SERIES A BOND GUARANTEE AGREEMENT dated as of June 14, 2005 between UNITED STATES OF AMERICA acting through the Rural Utilities Service as guarantor, and NATIONAL RURAL UTILITIES COOPERATIVE FINANCE CORPORATION, as the Borrower.
SERIES A BOND GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
dated as of June 14, 0000
xxxxxxx
XXXXXX XXXXXX XX XXXXXXX
acting through the
Rural Utilities Service
as guarantor,
and
NATIONAL RURAL UTILITIES
COOPERATIVE FINANCE CORPORATION,
as the Borrower.
TABLE OF CONTENTS |
||
Page |
||
RECITALS | .................................................................................................................................................. | 1 |
ARTICLE I |
||
DEFINITIONS |
||
SECTION 1.1. |
Definitions............................................................................................................................... |
2 |
SECTION 1.2 |
Principles of Construction..................................................................................................... |
6 |
ARTICLE II |
||
THE GUARANTEE |
||
SECTION 2.1. |
Execution of Guarantee.......................................................................................................... |
6 |
SECTION 2.2. |
Coverage of Guarantee........................................................................................................... |
6 |
SECTION 2.3. |
Payment on the Guarantee..................................................................................................... |
6 |
ARTICLE III |
||
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT |
||
SECTION 3.1. |
Conditions Precedent to Issuance of the Guarantee.............................................................. |
7 |
SECTION 3.2. |
Conditions Precedent to each Advance.................................................................................. |
8 |
ARTICLE IV |
||
GUARANTEE FEE |
||
SECTION 4.1. |
Guarantee Fee......................................................................................................................... |
9 |
SECTION 4.2. |
Amount of Guarantee Fee; Dates of Payment........................................................................ |
9 |
i |
ARTICLE V |
||
SERVICING OF THE GUARANTEED BOND |
||
SECTION 5.1. |
Servicing.................................................................................................................................... |
9 |
ARTICLE VI |
||
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS |
||
SECTION 6.1. |
Annual Reporting Requirements............................................................................................. |
10 |
SECTION 6.2. |
Rating Trigger Event Notices................................................................................................... |
10 |
SECTION 6.3. |
Default Notices......................................................................................................................... |
11 |
ARTICLE VII |
||
LIMITATIONS ON AMENDMENTS TO THE GUARANTEED BOND |
||
SECTION 7.1 |
Limitations on Amendments to the Guaranteed Bond............................................................. |
11 |
ARTICLE VIII |
||
REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PARTIES |
||
SECTION 8.1. |
Representation of RUS............................................................................................................. |
11 |
SECTION 8.2. |
Representations of the Borrower............................................................................................... |
11 |
ARTICLE IX |
||
AGREEMENTS OF THE BORROWER |
||
SECTION 9.1. |
Patronage Refunds................................................................................................................... |
13 |
SECTION 9.2. |
Security and Collateral............................................................................................................. |
13 |
SECTION 9.3. |
Use of Savings.......................................................................................................................... |
14 |
SECTION 9.4. |
Subrogation................................................................................................................................ |
14 |
SECTION 9.5. |
Use of Proceeds........................................................................................................................ |
14 |
ii |
SECTION 9.6. |
Compliance with Covenants in Other Agreements..................................................................... |
14 |
SECTION 9.7. |
Ratings.......................................................................................................................................... |
14 |
SECTION 9.8. |
Acknowledgement of Borrower................................................................................................... |
15 |
ARTICLE X |
||
EVENTS OF DEFAULT |
||
SECTION 10.1. |
Events of Default........................................................................................................................ |
15 |
SECTION 10.2. |
Compulsory Redemption............................................................................................................ |
15 |
SECTION 10.3. |
Acceleration by RUS's Purchase of the Bond........................................................................... |
15 |
SECTION 10.4. |
Effect of Payments by RUS pursuant to the RUS Guarantee..................................................... |
16 |
SECTION 10.5. |
Remedies Not Exclusive............................................................................................................ |
16 |
ARTICLE XI |
||
MISCELLANEOUS |
||
SECTION 11.1. |
GOVERNING LAW.................................................................................................................. |
16 |
SECTION 11.2. |
WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL..................................................................................................... |
16 |
SECTION 11.3. |
Method of Payment................................................................................................................. |
16 |
SECTION 11.4. |
Notices...................................................................................................................................... |
16 |
SECTION 11.5. |
Benefit of Agreement............................................................................................................... |
17 |
SECTION 11.6 |
Entire Agreement...................................................................................................................... |
17 |
SECTION 11.7. |
Amendments and Waivers........................................................................................................ |
17 |
SECTION 11.8. |
Counterparts............................................................................................................................... |
17 |
SECTION 11.9. |
Termination of Agreement........................................................................................................ |
17 |
SECTION 11.10. |
Survival....................................................................................................................................... |
17 |
SECTION 11.11. |
Severability.................................................................................................................................. |
18 |
iii |
Annex A - Form of Bond Purchase Agreement
Annex B - Form of Pledge Agreement
Annex C - Form of Reimbursement Note
Annex D - Opinion of Counsel to the Borrower
Annex E - Officers' Closing Certificate
Annex F - Officers' Advance Certificate
Annex G - Auditors' Letter
iv
SERIES A BOND GUARANTEE AGREEMENT dated of
June 14, 2005, between the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(the "Government"), acting through the Rural Utilities Service, a Rural
Development agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, and its
successors and assigns ("RUS");
and NATIONAL RURAL UTILITIES
COOPERATIVE FINANCE CORPORATION, a cooperative association
existing
under the laws of the District of Columbia (the "Borrower").
