Escrow Agreement shall be borne exclusively by the Escrow. The Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any loss due to changes in the value of the Escrow or penalties for early redemption.
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Section 3.3 Additions to the Escrow Estate. The Grantor may, at any time, and shall at the times required pursuant to Section 3.2 hereof, assign, convey, transfer and deliver Qualified Assets to the Escrow Agent for inclusion in the Escrow Estate. In addition, if at any time the Beneficiary notifies the Grantor that the Market Value of the Escrow Assets, as shown in the most recent Valuation Report, is less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Required Reserve (which notice shall specify the amount of such shortfall), then the Grantor shall promptly assign, convey, transfer and deliver to the Escrow Agent an amount of Qualified Assets having a Market Value on the date of delivery at least equal to such shortfall. All Qualified Assets delivered to the Escrow Agent pursuant to this Escrow Agreement shall be in suitable form for transfer by delivery or by Book Entry, or shall be accompanied by duly executed instruments of transfer or assignment in blank, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent shall have the right, at any time in its discretion and without notice to the Grantor, to transfer or register in the name of the Escrow Agent any or all of the Escrow Assets. In addition, the Escrow Agent shall have the right at any time to exchange certificates or instruments representing or evidencing Escrow Assets for certificates or instruments of smaller or larger denominations. All Escrow Assets at any time delivered to the Escrow Agent shall be held by the Escrow Agent and deposited in the Operating Account for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Beneficiary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Escrow Agreement.
Section 3.4 Amounts Received on Account of Escrow Assets. The Grantor hereby acknowledges and agrees that all monies due and to become due under or in respect of the Escrow Assets, and all property, Cash, checks, drafts, chattel paper and other instruments or writings for the payment of money (properly endorsed, where required, so that such items may be collected by the Escrow Agent) at any time and from time to time received by the Grantor in full or partial payment, as Distributions in respect of, or otherwise as proceeds of, the Escrow Assets shall be paid or delivered directly to the Escrow Agent and that if any such property, monies or items shall be received by the Grantor, such property, monies or items will not be commingled by the Grantor with any of its other funds or property, but will be held separate
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and apart therefrom and shall be held in escrow by the Grantor for and promptly paid over or delivered to the Escrow Agent. All property, amounts and instruments received by the Escrow Agent with respect to the Escrow Assets shall be promptly deposited in the Operating Account and become part of the Escrow Estate.
Section 3.5 Payments to be made by Escrow Agent. All payments to be made by the Escrow Agent under this Escrow Agreement shall be made only from the Escrow Estate, and only to the extent that the Escrow Agent shall have received sufficient funds from the Escrow Estate to make such payments in accordance with the terms hereof. The Escrow Agent shall not be required to expend, advance, risk or disburse its own funds in the administration of this Escrow. The Grantor and the Beneficiary, by their execution of this Escrow Agreement, agree that they will look solely to the Escrow Estate to the extent available for the distributions as herein provided, and that neither the Escrow Agent (nor any Person acting as successor Escrow Agent, co-escrow agent or separate Escrow Agent hereunder) shall under any circumstances be personally liable to the Grantor, the Beneficiary or any other Person for any liability under or in connection with this Escrow Agreement, except in the case of willful misconduct, negligence or lack of good faith on the part of the Escrow Agent.
Section 3.6 Voting Rights and Defense of Title of Collateral.
(a) The Grantor agrees that it will not, without the prior written consent of the Beneficiary, sell, assign or transfer and will not mortgage, pledge or otherwise encumber or suffer to exist any Lien on or with respect to, any of the Escrow Assets except in favor of the Escrow Agent as secured party for the benefit of the Beneficiary.
(b) The Grantor agrees that it will warrant and defend the title of the Escrow Assets and the interest of the Beneficiary therein against all claims of all Persons.
(c) Provided that no Default has occurred and so long as Escrow Assets remain in the Operating Account the Escrow Agent and the Beneficiary shall have no voting rights with respect to such Escrow Assets and the Grantor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and/or consensual rights and powers relating or pertaining to such Escrow Assets or any part thereof for any purpose; provided, however, that the Grantor shall not be permitted to exercise
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or refrain from exercising any such right or power if, in the sole judgment of the Beneficiary, such action would have a material adverse effect on the value of such Escrow Assets or any part thereof or would violate this Escrow Agreement, it being understood that the exercise by the Grantor of voting rights in connection with the election of directors at any meeting of stockholders of any issuer of Escrow Assets and/or with respect to any incidental matters coming before any such meeting shall not be deemed to have a material adverse effect on the value of the Escrow Assets within the meaning of this paragraph; and, provided, further, that the Grantor shall give the Beneficiary at least five days’ written notice of the manner in which the Grantor intends to exercise any such right or power other than with respect to the election of directors and voting with respect to the incidental matters referred to in the preceding provisions of this paragraph. The Escrow Agent shall have no duty or obligation to monitor or enforce the provisions of this paragraph. If a Default shall have occurred, the Beneficiary and not the Grantor shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting and/or consensual rights and pwers relating to or pertaining to such Escrow Assets or any part thereof for any purpose.
