ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AGREEMENT
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AGREEMENT
This ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT, dated [_________________] (this “Agreement”), is by and between Incapital Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Administrative Agent”), and Bond Trust Products LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“BTP”). The Administrative Agent and BTP individually are referred to as “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, BTP has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission to offer and sell, from time to time, trust certificates (the “Certificates”) issued by trusts to be formed by BTP;
WHEREAS, each trust will be formed under a trust agreement to be entered into by and among BTP, as depositor, The Bank of New York Trust Company of Florida, N.A., as trustee, The Bank of New York (Delaware), as Delaware trustee and the Administrative Agent in a form satisfactory to each party (the “Trust Agreements”);
WHEREAS, BTP desires to engage Administrative Agent to perform certain of the administrative functions to be performed by BTP under the Trust Agreements and certain other agreements to which BTP is or may become a party in accordance with the Trust Agreements, as set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual obligations and undertakings set forth herein, it is agreed as follows:
ARTICLE
I
DEFINITIONS; EFFECTIVE DATE; TERM;
APPOINTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Section 1.1 Definitions. Unless otherwise specified, capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the respective meaning assigned to such terms in the Trust Agreements.
Section 1.2 Effective Date. This Agreement shall become effective, and the rights and obligations of Administrative Agent and BTP with respect to this Agreement shall commence, on the date first written above (the “Effective Date”).
Section 1.3 Term.
(a) This Agreement may be terminated by either Party at any time by giving 60 days’ prior written notice to the other Party and on the payment by BTP to Administrative Agent of all outstanding amounts owed to Administrative Agent by BTP under this Agreement.
(b) Either Party may terminate this Agreement in accordance with the terms of Section 6.2.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 1.3, the termination of this Agreement shall not in any manner change or excuse the obligations of Administrative Agent under this Agreement arising prior to such termination.
Section 1.4 Agent. BTP hereby appoints Administrative Agent to be and act as its agent to do and perform those obligations, and protect and exercise such rights, of BTP that are specified herein, and to take such other actions as may be necessary or convenient thereto. As agent for BTP, Administrative Agent is authorized to act for BTP in its own name or in the name of BTP, as deemed necessary or advisable by Administrative Agent.
ARTICLE
II
SUPPORT
OBLIGATIONS
Section 2.1 Administrative Services. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Administrative Agent shall perform for BTP all administrative services necessary and advisable for BTP to perform its obligations and to exercise its rights under the following agreements: the Trust Agreements and all other contracts relating to the Trusts to which BTP is a party and of which Administrative Agent has been given prior notice. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Administrative Agent shall perform on behalf of BTP, for itself and for each individual Trust formed under the Trust Agreements, the following administrative services: accounting, auditing, financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, tax, cash management, review of significant operating and financial matters, contract administrative services, invoicing, computer and information services, and such other administrative and regulatory filing services as directed by BTP. Without limiting the foregoing, Administrative Agent shall provide for the following administrative services:
(a) (i) maintain the books and records of BTP in accordance with BTP’s limited liability company operating agreement, and (ii) maintain separately the books and records of each individual Trust formed under the Trust Agreements, in accordance with good business practice, Internal Revenue Service regulations, applicable law, and generally accepted accounting principles and retain and oversee independent auditors to review such books and records of BTP on an annual basis;
(b) provide services regarding the cash of BTP and of each individual Trust formed under the Trust Agreements, including (i) establishing bank accounts and (ii) investing and transferring funds and effecting payments in accordance with the contracts described in the first paragraph of this Section 2.1;
(c) provide accounting services related to the development and implementation of financial controls and systems of BTP and of each individual Trust formed under the Trust Agreements and the administering of the financing proceeds of each;
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(d) exercise all rights and administer all obligations of BTP under the Trust Agreements;
(e) to the extent that amounts are available from BTP, pay all fees, debts and obligations (including taxes) incurred or payable by or on behalf of BTP in accordance with the Trust Agreements;
(f) provide tax-related services;
(g) make and prosecute, or cause to be made or prosecuted, such filings and reports, keep such records, and take or cause to be taken such other actions as may be necessary and lawful to maintain the existence and good standing of BTP and of each individual Trust formed under the Trust Agreements and to ensure the compliance by BTP, on behalf of itself and of each individual Trust formed under the Trust Agreements, with all applicable laws, regulations, authorizations, and orders of government agencies;
(h) do and perform such other acts as may be mutually agreed to by Administrative Agent and BTP from time to time and permitted by the Trust Agreements;
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2.1 or elsewhere in this Agreement, Administrative Agent agrees that it will (a) not take, or fail to take, any action that could reasonably be expected to cause BTP to violate any negative covenant contained in the Trust Agreements and (b) submit for approval to the appropriate managers of BTP all proposed actions of or on behalf of BTP the approval of which by such managers is required by the limited liability company operating agreement.
ARTICLE
III
OBLIGATIONS
UNDER THE TRUST AGREEMENTS
Section 3.1 The Administrative Agent undertakes to perform its duties under the Trust Agreements including, but not limited to, the obligations of the Administrative Agent set forth in Sections 3.08(b), 3.09(b) and 3.10 of the Trust Agreements, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into the Trust Agreements against the Administrative Agent. Any permissive right of the Administrative Agent enumerated in the Trust Agreements shall not be construed as a duty.
