SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
Current Report
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ITEM 1.01. ENTRY INTO A MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT.
Issuance of 7.375% Senior Notes due 2031
On February 13, 2023 (the “Closing Date”), CCO Holdings, LLC (“CCO Holdings”) and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. (together with CCO Holdings, the “CCOH Issuers”), subsidiaries of Charter Communications, Inc. (the “Company”), issued $1.1 billion aggregate principal amount of 7.375% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “Notes”). The Notes were sold to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and outside the United States to non-U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and, unless so registered, may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.
In connection therewith, the CCOH Issuers entered into the below agreements.
Indenture
On the Closing Date, the CCOH Issuers entered into a tenth supplemental indenture with The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”), in connection with the issuance of the Notes and the terms thereof (the “Tenth Supplemental Indenture”). The Tenth Supplemental Indenture supplements a base indenture entered into on May 23, 2019 with the Trustee (the “Base Indenture” and, together with the Tenth Supplemental Indenture, the “Indenture”) providing for the issuance from time to time of one or more series of senior notes. The Tenth Supplemental Indenture includes the form of the Notes. The Indenture provides, among other things, that the Notes are general unsecured obligations of the CCOH Issuers. The Notes are not guaranteed.
Interest is payable on the Notes on each March 1 and September 1, commencing September 1, 2023.
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At any time and from time to time prior to March 1, 2026, the CCOH Issuers may redeem the outstanding Notes in whole or in part at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and special interest, if any, on such Notes to the redemption date, plus a make-whole premium. On or after March 1, 2026, the CCOH Issuers may redeem the outstanding Notes in whole or in part at redemption prices set forth in the Tenth Supplemental Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest and special interest, if any, on such Notes to the applicable redemption date. In addition, at any time prior to March 1, 2026, the CCOH Issuers may redeem up to 40% of the Notes using proceeds from certain equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 107.375% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and special interest, if any, on such Notes to the redemption date, provided that certain conditions are met.
The terms of the Indenture, among other things, limit the ability of the CCOH Issuers to incur additional debt and issue preferred stock; pay dividends or make other restricted payments; make certain investments; grant liens; allow restrictions on the ability of certain of their subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other payments; sell assets; merge or consolidate with other entities; and enter into transactions with affiliates.
Subject to certain limitations, in the event of a Change of Control Triggering Event (as defined in the Tenth Supplemental Indenture), each holder of the Notes shall have the right to require the CCOH Issuers to make an offer to purchase all or any part of that holder’s Notes at a price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest and special interest, if any, to the date of repurchase thereof.
The Indenture provides for customary events of default, which include (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods), among others, nonpayment of principal or interest; breach of other covenants or agreements in the Indenture; failure to pay certain other indebtedness; failure to pay certain final judgments; failure of certain guarantees to be enforceable; and certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency. Generally, if an event of default occurs, the Trustee or the holders of at least 30% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately.
Registration Rights Agreement
In connection with the sale of the Notes, the CCOH Issuers entered into an Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement with respect to the Notes, dated as of the Closing Date (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, as representative of the several Purchasers (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement). Under the Registration Rights Agreement, the CCOH Issuers have agreed, in certain circumstances, to file a registration statement with respect to an offer to exchange the Notes for a new issue of substantially identical notes registered under the Securities Act, to cause the exchange offer registration statement to be declared effective and to consummate the exchange offer no later than 450 days following the Closing Date. The CCOH Issuers may be required to provide a shelf registration statement to cover resales of the Notes under certain circumstances. If the foregoing obligations are not satisfied, the CCOH Issuers may be required to pay holders of the Notes additional interest at a rate of 0.25% per annum of the principal amount thereof for 90 days immediately following the occurrence of any registration default. Thereafter, the amount of additional interest will increase by an additional 0.25% per annum of the principal amount thereof to 0.50% per annum of the principal amount thereof until all registration defaults have been cured.
For a complete description of the Indenture and the Notes, please refer to a copy of the Base Indenture, incorporated by reference as Exhibit 4.1. Copies of the Tenth Supplemental Indenture, the form of the Notes and the Registration Rights Agreement are filed herewith as Exhibits 4.2, 4.3 and 10.1, respectively, and are each incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing descriptions of the Base Indenture, the Tenth Supplemental Indenture, the Notes and the Registration Rights Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of those documents.
Amendment No. 3 to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
On February 10, 2023, Charter Communications Operating, LLC (“CCO”), CCO Holdings and certain of CCO’s subsidiaries entered into that certain Amendment No. 3 (“Amendment No. 3”) with the Lenders (as defined therein) party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”), to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 18, 1999, as amended and restated on April 26, 2019, as amended by Amendment No. 1 on October 24, 2019, and as further amended by Amendment No. 2 on May 26, 2022, by and among CCO, CCO Holdings, certain of CCO’s subsidiaries, the Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent (such credit agreement as in effect immediately prior to Amendment No. 3, the “Existing Credit Agreement” and as amended by Amendment No. 3, the “Amended Credit Agreement”).
The changes to the Existing Credit Agreement include, among other things, replacing LIBOR (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) as the benchmark rate applicable to the Term B Loans (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) with Term SOFR (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) and implementing corresponding technical updates.
After giving effect to Amendment No. 3: (i) the aggregate principal amount of Term B-1 Loans (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) outstanding is $2.3 billion with a pricing of Term SOFR plus 1.75% and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Term B-2 Loans (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) outstanding is $3.7 billion with a pricing of Term SOFR plus 1.75%.
A copy of Amendment No. 3 is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.2 and is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing description of Amendment No. 3 does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of this document.
ITEM 2.03. CREATION OF A DIRECT FINANCIAL OBLIGATION OR AN OBLIGATION UNDER AN OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENT OF A REGISTRANT.
The information under each of the headings “Indenture” and “Amendment No. 3 to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement” in Item 1.01 above is incorporated herein by reference.
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ITEM 7.01 REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE.
On the Closing Date, the CCOH Issuers completed the issuance and sale of the Notes. The press release announcing the closing of the issuance and sale of the Notes is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.
The furnishing of the attached press release is not an admission as to the materiality of any information therein. The information contained in the press release is summary information that is intended to be considered in the context of more complete information included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and other public announcements that the Company has made and may make from time to time by press release or otherwise.
The information in this Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K and Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section or Sections 11 and 12(a)(2) of the Securities Act. The information contained in this Item 7.01 and in the press release attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing with the SEC made by the Company, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.
ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(d) Exhibits.
| * | Incorporated by reference and not filed herewith. |
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, each of Charter Communications, Inc., CCO Holdings, LLC and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. has duly caused this Current Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC., | ||
| Registrant | ||
| By: | /s/ Kevin D. Howard | |
| Name: | Kevin D. Howard | |
| Title: | Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller | |
| Date: February 16, 2023 | ||
| CCO HOLDINGS, LLC, | ||
| Registrant | ||
| By: | /s/ Kevin D. Howard | |
| Name: | Kevin D. Howard | |
| Title: | Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller | |
| Date: February 16, 2023 | ||
| CCO HOLDINGS CAPITAL CORP., | ||
| Registrant | ||
| By: | /s/ Kevin D. Howard | |
| Name: | Kevin D. Howard | |
| Title: | Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller | |
| Dated: February 16, 2023 | ||
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Exhibit 4.2
CCO HOLDINGS, LLC and CCO HOLDINGS CAPITAL CORP.,
as Issuers,
and
The Bank
of New York MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,
as Trustee
__________________________________
TENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
Dated as of February 13, 2023
__________________________________
7.375% Senior Notes due 2031
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| page | |
| Article 1 | |
| DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE | |
| Section 1.01 Definitions | 2 |
| Section 1.02 Other Definitions | 31 |
| Article 2 | |
| THE NOTES | |
| Section 2.01 Form and Dating | 32 |
| Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication | 33 |
| Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent | 34 |
| Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust | 34 |
| Section 2.05 Holder Lists | 35 |
| Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange | 35 |
| Section 2.07 Replacement Notes | 48 |
| Section 2.08 Outstanding Notes | 48 |
| Section 2.09 Treasury Notes | 49 |
| Section 2.10 Temporary Notes | 49 |
| Section 2.11 Cancellation | 49 |
| Section 2.12 Defaulted Interest | 50 |
| Section 2.13 CUSIP Numbers | 50 |
| Article 3 | |
| REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT | |
| Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee | 50 |
| Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed | 50 |
| Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption | 51 |
| Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption | 52 |
| Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption Price | 52 |
| Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed in Part | 53 |
| Section 3.07 Optional Redemption | 53 |
| Section 3.08 Mandatory Redemption | 54 |
| Section 3.09 Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds | 54 |
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| Article 4 | |
| COVENANTS | |
| Section 4.03 Reports | 56 |
| Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate | 57 |
| Section 4.05 Taxes | 57 |
| Section 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws | 57 |
| Section 4.07 Restricted Payments | 58 |
| Section 4.08 Investments | 62 |
| Section 4.09 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries | 63 |
| Section 4.10 Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock | 65 |
| Section 4.11 Limitation on Asset Sales | 68 |
| Section 4.12 [Reserved] | 70 |
| Section 4.13 Transactions with Affiliates | 70 |
| Section 4.14 Liens | 72 |
| Section 4.15 Existence | 72 |
| Section 4.16 Repurchase at the Option of Holders upon a Change of Control Triggering Event | 72 |
| Section 4.17 Limitation on Issuances of Guarantees of Indebtedness | 74 |
| Section 4.18 Special Interest Notice | 74 |
| Section 4.19 Termination of Covenants | 75 |
| Article 5 | |
| SUCCESSORS | |
| Section 5.01 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets | 75 |
| Article 6 | |
| DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES | |
| Article 7 | |
| TRUSTEE | |
| Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee | 78 |
| Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee | 79 |
| Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee | 80 |
| Section 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer | 81 |
| Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults | 81 |
| Section 7.06 [Reserved] | 81 |
| Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity | 81 |
| Section 7.08 Replacement of the Trustee | 82 |
| Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc. | 83 |
| Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification | 83 |
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| Article 8 | |
| LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE | |
| Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance | 83 |
| Article 9 | |
| AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER | |
| Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders of Notes | 84 |
| Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders of Notes | 85 |
| Article 12 | |
| MISCELLANEOUS | |
| Section 12.13 Table of Contents, Headings, etc. | 86 |
| Section 12.17 Supplemental Indenture Controls | 86 |
| Section 12.18 Submission to Jurisdiction | 86 |
| Article 13 | |
| SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE | |
| Section 13.01 Satisfaction and Discharge of Supplemental Indenture | 86 |
| Section 13.02 Application of Trust Money | 87 |
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TENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of February 13, 2023, (this “Supplemental Indenture”) among CCO Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), CCO Holdings Capital Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Capital Corp” and, together with the Company, the “Issuers”), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”).
WHEREAS, the Issuers and the Trustee have previously executed and delivered an Indenture, dated as of May 23, 2019 (the “Base Indenture”), providing for the issuance from time to time of one or more series of senior debt securities of the Company and Capital Corp;
WHEREAS, Section 9.01 of the Base Indenture provides that the Issuers and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture to the Base Indenture to, among other things, establish the form or terms of any series of Notes (as defined in the Base Indenture) as permitted by Section 2.01 and Section 9.01 of the Base Indenture;
WHEREAS, clause (9) of Section 9.01 of the Base Indenture provides that the Issuers and the Trustee may enter into a supplemental indenture changing or eliminating any provision of the Base Indenture; provided that any such change shall become effective only when there are no outstanding Notes (as defined in the Base Indenture) of such series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of such provisions;
WHEREAS, the Issuers are entering into this Supplemental Indenture to, among other things, establish the form and terms of the Issuers’ new series of 7.375% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “Notes”) pursuant to the Base Indenture, as modified by this Supplemental Indenture;
WHEREAS, clause (8) of Section 9.01 of the Base Indenture provides that the Issuers may conform the Base Indenture, as amended and supplemented, or the Notes, as amended or supplemented, to the description and terms of such Notes in the offering memorandum, prospectus supplement or other offering document applicable to such Notes at the time of the initial sale thereof; and
WHEREAS, all conditions necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture and to make it a valid and binding obligation of the Issuers have been satisfied or performed.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the agreements and obligations set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Issuers and the Trustee, for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined in the Base Indenture), hereby enter into this Supplemental Indenture to, among other things, establish the terms of the Notes pursuant to Section 2.01 of the Base Indenture and there is hereby established the Issuers’ “7.375% Senior Notes due 2031” as a separate series of Notes (as defined in the Base Indenture) and such parties further agree that this Supplemental Indenture affects the Issuers’ 7.375% Senior Notes due 2031 only and not any other series of Notes (as defined in the Base Indenture).
Article 1
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Section 1.01 Definitions.
The terms defined in this Section 1.01 (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context of this Supplemental Indenture otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto that governs the Notes have the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.01. All other terms used in this Supplemental Indenture that are defined in the Base Indenture, either directly or by reference therein (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context of this Supplemental Indenture otherwise requires), have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Base Indenture as in force at the date of this Supplemental Indenture as originally executed.
“Acquired Debt” means, with respect to any specified Person, Indebtedness:
(1) of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of, such specified Person; and
(2) secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.
“Additional Notes” means Notes issued pursuant to the terms of this Supplemental Indenture in addition to Initial Notes (other than any Notes issued in respect of Initial Notes pursuant to Sections 2.06, 2.07, 2.10, 3.06, 3.09 or 4.16 of this Supplemental Indenture or Section 9.05 of the Base Indenture).
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” shall have correlative meanings.
“Applicable Percentage” means 100.0%; provided that so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, the Applicable Percentage shall be (1) 50% if, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Asset Sale and the use of proceeds therefrom the Leverage Ratio would be less than or equal to 4.5 to 1.00 but greater than 4.00 to 1.00, or (2) 0.00% if, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Asset Sale and the use of proceeds therefrom, the Leverage Ratio would be less than or equal to 4.00 to 1.00. Any Net Proceeds in respect of an Asset Sale that does not constitute Applicable Proceeds as a result of the application of this definition shall collectively constitute “Total Leverage Excess Proceeds.”
“Applicable Proceeds” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.11.
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“Asset Acquisition” means (a) an Investment by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in any other Person pursuant to which such Person shall become a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or shall be merged with or into the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or (b) the acquisition by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of the assets of any Person which constitute all or substantially all of the assets of such Person, any division or line of business of such Person or any other properties or assets of such Person other than in the ordinary course of business.
“Asset Sale” means:
(1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or rights, other than sales of inventory in the ordinary course of the Cable Related Business consistent with applicable past practices; provided that the sale, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, shall be governed by Section 4.16 and/or Section 5.01 and not by the provisions of Section 4.11; and
(2) the issuance of Equity Interests by any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or the sale of Equity Interests in any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.
Notwithstanding the preceding, the following items shall not be deemed to be Asset Sales:
(1) any single transaction or series of related transactions that: (a) involves assets having a fair market value of less than $500.0 million; or (b) results in net proceeds to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of less than $500.0 million;
(2) a transfer of assets between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(3) an issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or to another Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;
(4) any Restricted Payment that is permitted by Section 4.07, any Restricted Investment that is permitted by Section 4.08 or a Permitted Investment;
(5) the incurrence of Liens not prohibited by this Supplemental Indenture and the disposition of assets related to such Liens by the secured party pursuant to a foreclosure;
(6) any disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents;
(7) any surrender or waiver of contract rights or settlement, including, without limitation, with respect to Hedging Obligations;
(8) like-kind property exchanges under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code;
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(9) non-exclusive licenses of intellectual property;
(10) any disposition of Securitization Assets, or participations therein, in connection with any Permitted Securitization Financing, or the disposition of an account receivable in connection with the collection or compromise thereof in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice; and
(11) any sale or disposition of inventory or accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business.
“Base Indenture” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Supplemental Indenture.
“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the Issue Date.
“Board of Directors” means the board of directors or comparable governing body of Charter or if so specified the Company, in either case, as constituted as of the date of any determination required to be made, or action required to be taken, pursuant to the Indenture.
“Bright House Acquisition Agreement” means that certain Contribution Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2015, as amended on May 23, 2015, by and among Charter Communications, Inc., certain of its subsidiaries and the other parties thereto.
“Cable Related Business” means the business of owning cable television systems and businesses ancillary, complementary and related thereto.
“Capital Corp” means CCO Holdings Capital Corp., a Delaware corporation, and any successor Person thereto.
“Capital Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP.
“Capital Stock” means:
(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;
(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;
(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and
(4) any other interest (other than any debt obligation) or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.
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“Capital Stock Sale Proceeds” means the aggregate net proceeds (including the fair market value of the non-cash proceeds) received by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries from and after April 1, 2010, in each case
(x) as a contribution to the common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock and other than issuances or sales to a Subsidiary of the Company) of any Parent or the Company from and after April 1, 2010, or
(y) from the issue or sale of Disqualified Stock, debt securities or other Indebtedness of the Company that has been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock, debt securities or other Indebtedness) sold to a Subsidiary of the Company).
“Cash Equivalents” means:
(1) U.S. dollars;
(2) obligations issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof) having maturities of not more than twelve months from the date of acquisition;
(3) certificates of deposit, time deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of twelve months or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding twelve months and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with (i) (A) any domestic commercial bank and (B) any domestic branch of a foreign commercial bank, in each case, having combined capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million and (ii) any Lender (as defined under the Credit Agreement);
(4) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2) and (3) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above;
(5) commercial paper having a rating at the time of acquisition of at least “P-1” from Moody’s, at least “F-1” from Fitch, or at least “A-1” from S&P or carrying an equivalent rating by a nationally recognized ratings agency, if each of the three named rating agencies cease publishing ratings of commercial paper issuers generally and in each case maturing within twelve months after the date of acquisition;
(6) corporate debt obligations maturing within twelve months after the date of acquisition thereof, rated at the time of acquisition at least “Aaa” or “P-1” by Moody’s, “AAA” or “F-1” from Fitch or “AAA” or “A-1” by S&P;
(7) auction-rate Preferred Stocks of any corporation maturing not later than 90 days after the date of acquisition thereof, rated at the time of acquisition at least “Aaa” by Moody’s, “AAA” from Fitch or “AAA” by S&P;
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(8) securities issued by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States, or by any foreign government or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, maturing not later than twelve months after the date of acquisition thereof, rated at the time of acquisition at least “A” by Moody’s or “A” by S&P, or “A” by Fitch;
(9) securities with maturities of twelve (12) months or less from the date of acquisition backed by standby letters of credit issued by any Lender (as defined under the Credit Agreement) or any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (3) of this definition; or
(10) money market mutual, or similar funds which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (9) of this definition.
“CCH II” means CCH II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor Person thereto.
“CCHC” means Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
“CCO” means Charter Communications Operating, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor Person thereto.
“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:
(1) the sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or of a Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any “person” (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than a Parent, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;
(2) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company or a Parent (except the liquidation of any Parent into any other Parent); or
(3) the consummation of any transaction, including any merger or consolidation, the result of which is that any “person” (as defined above) other than a Parent becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the Company or a Parent, measured by voting power rather than the number of shares.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) a transaction will not be deemed to involve a Change of Control if (i) Charter becomes a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of a holding company and (ii)(A) the direct or indirect holders of the Voting Stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the holders of Charter’s Voting Stock immediately prior to that transaction or (B) immediately following that transaction no person (other than a holding company satisfying the requirements of this sentence) is the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such holding company, measured by voting power rather than the number of shares and (b) the right to acquire Voting Stock (so long as such person does not have the right to direct the voting of the Voting Stock subject to such right) or any veto power in connection with the acquisition or disposition of Voting Stock will not cause a party to be a Beneficial Owner.
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“Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Ratings Event.
“Charter” means Charter Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the indirect parent of the Issuers, and any successor thereto.
“Charter Holdings” means Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor Person thereto.
“Charter Parent Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of a Parent issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used within 90 days after the date of issuance thereof to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease, purchase, acquire or refund (including successive extensions, refinancings, renewals, replacements, defeasances, purchases, acquisitions or refunds), Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) incurred by CCH II or any of its Subsidiaries or which refinances such Indebtedness; provided that:
(1) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Charter Parent Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of (or accreted value, if applicable) plus accrued interest and premium, if any, on the Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased, purchased, acquired or refunded (plus the amount of reasonable fees, commissions and expenses incurred in connection therewith);
(2) such Charter Parent Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date no earlier than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; and
(3) is classified as such by the Company.
“Charter Subsidiary Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of a Parent issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used within 90 days after the date of issuance thereof to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease, purchase, acquire or refund (including successive extensions, refinancings, renewals, replacements, defeasances, purchases, acquisitions or refunds), Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) incurred by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or which refinances such Indebtedness; provided that:
(1) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Charter Subsidiary Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of (or accreted value, if applicable) plus accrued interest and premium, if any, on the Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased, purchased, acquired or refunded (plus the amount of reasonable fees, commissions and expenses incurred in connection therewith); and
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(2) such Charter Subsidiary Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date no earlier than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded.
“Company” means CCO Holdings, LLC and any successor Person thereto.
“Consolidated EBITDA” means with respect to any Person, for any period, the net income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period plus, to the extent such amount was deducted in calculating such net income:
(1) Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(2) income taxes;
(3) depreciation expense;
(4) amortization expense;
(5) asset impairments or write-downs or write-offs;
(6) all other non-cash items, extraordinary items, non-recurring and unusual items (including any restructuring charges, costs and expenses and charges, costs and expenses related to litigation settlements or judgments and/or charges, costs and expenses related to asset acquisitions and dispositions) and the cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles reducing such net income, less all non-cash items, extraordinary items, non-recurring and unusual items and cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles increasing such net income;
(7) amounts actually paid during such period pursuant to a deferred compensation plan;
(8) any premium, penalty or fee paid in relation to any repayment, prepayment or repurchase of Indebtedness;
(9) all deferred financing costs written off in connection with the early extinguishment of Indebtedness, net of taxes;
(10) all costs, expenses and fees related to the issuance of the Notes;
(11) the amount of “runrate” cost savings projected by the Issuers in good faith, net of the amount of actual benefits realized or expected to be realized (which cost savings shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as though they had been realized on the first day of such period) from actions taken or to be taken prior to or during such period; provided that (A) (x) such cost savings are reasonably identifiable and expected to be achieved based on such actions and (y) the benefits resulting therefrom are anticipated by the Issuers to be realized within twelve months of such actions and (B) the aggregate amount added back pursuant to this clause (11) for any period shall not exceed 20% of Consolidated EBITDA for such period prior to giving effect to this clause (11), provided further that this clause (11), for the avoidance of doubt, shall not result in an amount less than zero;
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(12) for purposes of (x) Section 4.10 and (y) calculation of the Leverage Ratio in clause (15) of the second paragraph of Section 4.07 only, Management Fees;
(13) the amount of loss or discount on sale of Securitization Assets and related assets in connection with a Permitted Securitization Financing; and
(14) any Securitization Fees.
provided that Consolidated EBITDA shall not include:
(w) the net income (or net loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary (“Other Person”), except:
(i) with respect to net income, to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid to such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries by such Other Person during such period; and
(ii) with respect to net losses, to the extent of the amount of investments made by such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person in such Other Person during such period;
(x) solely for the purposes of calculating the amount of Restricted Payments that may be made pursuant to clause (3) of the first paragraph of Section 4.07 (and in such case, except to the extent includable pursuant to clause (w) above), the net income (or net loss) of any Other Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with such Person or any Restricted Subsidiaries or all or substantially all of the property and assets of such Other Person are acquired by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(y) solely for purposes of clause (3) of the first paragraph of Section 4.07, the net income of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the extent that the payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary of such net income is restricted by the operation of the terms of such Restricted Subsidiary’s charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary, unless (x) such restriction with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions has been legally waived or (y) such restriction is permitted by Section 4.09; provided, that the net income of such Restricted Subsidiary shall be increased by the amount of dividends or other distributions or payments actually paid in cash (or converted into cash) by any such Restricted Subsidiary to such Person, to the extent not already included therein; and
(z) effects of any fresh start accounting adjustments.
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“Consolidated Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination, the sum, without duplication, of:
(1) the total amount of outstanding Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding Indebtedness incurred by a Securitization Subsidiary), plus
(2) the total amount of Indebtedness of any other Person that has been Guaranteed by the referent Person or one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries, plus
(3) the aggregate liquidation value of all Disqualified Stock of such Person and all Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries of such Person,
in each case, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, without duplication, the sum of:
(1) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued (including, without limitation, amortization or original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net payments (if any) pursuant to Hedging Obligations);
(2) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; and
(3) any interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon); excluding, however, any amount of such interest of any Restricted Subsidiary of the referent Person if the net income of such Restricted Subsidiary is excluded in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clause (x) of the definition thereof (but only in the same proportion as the net income of such Restricted Subsidiary is excluded from the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clause (x) of the definition thereof), in each case, on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.
“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, as of any date of determination, the total amount of assets (less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries less the sum of (1) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other intangibles, and (2) all current liabilities, in each case, reflected on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries as at the end of the most recent ended fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP on a pro forma basis to give effect to any acquisition or disposition of assets made after such balance sheet date and on or prior to the date of determination.
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“Contribution Indebtedness” means Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount not greater than the aggregate amount of cash contributions (other than the proceeds from the issuance of Disqualified Stock or any cash contribution by an Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) made to the capital of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date (whether through the issuance of Capital Stock or otherwise); provided that such Contribution Indebtedness is incurred within 180 days after the making of the related cash contribution.
“Credit Agreement” means the Credit Agreement, dated as of March 18, 1999, as amended and restated as of April 26, 2019, as amended as of October 24, 2019 and as further amended as of May 26, 2022 among the Company, CCO, the lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other parties thereto together with the related documents thereto (including any term loans and revolving loans thereunder, any guarantees and security documents), as further amended, amended and restated, extended, renewed, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified (in whole or in part, and without limitation as to amount, terms, conditions, covenants and other provisions) from time to time, and any agreement (and related document) governing indebtedness incurred to refinance, in whole or in part, the borrowings and commitments then outstanding or permitted to be outstanding under such Credit Agreement or a successor Credit Agreement, whether by the same or any other lender or group of lenders.
“Credit Facilities” means, with respect to the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries, and with respect to any other entity as the context requires, one or more debt facilities (including indentures), in each case with banks, lenders or noteholders (other than a Parent of the Issuers) providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) letters of credit, notes, guarantees, and commercial paper in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time.
“Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default; provided, that any Default that results solely from the taking of an action that would have been permitted but for the continuation of a previous Default will be deemed to be cured if such previous Default is cured prior to becoming an Event of Default.
“Declined Excess Proceeds” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.11.
“Definitive Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.
“Depositary” means, with respect to the Global Notes, the Person specified in Section 2.03 as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Supplemental Indenture.
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“Derivative Instrument” with respect to a Person, means any contract, instrument or other right to receive payment or delivery of cash or other assets to which such Person or any Affiliate of such Person that is acting in concert with such Person in connection with such Person’s investment in the Notes (other than a Screened Affiliate) is a party (whether or not requiring further performance by such Person), the value and/or cash flows of which (or any material portion thereof) are materially affected by the value and/or performance of the Notes and/or the creditworthiness of the Issuers (the “Performance References”).
“Designated Noncash Consideration” means the fair market value of noncash consideration received by the Issuers or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Noncash Consideration pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Noncash Consideration.
“Designated Parent Companies” means CCH II, Charter, CCHC and Charter Holdings.
“Disposition” means, with respect to any Person, any merger, consolidation or other business combination involving such Person (whether or not such Person is the surviving Person) or the sale, assignment, transfer, lease or conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of such Person’s assets or Capital Stock.
“Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder thereof), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the earlier of the date on which the Notes mature or the date on which the Notes are no longer outstanding. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders thereof have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a Change of Control or an Asset Sale shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.07.
“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
“Equity Offering” means any private or public issuance of Qualified Capital Stock of the Company or a Parent of which the gross proceeds to the Company or received by the Company as a capital contribution from such Parent (directly or indirectly), as the case may be, are at least $25.0 million.
“Exchange Notes” means any notes issued in exchange for Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or similar agreement.
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“Exchange Offer” means the offer of the Issuers to issue and deliver to Holders of Notes that are not prohibited by law or policy of the SEC from participating in such offer in exchange for such Notes, a like aggregate principal amount of Exchange Notes.
“Exchange Offer Registration Statement” means a registration statement relating to the Exchange Offer as provided in the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Existing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in existence on the Issue Date, until such amounts are repaid.
“Fitch” means Fitch, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States which are in effect on September 27, 2010. At any time on or after the Issue Date, the Issuers may elect to establish that GAAP shall mean GAAP as in effect on or prior to the date of such election; provided that any such election, once made, shall be irrevocable. At any time after the Issue Date, the Issuers may elect to apply International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) accounting principles in lieu of GAAP and, upon any such election, references herein to GAAP shall thereafter be construed to mean IFRS on the date of such election; provided that any such election, once made, shall be irrevocable; provided, further, that any calculation or determination in the Indenture that requires the application of GAAP for periods that include fiscal quarters ended prior to the Issuers’ election to apply IFRS shall remain as previously calculated or determined in accordance with GAAP. The Issuers shall give notice of any such election made in accordance with this definition to the Trustee.
If there occurs a change in IFRS or GAAP, as the case may be, and such change would cause a change in the method of calculation of any standards, terms or measures (including all computations of amounts and ratios) used in this Indenture (an “Accounting Change”), then the Issuers may elect that such standards, terms or measures shall be calculated as if such Accounting Change had not occurred.
“Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(ii) which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Supplemental Indenture.
“Guarantee” or “guarantee” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness, measured as the lesser of the aggregate outstanding amount of the Indebtedness so guaranteed and the face amount of the guarantee.
“Guarantor” means any Subsidiary of the Company that executes a supplemental indenture and provides a Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with Section 4.17 hereof.
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“Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under:
(1) interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements;
(2) interest rate option agreements, foreign currency exchange agreements, foreign currency swap agreements; and
(3) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates.
“Holder” means a holder of the Notes.
“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent:
(1) in respect of borrowed money;
(2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);
(3) in respect of banker’s acceptances;
(4) representing Capital Lease Obligations;
(5) in respect of the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property due more than six months after the property is acquired, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable; or
(6) represented by Hedging Obligations only to the extent an amount is then owed and is payable pursuant to the terms of such Hedging Obligations,
if and to the extent any of the preceding items would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP.
In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the guarantee by such Person of any indebtedness of any other Person. The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date shall be:
(1) the accreted value thereof, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount; and
(2) the principal amount thereof, together with any interest thereon that is more than 30 days past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall payments required to be made pursuant to the Bright House Acquisition Agreement be deemed to be Indebtedness.
“Indenture” means the Base Indenture, as supplemented by this Supplemental Indenture and as further amended or supplemented from time to time with respect to the Notes.
“Initial Notes” means the Notes issued on the Issue Date (and any Notes issued in respect thereof pursuant to Section 2.06, 2.07, 2.10, 3.06, 3.09 or 4.16 of this Supplemental Indenture or Section 9.05 of the Base Indenture).
“Initial Purchasers” means Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., BofA Securities, Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., MUFG Securities Americas Inc., Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, BNP Paribas Securities Corp., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC, TD Securities (USA) LLC, Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc., Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., SG Americas Securities, LLC, SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., Truist Securities, Inc., U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc., LionTree Advisors LLC, Loop Capital Markets LLC, Mischler Financial Group, Inc., Penserra Securities LLC, and R. Seelaus & Co., LLC.
“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than (x) in the case of Moody’s, Baa3 (or the equivalent), (y) in the case of S&P, BBB- (or the equivalent) and (z) in the case of any other Rating Agency, the equivalent rating by such Rating Agency to the ratings described in clauses (x) and (y).
“Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons, including Affiliates, in the forms of direct or indirect loans (including guarantees of Indebtedness or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business) and purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP.
“Issue Date” means February 13, 2023.
“Letter of Transmittal” means the letter of transmittal to be prepared by the Issuers and sent to all Holders of any Notes for use by such Holders in connection with any Exchange Offer.
“Leverage Ratio” means, as to the Company, as of any date, the ratio of:
(1) the Consolidated Indebtedness for borrowed money (less cash and Cash Equivalents that is unrestricted or is restricted in favor of holders of Indebtedness included in calculating “Consolidated Indebtedness”) of the Company on such date to
(2) the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for the Company for the most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available multiplied by four (the “Reference Period”).
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In addition to the foregoing, for purposes of this definition, “Consolidated EBITDA” shall be calculated on a “pro forma” basis after giving effect to:
(1) for purposes of making the computations referred to above, any Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, consolidations and disposed operations that have been made by the Issuers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries, during the Reference Period or subsequent to such Reference Period and on or prior to the date of the calculation of the Leverage Ratio shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, consolidations and disposed or discontinued operations (and the change in Consolidated EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the Reference Period. If since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into any Issuer or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries since the beginning of such period shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, consolidation or disposed or discontinued operation that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Leverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, consolidation or disposed operation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable Reference Period;
(2) the incurrence of the Indebtedness or the issuance of the Disqualified Stock or other Preferred Stock (and the application of the proceeds therefrom) giving rise to the need to make such calculation and any incurrence or issuance (and the application of the proceeds therefrom) or repayment of other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, other than the incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness for ordinary working capital purposes, at any time subsequent to the beginning of the Reference Period and on or prior to the date of determination, as if such incurrence (and the application of the proceeds thereof), or the repayment, as the case may be, occurred on the first day of the Reference Period; and
(3) for purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to a transaction, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or chief accounting officer of either Issuer including cost savings and synergies; provided that (x) such cost savings and synergies are reasonably identifiable, reasonably attributable to the action specified and reasonably anticipated to result from such actions, and (y) such actions have been taken or initiated or are expected to be taken or initiated within twelve (12) months of the date of determination.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, when calculating the Leverage Ratio in connection with a Limited Condition Acquisition, the date of determination of such ratio and of any Default or Event of Default blocker shall, at the option of the Issuers, be the date the definitive agreements for such Limited Condition Acquisition are entered into and such ratio shall be calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Limited Condition Acquisition and the other transactions to be entered into in connection therewith (including any Incurrence of Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof) as if they occurred at the beginning of the applicable Reference Period, and, for the avoidance of doubt, (x) if any of such ratios are exceeded as a result of fluctuations in such ratio (including due to fluctuations in Consolidated EBITDA of the Issuers or the target company) at or prior to the consummation of the relevant Limited Condition Acquisition and the Issuers have elected to test such ratios on the date the definitive agreements for such Limited Condition Acquisition are entered into, such ratios will not be deemed to have been exceeded as a result of such fluctuations solely for purposes of determining whether the Limited Condition Acquisition is permitted hereunder and (y) such ratio shall not be tested at the time of consummation of such Limited Condition Acquisition or related transactions; provided further that if the Issuers elect to have such determinations occur at the time of entry into such definitive agreement, any such transactions shall be deemed to have occurred on the date the definitive agreements are entered and outstanding thereafter for purposes of calculating any ratios hereunder after the date of such agreement and before the consummation of such Limited Condition Acquisition and to the extent baskets were utilized in satisfying any covenants, such baskets shall be deemed utilized.
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In calculating the amount of Consolidated Indebtedness on the date of determination for purposes of the first paragraph of Section 4.10, the calculation shall not give effect to any Indebtedness incurred on such determination date pursuant to the provisions described in the second paragraph under Section 4.10. For the avoidance of doubt, the reference to “cash and Cash Equivalents” in clause (1) of the first paragraph of this definition refers to “cash and Cash Equivalents” of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries.
“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction.
“Limited Condition Acquisition” means any acquisition, including by way of merger, by the Issuers or one or more of their Restricted Subsidiaries whose consummation is not conditioned upon the availability of, or on obtaining, third-party financing.
“Long Derivative Instrument” means a Derivative Instrument (i) the value of which generally increases, and/or the payment or delivery obligations under which generally decrease, with positive changes to the Performance References and/or (ii) the value of which generally decreases, and/or the payment or delivery obligations under which generally increase, with negative changes to the Performance References.
“Make-Whole Premium” means, with respect to a Note at any redemption date, the greater of:
(i) 1.0% of the principal amount of such Note; and
(ii) the excess of:
(1) the present value at such redemption date of (A) the redemption price of such Note on March 1, 2026 (with such redemption price being as set forth in Section 3.07(a)) plus (B) all required remaining scheduled interest payments due on such Note through March 1, 2026, other than accrued interest to such redemption date, computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points per annum discounted on a semi-annual bond equivalent basis, over
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(2) the principal amount of such Note on such redemption date.
“Management Fees” means the fees payable to Charter or any other Parent pursuant to the management and mutual services agreements between any Parent of the Company and/or CCO and between any Parent of the Company and other Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company and pursuant to the limited liability company agreements of certain Restricted Subsidiaries as such management, mutual services or limited liability company agreements exist on the Issue Date (or, if later, on the date any new Restricted Subsidiary is acquired or created), including any amendment or replacement thereof, provided that any such new agreements or amendments or replacements of existing agreements is not more disadvantageous to Holders in any material respect than such management agreements existing on the Issue Date; and further provided that such new, amended or replacement management agreements do not provide for percentage fees, taken together with fees under existing agreements, any higher than 3.5% of Charter’s consolidated total revenues for the applicable payment period.
“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
“Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof or taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (including amounts distributable in respect of owners’, partners’ or members’ tax liabilities resulting from such sale), in each case after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements and amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness.
“Net Short” means, with respect to a Holder or Beneficial Owner, as of a date of determination, either (i) the value of its Short Derivative Instruments exceeds the sum of the (x) the value of its Notes plus (y) the value of its Long Derivative Instruments as of such date of determination or (ii) it is reasonably expected that such would have been the case were a Failure to Pay or Bankruptcy Credit Event (each as defined in the 2014 ISDA Credit Derivatives Definitions) to have occurred with respect to any Issuer or any Guarantor immediately prior to such date of determination.
“Note” or “Notes” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble and includes the Initial Notes, any Additional Notes and any Exchange Notes.
“Obligations” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.
“Offering Memorandum” means that certain offering memorandum relating to the Notes, dated January 30, 2023.
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“Other Person” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA.”
“Parent” means (i) any of the Designated Parent Companies, and each of their respective successors (by way of conversion, merger and amalgamation), and/or any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the foregoing a majority of the Capital Stock of which is owned directly or indirectly by one or more of the foregoing Persons, as applicable, and that directly or indirectly beneficially owns a majority of the Capital Stock of the Company, and any successor Person to any of the foregoing; and (ii) any holding company of the foregoing where the direct or indirect holders of the voting stock of such holding company immediately following the transaction where the holding company became a holding company are substantially the same as the holders of the Issuers’ voting stock immediately prior to that transaction. For purposes of the second paragraph of Section 4.07, the term “Parent” shall include any corporate co-obligor if such Parent is a limited liability company or other association not taxed as a corporation.
“Performance Reference” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Derivative Instrument.”
“Permitted Investments” means:
(1) any Investment in the Company or by the Company in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, or any Investment by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in the Company or in another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;
(2) any Investment in Cash Equivalents;
(3) any Investment by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a Person, if as a result of such Investment:
(a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or
(b) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;
(4) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from any Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 4.11;
(5) any Investment made out of the net cash proceeds of the issue and sale after the Issue Date (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (or cash contributions to the equity capital of the Company) to the extent that such net cash proceeds have not been applied to make a Restricted Payment or to effect other transactions pursuant to Section 4.07 hereof (with the amount of usage of the basket in this clause (5) being determined net of the aggregate amount of principal, interest, dividends, distributions, repayments, proceeds or other value otherwise returned or recovered in respect of any such Investment, but not to exceed the initial amount of such Investment);
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(6) other Investments in any Person (other than any Parent) having an aggregate fair market value, when taken together with all other Investments in any Person made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (without duplication) pursuant to this clause (6) from and after the Issue Date, not to exceed the greater of (A) 4.5% of Total Assets and (B) $7.0 billion (initially measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value, but reducing the amount outstanding by the aggregate amount of principal, interest, dividends, distributions, repayments, proceeds or other value otherwise returned or recovered in respect of any such Investment, provided that if such amount exceeds the initial amount of such Investment, such amount shall be added to the amount available under this clause) at any one time outstanding;
(7) Investments in customers and suppliers in the ordinary course of business which either (A) generate accounts receivable or (B) are accepted in settlement of bona fide disputes;
(8) Investments of a Restricted Subsidiary acquired after the Issue Date or of an entity merged into the Company or merged into or consolidated with a Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger or consolidation;
(9) any Investment (other than an Investment in a Restricted Subsidiary) existing or pursuant to agreements or arrangements in effect, on the Issue Date and any modification, replacement, renewal or extension thereof; provided that the amount of any such Investment may be increased (x) as required by the terms of such Investment as in existence on the Issue Date or (y) as otherwise permitted under this Supplemental Indenture;
(10) Investments received as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of customers or suppliers;
(11) as a result of a foreclosure by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;
(12) any Investment represented by Hedging Obligations not entered into for speculative purposes;
(13) loans and advances to officers, directors and employees for business-related travel expenses, moving expenses and other expenses, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business or to finance the purchase of Equity Interests of the Company or any Parent and in an amount not to exceed $25.0 million at any one time outstanding;
(14) Investments the payment for which consists of Equity Interests of the Company or any Parent (exclusive of Disqualified Stock of the Company);
(15) Guarantees of Indebtedness permitted by Section 4.10;
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(16) Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, material or equipment or the licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
(17) Investments consisting of the non-exclusive licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other persons;
(18) the creation of Liens on the assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in compliance with Section 4.14;
(19) Investments consisting of earnest money deposits acquired in connection with a purchase agreement or other acquisitions to the extent not otherwise prohibited under this Supplemental Indenture;
(20) without duplication of amounts that otherwise increased the amount available under one or more of the foregoing categories of Permitted Investments, investments made from the proceeds from any dividend or distribution by an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(21) (i) Investments arising in connection with a Permitted Securitization Financing and (ii) distributions or payments of Securitization Fees and purchases of Securitization Assets in connection with a Permitted Securitization Financing; and
(22) Investments in an aggregate outstanding amount not to exceed an amount equal to the sum of the Total Leverage Excess Proceeds and Declined Excess Proceeds that has not been utilized to make Restricted Payments in reliance on clause (17) of the second paragraph of Section 4.07.
“Permitted Liens” means:
(1) Liens on the assets of, or Equity Interests in, a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company securing Indebtedness and other Obligations under any of the Credit Facilities of such Restricted Subsidiary;
(2) Liens in favor of the Company;
(3) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the Company;
(4) Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition thereof by the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such acquisition;
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(5) Liens to secure the performance of statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, performance bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(6) purchase money mortgages or other purchase money Liens (including, without limitation, any Capital Lease Obligations) incurred by the Company upon any fixed or capital assets acquired after the Issue Date or purchase money mortgages (including without limitation Capital Lease Obligations) on any such assets, whether or not assumed, existing at the time of acquisition of such assets, whether or not assumed, so long as
(i) such mortgage or Lien does not extend to or cover any of the assets of the Company, except the asset so developed, constructed, or acquired, and directly related assets such as enhancements and modifications thereto, substitutions, replacements, proceeds (including insurance proceeds), products, rents and profits thereof, and
(ii) such mortgage or Lien secures the obligation to pay all or a portion of the purchase price of such asset, interest thereon and other charges, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, the cost of design, development, construction, acquisition, transportation, installation, improvement, and migration) and is incurred in connection therewith (or the obligation under such Capital Lease Obligation) only;
(7) Liens existing on the Issue Date and replacement Liens therefor that do not encumber additional property;
(8) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded; provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor;
(9) statutory and common law Liens of landlords and carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, suppliers, materialmen, repairmen or other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business and with respect to amounts not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate legal proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted and for which a reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made;
(10) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security;
(11) Liens incurred or deposits made to secure the performance of tenders, bids, leases, statutory or regulatory obligation, bankers’ acceptance, surety and appeal bonds, government contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other obligations of a similar nature incurred in the ordinary course of business (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money);
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(12) easements, rights-of-way, municipal and zoning ordinances and similar charges, encumbrances, title defects or other irregularities that do not materially interfere with the ordinary course of business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(13) Liens of franchisors or other regulatory bodies arising in the ordinary course of business;
(14) Liens arising from filing Uniform Commercial Code financing statements regarding leases or other Uniform Commercial Code financing statements for precautionary purposes relating to arrangements not constituting Indebtedness;
(15) Liens arising from the rendering of a final judgment or order against the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that does not give rise to an Event of Default;
(16) Liens securing reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit that encumber documents and other property relating to such letters of credit and the products and proceeds thereof;
(17) Liens encumbering customary initial deposits and margin deposits, and other Liens, in each case, securing Indebtedness under Hedging Obligations and forward contracts, options, future contracts, future options or similar agreements or arrangements designed solely to protect the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from fluctuations in interest rates, currencies or the price of commodities;
(18) Liens consisting of any interest or title of licensor in the property subject to a license;
(19) Liens on the Capital Stock of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;
(20) Liens arising from sales or other transfers of accounts receivable which are past due or otherwise doubtful of collection in the ordinary course of business;
(21) Liens incurred with respect to obligations which in the aggregate do not exceed the greater of (i) $300.0 million or (ii) 1.0% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at any one time outstanding;
(22) Liens in favor of the Trustee arising under the provisions of Section 7.07 of this Supplemental Indenture and similar provisions in favor of trustees or other agents or representatives under indentures or other agreements governing debt instruments entered into after the date hereof;
(23) Liens in favor of the Trustee for its benefit and the benefit of Holders as their respective interests appear;
(24) Liens securing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, to the extent that the Indebtedness being refinanced was secured or was permitted to be secured by such Liens; and
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(25) Liens on Securitization Assets securing or transferred pursuant to any Permitted Securitization Financing.
“Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used within 60 days after the date of issuance thereof, to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund, other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that, unless otherwise permitted by this Supplemental Indenture, no Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, a corporate co-issuer whose primary purpose is to act as a co-issuer and any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor) may be issued in exchange for, nor may the net proceeds of Indebtedness be used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund, Indebtedness of the direct or indirect parent of such Restricted Subsidiary; provided, further, that:
(1) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of (or accreted value, if applicable), plus accrued interest and premium, if any, on the Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (plus the amount of expenses incurred in connection therewith), except to the extent that any such excess principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) would be then permitted to be incurred by other provisions of Section 4.10;
(2) such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date no earlier than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; and
(3) if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and is subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes on terms at least as favorable to Holders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded.
“Permitted Securitization Financing” means any financing arrangement or factoring of Securitization Assets by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any securitization facility of any Securitization Subsidiary of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case, the obligations of which are non-recourse (except for Standard Securitization Undertakings) to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than any Securitization Subsidiary) in connection therewith.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability company, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
“Preferred Stock,” as applied to the Capital Stock of any Person, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which, by its terms, is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.
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“Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(i)(A) to be placed on all Notes issued under this Supplemental Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture.
“Productive Assets” means assets (including assets of a referent Person owned directly or indirectly through ownership of Capital Stock) of a kind used or useful in the Cable Related Business.
“Qualified Capital Stock” means any Capital Stock that is not Disqualified Stock.
“Rating Agencies” means (i) each of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch Ratings Ltd. and (ii) if any of Moody’s, S&P or Fitch Ratings Ltd. ceases to rate the Notes or fails to make a rating of the Notes publicly available for reasons outside the Company’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act, as amended, selected by the Company (as certified by a resolution of the Company’s Board of Directors) as a replacement agency for Moody’s, S&P, Fitch Ratings Ltd. or each of them, as the case may be.
“Ratings Decline Period” means the period that (i) begins on the earlier of (a) the date of the first public announcement of the occurrence of a Change of Control and (b) the occurrence of a Change of Control and (ii) ends 60 days following consummation of such Change of Control; provided that such period shall be extended for so long as the rating of the Notes, as noted by the applicable Rating Agency, is under publicly announced consideration for downgrade by the applicable Rating Agency.
“Ratings Event” means a downgrade by one or more gradations (including gradations within ratings categories as well as between rating categories) or withdrawal of the rating of the Notes within the Ratings Decline Period by two or more Rating Agencies (unless the applicable Rating Agency shall have put forth a written statement to the effect that such downgrade is not attributable in whole or in part to the applicable Change of Control) following which (except in the case of a withdrawal of a rating) the rating of the Notes by each such Rating Agency is below such Rating Agency’s rating of the Notes on the Issue Date.
“Reference Period” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Leverage Ratio.”
“Register” means a register in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Issuers shall provide for the registration of the Notes and of transfers and exchanges of such Notes which the Issuers shall cause to be kept at the appropriate office of the Registrar in accordance with Section 2.03.
“Registration Rights Agreement” means (1) with respect to the Notes issued on the Issue Date, the Registration Rights Agreement, to be dated the Issue Date, among the Issuers and the Initial Purchasers with respect to such Notes and (2) with respect to any Additional Notes, any registration rights agreement between the Issuers and the other parties thereto relating to the registration by the Issuers of such Additional Notes under the Securities Act.
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“Regulation S Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend, the Private Placement Legend and the Regulation S Legend deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in an initial denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of any Additional Notes initially sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.
“Regulation S Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(iii) which is required to be placed on all Regulation S Global Notes issued under this Supplemental Indenture.
“Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.
“Restricted Subsidiary” of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
“Rule 144A Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in an initial denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of any Additional Notes initially sold in reliance on Rule 144A.
“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
“Screened Affiliate” means any Affiliate of a Holder (i) that makes investment decisions independently from such Holder and any other Affiliate of such Holder that is not a Screened Affiliate, (ii) that has in place customary information screens between it and such Holder and any other Affiliate of such Holder that is not a Screened Affiliate and such screens prohibit the sharing of information with respect to the Issuers or their Subsidiaries, (iii) whose investment policies are not directed by such Holder or any other Affiliate of such Holder that is acting in concert with such Holder in connection with its investment in the Notes, and (iv) whose investment decisions are not influenced by the investment decisions of such Holder or any other Affiliate of such Holder that is acting in concert with such Holder in connection with its investment in the Notes.
“Securitization Assets” means accounts receivable, loans, mortgages, royalties, other rights to payment, supporting obligations therefor, proceeds therefrom and other related assets customarily disposed of or pledged in connection with non-recourse receivables financings or factorings or securitization facilities (as determined by the Company).
“Securitization Fees” means distributions or payments made directly or by means of discounts with respect to any Securitization Asset or participation interest therein issued or sold in connection with, and other fees, expenses and charges (including commissions, yield, interest expense and fees and expenses of legal counsel) paid in connection with, any Permitted Securitization Financing.
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“Securitization Repurchase Obligation” means any obligation of a seller of Securitization Assets in a Permitted Securitization Financing to repurchase or otherwise make payments with respect to Securitization Assets arising as a result of a breach of a representation, warranty or covenant or otherwise, including as a result of a receivable or portion thereof becoming subject to any asserted defense, dispute, offset or counterclaim of any kind as a result of any action taken by, any failure to take action by or any other event relating to the seller.
“Securitization Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary formed by the Company or any of its other Subsidiaries solely for purposes of consummating any Permitted Securitization Financing and which holds no material assets other than Securitization Assets and which is engaged in no material activities other than those related to such Permitted Securitization Financing.
“Shelf Registration Statement” means a “shelf” registration statement providing for the registration and the sale on a continuous or delayed basis of any Notes as may be provided in the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Short Derivative Instrument” means a Derivative Instrument (i) the value of which generally decreases, and/or the payment or delivery obligations under which generally increase, with positive changes to the Performance References and/or (ii) the value of which generally increases, and/or the payment or delivery obligations under which generally decrease, with negative changes to the Performance References.
“Significant Subsidiary” means (a) with respect to any Person, any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person which accounted for more than 10% of (i) the consolidated assets of such Person as of the last day of such Person’s most recently completed fiscal year or (ii) the Consolidated EBITDA of such Person for such Person’s most recently completed fiscal year and (b) in addition, with respect to the Company, Capital Corp.
“Special Interest” means all additional interest owing on the Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Standard Securitization Undertakings” means representations, warranties, covenants (including Securitization Repurchase Obligations) and indemnities entered into by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company that the Company has determined in good faith are customary for “non-recourse” accounts receivables financings or factoring or securitization financings.
“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which such payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the documentation governing such Indebtedness on the Issue Date, or, if none, the original documentation governing such Indebtedness, and shall not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person:
(1) any corporation, association or other business entity (A) of which at least 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof) and (B) in the case of any such entity of which 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock is so owned or controlled by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person, such Person and its Subsidiaries also have the right to control the management of such entity pursuant to contract or otherwise; and
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(2) any partnership:
(a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person, or
(b) the only general partners of which are such Person or of one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).
To the extent an entity satisfies clause (1)(A) above and the referent Person owns no more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock of such entity, the Issuers may:
(i) elect to designate such entity as a “Subsidiary”; provided that, unless such entity is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in compliance with this Indenture, such designation shall be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of any outstanding Indebtedness of such entity and such designation shall only be permitted if:
(1) such Indebtedness is not prohibited by Section 4.10, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable reference period; and
(2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence immediately following such designation;
and
(ii) may subsequently elect that such entity is not a “Subsidiary,” so long as such designation is not prohibited by Section 4.08.
For purposes of designating such an entity as not being a Subsidiary:
(1) the term “Investment” will include the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such entity to be designated as not being a Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of such entity at the time that such entity is designated as not being a Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon a redesignation of such entity as a Subsidiary where the Investment of such Subsidiary is then a Permitted Investment, the Company will be deemed to continue to have an “Investment” in a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to (a) the Company’s Investment in such entity at the time of such redesignation less (b) the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets (as conclusively determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith) of such entity at the time that such entity is so re-designated a Subsidiary; and
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(2) any property transferred to or from the entity that has been designated as not being a Subsidiary will be valued at its fair market value at the time of such transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company.
Any designation of such an entity as not being a Subsidiary of the Company shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the board resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was not prohibited by Section 4.08.
“Supplemental Indenture” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Supplemental Indenture.
“Total Assets” means the total assets of the Issuers and their Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of the Issuers.
“Total Leverage Excess Proceeds” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Applicable Percentage.”
“Treasury Rate” means, the weekly average rounded to the nearest 1/100th of a percentage point (for the most recently completed week for which such information is available as of the date that is two business days prior to the redemption date) of the yield to maturity of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 with respect to each applicable day during such week (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the applicable redemption date to March 1, 2026, provided, however, that if the period from the applicable redemption date is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which such a yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given except that if the period from the applicable redemption date to March 1, 2026 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actively traded United States Treasury Securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.
“Unrestricted Global Note” means a permanent Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary, representing the Initial Notes or any Additional Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend.
“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means (x) any Subsidiary of the Company that is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company or Charter as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a board resolution, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary at the time of designation:
(1) except to the extent not prohibited by Section 4.13, is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company unless such terms constitute Investments permitted under Section 4.08 and Permitted Investments or Asset Sales permitted under Section 4.11; and
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(2) does not own any Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; and
(y) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the board resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by Section 4.08. The Board of Directors of the Company or Charter may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such designation shall be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation shall only be permitted if:
(1) such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.10 calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable reference period; and
(2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence immediately following such designation.
For purposes of designating a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary:
(1) the term “Investment” will include the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in a Restricted Subsidiary to be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of such Restricted Subsidiary of the Company at the time that such Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary where the Investment of such Subsidiary is then a Permitted Investment, the Company will be deemed to continue to have an “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to (a) the Company’s Investment in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less (b) the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets (as conclusively determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith) of such Subsidiary at the time that such Subsidiary is so re-designated a Restricted Subsidiary; and
(2) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be valued at its fair market value at the time of such transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company.
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“Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the board of directors or comparable governing body of such Person.
“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:
(1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by
(2) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.
“Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary” of any Person means a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person all of the outstanding common equity interests or other ownership interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned by such Person and/or by one or more Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries of such Person.