(d) The Escrow Agent shall execute and deliver (or cause to be executed and delivered) to the Grantor all such proxies, powers of attorney, and other instruments as the Grantor may reasonably request for the purpose of enabling the Grantor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights and powers which the Grantor is entitled to exercise pursuant hereto.
Section 3.7 Risk Management’s Compensation. The parties hereto agree that Chartis Commercial Casualty, Risk Management (“Risk Management”), as the agent of the Beneficiary, shall have administrative oversight responsibilities with respect to the Escrow Assets. As compensation for these responsibilities, Risk Management shall receive an administrative services fee to be paid by the Grantor as follows: (1) For the first $50,000,000 of Market Value, 7 basis points per annum of the Market Value of the Escrow Assets to the extent that the Qualified Assets consist of money market instruments and 9 basis points per annum of the Market Value of the Escrow Assets to the extent that the Qualified Assets consist of capital market instruments (with terms to maturity exceeding one year) and, (2) on the next $25,000,000 of Market Value, 5 basis points per annum of the Market Value of the Escrow
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Assets to the extent that the Qualified Assets consist of money market instruments and 7 basis points per annum of the Market Value of the Escrow Assets to the extent that the Qualified Assets consist of capital market instruments (with terms to maturity exceeding one year) and, (3) on any amount of Market Value in excess of $75,000,000, 3 basis points per annum of the Market Value of the Escrow Assets to the extent that the Qualified Assets consist of money market instruments and 5 basis points per annum of the Market Value of the Escrow Assets to the extent that the Qualified Assets consist of capital market instruments (with terms to maturity exceeding one year). The first payment is due in full on the date of execution and delivery of this Escrow Agreement. The administrative services fee for each annual anniversary after the effective date shall be paid within 15 days of the respective annual anniversary. The yearly administrative services fee shall in no event be less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) nor more than Ninety Thousand Dollars ($90,000.00). Initial set up charges and legal fees incurred by the Beneficiary will be for its account.
ARTICLE IV
DUTIES OF ESCROW AGENT
Section 4.1 Instructions of Beneficiary. Upon the instructions of the Beneficiary, the Escrow Agent directly or through its authorized agent will take such of the following actions as may be specified in such instructions: (i) give such notice or direction, take such action or exercise such right, power or remedy or perform such obligation, under and pursuant to the terms of this Escrow Agreement or in respect of all or any part of the Escrow Estate, as shall be specified in such instructions; and (ii) take such action to preserve and protect the Escrow Estate (including the discharge of Liens) as may be specified in such instructions.
Section 4.2 No Implied Duties. The Escrow Agent shall not have any duty or obligation to manage, control, use, sell, dispose of or otherwise deal with any part of the Escrow Estate, or to otherwise take or refrain from taking any action, except as expressly required by the terms of this Escrow Agreement or as expressly provided in instructions from the Beneficiary received pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Escrow Agreement, and no implied duties or obligations shall be read into this Escrow Agreement against the Escrow Agent.
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Section 4.3 No Unauthorized Transactions. The Escrow Agent agrees that it will not manage, control, use, sell, dispose of or otherwise deal with any part of the Escrow Estate, or otherwise take or refrain from taking any action except as expressly provided by the terms of, or in written instructions from the Beneficiary pursuant to, this Escrow Agreement.
Section 4.4 Tax Returns. The Grantor shall be responsible for causing to be prepared and filed in a timely fashion all tax returns of the Escrow relating to the transactions contemplated by this Escrow Agreement or otherwise contemplated hereby, and it shall send a copy of each such tax return to the Beneficiary. The Escrow Agent, upon request, will furnish the Grantor with all such information as it has in its possession and as may be reasonably required in connection with the preparation of such tax returns. The Person acting as Escrow Agent shall not be personally liable for any tax due and payable in connection with this Escrow Agreement.
Section 4.5 Books and Records of Escrow Agent. The Grantor and the Beneficiary, at their own expense, shall each have the right, at all reasonable times during the Escrow Agent’s normal business hours, to inspect and copy the Escrow Agent’s books and records regarding the Escrow Estate and to an accounting (at the expense of the Grantor) with respect to the Escrow Estate.
