Exhibit 4.4
GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
CRM USA Holdings, Inc.
Dated as of November 14, 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
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ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
SECTION 1.1. Definitions and Interpretation........................................................1
ARTICLE II
POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 2.1. Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee............................................4
SECTION 2.2. Certain Rights of the Guarantee Trustee...............................................6
SECTION 2.3. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Guarantee.................................7
SECTION 2.4. Events of Default; Waiver.............................................................8
SECTION 2.5. Events of Default; Notice.............................................................8
ARTICLE III
THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 3.1. The Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility....................................................8
SECTION 3.2. Appointment, Removal and Resignation of the Guarantee Trustee.........................9
ARTICLE IV
GUARANTEE
SECTION 4.1. Guarantee............................................................................10
SECTION 4.2. Waiver of Notice and Demand..........................................................10
SECTION 4.3. Obligations Not Affected.............................................................10
SECTION 4.4. Rights of Holders....................................................................11
SECTION 4.5. Guarantee of Payment.................................................................12
SECTION 4.6. Subrogation..........................................................................12
SECTION 4.7. Independent Obligations..............................................................12
SECTION 4.8. Enforcement..........................................................................12
ARTICLE V
LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION
SECTION 5.1. Limitation of Transactions...........................................................12
SECTION 5.2. Ranking..............................................................................13
ARTICLE VI
TERMINATION
SECTION 6.1. Termination..........................................................................13
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
PAGE
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ARTICLE VII
INDEMNIFICATION
SECTION 7.1. Exculpation..........................................................................13
SECTION 7.2. Indemnification......................................................................14
SECTION 7.3. Compensation; Reimbursement of Expenses..............................................15
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 8.1. Successors and Assigns...............................................................15
SECTION 8.2. Amendments...........................................................................15
SECTION 8.3. Notices..............................................................................16
SECTION 8.4. Benefit..............................................................................16
SECTION 8.5. Governing Law........................................................................17
SECTION 8.6. Counterparts.........................................................................17
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GUARANTEE AGREEMENT
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This GUARANTEE AGREEMENT (the "Guarantee"), dated as of
November 14, 2006, is executed and delivered by CRM USA Holdings, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Guarantor"), and The Bank of New York Trust Company,
National Association, as trustee (the "Guarantee Trustee"), for the benefit of
the Holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Capital Securities (as
defined herein) of CRM USA Holdings Trust I, a Delaware statutory trust (the
"Issuer").
WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Declaration of
Trust (the "Declaration"), dated as of the date hereof, among the trustees named
therein of the Issuer, CRM USA Holdings, Inc., as sponsor, the Parent Guarantor
and the Holders from time to time of undivided beneficial interests in the
assets of the Issuer, the Issuer is issuing on the date hereof securities,
having an aggregate liquidation amount of up to $35,000,000, designated the
Capital Securities (the "Capital Securities") of the Trust; and
WHEREAS, as incentive for the Holders to purchase the Capital
Securities, the Guarantor desires irrevocably and unconditionally to agree, to
the extent set forth in this Guarantee, to pay to the Holders of Capital
Securities the Guarantee Payments (as defined herein) and to make certain other
payments on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase by each
Holder of the Capital Securities, which purchase the Guarantor hereby agrees
shall benefit the Guarantor, the Guarantor executes and delivers this Guarantee
for the benefit of the Holders.
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION
SECTION 1.1. Definitions and Interpretation.
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In this Guarantee, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) capitalized terms used in this Guarantee but not
defined in the preamble above have the respective meanings assigned to
them in this Section 1.1;
(b) a term defined anywhere in this Guarantee has the
same meaning throughout;
(c) all references to "the Guarantee" or "this Guarantee"
are to this Guarantee as modified, supplemented or amended from time to
time;
(d) all references in this Guarantee to Articles and
Sections are to Articles and Sections of this Guarantee, unless
otherwise specified;
(e) terms defined in the Declaration as of the date of
execution of this Guarantee have the same meanings when used in this
Guarantee, unless otherwise defined in this Guarantee or unless the
context otherwise requires; and
(f) a reference to the singular includes the plural and
vice versa.
"Beneficiaries" means any Person to whom the Issuer is or
hereafter becomes indebted or liable under the Declaration.
"Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Guarantee
Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Guarantee Trustee shall, at
any particular time, be principally administered.
"Covered Person" means any Holder of Capital Securities.
"Debentures" means the junior subordinated debentures of CRM
USA Holdings, Inc., designated the Junior Subordinated Debt Securities due
December 15, 2036, held by the Institutional Trustee (as defined in the
Declaration) of the Issuer.