Section 3.2 Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents shall be liable, for any losses, costs or damages or otherwise, to the Trustee or the Certificateholders under any circumstances for any act or omission except for its willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of duties specifically set forth in this Agreement and the Trust Agreements; it being understood that:
(a) the duties and obligations of the Administrative Agent shall be determined solely by the express terms of this Agreement and the Trust Agreements and, in the absence of gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the
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Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may conclusively rely upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Administrative Agent as to the truth and correctness of any statements contained therein;
(b) the Administrative Agent shall not be personally liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Administrative Agent in good faith and reasonably believed by such Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Agreement and the Trust Agreements; and
(c) except with respect to actions or duties required to be taken or performed, as applicable, by the Administrative Agent under the express terms of this Agreement or the Trust Agreements, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers under this Agreement and the Trust Agreements.
Section 3.3 Except as otherwise provided in Section 3.12(b) of the Trust Agreements:
(a) the Administrative Agent may request and rely upon and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, Officers’ Certificate, certificate of auditors or any other certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, appraisal, bond or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have signed by the proper party or parties;
(b) the Administrative Agent may consult with counsel and any advice or Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted by it under the Trust Agreements in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;
(c) the Administrative Agent shall be under no obligation to institute, conduct or defend any Proceeding hereunder or in relation thereto, at the request, order or direction of any of the Certificateholders or otherwise;
(d) the Administrative Agent shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts of matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, appraisal, approval, bond or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine; and
(e) the Administrative Agent may execute any of the powers or perform any duties under this Agreement and the Trust Agreements either directly or by or through Affiliates.
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ARTICLE
IV
ASSIGNMENT
Section 4.1 Successor to Obligations. Any corporation or other entity into which the Administrative Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation or other entity resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Administrative Agent shall be a party, or any corporation or other entity succeeding to the business of the Administrative Agent, shall be the successor of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or the Trust Agreements without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties to this Agreement or the Trust Agreements, anything in this Agreement or the Trust Agreements to the contrary notwithstanding.
Section 4.2 Consent to Third Party Service Provider. BTP hereby acknowledges, consents and agrees that Administrative Agent may at any time on or after the Effective Date subcontract to an agent to perform any or all of the administrative functions, duties and obligations that Administrative Agent is required to perform under this Agreement and the Trust Agreements; provided, however, that Administrative Agent shall remain responsible for the performance of its obligations hereunder.
ARTICLE
V
FEES
Section 5.1 Payment of Fees, Expenses, Debts and other Obligations. On or before the [____________] day of each calendar month during the term of this Agreement, Administrative Agent shall deliver to BTP (and the Trustee in accordance with the Trust Agreement) one or more invoices for all previously accrued and unpaid administrative expenses incurred by Administrative Agent in performing its obligations under this Agreement and the Trust Agreements (other than internal and overhead costs of Administrative Agent, which are covered by the Fee). Each invoice shall contain a statement explaining in reasonable detail how the expenses on the invoice were calculated and the persons or entities to which payments are to be made.
ARTICLE
VI
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
Section 6.1 Organization; Powers. Each Party represents and warrants to the other Party that it is a duly formed and validly existing limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware and has the requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now being conducted and currently proposed to be conducted, to own its properties and to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement.
Section 6.2 Authorization; Enforceability. Each Party represents and warrants to the other Party that it has taken all action necessary to authorize it to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and that this Agreement, when executed and delivered, will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of it, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, reorganization,
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moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of the rights of creditors generally and to general principles of equity.
Section 6.3 No Conflict. Each Party represents and warrants to the other Party that the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement does not and will not (a) violate any law, statute, code, act, ordinance, order, judgment, decree, injunction, rule, regulation, permit, license, authorization, direction or requirement of any federal, state, local or foreign governmental department, commission, board, bureau, authority, agency, court, instrumentality or judicial or regulatory body or entity applicable to it (collectively, “Legal Requirements”) or the violation of which could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect on its business, assets or financial condition or (b) conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute a default under any of its organizational, formative or governing documents or any instrument or agreement, including, without limitation, the Trust Agreements, to which it is a party.
Section 6.4 Compliance. Each Party represents and warrants to the other Party that it is in compliance with all Legal Requirements and governmental approvals applicable to it and this Agreement, except to the extent that non-compliance could not reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect on its business, assets for financial conditions or on its ability to perform under this Agreement.
Section 6.5 Litigation. Each Party represents and warrants to the other Party that there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the best of its knowledge, threatened in writing against it in any court or before or by any federal, state, local or foreign governmental department, commission, board, bureau, authority, agency, court, instrumentality or judicial or regulatory body or entity, wherein an unfavorable ruling or finding could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect on its business, assets or financial condition or on its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
Section 6.6 Governmental Approvals. Each Party represents and warrants to the other Party that all governmental and third-party approvals necessary for it to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Trust Agreements have been obtained, are in full force and effect and are final and non-appealable.