RECITALS
1. On November 29, 2004, the Borrower applied to RUS (the "Application"), in accordance with Section 313A of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, as amended (the "RE Act") and the regulations promulgated thereunder (as set forth in Section 1720 of Part 7 of the Code of Federal Regulations (the "Regulations")), for RUS to guarantee loans from the Federal Financing Bank, a body corporate and instrumentality of the Government under the general supervision of the Secretary of the Treasury, and its permitted successors and assigns, ("FFB"), to the Borrower, the proceeds of which would be used by the Borrower to fund new Eligible Loans (as defined herein) or to refinance existing debt instruments of the Borrower used to fund Eligible Loans.
2. RUS has determined that the Borrower is eligible for guarantees under Section 313A of the RE Act.
3. FFB is willing to make a loan to the Borrower in the aggregate principal amount of up to $1,000,000,000 upon the terms and subject to the conditions set out in the Series A Bond Purchase Agreement between FFB and the Borrower dated as of the date hereof (such agreement being in the form of Annex A attached hereto, as the same may be amended, supplemented, consolidated or restated from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof being hereinafter called the "Bond Purchase Agreement"), and upon the terms and subject to the conditions set out in the Series A Future Advance Bond issued by the Borrower to FFB and dated as of the date hereof (such bond being in the form attached to the Bond Purchase Agreement, as the same may be amended, supplemented, consolidated or restated from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof being hereinafter called the "Bond").
4. RUS is willing to issue its guarantee of the Bond, as contemplated by Section 313A of the RE Act, upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter provided.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, RUS and the Borrower agree as follows:
1
Series A Bond Guarantee Agreement
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
"91-day Treasury-Xxxx Rate" shall mean, for any date, the rate equal to the weighted average per annum discount rate (expressed as a bond equivalent yield and applied on a daily basis) for direct obligations of the United States with a maturity of thirteen weeks ("91-day Treasury-Bills") sold at the applicable 91-day Treasury-Xxxx auction on or most recently prior to such date, as published on the website xxxx://xxxx.xxxxxxxxxx.xxxxx.xxx/XX/XXXxxxx or otherwise as reported by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. In the event that the results of the auctions of 91-day Treasury Bills cease to be published or reported as provided above, or that no 91-day Treasury Xxxx auction is held in a particular week, then the 91-day Treasury-Xxxx Rate in effect as a result of the last such publication or report will remain in effect until such time, if any, as the results of auctions of 91-day Treasury-Bills will again be so published or reported or such auction is held, as the case may be.
"Administrator" shall mean the Administrator of RUS.
"Advance" shall have the meaning given to that term in the Bond.
"Agreement" shall mean this Series A Bond Guarantee Agreement, as the same may be amended, supplemented, consolidated or restated from time to time.
"Application" shall have the meaning given to that term in Recital 1.
"Bond" shall have the meaning given to that term in Recital 3.
"Bond Fee" shall mean the fee applicable to each Advance as calculated in accordance with paragraph 9(b) of the Bond.
"Bond Purchase Agreement" shall have the meaning given to that term in Recital 3.
"Bond Documents" shall mean the Bond, the Bond Purchase Agreement, the Guarantee, this Agreement, the Pledge Agreement and the Reimbursement Note.
"Borrower" shall have the meaning given to that term in the Preamble.
"Borrower Notice" shall have the meaning given to that term in the Pledge Agreement.
"Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, a legal public holiday under 5 U.S.C. section 6103 for the purpose of statutes relating to pay and leave of employees or any other day declared to be a legal holiday for the purpose of
2
Series A Bond Guarantee Agreement
statutes relating to pay and leave of employees by Federal statute or Federal Executive Order.
"Certificate of Available Securities" shall have the meaning given to that term in the Pledge Agreement.