"Event of Default" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.
"Guarantee Payments" means the following payments or
distributions, without duplication, with respect to the Capital Securities, to
the extent not paid or made by the Issuer: (i) any accrued and unpaid
Distributions (as defined in the Declaration) which are required to be paid on
such Capital Securities to the extent the Issuer has funds available in the
Property Account (as defined in the Declaration) therefor at such time, (ii)
price payable upon the redemption of any Capital Securities to the extent the
Issuer has funds available in the Property Account therefor at such time, with
respect to any Capital Securities that are (1) called for redemption by the
Issuer, or (2) mandatorily redeemed by the Issuer, in each case, in accordance
with the terms of such Capital Securities, and (iii) upon a voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or termination of the Issuer
(other than in connection with the distribution of Debentures to the Holders of
the Capital Securities in exchange therefor as provided in the Declaration), the
lesser of (a) the aggregate of the liquidation amount of the Capital Securities
and all accrued and unpaid Distributions on the Capital Securities to the date
of payment, to the extent the Issuer has funds available in the Property Account
therefor at such time, and (b) the amount of assets of the Issuer remaining
available for distribution to Holders in liquidation of the Issuer after
satisfaction of liabilities to creditors of the Issuer as required by applicable
law (in either case, the "Liquidation Distribution").
"Guarantee Trustee" means The Bank of New York Trust Company,
National Association, until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and
has accepted such appointment pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee and
thereafter means each such Successor Guarantee Trustee.
"Guarantor" has the meaning set forth in the preamble and
includes each of its successors and assigns.
"Holder" means any Person in whose name any Capital Securities
are registered on the books and records of the Issuer; provided, however, that,
in determining whether the holders of the requisite percentage of Capital
Securities have given any request, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, "Holder"
shall not include the Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Guarantor.
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"Indemnified Person" means the Guarantee Trustee (including in
its individual capacity), any Affiliate of the Guarantee Trustee, or any
officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees,
representatives, nominees, custodians or agents of the Guarantee Trustee.
"Indenture" means the Indenture, dated as of the date hereof,
among the Guarantor, the Parent Guarantor and The Bank of New York Trust
Company, National Association, not in its individual capacity but solely as
trustee, and any indenture supplemental thereto pursuant to which the Debentures
are to be issued to the Institutional Trustee.
"Issuer" has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
"Liquidation Distribution" has the meaning set forth in the
definition of "Guarantee Payments" herein.
"Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities"
means Holder(s) of outstanding Capital Securities, voting together as a class,
but separately from the holders of Common Securities, of more than 50% of the
aggregate liquidation amount (including the stated amount that would be paid on
redemption, liquidation or otherwise, plus accrued and unpaid Distributions to,
but excluding, the date upon which the voting percentages are determined) of all
Capital Securities then outstanding.
"Obligations" means any costs, expenses or liabilities (but
not including liabilities related to taxes) of the Issuer under the Declaration,
other than obligations of the Issuer to pay to holders of any Trust Securities
the amounts due such holders pursuant to the terms of the Trust Securities.
"Officer's Certificate" means, with respect to any Person, a
certificate signed by one Authorized Officer of such Person. Any Officer's
Certificate delivered with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant
provided for in this Guarantee shall include:
(a) a statement that the officer signing the Officer's
Certificate has read the covenant or condition and the definitions
relating thereto;
(b) a brief statement of the nature and scope of the
examination or investigation undertaken by the officer in rendering the
Officer's Certificate;
(c) a statement that such officer has made such
examination or investigation as, in such officer's opinion, is
necessary to enable such officer to express an informed opinion as to
whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of such
officer, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
"Parent Guarantee Agreement" means the Parent Guarantee dated
as of November 14, 2006, between the Parent Guarantor and The Bank of New York
Trust Company, National Association.
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"Person" means a legal person, including any individual,
corporation, estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock
company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated association, or
government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity
of whatever nature.
"Responsible Officer" means, with respect to the Guarantee
Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Guarantee Trustee
with direct responsibility for the administration of any matters relating to
this Guarantee, including any vice president, any assistant vice president, any
secretary, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, any
trust officer or other officer of the Corporate Trust Office of the Guarantee
Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of
the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular
corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred
because of that officer's knowledge of and familiarity with the particular
subject.
"Successor Guarantee Trustee" means a successor Guarantee
Trustee possessing the qualifications to act as Guarantee Trustee under
Section 3.1.