Section 4.6 Valuation Report. The Valuation Report required under Section 2.3 of this Escrow Agreement is to be sent by mail at the required intervals to:
For the Grantor: | Workers’ Assurance of Hawaii, Inc. | |
c/x Xxxxxx Management (Hawaii), Ltd., | ||
America Savings Bank Tower, | ||
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000 | ||
Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx 00000 | ||
For the Beneficiary: | ||
National Union Fire Insurance Company of | ||
Pittsburgh, Pa. | ||
Insurance Security Department |
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00 Xxxx Xxxxxx/0xx Xxxxx Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 Attn: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx | ||
With a Copy to: | ||
National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa. | ||
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx/00xx xxxxx Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 Attn: Xxxxx Xxxxx |
Section 4.7 Escrow Agent Liability. The Escrow Agent shall not incur any liability for not performing any act or fulfilling any duty, obligation or responsibility hereunder by reason of any occurrence beyond the control of the Escrow Agent (including, but not limited to, any act or provision of any present or future law or regulation or governmental authority, any act of God or war, or the unavailability of the Federal Reserve Bank wire or telex or other wire or communication facility).
ARTICLE V
THE ESCROW AGENT
Section 5.1 Acceptance of Escrow. The Escrow Agent accepts the Escrow hereby created and agrees to perform the same upon the terms and conditions contained in this Escrow Agreement. Neither the Escrow Agent nor any Person acting as successor Escrow Agent, co-escrow agent or separate Escrow Agent hereunder, shall be answerable or accountable or liable for actions taken by it or failures to act arising out of or in connection with this Escrow Agreement, except for its own willful misconduct or gross negligence or lack of good faith.
Section 5.2 Limitation of Duties. The Escrow Agent shall have no duty to see to the payment or discharge of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge or any Lien with respect to, or assessed or levied against, any part of the Escrow Estate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Escrow Agent will furnish to the Beneficiary, promptly upon receipt thereof, duplicates or copies of all reports, notices, requests, demands, certificates, financial statements and other instruments furnished to the Escrow Agent by the Grantor pursuant hereto or by any other Person with respect to the Escrow Estate or any part thereof.
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Section 5.3 Representations and Warranties of Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent hereby represents and warrants to the Grantor and the Beneficiary that this Escrow Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by one of its officers who is duly authorized to execute and deliver such type of instrument.
Section 5.4 Segregation of Funds. Monies received by the Escrow Agent in respect of the Escrow Estate (other than pursuant to Section 5.7 hereof) shall be segregated and promptly deposited in the Operating Account.
Section 5.5 Reliance on Documents; Agents. The Escrow Agent shall incur no liability to anyone in acting in reliance upon any signature, instrument, notice, resolution, request, consent, order, certificate, report, opinion, bond or other document or paper believed by it to be genuine and believed by it to be signed by the proper party or parties named in incumbency certificates furnished to the Escrow Agent from time to time by the Grantor and the Beneficiary and by attorneys-in-fact acting under written authority furnished to the Escrow Agent by the Grantor and the Beneficiary, including without limitation, instructions given by letter, facsimile transmission, telegram, teletype, electronic media, cablegram, if the Escrow Agent believes such instructions to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties. The Escrow Agent shall not incur any liability to anyone resulting from actions taken by the Escrow Agent in reliance in good faith on such instructions. The Escrow Agent shall not incur any liability in executing instructions (i) from any attorney-in-fact prior to receipt by it of notice of the revocation of the written authority of that attorney-in-fact or (ii) from any officer of the Grantor and the Beneficiary named in an incumbency certificate delivered hereunder prior to receipt by it of a more current certificate. In the administration of the Escrow hereunder, the Escrow Agent may execute any of the escrows or powers hereof and perform its powers and duties hereunder directly or through agents or attorneys and may, at the expense of the Grantor, consult with counsel, accountants and other skilled Persons to be selected and retained by it, and the Escrow Agent shall not be liable for anything done, suffered or omitted in good faith by it in accordance with the advice or opinion of any such counsel, accountants or other skilled Persons.