"Certificate of Pledged Collateral" shall have the meaning given to that term in the Pledge Agreement.
"Closing Date" shall mean June 14, 2005.
"Concurrent Loan" shall mean a Loan that the Borrower has extended or extends for the cost of an eligible electrification or telephone purpose under the RE Act, concurrently with an insured loan made by the Secretary, as provided in Section 307 of the RE Act.
"Consolidated Subsidiary" means at any date any Subsidiary and any other entity the accounts of which would be combined or consolidated with those of the Borrower in its combined or consolidated financial statements if such statements were prepared as of such date.
"Eligible Loan" shall mean all or part of any Loan that the Borrower has made for any electrification or telephone purpose eligible under the RE Act, to the extent the Loan is not used directly or indirectly to fund projects for the generation of electricity.
"Event of Default" shall have the meaning given to that term in Section 10.1.
"FFB" shall have the meaning given to that term in Recital 1.
"Financial Statements", in respect of a Fiscal Year, shall mean the consolidated financial statements (including footnotes) of the Borrower for that Fiscal Year as audited by independent certified public accountants appointed by the Borrower.
"Fiscal Year" shall mean the fiscal year of the Borrower, as such may be changed from time to time, which at the date hereof commences on June 1 of each calendar year and ends on May 31 of the following calendar year.
"Government" shall have the meaning given to that term in the Preamble.
"Guarantee" shall mean the guarantee to be executed by the Secretary, in the form attached to the Bond.
"Guarantee Fee" shall have the meaning given to that term in Section 4.1.
"Guaranteed Bond" shall mean the Bond with the executed Guarantee attached thereto.
"Indebtedness" with respect to any Person shall mean without duplication:
3
Series A Bond Guarantee Agreement
(a) all indebtedness which would appear as indebtedness on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (i) for money borrowed, (ii) which is evidenced by securities sold for money or (iii) which constitutes purchase money indebtedness;
(b) all indebtedness of others guaranteed by such Person (not including endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business);
(c) all indebtedness secured by any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge or encumbrance upon property owned by such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such indebtedness; and
(d) all indebtedness of such Person created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement (including any lease in the nature of a title retention agreement) with respect to property acquired by such Person (even though the rights and remedies of the seller or lender under such agreement in the event of default are limited to repossession of such property), but only if such property is included as an asset on the balance sheet of such Person,
provided that, in computing the "Indebtedness" of such Person, there shall be excluded any particular indebtedness if, upon or prior to the maturity thereof, there shall have been deposited with the proper depositary in trust money (or evidences of such indebtedness) in the amount necessary to pay, redeem or satisfy such indebtedness; and provided further that no provision of this definition shall be construed to include as "Indebtedness" of the Borrower or its Consolidated Subsidiaries any indebtedness by virtue of any agreement by the Borrower or its Consolidated Subsidiaries to advance or supply funds to Members or Consolidated Subsidiary members.
"Investment Grade Rating" shall mean, in respect of any ratable instrument, a rating for that instrument in one of the four highest rating categories (within which there may be subcategories or gradations which are to be ignored for the purposes of this definition) of a Rating Agency. At the date hereof, this would require the following: (i) a BBB- rating or higher from Standard & Poor's, a division of The XxXxxx-Xxxx Companies, Inc.; (ii) a Baa3 rating or higher from Xxxxx'x Investors Service, Inc.; or (iii) a BBB- rating or higher from Fitch, Inc.
"Loan" shall mean a loan that the Borrower has or will have outstanding to any of its Members or associates.
"Member" shall mean any Person who is member or patron of the Borrower, as the case may be.
"Person" means an individual, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a trust or any other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.
"Pledge Agreement" shall mean the pledge agreement to be entered into by the Borrower, RUS and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, in the form of Annex B
4
Series A Bond Guarantee Agreement
attached hereto, as the same may be amended, supplemented, consolidated or restated from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof.
"Program" shall mean the guarantee program for bonds and notes issued for electrification or telephone purposes authorized by Section 313A of the RE Act.
"Rating Agency" shall mean (i) Standard & Poor's, a division of The XxXxxx-Xxxx Companies, Inc., Xxxxx'x Investors Service, Inc., Fitch, Inc; and (ii) their respective successor rating agencies.
A "Rating Trigger Event" shall exist at any time when the Borrower has any Senior Secured Debt (without regard to the Guarantee or any other third party credit support) that does not have at least two of the following ratings: (i) A- or higher from Standard & Poor's, a division of The XxXxxx-Xxxx Companies, Inc.; (ii) A3 or higher from Xxxxx'x Investors Service, Inc.; (iii) A- or higher from Fitch, Inc.; and (iv) an equivalent rating from a successor rating agency to any of those Rating Agencies.