"Trust Securities" means the Common Securities and the Capital
Securities.
ARTICLE II
POWERS, DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 2.1. Powers and Duties of the Guarantee Trustee.
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(a) This Guarantee shall be held by the Guarantee Trustee
for the benefit of the Holders of the Capital Securities, and the
Guarantee Trustee shall not transfer this Guarantee to any Person
except a Holder of Capital Securities exercising his or her rights
pursuant to Section 4.4(b) or to a Successor Guarantee Trustee on
acceptance by such Successor Guarantee Trustee of its appointment to
act as Successor Guarantee Trustee. The right, title and interest of
the Guarantee Trustee shall automatically vest in any Successor
Guarantee Trustee, and such vesting and cessation of title shall be
effective whether or not conveyancing documents have been executed and
delivered pursuant to the appointment of such Successor Guarantee
Trustee.
(b) If an Event of Default actually known to a
Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee has occurred and is
continuing, the Guarantee Trustee shall enforce this Guarantee for the
benefit of the Holders of the Capital Securities.
(c) The Guarantee Trustee, before the occurrence of any
Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all Events of
Default that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform only such
duties as are specifically set forth in this Guarantee, and no implied
covenants shall be read into this Guarantee against the Guarantee
Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred (that has not been
cured or waived pursuant to Section 2.4(b)) and is actually known to a
Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee
shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this
Guarantee, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise
thereof, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the
circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
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(d) No provision of this Guarantee shall be construed to
relieve the Guarantee Trustee from liability for its own negligent
action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful
misconduct, except that:
(i) prior to the occurrence of any Event of
Default and after the curing or waiving of all Events of
Default that may have occurred:
(A) the duties and obligations of the
Guarantee Trustee shall be determined solely by the
express provisions of this Guarantee, and the
Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable except for the
performance of such duties and obligations as are
specifically set forth in this Guarantee, and no
implied covenants or obligations shall be read into
this Guarantee against the Guarantee Trustee; and
(B) in the absence of bad faith on the
part of the Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee
may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the
statements and the correctness of the opinions
expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions
furnished to the Guarantee Trustee and conforming to
the requirements of this Guarantee; but in the case
of any such certificates or opinions furnished to the
Guarantee Trustee, the Guarantee Trustee shall be
under a duty to examine the same to determine whether
or not on their face they conform to the requirements
of this Guarantee;
(ii) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable
for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible
Officer of the Guarantee Trustee, unless it shall be proved
that such Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee or the
Guarantee Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent
facts upon which such judgment was made;
(iii) the Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable
with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it
in good faith in accordance with the written direction of the
Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital
Securities relating to the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Guarantee Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred
upon the Guarantee Trustee under this Guarantee; and
(iv) no provision of this Guarantee shall require
the Guarantee Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or
otherwise incur personal financial liability in the
performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of
its rights or powers, if the Guarantee Trustee shall have
reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such
funds is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this
Guarantee, or security and indemnity, reasonably satisfactory
to the Guarantee Trustee, against such risk or liability is
not reasonably assured to it.
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SECTION 2.2. Certain Rights of the Guarantee Trustee.
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(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.1:
(i) The Guarantee Trustee may conclusively rely,
and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from
acting upon, any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction,
consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of
indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be
genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the
proper party or parties.
(ii) Any direction or act of the Guarantor
contemplated by this Guarantee shall be sufficiently evidenced
by an Officer's Certificate.
(iii) Whenever, in the administration of this
Guarantee, the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable that
a matter be proved or established before taking, suffering or
omitting any action hereunder, the Guarantee Trustee (unless
other evidence is herein specifically prescribed) may, in the
absence of bad faith on its part, request and conclusively
rely upon an Officer's Certificate of the Guarantor which,
upon receipt of such request, shall be promptly delivered by
the Guarantor.
(iv) The Guarantee Trustee shall have no duty to
see to any recording, filing or registration of any instrument
or other writing (or any rerecording, refiling or
reregistration thereof).
(v) The Guarantee Trustee may consult with
counsel of its selection, and the advice or opinion of such
counsel with respect to legal matters shall be full and
complete authorization and protection in respect of any action
taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and
in accordance with such advice or opinion. Such counsel may be
counsel to the Guarantor or any of its Affiliates and may
include any of its employees. The Guarantee Trustee shall have
the right at any time to seek instructions concerning the
administration of this Guarantee from any court of competent
jurisdiction.