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Section 5.6 Limitation of Liability of Escrow Agent. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Escrow Agreement, the Escrow Agent is entering into this Escrow Agreement, and in its capacity as Escrow Agent performing the obligations and exercising the rights hereunder solely as Escrow Agent under this Escrow Agreement, pursuant to instructions contained in this Escrow Agreement and not in its individual or corporate capacity. In no case whatsoever shall the Escrow Agent (or any entity acting as successor Escrow Agent, co-escrow agent or separate Escrow Agent under this Escrow Agreement) be personally liable on, or in respect of, any of the obligations or duties of the Grantor, the Beneficiary under this Escrow Agreement, or for the payment of any fee, expense, cost, damage, claim, liability or other obligation arising out of or related to any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Escrow Obligations”). No recourse shall be had against the Escrow Agent (or any successor Escrow Agent, co-escrow agent or separate Escrow Agent under this Escrow Agreement) in its corporate or individual capacities or against any stockholder, officer, director, employee or agent of the Escrow Agent or any successor Escrow Agent, co-escrow agent or separate Escrow Agent for the payment of any and all sums payable under the Escrow Obligations or for any claim, liability, damage, cost, expense, fee or other obligation based on or arising out of any provision thereof or on or out of any of the instruments and agreements to be executed, delivered and performed hereunder, as to all of which the Beneficiary and the Grantor agree to look solely to the Escrow Estate, except for any loss caused by the Escrow Agent’s willful misconduct, negligence or lack of good faith. The obligation of the Escrow Agent to make any and all payments hereunder, or in respect of or under the Escrow Obligations of whatsoever nature, shall be solely from the Escrow Estate, and nothing herein shall be deemed to impose obligations on the Escrow Agent other than those expressly set forth in this Escrow Agreement. The Escrow Agent shall have no responsibility to determine whether the Escrow Assets in the Operating Account are sufficient or proper to secure the Grantor’s liabilities under the Contractual Liability Policy[ies]. The Beneficiary’s determination or reevaluation of the
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sufficiency of the Escrow Assets shall govern. Except as otherwise provided in Sections 5.7 and 10.1 of this Escrow Agreement, the Escrow Agent agrees that it shall have no right against the Beneficiary or the Escrow Estate for any fee as compensation for its services hereunder or for any other costs or expenses incurred by it pursuant hereto.
Section 5.7 The Escrow Agent’s Compensation, Expenses and Indemnification. The Grantor shall pay the Escrow Agent, as compensation for its services under this Escrow Agreement, a fee computed at rates determined by the Escrow Agent from time to time. The Grantor shall pay or reimburse the Escrow Agent for all of the Escrow Agent’s expenses, disbursements, and advances in connection with its duties under this Escrow Agreement (including attorneys’ and agents’ fees, expenses, and disbursements), except any such expense or disbursement as may arise from the Escrow Agent’s negligence, willful misconduct or lack of good faith. The Grantor also hereby indemnifies the Escrow Agent for, and holds it harmless against, any loss, liability, costs or expenses (including attorneys’ and agents’ fees, expenses, and disbursements) incurred or made without negligence, willful misconduct or lack of good faith on the part of the Escrow Agent, arising out of or in connection with the performance of its obligations in accordance with the provisions of this Escrow Agreement, including but without limitation, any loss, liability, costs or expenses arising out of or in connection with the status of the Escrow Agent and its nominee as the holder of record of the Escrow Assets. The Grantor hereby acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing indemnities shall survive the resignation or removal of the Escrow Agent or the termination of this Escrow Agreement.
No Escrow Assets shall be withdrawn from the Escrow or used in any manner for paying compensation to, or reimbursement or indemnification of, the Escrow Agent; provided, however if the Escrow exceeds 100% of the Required Reserve, then the Escrow Agent and/or Risk Management may withdraw from the Escrow their compensation, reimbursement and indemnification as the case may be which have not previously been paid. The Escrow Agent’s compensation, reimbursement and indemnification shall be withdrawn prior to that of Risk Management.
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ARTICLE VI
TRANSFER OF BENEFICIARY’S INTEREST
Section 6.1 Transfer of Interest. The Beneficiary may assign to another Person (hereinafter referred to as the “Transferee”) all, but not part, of its right, title and interest in, to and under this Escrow Agreement; provided that (i) the Transferee shall have the requisite power and authority to enter into and carry out the transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) the Transferee shall have entered into an agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Escrow Agent and the Grantor, whereby the Transferee confirms that it shall be deemed a party to this Escrow Agreement, agrees to be bound by all of the terms of, and to undertake all of the obligations of the Beneficiary contained in this Escrow Agreement, and (iii) such transfer shall not violate any provision of any applicable law, agreement or other instrument or create a relationship which would result in violation thereof. Upon any such transfer by the Beneficiary to a Transferee as above provided, such Transferee shall be deemed to be the Beneficiary for all purposes of this Escrow Agreement and each reference herein to the Beneficiary shall thereafter be deemed to be a reference to such Transferee.
Section 6.2 Notice of Assignment by Beneficiary. If the Beneficiary proposes to assign its interest pursuant to this Article VI, it shall give written notice to the Escrow Agent and the Grantor at least thirty (30) days prior to such proposed assignment stating (i) the name and address of the proposed Transferee and (ii) that the proposed Transferee meets the requirements set forth in Section 6.1 of this Escrow Agreement.