"RE Act" shall have the meaning given to that term in Recital 1.
"Regulations" shall have the meaning given to that term in Recital 1.
"Reimbursement Note" shall mean the Series A Reimbursement Note issued by the Borrower to RUS, in the form of Annex C attached hereto, as the same may be amended, supplemented, consolidated or restated from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof.
"Requested Advance Date" shall have the meaning given to that term in the Bond.
"RUS" shall have the meaning given to that term in the Preamble.
"Secretary" shall mean the Secretary of Agriculture acting through the Administrator.
"Senior Secured Debt" of the Borrower means non-subordinated secured bonds or notes of the Borrower having an aggregate principal amount of at least $100,000,000 which, at the date hereof, means the Borrower's collateral trust bonds, provided, however, that "Senior Secured Debt" shall not include (i) up to $500,000,000 of debt designated by the Borrower as not being "Senior Secured Debt"; and (ii) any other debt of the Borrower that RUS agrees shall not be "Senior Secured Debt".
"Subrogation Claim" shall have the meaning given to that term in Section 9.4(a).
"Subsidiary" of any Person means (i) any corporation more than 50% of whose stock of any class or classes having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time owned by such
5
Series A Bond Guarantee Agreement
Person directly or indirectly through its Subsidiaries; and (ii) any other Person in which such Person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries has more than a 50% voting and equity interest; provided that no Person shall be deemed a Subsidiary whose only assets are (A) loans guaranteed, in whole or in part, as to principal and interest by the Government through RUS pursuant to a guarantee; and (B) investments incidental thereto.
"Termination Date" shall mean the date upon which this Agreement terminates in accordance with Section 11.9.
ARTICLE II
THE GUARANTEE
6
Series A Bond Guarantee Agreement
ARTICLE III
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
(a) Bond Documents. RUS shall have received originals of: (i) the Bond (with an unexecuted Guarantee attached thereto) duly executed on behalf of the Borrower, identical in all respects to the form of Bond attached to the Bond Purchase Agreement except to the extent that RUS may have approved changes therein, (ii) the Bond Purchase Agreement duly executed on behalf of the Borrower and FFB, identical in all respects to the form of Bond Purchase Agreement in Annex A attached hereto except to the extent that RUS may have approved changes therein, (iii) the Pledge Agreement duly executed on behalf of the Borrower and the Collateral Agent (as defined therein), identical in all respects to the form of Pledge Agreement in Annex B attached hereto except to the extent that RUS may have approved changes therein, and (iv) the Reimbursement Note duly executed on behalf of the Borrower, identical in all respects to the form of Reimbursement Note in Annex C attached hereto except to the extent that RUS may have approved changes therein.
(b) Amount of Concurrent Loans. (i) The Borrower shall have provided a certified list of Concurrent Loans and their outstanding principal balances as of the last day of the month immediately preceding the Closing Date; and (ii) on the Closing Date the maximum principal amount of the Guaranteed Bond shall not exceed the total principal amount of Concurrent Loans outstanding on the last day of the month immediately preceding the Closing Date as certified pursuant to paragraph (i) of this subsection.
(c) Opinion of Counsel. Counsel to the Borrower shall have furnished an opinion substantially as to each of the matters listed in Annex D attached hereto.
(d) No material adverse change. The Borrower shall have certified to the Secretary (in the manner specified in paragraph (g) of this Section 3.1), and the Secretary shall be satisfied, that no material adverse change shall have occurred in the financial condition of the Borrower between the date of the Application and the date of execution of the Guarantee.
(e) Investment Grade Rating of Bond. The Borrower shall have provided evidence of an Investment Grade Rating from a Rating Agency for the Bond, without regard to the Guarantee.
(f) Rating of Senior Secured Debt. The Borrower shall have provided evidence satisfactory to the Secretary of a credit rating on its Senior Secured Debt, without regard to the Guarantee and without regard to any third party credit support.
7
Series A Bond Guarantee Agreement
(g) Certification of Senior Management. The Borrower shall have provided RUS a certification by its Governor and its Chief Financial Officer (or other senior management acceptable to the Secretary), substantially in the form attached of Annex E attached hereto, of the following: (i) that the Borrower is a lending institution organized as a private, not-for-profit, cooperative association with the appropriate expertise, experience and qualifications to make loans for electrification or telephone purposes; (ii) the matter to be certified under paragraph (d) of this Section 3.1; (iii) acknowledgment of the Borrower's commitment to comply with the reporting requirements specified in Article VI; and (iv) to the effect that no Rating Trigger Event exists.
(h) UCC Filing. The Borrower shall have provided RUS with evidence that the Borrower has filed the financing statement required pursuant to Section 2.05(i) of the Pledge Agreement.
