EXHIBIT 10.66
CONTROL AGREEMENT
Control Agreement dated as of November 26, 2002, by and among PLATINUM
RE (UK) LIMITED ("PARTY A"), PLATINUM UNDERWRITERS BERMUDA, LTD. ("PARTY B"),
and STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY ("CUSTODIAN") (the "AGREEMENT").
WHEREAS, pursuant to a custodian and investment accounting
agreement between Custodian and various affiliated parties including Party B (as
amended, the "CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT"), Custodian acts as custodian for Party B's
assets and, as such Custodian, has established a custodial account in the name
of Party B in which the Collateral, as defined below (together with other assets
of Party B) is held; and
WHEREAS, Party A and Party B have entered into a retrocession
agreement, dated as of November 26, 2002 (the "RETROCESSION AGREEMENT") and a
security agreement, dated as of November 26, 2002 in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit A (the "SECURITY AGREEMENT") pursuant to the terms of which, Party B
will from time to time grant a continuing first priority security interest over
certain assets specified by Party B and identified in writing to Custodian as
Collateral as defined in the Security Agreement (the "COLLATERAL") to secure
Party B's obligations under the Retrocession Agreement; and
WHEREAS, Party A, Party B and Custodian are entering into this
Agreement for the purpose of appointing Custodian to serve as collateral agent
for Party A and to serve as securities intermediary as herein provided in order
to provide Party A with control of the Collateral Accounts and the Collateral
credited thereto and held therein (each as defined below), in each case for the
purpose of perfecting Party A's security interest in such Collateral;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises set forth
herein, it is agreed as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT AND ESTABLISHMENT OF ACCOUNTS.
1.1 Party A hereby appoints Custodian as collateral agent
on its behalf and Custodian hereby accepts such appointment. In addition,
Custodian agrees to act as securities intermediary and/or depositary bank, as
applicable, with respect to the Collateral Accounts and the Collateral held
therein pursuant hereto.
1.2 The Custodian has established and will maintain a
segregated account (which may include one or more sub-accounts) entitled
"Platinum Underwriters Bermuda, Ltd. for the Benefit of Platinum Re (UK)
Limited" (the "Securities Account"); and a separate and segregated deposit
account or accounts (as defined in Section 9-102 of the UCC) entitled "Platinum
Underwriters Bermuda, Ltd. for the Benefit of Platinum Re (UK) Limited" (the
"Deposit Account", and together with the Securities. Account, the "COLLATERAL
ACCOUNTS"), all as more particularly described on the attached Schedule I,
hereto. Each party hereto agrees that (i) the Securities Account constitutes a
"securities account" within the meaning of Article 8 of the UCC, and (ii) all
property now or hereafter held, credited or carried by, in or to the credit of
Securities Account (other than "Identified Securities", as defined in Section
5(vi), and cash) shall be treated as "financial assets" within the meaning of
UCC Section 8-102(a)(9). Each of the Collateral
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Accounts shall be maintained separately and apart from any other account or
sub-account of the Party B. The Custodian shall not change the name of the
Collateral Accounts without the prior written consent of Party A. Except for
specified "Identified Securities", as provided hereinafter, Party B agrees that
all financial assets credited to the Collateral Accounts shall be registered in
the name of the Custodian, endorsed to the Custodian or in blank or credited to
another securities account maintained in the name of the Custodian, and except
for such Identified Securities, no financial asset credited to the Collateral
Accounts shall be registered in the name of Party B, payable to the order of
Party B or specially endorsed to Party B except to the extent the foregoing have
been specially endorsed to the Custodian or in blank.
1.3 The Custodian agrees that it shall promptly notify
Party A and Party B in writing after becoming aware that any financial asset
which constitutes Collateral is registered or endorsed otherwise than as
provided in the foregoing Section 1.2; provided, however, that the Custodian
shall have no liability hereunder for the failure to deliver such notice except
to the extent such failure results from its negligence or misconduct.
1.4 Party B, from time to time, shall instruct Custodian
in writing by any of the means mutually agreed to between Party B and Custodian
(which shall constitute "Proper Instructions" under the Custodian Agreement), to
segregate and hold in a separate account the Collateral for the benefit of Party
A, whereupon any such Collateral, other than cash Collateral, shall be credited
to and held in the Securities Account, and any such cash Collateral shall be
credited to and held in the Deposit Account. Custodian shall have no
responsibility for determining the adequacy of any Collateral required hereunder
or under the Retrocession Agreement, nor will it assume responsibility for any
calculations related to any Collateral requirements under the Retrocession
Agreement.
1.5 All Cash Proceeds (as defined in UCC Section
9-102(a)(9)) of the Collateral received by the Custodian, except for the
Distributions (as defined in the Security Agreement (the "Distributions")),
shall be deposited in the Collateral Accounts and become part of the Collateral.
2. ACCOUNT CONTROL.
2.1 Security Interest. This Agreement is intended by
Party A and Party B to grant "control" of the Collateral Accounts to Party A for
purposes of perfection of Party A's security interest in such Collateral
pursuant to Article 8 and Article 9 of the UCC, and Custodian hereby
acknowledges that it has been advised of Party B's grant to Party A of a
security interest in the Collateral Accounts and the Collateral held therein.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Custodian makes no representation or warranty
with respect to the creation or enforceability of any security interest in the
Collateral Accounts or the Collateral held therein. Custodian shall promptly and
in the exercise of due care and reasonable commercial standards comply with
"entitlement orders" (as that term is defined in UCC Section 8-102(a)(8)),
including but not limited to a Notice of Exclusive Control substantially in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit B ("NOTICE OF EXCLUSIVE CONTROL"), originated by
Party A and concerning the Collateral, without the further consent of Party B,
including without limitation any entitlement order originated by Party A
instructing the Custodian to deliver any or all of the Collateral to Party A or
its designees.
2.2 Control by Party B. Unless and except to the extent
it has received a contrary entitlement order from Party A pursuant to Section
2.1, and except as provided in Section 2.3(i),
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below: (i) Custodian shall take actions with respect to the Collateral in the
Collateral Accounts upon the joint instructions of Party A and Party B, and (ii)
Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability to Party A or Party B for
actions taken in accordance with such joint instructions. All entitlement orders
and other instructions and communications that Party B is entitled, or desires,
to give or make under this Agreement may be given or made either by Party B
itself or its investment advisor as designated in writing by Party B to the
Custodian from time to time.
2.3 Control by Party A.
(i) Party A agrees to provide Custodian, in the form of
Exhibit C attached (as may be amended from time to time), the names and
signatures of authorized parties who may give notices, instructions, or
entitlement orders concerning the Collateral Accounts and the Collateral held
therein. All entitlement orders and other instructions and communications that
Party A is entitled, or desires, to give or make under this Agreement may be
given or made either by Party A itself or by its attorney in fact as designated
in writing by Party A to the Custodian from time to time pursuant, and subject
to the limitations contained in, a written power of attorney delivered to the
Custodian. Other means of notice, instruction, or entitlement orders may be used
provided that Party A and Custodian agree to appropriate security procedures.
Upon receipt by Custodian of a Notice of Exclusive Control, and unless and until
such Notice of Exclusive Control has been revoked in writing by Party A,
Custodian shall thereafter follow only the instructions of Party A with respect
to the Collateral Accounts and shall comply with any entitlement order or
instructions (within the meaning of Sections 8-102, 9-104, and 9-106 of the UCC)
received from Party A, without further consent of Party B or any other person,
and Custodian will not comply with entitlement orders or instructions concerning
the Collateral originated by Party B without the prior written consent of Party
A.
(ii) Party A represents and warrants to Party B that Party
A will only issue to Custodian a Notice of Exclusive Control if Party A has
determined in good faith that an event has occurred which entitles Party A to
exercise its rights as a secured party with respect to the Collateral in the
Collateral Accounts.
(iii) Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability
to Party B for complying with a Notice of Exclusive Control or complying with
entitlement orders or instructions originated by Party A concerning the
Collateral Accounts and the Collateral held therein. Custodian shall have no
duty to investigate or make any determination to verify compliance by Party A of
Party B with applicable law. Nor shall Custodian have any duty to verify the
occurrence of an event entitling Party A to exercise its rights as a secured
party with respect to the Collateral in the Collateral Accounts and Custodian
shall be fully protected in complying with a Notice of Exclusive Control whether
or not Party B may allege that no such event has occurred.
