8-K
falsefalse00009311820000906107 0000931182 2026-08-17 2026-08-17 0000931182 ck0000931182:VivmarkResidentialMember 2026-08-17 2026-08-17 0000931182 dei:OtherAddressMember 2026-08-17 2026-08-17
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
FORM
8-K
 
 
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): August 17, 2026
 
 
VIVMARK RESIDENTIAL
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
 
 
 
Maryland
 
1-12252
 
13-3675988
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
 
(Commission
File Number)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
 
 
 
Illinois
 
0-24920
 
36-3894853
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
 
(Commission
File Number)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
Two North Riverside Plaza
Chicago, Illinois
 
60606
4040 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1000
Arlington, Virginia
 
22203
(Addresses of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Codes)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (312)
474-1300
or (703)
329-6300
Not applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
 
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form
8-K
filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
 
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule
14a-12
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)
 
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule
14d-2(b)
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14d-2(b))
 
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule
13e-4(c)
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
Title of each class
 
Trading
Symbol(s)
 
Name of each exchange
on which registered
Common Shares of Beneficial Interest,
$0.01 Par Value (Vivmark Residential)
  EQR   The New York Stock Exchange
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule
12b-2
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(§ 240.12b-2
of this chapter).
Emerging growth company 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
 
 
 


Introductory Note

On August 17, 2026 (the “Closing Date”), (i) AvalonBay Communities, Inc., a Maryland corporation (“AvalonBay”), merged (such merger, the “Initial Merger”) with and into Canopy Merger Sub LLC, a Maryland limited liability company (“Merger Sub”), with Merger Sub surviving as a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Vivmark Residential (formerly known as Equity Residential), a Maryland real estate investment trust (“Vivmark Residential”), pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 20, 2026, by and among Vivmark Residential, ERP Operating Limited Partnership, an Illinois limited partnership (“ERP Operating Partnership”), Merger Sub and AvalonBay, and (ii) following the closing of the Initial Merger, Merger Sub merged (such merger, the “Subsequent Merger,” and, together with the Initial Merger, the “Mergers”) with and into ERP Operating Partnership, with ERP Operating Partnership remaining as the surviving entity.

 

Item 1.01

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Supplemental Indentures

On the Closing Date, in connection with the Mergers, Merger Sub, ERP Operating Partnership and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, entered into the Sixth Supplemental Indenture (the “Sixth Supplemental Indenture”) to the Indenture, dated as of January 16, 1998 (as supplemented by that certain First Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 20, 1998 (the “1998 First Supplemental Indenture”), by that certain Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 7, 1998 (the “1998 Second Supplemental Indenture”), by that certain Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 21, 1998 (the “1998 Third Supplemental Indenture”), by that certain Amended and Restated Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 10, 2000, by that certain Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 18, 2006, and by that certain Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 21, 2014, the “1998 Indenture”), by and between AvalonBay and The Bank of New York Mellon (as successor to State Street Bank and Trust Company), as trustee. Pursuant to the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, Merger Sub assumed all of the obligations of AvalonBay, and ERP Operating Partnership assumed all of the obligations of Merger Sub, as successor to AvalonBay, under the 1998 Indenture and all of the securities issued thereunder, including the (i) 2.900% unsecured notes due October 15, 2026 in an aggregate principal amount of $300 million, (ii) 3.350% unsecured notes due May 15, 2027 in an aggregate principal amount of $400 million, (iii) 3.200% unsecured notes due January 15, 2028 in an aggregate principal amount of $450 million, (iv) 3.900% unsecured notes due October 15, 2046 in an aggregate principal amount of $350 million and (v) 4.150% unsecured notes due July 1, 2047 in an aggregate principal amount of $300 million (collectively, the “1998 Indenture Notes”).

On the Closing Date, in connection with the Mergers, Merger Sub, ERP Operating Partnership and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, entered into the Third Supplemental Indenture (the “Third Supplemental Indenture”) to the Indenture, dated as of February 23, 2018 (as supplemented by that certain First Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 26, 2018, and by that certain Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 29, 2018, the “2018 Indenture”), by and between AvalonBay and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee. Pursuant to the Third Supplemental Indenture, Merger Sub assumed all of the obligations of AvalonBay, and ERP Operating Partnership assumed all of the obligations of Merger Sub, as successor to AvalonBay, under the 2018 Indenture and all of the securities issued thereunder, including the (i) 1.900% unsecured notes due December 1, 2028 in an aggregate principal amount of $400 million, (ii) 3.300% unsecured notes due June 1, 2029 in an aggregate principal amount of $450 million, (iii) 2.300% unsecured notes due March 1, 2030 in an aggregate principal amount of $700 million, (iv) 2.450% unsecured notes due January 15, 2031 in an aggregate principal amount of $600 million, (v) 2.050% unsecured notes due January 15, 2032 in an aggregate principal amount of $700 million, (vi) 5.000% unsecured notes due February 15, 2033 in an aggregate principal amount of $350 million, (vii) 5.300% unsecured notes due December 7, 2033 in an aggregate principal amount of $400 million and (viii) 4.350% unsecured notes due April 15, 2048 in an aggregate principal amount of $300 million.

On the Closing Date, in connection with the Mergers, Merger Sub, ERP Operating Partnership and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, entered into the Fourth Supplemental Indenture (the “Fourth Supplemental Indenture” and, together with the Sixth Supplemental Indenture and the Third Supplemental Indenture, the “Supplemental Indentures”) to the Indenture, dated as of February 23, 2024 (as supplemented by that certain First Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 14, 2024, by that certain Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 10, 2025 and by that certain Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 1, 2025, the “2024 Indenture”), by and between AvalonBay and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee. Pursuant to the Fourth Supplemental Indenture, Merger Sub assumed all of the obligations of AvalonBay, and ERP Operating Partnership assumed all of the obligations of Merger Sub, as successor to AvalonBay, under the 2024 Indenture and all of the securities issued thereunder, including the (i) 4.350% unsecured notes due December 1, 2030 in an aggregate principal amount of $400 million, (ii) 5.350% unsecured notes due June 1, 2034 in an aggregate principal amount of $400 million and (iii) 5.000% unsecured notes due August 1, 2035 in an aggregate principal amount of $400 million.

The foregoing description of the 1998 Indenture, the 2018 Indenture, the 2024 Indenture and the Supplemental Indentures does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text thereof, copies of which are filed as Exhibits 4.1 – 4.14 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference, except with respect to the 1998


First Supplemental Indenture, the 1998 Second Supplemental Indenture and the 1998 Third Supplemental Indenture, copies of which are not filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K and the terms of which are not incorporated herein by reference because they do not affect the material terms and conditions of any 1998 Indenture Notes currently outstanding or any 1998 Indenture Notes that may be issued in the future.

Revolver Amendment and Term Loan Amendment

On August 17, 2026, in connection with the closing of the Mergers, ERP Operating Partnership entered into (i) an Amendment No. 2 to Seventh Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement (the “Revolver Amendment”) among AvalonBay, as the existing borrower, ERP Operating Partnership, as the new borrower, Bank of America, N.A. (“Bank of America”), as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, pursuant to which ERP Operating Partnership assumed all of AvalonBay’s rights and obligations under its existing $2.5 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “New Revolving Credit Facility”) provided pursuant to the Seventh Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement, dated as of April 3, 2025 (as amended, the “New Revolving Credit Agreement”), among AvalonBay, Bank of America, as administrative agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto, and (ii) an Amendment No. 2 to Term Loan Agreement (the “Term Loan Amendment,” and together with the Revolver Amendment, the “Amendments”) among AvalonBay, as the existing borrower, ERP Operating Partnership, as the new borrower, Truist Bank, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, pursuant to which ERP Operating Partnership assumed all of AvalonBay’s rights and obligations under its existing $550 million senior unsecured term loan facility (the “New Term Loan Facility”) provided pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 3, 2025 (as amended, the “New Term Loan Agreement”), among AvalonBay, Truist Bank, as administrative agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto. ERP Operating Partnership’s existing $2.5 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Existing Revolving Credit Facility”) provided pursuant to that certain Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of December 3, 2025, among ERP Operating Partnership, as borrower, Bank of America, as administrative agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto (the “Existing Credit Agreement”) remains in effect.

The New Revolving Credit Facility matures on April 3, 2030, subject to extension for additional one- or two-year periods at the request of ERP Operating Partnership, provided that the extending lenders consent and certain customary conditions are met. ERP Operating Partnership has the ability to increase available borrowings by an additional $500 million by adding lenders to the facility, obtaining the agreement of existing lenders to increase their commitments, or incurring one or more term loans. The interest rate on advances under the New Revolving Credit Agreement will generally be Term SOFR (as defined in the New Revolving Credit Agreement) or Daily SOFR (as defined in the New Revolving Credit Agreement) (or, in the case of advances made in certain alternative currencies, the reference rate applicable to such currency) plus a spread, which is currently 72.5 basis points per annum. In addition, under the New Revolving Credit Agreement, there is a facility fee, paid quarterly in arrears, which is currently 12.5 basis points per annum. Both the spread and the facility fee are dependent on the credit rating of ERP Operating Partnership’s long-term debt. Pursuant to the Revolver Amendment, the New Revolving Credit Agreement contains customary representations, financial and other affirmative and negative covenants and events of default substantially the same as those included in the Existing Credit Agreement. As of August 17, 2026, $1.205 billion has been borrowed and is outstanding under the New Revolving Credit Facility and less than $1 million of borrowing capacity under the New Revolving Credit Facility is utilized by issued and outstanding letters of credit.

The New Term Loan Facility matures on April 3, 2029. The interest rate on outstanding amounts under the New Term Loan Facility will generally be Term SOFR (as defined in the New Term Loan Agreement) or Daily SOFR (as defined in the New Term Loan Agreement) plus a spread, which is currently 80 basis points per annum. The spread is dependent on the credit rating of ERP Operating Partnership’s long-term debt. Pursuant to the Term Loan Amendment, the New Term Loan Agreement contains customary representations, financial and other affirmative and negative covenants and events of default substantially the same as those included in the Existing Credit Agreement. As of August 17, 2026, the full $550 million principal amount remains outstanding under the New Term Loan Facility.

The foregoing description of the New Revolving Credit Facility and the New Term Loan Facility does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Revolver Amendment and the Term Loan Amendment, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and Exhibit 10.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.

From time to time, one or more of the financial institutions party to the New Revolving Credit Facility, the New Term Loan Facility and the Existing Revolving Credit Facility and certain of their respective affiliates have provided, and may in the future provide, commercial banking, investment banking and other financial advisory services to ERP Operating Partnership and its affiliates from which they have received or will receive customary fees and expenses.

 

Item 2.03

Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

The information in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated into this Item 2.03 by reference.

 


Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Exhibit

 4.1    Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 17, 2026, by and among Canopy Merger Sub LLC, ERP Operating Limited Partnership and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee.
 4.2    Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 17, 2026, by and among Canopy Merger Sub LLC, ERP Operating Limited Partnership and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee.
 4.3    Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 17, 2026, by and among Canopy Merger Sub LLC, ERP Operating Limited Partnership and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee.
 4.4    Indenture for Senior Debt Securities, dated as of January 16, 1998, between AvalonBay and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as trustee.
 4.5    Amended and Restated Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 10, 2000 between AvalonBay and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as trustee.
 4.6    Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 18, 2006, between AvalonBay and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.
 4.7    Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 21, 2014, between AvalonBay and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee.
 4.8    Indenture for Debt Securities, dated as of February 23, 2018, between AvalonBay and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee.
 4.9    First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 26, 2018, between AvalonBay and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee.
 4.10    Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 29, 2018, between AvalonBay and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee.
 4.11    Indenture for Debt Securities, dated as of February 23, 2024, between AvalonBay and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee.
 4.12    First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 14, 2024, between AvalonBay and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, including the form of 5.350% senior notes due 2034.
 4.13    Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 10, 2025, between AvalonBay and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, including the form of 5.000% senior notes due 2035.
 4.14    Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 1, 2025, between AvalonBay and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, including the form of 4.350% senior notes due 2030.
10.1*    Amendment No. 2 to Seventh Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2026, among AvalonBay Communities, Inc., ERP Operating Limited Partnership, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto.
10.2*    Amendment No. 2 to Term Loan Agreement, dated as of August 17, 2026, among AvalonBay Communities, Inc., ERP Operating Limited Partnership, Truist Bank, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto.
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

*

Pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K, certain schedules and exhibits have been omitted. The registrants hereby agree to furnish a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) upon request by the SEC.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    VIVMARK RESIDENTIAL
Date: August 17, 2026     By:  

/s/ Scott J. Fenster

    Name:   Scott J. Fenster
    Its:  

Executive Vice President, General Counsel

and Corporate Secretary

 

    ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    By: Vivmark Residential, its general partner
Date: August 17, 2026     By:  

/s/ Scott J. Fenster

    Name:   Scott J. Fenster
    Its:  

Executive Vice President, General Counsel

and Corporate Secretary

EXHIBIT 4.1

Execution Version

SIXTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

SIXTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of August 17, 2026 (this “Sixth Supplemental Indenture”), by and among Canopy Merger Sub LLC, a Maryland limited liability company (the “Merger Sub”), ERP Operating Limited Partnership, an Illinois limited partnership (the “Company”), and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

AvalonBay Communities, Inc., a Maryland corporation (formerly known as Bay Apartment Communities, Inc.) (the “Original Issuer”) has heretofore delivered to the Trustee an Indenture dated as of January 16, 1998 (the “Indenture”), a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 20, 1998, a Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 7, 1998, a Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 21, 1998, an Amended and Restated Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 10, 2000, a Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 18, 2006 and a Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 21, 2014.

The Company, the Merger Sub and the Original Issuer are parties to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 20, 2026 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Original Issuer, Vivmark Residential (formerly known as Equity Residential), a Maryland real estate investment trust (the “Parent”), the Merger Sub, a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Parent, and the Company.

Subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Merger Agreement, on the date hereof, the Original Issuer is being merged with and into the Merger Sub (the “Initial Merger”) with the Merger Sub surviving the Initial Merger as the surviving Maryland limited liability company.

Promptly following the consummation of the Initial Merger, but in any event on the same day as the Initial Merger and as part of the same overall transaction as the Initial Merger, the Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the “Subsequent Merger” and, together with the Initial Merger, the “Mergers”) with the Company surviving the Subsequent Merger as the surviving Illinois limited partnership.

The Indenture provides that the Company, as the successor association to the Merger Sub, being the successor company to the Original Issuer, shall expressly assume the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and any interest on all of the Securities, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of the Indenture to be performed by the Original Issuer by supplemental indenture, complying with Article Nine of the Indenture, satisfactory to the Trustee, executed and delivered to the Trustee by the Company.

Section 901 of the Indenture provides that the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture supplemental to the Indenture without the consent of any Holders of Securities to evidence the succession of the Company to the Merger Sub, as the successor to the Original Issuer, and the assumption by the Company of the covenants of the Merger Sub, as the successor to the Original Issuer, contained in the Indenture and the Securities.

The Trustee is willing to enter into this Sixth Supplemental Indenture at the Company’s request, subject to compliance with Section 901 of the Indenture.

All the conditions and requirements necessary to make this Sixth Supplemental Indenture, when duly executed and delivered, a valid and binding agreement in accordance with its terms and for the purposes herein expressed, have been performed and fulfilled.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS SIXTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITNESSETH, for and in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto mutually covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the holders as follows:


ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01 Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Indenture.

ARTICLE II

EFFECT OF THE MERGERS

Section 2.01 Agreement to Assume Obligations. Effective upon the consummation of the Initial Merger, the Merger Sub hereby expressly assumes the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and any interest on all of the Securities, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of the Indenture to be performed by the Original Issuer.

Section 2.02 Agreement to Assume Obligations. Effective upon the consummation of the Subsequent Merger, the Company hereby expressly assumes the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and any interest on all of the Securities, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of the Indenture to be performed by the Merger Sub, as the successor to the Original Issuer.

ARTICLE III

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 3.01 Effectiveness; Construction. This Sixth Supplemental Indenture shall become effective upon its execution and delivery by the Merger Sub, the Company and the Trustee as of the date hereof. Upon such effectiveness, the Indenture shall be supplemented in accordance herewith. The Indenture and this Sixth Supplemental Indenture shall henceforth be read and construed together. Each reference in the Indenture and the Securities to AvalonBay Communities, Inc. or the Company shall mean and be a reference to (a) immediately after the Initial Merger, the Merger Sub, as a successor company to AvalonBay Communities, Inc.; and (b) immediately after the Subsequent Merger, ERP Operating Limited Partnership, as a successor association to the Merger Sub, as successor to AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

Section 3.02 Indenture Remains in Full Force and Effect. Except as supplemented hereby, all provisions in the Indenture shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 3.03 Severability. In the event any provision of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, then (to the extent permitted by law) the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.

Section 3.04 Headings. The Article and Section headings of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered a part of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 3.05 Successors. All agreements of the Merger Sub, the Company and the Trustee in this Sixth Supplemental Indenture shall bind their respective successors and assigns whether so expressed or not.

Section 3.06 Governing Law. This Sixth Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. This Sixth Supplemental Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

 

2


Section 3.07 Counterpart Signatures. This Sixth Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 3.08 Trustee. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Sixth Supplemental Indenture. The recitals and statements herein are deemed to be those of the Merger Sub and the Company and not of the Trustee.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Sixth Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first written above.

 

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: VIVMARK RESIDENTIAL, not individually but as General Partner
 By:  

/s/ Claudio Moreno

  Name: Claudio Moreno
  Title: Senior Vice President and Treasurer
 By:  

/s/ Scott J. Fenster

  Name: Scott J. Fenster
  Title: Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
CANOPY MERGER SUB LLC
By: VIVMARK RESIDENTIAL, not individually but as sole member
 By:  

/s/ Scott J. Fenster

  Name: Scott J. Fenster
  Title: Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

[Signature Page to Sixth Supplemental Indenture – Merger Sub and ERPOP]


THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON as Trustee
By:  

/s/ April Bradley

  Name: April Bradley
  Title: as Agent

 

[Signature Page to Sixth Supplemental Indenture – Merger Sub and ERPOP]

EXHIBIT 4.2

Execution Version

THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of August 17, 2026 (this “Third Supplemental Indenture”), by and among Canopy Merger Sub LLC, a Maryland limited liability company (the “Merger Sub”), ERP Operating Limited Partnership, an Illinois limited partnership (the “New Issuer”), and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

RECITALS OF THE NEW ISSUER

AvalonBay Communities, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Original Issuer”) has heretofore delivered to the Trustee an Indenture dated as of February 23, 2018 (the “Indenture”), a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 26, 2018 and a Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 29, 2018.

The New Issuer, the Merger Sub and the Original Issuer are parties to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 20, 2026 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Original Issuer, Vivmark Residential (formerly known as Equity Residential), a Maryland real estate investment trust (the “Parent”), the Merger Sub, a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Parent, and the New Issuer.

Subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Merger Agreement, on the date hereof, the Original Issuer is being merged with and into the Merger Sub (the “Initial Merger”) with the Merger Sub surviving the Initial Merger as the surviving Maryland limited liability company.

Promptly following the consummation of the Initial Merger, but in any event on the same day as the Initial Merger and as part of the same overall transaction as the Initial Merger, the Merger Sub will merge with and into the New Issuer (the “Subsequent Merger” and, together with the Initial Merger, the “Mergers”) with the New Issuer surviving the Subsequent Merger as the surviving Illinois limited partnership.

The Indenture provides that the New Issuer, as the successor entity to the Merger Sub, being the successor entity to the Original Issuer, shall expressly assume payment of the principal of and interest on all of the Securities and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions in the Indenture by supplemental indenture, complying with Article Nine of the Indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee by the New Issuer.

Section 901 of the Indenture provides that the New Issuer, when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into an indenture supplemental to the Indenture without the consent of any Holders of Securities to evidence the succession of the New Issuer to the Merger Sub, as the successor to the Original Issuer, and the assumption by the New Issuer of the covenants of the Merger Sub, as the successor to the Original Issuer, contained in the Indenture and the Securities.

The Trustee is willing to enter into this Third Supplemental Indenture at the New Issuer’s request, subject to compliance with Section 901 of the Indenture.

All the conditions and requirements necessary to make this Third Supplemental Indenture, when duly executed and delivered, a valid and binding agreement in accordance with its terms and for the purposes herein expressed, have been performed and fulfilled.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITNESSETH, for and in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto mutually covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the holders as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01 Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Indenture.


ARTICLE II

EFFECT OF THE MERGERS

Section 2.01 Agreement to Assume Obligations. Effective upon the consummation of the Initial Merger, the Merger Sub hereby expressly assumes payment of the principal of and interest on all of the Securities and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of the Indenture to be performed by the Original Issuer.

Section 2.02 Agreement to Assume Obligations. Effective upon the consummation of the Subsequent Merger, the New Issuer hereby expressly assumes payment of the principal of and interest on all of the Securities and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of the Indenture to be performed by the Merger Sub, as the successor to the Original Issuer.

ARTICLE III

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 3.01 Effectiveness; Construction. This Third Supplemental Indenture shall become effective upon its execution and delivery by the Merger Sub, the New Issuer and the Trustee as of the date hereof. Upon such effectiveness, the Indenture shall be supplemented in accordance herewith. The Indenture and this Third Supplemental Indenture shall henceforth be read and construed together. Each reference in the Indenture and the Securities to AvalonBay Communities, Inc. or the Issuer shall mean and be a reference to (a) immediately after the Initial Merger, the Merger Sub, as a successor entity to AvalonBay Communities, Inc.; and (b) immediately after the Subsequent Merger, ERP Operating Limited Partnership, as a successor entity to the Merger Sub, as successor to AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

Section 3.02 Indenture Remains in Full Force and Effect. Except as supplemented hereby, all provisions in the Indenture shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 3.03 Severability. In the event any provision of this Third Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, then (to the extent permitted by law) the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.

Section 3.04 Headings. The Article and Section headings of this Third Supplemental Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered a part of this Third Supplemental Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 3.05 Successors. All agreements of the Merger Sub, the New Issuer and the Trustee in this Third Supplemental Indenture shall bind their respective successors and assigns whether so expressed or not.

Section 3.06 Governing Law. This Third Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. This Third Supplemental Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

Section 3.07 Counterpart Signatures. This Third Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 3.08 Trustee. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Third Supplemental Indenture. The recitals and statements herein are deemed to be those of the Merger Sub and the New Issuer and not of the Trustee.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Third Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first written above.

 

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: VIVMARK RESIDENTIAL, not individually but as General Partner
 By:  

/s/ Claudio Moreno

  Name: Claudio Moreno
  Title: Senior Vice President and Treasurer
 By:  

/s/ Scott J. Fenster

  Name: Scott J. Fenster
  Title: Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
CANOPY MERGER SUB LLC
By: VIVMARK RESIDENTIAL, not individually but as sole member
 By:  

/s/ Scott J. Fenster

  Name: Scott J. Fenster
  Title: Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

[Signature Page to Third Supplemental Indenture – Merger Sub and ERPOP]


THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON as Trustee
By:  

/s/ April Bradley

  Name: April Bradley
  Title: as Agent

 

[Signature Page to Third Supplemental Indenture – Merger Sub and ERPOP]

EXHIBIT 4.3

Execution Version

FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of August 17, 2026 (this “Fourth Supplemental Indenture”), by and among Canopy Merger Sub LLC, a Maryland limited liability company (the “Merger Sub”), ERP Operating Limited Partnership, an Illinois limited partnership (the “New Issuer”), and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

RECITALS OF THE NEW ISSUER

AvalonBay Communities, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Original Issuer”) has heretofore delivered to the Trustee an Indenture dated as of February 23, 2024 (the “Indenture”), a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 14, 2024, a Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 10, 2025 and a Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 1, 2025.

The New Issuer, the Merger Sub and the Original Issuer are parties to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 20, 2026 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Original Issuer, Vivmark Residential (formerly known as Equity Residential), a Maryland real estate investment trust (the “Parent”), the Merger Sub, a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Parent, and the New Issuer.

Subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Merger Agreement, on the date hereof, the Original Issuer is being merged with and into the Merger Sub (the “Initial Merger”) with the Merger Sub surviving the Initial Merger as the surviving Maryland limited liability company.

Promptly following the consummation of the Initial Merger, but in any event on the same day as the Initial Merger and as part of the same overall transaction as the Initial Merger, the Merger Sub will merge with and into the New Issuer (the “Subsequent Merger” and, together with the Initial Merger, the “Mergers”) with the New Issuer surviving the Subsequent Merger as the surviving Illinois limited partnership.

The Indenture provides that the New Issuer, as the successor entity to the Merger Sub, being the successor entity to the Original Issuer, shall expressly assume the payment of the principal of and interest on all of the Securities and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions in the Indenture by supplemental indenture, complying with Article Nine of the Indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee by the New Issuer.

Section 901 of the Indenture provides that the New Issuer, when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into an indenture supplemental to the Indenture without the consent of any Holders of Securities to evidence the succession of the New Issuer to the Merger Sub, as the successor to the Original Issuer, and the assumption by the New Issuer of the covenants of the Merger Sub, as the successor to the Original Issuer, contained in the Indenture and the Securities.

The Trustee is willing to enter into this Fourth Supplemental Indenture at the New Issuer’s request, subject to compliance with Section 901 of the Indenture.

All the conditions and requirements necessary to make this Fourth Supplemental Indenture, when duly executed and delivered, a valid and binding agreement in accordance with its terms and for the purposes herein expressed, have been performed and fulfilled.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITNESSETH, for and in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto mutually covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the holders as follows:


ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01 Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Indenture.

ARTICLE II

EFFECT OF THE MERGERS

Section 2.01 Agreement to Assume Obligations. Effective upon the consummation of the Initial Merger, the Merger Sub hereby expressly assumes payment of the principal of and interest on all of the Securities and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of the Indenture to be performed by the Original Issuer.

Section 2.02 Agreement to Assume Obligations. Effective upon the consummation of the Subsequent Merger, the New Issuer hereby expressly assumes payment of the principal of and interest on all of the Securities and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of the Indenture to be performed by the Merger Sub, as the successor to the Original Issuer.

ARTICLE III

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 3.01 Effectiveness; Construction. This Fourth Supplemental Indenture shall become effective upon its execution and delivery by the Merger Sub, the New Issuer and the Trustee as of the date hereof. Upon such effectiveness, the Indenture shall be supplemented in accordance herewith. The Indenture and this Fourth Supplemental Indenture shall henceforth be read and construed together. Each reference in the Indenture and the Securities to AvalonBay Communities, Inc. or the Issuer shall mean and be a reference to (a) immediately after the Initial Merger, the Merger Sub, as a successor entity to AvalonBay Communities, Inc.; and (b) immediately after the Subsequent Merger, ERP Operating Limited Partnership, as a successor entity to the Merger Sub, as successor to AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

Section 3.02 Indenture Remains in Full Force and Effect. Except as supplemented hereby, all provisions in the Indenture shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 3.03 Severability. In the event any provision of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, then (to the extent permitted by law) the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.

Section 3.04 Headings. The Article and Section headings of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered a part of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 3.05 Successors. All agreements of the Merger Sub, the New Issuer and the Trustee in this Fourth Supplemental Indenture shall bind their respective successors and assigns whether so expressed or not.

Section 3.06 Governing Law. This Fourth Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. This Fourth Supplemental Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

Section 3.07 Counterpart Signatures. This Fourth Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

Section 3.08 Trustee. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture. The recitals and statements herein are deemed to be those of the Merger Sub and the New Issuer and not of the Trustee.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Fourth Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first written above.

 

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: VIVMARK RESIDENTIAL, not individually but as General Partner
 By:  

/s/ Claudio Moreno

  Name: Claudio Moreno
  Title: Senior Vice President and Treasurer
 By:  

/s/ Scott J. Fenster

  Name: Scott J. Fenster
  Title: Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
CANOPY MERGER SUB LLC
By: VIVMARK RESIDENTIAL, not individually but as sole member
 By:  

/s/ Scott J. Fenster

  Name: Scott J. Fenster
  Title: Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

[Signature Page to Fourth Supplemental Indenture – Merger Sub and ERPOP]


U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

By:  

/s/ Melody M. Scott

  Name: Melody M. Scott
  Title: Assistant Vice President

[Signature Page to Fourth Supplemental Indenture – Merger Sub and ERPOP]

Exhibit 4.4

BAY APARTMENT COMMUNITIES, INC.

TO

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

Trustee

 

 

Indenture

Dated as of January 16, 1998

 

 

Senior Debt Securities

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

     1  

ARTICLE ONE — DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

     1  

SECTION 101. Definitions

     1  

SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions

     7  

SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee

     7  

SECTION 104. Acts of Holders

     8  

SECTION 105. Notices, etc., to Trustee and Company

     9  

SECTION 106. Notice to Holders: Waiver

     9  

SECTION 107. Counterparts; Effect of Headings and Table of Contents

     10  

SECTION 108. Successors and Assigns

     10  

SECTION 109. Severability Clause

     10  

SECTION 110. Benefits of Indenture

     10  

SECTION 111. Governing Law

     10  

SECTION 112. Legal Holidays

     10  

SECTION 113. Immunity of Stockholders, Directors, Officers and Agents of the Company

     10  

SECTION 114. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act

     10  

ARTICLE TWO — SECURITIES FORMS

     11  

SECTION 201. Forms of Securities

     11  

SECTION 202. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication

     11  

SECTION 203. Securities Issuable in Global Form

     11  

ARTICLE THREE — THE SECURITIES

     12  

SECTION 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series

     12  

SECTION 302. Denominations

     14  

SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating

     14  

SECTION 304. Temporary Securities

     15  

SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange

     17  

SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities

     19  

SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved

     20  

SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners

     21  

SECTION 309. Cancellation

     22  

SECTION 310. Computation of Interest

     22  

ARTICLE FOUR — SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

     22  

SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture

     22  

SECTION 402. Application of Trust Funds

     23  

ARTICLE FIVE — REMEDIES

     23  

SECTION 501. Events of Default

     23  

SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment

     24  

SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee

     25  

SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

     25  

SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities or Coupons

     26  

SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected

     26  

SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits

     26  

SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, and Interest

     27  

SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies

     27  

SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative

     27  

SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver

     27  

SECTION 512. Control by Holders of Securities

     27  

SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults

     27  

SECTION 514. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws

     28  

SECTION 515. Undertaking for Costs

     28  


ARTICLE SIX — THE TRUSTEE

     28  

SECTION 601. Notice of Defaults

     28  

SECTION 602. Certain Rights of Trustee

     28  

SECTION 603. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities

     29  

SECTION 604. May Hold Securities

     29  

SECTION 605. Money Held in Trust

     29  

SECTION 606. Compensation and Reimbursement

     30  

SECTION 607. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility; Conflicting Interests

     30  

SECTION 608. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor

     30  

SECTION 609. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor

     31  

SECTION 610. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business

     32  

SECTION 611. Appointment of Authenticating Agent

     32  

SECTION 612. Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee

     33  

ARTICLE SEVEN — HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

     34  

SECTION 701. Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders

     34  

SECTION 702. Reports by Trustee

     34  

SECTION 703. Reports by Company

     34  

SECTION 704. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders

     34  

ARTICLE EIGHT — CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, LEASE OR CONVEYANCE

     35  

SECTION 801. Consolidations and Mergers of Company and Sales, Leases and Conveyances Permitted Subject to Certain Conditions

     35  

SECTION 802. Rights and Duties of Successor Corporation

     35  

SECTION 803. Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel

     35  

ARTICLE NINE — SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

     35  

SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders

     35  

SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders

     36  

SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures

     37  

SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures

     37  

SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act

     37  

SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures

     37  

ARTICLE TEN — COVENANTS

     37  

SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any; and Interest

     37  

SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency

     37  

SECTION 1003. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust

     38  

SECTION 1004. Existence

     39  

SECTION 1005. Maintenance of Properties

     39  

SECTION 1006. Insurance

     40  

SECTION 1007. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims

     40  

SECTION 1008. Statement as to Compliance

     40  

SECTION 1009. Waiver of Certain Covenants

     40  

ARTICLE ELEVEN — REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

     40  

SECTION 1101. Applicability of Article

     40  

SECTION 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee

     40  

SECTION 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed

     40  

SECTION 1104. Notice of Redemption

     41  

SECTION 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price

     41  

SECTION 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date

     41  

SECTION 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part

     42  

ARTICLE TWELVE — SINKING FUNDS

     42  

SECTION 1201. Applicability of Article

     42  

SECTION 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities

     42  

SECTION 1203. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund

     43  


ARTICLE THIRTEEN — REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS

     43  

SECTION 1301. Applicability of Article

     43  

SECTION 1302. Repayment of Securities

     43  

SECTION 1303. Exercise of Option

     43  

SECTION 1304. When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable

     44  

SECTION 1305. Securities Repaid in Part

     44  

ARTICLE FOURTEEN — DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

     44  

SECTION 1401. Applicability of Article: Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

     44  

SECTION 1402. Defeasance and Discharge

     45  

SECTION 1403. Covenant Defeasance

     45  

SECTION 1404. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

     45  

SECTION 1405. Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions

     46  

ARTICLE FIFTEEN — MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

     47  

SECTION 1501. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called

     47  

SECTION 1502. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings

     47  

SECTION 1503. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings

     47  

SECTION 1504. Quorum; Action

     47  

SECTION 1505. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings

     48  

SECTION 1506. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings

     49  

SIGNATURES AND SEALS

     50  

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

     51  

EXHIBIT A FORM OF REDEEMABLE OR NON-REDEEMABLE SENIOR SECURITY

     52  

EXHIBIT B FORMS OF CERTIFICATION

     57  


BAY APARTMENT COMMUNITIES, INC.

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA”) and Indenture, dated as of January 16, 1998.

 

Trust Indenture

Act Section

      

Indenture Section

§310(a)(1)

    

 607

(a)(2)

    

 607

(b)

      607, 608

§312(c)

    

 701

§313(a)

    

 702

(c)

    

 702

§314(a)

    

 703

(a)(4)

    

1008

(c)(1)

    

 102

(c)(2)

    

 102

(e)

    

 102

§315(b)

    

 601

§316(a)

 

(last sentence)

  

 101 (“Outstanding”)

(a)(1)(A)

      502, 512

(a)(1)(B)

    

 513

(b)

    

 508

§317(a)(1)

    

 503

(a)(2)

    

 504

§318(a)

    

 111

(c)

    

 111

 

NOTE: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.

Attention should also be directed to TIA Section 318(c), which provides that the provisions of TIA Sections 310 to and including 317 of the Trust Indenture Act are a part of and govern every qualified indenture, whether or not physically contained therein.


INDENTURE, dated as of January 16, 1998, between BAY APARTMENT COMMUNITIES, INC., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Maryland (hereinafter called the “Company”), having its principal office at 4340 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Suite 275, San Jose, California 95129, and STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, a trust company organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as Trustee hereunder (hereinafter called the “Trustee”), having a Corporate Trust Office at Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

The Company deems it necessary to issue from time to time for its lawful purposes senior debt securities (hereinafter called the “Securities”) evidencing its unsecured and senior indebtedness, and has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Securities, to be issued in one or more Series as provided in this Indenture.

This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA”), that are deemed to be incorporated into this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities, as follows:

ARTICLE ONE — DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

SECTION 101. Definitions. For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, and include the plural as well as the singular;

(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the TIA, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein, and the terms “cash transactions” and “self-liquidating paper,” as used in TIA Section 311, shall have the meanings assigned to them in the rules of the Commission adopted under the TIA;

(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP; and

(4) the words “herein,” “hereof “and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

Act,” when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 104.

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 the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 611 hereof to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities.

Authorized Newspaper” means a newspaper, printed in the English language or in an official language of the country of publication, customarily published on each Business Day, whether or not published on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays, and of general circulation in each place in connection with which the term is used or in the financial community of each such place. Whenever successive publications are required to be made in Authorized Newspapers, the successive publications may be made in the same or in different Authorized Newspapers in the same city meeting the foregoing requirements and in each case on any Business Day.

 

1


Bankruptcy Law” has the meaning specified in Section 501.

Bearer Security” means any Security established pursuant to Section 201 which is payable to bearer.

Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or any committee of that board duly authorized to act hereunder.

Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

Business Day,” when used with respect to any Place of Payment or any other particular location referred to in this Indenture or in the Securities, means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities issued pursuant to Section 301, any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is not a day on which banking institutions in that Place of Payment or particular location are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

Capital Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any capital stock (including preferred stock), shares, interests, participations or other ownership interests (however designated) of such Person and any rights (other than debt securities convertible into or exchangeable for corporate stock), warrants or options to purchase any thereof.

CEDEL” means Centrale de Livraison de Valeurs Mobiliéres, S.A., or its successor.

Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or, if at any time after execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties on such date.

Common Stock” means, with respect to any Person, all shares of capital stock issued by such Person other than Preferred Stock.

Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor corporation shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor corporation.

Company Request” and “Company Order” mean, respectively, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, the President or a Vice President, and by its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

Consolidated Net Assets” means as of any particular time the aggregate amount of assets (less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) after deducting therefrom all current liabilities except for (a) notes and loans payable, (b) current maturities of long-term debt and (c) current maturities of obligations under capital leases, all as set forth on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries and computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and practices as in effect on January 16, 1998.

Conversion Event” means the cessation of use of (i) a Foreign Currency both by the government of the country which issued such currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking community, (ii) the ECU both within the European Monetary System and for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or within the European Communities or (iii) any currency unit (or composite currency) other than the ECU for the purposes for which it was established.

Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which, at any particular time, its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is located at Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, Attention: Corporate Trust Department.

corporation” includes corporations, associations, companies and business trusts.

coupon” means any interest coupon appertaining to a Bearer Security.

Custodian” has the meaning specified in Section 501.

Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 307.

 

2


Dollar” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

ECU” means the European Currency Unit as defined and revised from time to time by the Council of the European Communities.

Euroclear” means Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, Brussels office, or its successor, as operator of the Euroclear System.

European Communities” means the European Economic Community, the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Atomic Energy Community.

European Monetary System” means the European Monetary System established by the Resolution of December 5, 1978 of the Council of the European Communities.

Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Article Five.

Foreign Currency” means any currency, currency unit or composite currency, including, without limitation, the ECU issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States of America or by any recognized confederation or association of such governments.

GAAP” means, except as otherwise provided herein, generally accepted accounting principles, as in effect from time to time, as used in the United States applied on a consistent basis.

Global Security” means a Security evidencing all or a part of a series of Securities issued to and registered in the name of the depository for such series, or its nominee, in accordance with Section 305, and bearing the legend prescribed in Section 203.

Government Obligations” means securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America or the government which issued the Foreign Currency in which the Securities of a particular series are payable, for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or such government which issued the Foreign Currency in which

the Securities of such series are payable, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America or such other government, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and (iii) shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

Guaranty” by any Person means any Obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including, without limitation, every Obligation of such Person (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment of such Indebtedness, (ii) to purchase property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the holder of such Indebtedness of the payment of such Indebtedness or (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness; provided, however, that a Guaranty by any Person shall not include endorsements by such Person for collection or deposit, in either case in the ordinary course of business. The terms “Guaranteed,” “Guaranteeing” and “Guarantor” shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Holder” means, in the case of a Registered Security, the Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register and, in the case of a Bearer Security, the bearer thereof and, when used with respect to any coupon, shall mean the bearer thereof.

 

3


Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, without duplication, (i) any Obligation of such Person relating to any indebtedness of such Person (A) for borrowed money (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets, of such person or only to a portion thereof), (B) evidenced by notes, debentures or similar instruments (including purchase money obligations) given in connection with the acquisition of any property or assets (other than trade accounts payable for inventory or similar property acquired in the ordinary course of business), including securities, for the payment of which such Person is liable, directly or indirectly, or the payment of which is secured by a lien, charge or encumbrance on property or assets of such Person, (C) for goods, materials or services purchased in the ordinary course of business (other than trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business), (D) with respect to letters of credit or bankers acceptances issued for the account of such Person or performance, surety or similar bonds, (E) for the payment of money relating to a Capitalized Lease Obligation or (F) under interest rate swaps, caps or similar agreements and foreign exchange contracts, currency swaps or similar agreements; (ii) any liability of others of the kind described in the preceding clause (i), which such Person has Guaranteed or which is otherwise its legal liability; and (iii) any and all deferrals, renewals, extensions and refunding of, or amendments, modifications or supplements to, any liability of the kind described in any of the preceding clauses (i) or (ii).

Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may be supplemented or amended from time to time by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 301; provided, however, that, if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this instrument, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to any one or more series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or as it may be supplemented or amended from time to time by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of the or those particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established as contemplated by Section 301, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted, and exclusive of any provisions or terms adopted by means of one or more indentures supplemental hereto executed and delivered after such Person had become such Trustee but to which such Person, as such Trustee, was not a party.

Indexed Security” means a Security the terms of which provide that the principal amount thereof payable at Stated Maturity may be more or less than the principal face amount thereof at original issuance.

Interest,” when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, shall mean interest payable after Maturity.

Interest Payment Date,” when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

Make-Whole Amount,” when used with respect to any Security, means the amount, if any, in addition to principal (and accrued interest thereon, if any) which is required by a Security, under the terms and conditions specified therein or as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, to be paid by the Company to the Holder thereof in connection with any optional redemption or accelerated payment of such Security.

Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, notice of redemption, notice of option to elect repayment or otherwise.

Obligation” of any Person with respect to any specified Indebtedness means any obligation of such Person to pay principal, premium, interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to such Person, whether or not a claim for such post-petition interest is allowed in such Proceeding), penalties, reimbursement or indemnification amounts, fees, expenses or other amounts relating to such Indebtedness.

Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President or a Vice President and by the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for the Company or who may be an employee of or other counsel for the Company and who shall be satisfactory to the Trustee.

 

4


Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502.

Outstanding,” when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

(i) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(ii) Securities, or portions thereof, for whose payment or redemption (including repayment at the option of the Holder) money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto; provided, however, that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

(iii) Securities, except to the extent provided in Sections 1402 and 1403, with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance and/or covenant defeasance as provided in Article Fourteen; and

(iv) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company.

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders for quorum purposes, and for the purpose of making the calculations required by TIA Section 313, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the amount of principal thereof that would be (or shall have been declared to be) due and payable, at the time of such determination, upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, (ii) the principal amount of any Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the Dollar equivalent, determined pursuant to Section 301 as of the date such Security is originally issued by the Company, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent as of such date of original issuance of the amount determined as provided in clause (i) above) of such Security, (iii) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the principal face amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided with respect to such Security pursuant to Section 301, and (iv) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making such calculation or in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities owned as provided in clause (iv) above which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor. In case of a dispute as to such right, the advice of counsel shall be full protection in respect of any decision made by the Trustee in accordance with such advice.

Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on any Securities or coupons on behalf of the Company.

Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

Place of Payment,” when used with respect to the Securities of or within any series, means the place or places where the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest on such Securities are payable as specified as contemplated by Sections 301 and 1002.

 

5


Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or a Security to which a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or the Security to which the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains.

Preferred Stock” means, with respect to any Person, all capital stock issued by such Person that are entitled to a preference or priority over any other capital stock issued by such Person with respect to any distribution of such Person’s assets, whether by dividend or upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

Redemption Date,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, in whole or in part, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

Redemption Price,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price specified in the related Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture contemplated by and pursuant to Section 301, at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

Registered Security” shall mean any Security which is registered in the Security Register.

Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Registered Securities of or within any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301, whether or not a Business Day.

Repayment Date” means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, the date fixed for such repayment by or pursuant to this Indenture.

Repayment Price” means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, the price at which it is to be repaid by or pursuant to this Indenture.

Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any senior vice president, vice president (whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “vice president”), assistant vice president, assistant secretary, trust officer or assistant trust officer working in its Corporate Trust Department, or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and working in its Corporate Trust Department, and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of such officer’s knowledge and familiarity with the particular subject.

Security” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and, more particularly, means any Security or Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided, however, that, if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, “Securities” with respect to the Indenture as to which such Person is Trustee shall have the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and shall more particularly mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.

Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 305.

Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary which is a “significant subsidiary” (as defined in Article I, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933) of the Company.

Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Registered Securities of or within any series means a date fixed by the Company pursuant to Section 307.

Stated Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security or a coupon representing such installment of interest as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity of which a majority of (i) the voting power of the voting equity securities or (ii) the outstanding equity interests are owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person. For the purposes of this definition, “voting equity securities” means equity securities having voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of security has such voting power by reason of any contingency.

 

6


Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended and as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was executed, except as provided in Section 905.

Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean only the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

United States” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

United States Person” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or an estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States Federal income taxation regardless of its source.

Yield to Maturity” means the yield to maturity, computed at the time of issuance of a Security (or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such Security) and as set forth in such Security in accordance with generally accepted United States bond yield computation principles.

SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions. Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (including certificates delivered pursuant to Section 1008) shall include:

(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such condition or covenant and the definitions herein relating thereto;

(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such condition or covenant has been complied with; and

(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee. In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon an Opinion of Counsel, or a certificate or representations by counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the opinion, certificate or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such Opinion of Counsel or certificate or representations may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information as to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

 

7


Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

SECTION 104. Acts of Holders. (a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of the Outstanding Securities of all series or one or more series, as the case may be, may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agents duly appointed in writing. If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series may, alternatively, be embodied in and evidenced by the record of Holders of Securities of such series voting in favor thereof, either in person or by proxies duly appointed in writing, at any meeting of Holders of Securities of such series duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Article Fifteen, or a combination of such instruments and any such record. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments or so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company and any agent of the Trustee or the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 1506.

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other reasonable manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

(c) The ownership of Registered Securities shall be proved by the Security Register. As to any matter relating to beneficial ownership interests in any Global Security, the appropriate depository’s records shall be dispositive for purposes of this Indenture.

(d) The ownership of Bearer Securities may be proved by the production of such Bearer Securities or by a certificate executed, as depository, by any trust company, bank, banker or other depository, wherever situated, if such certificate shall be deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory, showing that at the date therein mentioned such Person had on deposit with such depository, or exhibited to it, the Bearer Securities therein described; or such facts may be proved by the certificate or affidavit of the Person holding such Bearer Securities, if such certificate or affidavit is deemed by the Trustee to be satisfactory. The Trustee and the Company may assume that such ownership of any Bearer Security continues until (1) another certificate or affidavit bearing a later date issued in respect of the same Bearer Security is produced, or (2) such Bearer Security is produced to the Trustee by some other Person, or (3) such Bearer Security is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security, or (4) such Bearer Security is no longer Outstanding. The ownership of Bearer Securities may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

(e) If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Registered Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may, at its option, in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. Notwithstanding TIA Section 316(c), such record date shall be the record date specified in or pursuant to such Board Resolution, which shall be a date not earlier than the date 30 days prior to the first solicitation of Holders generally in connection therewith and not later than the date such solicitation is completed. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the

 

8


purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than eleven months after the record date.

(f) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.

SECTION 105. Notices, etc., to Trustee and Company. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

(1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at State Street Bank and Trust Company, Two International Place, Boston MA 02110, Attention: Corporate Trust Department; or

(2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this Indenture or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company, Attention: Chief Financial Officer, or

(3) either the Trustee or the Company, by the other party, shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if given by facsimile transmission, receipt confirmed by telephone followed by an original copy delivered by guaranteed overnight courier; if to the Trustee at facsimile number (617) 664-5371; and if to the Company at facsimile number (408) 554-9780.

SECTION 106. Notice to Holders: Waiver. Where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to Holders of Registered Securities by the Company or the Trustee, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each such Holder affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, if any, and not earlier than the earliest date, if any, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders of Registered Securities is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Registered Securities or the sufficiency of any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities given as provided herein. Any notice mailed to a Holder in the manner herein prescribed shall be conclusively deemed to have been received by such Holder, whether or not such Holder actually receives such notice.

If by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification to Holders of Registered Securities as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification to such Holders for every purpose hereunder.

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of Bearer Securities of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given if published in an Authorized Newspaper in The City of New York and in such other city or cities as may be specified in such Securities on a Business Day, such publication to be not later than the latest date, if any, and not earlier than the earliest date, if any, prescribed for the giving of such notice. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given on the date of such publication or, if published more than once, on the date of the first such publication.

If by reason of the suspension of publication of any Authorized Newspaper or Authorized Newspapers or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to publish any notice to Holders of Bearer Securities as provided above, then such notification to Holders of Bearer Securities as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice to such Holders for every purpose hereunder. Neither the failure to give notice by publication to any particular Holder of Bearer Securities as provided above, nor any defect in any notice so published, shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Bearer Securities or the sufficiency of any notice to Holders of Registered Securities given as provided herein.

 

9


Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

SECTION 107. Counterparts; Effect of Headings and Table of Contents. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same Indenture. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 108. Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

SECTION 109. Severability Clause. In case any provision in this Indenture or in any Security or coupon shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

SECTION 110. Benefits of Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities or coupons, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent and their successors hereunder and the Holders any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

SECTION 111. Governing Law. This Indenture and the Securities and coupons shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York. This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the TIA that are required to be part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

SECTION 112. Legal Holidays. In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity of any Security or the last date on which a Holder has the right to exchange a Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security or coupon other than a provision in the Securities of any series which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu hereof), payment of interest or principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or exchange of such security need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but (except as otherwise provided in the supplemental indenture with respect to such Security) may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date or sinking fund payment date, or at the Stated Maturity or Maturity, or on such last day for exchange, provided that no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity, as the case may be.

SECTION 113. Immunity of Stockholders, Directors, Officers and Agents of the Company. No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture, or in any Security, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any past, present or future stockholder, employee, officer or director, as such, of the Company or of any successor, either directly or through the Company or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Securities by the Holders and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

SECTION 114. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act. If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof which is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture by any of the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.

 

10


ARTICLE TWO — SECURITIES FORMS

SECTION 201. Forms of Securities. The Registered Securities, if any, of each series and the Bearer Securities, if any, of each series and related coupons shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto or in such other form as shall be established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto or approved from time to time by or pursuant to a Board Resolution in accordance with Section 301, shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which the Securities may be listed, or to conform to usage.

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, Bearer Securities shall have interest coupons attached.

The definitive Securities and coupons shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods on a steel engraved border or steel engraved borders or mechanically reproduced on safety paper or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities or coupons, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities or coupons.

SECTION 202. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication. Subject to Section 611, the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within- mentioned Indenture.

 

   

     [          ],

   

     as Trustee

Dated:        

   

     By:                

      Authorized Signatory

SECTION 203. Securities Issuable in Global Form. If Securities of or within a series are issuable in the form of one or more Global Securities, then, notwithstanding clause (8) of Section 301 and the provisions of Section 302, any such Global Security or Securities may provide that it or they shall represent the aggregate amount of all Outstanding Securities of such series (or such lesser amount as is permitted by the terms thereof) from time to time endorsed thereon and may also provide that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series represented thereby may from time to time be increased or decreased to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of any Global Security to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, or changes in the rights of Holders thereof, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made (or caused to be made) by the Trustee in such manner or by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 303 or 304. Subject to the provisions of Section 303 and, if applicable, Section 304, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Global Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order. If a Company Order pursuant to Section 303 or 304 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Global Security shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

The provisions of the last sentence of Section 303 shall apply to any Security represented by a Global Security if such Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the Global Security together with written instructions (which need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of Section 303.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 307, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, payment of principal of and any premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, and interest on any Global Security in permanent global form shall be made to the registered Holder thereof.

 

11


Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 308 and except as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company and the Trustee shall treat as the Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a permanent Global Security (i) in the case of a permanent Global Security in registered form, the Holder of such permanent Global Security in registered form, or (ii) in the case of a permanent Global Security in bearer form, Euroclear or CEDEL.

Any Global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“This Security is a Global Security within the meaning set forth in the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of a Depository or a nominee of a Depository. This Security is exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a person other than the Depository or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or its nominee to a successor Depository or its nominee.”

ARTICLE THREE -THE SECURITIES

SECTION 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in one or more Board Resolutions or pursuant to authority granted by one or more Board Resolutions and, subject to Section 303, set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:

(1) The title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of such series from all other series of Securities);

(2) Any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906, 1107 or 1305) and the minimum authorized denominations with respect to the Securities of such series;

(3) The price (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof) at which such Securities will be issued and, if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof;

(4) The date or dates, or the method for determining such date or dates, on which the principal of such Securities will be payable;

(5) The rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable), or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, at which such Securities will bear interest, if any;

(6) The date or dates, or the method for determining such date or dates, from which any such interest will accrue, the dates on which any such interest will be payable, the record dates for such interest payment dates, or the method by which such dates shall be determined, the persons to whom such interest shall be payable, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

(7) The Make-Whole Amount, if any, or method for determining the Make-Whole Amount, if any, payable with respect to such Securities, and the terms upon which such amount, if any, will be payable;

(8) The place or places where the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities will be payable, where such Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of such Securities and this Indenture may be served;

(9) The period or periods, if any, within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities may, pursuant to any optional or mandatory redemption provisions, be redeemed, as a whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

(10) The obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or purchase such Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a holder thereof, and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be redeemed, repaid or purchased, as a whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

12


(11) If other than Dollars, the currency or currencies in which such Securities are denominated and payable, which may be a foreign currency or units of two or more foreign currencies or a composite currency or currencies, the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in Dollars for purposes of the definition of “Outstanding” in Section 101, and the terms and conditions relating thereto;

(12) Whether the amount of payments of principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, including any amount due upon redemption, if any) or interest, if any, on such Securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may, but need not be, based on the yield on or trading price of other securities, including United States Treasury securities or on a currency, currencies, currency unit or units, or composite currency or currencies) and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

(13) Whether the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on the Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies other than that in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be payable, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner of, and identity of the exchange rate agent with responsibility for, determining the exchange rate between the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which such Securities are denominated or stated to be payable and the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which such Securities are to be so payable;

(14) Provisions, if any, granting special rights to the Holders of Securities of the series upon the occurrence of such events as may be specified;

(15) Any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants of the Company with respect to Securities of the series, whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants set forth herein;

(16) Whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay any additional amounts on such Securities in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Securities in lieu of making such payment;

(17) Whether Securities of the series are to be issuable as Registered Securities, Bearer Securities (with or without coupons) or both, any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of Bearer Securities and the terms upon which Bearer Securities of the series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of the series and vice versa (if permitted by applicable laws and regulations), whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form with or without coupons and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such permanent global Security may, or shall be required to, exchange such interests for Securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may, or shall be required to, occur, if other than in the manner provided in the Indenture, and, if Registered Securities of the series are to be issuable as a Global Security, the identity of the depository for such series;

(18) The date as of which any Bearer Securities of the series and any temporary Global Security representing outstanding Securities of the series shall be dated if other than the date of original issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued;

(19) The Person to whom any interest on any Registered Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, the manner in which, or the Person to whom, any interest on any Bearer Security of the series shall be payable, if otherwise than upon presentation and surrender of the coupons appertaining thereto as they severally mature, and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary Global Security on an Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner provided herein; provided, however, in each case, that the manner of determining such Person or making such payment shall be acceptable to the Trustee (as not imposing on it any undue administrative burden or risk of liability);

(20) The applicability, if any, of the defeasance and covenant defeasance provisions of Article Fourteen hereof to the Securities of the series;

 

13


(21) If the Securities of such series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and/or terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

(22) Designation of the Trustee, if different from the Trustee under the Indenture, with respect to such series and the terms applicable to such Trustee (which shall be accepted by such Trustee by its execution and delivery of a supplemental indenture as provided therein); and

(23) Any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture).

All Securities of any one series and the coupons appertaining to any Bearer Securities of such series shall be substantially identical except, in the case of Registered Securities, as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such Board Resolution (subject to Section 303) and set forth in such Officers’ Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for issuances of additional Securities of such series.

If any of the terms of the Securities of any series are established by action taken pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions, a copy of an appropriate record of such action(s) shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of the Securities of such series.

SECTION 302. Denominations. The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 301. With respect to Securities of any series denominated in Dollars, in the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series, other than Global Securities (which may be of any denomination), shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating. The Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its President or one of its Vice Presidents, under its corporate seal reproduced thereon, and attested by its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities and coupons may be manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such authorized officer and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities.

Securities or coupons bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities or coupons.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series, together with any coupon appertaining thereto, executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities (accompanied by a copy of the Board Resolution and the Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture contemplated by Section 301), and the Trustee in accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities; provided, however, that, in connection with its original issuance, no Bearer Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States; and provided further that, unless otherwise specified with respect to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301, a Bearer Security may be delivered in connection with its original issuance only if the Person entitled to receive such Bearer Security shall have furnished a certificate to Euroclear or CEDEL, as the case may be, in the form set forth in Exhibit B-1 to this Indenture or such other certificate as may be specified by the Company with respect to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301, dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the earlier of the date on which such Bearer Security is delivered and the date on which any temporary Security first becomes exchangeable for such Bearer Security in accordance with the terms of such temporary Security and this Indenture. If any Security shall be represented by a permanent global Bearer Security, then, for purposes of this Section and Section 304, the notation of a beneficial owner’s interest therein upon original issuance of such Security or upon exchange of a portion of a temporary Global Security shall be deemed to be delivery in connection with its original issuance of such beneficial owner’s interest in such permanent Global Security. Except as permitted by Section 306, the Trustee shall not authenticate and deliver any Bearer Security unless all appurtenant coupons for interest then matured have been detached and canceled.

 

14


If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time and if the Board Resolution or supplemental indenture establishing such series shall so permit, such Company Order may set forth procedures acceptable to the Trustee for the issuance of such Securities and determining the terms of particular Securities of such series, such as interest rate or formula, maturity date, date of issuance and date from which interest shall accrue. In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to TIA Section 315(a) through 315(d)) shall be fully protected in relying upon,

(i) an Opinion of Counsel stating that

(a) the form or forms of such Securities and any coupons have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(b) the terms of such Securities and any coupons have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

(c) such Securities, together with any coupons appertaining thereto, when completed by appropriate insertions and executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication in accordance with this Indenture, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in accordance with this Indenture and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute legal, valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization and other similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and to general equitable principles; and

(ii) an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the issuance of the Securities have been complied with and that, to the best of the knowledge of the signers of such certificate, that no Event of Default with respect to any of the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing.

If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities (or to enter into the related supplemental indenture, if applicable) if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties, obligations or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of the preceding paragraph, if all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Officers’ Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 301 or a Company Order, or an Opinion of Counsel or an Officers’ Certificate otherwise required pursuant to the preceding paragraph at the time of issuance of each Security of such series, but such order, opinion and certificates, with appropriate modifications to cover such future issuances, shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of such series.

Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication and each Bearer Security shall be dated as of the date specified as contemplated by Section 301.

No Security or coupon shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security or Security to which such coupon appertains a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein duly executed by the Trustee (subject to Section 611) by manual signature of an authorized signatory, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security (including a Global Security) shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 309 together with a written statement (which need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

SECTION 304. Temporary Securities.

(a) Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive

 

15


Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form, or, if authorized, in bearer form with one or more coupons or without coupons, and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. In the case of Securities of any series, such temporary Securities may be in global form.

Except in the case of temporary Global Securities (which shall be exchanged as otherwise provided herein or as otherwise provided in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 301), if temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series (accompanied by any non-matured coupons appertaining thereto), the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations; provided, however, that no definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Registered Security; and provided further that a definitive Bearer Security shall be delivered in exchange for a temporary Bearer Security only in compliance with the conditions set forth in Section 303. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

(b) Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 301, the following provisions of this Section 304(b) shall govern the exchange of temporary Securities other than through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company. If any such temporary Security is issued in global form, then such temporary Global Security shall, unless otherwise provided therein, be delivered to the London office of a depository or common depository upon and pursuant to written direction of the Company (the “Common Depository”), for the benefit of Euroclear and CEDEL, for credit to the respective accounts of the beneficial owners of such Securities (or to such other accounts as they may direct).

Without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the date specified in, or determined pursuant to the terms of, any such temporary Global Security (the “Exchange Date”), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities, in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such temporary Global Security, executed by the Company. On or after the Exchange Date, such temporary Global Security shall be surrendered by the Common Depository to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or from time to time in part, for definitive Securities without charge, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for each portion of such temporary Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such temporary Global Security to be exchanged. The definitive Securities to be delivered in exchange for any such temporary Global Security shall be in bearer form, registered form, permanent global bearer form or permanent global registered form, or any combination thereof, as specified as contemplated by Section 301, and, if any combination thereof is so specified, as requested by the beneficial owner thereof (as directed by or pursuant to information provided by the Common Depository); provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified in such temporary Global Security, upon such presentation by the Common Depository, such temporary Global Security shall be accompanied by a certificate dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date and signed by Euroclear as to the portion of such temporary Global Security held for its account then to be exchanged and a certificate dated the Exchange Date or a subsequent date and signed by CEDEL as to the portion of such temporary Global Security held for its account then to be exchanged, each in the form set forth in Exhibit A-2 to this Indenture or in such other form as may be established pursuant to Section 301; and provided further that definitive Bearer Securities shall be delivered in exchange for a portion of a temporary Global Security only in compliance with the requirements of Section 303.

Unless otherwise specified in such temporary Global Security, the interest of a beneficial owner of Securities of a series in a temporary Global Security shall be exchanged for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor following the Exchange Date when the account holder instructs Euroclear or CEDEL, as the case may be, to request such exchange on his behalf and delivers to Euroclear or CEDEL, as the case may be, a certificate in the form set forth in Exhibit B-1 to this Indenture (or in such other form as may be established pursuant to Section 301), dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the Exchange Date, copies of which certificate shall be available from the offices of Euroclear and CEDEL, the Trustee, any Authenticating Agent appointed for such series of Securities and each Paying Agent. Unless otherwise specified in such temporary Global Security, any such exchange shall be made free of charge to the beneficial owners of such temporary Global Security, except that a Person receiving definitive

 

16


Securities must bear the cost of insurance, postage, transportation and the like unless such Person takes delivery of such definitive Securities in person at the offices of Euroclear or CEDEL. Definitive Securities in bearer form to be delivered in exchange for any portion of a temporary Global Security shall be delivered only to an address located outside the United States.

Until exchanged in full as hereinabove provided, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor authenticated and delivered hereunder, except that, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, interest payable on a temporary Global Security on an Interest Payment Date for Securities of such series occurring prior to the applicable Exchange Date shall be payable to Euroclear and CEDEL on such Interest Payment Date upon delivery by Euroclear and CEDEL to the Trustee of a certificate or certificates in the form set forth in Exhibit B-2 to this Indenture (or in such other forms as may be established pursuant to Section 301), for credit without further interest on or after such Interest Payment Date to the respective accounts of Persons who are the beneficial owners of such temporary Global Security on such Interest Payment Date and who have each delivered to Euroclear or CEDEL, as the case may be, a certificate dated no earlier than 15 days prior to the Interest Payment Date occurring prior to such Exchange Date in the form set forth as Exhibit B-1 to this Indenture (or in such other forms as may be established pursuant to Section 301). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, the certifications made pursuant to this paragraph shall satisfy the certification requirements of the preceding two paragraphs of this Section 304(b) and of the third paragraph of Section 303 of this Indenture and the interests of the Persons who are the beneficial owners of the temporary Global Security with respect to which such certification was made will be exchanged for definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor on the Exchange Date or the date of certification if such date occurs after the Exchange Date, without further act or deed by such beneficial owners. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, no payments of principal or interest owing with respect to a beneficial interest in a temporary Global Security will be made unless and until such interest in such temporary Global Security shall have been exchanged for an interest in a definitive Security. Any interest so received by Euroclear and CEDEL and not paid as herein provided shall be returned to the Trustee prior to the expiration of two years after such Interest Payment Date in order to be repaid to the Company.

SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange. The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or in any office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment a register for each series of Securities (the registers maintained in such office or in any such office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes referred to collectively as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Registered Securities and of transfers of Registered Securities. The Security Register shall be in written form or any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time. The Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office, is hereby initially appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Registered Securities and transfers of Registered Securities on such Security Register as herein provided. In the event that the Trustee shall cease to be Security Registrar, it shall have the right to examine, and be provided a copy of, the Security Register at all reasonable times.

Subject to the provisions of this Section 305, upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, and containing identical terms and provisions.

Subject to the provisions of this Section 305, at the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination or denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, containing identical terms and provisions, upon surrender of the Registered Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency. Whenever any such Registered Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Registered Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any series of Securities as contemplated by Section 301, Bearer Securities may not be issued in exchange for Registered Securities.

 

17


If (but only if) permitted by the applicable Board Resolution and (subject to Section 303) set forth in the applicable Officers’ Certificate, or in any indenture supplemental hereto, delivered as contemplated by Section 301, at the option of the Holder, Bearer Securities of any series may be exchanged for Registered Securities of the same series of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor, upon surrender of the Bearer Securities to be exchanged at any such office or agency, with all unmatured coupons and all matured coupons in default thereto appertaining. If the Holder of a Bearer Security is unable to produce any such unmatured coupon or coupons or matured coupon or coupons in default, any such permitted exchange may be effected if the Bearer Securities are accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company in an amount equal to the face amount of such missing coupon or coupons, or the surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there is furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to any Paying Agent any such missing coupon in respect of which such a payment shall have been made, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount of such payment; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 1002, interest represented by coupons shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of those coupons at an office or agency located outside the United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at any such office or agency in a permitted exchange for a Registered Security of the same series and like tenor after the close of business at such office or agency on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, and interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, any permanent Global Security shall be exchangeable only as provided in this paragraph. If the depository for any permanent Global Security is The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), then, unless the terms of such Global Security expressly permit such Global Security to be exchanged in whole or in part for definitive Securities, a Global Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part, only to a nominee of DTC, or by a nominee of DTC to DTC, or to a successor to DTC for such Global Security selected or approved by the Company or to a nominee of such successor to DTC. If at any time DTC notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depository for the applicable Global Security or Securities or if at any time DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 if so required by applicable law or regulation, the Company shall appoint a successor depository with respect to such Global Security or Securities. If (x) a successor depository for such Global Security or Securities is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such unwillingness, inability or ineligibility, (y) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the beneficial owners representing a majority in principal amount of the applicable series of Securities represented by such Global Security or Securities advise DTC to cease acting as depository for such Global Security or Securities or (z) the Company, in its sole discretion, determines at any time that all Outstanding Securities (but not less than all) of any series issued or issuable in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by such Global Security or Securities, then the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver definitive Securities of like series, rank, tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Security or Securities. If any beneficial owner of an interest in a permanent global Security is otherwise entitled to exchange such interest for Securities of such series and of like tenor and principal amount of another authorized form and denomination, as specified as contemplated by Section 301 and provided that any applicable notice provided in the permanent Global Security shall have been given, then without unnecessary delay but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interest may be so exchanged, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver definitive Securities in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such beneficial owner’s interest in such permanent Global Security. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such permanent Global Security shall be surrendered for exchange by DTC or such other depository as shall be specified in the Company Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Company’s agent for such purpose; provided, however, that no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Securities to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date if the Security for which exchange is requested may be among those selected for redemption; and provided further that no Bearer Security delivered in exchange for a

 

18


portion of a permanent Global Security shall be mailed or otherwise delivered to any location in the United States. If a Registered Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a permanent Global Security after the close of business at the office or agency where such exchange occurs on (i) any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the relevant Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date and the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for

payment of Defaulted Interest, interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered Security, but will be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such permanent Global Security is payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange or redemption shall (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 906, 1107 or 1305 not involving any transfer.

The Company or the Trustee, as applicable, shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security if such Security may be among those selected for redemption during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before selection of the Securities to be redeemed under Section 1103 and ending at the close of business on (A) if such Securities are issuable only as Registered Securities, the day of the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption and (B) if such Securities are issuable as Bearer Securities, the day of the first publication of the relevant notice of redemption or, if such Securities are also issuable as Registered Securities and there is no publication, the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except, in the case of any Registered Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed, or (iii) to exchange any Bearer Security so selected for redemption except that such a Bearer Security may be exchanged for a Registered Security of that series and like tenor, provided that such Registered Security shall be simultaneously surrendered for redemption, or (iv) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security which has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.

SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. If any mutilated Security or a Security with a mutilated coupon appertaining to it is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company, together with, in proper cases, such security or indemnity as may be required by the Company or the Trustee to save each of them or any agent of either of them harmless, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and principal amount, containing identical terms and provisions and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to the surrendered Security.

If there shall be delivered to the Company and to the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security or coupon, and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Trustee that such Security or coupon has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or in exchange for the Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains (with all appurtenant coupons not destroyed, lost or stolen), a new Security of the same series and principal amount, containing identical terms and provisions and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security to which such destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains.

 

19


Notwithstanding the provisions of the previous two paragraphs, in case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security or coupon has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, with coupons corresponding to the coupons, if any, appertaining to such destroyed, lost or stolen Security or to the Security to which such destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains, pay such Security or coupon; provided, however, that payment of principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), and any interest on, Bearer Securities shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 1002, be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, any interest on Bearer Securities shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the coupons appertaining thereto.

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

Every new Security of any series with its coupons, if any, issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security, or in exchange for a Security to which a destroyed, lost or stolen coupon appertains, shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security and its coupons, if any, or the destroyed, lost or stolen coupon shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series and their coupons, if any, duly issued hereunder.

The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or coupons.

SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved. Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 301, interest on any Registered Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 1002; provided, however, that each installment of interest on any Registered Security may at the Company’s option be paid by (i) mailing a check for such interest, payable to or upon the written order of the Person entitled thereto pursuant to Section 308, to the address of such Person as it appears on the Security Register or (ii) transfer to an account maintained by the payee located inside the United States.

Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series, payment of interest may be made, in the case of a Bearer Security, by transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located outside the United States.

Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301, every permanent global Security will provide that interest, if any, payable on any Interest Payment Date will be paid to DTC, Euroclear and/or CEDEL, as the case may be, with respect to that portion of such permanent global Security held for its account by Cede & Co. or the Common Depository, as the case may be, for the purpose of permitting such party to credit the interest received by it in respect of such permanent global Security to the accounts of the beneficial owners thereof.

In case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered in exchange for a Registered Security of such series after the close of business (at an office or agency in a Place of Payment for such series) on any Regular Record Date and before the opening of business (at such office or agency) on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such Interest Payment Date and interest will not be payable on such Interest Payment Date in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 301, any interest on any Registered Security of any series that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holder thereof on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (1) or (2) below:

 

20


(1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Registered Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment (which shall not be less than 20 days after such notice is received by the Trustee), and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Registered Securities of such series at his address as it appears in the Security Register not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. The Trustee may, in its discretion, in the name and at the expense of the Company, cause a similar notice to be published at least once in an Authorized Newspaper in each Place of Payment, but such publications shall not be a condition precedent to the establishment of such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Registered Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2). In case a Bearer Security of any series is surrendered at the office or agency in a Place of Payment for such series in exchange for a Registered Security of such series after the close of business at such office or agency on any Special Record Date and before the opening of business at such office or agency on the related proposed date for payment of Defaulted Interest, such Bearer Security shall be surrendered without the coupon relating to such proposed date of payment and Defaulted Interest will not be payable on such proposed date of payment in respect of the Registered Security issued in exchange for such Bearer Security, but will be payable only to the Holder of such coupon when due in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Registered Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 305, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners. Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest on, such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Registered Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary. All such payments so made to any such Person, or upon such Person’s order, shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for money payable upon any such Security.

Title to any Bearer Security and any coupons appertaining thereto shall pass by delivery. The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Holder of any Bearer Security and the Holder of any coupon as the absolute owner of such Security or coupon for the purpose of receiving payment thereof or on account thereof and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security or coupon be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

21


No holder of any beneficial interest in any Global Security held on its behalf by a depository shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to such Global Security and such depository (which is the Holder of such security) shall be treated by the Company, the Trustee, and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Global Security, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee, or any agent of the Company or the Trustee, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by any depository, as a Holder, with respect to such Global Security or impair, as between such depository and owners of beneficial interests in such Global Security, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of such depository (or its nominee) as Holder of such Global Security.

SECTION 309. Cancellation. All Securities and coupons surrendered for payment, redemption, repayment at the option of the Holder, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities and coupons and Securities and coupons surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee. If the Company shall so acquire any of the Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. Cancelled Securities and coupons held by the Trustee shall be destroyed by the Trustee and the Trustee shall deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Company, unless the Trustee is otherwise directed by a Company Order.

SECTION 310. Computation of Interest. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

ARTICLE FOUR — SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Company Request (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities of such series herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order, and at the expense of the Company, shall execute instruments in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee and the Company acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series when

(1) either

(A) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered and all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto (other than (i) coupons appertaining to Bearer Securities surrendered for exchange for Registered Securities and maturing after such exchange, whose surrender is not required or has been waived as provided in Section 305, (ii) Securities and coupons of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306, (iii) coupons appertaining to Securities called for redemption and maturing after the relevant Redemption Date, whose surrender has been waived as provided in Section 1106, and (iv) Securities and coupons of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(B) all Securities of such series and, in the case of (i) or (ii) below, any coupons appertaining thereto 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

 

22


(iii) if redeemable at the option of the Company, 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 Company,

and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose an amount in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable, sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities and such coupons not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;

(2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company; and

(3) the Company has 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 Indenture as to such series have been complied with.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 606, the obligations of the Company to any Authenticating Agent under Section 611 and, if money shall have been deposited with and held by the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last paragraph of Section 1003 shall survive.

SECTION 402. Application of Trust Funds. Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities, the coupons and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), and any interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with or received by the Trustee, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

ARTICLE FIVE — REMEDIES

SECTION 501. Events of Default. “Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to any particular series of Securities, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether or not it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(1) default in the payment of any interest on any Security of that series or of any coupon appertaining thereto, when such interest or coupon becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

(2) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on) any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable at its Maturity; or

(3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of any Security of that series; or

(4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of the Company in this Indenture with respect to any Security of that series (other than a covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(5) default under any bond, debenture, note, 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 by any Subsidiary, the repayment of which the Company has guaranteed or for which the Company is directly responsible or liable as obligor or guarantor), having an aggregate principal

 

23


amount outstanding of at least $25,000,000, whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created, which default shall have resulted in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable, without such indebtedness having been discharged, or such acceleration having been rescinded or annulled, within a period of 10 days after there shall have been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default and requiring the Company to cause such indebtedness to be discharged or cause such acceleration to be rescinded or annulled and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(6) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(A) commences a voluntary case,

(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

(C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property, or

(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

(7) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(A) is for relief against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case,

(B) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of either of its property, or

(C) orders the liquidation of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days; or

(8) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series.

As used in this Section 501, the term “Bankruptcy Law” means title 11, U.S. Code or any similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors and the term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or other similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment. If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal amount (or, if Securities of that Series are Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal as may be specified in the terms thereof) of all the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal or specified portion thereof shall become immediately due and payable.

At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration of acceleration and its consequences if:

(1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay in the currency, currency unit or composite currency in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series):

(A) all overdue installments of interest on all Outstanding Securities of that series and any related coupons,

(B) the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on) any Outstanding Securities of that series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities,

(C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue installments of interest at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and

(D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and

 

24


(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the nonpayment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 513.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee. The Company covenants that if:

(1) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest on any Security of any series and any related coupon when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or

(2) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on) any Security of any series at its Maturity,

then the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities of such series and coupons, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities and coupons for principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, with interest upon any overdue principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, upon any overdue installments of interest at the rate or rates borne by or provided for in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities of such series and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities of such series, wherever situated.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series and any related coupons by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities of any series shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal, premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of such series, of principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

(ii) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator (or other similar official) in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder of Securities of such series and coupons to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee, their agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee under Section 606.

 

25


Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of a Security or coupon any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or coupons or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of a Security or coupon in any such proceeding.

In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and also any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of this Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party) the Trustee shall be held to represent all the Holders of the Securities, and it shall not be necessary to make any Holders of the Securities parties to any such proceedings.

SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities or Coupons. All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or any of the Securities or coupons may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or coupons or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities and coupons in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected. Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Securities or coupons, or both, as the case may be, and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee under Section 606;

SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Securities and coupons for principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the aggregate amounts due and payable on such Securities and coupons for principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, respectively; and

THIRD: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company.

SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits. No Holder of any Security of any series or any related coupon shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;

(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.

 

26


SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, and Interest. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security or coupon shall have the right which is absolute and unconditional to receive payment of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest on such Security or payment of such coupon on the respective due dates expressed in such Security or coupon (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security or coupon has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of Securities and coupons shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities or coupons in the last paragraph of Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities or coupons is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security or coupon to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities or coupons, as the case may be.

SECTION 512. Control by Holders of Securities. The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series, provided that

(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture,

(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction, and

(3) the Trustee need not take any action which might involve it in personal liability or be unduly prejudicial to the Holders of Securities of such series not joining therein.

Nothing in this Indenture shall impair the right of the Trustee in its discretion to take any action deemed proper by the Trustee and which is not inconsistent with such direction by Holders.

SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series and any related coupons waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default

(1) in the payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on any Security of such series or any related coupons, or

(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected; or

(3) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof for the benefit or protection of the Trustee, without its express written consent.

Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

27


SECTION 514. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws. The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

SECTION 515. Undertaking for Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on any Security on or after the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date).

ARTICLE SIX — THE TRUSTEE

SECTION 601. Notice of Defaults. Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), notice of such default hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on any Security of such series, or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund installment with respect to the Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee, or a trust committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Securities and coupons of such series; and provided further that in the case of any default or breach of the character specified in Section 501(4) with respect to the Securities and coupons of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series.

SECTION 602. Certain Rights of Trustee. Subject to the provisions of TIA Section 315(a) through 315(d):

(1) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(2) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order (other than delivery of any Security, together with any coupons appertaining thereto, to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 303 which shall be sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

(3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers’ Certificate;

(4) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

(5) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

 

28


(6) 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, coupon or other paper or document, unless requested in writing so to do by the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series; provided that, if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such expenses or liabilities as a condition to proceeding; the reasonable expenses of every such examination shall be paid by the Holders or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Holders upon demand. 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 Company, relevant to the facts or matters that are the subject of its inquiry, personally or by agent or attorney;

(7) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;

(8) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

(9) any permissive right or power available to the Trustee under this Indenture or any supplement hereto shall not be construed to be a mandatory duty or obligation;

(10) the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any matter (including any default, other than as described in Section 501(1), (2) or (3)) unless and except to the extent actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or to the extent written notice thereof is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office; and

(11) the Trustee shall have no liability for the selection of any Independent Investment Banker; and shall have no liability for any inaccuracy in the books and records of, or for any actions or omissions of, DTC, Euroclear or CEDEL or any depository acting on behalf of any of them.

The Trustee shall not be required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

Except during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Trustee undertakes to perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.

SECTION 603. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities. The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, and in any coupons shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities or coupons, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.

SECTION 604. May Hold Securities. The Trustee, any Paying Agent, Security Registrar, Authenticating Agent or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and coupons and, subject to TIA Sections 310(b) and 311, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would ave if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Security Registrar, Authenticating Agent or such other agent.

SECTION 605. Money Held in Trust. Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed with the Company.

 

29


SECTION 606. Compensation and Reimbursement. The Company agrees:

(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the reasonable expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith; and

(3) to indemnify each of the Trustee and any predecessor Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 501(7) or Section 501(8), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on particular Securities or any coupons.

The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Indenture.

SECTION 607. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility; Conflicting Interests. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be eligible to act as Trustee under TIA Section 310(a)(1) and shall have at all times a combined capital and surplus of at least 50,000,000. If the Trustee publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or the requirements of Federal, state, territorial or District of Columbia supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of the Trustee shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article. Neither the Company nor any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company shall serve as Trustee.

SECTION 608. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 609.

(b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Trustee and to the Company.

(d) If at any time:

(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of TIA Section 310(b) after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 607 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or (3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

 

30


then, in any such case, (i) the Company by or pursuant to a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to TIA Section 315(e), any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

(e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series). If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders of Securities and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to Securities of such series.

(f) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series in the manner provided for notices to the Holders of Securities in Section 106. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

SECTION 609. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor. (a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee, and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its claim, if any, provided for in Section 606.

(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto, pursuant to Article Nine hereof, wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.

 

31


(c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 609, as the case may be.

(d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

SECTION 610. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business. Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities or coupons shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities or coupons so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities or coupons. In case any Securities or coupons shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any such successor Trustee may authenticate and deliver such Securities or coupons, in either its own name or that of its predecessor Trustee, with the full force and effect which this Indenture provides for the certificate of authentication of the Trustee.

SECTION 611. Appointment of Authenticating Agent. At any time when any of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption or repayment thereof, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument in writing signed by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, a copy of which instrument shall be promptly furnished to the Company. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a bank or trust company or corporation organized and doing business and in good standing under the laws of the United States of America or of any state or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or state authorities. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. In case at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

An Authenticating Agent for any series of Securities may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee for such series and to the Company. The Trustee for any series of Securities may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee for such series may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and

 

32


shall give notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities f the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve in the manner set forth in Section 106. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent herein. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation including reimbursement of its reasonable expenses for its services under this Section.

If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to or in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication substantially in the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within- mentioned Indenture.

 

   

[__________________]

   

as Trustee

Dated:             By:    
      as Authenticating Agent
Dated:             By:    
      Authorized Signatory

SECTION 612. Certain Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee.

(a) With respect to the Securities of any series, except during the continuance of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series:

(1) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2) 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 furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture, but shall not be under any duty to verify the contents or accuracy thereof.

(b) In case an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall, with respect to Securities of such series, exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

(c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(1) this Subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of Subsection (a) of this Section;

(2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series; and

(4) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

33


(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 612.

(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money or assets held by it except to the extent the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Assets held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other assets except to the extent required by law.

ARTICLE SEVEN — HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

SECTION 701. Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders. Every Holder of Securities or coupons, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent nor any Paying Agent nor any Security Registrar shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with TIA Section 312, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under TIA Section 312(b).

SECTION 702. Reports by Trustee. The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required by TIA Section 313 at the times and in the manner provided by the TIA, which shall initially be not less than every twelve months commencing on January ___, 1998. A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange, if any, upon which any Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange.

SECTION 703. Reports by Company. The Company will:

(1) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of such Sections, then it will file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;

(2) file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and

(3) transmit by mail to the Holders of Securities, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.

SECTION 704. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders. The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:

(a) semiannually, not later than 15 days after the Regular Record Date for interest for each series of Securities, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Registered Securities of such series as of such Regular Record Date, or if there is no Regular Record Date for interest for such series of Securities, semiannually, upon such dates as are set forth in the Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto authorizing such series, and

(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished,

provided, however, that, so long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar, no such list shall be required to be furnished.

 

34


ARTICLE EIGHT — CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, LEASE OR CONVEYANCE

SECTION 801. Consolidations and Mergers of Company and Sales, Leases and Conveyances Permitted Subject to Certain Conditions. The Company may consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of its assets to, or merge with or into any other corporation, provided that in any such case, (1) either the Company shall be the continuing corporation, or the successor corporation shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States or a State thereof and such successor corporation shall expressly assume the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and any interest on all of the Securities, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Company by supplemental indenture, complying with Article Nine hereof, satisfactory to the Trustee, executed and delivered to the Trustee by such corporation and (2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary as a result thereof as having been incurred by the Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or the lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing.

SECTION 802. Rights and Duties of Successor Corporation. In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance and upon any such assumption by the successor corporation, such successor corporation shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company, with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the party of the first part, and the predecessor corporation, except in the event of a lease, shall be relieved of any further obligation under this Indenture and the Securities. Such successor corporation thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Company, any or all of the Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such successor corporation, instead of the Company, and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and any Securities which such successor corporation thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

SECTION 803. Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel. Any consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance permitted under Section 801 is also subject to the condition that the Trustee receive an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease or conveyance, and the assumption by any successor corporation, complies with the provisions of this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

ARTICLE NINE — SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders. Without the consent of any Holders of Securities or coupons, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company contained herein and in the Securities; or

(2) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or

(3) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); provided, however, that in respect of any such additional Events of Default such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after

 

35


default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of that or those series of Securities to which such additional Events of Default apply to waive such default; or

(4) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to provide that Bearer Securities may be registrable as to principal, to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, or interest on Bearer Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Registered Securities, to permit Bearer Securities to be issued in exchange for Bearer Securities of other authorized denominations or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form, provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons in any material respect; or

(5) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture, provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of such provision; or

(6) to secure the Securities; or

(7) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series and any related coupons as permitted or contemplated by Sections 201 and 301; or

(8) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee; or

(9) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture which shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, provided such provisions shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series or any related coupons in any material respect; or

(10) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Sections 401, 1402 and 1403; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series and any related coupons or any other series of Securities in any material respect.

SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders. With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities affected by such supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities and any related coupons under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby:

(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of (or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, on) or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security; or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate or amount of interest thereon, or any premium or Make-Whole Amount payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 504, or adversely affect any right of repayment at the option of the Holder of any Security, or change any Place of Payment where, or the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which, any Security or any premium or Make-Whole Amount or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the Redemption Date or the Repayment Date, as the case may be), or

(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver with respect to such series (or compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or reduce the requirements of Section 1504 for quorum or voting, or

 

36


(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or Section 1009, except to increase the required percentage to effect such action or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section 902 and Section 1009, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 609(b) and 901(11).

It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section 902 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures. In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modification thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder and of any coupon appertaining thereto shall be bound thereby.

SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act. Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures. Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall, if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

ARTICLE TEN — COVENANTS

SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any; and Interest. The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of such series of Securities, any coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture. Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Securities, any interest due on Bearer Securities on or before Maturity shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of the several coupons for such interest installments as are evidenced thereby as they severally mature. Unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of any series pursuant to Section 301, at the option of the Company (upon written notice to the Trustee), all payments of principal may be paid by check to the registered Holder of the Registered Security or other person entitled thereto against surrender of such Security.

SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency. If Securities of a series are issuable only as Registered Securities, the Company shall maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. If Securities of a series are issuable as Bearer Securities, the Company will maintain: (A) in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, an office or agency where any Registered Securities of that series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where any

 

37


Registered Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for exchange, where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served and where Bearer Securities of that series and related coupons may be presented or surrendered for payment in the circumstances described in the following paragraph (and not otherwise); (B) subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, in a Place of Payment for that series which is located outside the United States, an office or agency where Securities of that series and related coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment; provided, however, that if the Securities of that series are listed on any stock exchange located outside the United States and such stock exchange shall so require, the Company will maintain a Paying Agent for the Securities of that series in any required city located outside the United States, as the case may be, so long as the Securities of that series are listed on such exchange; and (C) subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto, in a Place of Payment for that series located outside the United States an office or agency where any Registered Securities of that series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, where Securities of that series may be surrendered for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of each such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, except that Bearer Securities of that series and the related coupons may be presented and surrendered for payment at the offices specified in the Security, in London, England, and the Company hereby appoints the same as its agent to receive such respective presentations, surrenders, notices and demands, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, no payment of principal, premium or Make-Whole Amount or interest on Bearer Securities shall be made at any office or agency of the Company in the United States or by check mailed to any address in the United States or by transfer to an account maintained with a bank located in the United States; provided, however, that, if the Securities of a series are payable in Dollars, payment of principal of and any premium or Make-Whole Amount and interest on any Bearer Security shall be made at the office of the Company’s Paying Agent in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, if (but only if) payment in Dollars of the full amount of such principal, premium or Make-Whole Amount, or interest, as the case may be, at all offices or agencies outside the United States maintained for the purpose by the Company in accordance with this Indenture, is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions.

The Company may from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all of such purposes, and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in accordance with the requirements set forth above for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency. Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301 with respect to a series of Securities, the Company hereby designates as a Place of Payment for each series of Securities, each of (i) the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and (ii) the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee (as Paying Agent); and the Company hereby initially appoints the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office as Paying Agent in such city; and the Company hereby initially appoints as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands each of the Trustee, at its Corporate Trust Office, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, N.A. at its offices at 61 Broadway, New York, NY 10005.

Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, if and so long as the Securities of any series (i) are denominated in a Foreign Currency or (ii) may be payable in a Foreign Currency, or so long as it is required under any other provision of the Indenture, then the Company will maintain with respect to each such series of Securities, or as so required, at least one exchange rate agent (of which it shall give written notice to the Trustee).

SECTION 1003. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust. If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of any Securities and any related coupons, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), or interest on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) sufficient to pay the principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided, and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

 

38


Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities and any related coupons, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum (in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies described in the preceding paragraph) sufficient to pay the principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, or interest and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will

(1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on Securities in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

(2) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities) in the making of any such payment of principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on the Securities of that series; and

(3) at any time during the continuance of any such default upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.

The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.

Except as otherwise provided in the Securities of any series, and subject to applicable laws, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company upon Company Request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment of such principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) or interest on any Security, without interest thereon, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

SECTION 1004. Existence. Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence, all material rights (by articles of incorporation, by-laws and statute) and material franchises; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company.

SECTION 1005. Maintenance of Properties. The Company will cause all of its material properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however, that the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be prevented from selling or otherwise disposing of their properties for value in the ordinary course of business.

 

39


SECTION 1006. Insurance. The Company will cause each of its and its Subsidiaries’ insurable properties to be insured against loss or damage in an amount deemed reasonable by the Board of Directors with insurers of recognized responsibility.

SECTION 1007. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims. The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (1) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon it or any Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any Subsidiary, and (2) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the Company or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.

SECTION 1008. Statement as to Compliance. The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a brief certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer as to his or her knowledge of the Company’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture and, in the event of any noncompliance, specifying such noncompliance and the nature and status thereof. For purposes of this Section 1008, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice under this Indenture.

SECTION 1009. Waiver of Certain Covenants. The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Sections 1004 to 1008, inclusive, if before or after the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all outstanding Securities of such series, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such covenant or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

ARTICLE ELEVEN — REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 1101. Applicability of Article. Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.

SECTION 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee. The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by or pursuant to a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of less than all of the Securities of any series, the Company shall, at least 45 days prior to the giving of the notice of redemption in Section 1104 (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction.

SECTION 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed. If less than all the Securities of any series issued on the same day with the same terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series issued on such date with the same terms not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Security Registrar (if other than itself) in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.

 

40


SECTION 1104. Notice of Redemption. Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, but failure to give such notice in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Security designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other such Security or portion thereof.

Any notice that is mailed to the Holders of Registered Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives the notice.

All notices of redemption shall state:

(1) the Redemption Date,

(2) the Redemption Price, accrued interest to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 1106, if any,

(3) if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amount) of the particular Security or Securities to be redeemed,

(4) in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice which relates to such Security shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the holder will receive, without a charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,

(5) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price and accrued interest to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 1106, if any, will become due and payable upon each such Security, or the portion thereof, to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date,

(6) the Place or Places of Payment where such Securities, together in the case of Bearer Securities with all coupons appertaining thereto, if any, maturing after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any,

(7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case,

(8) that, unless otherwise specified in such notice, Bearer Securities of any series, if any, surrendered for redemption must be accompanied by all coupons maturing subsequent to the date fixed for redemption or the amount of any such missing coupon or coupons will be deducted from the Redemption Price, unless security or indemnity satisfactory to the Company, the Trustee for such series and any Paying Agent is furnished,

(9) if Bearer Securities of any series are to be redeemed and any Registered Securities of such series are not to be redeemed, and if such Bearer Securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities not subject to redemption on this Redemption Date pursuant to Section 305 or otherwise, the last date, as determined by the Company, on which such exchanges may be made, and

(10) the CUSIP number of such Security, if any.

Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

SECTION 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price. On or prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, which it may not do in the case of a sinking fund payment under Article Twelve, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) sufficient to pay on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date.

SECTION 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date. Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) (together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date), and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Securities shall, if the

 

41


same were interest-bearing, cease to bear interest and the coupons for such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be redeemed, except to the extent provided below, shall be void. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, together with all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that installments of interest on Bearer Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, only upon presentation and surrender of coupons for such interest; and provided further that installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

If any Bearer Security surrendered for redemption shall not be accompanied by all appurtenant coupons maturing after the Redemption Date, such Security may be paid after deducting from the Redemption Price an amount equal to the face amount of all such missing coupons, or the surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there be furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to the Trustee or any Paying Agent any such missing coupon in respect of which a deduction shall have been made from the Redemption Price, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount so deducted; provided, however, that interest represented by coupons shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, only upon presentation and surrender of those coupons.

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate borne by the Security.

SECTION 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part. Any Registered Security which is to be redeemed only in part (pursuant to the provisions of this Article or of Article Twelve) shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge a new Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered. If a Global Security is so surrendered, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the depository, without service charge, a new Global Security in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Global Security so surrendered.

ARTICLE TWELVE — SINKING FUNDS

SECTION 1201. Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of such Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of any Securities of any series, the cash amount of any mandatory sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 1202. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.

SECTION 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities. The Company may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of a series, (1) deliver Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any previously called for redemption) together in the case of any Bearer Securities of such series with all unmatured coupons appertaining thereto and (2) apply as a credit Securities of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, as provided for by the terms of such Securities, or which have otherwise been acquired by the Company; provided that

 

42


such Securities so delivered or applied as a credit have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the applicable Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

SECTION 1203. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund. Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for Securities of any series, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 1202, and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered and credited. If such Officers’ Certificate shall specify an optional amount to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Company shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 1106 and 1107.

ARTICLE THIRTEEN — REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS

SECTION 1301. Applicability of Article. Repayment of Securities of any series before their Stated Maturity at the option of Holders thereof shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities, if any, and (except as otherwise specified by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301) in accordance with this Article.

SECTION 1302. Repayment of Securities. Securities of any series subject to repayment in whole or in part at the option of the Holders thereof will, unless otherwise provided in the terms of such Securities, be repaid at a price equal to the principal amount thereof, together with interest, if any, thereon accrued to the Repayment Date specified in or pursuant to the terms of such Securities. The Company covenants that on or prior to the Repayment Date it will deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in the currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies in which the Securities of such series are payable (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) sufficient to pay the principal (or, if so provided by the terms of the Securities of any series, a percentage of the principal) of, and (except if the Repayment Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities or portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid on such date.

SECTION 1303. Exercise of Option. Securities of any series subject to repayment at the option of the Holders thereof will contain an “Option to Elect Repayment” form on the reverse of such Securities. In order for any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, the Trustee must receive at the Place of Payment therefor specified in the terms of such Security (or at such other place or places of which the Company shall from time to time notify the Holders of such Securities) not earlier than 60 days nor later than 30 days prior to the Repayment Date (1) the Security so providing for such repayment together with the “Option to Elect Repayment” form on the reverse thereof duly completed by the Holder (or by the Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing) or (2) a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or a letter from a member of a national securities exchange, or the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“NASD”), or a commercial bank or trust company in the United States setting forth the name of the Holder of the Security, the principal amount of the Security, the principal amount of the Security to be repaid, the CUSIP number, if any, or a description of the tenor and terms of the Security, a statement that the option to elect repayment is being exercised thereby and a guarantee that the Security to be repaid, together with the duly completed form entitled “Option to Elect Repayment” on the reverse of the Security, will be received by the Trustee not later than the fifth Business Day after the date of such telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter; provided, however, that such telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter shall only be effective if such Security and form duly completed are received by the Trustee by such fifth Business Day. If less than the entire principal amount of such Security is to be repaid in accordance with the terms of such Security, the principal amount of such Security to be repaid, in increments of the minimum denomination for Securities of such series, and the denomination or

 

43


denominations of the Security or Securities to be issued to the Holder for the portion of the principal amount of such Security surrendered that is not to be repaid, must be specified. The principal amount of any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof may not be repaid in part if, following such repayment, the unpaid principal amount of such Security would be less than the minimum authorized denomination of Securities of the series of which such Security to be repaid is a part. Except as otherwise may be provided by the terms of any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof, exercise of the repayment option by the Holder shall be irrevocable unless waived by the Company.

SECTION 1304. When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable. If Securities of any series providing for repayment at the option of the Holders thereof shall have been surrendered as provided in this Article and as provided by or pursuant to the terms of such Securities, such Securities or the portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid shall become due and payable and shall be paid by the Company on the Repayment Date therein specified, and on and after such Repayment Date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Securities on such Repayment Date) such Securities shall, if the same were interest-bearing, cease to bear interest and the coupons for such interest appertaining to any Bearer Securities so to be repaid, except to the extent provided below, shall be void. Upon surrender of any such Security for repayment in accordance with such provisions, together with all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Repayment Date, the principal amount of such Security so to be repaid shall be paid by the Company, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Repayment Date; provided, however, that coupons whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Repayment Date shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, only upon presentation and surrender of such coupons; and provided further that, in the case of Registered Securities, installments of interest, if any, whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Repayment Date shall be payable (but without interest thereon, unless the Company shall default in the payment thereof) to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

If any Bearer Security surrendered for repayment shall not be accompanied by all appurtenant coupons maturing after the Repayment Date, such Security may be paid after deducting from the amount payable therefor as provided in Section 1302 an amount equal to the face amount of all such missing coupons, or the surrender of such missing coupon or coupons may be waived by the Company and the Trustee if there be furnished to them such security or indemnity as they may require to save each of them and any Paying Agent harmless. If thereafter the Holder of such Security shall surrender to the Trustee or any Paying Agent any such missing coupon in respect of which a deduction shall have been made as provided in the preceding sentence, such Holder shall be entitled to receive the amount so deducted; provided, however, that interest represented by coupons shall be payable only at an office or agency located outside the United States (except as otherwise provided in Section 1002) and, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, only upon presentation and surrender of those coupons.

If the principal amount of any Security surrendered for repayment shall not be so repaid upon surrender thereof, such principal amount (together with interest, if any, thereon accrued to such Repayment Date) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Repayment Date at the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) set forth in such Security.

SECTION 1305. Securities Repaid in Part. Upon surrender of any Registered Security which is to be repaid in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security, without service charge and at the expense of the \Company, a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination specified by the Holder, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the portion of the principal of such Security so surrendered which is not to be repaid.

ARTICLE FOURTEEN — DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

SECTION 1401. Applicability of Article: Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. If, pursuant to Section 301, provision is made for either or both of (a) defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 1402 or (b) covenant defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 1403, then the provisions of such Section or Sections, as the case may be, together with the other provisions of this Article (with such modifications thereto as may be specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to any Securities), shall be applicable to such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, and the Company may at its option by Board Resolution, at any time, with respect to such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, elect to have Section 1402 (if applicable) or Section 1403 (if applicable) be applied to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article.

 

44


SECTION 1402. Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”). For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 1405 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (A) and (B) below, and to have satisfied all of its other obligations under such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture insofar as such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (A) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 1404 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto when such payments are due, (B) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 305, 306, 1002 and 1003, and the Company’s obligations under Section 606 hereof (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (D) this Article. Subject to compliance with this Article Fourteen, the Company may exercise its option under this Section notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 1403 with respect to such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto.

SECTION 1403. Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be released from its obligations under Sections 1004 to 1009, inclusive, and, if specified pursuant to Section 301, its obligations under any other covenant contained herein or in any indenture supplemental hereto, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter, “covenant defeasance”), and such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall thereafter be deemed to be 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 Sections 1004 to 1009, inclusive, or such other covenant, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section or such other covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or such other covenant or by reason of reference in any such Section or such other 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 501(4) or 501(8) or otherwise, as the case may be, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be unaffected thereby.

SECTION 1404. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. The following shall be the conditions to application of Section 1402 or Section 1403 to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series and any coupons appertaining thereto:

(a) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 607 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article Fourteen applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, (1) an amount in such currency, currencies or currency unit in which such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity, or (2) Government Obligations applicable to such Securities and coupons appertaining thereto (determined on the basis of the currency, currencies or currency unit in which such Securities and coupons appertaining thereto are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than the due date of any payment of principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto, money in an amount, or (3) a combination thereof, in any case, in an amount, sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which

 

45


shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, (i) the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, if any, on such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of principal or interest and (ii) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto.

(b) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.

(c) No Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default with respect to such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or, insofar as Sections 501(6) and 501(7) are concerned, at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).

(d) In the case of an election under Section 1402, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred.

(e) In the case of an election under Section 1403, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred.

(f) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance under Section 1402 or the covenant defeasance under Section 1403 (as the case may be) have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that either (i) as a result of a deposit pursuant to subsection (a) above and the related exercise of the Company’s option under Section 1402 or Section 1403 (as the case may be), registration is not required under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, by the Company, with respect to the trust funds representing such deposit or by the Trustee for such trust funds or (ii) all necessary registrations under said Act have been effected.

(g) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or substitute terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Company in connection therewith pursuant to Section 301.

(h) The payment of amounts payable to the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture shall be paid or provided for to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee.

SECTION 1405. Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions. Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 301) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 1405, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 1404 in respect of any Outstanding Securities of any series and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

46


Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Security pursuant to Section 301, if, after a deposit referred to in Section 1404(a) has been made, (a) the Holder of a Security in respect of which such deposit was made is entitled to, and does, elect pursuant to Section 301 or the terms of such Security to receive payment in a currency or currency unit other than that in which the deposit pursuant to Section 1404(a) has been made in respect of such Security, or (b) a Conversion Event occurs in respect of the currency or currency unit in which the deposit pursuant to Section 1404(a) has been made, the indebtedness represented by such Security and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any), and interest, if any, on such Security as the same becomes due out of the proceeds yielded by converting (from time to time as specified below in the case of any such election) the amount or other property deposited in respect of such Security into the currency or currency unit in which such Security becomes payable as a result of such election or Conversion Event based on the applicable market exchange rate for such currency or currency unit in effect on the second Business Day prior to each payment date, except, with respect to a Conversion Event, for such currency or currency unit in effect (as nearly as feasible) at the time of the Conversion Event.

The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 1404 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto.

Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, subject to Section 606, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in Section 1404 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect a defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Article.

ARTICLE FIFTEEN — MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

SECTION 1501. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called. A meeting of Holders of Securities of any series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series.

SECTION 1502. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings. (a) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series for any purpose specified in Section 1501, to be held at such time and at such place as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 20 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

(b) In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 1501, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have made the first publication of the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in subsection (a) of this Section.

SECTION 1503. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings. To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, a Person shall be (1) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series, or (2) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

SECTION 1504. Quorum; Action. The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting of Holders of Securities of such series; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent or waiver which this Indenture expressly provides may be given by the Holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series, the Persons entitled to vote such specified percentage in principal amount of the

 

47


Outstanding Securities of such series shall constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes after the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at the reconvening of any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days; at the reconvening of any meeting adjourned or further adjourned for lack of a quorum, the persons entitled to vote 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities shall constitute a quorum for the taking of any action set forth in the notice of the original meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 1502(a), except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened.

Except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the persons entitled to vote a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities represented at such meeting; provided, however, that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series.

Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series and the related coupons, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1504, if any action is to be taken at a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action that this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities affected thereby, or of the Holders of such series and one or more additional series:

(i) there shall be no minimum quorum requirement for such meeting; and

(ii) the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series that vote in favor of such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be taken into account in determining whether such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action has been made, given or taken under this Indenture.

SECTION 1505. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings. (a) Notwithstanding any provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Securities of a series in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104 or by having the signature of the Person executing the proxy witnessed or guaranteed by any trust company, bank or banker authorized by Section 104 to certify to the holding of Bearer Securities. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 104 or other proof.

(b) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders of Securities as provided in Section 1502(b), in which case the Company or the Holders of Securities of the series calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting.

 

48


(c) At any meeting each Holder of a Security of such series or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security of such series or proxy.

(d) Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 1502 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

SECTION 1506. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings. The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record, at least in duplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any Series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the fact, setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 1502 and, if applicable, Section 1504. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

 

49


SIGNATURES AND SEALS

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.

 

    BAY APARTMENT COMMUNITIES, INC.
[Corporate Seal]     By:  

/s/ Gilbert M. Meyer

     

Name: Gilbert M. Meyer

Title: President

     

Attest: Jeffrey B. VanHorn

Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

   

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,

as Trustee

    By:  

/s/ Robert J. Dunn

     

Name: Robert J. Dun

Title: Vice President

     

Attest: /s/ Paul G. Grenier

Title: Vice President


ACKNOWLEDGMENT

STATE OF CALIFORNIA

) ss:

COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA

On the 15TH day of January, 1998, before me personally came Gilbert M. Meyer, to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he is the President of BAY APARTMENT COMMUNITIES, INC., one of the parties described in and which executed the foregoing instrument, and that he signed his name thereto by authority of the Board of Directors.

[Notarial Seal]

 

/s/ Anna Maria Kintzer
Notary Public
Commission Expires 1/18/98

STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS

) ss:

COUNTY OF SUFFOLK

On the 15TH day of January, 1998, before me personally came Robert J. Dunn, to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he is a Vice President of STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, one of the parties described in and which executed the foregoing instrument, and that he signed his name thereto by authority of the Board of Directors.

[Notarial Seal]

 

/s/ Eugenia B. Bettencourt
Notary Public
Commission Expires 8/18/00


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF REDEEMABLE OR NON-REDEEMABLE SENIOR SECURITY

[Face of Security]

[If the Holder of this Security (as indicated below) is The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or a nominee of DTC, this Security is a Global Security and the following two legends apply:

Unless this Security is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), 55 Water Street, New York, New York to the issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and such Security issued is registered in the name of CEDE & CO., or such other name as 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, since the registered owner hereof, CEDE & CO., has an interest herein.

Unless and until this Security is exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in certificated form, this Security may not be transferred except as a whole by DTC to a nominee thereof or by a nominee thereof to DTC or another nominee of DTC or by DTC or any such nominee to a successor of DTC or a nominee of such successor.]

[If this Security is an Original Issue Discount Security, insert — FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 1273 and 1275 OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE CODE, THE AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT ON THIS SECURITY IS % OF ITS PRINCIPAL AMOUNT, THE ISSUE DATE IS,19___ [AND] THE YIELD TO MATURITY IS %. [THE METHOD USED TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT APPLICABLE TO THE SHORT ACCRUAL PERIOD OF , 19___TO , 19___, IS % OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THIS SECURITY.]

BAY APARTMENT COMMUNITIES, INC.

[Designation of Series]

 

No.

        $  

 

BAY APARTMENT COMMUNITIES, INC., a Maryland corporation (herein referred to as the “Company,” which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received, hereby promises to pay to or registered assigns the principal sum of Dollars on (the “Stated Maturity Date”) [or insert date fixed for earlier redemption (the “Redemption Date,” and together with the Stated Maturity Date with respect to principal repayable on such date, the “Maturity Date.”)]

[If the Security is to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert — and to pay interest thereon from or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on and in each year (each, an “Interest Payment Date”), commencing , at the rate of ___% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or duly provided for. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Holder in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the or (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date [at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose; provided, however, that such interest may be paid, at the Company’s option, by mailing a check to such Holder at its registered address or by transfer of funds to an account maintained by such Holder within the United States]. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date, and may be paid to the Holder in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in the Indenture. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.]


[If the Security is not to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert — The principal of this Security shall not bear interest except in the case of a default in payment of principal upon acceleration, upon redemption or at the [Stated] Maturity Date and in such case the overdue principal of this Security shall bear interest at the rate of % per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which shall accrue from the date of such default in payment to the date payment of such principal has been made or duly provided for. Interest on any overdue principal shall be payable on demand. Any such interest on any overdue principal that is not so paid on demand shall bear interest at the rate of % per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which shall accrue from the date of such demand for payment to the date payment of such interest has been made or duly provided for, and such interest shall also be payable on demand.]

The principal of this Security payable on the Stated Maturity Date [or the principal of, premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, and, if the Redemption Date is not an Interest Payment Date, interest on this Security payable on the Redemption Date] will be paid against presentation of this Security at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in , in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts. Interest payable on this Security on any Interest Payment Date and on the [Stated] Maturity Date [or Redemption Date, as the case may be,] will include interest accrued from and including the next preceding Interest Payment Date in respect of which interest has been paid or duly provided for (or from and including , if no interest has been paid on this Security) to but excluding such Interest Payment Date or the [Stated] Maturity Date [or Redemption Date, as the case may be.] If any Interest Payment Date or the [Stated] Maturity Date or [Redemption Date] falls on a day that is not a Business Day, as defined below, principal, premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, and/or interest payable with respect to such Interest Payment Date or [Stated] Maturity Date [or Redemption Date, as the case may be,] will be paid on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if it were paid on the date such payment was due, and no interest shall accrue on the amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date or [Stated] Maturity Date [or Redemption Date, as the case may be.] “Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which banks in are not required or authorized by law or executive order to close.

[If this Security is a Global Security, insert — All payments of principal, premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, and interest in respect of this Security will be made by the Company in immediately available funds.]

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

Unless the Certificate of Authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee by manual signature of one of its authorized signatories, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture, or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed under its facsimile corporate seal.

 

Dated:                  

   

BAY APARTMENT COMMUNITIES, INC.

    By:    

 

Attest:
                     
Secretary

[Reverse of Security]


BAY APARTMENT COMMUNITIES, INC.

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of ______, 199______(herein called the “Indenture”) between the Company and ______, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture with respect to the series of which this Security is a part), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities, and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the duly authorized series of Securities designated on the face hereof (collectively, the “Securities”), [if applicable, insert — and the aggregate principal amount of the Securities to be issued under such series is limited to $______(except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of other Securities).] All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

If an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

[If applicable, insert — The Securities may not be redeemed prior to the Stated Maturity Date.]

[If applicable, insert — The Securities are subject to redemption [ (l) (If applicable, insert — on ___in any year commencing with the year _________and ending with the year ______through operation of the sinking fund for this series at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount, and (2) ] [If applicable, insert — at any time [on or after ___], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the following Redemption Prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount):

If redeemed on or before ______, ______% and if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning ______of the years indicated at the Redemption Prices indicated below.

 

Year

  

Redemption Price

  

Year

  

Redemption Price

and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to ___% of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption [If applicable, insert — (whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise)] with accrued interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that installments of interest on this Security whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holder of this Security, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]

[If applicable, insert — The Securities are subject to redemption (1) on ___ in any year commencing with the year ___ and ending with the year ___ through operation of the sinking fund for this series at the Redemption Prices for redemption through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below, and (2) at any time [on or after ______], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the Redemption Prices for redemption otherwise than through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below: If redeemed during the 12-month period beginning ______ of the years indicated,

 

Year

  

Redemption Price for

Redemption Through

Operation of the

Sinking Fund

  

Redemption Price for

Redemption Otherwise

Than Through Operation

of the Sinking Fund

and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to ___% of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption (whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise) with accrued interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that installments of interest on this Security whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holder of this Security, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]

[If applicable, insert — Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may not, prior to ______, redeem any Securities as contemplated by [Clause (2) of] the preceding paragraph as a part of, or in anticipation of, any refunding operation by the application, directly or indirectly, of moneys borrowed having an interest cost to the Company (calculated in accordance with generally accepted financial practice) of less than ______% per annum.]


[If applicable, insert — The sinking fund for the Securities provides for the redemption on ______in each year, beginning with the year ______and ending with the year ___, of [not less than] $______] [(“mandatory sinking fund”) and not more than $___] aggregate principal amount of the Securities. [The Securities acquired or redeemed by the Company otherwise than through [mandatory] sinking fund payments may be credited against subsequent [mandatory] sinking fund payments otherwise required to be made in the [describe order] order in which they become due.]]

Notice of redemption will be given by mail to Holders of Securities, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, all as provided in the Indenture.  In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities for the unredeemed portion hereof shall be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of all Securities issued under the Indenture at the time Outstanding and affected thereby. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities, on behalf of the Holders of all such Securities, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture. Furthermore, provisions in the Indenture permit the Holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount, in certain instances, of the Outstanding Securities of any series to waive, on behalf of all of the Holders of Securities of such series, certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and other Securities issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest on this Security at the times, places and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein [and herein] set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register of the Company upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of (and premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any) and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or by his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein [and herein] set forth, this Security is exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of different authorized denominations but otherwise having the same terms and conditions, as requested by the Holder hereof surrendering the same.

The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form [without coupons] in denominations of $______ and any integral multiple thereof.

No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith,

Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.


No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or premium or Make-Whole Amount, if any, or the interest on this Security, or for any claim based hereon, or otherwise in respect hereof, or based on or in respect of the Indenture or any indenture supplemental thereto, against any past, present or future stockholder, employee, officer or director, as such, of the Company or of any successor, either directly or through the Company or any successor, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof, expressly waived and released.

The Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of [the State of New York] applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely in such State.


EXHIBIT B

FORMS OF CERTIFICATION

EXHIBIT B-1

FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE GIVEN BY PERSON ENTITLED

TO RECEIVE BEARER SECURITY OR TO OBTAIN INTEREST

PAYABLE PRIOR TO THE EXCHANGE DATE

CERTIFICATE

[Insert title or sufficient description of Securities to be delivered]

This is to certify that, as of the date hereof, and except as set forth below, the above-captioned Securities held by you for our account (i) are owned by person(s) that are not citizens or residents of the United States, domestic partnerships, domestic corporations or any estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States Federal income taxation regardless of its source (“United States person(s)”), (ii) are owned by United States person(s) that are (a) foreign branches of United States financial institutions (financial institutions, as defined in United States Treasury Regulations Section 2.165-12(c)(1)(v) are herein referred to as “financial institutions”) purchasing for their own account or for resale, or (b) United States person(s) who acquired the Securities through foreign branches of United States financial institutions and who hold the Securities through such United States financial institutions on the date hereof (and in either case (a) or (b), each such United States financial institution hereby agrees, on its own behalf or through its agent, that you may advise Bay Apartment Communities, Inc. or its agent that such financial institution will comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder), or (iii) are owned by United States or foreign financial institution(s) for purposes of resale during the restricted period (as defined in United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D)(7)), and, in addition, if the owner is a United States or foreign financial institution described in clause (iii) above (whether or not also described in clause (i) or (ii)), this is to further certify that such financial institution has not acquired the Securities for purposes of resale directly or indirectly to a United States person or to a person within the United States or its possessions.

As used herein, “United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia); and its “possessions” include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands.

We undertake to advise you promptly by tested telex on or prior to the date on which you intend to submit your certification relating to the above-captioned Securities held by you for our account in accordance with your Operating Procedures if any applicable statement herein is not correct on such date, and in the absence of any such notification it may be assumed that this certification applies as of such date.

This certificate excepts and does not relate to [U.S.$] of such interest in the above-captioned Securities in respect of which we are not able to certify and as to which we understand an exchange for an interest in a permanent Global Security or an exchange for and delivery of definitive Securities (or, if relevant, collection of any interest) cannot be made until we do so certify.

We understand that this certificate may be required in connection with certain tax legislation in the United States. If administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in connection with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize you to produce this certificate or a copy thereof to any interested party in such proceedings.

Dated: ___, ___

[To be dated no earlier than the 15th day prior to (i) the Exchange Date or (ii) the relevant Interest Payment Date occurring prior to the Exchange Date, as applicable]

 

[Name of Person Making Certification]

 

(Authorized Signature)

Name:

Title:


EXHIBIT B-2

FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE GIVEN BY EUROCLEAR

AND CEDEL S.A. IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OF

A PORTION OF A TEMPORARY GLOBAL SECURITY OR TO

OBTAIN INTEREST PAYABLE PRIOR TO THE EXCHANGE DATE

CERTIFICATE

[Insert title or sufficient description of Securities to be delivered]

This is to certify that, based solely on written certifications that we have received in writing, by tested telex or by electronic transmission from each of the persons appearing in our records as persons entitled to a portion of the principal amount set forth below (our “Member Organizations”) substantially in the form attached hereto, as of the date hereof, [U.S.$] principal amount of the above-captioned Securities (i) is owned by person(s) that are not citizens or residents of the United States, domestic partnerships, domestic corporations or any estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States Federal income taxation regardless of its source (“United States person(s)”), (ii) is owned by United States person(s) that are (a) foreign branches of United States financial institutions (financial institutions, as defined in U.S. Treasury Regulations Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v) are herein referred to as “financial institutions”) purchasing for their own account or for resale, or (b) United States person(s) who acquired the Securities through foreign branches of United States financial institutions and who hold the Securities through such United States financial institutions on the date hereof (and in either case (a) or (b), each such financial institution has agreed, on its own behalf or through its agent, that we may advise Bay Apartment Communities, Inc. or its agent that such financial institution will comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder), or (iii) is owned by United States or foreign financial institution(s) for purposes of resale during the restricted period (as defined in United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D)(7)), and, to the further effect, that financial institutions described in clause (iii) above (whether or not also described in clause (i) or (ii)) have certified that they have not acquired the Securities for purposes of resale directly or indirectly to a United States person or to a person within the United States or its possessions.

As used herein, “United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia); and its “Possessions” include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands.

We further certify that (i) we are not making available herewith for exchange (or, if relevant, collection of any interest) any portion of the temporary Global Security representing the above-captioned Securities excepted in the above-referenced certificates of Member Organizations and (ii) as of the date hereof we have not received any notification from any of our Member Organizations to the effect that the statements made by such Member Organizations with respect to any portion of the part submitted herewith for exchange (or, if relevant, collection of any interest) are no longer true and cannot be relied upon as of the date hereof.

We understand that this certification is required in connection with certain tax legislation in the United States. If administrative or legal proceedings are commenced or threatened in connection with which this certificate is or would be relevant, we irrevocably authorize you to produce this certificate or a copy thereof to any interested party in such proceedings.

Dated: ______ ___

[To be dated no earlier than the Exchange Date or the relevant Interest Payment Date occurring prior to the Exchange Date, as applicable]

 

[Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York,

Brussels Office,] as Operator of the Euroclear

System [CEDEL S.A.]

By:    

Exhibit 4.5

 

 

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

Issuer

to

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

Trustee

 

 

Amended and Restated Third Supplemental Indenture

Dated as of July 10, 2000

 

 

Medium-Term Notes Due Nine Months or More

from Date of Issue

 

 


AMENDED AND RESTATED THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of July 10, 2000 (the “Supplemental Indenture”), between AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Maryland (herein called the “Company”), and STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, a trust company organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee”).

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

The Company has heretofore delivered to the Trustee an Indenture dated as of January 16, 1998 (the “Senior Indenture”), a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 20, 1998, a Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 7, 1998, and a Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 21, 1998, the forms of which have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and incorporated by reference as exhibits to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-60875), providing for the issuance from time to time of Senior Debt Securities of the Company (the “Securities”) in an unlimited aggregate principal amount, including a series of debt securities entitled “Medium-Term Notes Due Nine Months or More from Date of Issue” limited to $400,000,000 in aggregate initial principal amount.

The Company wishes to amend and restate the Third Supplemental Indenture to provide for the issuance of Medium-Term Notes without limit as to aggregate principal amount, and in all other respects to continue the Third Supplemental Indenture in full force and effect except as amended and restated by this Amended and Restated Third Supplemental Indenture.

Section 301 of the Senior Indenture provides that the aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under the Senior Indenture shall be unlimited, and further provides for various matters with respect to any series of Securities issued under the Senior Indenture to be established in an indenture supplemental to the Senior Indenture.

Section 901(5) of the Senior Indenture provides that the Company and the Trustee may enter into an indenture supplemental to the Senior Indenture to change or eliminate any of the provisions of the Senior Indenture, subject to certain limitations with respect to outstanding Securities.

The Trustee is willing to enter into this Amended and Restated Third Supplemental Indenture at the Company’s request, subject to compliance with Section 901 of the Senior Indenture, as applicable.

Section 901(7) of the Senior Indenture provides for the Company and the Trustee to enter into an indenture supplemental to the Senior Indenture to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as provided by Sections 201 and 301 of the Senior Indenture.

The Board of Directors of the Company has previously duly adopted resolutions authorizing the Company to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

All the conditions and requirements necessary to make this Amended and Restated Third Supplemental Indenture, when duly executed and delivered, a valid and binding agreement in accordance with its terms and for the purposes herein expressed, have been performed and fulfilled.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of each of the series of Securities provided for herein by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Notes (as herein defined) or of any series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE ONE

RELATION TO SENIOR INDENTURE; DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1. Relation to Senior Indenture.

This Supplemental Indenture constitutes an integral part of the Senior Indenture.

 

2


SECTION 1.2. Definitions.

For all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided for or unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Senior Indenture;

(2) All references herein to Articles and Sections, unless otherwise specified, refer to the corresponding Articles and Sections of this Supplemental Indenture; and

(3) In the event that any of the following definitions differs from its respective definition set forth in the Senior Indenture, the definition set forth herein shall control.

“Acquired Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of a Person (i) existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or (ii) assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person, in each case, other than Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Subsidiary or such acquisition. Acquired Indebtedness shall be deemed to be incurred on the date of the related acquisition of assets from any Person or the date the acquired Person becomes a Subsidiary.

“Annual Service Charge” for any period means the maximum amount which is payable during such period for interest on, and original issue discount of, Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries and the amount of dividends which are payable during such period in respect of any Disqualified Stock.

“Capital Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any capital stock (including preferred stock), shares, interests, participations or other ownership interests (however designated) of such Person and any rights (other than debt securities convertible into or exchangeable for corporate stock), warrants or options to purchase any thereof.

“Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service” for any period means Earnings from Operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries plus amounts which have been deducted, and minus amounts which have been added, for the following (without duplication): (i) interest on Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (ii) provision for taxes of the Company and its Subsidiaries based on income, (iii) amortization of debt discount and other deferred financing costs, (iv) provisions for gains and losses on properties and property depreciation and amortization, (v) the effect of any noncash charge resulting from a change in accounting principles in determining Earnings from Operations for such period and (vi) amortization of deferred charges.

“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which, at any particular time, its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is located at Two Avenue de Lafayette, Boston, Massachusetts 02111 and, for purposes of the Place of Payment provisions of Sections 305 and 1002 of the Senior Indenture and other provisions requiring a New York City office, is located at the office of State Street Bank and Trust Company, N.A., 61 Broadway, New York, New York 10005.

“Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which by the terms of such Capital Stock (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable or exercisable), upon the happening of any event or otherwise (i) matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (other than Capital Stock which is redeemable solely in exchange for common stock), (ii) is convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or (iii) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part (other than Capital Stock which is redeemable solely in exchange for Capital Stock which is not Disqualified Stock), in each case on or prior to the Stated Maturity of the Notes.

“Earnings from Operations” for any period means net earnings excluding gains and losses on sales of investments, extraordinary items, and property valuation losses, net as reflected in the financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

“Encumbrance” means any mortgage, lien, charge, pledge or security interest of any kind.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the Commission.

“Fixed Rate Notes” means the Company’s Fixed Rate Notes due nine months or more from the date of issue, a form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit B.

“Floating Rate Notes” means the Company’s Floating Rate Notes due nine months or more from the date of issue, a form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A.

 

3


“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles as used in the United States applied on a consistent basis as in effect from time to time; provided that solely for purposes of any calculation required by the financial covenants contained herein, “GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles as used in the United States on the date hereof, applied on a consistent basis.

“Holder” means, in the case of a Registered Security, the Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register and, in the case of a Bearer Security, the bearer thereof and, when used with respect to any coupon, shall mean the bearer thereof.

“Indebtedness” of the Company or any Subsidiary means, without duplication, any indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary, whether or not contingent, in respect of (i) borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments, (ii) indebtedness for borrowed money secured by any Encumbrance existing on property owned by the Company or any Subsidiary, (iii) the reimbursement obligations, contingent or otherwise, in connection with any letters of credit actually issued (other than letters of credit issued to provide credit enhancement or support with respect to other indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary otherwise reflected as Indebtedness hereunder) or amounts representing

the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable, or all conditional sale obligations or obligations under any title retention agreement, (iv) the principal amount of all obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified Stock, (v) any lease of property by the Company or any Subsidiary as lessee which is reflected on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as a capitalized lease in accordance with GAAP, or (vi) interest rate swaps, caps or similar agreements and foreign exchange contracts, currency swaps or similar agreements, to the extent, in the case of items of indebtedness under (i) through (iii) above, that any such items (other than letters of credit) would appear as a liability on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet in accordance with GAAP, and also includes, to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation by the Company or any Subsidiary to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise (other than for purposes of collection in the ordinary course of business), Indebtedness of another Person (other than the Company or any Subsidiary) (it being understood that Indebtedness shall be deemed to be incurred by the Company or any Subsidiary whenever the Company or such Subsidiary shall create, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect thereof).

“Notes” has the meaning specified in Section 2.1 hereof.

“Pricing Supplement” means a pricing supplement to the Prospectus, dated August 18, 1998, as supplemented by the Prospectus Supplement dated September 30, 1998, setting forth the terms of the applicable Notes.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity of which a majority of (i) the voting power of the voting equity securities or (ii) the outstanding equity interests of which are owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person. For the purposes of this definition, “voting equity securities” means equity securities having voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of security has such voting power by reason of any contingency.

“Total Assets” as of any date means the sum of (i) the Undepreciated Real Estate Assets and (ii) all other assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries determined in accordance with GAAP (but excluding accounts receivable and intangibles).

“Total Unencumbered Assets” means the sum of (i) those Undepreciated Real Estate Assets not subject to an Encumbrance for borrowed money and (ii) all other assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries not subject to an Encumbrance for borrowed money, determined in accordance with GAAP (but excluding accounts receivable and intangibles).

“Undepreciated Real Estate Assets” as of any date means the cost (original cost plus capital improvements) of real estate assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries on such date, before depreciation and amortization, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

“Unsecured Indebtedness” means Indebtedness which is not secured by any Encumbrance upon any of the properties of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

4


ARTICLE TWO

THE SERIES OF NOTES

The following provisions of this Article Two are made pursuant to Section 301 of the Senior Indenture in order to establish and set forth the terms of the series of Securities described in Section 2.1.

SECTION 2.1 Title of the Securities.

There shall be a series of Securities designated the Medium-Term Notes Due Nine Months or More from Date of Issue (the “Notes”).

SECTION 2.2 No limitation on Aggregate Principal Amount.

The aggregate principal amount of the Notes shall be unlimited.

Nothing contained in this Section 2.2 or elsewhere in this Supplemental Indenture, or in the Notes, is intended to or shall limit execution by the Company or authentication or delivery by the Trustee of Notes under the circumstances contemplated by Sections 303, 304, 305, 306, 906, 1107 and 1305 of the Senior Indenture.

SECTION 2.3 Terms and Conditions of the Notes.

The Notes shall be governed by all the terms and conditions of the Indenture, including, without limitation, the terms and conditions set forth in the forms of Note referred to in Section 2.9 below, as the same may be supplemented or, to the extent allowed by the Indenture, modified by the additional or different terms and conditions established from time to time with respect to the Notes either in resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company or by action of authorized officers of the Company and, in either such case, such additional or different terms and conditions shall be set forth in the Notes and the related Pricing Supplement. All such terms and conditions set forth in such Notes and in such Pricing Supplement are incorporated by reference into this Supplemental Indenture.

SECTION 2.4 Limitations on Incurrence of Indebtedness

(1) The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, incur any Indebtedness if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such additional Indebtedness and the application of the proceeds thereof, the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP is greater than 60% of the sum of (without duplication) (i) the Total Assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the calendar quarter covered in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as the case may be, most recently filed with the Commission (or, if such filing is not permitted under the Exchange Act, with the Trustee) prior to the incurrence of such additional Indebtedness and (ii) the purchase price of any real estate assets or mortgages receivable acquired, and the amount of any securities offering proceeds received (to the extent that such proceeds were not used to acquire real estate assets or mortgages receivable or used to reduce Indebtedness), by the Company or any Subsidiary since the end of such calendar quarter, including those proceeds obtained in connection with the incurrence of such additional Indebtedness.

(2) In addition to the limitation set forth in subsection (1) of this Section 2.4, the Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, incur any Indebtedness if the ratio of Consolidated Income Available for Debt Service to the Annual Service Charge for the four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended prior to the date on which such additional Indebtedness is to be incurred shall have been less than 1.5:1, on a pro forma basis after giving effect thereto and to the application of the proceeds therefrom, and calculated on the assumption that (i) such Indebtedness and any other Indebtedness incurred by the Company and its Subsidiaries since the first day of such four-quarter period and the application of the proceeds therefrom, including to refinance other Indebtedness, had occurred at the beginning of such period; (ii) the repayment or retirement of any other Indebtedness by the Company and its Subsidiaries since the first day of such four-quarter period had been repaid or retired at the beginning of such period (except that, in making such computation, the amount of Indebtedness under any revolving credit facility shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during such period); (iii) in the case of Acquired Indebtedness or Indebtedness incurred in connection with any acquisition since the first day of such four-quarter period, the related acquisition had occurred as of the first day of such period with the appropriate adjustments with respect to such acquisition being included in such pro forma calculation; and (iv) in the case of any acquisition or disposition by the Company or its Subsidiaries of any asset or group of assets since the first day of such four-quarter period, whether by merger, stock purchase or sale, or asset purchase or sale, such acquisition or disposition or any related repayment of Indebtedness had occurred as of the first day of such period with the appropriate adjustments with respect to such acquisition or disposition being included in such pro forma calculation.

 

5


(3) In addition to the limitations set forth in subsections (1) and (2) of this Section 2.4, the Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, incur any Indebtedness secured by any Encumbrance upon any of the property of the Company or any Subsidiary if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such additional Indebtedness and the application of the proceeds thereof, the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis which is secured by any Encumbrance on property of the Company or any Subsidiary is greater than 40% of the sum of (without duplication) (i) the Total Assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the calendar quarter covered in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as the case may be, most recently filed with the Commission (or, if such filing is not permitted under the Exchange Act, with the Trustee) prior to the incurrence of such additional Indebtedness and (ii) the purchase price of any real estate assets or mortgages receivable acquired, and the amount of any securities offering proceeds received (to the extent that such proceeds were not used to acquire real estate assets or mortgages receivable or used to reduce Indebtedness), by the Company or any Subsidiary since the end of such calendar quarter, including those proceeds obtained in connection with the incurrence of such additional Indebtedness.

(4) The Company and its Subsidiaries may not at any time own Total Unencumbered Assets equal to less than 150% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Unsecured Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

(5) For purposes of this Section 2.4, Indebtedness shall be deemed to be “incurred” by the Company or a Subsidiary whenever the Company or such Subsidiary shall create, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect thereof.

SECTION 2.5 Defeasance.

The provisions of Sections 1402 and 1403 of the Senior Indenture, together with the other provisions of Article Fourteen of the Senior Indenture, shall be applicable to the Notes. The provisions of Section 1403 of the Senior Indenture shall apply to the covenants set forth in Sections 2.4 and 2.10 of this Supplemental Indenture and to those covenants specified in Section 1403 of the Senior Indenture.

SECTION 2.6 Events of Default

The provisions of clause (5) of Section 501 of the Senior Indenture as applicable with respect to the Notes shall be deemed to be amended and restated in their entirety to read as follows:

(5) default under any bond, debenture, note, 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 by any Subsidiary, the repayment of which the Company has guaranteed or for which the Company is directly responsible or liable as obligor or guarantor), having an aggregate principal amount outstanding of at least $10,000,000, whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created, which default shall have resulted in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable, without such indebtedness having been discharged, or such acceleration having been rescinded or annulled, within a period of 10 days after there shall have been given written notice, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default and requiring the Company to cause such indebtedness to be discharged or cause such acceleration to be rescinded or annulled and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; provided, however, that such a default on indebtedness which constitutes tax-exempt financing having an aggregate principal amount outstanding not exceeding $25,000,000 that results solely from a failure of an entity providing credit support for such indebtedness to honor a demand for payment on a letter of credit shall not constitute an Event of Default; or

 

6


SECTION 2.7 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

The provisions of the first paragraph of Section 502 of the Senior Indenture as applicable with respect to the Notes shall be deemed to be amended and restated in their entirety to read as follows:

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal amount (or, if Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal as may be specified in the terms thereof) of all the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal, or specified portion thereof, plus accrued interest to the date the Securities of that series are paid, shall become immediately due and payable. With respect to the Securities of any series, if an Event of Default set forth in Section 501(6) of the Senior Indenture occurs and is continuing, then in every such case all the Securities of that series shall become immediately due and payable, without notice to the Company, at the principal amount thereof (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securi ties or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal as may be specified in the terms thereof) plus accrued interest to the date the Securities of that series are paid.

SECTION 2.8 Registered Securities.

Each Note shall be issuable and transferable in fully registered book-entry form or certificated form as specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement.

SECTION 2.9 Form of Notes.

The Floating Rate Notes shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto. The Fixed Rate Notes shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto.

SECTION 2.10 Provision of Financial Information.

Whether or not the Company is subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company will, to the extent permitted under the Exchange Act, file with the Commission the annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents which the Company would have been required to file with the Commission pursuant to such Section 13 or 15(d) if the Company were so subject, such documents to be filed with the Commission on or prior to the respective dates (the “Required Filing Dates”) by which the Company would have been required so to file such documents if the Company were so subject.

The Company will also in any event (x) within 15 days of each Required Filing Date (i) if the Company is not then subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, transmit by mail to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, without cost to such Holders, copies of the annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents which the Company would have been required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if the Company were subject to such Sections and (ii) file with the Trustee copies of annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents which the Company would have been required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if the Company were subject to such Sections and (y) supply, promptly upon written request and payment of the reasonable cost of duplication and delivery, copies of such documents to any prospective Holder.

The Trustee shall not be required to examine any of the reports and other documents filed therewith pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.10 or Section 7.03 of the Senior Indenture in order to determine whether the Company is in compliance with the provisions of Section 2.4 of this Supplemental Indenture.

SECTION 2.11 Waiver of Certain Covenants.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1009 of the Senior Indenture, the Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Sections 1004 to 1008, inclusive, of the Senior Indenture, with Sections 2.4 and 2.10 of this Supplemental Indenture and with any other term, provision or condition with respect to the Notes or any series thereof (except any such term, provision or condition which could not be amended without the consent of all Holders of the Notes or such series thereof, as applicable), if before or after the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all outstanding Notes or such series thereof, as applicable, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such covenant or condition. Except to the extent so expressly waived, and until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

 

7


ARTICLE THREE

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 3.1. Ratification of Senior Indenture.

Except as expressly modified or amended hereby, the Senior Indenture continues in full force and effect and is in all respects confirmed and preserved.

SECTION 3.2. Governing Law.

This Supplemental Indenture and each Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. This Supplemental Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

SECTION 3.3. Counterparts.

This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

[Signature page follows.]

 

8


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed by their respective officers hereunto duly authorized, all as of the day and year first written above.

 

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
By:   /s/ Richard L. Michaux
  Richard L. Michaux
  Chief Executive Officer

 

Attest:   /s/ Edward M. Schulman
  Edward M. Schulman
Secretary

 

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,

as Trustee

By:   /s/ Susan Calise
  Susan Calise
  Vice President

 

Attest:   /s/ Robert J. Dunn
  Name: Robert J. Dunn
Vice President

 

S-1


EXHIBIT A

Form of Floating Rate Note

[Face of Note]

UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (THE “DEPOSITARY”) (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) TO THE ISSUER HEREOF OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.1

THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO., AS NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY. THIS SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN CERTIFICATED 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.2

 

Registered No. FLR-      

   [PRINCIPAL AMOUNT]

CUSIP No:      

  

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

MEDIUM-TERM NOTE

(Floating Rate)

 

INTEREST RATE BASIS OR

  

ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE:     

  

STATED MATURITY

BASES:      

     

DATE:      

 
1 

This paragraph applies to global Notes only.

2 

This paragraph applies to global Notes only.

 

IF LIBOR:    IF CMT RATE:

☐ LIBOR Reuters

  

Designated CMT Telerate Page:     

Page: ___

  

If Telerate Page 7052:

☐ LIBOR Telerate

  

☐ Weekly Average

Page: ___

  

☐ Monthly Average

  

Designated CMT Maturity Index:     

 

INDEX CURRENCY:

     

INDEX MATURITY:

  

INITIAL INTEREST RATE: ___%

  

INTEREST PAYMENT
DATE(S):

SPREAD (PLUS OR
MINUS):

  

SPREAD MULTIPLIER:

  

INITIAL INTEREST
RESET DATE:

MINIMUM INTEREST RATE: ___%

  

MAXIMUM INTEREST RATE ___%

  

INTEREST RESET
DATE(S):

INITIAL REDEMPTION
DATE:

  

INITIAL REDEMPTION PERCENTAGE: ___%

  

ANNUAL REDEMPTION
PERCENTAGE
REDUCTION:

OPTIONAL PAYMENT
DATE(S):

  

CALCULATION AGENT:

  


INTEREST CATEGORY:   

☐ Regular Floating Rate Note

   DAY COUNT CONVENTION:

☐ Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Note

  

☐ 30/360 for the period

Fixed Rate Commencement Date:

  

from      to     

Fixed Interest Rate: %

  

☐ Actual/360 for the period

☐ Inverse Floating Rate Note

  

from      to     

Fixed Interest Rate: %

  

☐ Actual/Actual for the period

☐ Original Issue Discount Note

  

from      to     

Issue Price: %

  

Applicable Interest Rate Basis:

SPECIFIED CURRENCY:    AUTHORIZED DENOMINATION:

☐ US Dollars

  

☐ $1,000 and integral multiples thereof

☐ Other:

  

☐ Other:

EXCHANGE RATE: U.S. $1.00 =      

EXCHANGE RATE AGENT:

AMORTIZING SECURITY:

☐ Yes

☐ No

AMORTIZATION FORMULA:

AMORTIZATION PAYMENT DATE(S):

DEFAULT RATE: %

ADDENDUM ATTACHED:

☐ Yes

☐ No

OTHER/ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS:

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of Maryland (hereinafter referred to as the “Company”, which term includes any successor entity under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to ___, or registered assigns, the principal sum of ___, on the Stated Maturity Date specified above (or any Redemption Date or Repayment Date, each as defined below) (each such Stated Maturity Date, Redemption Date or Repayment Date being hereinafter referred to as the “Maturity Date” with respect to the principal repayable on such date) and to pay interest thereon, at a rate per annum equal to the initial Interest Rate specified above until the Initial Interest Reset Date specified above and thereafter at a rate determined in accordance with the provisions specified above and on the reverse hereof or in an Addendum hereto with respect to one or more Interest Rate Bases specified above until the principal hereof is paid or duly made available for payment, and (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable) at the Default Rate per annum specified above on any overdue principal, premium and/or interest, including any overdue sinking fund or redemption payment. The Company will pay interest in arrears on each Interest Payment Date, if any, specified above (each, an “Interest Payment Date”), commencing with the first Interest Payment Date next succeeding the Original Issue Date specified above, and on the Maturity Date; provided, however, that if the Original Issue Date occurs between a Record Date (as defined below) and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest payments will commence on the second Interest Payment Date next succeeding the Original Issue Date to the holder of this Note on the Record Date with respect to such second Interest Payment Date.

 

A-2


Interest on this Note will accrue from, and including, the immediately preceding Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for (or from, and including, the Original Issue Date if no interest has been paid or duly provided for) to, but excluding, the applicable Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date, as the case may be (each, an “Interest Period”). The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, subject to certain exceptions described herein, be paid to the person in whose name this Note (or one or more predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on the fifteenth calendar day (whether or not a Business Day, as defined on the reverse hereof) mmediately preceding such Interest Payment Date (the “Record Date”); provided, however, that interest payable on the Maturity Date will be payable to the person to whom the principal hereof and premium, if any, hereon shall be payable. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for (“Defaulted Interest”) will forthwith cease to be payable to the holder on any Record Date, and shall be paid to the person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on a special record date (the “Special Record Date”) for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee hereinafter referred to, notice whereof shall be given to the holder of this Note by the Trustee not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date or may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which this Note may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided for in the Indenture.

Payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of this Note due on the Maturity Date, or any prior date on which the principal or an installment of principal of this Note becomes due and payable, whether by the declaration of acceleration or otherwise, will be made in immediately available funds upon presentation and surrender of this Note (and, with respect to any applicable repayment of this Note, upon presentation and surrender of this Note and a duly completed election form as contemplated on the reverse hereof) at the office or agency maintained by the Company for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York; provided, however, that if the Specified Currency specified above is other than United States dollars and such payment is to be made in the Specified Currency in accordance with the provisions set forth below, such payment may be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account with a bank designated by the holder hereof at least 15 calendar days prior to the Maturity Date, provided that such bank has appropriate facilities therefor and that this Note (and, if applicable, a duly completed repayment election form) is presented and surrendered at the aforementioned office or agency maintained by the Company in time for the Trustee to make such payment in such funds in accordance with its normal procedures. Payment of interest due on any Interest Payment Date other than the Maturity Date will be made at the aforementioned office or agency maintained by the Company or, at the option of the Company, by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register maintained by the Trustee; provided, however, that a holder of U.S. $10,000,000 (or, if the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, the equivalent thereof in the Specified Currency) or more in aggregate principal amount of Notes (whether having identical or different terms and provisions) will be entitled to receive interest payments on any Interest Payment Date other than the Maturity Date by wire transfer of immediately available funds if appropriate wire transfer instructions have been received in writing by the Trustee not less than 15 calendar days prior to such Interest Payment Date. Any such wire transfer instructions received by the Trustee shall remain in effect until revoked by such holder.

If any Interest Payment Date other than the Maturity Date would otherwise be a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Payment Date shall be postponed to the next succeeding Business Day, except that if LIBOR is an applicable Interest Rate Basis and such Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, such Interest Payment Date shall be the immediately preceding Business Day. If the Maturity Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the required payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the date such payment was due, and no interest shall accrue with respect to such payment for the period from and after the Maturity Date to the date of such payment on the next succeeding Business Day.

 

A-3


As used herein, “Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close in The City of New York or Chicago; provided, however, that if the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, such day is also not a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close in the Principal Financial Center (as defined below) of the country issuing the Specified Currency (or, if the Specified Currency is European Currency Units (“ECU”), such day is not a day that appears as an ECU non-settlement day on the display designated as “ISDE” on the Reuter Monitor Money Rates Service (or a day so designated by the ECU Banking Association), or, if ECU non-settlement days do not appear on that page (and are not so designated), is not a day on which payments in ECU cannot be settled in the international interbank market); provided, further, that if LIBOR is an applicable Interest Rate Basis, such day is also a London Business Day (as defined below). “London Business Day” means (i) if the Index Currency (as defined below) is other than ECU, any day on which dealings in such Index Currency are transacted in the London interbank market or (ii) if the Index Currency is ECU, any day that does not appear as an ECU non-settlement day on the display designated as “ISDE” on the Reuter Monitor Money Rates Service (or a day so designated by the ECU Banking Association) or, if ECU non-settlement days do not appear on that page (and are not so designated), is not a day on which payments in ECU cannot be settled in the international interbank market. “Principal Financial Center” means the capital city of the country issuing the Specified Currency or, solely with respect to the calculation of LIBOR, the Index Currency, except that with respect to United States dollars, Australian dollars, Deutsche marks, Dutch guilders, Italian lire, Swiss francs and ECU, the Principal Financial Center shall be The City of New York, Sydney, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Milan, Zurich and Luxembourg, respectively.

The Company is obligated to make payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of this Note in the Specified Currency (or, if the Specified Currency is not at the time of such payment legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, in such other coin or currency of the country which issued the Specified Currency as at the time of such payment is legal tender for the payment of such debts). If the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, except as provided below, any such amounts so payable by the Company will be converted by the Exchange Rate Agent specified above into United States dollars for payment to the holder of this Note.

If the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, the holder of this Note may elect to receive such amounts in such Specified Currency. If the holder of this Note shall not have duly made an election to receive all or a specified portion of any payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest in respect of this Note in the Specified Currency, any United States dollar amount to be received by the holder of this Note will be based on the highest bid quotation in The City of New York received by the Exchange Rate Agent at approximately 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the second Business Day preceding the applicable payment date from three recognized foreign exchange dealers (one of whom may be the Exchange Rate Agent) selected by the Exchange Rate Agent and approved by the Company for the purchase by the quoting dealer of the Specified Currency for United States dollars for settlement on such payment date in the aggregate amount of such Specified Currency payable to all holders of Foreign Currency Notes scheduled to receive United States dollar payments and at which the applicable dealer commits to execute a contract. All currency exchange costs will be borne by the holder of this Note by deductions from such payments. If three such bid quotations are not available, payments on this Note will be made in the Specified Currency.

If the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, the holder of this Note may elect to receive all or a specified portion of any payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest in respect of this Note in the Specified Currency by submitting a written request for such payment to the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office in The City of New York on or prior to the applicable Record Date or at least 15 calendar days prior to the Maturity Date, as the case may be. Such written request may be mailed or hand delivered or sent by cable, telex or other form of facsimile transmission. The holder of this Note may elect to receive all or a specified portion of all future payments in the Specified Currency in respect of such principal, premium, if any, and/or interest and need not file a separate election for each payment. Such election will remain in effect until revoked by written notice to the Trustee, but written notice of any such revocation must be received by the Trustee on or prior to the applicable Record Date or at least 15 calendar days prior to the Maturity Date, as the case may be. If the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars or a composite currency and the holder of this Note shall have duly made an election to receive all or a specified portion of any payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest in respect of this Note in the Specified Currency and if the Specified Currency is not available due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the Company, the Company will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to the holder of this Note by making such payment in United States dollars on the basis of the Market Exchange Rate (as defined below) on the second Business Day prior to such payment date or, if such Market Exchange Rate is not then available, on the basis of the most recently available Market Exchange Rate or as otherwise specified on the face hereof. The “Market Exchange Rate” for the Specified Currency means the noon dollar buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers for such Specified Currency as certified for customs purposes by (or if not so certified, as otherwise determined by) the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Any payment made under such circumstances in United States dollars will not constitute an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) with respect to this Note.

 

A-4


If the Specified Currency is a composite currency and the holder of this Note shall have duly made an election to receive all or a specified portion of any payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest in respect of this Note in the Specified Currency and if such composite currency is unavailable due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the Company, then the Company will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to the holder of this Note by making such payment in United States dollars. The amount of each payment in United States dollars shall be computed by the Exchange Rate Agent on the basis of the equivalent of the composite currency in United States dollars. The component currencies of the composite currency for this purpose (collectively, the “Component Currencies” and each, a “Component Currency”) shall be the currency amounts that were components of the composite currency as of the last day on which the composite currency was used. The equivalent of the composite currency in United States dollars shall be calculated by aggregating the United States dollar equivalents of the Component Currencies. The United States dollar equivalent of each of the Component Currencies shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent on the basis of the most recently available Market Exchange Rate for each such Component Currency, or as otherwise specified on the face hereof.

If the official unit of any Component Currency is altered by way of combination or subdivision, the number of units of the currency as a Component Currency shall be divided or multiplied in the same proportion. If two or more Component Currencies are consolidated into a single currency, the amounts of those currencies as Component Currencies shall be replaced by an amount in such single currency equal to the sum of the amounts of the consolidated Component Currencies expressed in such single currency. If any Component Currency is divided into two or more currencies, the amount of the original Component Currency shall be replaced by the amounts of such two or more currencies, the sum of which shall be equal to the amount of the original Component Currency.

All determinations referred to above made by the Exchange Rate Agent shall be at its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and binding on the holder of this Note.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof and, if so specified above on the face hereof, in the Addendum hereto, which further provisions shall have the same force and effect as if set forth on the face hereof.

Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained herein, if the face of this Note specifies that an Addendum is attached hereto or that “Other/Additional Provisions” apply to this Note, this Note shall be subject to the terms set forth in such Addendum or such “Other/Additional Provisions”.

Unless the Certificate of Authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee or its Authenticating Agent by manual signature, this Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, AvalonBay Communities, Inc. has caused this Note to be duly executed under its corporate seal.

 

Dated:           AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
    By:    
      Richard L. Michaux
      President and Chief Executive Officer

 

[Corporate Seal]

Attest:

 

 

Edward M. Schulman

Secretary

 

A-5


TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

   

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,

   

as Trustee

Dated:            By    
      Robert J. Dunn
      Vice President

[Reverse Of Note]

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

MEDIUM-TERM NOTE

(Floating Rate)

This Note is one of a duly authorized series of Securities (the “Securities”) of the Company issued and to be issued under an Indenture, dated as of January 16, 1998, as amended and supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 20, 1998, the Second Supplemental Indenture dated July 7, 1998 and the Amended and Restated Third Supplemental Indenture dated July 7, 2000, as further amended, modified or supplemented from time to time (the “Indenture”), between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee (the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Securities, and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Note is one of the series of Securities designated as “Medium-Term Notes Due Nine Months or More from Date of Issue” (the “Notes”). All terms used but not defined in this Note or in an Addendum hereto shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Indenture or on the face hereof, as the case may be.

This Note is issuable only in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of U.S. $1,000 and integral multiples thereof or the minimum Authorized Denomination specified on the face hereof.

This Note will not be subject to any sinking fund and, unless otherwise specified on the face hereof in accordance with the provisions of the following two paragraphs, will not be redeemable or repayable prior to the Stated Maturity Date.

This Note will be subject to redemption at the option of the Company on any date on and after the Initial Redemption Date, if any, specified on the face hereof, in whole or from time to time in part in increments of U.S. $1,000 or the minimum Authorized Denomination (provided that any remaining principal amount hereof shall be at least U.S. $1,000 or such minimum Authorized Denomination), at the Redemption Price (as defined below), together with unpaid interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption (each, a “Redemption Date”), on notice given not more than 60 nor less than 30 calendar days prior to the Redemption Date and in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture. The “Redemption Price” shall initially be the Initial Redemption Percentage specified on the face hereof multiplied by the unpaid principal amount of this Note to be redeemed. The Initial Redemption Percentage shall decline at each anniversary of the Initial Redemption Date by the Annual Redemption Percentage Reduction, if any, specified on the face hereof until the Redemption Price is 100% of the unpaid principal amount to be redeemed. In the event of redemption of this Note in part only, a new Note of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof and otherwise having the same terms as this Note shall be issued in the name of the holder hereof upon the presentation and surrender hereof.

This Note will be subject to repayment by the Company at the option of the holder hereof on the Optional Repayment Date(s), if any, specified on the face hereof, in whole or in part in increments of U.S. $1,000 or the minimum Authorized Denomination (provided that any remaining principal amount hereof shall be at least U.S. $1,000 or such minimum Authorized Denomination), at a repayment price equal to 100% of the unpaid principal amount to be repaid, together with unpaid interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for repayment (each, a “Repayment Date”). For this Note to be repaid, the Trustee must receive at its office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, referred to on the face hereof, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days prior to the Repayment Date (i) this Note and the form hereon entitled “Option to Elect Repayment” duly completed or (ii) a

 

A-6


telegram, telex, facsimile transmission, or a letter from a member of a national securities exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or a commercial bank or trust company in the United States setting forth the name of the holder hereof, the principal amount of this Note, the principal amount of this Note to be repaid, the certificate number or a description of the tenor and terms of this Note, a statement that the option to elect repayment is being exercised thereby, and a guarantee that this Note, together with the form hereon entitled “Option to Elect Repayment” duly completed, will be received by the Trustee not later than the fifth Business Day after the date of such telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter, provided that such telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter shall only be effective if this Note and duly completed form are received by the Trustee by such fifth Business Day. Exercise of such repayment option by the holder hereof will be irrevocable. In the event of repayment of this Note in part only, a new Note of like tenor for the unrepaid portion hereof and otherwise having the same terms as this Note shall be issued in the name of the holder hereof upon the presentation and surrender hereof.

If this Note is an Original Issue Discount Note as specified on the face hereof, the amount payable to the holder of this Note in the event of redemption, repayment or acceleration of maturity of this Note will be equal to the sum of (i) the Issue Price specified on the face hereof (increased by any accruals of the Discount, as defined below) and, in the event of any redemption of this Note (if applicable), multiplied by the Initial Redemption Percentage (as adjusted by the Annual Redemption Percentage Reduction, if applicable) and (ii) any unpaid interest on this Note accrued from the Original Issue Date to the Redemption Date, Repayment Date or date of acceleration of maturity, as the case may be. The difference between the Issue Price and 100% of the principal amount of this Note is referred to herein as the “Discount.”

For purposes of determining the amount of Discount that has accrued as of any Redemption Date, Repayment Date or date of acceleration of maturity of this Note, such Discount will be accrued using a constant yield method. The constant yield will be calculated using a 30-day month, 360-day year convention, a compounding period that, except for the Initial Period (as defined below), corresponds to the shortest period between Interest Payment Dates (with ratable accruals within a compounding period), a coupon rate equal to the initial coupon rate applicable to this Note and an assumption that the maturity of this Note will not be accelerated. If the period from the Original Issue Date to the initial Interest Payment Date (the “Initial Period”) is shorter than the compounding period for this Note, a proportionate amount of the yield for an entire compounding period will be accrued. If the Initial Period is longer than the compounding period, then such period will be divided into a regular compounding period and a short period, with the short period being treated as provided in the preceding sentence.

The interest rate borne by this Note will be determined as follows:

(i) Unless the Interest Category of this Note is specified on the face hereof as a “Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Note” or an “Inverse Floating Rate Note” or as otherwise specified as Other/Additional Provisions on the face hereof or in an Addendum hereto, this Note shall be designated as a “Regular Floating Rate Note” and, except as set forth below or specified on the face hereof or in an Addendum hereto, shall bear interest at the rate determined by reference to the applicable Interest Rate Basis or Bases (a) plus or minus the Spread, if any, and/or (b) multiplied by the Spread Multiplier, if any, in each case as specified on the face hereof.

Commencing on the Initial Interest Reset Date, the rate at which interest on this Note shall be payable shall be reset as of each Interest Reset Date specified on the face hereof; provided, however, that the interest rate in effect for the period, if any, from the Original Issue Date to the Initial Interest Reset Date shall be the Initial Interest Rate.