(a) Existing Loans. The Borrower shall have certified to the Secretary (in the manner specified in paragraph (d) of this Section 3.2): (i) the total aggregate principal amount of outstanding Eligible Loans as at the last day of the month immediately preceding the Requested Advance Date; (ii) the total aggregate principal amount of outstanding Loans as at the last day of the month immediately preceding the Requested Advance Date; and (iii) the percentage the amount in subparagraph (i) comprises of the amount in subparagraph (ii).
(b) Use of Proceeds. The Borrower shall have certified to the Secretary (in the manner specified in paragraph (d) of this Section 3.2) that the Advance will be applied: (i) to fund new Eligible Loans under the RE Act; and/or (ii) to refinance existing debt instruments of the Borrower, in the case of each such debt instrument up to the percentage certified by the Borrower in accordance with Section 3.2(a)(iii) hereof.
(c) No material adverse change. The Borrower shall have certified to the Secretary (in the manner specified in paragraph (d) of this Section 3.2), and the Secretary shall be satisfied, that no material adverse change shall have occurred in the financial condition of the Borrower between the Closing Date and the applicable Requested Advance Date.
(d) Certification of Senior Management. The Borrower shall have provided RUS a certification by its Governor and its Chief Financial Officer (or other senior management acceptable to the Secretary), substantially in the form attached of Annex F attached hereto, of the matters to be certified under paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 3.2.
(e) Certificate of Available Securities/Pledged Collateral. The Borrower shall have provided RUS a copy of a Certificate of Available Securities or
8
Series A Bond Guarantee Agreement
Certificate of Pledged Collateral, as applicable, in accordance with the terms of the Pledge Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
GUARANTEE FEE
(b) The Guarantee Fee will be payable, in advance, on each January 15 and July 15 in the amount of 15 basis points (0.15 percent) of the outstanding principal amount of the Bond on that date. In addition, on the date of each Advance under the Bond, the Borrower will pay to RUS the Guarantee Fee on the principal amount of such advance in the amount of (i) 30 basis points (0.30 percent) of the principal amount of such advance multiplied by (ii) the ratio of (x) the actual amount of days from the date of such advance until the next January 15 or July 15, whichever comes first, to (y) 365 (except in calendar years including February 29, when the number shall be 366).
(c) payments of the Guarantee Fee are non-refundable as of the date and in the amount required to be paid hereunder, without regard to any reduction in the principal amount of the Bond after that date.
ARTICLE V
SERVICING OF THE GUARANTEED BOND
9
Series A Bond Guarantee Agreement
ARTICLE VI
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
(a) the Financial Statements for such Fiscal Year;
(b) a Certificate of Available Securities or Certificate of Pledged Collateral, as applicable, as of the end of such Fiscal Year;
(c) a letter substantially in the form of Annex G attached hereto, by Deloitte & Touche LLP or by such other reputable, independent certified public accountants proposed by the Borrower, who in the judgment of the Secretary have the requisite skills, knowledge, reputation and experience to provide such letter, such letter to be based upon Schedule A to the applicable certificate delivered under paragraph (b) of this Section 6.1;
(d) a receipt from the Collateral Agent (as defined in the Pledge Agreement), or such other evidence as is satisfactory to the Secretary, as to the Available Securities or Pledged Collateral, as applicable, held by the Collateral Agent at the end of such Fiscal Year, such Available Securities or Pledged Collateral, as applicable, to agree with Schedule A to the applicable certificate delivered under paragraph (b) of this Section 6.1;
(e) a projection of the Borrower's balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flows over the ensuing five years, pro forma assuming the full principal amount of the Bond is advanced;
(f) the most recent credit assessment of the Borrower issued by a Rating Agency;
(g) a credit rating, issued by a Rating Agency, of the Senior Secured Debt, without regard to the Guarantee and without regard to third party credit support; and
(h) such other information as is reasonably requested by the Secretary.
SECTION 6.2. Rating Trigger Event Notices. If the Borrower becomes aware that a Rating Trigger Event has occurred, the Borrower shall deliver a Borrower Notice of such event to RUS and to the Collateral Agent (as defined in the Pledge Agreement) before 4:00 p.m. District of Columbia time on the Business Day following the date the Borrower has become aware of such event, specifying the existence of such event.
10
Series A Bond Guarantee Agreement
SECTION 6.3. Default Notices. If an action, occurrence or event shall happen that is, or with notice and the passage of time would become, an Event of Default, the Borrower shall deliver a Borrower Notice of such action, occurrence or event to RUS before 4:00 p.m. District of Columbia time on the Business Day following the date the Borrower becomes aware of such action, occurrence or event, and, if such Event of Default should occur, shall submit to RUS, as soon as possible thereafter, a report setting forth its views as to the reasons for the Event of Default, the anticipated duration of the Event of Default and what corrective actions the Borrower is taking to cure such Event of Default.