(iv) As between Party A and Custodian, notwithstanding any
provision contained herein or in any other document or instrument to the
contrary, Custodian shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be
taken at the instruction of Party A, or any action taken or omitted to be taken
under or in connection with this Agreement, except for Custodian's own
negligence or willful misconduct in carrying out such instructions.
3. DISTRIBUTIONS. Custodian shall, upon proper written
instructions by Party B, credit the Distributions to Party B's custodial account
or any other account designated by Party B unless Custodian has received a
Notice of Exclusive Control and, if any Notice of Exclusive Control is
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in effect, until such Notice of Exclusive Control has been revoked or rescinded
in writing by Party A. The Distributions shall not be considered Collateral.
4. RELEASE OF COLLATERAL; RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST.
4.1 Release of Collateral. As soon as reasonably
practicable after receiving joint instructions from Party A and Party B
Custodian will release Collateral held in the Collateral Accounts in accordance
with such instructions.
4.2 Release of Security Interest. Party A agrees to
notify Custodian promptly in writing when all obligations of Party B to Party A
under the Retrocession Agreement and the Security Agreement have been fully
satisfied or Party A otherwise no longer claims any interest in the Collateral
in the Collateral Accounts, whichever is sooner; at which time Custodian shall
have no further liabilities or responsibilities hereunder and Custodian's
obligations under this Agreement shall terminate.
5. DUTIES AND SERVICES OF CUSTODIAN.
(i) Custodian agrees that it is acting as a securities
intermediary, as defined in Section 8-102 of the UCC with respect to the
Collateral in the Securities Account, except Identified Securities. Custodian
agrees, with respect to the Deposit Account, that it is acting as a "bank" as
such term is used in Section 9-102(a)(29) of the UCC. The parties hereto
acknowledge that the Custodian Agreement is governed by the laws of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that, as a consequence, the jurisdiction of
Custodian as securities intermediary and as bank is The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
(ii) Custodian shall have no duties, obligations,
responsibilities or liabilities with respect to the Collateral Accounts and the
Collateral held therein except as and to the extent expressly set forth in this
Agreement and the Custodian Agreement, and no implied duties of any kind shall
be read into this Agreement against Custodian including, without limitation, the
duty to preserve, exercise or enforce rights in the Collateral and the
Collateral Accounts. Custodian shall not be liable or responsible for anything
done or omitted to be done by it in good faith and in the absence of negligence
and may rely and shall be protected in acting upon any notice, instruction,
entitlement orders, or other communication which it reasonably believes to be
genuine and authorized.
(iii) As between Party B and Custodian, except for the
rights of control in favor of Party A agreed to herein, nothing herein shall be
deemed to modify, limit, restrict, amend or supersede the terms of the Custodian
Agreement, and Custodian shall be and remain entitled to all of the rights,
indemnities, powers, and protections in its favor under the Custodian Agreement,
which shall apply folly to Custodian's actions and omissions hereunder.
Instructions under this Agreement from Party B's authorized representative given
in accordance with the terms of the Custodian Agreement shall also constitute
Proper Instructions under the Custodian Agreement.
(iv) As between Custodian and Party A, Party A shall
indemnify and hold Custodian harmless with regard to any losses or liabilities
of Custodian (including reasonable attorneys' fees) imposed on or incurred by
Custodian arising out of any action or omission of Custodian in accordance with
any notice, instruction, or entitlement order of Party A under this Agreement.
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(v) The parties hereto acknowledge that no "security
entitlement" under the UCC shall exist with respect to any cash or to any
financial asset held in the Collateral Accounts which is registered in the name
of Party B, payable to the order of the Party B, or specially indorsed to Party
B or any third party (each such asset an "IDENTIFIED SECURITY"), except to the
extent such Identified Security has been specially indorsed by Party B to
Custodian or in blank. The parties further acknowledge and agree that any such
cash and/or Identified Securities received by Custodian and credited to the
Collateral Accounts from time to time shall (so long as so credited to the
Collateral Accounts and so long as this Agreement remains in effect) be held by
Custodian for the benefit of Party A, not in its capacity as a "securities
intermediary" (as defined in the UCC), but in its capacity as a collateral agent
under and subject to the terms of this Agreement.
(vii) For avoidance of doubt, Party A hereby acknowledges
that any Collateral in the Collateral Accounts issued outside the United States
("FOREIGN SECURITY SYSTEM ASSETS") which may be held by Custodian, a
sub-custodian within Custodian's network of sub-custodians (each a
"SUB-CUSTODIAN") or a depository or book-entry system for the central handling
of securities and other financial assets in which Custodian or the Sub-Custodian
are participants may not permit Party B to have a security entitlement under the
UCC with respect to such Foreign Security System Assets (and such property shall
be deemed for purposes of this Agreement not to be a financial asset held within
the Collateral Accounts). The parties hereby further acknowledge that Custodian
gives no assurance that a security entitlement is created under the UCC with
respect to Party B's assets held in Euroclear or Clearstream or their
successors.
(viii) Custodian shall from time to time employ one or more
sub-custodians in accordance with the terms of the Custodian Agreement.
6. FORCE MAJEURE; SPECIAL DAMAGES. Custodian shall not be liable
for delays, errors or losses occurring by reason of circumstances beyond its
control, including, without limitation, acts of God, market disorder, terrorism,
insurrection, war, riots, failure of transportation or equipment, or failure of
vendors, communication or power supply. In no event shall Custodian be liable to
any person for indirect, consequential or special damages, even if Custodian has
been advised of the possibility or likelihood of such damages.
7. COMPLIANCE WITH LEGAL PROCESS AND JUDICIAL ORDERS. Custodian
shall have no responsibility or liability to Party A or Party B or to any other
person or entity for acting in accordance with any judicial or arbitral process,
order, writ, judgment, decree or claim of lien relating to the Collateral
Accounts and the Collateral held therein subject to this Agreement
notwithstanding that such order or process is subsequently modified, vacated or
otherwise determined to have been without legal force or effect.
8. CUSTODIAN REPRESENTATIONS. Custodian agrees and confirms, as
of the date hereof, and at all times until the termination of this Agreement,
that it has not entered into, and until the termination of this Agreement will
not enter into, any agreement (other than the Custodian Agreement) with any
other person or entity relating to the Collateral or the Collateral Accounts
under which it has agreed to comply with entitlement orders (as defined in
Section 8-102 of the UCC) of such other person or entity.
9. ACCESS TO REPORTS. Upon any pledge, release, or substitution
of Collateral in the Collateral Accounts, Custodian shall notify Party A within
one business day of such change. Custodian will provide to Party A a copy of a
statement of the Collateral Accounts and the
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Collateral held therein within five (5) business days of the end of the calendar
month; provided, however, that Custodian's failure to forward a copy of such
statement to Party A shall not give rise to any liability hereunder.
10. INTERPLEADER. Notwithstanding any provision contained in this
Agreement to the contrary, in the event of any dispute concerning this Agreement
or the disposition of any of the Collateral or the Collateral Accounts,
Custodian shall have the absolute right, at its election, to (a) refrain from
taking any action (other than to hold the Collateral in accordance with the
Custodian Agreement) until directed by written instructions signed by Party B
and Party A or by final order of a court of competent jurisdiction; or (b) in
the event of litigation between Party B and Party A, deliver all of the
Collateral in the Collateral Accounts to the clerk of any court in which such
litigation is pending, or file suit in interpleader and deliver the Collateral
in the Collateral Accounts to the court in which the action is commenced, and
obtain an order from the court requiring the parties to interplead and litigate
in such court their claims and rights among themselves, whereupon Custodian
shall thereby be relieved from any further liability respecting the Collateral
and the Collateral Accounts.
11. FEES AND EXPENSES OF CUSTODIAN. In addition to the terms of
the Custodian Agreement, Party B hereby agrees to pay and reimburse Custodian
for any advances, fees, costs, expenses (including, without limitation,
reasonable attorney's fees and costs) and disbursements that may be paid or
incurred by Custodian in connection with this Agreement or the arrangement
contemplated hereby, including any that may be incurred in performing its duties
or responsibilities pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Any fees, expenses
or other amounts that may be owing to Custodian from time to time pursuant to
the terms hereof, or of the Custodian Agreement shall be secured by any lien,
encumbrance or other right Custodian may have under the Custodian Agreement or
applicable law, and Custodian shall be entitled to exercise its rights and
remedies against the Collateral and Collateral Accounts in accordance with the
terms and conditions of the Custodian Agreement.