(vi) The Guarantee Trustee shall be under no
obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in
it by this Guarantee at the request or direction of any
Holder, unless such Holder shall have provided to the
Guarantee Trustee such security and indemnity, reasonably
satisfactory to the Guarantee Trustee, against the costs,
expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses and the
expenses of the Guarantee Trustee's agents, nominees or
custodians) and liabilities that might be incurred by it in
complying with such request or direction, including such
reasonable advances as may be requested by the Guarantee
Trustee; provided, however, that nothing contained in this
Section 2.2(a)(vi) shall be taken to relieve the Guarantee
Trustee, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, of its
obligation to exercise the rights and powers vested in it by
this Guarantee.
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(vii) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be bound to
make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any
resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion,
report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond,
debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper
or document, but the Guarantee Trustee, in its discretion, may
make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or
matters as it may see fit.
(viii) The Guarantee Trustee may execute any of the
trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder
either directly or by or through agents, nominees, custodians
or attorneys, and the Guarantee Trustee shall not be
responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of
any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.
(ix) Any action taken by the Guarantee Trustee or
its agents hereunder shall bind the Holders of the Capital
Securities, and the signature of the Guarantee Trustee or its
agents alone shall be sufficient and effective to perform any
such action. No third party shall be required to inquire as to
the authority of the Guarantee Trustee to so act or as to its
compliance with any of the terms and provisions of this
Guarantee, both of which shall be conclusively evidenced by
the Guarantee Trustee's or its agent's taking such action.
(x) Whenever in the administration of this
Guarantee the Guarantee Trustee shall deem it desirable to
receive instructions with respect to enforcing any remedy or
right or taking any other action hereunder, the Guarantee
Trustee (A) may request instructions from the Holders of a
Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities, (B)
may refrain from enforcing such remedy or right or taking such
other action until such instructions are received and (C)
shall be protected in conclusively relying on or acting in
accordance with such instructions.
(xi) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be liable
for any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by it
in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized
or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it
by this Guarantee.
(b) No provision of this Guarantee shall be deemed to
impose any duty or obligation on the Guarantee Trustee to perform any
act or acts or exercise any right, power, duty or obligation conferred
or imposed on it, in any jurisdiction in which it shall be illegal or
in which the Guarantee Trustee shall be unqualified or incompetent in
accordance with applicable law to perform any such act or acts or to
exercise any such right, power, duty or obligation. No permissive power
or authority available to the Guarantee Trustee shall be construed to
be a duty.
SECTION 2.3. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Guarantee.
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The recitals contained in this Guarantee shall be taken as the
statements of the Guarantor, and the Guarantee Trustee does not assume any
responsibility for their correctness. The Guarantee Trustee makes no
representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Guarantee.
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SECTION 2.4. Events of Default; Waiver.
--------------------------
(a) An "Event of Default" under this Guarantee will occur
upon the failure of the Guarantor to perform any of its payment or
other obligations hereunder.
(b) The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of
the Capital Securities may, voting or consenting as a class, on behalf
of the Holders of all of the Capital Securities, waive any past Event
of Default and its consequences. Upon such waiver, any such Event of
Default shall cease to exist, and shall be deemed to have been cured,
for every purpose of this Guarantee, but no such waiver shall extend to
any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right
consequent thereon.
SECTION 2.5. Events of Default; Notice.
--------------------------
(a) The Guarantee Trustee shall, within 90 days after the
occurrence of an Event of Default, transmit by mail, first class
postage prepaid, to the Holders of the Capital Securities, notices of
all Events of Default actually known to a Responsible Officer of the
Guarantee Trustee, unless such defaults have been cured before the
giving of such notice; provided, however, that the Guarantee Trustee
shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as a
Responsible Officer of the Guarantee Trustee in good faith determines
that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders
of the Capital Securities.
(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be charged with
knowledge of any Event of Default unless the Guarantee Trustee shall
have received written notice thereof from the Guarantor or a Holder of
the Capital Securities, or a Responsible Officer of the Guarantee
Trustee charged with the administration of this Guarantee shall have
actual knowledge thereof.
ARTICLE III
THE GUARANTEE TRUSTEE
SECTION 3.1. The Guarantee Trustee; Eligibility.