Section 1.02 Other Definitions.
| Term | Defined in Section |
| “Affiliate Transaction” | 4.13 |
| “Asset Sale Offer” | 3.09 |
| “Authentication Order” | 2.02 |
| “Change of Control Offer” | 4.16 |
| “Change of Control Payment” | 4.16 |
| “Change of Control Payment Date” | 4.16 |
| “Covenant Defeasance” | 8.03 |
| “Default Direction” | 6.01 |
| “Directing Holder” | 6.01 |
| “DTC” | 2.03 |
| “Excess Proceeds” | 4.11 |
| “Guaranteed Indebtedness” | 4.17 |
| “incur” | 4.10 |
| “Legal Defeasance” | 8.02 |
| “Noteholder Direction” | 6.01 |
| “Offer Amount” | 3.09 |
| “Offer Period” | 3.09 |
| “Paying Agent” | 2.03 |
| “Permitted Debt” | 4.10 |
| “Position Representation” | 6.01 |
| “Purchase Date” | 3.09 |
| “Registrar” | 2.03 |
| “Restricted Payments” | 4.07 |
| “Subsidiary Guarantee” | 4.17 |
| “Verification Covenant” | 6.01 |
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Article 2
THE NOTES
With respect to the Notes only, Article 2 of the Base Indenture is hereby replaced with the following:
Section 2.01 Form and Dating.
(a) General. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage or this Supplemental Indenture. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Supplemental Indenture and the Issuers and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Supplemental Indenture, the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture shall govern and be controlling.
(b) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A (without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each Global Note shall represent such outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06.
(c) Form of Initial Notes, Etc. All Initial Notes issued on the Issue Date are being or will be offered and sold by the Initial Purchasers only (i) to QIBs (in which case they will be evidenced by one or more Rule 144A Global Notes) or (ii) in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act (in which case they will be evidenced by one or more Regulation S Global Notes).
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(d) Euroclear and Clearstream Procedures Applicable. The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream (or, in each case, equivalent documents setting forth the procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream) shall be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in Regulation S Global Notes that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.
Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication.
Two Officers shall sign the Notes for each Issuer by manual or facsimile signature.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.
A Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual or electronic signature (which may be by facsimile) of the Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Supplemental Indenture.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture, the Issuers may deliver Notes executed by the Issuers to the Trustee for authentication; and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver (i) Initial Notes for original issue in the aggregate principal amount of $1,100,000,000, (ii) Additional Notes from time to time for original issue in aggregate principal amount specified by the Issuers and (iii) Exchange Notes from time to time for issue in exchange for a like principal amount of Initial Notes or Additional Notes, in each case specified in clauses (i) through (iii) above, upon a written order of the Issuers signed by an Officer of each Issuer (an “Authentication Order”). Such Authentication Order shall specify the amount of Notes to be authenticated and the date on which the Notes are to be authenticated, whether such Notes are to be Initial Notes, Additional Notes or Exchange Notes and whether the Notes are to be issued as one or more Global Notes and such other information as the Issuers may include or the Trustee may reasonably request. The aggregate principal amount of Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Supplemental Indenture is unlimited.
On the Issue Date, the Issuers will issue Initial Notes in $1,100,000,000 aggregate principal amount in the form of one or more Rule 144A Global Notes and/or one or more Regulation S Global Notes, as provided in Section 2.01(c). Any Notes offered and sold in reliance on the exemption from registration under the Securities Act provided by Section 4(a)(2) thereunder or Rule 144A shall be issued as one or more Rule 144A Global Notes. Any Notes offered and sold in offshore transactions in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued as one or more Regulation S Global Notes.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Issuers to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Supplemental Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Issuers.
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Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent.
The Issuers shall maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). Until otherwise designated by the Issuers, the Issuers’ office or agency in New York shall be the office of the Trustee maintained for such purpose. The Registrar shall keep the Register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Issuers may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Issuers may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Registrar or Paying Agent may resign at any time upon not less than 10 Business Days’ prior written notice to the Issuers. The Issuers shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Agent not a party to this Supplemental Indenture. The Issuers shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Supplemental Indenture. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.
The Issuers initially appoint The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.
The Issuers initially appoint the Trustee to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as custodian with respect to the Global Notes.
Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.
Principal of, premium, if any, and interest (including Special Interest, if any) on the Notes will be payable at the office of the Paying Agent or, at the option of the Issuers, payment of interest (including Special Interest, if any) may be made by check mailed to Holders at their respective addresses set forth in the Register; provided, all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest (including Special Interest, if any) with respect to the Notes represented by one or more Global Notes registered in the name or held by the Depositary shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to accounts specified by the Holder prior to 10:00 a.m., New York time, on each due date of the principal and interest on any Note. The Issuers shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest (including Special Interest, if any) on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Issuers in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Issuers at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than an Issuer or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If an Issuer or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Issuers, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.
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Section 2.05 Holder Lists.
The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuers shall furnish to the Trustee at least seven Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Holders.
Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes shall be exchanged by the Issuers for Definitive Notes if:
(i) the Issuers deliver to the Trustee notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Issuers within 120 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary;
(ii) the Issuers in their sole discretion determines that the Global Notes (in whole but not in part) should be exchanged for Definitive Notes and deliver a written notice to such effect to the Trustee; or
(iii) there shall have occurred and be continuing a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes.
Upon the occurrence of any of the preceding events in (i), (ii) or (iii) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a); however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (f).
(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Prior to the expiration of the 40-day distribution compliance period set forth in Regulation S, beneficial interests in any Regulation S Global Notes may be held only through Euroclear or Clearstream unless transferred in accordance with Section 2.06(b)(iii)(A). Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:
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(i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend. Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(i).
(ii) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(i) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either:
(A) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and
(B) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase; or
(C) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and
(D) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (A) above.
Upon consummation of an Exchange Offer by the Issuers in accordance with Section 2.06(f), the requirements of this Section 2.06(b)(ii) shall be deemed to have been satisfied upon receipt by the Registrar of the instructions contained in the Letter of Transmittal delivered by the Holder of such beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Supplemental Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(h).
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(iii) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) above and the Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof; and
(B) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof.
(iv) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any Holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) above and:
(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder of the beneficial interest to be transferred, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the relevant Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers;
(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;
(C) such transfer is effected by a broker-dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or
(D) such exchange or transfer is effected after the expiration of the 40-day distribution compliance period set forth in Regulation S and the Registrar receives the following:
(1) if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(i) thereof; or
(2) if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof; and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
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If any such transfer is effected pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuers shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above.
Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.
(c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.
(i) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any Holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:
(A) if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(i) thereof (provided that any such beneficial interest in Regulation S Global Note shall not be so exchangeable until after the expiration of the 40-day distribution compliance period set forth in Regulation S);
(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;
(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;
(D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(i) thereof;
(E) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3)(iv) thereof, if applicable;
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(F) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Issuers, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(ii) thereof; or
(G) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(iii) thereof,
the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h), and the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the Holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(i) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.
(ii) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only if:
(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder of such beneficial interest, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the relevant Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers;
(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;
(C) such transfer is effected by a broker-dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or
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(D) such exchange or transfer is effected after the expiration of the 40-day distribution compliance period set forth in Regulation S and the Registrar receives the following:
(1) if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(ii) thereof; or
(2) if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private Placement Legend, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
(iii) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any Holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(ii), the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h), and the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iii) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the Holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iii) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.
(d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests in Global Notes.
(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:
(A) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(ii) thereof;
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(B) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;
(C) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non- U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;
(D) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(i) thereof;
(E) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3)(iv) thereof, if applicable;
(F) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(ii) thereof; or
(G) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(iii) thereof,
the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of subparagraph (A) above, the appropriate Restricted Global Note, in the case of subparagraph (B) above, the Rule 144A Global Note or, in the case of subparagraph (C) above, the Regulation S Global Note.
(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if:
(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the relevant Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers;
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(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;
(C) such transfer is effected by a broker-dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or
(D) such exchange or transfer is effected after the expiration of the 40-day distribution compliance period set forth in Regulation S and the Registrar receives the following:
(1) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(iii) thereof; or
(2) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this Section 2.06(d)(ii), the Trustee shall cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.
(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.
If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraph (ii)(B), (ii)(D) or (iii) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuers shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.
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(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e):
(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;
(B) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and
(C) if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.
(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if:
(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to an Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of the relevant Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers;
(B) any such transfer is effected pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;
(C) any such transfer is effected by a broker-dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or
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(D) such exchange or transfer is effected after the expiration of the 40-day distribution compliance period set forth in Regulation S and the Registrar receives the following:
(1) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(iv) thereof; or
(2) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuers to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.
(f) Exchange Offer. Upon the occurrence of an Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Issuers shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02, the Trustee shall authenticate (i) one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes tendered for acceptance by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (x) they are not broker-dealers, (y) they are not participating in a distribution of the relevant Exchange Notes and (z) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Issuers, and accepted for exchange in the relevant Exchange Offer and (ii) Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes accepted for exchange in the relevant Exchange Offer. Concurrently with the issuance of such Notes, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Persons designated by the Holders of Definitive Notes so accepted Definitive Notes in the appropriate principal amount.
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(g) Legends. The following legends shall appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Supplemental Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Supplemental Indenture:
(i) Private Placement Legend.
(A) Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Restricted Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:
THE NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) EVIDENCED HEREBY WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THE NOTES EVIDENCED HEREBY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THE NOTES EVIDENCED HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUERS THAT (A) SUCH SECURITY MAY BE RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED ONLY (I) (A) TO A PERSON WHO IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (B) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (D) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE ISSUERS SO REQUEST), (II) TO THE ISSUERS OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SUBSIDIARIES, OR (III) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND, IN EACH CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER FROM IT OF THE NOTES EVIDENCED HEREBY OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN CLAUSE (A) ABOVE. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 FOR RESALE OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY.
(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Initial Note and any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraph (b)(iv), (c)(ii), (c)(iii), (d)(ii), (d)(iii), (e)(ii), (e)(iii) or (f) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.
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(ii) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUERS. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10004) (“DTC”), TO EACH ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
(iii) Regulation S Legend. Each Regulation S Global Note should bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION ORIGINALLY EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.
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(h) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.
(i) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.
(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon the Issuers’ order or at the Registrar’s request.
(ii) No service charge shall be made to a Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.10, 3.09, 4.11 and 4.16 hereof and Section 9.05 of the Base Indenture).
(iii) The Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.
(iv) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Issuers, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Supplemental Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
(v) The Issuers shall not be required to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding interest payment date.
(vi) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Issuers may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest (including Special Interest, if any) on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Issuers shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
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(vii) The Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02.
(viii) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile.
(ix) Each Holder of a Note agrees to indemnify the Issuers and the Trustee against any liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or assignment of such Holder’s Note in violation of any provision of this Supplemental Indenture and/or applicable United States Federal or state securities law.
(x) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Supplemental Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Depositary Participants or Beneficial Owners of interests in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Supplemental Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
(xi) Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.
(xii) Notwithstanding anything contained herein, any transfers, replacements or exchanges of Notes, including as contemplated in this Article 2, shall not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness.
Section 2.07 Replacement Notes.
If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Issuers and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Issuers shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Issuers, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Issuers to protect the Issuers, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Issuers may charge for their expenses in replacing a Note.
Every replacement Note is an additional legally binding obligation of the Issuers and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Supplemental Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.
Section 2.08 Outstanding Notes.
The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture, and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note.
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If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.
If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 of the Base Indenture, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.
If the Paying Agent (other than an Issuer, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a redemption date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.
Section 2.09 Treasury Notes.
In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Issuers, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuers, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.
Section 2.10 Temporary Notes.
Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Issuers may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Issuers consider appropriate for temporary Notes and as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuers shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.
Holders of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Supplemental Indenture.
Section 2.11 Cancellation.
The Issuers at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of such canceled Notes in its customary manner. The Issuers may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that they have paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
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Section 2.12 Defaulted Interest.
If the Issuers default in a payment of interest (including Special Interest, if any) on the Notes, the Issuers shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, which interest on defaulted interest shall accrue until the defaulted interest is deemed paid hereunder, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 of the Base Indenture. The Issuers shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment. The Issuers shall fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Issuers (or, upon the written request of the Issuers, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuers) shall mail or cause to be mailed to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.
Section 2.13 CUSIP Numbers.
The Issuers in issuing the Notes may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuers will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.
Article 3
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT
With respect to the Notes only, Article 3 of the Base Indenture is hereby replaced with the following:
Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee.
If the Issuers elect to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth (i) the clause of this Supplemental Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price.
Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed.
If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes for redemption, on a pro rata basis, by lot or in accordance with any other method as the Trustee shall deem appropriate, or if the Notes are held in global form, the Notes shall be selected for redemption by the Depositary in accordance with its applicable procedures.
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In the event of partial redemption by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuers in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. Notes and portions of Notes selected shall be in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; except that if all of a Holder’s Notes are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of $1,000, shall be redeemed. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Supplemental Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.
Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption.
Subject to the provisions of Section 3.09, at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Issuers shall transmit or cause to be transmitted, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address.
The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:
(a) the redemption date;
(b) the redemption price;
(c) if any Note is being redeemed in part only, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion shall be issued upon cancellation of the original Note;
(d) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(e) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
(f) that, unless the Issuers default in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption and redeemed ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;
(g) the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Supplemental Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;
(h) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes; and
(i) any conditions to the Issuers’ obligations to redeem the Notes as contemplated by Section 3.04.
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At the Issuers’ request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Issuers’ name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least 5 days prior to the notice date (or such shorter period as to which the Trustee may agree in its sole discretion), an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.
Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption.
Once notice of redemption is transmitted in accordance with Section 3.03, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price; provided that any redemption or notice of any redemption may, at the Issuers’ discretion, be given prior to the completion of a transaction or event (including an Equity Offering, other offering, issuance of Indebtedness, Change of Control or other transaction or event) and any redemption notice (including the amount of Notes redeemed and conditions precedent applicable to different amounts of Notes redeemed) may, in the Issuers’ discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of the related transaction or event. Any such redemption may be partial as a result of only some of the conditions being satisfied.
If such redemption or notice is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall state that, in the Issuers’ discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time (including more than 60 days after the date the notice of redemption was mailed or delivered, including by electronic transmission) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied (or waived by the Issuers in their sole discretion), or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied (or waived by the Issuers in their sole discretion) by the redemption date, or by the redemption date so delayed. In addition, the Issuers may provide in such notice that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Issuers’ obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person.
Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption Price.
At or prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the redemption date, the Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest (including Special Interest, if any) on all Notes to be redeemed on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Issuers any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Issuers in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest (including Special Interest, if any) on, all Notes to be redeemed.
If the Issuers comply with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption. If a Note is redeemed on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest (including Special Interest, if any) shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Issuers to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest (including Special Interest, if any) shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 of the Base Indenture.
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Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed in Part.
No Notes of $2,000 principal amount or less shall be redeemed in part. Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Issuers shall issue and, upon the Issuers’ written request, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Issuers a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.
Section 3.07 Optional Redemption.
(a) Except as set forth in Sections 3.07(b), (c) and (d), the Issuers shall not have the option to redeem the Notes pursuant to this Section 3.07 prior to March 1, 2026. The Issuers shall have the option to redeem the Notes, from and after March 1, 2026, in whole or in part, upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the Notes) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon and Special Interest, if any, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on March 1 of the years indicated below:
| Year | Percentage | |||
| 2026 | 103.688 | % | ||
| 2027 | 101.844 | % | ||
| 2028 and thereafter | 100.000 | % | ||
(b) At any time prior to March 1, 2026, the Issuers may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (including the principal amount of any Additional Notes), at a redemption price of 107.375% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that:
(i) at least 50% of the original aggregate principal amount of Notes (including the principal amount of any Additional Notes) issued under this Supplemental Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption, unless all such Notes are redeemed substantially concurrently; and
(ii) the redemption must occur within 180 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.
(c) At any time and from time to time prior to March 1, 2026, the Issuers may redeem outstanding Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, on such Notes to the redemption date plus the Make-Whole Premium. The Trustee shall have no responsibility for calculating the Make-Whole Premium.
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(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with any tender offer for the Notes, including a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, if Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes validly tender and do not withdraw such Notes in such tender offer and the Issuers, or any third party making a such tender offer in lieu of the Issuers, purchases all of the Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn by such Holders, the Issuers or such third party will have the right upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following such purchase date, to redeem all Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price equal to the price offered to each other Holder in such tender offer plus, to the extent not included in the tender offer payment, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to, but not including, the date of such redemption.
Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01 through 3.06.
Section 3.08 Mandatory Redemption.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 4.11 or Section 4.16 below, the Issuers shall not be required to make mandatory redemption payments with respect to the Notes.
Section 3.09 Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.
In the event that the Issuers shall be required to commence an offer to all Holders to purchase Notes pursuant to Section 4.11 (an “Asset Sale Offer”), they shall follow the procedures specified below.
The Asset Sale Offer shall remain open for a period of 20 Business Days following its commencement and no longer, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “Offer Period”). No later than five Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “Purchase Date”), the Issuers shall purchase the principal amount of Notes required to be purchased pursuant to Section 4.11 (the “Offer Amount”) or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the same manner as interest payments are made. Unless the Issuers default in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date.
If the Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no Special Interest shall be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.
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Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer the Issuers shall send, by first class mail, a notice to the Trustee and each of the Holders, with a copy to the Trustee. The notice shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders. The notice, which shall govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, shall state:
(a) that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.11 and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer shall remain open;
(b) the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;
(c) that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment shall continue to accrue interest;
(d) that, unless the Issuers default in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date;
(e) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in minimum denominations of $2,000 and in multiple integrals of $1,000 in excess thereof only;
(f) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer shall be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Note completed, or transfer the Note by book-entry transfer, to the Issuers, the Depositary or the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three days before the Purchase Date;
(g) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Issuers, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;
(h) that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered by Holders exceeds the Offer Amount, the Issuers shall select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Issuers so that only Notes in minimum denominations of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, shall be purchased); and
(i) that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer).
On or before the Purchase Date, the Issuers shall, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, and shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Issuers in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.09. The Issuers, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly (but in any case not later than five days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Issuers for purchase, and the Issuers shall promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon written request from the Issuers, shall authenticate and mail or deliver such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Issuers to the Holder thereof. The Issuers shall publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on the Purchase Date.
Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06.
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Article 4
COVENANTS
With respect to the Notes only, each Issuer hereby agrees to expressly subject itself to the provisions of Article 4 of the Base Indenture and the following Sections 4.03 through 4.19 are hereby added to Article 4 of the Base Indenture:
Section 4.03 Reports.
Whether or not required by the Commission, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Issuers shall furnish to Holders and the Trustee, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and regulations:
(1) all quarterly and annual financial information that would be required to be contained in a filing with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Issuers were required to file such forms, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section and, with respect to the annual information only, a report on the annual consolidated financial statements of the Company by its independent public accountants; and
(2) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the Commission on Form 8-K if the Issuers were required to file such reports.
If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then the quarterly and annual financial information required by the preceding paragraph shall include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company. Such information may be provided by the Issuers in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which filing shall satisfy the obligations set forth above, provided, that this requirement shall only apply if Consolidated EBITDA from all Unrestricted Subsidiaries in the previous fiscal year was greater than 10% of the Company’s Consolidated EBITDA for such fiscal year.
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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth above, for so long as the Issuers are direct or indirect majority-owned Subsidiaries of any Parent (or other Person which, directly or indirectly, owns a majority of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Issuers, measured by voting power rather than the number of shares), if such Parent (or such other Person which, directly or indirectly, owns a majority of the Voting Stock of the Issuers, measured by voting power rather than the number of shares) has furnished Holders the reports described in the preceding paragraphs with respect to such Parent (or such other Person which, directly or indirectly, owns a majority of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Issuers, measured by voting power rather than the number of shares) (including any summarized financial information required by Regulation S-X relating to the Issuers), the Issuers shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions of this Section 4.03. Such information may be provided by a Parent in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which filing shall satisfy the obligations set forth in this paragraph.
Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuers’ compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).
Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate. The Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Issuers and their Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year have been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Issuers have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled their obligations under this Supplemental Indenture and the Base Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Issuers have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Supplemental Indenture and are not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Supplemental Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any (including Special Interest, if any), on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take with respect thereto.
(b) The Issuers shall, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon any Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take with respect thereto.
Section 4.05 Taxes.
The Company shall pay, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to Holders.
Section 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.
Each of the Issuers covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Supplemental Indenture; and each of the Issuers (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.
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Section 4.07 Restricted Payments.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
(a) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of its or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable (x) solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or (y) in the case of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof);
(b) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including, without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) any Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect Parent of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than, in the case of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any such Equity Interests owned by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries); or
(c) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, any Indebtedness of the Company (other than intercompany Indebtedness among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is permitted to be incurred under this Supplemental Indenture) that is subordinated to the Notes, except a payment of interest or principal at the Stated Maturity thereof (all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (a) through (c) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”), unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:
(1) no Default or Event of Default under this Indenture shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;
(2) the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable quarter period, have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Leverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of Section 4.10; and
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(3) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries from and after April 1, 2010 (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2) through (17) of the next succeeding paragraph and made on or after April 1, 2010), shall not exceed, at the date of determination, the sum of:
(a) an amount equal to 100% of the Consolidated EBITDA of the Company for the period beginning on the first day of the fiscal quarter commencing April 1, 2010 to the end of the Company’s most recently ended full fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available, taken as a single accounting period, less the product of 1.3 times the Consolidated Interest Expense of the Company for such period, plus
(b) an amount equal to 100% of Capital Stock Sale Proceeds (reduced for purpose of this clause (b) by (A) any amount of such Capital Stock Sale Proceeds (i) used in connection with an Investment made on or after the Issue Date pursuant to clause (5) of the definition of “Permitted Investments,” (ii) applied to make a Restricted Payment pursuant to clause (2) or sub-clause (y)(2) of clause (9) or clause (14) below, or (iii) relied upon for purposes of incurring Contribution Indebtedness and (B) the amount of Restricted Payments made pursuant to sub-clause (A)(i), (B) or (C) of clause (8) and sub-clause (y)(1) of clause (9) below, in each case, by an amount not to exceed the amount of Capital Stock Sale Proceeds from any Charter Subsidiary Refinancing Indebtedness or Charter Parent Refinancing Indebtedness), plus
(c) $2.0 billion.
The preceding provisions shall not prohibit:
(1) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at the date of declaration such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture;
(2) the redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition of any subordinated Indebtedness of the Company in exchange for, or out of the net proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock);
(3) the defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with the net cash proceeds from an incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;
(4) the payment of any dividend or other distribution, which need not be pro rata, to the extent necessary to permit direct or indirect Beneficial Owners of shares of Capital Stock of the Company to pay federal, state or local income tax liabilities that would arise solely from income of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, for the relevant taxable period being attributable to them;
(5) the payment of any dividend by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;
(6) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value, or the payment of any dividend or distribution to the extent necessary to permit the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value, of any Equity Interests of the Company or a Parent of the Company held by any member of the Company’s or such Parent’s management pursuant to any management equity subscription agreement or stock option agreement entered into in accordance with the policies of the Company or any Parent; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests shall not exceed $100.0 million in any fiscal year of the Issuers;
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(7) payment of fees in connection with any acquisition, merger or similar transaction in an amount that does not exceed an amount equal to 1.25% of the transaction value of such acquisition, merger or similar transaction;
(8) (A) additional Restricted Payments directly or indirectly to any Parent (i) for the purpose of enabling any Parent to pay interest when due on Indebtedness under any Charter Parent Refinancing Indebtedness or (ii) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing and the Company would have been permitted, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable quarter period, to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Leverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of Section 4.10, consisting of dividends or distributions to the extent required to enable any Parent to defease, redeem, repurchase, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise acquire or retire for value Indebtedness under any Charter Parent Refinancing Indebtedness (including any expenses and fees incurred by any Parent in connection therewith); (B) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing, Restricted Payments used to defease, redeem, repurchase, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise acquire or retire for value Indebtedness under any Charter Parent Refinancing Indebtedness or consisting of purchases, redemptions or other acquisitions by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness under any Charter Parent Refinancing Indebtedness (including any expenses and fees incurred by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection therewith) and the distribution, loan or investment to any Parent of Indebtedness so purchased, redeemed or acquired; or (C) Restricted Payments for the purpose of enabling any Parent to (i) pay interest when due on Indebtedness under any Charter Subsidiary Refinancing Indebtedness or (ii) to defease, redeem, repurchase, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise acquire or retire for value Indebtedness under any Charter Subsidiary Refinancing Indebtedness (including any expenses and fees incurred by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection therewith);
(9) Restricted Payments directly or indirectly to any Parent regardless of whether a Default exists (other than an Event of Default under paragraph (1), (2), (7) or (8) of Section 6.01), for the purpose of enabling such Person (A) to pay interest on and (B) so long as the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable quarter period, have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Leverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of Section 4.10 to defease, redeem, repurchase, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise acquire or retire, in each case, Indebtedness of such Parent (x) which is not held by another Parent and (y) to the extent that the net cash proceeds of such Indebtedness are or were used for the (1) payment of interest or principal (or premium) on any Indebtedness of a Parent (including (A) by way of a tender, redemption or prepayment of such Indebtedness and (B) amounts set aside to prefund any such payment), (2) direct or indirect (including by way of a contribution of property and/or assets purchased with such net cash proceeds) Investment in the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (3) payment of amounts that would be permitted to be paid by way of a Restricted Payment under clause (10) immediately below (including the expenses of any exchange transaction);
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(10) Restricted Payments directly or indirectly to any Parent of (A) attorneys’ fees, investment banking fees, accountants’ fees, underwriting discounts and commissions and other customary fees and expenses (including any commitment and other fees payable in connection with Credit Facilities) actually incurred in connection with any issuance, sale or incurrence by such Parent of Equity Interests or Indebtedness, or any exchange of securities or tender for outstanding debt securities, or (B) the costs and expenses of any offer to exchange privately placed securities in respect of the foregoing for publicly registered securities or any similar concept having a comparable purpose;
(11) the redemption, repurchase, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests of the Company or Indebtedness of the Issuers or any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent of the Company, in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to an Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) of, Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company (in each case, other than any Disqualified Stock);
(12) the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Issuers or any Restricted Subsidiary issued in accordance with Section 4.10;
(13) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing, other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount outstanding taken together with all other Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (13) not to exceed $100.0 million outstanding at any one time;
(14) Restricted Payments to pay all or a portion of the consideration payable for any Investment that would have been permitted to be made by the Issuers under this Indenture including, without limitation, the true up payments pursuant to the Bright House Acquisition Agreement; provided that the assets or Equity Interests acquired in such Investment (to the extent of amounts distributed by the Issuers to make such Investment) are promptly contributed to the capital of the Company;
(15) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, any Restricted Payments; provided that the Leverage Ratio, after giving pro forma effect to such Restricted Payment, is less than or equal to 3.50 to 1.00;
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(16) any distributions to any Parent to permit such Parent to pay (i) attorneys’ fees, investment banking fees, accountants’ fees, underwriting discounts and commissions and other customary fees and expenses (including any commitment and other fees payable in connection with credit facilities) actually incurred in connection with any issuance, sale or incurrence by such Parent of Equity Interests or Indebtedness, any exchange of securities or a tender for outstanding debt securities or any actual or proposed Investment, (ii) the costs and expenses of any offer to exchange privately placed securities in respect of the foregoing for publicly registered securities or any similar concept having a comparable purpose or (iii) other administrative expenses (including legal, accounting, other professional fees and costs, printing and other such fees and expenses) incurred in the ordinary course of business, in an aggregate amount in the case of this clause (iii) not to exceed $5.0 million in any fiscal year;
(17) Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed an amount equal to the sum of Total Leverage Excess Proceeds and Declined Excess Proceeds that has not been used to make any Investments pursuant to clause (21) of the definition of “Permitted Investments;” and
(18) distributions or payments of Securitization Fees, sales contributions and other transfers of Securitization Assets and purchases of Securitization Assets pursuant to a Securitization Repurchase Obligation, in each case in connection with a Permitted Securitization Financing.
For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.07, in the event that a Restricted Payment, when made, met the criteria of more than one of the categories described in clauses (1) through (18) above, or was permitted pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 4.07, the Issuers will be entitled to classify such Restricted Payment (or portion thereof) on the date of its payment or later reclassify such Restricted Payment (or portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this Section 4.07.
Section 4.08 Investments.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
(1) make any Restricted Investment; or
(2) allow any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to become an Unrestricted Subsidiary,
unless:
(a) in each case, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof; and
(b) in the case of a Restricted Investment only, the Company would, at the time of, and after giving effect to, such Restricted Investment, have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Leverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of Section 4.10.
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An Unrestricted Subsidiary may be redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary if such redesignation would not cause a Default.
For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.08, (i) in the event that an Investment, when made, met the criteria above or was a Permitted Investment, the Issuers will be entitled to classify such Investment (or portion thereof) on the date of its payment or later reclassify such Investment (or portion thereof) (A) as a Permitted Investment or (B) in any manner that complies with this Section 4.08; and (ii) any Investment made pursuant to any requirement in any agreement may be deemed by the Issuers to have been made when the agreement was entered into.
Section 4.09 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries.
The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than any Restricted Subsidiaries that guarantee the Notes) to:
(a) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or
(b) make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
However, the preceding restrictions shall not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:
(1) Existing Indebtedness as in effect on the Issue Date (including, without limitation, Indebtedness under any of the Credit Facilities) and any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof, provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in the most restrictive Existing Indebtedness, as in effect on the Issue Date;
(2) this Supplemental Indenture and the Notes;
(3) applicable law, rule, regulation or order (including, for the avoidance of doubt, in connection with grants or subsidies from governmental authorities);
(4) any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired; provided that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of this Supplemental Indenture to be incurred;
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(5) customary non-assignment provisions in leases, franchise agreements and other commercial agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices;
(6) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions on the property so acquired of the nature described in clause (c) of the preceding paragraph;
(7) any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that restricts distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary pending its sale or other disposition;
(8) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;
(9) Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations otherwise permitted to be incurred under Section 4.14 that limit the right of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to dispose of the assets subject to such Lien;
(10) provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements;
(11) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(12) restrictions contained in the terms of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Section 4.10; provided that such restrictions are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than the terms contained in the most restrictive, together or individually of the Credit Facilities as in effect on the Issue Date;
(13) restrictions that are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than customary provisions in comparable financings and that the management of the Company determines, at the time of such financing, will not materially impair the Issuers’ ability to make payments as required under the Notes;
(14) restrictions created in connection with any Permitted Securitization Financing that, in the good faith determination of the Company, are necessary or advisable to effect such Securitization Facility; and
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(15) any encumbrances or restrictions imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (1) through (14) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Issuers, not materially more restrictive taken as a whole with respect to such encumbrance and other restrictions than those prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.
Section 4.10 Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, “incur”) any Indebtedness (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Acquired Debt) and the Company shall not issue any Disqualified Stock and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, provided that the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Acquired Debt) or the Company may issue Disqualified Stock and Restricted Subsidiaries may issue Preferred Stock if the Leverage Ratio of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries would have been not greater than 6.0 to 1.0 and in each case, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of the most recently ended fiscal quarter.
The first paragraph of this Section 4.10 shall not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness (collectively, “Permitted Debt”):
(1) the incurrence by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness under Credit Facilities; provided that the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding under this clause (1) for all Credit Facilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries after giving effect to such incurrence does not exceed an amount equal to the greater of (x) $6.0 billion and (y) 6.00% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (measured at the time of incurrence of any Indebtedness pursuant to this clause (1)) at any one time outstanding;
(2) the incurrence by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of Existing Indebtedness (including Indebtedness outstanding under Credit Facilities on the Issue Date);
(3) the incurrence by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by the Initial Notes (and any Exchange Notes in respect thereof);
(4) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of construction or improvement (including, without limitation, the cost of design, development, construction, acquisition, transportation, installation, improvement, and migration) of Productive Assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of (i) $1.5 billion and (ii) 5.0% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets at any time outstanding pursuant to this clause (4);
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(5) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to refund, refinance or replace, in whole or in part, Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) that was permitted by this Supplemental Indenture to be incurred under this clause (5), the first paragraph of this Section 4.10 or clause (2), (3), (9) or (12) of this second paragraph;
(6) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that:
(a) if the Company is the obligor on such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations with respect to the Notes; and
(b) (i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof, shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness that was not permitted by this clause (6);
(7) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations (other than for speculative purposes);
(8) the guarantee by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this Section 4.10;
(9) Acquired Debt or Disqualified Stock of a Person that becomes, or is merged into, a Restricted Subsidiary or any Issuer; provided, however, that after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such acquisition or merger had been made at the beginning of the applicable quarter period, the Leverage Ratio of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is equal to or less than immediately prior to such transaction;
(10) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding under this clause (10), not to exceed the greater of (i) $1.5 billion and (ii) 5.0% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets;
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(11) the accretion or amortization of original issue discount and the write up of Indebtedness in accordance with purchase accounting;
(12) Contribution Indebtedness;
(13) Indebtedness arising from agreements of any Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary providing for and to the extent of indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition or acquisition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary, other than Guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or a Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition;
(14) Indebtedness from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided that such Indebtedness is extinguished within 10 business days of its incurrence; and
(15) Indebtedness in respect of any Permitted Securitization Financing.
In the event that an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock described in clauses (1) through (15) of the second paragraph of this Section 4.10 or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 4.10, the Issuers, in their sole discretion, may classify or reclassify such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) and will only be required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in one of the above clauses or the first paragraph of this Section 4.10. Additionally, all or any portion of any item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock may later be reclassified as having been incurred pursuant to any category of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1) through (15) above or pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 4.10 so long as such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is permitted to be incurred pursuant to such provision at the time of reclassification. At the time of incurrence, the Issuers will be entitled to divide and classify an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in more than one of the types of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock described above in this Section 4.10. Any fees and expenses (including any premium and defeasance costs) incurred in connection with the replacement, refinancing, restructuring, extension or renewal of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock, or Preferred Stock shall not be deemed to constitute Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock, or Preferred Stock for purposes of calculating the aggregate amount of Indebtedness that may be incurred upon such replacement, refinancing, restructuring, extension or renewal. In addition, an increase in the amount of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock, or Preferred Stock in connection with any accrual of interest , including if paid in kind, or accretion of accreted value shall not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock for purposes of the Indenture.
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Section 4.11 Limitation on Asset Sales.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:
(1) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value (for the avoidance of doubt to be determined on the date of contractually agreeing to such Asset Sale) of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of;
(2) such fair market value is determined by the Board of Directors of the Company; and
(3) at least 75% of the consideration from such Asset Sale, together with all other Asset Sales since the Issue Date on a cumulative basis (including by way of relief from, or by any other Person assuming responsibility for, any liability, contingent or otherwise) received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash, Cash Equivalents or readily marketable securities.
For purposes of this Section 4.11, each of the following shall be deemed to be cash:
(a) any liabilities (as shown on the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to a customary novation agreement that releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from further liability;
(b) any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the recipient thereof into cash, Cash Equivalents or readily marketable securities within 180 days after receipt thereof (to the extent of the cash, Cash Equivalents or readily marketable securities received in that conversion);
(c) Productive Assets; and
(d) any Designated Noncash Consideration received by the Issuers or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Designated Noncash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (d) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (i) $4.5 billion and (ii) 3.0% of Total Assets, with the fair market value of each item of Designated Noncash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.
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Within 450 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof may apply an amount equal to the Applicable Percentage of such Net Proceeds (the “Applicable Proceeds”) at its option:
(1) to repay or otherwise retire debt under the Credit Facilities or any other Indebtedness of the Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company (other than Indebtedness represented solely by a guarantee of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company);
(2) to repay or otherwise retire unsecured Indebtedness of the Company, so long as a pro rata offer is made in accordance with the procedures set forth in the next paragraph to all holders of other unsecured Indebtedness issued by the Company; or
(3) to invest in Productive Assets; provided that any such amount of Net Proceeds which the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof has committed to invest in Productive Assets within 450 days of the applicable Asset Sale may be invested in Productive Assets within two years of such Asset Sale;
provided that (1) pending the final application of the amount of any such Applicable Proceeds pursuant to this
Section 4.11, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company may apply such Applicable Proceeds temporarily to reduce Indebtedness (including under the Credit Facilities) or otherwise apply such Applicable Proceeds in any manner not prohibited by the Indenture, and (2) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, as the case may be, may elect to invest in Productive Assets prior to receiving the Applicable Proceeds attributable to any given Asset Sale (provided that such investment shall be made no earlier than the earliest of notice to the Trustee of the relevant Asset Sale, execution of a definitive agreement for the relevant Asset Sale, and consummation of the relevant Asset Sale) and deem the amount so invested to be applied pursuant to and in accordance with clause (3) above with respect to such Asset Sale.
If, with respect to any Asset Sale, at the expiration of the 450-day period with respect to such Asset Sale, there remains Applicable Proceeds in excess of the greater of $250.0 million and 1.0% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (such amount of Applicable Proceeds that are equal to the greater of $250.0 million and 1.0% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, “Excess Proceeds”), the Company shall make an offer to all Holders (an “Asset Sale Offer”) and all holders of other Indebtedness that is of equal priority with the Notes containing provisions requiring offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other Indebtedness of equal priority that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company may make an Asset Sale Offer at any time within 450 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, and/or prior to an Asset Sale (subject to the occurrence of an Asset Sale), or with respect to any Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer shall be payable in cash and equal to 100.0% of the principal amount of the subject Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to the date of purchase. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and such other Indebtedness of equal priority tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes (on as nearly a pro rata basis as possible among the Notes subject to DTC procedures) and such other Indebtedness of equal priority to be purchased on a pro rata basis.
If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer (such remaining Excess Proceeds, “Declined Excess Proceeds”), then the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof may use such Declined Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Supplemental Indenture. Upon completion of any Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Applicable Proceeds and Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.
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In the event that the Company shall be required to commence an offer to Holders to purchase Notes pursuant to this Section 4.11, it shall follow the procedures specified in Section 3.09.
Section 4.12 [Reserved].
Section 4.13 Transactions with Affiliates.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with any Affiliate (each, an “Affiliate Transaction”), unless:
(1) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms, taken as a whole, that are no less favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person; and
(2) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration given or received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary in excess of $250.0 million, the Company delivers to the Trustee a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company or Charter set forth in an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with this Section 4.13 and that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the members of such Board of Directors.
The following items shall not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, shall not be subject to the provisions of the prior paragraph:
(1) any existing employment agreement entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and any employment agreement entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(2) transactions between or among the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(3) payment of reasonable directors fees to Persons who are not otherwise Affiliates of the Company and customary indemnification and insurance arrangements in favor of directors and officers, regardless of affiliation with the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(4) payment of Management Fees;
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(5) Restricted Payments that are permitted by Section 4.07 and Restricted Investments that are permitted by Section 4.08;
(6) Permitted Investments;
(7) transactions pursuant to, and the performance of, agreements existing on the Issue Date, as in effect on the Issue Date, or as subsequently modified, supplemented, or amended, to the extent that any such modifications, supplements or amendments complied with the applicable provisions of the first paragraph of this Section 4.13;
(8) the assignment and assumption of contracts (which contracts are entered into prior to the Issue Date on an arms-length basis in the ordinary course of business of the relevant Parent), reasonably related to the business of the Company and the assignment and assumption of which would not result in the incurrence of any Indebtedness by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary by a Parent;
(9) transactions with a Person that is an Affiliate solely as a result of the fact that the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary controls or otherwise owns Equity Interests of such Person;
(10) equity contributions in, and the issuance of Equity Interests of, the Company;
(11) any (x) purchases of any class of Indebtedness from, or lending of any class of Indebtedness to, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries so long as the amount of Indebtedness of such class purchased or loaned by such Affiliates does not exceed 25% of the applicable class of Indebtedness offered to non-Affiliate investors generally and (y) repurchases, redemptions or other retirements for value by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness of any class held by any Affiliate of the Company so long as such repurchase, redemption or other retirement for value is on the same terms as are made available to investors holding such class of Indebtedness generally and Affiliates hold no more than 25% of such class of Indebtedness; and
(12) any loans that satisfy Section 4.13(1) that are not otherwise prohibited under this Indenture.
For the avoidance of doubt and to the extent not considered either a Restricted Payment, a Permitted Investment or a Restricted Investment otherwise permitted by Section 4.07 or Section 4.08, as applicable, of this Indenture, CCO may designate pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate, consideration, or portion thereof, paid to an Affiliate in any Affiliate Transaction as a Restricted Payment (and in such case such consideration, or portion thereof, shall constitute a Restricted Payment for all purposes of this Indenture). In such case, (i) the transaction associated with such consideration, or portion of such transaction associated with the consideration, so designated shall not constitute an Affiliate Transaction and (ii) the consideration received by CCO or any Restricted Subsidiary directly associated with the consideration designated as a Restricted Payment shall be deemed to be Capital Stock Sale Proceeds in an amount not greater than the amount of consideration designated as a Restricted Payment.
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Section 4.14 Liens.
The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, create, incur or assume any Lien of any kind securing Indebtedness on any asset of the Company, whether owned on the Issue Date or thereafter acquired, except Permitted Liens.
Section 4.15 Existence.
Subject to, and as permitted under, Article 5, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its limited liability company existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each of its Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any such Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve or keep the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Subsidiaries (other than Capital Corp if the other Issuer is not then a corporation), if the Company shall determine that the preservation or keeping thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
Section 4.16 Repurchase at the Option of Holders upon a Change of Control Triggering Event. If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs, each Holder shall have the right to require the Issuers to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder’s Notes pursuant to a “Change of Control Offer.” In the Change of Control Offer, the Issuers shall offer a “Change of Control Payment” in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, thereon to the date of purchase.
Within ten days following any Change of Control Triggering Event, the Issuers shall transmit a notice to each Holder (with a copy to the Trustee) describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event and stating:
(1) the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall not exceed 30 Business Days from the date such notice is mailed (the “Change of Control Payment Date”);
(2) that any Note not tendered shall continue to accrue interest;
(3) that, unless the Issuers default in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date;
(4) that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer shall be required to surrender the Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Notes completed, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;
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(5) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the second Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of Notes delivered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have the Notes purchased; and
(6) that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, which unpurchased portion must be equal to $2,000 in principal amount or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.
To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.16, the Issuers’ compliance with such laws and regulations shall not in and of itself cause a breach of their obligations under this Section 4.16.
On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuers shall, to the extent lawful:
(1) accept for payment all Notes or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;
(2) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions thereof so tendered; and
(3) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes so accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions thereof being purchased by the Issuers.
The Paying Agent shall promptly transmit to each Holder of Notes so tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each such new Note shall be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Issuers shall publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.
The provisions described above that require the Issuers to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control Triggering Event shall be applicable regardless of whether or not any other provisions in this Supplemental Indenture are applicable. Except as described above with respect to a Change of Control Triggering Event, this Supplemental Indenture does not contain provisions that permit Holders to require that the Issuers repurchase or redeem the Notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction.
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Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.16, the Issuers shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control Triggering Event if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Supplemental Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuers and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.
In the event that Holders of not less than 90% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes accept a Change of Control Offer and the Issuers purchase all of the Notes held by such Holders, the Issuers will have the right, upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following the purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer described above, to redeem all of the Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price equal to the Change of Control Payment plus, to the extent not included in the Change of Control Payment, accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes that remain outstanding, to, but not including, the date of redemption (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date).
Section 4.17 Limitation on Issuances of Guarantees of Indebtedness.
The Company shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to Guarantee any other Indebtedness of the Company except in respect of the Credit Facilities of the Company (the “Guaranteed Indebtedness”) unless:
(1) such Restricted Subsidiary simultaneously executes and delivers a supplemental indenture providing for the Guarantee (a “Subsidiary Guarantee”) of the payment of the Notes by such Restricted Subsidiary; and
(2) until all the Notes have been satisfied in full, such Restricted Subsidiary waives and will not in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any rights of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation or any other rights against the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary thereof as a result of any payment by such Restricted Subsidiary under its Subsidiary Guarantee;
provided that this paragraph shall not be applicable to any Guarantee or any Restricted Subsidiary that existed at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary and was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary.
If the Guaranteed Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes, then the Guarantee of such Guaranteed Indebtedness shall be subordinated to the Subsidiary Guarantee at least to the extent that the Guaranteed Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes.
If any Guarantor is released from its obligations on Guaranteed Indebtedness it shall be automatically released from its obligation with respect to its Guarantee of the Notes hereunder.
Section 4.18 Special Interest Notice.
In the event the Issuers are required to pay Special Interest, the Issuers shall provide written notice to the Trustee of the Issuers’ obligation to pay Special Interest no later than 15 days prior to the next interest payment date, which notice shall set forth the amount of the Special Interest to be paid by the Issuers on such payment date. The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holders to determine whether the Special Interest is payable or the amount thereof.
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Section 4.19 Termination of Covenants.
When the Notes (a) have Investment Grade Ratings from two of the Rating Agencies and (b) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall thereafter not be subject to the provisions of Sections 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.13, 4.16, 4.17 and clause (D) of the first paragraph of Section 5.01. The Issuers shall give written notice to the Trustee of the satisfaction of conditions (a) and (b) of this Section 4.19.
Article 5
SUCCESSORS
With respect to the Notes only, each Issuer hereby agrees to expressly subject itself to the provisions of Article 5 of the Base Indenture and Section 5.01 of the Base Indenture is hereby replaced with the following:
Section 5.01 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets.
Neither Issuer may, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets, in one or more related transactions, to another Person; unless:
(a) either:
(i) such Issuer is the surviving Person; or
(ii) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; provided that if the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger with such Issuer is a limited liability company or a Person other than a corporation, a corporate co-issuer shall also be an obligor with respect to the Notes;
(b) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Issuer) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made assumes all the obligations of such Issuer under the Notes and this Supplemental Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;
(c) immediately after such transaction no Default or Event of Default exists; and
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(d) such Issuer or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Issuer) will, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the most recently ended fiscal quarter,
(x) be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Leverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of Section 4.10; or
(y) have a Leverage Ratio immediately after giving effect to such consolidation or merger no greater than the Leverage Ratio immediately prior to such consolidation or merger.
In addition, the Company may not, directly or indirectly, lease all or substantially all of its assets, in one or more related transactions, to any other Person. This Section 5.01 shall not apply to a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets between or among any of the Company’s Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries.
Article 6
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
With respect to the Notes only, each Issuer hereby agrees (a) to expressly subject itself to the provisions of Article 6 of the Base Indenture, (b) that clauses (5) and (6) below shall amend and replace the equivalent provisions in the Base Indenture; and (c) the paragraphs after clause (6) below shall be added to the end of Section 6.01 of the Base Indenture:
| (5) | default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries) whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the Issue Date, if that default: |
| (a) | is caused by a failure to pay at final stated maturity the principal amount on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a “Payment Default”); or |
| (b) | results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity; |
and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default (measured at the time of the Payment Default) or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates the greater of (i) $1,500 million and (ii) 0.675% of Total Assets;
| (6) | failure by the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries to pay final judgments (measured when such judgment is rendered) which are non-appealable aggregating in excess of the greater of (i) $1,500 million and (ii) 0.675% of Total Assets, net of applicable insurance which has not been denied in writing by the insurer, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days; |
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Any notice of Default, notice of acceleration or instruction to the Trustee to provide a notice of Default, notice of acceleration or take any other action (a “Noteholder Direction”) provided by any one or more Holders (each, a “Directing Holder”) must be accompanied by a written representation from each such Holder to the Issuers and the Trustee that such Holder represents that it is not (or, in the case such Holder is DTC or its nominee, that such Holder is being instructed solely by Beneficial Owners that are not) Net Short (a “Position Representation”), which representation, in the case of a Noteholder Direction relating to a notice of Default (a “Default Direction”), shall be deemed repeated at all times until the resulting Event of Default is cured or otherwise ceases to exist or the Notes are accelerated. In addition, each Directing Holder must, at the time of providing a Noteholder Direction, covenant to provide the Issuers with such other information as the Issuers may reasonably request from time to time in order to verify the accuracy of such Directing Holder’s Position Representation within five Business Days of request therefor (a “Verification Covenant”). In any case in which the Holder is DTC or its nominee, any Position Representation or Verification Covenant required hereunder shall be provided by the Beneficial Owner of the Notes in lieu of DTC or its nominee, and DTC shall be entitled to rely on such Position Representation and Verification Covenant in delivering its direction to the Trustee.
If, following the delivery of a Noteholder Direction, but prior to acceleration of the Notes, the Issuers determine in good faith that there is a reasonable basis to believe a Directing Holder was, at any relevant time, in breach of its Position Representation and provide to the Trustee evidence that the Issuers have initiated litigation in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking a determination that such Directing Holder was, at such time, in breach of its Position Representation, and seeking to invalidate any Event of Default that resulted from the applicable Noteholder Direction, the cure period with respect to such Default shall be automatically stayed and the cure period with respect to such Event of Default shall be automatically reinstituted and any remedy stayed pending a final and non-appealable determination of a court of competent jurisdiction on such matter. If, following the delivery of a Noteholder Direction, but prior to acceleration of the Notes, the Issuers provide to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that a Directing Holder failed to satisfy its Verification Covenant, the cure period with respect to such Default shall be automatically stayed and the cure period with respect to any Event of Default that resulted from the applicable Noteholder Direction shall be automatically reinstituted and any remedy stayed until such time as the Issuers provide the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate that the Verification Covenant has been satisfied; provided that the Issuers shall promptly deliver such Officers’ Certificate to the Trustee upon becoming aware that the Verification Covenant has been satisfied. Any breach of the Position Representation (as evidenced by the delivery to the Trustee of the Officers’ Certificate stating that a Directing Holder failed to satisfy its Verification Covenant) shall result in such Holder’s participation in such Noteholder Direction being disregarded; and if, without the participation of such Holder, the percentage of Notes held by the remaining Holders that provided such Noteholder Direction would have been insufficient to validly provide such Noteholder Direction, such Noteholder Direction shall be void ab initio, with the effect that such Event of Default shall be deemed never to have occurred, acceleration voided and the Trustee shall be deemed not to have received such Noteholder Direction or any notice of such Default or Event of Default.
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Notwithstanding anything in the preceding two paragraphs to the contrary, any Noteholder Direction delivered to the Trustee during the pendency of an Event of Default as the result of a bankruptcy or similar direction shall not require compliance with the foregoing paragraphs.
The Trustee shall have no obligation to monitor or determine whether a Holder is Net Short and can rely conclusively on the Officers’ Certificates delivered by the Issuers and determinations made by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Article 7
TRUSTEE
With respect to the Notes only, Article 7 of the Base Indenture is hereby replaced with the following:
Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee.(1) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Supplemental Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.
(2) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(a) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Supplemental Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Supplemental Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Supplemental Indenture against the Trustee; and
(b) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions required to be furnished to the Trustee hereunder and conforming to the requirements of this Supplemental Indenture. However, in the case of certificates or opinions specifically required by any provision hereof to be furnished to it, the Trustee shall examine such certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Supplemental Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).
(3) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own gross negligent action, its own gross negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(a) this paragraph (3) does not limit the effect of paragraph (2) of this Section 7.01;
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(b) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was grossly negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(c) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 of the Base Indenture.
(4) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Supplemental Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of this Section 7.01.
(5) No provision of this Supplemental Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Supplemental Indenture at the request of any Holders, unless such Holder shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense.
(6) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuers. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
(7) The 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 or other paper or documents.
Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee.
(1) The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any document (whether in its original or facsimile form) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
(2) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel of its own selection and the written advice or opinion of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
(3) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.
(4) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Supplemental Indenture.
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(5) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Supplemental Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Issuers shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Issuers.
(6) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Supplemental Indenture at the request or direction of any of Holder unless such Holder shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
(7) The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless either (a) a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have actual knowledge of such Default or Event of Default or (b) written notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have been given to and received at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee by the Issuers or any Holder and such notice references the Notes and this Supplemental Indenture.
(8) The 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 Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuers, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Issuers and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.
(9) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
(10) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.
(11) The Trustee may request that the Issuers deliver certificates setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture.
Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee.
The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuers or any Affiliate of the Issuers with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest, it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days and apply to the SEC for permission to continue as trustee or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Section 7.10.
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Section 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer.
The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Supplemental Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Issuers’ use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Issuers or upon the Issuers’ direction under any provision of this Supplemental Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.
Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults.
If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall deliver to Holders a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after the Trustee acquires knowledge thereof. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Holders.
Section 7.06 [Reserved].
Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity.
The Issuers shall pay to the Trustee from time to time compensation as agreed upon in writing for its acceptance of this Supplemental Indenture and services hereunder. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuers shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.
The Issuers shall, jointly and severally, indemnify the Trustee and any predecessor trustee against any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Supplemental Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Supplemental Indenture against the Issuers (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Issuers or any Holder or any other person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, damage, claim, liability or expense determined to have been caused by its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Trustee shall notify the Issuers promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity of which a Responsible Officer has received written notice. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuers shall not relieve the Issuers of their obligations hereunder. The Issuers shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Issuers shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Issuers need not pay for any settlement made without their consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
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The obligations of the Issuers in this Section 7.07 shall survive resignation or removal of the Trustee and the satisfaction, discharge or termination of this Supplemental Indenture.
To secure the Issuers’ payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except such money or property held in trust by the Trustee to pay the principal of and interest on any Notes. Such Lien shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the satisfaction and discharge of this Supplemental Indenture.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.01(7) or (8) of the Base Indenture occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
Section 7.08 Replacement of the Trustee.
A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.
The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Issuers. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Issuers in writing. The Issuers may remove the Trustee if:
(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;
(b) the Trustee is adjudged as bankrupt or as insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;
(c) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
(d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.
If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuers shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuers.
If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Issuers or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition at the expense of the Issuers any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
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If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuers. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Supplemental Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuers’ obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc. If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.
Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.
There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $100.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.
Article 8
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
With respect to the Notes only, clause (a) of Section 8.02 of the Base Indenture is hereby replaced with the following:
Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge
(a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest and Special Interest, if any, on the Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to below;
With respect to the Notes only, Section 8.03 of the Base Indenture is hereby replaced with the following:
Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance.
Upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 of the Base Indenture of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Issuers shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 of the Base Indenture, be released from their obligations under the covenants contained in Article 5 and Sections 4.03, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.13, 4.14, 4.16, 4.17 and 4.19 with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 of the Base Indenture are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes, the Issuers may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Supplemental Indenture and such Notes shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 of the Base Indenture of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04, Sections 6.01(3) through 6.01(6) of the Base Indenture shall not constitute Events of Default.
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Article 9
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
With respect to the Notes only, each Issuer hereby agrees to expressly subject itself to the provisions of Article 9 of the Base Indenture and clauses (3), (9) and (10) of Section 9.01 of the Base Indenture are hereby replaced with the following:
Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders of Notes.
(3) provide for or confirm the issuance of Additional Notes or the Exchange Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement;
(9) change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there are no outstanding Notes of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision and as to which such supplemental indenture would apply;
(10) evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to one or more series of Notes and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary for or to facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee; and
With respect to the Notes only, the following is hereby included as clause (11) of Section 9.01 of the Base Indenture:
(11) make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture or the Notes to eliminate the effect of any Accounting Change or in the application thereof as described in the last paragraph of the definition of “GAAP.”
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With respect to the Notes only, clauses (2) and (7) of Section 9.02 of the Base Indenture are hereby replaced with the following:
Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders of Notes.
(2) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note or alter the payment provisions with respect to the redemption of the Notes (other than a payment required by Section 3.09, Section 4.11, or Section 4.16 of this Supplemental Indenture), provided that the provisions regarding the notice and timing thereof may be amended with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes;
(7) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Note (other than a payment required by Section 3.09, Section 4.11, or Section 4.16 of this Supplemental Indenture); or
Article 12
MISCELLANEOUS
With respect to the Notes only, the last paragraph of Section 12.02 of the Base Indenture is hereby replaced with the following:
The Trustee shall have the right to accept and act upon instructions, including funds transfer instructions (“Instructions”) given pursuant to this Indenture and delivered using Electronic Means; provided, however, that the Issuers shall provide to the Trustee an incumbency certificate listing persons with the authority to provide such Instructions (“Authorized Persons”) and containing specimen signatures of such Authorized Persons, which incumbency certificate shall be amended by the Issuers whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Issuers elect to give the Trustee Instructions using Electronic Means and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such Instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such Instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Issuers understand and agree that the Trustee cannot determine the identity of the actual sender of such Instructions and that the Trustee shall conclusively presume that directions that purport to have been sent by an Authorized Person listed on the incumbency certificate provided to the Trustee have been sent by such Authorized Person. The Issuers shall be responsible for ensuring that only Authorized Person transmit such Instructions to the Trustee and that the Issuers and all Authorized Person are solely responsible to safeguard the use and confidentiality of applicable user and authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys upon receipt by the Issuers. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such Instructions notwithstanding such directions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The Issuers agree: (i) to assume all risks arising out of the use of Electronic Means to submit Instructions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized Instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties and (ii) that it is fully informed of the protections and risks associated with the various methods of transmitting Instructions to the Trustee and that there may be more secure methods of transmitting Instructions than the method(s) selected by the Issuers.