It is hereby expressly acknowledged and agreed by the parties that Custodian
(including its agents) shall not be obligated to advance cash or investments to,
for or on behalf of Party B in the Collateral Accounts, provided, however, that
if Custodian does advance cash or investments to the Collateral Accounts for any
purpose (including but not limited to securities settlements, foreign exchange
contracts, assumed settlement or account overdraft) for the benefit of Party B,
any property at any time held pursuant to this Agreement and the Custodian
Agreement shall be security therefor and, should Party B fail to repay Custodian
promptly, Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose
of Collateral in the Collateral Accounts to the extent necessary to obtain
reimbursement.
12. NOTICES. Any notice, instruction, entitlement order, or other
instrument required to be given hereunder, or requests and demands to or upon
the respective parties hereto, shall be in writing and may be sent by hand, or
by facsimile transmission, telex, or delivery by any recognized delivery
service, prepaid or, for termination of this Agreement only, by certified or
registered mail, and addressed as follows, or to such other address as any party
may hereafter notify the other respective parties hereto in writing:
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If to Party A, then: If to Party B, then: If to Custodian, then:
Platinum Re (UK) Limited Platinum Underwriters Bermuda, Ltd. State Street Bank and Trust
00 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx 000 Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX 0 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000
UK Xxxxxxxx XX 11 Attention: Vice President,
Insurance Services
Attention: Xxx Xxxxxx Bermuda
Telephone: 000-00-000-000-0000 Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx Telephone: (000)000-0000
Telecopy: 000-00-000-000-0000 Telephone: 000-000-0000 Telecopy: (000)000-0000
Telecopy: 000-000-0000
13. AMENDMENT. No amendment or modification of this Agreement will
be effective unless it is in writing and signed by each of the parties hereto.
14. TERMINATION. This Agreement shall continue in effect until
Party A has notified Custodian in writing that this Agreement is to be
terminated. Upon receipt of such notice, Party A shall have no further right to
originate entitlement orders concerning the Collateral Accounts and Party B
shall be entitled to originate entitlement orders concerning the Collateral for
any purpose and without limitation except as may be provided in the Custodian
Agreement. This Agreement may also be terminated by Custodian, Party A or, with
the prior written consent of Party A, Party B, and shall terminate in the event
of the termination of the Custodian Agreement, following thirty (30) days prior
written notice to the other parties hereto. Upon termination of this Agreement
by any party, all Collateral in the Collateral Accounts that has not been
released by Party A shall be transferred, within 30 days of such termination, to
a successor custodian designated in writing by Party B and acceptable to Party
A. In the event no successor is agreed upon, Custodian shall be entitled to
petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor custodian and
shall be indemnified by Party B for any costs and expenses (including, without
limitation, attorneys' fees) relating thereto.
15. SEVERABILITY. In the event any provision of this Agreement is
held illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall
remain in effect.
16. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
without giving effect to the conflict of law provisions thereof.
17. HEADINGS. Any headings appearing on this Agreement are for
convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of any of the terms of
this Agreement.
18. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in several
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and all such
counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to
be executed by their respective officers or duly authorized representatives as
of the date first above written.
PLATINUM RE (UK) LIMITED
By: /s/ X. XXXXXXX
--------------------------------
Name: X. XXXXXXX
Title: CEO
PLATINUM UNDERWRITERS BERMUDA, LTD.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
--------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: Director
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
--------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Title: Vice President
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EXHIBIT A
TO CONTROL AGREEMENT AMONG PLATINUM RE (UK) LIMITED, PLATINUM
UNDERWRITERS BERMUDA, LTD. AND STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
FORM OF THE SECURITY AGREEMENT
[See attached]
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SECURITY AGREEMENT
Dated as of November __, 2002
between
PLATINUM UNDERWRITERS BERMUDA, LTD.,
as Debtor,
and
PLATINUM RE (UK) LIMITED,
as Secured Party
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of
November __, 2002, is made and entered into by and between PLATINUM UNDERWRITERS
BERMUDA, LTD, a company organized under the laws of Bermuda (the "Debtor"), and
PLATINUM RE (UK) LIMITED, a company incorporated in the United Kingdom (the
"Secured Party").
PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS
1. The Debtor and the Secured Party entered into that certain
Quota Share Retrocession Agreement, dated as of November __, 2002 (as such
agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the
"Retrocession Agreement").
2. The Debtor and the Secured Party have appointed the Custodian
(as hereinafter defined) to hold the Collateral (as hereinafter defined) as
collateral agent and securities intermediary on behalf of the Secured Party
pursuant to that certain Control Agreement, dated as of November __, 2002 among
the Debtor, the Custodian and the Secured Party (the "Control Agreement"). The
Debtor has also appointed the Investment Adviser (as hereinafter defined) to
give advice from time to time in relation to the investment of such Collateral
pursuant to that certain Discretionary Investment Advisory Agreement, dated as
of November __, 2002 among the Debtor, the Investment Adviser and the Secured
Party (the "Investment Advisory Agreement").
3. The parties hereto desire to enter into this Agreement, among
other things, to grant to the Secured Party a continuing security interest in
and to all of the Collateral as security for the Obligations (as hereinafter
defined).
4. This Agreement is being entered into pursuant to the terms of
Article 14(C) of the Retrocession Agreement.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01 Definitions.
(a) For all purposes of this Agreement capitalized terms
used and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in
the Retrocession Agreement, the Control Agreement and the Investment Advisory
Agreement (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and
plural forms of the terms defined) and all references in this Agreement to
Sections are to Sections of this Agreement unless specified otherwise.
(b) Except for the terms defined in this Agreement, the
Retrocession Agreement, the Control Agreement or the Investment Advisory
Agreement all terms defined in Article 8 or 9 of the UCC which are used in this
Agreement shall have the meaning specified in such Articles.
(c) As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall
have the following meanings:
"Base Currency" means United States Dollars.
"Base Currency Equivalent" means, with respect to an amount on
a Valuation Date, in the case of an amount denominated in the Base Currency,
such Base Currency amount and, in the case of an amount in a currency other than
the Base Currency (the "Other Currency"), the amount in the Base Currency
required to purchase such amount of the Other Currency at the spot exchange rate
on such Valuation Date as reported by the Custodian in accordance with such
agreement as may from time to time be in place for such purpose between the
Custodian and the Debtor with the prior written consent of the Secured Party.
"Collateral" has the meaning assigned to that term in Section
2.01 (a).
"Collateral Accounts" mean Deposit Account and Securities
Account.
"Control Agreement" has the meaning assigned to that term in
the Preliminary Statements.
"Credit Support Amount" means with respect to the Secured
Party on a Valuation Date and subject to Section 3.07 in the case of a dispute,
an amount equal to the sum of (a) an amount equal to the product of 20/55
multiplied by the outstanding reinsurance recoveries owing to the Secured Party
by the Debtor as at such Valuation Date under the Retrocession Agreement, plus
(b) an amount equal to the product of 20/55 multiplied by the aggregate of the
DBNR and unearned premium reserves attributable as at such Valuation Date to the
Retrocession Agreement, in each such case as shown by statements prepared as at
such Valuation Date by the Secured Party; provided, however, that the Credit
Support Amount will be deemed to be zero if the calculation of the Credit
Support Amount yields a number less than zero.
"Custodian" means State Street Bank and Trust Company, a
Massachusetts trust company, as Custodian for the Debtor pursuant to the
Custodian Agreement, or such other custodian as the Debtor may from time to time
appoint with the prior written consent of the Secured Party.
"Custodian Lien" means the lien on the Collateral Accounts in
favor of the Custodian created pursuant to the Control Agreement,
"Custodian Agreement" means that certain Custodian and
Investment Accounting Agreement dated as of November 1, 2002 among the
Custodian, the Debtor and certain related parties, as amended or supplemented
from time to time.
"Delivery Amount" has the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 3.02.
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"Deposit Account" means the separate, segregated Deposit
Account listed on Schedule I hereto and any other deposit accounts and
sub-accounts which are established by the Custodian under, and subject to, the
Control Agreement.
"Disputing Party" has the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 3.07.
"Distributions" means, with respect to Collateral, all
interest, income and other payments and distributions of cash or other property
in the nature of income with respect to that Collateral. Distributions will not
include any item of property acquired by the Secured Party upon any disposition
or liquidation of Collateral.