ARTICLE VII
LIMITATIONS ON AMENDMENTS TO THE GUARANTEED BOND
ARTICLE VIII
REPRESENTATIONS OF THE PARTIES
(a) the Borrower has been duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing as a cooperative association under the laws of the District of Columbia;
(b) the Borrower has the corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and each of the other Bond Documents to which the
11
Series A Bond Guarantee Agreement
Borrower is a party, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder;
(c) the Borrower has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement and each of the other Bond Documents to which the Borrower is a party, the consummation by the Borrower of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and the performance by the Borrower of its obligations hereunder and thereunder;
(d) this Agreement and each of the other Bond Documents to which the Borrower is a party have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Borrower and constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Borrower, enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with their respective terms, subject to: (i) applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally; and (ii) the application of general principles of equity regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law;
(e) no approval, consent, authorization, order, waiver, exemption, variance, registration, filing, notification, qualification, license, permit or other action is now, or under existing law in the future will be, required to be obtained, given, made or taken, as the case may be, with, from or by any regulatory body, administrative agency or governmental authority having jurisdiction over the Borrower to authorize the execution and delivery by the Borrower of this Agreement or any of the other Bond Documents to which the Borrower is a party, or the consummation by the Borrower of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or the performance by the Borrower of its obligations hereunder or thereunder;
(f) neither the execution or delivery by the Borrower of this Agreement or any of the other Bond Documents to which the Borrower is a party nor the consummation by the Borrower of any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby nor the performance by the Borrower of its obligations hereunder or thereunder, including, without limitation, the pledge of the Pledged Securities (as such term is defined in the Pledge Agreement) to RUS if required, conflicts with or will conflict with, violates or will violate, results in or will result in a breach of, constitutes or will constitute a default under, or results in or will result in the imposition of any lien or encumbrance pursuant to any term or provision of the articles of incorporation or the bylaws of the Borrower or any provision of any existing law or any rule or regulation currently applicable to the Borrower or any judgment, order or decree of any court or any regulatory body, administrative agency or governmental authority having jurisdiction over the Borrower or the terms of any mortgage, indenture, contract or other agreement to which the Borrower is a party or by which the Borrower or any of its properties is bound;
(g) there is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation before or by any court or any regulatory body, administrative agency or governmental authority
12
Series A Bond Guarantee Agreement
presently pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened with respect to the Borrower, this Agreement or any of the other Bond Documents to which the Borrower is a party challenging the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other Bond Documents to which the Borrower is a party or seeking to restrain, enjoin or otherwise prevent the consummation by the Borrower of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of the other Bond Documents to which the Borrower is a party or which, if adversely determined, would have a material adverse effect on the Borrower's financial condition or its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Bond Documents to which the Borrower is a party;
(h) the Borrower is a lending institution organized as a private, not-for-profit, cooperative association with the appropriate expertise, experience and qualifications to make loans for electrification or telephone purposes;
(i) the total principal amount of the Guaranteed Bond plus the outstanding amount of any other guaranteed bonds issued by the Borrower under the Program does not exceed the total principal amount of Concurrent Loans outstanding on the last day of the month immediately preceding the Closing Date; and
(j) no material adverse change has occurred in the financial condition of the Borrower between the date of the Application and the date this representation is given.
ARTICLE IX
AGREEMENTS OF THE BORROWER
(b) Until the Termination Date, the Borrower shall cause the Available Securities or Pledged Collateral (as such terms are defined in the Pledge Agreement), as the case may be, to be at all times not less than 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Guaranteed Bond and any other guaranteed bonds issued by the Borrower under
13
Series A Bond Guarantee Agreement
the Program and, except as provided for in paragraph (a) of this Section 9.2 or otherwise permitted by the Pledge Agreement, shall not create, or permit to exist, any pledge, lien, charge, mortgage, encumbrance, debenture, hypothecation or other similar security instrument that secures, or in any way attaches to, such Available Securities or Pledged Collateral, as the case may be, without the prior written consent of RUS.
(b) The Subrogation Claim of RUS shall bear interest from the date of payment by RUS under the Guarantee until the date such claim is satisfied. Interest shall accrue at an annual rate of the greater of 1.5 times the 91-day Treasury-Xxxx Rate or 200 basis points (2.00%) above the interest rate on the Guaranteed Bond.
(b) The Borrower may only apply the proceeds of each Advance to refinance any of the Borrower's indebtedness up to the percentage certified by the Borrower under Section 3.2(a)(iii) hereof of the amount of such indebtedness being refinanced.