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With respect to the Notes only, Section 12.13 of the Base Indenture is hereby replaced with the following:
Section 12.13 Table of Contents, Headings, etc.
The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Supplemental Indenture and the Base Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Supplemental Indenture or the Base Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions. Unless otherwise expressly specified, references in this Supplemental Indenture to specific Articles, Sections or clauses refer to Articles, Sections and clauses contained in this Supplemental Indenture, unless such Article, Section or clause is incorporated herein by reference to the Base Indenture or no such Article, Section or clause appears in this Supplemental Indenture, in which case such references refer to the applicable section of the Base Indenture.
With respect to the Notes only, the following Sections 12.17 and 12.18 are hereby added to Article 12 of the Base Indenture:
Section 12.17 Supplemental Indenture Controls.
In case any provision of this Supplemental Indenture conflicts with any provision of the Base Indenture, the provisions of this Supplemental Indenture shall govern and be controlling, solely with respect to the Notes (and any Subsidiary Guarantees endorsed thereon).
Section 12.18 Submission to Jurisdiction.
The parties irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the parties irrevocably waive and agree not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, any claim that it is not subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
Article 13
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 13.01 Satisfaction and Discharge of Supplemental Indenture
This Supplemental Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Notes herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuers, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Supplemental Indenture, when
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(1) either
(a) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Notes which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.07 and (ii) Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Issuers and thereafter repaid to the Issuers or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(b) all such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation
(i) have become due and payable; or
(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or
(iii) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuers,
and the Issuers, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest (including Special Interest, if any) to the date of such deposit (in the case of Notes which have become due and payable) or to the maturity or redemption thereof, as the case may be;
(2) the Issuers have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuers; and
(3) the Issuers have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Supplemental Indenture have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Supplemental Indenture pursuant to this Article 13, the obligations of the Issuers to the Trustee under Section 7.07, and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section 13.01, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 13.02 shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.
Section 13.02 Application of Trust Money.
All money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 13.01 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Supplemental Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest (including Special Interest, if any) for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee.
[Signatures on following page]
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| Dated as of February 13, 2023 | ||
| CCO HOLDINGS, LLC, as an Issuer | ||
| By: | /s/ Scott A. Schwartz | |
| Name: Scott A. Schwartz | ||
| Title: Group Vice President, Corporate | ||
| Finance and Treasurer | ||
| CCO HOLDINGS CAPITAL CORP., as an Issuer | ||
| By: | /s/ Scott A. Schwartz | |
| Name: Scott A. Schwartz | ||
| Title: Group Vice President, Corporate | ||
| Finance and Treasurer | ||
[Signature Page to Tenth Supplemental Indenture]
| THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee | ||
| By: | /s/ J’olika Botethi | |
| Name: J’olika Botethi | ||
| Title: Vice President | ||
[Signature Page to Tenth Supplemental Indenture]
EXHIBIT A
[THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUERS. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10004) (“DTC”), TO EACH ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.] 1
1 Include Global Note Legend, if applicable.
A-1
[THE NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) EVIDENCED HEREBY WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THE NOTES EVIDENCED HEREBY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THE NOTES EVIDENCED HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUERS THAT (A) SUCH SECURITY MAY BE RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED ONLY (I) (A) TO A PERSON WHO IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (B) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (D) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE ISSUERS SO REQUEST), (II) TO THE ISSUERS OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SUBSIDIARIES, OR (III) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND, IN EACH CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER FROM IT OF THE NOTES EVIDENCED HEREBY OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN CLAUSE (A) ABOVE. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 FOR RESALE OF THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY.]2
[THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.]3
2 Include Private Placement Legend, if applicable.
3 Include Regulation S Legend, if applicable.
A-2
[Face of Note]
CUSIP NO. [ ]
7.375% Senior Notes due 2031
No. [ ]
$[ ]
CCO Holdings, LLC and CCO Holdings Capital Corp.
promise to pay to [ ] or to registered assigns the principal amount of [ ] DOLLARS on March 1, 2031
Interest Payment Dates: March 1 and September 1
Record Dates: February 15 and August 15
Subject to Restrictions set forth in this Note.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of CCO Holdings, LLC and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
Dated: [ ]
| CCO HOLDINGS, LLC | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: |
| CCO HOLDINGS CAPITAL CORP. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[Signature Page to Global Note]
| This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Supplemental Indenture: |
||
| THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee |
||
| By: | ||
| Authorized Signatory | ||
| Dated: [ ] | ||
[Signature Page to Global Note]
[Back of Note]
7.375% Senior Note due 2031
Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Supplemental Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.
1. INTEREST. Each of CCO Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and CCO Holdings Capital Corp., a Delaware corporation, promise to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at the rate of 7.375% per annum from the Issue Date until maturity. The interest rate on the Notes is subject to increase pursuant to the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement. The Issuers will pay interest semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided, further, that the first Interest Payment Date shall be September 1, 2023. The Issuers shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a rate that is 1.00% per annum in excess of the rate then in effect; they shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Issuers shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders at the close of business on February 15 or August 15 next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Supplemental Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Issuers maintained for such purpose within or without the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Issuers, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, and provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of and interest and premium on all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Issuers or the Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
3. PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., the Trustee under the Supplemental Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Issuers may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.
4. INDENTURE. The Issuers issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of May 23, 2019 (the “Base Indenture”), among the Issuers and the Trustee, as supplemented by the Tenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 13, 2023 (the “Supplemental Indenture”), among the Issuers and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Supplemental Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Supplemental Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Supplemental Indenture, the provisions of the Supplemental Indenture shall govern and be controlling.
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5. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.
(a) On or after March 1, 2026, the Issuers shall have the option to redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, thereon to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve month period beginning on March 1 of the years indicated below:
| Year | Percentage | |||
| 2026 | 103.688 | % | ||
| 2027 | 101.844 | % | ||
| 2028 and thereafter | 100.000 | % | ||
(b) At any time prior to March 1, 2026, the Issuers may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (including the principal amount of any Additional Notes), at a redemption price of 107.375% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that:
(1) at least 50% of the original aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under the Supplemental Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption, unless all such Notes are redeemed substantially concurrently; and
(2) the redemption must occur within 180 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.
(c) At any time and from time to time prior to March 1, 2026, the Issuers may redeem outstanding Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, on such Notes to the redemption date plus the Make-Whole Premium.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with any tender offer for the Notes, including a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, if Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes validly tender and do not withdraw such Notes in such tender offer and the Issuers, or any third party making a such tender offer in lieu of the Issuers, purchases all of the Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn by such Holders, the Issuers or such third party will have the right upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following such purchase date, to redeem all Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price equal to the price offered to each other Holder in such tender offer plus, to the extent not included in the tender offer payment, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to, but not including, the date of such redemption.
A-7
6. MANDATORY REDEMPTION. Except as otherwise provided in Paragraph 7 below, the Issuers shall not be required to make mandatory redemption payments with respect to the Notes.
7. REPURCHASE AT OPTION OF HOLDER.
(a) If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs, the Issuers shall make an offer to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of each Holder’s Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the date of purchase. Within 10 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event, the Issuers shall transmit a notice to each Holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and offering to repurchase Notes on the Change of Control Payment Date specified in such notice, pursuant to the procedures required by the Supplemental Indenture and described in such notice.
(b) If, with respect to any Asset Sale, at the expiration of the 450-day period with respect to such Asset Sale, there remain Applicable Proceeds in excess of the greater of $250.0 million and 1.0% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (such amount of Applicable Proceeds that are equal to the greater of $250.0 million and 1.0% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, “Excess Proceeds”), the Company shall make an offer pursuant to Section 4.11 of the Supplemental Indenture to all Holders (an “Asset Sale Offer”) and all holders of other Indebtedness that is of equal priority with the Notes containing provisions requiring offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other Indebtedness of equal priority that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company may make an Asset Sale Offer at any time within 450 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, and/or prior to an Asset Sale (subject to the occurrence of an Asset Sale), or with respect to any Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be payable in cash and equal to 100% of principal amount of the subject Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to the date of the purchase. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and such other Indebtedness of equal priority tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Notes and such other Indebtedness of equal priority to be purchased shall be selected in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary. If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer (such remaining Excess Proceeds, “Declined Excess Proceeds”), then the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof may use such Declined Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by the Supplemental Indenture. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Applicable Proceeds and Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero. Holders of Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Issuers prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse side of the Notes.
8. [Reserved].
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9. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Supplemental Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, and the Issuers may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Supplemental Indenture. The Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Issuers need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.
10. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.
11. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. Subject to certain exceptions, the Supplemental Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes). Any existing Default or compliance with any provision of the Supplemental Indenture or the Notes (other than any provision relating to the right of any Holder to bring suit for the enforcement of any payment of principal, premium, if any, any interest on the Note, on or after the scheduled due dates expressed herein) may be waived, including by way of amendment, with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes). Without the consent of any Holder of a Note, the Issuers and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Supplemental Indenture or the Notes (i) to cure any ambiguity, mistake, defect or inconsistency, (ii) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, (iii) to provide for or confirm the issuance of Additional Notes, (iv) to provide for the assumption of the Issuers’ obligations to Holders in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the Issuers’ assets, (v) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Supplemental Indenture of any such Holder, (vi) to provide for the issuance of Exchange Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or to comply with the requirements of the SEC as necessary to comply with applicable law, (vii) to conform the Supplemental Indenture or the Notes to the “Description of Notes” section of the Offering Memorandum, or (viii) to make any amendment to the provisions of the Supplemental Indenture or the Notes to eliminate the effect of any Accounting Change or in the application thereof as described in the last paragraph of the definition of “GAAP.”
12. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. Each of the following is an Event of Default: (i) default for 30 consecutive days in the payment when due of interest on the Notes, (ii) default in payment when due of the principal of or premium, if any, on the Notes, (iii) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with Section 5.01 of the Supplemental Indenture, (iv) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 30 consecutive days after written notice thereof has been given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 30% of the principal amount of the Notes outstanding to comply with any of their other covenants or agreements in the Supplemental Indenture, (v) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the date of the Supplemental Indenture, if that default: (a) is caused by a failure to pay at final stated maturity the principal amount of such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a “Payment Default”); or (b) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity; and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default (measured at the time of the Payment Default) or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates the greater of (1) $1,500 million and (2) 0.675% of Total Assets, (vi) failure by the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries to pay final judgments (measured when such judgment is rendered) which are non-appealable aggregating in excess of the greater of (1) $1,500 million and (2) 0.675% of Total Assets, net of applicable insurance which has not been denied in writing by the insurer, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days or (vii) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries as set forth in the Supplemental Indenture.
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However, a Default under clause (iii), (iv), (v) or (vi) of the previous paragraph will not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the Holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes notify the Issuers of the Default and, with respect to clauses (iv) and (vi), the Issuers do not cure such Default within the time specified in clause (iv) or (vi) of this paragraph after receipt of such notice; provided that a notice of Default may not be given with respect to any action taken, and reported publicly or to Holders, more than two years prior to such notice of Default.
In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Issuers or the Holders of at least 30% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Issuers and the Trustee may declare all the Notes to be due and payable.
Any Noteholder Direction provided by any one or more Directing Holders must be accompanied by a Position Representation, which representation, in the case of a Default Direction shall be deemed repeated at all times until the resulting Event of Default is cured or otherwise ceases to exist or the Notes are accelerated. In addition, each Directing Holder must, at the time of providing a Noteholder Direction, make a Verification Covenant. In any case in which the Holder is DTC or its nominee, any Position Representation or Verification Covenant required hereunder shall be provided by the Beneficial Owner of the Notes in lieu of DTC or its nominee, and DTC shall be entitled to rely on such Position Representation and Verification Covenant in delivering its direction to the Trustee.
If, following the delivery of a Noteholder Direction, but prior to acceleration of the Notes, the Issuers determine in good faith that there is a reasonable basis to believe a Directing Holder was, at any relevant time, in breach of its Position Representation and provide to the Trustee evidence that the Issuers have initiated litigation in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking a determination that such Directing Holder was, at such time, in breach of its Position Representation, and seeking to invalidate any Event of Default that resulted from the applicable Noteholder Direction, the cure period with respect to such Default shall be automatically stayed and the cure period with respect to such Event of Default shall be automatically reinstituted and any remedy stayed pending a final and non-appealable determination of a court of competent jurisdiction on such matter. If, following the delivery of a Noteholder Direction, but prior to acceleration of the Notes, the Issuers provide to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that a Directing Holder failed to satisfy its Verification Covenant, the cure period with respect to such Default shall be automatically stayed and the cure period with respect to any Event of Default that resulted from the applicable Noteholder Direction shall be automatically reinstituted and any remedy stayed until such time as the Issuers provide the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate that the Verification Covenant has been satisfied; provided that the Issuers shall promptly deliver such Officers’ Certificate to the Trustee upon becoming aware that the Verification Covenant has been satisfied. Any breach of the Position Representation (as evidenced by the delivery to the Trustee of the Officers’ Certificate stating that a Directing Holder failed to satisfy its Verification Covenant) shall result in such Holder’s participation in such Noteholder Direction being disregarded; and if, without the participation of such Holder, the percentage of Notes held by the remaining Holders that provided such Noteholder Direction would have been insufficient to validly provide such Noteholder Direction, such Noteholder Direction shall be void ab initio, with the effect that such Event of Default shall be deemed never to have occurred, acceleration voided and the Trustee shall be deemed not to have received such Noteholder Direction or any notice of such Default or Event of Default.
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Notwithstanding anything in the preceding two paragraphs to the contrary, any Noteholder Direction delivered to the Trustee during the pendency of an Event of Default as the result of a bankruptcy or similar direction shall not require compliance with the foregoing paragraphs.
Holders may not enforce the Supplemental Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Supplemental Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power with respect to matters relating to the Notes. The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest.
The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Supplemental Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest on, or the principal of, the Notes. Any time period in the Base Indenture or the Supplemental Indenture to cure any actual or alleged Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes may be extended or stayed by a court of competent jurisdiction to the extent such actual or alleged Default or Event of Default is the subject of litigation.
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The Issuers are required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Supplemental Indenture and the Base Indenture. Upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, the Issuers are required to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take with respect thereto.
13. TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH ISSUERS. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for any Issuer or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with any Issuer or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.
14. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. A director, officer, employee, incorporator, member or stockholder of the Issuers, as such, shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers under the Notes or the Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.
15. GOVERNING LAW. THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS NOTE AND THE SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THE HOLDERS AGREE TO SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS NOTE.
16. AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual or electronic signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.
17. ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).
18. ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES AND RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Supplemental Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.
19. CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuers have caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
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The Issuers will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Supplemental Indenture, the Base Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement, as applicable. Requests may be made to the Issuers:
400 Washington Blvd.
Stamford, Connecticut 06902
Attention: Corporate Secretary
Telecopier No.: (314) 965-6440
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ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Note, fill in the form below:
(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:
_____________________________________
(Insert assignee’s legal name)
______________________________________________________________________
(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)
and irrevocably appoint ________________________________________________ to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuers. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
Date:______________________________
Your Signature:_____________________________________________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
Signature Guarantee*:________________________________________________
* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).
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OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.11 or 4.16 of the Supplemental Indenture, check the appropriate box below:
¨ Section 4.11 ¨ Section 4.16
If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 4.11 or Section 4.16 of the Supplemental Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:
$ _______________________
Date:____________________
Your Signature:_____________________________________________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
Tax Identification No.: _______________________________________________
Signature Guarantee*: _______________________________________________
* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).
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SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE*
The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:
Date of Exchange |
Amount
of |
Amount
of |
Principal
Amount |
Signature
of |
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EXHIBIT B
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
CCO Holdings, LLC
CCO Holdings Capital Corp.
400 Washington Blvd.
Stamford, Connecticut 06902
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
2 North LaSalle Street, Suite 700
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Facsimile No.: (312) 827-8542
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
| Re: | CCO Holdings, LLC and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. ¨ 7.375% Senior Notes due 2031 (CUSIP [ ]) (the “Notes”) |
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of May 23, 2019, among CCO Holdings, LLC (“CCO Holdings”), CCO Holdings Capital Corp. (together with CCO Holdings, the “Issuers”), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, as supplemented by the Tenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 13, 2023 (the “Supplemental Indenture”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Supplemental Indenture.
___________________ (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $_____________________________ in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to ___________________________ (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:
[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]
¨ 1. Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note or a Definitive Note Pursuant to Rule 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believed and believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Supplemental Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Rule 144A Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Supplemental Indenture and the Securities Act.
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¨ 2. Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note or a Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act and (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Supplemental Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Supplemental Indenture and the Securities Act. If the Transfer of the beneficial interest occurs prior to the expiration of the 40-day distribution compliance period set forth in Regulation S, the transferred beneficial interest will be held immediately thereafter through Euroclear or Clearstream.
¨ 3. Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in a Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):
¨ (i) such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or
¨ (ii) such Transfer is being effected to the Issuers or a subsidiary thereof; or
¨ (iii) such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act; or
¨ (iv) such Transfer is being effected to an Institutional Accredited Investor and pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A, Rule 144 or Rule 904, and the Transferor hereby further certifies that it has not engaged in any general solicitation within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act and the Transfer complies with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note or Restricted Definitive Notes and the requirements of the exemption claimed, which certification is supported by (1) a certificate executed by the Transferee in the form of Exhibit D to the Supplemental Indenture and (2) an Opinion of Counsel provided by the Transferor or the Transferee (a copy of which the Transferor has attached to this certification), to the effect that such Transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Supplemental Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Note and/or the Definitive Notes and in the Supplemental Indenture and the Securities Act.
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¨ 4. Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note.
¨ (i) Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Supplemental Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Supplemental Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Supplemental Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Supplemental Indenture.
¨ (ii) Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Supplemental Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Supplemental Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Supplemental Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Supplemental Indenture.
¨ (iii) Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Supplemental Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Supplemental Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Supplemental Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Supplemental Indenture.
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This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuers
| [Insert Name of Transferor] | ||
| By | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| Dated: | ||
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ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
1. The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:
[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]
¨ (a) a beneficial interest in the:
¨ (i) Rule 144A Global Note (CUSIP __________), or
¨ (ii) Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP _________), or
¨ (b) a Restricted Definitive Note.
2. After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:
[CHECK ONE]
¨ (a) a beneficial interest in the:
¨ (i) Rule 144A Global Note (CUSIP __________), or
¨ (ii) Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP _________), or
¨ (iii) Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP _________); or
¨ (b) a Restricted Definitive Note; or
¨ (c) an Unrestricted Definitive Note,
in accordance with the terms of the Supplemental Indenture.
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EXHIBIT C
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE
CCO Holdings, LLC
CCO Holdings Capital Corp.
400 Washington Blvd.
Stamford, Connecticut 06902
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
2 North LaSalle Street, Suite 700
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Facsimile No.: (312) 827-8542
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
| Re: | CCO Holdings, LLC and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. ¨ 7.375% Senior Notes due 2031 (CUSIP [ ]) (the “Notes”) |
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of May 23, 2019, among CCO Holdings, LLC (“CCO Holdings”), CCO Holdings Capital Corp. (together with CCO Holdings, the “Issuers”), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, as supplemented by the Tenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 13, 2023 (the “Supplemental Indenture”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Supplemental Indenture.
__________________________ (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $____________________________ in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:
1. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note
¨ (i) Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Supplemental Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. If the Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner further certifies that it is either (x) a non-U.S. Person to whom Notes would be transferred in accordance with Regulation S or (y) a U.S. Person who purchased Notes in a transaction that did not require registration under the Securities Act.
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¨ (ii) Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Supplemental Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
¨ (iii) Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Supplemental Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. If the Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note to an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner further certifies that it is either (x) a non-U.S. Person to whom Notes could be transferred in accordance with Regulation S or (y) a U.S. Person who purchased Notes in a transaction that did not require registration under the Securities Act.
¨ (iv) Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Supplemental Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
2. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes
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¨ (i) Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Restricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. If the Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note to a Restricted Definitive Note, the Owner further certifies that it is either (x) a non-U.S. Person to whom Notes could be transferred in accordance with Regulation S or (y) a U.S. Person who purchased Notes in a transaction that did not require registration under the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Supplemental Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Supplemental Indenture and the Securities Act.
¨ (ii) Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] ¨Rule 144A Global Note or ¨ Regulation S Global Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Supplemental Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Supplemental Indenture and the Securities Act.
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This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuers.
| [Insert Name of Transferor] | ||
| By | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| Dated: | ||
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EXHIBIT D
FORM OF CERTIFICATE FROM
ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR
CCO Holdings, LLC
CCO Holdings Capital Corp.
400 Washington Blvd.
Stamford, Connecticut 06902
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
2 North LaSalle Street, Suite 700
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Facsimile No.: (312) 827-8542
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
| Re: | CCO Holdings, LLC and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. ¨ 7.375% Senior Notes due 2031 (CUSIP [ ]) (the “Notes”) |
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of May 23, 2019, among CCO Holdings, LLC (“CCO Holdings”), CCO Holdings Capital Corp. (together with CCO Holdings, the “Issuers”), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, as supplemented by the Tenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 13, 2023 (the “Supplemental Indenture”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Supplemental Indenture.
In connection with our proposed purchase of $____________ aggregate principal amount of:
(i) ¨ a beneficial interest in a Global Note, or
(ii) ¨ a Definitive Note,
we confirm that:
1. We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes or any interest therein is subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Supplemental Indenture and the undersigned agrees to be bound by, and not to resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Notes or any interest therein except in compliance with, such restrictions and conditions and the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
2. We understand that the offer and sale of the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act, and that the Notes and any interest therein may not be offered or sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting as hereinafter stated, that if we should sell the Notes or any interest therein, we will do so only (a) to the Issuers or any subsidiary thereof, (b) in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined therein), (c) to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined below) that, prior to such transfer, furnishes (or has furnished on its behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to you and to the Issuers a signed letter substantially in the form of this letter and an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuers to the effect that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, (d) outside the United States in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (e) pursuant to the provisions of Rule 144(d) under the Securities Act or (f) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, and we further agree to provide to any person purchasing the Definitive Note or beneficial interest in a Global Note from us in a transaction meeting the requirements of clauses (a) through (e) of this paragraph a notice advising such purchaser that resales thereof are restricted as stated herein.
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3. We understand that, on any proposed resale of the Notes or beneficial interest therein, we will be required to furnish to you and the Issuers such certifications, legal opinions and other information as you and the Issuers may reasonably require to confirm that the proposed sale complies with the foregoing restrictions. We further understand that the Notes purchased by us will bear a legend to the foregoing effect.
4. We are an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) and have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we and any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.
5. We are acquiring the Notes or beneficial interest therein purchased by us for our own account or for one or more accounts (each of which is an institutional “accredited investor”) as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion.
You and the Issuers are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.
| [Insert Name of Transferor] | ||
| By | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| Dated: |
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Exhibit 10.1
CCO HOLDINGS, LLC
CCO HOLDINGS CAPITAL CORP.
7.375% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2031
EXCHANGE AND REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
February 13, 2023
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC
As representative (“Representative”) of the Purchasers
c/o Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC
1585 Broadway
New York, New York 10036
Ladies and Gentlemen:
CCO Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), and CCO Holdings Capital Corp., a Delaware corporation (together with the Company, the “Issuers”), propose, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein, to issue and sell to the Purchasers (as defined herein) upon the terms set forth in the Purchase Agreement (as defined herein) $1,100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of their 7.375% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “Notes”) on February 13, 2023. In satisfaction of a condition to the obligations of the Purchasers under the Purchase Agreement, the Issuers agree with the Purchasers for the benefit of holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Registrable Securities (as defined herein) as follows:
SECTION 1. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:
“Agreement” shall mean this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.
“Base Indenture” shall mean the Indenture, dated as of May 23, 2019, among the Issuers and the Trustee.
“Base Interest” shall mean the interest that would otherwise accrue on the Notes under the terms thereof and the Indenture, without giving effect to the provisions of this Agreement.
“broker-dealer” shall mean any broker or dealer registered with the Commission under the Exchange Act.
“CCH II” means CCH II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
“Charter” shall mean Charter Communications Inc., a Delaware corporation.
“Charter Holdings” shall mean Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
“Closing Date” shall mean February 13, 2023.
“Commission” shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other federal agency at the time administering the Exchange Act or the Securities Act, whichever is the relevant statute for the particular purpose.
“Company” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the introductory paragraph hereto.
“Conduct Rules” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 3(e)(xix) hereof.
“Effective Time,” in the case of (i) an Exchange Offer Registration, shall mean the time and date as of which the Commission declares the Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective or as of which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement otherwise becomes effective and (ii) a Shelf Registration, shall mean the time and date as of which the Commission declares the Shelf Registration Statement effective or as of which the Shelf Registration Statement otherwise becomes effective.
“Electing Holder” shall mean any holder of Registrable Securities that has returned a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Issuers in accordance with Section 3(e)(ii) or 3(e)(iii) hereof.
“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or any successor thereto, and the rules, regulations and forms promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be amended from time to time.
“Exchange Date” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(a) hereof.
“Exchange Notes” shall mean the senior notes issued by the Issuers under the Indenture substantially identical in all material respects to the Notes (and entitled to the benefits of the Indenture which shall be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act), except that they have been registered pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and do not contain provisions for the additional interest contemplated in Section 2(c) hereof, to be issued to holders in exchange for Registrable Securities.
“Exchange Offer” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(a) hereof.
“Exchange Offer Registration” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 3(c) hereof.
“Exchange Offer Registration Statement” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(a) hereof.
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“Exchanging Dealer” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 6(a) hereof.
“FINRA” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 3(e)(xix) hereof.
“holder” shall mean, unless the context otherwise indicates, each of the Purchasers and other persons who acquire Registrable Securities from time to time (including, without limitation, any successors or assigns), in each case for so long as such person is a registered holder of any Registrable Securities.
“Indenture” shall mean the Base Indenture, as supplemented by the Tenth Supplemental Indenture (as defined below), as the same shall be amended or supplemented from time to time.
“Issuers” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the introductory paragraph hereto.
“Losses” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 6(d) hereof.
“Notes” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the introductory paragraph hereto and shall include any Notes issued in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof pursuant to the Indenture.
“Notice and Questionnaire” shall mean a Notice of Registration Statement and Selling Securityholder Questionnaire substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto.
“Parent Companies” shall mean, collectively, (i) Charter, (ii) Charter Holdings, (iii) Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and (iv) CCH II.
“person” shall mean a corporation, association, partnership, organization, limited liability company, business, individual, government or political subdivision thereof or governmental agency.
“Purchase Agreement” shall mean the Purchase Agreement, dated January 30, 2023, among the Representative and the Issuers, relating to the Notes.
“Purchasers” shall mean the Purchasers named in Schedule I to the Purchase Agreement.
“Registrable Securities” shall mean the Notes (and to the extent set forth in clause (i) of this definition and in Section 2(d) hereof, certain Exchange Notes); provided, however, that a Note or Exchange Note shall cease to be a Registrable Security when (i) in the circumstances contemplated by Section 2(a) hereof, such Note has been exchanged for an Exchange Note in an Exchange Offer as contemplated in Section 2(a) hereof (provided that any Exchange Note that, pursuant to the penultimate sentence of Section 2(a), is included in a prospectus for use in connection with resales by broker-dealers shall be deemed to be a Registrable Security with respect to Sections 5, 6 and 9 hereof until resale of such Registrable Security has been effected within the 180-day period referred to in Section 2(a)(y)); (ii) in the circumstances contemplated by Section 2(b) hereof, a Shelf Registration Statement registering such Note or Exchange Note under the Securities Act has been declared or becomes effective and such Note or Exchange Note has been sold or otherwise transferred by the holder thereof pursuant to and in a manner contemplated by such effective Shelf Registration Statement; (iii) such Note or Exchange Note is sold pursuant to Rule 144 under circumstances in which any legend borne by such Note or Exchange Note relating to restrictions on transferability thereof, under the Securities Act or otherwise, is removed by the Issuers pursuant to the Indenture; (iv) such Note or Exchange Note is eligible to be sold pursuant to Rule 144 by a Person that is not an “affiliate” (within the meaning of Rule 405); or (v) such Note or Exchange Note shall cease to be outstanding.
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“Registration Default” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(c) hereof.
“Registration Default Period” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(c) thereof.
“Registration Expenses” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4 hereof.
“Representative” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the addressee block hereto.
“Resale Period” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(a) hereof.
“Restricted Holder” shall mean (i) a holder that is an affiliate of the Issuers within the meaning of Rule 405, (ii) a holder who acquires Exchange Notes outside the ordinary course of such holder’s business, (iii) a holder who has arrangements or understandings with any person to participate in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing Exchange Notes and (iv) a holder that is a broker-dealer, but only with respect to Exchange Notes received by such broker-dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer in exchange for Registrable Securities acquired by the broker-dealer directly from the Issuers.
“Rule 144,” “Rule 405” and “Rule 415” shall mean, in each case, such rule promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor provision), as the same shall be amended from time to time.
“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, or any successor thereto, and the rules, regulations and forms promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be amended from time to time.
“Shelf Filing Deadline” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(b) hereof.
“Shelf Registration” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(b) hereof.
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“Shelf Registration Statement” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(b) hereof.
“Special Interest” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(c) hereof.
“Tenth Supplemental Indenture” shall mean the tenth supplemental indenture to the Base Indenture, dated as of February 13, 2023, by and among the Issuers and the Trustee, relating to the Notes.
“Transfer Restricted Notes” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(c) hereof.
“Trust Indenture Act” shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, or any successor thereto, and the rules, regulations and forms promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be amended from time to time.
“Trustee” shall mean The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee under the Indenture.
Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference herein to a “Section” or “clause” refers to a Section or clause, as the case may be, of this Agreement, and the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section or other subdivision. Any reference herein to “Notes” or “Exchange Notes” refers also to any guarantees thereof by any guarantors required to guarantee such notes pursuant to the Indenture.
SECTION 2. Registration Under the Securities Act.
(a) Except as set forth in Section 2(b) below, the Issuers agree to file under the Securities Act, as soon as practicable, a registration statement relating to an offer to exchange (such registration statement, the “Exchange Offer Registration Statement,” and such offer, the “Exchange Offer”) any and all Registrable Securities for a like aggregate principal amount of Exchange Notes. The Issuers agree to use their reasonable best efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become or be declared effective under the Securities Act as soon as practicable after the Closing Date. The Exchange Offer will be registered under the Securities Act on the appropriate form and will comply with the Exchange Act. The Issuers further agree to use their reasonable best efforts to complete the Exchange Offer not later than 450 days following the Closing Date (or if such 450th day is not a business day, the next succeeding business day) (the “Exchange Date”) and to exchange Exchange Notes for all Registrable Securities that have been properly tendered and not withdrawn on or prior to the expiration of the Exchange Offer. The Issuers shall keep the Exchange Offer open for a period of not less than the minimum period required under applicable United States federal and state securities laws to complete the Exchange Offer; provided, however, that in no event shall such period be less than 20 business days after the date notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to holders. The Exchange Offer will be deemed to have been completed only if the Exchange Notes received by holders, other than Restricted Holders, in the Exchange Offer in exchange for Registrable Securities are, upon receipt, transferable by each such holder without restriction under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and without material restrictions under the blue sky or securities laws of a substantial majority of the States of the United States of America. The Exchange Offer shall be deemed to have been completed upon the earlier to occur of (i) the Issuers having exchanged the Exchange Notes for all outstanding Registrable Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer and (ii) the Issuers having exchanged, pursuant to the Exchange Offer, Exchange Notes for all Registrable Securities that have been properly tendered and not withdrawn before the expiration of the Exchange Offer. The Issuers agree (x) to include in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement a prospectus for use in any resales by any holder of Exchange Notes that is a broker-dealer and identifies itself as such by written notice to the Issuers prior to the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and (y) to keep such Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective for a period (the “Resale Period”) beginning when Exchange Notes are first issued in the Exchange Offer and ending upon the earlier of the expiration of the 180th day after the Exchange Offer has been completed or such time as such broker-dealers no longer own any Registrable Securities. With respect to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement, such holders shall have the benefit of the rights of indemnification and contribution set forth in Sections 6(a), (c), (d) and (e) hereof.
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(b) If (i) on or prior to the time the Exchange Offer is completed existing law or Commission policy or interpretations are changed such that the Exchange Notes received by holders, other than Restricted Holders, in the Exchange Offer in exchange for Registrable Securities are not or would not be, upon receipt, transferable by each such holder without restriction under the Securities Act, (ii) the Exchange Offer has not been completed by the Exchange Date, (iii) any Purchaser so requests with respect to Registrable Securities that are not eligible to be exchanged for Exchange Notes in the Exchange Offer and that are held by it following the consummation of the Exchange Offer, or (iv) the Exchange Offer is not available to any holder (other than a Purchaser) which notifies the Issuers in writing, then, in each case, the Issuers shall, in lieu of (or, in the case of clause (iii) or (iv), in addition to) conducting the Exchange Offer contemplated by Section 2(a), file a “shelf” registration statement in accordance with the remainder of this Section 2(b) below, under the Securities Act with respect to the Notes that could not be exchanged for any reason set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) above. The Issuers shall, on or prior to 30 business days after the time such obligation to file arises, file a “shelf” registration statement providing for the registration of, and the sale on a continuous or delayed basis by the holders of, all the Registrable Securities, pursuant to Rule 415 or any similar rule that may be adopted by the Commission (such filing, the “Shelf Registration” and such registration statement, the “Shelf Registration Statement”). The Issuers agree to use their reasonable best efforts (x) to cause the Shelf Registration Statement to become or be declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the later of 450 days (or if such 450th day is not a business day, the next succeeding business day) following the Closing Date and the 90th day (or if such 90th day is not a business day, the next succeeding business day) after the date such filing obligations arises (the “Shelf Filing Deadline”) and to keep such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective for a period ending on the earlier of (i) the second anniversary of the Effective Time or (ii) such time as there are no longer any Registrable Securities outstanding; provided, however, that no holder (other than a Purchaser) shall be entitled to be named as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement or to use the prospectus forming a part thereof for resales of Registrable Securities unless such holder is an Electing Holder, and (y) after the Effective Time of the Shelf Registration Statement, promptly upon the request of any holder of Registrable Securities that is not then an Electing Holder, to take any action reasonably necessary to enable such holder to use the prospectus forming a part thereof for resales of Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, any action necessary to identify such holder as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement; provided, however, that nothing in this clause (y) shall relieve any such holder of the obligation to return a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Issuers in accordance with Section 3(e)(iii) hereof. The Issuers further agree to supplement or make amendments to the Shelf Registration Statement, as and when required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Issuers for such Shelf Registration Statement or by the Securities Act for shelf registration, and the Issuers agree to furnish to each Electing Holder copies of any such supplement or amendment prior to its being used or promptly following its filing with the Commission.
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(c) In the event that (i) the Shelf Registration Statement has not become effective or been declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the Shelf Filing Deadline, (ii) the Exchange Offer has not been completed on or prior to the Exchange Date, (iii) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement required by Section 2(a) hereof is filed and becomes or is declared effective but thereafter shall either be withdrawn by the Issuers or shall become subject to an effective stop order issued pursuant to Section 8(d) of the Securities Act suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement (except as specifically permitted herein) without being succeeded immediately by an additional registration statement filed and declared effective, in each case prior to the completion of the Exchange Offer or (iv) the Shelf Registration Statement required by Section 2(b) hereof is filed and becomes or is declared effective but shall thereafter either be withdrawn by the Issuers or shall become subject to an effective stop order issued pursuant to Section 8(d) of the Securities Act suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement (except as specifically permitted herein) without being succeeded immediately by an additional registration statement filed and declared effective (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iv), a “Registration Default” and each period during which a Registration Default has occurred and is continuing, a “Registration Default Period”), then, as liquidated damages for such Registration Default, subject to the provisions of Section 9(b), special interest (“Special Interest”), in addition to the Base Interest, shall accrue on the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Transfer Restricted Notes (as defined below) affected by such Registration Default at a per annum rate of 0.25% for the first 90 days of the Registration Default Period and at a per annum rate of 0.50% thereafter for the remaining portion of the Registration Default Period, commencing on (A) the 90th day after the filing of such Shelf Registration Statement was required, in the case of clause (i) above (but in no event prior to the 450th day after the Closing Date), (B) the 450th day after the Closing Date, in the case of clause (ii) above, (C) the day such Exchange Offer Registration Statement ceases to be effective, in the case of clause (iii) above and (D) the day such Shelf Registration Statement ceases to be effective, in the case of clause (iv) above. Following the cure of all Registration Defaults relating to particular Transfer Restricted Notes (which shall be the Effective Time of the Shelf Registration Statement in the case of clause (i) above, the date of the completion of the Exchange Offer, in the case of clause (ii) above, the date that the Exchange Offer Registration Statement again becomes effective, in the case of clause (iii) above, and the date that the Shelf Registration Statement again becomes effective, in the case of clause (iv) above), the interest rate borne by the relevant Transfer Restricted Notes will be reduced to the original interest rate borne by such Transfer Restricted Notes; provided, however, that, if after any such reduction in interest rate, a different Registration Default occurs, the interest rate borne by the relevant Transfer Restricted Notes shall again be increased pursuant to the foregoing provisions. All accrued Special Interest shall be paid in cash by the Issuers on each Interest Payment Date (as defined in the Indenture). For purposes of this Agreement, “Transfer Restricted Notes” shall mean, with respect to any Registration Default, any Notes or Exchange Notes which have not ceased being Registrable Securities pursuant to the definition thereof in Section 1 of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything contained herein, Special Interest shall be the sole and exclusive remedy with respect to a Registration Default.
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(d) If any Purchaser determines that it is not eligible to participate in the Exchange Offer with respect to the exchange of Registrable Securities constituting any portion of an unsold allotment, at the request of such Purchaser, then, subject to any prohibitions or restrictions imposed by any applicable law or regulations, the Issuers shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to issue and deliver to such Purchaser, in exchange for such Registrable Securities, a like principal amount of Exchange Notes. Such issuance shall not be deemed to be part of the Exchange Offer. The Issuers shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause the CUSIP Service Bureau to issue the same CUSIP number for Exchange Notes described in this Section 2(d) as for Exchange Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer. Any such Exchange Notes shall, at the time of issuance, and subject to the limitations set forth in Section 1 hereof, constitute Registrable Securities for purposes of this Agreement (other than Section 2(a) hereof).
(e) The Issuers shall use their reasonable best efforts to take all actions necessary or advisable to be taken by them to ensure that the transactions contemplated herein are effected as so contemplated in Section 2(a) or 2(b) hereof.
(f) Any reference herein to a registration statement as of any time shall be deemed to include any document incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, therein by reference as of such time and any reference herein to any post-effective amendment to a registration statement as of any time shall be deemed to include any document incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, therein by reference as of such time.
SECTION 3. Registration Procedures. If the Issuers file a registration statement pursuant to Section 2(a) or Section 2(b), the following provisions shall apply:
(a) At or before the Effective Time of the Exchange Offer or the Shelf Registration, as the case may be, the Issuers shall cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
(b) In the event that such qualification would require the appointment of a new trustee under the Indenture, the Issuers shall appoint a new trustee thereunder pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Indenture.
(c) In connection with the Issuers’ obligations with respect to the registration of Exchange Notes as contemplated by Section 2(a) (the “Exchange Offer Registration”), if applicable, the Issuers shall, as soon as practicable (or as otherwise specified):
(i) prepare and file with the Commission an Exchange Offer Registration Statement on any form which may be utilized by the Issuers and which shall permit the Exchange Offer and resales of Exchange Notes by broker-dealers during the Resale Period to be effected as contemplated by Section 2(a);
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(ii) as soon as practicable prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such Exchange Offer Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein as may be necessary to effect and maintain the effectiveness of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement for the periods and purposes contemplated in Section 2(a) hereof and as may be required by the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and the instructions applicable to the form of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement, and promptly provide each broker-dealer holding Exchange Notes with such number of copies of the prospectus included therein (as then amended or supplemented), in conformity in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act, as such broker-dealer reasonably may request prior to the expiration of the Resale Period, for use in connection with resales of Exchange Notes;
(iii) prepare and furnish to each such holder a reasonable number of copies of a prospectus supplemented or amended so that, as thereafter delivered to purchasers of such Exchange Notes during the Resale Period, such prospectus conforms in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing;
(iv) use their reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto as soon as practicable;
(v) use their reasonable best efforts to (A) register or qualify the Exchange Notes under the securities laws or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as are contemplated by Section 2(a) no later than the commencement of the Exchange Offer, (B) keep such registrations or qualifications in effect and comply with such laws so as to permit the continuance of offers, sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions until the expiration of the Resale Period and (C) take any and all other actions as may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable each broker-dealer holding Exchange Notes to consummate the disposition thereof in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that neither of the Issuers shall be required for any such purpose to (1) qualify as a foreign corporation or limited liability company, as the case may be, in any jurisdiction wherein it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for the requirements of this Section 3(c)(v), (2) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction or (3) make any changes to its certificate of incorporation or by-laws (or other organizational document) or any agreement between it and holders of its ownership interests;
(vi) use their reasonable best efforts to obtain the consent or approval of each governmental agency or authority, whether federal, state or local, which may be required to effect the Exchange Offer Registration, the Exchange Offer and the offering and sale of Exchange Notes by broker-dealers during the Resale Period;
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(vii) provide a CUSIP number for all Exchange Notes, not later than the applicable Effective Time;
(viii) comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally available to their securityholders as soon as practicable but no later than eighteen months after the effective date of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement, an earnings statement of the Company and its subsidiaries complying with Section 11(a) of the Securities Act (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158 thereunder);
(ix) mail to each holder a copy of the prospectus forming part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter of instruction and related documents;
(x) utilize the services of a depositary for the Exchange Offer, which may be the Trustee, any new trustee under the Indenture, or an affiliate of any of them;
(xi) permit holders to withdraw tendered Notes at any time prior to the close of business, New York time, on the last business day on which the Exchange Offer is open;
(xii) prior to the Effective Time, provide a supplemental letter to the Commission (i) stating that the Issuers are conducting the Exchange Offer in reliance on the position of the Commission in Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (pub. avail. May 13, 1988), Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc. (pub. avail. June 5, 1991); and (ii) including a representation that the Issuers have not entered into any arrangement or understanding with any person to distribute the Exchange Notes to be received in the Exchange Offer and that, to the best of the Issuers’ information and belief, each holder participating in the Exchange Offer is acquiring the Exchange Notes in the ordinary course of business and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the Exchange Notes; and
(xiii) provide the Representative, in advance of filing thereof with the Commission, a draft of such Exchange Offer Registration Statement substantially in the form to be filed with the Commission, each prospectus included therein or filed with the Commission and each amendment or supplement thereto (including any documents incorporated by reference therein after the initial filing), and shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to reflect in each such document, when so filed with the Commission, such comments as are reasonably proposed.
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(d) As soon as practicable after the close of the Exchange Offer, the Issuers shall:
(i) accept for exchange all Registrable Securities tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer;
(ii) deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all Notes so accepted for exchange; and
(iii) cause the Trustee promptly to authenticate and deliver to each holder a principal amount of Exchange Notes equal to the principal amount of the Registrable Securities of such Holder so accepted for exchange.
(e) In connection with the Issuers’ obligations with respect to the Shelf Registration, if applicable, the Issuers shall, as soon as practicable (or as otherwise specified):
(i) prepare and file with the Commission within the time periods specified in Section 2(b), a Shelf Registration Statement on any form which may be utilized by the Issuers and which shall register all the Registrable Securities for resale by the holders thereof in accordance with such method or methods of disposition as may be specified by such of the holders as, from time to time, may be Electing Holders and use their reasonable best efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to become or be declared effective within the time periods specified in Section 2(b);
(ii) not less than 30 calendar days prior to the Effective Time of the Shelf Registration Statement, mail the Notice and Questionnaire to the holders of Registrable Securities; no holder shall be entitled to be named as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement as of the Effective Time, and no holder shall be entitled to use the prospectus forming a part thereof for resales of Registrable Securities at any time, unless such holder has returned a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Issuers by the deadline for response set forth therein; provided, however, that holders of Registrable Securities shall have at least 28 calendar days from the date on which the Notice and Questionnaire is first mailed to such holders to return a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Issuers;
(iii) after the Effective Time of the Shelf Registration Statement, upon the request of any holder of Registrable Securities that is not then an Electing Holder, promptly send a Notice and Questionnaire to such holder; provided that the Issuers shall not be required to take any action to name such holder as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement or to enable such holder to use the prospectus forming a part thereof for resales of Registrable Securities until such holder has returned a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Issuers;
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(iv) as soon as practicable prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such Shelf Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein as may be necessary to effect and maintain the effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement for the period specified in Section 2(b) and as may be required by the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and the instructions applicable to the form of such Shelf Registration Statement, and furnish to the Electing Holders copies of any such supplement or amendment simultaneously with or prior to its being used or filed with the Commission;
(v) comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all the Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the Electing Holders provided for in such Shelf Registration Statement;
(vi) provide (A) the Electing Holders, (B) the underwriters (which term, for purposes of this Agreement, shall include a person deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act), if any, thereof, (C) any sales or placement agent therefor, (D) counsel for any such underwriter or agent, (E) not more than one counsel for all the Electing Holders and (F) the Representative, in advance of filing thereof with the Commission, a draft of such Shelf Registration Statement, each prospectus included therein or filed with the Commission and each amendment or supplement thereto (including any documents incorporated by reference therein after the initial filing), in each case in substantially the form to be filed with the Commission, and shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to reflect in each such document, when so filed with the Commission, such comments as are reasonably proposed;
(vii) for a reasonable period prior to the filing of such Shelf Registration Statement, and throughout the period specified in Section 2(b), make available at reasonable times at each Issuer’s principal place of business, or such other reasonable place for inspection by the persons referred to in Section 3(e)(vi) who shall certify to the Issuers that they have a current intention to sell the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration, such financial and other relevant information and books and records of the Issuers, each of their subsidiaries and, as relevant, Parent Companies, and cause each of their officers, employees, counsel and independent certified public accountants to supply all relevant information and to respond to such inquiries, as shall be reasonably necessary, in the judgment of the respective counsel referred to in such Section, to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act; provided, however, that each such party shall be required to maintain in confidence and not to disclose to any other person any information or records reasonably designated by the Issuers as being confidential, until such time as (A) such information becomes a matter of public record (whether by virtue of its inclusion in such registration statement or otherwise, except as a result of a breach of this or any other obligation of confidentiality to the Issuers), or (B) such person shall be required so to disclose such information pursuant to a subpoena or order of any court or other governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the matter (subject to the requirements of such order, and only after such person shall have given the Issuers prompt prior written notice of such requirement), or (C) such information is required to be set forth in such Shelf Registration Statement or the prospectus included therein or in an amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement or an amendment or supplement to such prospectus in order that such Shelf Registration Statement, prospectus, amendment or supplement, as the case may be, complies with applicable requirements of the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Commission and does not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing, provided further, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this clause (vii), any such person (and each employee, representative, or other agent of such person) may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation, the U.S. tax treatment and any facts that may be relevant to the tax structure of the matters covered by and relating to this Agreement (including opinions or other tax analysis that are provided to such party relating to such tax treatment and tax structure); provided, however, that no person (and no employee, representative, or other agent of any person) shall disclose any other information that is not relevant to understanding the tax treatment and tax structure of the matters covered by and relating to this Agreement (including the identity of any party and any information that could lead another to determine the identity of any party), or any other information to the extent that such non-disclosure is reasonably necessary in order to comply with applicable securities law;
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(viii) promptly notify each of the Representative, the Electing Holders, any sales or placement agent therefor and any underwriter thereof (which notification may be made through any managing underwriter that is a representative of such underwriter for such purpose) and confirm such advice in writing, (A) when such Shelf Registration Statement or the prospectus included therein or any prospectus amendment or supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to such Shelf Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective, (B) of any comments by the Commission and by the blue sky or securities commissioner or regulator of any state with respect thereto, or any request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to such Shelf Registration Statement or prospectus or for additional information, (C) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement or the initiation or, to the knowledge of the Issuers, threatening of any proceedings for that purpose, (D) if at any time the representations and warranties of the Issuers contemplated by Section 3(e)(xvii) or Section 5 hereof cease to be true and correct in all material respects, (E) of the receipt by the Issuers of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or, to the knowledge of the Issuers, threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, or (F) if at any time when a prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, that such Shelf Registration Statement, prospectus, prospectus amendment or supplement or post-effective amendment does not conform in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act, or contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing;
(ix) use their reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto as soon as practicable;
(x) if requested by any managing underwriter or underwriters, any placement or sales agent or any Electing Holder, promptly incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as is required by the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and as such managing underwriter or underwriters, such agent or such Electing Holder specifies should be included therein relating to the terms of the sale of such Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, information (i) with respect to the principal amount of Registrable Securities being sold by such Electing Holder or agent or to any underwriters, the name and description of such Electing Holder, agent or underwriter, the offering price of such Registrable Securities, and any discount, commission or other compensation payable in respect thereof and the purchase price being paid therefor by such underwriters and (ii) with respect to any other material terms of the offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold by such Electing Holder or agent or to such underwriters; and make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment upon notification of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;
(xi) furnish to each Electing Holder, each placement or sales agent, if any, therefor, each underwriter, if any, thereof and the respective counsel referred to in Section 3(e)(vi) hereof an executed copy (or, in the case of an Electing Holder, a conformed copy) of such Shelf Registration Statement, each such amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits thereto (in the case of an Electing Holder of Registrable Securities, upon request) and documents incorporated by reference therein) and such number of copies of such Shelf Registration Statement (excluding exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein unless specifically so requested by such Electing Holder, agent or underwriter, as the case may be) and of the prospectus included in such Shelf Registration Statement (including, without limitation, each preliminary prospectus and any summary prospectus), in conformity in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act, and such other documents, as such Electing Holder, agent, if any, and underwriter, if any, may reasonably request in order to facilitate the offering and disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Electing Holder, offered or sold by such agent or underwritten by such underwriter and to permit such Electing Holder, agent and underwriter to satisfy the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act; and the Issuers hereby consent to the use of such prospectus (including, without limitation, such preliminary and summary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto by each such Electing Holder and by any such agent and underwriter, in each case in the form most recently provided to such person by the Issuers, in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by the prospectus (including, without limitation, such preliminary and summary prospectus) or any supplement or amendment thereto;
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(xii) use their reasonable best efforts to (A) register or qualify the Registrable Securities to be included in such Shelf Registration Statement under such securities laws or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any Electing Holder and each placement or sales agent, if any, therefor and underwriter, if any, thereof shall reasonably request, (B) keep such registrations or qualifications in effect and comply with such laws so as to permit the continuance of offers, sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions during the period the Shelf Registration is required to remain effective under Section 2(b) above and for so long as may be necessary to enable any such Electing Holder, agent or underwriter to complete its distribution of the Registrable Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement and (C) take any and all other actions as may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable each such Electing Holder, agent, if any, and underwriter, if any, to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of such Registrable Securities; provided, however, that neither of the Issuers shall be required for any such purpose to (1) qualify as a foreign corporation or limited liability company, as the case may be, in any jurisdiction wherein it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for the requirements of this Section 3(d)(xii), (2) consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction or (3) make any changes to its certificate of incorporation or by-laws (or other organizational document) or any agreement between it and holders of its ownership interests;
(xiii) use their reasonable best efforts to obtain the consent or approval of each governmental agency or authority, whether federal, state or local, which may be required to effect the Shelf Registration or the offering or sale in connection therewith or to enable the selling holder or holders to offer, or to consummate the disposition of, their Registrable Securities;
(xiv) unless any Registrable Securities shall be in book-entry only form, cooperate with the Electing Holders and the managing underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold, which certificates, if so required by any securities exchange upon which any Registrable Securities are listed, shall be penned, lithographed or engraved, or produced by any combination of such methods, on steel engraved borders, and which certificates shall not bear any restrictive legends; and, in the case of an underwritten offering, enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the managing underwriters may request at least two business days prior to any sale of the Registrable Securities;
(xv) provide a CUSIP number for all Registrable Securities, not later than the applicable Effective Time;
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(xvi) enter into one or more underwriting agreements, engagement letters, agency agreements, “best efforts” underwriting agreements or similar agreements, as appropriate, including customary provisions relating to indemnification and contribution (but no less favorable than those set forth in Section 6 with respect to all parties indemnified under Section 6), unless such provisions are acceptable to Electing Holders of at least 50% in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities and any managing underwriters, and take such other actions in connection therewith as any Electing Holders of at least 20% in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities at the time outstanding shall request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;
(xvii) whether or not an agreement of the type referred to in Section 3(e)(xvi) hereof is entered into, and whether or not any portion of the offering contemplated by the Shelf Registration is an underwritten offering or is made through a placement or sales agent or any other entity, (A) make such representations and warranties to the Electing Holders and the placement or sales agent, if any, therefor and the underwriters, if any, thereof in form, substance and scope as are customarily made in connection with an offering of debt securities pursuant to any appropriate agreement or to a registration statement filed on the form applicable to the Shelf Registration; (B) obtain an opinion of counsel to the Issuers in customary form, subject to customary limitations, assumptions and exclusions, and covering such matters, of the type customarily covered by such an opinion, as the managing underwriters, if any, or as any Electing Holders of at least 20% in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities at the time outstanding may reasonably request, addressed to such Electing Holder or Electing Holders and the placement or sales agent, if any, therefor and the underwriters, if any, thereof and dated the date of the Effective Time of such Shelf Registration Statement (and if such Shelf Registration Statement contemplates an underwritten offering of a part or all of the Registrable Securities, dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement relating thereto) (it being agreed that the matters to be covered by such opinion shall include the matters set forth in paragraphs (b) and (c) of Section 8 of the Purchase Agreement to the extent applicable to an offering of this type); (C) obtain a “cold comfort” letter or letters from the independent certified public accountants of the Issuers addressed to the selling Electing Holders, the placement or sales agent, if any, therefor or the underwriters, if any, thereof, dated (i) the effective date of such Shelf Registration Statement and (ii) the effective date of any prospectus supplement to the prospectus included in such Shelf Registration Statement or post-effective amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement which includes unaudited or audited financial statements as of a date or for a period subsequent to that of the latest such statements included in such prospectus (and, if such Shelf Registration Statement contemplates an underwritten offering pursuant to any prospectus supplement to the prospectus included in such Shelf Registration Statement or post-effective amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement which includes unaudited or audited financial statements as of a date or for a period subsequent to that of the latest such statements included in such prospectus, dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement relating thereto), such letter or letters to be in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by letters of such type; (D) deliver such documents and certificates, including, without limitation, officers’ certificates, as may be reasonably requested by any Electing Holders of at least 20% in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities at the time outstanding or the placement or sales agent, if any, therefor and the managing underwriters, if any, thereof to evidence the accuracy of the representations and warranties made pursuant to clause (A) above or those contained in Section 5(a) hereof and the compliance with or satisfaction of any agreements or conditions contained in the underwriting agreement or other similar agreement entered into by the Issuers pursuant to Section 3(e)(xvi); and (E) undertake such obligations relating to expense reimbursement, indemnification and contribution as are provided in Section 6 hereof;
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(xviii) notify in writing each holder of Registrable Securities of any proposal by the Issuers to amend or waive any provision of this Agreement pursuant to Section 9(h) hereof and of any amendment or waiver effected pursuant thereto, each of which notices shall contain the substance of the amendment or waiver proposed or effected, as the case may be;
(xix) in the event that any broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act shall underwrite any Registrable Securities or participate as a member of an underwriting syndicate or selling group or “assist in the distribution” (within the meaning of the Conduct Rules (the “Conduct Rules”) of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) or any successor thereto, as amended from time to time) thereof, whether as a holder of such Registrable Securities or as an underwriter, a placement or sales agent or a broker or dealer in respect thereof, or otherwise, assist such broker-dealer in complying with the requirements of such Conduct Rules, including, without limitation, by (A) if such Conduct Rules shall so require, engaging a “qualified independent underwriter” (as defined in such Conduct Rules) to participate in the preparation of the Shelf Registration Statement relating to such Registrable Securities, to exercise usual standards of due diligence in respect thereto and, if any portion of the offering contemplated by such Shelf Registration Statement is an underwritten offering or is made through a placement or sales agent, to recommend the yield of such Registrable Securities, (B) indemnifying any such qualified independent underwriter to the extent of the indemnification of underwriters provided in Section 6 hereof (or to such other customary extent as may be requested by such underwriter), and (C) providing such information to such broker-dealer as may be required in order for such broker-dealer to comply with the requirements of the Conduct Rules; and
(xx) comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally available to its securityholders as soon as practicable but in any event not later than eighteen months after the effective date of such Shelf Registration Statement, an earnings statement of the Company and its subsidiaries complying with Section 11(a) of the Securities Act (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158 thereunder).