ARTICLE VII
SUCCESSOR ESCROW AGENTS; CO-ESCROW AGENTS
Section 7.1 Successor Escrow Agents; Co-escrow agents.
(a) The Escrow Agent, any co-escrow agent or any successor Escrow Agent may resign at any time without cause by giving at least ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to the Grantor and the Beneficiary, such resignation to be effective upon the acceptance of appointment by the successor Escrow Agent and the transfer of the Escrow Assets to the successor Escrow Agent under Section 7.1(b) hereof. In addition, the Beneficiary may remove the Escrow Agent
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without cause by a written notice delivered to the Grantor and to the Escrow Agent, such removal to be effective upon the acceptance of appointment by the successor Escrow Agent and the transfer of the Escrow Assets to the successor Escrow Agent under Section 7.1(b) hereof. In the case of the resignation or removal of the Escrow Agent, the Beneficiary may appoint a successor Escrow Agent, designated by the Beneficiary and satisfactory to the Grantor, by an instrument signed by the Grantor and the Beneficiary; provided that the consent of the Grantor shall not be required if a Default shall have occurred. If a successor Escrow Agent shall not have been appointed within ninety (90) days after such notice of resignation or removal, the Escrow Agent and the Beneficiary may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor Escrow Agent to act until such time, if any, as a successor shall have been appointed as above provided. Any successor Escrow Agent so appointed by such court shall immediately and without further act be superseded by any successor Escrow Agent appointed as above provided within one year from the date of the appointment by such court.
(b) Any successor Escrow Agent, however appointed, shall execute and deliver to the predecessor Escrow Agent, the Grantor and the Beneficiary an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon such successor Escrow Agent, without further act, shall become vested with all the estates, properties, rights, powers, duties and escrows of the predecessor Escrow Agent hereunder with like effect as if originally named the Escrow Agent herein; but nevertheless, upon the written request of such successor Escrow Agent, such predecessor Escrow Agent shall execute and deliver an instrument or instruments transferring to such successor Escrow Agent, upon the escrows herein expressed, all the estates, properties, rights, powers and escrows of such predecessor Escrow Agent, and such predecessor Escrow Agent shall assign, transfer, deliver and pay over to such successor Escrow Agent all Escrow Assets then held by such predecessor Escrow Agent upon the escrows herein expressed. Upon the appointment of any successor Escrow Agent hereunder, the predecessor Escrow Agent will complete, execute and deliver to the successor Escrow Agent such documents as are necessary to effectuate the transfer of legal title to all Escrow Assets into the name of the successor
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Escrow Agent and to continue to the existence and perfection of the security interest of the Escrow Agent for the exclusive benefit of the Beneficiary. Notwithstanding anything expressed herein to the contrary, the predecessor Escrow Agent shall continue, after its resignation, to be entitled to the benefits of any indemnities provided herein for the Escrow Agent.
(c) Any successor Escrow Agent, however appointed, shall be a bank or escrow company in good standing and organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof, and with a combined capital and surplus of at least One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000), if there be such an institution willing, able and legally qualified to perform the duties of the Escrow Agent hereunder upon reasonable or customary terms, and which is a corporation authorized under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation to exercise corporate escrow powers and is subject to supervision or examination by Federal or state authority, and the appointment of any successor Escrow Agent shall not violate any provision of any law or regulation or create a relationship which would be in violation thereof.
(d) Any Person into which the Escrow Agent in its individual capacity may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Escrow Agent in its individual capacity shall be a party, or any Person to which substantially all the corporate escrow business of the Escrow Agent in its individual capacity may be transferred, shall, subject to the terms of paragraph (c) of this Section 7.1, be the Escrow Agent under this Escrow Agreement without further act.
(e) At any time or times, for the purpose of conforming to any legal requirements, restrictions or conditions in any state or jurisdiction in which any part of the Escrow Estate may be located, the Escrow Agent shall have power to appoint, and, upon the written request of the Escrow Agent, the Grantor and the Beneficiary shall for such purpose join with the Escrow Agent in the execution, delivery and performance of, all instruments and agreements necessary or proper to appoint, another corporation or one or more Persons approved by the Beneficiary, either to act as separate Escrow Agent or Escrow Agents, or co-escrow agent or co-escrow agents jointly with the Escrow Agent, of all or any of the Escrow Estate. In the event
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that the Grantor and the Beneficiary shall not have joined in such appointment within fifteen (15) days after the receipt by it of a request so to do, the Escrow Agent alone shall have power to make such appointment.