(ii) If the Interest Category of this Note is specified on the face hereof as a “Floating Rate/Fixed Rate Note”, then, except as set forth below or specified on the face hereof or in an Addendum hereto, this Note shall bear interest at the rate determined by reference to the applicable Interest Rate Basis or Bases (a) plus or minus the Spread, if any, and/or (b) multiplied by the Spread Multiplier, if any. Commencing on the Initial Interest Reset Date, the rate at which interest on this Note shall be payable shall be reset as of each Interest Reset Date; provided, however, that (y) the interest rate in effect for the period, if any, from the Original Issue Date to the Initial Interest Reset Date shall be the Initial Interest Rate and (z) the interest rate in effect for the period commencing on the Fixed Rate Commencement Date specified on the face hereof to the Maturity Date shall be the Fixed Interest Rate specified on the face hereof or, if no such Fixed Interest Rate is specified, the interest rate in effect hereon on the day immediately preceding the Fixed Rate Commencement Date.

 

A-7


(iii) If the Interest Category of this Note is specified on the face hereof as an “Inverse Floating Rate Note,” then, except as set forth below or specified on the face hereof or in an Addendum hereto, this Note shall bear interest at the Fixed Interest Rate minus the rate determined by reference to the applicable Interest Rate Basis or Bases (a) plus or minus the Spread, if any, and/or (b) multiplied by the Spread Multiplier, if any; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified on the face hereof or in an Addendum hereto, the interest rate hereon shall not be less than zero. Commencing on the Initial Interest Reset Date, the rate at which interest on this Note shall be payable shall be reset as of each Interest Reset Date; provided, however, that the interest rate in effect for the period, if any, from the Original Issue Date to the Initial Interest Reset Date shall be the Initial Interest Rate.

Except as set forth above or specified on the face hereof or in an Addendum hereto, the interest rate in effect on each day shall be (i) if such day is an Interest Reset Date, the interest rate determined as of the Interest Determination Date (as defined below) immediately preceding such Interest Reset Date or (ii) if such day is not an Interest Reset Date, the interest rate determined as of the Interest Determination Date immediately preceding the most recent Interest Reset Date. If any Interest Reset Date would otherwise be a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Reset Date shall be postponed to the next succeeding Business Day, except that if LIBOR is an applicable Interest Rate Basis and such Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, such Interest Reset Date shall be the immediately preceding Business Day. In addition, if the Treasury Rate is an applicable Interest Rate Basis and the Interest Determination Date would otherwise fall on an Interest Reset Date, then such Interest Reset Date will be postponed to the next succeeding Business Day.

The interest rate applicable to each Interest Reset Period commencing on the related Interest Reset Date will be determined by the Calculation Agent as of the applicable Interest Determination Date and will be calculated by the Calculation Agent on or prior to the Calculation Date (as defined below), except with respect to LIBOR and the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate, which will be calculated on such Interest Determination Date. The “Interest Determination Date” with respect to the CD Rate, the CMT Rate, the Commercial Paper Rate, the Federal Funds Rate and the Prime Rate will be the second Business Day immediately preceding the applicable Interest Reset Date; the “Interest Determination Date” with respect to the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate shall be the last business day of the month immediately preceding the applicable Interest Reset Date on which the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (the “FHLB of San Francisco”) publishes the Index (as defined below); and the “Interest Determination Date” with respect to LIBOR shall be the second London Business Day immediately preceding the applicable Interest Reset Date, unless the Index Currency is British pounds sterling, in which case the “Interest Determination Date” will be the applicable Interest Reset Date. The “Interest Determination Date”, with respect to the Treasury Rate shall be the day in the week in which the applicable Interest Reset Date falls on which day Treasury Bills (as defined below) are normally auctioned (Treasury Bills are normally sold at an auction held on Monday of each week, unless that day is a legal holiday, in which case the auction is normally held on the following Tuesday, except that such auction may be held on the preceding Friday); provided, however, that if an auction is held on the Friday of the week preceding the applicable Interest Reset Date, the “Interest Determination Date” shall be such preceding Friday. If the interest rate of this Note is determined with reference to two or more Interest Rate Bases specified on the face hereof, the “Interest Determination Date” pertaining to this Note shall be the most recent Business Day which is at least two Business Days prior to the applicable Interest Reset Date on which each Interest Rate Basis is determinable. Each Interest Rate Basis shall be determined as of such date, and the applicable interest rate shall take effect on the applicable Interest Reset Date.

Unless otherwise specified on the face hereof or in an Addendum hereto, the rate with respect to each Interest Rate Basis will be determined in accordance with the following provisions:

CD Rate. If an Interest Rate Basis for this Note is specified on the face hereof as the CD Rate, the CD Rate shall be determined as of the applicable Interest Determination Date (a “CD Rate Interest Determination Date”) as the rate on such date for negotiable United States dollar certificates of deposit having the Index Maturity specified on the face hereof as published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in “Statistical Release H.15(519),

Selected Interest Rates” or any successor publication (“H.15(519)”) under the heading “CDS (Secondary Market),” or, if not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, the rate on such CD Rate Interest Determination Date for negotiable United States dollar certificates of deposit of the Index Maturity as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in its daily statistical release “Composite 3:30 P.M. Quotations for United States Government Securities” or any successor publication (“Composite Quotations”) under the heading “Certificates of Deposit.” If such rate is not yet published in either H.15(519) or Composite Quotations by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the CD Rate on such CD Rate Interest Determination Date will be calculated by the Calculation Agent specified on the face hereof and will be the arithmetic mean of the secondary market offered rates as of 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on such CD Rate Interest Determination Date, of three leading nonbank dealers in negotiable United States dollar certificates of

 

A-8


deposit in The City of New York selected by the Calculation Agent for negotiable United States dollar certificates of deposit of major United States money center banks in the market for negotiable United States dollar certificates of deposit with a remaining maturity closest to the Index Maturity in an amount that is representative for a single transaction in that market at that time; provided, however, that if the dealers so selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the CD Rate determined as of such CD Rate Interest Determination Date will be the CD Rate in effect on such CD Rate Interest Determination Date.

CMT Rate. If an Interest Rate Basis for this Note is specified on the face hereof as the CMT Rate, the CMT Rate shall be determined as of the applicable Interest Determination Date (a “CMT Rate Interest Determination Date”) as the rate displayed on the Designated CMT Telerate Page (as defined below) under the caption “. . . Treasury Constant Maturities . . . Federal Reserve Board Release H.15 . . . Mondays Approximately 3:45 P.M.,” under the column for the Designated CMT Maturity Index (as defined below) for (i) if the Designated CMT Telerate Page is 7055, the rate on such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date and (ii) if the Designated CMT Telerate Page is 7052, the weekly or monthly average, as specified on the face hereof, for the week or month, as applicable, ended immediately preceding the week or month, as applicable, in which the related CMT Rate Interest Determination Date occurs. If such rate is no longer displayed on the relevant page or is not displayed by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the CMT Rate for such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date will be such treasury constant maturity rate for the Designated CMT Maturity Index as published in H.15(519). If such rate is no longer published or is not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the CMT Rate on such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date will be such treasury constant maturity rate for the Designated CMT Maturity Index (or other United States Treasury rate for the Designated CMT Maturity Index) for the CMT Rate Interest Determination Date with respect to such Interest Reset Date as may then be published by either the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the United States Department of the Treasury that the Calculation Agent determines to be comparable to the rate formerly displayed on the Designated CMT Telerate Page and published in H.15(519). If such information is not provided by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the CMT Rate on the CMT Rate Interest Determination Date will be calculated by the Calculation Agent and will be a yield to maturity, based on the arithmetic mean of the secondary market closing offer side prices as of approximately 3:30 P.M., New York City time, on such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date reported, according to their written records, by three leading primary United States government securities dealers (each, a “Reference Dealer”) in The City of New York selected by the Calculation Agent (from five such Reference Dealers selected by the Calculation Agent and eliminating the highest quotation (or, in the event of equality, one of the highest) and the lowest quotation (or, in the event of equality, one of the lowest)), for the most recently issued direct noncallable fixed rate obligations of the United States (“Treasury Notes”) with an original maturity of approximately the Designated CMT Maturity Index and a remaining term to maturity of not less than such Designated CMT Maturity Index minus one year. If the Calculation Agent is unable to obtain three such Treasury Note quotations, the CMT Rate on such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date will be calculated by the Calculation Agent and will be a yield to maturity based on the arithmetic mean of the secondary market offer side prices as of approximately 3:30 P.M., New York City time, on such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date of three Reference Dealers in The City of New York (from five such Reference Dealers selected by the Calculation Agent and eliminating the highest quotation (or, in the event of equality, one of the highest) and the lowest quotation (or, in the event of equality, one of the lowest)), for Treasury Notes with an original maturity of the number of years that is the next highest to the Designated CMT Maturity Index and a remaining term to maturity closest to the Designated CMT Maturity Index and in an amount of at least U.S.$100 million. If three or four (and not five) of such Reference Dealers are quoting as described above, then the CMT Rate will be based on the arithmetic mean of the offer prices obtained and neither the highest nor the lowest of such quotes will be eliminated; provided, however, that if fewer than three Reference Dealers selected by the Calculation Agent are quoting as mentioned herein, the CMT Rate determined as of such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date will be the CMT Rate in effect on such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date. If two Treasury Notes with an original maturity as described in the second preceding sentence have remaining terms to maturity equally close to the Designated CMT Maturity Index, the Calculation Agent will obtain quotations for the Treasury Note with the shorter remaining term to maturity and will use such quotations to calculate the CMT Rate as set forth above.

“Designated CMT Telerate Page” means the display on the Dow Jones Telerate Service (or any successor service) on the page specified on the face hereof (or any other page as may replace such page on that service (or any successor service) for the purpose of displaying Treasury Constant Maturities as reported in H.15(519)). If no such page is specified on the face hereof, the Designated CMT Telerate Page shall be 7052, for the most recent week.

 

A-9


“Designated CMT Maturity Index” means the original period to maturity of the United States Treasury securities (either one, two, three, five, seven, 10, 20 or 30 years) specified on the face hereof with respect to which the CMT Rate will be calculated. If no such maturity is specified on the face hereof, the Designated CMT Maturity Index shall be two years.

Commercial Paper Rate. If an Interest Rate Basis for this Note is specified on the face hereof as the Commercial Paper Rate, the Commercial Paper Rate shall be determined as of the applicable Interest Determination Date (a “Commercial Paper Rate Interest Determination Date”) as the Money Market Yield (as defined below) on such date of the rate for commercial paper having the Index Maturity as published in H.15(519) under the heading “Commercial Paper — Non Financial.”

In the event that such rate is not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the Commercial Paper Rate on such Commercial Paper Rate Interest Determination Date will be the Money Market Yield of the rate or commercial paper having the Index Maturity as published in Composite Quotations under the heading “Commercial Paper” (with an Index Maturity of one month or three months being deemed to be equivalent to an Index Maturity of 30 days or 90 days, respectively). If such rate is not yet published in either H.l5(519) or Composite Quotations by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the Commercial Paper Rate on such Commercial Paper Rate Interest Determination Date will be calculated by the Calculation Agent and shall be the Money Market Yield of the arithmetic mean of the offered rates at approximately 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on such Commercial Paper Rate Interest Determination Date of three leading dealers of commercial paper in The City of New York selected by the Calculation Agent for commercial paper having the Index Maturity placed for an industrial issuer whose bond rating is “AAA,” or the equivalent, from a nationally recognized statistical rating organization; provided, however, that if the dealers so selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the Commercial Paper Rate determined as of such Commercial Paper Rate Interest Determination Date will be the Commercial Paper Rate in effect on such Commercial Paper Rate Interest Determination Date.

“Money Market Yield” means a yield (expressed as a percentage) calculated in accordance with the following formula:

 

Money Market Yield = 

  D x 360   

x 100

  
  360 — (D x M)      

where “D” refers to the applicable per annum rate for commercial paper quoted on a bank discount basis and expressed as a decimal, and “M” refers to the actual number of days in the Interest Period for which interest is being calculated.

Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate. If an Interest Rate Basis for this Note is specified on the face hereof as the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate, the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate shall be determined as of the applicable Interest Determination Date (an “Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date”) as the rate equal to the monthly weighted average cost of funds for the calendar month immediately preceding the month in which such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date falls, as set forth under the caption “llth District” on Telerate Page 7058 as of 11:00 A.M., San Francisco time, on such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date. If such rate does not appear on Telerate Page 7058 on such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date, then the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate on such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date shall be the monthly weighted average cost of funds paid by member institutions of the Eleventh Federal Home Loan Bank District that was most recently announced (the “Index”) by the FHLB of San Francisco as such cost of funds for the calendar month immediately preceding such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date. If the FHLB of San Francisco fails to announce the Index on or prior to such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date for the calendar month immediately preceding such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date, the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate determined as of such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date will be the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate in effect on such Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate Interest Determination Date.

 

A-10


Federal Funds Rate. If an Interest Rate Basis for this Note is specified on the face hereof as the Federal Funds Rate, the Federal Funds Rate shall be determined as of the applicable Interest Determination Date (a “Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination Date”) as the rate on such date for United States dollar federal funds as published in H.15(519) under the heading “Federal Funds (Effective)” or, if not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the Calculation Date, the rate on such Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination Date as published in Composite Quotations under the heading “Federal Funds/Effective Rate.” If such rate is not published in either H.15(519) or Composite Quotations by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the Federal Funds Rate on such Federal Funds Interest Determination Date shall be calculated by the Calculation Agent and will be the arithmetic mean of the rates for the last transaction in overnight United States dollar federal funds arranged by three leading brokers of federal funds transactions in The City of New York selected by the Calculation Agent, prior to 9:00 A.M., New York City time, on such Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination Date; provided, however, that if the brokers so selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the Federal Funds Rate determined as of such Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination Date will be the Federal Funds Rate in effect on such Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination Date.

LIBOR. If an Interest Rate Basis for this Note is specified on the face hereof as LIBOR, LIBOR shall be determined by the Calculation Agent as of the applicable Interest Determination Date (a “LIBOR Interest Determination Date”) in accordance with the following provisions:

(i) if (a) “LIBOR Reuters” is specified on the face hereof, the arithmetic mean of the offered rates (unless the Designated LIBOR Page (as defined below) by its terms provides only for a single rate, in which case such single rate will be used) for deposits in the Index Currency having the Index Maturity, commencing on the applicable Interest Reset Date, that appear (or, if only a single rate is required as aforesaid, appears) on the Designated LIBOR Page (as defined below) as of 11:00 A.M., London time, on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date, or (b) “LIBOR Telerate” is specified on the face hereof, or if neither “LIBOR Reuters” nor “LIBOR Telerate” is specified on the face hereof as the method for calculating LIBOR, the rate for deposits in the Index Currency having the Index Maturity, commencing on such Interest Reset Date, that appears on the Designated LIBOR Page as of 11:00 A.M., London time, on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date. If fewer than two such offered rates appear, or if no such rate appears, as applicable, LIBOR on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date shall be determined in accordance with the provisions described in clause (ii) below.

(ii) With respect to a LIBOR Interest Determination Date on which fewer than two offered rates appear, or no rate appears, as the case may be, on the Designated LIBOR Page as specified in clause (i) above, the Calculation Agent shall request the principal London offices of each of four major reference banks in the London interbank market, as selected by the Calculation Agent, to provide the Calculation Agent with its offered quotation for deposits in the Index Currency for the period of the Index Maturity, commencing on the applicable Interest Reset Date, to prime banks in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 A.M., London time, on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date and in a principal amount that is representative for a single transaction in such Index Currency in such market at such time. If at least two such quotations are so provided, then LIBOR on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date will be the arithmetic mean of such quotations. If fewer than two such quotations are so provided, then LIBOR on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date will be the arithmetic mean of the rates quoted at approximately 11:00 A.M., in the applicable Principal Financial Center, on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date by three major banks in such Principal Financial Center selected by the Calculation Agent for loans in the Index Currency to leading European banks, having the Index Maturity and in a principal amount that is representative for a single transaction in such Index Currency in such market at such time; provided, however, that if the banks so selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, LIBOR determined as of such LIBOR Interest Determination Date shall be LIBOR in effect on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date.

“Index Currency” means the currency or composite currency specified on the face hereof as to which LIBOR shall be calculated. If no such currency or composite currency is specified on the face hereof, the Index Currency shall be United States dollars.

“Designated LIBOR Page” means (a) if “LIBOR Reuters” is specified on the face hereof, the display on the Reuter Monitor Money Rates Service (or any successor service) on the page specified on the face hereof (or any other page as may replace such page on such service (or any successor service)), for the purpose of displaying the London interbank rates of major banks for the Index Currency, or (b) if “LIBOR Telerate” is specified on the face hereof or neither “LIBOR Reuters” nor “LIBOR Telerate” is specified on the face hereof as the method for calculating LIBOR, the display on the Dow Jones Telerate Service (or any successor service) on the page specified on the face hereof (or any other page as may replace such page on such service (or any successor service)), for the purpose of displaying the London interbank rates of major banks for the applicable Index Currency.

 

A-11


Prime Rate. If an Interest Rate Basis for this Note is specified on the face hereto as the Prime Rate, the Prime Rate shall be determined as of the applicable Interest Determination Date (a “Prime Rate Interest Determination Date”) as the rate on such date as such rate is published in H.15(519) under the heading “Bank Prime Loan.” If such rate is not published prior to 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the Prime Rate shall be the arithmetic mean of the rates of interest publicly announced by each bank that appears on the Reuters Screen USPRIME1 Page (as defined below) as such bank’s prime rate or base lending rate as in effect for such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date. If fewer than four such rates appear on the Reuters Screen USPRIME1 Page for such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date, then the Prime Rate shall be the arithmetic mean of the prime rates quoted on the basis of the actual number of days in the year divided by a 360-day year as of the close of business on such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date by four major money center banks in The City of New rk selected by the Calculation Agent. If fewer than four such quotations are so provided, the Prime Rate shall be the arithmetic mean of four prime rates quoted on the basis of the actual number of days in the year divided by a 360-day year as of the close of business on such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date as furnished in The City of New York by the major money center banks, if any, that have provided such quotations and by a reasonable number of substitute banks or trust companies to obtain four such prime rate quotations, provided such substitute banks or trust companies are organized and doing business under the laws of the United States, or any State thereof, each having total equity capital of at least U.S.$500 million and being subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority, selected by the Calculation Agent to provide such rate or rates; provided, however, that if the banks or trust companies so selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the Prime Rate determined as of such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date will be the Prime Rate in effect on such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date.

“Reuters Screen USPRIME1 Page” means the display designated as page “USPRIME1” on the Reuter Monitor Money Rates Service (or any successor service) (or such other page as may replace the USPRIME1 page on such service (or any successor service) for the purpose of displaying prime rates or base lending rates of major United States banks).

Treasury Rate. If an Interest Rate Basis for this Note is specified on the face hereof as the Treasury Rate, the Treasury Rate shall be determined as of the applicable Interest Determination Date (a “Treasury Rate Interest Determination Date”) as the rate from the auction held on such Treasury Rate Interest Determination Date (the “Auction”) of direct obligations of the United States (“Treasury Bills”) having the Index Maturity, as such rate is published in H.15(519) under the heading “Treasury bills-auction average (investment)” or, if not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, the auction average rate of such Treasury Bills (expressed as a bond equivalent on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable, and applied on a daily basis) as otherwise announced by the United States Department of the Treasury. In the event that the results of the Auction of Treasury Bills having the Index Maturity are not reported as provided above by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on such Calculation Date, or if no such Auction is held, then the Treasury Rate shall be calculated by the Calculation Agent and shall be a yield to maturity (expressed as a bond equivalent on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable, and applied on a daily basis) of the arithmetic mean of the secondary market bid rates, as of approximately 3:30 P.M., New York City time, on such Treasury Rate Interest Determination Date, of three leading primary United States government securities dealers selected by the Calculation Agent, for the issue of Treasury Bills with a remaining maturity closest to the Index Maturity; provided, however, that if the dealers so selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the Treasury Rate determined as of such Treasury Rate Interest Determination Date will be the Treasury Rate in effect on such Treasury Rate Interest Determination Date.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the interest rate hereon shall not be greater than the Maximum Interest Rate, if any, or less than the Minimum Interest Rate, if any, in each case as specified on the face hereof. The interest rate on this Note will in no event be higher than the maximum rate permitted by New York law, as the same may be modified by United States law of general application.

The “Calculation Date”, if applicable, pertaining to any Interest Determination Date shall be the earlier of (i) the tenth calendar day after such Interest Determination Date or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day or (ii) the Business Day immediately preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date, as the case may be. At the request of the Holder hereof, the Calculation Agent will provide to the Holder hereof the interest rate hereon then in effect and, if determined, the interest rate that will become effective as a result of a determination made for the next succeeding Interest Reset Date.

 

A-12


Accrued interest hereon shall be an amount calculated by multiplying the principal amount hereof by an accrued interest factor. Such accrued interest factor shall be computed by adding the interest factor calculated for each day in the applicable Interest Period. Unless otherwise specified as the Day Count Convention on the face hereof, the interest factor for each such date shall be computed by dividing the interest rate applicable to such day by 360 if the CD Rate, the Commercial Paper Rate, the Eleventh District Cost of Funds Rate, the Federal Funds Rate, LIBOR or the Prime Rate is an applicable Interest Rate Basis or by the actual number of days in the year if the CMT Rate or the Treasury Rate is an applicable Interest Rate Basis. Unless otherwise specified as the Day Count Convention on the face hereof, the interest factor for this Note, if the interest rate is calculated with reference to two or more Interest Rate Bases, shall be calculated in each period in the same manner as if only the Applicable Interest Rate Basis specified on the face hereof applied. All percentages resulting from any calculation on this Note shall be rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upwards (e.g., 5.876545% (or .05876545) would be rounded to 5.87655% (or .0587655)), and all amounts used in or resulting from such calculation on this Note shall be rounded, in the case of United States dollars, to the nearest cent or, in the case of a Specified Currency other than United States dollars or a composite currency, to the nearest unit (with one-half cent or unit being rounded upwards).

If an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Notes may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance of (i) the entire indebtedness of the Notes or (ii) certain covenants and Events of Default with respect to the Notes, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set forth therein, which provisions apply to the Notes.

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the holders of the Securities at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of all Securities at the time outstanding and affected thereby. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any series, on behalf of the holders of all such Securities, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture. Furthermore, provisions in the Indenture permit the holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any series, in certain instances, to waive, on behalf of all of the holders of Securities of such series, certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the holder of this Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders of this Note and other Notes issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange hereof or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Note.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of this Note at the times, places and rate or formula, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein and herein set forth, the transfer of this Note is registrable in the Security Register of the Company upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal hereof and any premium or interest hereon are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar, duly executed by the holder hereof or by his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Notes, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein and herein set forth, this Note is exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of different authorized denominations but otherwise having the same terms and conditions, as requested by the holder hereof surrendering the same.

No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Prior to due presentment of this Note for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the holder in whose name this Note is registered as the owner thereof for all purposes, whether or not this Note be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

A-13


This Note and all documents, agreements, understandings and arrangements relating to any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby have been executed or entered into by the undersigned in his/her capacity as an officer of the Company which has been formed as a Maryland corporation, and not individually. No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in the Indenture or in this Note, or because of any indebtedness evidenced hereby or thereby, shall be had against any promoter, as such, or against any past, present or future shareholder, officer or director, as such, of the Company or of any successor, either directly or through the Company or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of this Note by the holder thereof and as part of the consideration for the issue of this Note.

THE INDENTURE AND THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS.

Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused “CUSIP” numbers to be printed on the Securities of this series as a convenience to the holders of such Securities. No representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of such CUSIP numbers as printed on the Securities, and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed hereon.

ABBREVIATIONS

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this Note, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

TEN COM — as tenants in common

  

TEN ENT — as tenants by the entireties

  

JT TEN — as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common

UNIF GIFT MIN ACT —

       

Custodian

    
   (Cust)       (Minor)

 

Under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act

    
   (State)

Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

 

A-14


ASSIGNMENT FORM

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby

sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL

SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING

NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE

       
     
       

 

 

(Please Print or Typewrite Name and Address including

Postal Zip Code of Assignee)

this Note and all rights thereunder and hereby does irrevocably constitute and appoint _______________________ Attorney to transfer this Note on the books of the within-named Company with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

Dated:      

    
   (signature)
    
   (signature)
    
   (signature)

NOTICE: The signature(s) on this Assignment must correspond with the name(s) as written on the first page of this Note in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.

 

A-15


OPTION TO ELECT REPAYMENT

The undersigned hereby irrevocably request(s) and instruct(s) the Company to repay this Note (or portion hereof specified below) pursuant to its terms at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount to be repaid, together with unpaid interest accrued hereon to the Repayment Date, to the undersigned, at

 

 

(Please print or typewrite name and address, including postal Zip Code, of the undersigned)

For this Note to be repaid, the Trustee must receive at its Corporate Trust Office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, this Note with this “Option to Elect Repayment” form duly completed.

If less than the entire principal amount of this Note is to be repaid, specify the portion hereof (which shall be increments of U.S. $1,000 (or, if the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, the minimum Authorized Denomination specified on the face hereof)) which the holder elects to have repaid and specify the denomination or denominations (which shall be an Authorized Denomination) of the Notes to be issued to the holder for the portion of this Note not being repaid (in the absence of any such specification, one such Note will be issued for the portion not being repaid).

Principal Amount to be Repaid: $               

 

Dated:       

    
   (signature)
    
   (signature)
    
   (signature)

NOTICE: The signature(s) on this Option to Elect Repayment must correspond with the name(s) as written upon the face of this Note in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.

 

A-16


EXHIBIT B

Form of Fixed Rate Note

[Face of Note]

UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (THE “DEPOSITARY”) (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) TO THE ISSUER HEREOF OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.3

THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO., AS NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY. THIS SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN CERTIFICATED 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.4

 

Registered No. FXR-         [PRINCIPAL AMOUNT]
CUSIP No:        

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

MEDIUM-TERM NOTE

(Fixed Rate)

 

ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE:    INTEREST RATE: ___%    STATED MATURITY
INTEREST PAYMENT DATE(S) ___and ___    DEFAULT RATE: ___%    DATE:       
Other:      
 
3 

This paragraph applies to global Notes only.

4 

This paragraph applies to global Notes only.

 

INITIAL REDEMPTION
DATE:    
   INITIAL REDEMPTION
PERCENTAGE:      %
   ANNUAL REDEMPTION
PERCENTAGE
REDUCTION:      %

OPTIONAL REPAYMENT DATE(S):

     

  

CHECK IF AN ORIGINAL

ISSUE DISCOUNT NOTE

Issue Price: %

  
REPAYMENT PRICE: %      
   AUTHORIZED DENOMINATION:   
SPECIFIED CURRENCY:
☐ United States dollars
☐ Other:
  

☐ $1,000 and integral multiples thereof

☐ Other:

   EXCHANGE RATE
AGENT:
   ADDENDUM ATTACHED:   
EXCHANGE RATE: U.S. $1.00 =         ☐ Yes
☐ No
   OTHER/ADDITIONAL
PROVISIONS:


AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of Maryland (hereinafter referred to as the “Company,” which term includes any successor entity under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to       , or registered assigns, the principal sum of       , on the Stated Maturity Date specified above (or any Redemption Date or Repayment Date, each as defined on the reverse hereof) (each such Stated Maturity Date, Redemption Date or Repayment Date being hereinafter referred to as the “Maturity Date” with respect to the principal repayable on such date) and to pay interest thereon, at the Interest Rate per annum specific above, until the principal hereof is paid or duly made available for payment, and (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable) at the Default Rate per annum specified above on any overdue principal, premium and/or interest, including any overdue sinking fund or redemption payment. The Company will pay interest in arrears on each Interest Payment Date, if any, specified above (each, an “Interest Payment Date”), commencing with the first Interest Payment Date next succeeding the Original Issue Date specified above, and on the Maturity Date; provided, however, that if the Original Issue Date occurs between a Record Date (as defined below) and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest payments will commence on the second Interest Payment Date next succeeding the Original Issue Date to the holder of this Note on the Record Date with respect to such second Interest Payment Date. Interest on this Note will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

Interest on this Note will accrue from, and including, the immediately preceding Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for (or from, and including, the Original Issue Date if no interest has been paid or duly provided for) to, but excluding, the applicable Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date, as the case may be (each, an “Interest Period”). The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, subject to certain exceptions described herein, be paid to the person in whose name this Note (or one or more predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on the fifteenth calendar day (whether or not a Business Day, as defined blow) immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date (the “Record Date”); provided, however, that interest payable on the Maturity Date will be payable to the person to whom the principal hereto and premium, if any, hereon shall be payable. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for (“Defaulted Interest”) will forthwith cease to be payable to the holder on any Record Date, and shall be paid to the person in whose name this Note is registered at the close of business on a special record date (the “Special Record Date”) for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee hereinafter referred to, notice whereof shall be given to the holder of this Note by the Trustee not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date or may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which this Note may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided for in the Indenture.

Payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of this Note due on the Maturity Date or any prior date on which the principal or an installment of principal of this Note becomes due and payable, whether by the declaration of acceleration or otherwise, will be made in immediately available funds upon presentation and surrender of this Note (and, with respect to any applicable repayment of this Note, upon presentation and surrender of this Note and a duly completed election form as contemplated on the reverse hereof) at the office or agency maintained by the Company for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, currently the office of the Trustee; provided, however, that if the Specified Currency specified above is other than United States dollars and such payment is to be made in the Specified Currency in accordance with the provisions set forth below, such payment may be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account with a bank designated by the holder hereof at least 15 calendar days prior to the Maturity Date, provided that such bank has appropriate facilities therefor and that this Note (and, if applicable, a duly completed repayment election form) is presented and surrendered at the aforementioned office or agency maintained by the Company in time for the Trustee to make such payment in such funds in accordance with its normal procedures. Payment of interest due on any Interest Payment Date other than the Maturity Date will be made at the aforementioned office or agency maintained by the Company or, at the option of the Company, by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register maintained by the Trustee; provided, however, that a holder of U.S. $10,000,000 (or, if the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, the equivalent thereof in the Specified Currency) or more in aggregate principal amount of Notes (whether having identical or different terms and provisions) will be entitled to receive interest payments on any Interest Payment Date other than the Maturity Date by wire transfer of immediately available funds if appropriate wire transfer instructions have been received in writing by the Trustee not less than 15 calendar days prior to such Interest Payment Date. Any such wire transfer instructions received by the Trustee shall remain in effect until revoked by such holder.

 

B-2


If any Interest Payment date or the Maturity Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the required payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the date such payment was due, and no interest shall accrue with respect to such payment for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date, as the case may be, to the date of such payment on the next succeeding Business day.

As used herein, “Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close in The City of New York or Chicago; provided, however, that if the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, such day is also not a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close in the Principal Financial Center (as defined below) of the country issuing the Specified Currency (or, if the Specified Currency is European Currency Units (“ECU”), such day is not a day that appears as an ECU non-settlement day on the display designated as “ISDE” on the Reuter Monitor Money Rates Service (or a day so designated by the ECU Banking Association), or, if ECU non-settlement days do not appear on that page (and are not so designated), is not a day on which payments in ECU cannot be settled in the international interbank market) Principal Financial Center means the capital city of the country issuing the Specified Currency, except that with respect to United States dollars, Australian dollars, Deutsche marks, Dutch guilders, Italian lire, Swiss francs and ECU, the Principal Financial Center shall be The City of New York, Sydney, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Milan, Zurich and Luxembourg, respectively.

The Company is obligated to make payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of this Note in the Specified Currency (or, if the Specified Currency is not at the time of such payment legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, in such other coin or currency of the country which issued the Specified Currency as at the time of such payment is legal tender for the payment of such debts). If the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, except as provided below, any such amounts so payable by the Company will be converted by the Exchange Rate Agent specified above into United States dollars for payment to the holder of this Note.

If the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, the holder of this Note may elect to receive such amounts in such Specified Currency. If the holder of this Note shall not have duly made an election to receive all or a specified portion of any payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest in respect of this Note in the Specified Currency, any United States dollar amount to be received by the holder of this Note will be based on the highest bid quotation in The City of New York received by the Exchange Rate Agent at approximately 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the second Business Day preceding the applicable payment date from three recognized foreign exchange dealers (one of whom may be the Exchange Rate Agent) selected by the Exchange Rate Agent and approved by the Company for the purchase by the quoting dealer of the Specified Currency for United States dollars for settlement on such payment date in the aggregate amount of such Specified Currency payable to all holders of Foreign Currency Notes scheduled to receive United States dollar payments and at which the applicable dealer commits to execute a contract. All currency exchange costs will be borne by the holder of this Note by deductions from such payments. If three such bid quotations are not available, payments on this Note will be made in the Specified Currency.

If the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, the holder of this Note may elect to receive all or a specified portion of any payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest in respect of this Note in the Specified Currency by submitting a written request for such payment to the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office in The City of New York on or prior to the applicable Record Date or at least 15 calendar days prior to the Maturity Date, as the case may be. Such written request may be mailed or hand delivered or sent by cable, telex or other form of facsimile transmission. The holder of this Note may elect to receive all or a specified portion of all future payments in the Specified Currency in respect of such principal, premium, if any, and/or interest and need not file a separate election for each payment. Such election will remain in effect until revoked by written notice to the Trustee, but written notice of any such revocation must be received by the Trustee on or prior to the applicable Record Date or at least 15 calendar days prior to the Maturity Date, as the case may be.

 

B- 3


If the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars or a composite currency and the holder of this Note shall have duly made an election to receive all or a specified portion of any payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest in respect of this Note in the Specified Currency and if the Specified Currency is not available due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the Company, the Company will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to the holder of this Note by making such payment in United States dollars on the basis of the Market Exchange Rate (as defined below) on the second Business Day prior to such payment date or, if such Market Exchange Rate is not then available, on the basis of the most recently available Market Exchange Rate or as otherwise specified on the face hereof. The “Market Exchange Rate” for the Specified Currency means the noon dollar buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers for such Specified Currency as certified for customs purposes by (or if not so certified, as otherwise determined by) the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Any payment made under such circumstances in United States dollars will not constitute an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture) with respect to this Note.

If the Specified Currency is a composite currency and the holder of this Note shall have duly made an election to receive all or a specified portion of any payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest in respect of this Note in the Specified Currency and if such composite currency is unavailable due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the Company, then the Company will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to the holder of this Note by making such payment in United States dollars. The amount of each payment in United States dollars shall be computed by the Exchange Rate Agent on the basis of the equivalent of the composite currency in United States dollars. The component currencies of the composite currency for this purpose (collectively, the “Component Currencies” and each, a “Component Currency”) shall be the currency amounts that were components of the composite currency as of the last day on which the composite currency was used. The equivalent of the composite currency in United States dollars shall be calculated by regating the United States dollar equivalents of the Component Currencies. The United States dollar equivalent of each of the Component Currencies shall be determined by the Exchange Rate Agent on the basis of the most recently available Market Exchange Rate for each such Component Currency, or as otherwise specified on the face hereof.

If the official unit of any Component Currency is altered by way of combination or subdivision, the number of units of the currency as a Component Currency shall be divided or multiplied in the same proportion. If two or more Component Currencies are consolidated into a single currency, the amounts of those currencies as Component Currencies shall be replaced by an amount in such single currency equal to the sum of the amounts of the consolidated Component Currencies expressed in such single currency. If any Component Currency is divided into two or more currencies, the amount of the original Component Currency shall be replaced by the amounts of such two or more currencies, the sum of which shall be equal to the amount of the original Component Currency.

All determinations referred to above made by the Exchange Rate Agent shall be at its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and binding on the holder of this Note.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof and, if so specified above on the face hereof, in the Addendum hereto, which further provisions shall have the same force and effect as if set forth on the face hereof.

Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained herein, if the face of this Note specifies that an Addendum is attached hereto or that “Other/Additional Provisions” apply to this Note, this Note shall be subject to the terms set forth in such Addendum or such “Other/Additional Provisions”.

Unless the Certificate of Authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee or its Authenticating Agent by manual signature, this Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

B- 4


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, AvalonBay Communities, Inc. has caused this Note to be duly executed under its corporate seal.

 

Dated:           AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
    By:    
     

Richard L. Michaux

     

President and Chief Executive Officer

[Corporate Seal]

Attest:

 

 

Edward M. Schulman

Secretary

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

    STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,
    as Trustee
Dated:           By    
     

Robert J. Dunn

     

Vice President

[Reverse of Note]

 

B-5


AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

MEDIUM-TERM NOTE

(Fixed Rate)

This Note is one of a duly authorized series of Securities (the “Securities”) of the Company issued and to be issued under an Indenture, dated as of January 16, 1998, as amended and supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 20, 1998, the Second Supplemental Indenture dated July 7, 1998 and the Amended and Restated Third Supplemental Indenture dated July 7, 2000, as further amended, modified or supplemented from time to time (the “Indenture”), between the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Trustee (the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Securities, and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Note is one of the series of Securities designated as “Medium-Term Notes Due Nine Months or More from Date of Issue” (the “Notes”). All terms used but not defined in this Note or in an Addendum hereto shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Indenture or on the face hereof, as the case may be.

This Note is issuable only in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of U.S. $1,000 and integral multiples thereof or the minimum Authorized Denomination specified on the face hereof.

This Note will not be subject to any sinking fund and, unless otherwise specified on the face hereof in accordance with the provisions of the following two paragraphs, will not be redeemable or repayable prior to the Stated Maturity Date.

This Note will be subject to redemption at the option of the Company on any date on and after the Initial Redemption Date, if any, specified on the face hereof, in whole or from time to time in part in increments of U.S. $1,000 or the minimum Authorized Denomination (provided that any remaining principal amount hereof shall be at least U.S. $1,000 or such minimum Authorized Denomination), at the Redemption Price (as defined below), together with unpaid interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption (each, a “Redemption Date”), on notice given not more than 60 nor less than 30 calendar days prior to the Redemption Date and in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture. The “Redemption Price” shall initially be the Initial Redemption Percentage specified on the face hereof multiplied by the unpaid principal amount of this Note to be redeemed. The Initial Redemption Percentage shall decline at each anniversary of the Initial Redemption Date by the Annual Redemption Percentage Reduction, if any, specified on the face hereof until the Redemption Price is 100% of the unpaid principal amount to be redeemed. In the event of redemption of this Note in part only, a new Note of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof and otherwise having the same terms as this Note shall be issued in the name of the holder hereof upon the presentation and surrender hereof.

This Note will be subject to repayment by the Company at the option of the holder hereof on the Optional Repayment Date(s), if any, specified on the face hereof, in whole or in part in increments of U.S.$1,000 or the minimum Authorized Denomination (provided that any remaining principal amount hereof shall be at least U.S.$1,000 or such minimum Authorized Denomination), at a repayment price equal to 100% of the unpaid principal amount to be repaid, together with unpaid interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for repayment (each, a “Repayment Date”). For this Note to be repaid, the Trustee must receive at its office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, referred to on the face hereof, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days prior to the Repayment Date (i) this Note and the form hereon entitled “Option to Elect Repayment” duly completed or (ii) a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission, or a letter from a member of a national securities exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or a commercial bank or trust company in the United States setting forth the name of the holder hereof, the principal amount of this Note, the principal amount of this Note to be repaid, the certificate number or a description of the tenor and terms of this Note, a statement that the option to elect repayment is being exercised thereby, and a guarantee that this Note, together with the form hereon entitled “Option to Elect Repayment” duly completed, will be received by the Trustee not later than the fifth Business Day after the date of such telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter, provided that such telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter shall only be effective if this Note and duly completed form are received by the Trustee by such fifth Business Day. Exercise of such repayment option by the holder hereof will be irrevocable. In the event of repayment of this Note in part only, a new Note of like tenor for the unrepaid portion hereof and otherwise having the same terms as this Note shall be issued in the name of the holder hereof upon the presentation and surrender hereof.


If this Note is an Original Issue Discount Note as specified on the face hereof, the amount payable to the holder of this Note in the event of redemption, repayment or acceleration of maturity of this Note will be equal to the sum of (i) the Issue Price specified on the face hereof (increased by any accruals of the Discount, as defined below) and, in the event of any redemption of this Note (if applicable), multiplied by the Initial Redemption Percentage (as adjusted by the Annual Redemption Percentage Reduction, if applicable) and (ii) any unpaid interest on this Note accrued from the Original Issue Date to the Redemption Date, Repayment Date or date of acceleration of maturity, as the case may be. The difference between the Issue Price and 100% of the principal amount of this Note is referred to herein as the “Discount.”

For purposes of determining the amount of Discount that has accrued as of any Redemption Date, Repayment Date or date of acceleration of maturity of this Note, such Discount will be accrued using a constant yield method. The constant yield will be calculated using a 30-day month, 360-day year convention, a compounding period that, except for the Initial Period (as defined below), corresponds to the shortest period between Interest Payment Dates (with ratable accruals within a compounding period), a coupon rate equal to the initial coupon rate applicable to this Note and an assumption that the maturity of this Note will not be accelerated. If the period from the Original Issue Date to the initial Interest Payment Date (the “Initial Period”) is shorter than the compounding period for this Note, a proportionate amount of the yield for an entire compounding-period will be accrued. If the Initial Period is longer than the compounding period, then such period will be divided into a regular compounding period and a short period, with the short period being treated as provided in the preceding sentence.

If an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Notes may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance of (i) the entire indebtedness of the Notes or (ii) certain covenants and Events of Default with respect to the Notes, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set forth therein, which provisions apply to the Notes.

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the holders of the Securities at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of all Securities at the time outstanding and affected thereby. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any series, on behalf of the holders of all such Securities, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture. Furthermore, provisions in the Indenture permit the holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any series, in certain instances, to waive, on behalf of all of the holders of Securities of such series, certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the holder of this Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders of this Note and other Notes issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange heretofore or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Note.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of this Note at the times, places and rate or formula, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein and herein set forth, the transfer of this Note is registrable in the Security Register of the Company upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal hereof and any premium or interest hereon are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar, duly executed by, the holder hereof or by his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Notes, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein and herein set forth, this Note is exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of different authorized denominations but otherwise having the same terms and conditions, as requested by the holder hereof surrendering the same.

No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

 

B- 2


Prior to due presentment of this Note for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the holder in whose name this Note is registered as the owner thereof for all purposes, whether or not this Note be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

This Note and all documents, agreements, understandings and arrangements relating to any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby have been executed or entered into by the undersigned in his/her capacity as an officer of the Company which has been formed as a Maryland corporation, and not individually. No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in the Indenture or in this Note, or because of any indebtedness evidenced hereby or thereby, shall be had against any promoter, as such, or against any past, present or future shareholder, officer or director, as such, of the Company or of any successor, either directly or through the Company or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of this Note by the holder thereof and as part of the consideration for the issue of this Note.

THE INDENTURE AND THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS.

Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused “CUSIP” numbers to be printed on the Securities of this series as a convenience to the holders of such Securities. No representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of such CUSIP numbers as printed on the Securities, and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed hereon.

 

B-3


ABBREVIATIONS

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this Note, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

TEN COM — as tenants in common

  

TEN ENT — as tenants by the entireties

  

JT TEN — as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common

UNIF GIFT MIN ACT—

       

Custodian

    
   (Cust)       (Minor)

 

Under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act

    
   (State)

Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

ASSIGNMENT FORM

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby

sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL

SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING

NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE

 

           
           

(Please Print or Typewrite Name and Address including

Postal Zip Code of Assignee)

this Note and all rights thereunder and hereby does irrevocably constitute and appoint                   Attorney to transfer this Note on the books of the within-named Company with full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated:      

    
   (signature)
    
   (signature)
    
   (signature)

NOTICE: The signature(s) on this Assignment must correspond with the name(s) as written on the first page of this Note in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.

 

B- 4


OPTION TO ELECT REPAYMENT

The undersigned hereby irrevocably request(s) and instruct(s) the Company to repay this Note (or portion hereof specified below) pursuant to its terms at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount to be repaid, together with unpaid interest accrued hereon to the Repayment Date, to the undersigned, at

 

 

(Please print or typewrite name and address, including postal Zip Code, of the undersigned)

For this Note to be repaid, the Trustee must receive at its Corporate Trust Office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, this Note with this “Option to Elect Repayment” form duly completed.

If less than the entire principal amount of this Note is to be repaid, specify the portion hereof (which shall be increments of U.S. $1,000 (or, if the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, the minimum Authorized Denomination specified on the face hereof)) which the holder elects to have repaid and specify the denomination or denominations (which shall be an Authorized Denomination) of the Notes to be issued to the holder for the portion of this Note not being repaid (in the absence of any such specification, one such Note will be issued for the portion not being repaid).

Principal Amount to be Repaid: $              

 

Dated:      

    
   (signature)
    
   (signature)
    
   (signature)

NOTICE: The signature(s) on this Option to Elect Repayment must correspond with the name(s) as written upon the face of this Note in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.

 

B- 5

Exhibit 4.6

 

 

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

Issuer

to

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Trustee

 

 

Fourth Supplemental Indenture

Dated as of September 18, 2006

 

 

Medium-Term Notes Due Nine Months or More

from Date of Issue

 

 


FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of September 18, 2006 (the “Supplemental Indenture”), between AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Maryland (herein called the “Company”), and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States, as successor trustee (in such capacity, the “Trustee”) under the Senior Indenture defined below, having a place of business at 100 Wall Street New York, NY 10005.

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

The Company hereby states as follows:

The Company has heretofore delivered to the State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Original Trustee”), in its capacity as original trustee thereunder, an Indenture dated as of January 16, 1998 (the “Senior Indenture”) by and between the Company (formerly known as Bay Apartment Communities, Inc.) and the Original Trustee (as to which U.S. Bank National Association now serves as successor in the capacity of Trustee), together with a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 20, 1998, a Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 7, 1998, a Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 21, 1998, and an Amended and Restated Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 10, 2000, the forms of which have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and incorporated by reference as exhibits to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-132435), providing for the issuance from time to time of Senior Debt Securities of the Company (the “Securities”) in an unlimited aggregate principal amount, including a series of debt securities entitled “Medium-Term Notes Due Nine Months or More from Date of Issue” (the “MTNs”).

The Company wishes to amend Section 101 and the first paragraph of Section 303 of the Senior Indenture as set forth below.

The Company also wishes to amend, with respect to all issuances of MTNs on or after the date of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture, Section 2.4(1) of the Third Amended and Restated Indenture as set forth below.

The Company intends in all other respects to continue the Third Amended and Restated Supplemental Indenture in full force and effect except as expressly set forth in this Fourth Supplemental Indenture.

Section 901(5) of the Senior Indenture provides that the Company and the Trustee may enter into an indenture supplemental to the Senior Indenture to change or eliminate any of the provisions of the Senior Indenture, subject to certain limitations with respect to outstanding Securities. This Fourth Supplemental Indenture does not affect any outstanding Securities.

The Trustee is willing to enter into this Fourth Supplemental Indenture at the Company’s request, subject to compliance with Section 901 of the Senior Indenture, as applicable.

Section 901(7) of the Senior Indenture provides for the Company and the Trustee to enter into an indenture supplemental to the Senior Indenture to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as provided by Sections 201 and 301 of the Senior Indenture.

The Board of Directors of the Company has previously duly adopted resolutions authorizing the Company to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

All the conditions and requirements necessary to make this Fourth Supplemental Indenture, when duly executed and delivered, a valid and binding agreement in accordance with its terms and for the purposes herein expressed, have been performed and fulfilled.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of each of the series of Securities provided for herein by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Notes (as defined in the Amended and Restated Third Supplemental Indenture referred to above) or of any series thereof, as follows:

 

2


ARTICLE ONE

SECTION 1.1. Amendment of Section 101 of the Senior Indenture.

The definitions of “Company Request” and “Company Order” and “Officers’ Certificate” in Section 101 of the Senior Indenture are hereby amended and restated in their entirety so as to read as follows:

Company Request” and “Company Order” mean, respectively, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or a Vice President and by its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or a Vice President and by its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company and delivered to the Trustee.

SECTION 1.2. Amendment of the first paragraph of Section 303 of the Senior Indenture.

The first paragraph of Section 303 of the Senior Indenture is hereby amended and restated in its entirety so as to read as follows:

Section 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

The Securities and any coupons appertaining thereto shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its President, its Chief Executive Officer, its Chief Financial Officer or one of its Vice Presidents, under its corporate seal reproduced thereon, and attested by its Treasurer, its Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities and coupons may be manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such authorized officer and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities.

SECTION 1.3. Amendment of Section 2.4(1) of the Amended and Restated Third Supplemental Indenture.

Section 2.4(1) of the Amended and Restated Third Supplemental Indenture is hereby amended and restated in its entirety, so as to read as follows; provided, however, that such amendment and restatement shall apply only to and for the benefit of MTNs issued on or after the date of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture; and provided, further, however, that all MTNs issued prior to the date of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture shall continue to have the benefit of, and the Company shall continue to be bound by and shall comply with, the terms of Section 2.4(1) of the Amended and Restated Third Supplemental Indenture as existing and in effect immediately prior to the date of the Fourth Supplemental Indenture:

SECTION 2.4 Limitations on Incurrence of Indebtedness.

(1) The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, incur any Indebtedness if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such additional Indebtedness and the application of the proceeds thereof, the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with GAAP is greater than 65% of the sum of (without duplication) (i) the Total Assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the calendar quarter covered in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as the case may be, most recently filed with the Commission (or, if such filing is not permitted under the Exchange Act, with the Trustee) prior to the incurrence of such additional Indebtedness and (ii) the purchase price of any real estate assets or mortgages receivable acquired, and the amount of any securities offering proceeds received (to the extent that such proceeds were not used to acquire real estate assets or mortgages receivable or used to reduce Indebtedness), by the Company or any Subsidiary since the end of such calendar quarter, including those proceeds obtained in connection with the incurrence of such additional Indebtedness.

ARTICLE TWO

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 2.1. Ratification of Senior Indenture.

Except as expressly modified or amended hereby, the Senior Indenture, as heretofore amended by the supplemental indentures referred to above, continues in full force and effect and is in all respects confirmed and preserved.

 

3


SECTION 2.2. Governing Law.

This Supplemental Indenture and each Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. This Supplemental Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

SECTION 2.3. Counterparts.

This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

[Signature page follows.]

 

4


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Fourth Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed by their respective officers hereunto duly authorized, all as of the day and year first written above.

 

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Thomas J. Sargeant

  Thomas J. Sargeant
  Chief Financial Officer

 

Attest:  

/s/ Edward M. Schulman

 

Edward M. Schulman

Secretary

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:  

/s/ K. Wendy Kumar

  K. Wendy Kumar
  Vice President

 

5

Exhibit 4.7

 

 

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

Issuer

to

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

Trustee

 

 

Fifth Supplemental Indenture

Dated as of November 21, 2014

 

 

 

 


FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of November 21, 2014 (the “Supplemental Indenture”), between AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Maryland (herein called the “Company”), and The Bank of New York Mellon, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee”).

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

The Company has heretofore delivered to the Trustee an Indenture dated as of January 16, 1998 (the “Senior Indenture”), a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 20, 1998, a Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 7, 1998, a Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 21, 1998, an Amended and Restated Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 10, 2000 and a Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 18, 2006, the forms of which have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and incorporated by reference as exhibits to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-179720), providing for the issuance from time to time of Senior Debt Securities of the Company (the “Securities”) in an unlimited aggregate principal amount, including a series of debt securities entitled “Medium-Term Notes Due Nine Months or More from Date of Issue” currently limited to $500,000,000 in aggregate initial principal amount.

The Company wishes to amend and restate Section 507 of the Senior Indenture, as provided in this Fifth Supplemental Indenture.

Section 901, including without limitation Sections 901(5) and 901(9), of the Senior Indenture provides that the Company and the Trustee may enter into an indenture supplemental to the Senior Indenture to change or eliminate any of the provisions of the Senior Indenture, and may also enter into an indenture supplemental to the Senior Indenture to make any other provision with respect to matters or questions arising under the Senior Indenture, subject in both cases to certain limitations with respect to outstanding Securities. This Fifth Supplemental Indenture does not affect any outstanding Securities, and applies only to Securities issued after the date of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture. The amendments herein do not and shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect.

The Trustee is willing to enter into this Fifth Third Supplemental Indenture at the Company’s request, subject to compliance with Section 901 of the Senior Indenture, as applicable.

The Board of Directors of the Company has previously duly adopted resolutions authorizing the Company to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

All the conditions and requirements necessary to make this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, when duly executed and delivered, a valid and binding agreement in accordance with its terms and for the purposes herein expressed, have been performed and fulfilled.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of each of the series of Securities provided for herein by the Holders thereof and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Notes (as herein defined) or of any series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE ONE

RELATION TO SENIOR INDENTURE; DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1. Relation to Senior Indenture. This Supplemental Indenture constitutes an integral part of the Senior Indenture.

 

2


SECTION 1.2. Definitions. For all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided for or unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Senior Indenture; and

(2) All references herein to Articles and Sections, unless otherwise specified, refer to the corresponding Articles and Sections of this Supplemental Indenture.

ARTICLE TWO

AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF SECTION 507

SECTION 2.1. Amendment and Restatement of Section 507. Section 507 of the Senior Indenture is hereby amended and restated to provide as follows:

SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits. No Holder of any Security of any series or any related coupon shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture or the Securities, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;

(2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.

ARTICLE THREE

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 3.1. Ratification of Senior Indenture. Except as expressly modified or amended hereby, the Senior Indenture continues in full force and effect and is in all respects confirmed and preserved.

SECTION 3.2. Governing Law. This Supplemental Indenture and each Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. This Supplemental Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

 

3


SECTION 3.3. Counterparts. This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

SECTION 3.4. Trustee. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture. The recitals and statements herein are deemed to be those of the Company and not of the Trustee.

[Signature page follows.]

 

4


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Fifth Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed by their respective officers hereunto duly authorized, all as of the day and year first written above.

 

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Kevin P. O’Shea

  Kevin P. O’Shea
  Chief Financial Officer

 

Attest:  

/s/ Edward M. Schulman

  Edward M. Schulman
  Secretary

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON,
as Trustee
By:  

/s/ Raymond K. O’Neil

  Name: Raymond K. O’Neil
  Title:  Authorized Signatory

 

5

Exhibit 4.8

Execution Copy

 

 

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.,

as Issuer

— and —

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON,

as Trustee

 

 

INDENTURE

 

 

Dated as of February 23, 2018

Debt Securities

 

 


Certain Sections of this Indenture

relating to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939

 

Trust Indenture Act Section

      

Indenture
Section

§310(a)(1)

     607

(a)(2)

     607

(b)

     608

§312(a)

     701, 702(1)

(b)

     702

(c)

     702

§313(a)

     703

(b)(2)

     703

(c)

     703

(d)

     703

§314(a)

     704

(c)(1)

     102

(c)(2)

     102

(e)

     102

§315(a)

     601

(b)

     601, 602

(c)

     601

(d)

     601
(e)      515
§316(a) (last sentence)      101
(a)(1)(A)      502, 512
(a)(1)(B)      513
(b)      508
§317(a)(1)      503
(a)(2)      504
(b)      1003
§318(a)      108

 

 

Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE ONE. DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

     2  

Section 101. Definitions

     2  

Section 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions

     11  

Section 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee

     11  

Section 104. Acts of Holders; Record Dates

     12  

Section 105. Notices, etc. to Trustee and Issuer

     12  

Section 106. Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver

     13  

Section 107. Language of Notices

     13  

Section 108. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act

     13  

Section 109. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents

     14  

Section 110. Successors and Assigns

     14  

Section 111. Separability Clause

     14  

Section 112. Benefits of Indenture

     14  

Section 113. Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial

     14  

Section 114. Legal Holidays

     14  

Section 115. Counterparts

     14  

Section 116. Judgment Currency

     15  

Section 117. Extension of Payment Dates

     15  

Section 118. Immunity of General Partners, Limited Partners, Shareholders, Directors, Officers, Employees, Incorporators and Agents of the Issuer and Guarantors

     15  

Section 119. USA Patriot Act

     15  

Section 120. Force Majeure

     15  

Section 121. FATCA

     16  

ARTICLE TWO. SECURITIES FORMS

     17  

Section 201. Forms Generally

     17  

Section 202. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication

     17  

Section 203. Securities in Global Form

     17  

ARTICLE THREE. THE SECURITIES

     18  

Section 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series

     18  

Section 302. Currency; Denominations

     21  

Section 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating

     21  

Section 304. Temporary Securities

     23  

Section 305. Registration, Transfer and Exchange

     23  

Section 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities

     25  

Section 307. Payment of Interest and Certain Additional Amounts; Rights to Interest and Certain Additional Amounts Preserved

     26  

Section 308. Persons Deemed Owners

     27  

Section 309. Cancellation

     27  

Section 310. Computation of Interest

     27  

Section 311. CUSIP Numbers

     27  

Section 312. Trustee, Paying Agent and Security Registrar Not Responsible for Depository

     27  

ARTICLE FOUR. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

     28  

Section 401. Satisfaction and Discharge

     28  

Section 402. Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

     29  

Section 403. Application of Trust Money

     32  

Section 404. Reinstatement

     32  

Section 405. Qualifying Trustee

     32  


ARTICLE FIVE. REMEDIES

     33  

Section 501. Events of Default

     33  

Section 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment

     34  

Section 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee

     35  

Section 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

     35  

Section 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Securities

     36  

Section 506. Application of Money Collected

     36  

Section 507. Limitations on Suits

     36  

Section 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts

     37  

Section 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies

     37  

Section 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative

     37  

Section 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver

     37  

Section 512. Control by Holders of Securities

     38  

Section 513. Waiver of Past Defaults

     38  

Section 514. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws

     38  

Section 515. Undertaking for Costs

     38  

ARTICLE SIX. THE TRUSTEE

     39  

Section 601. Certain Rights of Trustee

     39  

Section 602. Notice of Defaults

     41  

Section 603. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities

     41  

Section 604. May Hold Securities; Transactions with the Issuer or any Guarantor

     41  

Section 605. Money Held in Trust

     42  

Section 606. Compensation and Reimbursement

     42  

Section 607. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility

     43  

Section 608. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor

     43  

Section 609. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor

     44  

Section 610. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business

     45  

Section 611. Appointment of Authenticating Agent

     45  

ARTICLE SEVEN. HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE, TRUST AND GUARANTORS

     47  

Section 701. Issuer to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders

     47  

Section 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders

     47  

Section 703. Reports by Trustee

     47  

Section 704. Reports by the Issuer

     48  

ARTICLE EIGHT. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALES AND SUBSTITUTION 

     48  

Section 801. Issuer May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms

     48  

Section 802. Guarantor May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms

     48  

Section 803. Successor Person Substituted for Issuer or Guarantor

     49  

ARTICLE NINE. SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES 

     49  

Section 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders

     49  

Section 902. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders

     51  

Section 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures

     52  

Section 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures

     52  

Section 905. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures

     52  

Section 906. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act

     52  

ARTICLE TEN. COVENANTS 

     53  

Section 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts

     53  

Section 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency

     53  

Section 1003. Provisions as to Paying Agent

     53  

Section 1004. Additional Amounts

     54  

Section 1005. Corporate Existence

     54  

Section 1006. Waiver of Certain Covenants

     54  

Section 1007. Issuer and Guarantor Statement as to Compliance

     55  


Section 1008. Calculation of Original Issue Discount

     55  

Section 1009. Maintenance of Properties

     55  

Section 1010. Insurance

     55  

Section 1011. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims

     55  

ARTICLE ELEVEN. REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES 

     57  

Section 1101. Applicability of Article

     57  

Section 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee

     57  

Section 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed

     57  

Section 1104. Notice of Redemption

     57  

Section 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price

     58  

Section 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date

     59  

Section 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part

     59  

ARTICLE TWELVE. SINKING FUNDS 

     59  

Section 1201. Applicability of Article

     59  

Section 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities

     60  

Section 1203. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund

     60  

ARTICLE THIRTEEN. REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS 

     60  

Section 1301. Applicability of Article

     60  

ARTICLE FOURTEEN. SECURITIES IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES 

     61  

Section 1401. Applicability of Article

     61  

Section 1402. Monies of Different Currencies to be Segregated

     61  

ARTICLE FIFTEEN. GUARANTEE OF SECURITIES 

     61  

Section 1501. Guarantee

     61  

Section 1502. Future Guarantors

     63  

Section 1503. Delivery of Guarantee

     63  

 

EXHIBIT A – FORM OF FIXED RATE NOTE

     65  

EXHIBIT B – FORM OF LIBOR FLOATING RATE NOTE

     76  

 


INDENTURE, dated as of February 23, 2018 (this “Indenture”), between AvalonBay Communities, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Issuer” or the “Company”), having its principal executive office located at 671 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22203, as issuer, and The Bank of New York Mellon, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, as trustee, registrar, paying agent and transfer agent (the “Trustee,” “Registrar,” “Paying Agent,” and “Transfer Agent,” respectively).

RECITALS

The Issuer has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (hereinafter called the “Securities”), unlimited as to principal amount, to bear such fixed or floating rates of interest, to mature at such time or times, to be issued in one or more series and to have such other provisions as shall be fixed as hereinafter provided.

The Issuer has done all things necessary on its part to make this Indenture a valid and legally binding agreement of the Issuer in accordance with its terms.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders (as herein defined) thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of any series thereof as follows:

 

1


ARTICLE ONE.

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

Section 101. Definitions.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or unless the context otherwise requires, for all purposes of this Indenture:

(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, and include the plural as well as the singular;

(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;

(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP;

(4) the words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereto” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;

(5) the word “or” is always used inclusively (for example, the phrase “A or B” means “A or B or both,” not “either A or B but not both”);

(6) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

(7) the term “merger” includes a statutory share exchange and the terms “merge” and “merged” have correlative meanings;

(8) the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter; and

(9) references to agreements and other instruments include subsequent amendments and supplements thereto.

Certain terms used principally in certain Articles hereof are defined in those Articles.

Acquisition Property” means a Property acquired by the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer during the most recent four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters.

Act,” when used with respect to any Holders, has the meaning specified in Section 104.

Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required by this Indenture, by the terms of any Security established pursuant to Section 301 or by the terms of any Guarantee, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable, in respect of certain taxes, duties, levies, imposts, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on Holders specified herein or therein.

Additional Amounts Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 1004.

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 the purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

2


Agency” with respect to any Securities, means an agent of the Issuer or the office of an agent of the Issuer, as the context requires, in each case maintained or designated in a Place of Payment for such Securities pursuant to Section 1002 or any other agent of the Issuer or office of an agent of the Issuer, as the context requires, in each case maintained or designated for such Securities pursuant to Section 1002 or, to the extent designated or required by Section 1002 in lieu of such agent or agent’s office, the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 611 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.

Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal, state, or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Issuer, or any committee of such board duly authorized to act generally or in any particular respect hereunder.

Board Resolution” means a copy of one or more resolutions or unanimous written consents, certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors, on behalf of the Issuer, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, delivered to the Trustee.

Business Day” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to the Securities of any series pursuant to Section 301, any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close; provided that such term shall mean, when used with respect to any payment of principal of, or premium or interest, if any, on, or Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of any series to be made at any Place of Payment for such Securities, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to such Securities, any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in such Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.

Capitalized Property Value” means, with respect to any Person, (a) Property EBITDA of such Person for the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ended on a Reporting Date divided by (b) the Capitalization Rate.

Capitalization Rate” means 6.75%.

Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

Common Equity” means the common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Issuer, and includes without limitation any other equity security of any class of the Issuer, which has no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Issuer, and which is not subject to redemption by the Issuer.

Conversion Event” means the cessation of use of (i) a Foreign Currency both by the government of the country or the confederation which issued such Foreign Currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking community or (ii) any currency unit or composite currency for the purposes for which it was established.

Corporate Trust Office” means either the corporate trust office of the Trustee at which this Indenture shall be administered, which office at the date of this Indenture is located at 500 Ross Street, 12th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15262, Attn: Corporate Trust Administration, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuer.

Corporation” includes corporations, partnerships, associations, limited liability companies and other companies, and business trusts (which term shall expressly include real estate investment trusts). The term “corporation” means a corporation and does not include partnerships, associations, limited liability companies or other companies or business trusts. Except to the extent expressly provided to the contrary, Corporation does not include joint ventures.

 

3


“Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 402(3).

Currency,” with respect to any payment, deposit or other transfer in respect of the principal of or any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security, means Dollars or the Foreign Currency, as the case may be, in which such payment, deposit or other transfer is required to be made by or pursuant to the terms hereof or such Security and, with respect to any other payment, deposit or transfer pursuant to or contemplated by the terms hereof or such Security, means Dollars.

CUSIP number” means the alphanumeric designation assigned to a Security by Standard & Poor’s, CUSIP Service Bureau.

Debt” means, without duplication, the Issuer’s aggregate principal amount of indebtedness in respect of (i) borrowed money evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments, as determined in accordance with GAAP, (ii) indebtedness secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance or any security interest existing on Property or other assets owned by the Issuer, as determined in accordance with GAAP, (iii) reimbursement obligations in connection with any letters of credit actually issued and called, (iv) any lease of property by the Issuer or any Subsidiary as lessee which is reflected in the Issuer’s balance sheet as a capitalized lease, in accordance with GAAP; provided, that Debt also includes, to the extent not otherwise set forth above, any obligation by the Issuer or any Subsidiary to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, items of indebtedness of another Person (other than the Issuer or any Subsidiary) described in clauses (i) through (iv) above (or, in the case of any such obligation made jointly with another Person, the Issuer’s or Subsidiary’s allocable portion of such obligation based on its ownership interest in the related real estate assets or such other applicable assets); and provided, further, that Debt excludes Intercompany Debt.

Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 307.

Depository” means, with respect to any Security issuable or issued in the form of one or more global Securities, The Depository Trust Company (including its successors), or such other Person as the Issuer may designate as depository in or pursuant to this Indenture, and, unless otherwise provided with respect to any Security, shall include any successor to such Person. If at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depository” shall mean, with respect to any Securities, the depository which has been appointed with respect to such Securities.

Development Property” means a Property currently under development on which the improvements have not been completed, or a Property where development has been completed as evidenced by a certificate of occupancy for the entire Property for the 36 month period following the issuance of such certificate of occupancy (provided that the Issuer may at its option elect to remove a Property from the category of Development Property prior to the completion of the 36 month period, but any such Property may not be reclassified as a Development Property). The term “Development Property” shall include Property of the type described in the immediately preceding sentence to be (but not yet) acquired by the Issuer or any Subsidiary upon completion of construction pursuant to a contract in which the seller of such Property is required to develop or renovate prior to, and as a condition precedent to, such acquisition.

Dollars” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit of legal tender for payment of public or private debts in the United States of America.

EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person, for any period and without duplication, net earnings (loss) of such Person for such period excluding the impact of the following amounts with respect to any Person (but only to the extent included in determining net earnings (loss) for such period): (i) depreciation and amortization expense and other non-cash charges of such Person for such period, as such Person shall determine in good faith; (ii) interest expense, including prepayment penalties, of such Person for such period; (iii) income tax expense of such Person in respect of such period; (iv) extraordinary and nonrecurring gains and losses, as such Person shall determine in good faith, of such Person for such period, including without limitation, gains and losses from the sale of assets, write-offs and forgiveness of debt, foreign currency translation gains or losses; and (v) non-controlling interests. In each case for such period, such Person will reasonably determine the amounts in accordance with GAAP, except to the extent GAAP is not applicable with respect to the determination of non-cash and non-recurring items.

 

4


Encumbered Asset Value” means, with respect to any Person, for any date, the portion of Total Assets serving as collateral for Secured Debt as of such date.

Equivalent Terms” has the meaning specified in Section 1102.

Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 501.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.

Foreign Currency” means any currency, currency unit or composite currency issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States of America or by any recognized confederation or association of such government.

GAAP” and “generally accepted accounting principles” means accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, consistently applied, as in effect from time to time; provided that if, as of a particular date as of which compliance with the covenants contained in this Indenture is being determined, there have been changes in accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America from those that applied to the Issuer’s consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, the Issuer may, in its sole discretion, determine compliance with the covenants contained in this Indenture using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, consistently applied, as in effect as of the end of any calendar quarter selected by us, in the Issuer’s sole discretion, that is on or after December 31, 2017 and prior to the date as of which compliance with the covenants in this Indenture is being determined (“Fixed GAAP”), and, solely for purposes of calculating the covenants as of such date, “GAAP” shall mean Fixed GAAP.

Government Obligations” means securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America or the other government or governments in the confederation which issued the Foreign Currency in which the principal of or any premium or interest on the relevant Security or any Additional Amounts in respect thereof shall be payable, in each case where the payment or payments thereunder are supported by the full faith and credit of such government or governments or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or such other government or governments, in each case where the timely payment or payments thereunder are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America or such other government or governments, and which, in the case of (i) or (ii) above, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer or issuers thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

Guarantee” has the meaning set forth in Article Sixteen hereof.

Guarantors” means any Person that is liable under a Guarantee under Article Sixteen hereof.

Holder,” in the case of any Registered Security, means the Person in whose name such Security is registered in the Security Register.

Indebtedness,” when used with respect to any Person, and without duplication, unless otherwise specified with respect to the Securities of any series pursuant to Section 301, means any indebtedness (whether being principal, premium or interest) for or in respect of (i) any notes, bonds, debenture stock, loan stock or other securities or (ii) any borrowed money.

 

5


Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and, with respect to any Security, by the terms and provisions of such Security established pursuant to Section 301 (as such terms and provisions may be amended pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof), provided, however, that, if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this instrument, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to any one or more series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of those particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established pursuant to Section 301, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is not Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted.

Indexed Security” means a Security the terms of which provide that the principal amount thereof payable at Stated Maturity may be more or less than the principal face amount thereof at original issuance.

Intercompany Debt” means, as of any date, Debt to which the only parties are the Issuer and any of its Subsidiaries, but only so long as that Debt is held solely by any of the Issuer and any of its Subsidiaries as of that date and, provided that, in the case of Debt owed by the Issuer to any Subsidiary, the Debt is subordinated in right of payment to the holders of the Securities.

Interest,” with respect to any Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.

Interest Payment Date,” with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

Interest Expense” means, for any period, the Issuer’s interest expense for such period, with other adjustments as are necessary to exclude: (i) the effect of items classified as extraordinary items in accordance with GAAP; (ii) amortization of debt issuance costs; (iii) prepayment penalties; and (iv) non-cash swap ineffectiveness charges.

Issuer” means the Person named as the “Issuer” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Issuer” shall mean such successor Person.

Issuer Request” and “Issuer Order” mean, respectively, a written request or order, as the case may be, signed in the name of the Issuer, by an Officer of the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee.

Judgment Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 116.

Make-Whole Amount” means, if specified to be applicable to any series of Securities by or pursuant to this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto, or by or in such series of Securities in connection with the issuance of such series of Securities, or with respect to any optional redemption or accelerated payment of such series of Securities: the aggregate present value as of the date of redemption or payment of each dollar of principal being redeemed or paid and the amount of interest, calculated by the Issuer, excluding interest accrued to the date of redemption or payment, that would have been payable in respect of each dollar if the redemption or payment had been made on the applicable par call date specified with respect to such series of Securities (determined by discounting, on a semi-annual basis, the principal and interest at the Reinvestment Rate, determined on the third Business Day preceding the date notice of redemption is given or declaration of acceleration is made, from the respective dates on which the principal and interest would have been payable if the redemption or payment had been made on the applicable par call date), in excess of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities being redeemed or paid. The par call date, if any, shall be the date, specified by or pursuant to this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto, or by or in such series of Securities in connection with the issuance of such series of Securities, on or after which the Redemption Price of such series of Securities shall not include a Make-Whole Amount.

 

6


Maturity,” with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security, whether at the Stated Maturity, upon acceleration, upon redemption at the option of the Issuer, upon repurchase or repayment at the option of the Holder or otherwise, and includes a Redemption Date for such Security and a date fixed for the repurchase or repayment of such Security at the option of the Holder.

New York Banking Day” has the meaning specified in Section 116.

Office,” with respect to any Securities, means an office of the Issuer maintained or designated in a Place of Payment for such Securities pursuant to Section 1002 or any other office of the Issuer maintained or designated for such Securities pursuant to Section 1002 or, to the extent designated or required by Section 1002 in lieu of such office, the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary or a Vice President of the Issuer.

Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by an Officer of the Issuer that, if applicable, complies with the requirements of Section 314(e) of the Trust Indenture Act and is delivered to the Trustee.

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the Issuer or other counsel who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Opinions of Counsel required to be delivered under this Indenture may have qualifications customary for opinions of the type required.

Original Issue Discount Security” means a Security, other than an Indexed Security, issued pursuant to this Indenture which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon acceleration pursuant to Section 502.

Outstanding,” when used with respect to any Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all such Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

(a) any such Security theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(b) any such Security for whose payment at the Maturity thereof money in the necessary amount (or, to the extent that such Security is payable at such Maturity in shares of Common Equity or other securities or property, Common Equity or such other securities or property in the necessary amount, together with, if applicable, cash in lieu of fractional shares or securities) has been theretofore deposited pursuant hereto (other than pursuant to Section 402) with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer (if it shall act as Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities, provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

(c) any such Security with respect to which the Issuer has effected defeasance or Covenant Defeasance pursuant to Section 402, except to the extent provided in Section 402;

(d) any such Security which has been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, unless there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Security is held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Security is a valid obligation of the Issuer; and

 

7


(e) any such Security converted or exchanged as contemplated by this Indenture into Common Equity or other securities or property, if the terms of such Security provide for such conversion or exchange pursuant to Section 301; provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders of Securities for quorum purposes, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such determination and that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be equal to the amount of the principal thereof that pursuant to the terms of such Original Issue Discount Security would be due and payable upon acceleration thereof pursuant to Section 502 at the time of such determination, and (ii) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the principal amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, and (iii) the principal amount of a Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that may be counted in making such determination and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purposes shall be the Dollar equivalent, determined on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent on the date of original issuance of such Security of the amount determined as provided in (i) above) of such Security, and (iv) Securities owned by the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Issuer or such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making any such determination or relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely on any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, but only to the extent the Responsible Officer of the Trustee making such determination has not been provided with written notice that such Securities are not so owned. Securities so owned which shall have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes in writing to the satisfaction of the Trustee (A) the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and (B) that the pledgee is not the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Securities or an Affiliate of the Issuer or such other obligor.

Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Issuer to pay the principal of, or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security on behalf of the Issuer.

Person” and “person” mean any individual, Corporation, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

Place of Payment,” with respect to any Security, means the place or places where the principal of, or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security are payable as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security.

Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same indebtedness as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a lost, destroyed, mutilated or stolen Security.

Property” means a parcel (or group of related parcels) of real property.

Property EBITDA” means, for any period, the Issuer’s EBITDA for such period adjusted to add back the impact of corporate level general and administrative expenses.

Redemption Date,” with respect to any Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security.

Redemption Price,” with respect to any Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed as determined by or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security.

Registered Security” means any Security established pursuant to Section 201 which is registered in the Security Register.

Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Registered Security on any Interest Payment Date therefor means the date, if any, specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security as the regular record date for the payment of such interest.

 

8


Reinvestment Rate” means the yield on treasury securities at a constant maturity corresponding to the remaining life to maturity (rounded up to the nearest month) of the principal of the Securities of the applicable series being redeemed as of the date of redemption (which maturity shall be deemed to be the applicable Par Call Date) (the “Treasury Yield”), plus a percentage to be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. For purposes of calculating the Reinvestment Rate, the Treasury Yield will be equal to the arithmetic mean of the yields published in the Statistical Release under the heading “Week Ending” for “U.S. Government Securities—Treasury Constant Maturities” with a maturity equal to the deemed remaining life to maturity of the Securities being redeemed. However, if no published maturity exactly corresponds to such remaining life, then the Treasury Yield will be interpolated or extrapolated on a straight-line basis from the arithmetic means of the yields for the next shortest and next longest published maturities. For purposes of calculating the Reinvestment Rate, the most recent Statistical Release published prior to the date of determination of the Make-Whole Amount will be used. If the format or content of the Statistical Release changes in a manner that precludes determination of the Treasury Yield in the above manner, then the Treasury Yield will be determined in the manner that most closely approximates the above manner, as the Issuer reasonably determines.

Reporting Date” means the date ending the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Issuer for which the Issuer’s consolidated financial statements are publicly available, it being understood that at any time when the Issuer is not subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act, the term “Reporting Date” shall be deemed to refer to the date ending the fiscal quarter covered by the Issuer’s most recent quarterly financial statements delivered to the Trustee or, in the case of the last fiscal quarter of the year, the Issuer’s annual financial statements delivered to the Trustee.

Required Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 116.

Responsible Officer” means any officer of the Trustee in its corporate trust department who is responsible for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer or employee of the Trustee to whom such matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

Secured Debt” means Debt secured by any mortgage, lien, pledge, encumbrance or security interest of any kind upon any of the Issuer’s Property or other assets or the Property or other assets of any Subsidiary.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.

Security” or “Securities” means any note or notes, bond or bonds, debenture or debentures, or any other evidences of indebtedness, as the case may be, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided, however, that, if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, “Securities,” with respect to any such Person, shall mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.

Security Interest” means any mortgage, pledge, lien, hypothecation, security interest or other charge.

Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 305.

Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary or group of Subsidiaries that meets either of the following conditions: (1) the Issuer and its other Subsidiaries’ investments in and advances to the Subsidiary exceed 10% of the Issuer’s and its Subsidiaries’ total assets consolidated (determined in accordance with GAAP) as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which an annual or quarterly report has been furnished to Holders or filed with the Commission; or (2) the Issuer’s and its other Subsidiaries’ proportionate share of the total assets (after intercompany eliminations) of the Subsidiary exceeds 10% of the Issuer’s and its Subsidiaries’ total assets consolidated (determined in accordance with GAAP) as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which an annual or quarterly report has been furnished to Holders or filed with the Commission.

Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Registered Security means a date fixed therefor by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.

 

9


Stated Maturity,” with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, means the date established by or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is, or such Additional Amounts are, due and payable.

Statistical Release” means the statistical release designated “H.15” or any successor publication that is published weekly by the Federal Reserve System (or companion online data resource published by the Federal Reserve System) and that reports yields on actively traded United States government securities adjusted to constant maturities, or, if that statistical release is not published at the time of any required determination under the Indenture, then another reasonably comparable index which the Issuer shall designate.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to the Issuer or any other Person, any Person (excluding an individual), a majority of the outstanding voting stock, partnership interests, membership interests or other equity interests, as the case may be, of which is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Issuer or by one or more other Subsidiaries of the Issuer. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means stock having voting power for the election of directors, trustees or managers, as the case may be, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock or equity interest has such voting power by reason of any contingency. Unless the context otherwise requires, “Subsidiary” refers to a Subsidiary of the Issuer.

Total Assets” means, as of any date, the sum (without duplication) of: (a) the Capitalized Property Value of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, excluding Capitalized Property Value attributable to Properties acquired or disposed of by the Issuer or any Subsidiary during the four consecutive quarters ending on such date and Development Properties; (b) all cash and cash equivalents (excluding tenant deposits and other cash and cash equivalents the disposition of which is restricted) of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries at such time; (c) the current undepreciated book value of Development Properties and all land held for development; (d) the purchase price paid by the Issuer or any Subsidiary for any Acquisition Property; and (e) all other assets of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries. The Issuer shall have the option to include Capitalized Property Value under clause (a) above from any such Properties that are otherwise subject to valuation under clause (c) or (d) above; provided, however, that if such election is made, any value attributable to such Properties under clause (c) or (d) above shall be excluded from the determination of the amount under clause (c) or (d). The value of any assets under clauses (b), (c), (d) and (e) above (excluding any assets classified as intangible under GAAP) shall be determined in accordance with GAAP.

Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was executed; provided, however, that in the event that the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” shall mean each such Person and as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

Unencumbered Assets” means, as of any date, Total Assets as of such date less Encumbered Asset Value as of such date.

Unsecured Debt” means Debt that is not secured by any mortgage, lien, pledge, encumbrance or security interest of any kind upon any of the Issuer’s Property or other assets or the Property or other assets of any Subsidiary.

United States,” means the United States of America (including the states thereof and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction; and the term “United States of America” means the United States of America.

 

10


Vice President,” when used with respect to the Issuer or the Trustee, as applicable, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “Vice President.”

Voting Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any class or series of capital stock of, or other equity interests in, such Person the holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of, or to appoint or to approve the appointment of, the directors, trustees or managing members of, or other persons holding similar positions with, such Person.

Section 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, upon any application or request by the Issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable, to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition precedent or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than certificates delivered pursuant to Section 1007) must include:

(1) a statement that each person signing the certificate or opinion has read the covenant or condition precedent and the related definitions;

(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statement or opinion contained in the certificate or opinion is based;

(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such person, that person has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable the person to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition precedent has been complied with; and

(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such person, such condition precedent or covenant has been complied with.

Section 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Issuer or any Guarantor may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon an Opinion of Counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the Opinion of Counsel with respect to the matters upon which such officer’s certificate or opinion is based is erroneous. Any such Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Issuer or any Guarantor, a governmental official or officers or any other Person or Persons, stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable, unless counsel rendering the Opinion of Counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate, opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture or any Security, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

 

11


Section 104.Acts of Holders; Record Dates.

(1) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by or pursuant to this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing or the record of any action taken by Holders at a meeting pursuant to Article Fifteen. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments or so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act) conclusive in favor of the Trustee, the Issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable, and any agent of the Trustee, the Issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 1506.

Without limiting the generality of this Section 104, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, a Holder, including a Depository that is a Holder of a global Security, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies, duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities to be made, given or taken by Holders, and a Depository that is a Holder of a global Security may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such global Security through such Depository’s standing instructions and customary practices.

(2) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved in any reasonable manner which the Trustee deems sufficient and in accordance with such reasonable rules as the Trustee may determine; and the Trustee may in any instance require further proof with respect to any of the matters referred to in this Section.

(3) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Registered Securities held by any Person, and the date of the commencement and the date of the termination of holding the same, shall be proved by the Security Register.

(4) If the Issuer or any Guarantor shall solicit from the Holders of any Registered Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Issuer may at its option (but is not obligated to), by Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Registered Securities entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of Registered Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized, agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders of Registered Securities shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six (6) months after the record date.

(5) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act by the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, the Issuer or any Guarantor in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such Act is made upon such Security.

Section 105. Notices, etc. to Trustee and Issuer.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with:

(1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Issuer or any Guarantor shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing (which may be by facsimile) to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office at the location specified in Section 101; or

 

12


(2) the Issuer by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Issuer addressed to the attention of the Secretary of the Issuer at the address of the Issuer’s principal office specified in writing to the Trustee by the Issuer and, until further notice, at:

 

 

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

671 N. Glebe Road, Suite 800

Arlington, VA 22203

 

In addition to the foregoing, the Trustee agrees to accept and act upon notices, instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods. If the party elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile notices, instructions or directions (or notices, instructions or directions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee acts upon such notices, instructions or directions, the Trustee’s understanding of such notices, instructions or directions shall be deemed controlling. 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 notices, instructions or directions. The party providing electronic notices, instructions or directions agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit notices, instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized notices, instructions or directions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.

Section 106. Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of Securities of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, or if delivered electronically pursuant to the applicable procedures of the Depository, to each Holder affected by such event, at such Holder’s address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice.

In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders given as provided herein. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given or provided. In the case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee in its sole discretion shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders of Securities shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

Section 107. Language of Notices.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language.

Section 108. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act that is required under such Act to be a part of and govern this Indenture, the latter provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.

 

13


Section 109. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

Section 110. Successors and Assigns.

All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Issuer or any Guarantor shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 111. Separability Clause.

In case any provision in this Indenture or any Security shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not, to the fullest extent permitted by law, in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 112. Benefits of Indenture.

Nothing in this Indenture or any Security, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent and their successors hereunder and the Holders of Securities, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

Section 113. Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial.

This Indenture, the Securities and any Guarantees shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflicts of law principles of such State other than New York General Obligations Law Section 5-1401. EACH OF THE TRUST, ANY GUARANTOR AND THE TRUSTEE AND EACH HOLDER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES, ANY GUARANTEES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 114. Legal Holidays.

Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Securities, in any case where any Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or Maturity of, or any other day on which a payment is due with respect to, any Security shall be a day which is not a Business Day, then payment need not be made on such day, but such payment may be made on the next succeeding day that is a relevant Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, at the Stated Maturity or Maturity or on any such other payment date, as the case may be, and no interest shall accrue or be payable on the payment so deferred on such succeeding Business Day for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity, Maturity or other payment date, as the case may be, to such succeeding Business Day.

Section 115. Counterparts.

This Indenture may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

14


Section 116. Judgment Currency.

Each of the Issuer and any Guarantor agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of, or premium or interest, if any, or Additional Amounts on the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding the date on which a final unappealable judgment is given and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with clause (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture. For purposes of the foregoing, “New York Banking Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to be closed. The provisions of this Section 116 shall not be applicable with respect to any payment due on a Security which is payable in Dollars.

Section 117. Extension of Payment Dates.

In the event that (i) the terms of any Security established in or pursuant to this Indenture permit the Issuer or any Holder thereof to extend the date on which any payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on, or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to such Security is due and payable and (ii) the due date for any such payment shall have been so extended, then all references herein to the Stated Maturity of such payment (and all references of like import) shall be deemed to refer to the date as so extended.

Section 118. Immunity of General Partners, Limited Partners, Shareholders, Directors, Officers, Employees, Incorporators and Agents of the Issuer and Guarantors.

No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture, or in any Security, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any past, present or future general partner, limited partner, member, employee, incorporator, controlling person, shareholder, officer, trustee, director, agent or legal counsel, as such, of the Issuer, any Guarantor or of any of the Issuer’s or any Guarantor’s predecessors or successors, either directly or through the Issuer or any Guarantor or any predecessor or successor of the Issuer or any Guarantor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Securities by the Holders and as part of the consideration for the issuance of the Securities.

Section 119. USA Patriot Act.

The parties hereto acknowledge that, in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. Each of the Issuer and any Guarantor agrees that it will provide the Trustee with such information as it may reasonably request in order for the Trustee to seek to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, including documentation to verify its formation and existence as a legal entity, financial statements, licenses, and identification and authorization documents from individuals claiming authority to represent the entity or other relevant documentation.

Section 120. Force Majeure.

In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services.

 

15


Section 121. FATCA.

In order to comply with applicable tax laws, rules and regulations (inclusive of directives, guidelines and interpretations promulgated by competent authorities) in effect from time to time (as used solely in this Section 121, “Applicable Law”) that a foreign financial institution, or issuer, trustee, paying agent, holder or other institution is or has agreed to be subject to related to this Indenture, the Issuer agrees (i) to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide to the Trustee sufficient information about Holders in the Issuer’s possession or available to it or other applicable counterparties to the Issuer and/or transactions between the Issuer and such counter parties (including any modification to the terms of such transactions) that is reasonably requested by the Trustee so the Trustee can determine whether it has tax related obligations under Applicable Law, (ii) upon written notice to the Issuer, that the Trustee shall be entitled to make any withholding or deduction from payments under this Indenture to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Law for which the Trustee shall not have any liability if properly withheld in accordance with Applicable Law, and (iii) to hold harmless the Trustee for any losses it may suffer due to the actions it takes to comply with such Applicable Law, in case of each of clauses (ii) and (iii), other than any liability or losses as may be attributable to the Trustee’s willful misconduct or negligence. The terms of this paragraph shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

 

16


ARTICLE TWO.

SECURITIES FORMS

Section 201. Forms Generally.

Each Registered Security and temporary or permanent global Security issued pursuant to this Indenture shall be in the form established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by or pursuant to this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officer of the Issuer executing such Security as evidenced by the execution of such Security.

Definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods or in any other manner, all as determined by the officer of the Issuer executing such Securities, as evidenced by the execution of such Securities.

Section 202. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.

Subject to Section 611, the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee

By:    
 

Authorized Signatory

Dated:

 

Section 203. Securities in Global Form.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Securities, the Securities shall be issuable in global form. If Securities of a series shall be issuable in temporary or permanent global form, any such Security may provide that it or any principal amount of such Securities shall represent the aggregate amount of all Outstanding Securities of such series (or such lesser principal amount as is permitted by the terms thereof) from time to time endorsed thereon or reflected on the books and records of the Trustee and may also provide that the aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of any Security in global form to reflect the principal amount, or any increase or decrease in the principal amount, or changes in the rights of Holders, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made in such manner and by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or pursuant to Section 301 with respect to such Security or in the Issuer Order to be delivered pursuant to Section 303 or 304 with respect thereto. Subject to the provisions of Section 303 and, if applicable, Section 304, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security in global form in the manner and upon written instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or pursuant to Section 301 with respect to such Security or in the applicable Issuer Order. If an Issuer Order pursuant to Section 303 (with respect to Outstanding Securities) or 304 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Issuer with respect to a Security in global form shall be in writing but need not be accompanied by or contained in an Officer’s Certificate and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, in the event a global Security is exchangeable for definitive Securities as provided in Section 305, then, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver such global Security to the extent necessary to effect such exchanges, shall endorse such global Security to reflect any decrease in the principal amount thereto resulting from such exchanges and shall take such other actions, all as contemplated by Section 305.

 

17


Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 307, payment of principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of any Security in temporary or permanent global form shall be made to the Person in whose name such Security is registered.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Issuer, any Guarantor, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee shall treat as the Holder of the principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a global Security, in the case of a global Security in registered form, the Holder of such global Security in registered form.

ARTICLE THREE.

THE SECURITIES

Section 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series.

With respect to any Securities to be authenticated and delivered hereunder, there shall be established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of any Securities of a series,

(1) the title of the Securities of such series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from Securities of any other series) and whether the Securities of such series are to be senior or subordinated;

(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of such series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 905 or 1107, upon repayment in part of any Security of such series pursuant to Article Thirteen or upon surrender in part of any Security for conversion or exchange into Common Equity or other securities or property pursuant to its terms); provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of such series may from time to time be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect;

(3) if such Securities are to be issuable as Registered Securities, as bearer securities or alternatively as bearer securities and Registered Securities, and whether the bearer securities are to be issuable with coupons, without coupons or both, and any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of the bearer securities and the terms, if any, upon which bearer securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities and vice versa and, with respect to bearer securities, any other provisions related to bearer securities not otherwise provided for herein;

(4) if any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form, when any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form and (i) whether such Securities are to be issued in temporary or permanent global form or both, (ii) whether beneficial owners of interests in any such global Security may exchange such interests for Securities of the same series and of like tenor and of any authorized form and denomination, and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner specified in Section 305, (iii) the name of the Depository with respect to any such global Security, and (iv) if applicable and in addition to the Persons specified in Section 305, the Person or Persons who shall be entitled to make any endorsements on any such global Security and to give the instructions and take the other actions with respect to such global Security contemplated by the first paragraph of Section 203;

(5) the date or dates, or the method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates shall be determined, on which the principal and premium, if any, of any Securities of the series is payable or the method used to determine or extend those dates;

 

18


(6) the rate or rates at which such Securities shall bear interest, if any, or the method or methods, if any, by which such rate or rates are to be determined, the date or dates, if any, from which such interest shall accrue or the method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates are to be determined, the Interest Payment Dates, if any, on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on Registered Securities on any Interest Payment Date, the notice, if any, to Holders regarding the determination of interest on a floating rate Security and the manner of giving such notice, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

(7) if in addition to or other than the Corporate Trust Office, the place or places where the principal of, any premium and interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities shall be payable, any of such Securities that are Registered Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, any of such Securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange or at maturity or otherwise, and notices or demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of such Securities and this Indenture may be made and the manner in which any payment may be made;

(8) whether any of such Securities are to be redeemable at the option of the Issuer and, if so, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currency units in which, and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Issuer, and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Issuer to redeem the Securities shall be evidenced;

(9) if the Issuer is obligated to redeem or purchase any of such Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of any Holder thereof and, if so, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currency units in which, and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation, and any provisions for the remarketing of such Securities so redeemed or purchased;

(10) the denominations in which any of such Securities that are Registered Securities shall be issuable if other than minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof;

(11) whether such Securities will be convertible into and/or exchangeable for Common Equity or other securities or property of the Issuer or of any other Person, and if so, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, and any deletions from or modifications or additions or changes to this Indenture to permit or to facilitate the issuance of such convertible or exchangeable Securities or the administration thereof;

(12) if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any of such Securities that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the method by which such portion is to be determined;

(13) if other than Dollars, the Foreign Currency in which purchases of such Securities must be made and the Foreign Currency in which payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any of such Securities shall be payable and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in Dollars for any purpose, including for purposes of the definition of “Outstanding” in Section 101;

(14) if the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any of such Securities are to be payable, at the election of the Issuer or a Holder thereof or otherwise, in a Currency other than that in which such Securities are stated to be payable, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, and the other terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between the Currency in which such Securities are stated to be payable and the Currency in which such Securities or any of them are to be paid pursuant to such election, and any deletions from or modifications of or additions to the terms of this Indenture to provide for or to facilitate the issuance of Securities denominated or payable, at the election of the Issuer or a Holder thereof or otherwise, in a Foreign Currency;

 

19


(15) if the amount of payments of principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method or methods (which index, formula or method or methods may be based, without limitation, on one or more Currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices), and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined and paid or payable;

(16) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants of the Issuer or any Guarantor with respect to any of such Securities or any Guarantee (whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants set forth herein), any additional covenants subject to waiver by the Act of Holders pursuant to Section 1006, and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 502;

(17) if any one or more of the provisions of Section 401 relating to satisfaction and discharge, Section 402(2) relating to defeasance or Section 402(3) relating to Covenant Defeasance shall not be applicable to such Securities, and any covenants in addition to or other than those specified in Section 402(3) relating to such Securities which shall be subject to Covenant Defeasance, and, if such Securities are subject to repurchase or repayment at the option of the Holders thereof pursuant to Article Thirteen, if the Issuer’s obligation to repurchase or repay such Securities will be subject to satisfaction and discharge pursuant to Section 401 or to defeasance or Covenant Defeasance pursuant to Section 402, and, if the Holders of such Securities have the right to convert or exchange such Securities into Common Equity or other securities or property, if the right to effect such conversion or exchange will be subject to satisfaction and discharge pursuant to Section 401 or to defeasance or Covenant Defeasance pursuant to Section 402, and any deletions from, or modifications or additions to, the provisions of Article Four (including any modification which would permit satisfaction and discharge, defeasance or Covenant Defeasance to be effected with respect to less than all of the outstanding Securities of such series) in respect of such Securities;

(18) if any of such Securities are to be issuable upon the exercise of warrants, and the time, manner and place for such Securities to be authenticated and delivered;

(19) if any of such Securities are issuable in global form and are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

(20) the circumstances under which the Issuer or any Guarantor will pay Additional Amounts on such Securities in respect of any tax, assessment or other government charge and whether the Issuer will have the option to redeem such Securities rather than pay such Additional Amounts;

(21) if there is more than one Trustee, the identity of the Trustee that has any obligations, duties and remedies with respect to such Securities and, if not the Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent with respect to such Securities;

(22) the Person to whom any interest on any Registered Security of such series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name such Registered Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary global Security will be paid if other than in the manner provided in this Indenture;

(23) whether the Securities of the series will be guaranteed by a Guarantor and, if so, the identity of such Guarantor, the extent to which, and the terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be guaranteed and, if applicable, the terms and conditions upon which such Guarantees may be subordinated to other indebtedness of the respective Guarantors;

 

20


(24) whether the Securities of the series will be secured and, if so, specification of the collateral and the extent to which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such Securities shall be secured;

(25) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of any Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the Stated Maturity, the amount which shall be deemed to be the principal amount of such Securities as of any such date for any purpose thereunder or hereunder, including the principal amount thereof which shall be due and payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which shall be deemed to be Outstanding as of any date prior to the Stated Maturity (or, in any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount shall be determined);

(26) whether the Securities will not be issued in a transaction registered under the Securities Act and any restriction or condition on the transferability of the Securities of such series;

(27) the exchanges, if any, on which such Securities may be listed;

(28) the price or prices at which the Securities will be sold; and

(29) any other terms of such Securities and any deletions from or modifications or additions to this Indenture in respect of such Securities (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, except as permitted by Section 901).

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical, except as may be provided by the Issuer in or pursuant to the Board Resolution and set forth in the Officer’s Certificate or in any indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pertaining to such series of Securities. The terms of the Securities of any series may provide, without limitation, that the Securities shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee on original issue from time to time upon written order of persons designated in the Board Resolutions of the Issuer or any Guarantor (with respect to its Guarantee), Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture, as the case may be, pertaining to such series of Securities and that such persons are authorized to determine, consistent with such Board Resolutions, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture, such terms and conditions of the Securities of such series as are specified in such Board Resolutions, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture.

All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided by the Issuer as contemplated by this Section 301, a series may be reopened from time to time without notice to or the consent of any Holders for issuances of additional Securities of such series or to establish additional terms of such series of Securities.

If any of the terms of the Securities of any series shall be established by action taken by or pursuant to Board Resolutions of the Issuer, such Board Resolution(s) shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officer’s Certificate setting forth the terms of such series.

Section 302. Currency; Denominations.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, the principal of, any premium and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities shall be payable in Dollars. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, Registered Securities denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Securities not denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in such denominations as are established with respect to such Securities in or pursuant to this Indenture.

Section 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

Securities and any Guarantee to be endorsed thereon shall be executed on behalf of the Issuer or the related Guarantor, as applicable, by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, or one of the Vice Presidents of the Issuer, or such Guarantor, and may (but need not) have the Issuer’s or the Guarantor’s, as applicable, corporate seal or a facsimile thereof reproduced thereon. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile.

 

21


Securities and any related Guarantees bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable, shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, bind the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or the Securities upon which any such Guarantee is endorsed or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities or any such related Guarantee.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Issuer may deliver Securities executed by the Issuer to the Trustee for authentication and, provided that the Board Resolutions and Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture or indentures with respect to such Securities referred to in Section 301 and an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities have been delivered to the Trustee, the Trustee in accordance with the Issuer Order and subject to the provisions hereof and of such Securities shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall receive, and (subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon,

(1) an Opinion of Counsel to the following effect:

(a) the form or forms and terms of such Securities have been established in conformity with Sections 201 and 301 of this Indenture;

(b) all conditions precedent set forth in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of such Securities have been complied with; and

(c) and that such Securities, when completed by appropriate insertions (if applicable), executed by a duly authorized officer of the Issuer, delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Issuer to the Trustee for authentication pursuant to this Indenture, and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Issuer in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Issuer, enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with their terms, and that any Guarantee, when executed by a duly authorized signatory of the Guarantor and issued by such Guarantor in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel and when the Securities upon which such Guarantees have been endorsed have been completed, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Issuer and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Guarantor, except, in each case, as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally or by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law) and subject to such other exceptions as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee; provided, that such Opinion of Counsel need express no opinion as to whether a court in the United States would render a money judgment in a currency other than that of the United States; and

(2) an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the issuance of the Securities have been complied with and that, to the best of the knowledge of the signers of such certificate, that no Event of Default with respect to any of the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing.

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate or to cause an Authenticating Agent to authenticate any Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or will otherwise be in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee or if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken.

Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. Except to the extent specified in a supplemental indenture, or in established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, the Securities of each series shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto if issued with a fixed rate of interest or Exhibit B attached hereto if issued with a floating rate of interest determined with respect to the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or any similar successor rate.

 

22


No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for in Section 202 or 611 executed by or on behalf of the Trustee or by the Authenticating Agent by the manual signature of one of its authorized signatories. Such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.

Section 304. Temporary Securities.

Pending the preparation of definitive Securities, the Issuer may execute and deliver to the Trustee and, upon Issuer Order, the Trustee or Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver, in the manner provided in Section 303, temporary Securities in lieu thereof which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers of the Issuer executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. Such temporary Securities may be in global form.

Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form, which shall be exchanged in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Indenture or the provisions established pursuant to Section 301, if temporary Securities are issued, the Issuer shall cause definitive Securities or global Securities to be prepared without unreasonable delay. Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, after the preparation of definitive Securities or global Securities of the same series and containing terms and provisions that are identical to those of any temporary Securities, such temporary Securities shall be exchangeable for such definitive Securities or global Securities upon surrender of such temporary Securities at an Office or Agency for such Securities, without charge to any Holder thereof. Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities, the Issuer shall execute and, upon Issuer Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities or global Securities of authorized denominations of the same series and containing identical terms and provisions. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture with respect to a temporary global Security, until so exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

Section 305. Registration, Transfer and Exchange.

With respect to the Registered Securities of each series, if any, the Issuer shall cause to be kept a register (each such register being herein sometimes referred to as the “Security Register”) at an Office or Agency for such series in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Issuer shall provide for the registration of the Registered Securities of such series and of transfers and exchanges of the Registered Securities of such series. Such Office or Agency shall be the “Security Registrar” for that series of Securities. Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities, the initial Security Registrar for each series of Securities shall be as specified in the second to last paragraph of Section 1002. The Issuer shall have the right to remove and replace from time to time the Security Registrar for any series of Securities; provided that no such removal or replacement shall be effective until a successor Security Registrar with respect to such series of Securities shall have been appointed by the Issuer and shall have accepted such appointment. In the event that the Trustee shall not be or shall cease to be Security Registrar with respect to a series of Securities, it shall have the right to examine the Security Register for such series at all reasonable times. There shall be only one Security Register for each series of Securities.

Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any Office or Agency for such series, the Issuer shall execute, and, upon Issuer Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series denominated as authorized in or pursuant to this Indenture, of a like aggregate principal amount bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding and containing identical terms and provisions.

 

23


Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, at the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series containing identical terms and provisions, in any authorized denominations, and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at any Office or Agency for such series. Whenever any Registered Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Issuer shall execute, and, upon Issuer Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Registered Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, the global Securities of any series shall be exchangeable for definitive certificated Securities of such series only if (i) the Depository for such global Securities notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable or no longer qualified to continue as a Depository for such global Securities or at any time the Depository for such global Securities ceases to be a clearing agency registered as such under the Exchange Act, if so required by applicable law or regulation, and no successor Depository for such Securities shall have been appointed by the Issuer within 90 days of such notification or of the Issuer becoming aware of the Depository’s ceasing to be so registered, as the case may be, (ii) the Issuer, in its sole discretion and subject to the Depository’s procedures, determines that the Securities of such series shall no longer be represented by one or more global Securities and executes and delivers to the Trustee an Issuer Order to the effect that such global Securities shall be so exchangeable or (iii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such Securities and the Depository or the Issuer specifically requests such exchange.

If the beneficial owners of interests in a global Security are entitled to exchange such interests for definitive Securities as the result of an event described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of the preceding paragraph, then without unnecessary delay, but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities in such form and denominations as are required by or pursuant to this Indenture, and of the same series, containing identical terms and in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such global Security, executed by the Issuer. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such global Security shall be cancelled by the Trustee in accordance with its customary procedures as shall be specified in the Issuer Order with respect thereto (which the Issuer agrees to deliver), and in accordance with instructions given to the Trustee and the Depository as shall be specified in the Issuer Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Issuer’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or in part, for definitive Securities as described above without charge. The Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in exchange for each portion of such surrendered global Security, a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such global Security to be exchanged, which shall be in such denominations and, in the case of Registered Securities, registered in such names, as shall be specified by the Depository, but subject to the satisfaction of any certification or other requirements to the issuance of securities; provided, however, that no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Securities of the same series to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date. Promptly following any such exchange in part, such global Security shall be returned by the Trustee to such Depository (or its custodian) or such other Depository (or its custodian) referred to above in accordance with the instructions of the Issuer referred to above, and the Trustee shall endorse such global Security to reflect the decrease in the principal amount thereof resulting from such exchange. If a Registered Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a global Security after the close of business at the Office or Agency for such Security where such exchange occurs on or after (i) any Regular Record Date for such Security and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the next Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date for such Security and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the related proposed date for payment of interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, interest shall not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered Security, but shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such global Security shall be payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Issuer evidencing the same debt and entitling the Holders thereof to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

24


Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Issuer or the Security Registrar for such Security) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and the Security Registrar for such Security duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, or any redemption or repayment of Securities, or any conversion or exchange of Securities for other types of securities or property, but the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 905 or 1107, upon repayment or repurchase in part of any Registered Security pursuant to Article Thirteen, or upon surrender in part of any Registered Security for conversion or exchange into Common Equity or other securities or property pursuant to its terms, in each case not involving any transfer.

Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, the Issuer shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the selection for redemption of Securities of like tenor and terms and of the same series under Section 1103 and ending at the close of business on the day of such selection, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security, or portion thereof, so selected for redemption, except in the case of any Registered Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed, or (iii) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security which, in accordance with its terms, has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder pursuant to Article Thirteen and not withdrawn, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.

Section 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 306, the Issuer shall execute and, upon Issuer Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

If there be delivered to the Issuer and to the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security, and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be reasonably required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Issuer or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Issuer shall execute and, upon the Issuer’s written request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 306, in case any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Issuer in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Issuer may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee and its legal counsel) connected therewith.

Every new Security issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute a separate obligation of the Issuer, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of such series duly issued hereunder.

The provisions of this Section 306, as amended or supplemented pursuant to this Indenture with respect to particular Securities or generally, shall (to the extent lawful) be exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

 

25


Section 307. Payment of Interest and Certain Additional Amounts; Rights to Interest and Certain Additional Amounts Preserved.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Registered Security which shall be payable, and are punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered as of the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Registered Security which shall be payable, but shall not be punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for such Registered Security (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder thereof on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder; and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Issuer, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (1) or (2) below:

(1) The Issuer may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Person in whose name such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) shall be registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on such Registered Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when so deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Person entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon, the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Issuer shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be given to the Holder of such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) in the manner set forth in Section 106 not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been sent as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) shall be registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2); or

(2) The Issuer may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Security may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after written notice given by the Issuer to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause (2), such payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities of any particular series, at the option of the Issuer, interest on Registered Securities on any Interest Payment Date may be paid by mailing a check to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or by transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located in the United States of America.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 307 and Section 305, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

Section 308. Persons Deemed Owners.

Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer or exchange or at maturity or otherwise, the Issuer, any Guarantor, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered in the Security Register as the owner of such Registered Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of, any premium and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not any payment with respect to such Registered Security shall be overdue, and none of the Issuer, any Guarantor, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

26


No owner of any beneficial interest in any global Security held on its behalf by a Depository shall have any rights under this Indenture or with respect to such global Security, and such Depository or its nominee may be treated by the Issuer, any Guarantor, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee as the absolute owner and Holder of such global Security for all purposes whatsoever. None of the Issuer, any Guarantor, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuer, any Guarantor, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the applicable Depository, as a Holder, with respect to a global Security or impair, as between such Depository and the owners of beneficial interests in such global Security, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of such Depository (or its nominee) as the Holder of such global Security.

Section 309. Cancellation.

All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer, exchange or conversion or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be promptly delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities, as well as Securities surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose, shall be cancelled promptly by the Trustee. The Issuer may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Issuer may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be cancelled promptly by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by or pursuant to this Indenture. All cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of by the Trustee in accordance with its customary procedures.

Section 310. Computation of Interest.

Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or in the Securities of any series, interest on the Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

Section 311. CUSIP Numbers.

The Issuer in issuing the Securities 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 Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

Section 312. Trustee, Paying Agent and Security Registrar Not Responsible for Depository.

None of the Trustee, any Paying Agent or any Security Registrar shall have any responsibility or liability for any acts or omissions of any Depository with respect to any global Security, for the records of any Depository, including records in respect of beneficial ownership interests in respect of any global Security, for any transactions between such Depository and any participant in such Depository or between or among any such Depository, any such participant or any holder or owner of a beneficial interest in any global Security or for any transfers of beneficial interests in any global Security.

 

27


ARTICLE FOUR.

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

Section 401. Satisfaction and Discharge.

Unless, pursuant to Section 301, the provisions of this Section 401 shall not be applicable with respect to the Securities of any series, upon the direction of the Issuer by an Issuer Order, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Issuer Order and any Guarantee of such Securities (except for provisions that survive pursuant to the terms of the Indenture or the applicable series of Securities), and the Trustee, on receipt of an Issuer Order, at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series, when,

(1) either

(a) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Securities of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306, and (ii) Securities of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer and thereafter repaid to the Issuer or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(b) all such Securities of such series 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) if redeemable at the option of the Issuer, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuer, and the Issuer, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with and held uninvested by the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose, money in the Currency in which such Securities are payable in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including the principal of, any premium and interest on, and, to the extent that the Securities of such series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts thereon and the amount of any such Additional Amounts which are or will be payable with respect to the Securities of such series is at the time of deposit determinable by the Issuer (in the exercise by the Issuer of its reasonable discretion), any Additional Amounts with respect to, such Securities, to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Maturity thereof, as the case may be;

(2) the Issuer has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuer with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series (including amounts payable to the Trustee pursuant to Section 606); and

(3) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to the Securities of such series have been complied with.

In the event there are Securities of two or more series Outstanding hereunder, the Trustee shall be required to execute an instrument acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture only if requested to do so with respect to Securities of such series as to which it is Trustee, if in form and content reasonably acceptable to the Trustee and if the other conditions thereto are met.

 

28


Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to any series of Securities, the obligations of the Issuer to the Trustee under Section 606 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section 401, the obligations of the Issuer and the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series under Sections 305, 306, 403, 404, 1002, 1003 and, if applicable to the Securities of such series, Section 1004 (including, without limitation, with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to such Securities as contemplated by Section 1004, but only to the extent that the Additional Amounts payable with respect to such Securities exceed the amount deposited in respect of such Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 401(1)(b)), the obligations of any Guarantor under any Guarantee in respect of Additional Amounts, any rights of Holders of the Securities of such series (unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of such series) to require the Issuer to repurchase or repay, and the obligations of the Issuer to repurchase or repay, such Securities at the option of the Holders pursuant to Article Thirteen hereof, and any rights of Holders of the Securities of such series (unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of such series) to convert or exchange, and the obligations of the Issuer to convert or exchange, such Securities into Common Equity or other securities or property, shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.

Section 402. Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.

(1) Unless, pursuant to Section 301, either or both of (i) defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under clause (2) of this Section 402 or (ii) Covenant Defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under clause (3) of this Section 402 shall not be applicable with respect to the Securities of such series, then such provisions, together with the other provisions of this Section 402 (with such modifications thereto as may be specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to any Securities), shall be applicable to such Securities, and the Issuer may at its option by Board Resolution, at any time, with respect to the Securities of or within such series, elect to have Section 402(2) or Section 402(3) be applied to such Outstanding Securities and any Guarantees of such Outstanding Securities upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Section 402. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series, defeasance under clause (2) of this Section 402 and Covenant Defeasance under clause (3) of this Section 402 may be effected only with respect to all, and not less than all, of the Outstanding Securities of any series. To the extent that the terms of any Security established in or pursuant to this Indenture permit the Issuer or any Holder thereof to extend the date on which any payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on, or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to such Security is due and payable, then unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301, the right to extend such date shall terminate upon defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be.

(2) Upon the Issuer’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section 402(2) with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Issuer and any Guarantor, as applicable, shall be deemed to have been discharged from their respective obligations with respect to such Outstanding Securities on the date the conditions set forth in clause (4) of this Section 402 are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”). For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Issuer shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Outstanding Securities, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of clause (5) of this Section 402 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in subclauses (i) through (iv) of this clause (2), and that each of the Issuer and any Guarantor shall be deemed to have satisfied all of their respective other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (i) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities to receive, solely (except as provided in subclause (ii) below) from the trust fund described in clause (4)(a) of this Section 402 and as more fully set forth in this Section 402 and in Section 403, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on, and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, such Securities when such payments are due; (ii) the obligations of the Issuer and the Trustee with respect to such Securities under Sections 305, 306, 1002, 1003 and, if applicable to the Securities of such series, Section 1004 (including, without limitation, with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to such Securities as contemplated by Section 1004, but only to the extent that the Additional Amounts payable with respect to such Securities exceed the amount deposited in respect of such Additional Amounts pursuant to clause (4)(a) of this Section 402), the obligations of any Guarantor under a Guarantee in respect of Additional Amounts, as applicable, any rights of Holders of such Securities (unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of such series) to require the Issuer to repurchase or repay, and the obligations of the Issuer to repurchase or repay, such Securities at the option of the Holders pursuant to Article Thirteen hereof, and any rights

 

29


of Holders of such Securities (unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of such series) to convert or exchange, and the obligations of the Issuer to convert or exchange, such Securities into Common Equity or other securities or property; (iii) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder; and (iv) this Section 402 and Sections 403 and 404. The Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 402(2) notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 402(3) with respect to such Securities.

(3) Upon the Issuer’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section 402(3) with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Issuer and any Guarantor, as applicable, shall be released from their respective obligations under clause (ii) of Section 1005, Section 704 and, to the extent specified pursuant to Section 301, any other covenant applicable to such Securities with respect to such Securities shall cease to be applicable to such Securities on and after the date the conditions set forth in clause (4) of this Section 402 are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and such Securities shall thereafter be deemed to be 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 any such covenant, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means, with respect to such Outstanding Securities, the Issuer and any Guarantor, as applicable, may omit to comply with, and shall have no liability in respect of, any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section or any such other covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or such other covenant or by reason of reference in any such Section or such other 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 501(3) or otherwise, as the case may be, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.

(4) The following shall be the conditions to application of clause (2) or (3) of this Section 402 to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series:

(a) The Issuer shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 607 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Section 402 applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, (1) an amount in Dollars or in such Foreign Currency in which such Securities are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity or, if such defeasance or Covenant Defeasance is to be effected in compliance with subsection (f) below, on the relevant Redemption Date, as the case may be, or (2) Government Obligations applicable to such Securities (determined on the basis of the Currency in which such Securities are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity or, if such defeasance or Covenant Defeasance is to be effected in compliance with subsection (f) immediately below, on the relevant Redemption Date, as the case may be) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities, money in an amount, or (3) a combination thereof, in any case, in an amount, sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest, in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, (y) the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on, and, to the extent that such Securities provide for the payment of Additional Amounts thereon and the amount of any such Additional Amounts which are or will be payable with respect to the Securities of such series is at the time of deposit reasonably determinable by the Issuer (in the exercise by the Issuer of its reasonable discretion), any Additional Amounts with respect to, such Outstanding Securities on the Maturity or Stated Maturity of such principal or interest, and (z) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities.

(b) Such defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Issuer or any Guarantor is bound.

 

30


(c) No Event of Default or event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default with respect to such Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit, and, solely in the case of defeasance under Section 402(2), no Event of Default with respect to such Securities under clauses (5), (6) or (7) of Section 501 or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default with respect to such Securities under clauses (5), (6) or (7) of Section 501 shall have occurred and be continuing at any time during the period ending on and including the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition to defeasance under Section 402(2) shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).

(d) In the case of defeasance pursuant to Section 402(2), the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel acceptable to the Trustee stating that (x) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (y) since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of independent counsel shall confirm that, the Holders and beneficial owners of such Outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred; or, in the case of Covenant Defeasance pursuant to Section 402(3), the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel acceptable to the Trustee to the effect that the Holders and beneficial owners of such Outstanding Securities and will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred.

(e) The Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, under this Indenture have been complied with.

(f) If the monies or Government Obligations or combination thereof, as the case may be, deposited under subclause (a) immediately above are sufficient to pay the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on and, to the extent provided in such subclause (a), Additional Amounts with respect to, such Securities on a particular Redemption Date, the Issuer shall have given the Trustee irrevocable instructions to redeem such Securities on such date and to provide notice of such redemption to Holders as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture.

(g) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 402(4), such defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or substitute terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Issuer in connection therewith pursuant to Section 301.

(5) Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 301) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee (collectively for purposes of this Section 402(5) and Section 403, the “Trustee”)) pursuant to clause (4)(a) of Section 402 in respect of any Outstanding Securities of any series shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (other than the Issuer or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Issuer acting as Paying Agent), to the Holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium, if any) and interest and Additional Amounts, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Securities, if, after a deposit referred to in Section 402(4)(a) has been made, (a) the Holder of a Security in respect of which such deposit was made is entitled to, and does, elect pursuant to Section 301 or the terms of such Security to receive payment in a Currency other than that in which the deposit pursuant to Section 402(4)(a) has been made in respect of such Security, or (b) a Conversion Event occurs in respect of the Foreign Currency in which the deposit pursuant to Section 402(4)(a) has been made, the indebtedness represented by such Security shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any), and interest, if any, on, and

 

31


Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, such Security as the same becomes due out of the proceeds yielded by converting (from time to time as specified below in the case of any such election) the amount or other property deposited in respect of such Security into the Currency in which such Security becomes payable as a result of such election or Conversion Event based on (x) in the case of payments made pursuant to subclause (a) immediately above, the applicable market exchange rate for such Currency in effect on the second (2nd) Business Day prior to each payment date, or (y) with respect to a Conversion Event, the applicable market exchange rate for such Foreign Currency in effect (as nearly as feasible) at the time of the Conversion Event.

The Issuer shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge, imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited pursuant to this Section 402 or the principal or interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities.

Anything in this Section 402 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time upon Issuer Request any money or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in clause (4)(a) of this Section 402 which, in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect a defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Section 402.

Section 403. Application of Trust Money.

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 or 402 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer acting as its own Paying Agent), to the Holders, of the principal, premium, interest and Additional Amounts for whose payment such money has or Government Obligations have been deposited with or received by the Trustee; but such money and Government Obligations need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Section 404. Reinstatement.

If the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee appointed pursuant to Section 402(4)(a)) or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any moneys or Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 401(1) or 402(4)(a) to pay any principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to the Securities of any series by reason of any legal proceeding or any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities of such series and the Guarantee shall be revived and reinstated as though no such deposit had occurred, until such time as the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such moneys and Government Obligations to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on and Additional Amounts, if any, in respect of the Securities of such series as contemplated by Section 401 or 402 as the case may be, and Section 403; provided, however, that if the Issuer makes any payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on or Additional Amounts, if any, in respect of the Securities of such series

following the reinstatement of its obligations as aforesaid, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the funds held by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) or Paying Agent.

Section 405. Qualifying Trustee.

Any trustee appointed pursuant to Section 402(4)(a) for the purpose of holding trust funds deposited pursuant to that Section shall be appointed under an agreement in form acceptable to the Trustee and shall provide to the Trustee a certificate of such trustee, upon which certificate the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely, that all conditions precedent provided for herein to the related defeasance or Covenant Defeasance have been complied with. In no event shall the Trustee be liable for any acts or omissions of said trustee.

 

32


ARTICLE FIVE.

REMEDIES

Section 501. Events of Default.

An “Event of Default” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body) means any of the following events, or any other event as specified in accordance with Section 301 for a particular series of Securities:

(1) default for thirty (30) days in the payment of any installment of interest or Additional Amounts payable with respect to such interest under the Securities of that series;

(2) default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, on, or any Additional Amounts payable in respect of any principal of or premium, if any, on, the Securities of that series, when the same becomes due and payable or default is made in the deposit of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of that series when due;

(3) the Issuer fails to comply with any of the Issuer’s other agreements contained in the Securities of that series or this Indenture (other than an agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section 501 specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series) upon receipt by the Issuer of notice of such default by the Trustee or receipt by the Issuer and the Trustee of written notice of such default by Holders of not less than twenty-five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then outstanding and the Issuer fails to cure (or obtain a waiver of) such default within ninety (90) days after the Issuer receives such notice;

(4) failure to pay any recourse indebtedness for monies borrowed by the Issuer in an outstanding principal amount in excess of $150,000,000 at final maturity or upon acceleration after the expiration of any applicable notice and grace period, which recourse indebtedness is not discharged, or such default in payment or acceleration is not cured or rescinded, within thirty (30) days after written notice to the Issuer from the Trustee (or to the Issuer and the Trustee from Holders of at least twenty-five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that series);

(5) the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to, under or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law: (a) commences a voluntary case or proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or its debts or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of the property of the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary; (b) consents to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary; (c) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property; or (d) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors;

(6) an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or its debts under any Bankruptcy Law or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of the property of the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of thirty (30) calendar days; or

(7) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that: (a) is for relief against the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding; (b) appoints a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of the property of the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary; or (c) orders the liquidation of the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary; and, in each case in this clause (7), the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for thirty (30) calendar days.

 

33


Section 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (5), (6) or (7) of Section 501) with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, then either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than twenty-five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series may declare the principal of, and premium, if any, on all of the Securities of such series, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of such series, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal or such lesser amount, as the case may be, and such accrued and unpaid interest shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in clause (5), (6) or (7) of Section 501 with respect to the Securities of any series occurs, then the principal of, and premium, if any, on all of the Securities of such series, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of such series, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder of the Securities of such series.

At any time after Securities of any series have been accelerated by declaration of the Trustee or the Holders and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by written notice to the Issuer, any Guarantor and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if

(1) the Issuer has paid or deposited, or cause to be paid or deposited, with the Trustee a sum of money sufficient to pay (or, to the extent that the terms of the Securities of such series established pursuant to Section 301 expressly provide for payment to be made in shares of Common Equity or other securities or property, together with cash in lieu of fractional shares or securities):

(a) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 606;

(b) all overdue installments of any interest on any Securities of such series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any Additional Amounts with respect thereto;

(c) the principal of and any premium on any Securities of such series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any Additional Amounts with respect thereto and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, interest thereon at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, provided for in or with respect to such Securities, or, if no such rate or rates are so provided, at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, of interest borne by such Securities; and

(d) to the extent permitted by applicable law, interest upon installments of any interest, if any, which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any Additional Amounts with respect thereto at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, provided for in or with respect to such Securities, or, if no such rate or rates are so provided, at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, of interest borne by such Securities; and

(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of such series other than the non-payment of the principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series which shall have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, shall have been waived as provided in Section 513 or cured.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

34


Section 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

The Issuer covenants that if:

(1) default is made in the payment of any interest on, or any Additional Amounts payable in respect of any interest on, any Security when such interest or Additional Amounts, as the case may be, shall have become due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days; or

(2) default is made in the payment of any principal of or premium, if any, on, or any Additional Amounts payable in respect of any principal of or premium, if any, on, any Security at its Maturity, when the same becomes due and payable; or

(3) default is made in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, if applicable, when due, and such default continues for three (3) Business Days, the Issuer or any Guarantor shall, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount of money then due and payable with respect to such Securities, with interest upon the overdue principal, any premium and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, upon any overdue installments of interest and Additional Amounts at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, provided for or with respect to such Securities or, if no such rate or rates are so provided, at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, of interest borne by such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount of money as shall be sufficient to cover the reasonable costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 606.

If the Issuer (and any applicable Guarantor) fails to pay the money it is required to pay the Trustee pursuant to the preceding paragraph forthwith upon the demand of the Trustee, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the money so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Issuer, any Guarantor or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the monies adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Issuer, any Guarantor or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem necessary to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or such Securities or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein or therein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

Section 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Issuer, any Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Issuer, such Guarantor or such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Issuer for the payment of any overdue principal, premium, interest or Additional Amounts) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(1) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of such series, of the principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents or counsel) and of the Holders of Securities allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

 

35


(2) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder of Securities to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent in writing in its sole discretion to the making of such payments directly to the Holders of Securities, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder), its agents and counsel and any other amounts due the Trustee hereunder.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of a Security any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of a Security in any such proceeding.

Section 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Securities.

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or any of the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery or judgment, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, shall be for the ratable benefit of each and every Holder of a Security in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

Section 506. Application of Money Collected.

Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article Five with respect to the Securities of any series shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal, or any premium, interest or Additional Amounts, upon presentation of such Securities, or both, as the case may be, and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder) and any predecessor Trustee under the Indenture;

SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Securities for principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the aggregate amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts; and

THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Issuer.

Section 507. Limitations on Suits.

No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture or such Security, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless

(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series;

(2) the Holders of not less than twenty-five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it against the losses, damages, costs, expenses and liabilities, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, out of pocket costs and expenses and court costs, to be incurred in compliance with such request;

 

36


(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture or any Security to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other such Holders or Holders of Securities of any other series, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.

Section 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest, if any, on and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security, on the respective Stated Maturity or Maturities therefor specified in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date or, in the case of repayment pursuant to Article Thirteen hereof at the option of such Holder if provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, on the date such repayment is due) and, in the case of any Security which is convertible into or exchangeable for other securities or property, to convert or exchange, as the case may be, such Security in accordance with its terms, and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and any such right to convert or exchange, and such right shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

Section 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Issuer, any Guarantor (if applicable), the Trustee and each such Holder shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and each such Holder shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

Section 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

To the extent permitted by applicable law and except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to each and every Holder of a Security is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy, to the extent permitted by law, shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not, to the extent permitted by law, prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to any Holder of a Security may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by such Holder, as the case may be.

 

37


Section 512. Control by Holders of Securities.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series, provided that:

(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture or with the Securities of any series and could not involve the Trustee in personal liability;

(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction; and

(3) such direction is not unduly prejudicial to the rights of the other Holders of Securities of such series (or any other series) not joining in such action (it being understood that the Trustee shall not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such direction is unduly prejudicial to any other Holder).

Section 513. Waiver of Past Defaults.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series may waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except:

(1) a continuing default in the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security of such series; or

(2) in the case of any Securities which are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Equity or other securities or property, a continuing default in any such conversion or exchange; or

(3) a continuing default in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.

Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 514. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.

The Issuer covenants that (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or any other law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which would prohibit or forgive the Issuer or any applicable Guarantor from paying all or any portion of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on or Additional Amounts, if any, as contemplated in this Indenture, any Guarantee and the Securities or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture or the Securities; and each of the Issuer and any Guarantor expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee or the Holders, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

Section 515. Undertaking for Costs.

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by such Holder’s acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of any undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements, against any party litigant in such suit having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 515 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in aggregate principal

 

38


amount of Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to any Security on or after the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date, and, in the case of repayment at the option of the Holder pursuant to Article Thirteen hereof, on or after the date for repayment) or for the enforcement of the right, if any, to convert or exchange any Security into Common Equity or other securities or property in accordance with its terms.

ARTICLE SIX.

THE TRUSTEE

Section 601. Certain Rights of Trustee.

The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act; provided, that (i) notwithstanding Section 315(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any mathematical calculations or other facts, statements, opinions or conclusions stated in the certificates or opinions referred to therein, and (ii) except during the continuance of an Event of Default, no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, written notice of which shall have been given to the Trustee by the Issuer or any Guarantor, any other obligor of the Securities or by the Holders of not less than twenty-five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such Person’s own affairs.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers. Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.

In connection with this Indenture and any Securities issued hereunder, subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act:

(1) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(2) any request or direction of the Issuer or any Guarantor shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Issuer Request or an Issuer Order (in each case, other than delivery of any Security, to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 303 which shall be sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

(3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence shall be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of willful misconduct on its part, conclusively rely upon an Officer’s Certificate;

(4) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

(5) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by or pursuant to this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities of any series pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the losses, damages, costs, expenses and liabilities, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses and court costs, which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

 

 

39


(6) 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, coupon or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its sole 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, upon reasonable prior written notice and during normal business hours, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuer, personally or by agent or attorney at the expense of the Issuer and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;

(7) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;

(8) the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. 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 its rights or powers. The Trustee is not required to give any bond or surety with respect to the performance of its duties or the exercise of its powers under this Indenture. The permissive right of the Trustee to take the actions permitted by this Indenture shall not be construed as an obligation or duty to do so;

(9) the Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail (PDF only), facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods, provided, however, that the Issuer and any Guarantor, as applicable, shall provide to the Trustee an incumbency certificate listing designated persons with the authority to provide such instructions, which incumbency certificate shall be amended whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Issuer or any Guarantor elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile transmission instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its sole and absolute discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, damages, costs, fees or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or inconsistency with a subsequent written instruction except for the Trustee’s negligence or willful misconduct. The Issuer and any Guarantor, as applicable, agree to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including, without limitation, the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception by third parties;

(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) in no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive 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;

(12) in no event shall the Trustee be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder;

(13) the Trustee may request that the Issuer and any Guarantor deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded;

(14) the Trustee shall not be liable for actions taken, or errors of judgment made, in good faith, unless negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

 

40


(15) under no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable in its individual capacity for the obligations evidenced by the Securities.

Section 602. Notice of Defaults.

Within 90 days after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has received written notice of the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit by mail or electronically to all Holders of Securities of such series, notice of such default hereunder actually known to the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 501(3) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 90 days after the occurrence thereof. Except in the case of a default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Security, or in the payment of any sinking fund installment, the Trustee may withhold such notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interest of the Holders of the Securities. For the purpose of this Section 602, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series; 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. The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any default or Event of Default under this Indenture or related documents unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written notice of such default or Event of Default by the Issuer or by the Holders of at least twenty-five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding of the affected series, and such notice is received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such written notice references the Securities and this Indenture.

Section 603. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Issuer, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Issuer are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Issuer of the Securities or the proceeds thereof, for any money paid to the Issuer or upon the Issuer’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, or for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be bound to ascertain or inquire as to the performance, observance, or breach of any covenants, conditions, representations, warranties or agreements on the part of the Issuer or any Guarantor but the Trustee may require full information and advice as to the performance of the aforementioned covenants in accordance with the provisions hereof. Under no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable in its individual capacity for the obligations evidenced by the Securities or any Guarantees. The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to any statement in any prospectus, prospectus supplement or other offering document in connection with the sale of any Securities.

Section 604. May Hold Securities; Transactions with the Issuer or any Guarantor.

The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other Person that may be an agent of the Trustee or the Issuer, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act, may otherwise deal with the Issuer or any Guarantor with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other Person; provided, however, that if the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest under the Trust Indenture Act relating to any of its duties with respect to the Securities, it must either eliminate such conflict or resign as Trustee upon prior written notice to the Issuer and the Holders, subject to its right under the Trust Indenture Act to seek a stay of its duty to resign.

 

41


Section 605. Money Held in Trust.

Except as provided in Section 403 and Section 1003, money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law and shall be held uninvested. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Issuer.

Section 606. Compensation and Reimbursement.

The Issuer and, in the event that the Issuer fails to perform the following obligations and indemnities, any Guarantor, agrees:

(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation as agreed in writing for all services rendered by the Trustee (in any capacity) hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

(2) to reimburse the Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder) upon its request for all out of pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation, expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel, such as attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as shall be determined to have been caused by the Trustee’s own negligence or willful misconduct as adjudicated by a final non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction; and

(3) to indemnify the Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder), its directors, officers, employees and its agents for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, claim, cause of action, damage, liability or reasonable cost or expense (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of the Trustee’s agents, legal counsel, accountants and experts, and court costs) arising out of or in connection with this Indenture or the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim (whether asserted by the Issuer, any Guarantor, a Holder or any other Person), or reasonable attorneys’ fees, expenses and court costs incurred in connection with any action, claim or suit brought to enforce the Trustee’s right to compensation, reimbursement or indemnification, or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of their powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent that any such loss, claim, cause of action, damage, liability, cost or expense shall be determined to have been caused by the Trustee’s own negligence or willful misconduct as adjudicated by a final non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction.

The foregoing payment obligations and indemnities shall survive the termination of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Issuer and any Guarantor under this Section 606, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any series upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to particular Securities.

Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, any compensation or expense incurred by the Trustee after a default specified by Section 501(5), (6) or (7) is intended to constitute an expense of administration under any then applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law. “Trustee” for purposes of this Section 606 shall include any predecessor Trustee, but the negligence or willful misconduct of any Trustee shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee under this Section 606. The provisions of this Section 606 shall, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, survive any termination or expiration of this Indenture (including, without limitation, termination pursuant to any bankruptcy or insolvency laws) and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

 

42


Section 607. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

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, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, eligible under Section 310(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act to act as trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and that has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of at least $100,000,000 subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 607, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article Six.

Section 608. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

(1) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee pursuant to Section 609.

(2) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving prior written notice thereof to the Issuer and the Holders. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 609 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such written notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Issuer, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to such series.

(3) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and the Issuer. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 609 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such written notice of removal, the Trustee being removed may petition, at the expense of the Issuer, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to such series.

(4) If at any time:

(a) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the obligations imposed upon it under Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to Securities of any series after written request therefor by the Issuer or any Holder of a Security of such series who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months; or

(b) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 607 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Issuer or any such Holder; or

(c) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then, in any such case, (i) the Issuer, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities or the Securities of such series, or (ii) subject to Section 315(e) of the Trust Indenture Act, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of such bona fide Holder and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities of such series and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

(5) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Issuer, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 609. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Issuer and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 609, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuer. If no successor Trustee with

 

43


respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Issuer or the Holders of Securities and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 609, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

(6) The Issuer shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series in the manner provided in Section 106. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

Section 609. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

(1) Upon the appointment hereunder of any successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Issuer and the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties hereunder of the retiring Trustee; but, on the written request of the Issuer or such successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges, shall promptly execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and, subject to Section 1003, shall promptly duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its lien, if any, provided for in Section 606.

(2) Upon the appointment hereunder of any successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Issuer, any Guarantor, the retiring Trustee and such successor Trustee shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, such successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts separate and apart from trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee and that no Trustee shall be responsible for any notice given to, or received by, or any act or failure to act on the part of any other Trustee hereunder, and, upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein, such retiring Trustee shall have no further responsibility for the exercise of rights and powers or for the performance of the duties and obligations vested in the Trustee under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates other than as hereinafter expressly set forth, and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on written request of the Issuer or such successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor relates and subject to Section 1003 shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee, to the extent contemplated by such supplemental indenture, the property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, subject to its lien, if any, provided for in Section 606.

(3) Upon request of any Person appointed hereunder as a successor Trustee, the Issuer and any Guarantor shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) of this Section 609, as the case may be.

 

44


(4) No Person shall accept its appointment hereunder as a successor Trustee unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Person shall be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and eligible under this Article.

Section 610. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.

Any Corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any Corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder (provided that such Corporation shall otherwise be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and eligible under this Article Six), without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered by the Trustee then in office, any such successor to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities. In case any Securities shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any such successor Trustee may authenticate and deliver such Securities in either its own name or that of its predecessor Trustee.

Section 611. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

The Trustee may appoint one or more Authenticating Agents acceptable to the Issuer with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of that or those series issued upon original issue, exchange, registration of transfer, partial redemption, partial repayment, partial conversion or exchange for Common Equity or other securities or property, or pursuant to Section 306, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent.

Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Issuer and, except as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, shall at all times be a Corporation that would be permitted by the Trust Indenture Act to act as trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, is authorized under applicable law and by its charter to act as an Authenticating Agent and has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of at least $100,000,000. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

Any Corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any Corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall be the successor of such Authenticating Agent hereunder, provided such Corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving 30 days’ written notice thereof to the Trustee and the Issuer. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and the Issuer. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Issuer and shall give notice of such appointment in the manner provided in Section 106 to all Holders of Registered Securities, if any, of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent shall serve, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent, upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder, shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section 611.

 

45


The Issuer agrees to pay each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section 611.

The provisions of Sections 308, 603 and 604 shall be applicable to each Authenticating Agent.

If an Authenticating Agent is appointed with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to or in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

[NAME OF AUTHENTICATING AGENT],

as Authenticating Agent

By:    
 

Authorized Signatory

Dated:

 

 

46


If all of the Securities of any series may not be originally issued at one time, and if the Trustee does not have an office capable of authenticating Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of Payment where the Issuer wishes to have Securities of such series authenticated upon original issuance, the Trustee, if so requested in writing (which writing need not be accompanied by or contained in an Officer’s Certificate), shall appoint in accordance with this Section an Authenticating Agent having an office in a Place of Payment designated by the Issuer with respect to such series of Securities.

ARTICLE SEVEN.

HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE, TRUST AND GUARANTORS

Section 701. Issuer to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.

In accordance with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Issuer shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:

(1) semi-annually with respect to Securities of each series, a list, in each case in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Holders as of the applicable date; and

(2) at such other times as the Trustee may reasonably request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Issuer of any such request, a list of the names and addresses of Holders as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished, provided, however, that so long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar no such list shall be required to be furnished pursuant to either clause (1) or clause (2) of this Section 701.

Section 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

(1) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. The Trustee shall comply with the obligations imposed upon it pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act.

(2) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Issuer, any Guarantor and the Trustee that none of the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee or any agent of any of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with the Trust Indenture Act, regardless of the source from which such information was derived.

Section 703. Reports by Trustee.

(1) Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with the first May 15 following the first issuance of Securities pursuant to Section 301, if required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall transmit, pursuant to Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, a brief report dated as of such May 15 with respect to any of the events specified in said Section 313(a) which may have occurred since the later of the immediately preceding May 15 and the date of this Indenture.

(2) The Trustee shall transmit the reports required by the Trust Indenture Act, including Sections 313(a), 313(b), 313(c) and 313(d), at the times, in the manner and to the Persons specified therein.

(3) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed, with the Commission and the Issuer. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange.

 

47


Section 704. Reports by the Issuer.

For so long as any Securities are outstanding, if the Issuer is subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision, the Issuer will deliver to the Trustee the annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents which it is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) or any successor provision, within 15 days after the date that the Issuer files the same with the Commission. If the Issuer is not subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision, and for so long as any Securities are outstanding, the Issuer will deliver to the Trustee the quarterly and annual financial statements and accompanying Item 303 of Regulation S-K disclosure (“management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations”) that would be required to be contained in annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, respectively, required to be filed with the Commission if the Issuer was subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision, within 15 days of the filing date that would be applicable to a non-accelerated filer at that time pursuant to applicable Commission rules and regulations.

Reports and other documents filed by the Issuer with the Commission and publicly available via the EDGAR system or on the Issuer’s website will be deemed to be delivered to the Trustee as of the time such filing is publicly available via EDGAR or on the Issuer’s website for purposes of this covenant; provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to determine whether or not such information, documents or reports have been filed or publicly available via EDGAR or on the Issuer’s website. 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 its compliance with any of its covenants relating to the Securities (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on an Officer’s Certificate).

ARTICLE EIGHT.

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALES AND SUBSTITUTION

Section 801. Issuer May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.

Nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Securities shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Issuer with or into any other Person or Persons (whether or not affiliated with the Issuer), or successive consolidations or mergers in which either the Issuer will be the continuing entity or the Issuer or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Issuer, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Issuer); provided, however, that the following conditions are met:

(1) the Issuer shall be the continuing entity, or the successor entity (if other than the Issuer) formed by or resulting from such consolidation or merger or which shall have received such sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease of property and assets shall be domiciled in the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume by supplemental indenture payment of the principal of and interest on all of the Securities and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions in this Indenture;

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(3) either the Issuer or the successor Person, in either case, shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with this Article Eight and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Section 802. Guarantor May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.

Nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Securities shall prevent any consolidation or merger of any Guarantor with or into any other Person or Persons (whether or not affiliated with such Guarantor), or successive consolidations or mergers in which such Guarantor will be the continuing entity or such Guarantor or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the property and assets of such Guarantor, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with

 

48


such Guarantor); provided, however, that the following conditions are met:

(1) such Guarantor shall be the continuing entity, or the successor entity (if other than such Guarantor) formed by or resulting from any consolidation or merger or which shall have received the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease of property and assets shall be domiciled in the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume the obligations of such Guarantor under the applicable Guarantee and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions in this Indenture;

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(3) either such Guarantor or the successor Person, in either case, shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate of such Guarantor and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, sale, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article Eight and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Section 803. Successor Person Substituted for Issuer or Guarantor.

If the Issuer or any Guarantor shall, in any transaction or series of related transactions, consolidate with or merge into any Person or sell, assign, transfer, lease or otherwise convey all or substantially all its property and assets to any Person, in each case in accordance with Section 801 or Section 802, as applicable, the successor Person formed by or resulting from such consolidation or merger or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease or other conveyance of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable, is made, shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable, under this Indenture, with respect to the Outstanding Securities of the applicable series, with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Issuer or Guarantor, as applicable, herein; and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the applicable Securities.

ARTICLE NINE.

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.

Without the consent of any Holders of Securities, the Issuer (when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution), any Guarantor, if affected thereby, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto for any of the following purposes:

(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Issuer or any Guarantor, if applicable, or successive successions, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Issuer or any Guarantor, if applicable, contained herein and in the Securities; or

(2) to add to the covenants of the Issuer or any Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture or indentures) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuer or any Guarantor with respect to all or any series of Securities issued under this Indenture (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture or indentures); or

(3) to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Securities or any Guarantee, provided any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series; or

 

49


(4) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 and 301, including, without limitation, any conversion or exchange provisions applicable to Securities which are convertible into or exchangeable for other securities or property, and any deletions from or additions or changes to this Indenture in connection therewith (provided that any such deletions, additions and changes shall not be applicable to any other series of Securities then Outstanding); or

(5) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 609; or

(6) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the Indenture; or

(7) to make any change necessary to comply with any requirement of the Commission in connection with the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; or

(8) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders with respect to all or any series of Securities (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture) (and if such additional Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all of the Securities, stating that such additional Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); or

(9) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance, Covenant Defeasance and/or satisfaction and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Article Four, provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of any Holder of a Security of such series or any other Security in any material respect; or

(10) to add one or more Guarantees for the benefit of Holders of all or any series of Securities, to secure the Securities or to confirm and evidence the release, termination or discharge of any Guarantee or lien securing the Securities which such release, termination or discharge is permitted by this Indenture; or

(11) to amend or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture or in any Securities (which amendment or supplement may apply to one or more series of Securities or to one or more Securities within any series as specified in such supplemental indenture or indentures), provided that such amendment or supplement (A) does not (i) apply to any Outstanding Security issued prior to the date of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefits of such provision or (ii) modify the rights of the Holder of any such Security with respect to such provision or (B) shall become effective only when there is no Security described in clause (A)(i) Outstanding; or

(12) in the case of any series of Securities which are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Equity or other securities or property, to safeguard or provide for the conversion or exchange rights, as the case may be, of such Securities in the event of any reclassification or change of outstanding shares of Common Equity or any merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or combination of the Issuer with or into another Person or any sale, lease, assignment, transfer, disposition or other conveyance of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer to any other Person or other similar transactions, if expressly required by the terms of such series of Securities established pursuant to Section 301; or

(13) to conform the terms of the Indenture or the Securities of a series, as applicable, to the description thereof contained in any prospectus, prospectus supplement or other offering document relating to the offer and sale of such Securities; or

(14) subject to any limitations established pursuant to Section 301, to provide for the issuance of additional Securities of any series; or

(15) to comply with the rules of any applicable Depository; or

 

50


(16) 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 this Indenture of any Holder in any material respect;

(17) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form; or

(18) to add a co-issuer or co-obligor of the Securities; or

(19) to comply with the rules or regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the Securities may be listed or traded.

Section 902. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

With the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture (voting as separate classes) by Act of said Holders delivered to the Issuer and the Trustee, the Issuer (when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution), any Guarantor, if affected thereby, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of the Securities of such series or of any Guarantee or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, that no such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, shall:

(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or premium, if any, or any installment of interest, if any, on, or any Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the premium, if any, thereon or the rate (or modify the calculation of such rate) of interest thereon, or reduce the amount payable upon redemption thereof at the option of the Issuer or repayment or repurchase thereof at the option of the Holder, or reduce any Additional Amounts payable with respect to any Security or any Guarantee, or change the obligation of the Issuer to pay Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1004 (except as contemplated by Section 801(1) and permitted by Section 901(1)) or the obligation of any Guarantor to pay Additional Amounts under any Guarantee, or reduce the amount of the principal of any Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 504, or adversely affect the right of repayment or repurchase at the option of any Holder as contemplated by Article Thirteen, or change the Place of Payment where or the Currency in which the principal of, any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security or any Guarantee is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date or, in the case of repayment or repurchase pursuant to Article Thirteen at the option of the Holder, on or after the date for repayment or repurchase) in each case as such Stated Maturity, Redemption Date or date for repayment or repurchase may, if applicable, be extended in accordance with the terms of such Security, or in the case of any Security which is convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Equity or other securities or property, impair the right to institute suit to enforce the right to convert or exchange such Security in accordance with its terms, or release a Guarantor from any of its obligations under a Guarantee except as permitted under this Indenture; or

(2) reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in Section 513 or 1006 of this Indenture, or reduce the requirements of Section 1504 for quorum or voting, or

(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section 902, Section 513 or Section 1006 except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby;

(4) make any change that adversely affects the right, if any, to convert or exchange any Security for shares of Common Equity or other securities or property in accordance with its terms; or

 

51


(5) change the ranking of any Security.

Other than as set forth above, a supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which shall have been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

Anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, if more than one series of Securities is Outstanding, the Issuer and any Guarantor shall be entitled to enter into a supplemental indenture under this Section 902 with respect to any one or more series of Outstanding Securities without entering into a supplemental indenture with respect to any other series of Outstanding Securities.

It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders of Securities under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

Section 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

As a condition to executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article Nine or the modifications thereby of the trust created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall receive, and (subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel of each of the Issuer and any Guarantor to the effect that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by, and is a legal, valid and binding obligation of, each of the Issuer and any Guarantor, respectively, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Upon an Issuer Request, accompanied by the Officer’s Certificates and Opinions of Counsel provided for in Section 102 and this Section 903, and, if applicable, upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Holders as aforesaid or as required in this Indenture, the Trustee shall join with the other parties thereto in the execution of a supplemental indenture, subject to the protection afforded to the Trustee by the last sentence of the first paragraph of this Section 903.

Section 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of a Security theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.

Section 905. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article Nine may bear a notation as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Issuer shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Issuer, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Issuer and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, upon Issuer Order, in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue new Securities shall not affect the validity of such supplemental indenture.

Section 906. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

Unless the Issuer shall determine, based on an Opinion of Counsel delivered to the Trustee, that the same shall not be required, every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

 

52


ARTICLE TEN.

COVENANTS

Section 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.

The Issuer covenants and agrees that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid when due the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article Eleven hereof), and premium, if any, and interest on each of the Securities at the places, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein and in the Securities; provided, that the Issuer or Paying Agent may withhold from payments of interest and upon redemption pursuant to Article Three hereof, Maturity or otherwise, any amounts the Issuer or Paying Agent is required to withhold by law.

Section 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Issuer will maintain an office or agency, where the Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment or redemption and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served. As of the date of this Indenture, such office shall be the Corporate Trust Office and, at any other time, at such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Issuer. The Issuer will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency not designated or appointed by the Trustee. If at any time the Issuer shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office.

The Issuer may also from time to time designate co-registrars and one or more offices or agencies where the Securities may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Issuer will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

The Issuer hereby initially designates the Trustee as Paying Agent, Security Registrar and Transfer Agent, and the Corporate Trust Office shall be considered as one such office or agency of the Issuer for each of the aforesaid purposes.

So long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar, the Trustee agrees to send, or cause to be sent, the notices set forth in Section 608(6) hereof. If co-registrars have been appointed in accordance with this Section 1002, the Trustee shall send such notices only to the Issuer and the Holders of Securities it can identify from its records.

Section 1003. Provisions as to Paying Agent.

(1) If the Issuer shall appoint a Paying Agent other than the Trustee, or if the Trustee shall appoint such a Paying Agent, the Issuer will cause such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 1003: (a) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Securities (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Issuer or by any other obligor on the Securities) in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities; (b) that it will give the Trustee written notice of any failure by the Issuer (or by any other obligor on the Securities) to make any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Securities when the same shall be due and payable; and (c) that at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, upon request of the Trustee, it will forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust.

The Issuer shall, on or before each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities, deposit with the Paying Agent a sum (in funds which are immediately available on the due date for such payment) sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action; provided, that if such deposit is made on the due date, such deposit shall be received by the Paying Agent by 11:00 a.m. New York City time, on such date.

 

53


(2) If the Issuer shall act as its own Paying Agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, and interest so becoming due and will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Issuer (or any other obligor under the Securities) to make any payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities when the same shall become due and payable.

(3) Anything in this Section 1003 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Issuer may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Issuer or any Paying Agent hereunder as required by this Section 1003, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained and upon such payment by the Issuer or any Paying Agent to the Trustee, the Issuer or such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.

The Trustee shall not be responsible for the actions of any other Paying Agents (including the Issuer if acting as its own Paying Agent) and shall have no control of any funds held by such other Paying Agents.

Subject to applicable escheatment laws, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuer, in trust for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuer on Issuer Request, or (if then held by the Issuer) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Issuer for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuer as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

Section 1004. Additional Amounts.

In the event that the Issuer is required to make the payment of Additional Amounts to Holders of Securities pursuant to this Indenture, the Issuer will provide written notice (“Additional Amounts Notice”) to the Trustee of its obligation to pay Additional Amounts no later than fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the proposed payment date for Additional Amounts, and the Additional Amount Notice shall set forth the amount of Additional Amounts to be paid by the Issuer on such payment date. The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder of Securities to determine the Additional Amounts, or with respect to the nature, extent or calculation of the amount of Additional Amounts when made, or with respect to the method employed in such calculation of the Additional Amounts.

Section 1005. Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article Eight, each of the Issuer and any Guarantor will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its (i) existence, and (ii) rights (by charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, that neither the Issuer nor any Guarantor shall be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee of that Board of Directors), as applicable, shall determine that the preservation of the right or franchise is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable.

Section 1006. Waiver of Certain Covenants.

The Issuer and any Guarantor may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Sections 1005(ii) and 704 with respect to the Securities of any series and, if expressly provided pursuant to Section 301(16), any additional covenants applicable to the Securities of such series if, before the time for such compliance, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by Act of such Holders, either shall waive such compliance in such instance or generally shall have waived compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Issuer and any Guarantor, as applicable and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

 

54


Section 1007. Issuer and Guarantor Statement as to Compliance.

Within one hundred twenty (120) calendar days after the end of each fiscal year of the Issuer, the Issuer and, if applicable, any Guarantor, shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate (that need not comply with Section 102) signed by any of the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Issuer and such Guarantor, stating whether or not the signer has knowledge of any default or Event of Default under this Indenture, and, if so, specifying each default or Event of Default and the nature and the status thereof, and further stating what action the Issuer has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

The Issuer will deliver to the Trustee, within thirty (30) calendar days of becoming aware of (i) any default in the performance or observance of any covenant, agreement or condition contained in this Indenture, or (ii) any Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate specifying with particularity such default or Event of Default and further stating what action the Issuer has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Any notice required to be given under this Section 1007 shall be delivered to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office.

Section 1008. Calculation of Original Issue Discount.

So long as there is any Outstanding Original Issue Discount Security, the Issuer shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year (i) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on Outstanding Securities as of the end of such year and (ii) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

Section 1009. Maintenance of Properties.

The Issuer will cause all of its material Properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order, normal wear and tear, casualty and condemnation excepted, and supplied with all necessary equipment, all as in the judgment of the Issuer may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection with these Properties may be properly conducted in all material respects at all times; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 1009 shall prevent the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries from (1) removing permanently any Property that has been condemned or suffered a casualty loss, if it is in the best interests of the Issuer, (2) discontinuing maintenance or operation of any Property if, in the judgment of the Issuer, doing so is in the best interests of the Issuer and is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the holders of the Securities, or (3) selling or otherwise disposing of any Properties for value in the ordinary course of business.

Section 1010. Insurance.

The Issuer will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep in force insurance policies on each of its insurable Properties, issued by responsible companies in such amounts and covering all such risks as is reasonable as determined by the Issuer in accordance with prevailing market conditions and availability.

Section 1011. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.

The Issuer will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (1) all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon it or any Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Issuer or any Subsidiary, and (2) all material lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies, which, if unpaid, might by law become a material lien upon the property of the Issuer or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Issuer shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith.

 

55


Section 1012. Limitations on Incurrence of Debt.

(1) Aggregate Debt Test. The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur any Debt if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Debt and any other Debt incurred or repaid since the end of the most recent Reporting Date prior to the incurrence of such Debt and the application of the proceeds from such Debt and such other Debt on a pro forma basis, the aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s Debt would exceed 65% of the sum of the following (without duplication): (1) the Issuer’s Total Assets as of such Reporting Date; (2) the aggregate purchase price of any assets acquired, and the aggregate amount of proceeds received from any incurrence of other Debt and any securities offering proceeds received (to the extent such proceeds were not used to acquire assets or used to reduce Debt), by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries since the end of the most recent Reporting Date prior to the incurrence of such Debt; and (3) the proceeds or assets obtained from the incurrence of such Debt and other securities issued as part of the same transaction on a pro forma basis (including assets to be acquired in exchange for debt assumption and security issuance as in the case of a merger).

(2) Secured Debt Test. The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur any Secured Debt if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Secured Debt and any other Secured Debt incurred or repaid since the end of the most recent Reporting Date prior to the incurrence of such Secured Debt and the application of the proceeds from such Secured Debt and such other Secured Debt on a pro forma basis, the aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s Secured Debt would exceed forty percent (40%) of the sum of the following (without duplication): (1) the Issuer’s Total Assets as of such Reporting Date; (2) the aggregate purchase price of any assets acquired, and the aggregate amount of proceeds received from any incurrence of other Debt and any securities offering proceeds received (to the extent such proceeds were not used to acquire assets or used to reduce Debt), by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries since the end of the most recent Reporting Date prior to the incurrence of such Debt; and (3) the proceeds or assets obtained from the incurrence of such Secured Debt and other securities issued as part of the same transaction on a pro forma basis (including assets to be acquired in exchange for debt assumption and security issuance as in the case of a merger).