"Eligible Credit Support" has the meaning assigned to that
term in the Investment Advisory Agreement.
"Event of Default" means a failure by the Debtor to pay any
amount due under the Retrocession Agreement within 90 days of the due date for
payment.
"FSA" means the Financial Services Authority of the United
Kingdom.
"Governmental Authority" means any nation or government, any
state or other political subdivision thereof and any entity exercising
executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or
pertaining to government.
"Insolvency Event" means any one or more of the following: (a)
the Debtor becomes unable to pay its debts as they fall due, or (b) the
appointment of an administrator, receiver manager or administrative receiver
with respect to any of the assets or undertaking of the Debtor, or (c) the
presentation of any petition or making of any order for the administration or
winding up of the Debtor or the taking of any other step in insolvency
proceedings with respect to the Debtor, or (d) the grant of any moratorium in
respect of the indebtedness of the Debtor or the entry into or proposal by the
Debtor of any composition or compromise with its creditors.
"Investment Adviser" means Alliance Capital Management L.P. or
such other investment adviser as the Debtor may from time to time appoint with
the prior written consent of the Secured Party.
"Investment Advisory Agreement" has the meaning assigned to
that term in the Preliminary Statements.
"Local Business Day" means:
(a) in relation to a transfer of cash or other property
(other than securities) under this Agreement, a day on which commercial banks
are open for business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign
currency deposits) in the place where the relevant account is located and, if
different, in the principal financial center, if any, of the currency of such
payment;
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(b) in relation to a transfer of securities under this
Agreement, a day on which the clearance system agreed between the parties for
delivery of the securities is open for the acceptance and execution of
settlement instructions or, if delivery of the securities is contemplated by
other means, a day on which commercial banks are open for business (including
dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in the place(s)
agreed between the parties for this purpose;
(c) in relation to a valuation under this Agreement, a
day on which commercial banks are open for business (including dealings in
foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in the place of location of the
Custodian and in the place(s) agreed between the parties for this purpose; and
(d) in relation to any notice or other communication
under this Agreement, in the place specified in the address for notice most
recently provided by the recipient.
"Notification Time" means 1:00 p.m., New York time, on a
Local Business Day.
"Notice of Exclusive Control" has the meaning assigned to that
term in the Control Agreement.
"Obligations" means all present and future obligations from
time to time of the Debtor under the Retrocession Agreement and this Agreement.
"Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation
(including a business trust), joint stock company, trust, unincorporated
association, joint venture or other entity, or a government or any political
subdivision or agency thereof.
"Proceeds" has the meaning assigned to that term in Section
9-102(a)(64) of the UCC and, in any event, shall include, without limitation,
the following property: (i) whatever is acquired upon the sale, lease, license,
exchange, or other disposition of the Collateral, (ii) whatever is collected on,
or distributed on account of, the Collateral, (iii) rights arising out of the
Collateral, (iv) to the extent of the value of collateral, claims arising out of
the loss, nonconformity, or interference with the use of, defects or
infringement of rights in, or damage to, the Collateral, or (v) to the extent of
the value of collateral and to the extent payable to the Debtor or the Secured
Party, insurance payable by reason of the loss or nonconformity of, defects or
infringement of rights in, or damage to, the Collateral.
"Property" means, with respect to any Person, any money, cash,
cash equivalents, securities, investments, financial assets, security
entitlements or other investment property.
"Recalculation Date" means a Valuation Date that gives rise to
a dispute under Section 3.07; provided, however, that if a subsequent Valuation
Date occurs under Section 3.02 or 3.03 prior to the resolution of the dispute,
then the "Recalculation Date" means the most recent Valuation Date under Section
3.02 or 3.03, as applicable.
"Relevant Event" means any one or more of the following: (a)
an Event of Default, or (b) the Debtor's failure to perform or otherwise comply
or procure compliance with any of its obligations under the Retrocession
Agreement, other than a failure constituting an
4
Event of Default, if such failure continues for five Local Business Days after
receiving from the Secured Party a written notice thereof, or (c) the Debtor's
failure to perform or otherwise comply with any of its obligations under this
Agreement, or (d) any Insolvency Event, or (e) the Investment Adviser's failure
to comply with any investment objectives, policies and restrictions as in effect
from time to time under the Investment Advisory Agreement, or (f) an amendment
or replacement of categories of securities constituting the Eligible Credit
Support or adoption of any additional investment objectives, policies and
restrictions that would be in conflict with the definition of Eligible Credit
Support either by the Debtor or by the Investment Adviser, in each case without
the prior written consent of the Secured Party, or (g) the Custodian's failure
to perform or otherwise comply with any of its obligations under the Control
Agreement, or (h) the Custodian's failure to perform or otherwise comply with
any of its obligations under the Custodian Agreement, if such failure impairs
the security interest granted to the Secured Party under this Agreement.
"Requirement of Law" means, as to any Person, the certificate
of incorporation and by-laws or other organizational or governing documents of
such Person, and all Federal, state, local and foreign laws, rules and
regulations, the rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers and all
orders, judgments, decrees or other determinations of any Governmental Authority
or arbitrator, applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property
or to which such Person or any of its property is subject.
"Resolution Time" means 1:00 p.m., New York time, on the Local
Business Day following the date on which a notice is given that gives rise to a
dispute under Section 3.07.
"Retrocession Agreement" has the meaning assigned to that term
in the Preliminary Statements.
"Return Amount" has the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 3.03.
"Securities Account" means the separate, segregated Securities
Account listed on Schedule I hereto and any other securities accounts and
sub-accounts which are established by the Custodian under, and subject to, the
Control Agreement.
"Settlement Day" means, in relation to a date, (i) with
respect to a transfer of cash or other property (other than securities), the
next Local Business Day and (ii) with respect to a transfer of securities, the
first Local Business Day after such date on which settlement of a trade in the
relevant securities, if effected on such date, would have been settled in
accordance with customary practice when settling through the clearance system
agreed between the parties for delivery of such securities or, otherwise, on the
market in which such securities are principally traded (or, in either case, if
there is no such customary practice, on the first Local Business Day after such
date on which it is reasonably practicable to deliver such securities).
"Substitute Credit Support" has the meaning assigned to that
term in Section 3.06(a).
"Substitution Date" has the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 3.06(b).
"Substitution Notice" has the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 3.06(a).
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"UCC" means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time
to time in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. All terms used herein without
definitions that are defined in the UCC shall have the respective meanings given
to those terms in the UCC, except where the context otherwise requires.
"USD" means United States Dollars.
"Valuation Agent" means the Secured Party or such other person
as the Debtor and the Secured Party may from time to time jointly designate as
Valuation Agent.
"Valuation Date" means the date of this Agreement, 1st
January, 1st April, 1st July and 1st October in each calendar year and the date
of occurrence of any Relevant Event.
"Valuation Time" means the close of business on the Local
Business Day immediately preceding the Valuation Date or date of calculation, as
applicable; provided that the calculations of Value and Credit Support Amount
will, as far as practicable, be made as of approximately the same time on the
same date.
"Value" means for any Valuation Date or other date for which
Value is calculated, and subject to Section 3.07 in the case of a dispute, with
respect to Eligible Credit Support or Collateral that is: (a) an amount of cash,
the Base Currency Equivalent of such amount; and (b) a security, the Base
Currency Equivalent of its asset value as reported by the Custodian in
accordance with such agreement as may from time to time be in place for such
purpose between the Custodian and the Debtor with the prior written consent of
the Secured Party, provided, however, that the Value of the Eligible Credit
Support that is transferred into the Collateral Accounts as at the date of this
Agreement shall be determined by the Investment Adviser pursuant to the terms of
the Investment Advisory Agreement.
ARTICLE II
SECURITY INTEREST
Section 2.01 Grant of Security Interest. (a) The Debtor
hereby assigns, pledges, conveys, sets over and transfers unto the Secured
Party, and does hereby grant to the Secured Party, a continuing first priority
security interest (subject to the Custodian Lien) in all of the right, title and
interest of the Debtor in, to and under all of the following, whether now
existing or hereafter from time to time acquired (collectively, the
"Collateral"):
(i) the Deposit Account, including any credit or
other balances of account credited thereto or carried therein or other
amounts transferred thereto;
(ii) the Securities Account, including any credit
or other balances of account credited thereto or carried therein or
other amounts transferred thereto;
(iii) all Eligible Credit Support, all other
Property transferred or required to be transferred from time to time
in, or credited to or required to be credited from time
6
to time to, the Collateral Accounts; provided, however, that, except as
expressly provided in Section 4.04, Distributions shall not constitute
Collateral;
(iv) all rights, claims and causes of action, if
any, that the Debtor may have against any Person in respect of the
foregoing; and
(v) all Proceeds of any or all of the other
Collateral.