Every separate Escrow Agent, every co-escrow agent and every successor of either thereof shall, to the extent permitted by law, but to such extent only, be appointed subject to the following provisions and conditions, namely:
(1) The rights, powers, duties and obligations conferred or imposed upon Escrow Agents hereunder or any of them shall be conferred or imposed upon and exercised or performed by the Escrow Agent and such separate Escrow Agent or separate Escrow Agents or co-escrow agent or co-escrow agents jointly, as shall be provided in the instruments and agreements appointing such separate Escrow Agent or separate Escrow Agents or co-escrow agent or co-escrow agents, except to the extent that under any law of any jurisdiction in which any particular act or acts are to be performed the Escrow Agent shall be incompetent or unqualified to perform such act or acts, in which event such rights, powers, duties and obligations shall be exercised and performed by the separate Escrow Agent or separate Escrow Agents or co-escrow agent or co-escrow agents, as the case may be;
(2) The Escrow Agent at any time by an instrument in writing executed by it may accept the resignation of or remove any separate Escrow Agent or co-escrow agent appointed under this paragraph (e) or otherwise, and, upon the request of the Escrow Agent, the Grantor and the Beneficiary shall, for such purpose, join with the Escrow Agent in the execution, delivery and performance of all instruments and agreements necessary or proper to make effective such resignation or removal. In the event that the Grantor and the Beneficiary shall not have joined in such action within fifteen (15) days after the receipt by them of a request to do so, the Escrow Agent alone shall have power to accept such resignation or to remove any such separate Escrow Agent or co-escrow agent. A successor to a separate Escrow Agent or co-escrow agent so resigned or removed may be appointed in the manner provided in this Article VII;
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(3) The Escrow Agent shall not be personally liable by reason of any act or omission of any other Escrow Agent hereunder, it being understood, however, that if a co-escrow agent or separate Escrow Agent is an employee of the Escrow Agent, the Escrow Agent shall be liable for any willful misconduct, negligence or lack of good faith on the part of such co-escrow agent or separate Escrow Agent;
(4) Any notice, request or other writing delivered to the original Escrow Agent, or its successor in the escrow hereunder, shall be deemed to have been delivered to all of the then Escrow Agents or co-escrow agents as effectually as if delivered to each of them. Every instrument appointing any Escrow Agent or Escrow Agents other than a successor to the original Escrow Agent shall refer to this Escrow Agreement and the conditions in this Section 7.1(e) expressed, and upon the acceptance in writing by such Escrow Agent or Escrow Agents or co-escrow agent or co-escrow agents, he, they or it shall be vested with the estates or property specified in such instrument, either jointly with the original Escrow Agent, or its successor, or separately, as may be provided therein, subject to all the terms, conditions and provisions of this Escrow Agreement; and every such instrument shall be filed with the original Escrow Agent or its successor in the escrow hereunder. Any separate Escrow Agent or Escrow Agents or any co-escrow agent or co-escrow agents may at any time by an instrument in writing constitute the original Escrow Agent or its successor in the escrow hereunder his, their or its agent or attorney in fact, with full power and authority, to the extent which may be permitted by law, to do any and all acts and things and exercise any and all discretion authorized or permitted by him, them or it, for and in behalf of him, them or it, and in his, their or its name. In case any separate Escrow Agent or Escrow Agents or co-escrow agent or co-escrow agents, or a successor to any of them, shall die, dissolve, or otherwise become incapable of acting, resign or be removed, all the estates, property, rights, powers, escrows, duties and obligations of said separate Escrow Agent or co-escrow agent, so far as permitted by law, shall vest in and be exercised by the original Escrow Agent or its successor in the escrow hereunder, without the appointment of a new Escrow Agent as successor to such separate Escrow Agent or co-escrow agent; and
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(5) Any and all exculpatory provisions, immunities and indemnities in favor of the Escrow Agent under this Escrow Agreement or under any other agreement, document or instrument described or referred to herein shall inure to the benefit of the Escrow Agent in its capacity as such and any successor, co-escrow agent and separate Escrow Agent appointed pursuant to this Article VII and of any Person acting or which has acted as Escrow Agent or successor, co-escrow agent or separate Escrow Agent hereunder or thereunder.
ARTICLE VIII
TERMINATION; VALIDITY OF SALE
Section 8.1 Termination. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Escrow Agreement and the escrows created hereby shall terminate and this Escrow Agreement shall be of no further force or effect upon the Escrow Agent’s receipt of written notice of such termination from the Grantor and the Beneficiary and upon the sale or other final disposition by the Escrow Agent of all property constituting part of the Escrow Estate and the final distribution by the Escrow Agent of all monies or other property or proceeds constituting the Escrow Estate; provided, however, in no case shall the escrows created hereby extend beyond 21 years after the death of the last surviving of the now living lineal descendants of the late Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, former Attorney General of the United States. At least 30 days, but not more than 45 days, prior to termination of the Operating Account, written notification of termination shall be delivered by the Escrow Agent to the Beneficiary. Upon termination of the Operating Account, all assets not previously withdrawn by the Beneficiary shall, with written approval of the Beneficiary, be delivered over to the Grantor. Otherwise this Escrow Agreement and the escrows created hereby shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with the terms hereof.