14
Series A Bond Guarantee Agreement
ARTICLE X
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
(a) A failure by the Borrower to make a payment of principal, interest or a Bond Fee when due on the Guaranteed Bond;
(b) The issuance of the Guaranteed Bond in violation of the terms and conditions of this Agreement or any of the other Bond Documents;
(c) A failure by the Borrower to make payment of the Guarantee Fee required by Article IV when due;
(d) A misrepresentation by the Borrower to the Secretary in any material respect in connection with this Agreement, the Guaranteed Bond or the information reported pursuant to Article VI;
(e) A failure by the Borrower to comply with the covenant contained in Section 9.6 hereof; or
(f) A failure by the Borrower to comply with any other material covenant or provision contained in this Agreement or any of the other Bond Documents.
15
Series A Bond Guarantee Agreement
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 11.1. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, TO THE EXTENT APPLICABLE, AND OTHERWISE THE LAWS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
16
Series A Bond Guarantee Agreement
(b) No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement in writing entered into by RUS and the Borrower. No provision of this Agreement may be waived except in writing by the party or parties receiving the benefit of and under such provision.
17
Series A Bond Guarantee Agreement
18
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party hereto has caused this Agreement to be executed by an authorized officer as of the day and year first above written.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, |
|
By: |
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx |
Title: |
Acting Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service |
NATIONAL RURAL UTILITIES COOPERATIVE FINANCE CORPORATION, as the Borrower
|
|
By: |
_______________________________ |
Title: |
[Signature Page to Series A Bond Guarantee Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party hereto has caused this Agreement to be executed by an authorized officer as of the day and year first above written.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, |
|
By: |
_____________________________ |
Title: |
Acting Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service |
NATIONAL RURAL UTILITIES COOPERATIVE FINANCE CORPORATION, as the
Borrower |
|
By: |
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx |
Title: |
CEO |
[Signature Page to Series A Bond Guarantee Agreement]
SCHEDULE I
TO
SERIES A BOND GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
Addresses for Notices
1. The addresses referred to in Section 11.4 hereof, for purposes of delivering communications and notices, are as follows:
If to RUS:
Rural Utilities Service
United States Department of Agriculture
0000 Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, XX
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Fax: 000-000-0000
Attention of: The Administrator
Subject: REDLG ProgramIf to the Borrower:
National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation
0000 Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Fax: 000-000-0000
Attention of: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Chief Financial OfficerWith a copy to:
National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation
0000 Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Telephone: 000-000-0000
Fax: 000-000-0000
Attention of: Xxxx X. List, Esq., General Counsel1
Annex A
Form of Bond Purchase Agreement
A-1
Annex B
Form of Pledge Agreement
X-0
Xxxxx X
Xxxx xx Xxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxx
X-0
Xxxxx X
Opinion of Counsel to the Borrower
(1) The Borrower has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a not-for-profit corporation in good standing under the laws of the District of Columbia with corporate power and authority to execute and perform its obligations under the Bond Documents.
(2) The Bond Documents have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Borrower, and such documents constitute the legal, valid and binding agreements of the Borrower, enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with their respective terms subject to (a) applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally, and (b) the application of general principles of equity regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
(3) Neither the execution nor the delivery by the Borrower of any of the Bond Documents nor the consummation by the Borrower of any of the transactions contemplated therein, including, without limitation, the pledge of the Pledged Securities (as such term is defined in the Pledge Agreement) to RUS if required, nor the fulfillment by the Borrower of the terms of any of the Bond Documents will conflict with or violate, result in a breach of or constitute a default under any term or provision of the Articles of Incorporation or By-laws of the Borrower or any law or any regulation or any order known to Counsel currently applicable to the Borrower of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Borrower or the terms of any indenture, deed of trust, note, note agreement or instrument to which the Borrower is a party or by which the Borrower or any of its properties is bound.
(4) No approval, authorization, consent, order, registration, filing, qualification, license or permit of or with any state or Federal court or governmental agency or body including, without limitation, RUS, having jurisdiction over the Borrower is required for any consummation by the Borrower of the transactions contemplated by the Bond Documents except such as have been obtained from RUS; provided, however, no opinion is expressed as to the applicability of any Federal or state securities law to any sale, transfer or other disposition of the Guaranteed Bond after the date hereof.
(5) There is no pending or, to the best of Counsel's knowledge, threatened action, suit or proceeding before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator with respect to the Borrower, or any of the Bond Documents, or which, if adversely determined, would have a material adverse effect on the Borrower's financial condition or its ability to perform its obligations under any of the Bond Documents.
D-1
Annex E
Officers' Closing Certificate
TO: The United States of America acting through the Rural Utilities Service.