(b) The Debtor agrees that this Agreement, the security
interest granted pursuant to this Agreement and all rights, remedies, powers and
privileges provided to the Secured Party under this Agreement are in addition to
and not in any way affected or limited by any other security now or at any time
held by the Secured Party to secure payment and performance of the Obligations.
Section 2.02 Security for Obligations. The Collateral
secures the prompt and complete payment and performance of all the Obligations.
Section 2.03 Continued Perfection of Security Interest.
This Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in the Collateral and
shall remain in full force and effect until the payment and performance in full
of the Obligations. The security interest created under this Agreement shall not
be impaired by any intermediate payment or performance of the whole or any part
of the Obligations but shall secure the ultimate balance of the Obligations. The
Debtor agrees that it will not take any actions or fail to perform any of its
duties or obligations under this Agreement so that after giving effect to such
action or inaction the Secured Party will then, or with the passage of time,
cease to have a first priority perfected security interest (subject to the
Custodian Lien) in any of the Collateral; provided, however, that investments,
cash, securities, interest, dividends, financial assets or any other Property
withdrawn from the Collateral Accounts in accordance with Section 3.02, 3.06(b),
4.03(a) or 6.01 shall not be Collateral from and after the time of such
withdrawal.
Section 2.04 Power of Attorney. The Debtor hereby
irrevocably appoints the Secured Party as its attorney-in-fact with right of
substitution, so that the Secured Party or any other Person empowered by the
Secured Party shall be authorized, without need of further authorization from
the Debtor, at any time upon the occurrence of and during the continuance of any
Relevant Event, in the Secured Party's discretion to take any and all actions
authorized or permitted to be taken by the Secured Party under this Agreement or
by law, including but not limited to the power to:
(a) take any action and execute or otherwise
authenticate any instrument or other record which the Secured
Party may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the
purposes of this Agreement, including but not limited to,
perfection of the security interest created under this
Agreement in any jurisdiction in any part of the world;
(b) execute any transfer, xxxx of sale or other
assurance in respect of the Collateral;
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(c) exercise all the rights and powers of the
Debtor in respect of the Collateral;
(d) ask for, demand, collect, xxx for, recover,
receive and give acquittance and receipts for moneys due and
to become due under or in connection with the Collateral;
(e) receive, indorse, and collect any drafts or
other instruments, documents and chattel paper, in connection
therewith; and
(f) file any claims or take any action or
institute any proceedings which the Secured Party may deem
necessary or desirable for the collection of any of the
Collateral or otherwise to enforce the rights of the Secured
Party with respect to any of the Collateral.
The Debtor hereby confirms and ratifies any and all actions
and things performed or done by the Secured Party as the Debtor's
attorney-in-fact or any of its representatives in each case pursuant to the
powers granted hereunder.
This special power of attorney shall be deemed coupled with an
interest, and cannot be revoked by the Debtor until all of the Obligations have
been paid and performed in full and the Retrocession Agreement has been
terminated.
ARTICLE III
CREDIT SUPPORT OBLIGATIONS
Section 3.01 Initial Credit Support. On the date of this
Agreement, the Debtor is transferring, or causing to be transferred, into the
Collateral Accounts Eligible Credit Support having the Value as at the date of
this Agreement at least equal to 20/55 of the premia ceded by the Secured Party
to the Debtor under the Retrocession Agreement.
Section 3.02 Delivery Amount. Subject to Section 3.07, on
or promptly following a Valuation Date, if the Delivery Amount for that
Valuation Date is greater than zero, then the Debtor shall transfer, or cause to
be transferred, into the Collateral Accounts on the terms of this Agreement,
Eligible Credit Support having a Value as of the date of transfer at least equal
to the applicable Delivery Amount (rounded up, if necessary, to the nearest
integral multiple of USD 10,000). The "Delivery Amount" applicable to the Debtor
for any Valuation Date will equal the amount by which: the Credit Support Amount
exceeds the Value as of that Valuation Date of all Collateral under this
Agreement (as adjusted to include any prior Delivery Amount and to exclude any
prior Return Amount, the transfer of which, in either case, has not yet been
completed and for which the relevant Settlement Day falls on or after such
Valuation Date).
Section 3.03 Return Amount. Subject to Section 3.07, on
or promptly following a Valuation Date, if the Return Amount for that Valuation
Date is greater than zero, then the Secured Party shall, upon the Debtor's
request, join the Debtor in instructing the Custodian to
8
release Collateral, specified by the Debtor in such demand, having a Value as of
the date of transfer as close as practicable to the applicable Return Amount
(rounded down, if necessary, to the nearest integral multiple of USD 10,000),
provided, however, that no Relevant Event has occurred and is continuing. The
"Return Amount" applicable with respect to any Valuation Date will equal the
amount by which the Value as of that Valuation Date of all Collateral under this
Agreement (as adjusted to include any prior Delivery Amount and to exclude any
prior Return Amount, the transfer of which, in either case, has not yet been
completed and for which the relevant Settlement Day falls on or after such
Valuation Date) exceeds the Credit Support Amount.
Section 3.04 Transfers. Subject to Section 3.07 and
unless otherwise agreed between the parties from time to time, if an obligation
to transfer Eligible Credit Support or Collateral has become due by the
Notification Time, then the relevant transfer will be made not later than the
close of business on the Settlement Day relating to the date such obligation has
become due; if an obligation becomes due after the Notification Time, then the
relevant transfer will be made not later than the close of business on the
Settlement Day relating to the day after the date such obligation became due.
Section 3.05 Calculations.
(a) All calculations of Value for purposes of this
Article III shall be requested to be made by the Valuation Agent as of the
relevant Valuation Time in accordance with such agreement as may from time to
time be in place for such purpose between the Valuation Agent and the Debtor
and, unless the Secured Party itself acts as a Valuation Agent, with the prior
written consent of the Secured Party. The Valuation Agent shall be requested to
notify each party of its calculations not later than the Notification Time on
the Local Business Day following the applicable Valuation Date (or, in the case
of Section 3.07, following the date of calculation).
(b) All calculations of Credit Support Amount for
purposes of this Article III shall be made by the Secured Party as of the
relevant Valuation Time. The Secured Party shall notify the Custodian and the
Debtor of its calculations not later than the Notification Time on the Local
Business Day following the applicable Valuation Date.
(c) The parties agree that valuations reported by the
Valuation Agent for the purpose of this Agreement shall prevail over any
valuations performed by or for the Investment Adviser pursuant to the terms of
the Investment Advisory Agreement.
Section 3.06 Substitutions.
(a) The Debtor (acting, where applicable, through the
Investment Adviser) may on any Local Business Day by notice (a "Substitution
Notice") inform the Secured Party and the Custodian that it wishes to substitute
the Eligible Credit Support specified in that Substitution Notice (the
"Substitute Credit Support") for certain Eligible Credit Support specified in
the Substitution Notice and held in the Collateral Accounts (the "Original
Credit Support").
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(b) Following the service of such Substitution Notice,
the Original Credit Support shall be released, upon joint written instructions
by the Secured Party and the Debtor, to the Debtor against delivery of the
Substitute Credit Support (or an undertaking for such delivery) in accordance
with the customary settlement procedures (the "Substitution Date"); provided,
however, that no Relevant Event has occurred and is continuing.
Section 3.07 Disputed Calculations or Valuations.
(a) If a party (a "Disputing Party") reasonably disputes
the Value of any transfer of Eligible Credit Support or Collateral, then:
(i) the Disputing Party shall notify the other
party and, unless the Secured Party itself acts as a Valuation Agent,
the Valuation Agent not later than the close of business on the Local
Business Day following the date of transfer;
(ii) the parties will consult with each other in
an attempt to resolve the dispute; and
(iii) if they fail to resolve the dispute by the
Resolution Time, then the Valuation Agent will be requested to
recalculate the Value as of the date of the transfer.