Section 8.2 Validity of Sale. Any sale or other conveyance of the Escrow Assets or any other part of the Escrow Estate by the Escrow Agent made pursuant to the terms of this Escrow Agreement shall bind the Grantor and the Beneficiary and shall be effective to transfer
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or convey all right, title and interest of the Escrow Agent, the Grantor and the Beneficiary in and to such Escrow Assets or such other part of the Escrow Estate. No purchaser or other grantee shall be required to inquire as to the authorization, necessity, expediency or regularity of such sale or conveyance or as to the application of any sale or other proceeds with respect thereto by the Escrow Agent.
ARTICLE IX
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF GRANTOR
Section 9.1 Representations and Warranties of Grantor.
The Grantor hereby represents and warrants to the Escrow Agent and Beneficiary that:
(a) This Escrow Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Grantor and constitutes the legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the Grantor.
(b) The execution, delivery and performance by the Grantor of this Escrow Agreement, and the transfer and conveyance of Escrow Assets by the Grantor pursuant hereto, do not and will not (i) violate or conflict with any of its charter documents or any provision of any law, rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment, decree, determination or award presently in effect having applicability to the Grantor, or (ii) result in a breach of or constitute a default under any indenture or loan or credit agreement, or any other agreement or instrument, to which the Grantor is a party or by which the Grantor or any of its properties may be bound or affected.
(c) The Grantor hereby represents and warrants (i) that any assets transferred by the Grantor to the Escrow Agent for deposit to the Operating Account will be in such form that the Beneficiary whenever necessary may, and the Escrow Agent upon direction by the Beneficiary will, negotiate any such assets without consent or signature from the Grantor or any Person in accordance with the terms of this Escrow Agreement; (ii) that all assets transferred by the Grantor to the Escrow Agent for deposit to the Escrow consist only of Qualified Assets, and (iii) that the Grantor will, upon demand, transfer sufficient Qualified Assets to the Escrow so that after the transfer the Market Value of the Escrow Assets will equal the Required Reserve.
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(d) No authorization, consent, approval, license, qualification or formal exemption from, nor any filing, declaration or registration with, any court, governmental agency or regulatory authority, or with any securities exchange or any other Person is required in connection with (i) the execution, delivery or performance by the Grantor of this Escrow Agreement or (ii) the transfer and conveyance of the Escrow Assets by the Grantor in the manner and for the purpose contemplated by this Escrow Agreement.
(e) At the date of each delivery by the Grantor to the Escrow Agent of each Escrow Asset, the Grantor has good and marketable title to and right to transfer such Escrow Asset free and clear of any and all Liens and the Escrow Agent will then have good and marketable title to, and the right to transfer such Escrow Asset, free and clear of all Liens except in each case the Liens created in favor of the Escrow Agent for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Beneficiary.
ARTICLE X
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BENEFICIARY
Section 10.1 Representations and Warranties of Beneficiary. The Beneficiary hereby represents, warrants, agrees and covenants to the Escrow Agent and Grantor that:
(a) This Escrow Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Beneficiary and constitutes the legal, valid and binding and enforceable obligation of the Beneficiary.
(b) It shall undertake to apply any amounts distributed to it from the Escrow Estate to pay or reimburse itself for the Grantor’s Obligations.
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ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 11.1 Notices. Unless otherwise provided in this Escrow Agreement, all notices, directions, requests, demands, acknowledgements and other communications required or permitted to be given or made under the terms hereof shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made (a) (i) when delivered personally or by courier service, (ii) when made or given by prepaid telex, telegraph, electronic media, or facsimile transmissions, or (iii) in the case of mail delivery, upon the expiration of three days after any such notice, direction, request, demand, acknowledgement or other communication shall have been deposited in the United States mail for transmission by first class mail, postage prepaid, or upon receipt thereof, whichever shall first occur and (b) when addressed as follows:
If to the Grantor:
WORKERS’ ASSURANCE OF HAWAII
C/X XXXXXX MANAGEMENT (HAWAII), LTD.
AMERICA SAVINGS BANK TOWER
0000 XXXXXX XXXXXX, XXXXX 0000 XXXXXX XXXXX
XXXXXXXX, XXXXXX 00000
Attn: Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Telephone #: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile #: (000) 000-0000
If to the Beneficiary:
NATIONAL UNION FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY OF PITTSBURGH, PA.