-----------------------------------
(a) There shall at all times be a Guarantee Trustee which
shall:
(i) not be an Affiliate of the Guarantor; and
(ii) be a corporation or national association
organized and doing business under the laws of the United
States of America or any state or territory thereof or of the
District of Columbia, or Person authorized under such laws to
exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and
surplus of at least 50 million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and
subject to supervision or examination by federal, state,
territorial or District of Columbia authority. If such
corporation or national association publishes reports of
condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the
requirements of the supervising or examining authority
referred to above, then, for the purposes of this Section
3.1(a)(ii), the combined capital and surplus of such
corporation or national association shall be deemed to be its
combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent
report of condition so published.
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(b) If at any time the Guarantee Trustee shall cease to
be eligible to so act under Section 3.1(a), the Guarantee Trustee shall
immediately resign in the manner and with the effect set forth in
Section 3.2(c).
(c) If the Guarantee Trustee has or shall acquire any
"conflicting interest' within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the
Trust Indenture Act, the Guarantee Trustee shall either eliminate such
interest or resign to the extent and in the manner provided by, and
subject to, this Guarantee.
SECTION 3.2. Appointment, Removal and Resignation of the Guarantee Trustee.
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(a) Subject to Section 3.2(b), the Guarantee Trustee may
be appointed or removed without cause at any time by the Guarantor
except during an Event of Default.
(b) The Guarantee Trustee shall not be removed in
accordance with Section 3.2(a) until a Successor Guarantee Trustee has
been appointed and has accepted such appointment by written instrument
executed by such Successor Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the
Guarantor.
(c) The Guarantee Trustee appointed to office shall hold
office until a Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been appointed or
until its removal or resignation. The Guarantee Trustee may resign from
office (without need for prior or subsequent accounting) by an
instrument in writing executed by the Guarantee Trustee and delivered
to the Guarantor, which resignation shall not take effect until a
Successor Guarantee Trustee has been appointed and has accepted such
appointment by an instrument in writing executed by such Successor
Guarantee Trustee and delivered to the Guarantor and the resigning
Guarantee Trustee.
(d) If no Successor Guarantee Trustee shall have been
appointed and accepted appointment as provided in this Section 3.2
within 60 days after delivery of an instrument of removal or
resignation, the Guarantee Trustee resigning or being removed may
petition any court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a
Successor Guarantee Trustee. Such court may thereupon, after
prescribing such notice, if any, as it may deem proper, appoint a
Successor Guarantee Trustee.
(e) No Guarantee Trustee shall be liable for the acts or
omissions to act of any Successor Guarantee Trustee.
(f) Upon termination of this Guarantee or removal or
resignation of the Guarantee Trustee pursuant to this Section 3.2, the
Guarantor shall pay to the Guarantee Trustee all amounts owing to the
Guarantee Trustee under Sections 7.2 and 7.3 accrued to the date of
such termination, removal or resignation.
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ARTICLE IV
GUARANTEE
SECTION 4.1. Guarantee.
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(a) The Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally agrees
to pay in full to the Holders the Guarantee Payments (without
duplication of amounts theretofore paid by the Issuer), as and when
due, regardless of any defense (except the defense of payment by the
Issuer), right of set-off or counterclaim that the Issuer may have or
assert. The Guarantor's obligation to make a Guarantee Payment may be
satisfied by direct payment of the required amounts by the Guarantor to
the Holders or by causing the Issuer to pay such amounts to the
Holders.
(b) The Guarantor hereby also agrees to assume any and
all Obligations of the Issuer and in the event any such Obligation is
not so assumed, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the
Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to each
Beneficiary the full payment, when and as due, of any and all
Obligations to such Beneficiaries. This Guarantee is intended to be for
the Beneficiaries who have received notice hereof.
SECTION 4.2. Waiver of Notice and Demand.
---------------------------
The Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this
Guarantee and of any liability to which it applies or may apply, presentment,
demand for payment, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer
or any other Person before proceeding against the Guarantor, protest, notice of
nonpayment, notice of dishonor, notice of redemption and all other notices and
demands.
SECTION 4.3. Obligations Not Affected.