Following a recalculation pursuant to this Section 3.07(a),
the Valuation Agent shall notify each party as soon as possible but in any event
not later than the Notification Time on the Local Business Day following the
Resolution Time. The parties shall, following such notice by the Valuation Agent
or a resolution pursuant to this Section 3.07(a)(ii) above, and subject to
Section 3.04, join in giving the necessary instructions to the Custodian to make
the appropriate transfer; provided, however, that the Secured Party shall not be
obliged to join in giving such instructions if it has delivered a Notice of
Exclusive Control or such Notice of Exclusive Control has not been revoked or
rescinded by the Secured Party, or a Relevant Event has occurred and is
continuing.
(b) The failure by the Debtor to make a transfer of any
amount which is the subject of a dispute to which this Section 3.07(a) applies
shall not constitute a Relevant Event for so long as the procedures set forth in
this Section 3.07 are being carried out. For the avoidance of doubt, upon
completion of those procedures, any failure by the Debtor to make a transfer
required under the final sentence of this Section 3.07(a) on the relevant due
date shall constitute a Relevant Event.
ARTICLE IV
COLLATERAL
Section 4.01 No Duty. Except to the extent otherwise
required by applicable law, the Secured Party will have no duty with respect to
Collateral, including, without limitation, any duty to collect any
Distributions, or enforce or preserve any rights pertaining to Collateral.
Section 4.02 Custodians.
10
(a) The Debtor shall appoint the Custodian to hold
Collateral in accordance with the Control Agreement, and the Debtor shall cause
all such Collateral to be transferred to, and held by, the Custodian.
(b) The Debtor shall be liable for the acts or omissions
of the Custodian and the Investment Adviser to the same extent that the Debtor
would be liable under this Agreement for its own acts or omissions.
Section 4.03 Maintenance of Collateral Accounts. In
addition to, and not in limitation or in lieu of, the obligation of Custodian to
honor entitlement orders as provided in the Control Agreement,
(a) the Secured Party agrees that until such time, if
any, that the Secured Party delivers a Notice of Exclusive Control to the
Custodian, the Debtor shall be entitled (i) subject to Section 3.06(b), to give,
jointly with the Secured Party, entitlement orders and all other forms of
instructions to invest, through the Investment Adviser, where applicable, the
Collateral held in the Collateral Accounts solely in cash or categories of
securities defined as Eligible Credit Support, which upon their acquisition
shall constitute the Collateral, (ii) subject to Section 4.04, to receive and
give entitlement orders and all other forms of instructions with respect to all
Distributions (subject, where applicable, to prior deduction by the Custodian of
any fees or expenses owed to Custodian by the Debtor for the provision of its
custodial services from time to time), and (iii) to exercise, or to direct the
Custodian to exercise on its behalf, any voting rights attached to any of the
Collateral (but only in a manner consistent with the terms of this Agreement);
provided that the Debtor shall not have the authority to (x) terminate or close
the Collateral Accounts, or (y) sell, transfer, exchange, assign, lease or hire
out, factor, discount, license, lend, part with its interest in or otherwise
dispose of any of the Collateral or permit the same to occur, or agree to do any
of the foregoing, without prior written consent of the Secured Party (to be
evidenced, where appropriate, by execution of joint instructions by the Debtor
and the Secured Party), except as expressly permitted under this Agreement. The
Secured Party agrees that (i) until a Relevant Event occurs, it shall not give
entitlement orders, deliver Notice of Exclusive Control or give any other forms
of instructions with regard to the Collateral Accounts and the financial assets
and other Property on deposit therein or credited thereto (other than joint
instructions in accordance with this Agreement), and (ii) it shall join the
Debtor in giving instructions requested by or on behalf of the Debtor so long as
no Relevant Event then exists or would be caused by the execution of such
instructions.
(b) if at any time the Secured Party delivers a Notice of
Exclusive Control to the Custodian, the Debtor agrees that, from and after
delivery thereof until the written revocation or rescission of such notice by
the Secured Party, (i) the Secured Party shall be the sole Person to give all
entitlement orders and other demands and instructions with respect to the
Collateral Accounts or any financial asset credited thereto or carried therein
or any other Collateral, (ii) if it has received any Collateral from the
Custodian in violation of the terms of the Control Agreement, it shall hold such
Collateral in trust for the Secured Party and shall promptly thereafter deliver
such Collateral to the Secured Party and (iii) it shall execute and deliver, and
use its best efforts to cause the Custodian to execute and deliver, to the
Secured Party all proxies and other instruments as the Secured Party may
reasonably request for the purpose of enabling the Secured Party to exercise any
voting or other consensual rights
11
pertaining to any Collateral. Notice of Exclusive Control shall be deemed to be
revoked or rescinded upon receipt by the Custodian from the Secured Party of
written notice thereof. The Secured Party agrees to deliver a notice of
revocation or rescission upon request of the Debtor at any time when no Relevant
Event has occurred or is continuing.
Section 4.04 Distributions. Subject, where applicable, to
prior deduction by the Custodian of any fees or expenses owed to the Custodian
by the Debtor for the provision of its custodial services from time to time, the
Custodian shall, upon proper written instructions by the Debtor, credit the
Distributions to Debtor's custodial account held with the Custodian or any other
account designated by the Debtor; provided, however, that the Secured Party has
not delivered a Notice of Exclusive Control that has not been revoked or
rescinded by the Secured Party, and that a Relevant Event has not occurred and
is continuing. The Secured Party shall execute such instructions, if any, as may
be required to permit such credit to be effected. Any Distributions (or portion
thereof) not credited pursuant to this Section 4.04 shall constitute Collateral
and will be subject to the security interest granted under Section 2.01 (a) or
otherwise will be subject to the set-off provided in Section 6.01(c).
ARTICLE V
GENERAL REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
The Debtor represents, warrants and covenants, which
representations, warranties and covenants shall be deemed to be repeated as of
each date on which the Debtor transfers, or causes to be transferred, any
Eligible Credit Support into the Collateral Accounts and shall survive execution
and delivery of this Agreement and the payment in full of the Obligations, as
follows:
Section 5.01 Power to Grant Security Interest. The Debtor
has the power to grant a security interest in any Collateral pursuant hereto and
has taken all necessary actions to authorize the granting of that security
interest.
Section 5.02 Necessary Filings. All filings,
registrations and recordings necessary or appropriate to create, preserve,
protect and perfect, to the extent a security interest may be perfected thereby,
the security interest granted by the Debtor to the Secured Party hereby in
respect of the Collateral have been accomplished, and the first priority
security interest granted to the Secured Party pursuant to this Agreement
(subject to the Custodian Lien) in and to the Collateral constitutes a valid
first priority perfected security interest which is superior and prior to the
rights of all other Persons (other than the Custodian Lien) and enforceable
against the Debtor (including in Bermuda) and, in each case, subject to no other
Liens, sales, assignments, conveyances, settings over or transfers.
Section 5.03 No Liens. The Debtor is the owner of all
Collateral free from any Lien or other right, title or interest of any Person
(other than the Custodian Lien), and the Debtor shall defend such Collateral
against all claims and demands of all Persons at any time claiming the same or
any interest therein adverse to the Secured Party.
12
Section 5.04 Other Financing Statements. There is no
financing statement (or similar statement or instrument of registration under
the law of any jurisdiction) covering or purporting to cover any interest of any
kind in the Collateral, and so long as any of the Obligations remain unpaid, the
Debtor will not execute or authorize to be filed in any public office any
financing statement (or similar statement or instrument of registration under
the law of any jurisdiction) or statements relating to the Collateral, except
financing statements filed or to be filed in respect of and covering the
security interests granted hereby.
Section 5.05 Consents. No consent of any Person and no
authorization, approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any
Governmental Authority of any jurisdiction is required as of the date of the
execution and delivery of this Agreement for (i) the grant by the Debtor of the
pledge, assignment and security interest granted hereby with respect to the
Collateral, (ii) the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by the
Debtor, (iii) the pledge, assignment and security interest created hereby with
respect to the Collateral (including the first priority nature of such pledge,
assignment and security interest with respect to the Collateral (subject to the
Custodian Lien)) other than the execution and delivery of the Control Agreement
and filing of appropriate financing statements or similar filings or
notifications in respect of the Collateral in the manner described in the
opinions of Massachusetts counsel to the Debtor and Bermuda counsel to the
Debtor or (iv) the exercise by the Secured Party of the rights provided for in
this Agreement or the remedies in respect of the Collateral pursuant to this
Agreement.