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(f) In the event that the Issuers would be required, pursuant to Section 3(e)(viii)(F) hereof, to notify the Electing Holders, the placement or sales agent, if any, therefor and the managing underwriters, if any, thereof, the Issuers shall prepare and furnish to each of the Electing Holders, to each placement or sales agent, if any, and to each such underwriter, if any, a reasonable number of copies of a prospectus supplemented or amended so that, as thereafter delivered to purchasers of Registrable Securities, such prospectus conforms in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act, and shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing. Each Electing Holder agrees that upon receipt of any notice from the Issuers pursuant to Section 3(e)(viii)(F) hereof, such Electing Holder shall forthwith discontinue the disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement applicable to such Registrable Securities until such Electing Holder shall have received copies of such amended or supplemented prospectus, and if so directed by the Issuers, such Electing Holder shall deliver to the Issuers (at the Issuers’ expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in such Electing Holder’s possession of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities at the time of receipt of such notice.
(g) In the event of a Shelf Registration, in addition to the information required to be provided by each Electing Holder in its Notice and Questionnaire, the Issuers may require such Electing Holder to furnish to the Issuers such additional information regarding such Electing Holder and such Electing Holder’s intended method of distribution of Registrable Securities as may be required in order to comply with the Securities Act. Each such Electing Holder agrees to notify the Issuers as promptly as practicable of any inaccuracy or change in information previously furnished by such Electing Holder to the Issuers or of the occurrence of any event in either case as a result of which any prospectus relating to such Shelf Registration contains or would contain an untrue statement of a material fact regarding such Electing Holder or such Electing Holder’s intended method of disposition of such Registrable Securities or omits to state any material fact regarding such Electing Holder or such Electing Holder’s intended method of disposition of such Registrable Securities required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing, and promptly to furnish to the Issuers any additional information required to correct and update any previously furnished information or required so that such prospectus shall not contain, with respect to such Electing Holder or the disposition of such Registrable Securities, an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing.
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SECTION 4. Registration Expenses. The Issuers agree, subject to the last sentence of this Section 4, to bear and to pay or cause to be paid promptly all expenses incident to the Issuers’ performance of or compliance with this Agreement, including, without limitation, (a) all Commission and any FINRA registration, filing and review fees and expenses including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel for the placement or sales agent or underwriters in connection with such registration, filing and review, (b) all fees and expenses in connection with the qualification of the Notes for offering and sale under the securities laws and blue sky laws referred to in Section 3(e)(xii) hereof and determination of their eligibility for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions as any managing underwriters or the Electing Holders may designate, including, without limitation, any fees and disbursements of counsel for the Electing Holders or underwriters in connection with such qualification and determination, (c) all expenses relating to the preparation, printing, production, distribution and reproduction of each registration statement required to be filed hereunder, each prospectus included therein or prepared for distribution pursuant hereto, each amendment or supplement to the foregoing, the expenses of preparing the Notes for delivery and the expenses of printing or producing any underwriting agreements, agreements among underwriters, selling agreements and blue sky or legal investment memoranda and all other documents in connection with the offering, sale or delivery of Notes to be disposed of (including, without limitation, certificates representing the Notes), (d) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses relating to the offering, sale or delivery of Notes and the preparation of documents referred in clause (c) above, (e) fees and expenses of the Trustee under the Indenture, any agent of the Trustee and any reasonable fees and expenses for counsel for the Trustee and of any collateral agent or custodian, (f) internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of each Issuer’s officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), (g) fees, disbursements and expenses of counsel and independent certified public accountants of the Issuers (including, without limitation, the expenses of any opinions or “cold comfort” letters required by or incidental to such performance and compliance), (h) reasonable fees, disbursements and expenses of one counsel for the Electing Holders retained in connection with a Shelf Registration, as selected by the Electing Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities held by Electing Holders (which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Issuers), (i) any fees charged by securities rating services engaged by the Issuers for rating the Notes, and (j) reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of any other persons, including, without limitation, special experts, retained by the Issuers in connection with such registration (collectively, the “Registration Expenses”). To the extent that any Registration Expenses are incurred, assumed or paid by any holder of Registrable Securities or any placement or sales agent therefor or underwriter thereof, the Issuers shall reimburse such person for the full amount of the Registration Expenses so incurred, assumed or paid promptly after receipt of a request therefor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holders of the Registrable Securities being registered shall pay all agency fees and commissions and underwriting discounts and commissions attributable to the sale of such Registrable Securities and the fees and disbursements of any counsel or other advisors or experts retained by such holders (severally or jointly), other than the counsel and experts specifically referred to above.
SECTION 5. Representations, Warranties and Covenants. Except with respect to clauses (a) and (b) below, the Issuers represent and warrant to, and agree with, each Purchaser and each of the holders from time to time of Registrable Securities the information set forth in this Section 5.
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With respect to clauses (a) and (b) below, the Issuers covenant that:
(a) Each registration statement covering Registrable Securities and each prospectus (including, without limitation, any preliminary or summary prospectus) contained therein or furnished pursuant to Section 3(e) or Section 3(c) hereof and any further amendments or supplements to any such registration statement or prospectus, when it becomes effective or is filed with the Commission, as the case may be, and, in the case of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, at the time of the closing under the underwriting agreement relating thereto, will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and at all times subsequent to the Effective Time when a prospectus would be required to be delivered under the Securities Act, other than from (i) such time as a notice has been given to holders of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 3(e)(viii)(F) or Section 3(c)(iii) hereof until (ii) such time as the Issuers furnish an amended or supplemented prospectus pursuant to Section 3(f) or Section 3(c)(iii) hereof, each such registration statement, and each prospectus (including, without limitation, any preliminary or summary prospectus) contained therein or furnished pursuant to Section 3(e) or Section 3(c) hereof, as then amended or supplemented, will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing; provided, however, that this covenant shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Issuers by a holder of Registrable Securities expressly for use therein.
(b) Any documents incorporated by reference in any prospectus referred to in Section 5(a) hereof, when they become or became effective or are or were filed with the Commission, as the case may be, will conform or conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and none of such documents will contain or contained an untrue statement of a material fact or will omit or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that this covenant shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Issuers by a holder of Registrable Securities expressly for use therein.
(c) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Issuers.
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SECTION 6. Indemnification.
(a) The Issuers, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless each holder of Registrable Securities or Exchange Notes, as the case may be, covered by any Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement (including each Purchaser and, with respect to any prospectus delivery as contemplated in Section 3(c)(ii) or (iii) hereof, each holder (which may include any Purchaser) that is a broker-dealer and elects to exchange for Exchange Notes any Registrable Securities that it acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities (but not directly from the Issuers or any affiliate of the Issuers) for Exchange Notes) (each an “Exchanging Dealer”), the affiliates, directors, officers, employees and agents of each such holder and each person who controls any such holder within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which they or any of them may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other Federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement as originally filed or in any amendment thereof, or in any preliminary prospectus or the prospectus included in any registration statement, or in any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and agrees to reimburse each such indemnified party, as incurred, for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the Issuers will not be liable in any case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Issuers by or on behalf of any such holder specifically for inclusion therein. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Issuers may otherwise have.
The Issuers, jointly and severally, also agree to indemnify or contribute as provided in Section 6(d) to Losses of any underwriter of Registrable Securities or Exchange Notes, as the case may be, registered under a Shelf Registration Statement, their directors, officers, employees or agents and each person who controls such underwriter within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, on substantially the same basis as that of the indemnification of the Purchasers and the selling holders provided in this Section 6(a) and shall, if requested by any holder, enter into an underwriting agreement reflecting such agreement, as provided in Section 3(e)(xvi) hereof.
(b) Each holder of Registrable Securities or Exchange Notes covered by an Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement (including each Purchaser and, with respect to any prospectus delivery as contemplated in Section 3(c)(ii) or Section 3(f)(iv) hereof, each Exchanging Dealer) severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Issuers, and each of their affiliates, directors, employees, members, managers and agents and each Person who controls the Issuers within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Issuers to each such holder, but only with reference to written information relating to such holder furnished to the Issuers by or on behalf of such holder specifically for inclusion in the documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which any such holder may otherwise have.
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(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 6 or notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 6, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party (i) will not relieve it from liability under paragraph (a) or (b) above unless and to the extent such action and such failure results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses; and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation provided in paragraph (a) or (b) above. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and, except as provided in the next sentence, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election to so assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by such indemnified party, in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. Notwithstanding the indemnifying party’s rights in the prior sentence, the indemnified party shall have the right to employ its own counsel (and one local counsel), and the indemnifying party shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such separate counsel if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party 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 party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party; (iii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action; or (iv) the indemnifying party shall authorize the indemnified party to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party. No indemnifying party shall, in connection with any one action or separate but substantially similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general circumstances or allegations, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) for all indemnified parties. An indemnifying party shall not be liable under this Section 6 to any indemnified party regarding any settlement 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 parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent is consented to by such indemnifying party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. No indemnifying party shall, without the written consent of the indemnified party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnification could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement (x) includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party, from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (y) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of such indemnified party.
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(d) In the event that the indemnity provided in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 6 is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party for any reason, then each applicable indemnifying party agrees to contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending same) (collectively “Losses”) to which such indemnifying party may be subject in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the indemnifying party on the one hand and by the indemnified party on the other from the offering of the Notes. If, however, the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law or if the indemnified party failed to give the notice required under subsection (c) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by such indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the indemnifying party on the one hand and the indemnified party on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. Benefits received by the Issuers shall be deemed to be equal to the sum of (x) the total net proceeds from the initial placement of the Notes (before deducting expenses) reflected in the Purchase Agreement and (y) the total amount of Special Interest which the Issuers were not required to pay as a result of registering the securities covered by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement which resulted in such Losses. Benefits received by the Purchasers shall be deemed to be equal to the total purchase discounts and commissions as reflected in the Purchase Agreement, and benefits received by any other holders shall be deemed to be equal to the proceeds received from the sale of the Registrable Securities or Exchange Notes, as applicable. Benefits received by any underwriter shall be deemed to be equal to the total underwriting discounts and commissions, as set forth in the prospectus forming a part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement which resulted in such Losses. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party on the one hand or the indemnified party on the other and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The parties agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this subsection (d) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the holders or any agents or underwriters or all of them were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this subsection (d). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above in this subsection (d) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (d), no holder shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the dollar amount of the proceeds received by such holder from the sale of Registrable Securities (after deducting any fees, discounts and commissions applicable thereto) exceeds the amount of any damages which such holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission, and no underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price of the Registrable Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. The holders’ and any underwriters’ obligations in this subsection (d) to contribute are several in proportion to the principal amount of Registrable Securities registered or underwritten, as the case may be, by them, and not joint. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph (d), no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 6, each person who controls any holder, agent or underwriter within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act and each director, officer, employee and agent of a holder, agent or underwriter shall have the same rights to contribution as such holder, agent or underwriter, and each person who controls the Issuers within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act and each officer and director of the Issuers shall have the same rights to contribution as the Issuers, subject in each case to the applicable terms and conditions of this paragraph (d).
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(e) The provisions of this Section will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any holder or the Issuers or any of the officers, directors or controlling persons referred to in this Section hereof, and will survive the sale by a holder of securities covered by an Exchange Offer Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement.
SECTION 7. Underwritten Offerings.
(a) Selection of Underwriters. If any of the Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration are to be sold pursuant to an underwritten offering, the managing underwriter or underwriters thereof shall be designated by Electing Holders holding at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities to be included in such offering, provided that such designated managing underwriter or underwriters is or are reasonably acceptable to the Issuers.
(b) Participation by Holders. Each holder of Registrable Securities hereby agrees with each other such holder that no such holder may participate in any underwritten offering hereunder unless such holder (i) agrees to sell such holder’s Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements with respect to such Registrable Securities approved by the persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.
(c) Minimum Requirements. With respect to the Notes, the Issuers shall not have any obligations with respect to any underwriters or underwritten offering except a single underwritten offering of $270 million or more of Registrable Securities.
SECTION 8. Rule 144.
(a) Each of the Issuers covenants to the holders of Registrable Securities that to the extent it shall be required to do so under the Exchange Act, it shall timely file the reports required to be filed by it under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act (including, without limitation, the reports under Section 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act referred to in subparagraph (c)(1) of Rule 144), and shall take such further action as any holder of Registrable Securities may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitations of the exemption provided by Rule 144, or any similar or successor rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission. Upon the request of any holder of Registrable Securities in connection with that holder’s sale pursuant to Rule 144, the Issuers shall deliver to such holder a written statement as to whether they have complied with such requirements.
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(b) At any time while any of the Notes are “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144, if the Company is no longer subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (as opposed to just having the obligations suspended), the Company or a Parent (as defined in the Indenture) shall prepare and furnish to any Holder, any beneficial owner of the Notes and any prospective purchaser of Notes designated by a Holder or a beneficial owner of the Notes, promptly upon request, the information required pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) (or any successor thereto) under the Securities Act in connection with the offer, sale or transfer of Notes. Such information may be provided by a Parent in filings with the Commission which filing shall satisfy the obligations set forth in this clause (b). The requirements set forth in this clause (b) will not be applicable after the one year anniversary of the issuance of any Notes.
SECTION 9. Miscellaneous.
(a) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Issuers represent, warrant, covenant and agree that they have not granted, and shall not grant, registration rights with respect to Registrable Securities or any other Notes which would be inconsistent with the terms contained in this Agreement.
(b) Specific Performance. Except with respect to a Registration Default, the parties hereto acknowledge that there would be no adequate remedy at law if the Issuers fail to perform any of their obligations hereunder and that the Purchasers and the holders from time to time of the Registrable Securities may be irreparably harmed by any such failure, and accordingly agree that the Purchasers and such holders, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled at law or in equity, shall be entitled to compel specific performance of the obligations of the Issuers under this Agreement in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, in any court of the United States or any State thereof having jurisdiction.
(c) Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) when delivered by hand, if delivered personally or by courier, (ii) when sent by facsimile (with written confirmation of receipt), provided that a copy is mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested or (iii) three days after being deposited in the mail (registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested) as follows: if to the Issuers, c/o Charter Communications, Inc., 400 Washington Blvd., Stamford, Connecticut 06902, Attention: General Counsel, Electronic Mail: rick.dykhouse@charter.com; Facsimile No.: (212) 446-4900, with a copy to: Kirkland & Ellis LLP, 601 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022, Facsimile: (212) 466-4900, Attention: Christian O. Nagler, Esq. and if to a holder, to the address of such holder set forth in the security register or other records of the Issuers, or to such other address as the Issuers or any such holder may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, with a copy in like manner c/o Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC at 1585 Broadway, New York, New York 10036, Attention: High Yield Syndicate Desk, with a copy to the Legal Department. Notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
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(d) Parties in Interest. All the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, shall inure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the parties hereto and the holders from time to time of the Registrable Securities and the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto and such holders. In the event that any person shall acquire Registrable Securities, in any manner, whether by gift, bequest, purchase, operation of law or otherwise, such transferee shall, without any further writing or action of any kind, be deemed a beneficiary hereof for all purposes and such Registrable Securities shall be held subject to all the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable Securities such transferee shall be entitled to receive the benefits, and be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by all the applicable terms and provisions, of this Agreement. If the Issuers shall so request, any such successor, assign or transferee shall agree in writing to acquire and hold the Registrable Securities subject to all the applicable terms hereof.
(e) Survival. The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and each other provision set forth in this Agreement or made pursuant hereto shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation (or statement as to the results thereof) made by or on behalf of any holder of Registrable Securities, any director, officer or partner of such holder, any agent or underwriter or any director, officer or partner thereof, or any controlling person of any of the foregoing, and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and the transfer and registration of Registrable Securities by such holder and the consummation of an Exchange Offer.
(f) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
(g) Headings. The descriptive headings of the several Sections and paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
(h) Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement and the other writings referred to herein (including, without limitation, the Indenture and the form of Notes) or delivered pursuant hereto which form a part hereof contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to its subject matter. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to its subject matter. This Agreement may be amended and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) only by a written instrument duly executed by the Issuers and the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities at the time outstanding. Each holder of any Registrable Securities at the time or thereafter outstanding shall be bound by any amendment or waiver effected pursuant to this Section 9(h), whether or not any notice, writing or marking indicating such amendment or waiver appears on such Registrable Securities or is delivered to such holder.
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(i) Inspection. For so long as this Agreement shall be in effect, this Agreement and a complete list of the names and addresses of all the holders of Registrable Securities shall be made available for inspection and copying, upon reasonable prior notice, on any business day during normal business hours by any holder of Registrable Securities for proper purposes only (which shall include any purpose related to the rights of the holders of Registrable Securities under the Notes, the Indenture and this Agreement) at the offices of the Issuers at the address thereof set forth in Section 9(c) above and at the office of the Trustee under the Indenture.
(j) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such respective counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
(k) Severability. In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstances, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions hereof shall not be in any way impaired or affected thereby, it being intended that all of the rights and privileges of the parties shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
(l) Securities Held by the Issuers, etc. Whenever the consent or approval of holders of a specified percentage of principal amount of Registrable Securities or Exchange Notes is required hereunder, Registrable Securities or Exchange Notes, as applicable, held by the Issuers or their affiliates (controlled by the Issuers and other than subsequent holders of Registrable Securities or Exchange Notes if such subsequent holders are deemed to be affiliates solely by reason of their holdings of such Registrable Securities or Exchange Notes) shall not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the holders of such required percentage.
(m) Additional Notes. Notwithstanding anything contained herein, any registration statement and exchange offer herein contemplated may include other securities issued by the Issuers and guaranteed by the applicable guarantors, if any.
(n) Termination. The obligations of the Issuers under this Agreement to register or qualify the Registrable Securities or otherwise make any offer shall terminate when there are no Registrable Securities outstanding.
[Signature Pages Follow]
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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and return to us counterparts hereof, and upon the acceptance hereof by you, on behalf of each of the Purchasers, this Agreement and such acceptance hereof shall constitute a binding agreement among the parties hereto. It is understood that your acceptance of this Agreement on behalf of each of the Purchasers is pursuant to the authority set forth in a form of agreement among Purchasers, the form of which shall be submitted to the Issuers for examination upon request, but without warranty on your part as to the authority of the signers thereof.
| Very truly yours, | |||
| CCO HOLDINGS, LLC, as an Issuer | |||
| By: | /s/ Scott A. Schwartz | ||
| Name: | Scott A. Schwartz | ||
| Title: | Group Vice President, Corporate Finance and Treasurer | ||
| CCO HOLDINGS CAPITAL CORP., as an Issuer | |||
| By: | /s/ Scott A. Schwartz | ||
| Name: | Scott A. Schwartz | ||
| Title: | Group Vice President, Corporate Finance and Treasurer | ||
Charter - Registration Rights Agreement
| Accepted as of the date hereof: | |
| Acting on behalf of itself and | |
| the several Purchasers | |
| MORGAN STANLEY & CO. LLC | |
| By: | /s/ Mara MacDonald | |
| Name: Mara MacDonald | ||
| Title: Authorized Signatory |
Charter - Registration Rights Agreement
EXHIBIT A
CCO HOLDINGS, LLC
CCO HOLDINGS CAPITAL CORP.
INSTRUCTION TO DTC PARTICIPANTS
(Date of Mailing)
URGENT — IMMEDIATE ATTENTION REQUESTED
DEADLINE FOR RESPONSE: [DATE]1
The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) has identified you as a DTC Participant through which beneficial interests in the CCO Holdings, LLC (the “Company”) and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. (together with the Company, the “Issuers”) 7.375% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “Notes”) are held.
The Issuers are in the process of registering the Notes under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for resale by the beneficial owners thereof. In order to have their Notes included in the registration statement, beneficial owners must complete and return the enclosed Notice of Registration Statement and Selling Securityholder Questionnaire.
It is important that beneficial owners of the Notes receive a copy of the enclosed materials as soon as possible as their rights to have the Notes included in the registration statement depend upon their returning the Notice and Questionnaire by [Deadline For Response]. Please forward a copy of the enclosed documents to each beneficial owner that holds interests in the Notes through you. If you require more copies of the enclosed materials or have any questions pertaining to this matter, please contact the Issuers c/o Charter Communications, Inc., 400 Washington Blvd., Stamford, Connecticut 06902, Attention: General Counsel, Electronic Mail: rick.dykhouse@charter.com; Facsimile No.: (212) 446-4900, with a copy to: Kirkland & Ellis LLP, 601 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022, Facsimile: (212) 466-4900, Attention: Christian O. Nagler, Esq.
1 Not less than 28 calendar days from date of mailing.
A-1
CCO HOLDINGS, LLC
CCO HOLDINGS CAPITAL CORP.
Notice of Registration Statement
and
Selling Securityholder Questionnaire
(Date)
Reference is hereby made to the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement (the “Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement”) among CCO Holdings, LLC (the “Company”), CCO Holdings Capital Corp. (together with the Company, the “Issuers”), and the Purchasers named therein. Pursuant to the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, the Issuers have filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement on Form S-1 (the “Shelf Registration Statement”) for the registration and resale under Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of the Issuers’ 7.375% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “Notes”). A copy of the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement is attached hereto. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.
Each beneficial owner of Registrable Securities is entitled to have the Registrable Securities beneficially owned by it included in the Shelf Registration Statement. In order to have Registrable Securities included in the Shelf Registration Statement, this Notice of Registration Statement and Selling Securityholder Questionnaire (“Notice and Questionnaire”) must be completed, executed and delivered to the Issuers’ counsel at the address set forth herein for receipt ON OR BEFORE [Deadline for Response]. Beneficial owners of Registrable Securities who do not complete, execute and return this Notice and Questionnaire by such date (i) will not be named as selling securityholders in the Shelf Registration Statement and (ii) may not use the Prospectus forming a part thereof for resales of Registrable Securities.
Certain legal consequences arise from being named as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement and related prospectus. Accordingly, holders and beneficial owners of Registrable Securities are advised to consult their own securities law counsel regarding the consequences of being named or not being named as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement and related prospectus.
A-2
ELECTION
The undersigned holder (the “Selling Securityholder”) of Registrable Securities hereby elects to include in the Shelf Registration Statement the Registrable Securities beneficially owned by it and listed below in Item (3). The undersigned, by signing and returning this Notice and Questionnaire, agrees to be bound with respect to such Registrable Securities by the terms and conditions of this Notice and Questionnaire and the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, including, without limitation, Section 6 of the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, as if the undersigned Selling Securityholder were an original party thereto.
Upon any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, the Selling Securityholder will be required to deliver to the Issuers and the Trustee the Notice of Transfer Pursuant to Registration Statement set forth in Exhibit B to the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.
The Selling Securityholder hereby provides the following information to the Issuers and represents and warrants that such information is accurate and complete:
QUESTIONNAIRE
| (1) | (a) Full Legal Name of Selling Securityholder: |
(b) Full Legal Name of Registered Holder (if not the same as in (a) above) of Registrable Securities Listed in Item (3) below:
(c) Full Legal Name of DTC Participant (if applicable and if not the same as (b) above) Through Which Registrable Securities Listed in Item (3) below are Held:
| (2) | Address for Notices to Selling Securityholder: | |
| Telephone: | _______________________________ | |
| Fax: | _______________________________ | |
| Contact Person: | _______________________________ |
| (3) | Beneficial Ownership of Notes: |
Except as set forth below in this Item (3), the undersigned does not beneficially own any Notes.
| (a) | Principal amount of Registrable Securities beneficially owned: | |
| CUSIP No(s). of such Registrable Securities: |
| (b) | Principal amount of Notes other than Registrable Securities beneficially owned: | |
| CUSIP No(s). of such other Notes: |
A-3
| (c) | Principal amount of Registrable Securities which the undersigned wishes to be included in the Shelf Registration Statement: | |
| CUSIP No(s). of such Registrable Securities to be included in the Shelf |
| Registration Statement: |
| (4) | Beneficial Ownership of Other Securities of the Issuers: |
Except as set forth below in this Item (4), the undersigned Selling Securityholder is not the beneficial or registered owner of any other securities of the Issuers other than the Notes listed above in Item (3).
State any exceptions here:
| (5) | Relationships with the Issuers: |
Except as set forth below, neither the Selling Securityholder nor any of its affiliates, officers, directors or principal equity holders (5% or more) has held any position or office or has had any other material relationship with the Issuers (or their respective predecessors or affiliates) during the past three years.
State any exceptions here:
| (6) | Plan of Distribution: |
Except as set forth below, the undersigned Selling Securityholder intends to distribute the Registrable Securities listed above in Item (3) only as follows (if at all): Such Registrable Securities may be sold from time to time directly by the undersigned Selling Securityholder or, alternatively, through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents. Such Registrable Securities may be sold in one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices. Such sales may be effected in transactions (which may involve crosses or block transactions) (i) on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the Registrable Securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale, (ii) in the over-the-counter market, (iii) in transactions otherwise than on such exchanges or services or in the over-the-counter market, or (iv) through the writing of options. In connection with sales of the Registrable Securities or otherwise, the Selling Securityholder may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers, which may in turn engage in short sales of the Registrable Securities in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The Selling Securityholder may also sell Registrable Securities short and deliver Registrable Securities to close out such short positions, or loan or pledge Registrable Securities to broker-dealers that in turn may sell such Registrable Securities.
State any exceptions here:
A-4
By signing below, the Selling Securityholder acknowledges that it understands its obligation to comply, and agrees that it will comply, with the provisions of the Exchange Act including, without limitation, Regulation M.
In the event that the Selling Securityholder transfers all or any portion of the Registrable Securities listed in Item (3) above after the date on which such information is provided to the Issuers, the Selling Securityholder agrees to notify the transferee(s) at the time of the transfer of its rights and obligations under this Notice and Questionnaire and the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.
By signing below, the Selling Securityholder consents to the disclosure of the information contained herein in its answers to Items (1) through (6) above and the inclusion of such information in the Shelf Registration Statement and related Prospectus. The Selling Securityholder understands that such information will be relied upon by the Issuers in connection with the preparation of the Shelf Registration Statement and related Prospectus.
In accordance with the Selling Securityholder’s obligation under Section 3(e) of the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement to provide such information as may be required by law for inclusion in the Shelf Registration Statement, the Selling Securityholder agrees to promptly notify the Issuers of any inaccuracies or changes in the information provided herein which may occur subsequent to the date hereof at any time while the Shelf Registration Statement remains in effect. All notices hereunder and pursuant to the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement shall be made in writing, by hand-delivery, first-class mail, or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery as follows:
(i) To
the Issuers:
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
(ii) With
a copy to:
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
Once this Notice and Questionnaire is executed by the Selling Securityholder and received by the Issuers’ counsel, the terms of this Notice and Questionnaire, and the representations and warranties contained herein, shall be binding on, shall inure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the respective successors, heirs, personal representatives, and assigns of the Issuers and the Selling Securityholder (with respect to the Registrable Securities beneficially owned by such Selling Securityholder and listed in Item (3) above). This Agreement shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to any provisions relating to conflicts of laws.
A-5
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, by authority duly given, has caused this Notice and Questionnaire to be executed and delivered either in person or by its duly authorized agent.
Dated: ____________________
Selling Securityholder
(Print/type full legal name of beneficial owner of Registrable Securities)
| By: | ___________________________________________ | |
| Name: | ||
| Title: |
PLEASE RETURN THE COMPLETED AND EXECUTED NOTICE AND QUESTIONNAIRE FOR RECEIPT ON OR BEFORE [DEADLINE FOR RESPONSE] TO THE ISSUERS’ COUNSEL AT:
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
A-6
EXHIBIT B
NOTICE OF TRANSFER PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT
CCO HOLDINGS, LLC
CCO HOLDINGS CAPITAL CORP.
c/o Charter Communications, Inc.
400 Washington Blvd.
Stamford, Connecticut 06902
Attention: General Counsel
Electronic Mail: rick.dykhouse@charter.com
With a copy to:
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
601 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Facsimile No.: (212) 446-4900
Attention: Christian O. Nagler, Esq.
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
2 N. LaSalle Street Suite 700
Chicago, IL 60602
Attn: Corporate Trust Administration
Attention: Trust Officer
| Re: | CCO Holdings, LLC and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. (the “Issuers”) 7.375% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “Notes”) |
Please be advised that ________________ has transferred $___________ aggregate principal amount of the above-referenced Notes pursuant to an effective Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-____) filed by the Issuers.
We hereby certify that the prospectus delivery requirements, if any, of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, have been satisfied and that the above-named beneficial owner of the Notes is named as a “Selling Holder” in the prospectus dated [date] or in supplements thereto, and that the aggregate principal amount of the Notes transferred are the Notes listed in such prospectus opposite such owner’s name.
Dated:
| Very truly yours, | |
| (Name) |
B-1
| By: | ||
| (Authorized Signature) | ||
B-2
Exhibit 10.2
Execution Version
AMENDMENT NO. 3, dated as of February 10, 2023 (this “Amendment”), to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 18, 1999, as amended and restated on April 26, 2019, as amended by Amendment No. 1 on October 24, 2019 and as further amended by Amendment No. 2 on May 26, 2022 (the “Existing Credit Agreement”; the Existing Credit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, the “Credit Agreement”), by and among CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Borrower”), CCO HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Holdings”), the LENDERS and ISSUING LENDERS party thereto and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Existing Credit Agreement or the Credit Agreement, as the context requires.
WHEREAS, the Term B-1 Loans and the Term B-2 Loans under the Existing Credit Agreement incur or are permitted to incur interest, fees, commissions or other amounts based on the London Interbank Offered Rate as administered by the ICE Benchmark Administration (“LIBOR”) in accordance with the terms of the Existing Credit Agreement;
WHEREAS, the applicable parties under the Existing Credit Agreement have determined in accordance with Section 2.14(a) of the Existing Credit Agreement that the Eurodollar Rate should be replaced with a LIBOR Successor Rate in accordance with the Existing Credit Agreement and, in connection therewith, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower have determined that certain conforming changes are necessary or advisable; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual agreements herein contained, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. Amendment of the Credit Agreement.
(a) The
Existing Credit Agreement is, effective as of the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date, hereby amended to delete the stricken text (indicated
textually in the same manner as the following example: stricken text) and to add the
double-underlined text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: double-underlined text) as set
forth in the pages of the Existing Credit Agreement attached as Exhibit A hereto.
(b) Exhibit E to the Existing Credit Agreement is, effective as of the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date, hereby replaced in its entirety with Exhibit B hereto.
SECTION 2. Effectiveness. This Amendment shall become effective on the date (such date and time of effectiveness, the “Amendment No. 3 Effective Date”) that each of the conditions precedent set forth below shall have been satisfied:
(a) The Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof from (i) each of the Loan Parties and (ii) the Administrative Agent;
(b) The Administrative Agent has not received, prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York time) on the fifth Business Day after the Administrative Agent shall have posted this Agreement to all Lenders and the Borrower, written notice from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders that such Required Lenders do not accept the Amendment; and
(c) The Borrower shall have paid, or concurrently herewith shall pay to the Administrative Agent, to the extent invoiced, the reasonable documented out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent in connection with this Amendment (including the reasonable documented fees and expenses of legal counsel).
SECTION 3. Representations and Warranties. The Borrower and each Guarantor represents and warrants to each of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent that, after giving effect to this Amendment, and both before and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Amendment:
(a) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; and
(b) each of the representations and warranties made by each of the Loan Parties in or pursuant to the Loan Documents is true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof as if made on the date hereof (or, if any such representation or warranty is expressly stated to have been made as of a specific date, in all material respects as of such specific date) and in each case without duplication of any materiality qualifier therein.
SECTION 4. Reference to and Effect on the Loan Documents. On and after the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date, each reference in the Credit Agreement to “this Agreement,” “hereunder,” “hereof” or words of like import referring to the Existing Credit Agreement and each reference in the Notes and each of the other Loan Documents to “the Credit Agreement,” “thereunder,” “thereof” or words of like import referring to the Existing Credit Agreement shall mean and be a reference to the Existing Credit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment. The Existing Credit Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents, as specifically amended by this Amendment, are and shall continue to be in full force and effect and are hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed. On and after the effectiveness of this Amendment, this Amendment shall for all purposes constitute a Loan Document. The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment shall not, except as expressly provided herein, operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of any Lender or any Agent under any of the Loan Documents, nor constitute a waiver of any provision of any of the Loan Documents. Each of the Loan Parties hereby consents to the Amendment and reaffirms its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is party and its prior grant and the validity, enforceability and perfection of the Liens granted by it pursuant to the Loan Documents with all such Liens continuing in full force and effect after giving effect to the Amendment. This Amendment shall not constitute a novation of the Existing Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document.
SECTION 5. Applicable Law; Waiver of Jury Trial.
(A) THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
(B) EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AMENDMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM HEREIN.
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SECTION 6. Headings. The Section headings used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Amendment and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Amendment.
SECTION 7. Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Amendment by facsimile or any other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart hereof. The provisions of Section 10.17 of the Credit Agreement are incorporated herein, mutatis mutandis.
SECTION 8. Existing Eurodollar Loans. To the extent any Eurodollar Loan is outstanding on the Amendment No. 3 Effective Date, such Loan shall continue to bear interest at the Eurodollar Rate until the end of the current Interest Period or payment period applicable to such Eurodollar Loan.
[Signature pages to follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first written above.
| CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLC, as Borrower | |||
| By: | /s/ Scott A. Schwartz | ||
| Name: Scott A. Schwartz | |||
| Title: Group Vice President, Corporate Finance and Treasurer | |||
| CCO HOLDINGS, LLC, as Holdings | |||
| By: | /s/ Scott A. Schwartz | ||
| Name: Scott A. Schwartz | |||
| Title: Group Vice President, Corporate Finance and Treasurer | |||
| THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS LISTED ON SCHEDULE A HERETO | |||
| By: | /s/ Scott A. Schwartz | ||
| Name: Scott A. Schwartz | |||
| Title: Group Vice President, Corporate Finance and Treasurer | |||
| BANK OF AMERICA, N.A, as Administrative Agent | |||
| By: | /s/ Don B. Pinzon | ||
| Name: Don B. Pinzon | |||
| Title: Vice President | |||
Schedule A
Subsidiary Guarantors
| 1. Bresnan Broadband Holdings, LLC |
| 2. CCO NR Holdings, LLC |
| 3. Charter Advanced Services (MO), LLC |
| 4. Charter Communications VI, L.L.C. |
| 5. Charter Communications, LLC |
| 6. Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp. |
| 7. Charter Distribution, LLC |
| 8. Charter Leasing Holding Company, LLC |
| 9. Charter Procurement Leasing, LLC |
| 10. DukeNet Communications, LLC |
| 11. Marcus Cable Associates, L.L.C. |
| 12. Spectrum Advanced Services, LLC |
| 13. Spectrum Gulf Coast, LLC |
| 14. Spectrum Mid-America, LLC |
| 15. Spectrum Mobile, LLC |
| 16. Spectrum Mobile Equipment, LLC |
| 17. Spectrum New York Metro, LLC |
| 18. Spectrum NLP, LLC |
| 19. Spectrum Northeast, LLC |
| 20. Spectrum Oceanic, LLC |
| 21. Spectrum Originals, LLC |
| 22. Spectrum Originals Development, LLC |
| 23. Spectrum Pacific West, LLC |
| 24. Spectrum Reach, LLC |
| 25. Spectrum RSN, LLC |
| 26. Spectrum Security, LLC |
| 27. Spectrum Southeast, LLC |
| 28. Spectrum Sunshine State, LLC |
| 29. Spectrum TV Essentials, LLC |
| 30. Spectrum Wireless Holdings, LLC |
| 31. TC Technology LLC |
| 32. Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC |
| 33. Time Warner Cable, LLC |
| 34. TWC Administration LLC |
| 35. TWC Communications, LLC |
| 36. TWC SEE Holdco LLC |
Exhibit A
Credit Agreement
[See attached.]
| EXHIBIT A Deal CUSIP: 16117LBP3 Revolving B Commitments CUSIP: 16117LBT5 Term A-5 Loan CUSIP: 16117LBY4 Term A-6 Loan CUSIP: 16117LBZ1 Term B-1 Loan CUSIP: 16117LBW8 Term B-2 Loan CUSIP: 16117LBX6 AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLC, as Borrower, CCO HOLDINGS, LLC, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., CITIBANK, N.A., DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC. and MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners for Amendment No. 2, BARCLAYS BANK PLC, BNP PARIBAS SECURITIES CORP., CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC, GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., MIZUHO BANK, LTD., MUFG BANK, LTD., RBC CAPITAL MARKETS, TD SECURITIES (USA) LLC and WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC, as Joint Bookrunners for Amendment No. 2, and COBANK, ACB, as Lead Arranger and Bookrunner with respect to the Term A-6 Loans Dated as of March 18, 1999, as Amended and Restated as of April 26, 2019, as amended by Amendment No. 1 on October 24, 2019 and2019, as amended by Amendment No. 2 on May 26, 2022 and as amended by Amendment No. 3 on February 10, 2023 |
| TABLE OF CONTENTS Page SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS 1 1.1. Defined Terms 1 1.2. Other Definitional Provisions; Pro Forma Calculations 34 1.3. Divisions 36 1.4. Interest Rates 36 SECTION 2 AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS 37 2.1. Loans and Commitments 37 2.2. Procedure for Borrowing 42 2.3. Repayment of Loans 43 2.4. Swingline Commitment 44 2.5. Procedure for Swingline Borrowing; Refunding of Swingline Loans 45 2.6. Fees, Etc. 46 2.7. Termination or Reduction of Commitments 47 2.8. Optional Prepayments 47 2.9. [Reserved] 50 2.10. Conversion and Continuation Options 50 2.11. Limitations on Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Tranches 51 2.12. Interest Rates and Payment Dates 51 2.13. Computation of Interest and Fees 51 2.14. Inability to Determine Interest Rate 52 2.15. Pro Rata Treatment and Payments 55 2.16. Requirements of Law 57 2.17. Taxes 58 2.18. Indemnity 61 2.19. Change of Lending Office 61 2.20. Replacement of Lenders 61 2.21. Defaulting Lenders 62 2.22. Obligations of Lenders Several 64 2.23. Permitted Debt Exchanges 64 SECTION 3 LETTERS OF CREDIT 66 3.1. L/C Commitment 66 3.2. Procedure for Issuance of Letter of Credit 67 3.3. Fees and Other Charges 68 3.4. L/C Participations 68 3.5. Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower 69 3.6. Obligations Absolute 69 3.7. Letter of Credit Payments 70 3.8. Cash Collateral 70 3.9. Applications 71 3.10. Applicability of ISP and UCP 71 SECTION 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES 71 4.1. Financial Condition 71 4.2. No Change 71 - i- |
| 4.3. Existence; Compliance with Law 71 4.4. Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations 72 4.5. No Legal Bar 72 4.6. Litigation 72 4.7. [Reserved] 72 4.8. Ownership of Property; Liens 72 4.9. [Reserved] 72 4.10. Taxes 72 4.11. Federal Regulations 73 4.12. [Reserved] 73 4.13. [Reserved] 73 4.14. Investment Company Act 73 4.15. Subsidiaries 73 4.16. Use of Proceeds 73 4.17. [Reserved] 73 4.18. [Reserved] 73 4.19. Accuracy of Information, Etc. 73 4.20. Security Interests 73 4.21. Solvency 74 SECTION 5 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT 74 5.1. Conditions to Restatement Effective Date 74 5.2. Conditions to Each Extension of Credit 74 SECTION 6 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS 74 6.1. Financial Statements 74 6.2. Certificates; Other Information 76 6.3. Payment of Taxes 77 6.4. Maintenance of Existence; Compliance 77 6.5. Maintenance of Property; Insurance 77 6.6. Books and Records 77 6.7. Notices 77 6.8. [Reserved] 77 6.9. Additional Collateral; Additional Guarantors 77 6.10. [Reserved] 78 6.11. CoBank Equity and Security 78 SECTION 7 NEGATIVE COVENANTS 79 7.1. Financial Condition Covenants 79 7.2. [Reserved] 79 7.3. Liens 80 7.4. Fundamental Changes 82 SECTION 8 EVENTS OF DEFAULT 83 8.1. Events of Default 83 8.2. Application of Funds 86 8.3. Right to Cure Generally 86 8.4. Expired Defaults 87 SECTION 9 THE AGENTS 87 9.1. Appointment 87 - ii- |
| 9.2. Delegation of Duties 88 9.3. Exculpatory Provisions 88 9.4. Reliance by Administrative Agent 89 9.5. Notice of Default 89 9.6. Certain Representations and Agreements by Lenders 89 9.7. Indemnification 91 9.8. Agent in Its Individual Capacity 91 9.9. Successor Administrative Agent 91 9.10. Agents 92 9.11. Collateral and Guaranty Matters 92 9.12. Non-Facility Letters of Credit, Specified Cash Management Agreements and Specified Hedge Agreements 92 9.13. Recovery of Erroneous Payments 92 SECTION 10 MISCELLANEOUS 93 10.1. Amendments and Waivers 93 10.2. Notices 94 10.3. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies 96 10.4. Survival of Representations and Warranties 96 10.5. Payment of Expenses and Taxes; Indemnification 96 10.6. Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments 97 10.7. Adjustments; Setoff 102 10.8. Counterparts 102 10.9. Severability 102 10.10. Integration 103 10.11. GOVERNING LAW 103 10.12. Submission to Jurisdiction; Waivers 103 10.13. Acknowledgments 103 10.14. Release of Guarantees and Liens 104 10.15. Confidentiality 104 10.16. WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL 105 10.17. Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents 105 10.18. USA Patriot Act; Beneficial Ownership Regulation 105 10.19. Affected Financial Institutions 106 10.20. Intercreditor Agreements 106 10.21. Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs 106 10.22. Lender Action 107 10.23. Interest Rate Limitation 107 SCHEDULES: 4.15 Subsidiaries 4.20(a) UCC Filing Jurisdictions 10.2 Notices for Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Lenders -iii- |
| EXHIBITS: A Form of Assignment and Assumption B Form of Compliance Certificate C Form of United States Tax Compliance Certificate D [Reserved] E Form of Notice of Borrowing F Form of Release - iv- |
| AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of March 18, 1999, as amended and restated as of April 26, 2019, as amended by Amendment No. 1 as of October 24, 2019, and as amended by Amendment No. 2 as of May 26, 20222022, and as amended by Amendment No. 3 as of February 10, 2023, among CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), CCO HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Holdings”), the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to this Agreement (the “Lenders”) and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, together with any successor, the “Administrative Agent”). W I T N E S S E T H : WHEREAS, the Borrower and Holdings are parties to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 18, 1999, as amended and restated as of April 26, 2019 and2019, as amended by Amendment No. 1, dated as of October 24, 2019, and as amended by Amendment No. 2, dated as of May 26, 2022, with the Administrative Agent, the issuing lenders party thereto and the lenders party thereto (the “Existing Credit Agreement”), and WHEREAS, the parties hereto have agreed to amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement as provided in this Agreement, which Agreement shall become effective upon the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in the Restatement Agreement; and WHEREAS, it is the intent of the parties hereto that this Agreement not constitute a novation of the obligations and liabilities existing under the Existing Credit Agreement or evidence repayment of any of such obligations and liabilities and that this Agreement amend and restate in its entirety the Existing Credit Agreement and re-evidence the obligations of the Borrower outstanding thereunder; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above premises, the parties hereto hereby agree that on the Restatement Effective Date (as defined below), the Existing Credit Agreement shall be amended and restated in its entirety as follows: SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS 1.1. Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the terms listed in this Section 1.1 shall have the respective meanings set forth in this Section 1.1. “ABR”: for any day, a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100th of 1%) equal to the greater of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus ½ of 1%. Any change in the ABR due to a change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be effective as of the opening of business on the effective day of such change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, respectively. “ABR Loans”: Loans the rate of interest applicable to which is based upon the ABR. “Acceptable Price”: as defined in Section 2.8(b)(iii). “Acceptance Date”: as defined in Section 2.8(b)(iii). “Administrative Agent”: as defined in the preamble hereto. “Affected Financial Institution” means (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution. |
| “Affiliate”: as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” of a Person means the power, directly or indirectly, to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether by contract or otherwise. “Agent Parties”: as defined in Section 10.2(c). “Agents”: the collective reference to the Syndication Agents, the Joint Bookrunners, the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Administrative Agent. “Aggregate Exposure”: with respect to any Lender at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate then unpaid principal amount of such Lender’s Term Loans and (b) the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment then in effect or, if the Revolving Commitments have been terminated, the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Extensions of Credit then outstanding. “Aggregate Exposure Percentage”: with respect to any Lender at any time, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of such Lender’s Aggregate Exposure at such time to the Aggregate Exposure of all Lenders at such time. “Agreement”: this Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, as further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time. “Amendment No. 1”: Amendment No. 1 to this Agreement, dated as of October 24, 2019. “Amendment No. 1 Effective Date”: as defined in Amendment No. 1. “Amendment No. 2”: Amendment No. 2 to this Agreement, dated as of May 26, 2022. “Amendment No. 2 Effective Date”: as defined in Amendment No. 2. “Amendment No. 3”: Amendment No. 3 to this Agreement, dated as of February 10, 2023. “Annualized Operating Cash Flow”: for any fiscal quarter, an amount equal to Consolidated Operating Cash Flow for such period multiplied by four. “Applicable Margin”: (a) with respect to the Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans pursuant to the Revolving B Commitments, the rate per annum set forth under the relevant column heading below based on CCI’s corporate family rating being at least such level: Ratings Level Status ABR Loans Term SOFR Loans Level I Status 0.00% 0.75% Level II Status 0.00% 1.00% Investment Grade Rating 0.125% 1.125% Below Investment Grade Rating 0.25% 1.25% ; provided that as used in this definition and the definition of Commitment Fee Rate: (i) “Level I Status”: a rating equal to or higher than (w) in the case of Moody’s, A2 (or the equivalent), (x) in the case of S&P, A (or the equivalent), (y) in the case of Fitch, A (or - 2- |
| the equivalent) and (z) in the case of any other Rating Agency, the equivalent rating by such Rating Agency to the ratings described in clauses (w), (x) and (y); (ii) “Level II Status”: a rating equal to or higher than (w) in the case of Moody’s, Baa1 (or the equivalent), (x) in the case of S&P, BBB+ (or the equivalent), (y) in the case of Fitch, BBB+ (or the equivalent) and (z) in the case of any other Rating Agency, the equivalent rating by such Rating Agency to the ratings described in clauses (w), (x) and (y); (iii) “Investment Grade Rating”: a rating equal to or higher than (w) in the case of Moody’s, Baa3 (or the equivalent), (x) in the case of S&P, BBB—(or the equivalent), (y) in the case of Fitch, BBB—(or the equivalent) and (z) in the case of any other Rating Agency, the equivalent rating by such Rating Agency to the ratings described in clauses (w), (x) and (y). ; provided, further, that for purposes of determining whether on any date Level I Status, Level II Status, Investment Grade Rating or below an Investment Grade Rating applies, if (a) a rating is issued by at least two of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch, and such ratings fall within different levels, then the highest of such ratings shall be used to determine the applicable rating level status unless the lowest of such ratings is more than one level below the highest of such ratings, in which case the level that is one level lower than the highest rating shall be used to determine the applicable rating level status, (b) a rating is issued by only one Rating Agency (x) as a result of two Rating Agencies ceasing to be in the business of rating corporate debt obligations or despite Borrower’s commercially reasonable efforts to maintain a rating from at least two of the Rating Agencies, then such rating shall be used to determine the applicable rating level status and (y) otherwise, the level that is one level lower than such rating shall apply and (c) there is no rating from any Rating Agency, below Investment Grade Rating status shall apply. ; provided, further, that the Applicable Margin with respect to Revolving Loans made pursuant to any Extended Revolving Commitment following the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date shall be as set forth in the applicable Incremental Activation Notice; (a) with respect to Term A-5 Loans, (i) 0.25% in the case of ABR Loans and (ii) 1.25% in the case of Term SOFR Loans; (b) with respect to Term A-6 Loans, (i) 0.50% in the case of ABR Loans and (ii) 1.50% in the case of Term SOFR Loans; (c) with respect to Term B-1 Loans, (i) 0.75% in the case of ABR Loans and (ii) 1.75% in the case of EurodollarTerm SOFR Loans; (d) with respect to Term B-2 Loans, (i) 0.75% in the case of ABR Loans and (ii) 1.75% in the case of EurodollarTerm SOFR Loans; (e) with respect to any Incremental Term Loans, such per annum rates as shall be agreed to by the Borrower and the applicable Incremental Term Lenders as shown in the applicable Incremental Activation Notice; and (f) with respect to Extended Term Loans, such per annum rates as shall be agreed to by the Borrower and the applicable Extending Term Lenders as shown in the applicable Incremental Activation Notice. “Applicable Price”: as defined in Section 2.8(b). - 3- |
| “Application”: an application, in such form as the relevant Issuing Lender may specify from time to time, requesting such Issuing Lender to open a Letter of Credit. “Approved Fund”: as defined in Section 10.6. “Assignee”: as defined in Section 10.6(b)(i). “Assignment and Assumption”: an Assignment and Assumption, substantially in the form of Exhibit A. “Assumption Agreement”: an agreement in substantially the form of the applicable Exhibit to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, pursuant to which a Subsidiary of the Borrower becomes a party thereto. “Available Revolving Commitment”: as to any Revolving Lender with any Class of Revolving Commitments at any time, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) such Lender’s Revolving Commitment of such Class then in effect minus (b) such Lender’s Revolving Extensions of Credit then outstanding under such Class of Revolving Commitments; provided, that in calculating any Lender’s Revolving Extensions of Credit for the purpose of determining such Lender’s Available Revolving Commitment pursuant to Section 2.6(a), the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans then outstanding shall be deemed to be zero. “Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an Affected Financial Institution. “Bail-In Legislation” means, (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law, rule, regulation or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule, and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings). “Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation. “Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230. “Benefited Lender”: as defined in Section 10.7(a). “Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in and subject to Section 4975 of the Code or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”. “Board”: the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States (or any successor). “Borrower”: as defined in the preamble hereto. “Borrower Materials”: as defined in Section 6.1. - 4- |
| “Borrowing Date”: any Business Day specified by the Borrower in a Notice of Borrowing as a date on which the Borrower requests the relevant Lenders to make Loans hereunder. “Bright House Acquisition Agreement”: means that certain Contribution Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2015, as amended on May 23, 2015 and as the same may be further amended so long as such amendments are not, taken as a whole, materially adverse to the Lenders, by and among CCI, certain of its subsidiaries and the other parties thereto. “Business”: as defined in Section 4.17(b). “Business Day”: a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized or required by law to close, or are in fact closed, in the state where the Funding Office is located, provided that with respect to notices and determinations in connection with, and payments of principal and interest on, Eurodollar Loans, such day is also a day for trading by and between banks in Dollar deposits in the interbank eurodollar market. “Cash Collateralize”: to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, Issuing Lenders and/or Swingline Lender (as applicable) and the Revolving Lenders, as collateral for L/C Obligations, obligations in respect of Swingline Loans, or obligations of Revolving Lenders to fund participations in respect of either thereof (as the context may require), cash or deposit account balances or, if an Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender benefiting from such collateral shall agree in its sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to (a) the Administrative Agent and (b) the applicable Issuing Lender(s) and/or the Swingline Lender (as applicable). “Cash Collateral” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support. “Cash Equivalents”: (a) marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States government or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition; (b) certificates of deposit, time deposits, eurodollar time deposits or overnight bank deposits having maturities of twelve (12) months or less from the date of acquisition issued (i) by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or any domestic branch of a foreign commercial bank, in each case having combined capital and surplus of not less than $500,000,000 or (ii) by any Lender; (c) commercial paper of an issuer rated at the time of acquisition at least A-1 by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”) or P-1 by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or F-1 by Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”), or carrying an equivalent rating by a nationally recognized rating agency, if each of the three named rating agencies cease publishing ratings of commercial paper issuers generally, and maturing within twelve (12) months from the date of acquisition; (d) repurchase obligations of any Lender or of any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (b) of this definition, having a term of not more than 30 days, with respect to securities issued or fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government; - 5- |
| (e) securities with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States, by any political subdivision or taxing authority of any such state, commonwealth or territory or by any foreign government, the securities of which state, commonwealth, territory, political subdivision, taxing authority or foreign government (as the case may be) are rated at the time of acquisition at least A by S&P or A by Moody’s or A by Fitch; (f) securities with maturities of twelve (12) months or less from the date of acquisition backed by standby letters of credit issued by any Lender or any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (b) of this definition; or (g) shares of money market mutual or similar funds which invest exclusively in assets satisfying the requirements of clauses (a) through (f) of this definition. “CCH”: Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, together with its successors. “CCI”: Charter Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation (f/k/a CCH I, Inc.), together with its successors. “Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the Restatement Effective Date, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued. “Change of Control”: as defined in Section 8.1(k). “Class”: with respect to (i) any Revolving Commitment, refers to whether such Commitment is a Revolving B Commitment or Extended Revolving Commitment and (ii) any Loan, refers to whether such Loan is a Revolving Loan, a Term A-5 Loan, a Term A-6 Loan, a Term B Loan, a Term B-1 Loan, a Term B-2 Loan, an Incremental Term Loan of a particular Series, an Extended Term Loan of a particular Series or a Replacement Term Loan of a particular Series. “CME” means CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited. “CoBank” means CoBank, ACB, a federally chartered instrumentality of the United States. “CoBank Equities” means any of the Borrower’s stock, patronage refunds issued in the form of stock or otherwise constituting allocated units, patronage surplus (including any such surplus accrued by CoBank for the account of Borrower) and other equities in CoBank acquired in connection with, or because of the existence of, the Borrower’s patronage loan from CoBank (or its affiliate), and the proceeds of any of the foregoing. “Code”: the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time. - 6- |
| “Collateral”: all property of the Loan Parties, now owned or hereafter acquired, upon which a Lien is purported to be created by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement. “Commitment Fee Rate”: (a) with respect to the Revolving B Commitments existing on the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date, the rate per annum set forth under the relevant column heading below based on CCI’s corporate family rating being at least such level: Ratings Level Status Commitment Fee Rate Level I Status 0.05% Level II Status 0.10% Investment Grade Rating 0.15% Below Investment Grade Rating 0.20% (b) with respect to any Extended Revolving Commitment, the rate provided in the applicable Incremental Activation Notice. “Commitments”: the collective reference to the Revolving Commitments, the Term A-5 Additional Commitments, the Term A-6 Commitments, the Term B-1 Additional Commitments and the Term B-2 Additional Commitments. “Commonly Controlled Entity”: an entity, whether or not incorporated, that is under common control with any Loan Party within the meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA or is part of a group that includes any Loan Party and that is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code. “Compliance Certificate”: a certificate duly executed by a Responsible Officer, substantially in the form of Exhibit B. “Conduit Lender”: any special purpose corporation organized and administered by any Lender for the purpose of making Loans otherwise required to be made by such Lender and designated by such Lender in a written instrument; provided, that the designation by any Lender of a Conduit Lender shall not relieve the designating Lender of any of its obligations to fund a Loan under this Agreement if, for any reason, its Conduit Lender fails to fund any such Loan, and the designating Lender (and not the Conduit Lender) shall have the sole right and responsibility to deliver all consents and waivers required or requested under this Agreement with respect to its Conduit Lender, and provided, further, that no Conduit Lender shall (a) be entitled to receive any greater amount pursuant to Section 2.16, 2.17, 2.18 or 10.5 than the designating Lender would have been entitled to receive in respect of the extensions of credit made by such Conduit Lender or (b) be deemed to have any Revolving Commitment. “Conforming Changes” means, with respect to the use, administration of or any conventions associated with Term SOFR, SOFR or any proposed Successor Rate, as applicable, any conforming changes to the definitions of “ABR”, “Term SOFR”, “SOFR” and “Interest Period”, timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest and other technical, administrative or operational matters (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the definitions of “Business Day” and “U.S. Government Securities Business Day”, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices and length of lookback periods) as may be appropriate, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent (in consultation with the Borrower), to reflect the adoption and implementation of such applicable rate(s) and to permit the administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent determines that adoption of - 7- |
| any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or that no market practice for the administration of such rate exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent determines (in consultation with the Borrower) is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and any other Loan Document). “Consideration”: with respect to any Investment or Disposition, (a) any cash or other property (valued at fair market value in the case of such other property) paid or transferred in connection therewith, (b) the principal amount of any Indebtedness assumed in connection therewith and (c) any letters of credit, surety arrangements or security deposits posted in connection therewith. “Consolidated First Lien Leverage Ratio”: as of the last day of any period, the ratio of (a) the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount of all Consolidated Total Debt outstanding under this Agreement at such date plus (ii) the aggregate principal amount of any other Consolidated Total Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such date that is secured by the Collateral on a basis pari passu with the Indebtedness under this Agreement, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, to (b) Annualized Operating Cash Flow determined in respect of the fiscal quarter ending on such day. “Consolidated Leverage Ratio”: as of the last day of any period, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Debt on such day to (b) Annualized Operating Cash Flow determined in respect of the fiscal quarter ending on such day. “Consolidated Net Income”: for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that, GAAP to the contrary notwithstanding, there shall be excluded: (a) the income (or deficit) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower or is merged into or consolidated with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) the income (or deficit) of any Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Borrower) in which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has an ownership interest, except to the extent that any such income is actually received by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in the form of dividends or similar distributions, (c) the undistributed earnings of any Subsidiary of the Borrower (including any Excluded Acquired Subsidiary) to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary is not at the time permitted by the terms of any Contractual Obligation (other than under any Loan Document) or Requirement of Law applicable to such Subsidiary and (d) whether or not distributed, the income of any Non-Recourse Subsidiary. “Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, as of any date of determination, the total amount of assets (less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries less the sum of (1) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other intangibles, and (2) all current liabilities, in each case, reflected on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of the most recent ended fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 6.1(a) or (b), determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP on a pro forma basis to give effect to (x) any Material Acquisition or Material Disposition or (y) any Disposition (other than a Material Disposition) or Acquisition (other than a Material Acquisition), at the option of the Borrower (in the case of this clause (y)), in each case made after such balance sheet date and on or prior to the date of determination. - 8- |