(3) Debt Service Test. The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur any Debt if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Debt and the application of the proceeds from such Debt on a pro forma basis, the ratio of EBITDA to Interest Expense for the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ended on the most recent Reporting Date prior to the incurrence of such Debt would be less than 1.25 to 1.00, and calculated on the following assumptions (without duplication): (1) such Debt and any other Debt incurred since such Reporting Date and outstanding on the date of determination had been incurred, and the application of the proceeds from such Debt (including to repay or retire other Debt) had occurred, on the first day of such four-quarter period; (2) the repayment or retirement of any other Debt since such Reporting Date had occurred on the first day of such four-quarter period; and (3) in the case of any acquisition or disposition by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries of any asset or group of assets since such Reporting Date, whether by merger, stock purchase or sale or asset purchase or sale or otherwise, such acquisition or disposition had occurred as of the first day of such four-quarter period with the appropriate adjustments with respect to such acquisition or disposition being included in such pro forma calculation. If any Debt incurred during the period from such Reporting Date to the date of determination bears interest at a floating rate, then, for purposes of calculating the Interest Expense, the interest rate on such Debt will be computed on a pro forma basis as if the average daily rate during such interim period had been the applicable rate for entire relevant four-quarter period. For purposes of the foregoing, Debt will be deemed to be incurred by a Person whenever such Person creates, assumes, guarantees or otherwise becomes liable in respect thereof.

(4) Maintenance of Total Unencumbered Assets. As of each Reporting Date, the Issuer’s Unencumbered Assets will not be less than 125% of the Issuer’s Unsecured Debt.

 

56


ARTICLE ELEVEN.

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

Section 1101. Applicability of Article.

Redemption of Securities of any series at the option of the Issuer as permitted or required by the terms of such Securities shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise provided herein or pursuant hereto) this Article.

Section 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

The election of the Issuer to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by or pursuant to a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Issuer of all of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the Issuer shall, not less than 15 and not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Issuer (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, in the event that the Issuer shall determine that the Securities of any series to be redeemed shall be selected from Securities of such series having the same issue date, interest rate or interest rate formula, Stated Maturity and other terms (the “Equivalent Terms”), the Issuer shall notify the Trustee of such Equivalent Terms.

If less than all of the Securities of any series are to be redeemed or if less than all of the Securities of any series with Equivalent Terms are to be redeemed, the Issuer shall, at least five (5) Business Days prior to giving notice of redemption to the Holders (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee and agreed upon in writing by the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date, the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, if applicable, the Equivalent Terms.

In the case of any redemption of Securities (A) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture or (B) pursuant to an election of the Issuer which is subject to a condition specified in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.

Section 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed.

If less than all of the Securities of any series are to be redeemed or if less than all of the Securities of any series with Equivalent Terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depository, and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions of the principal amount of Registered Securities of such series; provided, however, that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Security of such series not redeemed to less than the minimum denomination for a Security of such series established herein or pursuant hereto; provided that if the Securities of such series are represented by one or more global Securities, interests in such global Securities shall be selected for redemption by the Depository in accordance with its standard procedures therefor.

For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.

Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities of any series, if any Security selected for partial redemption is converted or exchanged for Common Equity or other securities or property in part before termination of the conversion or exchange right with respect to the portion of the Security so selected, the converted or exchanged portion of such Security shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption. Securities which have been converted or exchanged during a selection of Securities to be redeemed shall be treated by the Trustee as Outstanding for the purpose of such selection.

Section 1104. Notice of Redemption.

Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 15 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified in the Securities to be redeemed, to the Holders of Securities to be redeemed. Failure to give notice in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Registered Securities designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities or portions thereof.

 

57


Any notice that is sent to the Holder of any Registered Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not such Holder receives the notice.

All notices of redemption shall state:

(1) the Redemption Date;

(2) the Redemption Price, or if not then ascertainable, the manner of calculation thereof;

(3) if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amount) of the particular Security or Securities to be redeemed;

(4) that, in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the Holder of such Security will receive, without charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed;

(5) that, on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price shall become due and payable upon each such Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, together (if applicable) with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon (subject, if applicable, to the proviso to the first paragraph of Section 1106), and, if applicable, that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date;

(6) the place or places where such Securities, maturing after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and any accrued interest and Additional Amounts pertaining thereto;

(7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case;

(8) in the case of Securities of any series that are convertible or exchangeable into shares of Common Equity or other securities or property, the then current conversion or exchange price or rate, the date or dates on which the right to convert or exchange the principal of the Securities of such series to be redeemed will commence or terminate, as applicable, and the place or places where and the Persons to whom such Securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange;

(9) the CUSIP number, Common Code or ISIN number of such Securities, if any (or any other numbers used by a Depository to identify such Securities); and

(10) if the Redemption Price or any portion thereof shall be payable, at the option of the Issuer or any Holders, in shares of Common Equity, cash or in other securities or property (or a combination thereof), a statement as to whether the Issuer has elected to pay the Redemption Price in shares of Common Equity, cash or in other securities or property (or a combination thereof) and, if applicable, the portion of the Redemption Price that is to be paid in shares of Common Equity, cash or in other securities or property.

Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Issuer shall be given by the Issuer or, at the Issuer’s request with five (5) Business Days prior written notice (or such shorter notice as shall be acceptable to the Trustee), by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer, which request shall set forth the information to be contained in such notice of redemption.

Section 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price.

At or prior to 11:00 am (local time in New York City) on any Redemption Date, the Issuer shall deposit, with respect to the Securities of any series called for redemption pursuant to Section 1104, with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Issuer or any Guarantor is acting as Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in the applicable Currency sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for or in the Securities of such series) any accrued interest on and Additional Amounts with respect to, all such Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date.

 

58


Section 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, together with (unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of such series pursuant to Section 301) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon and from and after such date (unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Issuer at the Redemption Price, together with, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, any accrued and unpaid interest thereon and Additional Amounts with respect thereto to but excluding the Redemption Date; provided, however, except as otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Registered Securities of such series, installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the Regular Record Dates therefor according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid, or funds set aside for payment, on the Redemption Date, the principal and any premium, until paid, shall bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security or, if no rate is prescribed therefor in the Security, at the rate of interest, if any, borne by such Security.

Section 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part.

Any Registered Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at any Office or Agency for such Security (with, if the Issuer or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, upon Issuer Order, to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, containing identical terms and provisions, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered. If a Security in global form is so surrendered, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, upon Issuer Order, to the Depository for such Security in global form as shall be specified in the Issuer Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, without service charge, a new Security in global form in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security in global form so surrendered.

ARTICLE TWELVE.

SINKING FUNDS

Section 1201. Applicability of Article.

The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series, except as otherwise permitted or required in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Security of such series issued pursuant to this Indenture.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 1202. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series and this Indenture.

 

59


Section 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

The Issuer may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities (1) deliver Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any of such Securities previously called for redemption or any of such Securities in respect of which cash shall have been released to the Issuer), and (2) apply as a credit Securities of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Issuer pursuant to the terms of such series of Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities of any series in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 1202, the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed in order to exhaust the aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such series for redemption, except upon Issuer Request, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall at the written request of the Issuer from time to time pay over and deliver to the Issuer any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Issuer to the Trustee of Securities of that series purchased by the Issuer having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment requested to be released to the Issuer.

Section 1203. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

Not less than 75 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that series pursuant to Section 1202, the basis for such credit and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so credited and not theretofore delivered. If such Officer’s Certificate shall specify an optional amount to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Issuer shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 60 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Issuer in the manner provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 1106 and 1107.

ARTICLE THIRTEEN.

REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS

Section 1301. Applicability of Article.

Securities of any series which are repayable at the option of the Holders thereof before their Stated Maturity shall be repaid in accordance with the terms of the Securities of such series. The repayment of any principal amount of Securities pursuant to such option of the Holder to require repayment of Securities before their Stated Maturity, for purposes of Section 309, shall not operate as a payment, redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the Issuer, at its option, shall deliver or surrender the same to the Trustee with a direction that such Securities be cancelled. If specified with respect to the Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 301, in connection with any repayment of Securities, the Issuer may arrange for the purchase of any Securities by an agreement with one or more investment bankers or other purchasers to purchase such Securities by paying to the Holders of such Securities on or before the applicable repayment date an amount not less than the repayment price payable by the Issuer on repayment of such Securities, and the obligation of the Issuer to pay the repayment price of such Securities shall be satisfied and discharged to the extent such payment is so paid by such purchasers.

Unless otherwise expressly stated in this Indenture or pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series or unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this Indenture to the repayment of Securities at the option of the Holders thereof (and all references of like import) shall be deemed to include a reference to the repurchase of Securities at the option of the Holders thereof.

 

60


ARTICLE FOURTEEN.

SECURITIES IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES

Section 1401. Applicability of Article.

Whenever this Indenture provides for (i) any action by, or the determination of any of the rights of, Holders of Securities of any series in which not all of such Securities are denominated in the same Currency or (ii) any distribution to Holders of Securities of any series in which not all of such Securities are denominated in the same Currency, in the absence of any provision to the contrary in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities of such series and in accordance with the Depository’s procedures, any amount in respect of any Security denominated in a Currency other than Dollars shall be treated for any such action, determination or distribution as that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount on such reasonable basis of exchange and as of the record date with respect to Registered Securities of such series (if any) for such action, determination or distribution (or, if there shall be no applicable record date, such other date reasonably proximate to the date of such distribution) as the Issuer may specify in a written notice to the Trustee or, in the absence of such written notice, as the Trustee may determine.

Section 1402. Monies of Different Currencies to be Segregated.

The Trustee shall segregate monies, funds and accounts held by the Trustee hereunder in one currency from any monies, funds or accounts in any other currencies, notwithstanding any provision herein which would otherwise permit the Trustee to commingle such accounts.

ARTICLE FIFTEEN.

GUARANTEE OF SECURITIES

Section 1501. Guarantee.

(1) Each Person who may become a “Guarantor” with respect to any series of Securities to which this Article Sixteen is made applicable, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees (the “Guarantee”) to each Holder of a Security of such series authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Securities of such series, the obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture or the Securities of such series or irrespective of restrictions of any kind on the Issuer’s performance of its obligations under the Securities, and waiving all rights of objection and defense arising from the Securities, that: (i) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of such series will be paid in full when due, whether at the Stated Maturity or Interest Payment Date, by acceleration, call for redemption, or otherwise; (ii) all other obligations of the Issuer to the Holders of such series or the Trustee under this Indenture or the Securities of such series will be promptly paid in full, all in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities of such series; and (iii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Securities of such series or any of such other obligations thereunder, they will be paid in full when due in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at the Stated Maturity or Interest Payment Date, by acceleration, call for redemption, or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed for whatever reason, each Guarantor shall be obligated to pay the same before failure so to pay becomes an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series. If the Issuer defaults in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of a series so guaranteed when and as the same shall become due, whether at the Stated Maturity or Interest Payment Date, by acceleration, call for redemption, or otherwise, without the necessity of action by the Trustee or any Holder, each Guarantor with respect to such series shall be required to promptly make such payment in full. The obligations of all Guarantors under this Article Sixteen shall be joint and several.

 

61


(2) Each Guarantor agrees with respect to Securities of any series that its obligations with regard to this Guarantee shall be as principal and not merely as surety and shall be full, irrevocable and unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Securities of such series or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any delays in obtaining or realizing upon or failures to obtain or realize upon collateral, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuer, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstances that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or a guarantor. Each Guarantor with respect to Securities of any series hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer or right to require the prior disposition of the assets of the Issuer to meet its obligations, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of all obligations contained in the Securities of such series and this Indenture as it relates to such series of Securities. Each Guarantee is a guaranty of payment and not of collection. The obligations of any Guarantor under this Guarantee will constitute direct, unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of such Guarantor and any Guarantor undertakes that its obligations hereunder will rank pari passu with all other present or future direct, unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Guarantor, save for such obligations as may be mandatorily preferred by law.

(3) Any such Guarantee will be a guarantee of payment and not merely of collection and it shall continue in full force and effect by way of continuing security until all principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, (including any Additional Amounts required to be paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the series of Securities so guaranteed) have been paid in full and all other actual or contingent obligations of the Issuer in relation to the series of Securities so guaranteed or under the Indenture have been satisfied in full. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any payment received by any Holder is, on the subsequent bankruptcy or insolvency of the Issuer, avoided under any applicable laws, including, among others, laws relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, such payment will not be considered as having discharged or diminished the liability of any Guarantor and any such Guarantee will continue to apply as if such payment had at all times remained owing by the Issuer.

(4) If any Holder of Securities of a series or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to any of the Issuer or a Guarantor with respect to Securities of that series, or any custodian, trustee, or similar official acting in relation to any of the Issuer or a Guarantor, any amount paid by any of the Issuer or a Guarantor to the Trustee or such Holder with respect to Securities of that series, the Guarantee with respect to Securities of that series, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect. Each Guarantor agrees that it will not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders of Securities of a series in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations of Securities of such series. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Section 502 for the purposes of a Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration as to the Issuer of the obligations so guaranteed, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of those obligations as provided in Section 502, those obligations (whether or not due and payable) will forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors with respect to Securities of a series for purposes of the Guarantee.

(5) Each Guarantor and by its acceptance of a Security issued hereunder each Holder hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee by each Guarantor set forth in Section 1601(1) not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purpose of any Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar Federal or state law. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Holders and all Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each of the Guarantors under the Guarantee set forth in Section 1601(1) shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor, and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Guarantee or pursuant to the next succeeding sentence, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under such Guarantee not constituting such a fraudulent transfer or conveyance. Each Guarantor that makes any payment or distribution under Section 1601(1) shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Guarantor equal to its Pro Rata Portion of such payment or distribution. For purposes of the foregoing, the “Pro Rata Portion” of any Guarantor means the percentage of net assets of all Guarantors held by such Guarantor, determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

62


(6) It is the intention of the parties that the obligations of the Guarantors shall be in, but not in excess of, the maximum amount permitted by applicable law. Accordingly, if the obligations in respect of the Guarantee would be annulled, avoided or subordinated to the creditors of any Guarantor by a court of competent jurisdiction in a proceeding actually pending before such court as a result of a determination both that such Guarantee was made without fair consideration and, immediately after giving effect thereto, such Guarantor was insolvent or unable to pay its debts as they mature or left with an unreasonably small capital, then the obligations of such Guarantor under such Guarantee shall be reduced by such court if and to the extent such reduction would result in the avoidance of such annulment, avoidance or subordination; provided, however, that any reduction pursuant to this paragraph shall be made in the smallest amount as is strictly necessary to reach such result. For purposes of this paragraph, “fair consideration,” “insolvency,” “unable to pay its debts as they mature,” “unreasonably small capital”and the effective times of reductions, if any, required by this paragraph shall be determined in accordance with applicable law.

(7) If the obligations of any Guarantor are reduced pursuant to Section 1601(5) or 1601(6) above, such reduction shall be applied proportionately with respect to all Securities (of whatever series) guaranteed under Section 1601, in accordance with the respective outstanding principal amount of such Securities so guaranteed (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, the accreted value of such Securities) and being then due upon the acceleration of the payment of such Securities.

Section 1502. Future Guarantors.

Each Person providing a guarantee of any Security of a series pursuant to this Indenture shall execute and deliver a supplemental indenture making such Person a party to this Indenture for the purpose of becoming a Guarantor.

Section 1503. Delivery of Guarantee.

The delivery of any Security of a series by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in Section 1601 on behalf of each Guarantor for that series.

[Signature pages follow]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.

 

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.,

as Issuer

By:   /s/ Kevin P. O’Shea

Name:

 

Kevin P. O’Shea

Title:

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

63


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON,

as Trustee, Registrar, Paying Agent and Transfer Agent

By:   /s/ Francine Kincaid

Name:

 

Francine Kincaid

Title:

 

Vice President

Exhibit 4.9

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

Issuer

to

The Bank of New York Mellon

Trustee

 

 

First Supplemental Indenture

Dated as of March 26, 2018

 

 

 


FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of March 26, 2018 (the “First Supplemental Indenture”), between AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Maryland (herein called the “Company”), and The Bank of New York Mellon, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee”).

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

The Company has heretofore delivered to the Trustee an Indenture dated as of February 23, 2018 (the “Indenture”), which has been filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (file no. 333-223183), filed on February 23, 2018 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, providing for the issuance from time to time of Debt Securities of the Company (the “Securities”) in an unlimited aggregate principal amount, including a series of debt securities entitled “Medium-Term Notes Due Nine Months or More from Date of Issue” currently limited to $1,000,000,000 in aggregate initial principal amount.

The Company wishes to amend and restate the definition of “Make-Whole Amount” in Section 101 of the Indenture, and the Company also wishes to amend and restate Section 1012(3) of the Indenture, as provided in this First Supplemental Indenture.

Section 901, including without limitation Sections 901(2), 901(11) and 901(16), of the Indenture provides that the Company and the Trustee may enter into an indenture supplemental to the Indenture to add to the covenants of the Issuer with respect to all or any series of Securities issued under the Indenture, to amend or supplement any provision contained in the Indenture or to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of Securities that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any Holder in any material respect, subject to certain limitations with respect to outstanding Securities. This First Supplemental Indenture does not affect any outstanding Securities, and applies only to Securities issued on or after the date of this First Supplemental Indenture, which for the avoidance of doubt shall include the Company’s 4.35% Notes due 2048 ($300,000,000 principal amount) issued on the date of this First Supplemental Indenture. The amendments herein do not and shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect.

The Trustee is willing to enter into this First Supplemental Indenture at the Company’s request, subject to compliance with Section 901 of the Indenture, as applicable.

 

2


The Board of Directors of the Company has previously duly adopted resolutions authorizing the Company to execute and deliver this First Supplemental Indenture.

All the conditions and requirements necessary to make this First Supplemental Indenture, when duly executed and delivered, a valid and binding agreement in accordance with its terms and for the purposes herein expressed, have been performed and fulfilled.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of any series of Securities (as defined in the Indenture) issued on or after the date hereof, as follows:

ARTICLE ONE

RELATION TO INDENTURE; DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1. Relation to Indenture. This First Supplemental Indenture constitutes an integral part of the Indenture.

SECTION 1.2. Definitions. For all purposes of this First Supplemental Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided for or unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Indenture; and

(2) All references herein to Articles and Sections, unless otherwise specified, refer to the corresponding Articles and Sections of this First Supplemental Indenture.

 

3


ARTICLE TWO

AMENDMENT OF THE INDENTURE

SECTION 2.1. Amendment and Restatement of the Definition of “Make-Whole Amount” in Section 101. The definition of “Make-Whole Amount” in Section 101 of the Indenture is hereby amended and restated to provide as follows:

“Make-Whole Amount” means, if specified to be applicable to any series of Securities by or pursuant to this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto, or by or in such series of Securities in connection with the issuance of such series of Securities, or with respect to any optional redemption or accelerated payment of such series of Securities: the aggregate present value as of the date of redemption or accelerated payment of each dollar of principal being redeemed or paid and the amount of interest, calculated by the Issuer, excluding interest accrued to the date of redemption or accelereated payment, that would have been payable in respect of each dollar if the redemption or accelerated payment had been made on the applicable par call date specified with respect to such series of Securities (determined by discounting, on a semi-annual basis, the principal and interest at the Reinvestment Rate, determined on the third Business Day preceding the date notice of redemption is given or declaration of acceleration is made, from the respective dates on which the principal and interest would have been payable if the redemption or accelerated payment had been made on the applicable par call date), in excess of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities being redeemed or paid. The par call date, if any, shall be the date, specified by or pursuant to this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto, or by or in such series of Securities in connection with the issuance of such series of

Securities, on or after which the Redemption Price of such series of Securities shall not include a Make-Whole Amount.

SECTION 2.2 Amendment and Restatement of Section 1012(3). Section 1012(3) of the Indenture is hereby amended and restated to provide as follows:

(3) Debt Service Test. The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of our Subsidiaries to, incur any Debt if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Debt and the application of the proceeds from such Debt on a pro forma basis, the ratio of EBITDA to Interest Expense for the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ended on the most recent Reporting Date prior to the incurrence of such Debt would be less than 1.50 to 1.00, and calculated on the following assumptions (without duplication): (1) such Debt and any other Debt incurred since such Reporting Date and outstanding on the date of determination had been incurred, and the application of the proceeds from such Debt (including to repay or retire other Debt) had occurred, on the first day of such four-quarter period; (2) the repayment or retirement of any other Debt since such Reporting Date had occurred on the first day of such four-quarter period; and (3) in the case of any acquisition or disposition by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any asset or group of assets since such Reporting Date, whether by merger, stock purchase or sale or asset purchase or sale or otherwise, such acquisition or disposition had occurred as of the first day of such four-quarter period with the appropriate adjustments with respect to such acquisition or disposition being included in such pro forma calculation. If any Debt incurred during the period from such

 

4


Reporting Date to the date of determination bears interest at a floating rate, then, for purposes of calculating the Interest Expense, the interest rate on such Debt will be computed on a pro forma basis as if the average daily rate during such interim period had been the applicable rate for entire relevant four-quarter period. For purposes of the foregoing, Debt will be deemed to be incurred by a Person whenever such Person creates, assumes, guarantees or otherwise becomes liable in respect thereof..

ARTICLE THREE

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 3.1. Ratification of Indenture. Except as expressly modified or amended hereby, the Indenture continues in full force and effect and is in all respects confirmed and preserved.

SECTION 3.2. Governing Law. This First Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. This First Supplemental Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

SECTION 3.3. Counterparts. This First Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

SECTION 3.4. Trustee. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this First Supplemental Indenture. The recitals and statements herein are deemed to be those of the Company and not of the Trustee.

[Signature page follows.]

 

5


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed by their respective officers hereunto duly authorized, all as of the day and year first written above.

 

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
By:   /s/ Kevin P. O’Shea
   Kevin P. O’Shea
   Chief Financial Officer

 

Attest:

 

/s/ Edward M. Schulman

 

Edward M. Schulman

 

Secretary

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON,

as Trustee

By:

 

/s/ Francine J. Kincaid

 

 Name:

 

 Title:

 

6

Exhibit 4.10

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

Issuer

to

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

Trustee

 

 

Second Supplemental Indenture

Dated as of May 29, 2018

 

 

 


SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of May 29, 2018 (the “Second Supplemental Indenture”), between AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Maryland (herein called the “Company”), and The Bank of New York Mellon, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee”).

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

The Company has heretofore delivered to the Trustee the following:

 

  1.

an Indenture dated as of February 23, 2018 (the “Indenture”), which has been filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (file no. 333-223183), filed on February 23, 2018 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, providing for the issuance from time to time of Debt Securities of the Company (the “Securities”) in an unlimited aggregate principal amount, including a series of debt securities entitled “Medium-Term Notes Due Nine Months or More from Date of Issue” currently limited to $1,000,000,000 in aggregate initial principal amount; and

 

  2.

a First Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 26, 2018 (the “First Supplemental Indenture”), which has been filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed on May 4, 2018 with the Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, providing for the amendment and restatement of (A) Section 101 of the Indenture with respect to the definition of “Make-Whole Amount” and (B) Section 1012(3) of the Indenture, in each case as provided in this First Supplemental Indenture.

With respect to Securities that may be issued on or after the date of this Second Supplemental Indenture, the Company desires to amend and restate the definitions of “Acquisition Property,” “Capitalized Property Value,” “Development Property,” “Encumbered Asset Value,” “Total Assets” and “Unencumbered Assets,” as set forth in the Indenture, and to add the definition of “Gross Book Value Property” as set forth in Section 2.2 below, to Section 101 of the Indenture. The Company desires, in addition, to correct a typographical error in Section 2.1 of the First Supplemental Indenture, so that “accelereated” shall read “accelerated,” as set forth in Section 2.3 below.

Section 901, including, without limitation, Sections 901(2), 901(11) and 901(16), of the Indenture provides that the Company and the Trustee may enter into an indenture supplemental to the Indenture to add to the covenants of the Issuer with respect to all or any series of Securities issued under the Indenture, to amend or supplement any provision contained in the Indenture or to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of Securities that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any Holder in any material respect, subject to certain limitations with respect to outstanding Securities issued prior to the date hereof. This Second Supplemental Indenture does not affect any outstanding Securities, and applies only to Securities issued on or after the date of this Second Supplemental

Indenture. The amendments herein do not and shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect.

The Trustee is willing to enter into this Second Supplemental Indenture at the Company’s request, subject to compliance by the Company with Section 901 of the Indenture, as applicable.

The Board of Directors of the Company has previously duly adopted resolutions authorizing the Company to execute and deliver this Second Supplemental Indenture.

All the conditions and requirements necessary to make this Second Supplemental Indenture, when duly executed and delivered, a valid and binding agreement in accordance with its terms and for the purposes herein expressed, have been performed and fulfilled.

 

2


NOW, THEREFORE, THIS SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, each of the Company and the Trustee hereby mutually covenant and agree, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of any series of Securities (as defined in the Indenture) issued on or after the date hereof, as follows:

ARTICLE ONE

RELATION TO INDENTURE; DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1. Relation to Indenture. This Second Supplemental Indenture constitutes an integral part of the Indenture.

SECTION 1.2. Definitions. For all purposes of this Second Supplemental Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided for or unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Indenture; and

(2) All references herein to Articles and Sections, unless otherwise specified, refer to the corresponding Articles and Sections of this Second Supplemental Indenture.

ARTICLE TWO

AMENDMENT OF THE INDENTURE

SECTION 2.1. Amendment and Restatement of Certain Definitions in Section 101 of the Indenture. The definitions of “Acquisition Property,” “Capitalized Property Value,” “Development Property,” “Encumbered Asset Value,” “Total Assets” and “Unencumbered Assets” in Section 101 of the Indenture are hereby amended and restated to provide as follows:

Acquisition Property” means a Property acquired by the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer that has been owned for less than four (4) consecutive full fiscal quarters.

Capitalized Property Value” means, as of any date, with respect to the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, (i) Property EBITDA for the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ended on the most recent Reporting Date, excluding from the calculation of Property EBITDA the financial contributions that would otherwise apply thereto from Acquisition Properties, Development Properties and Gross Book Value Properties, which net amount is then (ii) capitalized at the Capitalization Rate (i.e., divided by the Capitalization Rate expressed as a decimal number).

Development Property” means a Property currently under development. A Property will remain a Development Property until four (4) consecutive full fiscal quarters after the earlier of (a) 18 calendar months after substantial completion of construction of the Property and (b) the quarter in which the physical occupancy level of residential units of the Property is at least 93%.

Encumbered Asset Value” means, with respect to the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, as of any date, the portion of Total Assets serving as collateral for Secured Debt.

Total Assets” means, as of any date, the sum (without duplication) of: (a) the Capitalized Property Value of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries; (b) all cash and cash equivalents (excluding tenant deposits and other cash and cash equivalents the disposition of which is restricted) of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries at such time; (c) the current undepreciated book value of Development Properties; (d) the current undepreciated book value of Acquisition Properties; (e) the current undepreciated book value of Gross Book Value Properties; and (f) all other assets of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries excluding accounts receivable and any assets classified as intangible under GAAP. The value of any assets under clauses (b), (c), (d) (e) and (f) above shall be determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

3


Unencumbered Assets” means, as of any date, Total Assets as of such date less Encumbered Asset Value as of such date; provided, however, that all investments by the Issuer and its Subsidiaries in unconsolidated joint ventures, unconsolidated limited partnerships, unconsolidated limited liability companies and other unconsolidated entities shall be excluded from Unencumbered Assets to the extent such investments would otherwise have been included.

SECTION 2.2. New Definition Added to Section 101 of the Indenture. The definition of “Gross Book Value Property” is hereby added to Section 101 of the Indenture to provide as follows:

Gross Book Value Property” means, as of any date, a Property, other than Development Properties or Acquisition Properties, for which:

(a) the value of such Property, when calculated by taking the contribution of such Property to Property EBITDA (or, put another way and with the same intended result, taking the result of calculating Property EBITDA as if such Property were the only Property owned by the Company) for the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ended on the most recent Reporting Date and capitalizing such amount by the Capitalization Rate (i.e.,

dividing such contributed amount by the Capitalization Rate expressed as a decimal number), is less than

(b) the current undepreciated book value of such Property determined in accordance with GAAP.

SECTION 2.3. Correction of Typographical Error in Section 2.1 of the First Supplemental Indenture.

The word “accelereated” appearing in the first sentence of the amended and restated definition of “Make-Whole Amount” in Section 2.1 of the First Supplemental Indenture is hereby corrected to read “accelerated.”

ARTICLE THREE

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 3.1. Ratification of Indenture. Except as expressly modified or amended hereby, the Indenture, as amended by the First Supplemental Indenture, continues in full force and effect and is in all respects confirmed and preserved.

SECTION 3.2. Governing Law. This Second Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. This Second Supplemental Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

SECTION 3.3. Counterparts. This Second Supplemental Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

SECTION 3.4. Trustee. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Second Supplemental Indenture. The recitals and statements herein are deemed to be those of the Company and not of the Trustee.

[Signature page follows.]

 

4


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Second Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed by their respective officers hereunto duly authorized, all as of the day and year first written above.

 

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
By:   /s/ Kevin P. O’Shea
  Kevin P. O’Shea
  Chief Financial Officer

 

Attest:

 

/s/ Edward M. Schulman

 

Edward M. Schulman

 

Secretary

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON,
as Trustee
By:   /s/ Francine Kincaid
  Name: Francine Kincaid
  Title: Vice President

 

5

Exhibit 4.11

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.,

as Issuer

— and —

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

 

 

INDENTURE

 

 

Dated as of February 23, 2024

Debt Securities


Certain Sections of this Indenture

relating to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939

 

Trust Indenture Act Section    Indenture
Section

§310(a)(1)

   607

(a)(2)

   607

(b)

   608

§312(a)

   701, 702(1)

(b)

   702

(c)

   702

§313(a)

   703

(b)(2)

   703

(c)

   703

(d)

   703

§314(a)

   704

(c)(1)

   102

(c)(2)

   102

(e)

   102

§315(a)

   601

(b)

   601, 602

(c)

   601

(d)

   601

(e)

   515

§316(a) (last sentence)

   101

(a)(1)(A)

   502, 512

(a)(1)(B)

   513

(b)

   508

§317(a)(1)

   503

(a)(2)

   504

(b)

   1003

§318(a)

   108

Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Article One. DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

     1  

Section 101 Definitions

     1  

Section 102 Compliance Certificates and Opinions

     9  

Section 103 Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee

     10  

Section 104 Acts of Holders; Record Dates

     10  

Section 105 Notices, etc. to Trustee and Issuer

     11  

Section 106 Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver

     12  

Section 107 Language of Notices

     12  

Section 108 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act

     12  

Section 109 Effect of Headings and Table of Contents

     12  

Section 110 Successors and Assigns

     12  

Section 111 Separability Clause

     12  

Section 112 Benefits of Indenture

     13  

Section 113 Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial

     13  

Section 114 Legal Holidays

     13  

Section 115 Counterparts

     13  

Section 116 Judgment Currency

     13  

Section 117 Extension of Payment Dates

     13  

Section 118 Immunity of General Partners, Limited Partners, Shareholders, Directors, Officers, Employees, Incorporators and Agents of the Issuer and Guarantors

     14  

Section 119 USA Patriot Act

     14  

Section 120 Force Majeure

     14  

Section 121 FATCA

     14  

Article Two. SECURITIES FORMS

     15  

Section 201 Forms Generally

     15  

Section 202 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication

     15  

Section 203 Securities in Global Form

     15  


Article Three. THE SECURITIES

     16  

Section 301 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series

     16  

Section 302 Currency; Denominations

     19  

Section 303 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating

     19  

Section 304 Temporary Securities

     20  

Section 305 Registration, Transfer and Exchange

     21  

Section 306 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities

     22  

Section 307 Payment of Interest and Certain Additional Amounts; Rights to Interest and Certain Additional Amounts Preserved

     23  

Section 308 Persons Deemed Owners

     24  

Section 309 Cancellation

     24  

Section 310 Computation of Interest

     25  

Section 311 CUSIP Numbers

     25  

Section 312 Trustee, Paying Agent and Security Registrar Not Responsible for Depository

     25  

Article Four. SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

     25  

Section 401 Satisfaction and Discharge

     25  

Section 402 Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

     26  

Section 403 Application of Trust Money

     29  

Section 404 Reinstatement

     29  

Section 405 Qualifying Trustee

     30  

Article Five. REMEDIES

     30  

Section 501 Events of Default

     30  

Section 502 Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment

     31  

Section 503 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee

     32  

Section 504 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

     32  

Section 505 Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Securities

     33  

Section 506 Application of Money Collected

     33  

Section 507 Limitations on Suits

     33  

Section 508 Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts

     34  


Section 509 Restoration of Rights and Remedies

     34  

Section 510 Rights and Remedies Cumulative

     34  

Section 511 Delay or Omission Not Waiver

     34  

Section 512 Control by Holders of Securities

     35  

Section 513 Waiver of Past Defaults

     35  

Section 514 Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws

     35  

Section 515 Undertaking for Costs

     35  

Article Six. THE TRUSTEE

     36  

Section 601 Certain Rights of Trustee

     36  

Section 602 Notice of Defaults

     38  

Section 603 Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities

     38  

Section 604 May Hold Securities; Transactions with the Issuer or any Guarantor

     38  

Section 605 Money Held in Trust

     39  

Section 606 Compensation and Reimbursement

     39  

Section 607 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility

     39  

Section 608 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor

     40  

Section 609 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor

     41  

Section 610 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business

     42  

Section 611 Appointment of Authenticating Agent

     42  

Article Seven. HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE, TRUST AND GUARANTORS

     43  

Section 701 Issuer to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders

     43  

Section 702 Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders

     43  

Section 703 Reports by Trustee

     43  

Section 704 Reports by the Issuer

     44  

Article Eight. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALES AND SUBSTITUTION

     44  

Section 801 Issuer May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms

     44  

Section 802 Guarantor May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms

     45  

Section 803 Successor Person Substituted for Issuer or Guarantor

     45  


Article Nine. SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

     45  

Section 901 Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders

     45  

Section 902 Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders

     47  

Section 903 Execution of Supplemental Indentures

     48  

Section 904 Effect of Supplemental Indentures

     48  

Section 905 Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures

     49  

Section 906 Conformity with Trust Indenture Act

     49  

Article Ten. COVENANTS

     49  

Section 1001 Payment of Principal, Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts

     49  

Section 1002 Maintenance of Office or Agency

     49  

Section 1003 Provisions as to Paying Agent

     50  

Section 1004 Additional Amounts

     50  

Section 1005 Corporate Existence

     50  

Section 1006 Waiver of Certain Covenants

     51  

Section 1007 Issuer and Guarantor Statement as to Compliance

     51  

Section 1008 Calculation of Original Issue Discount

     51  

Section 1009 Maintenance of Properties

     51  

Section 1010 Insurance

     52  

Section 1011 Payment of Taxes and Other Claims

     52  

Section 1012 Limitations on Incurrence of Debt

     52  

Article Eleven. REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

     53  

Section 1101 Applicability of Article

     53  

Section 1102 Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee

     53  

Section 1103 Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed

     53  

Section 1104 Notice of Redemption

     54  

Section 1105 Deposit of Redemption Price

     55  

Section 1106 Securities Payable on Redemption Date

     55  

Section 1107 Securities Redeemed in Part

     55  


Article Twelve. SINKING FUNDS

     56  

Section 1201 Applicability of Article

     56  

Section 1202 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities

     56  

Section 1203 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund

     56  

Article Thirteen. REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS

     57  

Section 1301 Applicability of Article

     57  

Article Fourteen. SECURITIES IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES

     57  

Section 1401 Applicability of Article

     57  

Section 1402 Monies of Different Currencies to be Segregated

     57  

Article Fifteen. MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

     57  

Section 1501 Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called

     57  

Section 1502 Call, Notice and Place of Meetings

     57  

Section 1503 Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings

     58  

Section 1504 Quorum; Action

     58  

Section 1505 Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings

     59  

Section 1506 Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings

     59  

Article Sixteen. GUARANTEE OF SECURITIES

     60  

Section 1601 Guarantee

     60  

Section 1602 Future Guarantors

     61  

Section 1603 Delivery of Guarantee

     62  

EXHIBIT A – FORM OF SECURITY


INDENTURE, dated as of February 23, 2024 (this “Indenture”), between AvalonBay Communities, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Issuer”), having its principal executive office located at 4040 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1000, Arlington, VA 22203, as issuer, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States, as trustee, registrar, paying agent and transfer agent (the “Trustee,” “Registrar,” “Paying Agent,” and “Transfer Agent,” respectively).

RECITALS

The Issuer has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (hereinafter called the “Securities”), unlimited as to principal amount, to bear such fixed or floating rates of interest, to mature at such time or times, to be issued in one or more series and to have such other provisions as shall be fixed as hereinafter provided.

The Issuer has done all things necessary on its part to make this Indenture a valid and legally binding agreement of the Issuer in accordance with its terms.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders (as herein defined) thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of any series thereof as follows:

ARTICLE ONE.

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

Section 101. Definitions.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or unless the context otherwise requires, for all purposes of this Indenture:

(1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, and include the plural as well as the singular;

(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;

(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP;

(4) the words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereto” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;

(5) the word “or” is always used inclusively (for example, the phrase “A or B” means “A or B or both,” not “either A or B but not both”);

(6) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

(7) the term “merger” includes a statutory share exchange and the terms “merge” and “merged” have correlative meanings;

(8) the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter; and

(9) references to agreements and other instruments include subsequent amendments and supplements thereto.

 

1


Certain terms used principally in certain Articles hereof are defined in those Articles.

Acquisition Property” means a Property acquired by the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer that has been owned for less than four (4) consecutive full fiscal quarters.

Act,” when used with respect to any Holders, has the meaning specified in Section 104.

Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts which are required by this Indenture, by the terms of any Security established pursuant to Section 301 or by the terms of any Guarantee, under circumstances specified herein or therein, to be paid by the Issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable, in respect of certain taxes, duties, levies, imposts, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on Holders specified herein or therein.

Additional Amounts Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 1004.

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 the purposes of this definition, “control,” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Agency” with respect to any Securities, means an agent of the Issuer or the office of an agent of the Issuer, as the context requires, in each case maintained or designated in a Place of Payment for such Securities pursuant to Section 1002 or any other agent of the Issuer or office of an agent of the Issuer, as the context requires, in each case maintained or designated for such Securities pursuant to Section 1002 or, to the extent designated or required by Section 1002 in lieu of such agent or agent’s office, the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 611 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.

Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal, state, or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Issuer, or any committee of such board duly authorized to act generally or in any particular respect hereunder.

Board Resolution” means a copy of one or more resolutions or unanimous written consents, certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors, on behalf of the Issuer, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, delivered to the Trustee.

Business Day” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to the Securities of any series pursuant to Section 301, any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close; provided that such term shall mean, when used with respect to any payment of principal of, or premium or interest, if any, on, or Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities of any series to be made at any Place of Payment for such Securities, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to such Securities, any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in such Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.

Capitalized Property Value” means, as of any date, with respect to the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, (i) Property EBITDA for the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ended on the most recent Reporting Date, excluding from the calculation of Property EBITDA the financial contributions that would otherwise apply thereto from Acquisition Properties, Development Properties and Gross Book Value Properties, which net amount is then (ii) capitalized at the Capitalization Rate (i.e., divided by the Capitalization Rate expressed as a decimal number).

 

2


Capitalization Rate” means 6.75%.

Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, or, if at any time after the execution of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

Common Equity” means the common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Issuer, and includes without limitation any other equity security of any class of the Issuer, which has no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Issuer, and which is not subject to redemption by the Issuer.

Conversion Event” means the cessation of use of (i) a Foreign Currency both by the government of the country or the confederation which issued such Foreign Currency and for the settlement of transactions by a central bank or other public institutions of or within the international banking community or (ii) any currency unit or composite currency for the purposes for which it was established.

Corporate Trust Office” means either the corporate trust office of the Trustee at which this Indenture shall be administered, which office at the date of this Indenture is located at 1051 East Cary Street, Suite 600, Richmond, Virginia 23219 or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuer.

Corporation” includes corporations, partnerships, associations, limited liability companies and other companies, and business trusts (which term shall expressly include real estate investment trusts). The term “corporation” means a corporation and does not include partnerships, associations, limited liability companies or other companies or business trusts. Except to the extent expressly provided to the contrary, Corporation does not include joint ventures.

Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 402(3).

Currency,” with respect to any payment, deposit or other transfer in respect of the principal of or any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security, means Dollars or the Foreign Currency, as the case may be, in which such payment, deposit or other transfer is required to be made by or pursuant to the terms hereof or such Security and, with respect to any other payment, deposit or transfer pursuant to or contemplated by the terms hereof or such Security, means Dollars.

CUSIP number” means the alphanumeric designation assigned to a Security by Standard & Poor’s, CUSIP Service Bureau.

Debt” means, without duplication, the Issuer’s aggregate principal amount of indebtedness in respect of (i) borrowed money evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments, as determined in accordance with GAAP, (ii) indebtedness secured by any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance or any security interest existing on Property or other assets owned by the Issuer, as determined in accordance with GAAP, (iii) reimbursement obligations in connection with any letters of credit actually issued and called, (iv) any lease of property by the Issuer or any Subsidiary as lessee which is reflected in the Issuer’s balance sheet as a capitalized lease, in accordance with GAAP; provided, that Debt also includes, to the extent not otherwise set forth above, any obligation by the Issuer or any Subsidiary to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, items of indebtedness of another Person (other than the Issuer or any Subsidiary) described in clauses (i) through (iv) above (or, in the case of any such obligation made jointly with another Person, the Issuer’s or Subsidiary’s allocable portion of such obligation based on its ownership interest in the related real estate assets or such other applicable assets); and provided, further, that Debt excludes Intercompany Debt.

Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 307.

Depository” means, with respect to any Security issuable or issued in the form of one or more global Securities, The Depository Trust Company (including its successors), or such other Person as the Issuer may designate as depository in or pursuant to this Indenture, and, unless otherwise provided with respect to any Security, shall include any successor to such Person. If at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depository” shall mean, with respect to any Securities, the depository which has been appointed with respect to such Securities.

 

3


Development Property” means a Property currently under development. A Property will remain a Development Property until four (4) consecutive full fiscal quarters after the earlier of (a) 18 calendar months after substantial completion of construction of the Property and (b) the quarter in which the physical occupancy level of residential units of the Property is at least 93%.

Dollars” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit of legal tender for payment of public or private debts in the United States of America.

EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person, for any period and without duplication, net earnings (loss) of such Person for such period excluding the impact of the following amounts with respect to any Person (but only to the extent included in determining net earnings (loss) for such period): (i) depreciation and amortization expense and other non-cash charges of such Person for such period, as such Person shall determine in good faith; (ii) interest expense, including prepayment penalties, of such Person for such period; (iii) income tax expense of such Person in respect of such period; (iv) extraordinary and nonrecurring gains and losses, as such Person shall determine in good faith, of such Person for such period, including without limitation, gains and losses from the sale of assets, write-offs and forgiveness of debt, foreign currency translation gains or losses; and (v) non-controlling interests. In each case for such period, such Person will reasonably determine the amounts in accordance with GAAP, except to the extent GAAP is not applicable with respect to the determination of non-cash and non-recurring items.

Encumbered Asset Value” means, with respect to the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, as of any date, the portion of Total Assets serving as collateral for Secured Debt.

Equivalent Terms” has the meaning specified in Section 1102.

Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 501.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.

Foreign Currency” means any currency, currency unit or composite currency issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States of America or by any recognized confederation or association of such government.

GAAP” and “generally accepted accounting principles” means accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, consistently applied, as in effect from time to time; provided that if, as of a particular date as of which compliance with the covenants contained in this Indenture is being determined, there have been changes in accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America from those that applied to the Issuer’s consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, the Issuer may, in its sole discretion, determine compliance with the covenants contained in this Indenture using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, consistently applied, as in effect as of the end of any calendar quarter selected by us, in the Issuer’s sole discretion, that is on or after December 31, 2023 and prior to the date as of which compliance with the covenants in this Indenture is being determined (“Fixed GAAP”), and, solely for purposes of calculating the covenants as of such date, “GAAP” shall mean Fixed GAAP.

Government Obligations” means securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America or the other government or governments in the confederation which issued the Foreign Currency in which the principal of or any premium or interest on the relevant Security or any Additional Amounts in respect thereof shall be payable, in each case where the payment or payments thereunder are supported by the full faith and credit of such government or governments or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America or such other government or governments, in each case where the timely payment or payments thereunder are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America or such other government or governments, and which, in the case of (i) or (ii) above, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer or issuers thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank

 

4


or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of or other amount with respect to the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

Gross Book Value Property” means, as of any date, a Property, other than Development Properties or Acquisition Properties, for which: (a) the value of such Property, when calculated by taking the contribution of such Property to Property EBITDA (or, put another way and with the same intended result, taking the result of calculating Property EBITDA as if such Property were the only Property owned by the Issuer) for the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ended on the most recent Reporting Date and capitalizing such amount by the Capitalization Rate (i.e., dividing such contributed amount by the Capitalization Rate expressed as a decimal number), is less than (b) the current undepreciated book value of such Property determined in accordance with GAAP.

Guarantee” has the meaning set forth in Article Sixteen hereof.

Guarantors” means any Person that is liable under a Guarantee under Article Sixteen hereof.

Holder,” in the case of any Registered Security, means the Person in whose name such Security is registered in the Security Register.

Indebtedness,” when used with respect to any Person, and without duplication, unless otherwise specified with respect to the Securities of any series pursuant to Section 301, means any indebtedness (whether being principal, premium or interest) for or in respect of (i) any notes, bonds, debenture stock, loan stock or other securities or (ii) any borrowed money.

Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and, with respect to any Security, by the terms and provisions of such Security established pursuant to Section 301 (as such terms and provisions may be amended pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof), provided, however, that, if at any time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this instrument, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to any one or more series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall include the terms of those particular series of Securities for which such Person is Trustee established pursuant to Section 301, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of Securities for which such Person is not Trustee, regardless of when such terms or provisions were adopted.

Indexed Security” means a Security the terms of which provide that the principal amount thereof payable at Stated Maturity may be more or less than the principal face amount thereof at original issuance.

Intercompany Debt” means, as of any date, Debt to which the only parties are the Issuer and any of its Subsidiaries, but only so long as that Debt is held solely by any of the Issuer and any of its Subsidiaries as of that date and, provided that, in the case of Debt owed by the Issuer to any Subsidiary, the Debt is subordinated in right of payment to the holders of the Securities.

Interest,” with respect to any Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.

Interest Expense” means, for any period, the Issuer’s interest expense for such period, with other adjustments as are necessary to exclude: (i) the effect of items classified as extraordinary items in accordance with GAAP; (ii) amortization of debt issuance costs; (iii) prepayment penalties; and (iv) non-cash swap ineffectiveness charges.

 

5


Interest Payment Date,” with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

Issuer” means the Person named as the “Issuer” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Issuer” shall mean such successor Person.

Issuer Request” and “Issuer Order” mean, respectively, a written request or order, as the case may be, signed in the name of the Issuer, by an Officer of the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee.

Judgment Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 116.

Maturity,” with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security, whether at the Stated Maturity, upon acceleration, upon redemption at the option of the Issuer, upon repurchase or repayment at the option of the Holder or otherwise, and includes a Redemption Date for such Security and a date fixed for the repurchase or repayment of such Security at the option of the Holder.

New York Banking Day” has the meaning specified in Section 116.

Office,” with respect to any Securities, means an office of the Issuer maintained or designated in a Place of Payment for such Securities pursuant to Section 1002 or any other office of the Issuer maintained or designated for such Securities pursuant to Section 1002 or, to the extent designated or required by Section 1002 in lieu of such office, the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary or a Vice President of the Issuer.

Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by an Officer of the Issuer that, if applicable, complies with the requirements of Section 314(e) of the Trust Indenture Act and is delivered to the Trustee.

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the Issuer or other counsel who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Opinions of Counsel required to be delivered under this Indenture may have qualifications customary for opinions of the type required.

Original Issue Discount Security” means a Security, other than an Indexed Security, issued pursuant to this Indenture which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon acceleration pursuant to Section 502.

Outstanding,” when used with respect to any Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all such Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

(a) any such Security theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(b) any such Security for whose payment at the Maturity thereof money in the necessary amount (or, to the extent that such Security is payable at such Maturity in shares of Common Equity or other securities or property, Common Equity or such other securities or property in the necessary amount, together with, if applicable, cash in lieu of fractional shares or securities) has been theretofore deposited pursuant hereto (other than pursuant to Section 402) with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer (if it shall act as Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities, provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

(c) any such Security with respect to which the Issuer has effected defeasance or Covenant Defeasance pursuant to Section 402, except to the extent provided in Section 402;

 

6


(d) any such Security which has been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, unless there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Security is held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Security is a valid obligation of the Issuer; and

(e) any such Security converted or exchanged as contemplated by this Indenture into Common Equity or other securities or property, if the terms of such Security provide for such conversion or exchange pursuant to Section 301; provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder or are present at a meeting of Holders of Securities for quorum purposes, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such determination and that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be equal to the amount of the principal thereof that pursuant to the terms of such Original Issue Discount Security would be due and payable upon acceleration thereof pursuant to Section 502 at the time of such determination, and (ii) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the principal amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, and (iii) the principal amount of a Security denominated in a Foreign Currency that may be counted in making such determination and that shall be deemed Outstanding for such purposes shall be the Dollar equivalent, determined on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent on the date of original issuance of such Security of the amount determined as provided in (i) above) of such Security, and (iv) Securities owned by the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Issuer or such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making any such determination or relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely on any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, but only to the extent the Responsible Officer of the Trustee making such determination has not been provided with written notice that such Securities are not so owned. Securities so owned which shall have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes in writing to the satisfaction of the Trustee (A) the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and (B) that the pledgee is not the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Securities or an Affiliate of the Issuer or such other obligor.

Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Issuer to pay the principal of, or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security on behalf of the Issuer.

Person” and “person” mean any individual, Corporation, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

Place of Payment,” with respect to any Security, means the place or places where the principal of, or any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security are payable as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security.

Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same indebtedness as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a lost, destroyed, mutilated or stolen Security.

Property” means a parcel (or group of related parcels) of real property.

Property EBITDA” means, for any period, the Issuer’s EBITDA for such period adjusted to add back the impact of corporate level general and administrative expenses.

Redemption Date,” with respect to any Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security.

Redemption Price,” with respect to any Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed as determined by or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security.

 

7


Registered Security” means any Security established pursuant to Section 201 which is registered in the Security Register.

Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Registered Security on any Interest Payment Date therefor means the date, if any, specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security as the regular record date for the payment of such interest.

Reporting Date” means the date ending the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Issuer for which the Issuer’s consolidated financial statements are publicly available, it being understood that at any time when the Issuer is not subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act, the term “Reporting Date” shall be deemed to refer to the date ending the fiscal quarter covered by the Issuer’s most recent quarterly financial statements delivered to the Trustee or, in the case of the last fiscal quarter of the year, the Issuer’s annual financial statements delivered to the Trustee.

Required Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 116.

Responsible Officer” means any officer of the Trustee in its corporate trust department who is responsible for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer or employee of the Trustee to whom such matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

Secured Debt” means Debt secured by any mortgage, lien, pledge, encumbrance or security interest of any kind upon any of the Issuer’s Property or other assets or the Property or other assets of any Subsidiary.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.

Security” or “Securities” means any note or notes, bond or bonds, debenture or debentures, or any other evidences of indebtedness, as the case may be, authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided, however, that, if at any time there is more than one Person acting as Trustee under this Indenture, “Securities,” with respect to any such Person, shall mean Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, exclusive, however, of Securities of any series as to which such Person is not Trustee.

Security Interest” means any mortgage, pledge, lien, hypothecation, security interest or other charge.

Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 305.

Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary or group of Subsidiaries that meets either of the following conditions: (1) the Issuer and its other Subsidiaries’ investments in and advances to the Subsidiary exceed 10% of the Issuer’s and its Subsidiaries’ total assets consolidated (determined in accordance with GAAP) as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which an annual or quarterly report has been furnished to Holders or filed with the Commission; or (2) the Issuer’s and its other Subsidiaries’ proportionate share of the total assets (after intercompany eliminations) of the Subsidiary exceeds 10% of the Issuer’s and its Subsidiaries’ total assets consolidated (determined in accordance with GAAP) as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which an annual or quarterly report has been furnished to Holders or filed with the Commission.

Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Registered Security means a date fixed therefor by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.

Stated Maturity,” with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon or any Additional Amounts with respect thereto, means the date established by or pursuant to this Indenture or such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is, or such Additional Amounts are, due and payable.

 

8


Subsidiary” means, with respect to the Issuer or any other Person, any Person (excluding an individual), a majority of the outstanding voting stock, partnership interests, membership interests or other equity interests, as the case may be, of which is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Issuer or by one or more other Subsidiaries of the Issuer. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means stock having voting power for the election of directors, trustees or managers, as the case may be, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock or equity interest has such voting power by reason of any contingency. Unless the context otherwise requires, “Subsidiary” refers to a Subsidiary of the Issuer.

Total Assets” means, as of any date, the sum (without duplication) of: (a) the Capitalized Property Value of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries; (b) all cash and cash equivalents (excluding tenant deposits and other cash and cash equivalents the disposition of which is restricted) of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries at such time; (c) the current undepreciated book value of Development Properties; (d) the current undepreciated book value of Acquisition Properties; (e) the current undepreciated book value of Gross Book Value Properties; and (f) all other assets of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries excluding accounts receivable and any assets classified as intangible under GAAP. The value of any assets under clauses (b), (c), (d) (e) and (f) above shall be determined in accordance with GAAP.

Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was executed; provided, however, that in the event that the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” shall mean each such Person and as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

Unencumbered Assets” means, as of any date, Total Assets as of such date less Encumbered Asset Value as of such date; provided, however, that all investments by the Issuer and its Subsidiaries in unconsolidated joint ventures, unconsolidated limited partnerships, unconsolidated limited liability companies and other unconsolidated entities shall be excluded from Unencumbered Assets to the extent such investments would otherwise have been included.

Unsecured Debt” means Debt that is not secured by any mortgage, lien, pledge, encumbrance or security interest of any kind upon any of the Issuer’s Property or other assets or the Property or other assets of any Subsidiary.

United States” means the United States of America (including the states thereof and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction; and the term “United States of America” means the United States of America.

Vice President” means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “Vice President.”

Voting Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any class or series of capital stock of, or other equity interests in, such Person the holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of, or to appoint or to approve the appointment of, the directors, trustees or managing members of, or other persons holding similar positions with, such Person.

Section 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, upon any application or request by the Issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable, to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition precedent or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than certificates delivered pursuant to Section 1007) must include:

(1) a statement that each person signing the certificate or opinion has read the covenant or condition precedent and the related definitions;

 

9


(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statement or opinion contained in the certificate or opinion is based;

(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such person, that person has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable the person to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition precedent has been complied with; and

(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of each such person, such condition precedent or covenant has been complied with.

Section 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Issuer or any Guarantor may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon an Opinion of Counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the Opinion of Counsel with respect to the matters upon which such officer’s certificate or opinion is based is erroneous. Any such Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Issuer or any Guarantor, a governmental official or officers or any other Person or Persons, stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable, unless counsel rendering the Opinion of Counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate, opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture or any Security, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

Section 104. Acts of Holders; Record Dates.

(1) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by or pursuant to this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing or the record of any action taken by Holders at a meeting pursuant to Article Fifteen. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable. Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments or so voting at any such meeting. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act) conclusive in favor of the Trustee, the Issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable, and any agent of the Trustee, the Issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable, if made in the manner provided in this Section. The record of any meeting of Holders of Securities shall be proved in the manner provided in Section 1506.

Without limiting the generality of this Section 104, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, a Holder, including a Depository that is a Holder of a global Security, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies, duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities to be made, given or taken by Holders, and a Depository that is a Holder of a global Security may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such global Security through such Depository’s standing instructions and customary practices.

 

10


(2) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved in any reasonable manner which the Trustee deems sufficient and in accordance with such reasonable rules as the Trustee may determine; and the Trustee may in any instance require further proof with respect to any of the matters referred to in this Section.

(3) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Registered Securities held by any Person, and the date of the commencement and the date of the termination of holding the same, shall be proved by the Security Register.

(4) If the Issuer or any Guarantor shall solicit from the Holders of any Registered Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Issuer may at its option (but is not obligated to), by Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Registered Securities entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of Registered Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities have authorized, agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders of Registered Securities shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six (6) months after the record date.

(5) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act by the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, the Issuer or any Guarantor in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such Act is made upon such Security.

Section 105. Notices, etc. to Trustee and Issuer.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with:

(1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Issuer or any Guarantor shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office at the location specified in Section 101; or

(2) the Issuer by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Issuer addressed to the attention of the Secretary of the Issuer at the address of the Issuer’s principal office specified in writing to the Trustee by the Issuer and, until further notice, at:

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

4040 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1000

Arlington, VA 22203

In addition to the foregoing, the Trustee agrees to accept and act upon notices, instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail or other similar unsecured electronic methods. If the party elects to give the Trustee e-mail notices, instructions or directions (or notices, instructions or directions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee acts upon such notices, instructions or directions, the Trustee’s understanding of such notices, instructions or directions shall be deemed controlling. 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 notices, instructions or directions. The party providing electronic notices, instructions or directions agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit notices, instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized notices, instructions or directions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.

 

11


Section 106. Notice to Holders of Securities; Waiver.

Except as otherwise expressly provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of Securities of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, or if delivered electronically pursuant to the applicable procedures of the Depository, to each Holder affected by such event, at such Holder’s address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice.

In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders given as provided herein. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given or provided. In the case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee in its sole discretion shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders of Securities shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

Section 107. Language of Notices.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language.

Section 108. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act that is required under such Act to be a part of and govern this Indenture, the latter provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.

Section 109. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

Section 110. Successors and Assigns.

All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Issuer or any Guarantor shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 111. Separability Clause.

In case any provision in this Indenture or any Security shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not, to the fullest extent permitted by law, in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

12


Section 112. Benefits of Indenture.

Nothing in this Indenture or any Security, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent, any Authenticating Agent and their successors hereunder and the Holders of Securities, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

Section 113. Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial.

This Indenture, the Securities and any Guarantees shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflicts of law principles of such State other than New York General Obligations Law Section 5-1401. EACH OF THE ISSUER, ANY GUARANTOR AND THE TRUSTEE AND EACH HOLDER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES, ANY GUARANTEES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 114. Legal Holidays.

Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Securities, in any case where any Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or Maturity of, or any other day on which a payment is due with respect to, any Security shall be a day which is not a Business Day, then payment need not be made on such day, but such payment may be made on the next succeeding day that is a relevant Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, at the Stated Maturity or Maturity or on any such other payment date, as the case may be, and no interest shall accrue or be payable on the payment so deferred on such succeeding Business Day for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity, Maturity or other payment date, as the case may be, to such succeeding Business Day.

Section 115. Counterparts.

This Indenture may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

Section 116. Judgment Currency.

Each of the Issuer and any Guarantor agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of, or premium or interest, if any, or Additional Amounts on the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the New York Banking Day preceding the date on which a final unappealable judgment is given and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with clause (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture. For purposes of the foregoing, “New York Banking Day” means any day except a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday in The City of New York or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to be closed. The provisions of this Section 116 shall not be applicable with respect to any payment due on a Security which is payable in Dollars.

Section 117. Extension of Payment Dates.

In the event that (i) the terms of any Security established in or pursuant to this Indenture permit the Issuer or any Holder thereof to extend the date on which any payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on, or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to such Security is due and payable and (ii) the due date for any such payment shall have been so extended, then all references herein to the Stated Maturity of such payment (and all references of like import) shall be deemed to refer to the date as so extended.

 

13


Section 118. Immunity of General Partners, Limited Partners, Shareholders, Directors, Officers, Employees, Incorporators and Agents of the Issuer and Guarantors.

No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture, or in any Security, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any past, present or future general partner, limited partner, member, employee, incorporator, controlling person, shareholder, officer, trustee, director, agent or legal counsel, as such, of the Issuer, any Guarantor or of any of the Issuer’s or any Guarantor’s predecessors or successors, either directly or through the Issuer or any Guarantor or any predecessor or successor of the Issuer or any Guarantor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Securities by the Holders and as part of the consideration for the issuance of the Securities.

Section 119. USA Patriot Act.

The parties hereto acknowledge that, in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. Each of the Issuer and any Guarantor agrees that it will provide the Trustee with such information as it may reasonably request in order for the Trustee to seek to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, including documentation to verify its formation and existence as a legal entity, financial statements, licenses, and identification and authorization documents from individuals claiming authority to represent the entity or other relevant documentation.

Section 120. Force Majeure.

In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, pandemics or epidemics, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services.

Section 121. FATCA.

In order to comply with applicable tax laws, rules and regulations (inclusive of directives, guidelines and interpretations promulgated by competent authorities) in effect from time to time (as used solely in this Section 121,

Applicable Law”) that a foreign financial institution, or issuer, trustee, paying agent, holder or other institution is or has agreed to be subject to related to this Indenture, the Issuer agrees (i) to use commercially reasonable efforts to provide to the Trustee sufficient information about Holders in the Issuer’s possession or available to it or other applicable counterparties to the Issuer and/or transactions between the Issuer and such counter parties (including any modification to the terms of such transactions) that is reasonably requested by the Trustee so the Trustee can determine whether it has tax related obligations under Applicable Law, (ii) upon written notice to the Issuer, that the Trustee shall be entitled to make any withholding or deduction from payments under this Indenture to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Law for which the Trustee shall not have any liability if properly withheld in accordance with Applicable Law, and (iii) to hold harmless the Trustee for any losses it may suffer due to the actions it takes to comply with such Applicable Law, in case of each of clauses (ii) and (iii), other than any liability or losses as may be attributable to the Trustee’s willful misconduct or negligence. The terms of this paragraph shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

 

14


ARTICLE TWO.

SECURITIES FORMS

Section 201. Forms Generally.

Each Registered Security and temporary or permanent global Security issued pursuant to this Indenture shall be in the form established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, shall have such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by or pursuant to this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officer of the Issuer executing such Security as evidenced by the execution of such Security.

Definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods or in any other manner, all as determined by the Officer of the Issuer executing such Securities, as evidenced by the execution of such Securities.

Section 202. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.

Subject to Section 611, the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee

By:

 

Authorized Signatory

Dated:

Section 203. Securities in Global Form.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Securities, the Securities shall be issuable in global form. If Securities of a series shall be issuable in temporary or permanent global form, any such Security may provide that it or any principal amount of such Securities shall represent the aggregate amount of all Outstanding Securities of such series (or such lesser principal amount as is permitted by the terms thereof) from time to time endorsed thereon or reflected on the books and records of the Trustee and may also provide that the aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be increased or reduced to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of any Security in global form to reflect the principal amount, or any increase or decrease in the principal amount, or changes in the rights of Holders, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made in such manner and by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or pursuant to Section 301 with respect to such Security or in the Issuer Order to be delivered pursuant to Section 303 or 304 with respect thereto. Subject to the provisions of Section 303 and, if applicable, Section 304, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security in global form in the manner and upon written instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or pursuant to Section 301 with respect to such Security or in the applicable Issuer Order. If an Issuer Order pursuant to Section 303 (with respect to any reopening of Outstanding Securities) or 304 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Issuer with respect to a Security in global form shall be in writing but need not be accompanied by or contained in an Officer’s Certificate and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, in the event a global Security is exchangeable for definitive Securities as provided in Section 305, then, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver such global Security to the extent necessary to effect such exchanges, shall endorse such global Security to reflect any decrease in the principal amount thereto resulting from such exchanges and shall take such other actions, all as contemplated by Section 305.

 

15


Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 307, payment of principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts in respect of any Security in temporary or permanent global form shall be made to the Person in whose name such Security is registered.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Issuer, any Guarantor, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee shall treat as the Holder of the principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a global Security, in the case of a global Security in registered form, the Holder of such global Security in registered form.

ARTICLE THREE.

THE SECURITIES

Section 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series.

With respect to any Securities to be authenticated and delivered hereunder, there shall be established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of any Securities of a series,

(1) the title of the Securities of such series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from Securities of any other series) and whether the Securities of such series are to be senior or subordinated;

(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of such series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 905 or 1107, upon repayment in part of any Security of such series pursuant to Article Thirteen or upon surrender in part of any Security for conversion or exchange into Common Equity or other securities or property pursuant to its terms); provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of such series may from time to time be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect;

(3) if such Securities are to be issuable as Registered Securities, as bearer securities or alternatively as bearer securities and Registered Securities, and whether the bearer securities are to be issuable with coupons, without coupons or both, and any restrictions applicable to the offer, sale or delivery of the bearer securities and the terms, if any, upon which bearer securities may be exchanged for Registered Securities and vice versa and, with respect to bearer securities, any other provisions related to bearer securities not otherwise provided for herein;

(4) if any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form, when any of such Securities are to be issuable in global form and (i) whether such Securities are to be issued in temporary or permanent global form or both, (ii) whether beneficial owners of interests in any such global Security may exchange such interests for Securities of the same series and of like tenor and of any authorized form and denomination, and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner specified in Section 305, (iii) the name of the Depository with respect to any such global Security, and (iv) if applicable and in addition to the Persons specified in Section 305, the Person or Persons who shall be entitled to make any endorsements on any such global Security and to give the instructions and take the other actions with respect to such global Security contemplated by the first paragraph of Section 203;

(5) the date or dates, or the method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates shall be determined, on which the principal and premium, if any, of any Securities of the series is payable or the method used to determine or extend those dates;

(6) the rate or rates at which such Securities shall bear interest, if any, or the method or methods, if any, by which such rate or rates are to be determined, the date or dates, if any, from which such interest shall accrue or the method or methods, if any, by which such date or dates are to be determined, the Interest Payment Dates, if any, on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on Registered Securities on any Interest Payment Date, the notice, if any, to Holders regarding the determination of interest on a floating rate Security and the manner of giving such notice, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

 

 

16


(7) if in addition to or other than the Corporate Trust Office, the place or places where the principal of, any premium and interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities shall be payable, any of such Securities that are Registered Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, any of such Securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange or at maturity or otherwise, and notices or demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of such Securities and this Indenture may be made and the manner in which any payment may be made;

(8) whether any of such Securities are to be redeemable at the option of the Issuer and, if so, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currency units in which, and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Issuer, and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Issuer to redeem the Securities shall be evidenced;

(9) if the Issuer is obligated to redeem or purchase any of such Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of any Holder thereof and, if so, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currency units in which, and the other terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation, and any provisions for the remarketing of such Securities so redeemed or purchased;

(10) the denominations in which any of such Securities that are Registered Securities shall be issuable if other than minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof;

(11) whether such Securities will be convertible into and/or exchangeable for Common Equity or other securities or property of the Issuer or of any other Person, and if so, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, and any deletions from or modifications or additions or changes to this Indenture to permit or to facilitate the issuance of such convertible or exchangeable Securities or the administration thereof;

(12) if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of any of such Securities that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the method by which such portion is to be determined;

(13) if other than Dollars, the Foreign Currency in which purchases of such Securities must be made and the Foreign Currency in which payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any of such Securities shall be payable and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in Dollars for any purpose, including for purposes of the definition of “Outstanding” in Section 101;

(14) if the principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any of such Securities are to be payable, at the election of the Issuer or a Holder thereof or otherwise, in a Currency other than that in which such Securities are stated to be payable, the date or dates on which, the period or periods within which, and the other terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made, and the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between the Currency in which such Securities are stated to be payable and the Currency in which such Securities or any of them are to be paid pursuant to such election, and any deletions from or modifications of or additions to the terms of this Indenture to provide for or to facilitate the issuance of Securities denominated or payable, at the election of the Issuer or a Holder thereof or otherwise, in a Foreign Currency;

(15) if the amount of payments of principal of, any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method or methods (which index, formula or method or methods may be based, without limitation, on one or more Currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices), and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined and paid or payable;

 

17


(16) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants of the Issuer or any Guarantor with respect to any of such Securities or any Guarantee (whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants set forth herein), any additional covenants subject to waiver by the Act of Holders pursuant to Section 1006, and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 502;

(17) if any one or more of the provisions of Section 401 relating to satisfaction and discharge, Section 402(2) relating to defeasance or Section 402(3) relating to Covenant Defeasance shall not be applicable to such Securities, and any covenants in addition to or other than those specified in Section 402(3) relating to such Securities which shall be subject to Covenant Defeasance, and, if such Securities are subject to repurchase or repayment at the option of the Holders thereof pursuant to Article Thirteen, if the Issuer’s obligation to repurchase or repay such Securities will be subject to satisfaction and discharge pursuant to Section 401 or to defeasance or Covenant Defeasance pursuant to Section 402, and, if the Holders of such Securities have the right to convert or exchange such Securities into Common Equity or other securities or property, if the right to effect such conversion or exchange will be subject to satisfaction and discharge pursuant to Section 401 or to defeasance or Covenant Defeasance pursuant to Section 402, and any deletions from, or modifications or additions to, the provisions of Article Four (including any modification which would permit satisfaction and discharge, defeasance or Covenant Defeasance to be effected with respect to less than all of the outstanding Securities of such series) in respect of such Securities;

(18) if any of such Securities are to be issuable upon the exercise of warrants, and the time, manner and place for such Securities to be authenticated and delivered;

(19) if any of such Securities are issuable in global form and are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, then the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;

(20) the circumstances under which the Issuer or any Guarantor will pay Additional Amounts on such Securities in respect of any tax, assessment or other government charge and whether the Issuer will have the option to redeem such Securities rather than pay such Additional Amounts;

(21) if there is more than one Trustee, the identity of the Trustee that has any obligations, duties and remedies with respect to such Securities and, if not the Trustee, the identity of each Security Registrar, Paying Agent or Authenticating Agent with respect to such Securities;

(22) the Person to whom any interest on any Registered Security of such series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name such Registered Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, and the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary global Security will be paid if other than in the manner provided in this Indenture;

(23) whether the Securities of the series will be guaranteed by a Guarantor and, if so, the identity of such Guarantor, the extent to which, and the terms and conditions upon which such Securities shall be guaranteed and, if applicable, the terms and conditions upon which such Guarantees may be subordinated to other indebtedness of the respective Guarantors;

(24) whether the Securities of the series will be secured and, if so, specification of the collateral and the extent to which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such Securities shall be secured;

(25) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of any Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the Stated Maturity, the amount which shall be deemed to be the principal amount of such Securities as of any such date for any purpose thereunder or hereunder, including the principal amount thereof which shall be due and payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which shall be deemed to be Outstanding as of any date prior to the Stated Maturity (or, in any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount shall be determined);

(26) whether the Securities will not be issued in a transaction registered under the Securities Act and any restriction or condition on the transferability of the Securities of such series;

 

18


(27) the exchanges, if any, on which such Securities may be listed;

(28) the price or prices at which the Securities will be sold; and

(29) any other terms of such Securities and any deletions from or modifications or additions to this Indenture in respect of such Securities (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, except as permitted by Section 901).

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical, except as may be provided by the Issuer in or pursuant to the Board Resolution and set forth in the Officer’s Certificate or in any indenture or indentures supplemental hereto pertaining to such series of Securities. The terms of the Securities of any series may provide, without limitation, that the Securities shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee on original issue from time to time upon written order of persons designated in the Board Resolutions of the Issuer or any Guarantor (with respect to its Guarantee), Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture, as the case may be, pertaining to such series of Securities and that such persons are authorized to determine, consistent with such Board Resolutions, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture, such terms and conditions of the Securities of such series as are specified in such Board Resolutions, Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture.

All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided by the Issuer as contemplated by this Section 301, a series may be reopened from time to time without notice to or the consent of any Holders for issuances of additional Securities of such series or to establish additional terms of such series of Securities.

If any of the terms of the Securities of any series shall be established by action taken by or pursuant to Board Resolutions of the Issuer, such Board Resolution(s) shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officer’s Certificate setting forth the terms of such series.

Section 302. Currency; Denominations.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, the principal of, any premium and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities shall be payable in Dollars. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, Registered Securities denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Securities not denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in such denominations as are established with respect to such Securities in or pursuant to this Indenture.

Section 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

Securities and any Guarantee to be endorsed thereon shall be executed on behalf of the Issuer or the related Guarantor, as applicable, by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, or one of the Vice Presidents of the Issuer, or such Guarantor, and may (but need not) have the Issuer’s or the Guarantor’s, as applicable, corporate seal thereon. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or electronic.

Securities and any related Guarantees bearing the manual or electronic signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable, shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, bind the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or the Securities upon which any such Guarantee is endorsed or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities or any such related Guarantee.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Issuer may deliver Securities executed by the Issuer to the Trustee for authentication and, provided that the Board Resolutions and Officer’s Certificate or supplemental indenture or indentures with respect to such Securities referred to in Section 301 and an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities have been delivered to the Trustee, the Trustee in accordance with the Issuer Order and subject to the provisions hereof and of such Securities shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall receive, and (subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon,

 

19


(1) an Opinion of Counsel to the following effect:

(a) the form or forms and terms of such Securities have been established in conformity with Sections 201 and 301 of this Indenture;

(b) all conditions precedent set forth in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of such Securities have been complied with; and

(c) and that such Securities, when completed by appropriate insertions (if applicable), executed by a duly authorized officer of the Issuer, delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Issuer to the Trustee for authentication pursuant to this Indenture, and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Issuer in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Issuer, enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with their terms, and that any Guarantee, when executed by a duly authorized signatory of the Guarantor and issued by such Guarantor in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel and when the Securities upon which such Guarantees have been endorsed have been completed, executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of the Issuer and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Guarantor, except, in each case, as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally or by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law) and subject to such other exceptions as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee; provided, that such Opinion of Counsel need express no opinion as to whether a court in the United States would render a money judgment in a currency other than that of the United States; and (2) an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the issuance of the Securities have been complied with and that, to the best of the knowledge of the signers of such certificate, that no Event of Default with respect to any of the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing.

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate or to cause an Authenticating Agent to authenticate any Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or will otherwise be in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee or if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken.

Each Registered Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. Except to the extent specified in a supplemental indenture, or in established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions and set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, the Securities of each series shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.

No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for in Section 202 or 611 executed by or on behalf of the Trustee or by the Authenticating Agent by the manual or electronic signature of one of its authorized signatories. Such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.

Section 304. Temporary Securities.

Pending the preparation of definitive Securities, the Issuer may execute and deliver to the Trustee and, upon Issuer Order, the Trustee or Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and deliver, in the manner provided in Section 303, temporary Securities in lieu thereof which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers of the Issuer executing such Securities may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Securities. Such temporary Securities may be in global form.

 

20


Except in the case of temporary Securities in global form, which shall be exchanged in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Indenture or the provisions established pursuant to Section 301, if temporary Securities are issued, the Issuer shall cause definitive Securities or global Securities to be prepared without unreasonable delay. Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, after the preparation of definitive Securities or global Securities of the same series and containing terms and provisions that are identical to those of any temporary Securities, such temporary Securities shall be exchangeable for such definitive Securities or global Securities upon surrender of such temporary Securities at an Office or Agency for such Securities, without charge to any Holder thereof. Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities, the Issuer shall execute and, upon Issuer Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities or global Securities of authorized denominations of the same series and containing identical terms and provisions. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture with respect to a temporary global Security, until so exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

Section 305. Registration, Transfer and Exchange.

With respect to the Registered Securities of each series, if any, the Issuer shall cause to be kept a register (each such register being herein sometimes referred to as the “Security Register”) at an Office or Agency for such series in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Issuer shall provide for the registration of the Registered Securities of such series and of transfers and exchanges of the Registered Securities of such series. Such Office or Agency shall be the “Security Registrar” for that series of Securities. Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities, the initial Security Registrar for each series of Securities shall be as specified in the second to last paragraph of Section 1002. The Issuer shall have the right to remove and replace from time to time the Security Registrar for any series of Securities; provided that no such removal or replacement shall be effective until a successor Security Registrar with respect to such series of Securities shall have been appointed by the Issuer and shall have accepted such appointment. In the event that the Trustee shall not be or shall cease to be Security Registrar with respect to a series of Securities, it shall have the right to examine the Security Register for such series at all reasonable times. There shall be only one Security Register for each series of Securities.

Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Registered Security of any series at any Office or Agency for such series, the Issuer shall execute, and, upon Issuer Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, one or more new Registered Securities of the same series denominated as authorized in or pursuant to this Indenture, of a like aggregate principal amount bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding and containing identical terms and provisions.

Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, at the option of the Holder, Registered Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Registered Securities of the same series containing identical terms and provisions, in any authorized denominations, and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at any Office or Agency for such series. Whenever any Registered Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Issuer shall execute, and, upon Issuer Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Registered Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, the global Securities of any series shall be exchangeable for definitive certificated Securities of such series only if (i) the Depository for such global Securities notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable or no longer qualified to continue as a Depository for such global Securities or at any time the Depository for such global Securities ceases to be a clearing agency registered as such under the Exchange Act, if so required by applicable law or regulation, and no successor Depository for such Securities shall have been appointed by the Issuer within 90 days of such notification or of the Issuer becoming aware of the Depository’s ceasing to be so registered, as the case may be, (ii) the Issuer, in its sole discretion and subject to the Depository’s procedures, determines that the Securities of such series shall no longer be represented by one or more global Securities and executes and delivers to the Trustee an Issuer Order to the effect that such global Securities shall be so exchangeable or (iii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such Securities and the Depository or the Issuer specifically requests such exchange.