(b) The Debtor shall use its best efforts to obtain after
the date of the execution and delivery of this Agreement such other consents,
authorizations, and approvals and obtain such other actions by, and provide such
notices to or make such filings with, any Governmental Authority of any
jurisdiction as may be, in the reasonable judgment of the Secured Party,
necessary after the date of this Agreement (i) for the grant by the Debtor of
the pledge, assignment and security interest granted hereby or for the
execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by the Debtor, (ii) for the
pledge, assignment and security interest created hereby with respect to the
Collateral (including the first priority nature of such pledge, assignment and
security interest with respect to the Collateral (subject to the Custodian
Lien)) or (iii) for the exercise by the Secured Party of the rights, remedies
and powers provided for in this Agreement or the remedies in respect of the
Collateral pursuant to this Agreement.
Section 5.06 Further Actions. The Debtor will, at its own
expense, make, execute, endorse, acknowledge, or otherwise authenticate and file
and/or deliver to the Secured Party from time to time such confirmatory
assignments, conveyances, financing statements, transfer endorsements, powers of
attorney, certificates and other assurances, instruments or other records, and
take such further steps relating to the Collateral and other property or rights
covered by the interests hereby granted, which the Secured Party, upon written
direction, deems reasonably appropriate or advisable to perfect, preserve or
protect its security interests in the Collateral.
Section 5.07 Financing Statements. The Debtor agrees to
execute or otherwise authenticate (if necessary) and deliver to the Secured
Party such financing statements (or similar statement or instrument of
registration under the law of any jurisdiction), in form acceptable to the
Secured Party as it may from time to time reasonably request or as are necessary
or desirable
13
in its reasonable opinion to establish and maintain the security interests
contemplated hereunder as valid, enforceable and first priority security
interests (subject to the Custodian Lien) as provided herein and the other
rights and security contemplated herein, all in accordance with the UCC as
enacted in any and all relevant jurisdictions or any other Requirement of Law.
The Debtor will pay any applicable filing fees and related expenses. The Debtor
authorizes the Secured Party to file any such financing statements without the
signature of the Debtor.
ARTICLE VI
REMEDIES UPON OCCURRENCE OF RELEVANT EVENT
Section 6.01 Remedies; Obtaining and Disposition of the
Collateral Upon Default. The Debtor agrees that, if any Relevant Event has
occurred and is continuing, then and in every such case, subject to any
Requirements of Law, the Secured Party may:
(a) deliver a Notice of Exclusive Control, instructions
or entitlement orders with respect to the Collateral Accounts or the Collateral;
(b) exercise in respect of the Collateral, in addition to
other rights and remedies provided for herein or otherwise available to it, all
the rights and remedies of a secured party upon default under the UCC to enforce
this Agreement and the security interest contained herein, and also may (A) if
applicable, require the Debtor to, and the Debtor hereby agrees that it will at
its expense and upon request of the Secured Party forthwith, assemble all or
part of the Collateral as directed by the Secured Party and make it available to
the Secured Party at a place to be designated by the Secured Party that is
reasonably convenient to both parties, or (B) without notice except as specified
below, sell the Collateral or any part thereof in one or more parcels at public
or private sale, at any of the Secured Party's offices or elsewhere, for cash,
on credit or for future delivery, and upon such other terms as the Secured Party
may deem commercially reasonable. The Debtor agrees that, to the extent notice
of sale shall be required by law, at least thirty (30) days' notice to the
Debtor of the time and place of any public sale or the time after which any
private sale is to be made shall constitute reasonable notification. The Secured
Party shall not be obligated to make any sale of Collateral regardless of notice
of sale having been given. The Secured Party may adjourn any public or private
sale from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed therefor, and
such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which it
was so adjourned;
(c) hold any money held by the Secured Party as
Collateral and all cash proceeds received by the Secured Party in respect of any
sale of, collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of the
Collateral, as collateral for, and/or, then, or at any time thereafter, apply
such amounts, in whole or in part, against all or any part of the Obligations,
and to make any currency conversions or effect any transaction in currencies
which it thinks fit, and to do so at such times and rates as it thinks proper;
and
(d) exercise any and all rights and remedies of the
Debtor under or in respect of the Collateral.
14
Section 6.02 Waiver of Claims. Except as otherwise
provided in this Agreement, the Debtor hereby waives, to the extent permitted by
all Requirements of Law:
(a) all damages occasioned by taking of possession except
any damages which are the direct result of the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of the Secured Party or any Person acting on its behalf or
instruction;
(b) all other requirements as to the time, place and
terms of sale or other requirements with respect to the enforcement of the
Secured Party's rights hereunder; and
(c) all rights of redemption, appraisement, valuation,
stay, extension or moratorium now or hereafter in force under any Requirement of
Law in order to prevent or delay the enforcement of this Agreement (including,
without limitation, any right to claim that such enforcement should be stayed
pending the outcome of any other action or proceeding (including any arbitration
proceeding)) or the absolute sale of the Collateral or any portion thereof, and
the Debtor, for itself and all who may claim under it, insofar as it or they now
or hereafter lawfully may, hereby waives the benefit of all such Requirements of
Law.
Any sale of, or the grant of options to purchase, or any other
realization upon, any Collateral shall operate to divest all right, title,
interest, claim and demand, either at law or in equity, of the Debtor therein
and thereto, and shall be a perpetual bar both at law and in equity against the
Debtor and against any and all Persons claiming or attempting to claim the
Collateral so sold, optioned or realized upon, or any part thereof, from,
through and under the Debtor.
Section 6.03 Deficiencies and Excess Proceeds. The
Secured Party shall transfer, or cause to be transferred, to the Debtor any
proceeds and Collateral remaining after exercising remedies under Section 6.01
and after satisfaction in full of all amounts payable by the Debtor with respect
to any Obligations. For the avoidance of doubt, it is understood that the Debtor
shall remain liable to the extent of any deficiency between the amount of the
proceeds of the Collateral and the aggregate amount of the Obligations.
Section 6.04 Remedies Cumulative. No failure or delay on
the part of the Secured Party, in exercising any right, power or privilege
hereunder and no course of dealing between the Debtor and the Secured Party
shall operate as a waiver hereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of
any right, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise
hereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege hereunder. The
rights, powers and remedies herein expressly provided are cumulative and not
exclusive of any rights, powers or remedies which the Secured Party would
otherwise have. No notice to or demand on the Debtor in any case shall entitle
the Debtor to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other
circumstances or constitute a waiver of the rights of the Secured Party to any
other or further action in any circumstances without notice or demand.
Section 6.05 Discontinuance of Proceedings. In case the
Secured Party shall have instituted any proceeding to enforce any right, power
or remedy under this Agreement by foreclosure, sale, entry or otherwise, and
such proceeding shall have been discontinued or abandoned for any reason or
shall have been determined adversely to the Secured Party, then and in every
such case the Debtor, the Secured Party shall be restored to their former
positions and
15
rights hereunder with respect to the Collateral subject to the security interest
created under this Agreement, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Secured
Party shall continue as if no such proceeding had been instituted.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.01 Expenses.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 7.01(b)
and 7.01(c), each party will pay its own costs and expenses (including any
stamp, transfer or similar transaction tax or duty payable on any transfer it is
required to make under this Agreement) in connection with performing its
obligations under this Agreement and neither party will be liable for any such
costs and expenses incurred by the other party.
(b) The Debtor shall promptly pay when due all taxes,
assessments or charges of any nature that are imposed with respect to Collateral
upon becoming aware of the same.
(c) All reasonable costs, expenses, charges and fees paid
or incurred by the Secured Party in the exercise of any of the rights, remedies
or powers granted hereunder shall be for the account of the Debtor, and the
Debtor undertakes promptly on demand to pay the same or, as the case may be, to
reimburse the Secured Party and/or its agents, representatives, successors and
assigns as the case may be, for any monies paid by it with interest thereon to
the extent that there are then insufficient funds available in the Collateral
Accounts for this purpose.
Section 7.02 Notices. All communications between the
parties hereto or notices provided herein to be given may be given to the
following addresses:
If to the Secured Party:
Platinum Re (UK) Limited
00 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Attn: Xxx Xxxxxx
Telephone No.: 00-000-000-0000
Facsimile No.: 00-000-000-0000
If to the Debtor:
Platinum Underwriters Bermuda, Ltd.