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx/00xx xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
Telephone #: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile #: (000) 000-0000
cc: Chartis U.S. Law Dept.
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx/00xx xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attn: General Counsel
Telephone #: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile #: (000) 000-0000
If to the Escrow Agent:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 0X
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
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Each party may from time to time designate a different address for notices, directions, requests, demands, acknowledgements and other communications by giving written notice of such change to the other parties. All notices, directions, requests, demands, acknowledgements and other communications relating to the Beneficiary’s approval of the Grantor’s authorization to substitute Escrow Assets, withdrawals by the Beneficiary and to the termination of the Escrow shall be in writing and may not be made or given by prepaid telex or telegraph.
Section 11.2 Severability. Any provision of this Escrow Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
Section 11.3 Modifications. No term or provision of this Escrow Agreement may be changed, amended, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by all of the parties; and any waiver of the terms hereof shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose given.
Section 11.4 Counterparts. This Escrow Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
Section 11.5 Entire Agreement. This Escrow Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties, and any understandings or agreements, conditions or qualifications relative to this Escrow Agreement and accepted by the parties, which are not fully expressed in this Escrow Agreement are merged herein.
Section 11.6 Benefits of Agreements. All covenants and agreements contained herein shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the Grantor, the Escrow Agent and, to the extent provided in Article VII hereof, its respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that the Grantor may not assign its rights or obligations hereunder or in connection herewith (voluntarily, by operation of law or otherwise). Any request, notice, direction, consent, waiver
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or other instrument or action by the Grantor or the Beneficiary shall bind the successors and assigns of the Grantor or the Beneficiary, as the case may be. Nothing in this Escrow Agreement, whether express or implied, shall be construed to give to any Person other than the Escrow Agent, the Grantor or the Beneficiary any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Escrow Agreement; but this Escrow Agreement shall be held to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Escrow Agent, the Grantor and the Beneficiary.
Section 11.7 Headings. The headings of the various Sections and the table of contents herein are for convenience of reference only and shall not define or limit any of the terms or provisions hereof.
Section 11.8 Dealings by Escrow Agent. The Escrow Agent in its individual capacity or any corporation in or with which the Escrow Agent in its individual capacity or its stockholders may be interested or affiliated or any officer or director of the Escrow Agent in its individual capacity or of any other such corporation or any agent appointed by the Escrow Agent may have commercial relations and otherwise deal with the Grantor and the Beneficiary or with any other corporation having relations with the Grantor or the Beneficiary, and with any other corporation or entity, whether or not affiliated with the Escrow Agent.
Section 11.9 Governing Law and Venue.
a. | Governing Law. This Escrow Agreement shall in all respects be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, including all matters of construction, validity and performance, without regard to principles of conflicts of law. It is the intention of the parties hereto that this Escrow Agreement shall be delivered in the State of New York, County of New York. |
Each of the Grantor and the Beneficiary hereby waives the right to trial by jury in any judicial proceeding involving, directly or indirectly, any matter (whether sounding in tort, contract or otherwise) in any way arising out of or related to this Escrow Agreement or the relationship established hereunder. This provision is a material inducement for the parties to enter into this contract. To the extent that in any jurisdiction either of the Grantor and the Beneficiary may be entitled to claim, for itself
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or its assets, immunity from suit, execution, attachment (whether before or after judgment) or other legal process, each hereby irrevocably agrees not to claim, and hereby waives, such immunity.
b. | Venue. As to any legal action or proceeding related to this Escrow Agreement, the parties hereto shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the federal courts, or if such courts do not have jurisdiction then the state courts, located in the Borough of Manhattan in the State of New York, and each party waives any claim or defense in any such action or proceeding based on any alleged lack of personal jurisdiction, improper venue, forum non conveniens or any similar basis. |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Escrow Agreement to be duly executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the day and year first above written.
Grantor: |
WORKERS’ ASSURANCE OF HAWAII, INC. |
By: |
Printed Name: Xxxxxx XxXxxxxx |
Title: VP Finance & Treasurer |
Date: , 2011 |
Escrow Agent: |
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON |
By: |
Printed Name: |
Title: |
Date: |
Beneficiary: |
NATIONAL UNION FIRE INSURANCE |
COMPANY OF PITTSBURGH, PA. |
on behalf of itself and its insurance company affiliates first listed above |
By: |
Printed Name: |
Title: |
Date: |
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EXHIBIT A
INITIAL ESCROW ASSETS
/NATIONAL UNION 2011 ESCROW
1.) Cash
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EXHIBIT B
CONTRACTUAL LIABILITY POLICIES
Policy Type |
Policy Period |
Policy Number |
LOB |
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