 

21


If the beneficial owners of interests in a global Security are entitled to exchange such interests for definitive Securities as the result of an event described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of the preceding paragraph, then without unnecessary delay, but in any event not later than the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities in such form and denominations as are required by or pursuant to this Indenture, and of the same series, containing identical terms and in aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such global Security, executed by the Issuer. On or after the earliest date on which such interests may be so exchanged, such global Security shall be cancelled by the Trustee in accordance with its customary procedures as shall be specified in the Issuer Order with respect thereto (which the Issuer agrees to deliver), and in accordance with instructions given to the Trustee and the Depository as shall be specified in the Issuer Order with respect thereto to the Trustee, as the Issuer’s agent for such purpose, to be exchanged, in whole or in part, for definitive Securities as described above without charge. The Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in exchange for each portion of such surrendered global Security, a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor as the portion of such global Security to be exchanged, which shall be in such denominations and, in the case of Registered Securities, registered in such names, as shall be specified by the Depository, but subject to the satisfaction of any certification or other requirements to the issuance of securities; provided, however, that no such exchanges may occur during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before any selection of Securities of the same series to be redeemed and ending on the relevant Redemption Date. Promptly following any such exchange in part, such global Security shall be returned by the Trustee to such Depository (or its custodian) or such other Depository (or its custodian) referred to above if requested by the Issuer in accordance with the instructions of the Issuer referred to above, and the Trustee shall endorse such global Security to reflect the decrease in the principal amount thereof resulting from such exchange. If a Registered Security is issued in exchange for any portion of a global Security after the close of business at the Office or Agency for such Security where such exchange occurs on or after (i) any Regular Record Date for such Security and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the next Interest Payment Date, or (ii) any Special Record Date for such Security and before the opening of business at such Office or Agency on the related proposed date for payment of interest or Defaulted Interest, as the case may be, interest shall not be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, in respect of such Registered Security, but shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date or proposed date for payment, as the case may be, only to the Person to whom interest in respect of such portion of such global Security shall be payable in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Issuer evidencing the same debt and entitling the Holders thereof to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

Every Registered Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Issuer or the Security Registrar for such Security) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and the Security Registrar for such Security duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, or any redemption or repayment of Securities, or any conversion or exchange of Securities for other types of securities or property, but the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 905 or 1107, upon repayment or repurchase in part of any Registered Security pursuant to Article Thirteen, or upon surrender in part of any Registered Security for conversion or exchange into Common Equity or other securities or property pursuant to its terms, in each case not involving any transfer.

Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, the Issuer shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the selection for redemption of Securities of like tenor and terms and of the same series under Section 1103 and ending at the close of business on the day of such selection, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Registered Security, or portion thereof, so selected for redemption, except in the case of any Registered Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed, or (iii) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security which, in accordance with its terms, has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder pursuant to Article Thirteen and not withdrawn, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.

Section 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 306, the Issuer shall execute and, upon Issuer Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

 

22


If there be delivered to the Issuer and to the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security, and (ii) such security and/or indemnity as may be reasonably required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Issuer or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Issuer shall execute and, upon the Issuer’s written request the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series containing identical terms and of like principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 306, in case any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Issuer in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Issuer may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee and its legal counsel) connected therewith.

Every new Security issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute a separate obligation of the Issuer, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of such series duly issued hereunder.

The provisions of this Section 306, as amended or supplemented pursuant to this Indenture with respect to particular Securities or generally, shall (to the extent lawful) be exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

Section 307. Payment of Interest and Certain Additional Amounts; Rights to Interest and Certain Additional Amounts Preserved.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Registered Security which shall be payable, and are punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered as of the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Registered Security which shall be payable, but shall not be punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for such Registered Security (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder thereof on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder; and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Issuer, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (1) or (2) below:

(1) The Issuer may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Person in whose name such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) shall be registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on such Registered Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when so deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Person entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided.

Thereupon, the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Issuer shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be given to the Holder of such Registered Security (or

 

23


a Predecessor Security thereof) in the manner set forth in Section 106 not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been sent as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Registered Security (or a Predecessor Security thereof) shall be registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (2); or

(2) The Issuer may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Security may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after written notice given by the Issuer to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause (2), such payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities of any particular series, at the option of the Issuer, interest on Registered Securities on any Interest Payment Date may be paid by mailing a check to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or by transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located in the United States of America (other than with respect to global Securities, which shall be payable in accordance with the Depository’s customary policies and procedures).

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 307 and Section 305, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

Section 308. Persons Deemed Owners.

Prior to due presentment of a Registered Security for registration of transfer or exchange or at maturity or otherwise, the Issuer, any Guarantor, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Registered Security is registered in the Security Register as the owner of such Registered Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of, any premium and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Registered Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not any payment with respect to such Registered Security shall be overdue, and none of the Issuer, any Guarantor, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

No owner of any beneficial interest in any global Security held on its behalf by a Depository shall have any rights under this Indenture or with respect to such global Security, and such Depository or its nominee may be treated by the Issuer, any Guarantor, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee as the absolute owner and Holder of such global Security for all purposes whatsoever. None of the Issuer, any Guarantor, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuer, any Guarantor, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the applicable Depository, as a Holder, with respect to a global Security or impair, as between such Depository and the owners of beneficial interests in such global Security, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of such Depository (or its nominee) as the Holder of such global Security.

Section 309. Cancellation.

All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer, exchange or conversion or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be promptly delivered to the Trustee, and any such Securities, as well as Securities surrendered directly to the Trustee for any such purpose, shall be cancelled promptly by the Trustee. The Issuer may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Issuer may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be cancelled promptly by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by or pursuant to this Indenture. All cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of by the Trustee in accordance with its customary procedures.

 

24


Section 310. Computation of Interest.

Except as otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture or in the Securities of any series, interest on the Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

Section 311. CUSIP Numbers.

The Issuer in issuing the Securities 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 Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or comission of such numbers. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

Section 312. Trustee, Paying Agent and Security Registrar Not Responsible for Depository.

None of the Trustee, any Paying Agent or any Security Registrar shall have any responsibility or liability for any acts or omissions of any Depository with respect to any global Security, for the records of any Depository, including records in respect of beneficial ownership interests in respect of any global Security, for any transactions between such Depository and any participant in such Depository or between or among any such Depository, any such participant or any holder or owner of a beneficial interest in any global Security or for any transfers of beneficial interests in any global Security.

ARTICLE FOUR.

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

Section 401. Satisfaction and Discharge.

Unless, pursuant to Section 301, the provisions of this Section 401 shall not be applicable with respect to the Securities of any series, upon the direction of the Issuer by an Issuer Order, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Issuer Order and any Guarantee of such Securities (except for provisions that survive pursuant to the terms of the Indenture or the applicable series of Securities), and the Trustee, on receipt of an Issuer Order, at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series, when,

(1) either

(a) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Securities of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306, and (ii) Securities of such series for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Issuer or any Affiliate of the Issuer and thereafter repaid to the Issuer or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(b) all such Securities of such series 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) if redeemable at the option of the Issuer, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuer, and the Issuer, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with and held uninvested by the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose, money in the Currency in which such Securities are payable in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire

 

25


indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including the principal of, any premium and interest on, and, to the extent that the Securities of such series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts thereon and the amount of any such Additional Amounts which are or will be payable with respect to the Securities of such series is at the time of deposit determinable by the Issuer (in the exercise by the Issuer of its reasonable discretion), any Additional Amounts with respect to, such Securities, to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Maturity thereof, as the case may be;

(2) the Issuer has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuer with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series (including amounts payable to the Trustee pursuant to Section 606); and

(3) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to the Securities of such series have been complied with.

In the event there are Securities of two or more series Outstanding hereunder, the Trustee shall be required to execute an instrument acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture only if requested to do so with respect to Securities of such series as to which it is Trustee, if in form and content reasonably acceptable to the Trustee and if the other conditions thereto are met.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to any series of Securities, the obligations of the Issuer to the Trustee under Section 606 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section 401, the obligations of the Issuer and the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series under Sections 305, 306, 403, 404, 1002, 1003 and, if applicable to the Securities of such series, Section 1004 (including, without limitation, with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to such Securities as contemplated by Section 1004, but only to the extent that the Additional Amounts payable with respect to such Securities exceed the amount deposited in respect of such Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 401(1)(b)), the obligations of any Guarantor under any Guarantee in respect of Additional Amounts, any rights of Holders of the Securities of such series (unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of such series) to require the Issuer to repurchase or repay, and the obligations of the Issuer to repurchase or repay, such Securities at the option of the Holders pursuant to Article Thirteen hereof, and any rights of Holders of the Securities of such series (unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of such series) to convert or exchange, and the obligations of the Issuer to convert or exchange, such Securities into Common Equity or other securities or property, shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.

Section 402. Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.

(1) Unless, pursuant to Section 301, either or both of (i) defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under clause (2) of this Section 402 or (ii) Covenant Defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under clause (3) of this Section 402 shall not be applicable with respect to the Securities of such series, then such provisions, together with the other provisions of this Section 402 (with such modifications thereto as may be specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to any Securities), shall be applicable to such Securities, and the Issuer may at its option by Board Resolution, at any time, with respect to the Securities of or within such series, elect to have Section 402(2) or Section 402(3) be applied to such Outstanding Securities and any Guarantees of such Outstanding Securities upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Section 402. Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series, defeasance under clause (2) of this Section 402 and Covenant Defeasance under clause (3) of this Section 402 may be effected only with respect to all, and not less than all, of the Outstanding Securities of any series. To the extent that the terms of any Security established in or pursuant to this Indenture permit the Issuer or any Holder thereof to extend the date on which any payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on, or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to such Security is due and payable, then unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301, the right to extend such date shall terminate upon defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be.

(2) Upon the Issuer’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section 402(2) with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Issuer and any Guarantor, as applicable, shall be deemed to have been discharged from their respective obligations with respect to such Outstanding Securities on the date the conditions set forth in clause (4) of this Section 402 are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”). For this purpose, such defeasance

 

26


means that the Issuer shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Outstanding Securities, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of clause (5) of this Section 402 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in subclauses (i) through (iv) of this clause (2), and that each of the Issuer and any Guarantor shall be deemed to have satisfied all of their respective other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (i) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities to receive, solely (except as provided in subclause (ii) below) from the trust fund described in clause (4)(a) of this Section 402 and as more fully set forth in this Section 402 and in Section 403, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on, and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, such Securities when such payments are due; (ii) the obligations of the Issuer and the Trustee with respect to such Securities under Sections 305, 306, 1002, 1003 and, if applicable to the Securities of such series, Section 1004 (including, without limitation, with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to such Securities as contemplated by Section 1004, but only to the extent that the Additional Amounts payable with respect to such Securities exceed the amount deposited in respect of such Additional Amounts pursuant to clause (4)(a) of this Section 402), the obligations of any Guarantor under a Guarantee in respect of Additional Amounts, as applicable, any rights of Holders of such Securities (unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of such series) to require the Issuer to repurchase or repay, and the obligations of the Issuer to repurchase or repay, such Securities at the option of the Holders pursuant to Article Thirteen hereof, and any rights of Holders of such Securities (unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of such series) to convert or exchange, and the obligations of the Issuer to convert or exchange, such Securities into Common Equity or other securities or property; (iii) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder; and (iv) this Section 402 and Sections 403 and 404. The Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 402(2) notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 402(3) with respect to such Securities.

(3) Upon the Issuer’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section 402(3) with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Issuer and any Guarantor, as applicable, shall be released from their respective obligations under clause (ii) of Section 1005, Section 704 and, to the extent specified pursuant to Section 301, any other covenant applicable to such Securities with respect to such Securities shall cease to be applicable to such Securities on and after the date the conditions set forth in clause (4) of this Section 402 are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and such Securities shall thereafter be deemed to be 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 any such covenant, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means, with respect to such Outstanding Securities, the Issuer and any Guarantor, as applicable, may omit to comply with, and shall have no liability in respect of, any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section or any such other covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or such other covenant or by reason of reference in any such Section or such other 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 501(3) or otherwise, as the case may be, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.

(4) The following shall be the conditions to application of clause (2) or (3) of this Section 402 to any Outstanding Securities of or within a series:

(a) The Issuer shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 607 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Section 402 applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, (1) an amount in Dollars or in such Foreign Currency in which such Securities are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity or, if such defeasance or Covenant Defeasance is to be effected in compliance with subsection (f) below, on the relevant Redemption Date, as the case may be, or (2) Government Obligations applicable to such Securities (determined on the basis of the Currency in which such Securities are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity or, if such defeasance or Covenant Defeasance is to be effected in compliance with subsection (f) immediately below, on the relevant Redemption Date, as the case may be) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities, money in an amount, or (3) a combination thereof, in any case, in an amount, sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of such principal and interest, in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants

 

27


delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be appliedby the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, (y) the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on, and, to the extent that such Securities provide for the payment of Additional Amounts thereon and the amount of any such Additional Amounts which are or will be payable with respect to the Securities of such series is at the time of deposit reasonably determinable by the Issuer (in the exercise by the Issuer of its reasonable discretion), any Additional Amounts with respect to, such Outstanding Securities on the Maturity or Stated Maturity of such principal or interest, and (z) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities.

(b) Such defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Issuer or any Guarantor is bound.

(c) No Event of Default or event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default with respect to such Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit, and, solely in the case of defeasance under Section 402(2), no Event of Default with respect to such Securities under clauses (5), (6) or (7) of Section 501 or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default with respect to such Securities under clauses (5), (6) or (7) of Section 501 shall have occurred and be continuing at any time during the period ending on and including the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition to defeasance under Section 402(2) shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).

(d) In the case of defeasance pursuant to Section 402(2), the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel acceptable to the Trustee stating that (x) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (y) since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of independent counsel shall confirm that, the Holders and beneficial owners of such Outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred; or, in the case of Covenant Defeasance pursuant to Section 402(3), the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel acceptable to the Trustee to the effect that the Holders and beneficial owners of such Outstanding Securities and will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred.

(e) The Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, under this Indenture have been complied with.

(f) If the monies or Government Obligations or combination thereof, as the case may be, deposited under subclause (a) immediately above are sufficient to pay the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on and, to the extent provided in such subclause (a), Additional Amounts with respect to, such Securities on a particular Redemption Date, the Issuer shall have given the Trustee irrevocable instructions to redeem such Securities on such date and to provide notice of such redemption to Holders as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture.

(g) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 402(4), such defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall be effected in compliance with any additional or substitute terms, conditions or limitations which may be imposed on the Issuer in connection therewith pursuant to Section 301.

(5) Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 301) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee (collectively for purposes of this Section 402(5) and Section 403, the “Trustee”)) pursuant to clause (4)(a) of Section 402 in respect of any Outstanding Securities of any series shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (other than the Issuer or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Issuer acting as Paying Agent), to the Holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium, if any) and interest and Additional Amounts, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

 

28


Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Securities, if, after a deposit referred to in Section 402(4)(a) has been made, (a) the Holder of a Security in respect of which such deposit was made is entitled to, and does, elect pursuant to Section 301 or the terms of such Security to receive payment in a Currency other than that in which the deposit pursuant to Section 402(4)(a) has been made in respect of such Security, or (b) a Conversion Event occurs in respect of the Foreign Currency in which the deposit pursuant to Section 402(4)(a) has been made, the indebtedness represented by such Security shall be deemed to have been, and will be, fully discharged and satisfied through the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any), and interest, if any, on, and Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, such Security as the same becomes due out of the proceeds yielded by converting (from time to time as specified below in the case of any such election) the amount or other property deposited in respect of such Security into the Currency in which such Security becomes payable as a result of such election or Conversion Event based on (x) in the case of payments made pursuant to subclause (a) immediately above, the applicable market exchange rate for such Currency in effect on the second (2nd) Business Day prior to each payment date, or (y) with respect to a Conversion Event, the applicable market exchange rate for such Foreign Currency in effect (as nearly as feasible) at the time of the Conversion Event.

The Issuer shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge, imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited pursuant to this Section 402 or the principal or interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities.

Anything in this Section 402 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time upon Issuer Request any money or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in clause (4)(a) of this Section 402 which, in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect a defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Section 402.

Section 403. Application of Trust Money.

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 or 402 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer acting as its own Paying Agent), to the Holders, of the principal, premium, interest and Additional Amounts for whose payment such money has or Government Obligations have been deposited with or received by the Trustee; but such money and Government Obligations need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Section 404. Reinstatement.

If the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee appointed pursuant to Section 402(4)(a)) or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any moneys or Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 401(1) or 402(4)(a) to pay any principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to the Securities of any series by reason of any legal proceeding or any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuer’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities of such series and the Guarantee shall be revived and reinstated as though no such deposit had occurred, until such time as the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such moneys and Government Obligations to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on and Additional Amounts, if any, in respect of the Securities of such series as contemplated by Section 401 or 402 as the case may be, and Section 403; provided, however, that if the Issuer makes any payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on or Additional Amounts, if any, in respect of the Securities of such series following the reinstatement of its obligations as aforesaid, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the funds held by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) or Paying Agent.

 

29


Section 405. Qualifying Trustee.

Any trustee appointed pursuant to Section 402(4)(a) for the purpose of holding trust funds deposited pursuant to that Section shall be appointed under an agreement in form acceptable to the Trustee and shall provide to the Trustee a certificate of such trustee, upon which certificate the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely, that all conditions precedent provided for herein to the related defeasance or Covenant Defeasance have been complied with. In no event shall the Trustee be liable for any acts or omissions of said trustee.

ARTICLE FIVE.

REMEDIES

Section 501. Events of Default.

An “Event of Default” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body) means any of the following events, or any other event as specified in accordance with Section 301 for a particular series of Securities:

(1) default for thirty (30) days in the payment of any installment of interest or Additional Amounts payable with respect to such interest under the Securities of that series;

(2) default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, on, or any Additional Amounts payable in respect of any principal of or premium, if any, on, the Securities of that series, when the same becomes due and payable or default is made in the deposit of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of that series when due;

(3) the Issuer fails to comply with any of the Issuer’s other agreements contained in the Securities of that series or this Indenture (other than an agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section 501 specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series) upon receipt by the Issuer of notice of such default by the Trustee or receipt by the Issuer and the Trustee of written notice of such default by Holders of not less than twenty-five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then outstanding and the Issuer fails to cure (or obtain a waiver of) such default within ninety (90) days after the Issuer receives such notice;

(4) failure to pay any recourse indebtedness for monies borrowed by the Issuer in an outstanding principal amount in excess of $150,000,000 at final maturity or upon acceleration after the expiration of any applicable notice and grace period, which recourse indebtedness is not discharged, or such default in payment or acceleration is not cured or rescinded, within thirty (30) days after written notice to the Issuer from the Trustee (or to the Issuer and the Trustee from Holders of at least twenty-five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that series);

(5) the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to, under or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law: (a) commences a voluntary case or proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or its debts or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of the property of the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary; (b) consents to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary;

(c) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property; or (d) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors;

(6) an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or its debts under any Bankruptcy Law or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of the property of the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of thirty (30) calendar days; or

 

30


(7) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that: (a) is for relief against the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding; (b) appoints a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary or any substantial part of the property of the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary; or (c) orders the liquidation of the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary; and, in each case in this clause (7), the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for thirty (30) calendar days.

Section 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (5), (6) or (7) of Section 501) with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, then either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than twenty-five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series may declare the principal of, and premium, if any, on all of the Securities of such series, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of such series, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal or such lesser amount, as the case may be, and such accrued and unpaid interest shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in clause (5), (6) or (7) of Section 501 with respect to the Securities of any series occurs, then the principal of, and premium, if any, on all of the Securities of such series, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of such series, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder of the Securities of such series.

At any time after Securities of any series have been accelerated by declaration of the Trustee or the Holders and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by written notice to the Issuer, any Guarantor and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

(1) the Issuer has paid or deposited, or cause to be paid or deposited, with the Trustee a sum of money sufficient to pay (or, to the extent that the terms of the Securities of such series established pursuant to Section 301 expressly provide for payment to be made in shares of Common Equity or other securities or property, together with cash in lieu of fractional shares or securities):

(a) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Trustee under Section 606;

(b) all overdue installments of any interest on any Securities of such series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any Additional Amounts with respect thereto;

(c) the principal of and any premium on any Securities of such series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any Additional Amounts with respect thereto and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, interest thereon at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, provided for in or with respect to such Securities, or, if no such rate or rates are so provided, at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, of interest borne by such Securities; and

(d) to the extent permitted by applicable law, interest upon installments of any interest, if any, which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any Additional Amounts with respect thereto at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, provided for in or with respect to such Securities, or, if no such rate or rates are so provided, at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, of interest borne by such Securities; and (ii) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of such series other than the non-payment of the principal of, any premium and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series which shall have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, shall have been waived as provided in Section 513 or cured.

 

31


No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

The Issuer covenants that if:

(1) default is made in the payment of any interest on, or any Additional Amounts payable in respect of any interest on, any Security when such interest or Additional Amounts, as the case may be, shall have become due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days; or

(2) default is made in the payment of any principal of or premium, if any, on, or any Additional Amounts payable in respect of any principal of or premium, if any, on, any Security at its Maturity, when the same becomes due and payable; or

(3) default is made in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, if applicable, when due, and such default continues for three (3) Business Days, the Issuer or any Guarantor shall, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount of money then due and payable with respect to such Securities, with interest upon the overdue principal, any premium and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, upon any overdue installments of interest and Additional Amounts at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, provided for or with respect to such Securities or, if no such rate or rates are so provided, at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, of interest borne by such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount of money as shall be sufficient to cover the reasonable costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and all other amounts due to the Trustee under Section 606.

If the Issuer (and any applicable Guarantor) fails to pay the money it is required to pay the Trustee pursuant to the preceding paragraph forthwith upon the demand of the Trustee, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the money so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Issuer, any Guarantor or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the monies adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Issuer, any Guarantor or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem necessary to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or such Securities or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein or therein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

Section 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Issuer, any Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Issuer, such Guarantor or such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Issuer for the payment of any overdue principal, premium, interest or Additional Amounts) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(1) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Securities of such series, of the principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents or counsel) and of the Holders of Securities allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

 

32


(2) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder of Securities to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent in writing in its sole discretion to the making of such payments directly to the Holders of Securities, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder), its agents and counsel and any other amounts due the Trustee hereunder.

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder of a Security any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of a Security in any such proceeding.

Section 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims without Possession of Securities.

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or any of the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery or judgment, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, shall be for the ratable benefit of each and every Holder of a Security in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

Section 506. Application of Money Collected.

Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article Five with respect to the Securities of any series shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal, or any premium, interest or Additional Amounts, upon presentation of such Securities, or both, as the case may be, and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder) and any predecessor Trustee under the Indenture;

SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon the Securities for principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the aggregate amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium, interest and Additional Amounts; and

THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Issuer.

Section 507. Limitations on Suits.

No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture or such Security, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series;

(2) the Holders of not less than twenty-five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

 

33


(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee security and/or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the losses, damages, costs, expenses and liabilities, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, out of pocket costs and expenses and court costs, to be incurred in compliance with such request;

(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture or any Security to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other such Holders or Holders of Securities of any other series, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.

Section 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal and any Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and (subject to Sections 305 and 307) interest, if any, on and any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security, on the respective Stated Maturity or Maturities therefor specified in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date or, in the case of repayment pursuant to Article Thirteen hereof at the option of such Holder if provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, on the date such repayment is due) and, in the case of any Security which is convertible into or exchangeable for other securities or property, to convert or exchange, as the case may be, such Security in accordance with its terms, and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and any such right to convert or exchange, and such right shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

Section 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies

If the Trustee or any Holder of a Security has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Issuer, any Guarantor (if applicable), the Trustee and each such Holder shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and each such Holder shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

Section 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative

To the extent permitted by applicable law and except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to each and every Holder of a Security is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy, to the extent permitted by law, shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not, to the extent permitted by law, prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to any Holder of a Security may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by such Holder, as the case may be.

 

34


Section 512. Control by Holders of Securities.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series, provided that:

(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture or with the Securities of any series and could not involve the Trustee in personal liability;

(2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction; and (iii) such direction is not unduly prejudicial to the rights of the other Holders of Securities of such series (or any other series) not joining in such action (it being understood that the Trustee shall not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such direction is unduly prejudicial to any other Holder).

Section 513. Waiver of Past Defaults.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series may waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except:

(1) a continuing default in the payment of the principal of, any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to, any Security of such series; or

(2) in the case of any Securities which are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Equity or other securities or property, a continuing default in any such conversion or exchange; or

(3) a continuing default in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.

Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 514. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.

The Issuer covenants that (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or any other law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which would prohibit or forgive the Issuer or any applicable Guarantor from paying all or any portion of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest,

if any, on or Additional Amounts, if any, as contemplated in this Indenture, any Guarantee and the Securities or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture or the Securities; and each of the Issuer and any Guarantor expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee or the Holders, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

Section 515. Undertaking for Costs.

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by such Holder’s acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of any undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements, against

 

35


any party litigant in such suit having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 515 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on or Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to any Security on or after the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date, and, in the case of repayment at the option of the Holder pursuant to Article Thirteen hereof, on or after the date for repayment) or for the enforcement of the right, if any, to convert or exchange any Security into Common Equity or other securities or property in accordance with its terms.

ARTICLE SIX.

THE TRUSTEE

Section 601. Certain Rights of Trustee.

The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act; provided, that (i) notwithstanding Section 315(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any mathematical calculations or other facts, statements, opinions or conclusions stated in the certificates or opinions referred to therein, and (ii) except during the continuance of an Event of Default, no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, written notice of which shall have been given to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee by the Issuer or any Guarantor, any other obligor of the Securities or by the Holders of not less than twenty-five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such Person’s own affairs.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers. Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.

In connection with this Indenture and any Securities issued hereunder, subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act:

(1) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(2) any request or direction of the Issuer or any Guarantor shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Issuer Request or an Issuer Order (in each case, other than delivery of any Security, to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 303 which shall be sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

(3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence shall be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of willful misconduct on its part, conclusively rely upon an Officer’s Certificate;

(4) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

 

36


(5) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by or pursuant to this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities of any series pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security and/or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the losses, damages, costs, expenses and liabilities, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses and court costs, which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

(6) 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, coupon or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its sole 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, upon reasonable prior written notice and during normal business hours, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuer, personally or by agent or attorney at the expense of the Issuer and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;

(7) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;

(8) the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. 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 its rights or powers. The Trustee is not required to give any bond or surety with respect to the performance of its duties or the exercise of its powers under this Indenture. The permissive right of the Trustee to take the actions permitted by this Indenture shall not be construed as an obligation or duty to do so;

(9) the Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail (PDF only) or other similar unsecured electronic methods, provided, however, that the Issuer and any Guarantor, as applicable, shall provide to the Trustee an incumbency certificate listing designated persons with the authority to provide such instructions, which incumbency certificate shall be amended whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Issuer or any Guarantor elects to give the Trustee e-mail instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its sole and absolute discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, damages, costs, fees or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or inconsistency with a subsequent written instruction except for the Trustee’s negligence or willful misconduct. The Issuer and any Guarantor, as applicable, agree to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including, without limitation, the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception by third parties;

(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) in no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive 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;

(12) in no event shall the Trustee be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder;

(13) the Trustee may request that the Issuer and any Guarantor deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded;

(14) the Trustee shall not be liable for actions taken, or errors of judgment made, in good faith, unless negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

 

37


(15) under no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable in its individual capacity for the obligations evidenced by the Securities.

Section 602. Notice of Defaults.

Within 90 days after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has received written notice of the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit by mail or electronically to all Holders of Securities of such series, notice of such default hereunder actually known to the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 501(3) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 90 days after the occurrence thereof. Except in the case of a default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Security, or in the payment of any sinking fund installment, the Trustee may withhold such notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interest of the Holders of the Securities. For the purpose of this Section 602, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series; 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. The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any default or Event of Default under this Indenture or related documents unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written notice of such default or Event of Default by the Issuer or by the Holders of at least twenty-five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding of the affected series, and such notice is received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such written notice references the Securities and this Indenture.

Section 603. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Issuer, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Issuer are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Issuer of the Securities or the proceeds thereof, for any money paid to the Issuer or upon the Issuer’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, or for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than

the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be bound to ascertain or inquire as to the performance, observance, or breach of any covenants, conditions, representations, warranties or agreements on the part of the Issuer or any Guarantor but the Trustee may require full information and advice as to the performance of the aforementioned covenants in accordance with the provisions hereof. Under no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable in its individual capacity for the obligations evidenced by the Securities or any Guarantees. The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to any statement in any prospectus, prospectus supplement or other offering document in connection with the sale of any Securities.

Section 604. May Hold Securities; Transactions with the Issuer or any Guarantor.

The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other Person that may be an agent of the Trustee or the Issuer, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act, may otherwise deal with the Issuer or any Guarantor with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other Person; provided, however, that if the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest under the Trust Indenture Act relating to any of its duties with respect to the Securities, it must either eliminate such conflict or resign as Trustee upon prior written notice to the Issuer and the Holders, subject to its right under the Trust Indenture Act to seek a stay of its duty to resign.

 

38


Section 605. Money Held in Trust.

Except as provided in Section 403 and Section 1003, money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law and shall be held uninvested. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Issuer.

Section 606. Compensation and Reimbursement.

The Issuer and, in the event that the Issuer fails to perform the following obligations and indemnities, any Guarantor, agrees:

(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation as agreed in writing for all services rendered by the Trustee (in any capacity) hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

(2) to reimburse the Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder) upon its request for all out of pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation, expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel, such as attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as shall be determined to have been caused by the Trustee’s own negligence or willful misconduct as adjudicated by a final non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction; and

(3) to indemnify the Trustee (acting in any capacity hereunder), its directors, officers, employees and its agents for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, claim, cause of action, damage, liability or reasonable cost or expense (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of the Trustee’s agents, legal counsel, accountants and experts, and court costs) arising out of or in connection with this Indenture or the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim (whether asserted by the Issuer, any Guarantor, a Holder or any other Person), or reasonable attorneys’ fees, expenses and court costs incurred in connection with any action, claim or suit brought to enforce the Trustee’s right to compensation, reimbursement or indemnification, or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of their powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent that any such loss, claim, cause of action, damage, liability, cost or expense shall be determined to have been caused by the Trustee’s own negligence or willful misconduct as adjudicated by a final non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction.

The foregoing payment obligations and indemnities shall survive the termination of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Issuer and any Guarantor under this Section 606, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any series upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to particular Securities.

Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, any compensation or expense incurred by the Trustee after a default specified by Section 501(5), (6) or (7) is intended to constitute an expense of administration under any then applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law. “Trustee” for purposes of this Section 606 shall include any predecessor Trustee, but the negligence or willful misconduct of any Trustee shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee under this Section 606. The provisions of this Section 606 shall, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, survive any termination or expiration of this Indenture (including, without limitation, termination pursuant to any bankruptcy or insolvency laws) and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

Section 607. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

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, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, eligible under Section 310(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act to act as trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and that has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of at least $100,000,000 subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 607, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article Six.

 

39


Section 608. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

(1) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee pursuant to Section 609.

(2) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving prior written notice thereof to the Issuer and the Holders. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 609 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such written notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Issuer, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to such series.

(3) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and the Issuer. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 609 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such written notice of removal, the Trustee being removed may petition, at the expense of the Issuer, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to such series.

(4) If at any time:

(a) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the obligations imposed upon it under Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to Securities of any series after written request therefor by the Issuer or any Holder of a Security of such series who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months; or

(b) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 607 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Issuer or any such Holder; or

(c) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, then, in any such case, (i) the Issuer, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities or the Securities of such series, or (ii) subject to Section 315(e) of the Trust Indenture Act, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of such bona fide Holder and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities of such series and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

(5) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Issuer, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 609. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Issuer and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 609, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuer. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Issuer or the Holders of Securities and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 609, any Holder of a Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

40


(6) The Issuer shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series in the manner provided in Section 106. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

Section 609. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

(1) Upon the appointment hereunder of any successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Issuer and the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties hereunder of the retiring Trustee; but, on the written request of the Issuer or such successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges, shall promptly execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and, subject to Section 1003, shall promptly duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its lien, if any, provided for in Section 606.

(2) Upon the appointment hereunder of any successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Issuer, any Guarantor, the retiring Trustee and such successor Trustee shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, such successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts separate and apart from trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee and that no Trustee shall be responsible for any notice given to, or received by, or any act or failure to act on the part of any other Trustee hereunder, and, upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein, such retiring Trustee shall have no further responsibility for the exercise of rights and powers or for the performance of the duties and obligations vested in the Trustee under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates other than as hereinafter expressly set forth, and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on written request of the Issuer or such successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor relates and subject to Section 1003 shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee, to the extent contemplated by such supplemental indenture, the property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, subject to its lien, if any, provided for in Section 606.

(3) Upon request of any Person appointed hereunder as a successor Trustee, the Issuer and any Guarantor shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) of this Section 609, as the case may be.

(4) No Person shall accept its appointment hereunder as a successor Trustee unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Person shall be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and eligible under this Article.

 

41


Section 610. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.

Any Corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any Corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder (provided that such Corporation shall otherwise be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and eligible under this Article Six), without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered by the Trustee then in office, any such successor to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities. In case any Securities shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any such successor Trustee may authenticate and deliver such Securities in either its own name or that of its predecessor Trustee.

Section 611. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

The Trustee may appoint one or more Authenticating Agents acceptable to the Issuer with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of that or those series issued upon original issue, exchange, registration of transfer, partial redemption, partial repayment, partial conversion or exchange for Common Equity or other securities or property, or pursuant to Section 306, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent.

Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Issuer and, except as provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, shall at all times be a Corporation that would be permitted by the Trust Indenture Act to act as trustee under an indenture qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, is authorized under applicable law and by its charter to act as an Authenticating Agent and has a combined capital and surplus (computed in accordance with Section 310(a)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act) of at least $100,000,000. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease tobe eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

Any Corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any Corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall be the successor of such Authenticating Agent hereunder, provided such Corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving 30 days’ written notice thereof to the Trustee and the Issuer. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and the Issuer. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Issuer and shall give notice of such appointment in the manner provided in Section 106 to all Holders of Registered Securities, if any, of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent shall serve, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent, upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder, shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section 611.

The Issuer agrees to pay each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section 611.

The provisions of Sections 308, 603 and 604 shall be applicable to each Authenticating Agent.

 

42


If an Authenticating Agent is appointed with respect to one or more series of Securities pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to or in lieu of the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in substantially the following form:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

[NAME OF AUTHENTICATING AGENT],

as Authenticating Agent

By:  Authorized Signatory

Dated:

If all of the Securities of any series may not be originally issued at one time, and if the Trustee does not have an office capable of authenticating Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of Payment where the Issuer wishes to have Securities of such series authenticated upon original issuance, the Trustee, if so requested in writing (which writing need not be accompanied by or contained in an Officer’s Certificate), shall appoint in accordance with this Section an Authenticating Agent having an office in a Place of Payment designated by the Issuer with respect to such series of Securities.

ARTICLE SEVEN.

HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE, TRUST AND GUARANTORS

Section 701. Issuer to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.

In accordance with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Issuer shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:

(1) semi-annually with respect to Securities of each series, a list, in each case in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of Holders as of the applicable date; and

(2) at such other times as the Trustee may reasonably request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Issuer of any such request, a list of the names and addresses of Holders as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished, provided, however, that so long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar no such list shall be required to be furnished pursuant to either clause (1) or clause (2) of this Section 701.

Section 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

(1) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. The Trustee shall comply with the obligations imposed upon it pursuant to Section 312 of the Trust Indenture Act.

(2) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Issuer, any Guarantor and the Trustee that none of the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee or any agent of any of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with the Trust Indenture Act, regardless of the source from which such information was derived.

Section 703. Reports by Trustee.

(1) Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with the first May 15 following the first issuance of Securities pursuant to Section 301, if required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall transmit, pursuant to Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, a brief report dated as of such May 15 with respect to any of the events specified in said Section 313(a) which may have occurred since the later of the immediately preceding May 15 and the date of this Indenture.

 

43


(2) The Trustee shall transmit the reports required by the Trust Indenture Act, including Sections 313(a), 313(b), 313(c) and 313(d), at the times, in the manner and to the Persons specified therein.

(3) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed, with the Commission and the Issuer. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange.

Section 704. Reports by the Issuer.

For so long as any Securities are outstanding, if the Issuer is subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision, the Issuer will deliver to the Trustee the annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents which it is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) or any successor provision, within 15 days after the date that the Issuer files the same with the Commission. If the Issuer is not subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision, and for so long as any Securities are outstanding, the Issuer will deliver to the Trustee the quarterly and annual financial statements and accompanying Item 303 of Regulation S-K disclosure (“management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations”) that would be required to be contained in annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, respectively, required to be filed with the Commission if the Issuer was subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision, within 15 days of the filing date that would be applicable to a non-accelerated filer at that time pursuant to applicable Commission rules and regulations.

Reports and other documents filed by the Issuer with the Commission and publicly available via the EDGAR system or on the Issuer’s website will be deemed to be delivered to the Trustee as of the time such filing is publicly available via EDGAR or on the Issuer’s website for purposes of this covenant; provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to determine whether or not such information, documents or reports have been filed or publicly available via EDGAR or on the Issuer’s website. 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 its compliance with any of its covenants relating to the Securities (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on an Officer’s Certificate).

ARTICLE EIGHT.

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALES AND SUBSTITUTION

Section 801. Issuer May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.

Nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Securities shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Issuer with or into any other Person or Persons (whether or not affiliated with the Issuer), or successive consolidations or mergers in which either the Issuer will be the continuing entity or the Issuer or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Issuer, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Issuer); provided, however, that the following conditions are met:

(1) the Issuer shall be the continuing entity, or the successor entity (if other than the Issuer) formed by or resulting from such consolidation or merger or which shall have received such sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease of property and assets shall be domiciled in the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume by supplemental indenture payment of the principal of and interest on all of the Securities and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions in this Indenture;

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

44


(3) either the Issuer or the successor Person, in either case, shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with this Article Eight and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Section 802. Guarantor May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.

Nothing contained in this Indenture or in the Securities shall prevent any consolidation or merger of any Guarantor with or into any other Person or Persons (whether or not affiliated with such Guarantor), or successive consolidations or mergers in which such Guarantor will be the continuing entity or such Guarantor or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the property and assets of such Guarantor, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with such Guarantor); provided, however, that the following conditions are met:

(1) such Guarantor shall be the continuing entity, or the successor entity (if other than such Guarantor) formed by or resulting from any consolidation or merger or which shall have received the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer or lease of property and assets shall be domiciled in the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume the obligations of such Guarantor under the applicable Guarantee and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions in this Indenture;

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(3) either such Guarantor or the successor Person, in either case, shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate of such Guarantor and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, sale, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article Eight and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Section 803. Successor Person Substituted for Issuer or Guarantor.

If the Issuer or any Guarantor shall, in any transaction or series of related transactions, consolidate with or merge into any Person or sell, assign, transfer, lease or otherwise convey all or substantially all its property and assets to any Person, in each case in accordance with Section 801 or Section 802, as applicable, the successor Person formed by or resulting from such consolidation or merger or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease or other conveyance of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable, is made, shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable, under this Indenture, with respect to the Outstanding Securities of the applicable series, with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Issuer or Guarantor, as applicable, herein; and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the applicable Securities.

ARTICLE NINE.

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.

Without the consent of any Holders of Securities, the Issuer (when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution), any Guarantor, if affected thereby, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto for any of the following purposes:

(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Issuer or any Guarantor, if applicable, or successive successions, and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Issuer or any Guarantor, if applicable, contained herein and in the Securities; or

 

45


(2) to add to the covenants of the Issuer or any Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture or indentures) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuer or any Guarantor with respect to all or any series of Securities issued under this Indenture (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture or indentures); or

(3) to change or eliminate any restrictions on the payment of principal of or any premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Securities or any Guarantee, provided any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series; or

(4) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 and 301, including, without limitation, any conversion or exchange provisions applicable to Securities which are convertible into or exchangeable for other securities or property, and any deletions from or additions or changes to this Indenture in connection therewith (provided that any such deletions, additions and changes shall not be applicable to any other series of Securities then Outstanding); or

(5) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 609; or

(6) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the Indenture; or

(7) to make any change necessary to comply with any requirement of the Commission in connection with the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; or

(8) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders with respect to all or any series of Securities (as shall be specified in such supplemental indenture) (and if such additional Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all of the Securities, stating that such additional Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); or

(9) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance, Covenant Defeasance and/or satisfaction and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Article Four, provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of any Holder of a Security of such series or any other Security in any material respect; or

(10) to add one or more Guarantees for the benefit of Holders of all or any series of Securities, to secure the Securities or to confirm and evidence the release, termination or discharge of any Guarantee or lien securing the Securities which such release, termination or discharge is permitted by this Indenture; or

(11) to amend or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture or in any Securities (which amendment or supplement may apply to one or more series of Securities or to one or more Securities within any series as specified in such supplemental indenture or indentures), provided that such amendment or supplement (A) does not (i) apply to any Outstanding Security issued prior to the date of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefits of such provision or (ii) modify the rights of the Holder of any such Security with respect to such provision or (B) shall become effective only when there is no Security described in clause (A)(i) Outstanding; or

(12) in the case of any series of Securities which are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Equity or other securities or property, to safeguard or provide for the conversion or exchange rights, as the case may be, of such Securities in the event of any reclassification or change of outstanding shares of Common Equity or any merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or combination of the Issuer with or into another Person or any sale, lease, assignment, transfer, disposition or other conveyance of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer to any other Person or other similar transactions, if expressly required by the terms of such series of Securities established pursuant to Section 301; or

 

46


(13) to conform the terms of the Indenture or the Securities of a series, as applicable, to the description thereof contained in any prospectus, prospectus supplement or other offering document relating to the offer and sale of such Securities; or

(14) subject to any limitations established pursuant to Section 301, to provide for the issuance of additional Securities of any series; or

(15) to comply with the rules of any applicable Depository; or

(16) 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 this Indenture of any Holder in any material respect;

(17) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form; or

(18) to add a co-issuer or co-obligor of the Securities; or

(19) to comply with the rules or regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the Securities may be listed or traded.

Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

With the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture (voting as separate classes) by Act of said Holders delivered to the Issuer and the Trustee, the Issuer (when authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution), any Guarantor, if affected thereby, and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of the Securities of such series or of any Guarantee or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, that no such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby, shall:

(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or premium, if any, or any installment of interest, if any, on, or any Additional Amounts, if any, with respect to, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the premium, if any, thereon or the rate (or modify the calculation of such rate) of interest thereon, or reduce the amount payable upon redemption thereof at the option of the Issuer or repayment or repurchase thereof at the option of the Holder, or reduce any Additional Amounts payable with respect to any Security or any Guarantee, or change the obligation of the Issuer to pay Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1004 (except as contemplated by Section 801(1) and permitted by Section 901(1)) or the obligation of any Guarantor to pay Additional Amounts under any Guarantee, or reduce the amount of the principal of any Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 504, or adversely affect the right of repayment or repurchase at the option of any Holder as contemplated by Article Thirteen, or change the Place of Payment where or the Currency in which the principal of, any premium or interest on, or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security or any Guarantee is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date or, in the case of repayment or repurchase pursuant to Article Thirteen at the option of the Holder, on or after the date for repayment or repurchase) in each case as such Stated Maturity, Redemption Date or date for repayment or repurchase may, if applicable, be extended in accordance with the terms of such Security, or in the case of any Security which is convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Equity or other securities or property, impair the right to institute suit to enforce the right to convert or exchange such Security in accordance with its terms, or release a Guarantor from any of its obligations under a Guarantee except as permitted under this Indenture; or

 

47


(2) reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in Section 513 or 1006 of this Indenture, or reduce the requirements of Section 1504 for quorum or voting, or

(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section 902, Section 513 or Section 1006 except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby;

(4) make any change that adversely affects the right, if any, to convert or exchange any Security for shares of Common Equity or other securities or property in accordance with its terms; or

(5) change the ranking of any Security.

Other than as set forth above, a supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which shall have been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

Anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, if more than one series of Securities is Outstanding, the Issuer and any Guarantor shall be entitled to enter into a supplemental indenture under this Section 902 with respect to any one or more series of Outstanding Securities without entering into a supplemental indenture with respect to any other series of Outstanding Securities.

It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders of Securities under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

Section 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

As a condition to executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article Nine or the modifications thereby of the trust created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall receive, and (subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel of each of the Issuer and any Guarantor to the effect that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by, and is a legal, valid and binding obligation of, each of the Issuer and any Guarantor, respectively, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Upon an Issuer Request, accompanied by the Officer’s Certificates and Opinions of Counsel provided for in Section 102 and this Section 903, and, if applicable, upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Holders as aforesaid or as required in this Indenture, the Trustee shall join with the other parties thereto in the execution of a supplemental indenture, subject to the protection afforded to the Trustee by the last sentence of the first paragraph of this Section 903.

Section 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of a Security theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.

 

48


Section 905. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article Nine may bear a notation as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Issuer shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Issuer, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Issuer and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, upon Issuer Order, in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue new Securities shall not affect the validity of such supplemental indenture.

Section 906. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

Unless the Issuer shall determine, based on an Opinion of Counsel delivered to the Trustee, that the same shall not be required, every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

ARTICLE TEN.

COVENANTS

Section 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium, Interest and Additional Amounts.

The Issuer covenants and agrees that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid when due the principal of (including the Redemption Price upon redemption pursuant to Article Eleven hereof), and premium, if any, and interest on each of the Securities at the places, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein and in the Securities; provided, that the Issuer or Paying Agent may withhold from payments of interest and upon redemption pursuant to Article Three hereof, Maturity or otherwise, any amounts the Issuer or Paying Agent is required to withhold by law.

Section 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Issuer will maintain an office or agency, where the Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment or redemption and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served. As of the date of this Indenture, such office shall be the Corporate Trust Office and, at any other time, at such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Issuer. The Issuer will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency not designated or appointed by the Trustee. If at any time the Issuer shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office.

The Issuer may also from time to time designate co-registrars and one or more offices or agencies where the Securities may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Issuer will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

The Issuer hereby initially designates the Trustee as Paying Agent, Security Registrar and Transfer Agent, and the Corporate Trust Office shall be considered as one such office or agency of the Issuer for each of the aforesaid purposes.

So long as the Trustee is the Security Registrar, the Trustee agrees to send, or cause to be sent, the notices set forth in Section 608(6) hereof. If co-registrars have been appointed in accordance with this Section 1002, the Trustee shall send such notices only to the Issuer and the Holders of Securities it can identify from its records.

 

49


Section 1003. Provisions as to Paying Agent.

(1) If the Issuer shall appoint a Paying Agent other than the Trustee, or if the Trustee shall appoint such a Paying Agent, the Issuer will cause such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 1003: (a) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Securities (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Issuer or by any other obligor on the Securities) in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities; (b) that it will give the Trustee written notice of any failure by the Issuer (or by any other obligor on the Securities) to make any payment of the principal of and premium, if any, or interest on the Securities when the same shall be due and payable; and (c) that at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, upon request of the Trustee, it will forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust.

The Issuer shall, on or before each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities, deposit with the Paying Agent a sum (in funds which are immediately available on the due date for such payment) sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action; provided, that if such deposit is made on the due date, such deposit shall be received by the Paying Agent by 11:00 a.m. New York City time, on such date.

(2) If the Issuer shall act as its own Paying Agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, and interest so becoming due and will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Issuer (or any other obligor under the Securities) to make any payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities when the same shall become due and payable.

(3) Anything in this Section 1003 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Issuer may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Issuer or any Paying Agent hereunder as required by this Section 1003, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained and upon such payment by the Issuer or any Paying Agent to the Trustee, the Issuer or such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.

The Trustee shall not be responsible for the actions of any other Paying Agents (including the Issuer if acting as its own Paying Agent) and shall have no control of any funds held by such other Paying Agents.

Subject to applicable escheatment laws, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuer, in trust for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuer on Issuer Request, or (if then held by the Issuer) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Issuer for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuer as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

Section 1004. Additional Amounts.

In the event that the Issuer is required to make the payment of Additional Amounts to Holders of Securities pursuant to this Indenture, the Issuer will provide written notice (“Additional Amounts Notice”) to the Trustee of its obligation to pay Additional Amounts no later than fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the proposed payment date for Additional Amounts, and the Additional Amount Notice shall set forth the amount of Additional Amounts to be paid by the Issuer on such payment date. The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder of Securities to determine the Additional Amounts, or with respect to the nature, extent or calculation of the amount of Additional Amounts when made, or with respect to the method employed in such calculation of the Additional Amounts.

Section 1005. Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article Eight, each of the Issuer and any Guarantor will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its (i) existence, and (ii) rights (by charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, that neither the Issuer nor any Guarantor shall be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee of that Board of Directors), as applicable, shall determine that the preservation of the right or franchise is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuer or any Guarantor, as applicable.

 

50


Section 1006. Waiver of Certain Covenants.

The Issuer and any Guarantor may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Sections 1005(ii) and 704 with respect to the Securities of any series and, if expressly provided pursuant to Section 301(16), any additional covenants applicable to the Securities of such series if, before the time for such compliance, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by Act of such Holders, either shall waive such compliance in such instance or generally shall have waived compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Issuer and any Guarantor, as applicable and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 1007. Issuer and Guarantor Statement as to Compliance.

Within one hundred twenty (120) calendar days after the end of each fiscal year of the Issuer, the Issuer and, if applicable, any Guarantor, shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate (that need not comply with Section 102) signed by any of the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Issuer and such Guarantor, stating whether or not the signer has knowledge of any default or Event of Default under this Indenture, and, if so, specifying each default or Event of Default and the nature and the status thereof, and further stating what action the Issuer has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

The Issuer will deliver to the Trustee, within thirty (30) calendar days of becoming aware of (i) any default in the performance or observance of any covenant, agreement or condition contained in this Indenture, or (ii) any Event of Default, an Officer’s Certificate specifying with particularity such default or Event of Default and further stating what action the Issuer has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Any notice required to be given under this Section 1007 shall be delivered to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office.

Section 1008. Calculation of Original Issue Discount.

So long as there is any Outstanding Original Issue Discount Security, the Issuer shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of each calendar year (i) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on Outstanding Securities as of the end of such year and (ii) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

Section 1009. Maintenance of Properties.

The Issuer will cause all of its material Properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order, normal wear and tear, casualty and condemnation excepted, and supplied with all necessary equipment, all as in the judgment of the Issuer may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection with these Properties may be properly conducted in all material respects at all times; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 1009 shall prevent the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries from (1) removing permanently any Property that has been condemned or suffered a casualty loss, if it is in the best interests of the Issuer, (2) discontinuing maintenance or operation of any Property if, in the judgment of the Issuer, doing so is in the best interests of the Issuer and is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the holders of the Securities, or (3) selling or otherwise disposing of any Properties for value in the ordinary course of business.

 

51


Section 1010. Insurance.

The Issuer will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep in force insurance policies on each of its insurable Properties, issued by responsible companies in such amounts and covering all such risks as is reasonable as determined by the Issuer in accordance with prevailing market conditions and availability.

Section 1011. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.

The Issuer will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (1) all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon it or any Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Issuer or any Subsidiary, and (2) all material lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies, which, if unpaid, might by law become a material lien upon the property of the Issuer or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Issuer shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith.

Section 1012. Limitations on Incurrence of Debt.

(1) Aggregate Debt Test. The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur any Debt if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Debt and any other Debt incurred or repaid since the end of the most recent Reporting Date prior to the incurrence of such Debt and the application of the proceeds from such Debt and such other Debt on a pro forma basis, the aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s Debt would exceed 65% of the sum of the following (without duplication): (1) the Issuer’s Total Assets as of such Reporting Date; (2) the aggregate purchase price of any assets acquired, and the aggregate amount of proceeds received from any incurrence of other Debt and any securities offering proceeds received (to the extent such proceeds were not used to acquire assets or used to reduce Debt), by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries since the end of the most recent Reporting Date prior to the incurrence of such Debt; and (3) the proceeds or assets obtained from the incurrence of such Debt and other securities issued as part of the same transaction on a pro forma basis (including assets to be acquired in exchange for debt assumption and security issuance as in the case of a merger).

(2) Secured Debt Test. The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur any Secured Debt if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Secured Debt and any other Secured Debt incurred or repaid since the end of the most recent Reporting Date prior to the incurrence of such Secured Debt and the application of the proceeds from such Secured Debt and such other Secured Debt on a pro forma basis, the aggregate principal amount of the Issuer’s Secured Debt would exceed forty percent (40%) of the sum of the following (without duplication): (1) the Issuer’s Total Assets as of such Reporting Date; (2) the aggregate purchase price of any assets acquired, and the aggregate amount of proceeds received from any incurrence of other Debt and any securities offering proceeds received (to the extent such proceeds were not used to acquire assets or used to reduce Debt), by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries since the end of the most recent Reporting Date prior to the incurrence of such Debt; and (3) the proceeds or assets obtained from the incurrence of such Secured Debt and other securities issued as part of the same transaction on a pro forma basis (including assets to be acquired in exchange for debt assumption and security issuance as in the case of a merger).

(3) Debt Service Test. The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur any Debt if, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Debt and the application of the proceeds from such Debt on a pro forma basis, the ratio of EBITDA to Interest Expense for the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ended on the most recent Reporting Date prior to the incurrence of such Debt would be less than 1.50 to 1.00, and calculated on the following assumptions (without duplication): (1) such Debt and any other Debt incurred since such Reporting Date and outstanding on the date of determination had been incurred, and the application of the proceeds from such Debt (including to repay or retire other Debt) had occurred, on the first day of such four-quarter period; (2) the repayment or retirement of any other Debt since such Reporting Date had occurred on the first day of such four-quarter period; and (3) in the case of any acquisition or disposition by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries of any asset or group of assets since such Reporting Date, whether by merger, stock purchase or sale or asset purchase or sale or otherwise, such acquisition or disposition had occurred as of the first day of such four-quarter period with the appropriate adjustments with respect to such acquisition or disposition being included in such pro forma calculation. If any Debt incurred during the period from such Reporting Date to the date of determination bears interest at a floating rate, then, for purposes of calculating the Interest Expense, the interest rate on such Debt will be computed on a pro forma basis as if the average daily rate during such interim period had been the applicable rate for entire relevant four-quarter period. For purposes of the foregoing, Debt will be deemed to be incurred by a Person whenever such Person creates, assumes, guarantees or otherwise becomes liable in respect thereof.

 

52


(4) Maintenance of Total Unencumbered Assets. As of each Reporting Date, the Issuer’s Unencumbered Assets will not be less than 125% of the Issuer’s Unsecured Debt.

ARTICLE ELEVEN.

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

Section 1101. Applicability of Article.

Redemption of Securities of any series at the option of the Issuer as permitted or required by the terms of such Securities shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise provided herein or pursuant hereto) this Article.

Section 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

The election of the Issuer to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by or pursuant to a Board Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Issuer of all of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the Issuer shall, not less than 10 and not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Issuer (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, in the event that the Issuer shall determine that the Securities of any series to be redeemed shall be selected from Securities of such series having the same issue date, interest rate or interest rate formula, Stated Maturity and other terms (the “Equivalent Terms”), the Issuer shall notify the Trustee of such Equivalent Terms.

If less than all of the Securities of any series are to be redeemed or if less than all of the Securities of any series with Equivalent Terms are to be redeemed, the Issuer shall, at least five (5) Business Days prior to giving notice of redemption to the Holders (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee and agreed upon in writing by the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date, the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, if applicable, the Equivalent Terms.

In the case of any redemption of Securities (A) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture or (B) pursuant to an election of the Issuer which is subject to a condition specified in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.

Section 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to be Redeemed.

If less than all of the Securities of any series are to be redeemed or if less than all of the Securities of any series with Equivalent Terms are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depository, and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions of the principal amount of Registered Securities of such series; provided, however, that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Security of such series not redeemed to less than the minimum denomination for a Security of such series established herein or pursuant hereto; provided that if the Securities of such series are represented by one or more global Securities, interests in such global Securities shall be selected for redemption by the Depository in accordance with its standard procedures therefor.

For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.

 

53


Unless otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities of any series, if any Security selected for partial redemption is converted or exchanged for Common Equity or other securities or property in part before termination of the conversion or exchange right with respect to the portion of the Security so selected, the converted or exchanged portion of such Security shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption. Securities which have been converted or exchanged during a selection of Securities to be redeemed shall be treated by the Trustee as Outstanding for the purpose of such selection.

Section 1104. Notice of Redemption.

Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, unless a shorter period is specified in the Securities to be redeemed, to the Holders of Securities to be redeemed. Failure to give notice in the manner herein provided to the Holder of any Registered Securities designated for redemption as a whole or in part, or any defect in the notice to any such Holder, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities or portions thereof.

Any notice that is sent to the Holder of any Registered Securities in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not such Holder receives the notice.

All notices of redemption shall state:

(1) the Redemption Date;

(2) the Redemption Price, or if not then ascertainable, the manner of calculation thereof;

(3) if less than all Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amount) of the particular Security or Securities to be redeemed;

(4) that, in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the Holder of such Security will receive, without charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed;

(5) that, on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price shall become due and payable upon each such Security or portion thereof to be redeemed, together (if applicable) with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon (subject, if applicable, to the proviso to the first paragraph of Section 1106), and, if applicable, that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date;

(6) the place or places where such Securities, maturing after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and any accrued interest and Additional Amounts pertaining thereto;

(7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case;

(8) in the case of Securities of any series that are convertible or exchangeable into shares of Common Equity or other securities or property, the then current conversion or exchange price or rate, the date or dates on which the right to convert or exchange the principal of the Securities of such series to be redeemed will commence or terminate, as applicable, and the place or places where and the Persons to whom such Securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange;

(9) the CUSIP number, Common Code or ISIN number of such Securities, if any (or any other numbers used by a Depository to identify such Securities); and

(10) if the Redemption Price or any portion thereof shall be payable, at the option of the Issuer or any Holders, in shares of Common Equity, cash or in other securities or property (or a combination thereof), a statement as to whether the Issuer has elected to pay the Redemption Price in shares of Common Equity, cash or in other securities or property (or a combination thereof) and, if applicable, the portion of the Redemption Price that is to be paid in shares of Common Equity, cash or in other securities or property.

 

54


Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Issuer shall be given by the Issuer or, at the Issuer’s request with five (5) Business Days prior written notice (or such shorter notice as shall be acceptable to the Trustee), by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer, which request shall set forth the information to be contained in such notice of redemption.

Section 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price.

At or prior to 11:00 am (local time in New York City) on any Redemption Date, the Issuer shall deposit, with respect to the Securities of any series called for redemption pursuant to Section 1104, with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Issuer or any Guarantor is acting as Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in the applicable Currency sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for or in the Securities of such series) any accrued interest on and Additional Amounts with respect to, all such Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date.

Section 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, together with (unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of such series pursuant to Section 301) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon and from and after such date (unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Issuer at the Redemption Price, together with, unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to this Indenture, any accrued and unpaid interest thereon and Additional Amounts with respect thereto to but excluding the Redemption Date; provided, however, except as otherwise specified in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Registered Securities of such series, installments of interest on Registered Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the Regular Record Dates therefor according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid, or funds set aside for payment, on the Redemption Date, the principal and any premium, until paid, shall bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security or, if no rate is prescribed therefor in the Security, at the rate of interest, if any, borne by such Security.

Section 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part.

Any Registered Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at any Office or Agency for such Security (with, if the Issuer or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing) and the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, upon Issuer Order, to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Registered Security or Securities of the same series, containing identical terms and provisions, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered. If a temporary or permanent Security in global form is redeemed in part but not so surrendered, the outstanding principal amount thereof shall be decreased in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary. If a temporary or permanent Security in global form is so surrendered, such new Security so issued shall be a new temporary global Security or permanent global Security, respectively. However, if less than all of the Securities of any single series with different issue dates, interest rates and stated maturities are to be redeemed, the Issuer in its sole discretion shall select the particular Securities to be redeemed and shall notify the Trustee in writing thereof at least 10 days prior to the relevant redemption date.

 

55


ARTICLE TWELVE.

SINKING FUNDS

Section 1201. Applicability of Article.

The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series, except as otherwise permitted or required in or pursuant to this Indenture or any Security of such series issued pursuant to this Indenture.

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of such series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 1202. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series and this Indenture.

Section 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

The Issuer may, in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of any series to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities (1) deliver Outstanding Securities of such series (other than any of such Securities previously called for redemption or any of such Securities in respect of which cash shall have been released to the Issuer), and (2) apply as a credit Securities of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Issuer pursuant to the terms of such series of Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly. If as a result of the delivery or credit of Securities of any series in lieu of cash payments pursuant to this Section 1202, the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed in order to exhaust the aforesaid cash payment shall be less than $100,000, the Trustee need not call Securities of such series for redemption, except upon Issuer Request, and such cash payment shall be held by the Trustee or a Paying Agent and applied to the next succeeding sinking fund payment, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall at the written request of the Issuer from time to time pay over and deliver to the Issuer any cash payment so being held by the Trustee or such Paying Agent upon delivery by the Issuer to the Trustee of Securities of that series purchased by the Issuer having an unpaid principal amount equal to the cash payment requested to be released to the Issuer.

Section 1203. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

Not less than 75 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting of Securities of that series pursuant to Section 1202, the basis for such credit and the optional amount, if any, to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so credited and not theretofore delivered. If such Officer’s Certificate shall specify an optional amount to be added in cash to the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund payment, the Issuer shall thereupon be obligated to pay the amount therein specified. Not less than 60 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Issuer in the manner provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 1106 and 1107.

 

56


ARTICLE THIRTEEN.

REPAYMENT AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS

Section 1301. Applicability of Article.

Securities of any series which are repayable at the option of the Holders thereof before their Stated Maturity shall be repaid in accordance with the terms of the Securities of such series. The repayment of any principal amount of Securities pursuant to such option of the Holder to require repayment of Securities before their Stated Maturity, for purposes of Section 309, shall not operate as a payment, redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the Issuer, at its option, shall deliver or surrender the same to the Trustee with a direction that such Securities be cancelled. If specified with respect to the Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 301, in connection with any repayment of Securities, the Issuer may arrange for the purchase of any Securities by an agreement with one or more investment bankers or other purchasers to purchase such Securities by paying to the Holders of such Securities on or before the applicable repayment date an amount not less than the repayment price payable by the Issuer on repayment of such Securities, and the obligation of the Issuer to pay the repayment price of such Securities shall be satisfied and discharged to the extent such payment is so paid by such purchasers.

Unless otherwise expressly stated in this Indenture or pursuant to Section 301 with respect to the Securities of any series or unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this Indenture to the repayment of Securities at the option of the Holders thereof (and all references of like import) shall be deemed to include a reference to the repurchase of Securities at the option of the Holders thereof.

ARTICLE FOURTEEN.

SECURITIES IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES

Section 1401. Applicability of Article.

Whenever this Indenture provides for (i) any action by, or the determination of any of the rights of, Holders of Securities of any series in which not all of such Securities are denominated in the same Currency or (ii) any distribution to Holders of Securities of any series in which not all of such Securities are denominated in the same Currency, in the absence of any provision to the contrary in or pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities of such series and in accordance with the Depository’s procedures, any amount in respect of any Security denominated in a Currency other than Dollars shall be treated for any such action, determination or distribution as that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount on such reasonable basis of exchange and as of the record date with respect to Registered Securities of such series (if any) for such action, determination or distribution (or, if there shall be no applicable record date, such other date reasonably proximate to the date of such distribution) as the Issuer may specify in a written notice to the Trustee or, in the absence of such written notice, as the Trustee may determine.

Section 1402. Monies of Different Currencies to be Segregated.

The Trustee shall segregate monies, funds and accounts held by the Trustee hereunder in one currency from any monies, funds or accounts in any other currencies, notwithstanding any provision herein which would otherwise permit the Trustee to commingle such accounts.

ARTICLE FIFTEEN.

MEETINGS OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

Section 1501. Purposes for Which Meetings May Be Called.

A meeting of Holders of Securities of any series may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this Article to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series.

Section 1502. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.

(1) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series for any purpose specified in Section 1501, to be held at such time and at such place as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 20 nor more than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

 

57


(2) In case at any time the Issuer (by or pursuant to a Board Resolution), or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have requested the Trustee to call a meeting of the Holders of Securities of such series for any purpose specified in Section 1501, by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have made the first publication of the notice of such meeting within 20 days after receipt of such request or shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Issuer or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the place for such meeting and may call such meeting for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in subsection (1) of this Section.

Section 1503. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.

To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series, a Person shall be (1) a Holder of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series, or (2) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for a Holder or Holders of one or more Outstanding Securities of such series by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its counsel and any representatives of the Issuer and its counsel.

Section 1504. Quorum; Action.

The Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series shall constitute a quorum for a meeting or duly reconvened meeting of Holders of Securities of such series; provided, however, that if any action is to be taken at such meeting with respect to a consent or waiver which this Indenture expressly provides may be given by the Holders of not less than a specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series, the Persons entitled to vote such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes after the time appointed for any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Securities of such series, be dissolved. In any other case the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting. In the absence of a quorum at the reconvening of any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be further adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days; at the reconvening of any meeting adjourned or further adjourned for lack of a quorum, the persons entitled to vote 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Securities shall constitute a quorum for the taking of any action set forth in the notice of the original meeting. Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section 1502(1), except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened.

Except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution presented to a meeting or adjourned meeting duly reconvened at which a quorum is present as aforesaid may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the persons entitled to vote a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities represented at such meeting; provided, however, that, except as limited by the proviso to Section 902, any resolution with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage, which is less than a majority, in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of a series may be adopted at a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as aforesaid by the affirmative vote of the Holders of such specified percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series.

Any resolution passed or decision taken at any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly held in accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Securities of such series and the related coupons, whether or not present or represented at the meeting.

 

58


Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 1504, if any action is to be taken at a meeting of Holders of Securities of any series with respect to any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action that this Indenture expressly provides may be made, given or taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities affected thereby, or of the Holders of such series and one or more additional series:

(i) there shall be no minimum quorum requirement for such meeting; and

(ii) the principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series that vote in favor of such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be taken into account in determining whether such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action has been made, given or taken under this Indenture.

Section 1505. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.

(1) Notwithstanding any provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Securities of a series in regard to proof of the holding of Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem appropriate. Except as otherwise permitted or required by any such regulations, the holding of Securities shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104 and the appointment of any proxy shall be proved in the manner specified in Section 104 or by having the signature of the Person executing the proxy witnessed or guaranteed by any trust company, bank or banker authorized by Section 104 to certify to the holding of Bearer Securities. Such regulations may provide that written instruments appointing proxies, regular on their face, may be presumed valid and genuine without the proof specified in Section 104 or other proof.

(2) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing appoint a temporary chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Issuer or by Holders of Securities as provided in Section 1502(2), in which case the Issuer or the Holders of Securities of the series calling the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting.

(3) At any meeting each Holder of a Security of such series or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000 principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by him; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not Outstanding. The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Security of such series or proxy.

(4) Any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series duly called pursuant to Section 1502 at which a quorum is present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series represented at the meeting, and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further notice.

Section 1506. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.

The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Securities of any series shall be by written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Securities of such series or of their representatives by proxy and the principal amounts and serial numbers of the Outstanding Securities of such series held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting. A record, at least in duplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders of Securities of any Series shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the fact, setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 1502 and, if applicable, Section 1504. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Issuer and another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein stated.

 

59


ARTICLE SIXTEEN.

GUARANTEE OF SECURITIES

Section 1601. Guarantee.

(1) Each Person who may become a “Guarantor” with respect to any series of Securities to which this Article Sixteen is made applicable, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees (the “Guarantee”) to each Holder of a Security of such series authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Securities of such series, the obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture or the Securities of such series or irrespective of restrictions of any kind on the Issuer’s performance of its obligations under the Securities, and waiving all rights of objection and defense arising from the Securities, that: (i) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of such series will be paid in full when due, whether at the Stated Maturity or Interest Payment Date, by acceleration, call for redemption, or otherwise; (ii) all other obligations of the Issuer to the Holders of such series or the Trustee under this Indenture or the Securities of such series will be promptly paid in full, all in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities of such series; and (iii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Securities of such series or any of such other obligations thereunder, they will be paid in full when due in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at the Stated Maturity or Interest Payment Date, by acceleration, call for redemption, or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed for whatever reason, each Guarantor shall be obligated to pay the same before failure so to pay becomes an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series. If the Issuer defaults in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of a series so guaranteed when and as the same shall become due, whether at the Stated Maturity or Interest Payment Date, by acceleration, call for redemption, or otherwise, without the necessity of action by the Trustee or any Holder, each Guarantor with respect to such series shall be required to promptly make such payment in full. The obligations of all Guarantors under this Article Sixteen shall be joint and several.

(2) Each Guarantor agrees with respect to Securities of any series that its obligations with regard to this Guarantee shall be as principal and not merely as surety and shall be full, irrevocable and unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Securities of such series or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any delays in obtaining or realizing upon or failures to obtain or realize upon collateral, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuer, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstances that might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a surety or a guarantor. Each Guarantor with respect to Securities of any series hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer or right to require the prior disposition of the assets of the Issuer to meet its obligations, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of all obligations contained in the Securities of such series and this Indenture as it relates to such series of Securities. Each Guarantee is a guaranty of payment and not of collection. The obligations of any Guarantor under this Guarantee will constitute direct, unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of such Guarantor and any Guarantor undertakes that its obligations hereunder will rank pari passu with all other present or future direct, unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Guarantor, save for such obligations as may be mandatorily preferred by law.

(3) Any such Guarantee will be a guarantee of payment and not merely of collection and it shall continue in full force and effect by way of continuing security until all principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, (including any Additional Amounts required to be paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the series of Securities so guaranteed) have been paid in full and all other actual or contingent obligations of the Issuer in relation to the series of Securities so guaranteed or under the Indenture have been satisfied in full. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any payment received by any Holder is, on the subsequent bankruptcy or insolvency of the Issuer, avoided under any applicable laws, including, among others, laws relating to bankruptcy or insolvency, such payment will not be considered as having discharged or diminished the liability of any Guarantor and any such Guarantee will continue to apply as if such payment had at all times remained owing by the Issuer.

 

60


(4) If any Holder of Securities of a series or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to any of the Issuer or a Guarantor with respect to Securities of that series, or any custodian, trustee, or similar official acting in relation to any of the Issuer or a Guarantor, any amount paid by any of the Issuer or a Guarantor to the Trustee or such Holder with respect to Securities of that series, the Guarantee with respect to Securities of that series, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect. Each Guarantor agrees that it will not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders of Securities of a series in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations of Securities of such series. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Section 502 for the purposes of a Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration as to the Issuer of the obligations so guaranteed, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of those obligations as provided in Section 502, those obligations (whether or not due and payable) will forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors with respect to Securities of a series for purposes of the Guarantee.

(5) Each Guarantor and by its acceptance of a Security issued hereunder each Holder hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee by each Guarantor set forth in Section 1601(1) not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purpose of any Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar Federal or state law. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Holders and all Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each of the Guarantors under the Guarantee set forth in Section 1601(1) shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor, and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Guarantee or pursuant to the next succeeding sentence, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under such Guarantee not constituting such a fraudulent transfer or conveyance. Each Guarantor that makes any payment or distribution under Section 1601(1) shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Guarantor equal to its Pro Rata Portion of such payment or distribution. For purposes of the foregoing, the “Pro Rata Portion” of any Guarantor means the percentage of net assets of all Guarantors held by such Guarantor, determined in accordance with GAAP.

(6) It is the intention of the parties that the obligations of the Guarantors shall be in, but not in excess of, the maximum amount permitted by applicable law. Accordingly, if the obligations in respect of the Guarantee would be annulled, avoided or subordinated to the creditors of any Guarantor by a court of competent jurisdiction in a proceeding actually pending before such court as a result of a determination both that such Guarantee was made without fair consideration and, immediately after giving effect thereto, such Guarantor was insolvent or unable to pay its debts as they mature or left with an unreasonably small capital, then the obligations of such Guarantor under such Guarantee shall be reduced by such court if and to the extent such reduction would result in the avoidance of such annulment, avoidance or subordination; provided, however, that any reduction pursuant to this paragraph shall be made in the smallest amount as is strictly necessary to reach such result. For purposes of this paragraph, “fair consideration,” “insolvency,” “unable to pay its debts as they mature,” “unreasonably small capital” and the effective times of reductions, if any, required by this paragraph shall be determined in accordance with applicable law.

(7) If the obligations of any Guarantor are reduced pursuant to Section 1601(5) or 1601(6) above, such reduction shall be applied proportionately with respect to all Securities (of whatever series) guaranteed under Section 1601, in accordance with the respective outstanding principal amount of such Securities so guaranteed (or, if any Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, the accreted value of such Securities) and being then due upon the acceleration of the payment of such Securities.

Section 1602. Future Guarantors.

Each Person providing a guarantee of any Security of a series pursuant to this Indenture shall execute and deliver a supplemental indenture making such Person a party to this Indenture for the purpose of becoming a Guarantor.

 

61


Section 1603. Delivery of Guarantee.

The delivery of any Security of a series by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in Section 1601 on behalf of each Guarantor for that series.

[Signature pages follow]

 

62


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.

 

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.,
as Issuer
By:   /s/ Joanne M. Lockridge
Name:   Joanne M. Lockridge
Title:   Executive Vice President

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.

 

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee, Registrar, Paying Agent and Transfer Agent
By:   /s/ Monique L. Green
Name:   Monique L. Green
Title:   Vice President


Exhibit A — Form of Note

UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (THE “DEPOSITARY”) (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) TO THE ISSUER HEREOF OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN CERTIFICATED 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.

 

CERTIFICATE No.    CUSIP No.:    PRINCIPAL AMOUNT:$
   ISIN No.:   
AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
% Senior Notes due
ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE:   

INTEREST RATE: %

 

DEFAULT RATE:

   STATED MATURITY DATE:

INTEREST PAYMENT DATE(S)*:

 

 

☐ Other

  

☐ CHECK IF DISCOUNT NOTE

Issue Price: %

   FIRST INTEREST PAYMENT DATE:
 
*

See additional provisions herein

 

INITIAL REDEMPTION DATE:    INITIAL REDEMPTION PERCENTAGE:    ANNUAL REDEMPTION PERCENTAGE REDUCTION:
OPTIONAL REPAYMENT DATE(S): N/A      

SPECIFIED CURRENCY:

 

☐ United States dollars

 

☐ Other:

  

AUTHORIZED DENOMINATION:

 

☐ $2,000 and integral multiples of

$1,000 in excess thereof

 

☐ Other:

   EXCHANGE RATE AGENT:

ADDENDUM ATTACHED

☐ Yes ☐ N

   OTHER/ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS: See Annex A attached to this Note   


AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC., a Maryland corporation (the “Issuer”, which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or registered assigns, the Principal Amount of [ ] MILLION DOLLARS ($ ), on the Stated Maturity Date specified above (or any Redemption Date or Repayment Date, each as defined on the reverse hereof or in an addendum hereto, or any earlier date of acceleration of maturity) (each such date being hereinafter referred to as the “Maturity Date” with respect to the principal repayable on such date) and to pay interest thereon (and on any overdue principal, premium and/or interest to the extent legally enforceable) at the Interest Rate per annum specified above, until the principal hereof is paid or duly made available for payment. The Issuer will pay interest in arrears on each Interest Payment Date, if any, specified above (each, an “Interest Payment Date”), commencing on [ ]. Interest on this Note will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

Interest on this Note will accrue from, and including, the immediately preceding Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for (or from, and including, the Original Issue Date if no interest has been paid or duly provided for) to, but excluding, the applicable Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date, as the case may be (each, an “Interest Period”). The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, subject to certain exceptions described herein, be paid to the person in whose name this Note (or one or more predecessor Notes, as defined on the reverse hereof) is registered at the close of business on the fifteenth calendar day (whether or not a Business Day, as defined below) immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date (the “Record Date”); provided, however, that interest payable on the Maturity Date will be payable to the person to whom the principal hereof and premium, if any, hereon shall be payable. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date other than the Maturity Date (“Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the person in whose name this Note is registered (the “Holder”) on the close of business on any Record Date and, instead, shall be paid to the Holder at the close of business on a special record date (the “Special Record Date”) for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee hereinafter referred to, notice whereof shall be given to the Holder of this Note by the Trustee not less than 10 calendar days prior to such Special Record Date or may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner, all as more fully provided for in the Indenture.

Payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of this Note due on the Maturity Date will be made in immediately available funds upon presentation and surrender of this Note (and, with respect to any applicable repayment of this Note, upon delivery of instructions as contemplated on the reverse hereof) at the office or agency maintained by the Issuer for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, currently the office of the Trustee located at 1051 East Cary Street, Suite 600, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or at such other paying agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, as the Issuer may determine; provided, however, that if the Specified Currency (as defined below) is other than United States dollars and such payment is to be made in the Specified Currency in accordance with the provisions set forth below, such payment will be made, in the case of global Securities, in accordance with the Depository’s customary policies and procedures and, in the case of certificated Securities, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account with a bank designated by the Holder hereof at least 15 calendar days prior to the Maturity Date, provided that such bank has appropriate facilities therefor and that this Note is presented and surrendered and, if applicable, instructions are delivered at the aforementioned Office or Agency maintained by the Issuer in time for the Trustee to make such payment in such funds in accordance with its normal procedures. Payment of interest due on any Interest Payment Date other than the Maturity Date will be made at the aforementioned Office or Agency maintained by the Issuer or, at the option of the Issuer, in the case of certificated Securities, by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register maintained by the Trustee and, in the case of global Securities, in accordance with the Depository’s customary policies and procedures; provided, however, that a Holder of U.S. $10,000,000 (or, if the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, the equivalent thereof in the Specified Currency) or more in aggregate principal amount of certificated Notes (whether having identical or different terms and provisions) will be entitled to receive interest payments on such Interest Payment Date by wire transfer of immediately available funds if such Holder has delivered appropriate wire transfer instructions in writing to the Trustee not less than 15 calendar days prior to such Interest Payment Date. Any such wire transfer instructions received by the Trustee shall remain in effect until revoked by such Holder.

If any Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the required payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the date such payment was due, and no interest shall accrue with respect to such payment for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date, as the case may be, to the date of such payment on the next succeeding Business Day.


As used herein, “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close; provided that such term shall mean, when used with respect to any payment of principal of, or premium or interest, if any, on, or Additional Amounts with respect to, the Notes to be made at any Place of Payment for such Notes, any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in such Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.

The Issuer is obligated to make payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of this Note in the Specified Currency specified above (or, if such Specified Currency is not at the time of such payment legal tender for the payment of public and private debts in the country issuing such Specified Currency or, if such Specified Currency is Euro, in the member states of the European Union that have adopted the single currency in accordance with the Treaty establishing the European Community, as amended by the Treaty on European Union, then in the currency which is at the time of such payment legal tender in the related country or in the adopting member states of the European Union) (the “Specified Currency”). If the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, except as otherwise provided below, any such amounts so payable by the Issuer will be converted by the Exchange Rate Agent specified above into United States dollars for payment to the Holder of this Note. In no event shall the Trustee be required to be the Exchange Rate Agent.

If the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, the Holder of this Note may elect to receive any amounts payable hereunder in such Specified Currency. If the Holder of this Note shall not have duly made an election to receive all or a specified portion of any payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest in respect of this Note in the Specified Currency, any United States dollar amount to be received by the Holder of this Note will be based on the highest bid quotation in The City of New York received by the Exchange Rate Agent at approximately 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the second Business Day preceding the applicable payment date from three recognized foreign exchange dealers (one of whom may be the Exchange Rate Agent) selected by the Exchange Rate Agent and approved by the Issuer for the purchase by the quoting dealer of the Specified Currency for United States dollars for settlement on such payment date in the aggregate amount of the Specified Currency payable to all Holders of Notes scheduled to receive United States dollar payments and at which the applicable dealer commits to execute a contract. All currency exchange costs will be borne by the Holder of this Note by deductions from such payments. If three such bid quotations are not available, payments on this Note will be made in the Specified Currency.

If the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars, the Holder of this Note may elect to receive all or a specified portion of any payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest in respect of this Note in the Specified Currency by submitting a written request for such payment to the Trustee at its corporate trust office in The City of New York on or prior to the applicable Record Date or at least 15 calendar days prior to the Maturity Date, as the case may be. Such written request may be mailed or hand delivered or sent by electronic transmission. The Holder of this Note may elect to receive all or a specified portion of all future payments in the Specified Currency in respect of such principal, premium, if any, and/or interest and need not file a separate election for each payment. Such election will remain in effect until revoked by written notice to the Trustee, but written notice of any such revocation must be received by the Trustee on or prior to the applicable Record Date or at least 15 calendar days prior to the Maturity Date, as the case may be.

If the Specified Currency is other than United States dollars and the Holder of this Note shall have duly made an election to receive all or a specified portion of any payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest in respect of this Note in the Specified Currency, but the Specified Currency is not available due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control of the Issuer, the Issuer will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to the Holder of this Note by making such payment in United States dollars on the basis of the Market Exchange Rate (as defined below) determined by the Exchange Rate Agent on the second Business Day prior to such payment date or, if such Market Exchange Rate is not then available, on the basis of the most recently available Market Exchange Rate. The “Market Exchange Rate” for the Specified Currency means the noon dollar buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers for the Specified Currency as certified for customs purposes (or, if not so certified, as otherwise determined) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Any payment made in United States dollars under such circumstances shall not constitute an Event of Default (as defined in the Indenture).


All determinations referred to above made by the Exchange Rate Agent shall be at its sole discretion and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and binding on the Holder of this Note.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof and, if so specified on the face hereof, in an Addendum hereto, which further provisions shall have the same force and effect as if set forth on the face hereof.

Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained herein, if the face of this Note specifies that an Addendum is attached hereto and/or that “Other/Additional Provisions” apply to this Note, this Note shall be subject to the terms set forth in such Addendum and/or such “Other/Additional Provisions,” and the terms set forth in such Addendum and/or such “Other/Additional Provisions” shall supersede any provisions in this Note to the extent that there may be any conflict or ambiguity between (a) the terms in such Addendum and/or such “Other/Additional Provisions” and (b) the terms in this Note.

Unless the Certificate of Authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee by manual or electronic signature, this Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this Note to be duly executed by one of its duly authorized officers.

 

Dated: __________________________     AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
    By:  
    Name:  
    Title:  

 

[Corporate Seal]

Attest:

By:

 

Name:

 

Title:

 


TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

   

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

Dated: __________________________     By:  

 

      Name:
      Title:

[REVERSE OF NOTE]


AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Securities (the “Debt Securities”) of the Issuer of the series hereinafter specified, all issued and to be issued under an Indenture, dated as of February 23, 2024, between the Issuer and U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as trustee (the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders of the Debt Securities, and of the terms upon which the Debt Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. All terms used but not defined in this Note or in an Addendum hereto shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Indenture or on the face hereof, as the case may be. This Note is one of a series of Debt Securities designated as the % Senior Notes due 20 of the Issuer.

This Note is issuable only in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of U.S. $2,000 and integral multiples $1,000 in excess thereof, or other Authorized Denomination specified on the face hereof.

This Note will not be subject to any sinking fund and, unless otherwise specified on the face hereof in accordance with the provisions of the following two paragraphs or in an Addendum referred to on the face hereof, will not be redeemable or repayable prior to the Stated Maturity Date.

This Note will be subject to redemption at the option of the Issuer on any date on or after the Initial Redemption Date, if any, specified on the face hereof, in whole or from time to time in part in increments of U.S. $2,000 or other integral multiple of an Authorized Denomination (provided that any remaining principal amount hereof shall be at least U.S. $2,000 or such other minimum Authorized Denomination), at the Redemption Price (as defined below), together with unpaid interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption (the “Redemption Date”), on written notice given to the Holder hereof (in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture) not more than 60 nor less than 10 calendar days prior to the Redemption Date. Except to the extent the provisions in Annex A apply to this Note, the “Redemption Price” shall be the Initial Redemption Percentage specified on the face hereof (as adjusted by the Annual Redemption Percentage Reduction, if any, specified on the face hereof as set forth below) multiplied by the unpaid principal amount of this Note to be redeemed. The Initial Redemption Percentage shall decline at each anniversary of the Initial Redemption Date by the Annual Redemption Percentage Reduction, if any, until the Redemption Price is 100% of unpaid principal amount to be redeemed. In the event of redemption of this Note in part only, a new Note of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof and otherwise having the same terms and provisions as this Note shall be issued by the Issuer in the name of the Holder hereof upon the presentation and surrender hereof. The Trustee shall have no responsibility for determining the Redemption Price or any component thereof.

This Note will be subject to repayment by the Issuer at the option of the Holder hereof on the Optional Repayment Date(s), if any, specified on the face hereof, in whole or in part in increments of U.S. $2,000 or other integral multiple of an Authorized Denomination (provided that any remaining principal amount hereof shall be at least U.S. $2,000 or such other minimum Authorized Denomination), at a repayment price equal to 100% of the unpaid principal amount to be repaid, together with unpaid interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for repayment (the “Repayment Date”). For this Note to be repaid, the Trustee must receive at its Corporate Trust Office not more than 60 nor less than 5 calendar days prior to the Repayment Date, such Note and instructions to such effect forwarded by the Holder hereof. Exercise of such repayment option by the Holder hereof shall be irrevocable. In the event of repayment of this Note in part only, a new Note of like tenor for the unrepaid portion hereof and otherwise having the same terms and provisions as this Note shall be issued by the Issuer in the name of the Holder hereof upon the presentation and surrender hereof.

If this Note is specified on the face hereof to be a Discount Note, the amount payable to the Holder of this Note in the event of redemption, repayment or acceleration of maturity will be equal to the sum of (1) the Issue Price specified on the face hereof (increased by any accruals of the Discount, as defined below) and, in the event of any redemption of this Note (if applicable), multiplied by the Initial Redemption Percentage (as adjusted by the Annual Redemption Percentage Reduction, if applicable) and (2) any unpaid interest accrued thereon to the Redemption Date, Repayment Date or date of acceleration of maturity, as the case may be. The difference between the Issue Price and 100% of the principal amount of this Note is referred to herein as the “Discount”.


For purposes of determining the amount of Discount that has accrued as of any Redemption Date, Repayment Date or date of acceleration of maturity of this Note, such Discount will be accrued so as to cause the yield on the Note to be constant. The constant yield will be calculated using a 30-day month, 360-day year convention, a compounding period that, except for the Initial Period (as defined below), corresponds to the shortest period between Interest Payment Dates (with ratable accruals within a compounding period) and an assumption that the maturity of this Note will not be accelerated. If the period from the Original Issue Date to the initial Interest Payment Date (the “Initial Period”) is shorter than the compounding period for this Note, a proportionate amount of the yield for an entire compounding period will be accrued. If the Initial Period is longer than the compounding period, then such period will be divided into a regular compounding period and a short period, with the short period being treated as provided in the preceding sentence. The Trustee shall have no responsibility for determining the Discount or any component thereof.

If an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Notes may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance of (i) the entire indebtedness of the Notes or (ii) certain covenants and Events of Default with respect to the Notes, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set forth therein, which provisions apply to the Notes.

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Issuer and the rights of the Holders of the Debt Securities at any time by the Issuer and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of all Debt Securities at the time outstanding and affected thereby. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of any series, on behalf of the Holders of all such Debt Securities, to waive compliance by the Issuer with certain provisions of the Indenture. Furthermore, provisions in the Indenture permit the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of any series, in certain instances, to waive, on behalf of all of the Holders of Debt Securities of such series, certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Note and other Notes issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange heretofore or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Note.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Issuer, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest in respect of this Note at the times, places and rate or formula, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein and herein set forth, the transfer of this Note is registrable in the Security Register of the Issuer upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Issuer in any place where the principal hereof and any premium or interest hereon are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or by his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Notes having the same terms and provisions, of Authorized Denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued by the Issuer to the designated transferee or transferees.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein and herein set forth, this Note is exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of different Authorized Denominations but otherwise having the same terms and provisions, as requested by the Holder hereof surrendering the same.

No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Prior to due presentment of this Note for registration of transfer, the Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee may treat the Holder as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Note be overdue, and neither the Issuer, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary, except as required by law.


This Note and all documents, agreements, understandings and arrangements relating to any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby have been executed or entered into by the undersigned in his/her capacity as an officer of the Issuer which has been formed as a Maryland corporation, and not individually. No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in the Indenture or in this Note, or because of any indebtedness evidenced hereby or thereby, shall be had against any promoter, as such, or against any past, present or future shareholder, officer or director, as such, of the Issuer or of any successor, either directly or through the Issuer or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of this Note by the holder thereof and as part of the consideration for the issue of this Note.

THE INDENTURE AND THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES.

Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuer has caused “CUSIP” numbers to be printed on the Securities of this series as a convenience to the holders of such Securities. No representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of such CUSIP numbers as printed on the Securities, and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed hereon.


ABBREVIATIONS

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this Note, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

TEN COM    - as tenants in common    UNIF GIFT MIN ACT    - Custodian
TEN ENT    - as tenants by the entireties       (Cust) (Minor)
JT TEN    - as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common    Under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act    (State)

Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

ASSIGNMENT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR

OTHER

IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE

(Please print or typewrite name and address including postal zip code of assignee) this Note and all rights thereunder hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing Attorney to transfer this Note on the books of the Trustee, with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

     

 

Dated:       Notice: The signature(s) on this Assignment must correspond with the name(s) as written upon the face of this Note in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.


ANNEX A TO

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

Certificate No. 1- — $ Principal Amount

Other/Additional Provisions:

Optional Redemption. Prior to __ months prior to the maturity date of the Notes (the “Par Call Date”), the Issuer may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of:

(1) (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date (assuming the Notes matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined below) plus __ basis points less (b) interest accrued to the date of redemption, and

(2) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed,

plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date.

On or after the Par Call Date, the Issuer may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the redemption date.

For purposes of determining the optional redemption price, the following definitions are applicable:

Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the yield determined by the Issuer in accordance with the following two paragraphs.

The Treasury Rate shall be determined by the Issuer after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third business day preceding the date notice of such redemption is given based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily) — H.15”(or any successor designation or publication) (“H.15”) under the caption “U.S. government securities — Treasury constant maturities — Nominal” (or any successor caption or heading) (“H.15 TCM”). In determining the Treasury Rate, the Issuer shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the redemption date to the Par Call Date (the “Remaining Life”); or (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields — one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than the Remaining Life — and shall interpolate to the Par Call Date on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the redemption date.

If on the third business day preceding the date notice of such redemption is given H.15 TCM is no longer published, the Issuer shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second business day preceding the date notice of such redemption is given of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, the Par Call Date, as applicable. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on the Par Call Date but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from the Par Call Date, one with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date and one with a maturity date following the Par Call Date, the Issuer shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date. If


re are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on the Par Call Date or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, the Issuer shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semi-annual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.

The Issuer’s actions and determinations in fixing the redemption price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. For the avoidance of doubt, the Trustee shall not be responsible for determining the redemption price.

Notice of any redemption will be mailed or electronically delivered (or otherwise transmitted in accordance with the depositary’s procedures) at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of Notes to be redeemed.

In the case of a partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made by lot. No Notes of a principal amount of $2,000 or less will be redeemed in part. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to the Note will state the portion of the principal amount of the Note to be redeemed. A new Note in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Note will be issued in the name of the holder of the Note upon surrender for cancellation of the original Note. For so long as the Notes are held by the Depositary (or another depositary), the redemption of the Notes shall be done in accordance with the policies and procedures of the depositary.

Unless the Issuer defaults in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

Acceleration of Maturity. If an Event of Default with respect to the Notes that are then outstanding occurs and is continuing, and pursuant to Section 502 of the Indenture, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes shall have declared the principal of, and premium, if any, on all the Notes, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Notes, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by the Holders), then upon any such declaration such principal, or specified portion thereof, plus accrued interest to the date the Notes are paid, plus any redemption premium on the Notes, shall become immediately due and payable.

If an Event of Default set forth in Section 501(5), (6) or (7) of the Indenture occurs with respect to the Notes, such that pursuant to Section 502 of the Indenture, the principal of, and premium, if any, on all of the Notes, or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Notes, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, shall be immediately due and payable, without declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder of the Notes, then the redemption premium on the Notes, if any, shall also be immediately due and payable.

Exhibit 4.12

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

AS ISSUER

AND

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

AS TRUSTEE

FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

Dated as of May 14, 2024

$400,000,000 5.350% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2034

SUPPLEMENT TO INDENTURE

DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 23, 2024, BETWEEN

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC. (AS ISSUER)

AND

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(AS TRUSTEE)


FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of May 14, 2024 (this “First Supplemental Indenture”), between AvalonBay Communities, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Issuer”), having its principal executive office located at 4040 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1000, Arlington, VA 22203, as issuer, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States, as trustee (the “Trustee”), which supplements that certain Indenture, dated as of February 23, 2024, by and between the Issuer and the Trustee (the “Base Indenture”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Issuer has duly authorized the execution and delivery of the Base Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its Securities.

WHEREAS, Section 301 of the Base Indenture provides that the Issuer may, by means of a supplemental indenture and without the consent of Holders, create one or more series of Securities and establish the form, terms and provisions thereof.

WHEREAS, the Issuer intends by this First Supplemental Indenture to (i) create a series of Securities, in an initial aggregate principal amount equal to $400,000,000 entitled 5.350% Senior Notes due 2034 (the “Notes”) and (ii) establish the form and the terms and provisions of the Notes.

WHEREAS, the consent of Holders to the execution and delivery of this First Supplemental Indenture is not required, and all other actions required to be taken under the Base Indenture with respect to this First Supplemental Indenture have been taken.

NOW, THEREFORE IT IS AGREED:

ARTICLE ONE

DEFINITIONS, CREATION, FORM AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE DEBT SECURITIES

Section 1.1 Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this First Supplemental Indenture shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Base Indenture. In addition, the following terms shall have the corresponding meanings with respect to this First Supplemental Indenture and the Notes to be equally applicable to both the singular and the plural forms of the terms set forth below. To the extent that a term is defined both herein and in the Base Indenture, the definition in this First Supplemental Indenture shall govern with respect to the Notes.

Indenture” means the Base Indenture as supplemented by this First Supplemental Indenture and as further amended, modified or supplemented with respect to the Notes pursuant to the provisions of the Base Indenture.

Par Call Date” means March 1, 2034.

Redemption Date” means, with respect to any Note or portion thereof to be redeemed in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.4(d) hereof, the date fixed for such redemption in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.4(d) hereof.

Treasury Ratemeans, with respect to any Redemption Date, the yield determined by the Issuer in accordance with the following two paragraphs.

The Treasury Rate shall be determined by the Issuer after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third business day preceding the date notice of such redemption is given based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily)—H.15” (or any successor designation or publication) (“H.15”) under the caption “U.S. government securities—Treasury constant maturities—Nominal” (or any successor caption or heading) (“H.15 TCM”). In determining the Treasury Rate, the Issuer shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period


from the Redemption Date to the Par Call Date (the “Remaining Life”); or (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields—one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than the Remaining Life—and shall interpolate to the Par Call Date on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the Redemption Date.

If on the third Business Day preceding the date notice of such redemption is given H.15 TCM is no longer published, the Issuer shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day preceding the date notice of such redemption is given of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, the Par Call Date, as applicable. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on the Par Call Date but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from the Par Call Date, one with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date and one with a maturity date following the Par Call Date, the Issuer shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on the Par Call Date or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, the Issuer shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semi-annual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.

Section 1.2 Creation of the Notes. In accordance with Section 301 of the Base Indenture, the Issuer hereby creates the Notes as a separate series of its senior debt securities, entitled “5.350% Senior Notes due 2034”, issued pursuant to the Indenture. The Notes shall initially be limited to an aggregate principal amount equal to $400,000,000, subject to the exceptions set forth in Section 301(2) of the Base Indenture and Section 1.4(f) hereof.

Section 1.3 Form of the Notes. The Notes will be issued in the form of one or more permanent fully registered global securities (the “Global Note”) that will be deposited with, or on behalf of the Depository, and registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, subject to Section 305 of the Base Indenture. So long as the Depository, or its nominee, is the registered owner of the Global Note, the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole Holder of the Notes represented by the Global Note for all purposes under the Indenture.

Section 1.4 Terms and Provisions of the Notes. The Notes shall be governed by all of the terms and provisions of the Base Indenture, as supplemented by this First Supplemental Indenture, and in particular, the following provisions shall be terms of the Notes:

(a) Registration and Form. The Notes shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication and the Notes shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.

(b) Payment of Principal and Interest. All payments of principal, premiums, if any, and interest in respect of the Global Notes will be made by the Issuer in immediately available funds to the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the Holder of each of the Global Notes. The Notes shall mature, and the unpaid principal thereon, shall be payable, on June 1, 2034, subject to the provisions of the Base Indenture. The rate per annum at which interest shall be payable on the Notes shall be 5.350%. Interest on the Notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing December 1, 2024 (each, an “Interest Payment Date”) and on the Stated Maturity as specified in this Section 1.4(b), to the Persons in whose names the Notes are registered in the Security Register applicable to the Notes at the close of business on the fifteenth calendar day (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding each Interest Payment Date (each, a “Regular Record Date”). Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Interest on the Notes shall accrue from May 14, 2024.


(c) Sinking Fund. There shall be no sinking fund provided for the Notes.

(d) Redemption at the Option of the Issuer.

(1) Prior to the Par Call Date, the Issuer may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of:

(x) (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the Redemption Date (assuming the Notes matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 15 basis points less (b) interest accrued to the Redemption Date, and

(y) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed,

plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

(2) On or after the Par Call Date, the Issuer may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Redemption Date falls after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Interest Payment Date, the Issuer will pay the full amount of accrued and unpaid interest, if any, due on such Interest Payment Date to the Holder of record at the close of business on the relevant Regular Record Date (instead of the Holder surrendering its Notes for redemption).

(4) In the case of a partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made by lot. No Notes of a principal amount of $2,000 or less will be redeemed in part. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to the Note will state the portion of the principal amount of the Note to be redeemed. A new Note in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Note will be issued in the name of the Holder of the Note upon surrender for cancellation of the original Note. For so long as the Notes are held by the Depositary (or another depositary), the redemption of the Notes shall be done in accordance with the policies and procedures of the depositary.

(e) Payment of Notes Called for Redemption by the Issuer.

(1) If notice of redemption has been given at least 10 days but not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed as otherwise provided in Article Eleven of the Base Indenture (as amended by this First Supplemental Indenture), the Notes or portion of Notes with respect to which such notice has been given shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the place or places stated in such notice at the Redemption Price, and unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of such Notes at the Redemption Price, so long as the Paying Agent holds funds irrevocably deposited with it sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of the Notes to be redeemed on the Redemption Date, then (a) such Notes will cease to be Outstanding on and after the date of the deposit, (b) interest on the Notes or portion of Notes so called for redemption shall cease to accrue on and after the Redemption Date, and (c) the Holders of the Notes being redeemed shall have no right in respect of such Notes except the right to receive the Redemption Price thereof. On surrender of such Notes at the place of payment specified in such notice, the said Notes or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Issuer at the Redemption Price, together with interest accrued thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

(2) The Notes will not be convertible or exchangeable for any other security or property.


(f) Additional Issues. The Issuer may, without the consent of the Holders of the Notes, increase the principal amount of the Notes by issuing additional Notes in the future on the same terms and conditions as the Notes issued on the date of this First Supplemental Indenture, except for any differences in the issue price and interest accrued prior to the issue date of the additional Notes, and with the same CUSIP number as the Notes issued on the date of this First Supplemental Indenture so long as such additional Notes are fungible for U.S. federal income tax purposes with the Notes issued on the date of this First Supplemental Indenture (as determined by the Issuer). Any additional Notes would rank equally and ratably with the Notes issued on the date of this First Supplemental Indenture and would be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture.

ARTICLE TWO

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 2.1 Ratification of Base Indenture. This First Supplemental Indenture is executed and shall be construed as an indenture supplemental to the Base Indenture, and as supplemented and modified hereby, the Base Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed, and the Base Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture shall be read, taken and construed as one and the same instrument. In the event of a conflict between the language of this First Supplemental Indenture and the Base Indenture, the language of this First Supplemental Indenture shall control.

Section 2.2 Effect of Headings. The Article and Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

Section 2.3 Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in this First Supplemental Indenture by the Issuer shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 2.4 Separability Clause. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this First Supplemental Indenture shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 2.5 Governing Law. This First Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflicts of law principles of such State other than New York General Obligations Law Section 5-1401.

Section 2.6 Counterparts. This First Supplemental Indenture may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. This First Supplemental Indenture shall be valid, binding, and enforceable against a party only when executed and delivered by an authorized individual on behalf of the party by means of (i) any electronic signature permitted by the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, state enactments of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, and/or any other relevant electronic signatures law, including relevant provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code (collectively, “Signature Law”); (ii) an original manual signature; or (iii) a faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature. Each electronic signature or faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature shall for all purposes have the same validity, legal effect, and admissibility in evidence as an original manual signature. Each party hereto shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon, and shall have no liability with respect to, any faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature, or other electronic signature, of any party and shall have no duty to investigate, confirm or otherwise verify the validity or authenticity thereof. For avoidance of doubt, original manual signatures shall be used for execution or indorsement of writings when required under the Uniform Commercial Code or other Signature Law due to the character or intended character of the writings.

Section 2.7 Trustee. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of, and neither makes any representation or warranty as to, the validity, execution, or sufficiency of this First Supplemental Indenture or for or with respect to the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Issuer. All of the parties hereto agree that the Trustee shall be afforded all of the protections, privileges, immunities and indemnities provided to them under the Indenture.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.

 

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.,
as Issuer
By:   /s/ Kevin P. O’Shea
Name:   Kevin P. O’Shea
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

[Signature Page to First Supplemental Indenture]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.

 

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ,
as Trustee, Registrar, Paying Agent and Transfer Agent
By:   /s/ Melody M. Scott
Name:   Melody M. Scott
Title:   AVP

[Signature Page to First Supplemental Indenture]


EXHIBIT A

[Form of 5.350% Senior Note due 2034]

[UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (THE “DEPOSITARY”) (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) TO THE ISSUER HEREOF OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN CERTIFICATED 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.]1

 

1

Include only if the Note is issued in global form.


AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

5.350% Senior Notes due 2034

CERTIFICATE No. [_____]

CUSIP No.: [_____]

ISIN No.: [_____]

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC., a Maryland corporation (the “Issuer”, which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received, hereby promises to pay to [CEDE & CO.]2[______], or registered assigns, the principal amount of [________] ($[________])[, or such lesser amount as is set forth in the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in the Global Note on the other side of this Note]3, on June 1, 2034 at the office or agency of the Issuer maintained for that purpose in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, and to pay interest, semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing [_______] on said principal sum at said office or agency, in like coin or currency, at the rate per annum of 5.350%, from the immediately preceding interest payment date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, unless no interest has been paid or duly provided for on the Notes, in which case from May 14, 2024 until payment of said principal sum has been made or duly provided for. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to the Indenture, at the option of the Issuer, interest on the Notes due and payable on any Interest Payment Date may be paid by mailing a check to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or by transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located in the United States of America; provided, that the Paying Agent shall have received appropriate wire transfer instructions at least five Business Days prior to the Interest Payment Date. Any such interest which is punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name this Note (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered as of the close of business on the fifteenth calendar day (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date.

Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof and the Indenture governing this Note. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed manually by the Trustee or a duly authorized authenticating agent under the Indenture.

 

2

Include only if the Note is issued in global form.

3

Include only if the Note is issued in global form.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this Note to be duly executed by one of its duly authorized officers.

 

Dated:                        

    AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
    By:    
    Name:  
    Title:  

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

    U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
    as Trustee
Dated:                             By:    
    Name:  
    Title:  

[REVERSE OF NOTE]


AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

5.350% Senior Notes due 2034

This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Notes of the Issuer, designated as its 5.350% Senior Notes due 2034 (the “Notes”), issued under and pursuant to an Indenture dated as of February 23, 2024 (the “Base Indenture”), between the Issuer and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 14, 2024 (the “First Supplemental Indenture,” and together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), between the Issuer and the Trustee, to which Indenture and any indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Issuer and the Holders of the Notes. Defined terms used but not otherwise defined in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture.

The Issuer shall have the right to redeem the Notes under certain circumstances as set forth in Section 1.4(d) of the First Supplemental Indenture and Article Eleven of the Base Indenture.

Prior to the Par Call Date, the Issuer may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of:

(x) (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the Redemption Date (assuming the Notes matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 15 basis points less (b) interest accrued to the Redemption Date, and

(y) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed,

plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

On or after the Par Call Date, the Issuer may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

For the avoidance of doubt, installments of interest on the Notes that are due and payable on an Interest Payment Date falling on or prior to a Redemption Date will be payable on such Interest Payment Date to the Holders thereof as of the close of business on the relevant Regular Record Date (instead of the Holder surrendering such Notes for redemption).

The Issuer’s actions and determinations in fixing the Redemption Price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. For the avoidance of doubt, the Trustee shall not be responsible for determining the Redemption Price.

If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 501(5), 501(6) or 501(7) of the Base Indenture) with respect to the Notes occurs and is continuing, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes may be declared to be due and payable by either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than twenty five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, and, upon said declaration the same shall be immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 501(5), 501(6) or 501(7) of the Base Indenture occurs with respect to the Notes, the principal of and premium, if any, and interest accrued and unpaid on all the Notes shall be immediately and automatically due and payable without necessity of further action.

The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Issuer and the Trustee, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, to execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture with respect to the Notes or modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of


the Notes, subject to exceptions set forth in Section 902 of the Base Indenture. Subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes, waive any past default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes, subject to exceptions set forth in the Indenture.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall impair, as among the Issuer and the Holder of the Notes, the obligation of the Issuer, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, on and interest on this Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the coin or currency herein and in the Indenture prescribed.

Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

The Notes are issuable in fully registered form, without coupons, in minimum denominations of $2,000 principal amount and any multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. At the office or agency of the Issuer referred to on the face hereof, and in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without payment of any service charge but with payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, Notes may be transferred or may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of any other authorized denominations.

The Notes are not subject to redemption through the operation of any sinking fund.

No recourse for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on this Note, or for any claim based hereon or otherwise in respect hereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Issuer in the Indenture or any supplemental indenture or in any Note, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any past, present or future general partner, limited partner, member, employee, incorporator, controlling person, stockholder, officer, director or agent, as such, of the Issuer or of any of the Issuer’s predecessors or successors, either directly or through the Issuer, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Notes by the Holders thereof and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Notes.


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)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint _______________________________ to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuer. 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).


SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN THE GLOBAL NOTE *

The following increases or decreases in the principal amount of this Global Note have been made:

 

Date of

Increase or

Decrease

 

Amount of

decrease in

Principal Amount

at maturity of

this Global Note

 

Amount of

increase in

Principal Amount

at maturity of

this Global Note

 

Principal Amount

at maturity of

this Global Note

following such

decrease (or

increase)

 

Signature of

authorized officer

of Trustee or

Custodian

 

*

This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

Exhibit 4.13

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

AS ISSUER

AND

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

AS TRUSTEE

SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

Dated as of July 10, 2025

$400,000,000 5.000% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2035

SUPPLEMENT TO INDENTURE

DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 23, 2024, BETWEEN

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC. (AS ISSUER)

AND

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(AS TRUSTEE)


SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of July 10, 2025 (this “Second Supplemental Indenture”), between AvalonBay Communities, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Issuer”), having its principal executive office located at 4040 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1000, Arlington, VA 22203, as issuer, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States, as trustee (the “Trustee”), which supplements that certain Indenture, dated as of February 23, 2024, by and between the Issuer and the Trustee (the “Base Indenture”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Issuer has duly authorized the execution and delivery of the Base Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its Securities.

WHEREAS, Section 301 of the Base Indenture provides that the Issuer may, by means of a supplemental indenture and without the consent of Holders, create one or more series of Securities and establish the form, terms and provisions thereof.

WHEREAS, the Issuer intends by this Second Supplemental Indenture to (i) create a series of Securities, in an initial aggregate principal amount equal to $400,000,000 entitled 5.000% Senior Notes due 2035 (the “Notes”) and (ii) establish the form and the terms and provisions of the Notes.

WHEREAS, the consent of Holders to the execution and delivery of this Second Supplemental Indenture is not required, and all other actions required to be taken under the Base Indenture with respect to this Second Supplemental Indenture have been taken.

NOW, THEREFORE IT IS AGREED:

ARTICLE ONE

DEFINITIONS, CREATION, FORM AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE DEBT SECURITIES

Section 1.1 Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Second Supplemental Indenture shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Base Indenture. In addition, the following terms shall have the corresponding meanings with respect to this Second Supplemental Indenture and the Notes to be equally applicable to both the singular and the plural forms of the terms set forth below. To the extent that a term is defined both herein and in the Base Indenture, the definition in this Second Supplemental Indenture shall govern with respect to the Notes.

Indenture” means the Base Indenture as supplemented by this Second Supplemental Indenture and as further amended, modified or supplemented with respect to the Notes pursuant to the provisions of the Base Indenture.

Par Call Date” means May 1, 2035.

Redemption Date” means, with respect to any Note or portion thereof to be redeemed in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.4(d) hereof, the date fixed for such redemption in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.4(d) hereof.

Treasury Ratemeans, with respect to any Redemption Date, the yield determined by the Issuer in accordance with the following two paragraphs.

The Treasury Rate shall be determined by the Issuer after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third business day preceding the date notice of such redemption is given based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily)—H.15” (or any successor designation or publication) (“H.15”) under the caption “U.S. government securities—Treasury constant maturities—Nominal” (or any successor caption or heading) (“H.15 TCM”). In determining the Treasury Rate, the


Issuer shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to the Par Call Date (the “Remaining Life”); or (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields—one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than the Remaining Life—and shall interpolate to the Par Call Date on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the Redemption Date.

If on the third Business Day preceding the date notice of such redemption is given H.15 TCM is no longer published, the Issuer shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day preceding the date notice of such redemption is given of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, the Par Call Date, as applicable. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on the Par Call Date but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from the Par Call Date, one with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date and one with a maturity date following the Par Call Date, the Issuer shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on the Par Call Date or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, the Issuer shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semi-annual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.

Section 1.2 Creation of the Notes. In accordance with Section 301 of the Base Indenture, the Issuer hereby creates the Notes as a separate series of its senior debt securities, entitled “5.000% Senior Notes due 2035”, issued pursuant to the Indenture. The Notes shall initially be limited to an aggregate principal amount equal to $400,000,000, subject to the exceptions set forth in Section 301(2) of the Base Indenture and Section 1.4(f) hereof.

Section 1.3 Form of the Notes. The Notes will be issued in the form of one or more permanent fully registered global securities (the “Global Note”) that will be deposited with, or on behalf of the Depository, and registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, subject to Section 305 of the Base Indenture. So long as the Depository, or its nominee, is the registered owner of the Global Note, the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole Holder of the Notes represented by the Global Note for all purposes under the Indenture.

Section 1.4 Terms and Provisions of the Notes. The Notes shall be governed by all of the terms and provisions of the Base Indenture, as supplemented by this Second Supplemental Indenture, and in particular, the following provisions shall be terms of the Notes:

(a) Registration and Form. The Notes shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication and the Notes shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.

(b) Payment of Principal and Interest. All payments of principal, premiums, if any, and interest in respect of the Global Notes will be made by the Issuer in immediately available funds to the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the Holder of each of the Global Notes. The Notes shall mature, and the unpaid principal thereon, shall be payable, on August 1, 2035, subject to the provisions of the Base Indenture. The rate per annum at which interest shall be payable on the Notes shall be 5.000%. Interest on the Notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing February 1, 2026 (each, an “Interest Payment Date”) and on the Stated Maturity as specified in this Section 1.4(b), to the Persons in whose names the Notes are registered in the Security Register applicable to the Notes at the close of business on the fifteenth calendar day (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding each Interest Payment Date (each, a “Regular Record Date”). Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Interest on the Notes shall accrue from July 10, 2025.


(c) Sinking Fund. There shall be no sinking fund provided for the Notes.

(d) Redemption at the Option of the Issuer.

(1) Prior to the Par Call Date, the Issuer may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of:

(x) (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the Redemption Date (assuming the Notes matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 15 basis points less (b) interest accrued to the Redemption Date, and

(y) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed,

plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

(2) On or after the Par Call Date, the Issuer may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Redemption Date falls after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Interest Payment Date, the Issuer will pay the full amount of accrued and unpaid interest, if any, due on such Interest Payment Date to the Holder of record at the close of business on the relevant Regular Record Date (instead of the Holder surrendering its Notes for redemption).

(4) In the case of a partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made by lot. No Notes of a principal amount of $2,000 or less will be redeemed in part. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to the Note will state the portion of the principal amount of the Note to be redeemed. A new Note in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Note will be issued in the name of the Holder of the Note upon surrender for cancellation of the original Note. For so long as the Notes are held by the Depositary (or another depositary), the redemption of the Notes shall be done in accordance with the policies and procedures of the depositary.

(e) Payment of Notes Called for Redemption by the Issuer.

(1) If notice of redemption has been given at least 10 days but not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed as otherwise provided in Article Eleven of the Base Indenture (as amended by this Second Supplemental Indenture), the Notes or portion of Notes with respect to which such notice has been given shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the place or places stated in such notice at the Redemption Price, and unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of such Notes at the Redemption Price, so long as the Paying Agent holds funds irrevocably deposited with it sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of the Notes to be redeemed on the Redemption Date, then (a) such Notes will cease to be Outstanding on and after the date of the deposit, (b) interest on the Notes or portion of Notes so called for redemption shall cease to accrue on and after the Redemption Date, and (c) the Holders of the Notes being redeemed shall have no right in respect of such Notes except the right to receive the Redemption Price thereof. On surrender of such Notes at the place of payment specified in such notice, the said Notes or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Issuer at the Redemption Price, together with interest accrued thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

(2) The Notes will not be convertible or exchangeable for any other security or property.


(f) Additional Issues. The Issuer may, without the consent of the Holders of the Notes, increase the principal amount of the Notes by issuing additional Notes in the future on the same terms and conditions as the Notes issued on the date of this Second Supplemental Indenture, except for any differences in the issue price and interest accrued prior to the issue date of the additional Notes, and with the same CUSIP number as the Notes issued on the date of this Second Supplemental Indenture so long as such additional Notes are fungible for U.S. federal income tax purposes with the Notes issued on the date of this Second Supplemental Indenture (as determined by the Issuer). Any additional Notes would rank equally and ratably with the Notes issued on the date of this Second Supplemental Indenture and would be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture.

ARTICLE TWO

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 2.1 Ratification of Base Indenture. This Second Supplemental Indenture is executed and shall be construed as an indenture supplemental to the Base Indenture, and as supplemented and modified hereby, the Base Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed, and the Base Indenture and this Second Supplemental Indenture shall be read, taken and construed as one and the same instrument. In the event of a conflict between the language of this Second Supplemental Indenture and the Base Indenture, the language of this Second Supplemental Indenture shall control.

Section 2.2 Effect of Headings. The Article and Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

Section 2.3 Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in this Second Supplemental Indenture by the Issuer shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 2.4 Separability Clause. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Second Supplemental Indenture shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 2.5 Governing Law. This Second Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflicts of law principles of such State other than New York General Obligations Law Section 5-1401.

Section 2.6 Counterparts. This Second Supplemental Indenture may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Second Supplemental Indenture shall be valid, binding, and enforceable against a party only when executed and delivered by an authorized individual on behalf of the party by means of (i) any electronic signature permitted by the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, state enactments of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, and/or any other relevant electronic signatures law, including relevant provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code (collectively, “Signature Law”); (ii) an original manual signature; or (iii) a faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature. Each electronic signature or faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature shall for all purposes have the same validity, legal effect, and admissibility in evidence as an original manual signature. Each party hereto shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon, and shall have no liability with respect to, any faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature, or other electronic signature, of any party and shall have no duty to investigate, confirm or otherwise verify the validity or authenticity thereof. For avoidance of doubt, original manual signatures shall be used for execution or indorsement of writings when required under the Uniform Commercial Code or other Signature Law due to the character or intended character of the writings.

Section 2.7 Trustee. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of, and neither makes any representation or warranty as to, the validity, execution, or sufficiency of this Second Supplemental Indenture or for or with respect to the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Issuer. All of the parties hereto agree that the Trustee shall be afforded all of the protections, privileges, immunities and indemnities provided to them under the Indenture.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Second Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.

 

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.,

as Issuer

By:   /s/ Kevin P. O’Shea
Name:   Kevin P. O’Shea
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

[Signature Page to Second Supplemental Indenture]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Second Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.

 

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee, Registrar, Paying Agent and Transfer Agent
By:   /s/ Melody M. Scott
Name:   Melody M. Scott
Title:   AVP

[Signature Page to Second Supplemental Indenture]


EXHIBIT A

[Form of 5.000% Senior Note due 2035]

[UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (THE “DEPOSITARY”) (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) TO THE ISSUER HEREOF OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN CERTIFICATED 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.]1

 

1 

Include only if the Note is issued in global form.


AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

5.000% Senior Notes due 2035

CERTIFICATE No. [_____]

CUSIP No.: [_____]

ISIN No.: [_____]

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC., a Maryland corporation (the “Issuer”, which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received, hereby promises to pay to [CEDE & CO.]2[______], or registered assigns, the principal amount of [________] ($[________])[, or such lesser amount as is set forth in the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in the Global Note on the other side of this Note]3, on August 1, 2035 at the office or agency of the Issuer maintained for that purpose in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, and to pay interest, semi-annually on February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing [_______] on said principal sum at said office or agency, in like coin or currency, at the rate per annum of 5.000%, from the immediately preceding interest payment date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, unless no interest has been paid or duly provided for on the Notes, in which case from July 10, 2025, until payment of said principal sum has been made or duly provided for. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to the Indenture, at the option of the Issuer, interest on the Notes due and payable on any Interest Payment Date may be paid by mailing a check to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or by transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located in the United States of America; provided, that the Paying Agent shall have received appropriate wire transfer instructions at least five Business Days prior to the Interest Payment Date. Any such interest which is punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name this Note (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered as of the close of business on the fifteenth calendar day (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date.

Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof and the Indenture governing this Note. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed manually by the Trustee or a duly authorized authenticating agent under the Indenture.

 

2 

Include only if the Note is issued in global form.

3 

Include only if the Note is issued in global form.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this Note to be duly executed by one of its duly authorized officers.

 

Dated:                         

    AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
    By:    
    Name:  
    Title:  

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

   

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

Dated:                              By:    
   

Name:

 
   

Title:

 

[REVERSE OF NOTE]


AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

5.000% Senior Notes due 2035

This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Notes of the Issuer, designated as its 5.000% Senior Notes due 2035 (the “Notes”), issued under and pursuant to an Indenture dated as of February 23, 2024 (the “Base Indenture”), between the Issuer and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 10, 2025 (the “Second Supplemental Indenture,” and together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), between the Issuer and the Trustee, to which Indenture and any indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Issuer and the Holders of the Notes. Defined terms used but not otherwise defined in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture.

The Issuer shall have the right to redeem the Notes under certain circumstances as set forth in Section 1.4(d) of the Second Supplemental Indenture and Article Eleven of the Base Indenture.

Prior to the Par Call Date, the Issuer may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of:

(x) (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the Redemption Date (assuming the Notes matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 15 basis points less (b) interest accrued to the Redemption Date, and

(y) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed,

plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

On or after the Par Call Date, the Issuer may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

For the avoidance of doubt, installments of interest on the Notes that are due and payable on an Interest Payment Date falling on or prior to a Redemption Date will be payable on such Interest Payment Date to the Holders thereof as of the close of business on the relevant Regular Record Date (instead of the Holder surrendering such Notes for redemption).

The Issuer’s actions and determinations in fixing the Redemption Price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. For the avoidance of doubt, the Trustee shall not be responsible for determining the Redemption Price.

If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 501(5), 501(6) or 501(7) of the Base Indenture) with respect to the Notes occurs and is continuing, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes may be declared to be due and payable by either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than twenty five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, and, upon said declaration the same shall be immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 501(5), 501(6) or 501(7) of the Base Indenture occurs with respect to the Notes, the principal of and premium, if any, and interest accrued and unpaid on all the Notes shall be immediately due and payable without declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder of the Notes.

The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Issuer and the Trustee, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, to execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture with respect to the Notes or modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Notes, subject to exceptions set forth in Section 902 of the Base Indenture. Subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes, waive any past default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes, subject to exceptions set forth in the Indenture.


No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall impair, as among the Issuer and the Holder of the Notes, the obligation of the Issuer, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, on and interest on this Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the coin or currency herein and in the Indenture prescribed.

Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

The Notes are issuable in fully registered form, without coupons, in minimum denominations of $2,000 principal amount and any multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. At the office or agency of the Issuer referred to on the face hereof, and in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without payment of any service charge but with payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, Notes may be transferred or may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of any other authorized denominations.

The Notes are not subject to redemption through the operation of any sinking fund.

No recourse for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on this Note, or for any claim based hereon or otherwise in respect hereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Issuer in the Indenture or any supplemental indenture or in any Note, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any past, present or future general partner, limited partner, member, employee, incorporator, controlling person, stockholder, officer, director or agent, as such, of the Issuer or of any of the Issuer’s predecessors or successors, either directly or through the Issuer, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Notes by the Holders thereof and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Notes.


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)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint _______________________________ to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuer. 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).


SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN THE GLOBAL NOTE *

The following increases or decreases in the principal amount of this Global Note have been made:

 

Date of
Increase or
Decrease

 

Amount of
decrease in
Principal Amount
at maturity of
this Global Note

 

Amount of
increase in
Principal Amount
at maturity of
this Global Note

 

Principal Amount
at maturity of
this Global Note
following such
decrease (or
increase)

 

Signature of
authorized officer
of Trustee or
Custodian

 

*

This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

Exhibit 4.14

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

AS ISSUER

AND

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

AS TRUSTEE

THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

Dated as of December 1, 2025

$400,000,000 4.350% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2030

SUPPLEMENT TO INDENTURE

DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 23, 2024, BETWEEN

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC. (AS ISSUER)

AND

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(AS TRUSTEE)

THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of December 1, 2025 (this “Third Supplemental Indenture”), between AvalonBay Communities, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Issuer”), having its principal executive office located at 4040 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1000, Arlington, VA 22203, as issuer, and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States, as trustee (the “Trustee”), which supplements that certain Indenture, dated as of February 23, 2024, by and between the Issuer and the Trustee (the “Base Indenture”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Issuer has duly authorized the execution and delivery of the Base Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its Securities.

WHEREAS, Section 301 of the Base Indenture provides that the Issuer may, by means of a supplemental indenture and without the consent of Holders, create one or more series of Securities and establish the form, terms and provisions thereof.

WHEREAS, the Issuer intends by this Third Supplemental Indenture to (i) create a series of Securities, in an initial aggregate principal amount equal to $400,000,000 entitled 4.350% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “Notes”) and (ii) establish the form and the terms and provisions of the Notes.

WHEREAS, the consent of Holders to the execution and delivery of this Third Supplemental Indenture is not required, and all other actions required to be taken under the Base Indenture with respect to this Third Supplemental Indenture have been taken.

NOW, THEREFORE IT IS AGREED:

ARTICLE ONE

DEFINITIONS, CREATION, FORM AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE DEBT SECURITIES


Section 1.1 Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Third Supplemental Indenture shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Base Indenture. In addition, the following terms shall have the corresponding meanings with respect to this Third Supplemental Indenture and the Notes to be equally applicable to both the singular and the plural forms of the terms set forth below. To the extent that a term is defined both herein and in the Base Indenture, the definition in this Third Supplemental Indenture shall govern with respect to the Notes.

Indenture” means the Base Indenture as supplemented by this Third Supplemental Indenture and as further amended, modified or supplemented with respect to the Notes pursuant to the provisions of the Base Indenture.

Par Call Date” means November 1, 2030.

Redemption Date” means, with respect to any Note or portion thereof to be redeemed in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.4(d) hereof, the date fixed for such redemption in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.4(d) hereof.

Treasury Ratemeans, with respect to any Redemption Date, the yield determined by the Issuer in accordance with the following two paragraphs.

The Treasury Rate shall be determined by the Issuer after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third business day preceding the date notice of such redemption is given based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily)—H.15” (or any successor designation or publication) (“H.15”) under the caption “U.S. government securities—Treasury constant maturities—Nominal” (or any successor caption or heading) (“H.15 TCM”). In determining the Treasury Rate, the Issuer shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to the Par Call Date (the “Remaining Life”); or (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields—one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than the Remaining Life—and shall interpolate to the Par Call Date on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the Redemption Date.

If on the third Business Day preceding the date notice of such redemption is given H.15 TCM is no longer published, the Issuer shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day preceding the date notice of such redemption is given of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, the Par Call Date, as applicable. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on the Par Call Date but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from the Par Call Date, one with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date and one with a maturity date following the Par Call Date, the Issuer shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on the Par Call Date or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, the Issuer shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semi-annual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.


Section 1.2 Creation of the Notes. In accordance with Section 301 of the Base Indenture, the Issuer hereby creates the Notes as a separate series of its senior debt securities, entitled “4.350% Senior Notes due 2030”, issued pursuant to the Indenture. The Notes shall initially be limited to an aggregate principal amount equal to $400,000,000, subject to the exceptions set forth in Section 301(2) of the Base Indenture and Section 1.4(f) hereof.

Section 1.3 Form of the Notes. The Notes will be issued in the form of one or more permanent fully registered global securities (the “Global Note”) that will be deposited with, or on behalf of the Depository, and registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, subject to Section 305 of the Base Indenture. So long as the Depository, or its nominee, is the registered owner of the Global Note, the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole Holder of the Notes represented by the Global Note for all purposes under the Indenture.

Section 1.4 Terms and Provisions of the Notes. The Notes shall be governed by all of the terms and provisions of the Base Indenture, as supplemented by this Third Supplemental Indenture, and in particular, the following provisions shall be terms of the Notes:

(a) Registration and Form. The Notes shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication and the Notes shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.

(b) Payment of Principal and Interest. All payments of principal, premiums, if any, and interest in respect of the Global Notes will be made by the Issuer in immediately available funds to the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the Holder of each of the Global Notes. The Notes shall mature, and the unpaid principal thereon, shall be payable, on December 1, 2030, subject to the provisions of the Base Indenture. The rate per annum at which interest shall be payable on the Notes shall be 4.350%. Interest on the Notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing June 1, 2026 (each, an “Interest Payment Date”) and on the Stated Maturity as specified in this Section 1.4(b), to the Persons in whose names the Notes are registered in the Security Register applicable to the Notes at the close of business on the fifteenth calendar day (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding each Interest Payment Date (each, a “Regular Record Date”). Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Interest on the Notes shall accrue from December 1, 2025.

(c) Sinking Fund. There shall be no sinking fund provided for the Notes.

(d) Redemption at the Option of the Issuer.

(1) Prior to the Par Call Date, the Issuer may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of:

(x) (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the Redemption Date (assuming the Notes matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 15 basis points less (b) interest accrued to the Redemption Date, and

(y) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed,

plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

(2) On or after the Par Call Date, the Issuer may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Redemption Date falls after a Regular Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Interest Payment Date, the Issuer will pay the full amount of accrued and unpaid interest, if any, due on such Interest Payment Date to the Holder of record at the close of business on the relevant Regular Record Date (instead of the Holder surrendering its Notes for redemption).


(4) In the case of a partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made by lot. No Notes of a principal amount of $2,000 or less will be redeemed in part. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to the Note will state the portion of the principal amount of the Note to be redeemed. A new Note in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Note will be issued in the name of the Holder of the Note upon surrender for cancellation of the original Note. For so long as the Notes are held by the Depositary (or another depositary), the redemption of the Notes shall be done in accordance with the policies and procedures of the depositary.

(e) Payment of Notes Called for Redemption by the Issuer.

(1) If notice of redemption has been given at least 10 days but not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed as otherwise provided in Article Eleven of the Base Indenture (as amended by this Third Supplemental Indenture), the Notes or portion of Notes with respect to which such notice has been given shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the place or places stated in such notice at the Redemption Price, and unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of such Notes at the Redemption Price, so long as the Paying Agent holds funds irrevocably deposited with it sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of the Notes to be redeemed on the Redemption Date, then (a) such Notes will cease to be Outstanding on and after the date of the deposit, (b) interest on the Notes or portion of Notes so called for redemption shall cease to accrue on and after the Redemption Date, and (c) the Holders of the Notes being redeemed shall have no right in respect of such Notes except the right to receive the Redemption Price thereof. On surrender of such Notes at the place of payment specified in such notice, the said Notes or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Issuer at the Redemption Price, together with interest accrued thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

(2) The Notes will not be convertible or exchangeable for any other security or property.

(f) Additional Issues. The Issuer may, without the consent of the Holders of the Notes, increase the principal amount of the Notes by issuing additional Notes in the future on the same terms and conditions as the Notes issued on the date of this Third Supplemental Indenture, except for any differences in the issue price and interest accrued prior to the issue date of the additional Notes, and with the same CUSIP number as the Notes issued on the date of this Third Supplemental Indenture so long as such additional Notes are fungible for U.S. federal income tax purposes with the Notes issued on the date of this Third Supplemental Indenture (as determined by the Issuer). Any additional Notes would rank equally and ratably with the Notes issued on the date of this Third Supplemental Indenture and would be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture.

ARTICLE TWO

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 2.1 Ratification of Base Indenture. This Third Supplemental Indenture is executed and shall be construed as an indenture supplemental to the Base Indenture, and as supplemented and modified hereby, the Base Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed, and the Base Indenture and this Third Supplemental Indenture shall be read, taken and construed as one and the same instrument. In the event of a conflict between the language of this Third Supplemental Indenture and the Base Indenture, the language of this Third Supplemental Indenture shall control.

Section 2.2 Effect of Headings. The Article and Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

Section 2.3 Successors and Assigns. All covenants and agreements in this Third Supplemental Indenture by the Issuer shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 2.4 Separability Clause. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Third Supplemental Indenture shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.


Section 2.5 Governing Law. This Third Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflicts of law principles of such State other than New York General Obligations Law Section 5-1401.

Section 2.6 Counterparts. This Third Supplemental Indenture may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Third Supplemental Indenture shall be valid, binding, and enforceable against a party only when executed and delivered by an authorized individual on behalf of the party by means of (i) any electronic signature permitted by the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, state enactments of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, and/or any other relevant electronic signatures law, including relevant provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code (collectively, “Signature Law”); (ii) an original manual signature; or (iii) a faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature. Each electronic signature or faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature shall for all purposes have the same validity, legal effect, and admissibility in evidence as an original manual signature. Each party hereto shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon, and shall have no liability with respect to, any faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature, or other electronic signature, of any party and shall have no duty to investigate, confirm or otherwise verify the validity or authenticity thereof. For avoidance of doubt, original manual signatures shall be used for execution or indorsement of writings when required under the Uniform Commercial Code or other Signature Law due to the character or intended character of the writings.

Section 2.7 Trustee. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of, and neither makes any representation or warranty as to, the validity, execution, or sufficiency of this Third Supplemental Indenture or for or with respect to the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Issuer. All of the parties hereto agree that the Trustee shall be afforded all of the protections, privileges, immunities and indemnities provided to them under the Indenture.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Third Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.

 

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.,

as Issuer

By:   /s/ Kevin P. O’Shea
Name:   Kevin P. O’Shea
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

[Signature Page to Third Supplemental Indenture]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Third Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.

 

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL

ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee, Registrar, Paying Agent and Transfer Agent
By:   /s/ Melody M. Scott
Name:   Melody M. Scott
Title:   Assistant Vice President

[Signature Page to Third Supplemental Indenture]


EXHIBIT A

[Form of 4.350% Senior Note due 2030]

[UNLESS THIS NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (THE “DEPOSITARY”) (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) TO THE ISSUER HEREOF OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN CERTIFICATED 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.]1

1 Include only if the Note is issued in global form.


AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

4.350% Senior Notes due 2030

CERTIFICATE No. [   ]

CUSIP No.: 053484

AH4 ISIN No.: US053484AH47

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC., a Maryland corporation (the “Issuer”, which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof), for value received, hereby promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or registered assigns, the principal amount of FOUR HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS ($400,000,000), or such lesser amount as is set forth in the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in the Global Note on the other side of this Note, on December 1, 2030 at the office or agency of the Issuer maintained for that purpose in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, and to pay interest, semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing June 1, 2026 on said principal sum at said office or agency, in like coin or currency, at the rate per annum of 4.350%, from the immediately preceding interest payment date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, unless no interest has been paid or duly provided for on the Notes, in which case from December 1, 2025, until payment of said principal sum has been made or duly provided for. Unless otherwise provided in or pursuant to the Indenture, at the option of the Issuer, interest on the Notes due and payable on any Interest Payment Date may be paid by mailing a check to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or by transfer to an account maintained by the payee with a bank located in the United States of America; provided, that the Paying Agent shall have received appropriate wire transfer instructions at least five Business Days prior to the Interest Payment Date. Any such interest which is punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name this Note (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered as of the close of business on the fifteenth calendar day (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date.

Reference is made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof and the Indenture governing this Note. Such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been signed manually by the Trustee or a duly authorized authenticating agent under the Indenture.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this Note to be duly executed by one of its duly authorized officers.

 

Dated:                     

 

  

 

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

    By:    
   

Name:

 
   

Title:

 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture. 

 

    U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
   

as Trustee

Dated:                           By:    
   

Name:

 
   

Title:

 


[REVERSE OF NOTE]

AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

4.350% Senior Notes due 2030

This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Notes of the Issuer, designated as its 4.350% Senior Notes due 2030 (the “Notes”), issued under and pursuant to an Indenture dated as of February 23, 2024 (the “Base Indenture”), between the Issuer and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 1, 2025 (the “Third Supplemental Indenture,” and together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), between the Issuer and the Trustee, to which Indenture and any indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Trustee, the Issuer and the Holders of the Notes. Defined terms used but not otherwise defined in this Note shall have the respective meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture.

The Issuer shall have the right to redeem the Notes under certain circumstances as set forth in Section 1.4(d) of the Third Supplemental Indenture and Article Eleven of the Base Indenture.

Prior to the Par Call Date, the Issuer may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of:

(x) (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the Redemption Date (assuming the Notes matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 15 basis points less (b) interest accrued to the Redemption Date, and

(y) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed,

plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

On or after the Par Call Date, the Issuer may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

For the avoidance of doubt, installments of interest on the Notes that are due and payable on an Interest Payment Date falling on or prior to a Redemption Date will be payable on such Interest Payment Date to the Holders thereof as of the close of business on the relevant Regular Record Date (instead of the Holder surrendering such Notes for redemption).

The Issuer’s actions and determinations in fixing the Redemption Price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. For the avoidance of doubt, the Trustee shall not be responsible for determining the Redemption Price.

If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 501(5), 501(6) or 501(7) of the Base Indenture) with respect to the Notes occurs and is continuing, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes may be declared to be due and payable by either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than twenty five percent (25%) in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, and, upon said declaration the same shall be immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 501(5), 501(6) or 501(7) of the Base Indenture occurs with respect to the Notes, the principal of and premium, if any, and interest accrued and unpaid on all the Notes shall be immediately due and payable without declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder of the Notes.


The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Issuer and the Trustee, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, to execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture with respect to the Notes or modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Notes, subject to exceptions set forth in Section 902 of the Base Indenture. Subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes, waive any past default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes, subject to exceptions set forth in the Indenture.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall impair, as among the Issuer and the Holder of the Notes, the obligation of the Issuer, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, on and interest on this Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the coin or currency herein and in the Indenture prescribed.

Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

The Notes are issuable in fully registered form, without coupons, in minimum denominations of $2,000 principal amount and any multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. At the office or agency of the Issuer referred to on the face hereof, and in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without payment of any service charge but with payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, Notes may be transferred or may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of any other authorized denominations.

The Notes are not subject to redemption through the operation of any sinking fund.

No recourse for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on this Note, or for any claim based hereon or otherwise in respect hereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of the Issuer in the Indenture or any supplemental indenture or in any Note, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any past, present or future general partner, limited partner, member, employee, incorporator, controlling person, stockholder, officer, director or agent, as such, of the Issuer or of any of the Issuer’s predecessors or successors, either directly or through the Issuer, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Notes by the Holders thereof and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Notes.


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)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint                to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuer. 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).


SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN THE GLOBAL NOTE *

The following increases or decreases in the principal amount of this Global Note have been made:

 

Date of
Increase or
Decrease
 

Amount of
decrease in
Principal Amount
at maturity of
this Global Note

 

Amount of
increase in
Principal Amount
at maturity of
this Global Note

 

Principal Amount
at maturity of
this Global Note
following such
decrease (or
increase)

 

Signature of
authorized officer
of Trustee or
Custodian

       
 
*

This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

EXHIBIT 10.1

AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO SEVENTH AMENDED

AND RESTATED REVOLVING LOAN AGREEMENT

This AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO SEVENTH AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING LOAN AGREEMENT, dated as of August 17, 2026 (this “Amendment No. 2”), is by and among AvalonBay Communities, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Maryland (the “Existing Borrower”), ERP Operating Limited Partnership, an Illinois limited partnership (the “New Borrower”), the several lenders signatory hereto (collectively, the “Banks”), and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent for the Banks (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”). Reference is made to that certain Seventh Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement, dated as of April 3, 2025 (as amended by the Amendment No. 1 to Seventh Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2025, the “Existing Loan Agreement,” and the Existing Loan Agreement as amended by this Amendment No. 2, the “Loan Agreement”), by and among the Existing Borrower, the Banks party thereto and the Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the same meanings as set forth in the Loan Agreement.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, on May 20, 2026, Existing Borrower entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Existing Borrower, Equity Residential, a Maryland real estate investment trust (“EQR”), New Borrower, and Canopy Merger Sub LLC, a Maryland limited liability company and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of EQR (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, Existing Borrower will merge with and into Merger Sub with Merger Sub becoming the surviving entity (the “Merger”), and substantially simultaneous with the Merger, Merger Sub being contributed by EQR to New Borrower resulting in Merger Sub (as successor by merger of Existing Borrower) becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of New Borrower (the “Contribution” and together with the Merger, the “Merger Transactions”);

WHEREAS, Section 7.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement prohibits the Existing Borrower to enter into a merger except where the Existing Borrower is the survivor and the consummation of the Merger Transactions will result in an Event of Default under Sections 9.01(3), (8), (11) and (12) of the Existing Loan Agreement (the “Change of Control Event”);

WHEREAS, the Existing Borrower and New Borrower have requested that, immediately after giving effect to the Merger Transactions and substantially simultaneously therewith, the Existing Borrower, and its successor by merger, Merger Sub, assign and transfer its rights and obligations as the “Borrower” under the Existing Loan Agreement to New Borrower and New Borrower assume all rights and obligations as “Borrower” under the Loan Agreement (the “Borrower Assumption”);

WHEREAS, the Existing Borrower has requested that the Banks consent to the Merger Transactions, the Change of Control Event and the Borrower Assumption, and waive any Default or Event of Default arising therefrom and the Banks have agreed to consent to the Merger Transactions, the Change of Control Event, the Borrower Assumption and waive any Default or Event of Default arising therefrom subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein; and


WHEREAS, pursuant to and in accordance with Section 12.02 of the Existing Loan Agreement, the New Borrower has requested that the Banks and the Administrative Agent amend certain provisions of the Existing Loan Agreement, and, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein, the Banks signatory hereto, which constitute all of the Banks party to the Existing Loan Agreement immediately prior to the effectiveness hereof, are willing to do so, on the terms set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, as well as other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1. EFFECTIVE DATE. Subject to conditions precedent set forth in Section 6 below, this Amendment No. 2 and the agreements and modifications set forth herein will be effective as of the date of the consummation of the Merger Transactions (the “Merger Effective Date”).

SECTION 2. CONSENT TO MERGER TRANSACTIONS AND CHANGE OF CONTROL EVENT. In reliance on the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this Amendment No. 2 and effective as of the Merger Effective Date, the Banks hereby (a) consent to the Merger Transactions, (b) waive any Default or Event of Default arising as a result of a breach of the Existing Loan Agreement arising as a result of the Merger Transactions, including, for the avoidance of doubt, Section 7.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement, (c) consent to the Change of Control Event and (d) waive any Default or Event of Default arising as a result of a breach of the Existing Loan Agreement arising as result of the Change of Control Event, including, for the avoidance of doubt, Sections 9.01(3), (8), (11) and (12) of the Existing Loan Agreement (such consents and waivers, the “Consents”).

SECTION 3. NEW BORROWER. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, as a result of the Merger Transactions and the Borrower Assumption, New Borrower is the successor in interest to Existing Borrower under the Loan Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, from and after the Merger Effective Date, New Borrower, as such successor, is a party to the Loan Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents in the capacity of Borrower thereunder, with all of the rights, interests, obligations and liabilities of Borrower set forth therein, in each case as though New Borrower were an original party thereto. All references in the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document to “AvalonBay Communities, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Maryland” shall hereby be amended and restated to refer to “ERP Operating Limited Partnership, an Illinois limited partnership.”

SECTION 4. AMENDMENTS TO LOAN AGREEMENT. As of the Merger Effective Date, and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 6 below, (a) the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended as set forth in the Loan Agreement attached as Annex I hereto, and (b) Annex II is hereby attached and made a part of the Loan Agreement as all Schedules and Exhibits to the Loan Agreement.

 

2


SECTION 5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BORROWER

In order to induce the Banks and Administrative Agent to enter into this Amendment No. 2, the Borrower represents and warrants to each Bank and Administrative Agent that the following statements are true, correct and complete:

(i) The execution and delivery of this Amendment No. 2 and the performance of the obligations required to be performed by the Borrower hereunder and under the Loan Agreement as amended by this Amendment No. 2 (the “Amended Loan Agreement”, and together with this Amendment No. 2, collectively, the “Amendment Documents”) are within the Borrower’s powers, have been authorized by all necessary action, and do not and will not (a) require the consent or approval of its partners or such consent or approval has been obtained, (b) contravene its organizational documents, (c) to the best of Borrower’s knowledge, violate any provision of, or require any filing, registration, consent or approval under, any law (including, without limitation, Regulation U), order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award presently in effect having applicability to it, (d) result in a breach of or constitute a default under or require any consent under any indenture or loan or credit agreement or any other agreement, lease or instrument to which it may be a party or by which it or its properties may be bound or affected except for consents which have been obtained, (e) result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien, upon or with respect to any of its properties now owned or hereafter acquired or (f) to the best of Borrower’s knowledge, cause it to be in default under any such law, order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award or any such indenture, agreement, lease or instrument; to the best of its knowledge, Borrower is in compliance with all laws applicable to it and its properties where failure to be in compliance with such Laws could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(ii) this Amendment No. 2 has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower, is in full force and effect as of the Amendment Effective Date and each Amendment Document is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that such enforcement may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and other similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally;

(iii) each of the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects as of the date as of which they were made and are true and correct in all material respects at and as of the date of this Amendment No. 2, except for representations and warranties which are expressly stated to relate to a specific earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties were true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date (or in the case of any representation or warranty that is qualified as to “materiality”, “Material Adverse Effect” or similar language, shall be true and correct in all respects as of the applicable date, after giving effect to such qualification); and

(iv) no Default or Event of Default exists on the date hereof (before and after giving effect to this Amendment No. 2).

 

3


SECTION 6. CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS

This Amendment No. 2 shall become effective only upon the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent (the “Amendment Effective Date”):

A. The Existing Borrower, the New Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Banks shall have indicated their consent hereto by the execution and delivery of the signature pages hereof to the Administrative Agent.

B. If applicable, each Down REIT shall have executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent a duly executed original of a Down REIT Guaranty.

C. The Administrative Agent shall have received all documents the Administrative Agent may reasonably request relating to the existence of the New Borrower and each Down REIT as of the Merger Effective Date, if any, the authority for and the validity of this Amendment No. 2 and the other Loan Documents, and any other matters relevant hereto, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Such documentation shall include, without limitation, the agreement of limited partnership of the New Borrower, as well as the certificate of limited partnership of the New Borrower, both as amended, modified or supplemented to the Merger Effective Date, certified to be true, correct and complete by a Responsible Officer of the New Borrower, together with a certificate of existence as to the New Borrower from the Secretary of State (or the equivalent thereof) of Illinois, to be dated not more than thirty (30) days prior to the Merger Effective Date, and correlative documentation for each Down REIT as of the Merger Effective Date.

D. The Administrative Agent shall have all fees required to be paid on or before the Amendment Effective Date and received all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses for which invoices have been presented (including the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel for which the Borrower agrees it is responsible pursuant to Section 9.3 of the Loan Agreement), incurred in connection with this Amendment No. 2.

E. Each of the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in the Loan Agreement, this Amendment No. 2, and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects as of the date as of which they were made and are true and correct in all material respects at and as of the date of this Amendment No. 2, except for representations and warranties which are expressly stated to relate to a specific earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties were true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date (or in the case of any representation or warranty that is qualified as to “materiality”, “Material Adverse Effect” or similar language, shall be true and correct in all respects as of the applicable date, after giving effect to such qualification); and no Default or Event of Default exists on the date hereof (before and after giving effect to this Amendment No. 2)

F. The Administrative Agent and each Bank shall have received (i) such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or such Bank in order for the Administrative Agent or such Bank to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with the results of all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws with respect to the New Borrower and (ii) to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent or such Bank, and to the extent that the New Borrower qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to the New Borrower.

 

4


G. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of the New Borrower confirming that consummation of the Merger, the Merger Transactions and the Borrower Assumption has occurred or will occur substantially simultaneously with the effectiveness of this Amendment No. 2.

H. The New Borrower shall have executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent a Note for the account of each Bank requesting a Note at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Amendment Effective Date.

I. Upon satisfaction of the foregoing conditions, the Administrative Agent shall deliver written notice to the Borrower and the Banks of the Amendment Effective Date.

SECTION 7. MISCELLANEOUS

A. Reference to and Effect on the Loan Agreement and the Other Loan Documents.

(i) On and after the effective date of this Amendment No. 2, each reference in the Loan Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “hereof”, “herein” or words of like import referring to the Loan Agreement and each reference in the other Loan Documents to the “Loan Agreement”, “thereunder”, “thereof” or words of like import referring to the Loan Agreement shall mean and be a reference to the Amended Loan Agreement. This Amendment No. 2 shall constitute a Loan Document for all purposes under the Loan Agreement.

(ii) Except as specifically amended by this Amendment No. 2, the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed.

(iii) The execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment No. 2 shall not, except as expressly provided herein, constitute a waiver of any provision of, or operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of the Administrative Agent or any Bank under, the Loan Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.

(iv) This Amendment No. 2 shall not constitute or effect a novation of the obligations of the Borrower under the Existing Loan Agreement, as amended hereby, and the other Loan Documents.

B. Headings. Section and subsection headings in this Amendment No. 2 are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation or construction of this Amendment No. 2.

C. Applicable Law THIS AMENDMENT NO. 2 AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK; provided, however, all parties to this Amendment No. 2 acknowledge and agree that

 

5


immediately after giving effect to this Amendment No. 2, the governing law of the Loan Agreement and other Loan Documents shall be the laws of the State of Illinois, in accordance with Section 9.8 of the Loan Agreement. The provisions of Section 12.15 of the Existing Loan Agreement are incorporated herein by reference, mutatis mutandis; provided, however, that all parties to this Amendment No. 2 acknowledge and agree that immediately after giving effect to this Amendment No. 2, the provisions of Section 9.8 of the Loan Agreement shall govern and control.

D. Counterparts; Effectiveness. This Amendment No. 2 may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument, and any party hereto may execute this Amendment No. 2 by signing any such counterpart. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Amendment No. 2 by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment No. 2. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Amendment No. 2 shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in any electronic form (including deliveries by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page), each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be.

[Signature Pages to Follow]

 

6


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment No. 2 to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.

 

EXISTING BORROWER:
AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Kevin P. O’Shea

Name:   Kevin P. O’Shea
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page - Amendment No. 2 to AvalonBay Loan Agreement]


NEW BORROWER:
ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (as successor-in-interest to Canopy Merger Sub LLC)
By:   Equity Residential, its general partner
By:  

/s/ Claudio Moreno

Name:   Claudio Moreno
Title:   Senior Vice President and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page - Amendment No. 2 to Seventh Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement]


BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. (as Administrative Agent)
By:  

/s/ Jeanmarie Curtis

Name:   Jeanmarie Curtis
Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature Page - Amendment No. 2 to Seventh Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement]


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. (as a Bank and an Issuing Bank)
By:  

/s/ Amitkumar Mudaliar

Name:   Amitkumar Mudaliar
Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature Page - Amendment No. 2 to Seventh Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement]


BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. (as a Bank and an Issuing Bank)
By:  

/s/ Thomas W. Nowak

Name:   Thomas W. Nowak
Title:   Senior Vice President

 

[Signature Page - Amendment No. 2 to Seventh Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement]


WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. (as a Bank and an Issuing Bank)
By:  

/s/ Sarah Gay

Name:   Sarah Gay
Title:   Executive Director

 

[Signature Page - Amendment No. 2 to Seventh Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement]


BARCLAYS BANK PLC (as a Bank)
By:  

/s/ Timothy Uwemedimo

Name:   Timothy Uwemedimo
Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page - Amendment No. 2 to Seventh Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement]


DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH (as a Bank)
By:  

/s/ Alison Lugo

Name:   Alison Lugo
Title:   Vice President
By:  

/s/ Kelvyn Correa

Name:   Kelvyn Correa
Title:   Director

 

[Signature Page - Amendment No. 2 to Seventh Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement]


GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA (as a Bank)
By:  

/s/ Elizabeth Tosin

Name:   Elizabeth Tosin
Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page - Amendment No. 2 to Seventh Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement]


MORGAN STANLEY BANK, N.A. (as a Bank)
By:  

/s/ Gretell Merlo

Name:   Gretell Merlo
Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page - Amendment No. 2 to Seventh Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement]


PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (as a Bank)
By:  

/s/ Shari L Reams-Henofer

Name:   Shari L Reams-Henofer
Title:   Senior Vice President

 

[Signature Page - Amendment No. 2 to Seventh Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement]


TRUIST BANK (as a Bank)
By:  

/s/ Richard de la Vega

Name:   Richard de la Vega
Title:   Director

 

[Signature Page - Amendment No. 2 to Seventh Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement]


THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA (as a Bank)
By:  

/s/ Chelsea McCune

Name:   Chelsea McCune
Title:   Director

 

[Signature Page - Amendment No. 2 to Seventh Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement]


BNP PARIBAS (as a Bank)
By:  

/s/ Benjamin Binetter

Name:   Benjamin Binetter
Title:   Managing Director
By:  

/s/ Valentin Detry

Name:   Valentin Detry
Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature Page - Amendment No. 2 to Seventh Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement]


MIZUHO BANK, LTD. (as a Bank)
By:  

/s/ Donna DeMagistris

Name:   Donna DeMagistris
Title:   Managing Director

 

[Signature Page - Amendment No. 2 to Seventh Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement]


REGIONS BANK (as a Bank)
By:  

/s/ Reid Malley

Name:   Reid Malley
Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature Page - Amendment No. 2 to Seventh Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement]


ROYAL BANK OF CANADA (as a Bank)
By:  

/s/ Edward McKenna

Name:   Edward McKenna
Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page - Amendment No. 2 to Seventh Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement]


TD BANK, N.A. (as a Bank)
By:  

/s/ Michael Duganich

Name:   Michael Duganich
Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature Page - Amendment No. 2 to Seventh Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement]


U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (as a Bank)
By:  

/s/ Germaine R. Korhone

Name:   Germaine R. Korhone
Title:   Senior Vice President

 

[Signature Page - Amendment No. 2 to Seventh Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement]


ASSOCIATED BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (as a Bank)
By:  

/s/ Mitchell Vega

Name:   Mitchell Vega
Title:   Senior Vice President

 

[Signature Page - Amendment No. 2 to Seventh Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement]


Annex I

Amended Loan Agreement

[See attached]


Annex I (Amended Loan Agreement)

 

 
 

Published Deal CUSIP Number: 05348JAN8

Published USD Revolver CUSIP Number: 05348JAP3

SEVENTH AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING LOAN AGREEMENT

dated as of April 3, 2025

among

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

(as successor in interest to Canopy Merger Sub LLC, the successor by merger to AvalonBay Communities Inc.),

THE BANKS LISTED HEREIN,

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent,

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., BOFA SECURITIES, INC., and

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC,

as Joint Bookrunners and Joint Lead Arrangers,

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. and WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.

,

as Co-Syndication Agents,

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, BNP PARIBAS,

MIZUHO BANK, LTD., REGIONS BANK, ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,

TD BANK, N.A., and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Senior Managing Agents,

and

BARCLAYS BANK PLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.,

GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, Morgan Stanley senior funding, inc.