ARTICLE
VII
MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS
Section 7.1 Amendments. This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument duly executed by each of BTP and Administrative Agent; provided, however, that so long as the Certificates remain outstanding, this Agreement may not be amended in a manner which violates the terms of the Trust Agreements and without receiving prior written consent from the Trustee, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.
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Section 7.2 Binding Effect. This Agreement and any extension shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns.
Section 7.3 Specific Performance. Each party hereby acknowledges that money damages would not be a sufficient remedy for any breach of this Agreement and that irreparable harm would result if this Agreement were not specifically enforced. Therefore, notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the rights and obligations of the Parties under this Agreement shall be enforceable by a decree of specific performance issued by any court of competent jurisdiction and appropriate injunctive relief may be applied for and granted in connection therewith. The right of a Party to specific performance hereunder shall be in addition to all other legal or equitable remedies available to such Party.
Section 7.4 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
Section 7.5 Notices. Any notice, request, demand or statement to be given by a Party hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given to the addressee when mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, or delivered against receipt by messenger or overnight courier addressed as follows:
To Administrative Agent:
Incapital
Holdings LLC
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Attention:
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To Bond Trust Products:
c/o Incapital Holdings LLC▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
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Phone: ▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Fax: ▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
and, each such notice delivered to the Administrative Agent or BTP shall be delivered to Trustee as follows:
To Trustee:
The
Bank of New York Trust Company of Florida, N.A.
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Attention:
_________________
or to such other address as may be designated by the addressee by notice to the other Party.
Section 7.6 Entire Agreement. The Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the matters contained herein and all prior agreements with respect thereto are superseded hereby. Each Party confirms that it is not relying on any oral representation or warranty of the other Party.
Section 7.7 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be interpreted, construed, governed by, performed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to the principles thereof relating to conflicts of law except Section 5-1401 of the New York General Obligations Law.
Section 7.8 Headings. The subject headings of the Articles and Sections of this Agreement are inserted solely for the purpose of convenient reference and are not intended to, nor shall they, affect the meaning of any provision of this Agreement.
Section 7.9 Severability. If any term or provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any person, entity or circumstance shall to any extent be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement, and the application of such term or provision to persons, entities or circumstances other than those as to which it is invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each term and provision of this Agreement shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Section 7.10 Indemnification. The Administrative Agent and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Administrative Agent shall be indemnified by BTP and held harmless against any loss, liability or expense incurred in connection with any Proceeding relating to this Agreement, the Trust Agreements or the Certificates or the performance of any of the Administrative Agent’s duties under this Agreement or the Trust Agreements (each such loss, liability or expense indemnified hereunder shall be considered a Trust Expense), other than any loss, liability or expense (i) that constitutes a specific liability of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or the Trust Agreements or (ii) incurred by reason of willful misconduct, bad faith or negligence in the performance of the Administrative Agent’s duties hereunder or thereunder or as a result of a breach or reckless disregard of the Administrative Agent’s obligations and duties hereunder or under the Trust Agreements; provided, however, that with respect to any such Proceeding, (1) the Administrative Agent shall have given BTP notice thereof promptly after the Administrative Agent shall have knowledge thereof, (2) while maintaining control over its own defense in any such Proceeding, the Administrative Agent shall consult with BTP in preparing such defense, (3) if any Person ever alleges such willful misconduct, bad faith or negligence by the Administrative Agent, the indemnification provided for in this Section 8.10 shall nonetheless be paid upon demand, subject to later adjustment or reimbursement, until such time as a court of competent
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jurisdiction enters a final judgment as to the extent and effect of the alleged willful misconduct, bad faith or negligence. In the event the Administrative Agent is not indemnified by BTP in accordance with this Section 8.10, the Administrative Agent shall nevertheless remain obligated to perform its duties under this Agreement and the Trust Agreements.
Section 7.11 Limitation of Recourse. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the obligations of BTP under this Agreement are special obligations of the BTP and do not constitute an obligation of (and no recourse shall be had with respect thereto to) any parent company, officer, agent, employee, manager, or Affiliate of BTP, or any shareholder, member, partner, officer, agent, employee, or director of any parent company or Affiliate of BTP as such, and no judgment for any personal liability or deficiency upon or with respect to, or otherwise in connection with, the obligations under this Agreement shall be obtainable by the Administrative Agent or any Affiliate of the Administrative Agent (or any Person claiming by, through, or under such Persons) against any parent company, officer, agent, employee, manager, or Affiliate of BTP, or any shareholder, member, partner, officer, agent, employee, or director of any thereof absent fraud, misrepresentation, or willful misconduct on the part of such Person.
Section 7.12 Third Party Beneficiaries. The Parties hereby agree and acknowledge that so long as the Certificates remain outstanding, each of the Certificateholders and the Trustee shall be deemed to be third party beneficiaries of this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have duly executed this Administrative Agent Agreement as of the date first above written.
| BOND TRUST PRODUCTS LLC | ||
| By: | ||
| Name:
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Title: Managing Member |
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| INCAPITAL HOLDINGS LLC | ||
| By: | ||
| Name:
Title: |
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