| “Consolidated Net Worth”: with respect to any Person, at the date of any determination, the consolidated stockholders’ or owners’ equity of the holders of Equity Interests or partnership interests of such Person and its subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, which, for the avoidance of doubt, may, at the Borrower’s option, be calculated on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP on a pro forma basis to give effect to any assets acquired after such balance sheet date and on or prior to the date of determination. “Consolidated Operating Cash Flow”: for any period with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (a) Consolidated Net Income for such period plus, (b) without duplication and to the extent deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income for such period, the sum of: (i) total income tax expense, (ii) interest expense, amortization or writeoff of debt discount and debt issuance costs and commissions, discounts and other fees and charges associated with Indebtedness, (iii) depreciation and amortization expense, (iv) management fees expensed during such period, (v) any extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring expenses or losses, (vi) any expenses or losses consisting of restructuring charges, litigation settlements and judgments and related costs, (vii) losses on Dispositions of assets outside of the ordinary course of business, (viii) other non-cash items reducing such Consolidated Net Income and (ix) the amount of “run-rate” cost savings projected by the Borrower in good faith, net of the amount of actual benefits realized or expected to be realized prior to or during such period (which cost savings shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as though they had been realized on the first day of such period) from actions taken or to be taken within four fiscal quarters of any Material Acquisition or Disposition of a line of business or cable system; provided that (A) a Responsible Officer of the Borrower shall have certified in writing to the Administrative Agent that (x) such cost savings are reasonably identifiable and expected to be achieved based on such actions and (y) the benefits resulting therefrom are anticipated by the Borrower to be realized within twelve (12) months of such Material Acquisition or Disposition and (B) the aggregate amount added back pursuant to this clause (ix) for any period shall not exceed 25% of Consolidated Operating Cash Flow for such period prior to giving effect to this clause (ix), minus, (c) without duplication and to the extent included in the statement of Consolidated Net Income for such period, the sum of (i) any extraordinary or non-recurring income or gains, (ii) gains on Dispositions of assets outside of the ordinary course of business and - 9- |
| (iii) other non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income, all as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP. “Consolidated Total Debt”: at any date, the aggregate principal amount of, without duplication, (i) all Indebtedness of such Person and its Subsidiaries described in clauses (a), (c) and (f) (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, surety bonds, performance bonds and similar instruments) of the definition of “Indebtedness”, determined on a consolidated basis, to the extent required to be recorded on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP, including, without duplication, the outstanding principal amount of the Loans; provided that Consolidated Total Debt shall not include (a) Indebtedness incurred by a Non-Recourse Subsidiary, Securitization Subsidiary, factoring Subsidiary or other special purpose entity, (b) obligations in respect of letters of credit (including Letters of Credit), except to the extent of any unreimbursed amounts thereunder or (c) Indebtedness constituting Finance Lease Obligations, purchase money debt or other similar Indebtedness; minus (ii) the aggregate amount of unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents (in each case, free and clear of all Liens other than any Lien that is not prohibited by Section 7.3) included in the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of such date. “Contractual Obligation”: as to any Person, any provision of any debt or equity security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound. “Converted Term B Loan”: as to any Converting Term B Lender that has indicated on its counterpart to Amendment No. 1 that it is requesting to convert its Term B Loan to a Term B-1 Loan and/or a Term B-2 Loan the entire aggregate principal amount of such Converting Term B Lender’s Term B Loan (or, if less, the amount notified to such Lender by the Administrative Agent prior to the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date). “Converted Second Amendment Term A Loan”: as to any Converting Second Amendment Term A Lender that has indicated on its counterpart to Amendment No. 2 that it is requesting to convert its Term A-4 Loan to a Term A-5 Loan, the entire aggregate principal amount of such Converting Term A-5 Lender’s Term A-4 Loan (or, if less, the amount notified to such Lender by the Administrative Agent prior to the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date). “Converting Second Amendment Term A Lender”: each Lender with a Term A-4 Loan immediately prior to the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date that has returned a counterpart to Amendment No. 2 indicating its election to have its Term A-4 Loan converted to a Term A-5 Loan on the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date. “Converting Term B Lender”: each Lender with a Term B Loan immediately prior to the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date that has returned a counterpart to Amendment No. 1 indicating its election to have its Term B Loan converted to a Term B-1 Loan and/or a Term B-2 Loan, as applicable, on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date. “Daily Simple SOFR” with respect to any applicable determination date means the SOFR published on such date on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s website (or any successor source). “De Minimis Subsidiary” at any date of determination, each Subsidiary of the Borrower that (x) is not a Specified Excluded Subsidiary and (y) does not account for more than 5% of (i) Total Assets on - 10- |
| the date of the most recent consolidated balance sheet delivered pursuant to Section 6.1(a) or (b) or (ii) consolidated total revenues of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the period of four fiscal quarters ending on the date of the most recent consolidated balance sheet delivered pursuant to Section 6.1(a) or (b); provided that if, in the aggregate, Subsidiaries of the Borrower that are not Subsidiary Guarantors and that are not otherwise Specified Excluded Subsidiaries account for more than 10% of (i) Total Assets on the date of the most recent consolidated balance sheet delivered pursuant to Section 6.1(a) or (b) or (ii) consolidated total revenues of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the period of four fiscal quarters ending on the date of the most recent consolidated balance sheet delivered pursuant to Section 6.1(a) or (b), then, in either case, the Borrower shall promptly cause such De Minimis Subsidiaries as may be selected by the Borrower to comply with the requirements of Section 6.9 (as though such Subsidiaries were not De Minimis Subsidiaries) to the extent necessary so that all De Minimis Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors or Specified Excluded Subsidiaries do not, in the aggregate, exceed such threshold. “Debtor Relief Laws”: the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally. “Default”: any of the events specified in Section 8.1, whether or not any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, has been satisfied. “Defaulting Lender”: subject to Section 2.21(b), any Revolving Lender that, as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent (which determination shall, upon reasonable request by the Borrower, be made promptly by the Administrative Agent if the Administrative Agent reasonably determines the conditions set forth below apply), (a) has failed to perform any of its funding obligations hereunder, including in respect of its Revolving Loans or participations in respect of Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans, within three Business Days of the date required to be funded by it hereunder unless such obligation is the subject of a good faith dispute, (b) has notified the Borrower or the Administrative Agent that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder or has made a public statement to that effect with respect to its funding obligations hereunder or under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit except to the extent any such obligation is the subject of a good faith dispute, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent (which request the Administrative Agent shall make if reasonably requested by the Borrower), to confirm in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that it will comply with its funding obligations except to the extent subject to a good faith dispute, or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or Bail-In Action, (ii) had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or a custodian appointed for it, or (iii) taken any action in furtherance of, or indicated its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment (unless, in each case, such Revolving Lender has confirmed it will comply with its obligations hereunder and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Lender is reasonably satisfied that such Revolving Lender is able to continue to perform its obligations hereunder); provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority or instrumentality) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. “Discharge Date”: as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement. - 11- |
| “Disposition”: with respect to any property, any sale, lease (other than leases in the ordinary course of business, including leases of excess office space and fiber leases), sale and leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer or other disposition thereof, including pursuant to an exchange for other property. The terms “Dispose” and “Disposed of” shall have correlative meanings. “Dollars” and “$”: dollars in lawful currency of the United States. “Domestic Subsidiary”: any Subsidiary of the Borrower organized under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States. “EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent. “EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. “EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution. “Effective Yield”: at any time, the effective yield for any type of Indebtedness as determined in good faith by the Borrower (which shall take into account the interest rate provisions applicable thereof (including margins and “floors”) and be deemed to include all upfront or similar fees or original issue discount payable to all lenders providing such Indebtedness in the initial primary syndication thereof (but excluding bona fide arranger fees, commitment fees or similar fees payable in connection therewith that are not generally shared with the relevant Lenders and if, applicable, consent fees for an amendment paid generally to consenting Lenders) and, in the case of upfront fees and original issue discount, equated to interest margin based on an assumed four year weighted average life). “Equally and Ratably Secured Notes Obligations”: as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement. “Equity Interests”: any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation, any and all classes of membership interests in a limited liability company, any and all classes of partnership interests in a partnership and any and all other equivalent ownership interests in a Person, and any and all warrants, rights or options to purchase any of the foregoing. “ERISA”: the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time and the regulations promulgated thereunder. “Escrow Assumption”: with respect to any Incremental Term Loan that is initially established as an Escrow Incremental Term Loan, the assumption of the Escrow Borrower’s obligations with respect thereto by the Borrower pursuant to an assumption agreement in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. - 12- |
| “Escrow Borrower”: a Non-Recourse Subsidiary or another Person that is not the Borrower or a Subsidiary, in each case, established to (i) borrow Escrow Incremental Term Loans (pending assumption of such Incremental Term Loans by the Borrower) or (ii) assume the obligations of the Borrower with respect to previously incurred Incremental Term Loans, in each case, that is designated in the applicable Incremental Activation Notice or assumption agreement as an Escrow Borrower and that is not engaged in any material operations and does not have any other material assets other than in connection therewith. “Escrow Incremental Term Loan”: any Incremental Term Loan that either (x) is initially borrowed by an Escrow Borrower or (y) is initially borrowed by the Borrower but was subsequently converted to an Escrow Incremental Term Loans in accordance with Section 2.1(g), in each case, for so long as the Escrow Assumption with respect to such Incremental Term Loan has not occurred. “EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time. “Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements”: for any day, as applied to a Eurodollar Loan, the aggregate (without duplication) of the maximum rates (expressed as a decimal fraction) of reserve requirements in effect on such day (including basic, supplemental, marginal and emergency reserves under any regulations of the Board or other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto) dealing with reserve requirements prescribed for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities” in Regulation D of the Board) maintained by a member bank of the Federal Reserve System. “Eurodollar Base Rate”: for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar Loan, the rate per annum equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or a comparable or successor rate, which rate is approved by the Administrative Agent, as published on the applicable Bloomberg screen page (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for Dollar deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period; provided that to the extent a comparable or successor rate is approved by the Administrative Agent in connection herewith, the approved rate shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided, further that to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, such approved rate shall be applied in a manner as otherwise reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent. “Eurodollar Loans”: Loans for which the applicable rate of interest is based upon the Eurodollar Rate. “Eurodollar Rate”: with respect to each day during each Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Loan, a rate per annum determined for such day in accordance with the following formula (rounded upward to the nearest 1/100th of 1%): Eurodollar Base Rate 1.00 - Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements - 13- |
| “Eurodollar Rate/SOFR Loan” means (a) with respect to Term B-1 Loans and Term B-2 Loans, a Eurodollar Loan and (b) with respect to all other Loans, a Term SOFR Loan. “Eurodollar Rate/SOFR Tranche”: the collective reference to Eurodollar Rate/SOFR Loans of a particular Class, the then current Interest Periods with respect to all of which begin on the same date and end on the same later date (whether or not such Loans shall originally have been made on the same day).“Event of Default”: any of the events specified in Section 8.1, provided that any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, has been satisfied. “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. “Excluded Acquired Subsidiary”: any Subsidiary that is acquired by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries to the extent that documentation governing Indebtedness of such Subsidiary existing at the time of such acquisition prohibits (including by reason of its inability to satisfy a leverage ratio or other financial covenant condition under such Indebtedness) (to the extent such prohibition was not created in contemplation of such acquisition) such Subsidiary from becoming a Subsidiary Guarantor, but only so long as such Indebtedness remains outstanding. “Existing Class”: as defined in Section 2.1(h). “Existing Credit Agreement”: as defined in the recitals hereto. “Existing Letter of Credit”: each letter of credit outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement immediately prior to the Restatement Effective Date. “Extended Revolving Commitment”: as defined in Section 2.1(i). “Extended Term Loans”: as defined in Section 2.1(h). “Extended Term Maturity Date”: with respect to the Extended Term Loans created pursuant to any Incremental Activation Notice, the final maturity date specified in the applicable Incremental Activation Notice. “Extending Term Lender”: as defined in Section 2.1(h). “Extension Election”: as defined in Section 2.1(h). “Extension Request”: as defined in Section 2.1(h). “FATCA”: Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantially comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with) and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to current Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code (or any amended or successor version described above) and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or official administrative practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among Governmental Authorities and implementing such Sections of the Code. “Federal Funds Effective Rate”: for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next - 14- |
| succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) charged to the Administrative Agent on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent. “Financial Officer”: the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or senior vice president – corporate finance and development of the Borrower. “Finance Lease Obligations”: as to any Person, the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are or would be required to be classified and accounted for as a “financing lease” under FASB ASC Topic 842 or “capital lease” under FASB ASC Topic 840 (as “financing lease” and “capital lease” are defined in those FASB ASC Topics as of the Restatement Effective Date) on a balance sheet of such Person and, for the purposes of this Agreement, the amount of such obligations at any time shall be the capitalized amount thereof at such time determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 842 or FASB ASC Topic 840, as relevant at such time. “First Lien Intercreditor Agreement”: (a) the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of May 18, 2016, by and among the Borrower, the Guarantors, the Administrative Agent, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. and each other party from time to time thereto or (b) any other agreement by and among the Administrative Agent and one or more collateral agents for the holders of First Lien Notes and/or Pre-Existing Debt (an “Other First Lien Agent”) appropriately completed and acknowledged by the Borrower and the Guarantors providing, among other customary items (as determined by the Administrative Agent in consultation with the Borrower), that (i) for so long as any Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit, or other Obligations are outstanding under this Agreement (other than contingent obligations for which no claim has been asserted) the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, shall have the sole right to enforce any Lien against any Collateral in which it has a perfected security interest (except that, to the extent the principal amount of First Lien Notes and/or Pre-Existing Debt exceeds the principal amount of Loans and L/C Obligations under this Agreement, such agreement may provide that the applicable Other First Lien Agent shall instead be subject to a 90 day standstill requirement with respect to such enforcement (which period shall be extended if the Administrative Agent commences enforcement against the Collateral during such period or is prohibited by any Requirement of Law from commencing such proceedings) in the event it has given notice of an event of default under the indenture or other agreement governing First Lien Notes or Pre-Existing Debt for which it is agent and (ii) distributions on account of any enforcement against the Collateral by the Administrative Agent or the Other First Lien Agent (including any distribution on account of the Collateral in any such proceeding pursuant to any Debtor Relief Laws) with respect to which each of the Administrative Agent and such Other First Lien Agent have a perfected security interest shall be on a pro rata basis (subject to customary provisions dealing with intervening Liens that are prior to the Administrative Agent’s or such Other First Lien Agent’s security interest and the unenforceability of any obligations purportedly secured by such Liens) based on the amount of the Obligations and the obligations owing under the First Lien Notes and Pre-Existing Debt, respectively. “First Lien Notes”: Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Guarantor (including any such Indebtedness (i) issued by a Person that subsequently becomes a Guarantor or (ii) issued as unsecured Indebtedness that subsequently become secured by a Lien) that were either issued or assumed by the Borrower or a Guarantor (including as a result of the guarantee of existing Indebtedness issued by a Person who was not a Guarantor at the time such Indebtedness was issued). - 15- |
| “Foreign Holding Company”: any Subsidiary of the Borrower that has no material assets other than Equity Interests (or Equity Interests and Indebtedness) of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries of such Subsidiary that are “controlled foreign corporations” as defined in Section 957(a) of the Code. “Foreign Subsidiary”: any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Domestic Subsidiary. “Fronting Exposure”: at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to any Issuing Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Percentage of the outstanding L/C Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender other than any such L/C Obligations as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Revolving Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof and (b) with respect to the Swingline Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Percentage of Swingline Loans other than Swingline Loans as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof. “Funding Office”: the office of the Administrative Agent specified in Section 10.2 or such other office as may be specified from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its funding office by written notice to the Borrower and the Lenders. “GAAP”: generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in effect from time to time, except that for purposes of Section 7.1 and any incurrence test hereunder, GAAP shall be determined on the basis of such principles in effect on the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date as applied in the preparation of the most recent audited financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.1 prior to the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date. In the event that any “Accounting Change” (as defined below) shall occur and such change results in a change in the method of calculation of financial covenants, incurrence tests, standards or terms in this Agreement, then the Borrower and the Administrative Agent agree to enter into negotiations in order to amend such provisions of this Agreement so as to equitably reflect such Accounting Changes with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating the Borrower’s financial condition shall be the same after such Accounting Changes as if such Accounting Changes had not been made. Until such time as such an amendment shall have been executed and delivered by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, all financial covenants, standards and terms in this Agreement shall continue to be calculated or construed as if such Accounting Changes had not occurred. “Accounting Changes” refers to changes in (a) accounting principles required by the promulgation of any rule, regulation, pronouncement or opinion by the Financial Accounting Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or, if applicable, the SEC, (b) the Borrower’s manner of accounting as directed or otherwise required or requested by the SEC (including such SEC changes affecting a Qualified Parent Company and applicable to the Borrower), and (c) the Borrower’s manner of accounting addressed in a preferability letter from the Borrower’s independent auditors to the Borrower (or a Qualified Parent Company and applicable to the Borrower) in order for such auditor to deliver an opinion on the Borrower’s financial statements required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.1 without qualification. “Governmental Authority”: any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, any securities exchange and any self-regulatory organization (including the National Association of Insurance Commissioners). “Guarantee and Collateral Agreement”: the Amended and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date, executed and delivered by Holdings, the Borrower, each Subsidiary Guarantor and the Administrative Agent. - 16- |
| “Guarantee Obligation”: as to any Person (the “Guaranteeing Person”), any obligation of (a) the Guaranteeing Person or (b) another Person (including any bank under any letter of credit) to induce the creation of which the Guaranteeing Person has issued a reimbursement, counterindemnity or similar obligation, in either case guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any Indebtedness, leases, dividends or other obligations (the “Primary Obligations”) of any other third Person (the “Primary Obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including any obligation of the Guaranteeing Person, whether or not contingent, (i) to purchase any such Primary Obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (ii) to advance or supply funds (1) for the purchase or payment of any such Primary Obligation or (2) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the Primary Obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the Primary Obligor, (iii) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such Primary Obligation of the ability of the Primary Obligor to make payment of such Primary Obligation or (iv) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the owner of any such Primary Obligation against loss in respect thereof; provided, however, that the term “Guarantee Obligation” shall not include endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any Guarantee Obligation of any Guaranteeing Person shall be deemed to be the lower of (a) an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the Primary Obligation in respect of which such Guarantee Obligation is made and (b) the maximum amount for which such Guaranteeing Person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument embodying such Guarantee Obligation, unless such Primary Obligation and the maximum amount for which such Guaranteeing Person may be liable are not stated or determinable, in which case the amount of such Guarantee Obligation shall be such Guaranteeing Person’s maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the Borrower in good faith. “Guarantors”: the collective reference to Holdings and the Subsidiary Guarantors. “Hedge Agreements”: (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, caps or collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement. “Holdings”: as defined in the preamble hereto, together with any successor thereto. “Incremental Activation Notice”: with respect to any Incremental Term Loan, Replacement Term Loan, Extended Term Loan or Extended Revolving Commitment, the agreement signed by the Borrower (or, in the case of Escrow Incremental Term Loans, the Escrow Borrower), the Administrative Agent and, in the case of any such agreement providing for Incremental Term Loans, Replacement Term Loans or Extended Revolving Commitments, the Lenders providing such Incremental Term Loans, Replacement Term Loans or Extended Revolving Commitments, in each case, providing for the terms of such Incremental Term Loans, Extended Term Loans, Extended Revolving Commitments or Replacement Term Loans in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 2.1(g), (h), (i) or (j). - 17- |
| “Incremental Closing Date”: any Business Day designated as such in an Incremental Activation Notice. “Incremental Term Loan”: any term loan borrowed following the Restatement Effective Date pursuant to Section 2.1(g). “Incremental Term Maturity Date”: with respect to the Incremental Term Loans to be made pursuant to any Incremental Activation Notice, the final maturity date specified in such Incremental Activation Notice. “Indebtedness”: of any Person at any date, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person for the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than (i) accrued expenses, (ii) any earnout or similar obligations so long as such obligations remain contingent and (iii) trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of such Person’s business, including, for the avoidance of doubt, vendor-related financing arrangements incurred in the ordinary course of business for goods and services) to the extent not required to be reflected as “long term debt” on a consolidated balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP, (c) all obligations of such Person evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or other similar instruments, (d) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other 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 or sale of such property), (e) all Finance Lease Obligations of such Person, (f) all obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise, as an account party under acceptances, letters of credit, surety bonds or similar arrangements, (g) the liquidation value of all redeemable preferred Equity Interests of such Person, (h) all Guarantee Obligations of such Person in respect of obligations of the kind referred to in clauses (a) through (g) above, (i) all obligations of the kind referred to in clauses (a) through (h) above secured by (or for which the holder of such obligation has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property (including accounts and contract rights) owned by such Person, whether or not such Person has assumed or become liable for the payment of such obligation, and (j) for the purposes of Sections 8.1(e) and (f) only, all obligations of such Person in respect of Hedge Agreements. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include, without duplication, the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness expressly provide that such Person is not liable therefor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any current or future true up payment or other payments - 18- |
| required by the terms of any Partnership Agreement shall not constitute Indebtedness. For the avoidance of doubt, leases classified as operating leases under ASC 842 shall not constitute Indebtedness. “Indebtedness For Borrowed Money” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all indebtedness of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments and (c) all Guarantee obligations of such Person with respect to indebtedness of the type described in clauses (a) and (b) above of others. The Indebtedness For Borrowed Money of any Person shall include the Indebtedness For Borrowed Money of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other contractual relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness For Borrowed Money provide that such Person is not liable therefor. “Insolvency”: with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the condition that such Plan is insolvent within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA. “Intercompany Obligations”: as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement. “Interest Payment Date”: (a) as to any ABR Loan (including Swingline Loans), the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December to occur while such Loan is outstanding and the final maturity date of such Loan, (b) as to any Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Loan having an Interest Period of three months or less, the last day of such Interest Period, (c) as to any Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Loan having an Interest Period longer than three months, each day that is three months, or a whole multiple thereof, after the first day of such Interest Period and the last day of such Interest Period and (d) as to any Loan (other than any Revolving Loan that is an ABR Loan and any Swingline Loan), the date of any repayment or prepayment made in respect thereof. “Interest Period”: (I) as to any Eurodollareach Term SOFR Loan, (a) initially, the period commencing on the borrowing or conversion date, as the case may be, with respect todate such Eurodollar Loan and ending one, three, six or, if consented to by (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) each Lender holding the relevant Class of Loans, twelve months or one week thereafter, as selected by the Borrower in its notice of borrowing or notice of conversion, as the case may be, given with respect thereto; and (b) thereafter, each period commencing on the last day of the next preceding Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Loan and ending one, three, six or, if consented to by (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) each Lender holding the relevant Class of Loans, twelve months thereafter, as selected by the Borrower by irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent not less than three Business Days prior to the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto; provided that, all of the foregoing provisions relating to Interest Periods are subject to the following: (i) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to carry such Interest Period into another calendar month in which event such Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day; (ii) the Borrower may not select an Interest Period (x) for any Revolving Loan that would extend beyond the Revolving Termination Date for the applicable Revolving Commitments or (y) for any Term Loans of any Class that would extend beyond the Term Maturity Date for such Class; - 19- |
| (iii) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of a calendar month; and (iv) the Borrower shall select Interest Periods so as not to require a payment or prepayment of any Eurodollar Loan during an Interest Period for such Loan or shall comply with Section 2.18 in connection with any such payment or prepayment; and(II) as to each Term SOFR Loan, the period commencing on the date such Term SOFR LoanTerm SOFR Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as a Term SOFR Loan and ending on the date one, three or six months thereafter, as selected by the Borrower in its Notice of Borrowing, or such other period that is twelve months or less requested by the Borrower and consented to by (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) all the appropriate Lenders and the Administrative Agent (in the case of each requested Interest Period, subject to availability); provided that: (i) any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless, in the case of a Term SOFR Loan, such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day; (ii) any Interest Period pertaining to a Term SOFR Loan that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and (iii) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the applicable maturity date. “Investment”: any advance, loan, extension of credit (by way of guaranty or otherwise) or capital contribution to, or any purchase of Equity Interests, bonds, notes, debentures or other debt securities of, or any assets constituting a significant part of a business unit of, or any other investment in, any Person. “Investment Grade Rating”: is as defined in the definition of “Applicable Margin”. “ISP” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the “International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, Inc. (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance). “Issuing Lender”: Bank of America, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and any other Revolving Lender that has agreed in its sole discretion to act as an “Issuing Lender” hereunder and that has been approved (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) in writing by the Administrative Agent as an “Issuing Lender” hereunder, in each case in its capacity as issuer of any Letter of Credit. “Joint Bookrunners”: the Persons identified on the cover of this Agreement as “Joint Bookrunners” in their capacities as such (including those entities identified as such immediately prior to (x) the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date and (y) the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date). “Joint Lead Arrangers”: the Persons identified on the cover of this Agreement as “Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners” in their capacities as such (including those entities identified as such immediately prior to (x) the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date and (y) the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date). - 20- |
| “Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement”: a customary intercreditor agreement in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower pursuant to which, inter alia, any Lien that is intended to be subordinated to the Lien securing the Obligations, is so subordinated. “Laws”: collectively, all international, foreign, Federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case having the force of law. “L/C Commitment”: $1,000,000,000. “L/C Fee Payment Date”: the last day of each March, June, September and December and the last Business Day of the Revolving Commitment Period for any Class of Revolving Commitments with risk participations in Letters of Credit. “L/C Obligations”: at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of the then outstanding Letters of Credit and (b) the aggregate amount of drawings under Letters of Credit that have not then been reimbursed pursuant to Section 3.5. “L/C Participants”: with respect to any Letter of Credit, the collective reference to all Revolving Lenders other than the Issuing Lender that issued such Letter of Credit. “Level I Status”: is as defined in the definition of “Applicable Margin”. “Level II Status”: is as defined in the definition of “Applicable Margin”. “Lender Participation Notice”: as defined in Section 2.8(b)(iii). “Lenders”: as defined in the preamble hereto. “Lender Recipient Party” means collectively, the Lenders, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Lenders. “Letters of Credit”: as defined in Section 3.1(a). “LIBOR Scheduled Unavailability Date”: as defined in Section 2.14(a)(2)(ii). “LIBOR Screen Rate” means the Eurodollar Base Rate quote on the applicable screen page the Administrative Agent designates to determine the Eurodollar Base Rate (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time). “LIBOR Successor Rate”: as defined in Section 2.14(a). “LIBOR Successor Rate Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any proposed LIBOR Successor Rate, any conforming changes to the definition of Interest Period, timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest and other administrative matters agreed to between the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to reflect the adoption of such LIBOR Successor Rate and to permit the administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent determines that adoption of any portion of such market - 21- |
| practice is not administratively feasible or that no market practice for the administration of such LIBOR Successor Rate exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent reasonably determines in consultation with the Borrower). “Lien”: any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge or other security interest or any preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any finance lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing). “Limited Condition Acquisition”: any acquisition, including by way of merger, by the Borrower or one or more of its Subsidiaries permitted pursuant to this Agreement the consummation of which is not conditioned upon the availability of, or on obtaining, third party financing. “Loan”: any loan made or held by any Lender pursuant to this Agreement. “Loan Documents”: this Agreement, each Incremental Activation Notice (but, in the case of an Incremental Activation Notice with respect to Escrow Incremental Term Loans, solely from and after the occurrence of the Escrow Assumption with respect to such Escrow Incremental Term Loans), the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, the Notes, the Restatement Agreement, Amendment No. 1, Amendment No. 22, Amendment No. 3 and any other agreements, documents or instruments to which any Loan Party is party and which is designated as a Loan Document. “Loan Parties”: Holdings, the Borrower and each Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a party to a Loan Document. “Majority Facility Lenders”: with respect to (i) the Revolving Facility, Lenders holding more than 50% of the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit (or prior to any termination of the Total Revolving Commitments, the holders of more than 50% of the Total Revolving Commitments) and (ii) any Class of Term Loans, Lenders holding more than 50% of such Class of Term Loans. “Material Acquisition”: has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(f). “Material Adverse Effect”: a material adverse effect on (a) the business, property, operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (b) the validity or enforceability of any material provision of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or the rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders hereunder or thereunder. “Material Disposition”: has the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(f). “Maximum Tender Condition”: as defined in Section 2.23(b). “Minimum Tender Condition”: as defined in Section 2.23(b). “Multiemployer Plan”: a Plan that is a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA. “New York UCC”: the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York. “Non-Excluded Taxes”: as defined in Section 2.17(a). “Non-Facility Letters of Credit”: any letters of credit issued for the account of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (i) by any Lender (or any Affiliate of any Lender) obtained other than pursuant to - 22- |
| this Agreement or (ii) by any other Person from time to time designated by the Borrower in writing to the Administrative Agent (provided that it is understood and agreed that each Person designated pursuant to this clause (ii), by accepting the benefits of such designation under the Loan Documents, shall be deemed to (x) have irrevocably designated and appointed the Administrative Agent as the agent and “collateral agent” of such Person for all purposes under the applicable Loan Documents and (b) be bound by the provisions of Sections 9, 10.2, 10.5, 10.11 and 10.12 of this Agreement). “Non-Recourse Subsidiary”: any Subsidiary of the Borrower that subsequent to the Restatement Effective Date is designated in writing as a Non-Recourse Subsidiary by the Borrower pursuant to a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent (which certificate shall state that the conditions to designating such Subsidiary as a Non-Recourse Subsidiary set forth in this definition are satisfied) unless and until it has subsequently been designated in writing as a “Subsidiary” by the Borrower pursuant to a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent (which certificate shall state that the conditions to designating such Non-Recourse Subsidiary as a “Subsidiary” set forth in this definition are satisfied). The Borrower may designate a Subsidiary as a Non-Recourse Subsidiary only if, after giving effect thereto, (x) no Default or Event of Default would occur, (y) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the Non-Recourse Subsidiary Cap and (z) such Subsidiary does not own any Equity Interests of any other Subsidiary of the Borrower (other than another Non-Recourse Subsidiary). The designation of a Subsidiary as a Non-Recourse Subsidiary shall be deemed to be an Investment by the Borrower in a Person that is not a Subsidiary in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries Investments in such Subsidiary at the time of such designation. The Borrower may designate a Non-Recourse Subsidiary as a Subsidiary only if, after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default would occur. The designation of a Non-Recourse Subsidiary as a Subsidiary shall be deemed to be a return of Investment to the Borrower equal to the fair market value of the Non-Recourse Subsidiary so designated as Subsidiary at the time of such designation. It is understood that Non-Recourse Subsidiaries shall be disregarded for the purposes of any calculation pursuant to this Agreement relating to financial matters with respect to the Borrower (other than the Non-Recourse Subsidiary Cap). “Non-Recourse Subsidiary Cap”: as of the last day of any Test Period, Non-Recourse Subsidiaries shall not account for greater than (x) 20% of the total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis as of such date or (y) 20% of Consolidated Operating Cash Flow, calculated in the case of this clause (y) (and notwithstanding anything in the definition thereof to the contrary including any exclusion of financial results of a Non-Recourse Subsidiary) with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as of such date. “Non-U.S. Lender”: as defined in Section 2.17(d). “Notes”: the collective reference to any promissory note evidencing Loans. “Notice of Borrowing”: an irrevocable notice of borrowing, substantially in the form of Exhibit E or such other form as may be approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, to be delivered in connection with each extension of credit hereunder. “Obligations”: as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement. “Offered Loans”: as defined in Section 2.8(b)(iii) - 23- |
| “Offered Prepayment Option Notice”: as defined in Section 2.8(b)(v). “Offered Range”: as defined in Section 2.8(b)(ii). “Offered Voluntary Prepayment”: as defined in Section 2.8(b)(i). “Offered Voluntary Prepayment Notice”: as defined in Section 2.8(b)(v). “Other Taxes”: any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except any such taxes that are imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment pursuant to Section 2.20) and which are a result of a present or former connection between such Lender and the jurisdiction of the Governmental Authority imposing such tax (other than any such connection arising solely from such Lender having executed, delivered or performed its obligations or received a payment under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to, or enforced, this Agreement or any other Loan Document). “Participant”: as defined in Section 10.6(c)(i). “Partnership Agreements”: (i) the Bright House Acquisition Agreement and those documents listed in the definition of “Transaction Agreements” as set forth in the Bright House Acquisition Agreement, (ii) the Tax Receivables Agreement, dated as May 18, 2016, by and among Advance/Newhouse Partnership, CCI and CCH II, LLC, as such agreement may be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms, (iii) the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Charter Holdings, by and among CCI, the other Charter Member (as defined therein), Advance/Newhouse Partnership and CCH, dated as of May 18, 2016, as such agreement may be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms and (iv) similar partnership agreements (as determined by the Borrower in good faith) entered into from time to time by direct or indirect parent entities of the Borrower. “PBGC”: the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA (or any successor). “Permitted Debt Exchange”: as defined in Section 2.23(a). “Permitted Debt Exchange Notes”: as defined in Section 2.23(a). “Permitted Debt Exchange Offer”: as defined in Section 2.23(a). “Permitted Securitization Financing”: any financing arrangement or factoring of Securitization Assets by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any securitization facility of any Securitization Subsidiary of the Borrower, in each case, the obligations of which are non-recourse (except for Standard Securitization Undertakings) to the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than any Securitization Subsidiary) in connection therewith. - 24- |
| “Person”: an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, Governmental Authority or other entity of whatever nature. “Plan”: at a particular time, any employee benefit plan that is covered by Title IV of ERISA and in respect of which a Loan Party or a Commonly Controlled Entity is (or, if such plan were terminated at such time, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA. “Platform”: as defined in Section 6.1. “Pole Agreement”: any pole attachment agreement or underground conduit use agreement entered into in connection with the operation of any cable distribution system owned or acquired by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which receives audio, video, digital, other broadcast signals or information or telecommunications by cable, optical, antennae, microwave or satellite transmission and which amplifies and transmits such signals to customers of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries. “Pre-Existing Debt”: any Indebtedness issued by any Person that subsequently becomes a Guarantor. “Prime Rate”: the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City (the Prime Rate not being intended to be the lowest rate of interest charged by the Administrative Agent in connection with extensions of credit to debtors). “Properties”: as defined in Section 4.17(a). “Proposed Offered Prepayment Amount”: as defined in Section 2.8(b)(ii). “PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time. “Qualified Parent Company”: CCI or any of its direct or indirect Subsidiaries, in each case provided that the Borrower shall be a direct or indirect Subsidiary of such Person. “Qualifying Lenders”: as defined in Section 2.8(b)(iv). “Qualifying Loans”: as defined in Section 2.8(b)(iv). “Rating Agencies” means (1) each of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch; and (2) if any of Moody’s, S&P or Fitch ceases to provide a rating or fails to make a rating of CCI publicly available for reasons outside of CCI’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act, as amended, selected by CCI (as certified by a resolution of CCI’s Board of Directors) as a replacement agency for Moody’s, S&P or Fitch, or all, as the case may be, that is reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent. “Ratings Decline Period” means the period that (i) begins on the earlier of (a) the date of the first public announcement of the occurrence of a transaction that, if consummated, would constitute a Change of Control and (b) the occurrence of such Change of Control and (ii) ends 90 days following consummation of such Change of Control; provided that such period shall be extended for so long as the - 25- |
| rating of the Ratings Entity, as noted by the applicable Rating Agency, is under publicly announced consideration for downgrade by the applicable Rating Agency. “Ratings Entity” means (i) for so long as CCI (or the other relevant entity to which the “corporate family rating” (or equivalent term) applicable to the Borrower has been assigned) directly or indirectly owns a majority of the common Equity Interests of the Borrower and has not publicly announced a specific transaction pursuant to which CCI (or such other entity specified above) would cease to own a majority of the common Equity Interests of the Borrower, CCI (or such other entity specified above) and (ii) at any time that clause (i) does not apply, any Person whose “corporate family rating” (or equivalent term) is (or following the consummation of a transaction described in clause (i), will be) determined based expressly in whole or part on the fact that the Borrower is part of such Person’s “corporate family rating” (or equivalent term). “Ratings Event” means any of the following: (i) (x) (A) in the event that the Ratings Entity is the same both before and after the commencement of the applicable Ratings Decline Period, a downgrade by one or more gradations (including gradations within ratings categories as well as between rating categories) or withdrawal of the “corporate family rating” (or equivalent term) of the Ratings Entity within the Ratings Decline Period by one or more Rating Agencies (unless the applicable Rating Agency shall have put forth a written statement to the effect that such downgrade is not attributable in whole or in part to the applicable Change of Control) or (B) in the event that the Ratings Entity immediately after the commencement of the applicable Ratings Decline Period is a Person other than the Ratings Entity immediately prior to the commencement of such Ratings Decline Period, such Ratings Entity has a “corporate family rating” (or equivalent term) lower than the “corporate family rating” (or equivalent term) of the Ratings Entity immediately prior to the commencement of such Ratings Decline Period and (y) following any such downgrade, the Ratings Entity does not have a “corporate family rating” (or equivalent term) that is an Investment Grade Rating from any Rating Agency; or (ii) the Ratings Entity does not have a “corporate family rating” (or equivalent term) of at least B1 from Moody’s and at least B+ from S&P and B+ from Fitch (or the equivalent ratings in the case of any other Rating Agency), in each case, with a stable or positive outlook, at the time of the applicable Change of Control or at any time thereafter until the termination of the applicable Ratings Decline Period; or (iii) the Ratings Entity does not have a “corporate family rating” (or equivalent rating) from at least two Ratings Agencies at the time of the applicable Change of Control or at any time thereafter until the termination of the applicable Ratings Decline Period. “Refinancing Term Loan”: any Incremental Term Loan that is designated as a “Refinancing Term Loan” pursuant to the applicable Incremental Activation Notice. “Refunded Swingline Loans”: as defined in Section 2.5(b). “Register”: as defined in Section 10.6(b)(iv). “Regulated Subsidiary”: any Subsidiary that is prohibited, in connection with telephony licenses issued to it, from becoming a Loan Party by reason of the requirement of consent from any Governmental Authority, but only for so long as such consent has not been obtained. - 26- |
| “Regulation U”: Regulation U of the Board as in effect from time to time. “Reimbursement Obligation”: the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the relevant Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 3.5 for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit. “Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees and advisors of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates. “Release”: an authorization and/or evidence of release of specified Collateral, substantially in the form of Exhibit F. “Replacement Term Loan”: any term loan borrowed following the Restatement Effective Date pursuant to Section 2.1(j). “Replacement Term Maturity Date”: with respect to the Replacement Term Loans to be made pursuant to any Incremental Activation Notice, the final maturity date specified in such Incremental Activation Notice. “Reportable Event”: any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than those events as to which the thirty day notice period is waived under applicable regulations. “Repricing Transaction”: (a) except in connection with a transaction constituting a Change of Control or Material Acquisition, the incurrence by the Borrower of any term loans (including, without limitation, any new or additional term loans under this Agreement) having an Effective Yield that is less than the Effective Yield for the Term B-1 Loans or Term B-2 Loans, the proceeds of which are used to prepay (or, in the case of a conversion, deemed to prepay or replace), in whole or in part, outstanding principal of Term B-1 Loans and/or Term B-2 Loans or (b) any effective reduction in the Effective Yield for the Term B-1 Loans or Term B-2 Loans by way of amendment of this Agreement. “Required Lenders”: at any time, the holders of more than 50% of the sum of (a) the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Term Loans then outstanding and (b) the Total Revolving Commitments then in effect or, if the Total Revolving Commitments shall have expired or been terminated, the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit then outstanding; provided that this definition is subject to Section 2.14(b). “Requirement of Law”: as to any Person, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is subject. “Rescindable Amount” has the meaning as defined in Section 2.12(b)(ii) “Resolution Authority” means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority. “Responsible Officer”: the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, senior vice president – corporate finance and development, treasurer or any other financial officer of the Borrower, or any other officer or employee of the applicable Loan Party designated in or pursuant to an agreement between the applicable Loan Party and the Administrative Agent. - 27- |
| “Restatement Agreement”: the Restatement Agreement, dated as of April 26, 2019, by and among the Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent and the other parties thereto. “Restatement Effective Date”: as defined in the Restatement Agreement. “Revolving B Commitment”: as to any Revolving Lender, the obligation of such Lender to make Revolving Loans and participate in Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit in an aggregate principal and/or face amount not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name under the heading “Revolving B Commitment” on Schedule 1 to the Amendment No. 2, in each case as the same may be changed from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof (including as a result of any Assignment and Assumption to which such Lender is a party or the establishment of any Extended Revolving Commitments). The aggregate amount of the Revolving B Commitments on the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date is $5,500,000,000. “Revolving Commitment”: as to any Revolving Lender, such Lender’s Revolving B Commitment and/or Extended Revolving Commitment, as applicable in each case as the same may be changed from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof (including as a result of any Assignment and Assumption to which such Lender is a party or the establishment of any Extended Revolving Commitments). “Revolving Commitment Period”: with respect to any Revolving Commitment, the period ending on the Revolving Termination Date for such Revolving Commitment. “Revolving Extensions of Credit”: as to any Revolving Lender at any time under any Class of Revolving Commitments, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans held by such Lender then outstanding made pursuant to such Class of Revolving Commitments, (b) such Lender’s Revolving Percentage of the L/C Obligations in respect of each Letter of Credit then outstanding pursuant to such Revolving Commitments and (c) such Lender’s Revolving Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans then outstanding under such Revolving Commitments. “Revolving Facility”: the Revolving Commitments and the Revolving Extensions of Credit. “Revolving Lender”: each Lender that has a Revolving Commitment or that holds Revolving Loans or is an Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender. “Revolving Loans”: as defined in Section 2.1(e). “Revolving Percentage”: as to any Revolving Lender with any Class of Revolving Commitments at any time, the percentage which such Lender’s Revolving Commitment of such Class then constitutes of the aggregate Revolving Commitments of such Class (or, at any time after the aggregate Revolving Commitments of such Class shall have expired or terminated, the percentage which the aggregate outstanding amount of such Lender’s Revolving Extensions of Credit under such Class of Revolving Commitments then outstanding constitutes of the aggregate outstanding amount of the Revolving Extensions of Credit made pursuant to such Class of Revolving Commitments then outstanding); provided that with respect to participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans and fees and interest thereon, the Revolving Percentages shall be calculated treating all Revolving Commitments as a single Class of Revolving Commitments. In addition to adjustments pursuant to assignments, the Revolving Percentages of the Revolving Lenders shall be subject to adjustment (i) on each Revolving Termination Date, (ii) with respect to participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans, as contemplated by Section 2.21, (iii) on each date on which Extended Revolving Commitments are established; provided - 28- |
| that if any Letter of Credit (a “Later Expiring Letter of Credit”) is at any time issued and outstanding with an expiration date that is after any Revolving Termination Date for any then outstanding Revolving Commitment, then the Revolving Percentage of each Revolving Lender for purposes of calculating its Revolving Percentage of any L/C Obligations in respect of each Later Expiring Letter of Credit shall be recomputed by assuming that each Revolving Commitment with a Revolving Termination Date that is on or prior to the expiration date of such Later Expiring Letter of Credit had been terminated. “Revolving Termination Date”: (i) with respect to any Revolving B Commitment in effect on the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date, August 31, 2027, and (ii) with respect to any Extended Revolving Commitment established following the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date, the date specified as such in the applicable Incremental Activation Notice. “Scheduled Unavailability Date”: as defined in Section 2.14(c)(2). “SEC”: the Securities and Exchange Commission, any successor thereto and any analogous Governmental Authority. “Secured Parties”: as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement. “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933. “Securitization”: a public or private offering by a Lender or any of its Affiliates or their respective successors and assigns, of securities which represent an interest in, or which are collateralized, in whole or in part, by the Loans. “Securitization Assets” means accounts receivable, loans, mortgages, royalties, other rights to payment, supporting obligations therefor, proceeds therefrom and other related assets customarily disposed of or pledged in connection with non-recourse receivables financings or factorings or securitization facilities (as determined in good faith by the Borrower). “Securitization Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary formed by the Borrower or any of its other Subsidiaries solely for purposes of consummating any Permitted Securitization Financing and which holds no material assets other than Securitization Assets and which is engaged in no material activities other than those related to such Permitted Securitization Financing. “Series”: Incremental Term Loans, Extended Term Loans and/or Replacement Term Loans, as applicable, that are established pursuant to a single Incremental Activation Notice and provide for the same terms unless such Incremental Activation Notice provides that such Incremental Term Loans, Extended Term Loans and/or Replacement Term Loans shall be a part of a previously established Class of Term Loans. “Shell Subsidiary”: any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a “shell” company having (a) assets (either directly or through any Subsidiary or other Equity Interests) with an aggregate value not exceeding $5,000,000 and (b) no operations. “Significant Subsidiary”: (a) any Wholly Owned Subsidiary (or group of Wholly Owned Subsidiaries, when taken together), that would be considered a “Significant Subsidiary” as defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and (b) in addition, with respect to the Borrower, Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., a Delaware corporation. - 29- |
| “Single Employer Plan”: any Plan that is covered by Title IV of ERISA, but that is not a Multiemployer Plan. “SOFR”: means the Secured Overnight Financing Rate as administered by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a successor administrator). “Solvent”: when used with respect to any Person, means that, as of any date of determination, (a) the amount of the “present fair saleable value” of the assets of such Person will, as of such date, exceed the amount of all “liabilities of such Person, contingent or otherwise”, as of such date, as such quoted terms are determined in accordance with applicable federal and state laws governing determinations of the insolvency of debtors, (b) the present fair saleable value of the assets of such Person will, as of such date, be greater than the amount that will be required to pay the liability of such Person on its debts as such debts become absolute and matured, (c) such Person will not have, as of such date, an unreasonably small amount of capital with which to conduct its business, and (d) such Person will be able to pay its debts as they mature. For purposes of this definition, (i) “debt” means liability on a “claim”, and (ii) “claim” means any (x) right to payment, whether or not such a right is reduced to judgment, liquidated, unliquidated, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured or unsecured or (y) right to an equitable remedy for breach of performance if such breach gives rise to a right to payment, whether or not such right to an equitable remedy is reduced to judgment, fixed or contingent, matured or unmatured, disputed or undisputed, or secured or unsecured. “Specified Cash Management Agreement”: any agreement providing for treasury, depositary or cash management services, including in connection with any automated clearing house transfers of funds and commercial card exposure, or any similar transactions between the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and (a) any Lender or Affiliate thereof (or any Person that was a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time any such agreement was entered into) or (b) any other Person from time to time designated by the Borrower in writing to the Administrative Agent (provided that it is understood and agreed that each Person designated pursuant to this clause (b), by accepting the benefits of such designation under the Loan Documents, shall be deemed to (x) have irrevocably designated and appointed the Administrative Agent as the agent and “collateral agent” of such Person for all purposes under the applicable Loan Documents and (b) be bound by the provisions of Sections 9, 10.2, 10.5, 10.11 and 10.12 of this Agreement). “Specified Excluded Subsidiary”: (i) any Foreign Subsidiary, (ii) any Shell Subsidiary, (iii) any Excluded Acquired Subsidiary, (iv) any Regulated Subsidiary (v) any Subsidiary that (a) is prohibited by any applicable requirement of law, rule, regulation or regulatory decision of any Governmental Authority from becoming a Guarantor or granting Collateral or (b) would require governmental (including regulatory) consent, approval, license or authorization to become a Guarantor or grant Collateral unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received (provided that nothing herein shall create an obligation to seek any such consent, approval, license or authorization), - 30- |
| (vi) any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Subsidiary (for so long as it is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary), (vii) any Subsidiary acquired on or after the Restatement Effective Date that is prohibited from becoming a Guarantor by any contract existing on the date such Subsidiary became a Subsidiary to the extent such contract was not created in contemplation thereof, (viii) any Subsidiary that is regulated as an insurance company, (ix) any not-for-profit subsidiary, (x) any Securitization Subsidiary, (xi) any Non-Recourse Subsidiary, and (xii) any Foreign Holding Company. “Specified Hedge Agreement”: any Hedge Agreement (i) entered into by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with any Person that (a) is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time such Hedge Agreement is entered into or (b) any other Person from time to time designated by the Borrower in writing to the Administrative Agent (provided that it is understood and agreed that each Person designated pursuant to this clause (b), by accepting the benefits of such designation under the Loan Documents, shall be deemed to (x) have irrevocably designated and appointed the Administrative Agent as the agent and “collateral agent” of such Person for all purposes under the applicable Loan Documents and (b) be bound by the provisions of Sections 9, 10.2, 10.5, 10.11 and 10.12 of this Agreement) and (ii) in the case of Hedge Agreements outstanding on the date hereof, any such Hedge Agreement that was a “Specified Hedge Agreement” as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement. “Standard Securitization Undertakings” means representations, warranties, covenants (including repurchase obligations) and indemnities entered into by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower that the Borrower has determined in good faith are customary for “non-recourse” accounts receivables financings or factoring or securitization financings. “Subsidiary”: as to any Person, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which shares of stock or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other ownership interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership or other entity are at the time owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person; provided that Non-Recourse Subsidiaries shall be deemed not to constitute “Subsidiaries” for the purposes of this Agreement (other than the definition of “Non-Recourse Subsidiary”, the definition of “Non-Recourse Subsidiary Cap” and Section 6.1). Unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” in this Agreement shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower. “Subsidiary Guarantor”: each Subsidiary of the Borrower other than any Specified Excluded Subsidiary or, at the option of the Borrower, any De Minimis Subsidiary, in each case to the extent that such Person has become a “Grantor” under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement. “Successor Rate”: as defined in Section 2.14(c). - 31- |
| “Swingline Commitment”: the obligation of the Swingline Lender to make Swingline Loans pursuant to Section 2.4 in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed $750,000,000. “Swingline Lender”: the Administrative Agent, in its capacity as the lender of Swingline Loans. “Swingline Loans”: as defined in Section 2.4. “Swingline Participation Amount”: as defined in Section 2.5(c). “Syndication Agents”: the entities identified as such on the cover of this Agreement immediately prior to the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date. “Term A-5 Additional Commitment”: with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make a Term A-5 Loan on the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date in an aggregate principal amount equal to the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule I to Amendment No. 2. “Term A-6 Commitment”: with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make a Term A-6 Loan on the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date in an aggregate principal amount equal to the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule I to Amendment No. 2. “Term A-5 Lender”: any Lender that holds a Term A-5 Loan. “Term A-6 Lender”: any Lender that holds a Term A-6 Loan. “Term A-4 Loan”: as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement. “Term A-5 Loan”: as defined in Section 2.1(c)(2). “Term A-6 Loan”: as defined in Section 2.1(c)(3). “Term A-5 Maturity Date:” August 31, 2027. “Term A-6 Maturity Date:” August 31, 2028. “Term B Lender”: any Lender that holds a Term B Loan. “Term B-1 Lender”: any Lender that holds a Term B-1 Loan. “Term B-2 Lender”: any Lender that holds a Term B-2 Loan. “Term B Loan” as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement. “Term B-1 Additional Commitment”: with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make a Term B-1 Loan on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date in an aggregate principal amount equal to the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule I to Amendment No. 1. “Term B-2 Additional Commitment”: with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make a Term B-2 Loan on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date in an aggregate principal amount equal to the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule I to Amendment No. 1. “Term B-1 Loan”: as defined in Section 2.1(d)(1). - 32- |
| “Term B-2 Loan”: as defined in Section 2.1(d)(2). “Term B-1 Maturity Date”: April 30, 2025. “Term B-2 Maturity Date”: February 1, 2027. “Term Lender”: any Lender that holds a Term Loan. “Term Loan”: Term A-5 Loan, Term A-6 Loan, Term B Loan, Term B-1 Loan, Term B-2 Loan, Extended Term Loan, Replacement Term Loan or Incremental Term Loan; provided that no Escrow Incremental Term Loan shall be deemed to be a Term Loan outstanding hereunder until the Escrow Assumption with respect thereto shall have occurred. “Term Maturity Date”: with respect to: (i) the Term A-5 Loans, the Term A-5 Maturity Date, (ii) the Term A-6 Loans, the Term A-6 Maturity Date, (iii) the Term B-1 Loans, the Term B-1 Maturity Date, (iv) the Term B-2 Loans, the Term B-2 Maturity Date, (ii) (v) the Term A-6 Loans, the Term A-6 Maturity Date, (iii) the Term B-1 Loans, the Term B-1 Maturity Date, (iv) the Term B-2 Loans, the Term B-2 Maturity Date, (v) the Incremental Term Loans of any other Series, the Incremental Term Maturity Date for such Series, (vi) the Extended Term Loans of any Series, the Extended Term Maturity Date for such Series and (vii) the Replacement Term Loans of any Series, the Replacement Term Maturity Date for such Series. “Term SOFR” means, for any Interest Period with respect to a Term SOFR Loan, the rate per annum equal to the Term SOFR Screen Rate two U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period with a term equivalent to such Interest Period; provided that if the rate is not published prior to 11:00 a.m. on such determination date then Term SOFR means the Term SOFR Screen Rate on the first U.S. Government Securities Business Day immediately prior thereto, in each case, for such Interest Period. “Term SOFR Loan” means a Loan that bears interest at a rate based on the definition of Term SOFR. “Term SOFR Screen Rate” means the forward-looking SOFR term rate administered by CME (or any successor administrator satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) and published on the applicable Reuters screen page (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time). - 33- |
| “Term SOFR Tranche”: the collective reference to Term SOFR Loans of a particular Class, the then current Interest Periods with respect to all of which begin on the same date and end on the same later date (whether or not such Loans shall originally have been made on the same day). “Threshold Amount”: $1,500,000,000. “Total Assets”: the total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of the Borrower delivered pursuant to Section 6.1(a) or (b). “Total Revolving Commitments”: at any time, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitments then in effect. “Total Revolving Extensions of Credit”: at any time, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Extensions of Credit outstanding at such time. “Transferee”: any Assignee or Participant. “Type”: as to any Loan, its nature as an ABR Loan, or a Term SOFR Loan or a Eurodollar Loan. “UK Financial Institution” means any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended form time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any person subject to IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms. “UK Resolution Authority” means the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution. “United States”: the United States of America. “U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any Business Day, except any Business Day on which any of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, the New York Stock Exchange or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is not open for business because such day is a legal holiday under the federal laws of the United States or the laws of the State of New York, as applicable. “Wholly Owned Subsidiary”: as to any Person, any other Person all of the Equity Interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares required by law) are owned by such Person directly or through other Wholly Owned Subsidiaries or a combination thereof. “Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, (a) with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule, and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers. - 34- |
| 1.2. Other Definitional Provisions; Pro Forma Calculations. (a) Unless otherwise specified therein, all terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in the other Loan Documents or any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto. (b) As used herein and in the other Loan Documents, and any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto, (i) accounting terms relating to Holdings, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries not defined in Section 1.1 and accounting terms partly defined in Section 1.1, to the extent not defined, shall have the respective meanings given to them under GAAP, (ii) the words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”, (iii) the word “incur” shall be construed to mean incur, create, issue, assume, become liable in respect of or suffer to exist (and the words “incurred” and “incurrence” shall have correlative meanings), (iv) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, Equity Interests, securities, revenues, accounts, leasehold interests, contract rights and any other “assets” as such term is defined under GAAP and (v) references to agreements or other Contractual Obligations shall, unless otherwise specified, be deemed to refer to such agreements or Contractual Obligations as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time. (c) Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided, however, that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of the Application or an amendment related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time. (d) The words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section, Schedule and Exhibit references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. (e) The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms. (f) For the purposes of calculating Annualized Operating Cash Flow and Consolidated Operating Cash Flow for any period (a “Test Period”), (i) if at any time during the period (a “Pro Forma Period”) commencing on the second day of such Test Period and ending on the last day of such Test Period (or, in the case of any pro forma calculation made pursuant hereto in respect of a particular transaction, ending on the date such transaction is consummated and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, after giving effect thereto), the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall have made any Material Acquisition or Material Disposition or (ii) if, during such Pro Forma Period, the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall have made any Disposition (other than a Material Disposition) or Acquisition (other than a Material Acquisition), at the option of the Borrower (in the case of this clause (ii)), in each case of clauses (f)(i) or (ii), the Consolidated Operating Cash Flow for such Test Period shall be revised by an amount equal to the Consolidated Operating Cash Flow, as applicable, attributable to the property which is the subject of such Acquisition or Disposition for such Test Period. For the purposes of this paragraph, pro forma calculations regarding the amount of income or earnings relating to any Disposition or Acquisition shall in each case be determined in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. As used in this Section 1.2(f), “Acquisition” means any acquisition of property or series of related - 35- |
| acquisitions of property that constitutes assets comprising all or substantially all of an operating unit of a business or constitutes all or substantially all of the Equity Interests of a Person, “Material Acquisition” means an Acquisition that involves the payment of Consideration by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in excess of $1,000,000,000.00; and “Material Disposition” means any Disposition of property or series of related Dispositions of property that yields gross proceeds to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $1,000,000,000.00. (g) For avoidance of doubt, in order to determine pursuant to any provision of Section 7 that no Default or Event of Default results from a particular transaction, pro forma compliance with Section 7.1 shall be required. (h) All Loans, Letters of Credit and accrued and unpaid amounts (including interest and fees) owing by the Borrower to any Person under the Existing Credit Agreement that have not been paid to such Persons on or prior to the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date shall continue as Loans, Letters of Credit and accrued and unpaid amounts hereunder on the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date and shall be payable on the dates such amounts would have been payable pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement, and from and after the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date, interest, fees and other amounts shall accrue as provided under this Agreement. (i) Any reference herein to a merger, transfer, consolidation, amalgamation, consolidation, assignment, sale, disposition or transfer, or similar term, shall be deemed to apply to a division of or by a limited liability company, or an allocation of assets to a series of a limited liability company (or the unwinding of such a division or allocation), as if it were a merger, transfer, consolidation, amalgamation, consolidation, assignment, sale, disposition or transfer, or similar term, as applicable, to, of or with a separate Person. Any division of a limited liability company shall constitute a separate Person hereunder (and each division of any limited liability company that is a Subsidiary, joint venture or any other like term shall also constitute such a Person or entity). (j) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any Loan Document to the contrary, when calculating any applicable ratio or determining other compliance with this Agreement (including the determination of compliance with any provision of this Agreement which requires that no Default or Event of Default has occurred, is continuing or would result therefrom) in connection with the incurrence of any Liens (including the granting of equal and ratable security with the Obligations) in connection with the consummation of a Limited Condition Acquisition, the date of determination of such ratio and determination of whether any default or event of default has occurred, is continuing or would result therefrom or other applicable covenant shall, at the option of the Borrower (the Borrower’s election to exercise such option in connection with any Limited Condition Acquisition, an “LCA Election”), be deemed to be the date the definitive agreements for such Limited Condition Acquisition are entered into (the “LCA Test Date”) and if, after such ratios and other provisions are measured on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Limited Condition Acquisition and the other transactions to be entered into in connection therewith as if they occurred at the beginning of the applicable Test Period ending prior to the LCA Test Date, the Borrower could have taken such action on the relevant LCA Test Date in compliance with such ratios and provisions, such provisions shall be deemed to have been complied with. For the avoidance of doubt, (x) if any of such ratios are exceeded as a result of fluctuations in such ratio (including due to fluctuations in Annualized Operating Cash Flow of the Borrower) at or prior to the consummation of the relevant Limited Condition Acquisition, such ratios and other provisions will not be deemed to have been exceeded as a result of such fluctuations solely for purposes of determining whether the Limited Condition Acquisition is permitted hereunder and (y) such ratios and other provisions shall not be tested at the time of consummation of such Limited Condition Acquisition or related transactions. If the Borrower has made an LCA Election for any Limited Condition Acquisition, then in connection with any subsequent calculation of any ratio (excluding, for - 36- |