We, [ ], Governor, and [ ], Chief Financial Officer, of National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (the "Borrower"), pursuant to the Series A Bond Guarantee Agreement dated as of June 14, 2005, between the Borrower and the United States of America acting through Rural Utilities Service (the "Bond Guarantee Agreement"), hereby certify on behalf of the Borrower that as at the date hereof:
(1) the Borrower is a lending institution organized as a private, not-for-profit, cooperative association with the appropriate expertise, experience and qualifications to make loans for electrification or telephone purposes;
(2) no material adverse change has occurred in the financial condition of the Borrower between the date of the Application and the date hereof;
(3) we acknowledge the commitment of the Borrower to submit to the Secretary the documents required under Article VI of the Bond Guarantee Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof;
(4) all of the representations contained in Section 8.2 of the Bond Guarantee Agreement remain true and correct in all respects; and
(5) no Rating Trigger Event exists.
Capitalized terms used in this certificate shall have the meanings given to those terms in the Bond Guarantee Agreement.
DATED as of this 14th day of June, 2005.
NATIONAL RURAL UTILITIES COOPERATIVE FINANCE CORPORATION |
_____________________________ Governor |
_____________________________ |
E-1
Annex F
Officers' Advance Certificate
TO: The United States of America acting through the Rural Utilities Service.
We, [ ], Governor, and [ ], Chief Financial Officer, of National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (the "Borrower"), pursuant to the Series A Bond Guarantee Agreement dated as of June 14, 2005, between the Borrower and the United States of America acting through Rural Utilities Service (the "Bond Guarantee Agreement"), hereby certify on behalf of the Borrower that:
(1) (i) as at the last day of the month immediately preceding the date hereof, the total aggregate principal amount of outstanding Eligible Loans is: $ ;
(ii) as at the last day of the month immediately preceding the date hereof, the total
aggregate principal amount of outstanding Loans is: $ ;(iii) the percentage the amount under (i) comprises of the amount under (ii) is: %;
(2) the Advance will be applied to: (i) fund new Eligible Loans under the RE Act; or (ii) to refinance existing debt instruments of the Borrower, in the case of each such debt instrument up to the percentage set forth in clause (1)(iii) above;
(3) as at the date hereof, no material adverse change has occurred in the financial condition of the Borrower between the between the Closing Date and the applicable Requested Advance Date; and
(4) as at the date hereof, all of the representations contained in Section 8.2 of the Bond Guarantee Agreement remain true and correct in all respects.
F-1
Capitalized terms used in this certificate shall have the meanings given to those terms in the Bond Guarantee Agreement.
DATED as of this day of , 20 .
NATIONAL RURAL UTILITIES COOPERATIVE FINANCE CORPORATION
|
_____________________________ Governor _____________________________ Chief Financial Officer |
F-2
Annex G
Auditors' Letter
To the Board of Directors of
National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation
Herndon, Virginia
We have performed the procedures enumerated below, which were agreed to by National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (the "Company") and the Rural Utilities Service (the "RUS"), solely to assist in evaluating the Company's compliance with Section 6.1(b) of the Series A Bond Guarantee Agreement between the Company and the United States of America, acting through the RUS, dated June 14, 2005 (the "Bond Guarantee Agreement"), as of [last day of preceding fiscal year]. The Company's management is responsible for the Company's compliance with those requirements. This agreed-upon procedures engagement was conducted in accordance with attestation standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The sufficiency of these procedures is solely the responsibility of those parties specified in this report. Consequently, we make no representation regarding the sufficiency of the procedures described below either for the purpose for which this report has been requested or for any other purpose.
The procedures that we performed and our findings are as follows:
1. We obtained the attached schedule of the total aggregate unpaid principal amount of the securities identified by the Company as comprising [the Available Securities][the Pledged Securities], as defined in the Bond Guarantee Agreement, as of [last day of preceding fiscal year] from Company management and compared the total aggregate unpaid principal amount shown on such schedule ($ ____) to the Company's underlying accounting records as of the same date and found them to be in agreement.
2. We obtained the attached schedule of the total aggregate amount of all amounts outstanding under the Guaranteed Bond, as defined in the Bond Guarantee Agreement, as of [last day of preceding fiscal year] from Company management and compared the amount shown on such schedule ($_____) to the Company's underlying accounting records as of the same date and found them to be in agreement.
We were not engaged to, and did not, conduct an examination, the objective of which would be the expression of an opinion on compliance. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion. Had we performed additional procedures, other matters might have come to our attention that would have been reported to you.
This report is intended solely for the information and use of the Company and the RUS and is not intended to be and should not be used by anyone other than these specified parties.
G-1
July , 20
Yours truly,
_____________________________
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
G-2