Clarendon House
2 Church Street
Xxxxxxxx XX 11
Bermuda
16
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Telephone No.: 000-000-0000
Facsimile No.: 000-000-0000
All notices or other communications required or permitted to
be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be considered as properly given
(a) if delivered in person, (b) if sent by internationally recognized overnight
delivery service, or (c) if sent by facsimile transmission. Notice so given
shall be effective upon receipt by the addressee; provided, however, that if any
notice is tendered during normal business hours on a Local Business Day to an
addressee in accordance with this Section 7.02 and the delivery thereof is
refused by such addressee, such notice shall be effective upon such tender. Any
party shall have the right to change its address for notice hereunder to any
other location by the giving of 30 days notice to the other parties in the
manner set forth hereinabove.
Section 7.03 Instructions. All entitlement orders and
other instructions and communications that the Debtor is entitled, or desires,
to give or make under this Agreement may be given or made either by the Debtor
itself or by the Investment Adviser, acting on behalf of the Debtor. All
entitlement orders and other instructions and communications that the Secured
Party is entitled, or desires, to give or make under this Agreement may be given
or made either by the Secured Party itself or by its attorney in fact,
including, without limitation, until notice of revocation is delivered to the
Debtor and the Investment Adviser, the Investment Adviser.
Section 7.04 Waiver; Amendment. This Agreement may be
changed, waived, discharged, or terminated only by an instrument in writing
executed by all of the parties hereto.
Section 7.05 Obligations Absolute. The obligations of the
Debtor under this Agreement shall be absolute and unconditional and shall remain
in full force and effect without regard to, and shall not be released,
suspended, discharged, terminated or otherwise affected by, any circumstance or
occurrence whatsoever, including, without limitation: (a) any renewal,
extension, amendment or modification of, or addition or supplement to or
deletion from, the Retrocession Agreement or any other instrument or agreement
referred to therein, or any assignment or transfer of any thereof; (b) any
waiver, consent, extension, indulgence or other action or inaction under or in
respect of any such instrument or agreement or this Agreement or any exercise or
non-exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege under or in respect of
this Agreement or the Retrocession Agreement or any other instrument or
agreement referred to therein; (c) any furnishing of any additional security to
the Secured Party or any acceptance thereof or any sale, exchange, release,
surrender or realization of or upon any security by the Secured Party; or (d)
any invalidity, irregularity or unenforceability of all or part of the
Obligations or of any security therefor.
Section 7.06 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall
be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the respective
successors and assigns of the parties hereto; provided, however, that the Debtor
may not assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without
the prior written consent of the Secured Party.
17
Section 7.07 Headings Descriptive, etc. The headings of
the sections and subsections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only
and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of any provision of
this Agreement.
Section 7.08 Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction
and Venue. This Agreement is a contract made under the laws of The Commonwealth
of Massachusetts of the United States of America and shall for all purposes be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of such Commonwealth. Any
legal action or proceeding against the Debtor with respect to this Agreement may
be brought in the courts of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the County of
Suffolk, or in the federal courts of the United States for the District of
Massachusetts, it being understood that nothing herein shall affect the right of
the Secured Party to serve process in any other manner permitted by law or to
commence legal proceedings or otherwise proceed against the Debtor in any
jurisdiction, and, by execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Debtor
hereby irrevocably accepts for itself and in respect of its property, generally
and unconditionally, the jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts. The Debtor agrees
that a judgment, after exhaustion of all available appeals, in any such action
or proceeding shall be conclusive and binding upon the Debtor, and may be
enforced in any jurisdiction, by a suit upon such judgment, a certified copy of
which shall be conclusive evidence of the judgment.
(b) The Debtor hereby irrevocably waives any objection
which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any of the
aforesaid actions or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this
Agreement brought in the courts referred to in clause (a) above and hereby
further irrevocably waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court
that any such action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in
an inconvenient forum.
Section 7.09 Waiver of Jury Trial. Each of the Debtor and
the Secured Party hereby irrevocably waives all right to trial by jury in any
action, proceeding or counterclaim arising out or relating to this Agreement, or
any other instrument or document delivered hereunder or thereunder.
Section 7.10 Termination; Release. This Agreement shall
terminate on the earlier of (i) the irrevocable payment and performance in full
of the Obligations (other than contingent surviving obligations) or (ii) subject
to the prior consent of the FSA, the third anniversary of the date of this
Agreement, provided, however, that no Relevant Event shall have occurred and be
continuing. Upon such termination, the Secured Party shall, at the Debtor's
expense, execute and deliver to the Debtor such documents, and take such other
acts, as the Debtor shall reasonably request to evidence, or give effect to,
such termination.
Section 7.11 Reinstatement. Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, this Agreement shall continue to be effective, or be
reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of
any of the Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by
the Secured Party upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or
reorganization of the Debtor, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a
receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar officer for, the
Debtor or any substantial part of its property, or otherwise, all as though such
payments had not been made.
18
Section 7.12 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed
in counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an
original, and both of which shall together constitute one and the same
instrument.
Section 7.13 Severability. In case any one or more of the
provisions contained in this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the
remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected and/or
impaired thereby.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS.]
19
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized
officers as of the day and year first above written.
PLATINUM UNDERWRITERS BERMUDA,
LTD., as Debtor
By:______________________________
Name:
Title:
PLATINUM RE (UK) LIMITED,
as Secured Party
By:______________________________
Name:
Title:
SCHEDULE I
COLLATERAL ACCOUNTS
Deposit Account
Description Number
Platinum Underwriters Bermuda fbo Platinum Re (UK) 54798079
Securities Account
Description Number
Platinum Underwriters Bermuda fbo Platinum Re (UK) CIW7
E-ii
EXHIBIT B
TO CONTROL AGREEMENT AMONG PLATINUM RE (UK) LIMITED, PLATINUM
UNDERWRITERS BERMUDA, LTD. AND STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
[Letterhead of Party A]
[Date]
State Street Bank and Trust Company
000 Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Vice President, Insurance Services
NOTICE OF EXCLUSIVE CONTROL
We hereby instruct you pursuant to the terms of that certain Control Agreement
dated as of ________, 2002 (as from time to time amended and supplemented, the
"CONTROL AGREEMENT") among the undersigned, Platinum Underwriters Bermuda, Ltd.
(together with its successors and assigns, "PARTY B") and you, as Custodian,
that you (i) shall not follow any instructions or entitlement orders of Party B
with respect to the Collateral or the Collateral Accounts held by you for Party
B, and (ii) unless and until otherwise expressly instructed by the undersigned,
shall exclusively follow the entitlement orders and instructions of the
undersigned with respect to the Collateral or the Collateral Accounts.
Very truly yours,
Platinum Re (UK) Limited
By:___________________________
Authorized Signatory
cc:
10
EXHIBIT C
TO CONTROL AGREEMENT AMONG PLATINUM RE (UK) LIMITED, PLATINUM
UNDERWRITERS BERMUDA, LTD. AND STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
AUTHORIZED PERSONS FOR PLATINUM RE (UK) LIMITED
State Street Bank and Trust Company is directed to accept and act upon
written instructions received from any one of the following persons at Platinum
Re (UK)_ Limited
Name Telephone/Fax Number Signature
---- -------------------- ----------
1. X. XXXXXXX 1. Telephone 000.0000.0000 1. /s/ X. Xxxxxxx
Facsimile 020.7220.8129 ---------------
2. X. XXXXXX 2. Telephone 000.0000.0000 2. /s/ X. Xxxxxx
Facsimile 020.7220.8129 ---------------
3. 3. Telephone 3. _______________
Facsimile
4. 4. Telephone 4. _______________
Facsimile
5. 5. Telephone 5. _______________
Facsimile
Authorized by: /s/ X. Xxxxxxx
---------------
as authorized agent of Platinum Re (UK)_ Limited
Name: X. XXXXXXX
Title: CEO
11
SCHEDULE I
TO CONTROL AGREEMENT AMONG PLATINUM RE (UK) LIMITED, PLATINUM
UNDERWRITERS BERMUDA, LTD. AND STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
COLLATERAL ACCOUNTS
Deposit Account
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Description Number
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Platinum Underwriters Bermuda fbo Platinum Re (UK) 54798079
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities Account
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Description Number
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Platinum Underwriters Bermuda fbo Platinum Re (UK) CIW7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12