| the avoidance of doubt, any ratio contained in Section 7.1) or basket availability with respect to any other incurrence of Liens on or following the relevant LCA Test Date and prior to the earlier of the date on which such Limited Condition Acquisition is consummated or the date that the definitive agreement for such Limited Condition Acquisition is terminated or expires without consummation of such Limited Condition Acquisition, any such ratio or basket shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming such Limited Condition Acquisition and other transactions in connection therewith have been consummated until such time as such Limited Condition Acquisition is consummated or the Borrower gives the Administrative Agent notice that such Limited Condition Acquisition will not be consummated. 1.3. Divisions. For all purposes under the Loan Documents, in connection with any division or plan of division under Delaware law (or any comparable event under a different jurisdiction’s laws): (a) if any asset, right, obligation or liability of any Person becomes the asset, right, obligation or liability of a different Person, then it shall be deemed to have been transferred from the original Person to the subsequent Person, and (b) if any new Person comes into existence, such new Person shall be deemed to have been organized on the first date of its existence by the holders of its Equity Interests at such time. 1.4. Interest Rates. The Administrative Agent does not warrant, nor accept responsibility, nor shall the Administrative Agent have any liability with respect to the administration, submission or any other matter related to any reference rate referred to herein or with respect to any rate (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the selection of such rate and any related spread or other adjustment) that is an alternative or replacement for or successor to any such rate (including, without limitation, any Successor Rate or LIBOR Successor Rate) (or any component of any of the foregoing) or the effect of any of the foregoing, or of any Conforming Changes. The Administrative Agent and its affiliates or other related entities may engage in transactions or other activities that affect any reference rate referred to herein, or any alternative, successor or replacement rate (including, without limitation, any Successor Rate or LIBOR Successor Rate) (or any component of any of the foregoing) or any related spread or other adjustments thereto, in each case, in a manner adverse to the Borrower. The Administrative Agent may select information sources or services in its reasonable discretion to ascertain any reference rate referred to herein or any alternative, successor or replacement rate (including, without limitation, any Successor Rate or LIBOR Successor Rate) (or any component of any of the foregoing), in each case pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall have no liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other person or entity for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential damages, costs, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise and whether at law or in equity), for any error or other action or omission related to or affecting the selection, determination, or calculation of any rate (or component thereof) provided by any such information source or service. SECTION 2 AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS 2.1. Loans and Commitments. (a) [Reserved]. (b) [Reserved]. (c) (1) [Reserved]. (2) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, (i) each Lender with a Term A-5 Additional Commitment severally agrees to make a loan in Dollars (each, a “Term A-5 Loan”; which term shall include each loan converted from a Converted Second Amendment - 37- |
| Term A Loan pursuant to subclause (ii) below) on the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date in an amount equal to its Term A-5 Additional Commitment and (ii) each Converted Second Amendment Term A Loan of each Lender that has indicated on its counterpart its election to convert its Converted Second Amendment Term A Loan to a Term A-5 Loan shall be converted into a Term A-5 Loan of such Lender in the same principal amount as such Converted Second Amendment Term A Loan on the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date. The Term A-5 Loans may from time to time be Term SOFR Loans or ABR Loans, as determined by the Borrower and notified to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Sections 2.2 and 2.10. (3) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Lender with a Term A-6 Commitment severally agrees to make a loan in Dollars (each, a “Term A-6 Loan”) on the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date in an amount equal to its Term A-6 Commitment. The Term A-6 Loans may from time to time be Term SOFR Loans or ABR Loans, as determined by the Borrower and notified to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Sections 2.2 and 2.10. (d) (1) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, (i) each Lender with a Term B-1 Additional Commitment agrees to make a loan in Dollars (each, a “Term B-1 Loan”; which term shall include each loan converted from a Converted Term B Loan pursuant to subclause (ii) below) on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date in an amount equal to its Term B-1 Additional Commitment and (ii) each Converted Term B Loan of each Lender that has indicated on its counterpart its election to convert its Converted Term B Loan to a Term B-1 Loan shall be converted into a Term B-1 Loan of such Lender in the same principal amount as such Converted Term B Loan on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date. The Term B-1 Loans may from time to time be EurodollarTerm SOFR Loans or ABR Loans, as determined by the Borrower and notified to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Sections 2.2 and 2.10. (2) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, (i) each Lender with a Term B-2 Additional Commitment agrees to make a loan in Dollars (each, a “Term B-2 Loan”; which term shall include each loan converted from a Converted Term B Loan pursuant to subclause (ii) below) on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date in an amount equal to its Term B-2 Additional Commitment and (ii) each Converted Term B Loan of each Lender that has indicated on its counterpart its election to convert its Converted Term B Loan to a Term B-2 Loan shall be converted into a Term B-2 Loan of such Lender in the same principal amount as such Converted Term B Loan on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date. The Term B-2 Loans may from time to time be EurodollarTerm SOFR Loans or ABR Loans, as determined by the Borrower and notified to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Sections 2.2 and 2.10. (e) [Reserved] (f) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Revolving Lender severally agrees to make revolving credit loans in Dollars ( the “Revolving Loans”) to the Borrower from time to time during the applicable Revolving Commitment Period with respect to such Lender’s Revolving Commitment of each Class in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding which, when added to such Lender’s Revolving Percentage of such Class of Revolving Commitments of the sum of (A) the L/C Obligations then outstanding with respect to each Letter of Credit and (B) the aggregate principal amount of the Swingline Loans then outstanding, does not exceed the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Commitment of such Class. During the Revolving Commitment Period for any Revolving Commitment, the Borrower may use such Revolving Commitment by borrowing, prepaying the Revolving Loans in whole or in part, and reborrowing, all in accordance with the terms and conditions - 38- |
| hereof. The Revolving Loans may from time to time be Term SOFR Loans or ABR Loans, as determined by the Borrower and notified to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Sections 2.2 and 2.10. (g) (1) Following the Restatement Effective Date, the Borrower (or, in the case of Escrow Incremental Term Loans, the Escrow Borrower) and any one or more Lenders (including Persons that become Lenders in connection therewith) may from time to time agree that such Lenders shall make Incremental Term Loans by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent an Incremental Activation Notice specifying (i) the amount of such Incremental Term Loans, (ii) the applicable Incremental Closing Date, (iii) the applicable Incremental Term Maturity Date, (iv) the amortization schedule for such Incremental Term Loans, (v) the Applicable Margin for such Incremental Term Loans and any prepayment premiums or call protection applicable thereto, (vi) the proposed original issue discount applicable to such Incremental Term Loans, if any, (vii) whether, if applicable, such Incremental Term Loans constitute Refinancing Term Loans or Escrow Incremental Term Loans, (viii) [reserved], and (ix) any other terms and conditions that will apply to such Incremental Term Loans. (2) Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of the Required Lenders, (i) each increase effected pursuant to this paragraph shall be in a minimum amount of at least $100,000,000 and (ii) Escrow Incremental Term Loans shall not be deemed to be outstanding under this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any purposes hereof (including, without limitation, for purposes of any financial calculation, the definition of “Obligations”, the definition of “Required Lenders” or Section 8 or Section 10.1 hereof) and the obligations with respect thereto shall not be recourse to the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case, unless and until the Escrow Assumption with respect thereto has occurred. (3) No Lender shall have any obligation to participate in any increase described in this paragraph unless it agrees to do so in its sole discretion. (4) With the consent of the Borrower and each of the Lenders with any Class of then outstanding Incremental Term Loans and pursuant to an assumption agreement reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, an Escrow Borrower may assume all obligations of the Borrower with respect to such Class of Term Loans (including with respect to the full principal amount thereof and all accrued and unpaid interest and other amounts owing - 39- |
| with respect thereto), in which case, such Class of Incremental Term Loans shall thereafter be deemed to not be outstanding for purposes of this Agreement or any other Loan Document and shall be Escrow Incremental Term Loans until such time, if any, as an Escrow Assumption with respect thereto has occurred, at which time any such Escrow Incremental Term Loans that accrued interest at a rate based on Term SOFR immediately prior to such Escrow Assumption shall constitute a Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Tranche with an initial Interest Period equal to the then unexpired interest period applicable thereto immediately prior to such Escrow Assumption. (5) Notwithstanding the foregoing, with the consent of the holders of any Pre-Existing Debt and the Borrower, such Pre-Existing Debt may, pursuant to an Incremental Activation Notice, be deemed to have been issued as Incremental Term Loans under this Agreement on the date of effectiveness of such Incremental Activation Notice and thereafter, the terms of such Pre-Existing Debt shall be governed by the terms of this Agreement (as modified by the applicable Incremental Activation Notice). (6) To the extent provided in the relevant Incremental Activation Notice with respect to any Refinancing Term Loans, any portion of the Term Loans that would otherwise be repaid from the net proceeds of such Refinancing Term Loans may be converted on a “cashless roll” basis into such Refinancing Term Loans if agreed to by each Lender holding the Term Loans that are so converted. (h) (1) The Borrower may at any time and from time to time request that all or a portion of the Term Loans of any Class (an “Existing Class”) be converted to extend the scheduled maturity date(s) of any payment or payments of principal (including at final maturity) with respect to such Term Loans (any such Term Loans which have been so converted, “Extended Term Loans”) and to provide for other terms consistent with this Section 2.1(h). In order to establish a Series of Extended Term Loans, the Borrower shall provide a notice to the Administrative Agent (who shall provide a copy of such notice to each of the Lenders under the applicable Existing Class) (an “Extension Request”) setting forth the proposed terms of the Extended Term Loans to be established, which shall be identical in all material respects to the Term Loans under the Existing Class from which such Extended Term Loans are to be converted except that: (i) all or any of the scheduled amortization payments of principal and payment at maturity of the Extended Term Loans may be delayed to later dates than the scheduled amortization payments of principal and payment at maturity of the Term Loans of such Existing Class to the extent provided in the applicable Incremental Activation Notice, (ii) the Applicable Margins with respect to the Extended Term Loans may be different than the Applicable Margins for the Term Loans of such Existing Class and upfront fees may be paid to the Extending Term Lenders, in each case, to the extent provided in the applicable Incremental Activation Notice, (iii) [reserved] and (iv) the Incremental Activation Notice may provide for any other covenants and terms. (2) The Borrowers shall provide the applicable Extension Request at least five (5) Business Days prior to the date on which Lenders are requested to respond. No Lender shall have any obligation to agree to have any of its Term Loans of any Existing Class converted into Extended Term Loans pursuant to any Extension Request. - 40- |
| (3) Any Lender (an “Extending Term Lender”) wishing to have all or a portion of its Term Loans of the applicable Existing Class subject to such Extension Request converted into Extended Term Loans shall notify the Administrative Agent in writing (an “Extension Election”) on or prior to the date specified in such Extension Request of the amount of its Term Loans of the applicable Existing Class which it has elected to request be converted into Extended Term Loans (subject to any minimum denomination requirements reasonably imposed by the Administrative Agent). In the event that the aggregate amount of Term Loans of the applicable Existing Class subject to Extension Elections exceeds the amount of Extended Term Loans requested pursuant to the Extension Request, Term Loans of the applicable Existing Class subject to Extension Elections shall be converted to Extended Term Loans on a pro rata basis based on the amount of Term Loans of the applicable Existing Class included in each such Extension Election. The final terms of the Extended Term Loans (which shall be consistent with the Extension Request) and the allocations of the Extended Term Loans among the Extending Term Lenders shall be as set forth in the applicable Incremental Activation Notice entered into by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent. Each Extending Term Lender’s Extension Election shall be deemed to be an authorization for the Administrative Agent and the Borrower to enter into such Incremental Activation Notice in accordance with the requirements set forth above in this Section 2.1(h) and to bind such Extending Term Lender thereby. (i) (1) The Borrower and any one or more Lenders (including Persons that become Lenders in connection therewith) may from time to time agree that such Lenders will establish Revolving Commitments through (A) the provision of a new Revolving Commitment by any such Lender or (B) the conversion of a previously established Revolving Commitment of any such Lender to such Extended Revolving Commitment of such Lender (any Revolving Commitments being established pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above and in accordance with this Section 2.1(i), an “Extended Revolving Commitment”, which for the avoidance of doubt, shall also be a “Revolving Commitment”), in each case, by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent an Incremental Activation Notice specifying: (i) the amount of Extended Revolving Commitments established thereby and whether such Extended Revolving Commitments are being established pursuant to clause (A) or (B) of the foregoing sentence, (ii) the Revolving Termination Date for such Extended Revolving Commitments and (iii) the Applicable Margin for Revolving Loans and fees in respect of participations in Letters of Credit pursuant to such Extended Revolving Commitments and the Commitment Fee Rate for commitment fees payable with respect to such Extended Revolving Commitments. (2) No Lender shall have any obligation to participate in any increase described in this paragraph unless it agrees to do so in its sole discretion. The consent of the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Lender (such consents not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) shall be required with respect to each Lender providing an Extended Revolving Commitment to the extent such Lender is not already a Revolving Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender. On each date on which Extended Revolving Commitments are established, each Revolving Lender shall purchase at par from and/or sell at par to each of the other Revolving Lenders such portions of the outstanding Revolving Loans, if any, as may be specified by the Administrative Agent so that, immediately following such purchases, all Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Tranches of Revolving Loans and all ABR Loans that are Revolving Loans shall be held by the Revolving Lenders on a pro rata basis in accordance with their respective - 41- |
| Revolving Percentages. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with the consent of the holders of any revolving commitments under which Pre-Existing Debt may be borrowed, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender and each Issuing Lender (to the extent the consent of the Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Lender would be required for an assignment to any such holder, each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), such revolving commitments may, pursuant to an Incremental Activation Notice, be deemed to have been issued as Extended Revolving Commitments under this Agreement on the date of effectiveness of such Incremental Activation Notice so long as the Extended Revolving Commitments resulting therefrom comply with the requirements set forth above that are applicable to Extended Revolving Commitments and thereafter, the terms of such Pre-Existing Debt shall be governed by the terms of this Agreement (as modified by the applicable Incremental Activation Notice). (j) (1) The Borrower and any one or more Lenders (including Persons that become Lenders in connection therewith) may from time to time agree that such Lenders shall make Replacement Term Loans (which Replacement Term Loans may, at the election of the Borrower and the applicable Lenders, be made in the form of a conversion of Term Loans of an existing Class into such Replacement Term Loans) in order to replace in full or in part any Class of then outstanding Term Loans by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent an Incremental Activation Notice specifying: (i) the amount of such Replacement Term Loans, (ii) the date on which such Replacement Term Loans will be made, (iii) the applicable Replacement Term Maturity Date, (iv) the amortization schedule for such Replacement Term Loans, (v) the Applicable Margin for such Replacement Term Loans and any prepayment premiums or call protection applicable thereto, if any, (vi) the proposed original issue discount applicable to such Replacement Term Loans, if any, (vii) [reserved], (viii) any other terms and conditions that will apply to such Replacement Term Loans. (2) No Lender shall have any obligation to participate in any Replacement Term Loans unless it agrees to do so in its sole discretion. 2.2. Procedure for Borrowing. In order to effect a borrowing hereunder, the Borrower shall give notice to the Administrative Agent, which may be given by: (A) telephone or (B) a Notice of Borrowing (which notice must be received by the Administrative Agent prior to 1:00 P.M., New York City time, (a) three Business Days prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Loans, or (b) one Business Day prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of ABR Loans) (provided that any such Notice of Borrowing of ABR Loans under the Revolving Facility to finance payments required by Section 3.5 may be given not later than 1:00 P.M. New York City time, on the date of the proposed borrowing and, provided, further, that any telephonic notice must be confirmed immediately by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Notice of Borrowing), specifying (i) the Class - 42- |
| of Loan to be borrowed and, in the case of Revolving Loans, the Class of Revolving Commitments under which such Revolving Loans are to be made, (ii) the amount and Type of Loans to be borrowed, (iii) the requested Borrowing Date and (iv) in the case of Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Loans, the respective amounts of each such Type of Loan and the respective lengths of the initial Interest Period therefor. Each borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount equal to (x) in the case of ABR Loans, $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or, if the then aggregate relevant Available Revolving Commitments are less than $5,000,000, such lesser amount) and (y) in the case of Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Loans, $10,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof; provided, that the Swingline Lender may request, on behalf of the Borrower, borrowings under the relevant Revolving Commitments that are ABR Loans in other amounts pursuant to Section 2.5. Upon receipt of any Notice of Borrowing from the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof. Except as provided in Section 2.1(a), each relevant Lender will make the amount of its pro rata share of each borrowing available to the Administrative Agent (in the case of any Revolving Loan, based on respective Revolving Percentages of the Revolving Lenders with the relevant Class of Revolving Commitments) for the account of the Borrower at the Funding Office prior to 10:00 A.M., New York City time (or 2:00 P.M., New York City time in respect of ABR Loans under the Revolving Facility to finance payments required by Section 3.5), on the Borrowing Date requested by the Borrower in funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent; provided that, in the event that any Revolving Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent any portion of such amount prior to 10:30 A.M. New York City time (or 2:30 P.M., New York City time in respect of ABR Loans under the Revolving Facility to finance payments required by Section 3.5) on the relevant Borrowing Date, the Borrower shall be deemed to have provided notice to the Swingline Lender in accordance with Section 2.5 requesting a Swingline Loan in an amount equal to the aggregate amount of any such shortfall, rounded up to the applicable whole multiple of $500,000 (but in no event exceeding, together with all outstanding Swingline Loans, the Swingline Commitment). Such borrowing (including any such Swingline Loan) will then be made available not later than 11:00 A.M., New York City time (or 3:00 P.M., New York City time in respect of ABR Loans under the Revolving Facility to finance payments required by Section 3.5), to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of such office with the aggregate of the amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by the relevant Lenders and in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent. With respect to Term SOFR, the Administrative Agent (with the consent of the Borrower, not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) will have the right to make Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided that, with respect to any such amendment effected, the Administrative Agent shall post each such amendment implementing such Conforming Changes to the Borrower and the Lenders reasonably promptly after such amendment becomes effective. 2.3. Repayment of Loans. (a) [Reserved] (b) The Term B Loans (other than the Converted Term B Loans) of each Term B Lender shall be repaid in full on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date. (c) [Reserved]. (d) [Reserved]. - 43- |
| (e) The Term A-5 Loans of each Term A-5 Lender shall mature in 21 installments following the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date (each due on the last day of each calendar quarter, except for such last installment), commencing on September 30, 2022, each of which shall be in an amount equal to (i) in the case of the first 20 such remaining installments, $75,625,000.00 (it being understood that, in addition to reductions resulting from optional prepayments in accordance with Section 2.8, the aggregate principal amount of amortization payable by the Borrower with respect to all Term A-5 Loans on any such date shall be reduced proportionately as a result of any conversion of Term A-5 Loans to Extended Term Loans following the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date and prior to the date of such payment) and (ii) in the case of the last such installment (which shall be due on the Term A-5 Maturity Date), the remaining principal balance of such Term A-5 Loans outstanding on such date. (f) The Term A-6 Loans of each Term A-6 Lender shall mature in 25 installments following the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date (each due on the last day of each calendar quarter, except for such last installment), commencing on September 30, 2022, each of which shall be in an amount equal to (i) in the case of the first 24 such remaining installments, $6,250,000.00 (it being understood that, in addition to reductions resulting from optional prepayments in accordance with Section 2.8, the aggregate principal amount of amortization payable by the Borrower with respect to all Term A-6 Loans on any such date shall be reduced proportionately as a result of any conversion of Term A-6 Loans to Extended Term Loans following the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date and prior to the date of such payment) and (ii) in the case of the last such installment (which shall be due on the Term A-6 Maturity Date), the remaining principal balance of such Term A-6 Loans outstanding on such date. (g) The Term B-1 Loans of each Term B-1 Lender shall mature in 23 installments following the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date (each due on the last day of each calendar quarter, except for such last installment), commencing on December 31, 2019, each of which shall be in an amount equal to (i) in the case of the first 22 such remaining installments, $6,171,209.47 (it being understood that, in addition to reductions resulting from optional prepayments in accordance with Section 2.8, the aggregate principal amount of amortization payable by the Borrower with respect to all Term B-1 Loans on any such date shall be reduced proportionately as a result of any conversion of Term B-1 Loans to Extended Term Loans following the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date and prior to the date of such payment) and (ii) in the case of the last such installment (which shall be due on the Term B-1 Maturity Date), the remaining principal balance of such Term B-1 Loans outstanding on such date. (h) The Term B-2 Loans of each Term B-2 Lender shall mature in 30 installments following the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date (each due on the last day of each calendar quarter, except for such last installment), commencing on December 31, 2019, each of which shall be in an amount equal to (i) in the case of the first 29 such remaining installments, $9,533,974.20 (it being understood that, in addition to reductions resulting from optional prepayments in accordance with Section 2.8, the aggregate principal amount of amortization payable by the Borrower with respect to all Term B-2 Loans on any such date shall be reduced proportionately as a result of any conversion of Term B-2 Loans to Extended Term Loans following the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date and prior to the date of such payment) and (ii) in the case of the last such installment (which shall be due on the Term B-2 Maturity Date), the remaining principal balance of such Term B-2 Loans outstanding on such date. (i) The Incremental Term Loans of each Class established following the Restatement Effective Date shall mature in installments as specified in the Incremental Activation Notice pursuant to which such Incremental Term Loans were made (and subject to the limitations contained in Section 2.1(h)). - 44- |
| (j) The Extended Term Loans of each Class shall mature in installments as specified in the Incremental Activation Notice pursuant to which such Extended Term Loans were converted (and subject to the limitations contained in Section 2.1(h)). (k) The Replacement Term Loans of each Class shall mature in installments as specified in the Incremental Activation Notice pursuant to which such Replacement Term Loans were established (and subject to the limitations contained in Section 2.1(j)). (l) The Borrower shall repay all outstanding Revolving Loans made pursuant to any Revolving Commitments on the Revolving Termination Date for such Revolving Commitments. The Borrower shall repay all Swingline Loans on the first date on which the Revolving Termination Date has occurred with respect to all Revolving Commitments. 2.4. Swingline Commitment. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swingline Lender agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Lenders set forth in Section 2.5, to make a portion of the credit otherwise available to the Borrower under the Revolving Commitments from time to time during the Revolving Commitment Period for such Revolving Commitments by making swingline loans (“Swingline Loans”) to the Borrower; provided that (a) the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans outstanding at any time shall not exceed the Swingline Commitment then in effect (notwithstanding that the Swingline Loans outstanding at any time, when aggregated with the Swingline Lender’s other outstanding Revolving Loans hereunder, may exceed the Swingline Commitment then in effect) and the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans made by Bank of America, N.A. shall not exceed the Revolving Commitment of Bank of America, N.A. unless otherwise agreed by Bank of America, N.A. in its sole discretion), (b) the Borrower shall not request, and the Swingline Lender shall not make, any Swingline Loan if, after giving effect to the making of such Swingline Loan, the aggregate amount of the Available Revolving Commitments would be less than zero and (c) the Swingline Lender shall be under no obligation to make any Swingline Loan at any time that any Revolving Lender is a Defaulting Lender unless the Swingline Lender has entered into arrangements, including, if requested, the delivery of Cash Collateral, satisfactory to the Swingline Lender (in its sole discretion) with the Borrower or such Lender to eliminate such Swingline Lender’s actual or potential Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.21(a)(iii)) with respect to the Defaulting Lender arising from either the Swingline Loan to be made and all other Swingline Loans as to which such Swingline Lender has actual or potential Fronting Exposure, as it may elect in its sole discretion. During the Revolving Commitment Period for any Revolving Commitments, the Borrower may use the Swingline Commitment by borrowing, repaying and reborrowing, all in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof. Swingline Loans shall be ABR Loans only. 2.5. Procedure for Swingline Borrowing; Refunding of Swingline Loans. (a) Whenever the Borrower desires that the Swingline Lender make Swingline Loans it shall give the Swingline Lender irrevocable telephonic notice confirmed promptly in writing or such other form as approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent pursuant), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower (which notice must be received by the Swingline Lender not later than 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on the proposed Borrowing Date), specifying (i) the amount to be borrowed and (ii) the requested Borrowing Date (which shall be a Business Day during the Revolving Commitment Period for any Revolving Commitments). Each borrowing under the Swingline Commitment shall be in an amount equal to $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof. Not later than 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Borrowing Date specified in a notice in respect of Swingline Loans, the Swingline Lender shall make available to the Administrative Agent at the Funding Office an amount in immediately available funds equal to the - 45- |
| amount of the Swingline Loan to be made by the Swingline Lender. The Administrative Agent shall make the proceeds of such Swingline Loan available to the Borrower on such Borrowing Date by depositing such proceeds in the account of the Borrower with the Administrative Agent on such Borrowing Date in immediately available funds. (b) The Swingline Lender, at any time and from time to time in its sole and absolute discretion and in consultation with the Borrower (provided that the failure to so consult shall not affect the ability of the Swingline Lender to make the following request) may, on behalf of the Borrower (which hereby irrevocably directs the Swingline Lender to act on its behalf), on one Business Day’s notice given by the Swingline Lender no later than 1:00 P.M., New York City time, request each Revolving Lender to make, and each Revolving Lender hereby agrees to make, a Revolving Loan, in an amount equal to such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Percentage of the aggregate amount of the Swingline Loans (the “Refunded Swingline Loans”) outstanding on the date of such notice, to repay the Swingline Lender. Each Revolving Lender shall make the amount of such Revolving Loan available to the Administrative Agent at the Funding Office in immediately available funds, not later than 12:00 Noon, New York City time, one Business Day after the date of such notice. The proceeds of such Revolving Loans shall be immediately made available by the Administrative Agent to the Swingline Lender for application by the Swingline Lender to the repayment of the Refunded Swingline Loans. The Borrower irrevocably authorizes the Swingline Lender to charge the Borrower’s accounts with the Administrative Agent (up to the amount available in each such account) in order to immediately pay the amount of such Refunded Swingline Loans to the extent amounts received from the Revolving Lenders are not sufficient to repay in full such Refunded Swingline Loans. (c) If prior to the time a Revolving Loan would have otherwise been made pursuant to Section 2.5(b), one of the events described in Section 8.1(g) shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to the Borrower or if for any other reason, as determined by the Swingline Lender in its sole discretion, Revolving Loans may not be made as contemplated by Section 2.5(b), each Revolving Lender shall, on the date such Revolving Loan was to have been made pursuant to the notice referred to in Section 2.5(b), purchase for cash an undivided participating interest in the then outstanding Swingline Loans by paying to the Swingline Lender an amount (the “Swingline Participation Amount”) equal to (i) such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Percentage times (ii) the sum of the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans then outstanding that were to have been repaid with such Revolving Loans. (d) Whenever, at any time after the Swingline Lender has received from any Revolving Lender such Lender’s Swingline Participation Amount, the Swingline Lender receives any payment on account of the Swingline Loans, the Swingline Lender will distribute to such Lender its Swingline Participation Amount (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Lender’s participating interest was outstanding and funded and, in the case of principal and interest payments, to reflect such Lender’s pro rata portion of such payment if such payment is not sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on all Swingline Loans then due); provided, however, that in the event that such payment received by the Swingline Lender is required to be returned, such Revolving Lender will return to the Swingline Lender any portion thereof previously distributed to it by the Swingline Lender. (e) Each Revolving Lender’s obligation to make the Loans referred to in Section 2.5(b) and to purchase participating interests pursuant to Section 2.5(c) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (i) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such Revolving Lender or the Borrower may have against the Swingline Lender, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (ii) the occurrence or continuance of a Default or an Event of Default or the failure to satisfy any of the other conditions specified in Section 5; (iii) any adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower; - 46- |
| (iv) any breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Revolving Lender; or (v) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing. 2.6. Fees, Etc. (a) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender a nonrefundable commitment fee through the last day of the Revolving Commitment Period for such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment computed at the Commitment Fee Rate for such Revolving Commitment on the actual daily amount of the Available Revolving Commitment of such Lender of such Class of Revolving Commitments, payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each March, June, September and December and on the Revolving Termination Date for such Revolving Commitments. (b) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent the fees in the amounts and on the dates previously agreed to in writing by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent. (c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, at the time of the effectiveness of any Repricing Transaction that is consummated prior to April 24, 2020, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each Lender with outstanding Term B-1 Loans and/or Term B-2 Loans subject to such Repricing Transaction, a fee in an amount equal to 1.0% of (x) in the case of a Repricing Transaction of the type described in clause (a) of the definition thereof, the aggregate principal amount of all Term B-1 Loans and/or Term B-2 Loans of such Lender prepaid (or converted) in connection with such Repricing Transaction and (y) in the case of a Repricing Transaction described in clause (b) of the definition thereof, the aggregate principal amount of the Term B-1 Loans and/or Term B-2 Loans of such Lender outstanding immediately prior to such amendment with respect to which such amendment constitutes a Repricing Transaction. Such fees shall be due and payable upon the date of the effectiveness of such Repricing Transaction. 2.7. Termination or Reduction of Commitments. (a) The Borrower shall have the right, upon notice delivered to the Administrative Agent no later than 1:00 P.M., New York City time, at least three Business Days prior to the proposed date of termination or reduction, to terminate the Revolving Commitments or, from time to time, to reduce the amount of the Revolving Commitments of any Class; provided that no such termination or reduction shall be permitted if, after giving effect thereto and to any prepayments of the Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans made on the effective date thereof, the Revolving Extensions of Credit under such Class of Revolving Commitments of any Revolving Lender would exceed such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment of such Class. Any such partial reduction shall be in an amount equal to $10,000,000, or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, shall reduce permanently the Revolving Commitments then in effect and shall be applied to reduce the Revolving Commitments of any Class as the Borrower may designate, but in any event, in the case of Revolving Commitments with the same Revolving Termination Date, on a pro rata basis among such Revolving Commitments based on the respective amount of such Revolving Commitments of each Revolving Lender. Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable, provided that such notice may state that it is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities (including under this Agreement) or incurrence of other Indebtedness, the consummation of a particular Disposition, the occurrence of a change of control or other event), in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. - 47- |
| (b) The Term B-1 Additional Commitment of each Lender will terminate on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date immediately upon the funding of such Lender’s Term B-1 Loan thereunder. (c) The Term B-2 Additional Commitment of each Lender will terminate on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date immediately upon the funding of such Lender’s Term B-2 Loan thereunder. (d) The Term A-5 Additional Commitment of each Lender will terminate on the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date immediately upon the funding of such Lender’s Term A-5 Loan thereunder. (e) The Term A-6 Commitment of each Lender will terminate on the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date immediately upon the funding of such Lender’s Term A-6 Loan thereunder. 2.8. Optional Prepayments. (a) The Borrower may at any time and from time to time prepay the Loans of any Class (and Revolving Loans under any Class of Revolving Commitments selected by the Borrower), in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, upon notice in such form as may be approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer, delivered to the Administrative Agent no later than 1:00 P.M., New York City time, at least three Business Days prior thereto in the case of Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Loans and no later than 1:00 P.M., New York City time, at least one Business Day prior thereto in the case of ABR Loans, which notice shall specify the date and amount of prepayment, the Class of Loans being prepaid and whether the prepayment is of Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Loans or ABR Loans; provided, that if a Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Loan is prepaid on any day other than the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, the Borrower shall also pay any amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.18. Upon receipt of any such notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof. If any such notice is given, the amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein, together with (except in the case of Revolving Loans that are ABR Loans and Swingline Loans) accrued interest to such date on the amount prepaid. Partial prepayments of Term Loans and Revolving Loans pursuant to this Section 2.8(a) shall be in an aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Partial prepayments of Swingline Loans shall be in an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable, provided that such notice may state that it is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities (including under this Agreement) or incurrence of other Indebtedness, the consummation of a particular Disposition, the occurrence of a change of control or other event), in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified prepayment date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any prepayment of Loans of any Class (or Revolving Loans under any Revolving Commitments, as the case may be) pursuant to this Section 2.8(a) shall be applied to the Loans of such Class (or the Revolving Loans under such Class of Revolving Commitments as the case may be) of each Lender on a pro rata basis in accordance with the respective amounts of such Loans held by each such Lender. (b) (i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 2.8(a), the Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay Term Loans of any Class, to the - 48- |
| Lenders at a prepayment price which is less than, equal to or greater than the principal amount of such Term Loans and on a non pro rata basis (each, an “Offered Voluntary Prepayment”) either (x) purchasing directly from Lenders at the Borrower’s sole discretion pursuant to Section 10.6(g) or (y) pursuant to the procedures described in this Section 2.8(b); provided that (A) no Offered Voluntary Prepayment may be made if a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (B) any Offered Voluntary Prepayment shall be offered to all Lenders with Term Loans of the Class selected by the Borrower on a pro rata basis and (C) the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower stating that (1) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from such Offered Voluntary Prepayment and (2) each of the conditions to such Offered Voluntary Prepayment contained in this Section 2.8(b) has been satisfied. (ii) To the extent the Borrower seeks to make an Offered Voluntary Prepayment pursuant to Section 2.8(b)(i)(y), the Borrower will provide written notice from a Responsible Officer of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent (each, an “Offered Prepayment Option Notice”) that the Borrower desires to prepay Term Loans of a specified Class in an aggregate principal amount specified therein by the Borrower (each, a “Proposed Offered Prepayment Amount”). The Proposed Offered Prepayment Amount shall not be less than $25,000,000 (or such lesser amount if the Term Loans of such specified Class have a lower aggregate amount outstanding at such time). The Offered Prepayment Option Notice shall further specify with respect to the proposed Offered Voluntary Prepayment: (A) the Proposed Offered Prepayment Amount for Term Loans and the Class of Term Loans with respect to such offer is being made, (B) an offered prepayment price range (which may be a single percentage) selected by the Borrower with respect to such proposed Offered Voluntary Prepayment equal to a percentage of par of the principal amount of Term Loans of the applicable Class (the “Offered Range”) and (C) the date by which Lenders are required to indicate their election to participate in such proposed Offered Voluntary Prepayment (the “Acceptance Date”) which shall be at least five Business Days following the date of such Offered Prepayment Option Notice is delivered. (iii) Upon receipt of an Offered Prepayment Option Notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each applicable Lender thereof. On or prior to the Acceptance Date, each such Lender may specify by written notice in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (each, a “Lender Participation Notice”; it being understood that a Lender may deliver more than one Lender Participation Notice, and that each such Lender Participation Notice of such Lender shall constitute an independent and unconditional offer, and no such Lender Participation Notice may be contingent on the making of any prepayment with respect to the Offered Loans in respect of any other Lender Participation Notice, or otherwise be contingent or conditional in any way) to the Administrative Agent (A) a minimum price (the “Acceptable Price”) within the Offered Range at which such Lender is willing to accept a prepayment of a portion of its Term Loans of the applicable Class and (B) a maximum principal amount (subject to rounding requirements specified by the Administrative Agent) of Term Loans of such Class held by such Lender with respect to which such Lender is willing to permit an Offered Voluntary Prepayment at the Acceptable Price (“Offered Loans”). Based on the Acceptable Prices and principal amounts of Term Loans of the applicable Class specified by the Lenders in the applicable Lender Participation Notice, the Administrative Agent, in consultation with the Borrower, shall determine the applicable prepayment price for Term Loans pursuant to such Offered Voluntary Prepayment (the “Applicable Price”), which Applicable Price shall be (A) the percentage specified by the Borrower if the Borrower has selected a single percentage pursuant to Section 2.8(b)(ii) for the Offered Voluntary Prepayment or (B) otherwise, the lowest Acceptable Price at which the Borrower can pay the Proposed Offered Prepayment Amount in full (determined by adding the principal amounts of Offered - 49- |
| Loans commencing with the Offered Loans with the lowest Acceptable Price); provided, however, that in the event that such Proposed Offered Prepayment Amount cannot be repaid in full at any Acceptable Price, the Applicable Price shall be the highest Acceptable Price specified by the Lenders that is within the Offered Range. The Applicable Price shall be applicable for all Lenders who have offered to participate in the Offered Voluntary Prepayment and have Qualifying Loans (as defined below). Any Lender with outstanding Loans whose Lender Participation Notice is not received by the Administrative Agent by the Acceptance Date shall be deemed to have declined to accept an Offered Voluntary Prepayment of any of its Loans at the Applicable Price. (iv) The Borrower shall make an Offered Voluntary Prepayment by prepaying those Term Loans (or the respective portions thereof) of the applicable Class offered by the Lenders (“Qualifying Lenders”) that specify an Acceptable Price that is equal to or less than the Applicable Price (“Qualifying Loans”) at the Applicable Price; provided that if the aggregate proceeds required to prepay all Qualifying Loans (disregarding any interest payable at such time) would exceed the amount of aggregate proceeds required to prepay the Proposed Offered Prepayment Amount, such amounts in each case calculated by applying the Applicable Price, the Borrower shall prepay such Qualifying Loans ratably among the Qualifying Lenders based on their respective principal amounts of such Qualifying Loans (subject to rounding requirements specified by the Administrative Agent). If the aggregate proceeds required to prepay all Qualifying Loans (disregarding any interest payable at such time) would be less than the amount of aggregate proceeds required to prepay the Proposed Offered Prepayment Amount, such amounts in each case calculated by applying the Applicable Price, the Borrower shall prepay all Qualifying Loans. (v) Each Offered Voluntary Prepayment shall be made within five Business Days of the Acceptance Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably agree, given the time required to calculate the Applicable Price and determine the amount and holders of Qualifying Loans), without premium or penalty (and not subject to Section 2.18), upon irrevocable notice (each an “Offered Voluntary Prepayment Notice”), delivered to the Administrative Agent no later than 1:00 P.M., New York City time, three Business Days prior to the date of such Offered Voluntary Prepayment, which notice shall specify the date and amount of the Offered Voluntary Prepayment and the Applicable Price determined by the Administrative Agent. Upon receipt of any Offered Voluntary Prepayment Notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof. If any Offered Voluntary Prepayment Notice is given, the amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable to the applicable Lenders, subject to the Applicable Price on the applicable Term Loans, on the date specified therein together with accrued interest (on the par principal amount) to but not including such date on the amount prepaid. (vi) Prior to the delivery of an Offered Voluntary Prepayment Notice, upon written notice to the Administrative Agent, (A) the Borrower may withdraw its offer to make an Offered Voluntary Prepayment pursuant to any Offered Prepayment Option Notice and (B) any Lender may withdraw its offer to participate in any Offered Voluntary Prepayment pursuant to any Lender Participation Notice. (vii) To the extent not expressly provided for herein, each Offered Voluntary Prepayment shall be consummated pursuant to reasonable procedures (including as to timing, rounding, minimum amounts, Type and Interest Periods and calculation of Applicable Price in accordance with Section 2.8(b)(iii) above) established by the Administrative Agent in consultation with the Borrower. It is understood and agreed that the Borrower may employ a - 50- |
| financial institution or other advisor (whether or not an affiliate of the Administrative Agent) to act as an arranger in connection with any Offered Voluntary Prepayment and, in such event, the Administrative Agent agrees, subject to its internal agency policies, to provide such reasonable cooperation as may be requested by the Borrower in order to facilitate communications from such arranger to the Lenders and otherwise to provide access to Lender Participation Notices. (viii) Each of the Borrower and the Lenders acknowledges and agrees that Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties under this Section 2.8(b) by itself or through any Affiliate of the Administrative Agent and expressly consents to any such delegation of duties by the Administrative Agent such Affiliate and the performance of such delegated duties by such Affiliate. The exculpatory provisions pursuant to this Agreement shall apply to each Affiliate of the Administrative Agent and its respective activities in connection with any Offered Voluntary Prepayment provided for in this Section 2.8 as well as activities of the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding anything set forth herein, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to serve as the auction agent for, or have any other obligations to participate in (other than mechanical administrative duties), or facilitate, any Offered Voluntary Prepayment unless it is reasonably satisfied with the terms and restrictions of such auction. 2.9. [Reserved]. 2.10. Conversion and Continuation Options. (a) The Borrower may elect from time to time to convert Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Loans of any Class to ABR Loans of such Class by giving the Administrative Agent at least two Business Days’ prior irrevocable notice of such election, provided that any such conversion of Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Loans may only be made on the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto. The Borrower may elect from time to time to convert ABR Loans of any Class to Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Loans of such Class by giving the Administrative Agent irrevocable notice of such election no later than 1:00 P.M. New York City time, on the third Business Day prior to the proposed conversion date (which notice shall specify the length of the initial Interest Period therefor), provided that no ABR Loan may be converted into a Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Loan when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. Upon receipt of any such notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof. (b) Any Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Loan may be continued as such by the Borrower giving irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent at least three Business Days prior to the expiration of the then current Interest Period, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the term “Interest Period” set forth in Section 1.1, of the length of the next Interest Period to be applicable to such Loans, provided that (i) if so required by the Administrative Agent, no Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Loan may be continued as such when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (ii) if the Borrower shall fail to give any required notice as described above in this paragraph, the relevant Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Loans shall be automatically converted to Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Loans having a one-month Interest Period on the last day of the then expiring Interest Period. Upon receipt of any such notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each relevant Lender thereof. 2.11. Limitations on Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Tranches. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, all borrowings, conversions and continuations of Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Loans hereunder and all selections of Interest Periods hereunder shall be in such amounts and be made pursuant to such elections so that, (a) after giving effect thereto, the aggregate principal amount of the Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Loans comprising each Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Tranche shall be - 51- |
| equal to $10,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (b) no more than fifteen Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Tranches shall be outstanding at any one time. 2.12. Interest Rates and Payment Dates. (a) Each EurodollarTerm SOFR Loan shall bear interest for each day during each Interest Period with respect thereto at a rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar RateTerm SOFR determined for such day plus the Applicable Margin. Each Term SOFR Loan shall bear interest for each day during each Interest Period with respect thereto at a rate per annum equal to Term SOFR determined for such day plus the Applicable Margin. (b) Each ABR Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the ABR plus the Applicable Margin. (c) (i) If all or a portion of the principal amount of any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), all outstanding Loans and Reimbursement Obligations (whether or not overdue) shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to (x) in the case of the Loans, the rate that would otherwise be applicable thereto pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section plus 2% or (y) in the case of Reimbursement Obligations, the Applicable Margins (based on the Revolving Percentages of the Revolving Lenders in such Reimbursement Obligations) for ABR Loans under the applicable Revolving Commitments participating in Letters of Credit plus 2%, and (ii) if all or a portion of any interest payable on any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation or any commitment fee or other amount payable hereunder shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the rate then applicable to ABR Loans of the relevant Class (and, in the case of the amount payable to any Revolving Lender, based on the Applicable Margins then in effect for such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitments) plus 2% (or, in the case of any such other amounts that do not relate to a particular Class, the rate then applicable to ABR Loans under the Revolving Facility (based on the highest Applicable Margins then in effect for any Revolving Commitments) plus 2%), in each case, with respect to clauses (i) and (ii) above, from the date of such non-payment until such amount is paid in full (as well after as before judgment). (d) Interest shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date, provided that interest accruing pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable from time to time on demand. 2.13. Computation of Interest and Fees. (a) Interest and fees payable pursuant hereto shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual days elapsed, except that, with respect to ABR Loans, the interest thereon shall be calculated on the basis of a 365- (or 366-, as the case may be) day year for the actual days elapsed. The Administrative Agent shall as soon as practicable notify the Borrower and the relevant Lenders of each determination of a Eurodollar RateTerm SOFR. Any change in the interest rate on a Loan resulting from a change in the ABR or the Eurocurrency Reserve RequirementsTerm SOFR shall become effective as of the opening of business on the day on which such change becomes effective. The Administrative Agent shall as soon as practicable notify the Borrower and the relevant Lenders of the effective date and the amount of each such change in interest rate. (b) Each determination of an interest rate by the Administrative Agent pursuant to any provision of this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrower and the Lenders in the absence of manifest error. The Administrative Agent shall, at the request of the Borrower, deliver to the - 52- |
| Borrower a statement showing the quotations used by the Administrative Agent in determining any interest rate pursuant to Section 2.12(a). 2.14. Inability to Determine Interest Rate. (a) The following provisions in this clause (a) apply with respect to with respect to Term B-1 Loans and Term B-2 Loans. If prior to the first day of any Interest Period:[Reserved] (1) the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrower) that, by reason of circumstances affecting the relevant market, adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period, or (2) the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Majority Facility Lenders in respect of any Class of Loans that the Eurodollar Rate determined or to be determined for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (as conclusively certified by such Lenders) of making or maintaining their affected Loans during such Interest Period, the Administrative Agent shall give telecopy or telephonic notice thereof to the Borrower and the relevant Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter. If such notice is given, (x) any Eurodollar Loans of the relevant Class requested to be made on the first day of such Interest Period shall be made as ABR Loans, (y) any Loans of the relevant Class that were to have been converted on the first day of such Interest Period to Eurodollar Loans shall be continued as ABR Loans and (z) any outstanding Eurodollar Loans of the relevant Class shall be converted, on the last day of the then-current Interest Period, to ABR Loans. Until such notice has been withdrawn by the Administrative Agent, no further Eurodollar Loans of the relevant Class shall be made or continued as such, nor shall the Borrower have the right to convert Loans of the relevant Class to Eurodollar Loans. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Documents, if the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error), or the Borrower or Required Lenders notify the Administrative Agent (with, in the case of the Required Lenders, a copy to Borrower) that the Borrower or Required Lenders (as applicable) have determined, that: (i) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the LIBOR Screen Rate for any requested Interest Period, including, without limitation, because the LIBOR Screen Rate is not available or published on a current basis and such circumstances are unlikely to be temporary; or (ii) the administrator of the LIBOR Screen Rate or a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which the Eurodollar Base Rate or the LIBOR Screen Rate shall no longer be made available, or used for determining the interest rate of loans (such specific date, the “LIBOR Scheduled Unavailability Date”), or (iii) syndicated loans currently being executed, or that include language similar to that contained in this Section, are being executed or amended (as applicable) to incorporate or adopt a new benchmark interest rate to replace the Eurodollar Base Rate, then, reasonably promptly after such determination by the Administrative Agent or receipt by the Administrative Agent of such notice, as applicable, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may - 53- |
| amend this Agreement to replace the Eurodollar Base Rate with an alternate benchmark rate (including any mathematical or other adjustments to the benchmark (if any) incorporated therein), giving due consideration to any evolving or then existing convention for similar U.S. dollar denominated syndicated credit facilities for such alternative benchmarks (any such proposed rate, a “LIBOR Successor Rate”), together with any agreed LIBOR Successor Rate Conforming Changes and any such amendment shall become effective at 5:00 p.m. (New York time) on the fifth Business Day after the Administrative Agent shall have posted such proposed amendment to all Lenders and the Borrower unless, prior to such time, Lenders comprising the Required Lenders have delivered to the Administrative Agent written notice that such Required Lenders do not accept such amendment. Further, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing paragraph, the Borrower and the Required Lenders may upon not less than 25 Business Days’ prior written notice (or such shorter notice period as to which the Administrative Agent may consent) to the Administrative Agent select a different LIBOR Successor Rate as long as it is practicable for the Administrative Agent to administer such different rate (such practicability being determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion). If no LIBOR Successor Rate has been determined and the circumstances under clause (i) above exist or the Scheduled Unavailability Date has occurred (as applicable), the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Lender. Thereafter, the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain Eurodollar Loans shall be suspended, (to the extent of the affected Eurodollar Loans or Interest Periods until a LIBOR Successor Rate has been determined). Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans (to the extent of the affected Eurodollar Rate Loans or Interest Periods) or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Notice of Borrowing of ABR Loans in the amount specified therein. (b) The following provisions in this clause (b) apply with respect to all Loans (other than Term B-1 Loans and Term B-2 Loans): (1) If in connection with any request for a Term SOFR Loan or a conversion of ABR Loans to Term SOFR Loans or a continuation of any of such Loans, as applicable, (i) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that (A) no Successor Rate has been determined in accordance with Section 2.14(b)(1), and the circumstances under clause (i) of Section 2.14(b)(1) or the Scheduled Unavailability Date has occurred, or (B) adequate and reasonable means do not otherwise exist for determining Term SOFR for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Term SOFR Loan or in connection with an existing or proposed ABR Loan, or (ii) the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders determine that for any reason that Term SOFR for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Loan (in the case of the Required Lenders, as conclusively certified by such Lenders), the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Lender. Thereafter, the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain Term SOFR Loans, or to convert ABR Loans to Term SOFR Loans, shall be suspended (to the extent of the affected Term SOFR Loans or Interest Periods), in each case until the Administrative Agent (or, in the case of a determination by the Required Lenders described in clause (ii) of this Section 2.14(b)(1), until the Administrative Agent upon instruction of the Required Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, (i) the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, or conversion to, or continuation of Term SOFR Loans (to the extent of the affected Term - 54- |
| SOFR Loans or Interest Periods) or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Committed Borrowing of ABR Loans in the amount specified therein and (ii) any outstanding Term SOFR Loans shall be deemed to have been converted to ABR Loans immediately at the end of their respective applicable Interest Period. (c) Replacement of Term SOFR or Successor Rate. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Documents, if the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error), or the Borrower or Required Lenders notify the Administrative Agent (with, in the case of the Required Lenders, a copy to the Borrower) that the Borrower or Required Lenders (as applicable) have determined, that: (1) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining one month, three month and six month interest periods of Term SOFR, including, without limitation, because the Term SOFR Screen Rate is not available or published on a current basis and such circumstances are unlikely to be temporary; or (2) CME or any successor administrator of the Term SOFR Screen Rate or a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent or such administrator with respect to its publication of Term SOFR, in each case acting in such capacity, has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which one month, three month and six month interest periods of Term SOFR or the Term SOFR Screen Rate shall or will no longer be made available, or permitted to be used for determining the interest rate of U.S. dollar denominated syndicated loans, or shall or will otherwise cease, provided that, at the time of such statement, there is no successor administrator that is satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, that will continue to provide such interest periods of Term SOFR after such specific date (the latest date on which one month, three month and six month interest periods of Term SOFR or the Term SOFR Screen Rate are no longer available permanently or indefinitely, the “Scheduled Unavailability Date”); then, on a date and time determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (any such date, the “Term SOFR Replacement Date”), which date shall be at the end of an Interest Period or on the relevant interest payment date, as applicable, for interest calculated and, solely with respect to clause (ii) above, no later than the Scheduled Unavailability Date, Term SOFR will be replaced hereunder and under any Loan Document with Daily Simple SOFR for any payment period for interest calculated that can be determined by the Administrative Agent, in each case, without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document (the “Successor Rate). If the Successor Rate is Daily Simple SOFR, all interest payments will be payable on a monthly basis. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (i) if the Administrative Agent determines that Daily Simple SOFR is not available on or prior to the Term SOFR Replacement Date, or (ii) if the events or circumstances of the type described in Section 2.14(c)(1) or (2) have occurred with respect to the Successor Rate then in effect, then in each case, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may amend this Agreement solely for the purpose of replacing Term SOFR or any then current Successor Rate in accordance with this Section 2.14(c) at the end of any Interest Period, relevant interest payment date or payment period for interest calculated, as applicable, with an alternative benchmark rate giving due consideration to any evolving or then existing convention for similar U.S. dollar denominated credit facilities syndicated and agented in the United States for such alternative benchmark and, in each case, including any mathematical or other adjustments to such benchmark giving due consideration to - 55- |
| any evolving or then existing convention for similar U.S. dollar denominated credit facilities syndicated and agented in the United States for such benchmark, which adjustment or method for calculating such adjustment shall be published on an information service as selected by the Administrative Agent from time to time in its reasonable discretion and may be periodically updated. For the avoidance of doubt, any such proposed rate and adjustments, shall constitute a “Successor Rate”. Any such amendment shall become effective at 5:00 p.m. on the fifth Business Day after the Administrative Agent shall have posted such proposed amendment to all Lenders and the Borrower unless, prior to such time, Lenders comprising the Required Lenders have delivered to the Administrative Agent written notice that such Required Lenders object to such amendment. The Administrative Agent will promptly (in one or more notices) notify the Borrower and each Lender of the implementation of any Successor Rate. Any Successor Rate shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided that to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, such Successor Rate shall be applied in a manner as otherwise reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent (with the consent of the Borrower, not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed ). In connection with the implementation of a Successor Rate, the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Borrower, (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) will have the right to make Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement; provided that, with respect to any such amendment effected, the Administrative Agent shall post each such amendment implementing such Conforming Changes to the Borrower and the Lenders reasonably promptly after such amendment becomes effective. For purposes of Section 2.14(b) and this Section 2.14(bc), those Lenders that either have not made, or do not have an obligation under this Agreement to make, the relevant Loans in Dollars shall be excluded from any determination of Required Lenders. 2.15. Pro Rata Treatment and Payments. (a) Except for payments pursuant to Section 2.8(b) (which shall reduce only all installments of principal on the Term Loans prepaid), the amount of each principal prepayment of Term Loans of any Class shall be applied to reduce the then remaining installments of principal of such Class on a pro rata basis based upon the then remaining principal amount of such installments. Amounts repaid or prepaid on account of the Term Loans may not be reborrowed. (b) All payments (including prepayments) to be made by the Borrower hereunder, whether on account of principal, interest, fees or otherwise, shall be made without setoff or counterclaim and shall be made prior to 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on the due date thereof to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the applicable Lenders, at the Funding Office, in Dollars and in immediately available funds. The Administrative Agent shall distribute such payments to the Lenders entitled thereto promptly upon receipt in like funds as received. If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, Reimbursement Obligations, interest, fees and other amounts then due and payable by the Borrower hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal and Reimbursement Obligations then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and Reimbursement Obligations - 56- |
| then due to such parties, and (iii) third, towards the payment of all other amounts then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amount of such amounts then due to such parties. If any payment hereunder (other than payments on the Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Loans) becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day. If any payment on a Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Loan becomes due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, the maturity thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to extend such payment into another calendar month, in which event such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day. In the case of any extension of any payment of principal pursuant to the preceding two sentences, interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate during such extension. (c) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified in writing by any Lender prior to a borrowing that such Lender will not make the amount that would constitute its share of such borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender is making such amount available to the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. If such amount is not made available to the Administrative Agent by the required time on the Borrowing Date therefor, such Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent, on demand, such amount with interest thereon at a rate equal to the greater of (i) the daily average Federal Funds Effective Rate for the period until such Lender makes such amount immediately available to the Administrative Agent and (ii) a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation. A certificate of the Administrative Agent submitted to any Lender with respect to any amounts owing under this paragraph shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. If such Lender’s share of such borrowing is not made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender within three Business Days of such Borrowing Date, the Administrative Agent shall also be entitled to recover such amount with interest thereon at the rate per annum applicable to ABR Loans of the relevant Class, on demand, from the Borrower. Nothing in this paragraph shall be deemed to limit the rights of the Administrative Agent or the Borrower against any Lender. (d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified in writing by the Borrower prior to the date of any payment being made hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower is making such payment, and the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be required to, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Lenders their respective shares of a corresponding amount. With respect to any payment that the Administrative Agent makes for the account of the Lenders or any Issuing Lender hereunder as to which the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that any of the following applies (such payment referred to as the “Rescindable Amount”): (1) the Borrower has not in fact made such payment; (2) the Administrative Agent has made a payment in excess of the amount so paid by the Borrower (whether or not then owed); or (3) the Administrative agent has for any reason otherwise erroneously made such payment; then each of the Lenders or the applicable Issuing Lenders, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the Rescindable Amount so distributed to such Lender or such Issuing Lender, in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation. Nothing herein shall be deemed to limit the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against the Borrower. A notice of the Administrative Agent to the Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this clause (d) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error. - 57- |
| (e) If any Lender makes available to the Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Section 2, and such funds are not made available to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent because the conditions to the applicable Loan set forth in Section 5.2 are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest. 2.16. Requirements of Law. (a) If any Change in Law: (i) shall subject any Lender (including any Issuing Lender) to any tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, any Application or any Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender in respect thereof (except for Non-Excluded Taxes covered by Section 2.17, Other Taxes, and taxes for which a Lender would have been entitled to an additional payment pursuant to Section 2.17(a) but for an exclusion set forth therein); (ii) shall impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan or similar requirement against assets held by, deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of, advances, loans or other extensions of credit by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any office of such Lender that is not otherwise included in the determination of the Eurodollar Rate or Term SOFR, as applicable, hereunder; or (iii) shall impose on such Lender or Issuing Lender any other condition; and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender or Issuing Lender, by an amount that such Lender or Issuing Lender deems to be material, of making, converting into, continuing or maintaining Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Loans or issuing or participating in Letters of Credit, or to reduce any amount receivable hereunder in respect thereof, then, in any such case, the Borrower shall promptly pay such Lender or Issuing Lender, upon its demand, any additional amounts necessary to compensate such Lender for such increased cost or reduced amount receivable. The Borrower shall not be required to compensate any Lender for any claim of increased costs to such Lender of agreeing to make or making, funding or maintaining any Loans from the adoption of an alternate rate of interest pursuant to Section 2.14. If any Lender or Issuing Lender becomes entitled to claim any additional amounts pursuant to this paragraph, it shall promptly notify the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of the event by reason of which it has become so entitled. (b) If any Lender or Issuing Lender shall have determined that any Change in Law regarding capital adequacy or in the interpretation or application thereof or compliance by such Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender therewith shall have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or Issuing Lender’s or such corporation’s capital as a consequence of its obligations hereunder or under or in respect of any Letter of Credit to a level below that which such Lender or Issuing Lender or such corporation could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or Issuing Lender’s or such corporation’s policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by such Lender or Issuing Lender to be material, then from time to time, after submission by such Lender or Issuing Lender to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of a written request therefor, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or Issuing Lender for such reduction; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or Issuing Lender pursuant to this paragraph for any amounts incurred more than six months prior to the date that such Lender or Issuing Lender notifies - 58- |