-------------------------
The obligations, covenants, agreements and duties of the
Guarantor under this Guarantee shall in no way be affected or impaired by reason
of the happening from time to time of any of the following:
(a) the release or waiver, by operation of law or
otherwise, of the performance or observance by the Issuer of any
express or implied agreement, covenant, term or condition relating to
the Capital Securities to be performed or observed by the Issuer;
(b) the extension of time for the payment by the Issuer
of all or any portion of the Distributions, the price payable upon the
redemption of the Capital Securities, the Liquidation Distribution or
any other sums payable under the terms of the Capital Securities or the
extension of time for the performance of any other obligation under,
arising out of, or in connection with, the Capital Securities (other
than an extension of time for the payment of the Distributions, the
price payable upon the redemption of the Capital Securities, the
Liquidation Distribution or other sums payable that results from the
extension of any interest payment period on the Debentures;
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(c) any failure, omission, delay or lack of diligence on
the part of the Holders to enforce, assert or exercise any right,
privilege, power or remedy conferred on the Holders pursuant to the
terms of the Capital Securities, or any action on the part of the
Issuer granting indulgence or extension of any kind;
(d) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution, sale of any collateral, receivership, insolvency,
bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization,
arrangement, composition or readjustment of debt of, or other similar
proceedings affecting, the Issuer or any of the assets of the Issuer;
(e) any invalidity of, or defect or deficiency in, the
Capital Securities;
(f) the settlement or compromise of any obligation
guaranteed hereby or hereby incurred; or
(g) any other circumstance whatsoever (other than
payment) that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge
or defense of a guarantor, it being the intent of this Section 4.3 that
the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be absolute and
unconditional under any and all circumstances.
There shall be no obligation of the Holders to give notice to,
or obtain consent of, the Guarantor with respect to the happening of any of the
foregoing.
SECTION 4.4. Rights of Holders.
-----------------
(a) The Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of
the Capital Securities have the right to direct the time, method and
place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the
Guarantee Trustee in respect of this Guarantee or to direct the
exercise of any trust or power conferred upon the Guarantee Trustee
under this Guarantee; provided, however, that (subject to Sections 2.1
and 2.2) the Guarantee Trustee shall have the right to decline to
follow any such direction if the Guarantee Trustee shall determine that
the actions so directed would be unjustly prejudicial to the Holders
not taking part in such direction or if the Guarantee Trustee being
advised by legal counsel determines that the action or proceeding so
directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Guarantee Trustee in good
faith by its board of directors or trustees, executive committee or a
trust committee of directors or trustees and/or Responsible Officers
shall determine that the action or proceeding so directed would involve
the Guarantee Trustee in personal liability.
(b) Any Holder of Capital Securities may institute a
legal proceeding directly against the Guarantor to enforce the
Guarantee Trustee's rights under this Guarantee, without first
instituting a legal proceeding against the Issuer, the Guarantee
Trustee or any other Person. The Guarantor waives any right or remedy
to require that any such action be brought first against the Issuer,
the Guarantee Trustee or any other Person before so proceeding directly
against the Guarantor.
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SECTION 4.5. Guarantee of Payment.
--------------------
This Guarantee creates a guarantee of payment and not of
collection.
SECTION 4.6. Subrogation.
-----------
The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all (if any) rights of
the Holders of Capital Securities against the Issuer in respect of any amounts
paid to such Holders by the Guarantor under this Guarantee; provided, however,
that the Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by applicable
provisions of law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any right that it may
acquire by way of subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other
agreement, in all cases as a result of payment under this Guarantee, if, after
giving effect to any such payment, any amounts are due and unpaid under this
Guarantee. If any amount shall be paid to the Guarantor in violation of the
preceding sentence, the Guarantor agrees to hold such amount in trust for the
Holders and to pay over such amount to the Holders.
SECTION 4.7. Independent Obligations.
-----------------------
The Guarantor acknowledges that its obligations hereunder are
independent of the obligations of the Issuer with respect to the Capital
Securities and that the Guarantor shall be liable as principal and as debtor
hereunder to make Guarantee Payments pursuant to the terms of this Guarantee
notwithstanding the occurrence of any event referred to in subsections (a)
through (g), inclusive, of Section 4.3 hereof.
SECTION 4.8. Enforcement.
-----------
A Beneficiary may enforce the Obligations of the Guarantor
contained in Section 4.1(b) directly against the Guarantor, and the Guarantor
waives any right or remedy to require that any action be brought against the
Issuer or any other person or entity before proceeding against the Guarantor.
The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights (if any) of
any Beneficiary against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to the
Beneficiaries by the Guarantor under this Guarantee; provided, however, that the
Guarantor shall not (except to the extent required by applicable provisions of
law) be entitled to enforce or exercise any rights that it may acquire by way of
subrogation or any indemnity, reimbursement or other agreement, in all cases as
a result of payment under this Guarantee, if, at the time of any such payment,
any amounts are due and unpaid under this Guarantee.
ARTICLE V
LIMITATION OF TRANSACTIONS; SUBORDINATION
SECTION 5.1. Limitation of Transactions.