| the Borrower of such Lender’s or Issuing Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor; and provided further that, if the circumstances giving rise to such claim have a retroactive effect, then such six-month period shall be extended to include the period of such retroactive effect. (c) A certificate as to any additional amounts payable pursuant to this Section submitted by any Lender or Issuing Lender to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. The obligations of the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder. 2.17. Taxes. (a) All payments made by any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for or on account of, any present or future income, stamp or other taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings, now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by any Governmental Authority, excluding net income taxes and franchise taxes (imposed in lieu of net income taxes) and branch profits taxes, in each case, imposed on the Administrative Agent or any Lender as a result of a present or former connection between the Administrative Agent or such Lender and the jurisdiction of the Governmental Authority imposing such tax or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein (other than any such connection arising solely from the Administrative Agent or such Lender having executed, delivered or performed its obligations or received a payment under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to, or enforced, this Agreement or any other Loan Document), and excluding any U.S. federal withholding Taxes under FATCA imposed on the Administrative Agent or any Lender (any such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions, or withholdings, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties related thereto, “Non-Excluded Taxes”). If applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable withholding agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any tax from any such payment by any applicable withholding agent, then (i) the applicable withholding agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding, (ii) the applicable withholding agent shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and (iii).if such tax is a Non-Excluded Tax or Other Taxes, the amounts so payable to the Administrative Agent or such Lender shall be increased to the extent necessary to yield to such Lender (or, in the case of payments made to the Administrative Agent for its own account, the Administrative Agent), after payment of all Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any such taxes payable on any additional amounts paid under this Section 2.17(a)), interest or any such other amounts payable hereunder at the rates or in the amounts specified in this Agreement, provided, however, that the Borrower shall not be required to increase any such amounts payable to any Lender with respect to any Non-Excluded Taxes (i) that are attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the requirements of paragraph (d), (e), or (g) of this Section or (ii) that are United States federal withholding taxes imposed on amounts payable to such Lender (A) at the time the Lender becomes a party to this Agreement, except to the extent that such Lender’s assignor (if any) was entitled, immediately prior to the assignment, to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such Non-Excluded Taxes pursuant to this paragraph or (B) at the time that such Lender changes its lending office, except to the extent that such Lender was entitled, immediately prior to the change, to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such Non-Excluded Taxes pursuant to this paragraph. (b) In addition, without duplication of Section 2.17(a), the Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law. - 59- |
| (c) Without duplication of any obligation under the immediately preceding subsections, whenever any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes are payable by the Borrower, as promptly as possible thereafter the Borrower shall send to the Administrative Agent for its own account or for the account of the relevant Lender, as the case may be, a certified copy of an original official receipt received by the Borrower showing payment thereof, a copy of the return reporting such payment or such other evidence of payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. If the Administrative Agent or any Lender is required to pay any Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes, the Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent and the Lenders for any such Taxes (including Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 2.17), interest or penalties that may become payable by the Administrative Agent or any Lender as a result of any such failure and any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. (d) Each Lender (or Transferee) that is not a “U.S. Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code (a “Non-U.S. Lender”) shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender from which the related participation shall have been purchased) two copies of either U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or W-8BEN-E) or Form W-8ECI, or, in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code with respect to payments of “portfolio interest”, a statement substantially in the form of Exhibit C and a Form W-8BEN (or W-8BEN-E), or any subsequent versions thereof or successors thereto, properly completed and duly executed by such Non-U.S. Lender claiming complete exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax on all payments by the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Such forms shall be delivered by each Non-U.S. Lender on or before the date it becomes a party to this Agreement (or, in the case of any Participant, on or before the date such Participant purchases the related participation). In addition, each Non-U.S. Lender shall deliver such forms promptly upon the obsolescence or invalidity of any form previously delivered by such Non-U.S. Lender. Each Non-U.S. Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower at any time it determines that it is no longer in a position to provide any previously delivered certificate to the Borrower (or any other form of certification adopted by the U.S. taxing authorities for such purpose). The inability of a Non-U.S. Lender (or a Transferee) to deliver any form pursuant to this Section 2.17(d) as a result of a change in law after the date such Lender (or a Transferee) becomes a Lender (or a Transferee) hereunder or as a result of a change in circumstances of the Borrower or the use of proceeds of such Lender’s (or Transferee’s) Loans shall not constitute a failure to comply with this Section 2.17(d) and accordingly the indemnities to which such Person is entitled pursuant to this Section 2.17 shall not be affected as a result of such inability. If a Lender (or Transferee) as to which the preceding sentence does not apply is unable to deliver any form pursuant to this Section 2.17(d), the sole consequence of such failure to deliver as a result of such inability shall be that the indemnity described in Section 2.17(a) hereof for any Non-Excluded Taxes shall not be available to such Lender or Transferee with respect to the period that would otherwise be covered by such form. Each Lender (or Transferee) that is a “U.S. Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (or, in the case of a Participant, to the Lender from which the related participation shall have been purchased) two copies of U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax. On or before the Administrative Agent becomes a party to this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall provide to the Borrower two copies of the documentation prescribed in clause (i) or (ii), as applicable: (i) U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or (ii), with respect to payments received on its own behalf, IRS Form W-8ECI and, with respect to payments received on account of any Lender, a U.S. federal branch withholding certificate on U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY evidencing it is either (a) a “qualified intermediary” assuming - 60- |
| primary withholding responsibility under Chapters 3 and 4 of the Code and primary Form 1099 reporting and backup withholding responsibility for payments it receives for the account of others, or (b) a “U.S. branch” and that the payments it receives for the account of others are not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, and that it is using such form as evidence of its agreement to be treated as a U.S. Person for federal withholding purposes(and the Borrower and the Administrative Agent agree to so treat the Administrative Agent as a U.S. person with respect to such payments as contemplated by Treasury Regulations Section 1.1441-1(b)(2)(iv)(A)); provided that no Administrative Agent shall be required to deliver any documentation pursuant to this Section 2.17(d) that it is not legally eligible to deliver as a result of a Change in Law occurring after the date hereof. (e) A Lender that is entitled to an exemption from non-U.S. withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments under this Agreement shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law as will permit such payments to be made without withholding, provided that such Lender is legally entitled to complete, execute and deliver such documentation and in such Lender’s judgment such completion, execution or submission would not materially prejudice the legal position of such Lender. (f) Any Lender (or Transferee) claiming any indemnity payment or additional amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.17(a) shall use reasonable efforts (consistent with legal and regulatory restrictions) to file any certificate or document reasonably requested in writing by the Borrower if the making of such a filing would avoid the need for or reduce the amount of any such indemnity payment or additional amounts that may thereafter accrue. If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments (including additional amounts) made under this Section with respect to the taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (f) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (f), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (f) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such tax had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person. (g) If a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative - 61- |
| Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement. (h) Each Lender agrees that if any documentation it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such documentation or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal ineligibility to do so. (i) The agreements in this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement, the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder and the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender. 2.18. Indemnity. The Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender and to hold each Lender harmless from any loss or expense that such Lender may sustain or incur as a consequence of (a) default by the Borrower in making a borrowing of, conversion into or continuation of Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Loans after the Borrower has given a notice requesting the same in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (b) default by the Borrower in making any prepayment of or conversion from Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Loans after the Borrower has given a notice thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement or (c) the making of a scheduled amortization payment or prepayment of Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Loans on a day that is not the last day of an Interest Period with respect thereto. Such indemnification may include an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest that would have accrued on the amount so prepaid, or not so borrowed, converted or continued, for the period from the date of such prepayment or of such failure to borrow, convert or continue to the last day of such Interest Period (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, the Interest Period that would have commenced on the date of such failure) in each case at the applicable rate of interest for such Loans provided for herein (excluding, however, the Applicable Margin included therein, if any) over (ii) the amount of interest (as reasonably determined by such Lender) that would have accrued to such Lender on such amount by placing such amount on deposit for a comparable period with leading banks in the applicable market; provided that such calculation may not take into account any Eurodollar Rate or Term SOFR “floor”. A certificate as to any amounts payable pursuant to this Section submitted to the Borrower by any Lender shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. This covenant shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder. 2.19. Change of Lending Office. Each Lender agrees that, upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 2.16 or 2.17(a) with respect to such Lender, it will, if requested by the Borrower, use reasonable efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of such Lender) to designate another lending office for any Loans affected by such event with the object of avoiding the consequences of such event; provided, that such designation is made on terms that, in the sole judgment of such Lender, cause such Lender and its lending office(s) to suffer no economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage, and provided, further, that nothing in this Section shall affect or postpone any of the obligations of any Borrower or the rights of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.16 or 2.17(a). 2.20. Replacement of Lenders. The Borrower shall be permitted to replace any Lender that (a) requests reimbursement for amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.16 or 2.17(a) or (b) becomes a Defaulting Lender, with a replacement financial institution; provided that (i) such replacement does not conflict with any Requirement of Law, (ii) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such replacement, (iii) in the case of clause (a), prior to any such replacement, such Lender shall have taken no action under Section 2.19 which has eliminated the continued need for payment of amounts owing pursuant to Section 2.16 or 2.17(a), (iv) the replacement financial institution shall - 62- |
| purchase, at par, all Loans and other amounts owing to such replaced Lender on or prior to the date of replacement, (v) the Borrower shall be liable to such replaced Lender under Section 2.18 if any Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Loan owing to such replaced Lender shall be purchased other than on the last day of the Interest Period relating thereto, (vi) the replacement financial institution, if not already a Lender, shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (and, if a Revolving Commitment is being assigned, such replacement financial institution, if not previously a Revolving Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender, shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Lender), (vii) the replaced Lender shall be obligated to make such replacement in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.6 (provided that the Borrower shall be obligated to pay the registration and processing fee referred to therein), (viii) until such time as such replacement shall be consummated, the Borrower shall pay all additional amounts (if any) required pursuant to Section 2.16 or 2.17(a), as the case may be, and (ix) any such replacement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any rights that the Borrower, the Agents or any other Lender shall have against the replaced Lender. In the event that any Lender (a “Non-Consenting Lender”) fails to consent to any proposed amendment, modification, termination, waiver or consent with respect to any provision hereof or of any other Loan Document that requires the unanimous approval of all of the Lenders or the approval of all of the Lenders directly affected thereby, in each case in accordance with the terms of Section 10.1, the Borrower shall be permitted to replace such Non-Consenting Lender with a replacement financial institution satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (if such replacement financial institution was not already a Lender) and, if such replacement involves the assignment of a Revolving Commitment to a Person other than a Revolving Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Lender, so long as the consent of the Required Lenders shall have been obtained with respect to such amendment, modification, termination, waiver or consent; provided that (i) such replacement does not conflict with any applicable law, treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, (ii) the replacement financial institution shall purchase, at par, all Loans and other amounts owing to the Non-Consenting Lender pursuant to the Loan Documents on or prior to the date of replacement, (iii) the replacement financial institution shall approve the proposed amendment, modification, termination, waiver or consent, (iv) the Borrower shall be liable to the Non-Consenting Lender under Section 2.18 if any Eurodollar Rate/Term SOFR Loan owing to the Non-Consenting Lender shall be purchased other than on the last day of the Interest Period relating thereto, (v) the Non-Consenting Lender shall be obligated to make such replacement in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.6(c) (provided that the Borrower shall be obligated to pay the registration and processing fee referred to therein), (vi) until such time as such replacement shall be consummated, the Borrower shall pay to the Non-Consenting Lender all additional amounts (if any) required pursuant to Section 2.16, 2.17 or 2.18, as the case may be, (vii) the Borrower provides at least three Business Days’ prior notice to the Non-Consenting Lender, and (viii) any such replacement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any rights that the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any other Lender shall have against the Non-Consenting Lender. In the event any Non-Consenting Lender fails to execute the agreements required under Section 10.6 in connection with an assignment pursuant to this Section 2.20, the Borrower may, upon two Business Days’ prior notice to the Non-Consenting Lender, execute such agreements on behalf of the Non-Consenting Lender. 2.21. Defaulting Lenders. (a) Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Revolving Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable Law: (i) Reallocation of Payments. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of that Defaulting Lender - 63- |
| (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Section 8.2 or otherwise, and including any amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by that Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 10.7), shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: (A) first, to the payment of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; (B) second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to each Issuing Lender and Swingline Lender hereunder; (C) third, if so determined by the Administrative Agent or requested by an Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender, to be held as Cash Collateral for future funding obligations of that Defaulting Lender of any participation in any Swingline Loan or Letter of Credit based upon the Fronting Exposure arising from that Defaulting Lender; (D) fourth, as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Revolving Loan in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; (E) fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a non-interest bearing deposit account and released in order to satisfy obligations of that Defaulting Lender to fund Revolving Loans under this Agreement; (F) sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, the Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; (G) seventh, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and (H) eighth, to that Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or any unreimbursed drawing under any Letter of Credit in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share and (y) such Loans were made or Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 5.2 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and unreimbursed drawings under Letters of Credit owed to, all non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or unreimbursed drawings under Letters of Credit owed to, that Defaulting Lender. - 64- |
| Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.21(a)(i) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by that Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto. (ii) Certain Fees. That Defaulting Lender (x) shall not be entitled to receive any commitment fee pursuant to Section 2.6(a) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrower shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender during such period) (and the Borrower shall (A) be required to pay to each applicable Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender, as applicable, the amount of such fee allocable to its Fronting Exposure arising from that Defaulting Lender and (B) not be required to pay the remaining amount of such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender, in each case, during such period that such Lender is a Defaulting Lender) and (y) shall be limited in its right to receive fees in respect of Letters of Credit as provided in Section 3.3(a). (iii) Reallocation of Revolving Percentages to Reduce Fronting Exposure. During any period in which there is a Defaulting Lender, for purposes of computing the amount of the obligation of each non-Defaulting Lender to acquire, refinance or fund participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans pursuant to Sections 2.5 and 3.4, the “Revolving Percentage” of each non-Defaulting Lender shall be computed without giving effect to the Revolving Commitment of that Defaulting Lender (but subject to the other limitations contained in the definition of Revolving Percentage relating to Later Expiring Letters of Credit); provided, that (i) each such reallocation shall be given effect only if, at the date the applicable Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, no Default or Event of Default exists; and (ii) the aggregate obligation of each non-Defaulting Lender to acquire, refinance or fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans shall not exceed the positive difference, if any, of (1) the Revolving Commitment of that non-Defaulting Lender minus (2) the aggregate outstanding amount of the Revolving Loans of that Lender. Subject to Section 10.19, no reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a Non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such Non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation. (b) Defaulting Lender Cure. If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and each Issuing Lender agree in writing in their sole discretion that a Defaulting Lender no longer falls under the definition of Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the Revolving Lenders, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Revolving Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Revolving Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans to be held on a pro rata basis by the Revolving Lenders in accordance with their Revolving Percentages (without giving effect to Section 2.21(a)(iii) but giving effect to the other limitations set forth in the definition of Revolving Percentage relating to Later Expiring Letters of Credit), whereupon that Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties or except as provided in Section 10.19, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender. - 65- |
| 2.22. Obligations of Lenders Several. The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Term Loans and Revolving Loans, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans, as applicable, and to make payments pursuant to Section 9.7 are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan, to fund any such participation or to make any payment under Section 9.7 on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation (if any) to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan, to purchase its participation or to make its payment under Section 9.7. 2.23. Permitted Debt Exchanges. (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, pursuant to one or more offers (each, a “Permitted Debt Exchange Offer”) made from time to time by the Borrower to all Lenders (other than, with respect to any Permitted Debt Exchange Offer that constitutes an offering of securities, any Lender that (A) if requested by the Borrower, is unable to certify that it is (i) a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act), (ii) an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act) or (iii) not a “U.S. person” (as defined in Rule 902 under the Securities Act) or (B) is not legally permitted to own or hold securities) with outstanding Term Loans of a particular Class, the Borrower may from time to time consummate one or more exchanges of such Term Loans for Indebtedness (in the form of senior secured, senior unsecured, senior subordinated, or subordinated notes or loans) (such Indebtedness, “Permitted Debt Exchange Notes” and each such exchange, a “Permitted Debt Exchange”), so long as the following conditions are satisfied: (i) each such Permitted Debt Exchange Offer shall be made on a pro rata basis to the Term Lenders (other than, with respect to any Permitted Debt Exchange Offer that constitutes an offering of securities, any Lender that (A) if requested by the Borrower, is unable to certify that it is (i) a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act), (ii) an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act) or (iii) not a “U.S. person” (as defined in Rule 902 under the Securities Act) or (B) is not legally permitted to own or hold securities) of each applicable Class based on their respective aggregate principal amounts of outstanding Term Loans under each such Class; (ii) if such Permitted Debt Exchange Notes are secured, the beneficiaries thereof (or an agent on their behalf) shall have (A) become party to a First Lien Intercreditor Agreement pursuant to the terms thereof or (B) entered into a customary intercreditor agreement with the Administrative Agent that is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower; (iii) the aggregate principal amount (calculated on the face amount thereof) of all Term Loans exchanged under each applicable Class by the Borrower pursuant to any Permitted Debt Exchange shall automatically be cancelled and retired by the Borrower on date of the settlement thereof (and, if requested by the Administrative Agent, any applicable exchanging Lender shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, or such other form as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, in respect thereof pursuant to which the respective Lender assigns its interest in the Term Loans being exchanged pursuant to the Permitted Debt Exchange to the Borrower for immediate cancellation), and accrued and unpaid interest on such Term Loans shall be paid to the exchanging Lenders on the date of consummation of such Permitted Debt Exchange, or, if agreed to by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, the next scheduled Interest Payment Date with respect to such Term Loans (with such interest accruing until the date of consummation of such Permitted Debt Exchange); - 66- |
| (iv) if the aggregate principal amount of all Term Loans (calculated on the face amount thereof) of a given Class tendered by Lenders in respect of the relevant Permitted Debt Exchange Offer (with no Lender being permitted to tender a principal amount of Term Loans which exceeds the principal amount thereof of the applicable Class actually held by it) shall exceed the maximum aggregate principal amount of Term Loans of such Class offered to be exchanged by the Borrower pursuant to such Permitted Debt Exchange Offer, then the Borrower shall exchange Term Loans under the relevant Class tendered by such Lenders ratably up to such maximum based on the respective principal amounts so tendered, or, if such Permitted Debt Exchange Offer shall have been made with respect to multiple Classes without specifying a maximum aggregate principal amount offered to be exchanged for each Class, and the aggregate principal amount of all Term Loans (calculated on the face amount thereof) of all Classes tendered by Lenders in respect of the relevant Permitted Debt Exchange Offer (with no Lender being permitted to tender a principal amount of Term Loans which exceeds the principal amount thereof actually held by it) shall exceed the maximum aggregate principal amount of Term Loans of all relevant Classes offered to be exchanged by the Borrower pursuant to such Permitted Debt Exchange Offer, then the Borrower shall exchange Term Loans across all Classes subject to such Permitted Debt Exchange Offer tendered by such Lenders ratably up to such maximum amount based on the respective principal amounts so tendered; (v) all documentation in respect of such Permitted Debt Exchange shall be consistent with the foregoing, and all written communications generally directed to the Lenders in connection therewith shall be in form and substance consistent with the foregoing and made in consultation with the Borrower and the Administrative Agent; and (vi) any applicable Minimum Tender Condition or Maximum Tender Condition, as the case may be, shall be satisfied or waived by the Borrower. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Lender shall have any obligation to agree to have any of its Loans or Commitments exchanged pursuant to any Permitted Debt Exchange Offer. (b) With respect to all Permitted Debt Exchanges effected by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.17, such Permitted Debt Exchange Offer shall be made for not less than $25,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Term Loans, provided that subject to the foregoing the Borrower may at its election specify (A) as a condition (a “Minimum Tender Condition”) to consummating any such Permitted Debt Exchange that a minimum amount (to be determined and specified in the relevant Permitted Debt Exchange Offer in the Borrower’s discretion) of Term Loans of any or all applicable Classes be tendered and/or (B) as a condition (a “Maximum Tender Condition”) to consummating any such Permitted Debt Exchange that no more than a maximum amount (to be determined and specified in the relevant Permitted Debt Exchange Offer in the Borrower’s discretion) of Term Loans of any or all applicable Classes will be accepted for exchange. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby acknowledge and agree that the provisions of Section 2.1(g), 2.7, 2.8 and 2.15 do not apply to the Permitted Debt Exchange and the other transactions contemplated by this Section 2.23 and hereby agree not to assert any Default or Event of Default in connection with the implementation of any such Permitted Debt Exchange or any other transaction contemplated by this Section 2.23 provided that such implementations or such other transactions are transactions are effectual in accordance with this Section 2.23. (c) In connection with each Permitted Debt Exchange, the Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent at least five (5) Business Days’ (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent) prior written notice thereof, and the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, acting reasonably, shall mutually agree to such procedures as may be necessary or advisable to - 67- |
| accomplish the purposes of this Section 2.23; provided that the terms of any Permitted Debt Exchange Offer shall provide that the date by which the relevant Lenders are required to indicate their election to participate in such Permitted Debt Exchange shall be not less than five (5) Business Days following the date on which the Permitted Debt Exchange Offer is made. The Borrower shall provide the final results of such Permitted Debt Exchange to the Administrative Agent no later than three (3) Business Days prior to the proposed date of effectiveness for such Permitted Debt Exchange (or such shorter period agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) and the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to conclusively rely on such results. (d) The Borrower shall be responsible for compliance with, and hereby agrees to comply with, all applicable securities and other laws in connection with each Permitted Debt Exchange, it being understood and agreed that (i) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender assumes any responsibility in connection with the Borrower’s compliance with such laws in connection with any Permitted Debt Exchange and (ii) each Lender shall be solely responsible for its compliance with any applicable “insider trading” laws and regulations to which such Lender may be subject under the Exchange Act. SECTION 3 LETTERS OF CREDIT 3.1. L/C Commitment. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Issuing Lender, in reliance on the agreements of the other Revolving Lenders set forth in Section 3.4(a), agrees to issue letters of credit (“Letters of Credit”) for the account of the Borrower on any Business Day during a Revolving Commitment Period in such form as may be approved from time to time by such Issuing Lender (it being understood that any commercial Letter of Credit shall provide for sight drafts and not bankers acceptances); provided that no Issuing Lender shall issue any Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such issuance, (i) the L/C Obligations would exceed the L/C Commitment or (ii) the aggregate amount of the Available Revolving Commitments would be less than zero. Each Letter of Credit shall (i) be denominated in Dollars and (ii) expire no later than the earlier of (x) the first anniversary of its date of issuance and (y) the date that is five Business Days prior to the then latest Revolving Termination Date, provided that any Letter of Credit with a one-year term may provide for the renewal thereof for additional one-year periods (which shall in no event extend beyond the date referred to in clause (y) above). Each Existing Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be issued pursuant to this Section 3.1(a) on the Restatement Effective Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower and any Issuing Lender may from time to time pursuant to a written agreement or any amendment thereto executed by the Borrower and such Issuing Lender and delivered to the Administrative Agent, agree that such Issuing Lender shall not be required to issue a particular type of Letter of Credit and/or that the amount of Letters of Credit to be issued by such Issuing Lender shall be less than the full amount of the L/C Commitment and/or different from the amount referenced in Section 3.1(b)(iii), in which case, such Issuing Lender shall not be required to issue any Letter of Credit to the extent such issuance would be inconsistent with such agreement between the Borrower and such Issuing Lender. (b) No Issuing Lender shall be obligated to issue any Letter of Credit hereunder if: (i) such issuance would conflict with, or cause such Issuing Lender or any L/C Participant to exceed any limits imposed by, any applicable Requirement of Law; (ii) any Lender is at that time a Defaulting Lender, unless such Issuing Lender has entered into arrangements, including, if requested, the delivery of Cash Collateral, reasonably satisfactory to the Issuing Lender with the Borrower or such Lender to eliminate such - 68- |
| Issuing Lender’s actual or potential Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.21(a)(iii)) with respect to the Defaulting Lender arising from either the Letter of Credit then proposed to be issued or that Letter of Credit and all other L/C Obligations as to which such Issuing Lender has actual or potential Fronting Exposure, as it may elect in its sole discretion; (iii) subject to the last sentence of Section 3.1(a), if the aggregate amount of the L/C Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender would exceed one-third (1/3) of the L/C Commitment (or, in the case of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., $41,000,000); or (iv) the issuance thereof would otherwise conflict with any separate written agreement between the Borrower and such Issuing Lender. 3.2. Procedure for Issuance of Letter of Credit. The Borrower may from time to time request that any Issuing Lender issue a Letter of Credit by delivering to such Issuing Lender an Application therefor, completed to the satisfaction of such Issuing Lender, and such other certificates, documents and other papers and information as such Issuing Lender may request. Upon receipt of any Application, the relevant Issuing Lender will process such Application and the certificates, documents and other papers and information delivered to it in connection therewith in accordance with its customary procedures and shall promptly issue the Letter of Credit requested thereby (but in no event shall such Issuing Lender be required to issue any Letter of Credit earlier than three (3) Business Days after its receipt of the Application therefor and all such other certificates, documents and other papers and information relating thereto) by issuing the original of such Letter of Credit to the beneficiary thereof or as otherwise may be agreed to by such Issuing Lender and the Borrower. The relevant Issuing Lender shall furnish a copy of such Letter of Credit to the Borrower promptly following the issuance thereof. The relevant Issuing Lender shall promptly furnish to the Administrative Agent, which shall in turn promptly furnish to the Lenders, notice of the issuance of each Letter of Credit (including the amount thereof). 3.3. Fees and Other Charges. (a) The Borrower will pay a fee for the benefit of each Revolving Lender on all outstanding Letters of Credit at a per annum rate equal to the product of (i) the Applicable Margin then in effect with respect to Term SOFR Loans made pursuant to the Revolving Commitments of such Revolving Lender that has a risk participation in Letters of Credit and (ii) such Revolving Lender’s daily Revolving Percentage of the undrawn and unexpired amount of each Letters of Credit, payable quarterly in arrears on each L/C Fee Payment Date after the issuance date; provided, however, for the avoidance of doubt, any such fees otherwise payable for the account of a Defaulting Lender with respect to any Letter of Credit as to which such Defaulting Lender has not provided Cash Collateral satisfactory to the Issuing Lender pursuant to this Section 3 shall be payable, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law, to the other Revolving Lenders in accordance with the upward adjustments in their respective Revolving Percentages allocable to such Letter of Credit pursuant to Section 2.21(a)(iii), with the balance of such fee, if any, payable to the Issuing Lender for its own account. In addition, the Borrower shall pay to the relevant Issuing Lender for its own account a fronting fee with respect to each Letter of Credit at a per annum rate of 0.125% or a lower rate separately agreed between the Borrower and such Issuing Lender on the undrawn and unexpired amount of each Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender, payable quarterly in arrears on each L/C Fee Payment Date after the relevant issuance date. (b) In addition to the foregoing fees, unless otherwise agreed by the relevant Issuing Lender, the Borrower shall pay or reimburse each Issuing Lender for such normal and customary costs and expenses as are incurred or charged by such Issuing Lender in issuing, negotiating, effecting payment under, amending or otherwise administering any Letter of Credit issued by it. - 69- |
| 3.4. L/C Participations. (a) Each Issuing Lender irrevocably agrees to grant and hereby grants to each L/C Participant, and, to induce the Issuing Lenders to issue Letters of Credit hereunder, each L/C Participant irrevocably agrees to accept and purchase and hereby accepts and purchases from each Issuing Lender, on the terms and conditions hereinafter stated, for such L/C Participant’s own account and risk an undivided interest equal to such L/C Participant’s Revolving Percentage in each Issuing Lender’s obligations and rights under each Letter of Credit issued by it hereunder and the amount of each draft paid by such Issuing Lender thereunder. Each L/C Participant unconditionally and irrevocably agrees with each Issuing Lender that, if a draft is paid under any Letter of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender for which such Issuing Lender is not reimbursed in full by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such L/C Participant shall pay to such Issuing Lender through the Administrative Agent upon demand an amount equal to such L/C Participant’s Revolving Percentage of the amount of such draft, or any part thereof, that is not so reimbursed. Each L/C Participant’s obligation to make such payment to such Issuing Lender as contemplated by this Section 3.4(a), shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against such Issuing Lender, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default or Event of Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing. No such payment by any L/C Participant shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse such Issuing Lender for the amount of any payment made by such Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as provided herein. (b) If any amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant to any Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 3.4(a) in respect of any unreimbursed portion of any payment made by such Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit is paid to such Issuing Lender within three (3) Business Days after the date such payment is due, such L/C Participant shall pay to such Issuing Lender on demand an amount equal to the product of (i) such amount, times (ii) the daily average Federal Funds Effective Rate during the period from and including the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to such Issuing Lender, times (iii) a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days that elapse during such period and the denominator of which is 360. If any such amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant pursuant to Section 3.4(a) is not made available to the relevant Issuing Lender by such L/C Participant within three (3) Business Days after the date such payment is due, such Issuing Lender shall be entitled to recover from such L/C Participant, on demand, such amount with interest thereon calculated from such due date at the rate per annum applicable to ABR Loans under the Revolving Commitments of such Lender. A certificate of the relevant Issuing Lender submitted to any L/C Participant with respect to any amounts owing under this Section shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. (c) Whenever, at any time after the relevant Issuing Lender has made payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any L/C Participant its pro rata share of such payment in accordance with Section 3.4(a), such Issuing Lender receives any payment through the Administrative Agent related to such Letter of Credit (whether directly from the Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of collateral applied thereto by such Issuing Lender), or any payment of interest on account thereof, the Administrative Agent will distribute to each such Issuing Lender will distribute to each L/C Participant its pro rata share thereof; provided, however, that in the event that any such payment received by such Issuing Lender shall be required to be returned by such Issuing Lender, such L/C Participant shall return to the Administrative Agent the portion thereof previously distributed by such Issuing Lender to it. - 70- |
| 3.5. Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower. If any draft is paid under any Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse the relevant Issuing Lender for the amount of (a) the draft so paid and (b) any taxes, fees, charges or other costs or expenses incurred by such Issuing Lender in connection with such payment, not later than 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on the next business day following the day that the Borrower receives notice of payment of such draft. Each such payment shall be made to the relevant Issuing Lender in lawful money of the United States and in immediately available funds. Interest shall be payable on any and all amounts remaining unpaid by the Borrower under this Section from the date such amounts become payable (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) (or from the date the relevant draft is paid, if notice thereof is received by the Borrower prior to 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on such date) until payment in full at the rate set forth in (i) until the second Business Day following the date of the applicable drawing, Section 2.12(b) and (ii) thereafter, Section 2.12(c). 3.6. Obligations Absolute. The Borrower’s obligations under this Section 3 shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances and irrespective of any setoff, counterclaim or defense to payment that the Borrower may have or have had against any Issuing Lender, any beneficiary of a Letter of Credit or any other Person. The Borrower also agrees with each Issuing Lender and L/C Participant that no Issuing Lender or L/C Participant shall be responsible for, and the Borrower’s Reimbursement Obligations under Section 3.5 shall not be affected by, among other things, the validity or genuineness of documents or of any endorsements thereon, even though such documents shall in fact prove to be invalid, fraudulent or forged, or any dispute between or among the Borrower and any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any other party to which such Letter of Credit may be transferred or any claims whatsoever of the Borrower against any beneficiary of such Letter of Credit or any such transferee. No Issuing Lender shall be liable for any error, omission, interruption or delay in transmission, dispatch or delivery of any message or advice, however transmitted, in connection with any Letter of Credit, except for errors or omissions found by a final non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the relevant Issuing Lender. The Borrower agrees that any action taken or omitted by any Issuing Lender under or in connection with any Letter of Credit or the related drafts or documents, if done in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct and in accordance with the standards of care specified in the New York UCC, shall be binding on the Borrower and shall not result in any liability of any Issuing Lender to the Borrower. 3.7. Letter of Credit Payments. If any draft shall be presented for payment under any Letter of Credit, the relevant Issuing Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower of the date and amount thereof. The responsibility of each Issuing Lender to the Borrower in connection with any draft presented for payment under any Letter of Credit shall, in addition to any payment obligation expressly provided for in such Letter of Credit, be limited to determining that the documents (including each draft) delivered under such Letter of Credit in connection with such presentment are substantially in conformity with such Letter of Credit. 3.8. Cash Collateral. (a) Certain Credit Support Events. Upon the request of the Administrative Agent or any Issuing Lender (i) if an Issuing Lender has honored any full or partial drawing request under any Letter of Credit and such drawing has resulted in a Reimbursement Obligation, or (ii) if, as of the date the Total Revolving Commitment has terminated, any Letter of Credit or Reimbursement Obligation for any reason remains outstanding, the Borrower shall, in each case, promptly but in any event within two Business Days of demand, Cash Collateralize the then outstanding amount of all Letters of Credit and Reimbursement Obligations. At any time that there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, forthwith upon the request of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender, the Borrower shall - 71- |
| deliver to the Administrative Agent Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to cover all Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.21(a)(iii) and any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender). If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that any funds held as Cash Collateral are subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent or that the total amount of such funds is less than the aggregate outstanding of obligations required to be Cash Collateralized, the Borrower will, promptly but in any event within two Business Days of demand by the Administrative Agent, pay to the Administrative Agent, as additional funds to be deposited as Cash Collateral, an amount equal to the excess of (x) such aggregate amount required to be Cash Collateralized over (y) the total amount of funds, if any, then held as Cash Collateral that the Administrative Agent determines to be free and clear of any such right and claim. Upon the drawing of any Letter of Credit for which funds are on deposit as Cash Collateral, such funds shall be applied, to the extent permitted under applicable Laws, to reimburse the applicable Issuing Lender. (b) Grant of Security Interest. All Cash Collateral (other than credit support not constituting funds subject to deposit) shall be maintained in blocked, non-interest bearing deposit accounts at the Administrative Agent. The Borrower, and to the extent provided by any Lender, such Lender, hereby grant to (and subject to the control of) the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender, and agree to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein, and all other property so provided as collateral pursuant hereto, and in all proceeds of the foregoing, all as security for the obligations to which such Cash Collateral may be applied pursuant to clause (c) below. (c) Application. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, Cash Collateral provided in respect of Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans shall be held and upon the occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default applied to the satisfaction of the specific Letters of Credit, Reimbursement Obligations, Swingline Loans, obligations to fund participations therein (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) and other obligations for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may be provided for in the Loan Documents. (d) Release. Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce Fronting Exposure or other obligations shall be released promptly following (i) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure or other obligations giving rise thereto (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender (or, as appropriate, its assignee following compliance with Section 10.6(b)) or (ii) the Administrative Agent’s good faith determination that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided, however, (x) that Cash Collateral furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower shall not be released during the continuance of a Default or Event of Default (and following application as provided in clause (c) above may be otherwise applied in accordance with the Loan Documents), and (y) the Person providing Cash Collateral and the Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender, as applicable, may agree that Cash Collateral shall not be released but instead held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations. 3.9. Applications. To the extent that any provision of any Application related to any Letter of Credit is inconsistent with the provisions of this Section 3, the provisions of this Section 3 shall apply. 3.10. Applicability of ISP and UCP. Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the relevant Issuing Lender and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued, (i) the rules of the ISP shall apply to each standby Letter of Credit, and (ii) the rules of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, as most recently published by the International Chamber of Commerce at the time of issuance shall apply to each commercial Letter of Credit. - 72- |
| SECTION 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES To induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make the Loans and issue or participate in the Letters of Credit, Holdings and the Borrower hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to the Administrative Agent and each Lender that: 4.1. Financial Condition. The condensed consolidating balance sheet information for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at December 31, 2021 and the related condensed consolidating statement of operations and cash flows information for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended on such date, as included in the audited consolidated financial statements of Holdings as at, and for the year ended, December 31, 2021, have been prepared based on the best information available to the Borrower as of the date of delivery thereof, and present fairly the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower as at such date, and the consolidated results of its operations and its consolidated cash flows for the period then ended on the basis described therein. Such financial information has been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the periods involved (except as approved by the Borrower’s auditors and disclosed therein or as otherwise disclosed therein). 4.2. No Change. Since December 31, 2021 there has been no event, development or circumstance that has had a Material Adverse Effect. 4.3. Existence; Compliance with Law. Each Loan Party (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has the power and authority, and the legal right, to own and operate its property, to lease the property it operates as lessee and to conduct the business in which it is currently engaged, (c) is duly qualified as a foreign entity and in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification and (d) is in compliance with all Requirements of Law, in each case with respect to clauses (a) (other than with respect to Holdings or the Borrower), (b), (c) and (d), except as could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. 4.4. Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations. Each Loan Party has the power and authority, and the legal right, to make, deliver and perform the Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of the Borrower, to borrow hereunder. Each Loan Party has taken all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and, in the case of the Borrower, to authorize the borrowings on the terms and conditions of this Agreement. No consent or authorization of, filing with, notice to or other act by or in respect of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is required in connection with the borrowings hereunder or with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents, other than those that have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect or as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Loan Document has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of each Loan Party party thereto. This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document upon execution will constitute, a valid and legally binding obligation of each Loan Party party thereto, enforceable against each such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law). 4.5. No Legal Bar. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the issuance of Letters of Credit, the borrowings hereunder and the use of the proceeds thereof, will not violate any material Requirement of Law or any material Contractual Obligation of any Loan Party and will not result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of their - 73- |
| respective properties or revenues pursuant to any Requirement of Law or any such Contractual Obligation (other than the Liens created by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or not prohibited by Section 7.3). 4.6. Litigation. No litigation, investigation or proceeding of or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority is pending or, to the knowledge of Holdings or the Borrower, threatened by or against any Loan Party, or against any of their respective properties or revenues (a) with respect to any of the Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or (b) that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. 4.7. [Reserved]. 4.8. Ownership of Property; Liens. Each Loan Party has marketable title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its real property, and good title to, or a valid leasehold interest in, all its other property (in each case except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect), and none of such property is subject to any Lien except Liens not prohibited by Section 7.3. 4.9. [Reserved]. 4.10. Taxes. Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each Loan Party has filed or caused to be filed all federal, state and other material tax returns that are required to be filed and has paid all taxes shown to be due and payable on said returns or on any assessments made against it or any of its property and all other taxes, fees or other charges imposed on it or any of its property by any Governmental Authority (other than those with respect to which the amount or validity thereof are currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which reserves in conformity with GAAP have been provided on the books of such Loan Party, as the case may be). 4.11. Federal Regulations. No part of the proceeds of any Loans will be used for “buying” or “carrying” any “margin stock” within the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation U as now and from time to time hereafter in effect or for any purpose that violates the provisions of the Regulations of the Board. 4.12. [Reserved]. 4.13. [Reserved]. 4.14. Investment Company Act. No Loan Party is an “investment company”, or a company “controlled” by an “investment company”, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. 4.15. Subsidiaries. As of the Restatement Effective Date and, following the Restatement Effective Date, as of the date of the most recently delivered Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 6.2(b), (a) Schedule 4.15 (as modified by such Compliance Certificate) sets forth the name and jurisdiction of organization of Holdings, the Borrower and each of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries (except any Shell Subsidiary) and, as to each such Person, the percentage of each class of Equity Interests owned by Holdings, the Borrower and each of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries, and (b) except as set forth on Schedule 4.15 (as modified by such Compliance Certificate), there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, rights or other agreements or commitments of any nature relating to any Equity Interests of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (except any Shell Subsidiary), except as created by the Loan Documents. - 74- |
| 4.16. Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Revolving Loans and any Term Loans, and the Letters of Credit, shall be used for general purposes, including to finance Investments and distributions. 4.17. [Reserved]. 4.18. [Reserved]. 4.19. Accuracy of Information, Etc. There is no fact known to any Loan Party (other than information of a general economic or political nature) that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect that has not been expressly disclosed herein, in the other Loan Documents, in reports filed with the SEC or in any other documents, certificates and statements furnished to the Agents and the Lenders for use in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents. 4.20. Security Interests. (a) The Guarantee and Collateral Agreement is effective to create or continue, as applicable, in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties (as defined in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement), a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the Collateral described therein and proceeds thereof (but excluding any intent-to-use trademark application, as provided in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement). In the case of certificated Pledged Stock (constituting securities within the meaning of Section 8-102(a)(15) of the New York UCC) described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, when certificates representing such Pledged Stock are delivered to the Administrative Agent, and in the case of the other Collateral described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, when financing statements in appropriate form are filed in the offices specified on Schedule 4.20(a), the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement shall constitute a fully perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the parties thereto in such Collateral and the proceeds thereof, as security for the Obligations, in each case prior and superior in right to any other Person, other than with respect to Liens not prohibited by Section 7.3. (b) Except as disclosed to the Administrative Agent, none of the Equity Interests of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries which are limited liability companies or partnerships constitutes a security under Section 8-103 of the New York UCC or the corresponding code or statute of any other applicable jurisdiction. 4.21. Solvency. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, after giving effect to the financing transactions referred to herein to occur on the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date, are Solvent as of the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date. SECTION 5 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT 5.1. Conditions to Restatement Effective Date. The effectiveness of this Agreement is subject to the occurrence of the Restatement Effective Date, which occurred on April 26, 2019. 5.2. Conditions to Each Extension of Credit. The agreement of each Lender to make any extension of credit requested to be made by it on any date (including its initial extension of credit) is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent: (a) Representations and Warranties. Each of the representations and warranties made by any Loan Party in or pursuant to the Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date (except for any representation and - 75- |
| warranty that is made as of a specified earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall have been true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date); provided that, in connection with any incurrence of Incremental Term Loans for purposes of financing a Limited Condition Acquisition, the foregoing requirement shall only apply to the representations and warranties contained in Section 4.3(a) (solely with respect to Holdings and the Borrower), 4.4, 4.11, 4.14, 4.20 and 4.21. (b) No Default. Subject to Section 1.2(j), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on such date or after giving effect to the extensions of credit requested to be made on such date. Each borrowing by and issuance of a Letter of Credit on behalf of the Borrower hereunder shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower as of the date of such extension of credit that the applicable conditions contained in this Section 5.2 have been satisfied. SECTION 6 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS Holdings and the Borrower hereby agree that, so long as the Commitments remain in effect, any Letter of Credit remains outstanding (other than those that have been Cash Collateralized or otherwise subject to arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the relevant Issuing Lender) or any Loan or other amount is owing to any Lender or any Agent hereunder (other than in respect of contingent indemnification and expense reimbursement claims not then due), each of Holdings and the Borrower shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary of the Borrower to: 6.1. Financial Statements. Furnish to the Lenders through the Administrative Agent (including by means of IntraLinks or any similar posting): (a) within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower (provided, that extensions granted by the SEC for such filings shall automatically extend the corresponding financial report deadline under this Section 6.1(a)), a copy of the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such year and the related audited consolidated statements of income and of cash flows for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous year, reported on without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception, or qualification arising out of the scope of the audit, by independent certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing (other than an emphasis of matter paragraph) (other than (1) solely with respect to, or expressly resulting solely from, an upcoming maturity date under the documentation governing any Indebtedness, (2) the activities, operations, financial results, assets or liabilities of any Non-Recourse Subsidiaries or (3) any actual or prospective breach of any financial covenant contained in any Indebtedness (including under Section 7.1)); (b) as soon as available, but in any event not later than 60 days after the end of each of the first three quarterly periods of each fiscal year of the Borrower (provided, that extensions granted by the SEC for such filings shall automatically extend the corresponding financial report deadline under this Section 6.1(b)), the unaudited consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarter and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income and of cash flows for such quarter and the portion of the fiscal year through the end of such quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous year, certified by a Responsible Officer as being fairly stated in all material respects (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes); and (c) for any period in which a Subsidiary has been designated as a Non-Recourse Subsidiary, simultaneously with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in clauses (a) and (b) - 76- |
| above for such period, supplemental financial information necessary to eliminate the balance sheet and financial results of Non-Recourse Subsidiaries from such consolidated financial statements. All such financial statements shall be complete and correct in all material respects and shall be prepared in reasonable detail and in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the periods reflected therein and with prior periods except as approved by such accountants or officer, as the case may be, and disclosed therein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as any Person directly or indirectly owns more than 50% of the outstanding common Equity Interests of the Borrower, the obligations set forth in Section 6.1(a), (b) and (c) may be satisfied with respect to financial information of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries by furnishing the applicable financial information of such Person; provided that to the extent financial information of such Person is provided, such financial information is accompanied by (x) any summarized financial information required by Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and (y) a brief explanation of the material differences between the financial statements of such Person and that of the Borrower and (ii) to the extent financial statements of such Person are provided in lieu of financial statements of the Borrower under Section 6.1(a), such financial statements are reported on without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception, or qualification arising out of the scope of the audit, by independent certified public accountants of nationally recognized standing (other than an emphasis of matter paragraph) (other than (1) solely with respect to, or expressly resulting solely from, an upcoming maturity date under the documentation governing any Indebtedness, (2) the activities, operations, financial results, assets or liabilities of any Non-Recourse Subsidiaries or (3) any actual or prospective breach of any financial covenant contained in any Indebtedness (including under Section 7.1)). Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.1(a), (b) or (c) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 10.2; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent) or filed with the SEC on Form 10-K or 10-Q, as applicable. The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or to maintain paper copies of the documents referred to above. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Joint Lead Arrangers will make available to the Lenders and the Issuing Lender materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks or another similar electronic system (the “Platform”) and (b) certain of the Lenders (each, a “Public Lender”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons’ securities. The Borrower hereby agrees that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to identify that portion of the Borrower Materials that may be distributed to the Public Lenders and that (w) all such Borrower Materials shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent the other Agents, the Issuing Lender and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws, provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute non-public information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 10.15); (y) all Borrower Materials marked - 77- |
| “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Side Information;” and (z) the Administrative Agent and the other Agents shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Side Information.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall be under no obligation to mark any Borrower Materials “PUBLIC.” 6.2. Certificates; Other Information. Furnish to the Lenders through the Administrative Agent (including by means of IntraLinks or any similar posting) (or, in the case of clause (d) below, to the relevant Lender): (a) [Reserved]; (b) concurrently with the delivery of any financial statements pursuant to Section 6.1, (i) a certificate of a Responsible Officer stating that such Responsible Officer has obtained no knowledge of any Default or Event of Default except as specified in such certificate and (ii) a Compliance Certificate containing all information and calculations necessary for determining compliance by Holdings, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries with the provisions of this Agreement referred to therein as of the last day of the fiscal quarter or fiscal year of the Borrower, as the case may be; (c) [Reserved]; (d) promptly, such additional financial and other information (including financial information with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries) as any Lender may from time to time reasonably request; and (e) the Borrower shall, promptly following a request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, provide all documentation and other information that the Administrative Agent or such Lender reasonably requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act (as hereinafter defined) and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation. 6.3. Payment of Taxes. Pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy at or before maturity or before they become delinquent, as the case may be, all its taxes, governmental changes or levies, except where failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or where the amount or validity thereof is currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and reserves in conformity with GAAP with respect thereto have been provided on the books of Holdings, the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be. 6.4. Maintenance of Existence; Compliance. (a) (i) Other than with respect to Shell Subsidiaries or De Minimis Subsidiaries, preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its existence and (ii) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except, in each case, as otherwise permitted by Section 7.4 and except, in the case of clauses (i) (other than with respect to Holdings or the Borrower) and (ii) above, to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (b) comply with all Requirements of Law except to the extent that failure to comply therewith could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. 6.5. Maintenance of Property; Insurance. (a) Except as in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, keep all property useful and necessary in its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and (b) maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies at the time such insurance is obtained (which may also include - 78- |
| captive insurance companies or other forms of self-insurance), insurance on all its material property in at least such amounts and against at least such risks (but including in any event public liability, product liability and business interruption) as are usually insured or self-insured against by companies engaged in the same or a similar business (as determined by the Borrower in good faith). 6.6. Books and Records. Keep proper books of records and account in which full, true and correct entries in all material respects in conformity with GAAP and all material Requirements of Law shall be made of all material dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities. 6.7. Notices. Promptly give notice to the Lenders through the Administrative Agent (including by means of IntraLinks or any similar posting) of: (a) the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default; (b) any litigation or proceeding commenced against Holdings, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) any other development or event that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each notice pursuant to this Section 6.7 shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action Holdings, the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary proposes to take with respect thereto. 6.8. [Reserved]. 6.9. Additional Collateral; Additional Guarantors. With respect to any new Subsidiary (other than any Specified Excluded Subsidiary so long as it qualifies or, subject to the proviso of the definition of “De Minimis Subsidiary”, at the option of the Borrower, any De Minimis Subsidiary) created or acquired by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (which shall be deemed to have occurred in the event that any Specified Excluded Subsidiary or De Minimis Subsidiaries ceases to qualify as such, it being understood that until such time, such Subsidiaries will not be required to become Subsidiary Guarantors), promptly: (a) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent such amendments to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement as the Administrative Agent deems necessary or advisable to grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, or the Borrower, as the case may be, a perfected first priority security interest, subject to Liens not prohibited by Section 7.3, in (i) the Equity Interests of such new Subsidiary and all other property of the type that would constitute Collateral of such new Subsidiary (including Intercompany Obligations) that are held by Holdings, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (a) limited in the case of the Equity Interests of any Foreign Subsidiary or Foreign Holding Company, to 66% of the total outstanding Equity Interests of such Foreign Subsidiary or Foreign Holding Company and (b) excluding any Equity Interests of such Subsidiary in excess of the maximum amount of such Equity Interests that could be included in the Collateral without creating, in connection with the pledge thereof under any class of debt securities that is secured on a pari passu basis with the Obligations, a requirement pursuant to Rule 3-16 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act for separate financial statements of such Subsidiary to be included in filings by the Borrower with the SEC, and (ii) any Collateral with respect to such new Subsidiary as described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, - 79- |
| (b) deliver to the Administrative Agent the certificates, if any, representing such Equity Interests (constituting securities within the meaning of Section 8-102(a)(15) of the New York UCC), and any intercompany notes or other instruments evidencing Intercompany Obligations and all other rights and interests constituting Collateral, together with, as applicable, undated powers, instruments of transfer and endorsements, in blank, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of Holdings, the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, and (c) cause such new Subsidiary (i) to deliver an Assumption Agreement with respect to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and (ii) to take such actions necessary or advisable to grant to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders a perfected first priority security interest, subject to Liens not prohibited by Section 7.3, in the Collateral described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement with respect to such new Subsidiary, including the filing of Uniform Commercial Code financing statements in such jurisdictions as may be required by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement or by law or as may be requested by the Administrative Agent. 6.10. [Reserved]. 6.11. CoBank Equity and Security. (a) Except to the extent CoBank agrees otherwise with the Borrower, so long as CoBank (or its affiliate) is a Lender hereunder, the Borrower shall (i) maintain its status as an entity eligible to borrow from CoBank (or its affiliate) and (ii) acquire equity in CoBank in such amounts and at such times as CoBank may require in accordance with CoBank’s bylaws and capital plan (as each may be amended from time to time), except that the maximum amount of equity that the Borrower may be required to purchase in CoBank in connection with the Loans made by CoBank (or its affiliate) may not exceed the maximum amount permitted by such bylaws and capital plan as of the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date. The Borrower acknowledges receipt of a copy of (x) CoBank’s most recent annual report, and if more recent, CoBank’s latest quarterly report, (y) CoBank’s notice to prospective stockholders and (z) CoBank’s bylaws and capital plan, which describe the nature of all of the Borrower’s CoBank Equities as well as capitalization requirements, and, except to the extent CoBank agrees otherwise with the Borrower, the Borrower agrees to be bound by the terms thereof. (b) Each party hereto acknowledges that CoBank’s bylaws and capital plan (as each may be amended from time to time) shall govern (i) the rights and obligations of the parties with respect to the CoBank Equities and any patronage refunds or other distributions made on account thereof or on account of the Borrower’s patronage with CoBank, (ii) the Borrower’s eligibility for patronage distributions from CoBank (in the form of CoBank Equities and cash) and (iii) patronage distributions, if any, in the event of a sale of a participation interest. CoBank reserves the right to assign or sell participations in all or any part of its (or its affiliate’s) Commitments or outstanding Loans hereunder on a non-patronage basis. (c) Notwithstanding anything herein or in any other Loan Document, each party hereto acknowledges that: (i) CoBank has a statutory first Lien pursuant to the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (as amended from time to time) on all CoBank Equities that the Borrower may now own or hereafter acquire, which statutory Lien shall be for CoBank’s (or its affiliate’s) sole and exclusive benefit; (ii) during the existence of any Event of Default, CoBank may at its sole discretion, but shall not be required to, foreclose on its statutory first Lien on the CoBank Equities and/or set off the value thereof or of any cash patronage against the Obligations; (iii) during the existence of any Event of Default, CoBank may at its sole discretion, but shall not be required to, without notice except as required by applicable Law, retire and cancel all or part of the CoBank Equities owned by or allocated to the Borrower in accordance with the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (as amended from time to time) and any regulations promulgated - 80- |
| pursuant thereto in total or partial liquidation of the Obligations for such value as may be required pursuant applicable Law and CoBank’s bylaws and capital plan (as each may be amended from time to time); (iv) the CoBank Equities shall not constitute security for the Obligations due to the Administrative Agent, any other Lender or any other Secured Party; (v) to the extent that any of the Loan Documents create a Lien on the CoBank Equities, such Lien shall be for CoBank’s (or its affiliate’s) sole and exclusive benefit and shall not be subject to pro rata sharing hereunder; (vi) any setoff effectuated pursuant to the preceding clauses (ii) or (iii) may be undertaken whether or not the Obligations are currently due and payable; and (vii) CoBank shall have no obligation to retire the CoBank Equities upon any Event of Default, Default or any other default by Borrower or any other Loan Party, or at any other time, either for application to the Obligations or otherwise. The Borrower acknowledges that any corresponding tax liability associated with CoBank’s application of the value of the CoBank Equities to any portion of the Obligations is the sole responsibility of Borrower. (d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, this section may be amended or otherwise modified solely with the consent of CoBank and the Borrower. SECTION 7 NEGATIVE COVENANTS So long as the Commitments remain in effect, any Letter of Credit remains outstanding (other than those that have been Cash Collateralized or otherwise subject to arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the relevant Issuing Lender) or any Loan or other amount is owing to any Lender or any Agent hereunder (other than in respect of contingent indemnification and expense reimbursement claims not then due): 7.1. Financial Condition Covenants. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary of the Borrower to, directly or indirectly: (a) Consolidated Leverage Ratio. Permit the Consolidated Leverage Ratio determined as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower to exceed 5.0 to 1.0. (b) Consolidated First Lien Leverage Ratio. Permit the Consolidated First Lien Leverage Ratio determined as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower to exceed 4.0 to 1.0. 7.2. [Reserved]. 7.3. Liens. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property to secure Indebtedness for Borrowed Money, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except: (a) Liens for taxes, assessments and other governmental charges not yet due or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, provided that adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, in conformity with GAAP; (b) carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business that are not overdue for a period of more than 30 days or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; (c) pledges or deposits in connection with workers’ compensation, insurance and social security legislation; - 81- |
| (d) deposits made to secure the performance of bids, tenders, trade contracts, leases, statutory or regulatory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bankers acceptances, government contracts, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business, in each case excluding obligations for borrowed money; (e) easements, rights-of-way, municipal and zoning ordinances, title defects, restrictions and other similar encumbrances incurred in the ordinary course of business that, in the aggregate, are not substantial in amount and that do not in any case materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of Holdings, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; (f) (i) Liens securing Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries incurred to finance the acquisition of, construction of or improvement of fixed or capital assets in a principal amount not exceeding 110% of the cost of such acquisition, construction or improvement and (ii) Liens affecting property of a Person (other than a Non-Recourse Subsidiary) existing at the time it becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower or at the time it merges into or consolidates with the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower or at the time of a sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties of such Person (other than a Non-Recourse Subsidiary) to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; (g) Liens existing on the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date; (h) Liens created pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement securing obligations of the Loan Parties under (i) the Loan Documents, (ii) Specified Hedge Agreements, (iii) Specified Cash Management Agreement and (iv) any Non-Facility Letter of Credit; (i) any landlord’s Lien or other interest or title of a lessor under any lease or a licensor under a license entered into by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of its business and covering only the assets so leased or licensed; (j) Liens created under Pole Agreements on cables and other property affixed to transmission poles or contained in underground conduits; (k) Liens of or restrictions on the transfer of assets imposed by any Governmental Authority or other franchising authority, utilities or other regulatory bodies or any federal, state or local statute, regulation or ordinance, in each case arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with franchise agreements or Pole Agreements; (l) Liens arising from judgments or decrees not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.1(i); (m) Liens arising under or in connection with any sale and leaseback transaction; (n) Liens on cash collateral securing obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in respect of Hedge Agreements that are not entered into for speculative purposes and letters of credit issued; (o) junior Liens on assets constituting Collateral under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement securing Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Guarantor, which Liens shall be subordinated to the Liens securing the Obligations pursuant to a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement; - 82- |
| (p) Liens on assets constituting Collateral under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement securing Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Guarantor that rank pari passu to the Liens securing the Obligations pursuant to a First Lien Intercreditor Agreement so long as, at the time such Indebtedness and Liens were incurred and after giving effect to both the incurrence of such Indebtedness and Liens and the use of proceeds thereof, the Consolidated First Lien Leverage Ratio as of the most recently ended period for which financial statements have been delivered will not exceed 4.0 to 1.0 calculated on a pro forma basis; (q) Liens on Securitization Assets securing or transferred pursuant to any Permitted Securitization Financing; (r) Liens not otherwise permitted by this Section (which Liens may, at the option of the Borrower, rank pari passu to the Liens securing the Obligations pursuant to a First Lien Intercreditor Agreement) so long as the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the obligations secured thereby does not exceed the greater of (x) $7,000,000,000 and (y) 15.00% of Consolidated Net Worth of the Borrower (measured at the time any such obligations are secured pursuant to this clause (r)) at any one time outstanding; (s) [reserved]; (t) CoBank’s Liens (including the right of setoff) in the CoBank Equities and in any cash patronage; (u) Liens incurred by Holdings, the Borrower or any Guarantor to secure Indebtedness for Borrowed Money of such Loan Party to and/or in favor of Holdings, the Borrower or any Guarantor or one or more Subsidiaries of such Loan Party; (v) Liens on Equity Interests, Indebtedness or other securities or assets of a Person that is not a Subsidiary of the Borrower; (w) Liens on property or assets existing at the time of the acquisition thereof or incurred to secure payment of all or a part of the purchase price thereof or to secure indebtedness incurred prior to, at the time of, or within 18 months after the acquisition thereof for the purpose of financing all or part of the purchase price thereof, in a principal amount not exceeding 110% of the purchase price; (x) any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals or replacements), as a whole or in part, of any Liens described in this Section 7.3 (it being understood that any such Liens described in clause (r) extended, renewed or replaced shall still be deemed outstanding for the purposes of such clause (r) and permitted thereunder), for amounts not exceeding the principal amount of the Indebtedness secured by the Lien so extended, renewed or replaced (plus an amount equal to any premiums, accrued interest, fees and expenses payable in connection therewith); provided, however, that such extension, renewal or replacement Lien is limited to all or a part of the same assets that were covered by the Lien extended renewed or replaced (plus improvements on such assets and any Liens on assets that could have secured the Indebtedness pursuant to written agreements and instruments existing at the time); (y) Liens resulting from progress payments or partial payments under United States government contracts or subcontracts; (z) Liens in connection with grants or subsidies from Governmental Authorities; - 83- |
| provided that the accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value and the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness shall not, in each case, be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness for Borrowed Money for purposes of this Section 7.3. 7.4. Fundamental Changes. The Borrower shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease, in one transaction or series of transactions, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all its assets to any Person (other than a Subsidiary Guarantor), unless: (a) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Company”) shall be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor Company (if not the Borrower) shall expressly assume the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, pursuant to a supplement hereto or thereto in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; (b) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and (c) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an officer’s certificate stating that such merger or consolidation and such supplement to this Agreement or any collateral document comply with this Agreement and (d) the Administrative Agent shall have received such legal opinions, certificates and other documents as it may reasonably request; provided, that: (1) if the foregoing are satisfied, the Successor Company will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Borrower under this Agreement; (2) for purposes of this Section 7.4, the sale, lease, conveyance, assignment, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or more Subsidiaries of the Borrower, which properties and assets, if held by the Borrower instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Borrower on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Borrower; (3) the Successor Company will be the successor to the Borrower and shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Borrower under this Agreement, and the predecessor company, except in the case of a lease, shall be released from its obligations under this Agreement, any other Loan Document and the First Lien Intercreditor Agreement; and (4) for the avoidance of doubt, this Section 7.4 shall not apply to transactions by and among the Borrower and its Subsidiaries. SECTION 8 EVENTS OF DEFAULT 8.1. Events of Default. If any of the following events shall occur and be continuing: (a) the Borrower shall fail to pay (i) any principal of any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation when due in accordance with the terms hereof; or (ii) any interest on any Loan or - 84- |
| Reimbursement Obligation, or any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document, within (in the case of this clause (ii)) five (5) Business Days after any such interest or other amount becomes due in accordance with the terms hereof; or (b) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by any Loan Party herein or in any other Loan Document or that is contained in any certificate, document or financial or other statement furnished by it at any time under or in connection with this Agreement or any such other Loan Document shall prove to have been inaccurate in any material respect on or as of the date made or deemed made and, solely to the extent such incorrect representation or warranty is capable of being cured, such incorrect representation or warranty remains incorrect in such respect for 30 days after written notice to the Borrower from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders; or (c) any Loan Party shall default in the observance or performance of any agreement contained in clause (i) or (ii) of Section 6.4(a) (with respect to Holdings and the Borrower only), Section 6.7(a), Section 7.1 or Section 7.4 of this Agreement; provided that (x) any Event of Default resulting under Section 6.7(a) from the failure to provide such notice shall be cured upon curing the underlying Default or Event of Default and (y) subsequent delivery of such notice shall cure such Event of Default for failure to provide notice (but not the underlying Default or Event of Default), in each case, unless a Financial Officer or the general counsel or chief legal officer of the Borrower had actual knowledge that such Default or Event of Default had occurred and was continuing and intentionally failed to give notice notwithstanding knowledge thereof; or (d) any Loan Party shall default in the observance or performance of any other agreement contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than as provided in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Section), and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after written notice to the Borrower from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders; or (e) Holdings, the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary shall (i) default in making any payment of any principal or interest of any Indebtedness (including, without duplication, any Guarantee Obligation in respect of Indebtedness, but excluding the Loans) on the scheduled or original due date with respect thereto beyond the later of five (5) Business Days and the period of grace, if any, provided in the instrument or agreement under which such Indebtedness was created; or (ii) default in the observance or performance of any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which default or other event or condition causes, following the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity or (in the case of any such Indebtedness constituting a Guarantee Obligation) to become payable; provided, that, (x) a default, event or condition described in clause (i) or (ii) of this paragraph (e) shall not at any time constitute an Event of Default unless, at such time, one or more defaults, events or conditions of the type described in clause (i) or (ii) of this paragraph (e) shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to such Indebtedness the outstanding aggregate principal amount of which exceeds the Threshold Amount and (y) for the avoidance of doubt, a requirement to make a mandatory offer to repurchase under the terms of any Indebtedness as a result of a “change of control” (or equivalent term) shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under this paragraph (e)(iii) so long as: (A) on or prior to the date the events constituting such “change of control” (or equivalent term) occur, either (I) the terms of such Indebtedness have been amended to eliminate the requirement to make such offer, (II) such Indebtedness has been defeased or discharged so that such requirement shall no longer apply (and, in the event such “change of control” is subject to a requirement that a specific credit ratings event or similar condition subsequent occur, no Event of Default shall exist pursuant to - 85- |
| this paragraph (e)(iii) until such time as the specific credit ratings event or similar condition subsequent has also occurred resulting in the obligor under such Indebtedness to become unconditionally obligated to make such offer) or (III) solely in the case of Indebtedness of any Person acquired by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries where such “change of control” (or equivalent term) under such Indebtedness resulted from the Borrower or one of its Subsidiary’s acquisition of such Person and (B) the Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary complies with the provisions of such Indebtedness that are applicable as a result of such acquisition (including by consummating any required “change of control offer” (or equivalent term) for such Indebtedness); or (f) [reserved]; or (g) (i) Holdings, the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary shall commence any case, proceeding or other action (A) under any existing or future law of any jurisdiction, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or relief of debtors, seeking to have an order for relief entered with respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, liquidation, dissolution, composition or other relief with respect to it or its debts, or (B) seeking appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator or other similar official for it or for all or any substantial part of their assets or Holdings, the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary shall make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or (ii) there shall be commenced against Holdings, the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary any case, proceeding or other action of a nature referred to in clause (i) above that (A) results in the entry of an order for relief or any such adjudication or appointment or (B) remains undismissed, undischarged or unbonded for a period of 60 days; or (iii) there shall be commenced against Holdings, the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary any case, proceeding or other action seeking issuance of a warrant of attachment, execution, distraint or similar process against all or any substantial part of its assets that results in the entry of an order for any such relief that shall not have been vacated, discharged, or stayed or pending appeal within 60 days from the entry thereof; (iv) Holdings, the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary shall take any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the acts set forth in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) above; or (v) Holdings, the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary shall generally not, or shall be unable to, or shall admit in writing its inability to, pay its debts as they become due; or (h) (i) any “accumulated funding deficiency” (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived, shall exist with respect to any Single Employer Plan or any Lien in favor of the PBGC or a Plan shall arise on the assets of any Loan Party, (ii) a Reportable Event shall occur with respect to, or proceedings shall commence to have a trustee appointed, or a trustee shall be appointed, to administer or to terminate, any Single Employer Plan, which Reportable Event or commencement of proceedings or appointment of a trustee is likely to result in the termination of such Plan for purposes of Title IV of ERISA, (iii) any Single Employer Plan shall terminate for purposes of Title IV of ERISA or (iv) any Loan Party or any Commonly Controlled Entity shall, or is likely to, incur any liability in connection with a withdrawal from, or the Insolvency of, a Multiemployer Plan; and in each case in clauses (i) through (iv) above, such event or condition, together with all other such events or conditions, if any, would have a Material Adverse Effect; or (i) one or more final judgments or decrees shall be entered against Holdings, the Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary involving in the aggregate a liability (to the extent not paid or fully covered by insurance as to which the relevant insurance company has not declined coverage) of the Threshold Amount or more, and all such final judgments or decrees shall not have been vacated, - 86- |
| discharged, stayed or pending appeal within 30 days from the entry thereof (for this purpose, a judgment will be deemed stayed during any time it is not due and payable); or (j) (i) the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement shall cease, for any reason (other than the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent), to be in full force and effect with respect to any material portion of the Collateral, or any Loan Party or any Affiliate of any Loan Party shall so assert, or (ii) any Lien created by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement shall cease to be enforceable and of the same effect and priority purported to be created thereby with respect to any material portion of the Collateral (other than in connection with releases in accordance with Section 10.14) or any Loan Party or any Affiliate of any Loan Party shall so assert; or (k) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), other than a Qualified Parent Company, has the power, directly or indirectly, to vote or direct the voting of Equity Interests having more than 50% (determined on a fully diluted basis) of the ordinary voting power for the management of the Borrower (a “Change of Control”); provided that such Change of Control shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default unless a Ratings Event has occurred within the Ratings Decline Period; then, and in any such event: (A) if such event is an Event of Default specified in clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (g) above with respect to the Borrower, automatically the Commitments shall immediately terminate and the Loans hereunder (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including all amounts of L/C Obligations, whether or not the beneficiaries of the then outstanding Letters of Credit shall have presented the documents required thereunder) shall immediately become due and payable, and (B) if such event is any other Event of Default, either or both of the following actions may be taken: (i) with the consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower declare the Commitments to be terminated forthwith, whereupon the Commitments shall immediately terminate; and (ii) with the consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower, declare the Loans hereunder (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including all amounts of L/C Obligations, whether or not the beneficiaries of the then outstanding Letters of Credit shall have presented the documents required thereunder) to be due and payable forthwith, whereupon the same shall immediately become due and payable. With respect to all Letters of Credit with respect to which presentment for honor shall not have occurred at the time of an acceleration pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrower shall at such time comply with Section 3.8. Except as expressly provided above in this Section, presentment, demand, protest and all other notices of any kind are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower. 8.2. Application of Funds. After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 8.1 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable and the L/C Obligations have automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized as set forth in the proviso to Section 8.1), any - 87- |
| amounts received on account of the Obligations (other than the Equally and Ratably Secured Notes Obligations) shall, subject to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and any First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order: First, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent and amounts payable under Section 2) payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such; Second, pro rata to (i) the payment of all other Obligations (other than the Equally and Ratably Secured Notes Obligations) due and owing to the Secured Parties, ratably among the Secured Parties in proportion to the respective amounts described in this subclause (i) of this clause Second held by them and (ii) the Cash Collateralization of all Letters of Credit; and Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Law. Subject to Section 3.8, amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Second above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur. If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Obligations (other than the Equally and Ratably Secured Notes Obligations), if any, in the order set forth above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Obligations arising under Specified Cash Management Agreements, Specified Hedge Agreements and Non-Facility Letters of Credit shall be excluded from the application described above to occur on any date if the Administrative Agent has not received written notice thereof, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable Secured Party providing such Obligations on or prior to such date. 8.3. Right to Cure Generally. (a) With respect to any Default or Event of Default, the words “exists”, “is continuing” or similar expressions with respect thereto shall mean that the Default or Event of Default has occurred and has not yet been cured or waived. If, prior to the taking of any action under Section 8.1 (or the occurrence of any event set forth in the proviso thereto), any Default or Event of Default occurs due to (i) the failure by any Loan Party to take any action by a specified time, such Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to have been cured at the time, if any, that the applicable Loan Party takes such action or (ii) the taking of any action by any Loan Party that is not then permitted by the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except as set forth in Section 8.3(b), such Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to be cured on the earlier to occur of (x) the date on which such action would be permitted at such time to be taken under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents pursuant to an applicable amendment or waiver permitting such action and (y) the date on which such action is unwound or otherwise modified to the extent necessary for such revised action to be permitted at such time by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided, that an Event of Default resulting from the failure to deliver a notice pursuant to such Section 6.7(a) shall cease to exist and be cured in all respects if the Default or Event of Default giving rise to such notice requirement shall have ceased to exist and/or be cured. - 88- |
| (b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 8.3, an Event of Default (the “Initial Default”) may not be cured pursuant to this Section 8.3: (i) if the taking of any action by any Loan Party or Subsidiary of a Loan Party that is not permitted during, and as a result of, the continuance of such Initial Default directly results in the cure of such Initial Default and the applicable Loan Party or Subsidiary had actual knowledge at the time of taking any such action that the Initial Default had occurred and was continuing; (ii) in the case of an Event of Default under Section 8.1(j) that directly results in material impairment of the rights and remedies of the Lenders, the Collateral Agent and Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents and that is incapable of being cured; (iii) in the case of an Event of Default under Section 8.1(d) arising due to the failure to perform or observe Section 6.5(a) that directly results in a material adverse effect on the ability of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties (taken as a whole) to perform their respective payment obligations under any Loan Document to which the Borrower or any of the other Loan Parties is a party; or (iv) in the case of an Initial Default for which (i) the Borrower failed to give notice to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of such Initial Default in accordance with Section 6.7(a) of this Agreement and (ii) a Financial Officer or the general counsel or chief legal officer of the Borrower had actual knowledge of such failure to give such notice. 8.4. Expired Defaults. To the extent Section 8.1 requires a notice of a Default to be given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders in order for such Default to become an Event of Default, then such Default will not constitute an Event of Default until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower in writing or the Required Lenders notify the Borrower in writing, in each case with a copy to the Administrative Agent, of the Default and the Borrower does not cure such default prior to the receipt of such notice (subject to applicable grace periods); provided that a notice of Default may not be given with respect to any action taken, and reported publicly or to the Lenders, in each case more than two (2) years prior to such notice of Default (an “Expired Default”) and no Lender shall be permitted to exercise rights and/or remedies with regard to such Expired Default. SECTION 9 THE AGENTS 9.1. Appointment. (a) Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the Administrative Agent as the agent of such Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and each such Lender irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent. - 89- |
| (b) The Administrative Agent shall also act as the “collateral agent” under the Loan Documents, and each of the Lenders (including in its capacities as a party to a Specified Hedge Agreement or Specified Cash Management Agreement) and the Issuing Lender hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to act as the agent of such Lender and the Issuing Lender for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any of the Loan Parties pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. In this connection, the Administrative Agent, as “collateral agent” and any co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 9.2 for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, or for exercising any rights and remedies thereunder at the direction of the Administrative Agent), shall be entitled to the benefits of all provisions of this Section 9 and Section 10 (including Section 9.7, as though such co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact were the “collateral agent” under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto. 9.2. Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may execute any of its duties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by or through agents or attorneys in fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys in fact selected by it with reasonable care. 9.3. Exculpatory Provisions. The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent: (a) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing; (b) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law; and (c) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. (d) The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Section 10.1 and Section 8) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or the Issuing Lender. (e) The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this - 90- |
| Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, (v) the value or the sufficiency of any Collateral, or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Section 5 or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent. 9.4. Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any instrument, writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telecopy, telex or teletype message, statement, order or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to Holdings or the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may deem and treat the payee of any Note as the owner thereof for all purposes unless a written notice of assignment, negotiation or transfer thereof shall have been filed with the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any other Loan Document unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders) as it deems appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents in accordance with a request of the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders), and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders and all future holders of the Loans. 9.5. Notice of Default. The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default unless the Administrative Agent has received notice from a Lender, Holdings or the Borrower referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default”. In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice, the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by the Required Lenders (or, if so specified by this Agreement, all Lenders); provided that unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders. 9.6. Certain Representations and Agreements by Lenders. (a) Each Lender expressly acknowledges that neither the Agents nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates have made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by any Agent hereafter taken, including any review of the affairs of a Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan Party, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by any Agent to any Lender. Each Lender represents to the Agents that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their affiliates and made its own decision to make its Loans hereunder and enter into this Agreement. - 91- |
| Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Loan Parties and their affiliates. Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the business, operations, property, condition (financial or otherwise), prospects or creditworthiness of any Loan Party or any affiliate of a Loan Party that may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates. (b) Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true: (i) such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise) of one or more Benefit Plans with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments or this Agreement, (ii) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, (iii) (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, or (iv) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender. (c) In addition, unless either (1) sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or (2) a Lender has provided another representation, warranty and covenant in accordance with sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (b), such Lender further - 92- |
| (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that the Administrative Agent is not a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender involved in such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related hereto or thereto). 9.7. Indemnification. The Lenders agree to indemnify the Administrative Agent, Issuing Lender and Swingline Lender, each in its capacity as such (to the extent not reimbursed by Holdings or the Borrower and without limiting the obligation of Holdings or the Borrower to do so), ratably according to their respective Aggregate Exposure Percentages in effect on the date on which indemnification is sought under this Section (or, if indemnification is sought after the date upon which the Commitments shall have terminated and the Loans shall have been paid in full, ratably in accordance with such Aggregate Exposure Percentages immediately prior to such date), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever that may at any time (whether before or after the payment of the Loans) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent, Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender in any way relating to or arising out of, the Commitments, this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by such Administrative Agent, Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender under or in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements that are found by a final and non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Person’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. The agreements in this Section shall survive the payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder. 9.8. Agent in Its Individual Capacity. Each Agent and its affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from and generally engage in any kind of business with any Loan Party as though such Agent were not an Agent. With respect to its Loans made or renewed by it and with respect to any Letter of Credit issued or participated in by it, each Agent shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as any Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and the terms “Lender” and “Lenders” shall include each Agent in its individual capacity. 9.9. Successor Administrative Agent. So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and a successor agent who is a Revolving Lender may, in their sole discretion at any time, agree that such successor agent shall replace the outgoing administrative Agent as Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents. In addition, the Administrative Agent may in its sole discretion resign as Administrative Agent at any time upon 30 days’ notice to the Lenders and the Borrower. If the Administrative Agent shall resign as Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, then the Required Lenders shall appoint from among the Lenders a successor agent for the Lenders, which successor agent shall (unless an Event of Default under Section 8(a) or Section 8(g) with respect to the Borrower shall have occurred and be continuing) be subject to approval by the Borrower (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). Any successor agent shall succeed to the rights, powers and duties of the Administrative Agent, and the term “Administrative Agent” shall mean such successor agent effective upon such appointment and approval, and the former Administrative Agent’s rights, powers and duties as Administrative Agent shall be terminated, without any other or further act or deed on the part of such former Administrative Agent or any of the parties to this Agreement or any holders of the Loans. If - 93- |
| no successor agent has accepted appointment as Administrative Agent by the date that is 30 days following a retiring Administrative Agent’s notice of resignation, the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective, and the Lenders shall assume and perform all of the duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor agent as provided for above (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders or the Issuing Lender under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed). After any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Section 9 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Any resignation by the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section shall also constitute its resignation as Issuing Lender and Swingline Lender. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, (i) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Issuing Lender and Swingline Lender, (ii) the retiring Issuing Lender and Swingline Lender shall be discharged from all of their respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and (iii) the successor Issuing Lender shall issue new letters of credit either (x) in substitution for the Letters of Credit issued by the retiring Issuing Lender or (y) to backstop such Letters of Credit, in each case, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to the retiring Issuing Lender to effectively assume the obligations of the retiring Issuing Lender with respect to such Letters of Credit. Any Issuing Lender that is not the Administrative Agent may resign as an Issuing Lender as separately agreed in writing between such Issuing Lender and the Borrower. 9.10. Agents. Each of the Agents (other than the Administrative Agent) shall have no duties or responsibilities hereunder in their capacity as such. 9.11. Collateral and Guaranty Matters. Each of the Lenders (including in its capacities as a party to a Specified Cash Management Agreement or a Specified Hedge Agreement) and the Issuing Lender irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent to release Liens on the Collateral and/or Guarantors from their obligations under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement under the circumstances described in Section 9.15 of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement. 9.12. Non-Facility Letters of Credit, Specified Cash Management Agreements and Specified Hedge Agreements. No issuer of a Non-Facility Letter of Credit or party to a Specified Cash Management Agreement or Specified Hedge Agreement shall have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document or otherwise in respect of the Collateral (including the release or impairment of any Collateral) other than in its capacity as a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 9 to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, obligations arising under Non-Facility Letters of Credit, Specified Cash Management Agreements and Specified Hedge Agreements unless the Administrative Agent has received written notice of such obligations, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable party thereto. 9.13. Recovery of Erroneous Payments. Without limitation of any other provision in this Agreement, if at any time the Administrative Agent makes a payment hereunder in error to any Lender Recipient Party, whether or not in respect of an Obligation due and owing by the Borrower at such time, where such payment is a Rescindable Amount, then in any such event, each Lender Recipient Party - 94- |
| receiving a Rescindable Amount severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the Rescindable Amount received by such Lender Recipient Party in immediately available funds in the currency so received, with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such Rescindable Amount is received by it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation. Each Lender Recipient Party irrevocably waives any and all defenses, including any “discharge for value” (under which a creditor might otherwise claim a right to retain funds mistakenly paid by a third party in respect of a debt owed by another) or similar defense to its obligation to return any Rescindable Amount. The Administrative Agent shall inform each Lender Recipient Party promptly upon determining that any payment made to such Lender Recipient Party comprised, in whole or in part, a Rescindable Amount. The parties hereto agree that an Erroneous Payment shall not pay, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise satisfy any Obligations owed by the Borrower or any other Loan Party. This Section 9.13 shall not be interpreted to increase (or accelerate the due date for), or have the effect of increasing (or accelerating the due date for), the Obligations of the Borrower relative to the amount (and/or timing for payment) of the Obligations that would have been payable had such Erroneous Payment not been made by the Administrative Agent; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the immediately preceding sentence shall not apply to the extent any such Erroneous Payment is, and solely with respect to the amount of such Erroneous Payment that is, comprised of funds received by the Administrative Agent from the Borrower for the purpose of making such Erroneous Payment. SECTION 10 MISCELLANEOUS 10.1. Amendments and Waivers. Neither this Agreement, any other Loan Document, nor any terms hereof or thereof may be amended, supplemented or modified except in accordance with the provisions of this Section 10.1. Subject to Section 2.14(b)(1), the Required Lenders and each Loan Party party to the relevant Loan Document may, or, with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and each Loan Party party to the relevant Loan Document may, from time to time, (a) enter into written amendments, supplements or modifications hereto and to the other Loan Documents for the purpose of adding any provisions to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or changing in any manner the rights of the Lenders or of the Loan Parties hereunder or thereunder or (b) waive, on such terms and conditions as the Required Lenders or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, may specify in such instrument, any of the requirements of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any Default or Event of Default and its consequences; provided, however, that no such waiver and no such amendment, supplement or modification shall: (i) forgive the principal amount or extend the final scheduled date of maturity of any Loan, extend the scheduled date of or reduce the amount of any amortization payment in respect of any Term Loan, reduce the stated rate of any interest or fee payable hereunder or extend the scheduled date of any payment thereof, or increase the amount or extend the expiration date of any Lender’s Commitment, in each case without the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby; provided, that (x) only the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall be required to make any changes necessary to implement a LIBOR Successor Rate selected by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 2.14(I) and (y) subject to the limitation contained in Section 2.14(I), only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to select a different LIBOR Successor Rate than the rate previously selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.14(I); (ii) eliminate or reduce any voting rights under this Section 10.1 or reduce any percentage specified in the definition of Required Lenders, consent to the assignment or - 95- |
| transfer by the Borrower of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, release all or substantially all of the Collateral or release all or substantially all of the Subsidiary Guarantors from their obligations under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement (in each case except in connection with Dispositions consummated or approved not in violation of the other terms of this Agreement), in each case without the written consent of all Lenders; (iii) reduce the percentage specified in the definition of Majority Facility Lenders with respect to the Revolving Facility or any Class of Term Loans without the written consent of all Lenders under the Revolving Facility or such Class of Term Loans, respectively; (iv) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 9 without the written consent of the Administrative Agent; (v) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 2.4 or 2.5 without the written consent of the Swingline Lender; (vi) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 3 without the written consent of each affected Issuing Lender; or (vii) waive any condition set forth in Section 5.2 as to any extension of credit under the Revolving Facility without the written consent of the Lenders referenced in clause (i) of the definition of Majority Facility Lenders. Any such waiver and any such amendment, supplement or modification shall apply equally to each of the Lenders and shall be binding upon the Loan Parties, the Lenders, the Agents and all future holders of the Loans. In the case of any waiver, the Loan Parties, the Lenders and the Agents shall be restored to their former position and rights hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and any Default or Event of Default waived shall be deemed to be cured and not continuing; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default, or impair any right consequent thereon. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Administrative Agent and the Borrower acting together identify any ambiguity, omission, mistake, typographical error or other defect in any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, then the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall be permitted to amend, modify or supplement such provision to cure such ambiguity, omission, mistake, typographical error or other defect, and such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement. 10.2. Notices. (a) Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in subsection (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopier as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows: (i) if to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, an Issuing Lender or a Swingline Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 10.2; and - 96- |
| (ii) if to any other Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its administrative questionnaire (including, as appropriate, notices delivered solely to the Person designated by a Lender on its administrative questionnaire then in effect for the delivery of notices that may contain material non-public information relating to the Borrower). Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by telecopier shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, such notices and other communications shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices and other communications delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in subsection (b) below shall be effective as provided in such subsection (b). (b) Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or any Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 2 or Section 3 if such Lender or Issuing Lender, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications. Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor. (c) The Platform. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Joint Lead Arrangers will make available to the Lenders and each Issuing Lender Borrower Materials by posting the Borrower Materials on the Platform. THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender, any Issuing Lender or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Borrower’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of Borrower Materials through the Internet, except to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and non-appealable judgment to have resulted from the - 97- |
| gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent Party; provided, however, that in no event shall any Agent Party have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender, any Issuing Lender or any other Person for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages). (d) Change of Address, Etc. Each of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Each other Lender may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender. In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent from time to time to ensure that the Administrative Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, telecopier number and electronic mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender. (e) Reliance by Administrative Agent, Issuing Lenders and Lenders. The Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lenders and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic Notices of Borrowing and requests for Swingline Loans) purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Lender, each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower. All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording. 10.3. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of any Agent or any Lender, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law. 10.4. Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made hereunder, in the other Loan Documents and in any document, certificate or statement delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the Loans and other extensions of credit hereunder. 10.5. Payment of Expenses and Taxes; Indemnification. The Borrower agrees: (a) to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent for all its reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the development, preparation and execution of, and any amendment, supplement or modification to, or waiver or forbearance of, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any other documents prepared in connection herewith or therewith, and the consummation and administration of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of one firm of counsel to the Administrative Agent and filing and recording fees and expenses, (b) to pay or reimburse each Lender and each Agent for all its costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any rights, privileges, powers or remedies under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other documents, including the fees and - 98- |
| disbursements of one firm of counsel selected by the Administrative Agent, together with any special or local counsel, to the Administrative Agent and, following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, not more than one other firm of counsel to the Lenders (it being understood that the Borrower shall not be obligated to reimburse any Lender (other than the Administrative Agent as provided above) for its expenses pursuant to this clause (b) except to the extent that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of any proposed amendment or waiver), (c) to pay, indemnify, and hold each Lender and each Agent harmless from, any and all recording and filing fees and any and all liabilities with respect to, or resulting from, any delay in paying, stamp, excise and other taxes, if any, that may be payable or determined to be payable in connection with the execution and delivery of, or consummation or administration of, any of the transactions contemplated by, or any amendment, supplement or modification of, or any waiver or consent under or in respect of, this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other documents, (d) if any Event of Default shall have occurred, to pay or reimburse all reasonable fees and expenses of a financial advisor engaged on behalf of, or for the benefit of, the Agents and the Lenders accruing from and after the occurrence of such Event of Default, (e) to pay, indemnify, and hold each Lender, each Agent, their advisors and affiliates and their respective officers, directors, trustees, employees, agents and controlling persons (each, an “Indemnitee”) harmless from and against any and all other liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and administration of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other documents, including any of the foregoing relating to the use of proceeds of the Loans, including the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel in connection with claims, actions or proceedings by any Indemnitee against any Loan Party under any Loan Document, and (f) to pay, indemnify, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from and against any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the matters described in clauses (a) through (d) above, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory (including any investigation of, preparation for, or defense of any pending or threatened claim, investigation, litigation or proceeding, and regardless of whether such claim, investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by any Loan Party, its directors, shareholders or creditors or an Indemnitee, whether or not any Indemnitee is a party thereto and whether or not the Restatement Effective Date has occurred) and the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel in connection with any such claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding (all the foregoing in clauses (e) and (f), collectively, the “Indemnified Liabilities”), provided, that the Borrower shall have no obligation hereunder to any Indemnitee with respect to Indemnified Liabilities to the extent such Indemnified Liabilities are found by a final non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of any Indemnitee. All amounts due under this Section 10.5 shall be payable not later than 30 days after written demand therefor. Statements payable by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 10.5 shall be submitted to the address of the Borrower set forth in Section 10.2, or to such other Person or address as may be hereafter designated by the Borrower in a written notice to the Administrative Agent. The agreements in this Section 10.5 shall survive the termination of the Loan Documents, repayment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder. No indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by any person of information or other materials obtained through electronic, telecommunications or other information transmission systems, except to the extent arising from the gross negligence or willful - 99- |
| misconduct of such indemnitee as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. 10.6. Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments. (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Lender that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void), (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section and (iii) no assignments may be made to natural persons. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (c) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement. (b) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more assignees (each, an “Assignee”) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent of: (A) the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), provided that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment to (I) a Lender, an affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund (as defined below), other than in the case of any assignment of a Revolving Commitment, or (II) if an Event of Default under Section 8.1(a) or (g) has occurred and is continuing, any other Person; (B) the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for (I) an assignment of all or any portion of a Term Loan to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or to Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries (provided that any assignment to Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries shall be subject to the requirements of Section 10.6(g)) or (II) an assignment of all or any portion of a Revolving Loan or Revolving Commitment to a Revolving Lender, an Affiliate of a Revolving Lender or an Approved Fund of a Revolving Lender; and (C) in the case of an assignment of a Revolving Commitment to a Lender that is not already a Revolving Lender, each Issuing Lender (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed). (ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions: (A) except in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Revolving Commitments of any Class or Loans of any Class, (x) the amount of the Commitments or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (as of the trade date specified in the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment or, if no trade date is so specified, as of the date such Assignment and Assumption is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000, in the case of the Revolving Facility ($1,000,000 if the Assignee is a -100- |
| Lender, an affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund) or, $1,000,000 in the case of Term Loans of any Class ($250,000 if the Assignee is a Lender, an affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund) and (y) the Aggregate Exposure of such assigning Lender shall not fall below $3,000,000 in the case of the Revolving Facility ($1,000,000 if the Assignee is a Lender, an affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund) or $1,000,000 in the case of in the case of Term Loans of any Class ($250,000 if the Assignee is a Lender, an affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund), unless, in each case, each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent provided that (1) no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default under Section 8.1(a) or (g) has occurred and is continuing and (2) such amounts shall be aggregated in respect of each Lender and its affiliates or Approved Funds, if any; (B) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 (unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion); (C) the Assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an administrative questionnaire in which the Assignee designates one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Borrower and its Affiliates and their related parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws; (D) Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Commitment assigned, except that this clause (D) shall not (x) apply to the Swingline Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of Swingline Loans, (y) prohibit any Lender from assigning all or a portion of its rights and obligations among separate Classes on a non-pro rata basis or (C) prohibit any Revolving Lender from assigning all or portion of its Revolving Commitments of a given Class (and a proportionate amount of all Revolving Extensions of Credit thereunder) separately from its Revolving Commitments of a different Class; and (E) In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon) and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans in accordance with its Revolving Percentage in each of the foregoing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable Law without compliance with the -101- |
| provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs. For the purposes of this Section 10.6, “Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender. (iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(v) below, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.16, 2.17, 2.18 and 10.5). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 10.6 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section. (iv) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in the United States a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amount of the Loans and L/C Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The parties intend that all advances will be at all times maintained in “registered form” within the meaning of Section 163(f), Section 165(j), Section 871(h)(2), Section 881(c)(2) and Section 4701 of the Code and any related United States Treasury Regulations (or any other relevant or successor provisions of the Code or of such United States Treasury Regulations). (v) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an Assignee, the Assignee’s completed administrative questionnaire (unless the Assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph. (c) (i) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (other than a natural person) (a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly -102- |
| with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver that (1) requires the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby pursuant to the proviso to the second sentence of Section 10.1 and (2) directly affects such Participant. Subject to paragraph (c)(ii) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.16, 2.17, 2.18 and 10.5 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.7(b) as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant shall be subject to Section 10.7(a) as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register. (ii) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.16 or 2.17 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation or the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent. Any Participant that is a Non-U.S. Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.17 unless such Participant complies with Section 2.17(d). (d) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or any central bank having jurisdiction over such Lender, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or Assignee for such Lender as a party hereto. (e) The Borrower, at the Borrower’s sole expense, upon receipt of written notice from the relevant Lender, agrees to issue Notes to any Lender requiring Notes to facilitate transactions of the type described in paragraph (d) above. (f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Conduit Lender may assign any or all of the Loans it may have funded hereunder to its designating Lender without the consent of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent and without regard to the limitations set forth in Section 10.6(b). Each of Holdings, the Borrower, each Lender and the Administrative Agent hereby confirms that it will not institute against a Conduit Lender or join any other Person in instituting against a Conduit Lender any -103- |
| bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceeding under any state bankruptcy or similar law, for one year and one day after the payment in full of the latest maturing commercial paper note issued by such Conduit Lender; provided, however, that each Lender designating any Conduit Lender hereby agrees to indemnify, save and hold harmless each other party hereto for any loss, cost, damage or expense arising out of its inability to institute such a proceeding against such Conduit Lender during such period of forbearance. (g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any Lender may assign all or any portion of its Term Loans (but not Commitments) to Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, but only if: (i) the assignment agreement relating to such Term Loans shall (i) identify Holdings or the applicable Subsidiary as an Affiliate of the Borrower and (ii) contain a customary “big boy” representation by the assignee and waiver by the assignee of any right to make any claim against the Administrative Agent in connection with such assignment; and (ii) any such Term Loans shall be automatically and permanently cancelled immediately upon acquisition thereof by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries. 10.7. Adjustments; Setoff. (a) Except to the extent that this Agreement expressly provides for payments to be allocated to a particular Lender or to the Lenders of a particular Class, if any Lender (a “Benefited Lender”) shall receive any payment of all or part of the amounts owing to it hereunder, or receive any collateral in respect thereof (whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by set-off, pursuant to events or proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 8(e), or otherwise), in a greater proportion than any such payment to or collateral received by any other Lender, if any, in respect of the amounts owing to such other Lender hereunder, such Benefited Lender shall purchase for cash from the other Lenders a participating interest in such portion of the amounts owing to each such other Lender hereunder, or shall provide such other Lenders with the benefits of any such collateral, as shall be necessary to cause such Benefited Lender to share the excess payment or benefits of such collateral ratably with each of the Lenders; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such excess payment or benefits is thereafter recovered from such Benefited Lender, such purchase shall be rescinded, and the purchase price and benefits returned, to the extent of such recovery, but without interest. (b) In addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders provided by law, each Lender shall have the right, without prior notice to Holdings or the Borrower, any such notice being expressly waived by Holdings and the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law, upon any amount becoming due and payable by Holdings or the Borrower hereunder (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), to set off and appropriate and apply against such amount any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, other than those deposits held on a Loan Party’s behalf composed of amounts held as payroll and taxes due thereon), in any currency, and any other credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held or owing by such Lender or any branch or agency thereof to or for the credit or the account of Holdings or the Borrower, as the case may be. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent after any such setoff and application made by such Lender, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application. 10.8. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page of this -104- |
| Agreement or any other document executed in connection herewith by facsimile or electronic transmission shall be effective as physical delivery of an original executed counterpart hereof, including the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Administrative Agent. A set of the copies of this Agreement signed by all the parties shall be lodged with the Borrower and the Administrative Agent. 10.9. Severability. Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. 10.10. Integration. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents represent the agreement of Holdings, the Borrower, the Agents and the Lenders with respect to the subject matter hereof, and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by any Agent or any Lender relative to the subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Loan Documents. 10.11. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties under this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the law of the State of New York. 10.12. Submission to Jurisdiction; Waivers. Each of Holdings and the Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally: (a) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof, to the exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York located in the County of New York, the courts of the United States for the Southern District of New York, and appellate courts from any thereof; (b) consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same; (c) agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to Holdings or the Borrower, as the case may be at its address set forth in Section 10.2 or at such other address of which the Administrative Agent shall have been notified pursuant thereto; (d) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right to sue in any other jurisdiction; and (e) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages. 10.13. Acknowledgments. -105- |
| Each of Holdings and the Borrower hereby acknowledges that: (a) it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; (b) neither any Agent nor any Lender has any fiduciary relationship with or duty to Holdings or the Borrower arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and the relationship between the Agents and Lenders, on one hand, and Holdings and the Borrower, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely that of debtor and creditor; (c) no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Agents and the Lenders or among Holdings the Borrower and the Agents and the Lenders; and (d) the Lenders and their affiliates may have economic interests that conflict with those of the Borrower. 10.14. Release of Guarantees and Liens. (a) The Liens created by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement shall automatically be released (i) to the extent necessary to permit consummation of any disposition of such Collateral (other than a disposition to the Borrower or any Guarantor) not prohibited by any Loan Document, (ii) that has been consented to in accordance with Section 10.1, (iii) consisting of assets of any Subsidiary Guarantor that is to be released from its obligations under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement as provided below or (iv) under the circumstances described in paragraph (b) below. In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the Administrative Agent is hereby irrevocably authorized by each Lender (without requirement of notice to or consent of any Lender except as expressly required by Section 10.1) and, subject to the Administrative Agent’s receipt of a certification by the Borrower and applicable Guarantor as to such other matters relating to such release as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, is required to promptly take any further action (without recourse or warranty) reasonably requested by the Borrower to evidence the release of any Collateral as set forth above. Additionally, any Subsidiary Guarantor shall automatically be released from its obligations under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement (x) upon the consummation of any transaction not prohibited by this Agreement that results in such Subsidiary Guarantor ceasing to be a Subsidiary of the Borrower (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any designation of a Subsidiary as a Non-Recourse Subsidiary hereunder), (y) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, at the Borrower’s option by written notice to the Administrative Agent, so long as such Subsidiary is a De Minimis Subsidiary and, after giving effect to such release, the threshold set forth in the proviso to the definition of “De Minimis Subsidiary” would not be exceeded and, (z) at the Borrower’s option by written notice to the Administrative Agent, if such Subsidiary becomes a Specified Excluded Subsidiary. Any such evidence of release of Collateral may be documented pursuant to a Release or such other documentation as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent. (b) At the Discharge Date, the Collateral shall be released from the Liens created by the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, and the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and all obligations (other than those expressly stated to survive such termination) of the Administrative Agent and each Loan Party under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement shall terminate, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any Person. -106- |
| 10.15. Confidentiality. Each Agent and each Lender agrees to keep confidential all non-public information provided to it by any Loan Party pursuant to this Agreement that is designated by such Loan Party as confidential; provided that nothing herein shall prevent any Agent or any Lender from disclosing any such information (a) to any Agent, any Lender or any affiliate of any Lender or any Approved Fund, (b) to any Transferee or prospective Transferee that agrees to comply with the provisions of this Section, (c) to its employees, directors, agents, attorneys, accountants and other professional advisors or those of any of its affiliates who have a need to know, (d) upon the request or demand of any Governmental Authority or at the request of any self-regulatory body, (e) in response to any order of any court or other Governmental Authority or as may otherwise be required pursuant to any Requirement of Law, (f) if requested or required to do so in connection with any litigation or similar proceeding, (g) that has been publicly disclosed, (h) to any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about a Lender’s investment portfolio in connection with ratings issued with respect to such Lender, (i) in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (j) to any creditor or direct or indirect contractual counterparty in swap agreements or such creditor or contractual counterparty’s professional advisor (so long as such contractual counterparty or professional advisor to such contractual counterparty agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section 10.15), (k) to a Person that is an investor or prospective investor in a Securitization that agrees that its access to information regarding the Borrower and the Loans is solely for purposes of evaluating an investment in such Securitization (so long as such Person agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section 10.15), (l) to a Person that is a trustee, collateral manager, servicer, noteholder or secured party in a Securitization in connection with the administration, servicing and reporting on the assets serving as collateral for such Securitization (so long as such Person agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section 10.15), (m) to any market data collector or (n) with such Loan Party’s prior written consent. Each Lender acknowledges that information furnished to it pursuant to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents may include material non-public information concerning the Borrower and its Affiliates and their related parties or their respective securities, and confirms that it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and that it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with those procedures and applicable law, including Federal and state securities laws. All information, including requests for waivers and amendments, furnished by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent pursuant to, or in the course of administering, this Agreement or the other Loan Documents will be syndicate-level information, which may contain material non-public information about the Borrower and its Affiliates and their related parties or their respective securities. Accordingly, each Lender represents to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent that it has identified in its administrative questionnaire a credit contact who may receive information that may contain material non-public information in accordance with its compliance procedures and applicable law, including Federal and state securities laws. 10.16. WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL. Holdings, the Borrower, the Agents and the Lenders hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive trial by jury in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document and for any counterclaim therein. 10.17. Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents. The words “execution,” “execute,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in or related to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Administrative Agent, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based record keeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as -107- |
| provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State, Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary the Administrative Agent is under no obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Administrative Agent pursuant to procedures approved by it. 10.18. USA Patriot Act; Beneficial Ownership Regulation. Each Lender hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Patriot Act”) and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation. 10.19. Affected Financial Institutions. Solely to the extent any Lender or Issuing Lender that is an Affected Financial Institution is a party to this Agreement and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Lender or Issuing Lender that is an Affected Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by: (a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any Lender or Issuing Lender that is an Affected Financial Institution; and (b) the effects of any Bail-in Action on any such liability, including, if applicable: (i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability; (ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or (iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any Resolution Authority. 10.20. Intercreditor Agreements. (a) Each Lender (and, by its acceptance of the benefits of the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, each other Secured Party) hereunder agrees that it will be bound by and will take no actions contrary to the provisions of a First Lien Intercreditor Agreement and any other intercreditor agreement specifically contemplated by this Agreement and (iii) authorizes and instructs the Administrative Agent to enter into a First Lien Intercreditor Agreement, in each case as Administrative Agent and on behalf of such Lender or other Secured Party. (b) Each Lender authorizes the Administrative Agent to enter into any amendment or supplement to a First Lien Intercreditor Agreement and any other intercreditor agreement specifically contemplated by this Agreement (i) in order to include appropriately the holders of the secured -108- |
| Indebtedness secured by a Lien permitted by this Agreement on the basis described herein or (ii) that is otherwise consented to by the Required Lenders. 10.21. Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs. To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for Hedge Agreements or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “QFC Credit Support” and each such QFC a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States): (a) In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Loan Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support. (b) As used in this Section 10.21, the following terms have the following meanings: “BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party. “Covered Entity” means any of the following: (i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b). “Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable. -109- |
| “QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D). 10.22. Lender Action. Each Lender other than a Term B-1 Lender or Term B-2 Lender agrees that it shall not take or institute any actions or proceedings, judicial or otherwise, for any right or remedy against any Loan Party under any of the Loan Documents (including the exercise of any right of setoff, rights on account of any banker’s lien or similar claim), or institute any actions or proceedings, or otherwise commence any remedial procedures, with respect to any Collateral or any other property of any such Loan Party, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent. 10.23. Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by Applicable Law (the “Maximum Rate”). If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans without prepayment premium or penalty (notwithstanding anything in the Loan Documents to the contrary) or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder. -110- |
Exhibit B
Notice of Borrowing
[See attached.]
Exhibit 99.1
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Charter Closes $1.1 Billion Senior Unsecured Notes
STAMFORD, Connecticut – February 13, 2023 – Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHTR) (along with its subsidiaries, “Charter”) today announced that its subsidiaries, CCO Holdings, LLC and CCO Holdings Capital Corp., have closed on $1.1 billion in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2031 (the “Notes”). The Notes bear interest at a rate of 7.375% per annum and were issued at a price of 100.000% of the aggregate principal amount.
The Notes were sold to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A and outside the United States to non-U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S. The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or any state securities laws and, unless so registered, may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.
This news release is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale is unlawful.
About Charter
Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) is a leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator serving more than 32 million customers in 41 states through its Spectrum brand. Over an advanced communications network, the Company offers a full range of state-of-the-art residential and business services including Spectrum Internet®, TV, Mobile and Voice.
For small and medium-sized companies, Spectrum Business® delivers the same suite of broadband products and services coupled with special features and applications to enhance productivity, while for larger businesses and government entities, Spectrum Enterprise provides highly customized, fiber-based solutions. Spectrum Reach® delivers tailored advertising and production for the modern media landscape. The Company also distributes award-winning news coverage and sports programming to its customers through Spectrum Networks. More information about Charter can be found at corporate.charter.com.
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Contact:
| Media: | Analysts: |
| Justin Venech | Stefan Anninger |
| 203-905-7818 | 203-905-7955 |
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