--------------------------
So long as any Capital Securities remain outstanding, if (a)
there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default or (b) the
Guarantor shall have selected an Extension Period as provided in the Declaration
and such period, or any extension thereof, shall have commenced and be
continuing, then the Guarantor shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in
Section 3.08 of the Indenture.
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SECTION 5.2. Ranking.
-------
This Guarantee will constitute an unsecured obligation of the
Guarantor and will rank subordinate and junior in right of payment to all
present and future Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the Indenture) of the
Guarantor. By their acceptance thereof, each Holder of Capital Securities agrees
to the foregoing provisions of this Guarantee and the other terms set forth
herein.
The right of the Guarantor to participate in any distribution
of assets of any of its subsidiaries upon any such subsidiary's liquidation or
reorganization or otherwise is subject to the prior claims of creditors of that
subsidiary, except to the extent the Guarantor may itself be recognized as a
creditor of that subsidiary. Accordingly, the Guarantor's obligations under this
Guarantee will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future
liabilities of the Guarantor's subsidiaries, and claimants should look only to
the assets of the Guarantor for payments hereunder. This Guarantee does not
limit the incurrence or issuance of other secured or unsecured debt of the
Guarantor, including Senior Indebtedness of the Guarantor, under any indenture
or agreement that the Guarantor may enter into in the future or otherwise.
ARTICLE VI
TERMINATION
SECTION 6.1. Termination.
-----------
This Guarantee shall terminate (i) upon full payment of the
price payable upon redemption of all Capital Securities then outstanding, (ii)
upon the distribution of all of the Debentures to the Holders of all of the
Capital Securities or (iii) upon full payment of the amounts payable in
accordance with the Declaration. This Guarantee will continue to be effective or
will be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any Holder of Capital
Securities must restore payment of any sums paid under the Capital Securities or
under this Guarantee.
ARTICLE VII
INDEMNIFICATION
SECTION 7.1. Exculpation.
-----------
(a) No Indemnified Person shall be liable, responsible or
accountable in damages or otherwise to the Guarantor or any Covered
Person for any loss, damage or claim incurred by reason of any act or
omission of such Indemnified Person in good faith in accordance with
this Guarantee and in a manner that such Indemnified Person reasonably
believed to be within the scope of the authority conferred on such
Indemnified Person by this Guarantee or by law, except that an
Indemnified Person shall be liable for any such loss, damage or claim
incurred by reason of such Indemnified Person's negligence or willful
misconduct with respect to such acts or omissions.
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(b) An Indemnified Person shall be fully protected in
relying in good faith upon the records of the Issuer or the Guarantor
and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to
the Issuer or the Guarantor by any Person as to matters the Indemnified
Person reasonably believes are within such other Person's professional
or expert competence and who, if selected by such Indemnified Person,
has been selected with reasonable care by such Indemnified Person,
including information, opinions, reports or statements as to the value
and amount of the assets, liabilities, profits, losses, or any other
facts pertinent to the existence and amount of assets from which
Distributions to Holders of Capital Securities might properly be paid.
SECTION 7.2. Indemnification.
---------------
(a) The Guarantor agrees to indemnify each Indemnified
Person for, and to hold each Indemnified Person harmless against, any
and all loss, liability, damage, claim or expense incurred without
negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Indemnified Person,
arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration
of the trust or trusts hereunder, including but not limited to the
costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) of
the Indemnified Person defending itself against, or investigating, any
claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of
any of the Indemnified Person's powers or duties hereunder. The
obligation to indemnify as set forth in this Section 7.2 shall survive
the resignation or removal of the Guarantee Trustee and the termination
of this Guarantee.
(b) Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person under
this Section 7.2 of notice of the commencement of any action, such
Indemnified Person will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made
against the Guarantor under this Section 7.2, notify the Guarantor in
writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the
Guarantor (i) will not relieve the Guarantor from liability under
paragraph (a) above unless and to the extent that the Guarantor did not
otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in the
forfeiture by the Guarantor of substantial rights and defenses and (ii)
will not, in any event, relieve the Guarantor from any obligations to
any Indemnified Person other than the indemnification obligation
provided in paragraph (a) above. The Guarantor shall be entitled to
appoint counsel of the Guarantor's choice at the Guarantor's expense to
represent the Indemnified Person in any action for which
indemnification is sought (in which case the Guarantor shall not
thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate
counsel retained by the Indemnified Person or Persons except as set
forth below); provided, however, that such counsel shall be
satisfactory to the Indemnified Person. Notwithstanding the Guarantor's
election to appoint counsel to represent the Indemnified Person in any
action, the Indemnified Person shall have the right to employ separate
counsel (including local counsel), and the Guarantor shall bear the
reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such separate counsel (and local
counsel), if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the Guarantor to
represent the Indemnified Person would present such counsel with a
conflict of interest, (ii) the actual or potential defendants in, or
targets of, any such action include both the Indemnified Person and the
Guarantor and the Indemnified Person shall have reasonably concluded
that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other
Indemnified Persons which are different from or additional to those
available to the Guarantor,
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(iii) the Guarantor shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the
Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person within a
reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action or (iv)
the Guarantor shall authorize the Indemnified Person to employ separate
counsel at the expense of the Guarantor. The Guarantor will not,
without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Persons, settle or
compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any
pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of
which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether
or not the Indemnified Persons are actual or potential parties to such
claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes
an unconditional release of each Indemnified Person from all liability
arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding.
SECTION 7.3. Compensation; Reimbursement of Expenses.
---------------------------------------
The Guarantor agrees:
(a) to pay to the Guarantee Trustee from time to time
such compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder as the
parties shall agree to in writing from time to time (which compensation
shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the
compensation of a trustee of an express trust); and
(b) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to
reimburse the Guarantee Trustee upon request for all reasonable
expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by it in
accordance with any provision of this Guarantee (including the
reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its
agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance
as may be attributable to the negligence or willful misconduct of the
Guarantee Trustee.
The provisions of this Section 7.3 shall survive the
resignation or removal of the Guarantee Trustee and the termination of this
Guarantee.
ARTICLE VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 8.1. Successors and Assigns.
----------------------
All guarantees and agreements contained in this Guarantee
shall bind the successors, assigns, receivers, trustees and representatives of
the Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of the Holders of the Capital
Securities then outstanding. Except in connection with any merger or
consolidation of the Guarantor with or into another entity or any sale, transfer
or lease of the Guarantor's assets or capital stock to another entity, in each
case to the extent permitted under the Indenture, the Guarantor may not assign
its rights or delegate its obligations under this Guarantee without the prior
approval of the Holders of not less than a Majority in liquidation amount of the
Capital Securities.
SECTION 8.2. Amendments.
----------
Except with respect to any changes that do not adversely
affect the powers, preferences, rights or interests of Holders of the Capital
Securities in any material respect (in which case no consent of Holders will be
required), this Guarantee may be amended only with the prior approval of the
Holders of a Majority in liquidation amount of the Capital Securities. The
provisions of the Declaration with respect to amendments thereof shall apply
equally with respect to amendments of the Guarantee.
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SECTION 8.3. Notices.
-------
All notices provided for in this Guarantee shall be in
writing, duly signed by the party giving such notice, and shall be delivered,
telecopied or mailed by first class mail, as follows:
(a) If given to the Guarantee Trustee, at the Guarantee
Trustee's mailing address set forth below (or such other address as the
Guarantee Trustee may give notice of to the Holders of the Capital
Securities):
The Bank of New York Trust Company, National
Association
000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Attention: Worldwide Securities Services
CRM USA Holdings Trust I
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
(b) If given to the Guarantor, at the Guarantor's mailing
address set forth below (or such other address as the Guarantor may
give notice of to the Holders of the Capital Securities and to the
Guarantee Trustee):
CRM USA Holdings, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
(c) If given to any Holder of the Capital Securities, at
the address set forth on the books and records of the Issuer.
All such notices shall be deemed to have been given when
received in person, telecopied with receipt confirmed, or mailed by first class
mail, postage prepaid, except that if a notice or other document is refused
delivery or cannot be delivered because of a changed address of which no notice
was given, such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been delivered
on the date of such refusal or inability to deliver.
SECTION 8.4. Benefit.
-------
This Guarantee is solely for the benefit of the Holders of the
Capital Securities and, subject to Section 2.1(a), is not separately
transferable from the Capital Securities.
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SECTION 8.5. Governing Law.
-------------
THIS GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF
LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
SECTION 8.6. Counterparts.
------------
This Guarantee may contain more than one counterpart of the
signature page and this Guarantee may be executed by the affixing of the
signature of the Guarantor and the Guarantee Trustee to any of such counterpart
signature pages. All of such counterpart signature pages shall be read as though
one, and they shall have the same force and effect as though all of the signers
had signed a single signature page.
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THIS GUARANTEE is executed as of the day and year first above
written.
CRM USA HOLDINGS, INC.,
as Guarantor
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Title: Chief Financial Officer
THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Guarantee Trustee
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title: Vice President
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