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION and TRUIST BANK,

as Co-Documentation Agents

 

 
 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1

  Definitions      1  

Section 1.2

  Accounting Terms and Determinations      45  

Section 1.3

  Types of Borrowings      45  

Section 1.4

  Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents      46  

Section 1.5

  Rounding      46  

Section 1.6

  References to Chicago, Illinois Time      46  

Section 1.7

  Divisions      46  

Section 1.8

  Interest Rates; Licensing      46  

Section 1.9

  Other Interpretive Provisions      47  
ARTICLE II THE CREDITS

 

Section 2.1

  Commitments to Lend      48  

Section 2.2

  Notice of Borrowing; Request for Letter of Credit      50  

Section 2.3

  Competitive Bid Borrowings      52  

Section 2.4

  Notice to Banks; Funding of Loans      56  

Section 2.5

  Evidence of Debt      58  

Section 2.6

  Method of Electing Interest Rates      59  

Section 2.7

  Interest Rates      61  

Section 2.8

  Fees      62  

Section 2.9

  Maturity Date      64  

Section 2.10

  Additional Alternative Currencies      66  

Section 2.11

  Optional Prepayments and Optional Decreases and Termination      67  

Section 2.12

  General Provisions as to Payments      69  

Section 2.13

  Funding Losses      70  

Section 2.14

  Computation of Interest and Fees      71  

Section 2.15

  Use of Proceeds      71  

Section 2.16

  Letters of Credit      71  

Section 2.17

  Letter of Credit Usage Absolute      76  

Section 2.18

  [Reserved]      77  

Section 2.19

  Letters of Credit Maturing after the Maturity Date      77  

Section 2.20

  Special Provisions Regarding Alternative Currency Loans      77  

Section 2.21

  Qualified Borrowers      80  

Section 2.22

  Mandatory Prepayments      81  

Section 2.23

  Change of Currency      82  

Section 2.24

  Cash Collateral      82  
ARTICLE III CONDITIONS

 

Section 3.1

  Closing      85  

Section 3.2

  Borrowings      87  


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

Section 4.1

  Existence and Power      88  

Section 4.2

  Power and Authority      89  

Section 4.3

  No Violation      89  

Section 4.4

  Financial Information      90  

Section 4.5

  Litigation      90  

Section 4.6

  Compliance with ERISA      91  

Section 4.7

  Environmental Matters      91  

Section 4.8

  Taxes      91  

Section 4.9

  Full Disclosure      91  

Section 4.10

  Solvency      92  

Section 4.11

  Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations      92  

Section 4.12

  Governmental Approvals      92  

Section 4.13

  Investment Company Act      92  

Section 4.14

  [Reserved]      92  

Section 4.15

  REIT Status      92  

Section 4.16

  No Default      92  

Section 4.17

  Compliance With Law      92  

Section 4.18

  [Reserved]      93  

Section 4.19

  Outbound Investment Rules      93  

Section 4.20

  OFAC      93  

Section 4.21

  Anti-Corruption Laws; Anti-Money Laundering Laws      93  

Section 4.22

  Affected Financial Institution      93  

Section 4.23

  Covered Entities      93  
ARTICLE V AFFIRMATIVE AND NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

Section 5.1

  Information      94  

Section 5.2

  Payment of Obligations      96  

Section 5.3

  Maintenance of Property; Insurance; Leases      97  

Section 5.4

  Maintenance of Existence      97  

Section 5.5

  Compliance with Laws      97  

Section 5.6

  Inspection of Property, Books and Records      97  

Section 5.7

  Outbound Investment Rules      98  

Section 5.8

  Financial Covenants      98  

Section 5.9

  Restriction on Fundamental Changes; Organizational Document Amendments      99  

Section 5.10

  Changes in Business      100  

Section 5.11

  Margin Stock      100  

Section 5.12

  Anti-Corruption Laws; Anti-Money Laundering      100  

Section 5.13

  Sanctions      100  

Section 5.14

  EQR Status      101  

Section 5.15

  Parent Guaranty      101  

 

ii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE VI DEFAULTS

 

Section 6.1

  Events of Default      101  

Section 6.2

  Rights and Remedies      104  

Section 6.3

  Notice of Default      105  

Section 6.4

  Actions in Respect of Letters of Credit      105  

Section 6.5

  Application of Funds      105  
ARTICLE VII THE AGENTS

 

Section 7.1

  Appointment and Authority      106  

Section 7.2

  Rights as a Bank      107  

Section 7.3

  Exculpatory Provisions      107  

Section 7.4

  Reliance by Administrative Agent      108  

Section 7.5

  Delegation of Duties      108  

Section 7.6

  Indemnification      109  

Section 7.7

  Non-Reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Co-Syndication Agents and the Other Banks      109  

Section 7.8

  Successor Administrative Agent      110  

Section 7.9

  Consents and Approvals      111  

Section 7.10

  No Other Duties, Etc.      111  

Section 7.11

  Certain ERISA Matters      112  

Section 7.12

  Recovery of Erroneous Payments      113  
ARTICLE VIII CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES

 

Section 8.1

  Inability to Determine Rates; Replacement of Relevant Rates or Successor Rates      113  

Section 8.2

  Illegality      117  

Section 8.3

  Increased Cost and Reduced Return      118  

Section 8.4

  Taxes      120  

Section 8.5

  Base Rate Loans Substituted for Affected Loans      124  

Section 8.6

  Survival      125  
ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 9.1

  Notices      125  

Section 9.2

  No Waivers      126  

Section 9.3

  Expenses; Indemnification      126  

Section 9.4

  Sharing of Set-Offs      128  

Section 9.5

  Amendments and Waivers      129  

Section 9.6

  Successors and Assigns      132  

Section 9.7

  Collateral      136  

Section 9.8

  Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction      136  

Section 9.9

  Integration; Effectiveness      137  

Section 9.10

  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL      138  

 

iii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Section 9.11

  Survival      138  

Section 9.12

  Domicile of Loans      138  

Section 9.13

  Limitation of Liability      138  

Section 9.14

  Recourse Obligation      138  

Section 9.15

  Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality      138  

Section 9.16

  Defaulting Lenders      140  

Section 9.17

  No Bankruptcy Proceedings      142  

Section 9.18

  Down REIT Guaranties      143  

Section 9.19

  USA PATRIOT Act Notice      144  

Section 9.20

  Public/Private Information      144  

Section 9.21

  ENTIRE AGREEMENT      144  

Section 9.22

  No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility      145  

Section 9.23

  Determinations of Pro Rata Share, etc.      145  

Section 9.24

  Electronic Execution; Electronic Records; Counterparts      145  

Section 9.25

  Release of Guarantees      147  

Section 9.26

  Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions      147  

Section 9.27

  Acknowledgment Regarding Any Supported QFCs      148  

Section 9.28

  Interest Rate Limitations      148  

 

iv


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SCHEDULES

Schedule 1.1 – Alternative Currency Commitments

Schedule 1.2 – Dollar Commitments

Schedule 1.3 – Fronting Bank Commitment Amounts

Schedule 2.14 – Day Basis for Alternative Currencies

Schedule 2.16 – Existing Letters of Credit

Schedule 9.1 – Administrative Agent’s Office; Certain Addresses for Notices

EXHIBITS

Exhibit A-1 – Form of Designated Lender Note

Exhibit A-2 – Form of Note

Exhibit A-3 – Form of Qualified Borrower Note

Exhibit B – Form of Competitive Bid Quote Request

Exhibit C-1 – Form of Notice of Borrowing

Exhibit C-2 – Form of Notice of Interest Rate Election

Exhibit D – Form of Competitive Bid Quote

Exhibit E – Form of Transfer Supplement

Exhibit F – Form of Compliance Certificate

Exhibit G – Form of Designation Agreement

Exhibit H – Form of Down REIT Guaranty

Exhibit I – Form of Qualified Borrower Guaranty

Exhibit J-1-4 – Forms of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates

Exhibit K – Form of Parent Guaranty

Exhibit L – Form of Notice of Loan Prepayment

 

v


SEVENTH AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT

THIS SEVENTH AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT, dated as of April 3, 2025, is among ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (as successor in interest to Canopy Merger Sub LLC, the successor by merger to AvalonBay Communities Inc.), the financial institutions from time to time party hereto as BANKS, and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Definitions. The following terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:

Absolute Rate Auction” means a solicitation of Competitive Bid Quotes setting forth Competitive Bid Absolute Rates pursuant to Section 2.3.

Acquisition Property” means a Real Property Asset acquired by the Borrower or its Consolidated Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates (whether by purchase, merger or other corporate transaction and including acquisitions from taxable REIT subsidiaries owned by the Borrower).

Acquisition Property Value” means the greater of (a) the EBITDA generated by an Acquisition Property divided by the FMV Cap Rate (or Borrower’s Share thereof with respect to any Acquisition Property owned by a Consolidated Subsidiary or an Investment Affiliate), or (b) the undepreciated book value (cost basis plus improvements) of an Acquisition Property (or Borrower’s Share thereof with respect to any Acquisition Property owned by a Consolidated Subsidiary or an Investment Affiliate). An Acquisition Property will be valued as a Stabilized Property following the sixth full Fiscal Quarter after the Fiscal Quarter in which such Acquisition Property was first acquired.

Administrative Agent” means Bank of America (or any of its designated branch offices or affiliates) in its capacity as administrative agent hereunder or any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent.

Administrative Agent’s Office” means, with respect to any currency, the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 9.1 with respect to such currency, or such other address or account with respect to such currency as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Banks.


Administrative Questionnaire” means, with respect to each Bank, an administrative questionnaire in the form prepared by the Administrative Agent and submitted to the Administrative Agent (with a copy to the Borrower) duly completed by such Bank.

Affected Bank” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.21(c).

Affected Financial Institution” means (a) any EEA Financial Institution, or (b) any UK Financial Institution.

affiliate” and “Affiliate”, as applied to any Person, means any other Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, that Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of that Person, whether through the ownership of voting equity securities or by contract or otherwise.

Agents” means, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Co-Syndication Agents and the Co-Documentation Agents.

Agreed Currency” means Dollars or any Alternative Currency, as applicable.

Agreement” means this Seventh Amended and Restated Revolving Loan Agreement as the same may from time to time hereafter be modified, supplemented or amended.

Alternative Currency” means each of the following currencies: Canadian dollars, British Pound Sterling, Japanese Yen and Euro, together with each other currency (other than Dollars) that is approved in accordance with Section 2.10; provided that for each Alternative Currency, such requested currency is an Eligible Currency.

Alternative Currency Commitment” means with respect to each Bank, the amount in Dollars set forth opposite such Bank’s name on Schedule 1.1 attached hereto as its commitment for Loans in Alternative Currencies and Alternative Currency Letters of Credit and, to the extent provided in Section 2.1(a), Loans and Letters of Credit in Dollars (and, (i) for each Bank which is an Assignee, the amount set forth in the Transfer Supplement entered into pursuant to Section 9.6(c) as the Assignee’s Alternative Currency Commitment and (ii) for each Approved Bank that becomes a Bank in accordance with Section 2.1(b), the amount set forth in the instrument pursuant to which such Approved Bank became a Bank as such Bank’s Alternative Currency Commitment), as such amount may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.11(e) or in connection with an assignment to an Assignee, and as such amount may be increased in connection with an assignment from an Assignor or pursuant to Section 2.1(b). The initial aggregate amount of the Banks’ Alternative Currency Commitments is the Dollar Equivalent of $0.

 

2


Alternative Currency Daily Rate” means, for any day, with respect to any Borrowing or LC Credit Extension:

(a) denominated in British Pound Sterling, the rate per annum equal to SONIA determined pursuant to the definition thereof; and

(b) denominated in any other Alternative Currency (to the extent such Loans denominated in such currency will bear interest at a daily rate), the daily rate per annum as designated with respect to such Alternative Currency at the time such Alternative Currency is approved by the Administrative Agent and the relevant Banks pursuant to Section 2.10 plus the adjustment (if any) determined by the Administrative Agent and the relevant Banks pursuant to Section 2.10;

provided, that, if any Alternative Currency Daily Rate as so determined shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for purposes of the Loan Documents. Any change in an Alternative Currency Daily Rate shall be effective from and including the date of such change without further notice.

Alternative Currency Daily Rate Borrowing” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3.

Alternative Currency Daily Rate Loan” means a Committed Loan that bears interest at a rate based on the definition of “Alternative Currency Daily Rate.” All Alternative Currency Daily Rate Loans must be denominated in an Alternative Currency.

Alternative Currency Equivalent” means, at any time, with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, the equivalent amount thereof in the applicable Alternative Currency as determined by the Administrative Agent or the Fronting Bank, as the case may be, by reference to Bloomberg (or such other publicly available service for displaying exchange rates), to be the exchange rate for the purchase of such Alternative Currency with Dollars at approximately 11:00 a.m. on the date two (2) Business Days prior to the date as of which the foreign exchange computation is made; provided, however, that if no such rate is available, the “Alternative Currency Equivalent” shall be determined by the Administrative Agent or the Fronting Bank, as the case may be, using any reasonable method of determination it deems appropriate in its sole discretion (and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error).

Alternative Currency Excess” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.22.

Alternative Currency Letter of Credit” means a Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency.

Alternative Currency Loan” means an Alternative Currency Daily Rate Loan or an Alternative Currency Term Rate Loan, as applicable.

Alternative Currency Sublimit” means the Dollar Equivalent of Alternative Currency Loans and Alternative Currency Letter(s) of Credit (and, to the extent expressly provided herein, Loans and Letters of Credit denominated in Dollars), equal to the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate amount of the Banks’ Alternative Currency Commitments, as such amount may be increased in accordance with Section 2.1(b) from time to time.

 

3


Alternative Currency Term Rate” means, for any Interest Period, with respect to any Borrowing or LC Credit Extension:

(a) denominated in Euros, the rate per annum equal to the Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”), as 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) on the day that is two TARGET Days preceding the first day of such Interest Period with a term equivalent to such Interest Period;

(b) denominated in Canadian dollars, the rate per annum equal to the forward-looking term rate based on CORRA (“Term CORRA”), as 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) (in such case, the “Term CORRA Rate”) on the Rate Determination Date with a term equivalent to such Interest Period;

(c) denominated in Japanese Yen, the rate per annum equal to the Tokyo Interbank Offer Rate (“TIBOR”), as 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) on the Rate Determination Date with a term equivalent to such Interest Period; and

(d) denominated in any other Alternative Currency (to the extent such Loans denominated in such currency will bear interest at a term rate), the term rate per annum as designated with respect to such Alternative Currency at the time such Alternative Currency is approved by the Administrative Agent and the relevant Banks pursuant to Section 2.10 plus the adjustment (if any) determined by the Administrative Agent and the relevant Banks pursuant to Section 2.10;

provided that, if any Alternative Currency Term Rate as so determined shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed zero for purposes of the Loan Documents.

Alternative Currency Term Rate Borrowing” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3.

Alternative Currency Term Rate Loan” means a Committed Loan that bears interest at a rate based on the definition of “Alternative Currency Term Rate.” All Alternative Currency Term Rate Loans must be denominated in an Alternative Currency.

Applicable Authority” means (a) with respect to SOFR, the SOFR Administrator or any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent or the SOFR Administrator with respect to its publication of SOFR, in each case acting in such capacity and (b) with respect to any Alternative Currency, the applicable administrator for the Relevant Rate for such Alternative Currency or any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent or such administrator with respect to its publication of the applicable Relevant Rate, in each case acting in such capacity.

Applicable Interest Rate” means (i) with respect to any Fixed Rate Indebtedness, the fixed interest rate applicable to such Fixed Rate Indebtedness at the time in question, and (ii) with respect to any Floating Rate Indebtedness, the floating rate applicable to such Floating Rate Indebtedness at the time in question.

 

4


Applicable Lending Office” means, with respect to any Bank, the office or offices of such Bank described as such in such Bank’s Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as a Bank may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, which office may include any Affiliate of such Bank or any domestic or foreign branch of such Bank or such Affiliate. Unless the context otherwise requires each reference to a Bank shall include its Applicable Lending Office.

Applicable Margin” means, with respect to each Loan, the respective percentages per annum determined, at any time, based on the range into which the Credit Rating then falls, in accordance with the table set forth below. Any change in the Credit Rating causing it to move to a different range on the table shall effect an immediate change in the Applicable Margin. In the event that the Borrower receives Credit Ratings that are not equivalent, the Applicable Margin shall be based upon the higher of the Credit Ratings from S&P or Moody’s. In the event that only one (1) Rating Agency has set the Credit Rating, then the Applicable Margin shall be based on such single Credit Rating. Should the Borrower lose its Investment Grade Rating from both Rating Agencies, the Applicable Margin will revert to the Non-Investment Grade rate set forth in the table below. Upon the reinstatement of an Investment Grade Rating from either S&P or Moody’s, the Applicable Margin will again be determined based on the applicable Credit Rating in the table set forth below.

 

Range of

Credit Rating

   Applicable Margin for
Base Rate Loans
(% per annum)
     Applicable Margin for
SOFR Loans and
Alternative Currency Loans
(% per annum)
 

Non-Investment

Grade

     0.400        1.400  

BBB-/Baa3

     0.050        1.050  

BBB/Baa2

     0.000        0.850  

BBB+/Baa1

     0.000        0.775  

A-/A3

     0.000        0.725  

A/A2

     0.000        0.700  

A+/A1 or better

     0.000        0.650  

Approved Bank” means a bank which has (i)(a) a minimum net worth of $500,000,000 and/or (b) total assets of $10,000,000,000, and (ii) a minimum long term debt rating of (a) BBB+ or higher by S&P, and (b) Baa1 or higher by Moody’s.

Approved Fund” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Bank, (b) an Affiliate of a Bank or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Bank.

Assignee” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(c).

 

5


Assignor” means any Bank that has made an assignment to an Assignee pursuant to Section 9.6(c).

Auto-Extension Letter of Credit” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.16(f).

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).

Bank” means each bank listed on the signature pages hereof, each Assignee which becomes a Bank pursuant to Section 9.6(c), and their respective successors and each Designated Lender; provided, however, that the term “Bank” shall exclude each Designated Lender when used in reference to a Committed Loan, the Commitments or terms relating to the Committed Loans and the Commitments and shall further exclude each Designated Lender for all other purposes hereunder except that any Designated Lender which funds a Competitive Bid Loan shall, subject to Section 9.6(d), have the rights (including the rights given to a Bank contained in Section 9.3 and otherwise in Article IX) and obligations of a Bank associated with holding such Competitive Bid Loan.

Bank of America” means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.

Bank Recipient Parties” mean, collectively, the Banks and the Fronting Banks.

Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code, entitled “Bankruptcy”, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute or statutes.

Base Rate” means for any day a fluctuating rate of interest per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 12 of 1%, (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its “prime rate,” (c) Term SOFR plus 1.00% and (d) 1.00%. The “prime rate” is a rate set by Bank of America based upon various factors including Bank of America’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in such prime rate announced by Bank of America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change. If the Base Rate is being used as an alternate rate of interest pursuant to Section 8.1 or 8.5 hereof, then the Base Rate shall be the greatest of clauses (a), (b) and (d) above and shall be determined without reference to clause (c) above.

 

6


Base Rate Loan” means a Committed Loan made or to be made by a Bank as a Base Rate Loan in accordance with the applicable Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Interest Rate Election or pursuant to Article VIII, bearing interest based on the Base Rate. All Base Rate Loans shall be denominated in Dollars and are only available to the Borrower and any Qualified Borrower that is a limited partnership, limited liability company or other business entity duly organized under the laws of any political subdivision of the United States.

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.

Benefit Arrangement” means at any time an employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA which is not a Plan or a Multiemployer Plan and which is maintained or otherwise contributed to by any member of the ERISA Group.

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”.

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.

Borrower” means ERP Operating Limited Partnership, an Illinois limited partnership, successor-in-interest to Canopy Merger Sub LLC, a Maryland limited liability company, the successor by merger to AvalonBay Communities, Inc., a Maryland corporation.

Borrower’s Share” means the Borrower’s or EQR’s share of the liabilities or assets, as the case may be, of an Investment Affiliate or Consolidated Subsidiary as reasonably determined by the Borrower based upon the Borrower’s or EQR’s economic interest in such Investment Affiliate or Consolidated Subsidiary, as the case may be, as of the date of such determination.

Borrowing” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3.

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, the state where the Administrative Agent’s Office is located; provided that:

(a) if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to an Alternative Currency Loan denominated in Euro, any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in Euro in respect of any such Alternative Currency Loan, or any other dealings in Euro to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such Alternative Currency Loan, means a Business Day that is also a TARGET Day;

 

7


(b) if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to an Alternative Currency Loan denominated in (i) British Pound Sterling, means a day other than a day banks are closed for general business in London because such day is a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday under the laws of the United Kingdom and (ii) Japanese Yen, means a day other than when banks are closed for general business in Japan;

(c) if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to an Alternative Currency Loan denominated in a currency other than, Euro, British Pound Sterling or Japanese Yen, means any such day on which dealings in deposits in the relevant currency are conducted by and between banks in the applicable interbank market for such currency; and

(d) if such day relates to any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in a currency other than Euro in respect of an Alternative Currency Loan denominated in a currency other than Euro, or any other dealings in any currency other than Euro to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such Alternative Currency Loan (other than any interest rate settings), means any such day on which banks are open for foreign exchange business in the principal financial center of the country of such currency.

Capital Leases” as applied to any Person, means any lease of any Property by that Person as lessee which, in conformity with GAAP, is or should be classified and accounted for as a capital lease or financing lease on the balance sheet of that Person.

Capital Reserve” means $150 per year.

Cash and Cash Equivalents” means unrestricted (notwithstanding the foregoing, however, cash held in escrow in connection with the completion of Code Section 1031 “like-kind” exchanges shall be deemed to be “unrestricted” for purposes hereof) (i) cash, (ii) direct obligations of the United States Government, including without limitation, treasury bills, notes and bonds, (iii) interest bearing or discounted obligations of Federal agencies and government sponsored entities or pools of such instruments offered by Approved Banks and dealers, including without limitation, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation participation sale certificates, Government National Mortgage Association modified pass through certificates, Federal National Mortgage Association bonds and notes, and Federal Farm Credit System securities, (iv) time deposits, foreign deposits, domestic and foreign certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances (foreign and domestic), commercial paper in Dollars or an Alternative Currency rated at least A-1 by S&P and P-1 by Moody’s and/or guaranteed by a Person with an Aa rating by Moody’s, an AA rating by S&P or better rated credit, floating rate notes, other money market instruments and letters of credit each issued by Approved Banks (provided that the same shall cease to be a “Cash or Cash Equivalent” if at any time any such bank shall cease to be an Approved Bank), (v) obligations of domestic corporations, including, without limitation, commercial paper, bonds, debentures and loan participations, each of which is rated at least AA by S&P and/or Aa2 by Moody’s and/or guaranteed by a Person with an Aa rating by Moody’s, an AA rating by S&P or better rated credit, (vi) obligations issued by states and local governments or their agencies, rated at least MIG-1 by Moody’s and/or SP-1 by S&P and/or guaranteed by an irrevocable letter of credit of an Approved Bank (provided that the same shall cease to be a “Cash or Cash Equivalent” if at any time any such bank shall cease to be an Approved Bank), (vii) repurchase agreements with major banks and primary government security dealers fully secured by the U.S. Government or agency collateral equal to or exceeding the principal amount on a daily basis and held in safekeeping, and (viii) real estate loan pool participations, guaranteed by a Person with an AA rating given by S&P or Aa2 rating given by Moody’s or better rated credit.

 

8


Cash Collateralize” means to deposit in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account or to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of one or more of the Fronting Banks or the Banks, as collateral for Letter of Credit Usage or obligations of the Banks to fund participations in respect of the Letter of Credit Usage, cash or deposit account balances or, if the Administrative Agent and the Fronting Banks shall agree in their sole discretion, other credit support, in each case, pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Fronting Banks. “Cash Collateral” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.

Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the (x) date of this Agreement in the case of Committed Loans made pursuant to Section 2.1 or LC Credit Extensions or (y) the date of the related Competitive Bid Quote, in the case of any Competitive Bid Loan, 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 or in the implementation thereof 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 or foreign 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, issued or implemented.

Closing Date” means the first date on which all the conditions set forth in Section 3.1 shall have been satisfied to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent.

CME” means CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and as it may be further amended from time to time, any successor statutes thereto.

Co-Documentation Agents” means Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. New York Branch, Bank of China Limited, Chicago Branch, Bank of Montreal, Mizuho Bank, Ltd., PNC Bank, National Association, Regions Bank, The Bank of New York Mellon, The Bank of Nova Scotia and Truist Bank, in their capacities as Co-Documentation Agents hereunder.

Commitment” means, with respect to each Bank, the sum of its Dollar Commitment and its Alternative Currency Commitment.

Commitment Excess” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.22.

Committed Borrowing” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3.

 

9


Committed Loan” means a loan made or to be made by a Bank pursuant to Section 2.1, as well as an LC Advance; provided that, if any such loan or loans (or portions thereof) are combined or subdivided pursuant to a Notice of Interest Rate Election, the term “Committed Loan” shall refer to the combined principal amount resulting from such combination or to each of the separate principal amounts resulting from such subdivision, as the case may be.

Communication” means this Agreement, any Loan Document and any document, amendment, approval, consent, information, notice, certificate, request, statement, disclosure or authorization related to any Loan Document.

Competitive Bid Absolute Rate” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(d)(2).

Competitive Bid Absolute Rate Loan” means a loan made or to be made by a Bank pursuant to an Absolute Rate Auction.

Competitive Bid Borrowing” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3.

Competitive Bid Daily SOFR Loan” means a loan made or to be made by a Bank pursuant to a Daily Simple SOFR Auction (including such a loan bearing interest at the Base Rate pursuant to Article VIII).

Competitive Bid Loan” means a Competitive Bid Daily SOFR Loan, a Competitive Bid Term SOFR Loan or a Competitive Bid Absolute Rate Loan.

Competitive Bid Margin” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(d)(2).

Competitive Bid Quote” means an offer by a Bank to make a Competitive Bid Loan in accordance with Section 2.3.

Competitive Bid Quote Request” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(b).

Competitive Bid Term SOFR Loan” means a loan made or to be made by a Bank pursuant to a Term SOFR Auction (including such a loan bearing interest at the Base Rate pursuant to Article VIII).

Compliance Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(c).

Condo Property” means a Real Property Asset owned by the Borrower or its Consolidated Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates, where such Real Property Asset is being positioned or held for sale as condominium units.

Condo Property Value” means the undepreciated book value (cost basis plus improvements) of the Condo Property.

Conforming Changes” means, with respect to the use, administration of or any conventions associated with any of SOFR, Daily Simple SOFR, Term SOFR, any Alternative Currency Daily Rate, any Alternative Currency Term Rate, any Relevant Rate or any proposed Successor Rate for an Agreed Currency, as applicable, any conforming changes to the definitions

 

10


related thereto, including “Base Rate”, “Daily Simple SOFR”, “SOFR”, “Term SOFR”, “Term SOFR Screen Rate”, “SONIA”, 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 and the day basis for calculating interest for an Agreed Currency listed on Schedule 2.14) as may be appropriate, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, 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 for such Agreed Currency (or, if the Administrative Agent determines that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or that no market practice for the administration of such rate for such Agreed Currency exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent determines is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and any other Loan Document in consultation with the Borrower).

Connection Income Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.

Consenting Bank” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(c).

Consolidated EBITDA” means, for any twelve (12) month period, net earnings (loss), inclusive of the net incremental gains (losses) on sales of condominium units, and exclusive of net derivative gains (losses) and gains (losses) on the dispositions of depreciable Properties, Raw Land and other non-depreciated Properties, as well as from debt restructurings or write-ups or forgiveness of indebtedness, and costs and expenses incurred during such period with respect to acquisitions or mergers consummated during such period, as reflected in reports filed by the Borrower pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, before deduction (including amounts reported in discontinued operations), for (i) depreciation and amortization expense and other non-cash items as determined in good faith by the Borrower for such period, (ii) Interest Expense for such period, (iii) Taxes for such period, (iv) the gains (and plus the losses) from extraordinary items, and (v) the gains (and plus the losses) from non-recurring items, as determined in good faith by the Borrower, for such period, all of the foregoing without duplication. In each case, amounts shall be reasonably determined by the Borrower in accordance with GAAP, except to the extent that GAAP by its terms shall not apply with respect to the determination of non-cash and non-recurring items and except that such net earnings (loss) shall only include Borrower’s Share of such net earnings (loss) attributable to Consolidated Subsidiaries and shall include, without duplication, Borrower’s Share of the net earnings (loss), inclusive of the net incremental gains (losses) on sales of condominium units, and exclusive of net derivative gains (losses) and gains (losses) on the dispositions of depreciable Properties, Raw Land and other non-depreciated Properties, as well as from debt restructurings or write-ups or forgiveness of indebtedness, and costs and expenses incurred during such period with respect to acquisitions or mergers consummated during such period, of any Investment Affiliate before deduction (including amounts reported in discontinued operations) for (i) depreciation and amortization expense and other non-cash items of such Investment Affiliate as determined in good faith by the Borrower for such period, (ii) Interest Expense of such Investment Affiliate for such period, (iii) Taxes of such Investment Affiliate for such period, (iv) the gains (and plus the losses) from extraordinary items of such Investment Affiliate, and (v) the gains (and plus the losses) from non-recurring items of such Investment Affiliate as determined in good faith by the Borrower for such period.

 

11


Consolidated Subsidiary” means at any date any Person which is consolidated with the Borrower or EQR in accordance with GAAP.

Construction Property” means a Real Property Asset owned by the Borrower or its Consolidated Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates on which construction of improvements has commenced or been completed (as such completion shall be evidenced by a temporary or permanent certificate of occupancy permitting use of such Real Property Asset by the general public).

Construction Property Value” means the greater of (a) the EBITDA generated by a Construction Property divided by the FMV Cap Rate (or Borrower’s Share thereof with respect to any Construction Property owned by a Consolidated Subsidiary or an Investment Affiliate), or (b) the undepreciated book value (cost basis plus improvements) of a Construction Property (or Borrower’s Share thereof with respect to any Construction Property owned by a Consolidated Subsidiary or an Investment Affiliate). A Construction Property will be valued as a Stabilized Property following the eighth full Fiscal Quarter after the Fiscal Quarter in which such Construction Property was first completed.

Contingent Obligation” as to any Person means, without duplication, (i) any contingent obligation of such Person required to be shown on such Person’s balance sheet in accordance with GAAP, and (ii) any obligation required to be disclosed in the footnotes to such Person’s financial statements, guaranteeing partially or in whole any Non-Recourse Indebtedness, lease, dividend or other obligation, exclusive of contractual indemnities (including, without limitation, any indemnity or price-adjustment provision relating to the purchase or sale of securities or other assets) and guarantees of non-monetary obligations (other than guarantees of completion) which have not yet been called on or quantified, of such Person or of any other Person. The amount of any Contingent Obligation described in clause (ii) shall be deemed to be (a) with respect to a guaranty of interest or interest and principal, or operating income guaranty, the Net Present Value of the sum of all payments required to be made thereunder (which in the case of an operating income guaranty shall be deemed to be equal to the debt service for the note secured thereby), calculated at the Applicable Interest Rate, through (I) in the case of an interest or interest and principal guaranty, the stated date of maturity of the obligation (and commencing on the date interest could first be payable thereunder), or (II) in the case of an operating income guaranty, the date through which such guaranty will remain in effect, and (b) with respect to all guarantees not covered by the preceding clause (a), an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such guaranty is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof (assuming such Person is required to perform thereunder) as recorded on the balance sheet and on the footnotes to the most recent financial statements of the Borrower required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or (b). Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, guarantees of completion shall not be deemed to be Contingent Obligations unless and until a claim for payment or performance has been made thereunder, at which time any such guaranty of completion shall be deemed to be a Contingent Obligation in an amount equal to any such claim. Subject to the preceding sentence,

 

12


(i) in the case of a joint and several guaranty given by such Person and another Person (but only to the extent such guaranty is recourse, directly or indirectly to the Borrower), the amount of the guaranty shall be deemed to be 100% thereof unless and only to the extent that such other Person has delivered Cash and Cash Equivalents to secure all or any part of such Person’s guaranteed obligations and (ii) in the case of a guaranty (whether or not joint and several) of an obligation otherwise constituting Indebtedness of such Person, the amount of such guaranty shall be deemed to be only that amount in excess of the amount of the obligation constituting Indebtedness of such Person. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, (x) “Contingent Obligations” shall be deemed not to include guarantees of Unused Commitments or of construction loans to the extent the same have not been drawn, and (y) the aggregate amount of all Contingent Obligations of any Consolidated Subsidiary or Investment Affiliate (except to the extent that any such Contingent Obligation is recourse to the Borrower or EQR) which would otherwise exceed the total capital contributions of the Borrower and EQR to such entity, together with the amount of any unfunded obligations of the Borrower or EQR to make such additional equity contributions to such entity that could be legally enforced by a creditor of such entity shall be deemed to be equal to the amount of such capital contributions and equity or loan commitments. All matters constituting “Contingent Obligations” shall be calculated without duplication.

CORRA” means the Canadian Overnight Repo Rate Average administered and published by the Bank of Canada (or any successor administrator).

Co-Syndication Agents” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., in their capacities as Co-Syndication Agents hereunder, and their permitted successors in such capacities in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

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).

Covered Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.27.

Credit Party” means the Administrative Agent, each Fronting Bank, or any other Bank.

Credit Rating” means the rating assigned by the Rating Agencies to the Borrower’s senior unsecured long term indebtedness.

Customary Non-Recourse Carve-Outs” means fraud, misrepresentation, misapplication of cash, waste, environmental claims and liabilities and other circumstances customarily excluded by institutional lenders from exculpation provisions and/or included in separate indemnification agreements.

Daily Simple SOFR” means the rate per annum equal to SOFR determined for any day pursuant to the definition thereof. Any change in Daily Simple SOFR shall be effective from and including the date of such change without further notice. If the rate as so determined would be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of the Loan Documents.

 

13


Daily Simple SOFR Auction” means a solicitation of Competitive Bid Quotes setting forth Competitive Bid Margins based on Daily Simple SOFR pursuant to Section 2.3.

Daily SOFR Borrowing” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3.

Daily SOFR Loan” means a Committed Loan made or to be made by a Bank as a Daily SOFR Loan in accordance with the applicable Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Interest Rate Election, bearing interest at a rate based on Daily Simple SOFR. All Daily SOFR Loans shall be denominated in Dollars.

Debt Service” means, for any period, Interest Expense for such period plus scheduled principal amortization (excluding any individual scheduled principal payment which exceeds 25% of the original principal amount of an issuance of Indebtedness) for such period on all Indebtedness of the Borrower or EQR (excluding Indebtedness of any Consolidated Subsidiary or Investment Affiliate), on a consolidated basis, plus Borrower’s Share of scheduled principal amortization for such period on all Indebtedness of all Consolidated Subsidiaries and Investment Affiliates for which there is no recourse to EQR or the Borrower (or any Property thereof), plus, without duplication, EQR’s and the Borrower’s actual or potential liability for principal amortization (excluding any individual scheduled principal payment which exceeds 25% of the original principal amount of an issuance of Indebtedness) for such period on all Indebtedness of all Consolidated Subsidiaries and Investment Affiliates that is recourse to EQR or the Borrower (or any Property thereof).

Debtor Relief Laws” means 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.

Declining Bank” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(d).

Default” means any condition or event which with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

Default Rate” means (a) when used with respect to Obligations other than Letter of Credit Fees, an interest rate equal to (i) the Base Rate plus (ii) the Applicable Margin, if any, applicable to Base Rate Loans, plus (iii) 2% per annum; provided, however, that with respect to a SOFR Loan or Alternative Currency Loan, the Default Rate shall be an interest rate equal to the interest rate (including any Applicable Margin) otherwise applicable to such Loan plus 2% per annum, in each case to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws, and (b) when used with respect to Letter of Credit Fees, a rate equal to the Applicable Margin with respect to SOFR Loans plus 2% per annum.

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.

 

14


Defaulting Lender” means, subject to Section 9.16(b), any Bank that (a) has failed, within three (3) Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans, unless such Bank notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Bank’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) has not been satisfied, or (ii) fund any portion of its participations in Letters of Credit, (b) has failed, within five (5) Business Days of the date on which demand for payment is made, to pay over to any Credit Party any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, (c) has notified the Borrower or any Credit Party in writing that it does not intend to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Bank’s obligation to fund a loan under this Agreement and states that such position is based on such Bank’s good faith determination that a condition precedent (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) to funding a loan under this Agreement cannot be satisfied), (d) has failed, within three (3) Business Days after written request by a Credit Party, acting in good faith and based on a reasonable belief that such Bank will fail to comply with its funding obligations, to provide a confirmation in writing to such Credit Party that it will comply with its obligations to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit under this Agreement, provided that such Bank shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (d) upon such Credit Party’s receipt of such confirmation, or (e) has or has a direct or indirect parent company that has (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity, or (iii) become the subject of a Bail-In Action; provided that a Bank shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any Equity Interest in that Bank 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 Bank 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 Bank (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Bank. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Bank is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (e) above, and of the effective date of such status, shall be made by the Administrative Agent acting reasonably and in good faith and shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Bank shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 9.16(b)) as of the date established therefor by the Administrative Agent in a written notice of such determination, which shall be delivered by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower, the Fronting Banks and each other Bank promptly following such determination.

Designated Jurisdiction” means any country, region or territory to the extent that such country, region or territory itself is the subject or target of any Sanction.

Designated Lender” means a special purpose corporation that (i) shall have become a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.6(d), and (ii) is not otherwise a Bank.

Designated Lender Notes” means promissory notes of the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 hereto, evidencing the obligation of the Borrower to repay Competitive Bid Loans made by Designated Lenders, and “Designated Lender Note” means any one of such promissory notes issued under Section 9.6(d).

Designating Lender” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(d).

 

15


Designation Agreement” means a designation agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit G attached hereto, entered into by a Bank and a Designated Lender and accepted by the Administrative Agent.

Development Activity” means (a) the development or redevelopment and construction of one or more apartment buildings by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) the financing by the Borrower, EQR or any Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates of either or both of any such development or construction or (c) the incurrence by the Borrower, EQR or any Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates of either or both of any Contingent Obligations in connection with such development or construction (other than purchase contracts for Real Property Assets which are not payable until completion of development or construction), valued at the cost of such projects under development and construction in the case of assets owned by the Borrower or EQR, or Borrower’s Share of the cost of such projects under development and construction in the case of assets owned by Consolidated Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates.

Dividing Person” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Division.”

Division” means the division of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations of a Person (the “Dividing Person”) among two or more Persons (whether pursuant to a “plan of division” or similar arrangement), which may or may not include the Dividing Person and pursuant to which the Dividing Person may or may not survive.

Division Successor” means any Person that, upon the consummation of a Division of a Dividing Person, holds all or any portion of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations previously held by such Dividing Person immediately prior to the consummation of such Division. A Dividing Person which retains any of its assets, liabilities and/or obligations after a Division shall be deemed a Division Successor upon the occurrence of such Division.

Dollar Commitment” means with respect to each Bank, the amount set forth opposite such Bank’s name on Schedule 1.2 attached hereto as its commitment for Loans and Letters of Credit in Dollars (and, (i) for each Bank which is an Assignee, the amount set forth in the Transfer Supplement entered into pursuant to Section 9.6(c) as the Assignee’s Dollar Commitment and (ii) for each Approved Bank that becomes a Bank in accordance with Section 2.1(b), the amount set forth in the instrument pursuant to which such Approved Bank became a Bank as such Bank’s Dollar Commitment), as such amount may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.11(e) or in connection with an assignment to an Assignee, and as such amount may be increased in connection with an assignment from an Assignor or pursuant to Section 2.1(b). The initial aggregate amount of the Banks’ Dollar Commitments is $2,500,000,000.

Dollar Equivalent” means, for any amount, at the time of determination thereof, (a) if such amount is expressed in Dollars, such amount, (b) if such amount is expressed in an Alternative Currency, the equivalent of such amount in Dollars determined by using the rate of exchange for the purchase of Dollars with the Alternative Currency last provided (either by publication or otherwise provided to the Administrative Agent or the applicable Fronting Bank, as the case may be) by the applicable Bloomberg source (or such other publicly available source for displaying exchange rates) on date that is two (2) Business Days immediately preceding the date of determination (or if such service ceases to be available or ceases to provide such rate of

 

16


exchange, the equivalent of such amount in Dollars as determined by the Administrative Agent or the applicable Fronting Bank, as the case may be using any method of determination it deems appropriate in its sole discretion) and (c) if such amount is denominated in any other currency, the equivalent of such amount in Dollars as determined by the Administrative Agent or the applicable Fronting Bank, as the case may be, using any method of determination it deems appropriate in its sole discretion. Any determination by the Administrative Agent or a Fronting Bank pursuant to clauses (b) or (c) above shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

Dollar Sublimit” means an amount of Loans and Letters of Credit denominated in Dollars equal to Two Billion Five Hundred Million Dollars ($2,500,000,000), as the same may be decreased in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

Dollars” and “$” mean the lawful money of the United States.

Down REIT” means a limited liability company, corporation or limited partnership that has executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Banks, (i) a Guaranty of Payment in the form attached hereto as Exhibit H (a “Down REIT Guaranty”), (ii) all documents reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent relating to the existence of such Down REIT, and the authority for and validity of such Down REIT Guaranty, including, without limitation, the organizational documents of such Down REIT, modified or supplemented prior to the date of such Down REIT Guaranty, each certified to be true, correct and complete by such Down REIT, not more than ten (10) days prior to the date of such Down REIT Guaranty, together with a good standing certificate from the Secretary of State (or the equivalent thereof) of the State of formation of such Down REIT, to be dated not more than ten (10) days prior to the date of such Down REIT Guaranty, as well as authorizing resolutions in respect of such Down REIT Guaranty, and (iii) an opinion of counsel with respect to such Down REIT and Down REIT Guaranty, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, with respect to due organization, existence, good standing and authority, and validity and enforceability of such Down REIT Guaranty. In addition, for purposes of this Agreement, including the definition of Qualifying Unencumbered Property, a Down REIT Guaranty shall not be deemed to constitute Unsecured Debt of the applicable Down REIT.

Down REIT Guaranty” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Down REIT”.

Down REIT Guaranty Proceeds” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.18(a).

EBITDA” means, for any twelve (12) month period, net earnings (loss), exclusive of net derivative gains (losses) and gains (losses) on the dispositions of Properties, as well as from debt restructurings or write-ups or forgiveness of indebtedness, and costs and expenses incurred during such period with respect to acquisitions or mergers consummated during such period, before deduction (including amounts reported in discontinued operations) for (i) depreciation and amortization expense and other non-cash items as determined in good faith by the Borrower for such period, (ii) Interest Expense for such period, (iii) Taxes for such period, (iv) the gains (and plus the losses) from extraordinary items, and (v) the gains (and plus the losses) from non-recurring items, as determined in good faith by the Borrower, all of the foregoing without duplication. In each case, amounts shall be reasonably determined by the Borrower in accordance with GAAP,

 

17


except to the extent that GAAP by its terms shall not apply with respect to the determination of non-cash and non-recurring items. EBITDA shall not be deemed to include corporate level general and administrative expenses and other corporate expenses, such as land holding costs, employee and trustee stock and stock option expenses and pursuit costs write-offs, all as determined in good faith by the Borrower.

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.

Electronic Copy” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.24.

Electronic Record” and “Electronic Signature” shall have the meanings assigned to them, respectively, by 15 USC §7006, as it may be amended from time to time.

Eligible Currency” means any lawful currency other than Dollars that is readily available, freely transferable and convertible into Dollars in the international interbank market available to the Banks or the Fronting Banks, as applicable, in such market and as to which a Dollar Equivalent may be readily calculated. If, after the designation by the Banks or the Fronting Banks, as applicable, of any currency as an Alternative Currency (or if, with respect to any currency that constitutes an Alternative Currency on the Closing Date, after the Closing Date), any change in currency controls or exchange regulations or any change in the national or international financial, political or economic conditions are imposed in the country in which such currency is issued, result in, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent (in the case of any Committed Loans to be denominated in an Alternative Currency) or a Fronting Bank (in the case of any Letter of Credit to be denominated in an Alternative Currency), (a) such currency no longer being readily available, freely transferable and convertible into Dollars, (b) a Dollar Equivalent is no longer readily calculable with respect to such currency or (c) providing such currency is impracticable for the Banks or the Fronting Banks, as applicable (each of clauses (a), (b) and (c), a “Disqualifying Event”), then the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Banks and the Borrower, and such country’s currency shall no longer be an Alternative Currency until such time as the Disqualifying Event(s) no longer exist(s). Within five (5) Business Days after receipt of such notice from the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall repay all Loans in such currency to which the Disqualifying Event applies or convert such Loans into the Dollar Equivalent of Loans in Dollars, subject to the other terms contained herein.

 

18


Environmental Affiliate” means any partnership, joint venture, trust or corporation in which an Equity Interest is owned by the Borrower and/or EQR, either directly or indirectly, and, as a result of the ownership of such Equity Interest, the Borrower and/or EQR may have recourse liability for Environmental Claims against such partnership, joint venture or corporation (or the Property thereof).

Environmental Approvals” means any permit, license, approval, ruling, variance, exemption or other authorization required under applicable Environmental Laws.

Environmental Claim” means, with respect to any Person, any notice, claim, demand or similar communication (written or oral) by any other Person alleging potential liability of such Person for investigatory costs, cleanup costs, governmental response costs, natural resources damage, property damages, personal injuries, fines or penalties arising out of, based on or resulting from (i) the presence, or release into the environment, of any Materials of Environmental Concern at any location, whether or not owned by such Person or (ii) circumstances forming the basis of any violation, or alleged violation, of any Environmental Law, in each case (with respect to both (i) and (ii) above) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination with respect thereto and which, if adversely determined, would have a Material Adverse Effect.

Environmental Laws” means any and all federal, state, and local statutes, laws, judicial decisions, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, plans, injunctions, permits, concessions, grants, licenses, agreements and other governmental restrictions relating to the environment, the effect of the environment on human health or emissions, discharges or releases of Materials of Environmental Concern into the environment including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, ground water, or land, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Materials of Environmental Concern or the clean up or other remediation thereof.

EQR” means Equity Residential, a Maryland real estate investment trust, the sole general partner of the Borrower, or any permitted successor thereof in accordance with Section 5.9(a)(i)(y).

Equity Forward Contract” means a forward equity contract with respect to common Equity Interests of EQR entered into by EQR and/or the Borrower and a Person other than the Borrower, a Qualified Borrower or a Consolidated Subsidiary.

Equity Interests” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination; provided that Permitted Convertible Debt (prior to conversion thereof) shall not constitute Equity Interests of the Borrower or EQR.

 

19


ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or any successor statute, and applicable U.S. Department of Labor regulations issued pursuant thereto in temporary or final form.

ERISA Group” means the Borrower, any Subsidiary and all members of a controlled group of corporations and all trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control which, together with the Borrower or any Subsidiary, are treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

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.

Euro” and “” mean the lawful currency of the European Economic Union.

Event of Default” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.

Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to any Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the Laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Bank, its Applicable Lending Office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Bank, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Bank with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a Law in effect on the date on which (i) such Bank acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 8.4(i), 9.5 or 9.16(c)) or (ii) such Bank changes its Applicable Lending Office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 8.4, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Bank’s Assignor immediately before such Bank became a party hereto or to such Bank immediately before it changed its Applicable Lending Office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 8.4(f) and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed pursuant to FATCA.

Existing Letters of Credit” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.16(b).

Extending Bank” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(f).

Extension Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(b).

Extension Request” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(b).

Facility Fee” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8(a).

 

20


FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code, and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among Governmental Authorities and implementing such Sections of the Code.

Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum calculated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depository institutions (as determined in such manner as the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shall set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as the federal funds effective rate; provided that if the Federal Funds Rate as so determined would be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of the Loan Documents.

Federal Reserve Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as constituted from time to time.

Fee Letters” means, collectively, (i) the letter agreement, dated as of February 20, 2025, among the Borrower and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., (ii) the letter agreement, dated as of February 20, 2025, among Borrower, Bank of America and BofA Securities, Inc. and (iii) the letter agreement, dated as of February 20, 2025, among Borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC.

Financing Partnership” means any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower or the Borrower and EQR.

Fiscal Quarter” means a fiscal quarter of a Fiscal Year.

Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Borrower and EQR which shall be the twelve (12) month period ending on the last day of December in each year.

Fixed Charges” for any twelve (12) month period means (without duplication) the sum of (i) Debt Service for such period, (ii) the product of the average number of apartment units owned (directly or beneficially) by the Borrower, EQR, or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of either or both during such period and the Capital Reserve for such period, (iii) Borrower’s Share of the aggregate sum of the product of the average number of apartment units owned (directly or beneficially) by each Consolidated Subsidiary (other than Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower and/or EQR) and Investment Affiliate during such period and the Capital Reserve for such period, (iv) dividends on preferred units payable by the Borrower during such period, and (v) distributions made by the Borrower during such period to EQR for the purpose of paying dividends on preferred shares in EQR.

Fixed Rate Indebtedness” means all Indebtedness which accrues interest at a fixed rate.

 

21


Floating Rate Indebtedness” means all Indebtedness which is not Fixed Rate Indebtedness and which is not a Contingent Obligation or an Unused Commitment.

FMV Cap Rate” means 5.75%.

Foreign Bank” means (a) if the Borrower is a U.S. Person, a Bank that is not a U.S. Person, and (b) if the Borrower is not a U.S. Person, a Bank that is resident or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes. For purposes of this definition, the United States, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

Fronting Bank” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, as applicable, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Bank of America (through itself or through one of its designated Affiliates or branch offices), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., or such other Bank which has notified the Administrative Agent in a writing reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent that it is willing to be a Fronting Bank and assumes all of the obligations of a Fronting Bank under this Agreement, in each case, which is designated by the Borrower in its written notice and Letter of Credit Application provided in accordance with Section 2.2(b) as the Bank which shall issue a Letter of Credit with respect to such request; provided that (a) only Bank of America shall be designated by the Borrower in the case of a request for the issuance of a Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, and (b) so long as any Existing Letter of Credit remains outstanding, the issuer of such Existing Letter of Credit shall continue to be the Fronting Bank with respect to such Existing Letter of Credit (subject to confirming to the Administrative Agent in a writing reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent that it is willing to be a Fronting Bank and assumes all of the obligations of a Fronting Bank under this Agreement). Any Fronting Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates of such Fronting Bank, in which case the term “Fronting Bank” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate. Each reference herein to the “Fronting Bank” in connection with a Letter of Credit or other matter shall be deemed to be a reference to the relevant Fronting Bank with respect thereto.

Fronting Bank Commitment Amount” means, with respect to each Fronting Bank, the commitment of such Fronting Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder. The initial amount of each Fronting Bank’s Fronting Bank Commitment Amount is set forth on Schedule 1.3, or if a Fronting Bank has assumed a Fronting Bank Commitment Amount after the Closing Date, the amount set forth for such Fronting Bank as its Fronting Bank Commitment Amount in the Register maintained by the Administrative Agent. The Fronting Bank Commitment Amount of a Fronting Bank may be modified from time to time by agreement between such Fronting Bank and the Borrower, and notified to the Administrative Agent.

Fronting Exposure” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, with respect to the Fronting Banks, such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the Letter of Credit Usage other than the Letter of Credit Usage as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Banks and/or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

22


Fund” means any Person (other than a natural Person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles recognized as such in codification by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination; provided, however, that with respect to the financial covenants, including the related definitions, only Borrower’s Share of any income, expense, assets and liabilities of any Consolidated Subsidiary or Investment Affiliate shall be taken into account.

Governmental Acts” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.16(h).

Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including the Financial Conduct Authority, the Prudential Regulation Authority and any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

Gross Asset Value” means, as of any date, (a) the aggregate Stabilized Property Value of all Stabilized Properties, plus (b) the Non-Stabilized Property Value, plus (c) the value of any Cash and Cash Equivalents (including Cash and Cash Equivalents held in restricted Section 1031 accounts under the control of the Borrower (and, solely if the Parent Guaranty is in effect, EQR)) owned by the Borrower (and, solely if the Parent Guaranty is in effect, EQR) or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower (and, solely if the Parent Guaranty is in effect, EQR), plus (d) the undepreciated book value, determined in accordance with GAAP, of readily marketable Securities and Investment Mortgages owned by the Borrower (and, solely if the Parent Guaranty is in effect, EQR) or its Consolidated Subsidiaries that are Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, plus (e) the Borrower’s Share of the value of any Cash and Cash Equivalents (including Cash and Cash Equivalents held in restricted Section 1031 accounts under the control of a Consolidated Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or by an Investment Affiliate) owned by any Consolidated Subsidiary or Investment Affiliate, plus (f) the Borrower’s Share of the undepreciated book value, determined in accordance with GAAP, of readily marketable Securities and Investment Mortgages owned by any Consolidated Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or by any Investment Affiliate, plus (g) the aggregate positive amount of net cash proceeds that would be due to (i) the Borrower, (ii) EQR, if EQR is a Guarantor pursuant to delivery of the Parent Guaranty or (iii) EQR, if and to the extent that as of such date (A) the Borrower’s limited partnership agreement requires EQR to contribute such net cash proceeds to the Borrower and (B) the Borrower’s intent is to distribute all such net cash proceeds to the Borrower upon receipt, in each case from all Equity Forward Contracts that have not yet settled as of such date and calculated as if such Equity Forward Contracts were settled by EQR’s delivery of its common shares as of, and such net cash proceeds were actually received on, the last day of the then most recently ended fiscal quarter, but excluding proceeds from each Equity Forward Contract, if any, with respect to which either (1) EQR or the counterparty would not reasonably be expected, for any reason, to be able to fulfill its obligations thereunder or (2) EQR no longer

 

23


intends to issue shares sufficient to realize such proceeds; provided, that notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) for purposes of determining Gross Asset Value at any time, the portion of Gross Asset Value attributable to Permitted Holdings in excess of forty percent (40%) of Gross Asset Value at such time (but immediately prior to the application of this clause (x)) shall be disregarded and (y) for purposes of this definition, a Property shall be deemed to be wholly owned by the Borrower if such Property shall be owned by a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, a Down REIT or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of a Down REIT. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Real Property Asset held by a “qualified intermediary” or an “exchange accommodation titleholder” in connection with the acquisition (or possible disposition) of such Real Property Asset by the Borrower, any Consolidated Subsidiary or any Investment Affiliate pursuant to, and intended to qualify for tax treatment under, Section 1031 of the Code, shall be included in the calculation of Gross Asset Value as if it were owned by the Borrower, such Consolidated Subsidiary or such Investment Affiliate.

Group of Loans” means, at any time, a group of Loans consisting of (i) all Committed Loans which are Base Rate Loans at such time, (ii) all Committed Loans which are Daily SOFR Loans at such time, (iii) all Term SOFR Loans at such time that have the same Interest Period, (iv) all Alternative Currency Daily Rate Loans at such time that are denominated in the same currency or (v) all Alternative Currency Term Rate Loans at such time that have the same Interest Period and are denominated in the same currency and, in the case of Loans made to a Qualified Borrower, are made to the same Qualified Borrower; provided that, if a Committed Loan of any particular Bank is converted to or made as a Base Rate Loan pursuant to Section 8.2 or 8.5, such Loan shall be included in the same Group or Groups of Loans from time to time as it would have been in if it had not been so converted or made.

Guarantor” means each Down REIT that has executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent a Down REIT Guaranty and has not been released pursuant to Section 9.25, and, at all times after delivery of the Parent Guaranty, EQR.

Indebtedness”, as applied to any Person (and without duplication), means (a) all indebtedness, obligations or other liabilities of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all indebtedness, obligations or other liabilities of such Person evidenced by Securities or other similar instruments, (c) all reimbursement obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person with respect to letters of credit actually issued for such Person’s account or upon such Person’s application, (d) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of Property except (i) any such deferred and unpaid purchase price that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable, and (ii) any deferred and unpaid purchase price under a contract which, in accordance with GAAP would not be included as a liability on the liability side of the balance sheet of such Person, (e) all obligations in respect of Capital Leases of such Person, and (f) all indebtedness, obligations or other liabilities of such Person or others secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such indebtedness, obligations or liabilities are assumed by, or are a personal liability of such Person, in the case of items of Indebtedness incurred under clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d) to the extent that any such items (other than letters of credit), in accordance with GAAP, would be included as liabilities on the liability side of the balance sheet of such Person, exclusive, however, of all accounts payable, accrued interest and expenses, prepaid rents, security deposits, tax liabilities and dividends and distributions declared but not yet paid. Indebtedness also includes, to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation of the Borrower

 

24


or EQR, as well as Borrower’s Share of any obligation of any Consolidated Subsidiary or Investment Affiliate, to be liable for, or to pay as obligor, guarantor or otherwise (other than for purposes of collection in the ordinary course of business), Indebtedness of another Person (other than the Borrower, EQR, a Consolidated Subsidiary or an Investment Affiliate). Indebtedness shall not include any Intracompany Indebtedness. “Intracompany Indebtedness” means indebtedness whose obligor is EQR or any Consolidated Subsidiary and whose obligee is EQR or any Consolidated Subsidiary; provided, however, that in the case of any such Intracompany Indebtedness owing to an obligee that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, only the Borrower’s Share of the Intracompany Indebtedness owing to such obligee that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower shall constitute Intracompany Indebtedness.

Indemnified Taxes” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a), Other Taxes.

Indemnitee” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.3(b).

Interest Expense” means, for any period and without duplication, total interest expense, whether paid, accrued or capitalized (excluding the interest component of Capital Leases, as well as interest expense covered by an interest reserve established under a loan facility, as well as any interest expense under any construction loan or construction activity that under GAAP is required to be capitalized) of the Borrower or EQR (excluding nonrecurring prepayment premiums or penalties and any such interest expense accrued or capitalized on Indebtedness of any Consolidated Subsidiary or Investment Affiliate), including without limitation all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to drawn letters of credit, amortized costs of Interest Rate Contracts incurred on or after the Closing Date and the Facility Fees payable to the Banks in accordance with Section 2.8, plus Borrower’s Share of accrued or paid interest with respect to any Indebtedness of Consolidated Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates for which there is no recourse to EQR or the Borrower, plus, without duplication, EQR’s and the Borrower’s actual accrued, paid or capitalized interest (excluding nonrecurring prepayment premiums or penalties and the interest component of Capital Leases, as well as excluding interest expense covered by an interest reserve established under a loan facility, as well as any interest expense under any construction loan or construction activity that under GAAP is required to be capitalized) with respect to Indebtedness of Consolidated Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates that is recourse to EQR or the Borrower, calculated for all Fixed Rate Indebtedness at the actual interest rate in effect with respect to all Indebtedness outstanding as of the last day of such period and, in the case of all Floating Rate Indebtedness, the actual rate of interest in effect with respect to such Floating Rate Indebtedness outstanding for the period during which no Interest Rate Contract is in effect, and, during the period that an Interest Rate Contract is in effect with respect to such Floating Rate Indebtedness, the strike rate payable under such Interest Rate Contract if lower than the actual rate of interest. Interest expense shall be determined including any non-cash portion of interest expense attributable to convertible Indebtedness under ASC 470-20.

 

25


Interest Period” means:

(1) with respect to each Term SOFR Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing specified in the Notice of Borrowing or on the date specified in the applicable Notice of Interest Rate Election and ending 1, 3 or 6 months thereafter (in each case, subject to availability); provided that:

(a) any such Interest Period which would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day;

(b) any such Interest Period which 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, subject to clause (c) below, end on the last Business Day of a calendar month; and

(c) any such Interest Period which would otherwise end after the Maturity Date shall end on the Maturity Date;

(2) with respect to each Alternative Currency Term Rate Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing specified in the Notice of Borrowing or on the date specified in the applicable Notice of Interest Rate Election and ending 1, 3 or 6 months thereafter (in each case, subject to availability of the interest rate applicable to the relevant currency); provided that:

(a) any such Interest Period which would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day;

(b) any such Interest Period which 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, subject to clause (d) below, end on the last Business Day of a calendar month;

(c) with respect to each Alternative Currency Term Rate Loan denominated in Canadian dollars, only Interest Periods of one (1) month and three (3) months will be available; and

(d) any such Interest Period which would otherwise end after the Maturity Date shall end on the Maturity Date;

(3) with respect to each Competitive Bid Term SOFR Loan, the period commencing on the date of borrowing specified in the applicable Competitive Bid Quote Request and ending 1, 3 or 6 months thereafter as the Borrower may elect in accordance with Section 2.3; provided that:

(a) any such Interest Period which would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day;

 

26


(b) any such Interest Period which 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, subject to clause (c) below, end on the last Business Day of a calendar month; and

(c) any such Interest Period which would otherwise end after the Maturity Date shall end on the Maturity Date; and

(4) with respect to each Competitive Bid Absolute Rate Loan and each Competitive Bid Daily SOFR Loan, the period commencing on the date of borrowing specified in the applicable Competitive Bid Quote Request and ending such number of days thereafter (but not less than seven (7) days, or more than 180 days) as the Borrower may elect in accordance with Section 2.3; provided that:

(a) any such Interest Period which would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day; and

(b) any such Interest Period which would otherwise end after the Maturity Date shall end on the Maturity Date.

Interest Rate Contracts” means, collectively, interest rate swap, collar, cap or similar agreements providing interest rate protection.

Investment Affiliate” means any Person in whom EQR or the Borrower holds an Equity Interest, directly or indirectly, other than Consolidated Subsidiaries and Securities and other passive interests.

Investment Grade Rating” means a rating for a Person’s senior long-term unsecured debt, or if no such rating has been issued, a “shadow” rating, of BBB- or better from S&P, or a rating or “shadow” rating of Baa3 or better from Moody’s. Any such “shadow” rating shall be evidenced by a letter from the applicable Rating Agency or by such other evidence as may be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (as to any such other evidence, the Administrative Agent shall present the same to, and discuss the same with, the Banks).

Investment Mortgages” means mortgages securing indebtedness directly or indirectly owed to the Borrower, EQR or Subsidiaries of either or both, including certificates of interest in real estate mortgage investment conduits.

Invitation for Competitive Bid Quotes” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(c).

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).

 

27


Joint Lead Arrangers” means Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, BofA Securities, Inc., and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in their capacities as joint lead arrangers hereunder.

Joint Venture Parent” means the Borrower, EQR or one or more Financing Partnerships of the Borrower which directly owns any interest in a Joint Venture Subsidiary.

Joint Venture Subsidiary” means any entity (other than a Financing Partnership) in which (i) a Joint Venture Parent owns at least 20% of the economic interests and (ii) the sale or financing of any Property owned by such Joint Venture Subsidiary is substantially controlled by a Joint Venture Parent, subject to customary provisions set forth in the organizational documents of such Joint Venture Subsidiary with respect to refinancings or rights of first refusal granted to other members of such Joint Venture Subsidiary. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the sale or financing of a Property owned by a Joint Venture Subsidiary shall be deemed to be substantially controlled by a Joint Venture Parent if such Joint Venture Parent has the ability to exercise a buy-sell right in the event of a disagreement regarding the sale or financing of such Property. In addition, the relationship of a Joint Venture Parent as a tenant in common in any asset with other tenants in common in the same asset shall be treated as if such relationship were a general partnership for purposes of this definition. For purposes of the definition of Unencumbered Asset Value, a Joint Venture Subsidiary shall be deemed to include any entity (other than a Financing Partnership) in which a Qualified Joint Venture Partner owns the balance of the interests.

Laws” means, 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 whether or not having the force of law.

LC Advance” means, with respect to each Bank, such Bank’s funding of its participation in any LC Borrowing in accordance with its Pro Rata Share. All LC Advances shall be denominated in Dollars.

LC Borrowing” means an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on the date when made or refinanced as a Committed Borrowing. All LC Borrowings shall be denominated in Dollars.

LC Credit Extension” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the increase of the amount thereof.

LC Excess” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.24(a)(ii).

Lead Fronting Banks” means, collectively, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in each case in its capacity as a Fronting Bank.

Letter(s) of Credit” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b).

 

28


Letter of Credit Application” means an application and agreement for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit in the form from time to time used by the applicable Fronting Bank.

Letter of Credit Collateral Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.24(b).

Letter of Credit Documents” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.17(a).

Letter of Credit Fee” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.8(b).

Letter of Credit Sublimit” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.16(c). The Letter of Credit Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the aggregate Commitments.

Letter of Credit Usage” means at any time the sum of (i) the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate maximum amount available to be drawn under the Letters of Credit then outstanding, assuming compliance with all requirements for drawing referred to therein, and (ii) the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate amount of the Borrower’s unpaid obligations under this Agreement in respect of the Letters of Credit, including all Unreimbursed Amounts (including all LC Borrowings). For purposes of computing the amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with the second proviso in Section 2.16(a). For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.13 or Rule 3.14 of the ISP or similar terms of the Letter of Credit itself, or if compliant documents have been presented but not yet honored, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” and “undrawn” in the amount so remaining available to be paid, and the obligations of the Borrower and each Bank shall remain in full force and effect until the Fronting Banks and the Banks shall have no further obligations to make any payments or disbursements under any circumstances with respect to any Letter of Credit.

Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind, or any other type of preferential arrangement, in each case that has the effect of creating a security interest in respect of such asset. For the purposes of this Agreement, the Borrower, EQR or any Subsidiary of either or both shall be deemed to own subject to a Lien any asset which it has acquired or holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or other title retention agreement relating to such asset.

Loan” means a Base Rate Loan, an Alternative Currency Loan, a SOFR Loan or a Competitive Bid Loan and “Loans” means Base Rate Loans, Alternative Currency Loans, SOFR Loans or Competitive Bid Loans or any combination of the foregoing.

Loan Documents” means this Agreement, including schedules and exhibits hereto, the Notes, the Fee Letters, the Qualified Borrower Guaranty, the Letter(s) of Credit, the Letter of Credit Documents, any agreement creating or perfecting rights in Cash Collateral pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, any Down REIT Guaranty and, to the extent required to be delivered hereunder, the Parent Guaranty, and any amendments, modifications or supplements hereto or to any other Loan Document or waivers hereof or to any other Loan Document.

 

29


Margin Stock” has the meaning set forth in Regulation U.

Material Adverse Effect” means an effect resulting from any circumstance or event or series of circumstances or events, of whatever nature (but excluding general economic conditions), which does or could reasonably be expected to, materially and adversely, (i) impair the ability of the Borrower and/or EQR and their Consolidated Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to perform their material obligations under the Loan Documents or (ii) impair the ability of Administrative Agent or the Banks to enforce the Loan Documents.

Materials of Environmental Concern” means and includes pollutants, contaminants, hazardous wastes, toxic and hazardous substances, asbestos, lead, petroleum and petroleum by-products.

Maturity Date” means the date when all of the Obligations hereunder shall be due and payable which shall be April 3, 2030, unless extended or accelerated pursuant to the terms hereof.

Maturity Date Extension” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(b).

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor thereto.

Multiemployer Plan” means at any time an employee pension benefit plan within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which any member of the ERISA Group is then making or accruing an obligation to make contributions or has within the preceding five plan years made contributions, including for these purposes any Person which ceased to be a member of the ERISA Group during such five year period but was making or accruing an obligation to make contributions while a member of the ERISA Group.

Multifamily Residential Property Mortgages” means Investment Mortgages issued by any Person engaged primarily in the business of developing, owning, and managing multifamily residential Property.

Multifamily Residential Property Partnership Interests” means partnership or joint venture interests, or common or preferred stock, or membership, trust or other Equity Interests issued by any Person engaged primarily in the business of developing, owning, and managing multifamily residential Property, but excluding Securities.

Negative Pledge” means, with respect to any Property, any covenant, condition, or other restriction entered into by the owner of such Property or directly binding on such Property which prohibits or limits the creation or assumption of any Lien upon such Property to secure any or all of the Obligations; provided, however, that such term shall not include any Permitted Negative Pledge Provision.

Net Present Value” means, as to a specified or ascertainable dollar amount, the present value, as of the date of calculation of any such amount, using a discount rate equal to the Base Rate in effect as of the date of such calculation.

New Bank” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(f).

 

30


Non-Consenting Bank” means any Bank that does not approve any consent, waiver or amendment that (i) requires the approval of all Banks or all affected Banks in accordance with the terms of Section 9.5 and (ii) has been approved by the Required Banks.

Non-Extension Notice Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.16(f).

Non-Multifamily Residential Property” means any Property which is not (i) used for lease, operation or use as a multifamily residential Property, (ii) Unimproved Assets or Raw Land, (iii) Securities, (iv) Multifamily Residential Property Mortgages, or (v) Multifamily Residential Property Partnership Interests.

Non-Recourse Indebtedness” means Indebtedness with respect to which recourse for payment is limited to (i) specific assets related to a particular Property or group of Properties encumbered by a Lien securing such Indebtedness or (ii) any Subsidiary or Investment Affiliate (provided that if a Subsidiary or Investment Affiliate is a partnership, there is no recourse to the Borrower or EQR as a general partner of such partnership); provided, however, that personal recourse of the Borrower or EQR for any such Indebtedness for Customary Non-Recourse Carve-Outs in non-recourse financing of real estate shall not, by itself, prevent such Indebtedness from being characterized as Non-Recourse Indebtedness.

Non-SOFR Successor Rate” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(c).

Non-Stabilized Property” means any Real Property Asset owned or leased by the Borrower, a Consolidated Subsidiary or an Investment Affiliate that is not a Stabilized Property.

Non-Stabilized Property Value” means, the sum of (i) the aggregate Acquisition Property Value of all Acquisition Properties, (ii) the aggregate Construction Property Value of all Construction Properties, (iii) the aggregate Redevelopment Property Value of all Redevelopment Properties, (iv) the aggregate Condo Property Value of all Condo Properties, and (v) with respect to Raw Land or any other Non-Stabilized Property (other than the Non-Stabilized Properties described under clauses (i) through (iv)), the aggregate undepreciated book value (cost basis plus improvements), determined in accordance with GAAP of all such Non-Stabilized Properties (or Borrower’s Share thereof with respect to any Non-Stabilized Property owned by a Consolidated Subsidiary or an Investment Affiliate).

Notes” means promissory notes of the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibits A-1, A-2 and A-3 hereto, evidencing the obligation of the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower to repay the Loans, and “Note” means any one of such promissory notes issued hereunder.

Notice of Borrowing” means a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit C-1 attached hereto and made a part hereof or such other form as may be reasonably approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be reasonably approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

Notice of Competitive Bid Borrowing” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(f).

 

31


Notice of Interest Rate Election” means a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit C-2 attached hereto and made a part hereof or such other form as may be reasonably approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be reasonably approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower (or a Responsible Officer of the Borrower on behalf of the applicable Qualified Borrower).

Notice of Loan Prepayment” means a notice of prepayment with respect to a Loan, which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit L or such other form as may be reasonably 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.

Obligations” means all obligations, liabilities, indemnity obligations and Indebtedness of every nature of the Borrower, from time to time owing to Administrative Agent or any Bank under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.

Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).

Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 8.4(h) or (i)).

Outbound Investment Rules” means the regulations administered and enforced, together with any related public guidance issued, by the United States Treasury Department under U.S. Executive Order 14105 of August 9, 2023, or any similar law or regulation; as of the date of this Agreement, and as codified at 31 C.F.R. § 850.101 et seq.

Overnight Rate” means, for any day, (a) with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, the greater of (i) the Federal Funds Rate and (ii) an overnight rate determined by the Administrative Agent or the Fronting Banks, as the case may be, in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, and (b) with respect to any amount denominated in an Alternative Currency, an overnight rate determined by the Administrative Agent or the Fronting Banks, as the case may be, in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

Parent” means, with respect to any Bank, any Person controlling such Bank.

 

32


Parent Guaranty” means a full and unconditional guaranty of payment in the form of Exhibit K attached hereto, enforceable against EQR for the payment of the Obligations.

Parent Guaranty Trigger Event” means the earlier to occur of (a) EQR incurring, or providing a guaranty of, or becoming a borrower or guarantor of, or otherwise becoming obligated in respect of, any Unsecured Debt in an aggregate principal amount in excess of the Dollar Equivalent of $50,000,000, and (b) the earlier of (i) the Borrower’s actual knowledge or (ii) written notice by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower, in each case, of a breach of the obligations set forth in Section 5.14(b).

Participant” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(b).

Participant Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(b).

Patriot Act” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.19.

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any entity succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.

Permitted Convertible Debt” means convertible debt securities of the Borrower (a) that are unsecured, (b) that do not have the benefit of any guarantee of any Subsidiary, (c) that are not subject to any sinking fund or any prepayment, redemption or repurchase requirements prior to the maturity date of such indebtedness, whether scheduled, triggered by specified events or at the option of the holders thereof (it being understood that none of (i) a customary “change in control” or “fundamental change” put, (ii) a right to convert such securities into or exchange such securities for common Equity Interest of EQR, cash or a combination thereof as the Borrower may elect or (iii) an acceleration upon an event of default will be deemed to constitute such a sinking fund or prepayment, redemption or repurchase requirement), and (d) that have the benefit of covenants and events of default customary for comparable convertible or exchangeable securities (as determined in good faith by the Borrower).

Permitted Holdings” means Development Activity, Raw Land, Securities, Non-Multifamily Residential Property, Investment Mortgages, and Investment Affiliates.

Permitted Liens” means:

(a) Liens for Taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet due and payable or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted in accordance with the terms hereof;

(b) statutory liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen and other similar liens imposed by law, which are incurred in the ordinary course of business for sums not more than sixty (60) days delinquent or which are being contested in good faith in accordance with the terms hereof;

(c) utility deposits and other deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts (other than for borrowed money), leases, purchase contracts, construction contracts, governmental contracts, statutory obligations, surety bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

33


(d) Liens for purchase money obligations for equipment (or Liens to secure Indebtedness incurred within 90 days after the purchase of any equipment to pay all or a portion of the purchase price thereof or to secure Indebtedness incurred solely for the purpose of financing the acquisition of any such equipment, or extensions, renewals, or replacements of any of the foregoing for the same or lesser amount); provided that (i) the Indebtedness secured by any such Lien does not exceed the purchase price of such equipment, (ii) any such Lien encumbers only the asset so purchased and the proceeds upon sale, disposition, loss or destruction thereof, and (iii) such Lien, after giving effect to the Indebtedness secured thereby, does not give rise to an Event of Default;

(e) easements, rights-of-way, zoning restrictions, other similar charges or encumbrances and all other items listed on Schedule B to the owner’s title insurance policies, except in connection with any Indebtedness, for any of the Real Property Assets, so long as the foregoing do not interfere in any material respect with the use or ordinary conduct of the business of the owner and do not diminish in any material respect the value of the Real Property Asset to which it is attached or for which it is listed;

(f) Liens and judgments (i) which have been or will be bonded (and the Lien thereby removed other than on any cash or securities serving as security for such bond) or released of record within thirty (30) days after the date such Lien or judgment is entered or filed against EQR, the Borrower, or any Subsidiary or (ii) which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for review and in respect of which there shall have been secured a subsisting stay of execution pending such appearance or proceedings;

(g) Liens on Property of the Borrower, EQR, the Subsidiaries or any Investment Affiliate of either or both (other than Qualifying Unencumbered Property) securing Indebtedness which may be incurred or remain outstanding without resulting in an Event of Default hereunder;

(h) Liens in favor of the Borrower, EQR or a Consolidated Subsidiary against any asset of the Borrower, any Consolidated Subsidiary or any Investment Affiliate;

(i) the rights of tenants under leases or subleases not interfering with the ordinary conduct of business of such Person;

(j) to the extent constituting a Lien, any Permitted Negative Pledge Provision; and

(k) Liens (i) in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Fronting Banks and the Banks and (ii) solely with respect to voluntary mortgages or similar Liens granted to the administrative agent under any revolving credit facility of the Borrower that secure the principal amount of designated loans made under such revolving credit facility in amount that is no more than fair market value of such mortgaged property.

 

34


Permitted Negative Pledge Provision” means a Negative Pledge contained in any agreement (a) evidencing Unsecured Debt which contains restrictions on encumbering assets that are substantially the same as the corresponding restrictions contained in the Loan Documents, (b) related to assets or Equity Interests to be sold where such Negative Pledge relates only to such assets pending such sale or (c) Permitted Transfer Restrictions.

Permitted Transfer Restrictions” means (a) reasonable and customary restrictions on transfer, mortgage liens, pledges and changes in beneficial ownership arising under management agreements and ground leases entered into in the ordinary course of business (including in connection with any acquisition or development of any applicable Property, without regard to the transaction value), including rights of first offer or refusal arising under such agreements and leases, in each case, that limit, but do not prohibit, sale or mortgage transactions, and (b) solely with respect to an asset or Property of a non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, Investment Affiliate or the Borrower, reasonable and customary obligations, encumbrances or restrictions contained in agreements not constituting Indebtedness entered into with limited partners, members or other equity holders of such non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, Investment Affiliate or the Borrower imposing obligations in respect of contingent obligations to make any tax “make whole” or similar tax payment arising out of the sale or other transfer of assets reasonably related to such limited partners’, members’ or other equity holders’ interest in such non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, Investment Affiliate or the Borrower pursuant to “tax protection” or other similar agreements.

Person” means an individual, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a trust, a limited liability company, a joint venture, a Governmental Authority or any other entity or organization.

Plan” means at any time an employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) which is covered by Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code and either (i) is maintained, or contributed to, by any member of the ERISA Group for employees of any member of the ERISA Group or (ii) has at any time within the preceding five years been maintained, or contributed to, by any Person which was at such time a member of the ERISA Group for employees of any Person which was at such time a member of the ERISA Group.

Platform” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.20.

principal financial center” means, when used in reference to an Alternative Currency, (a) in the case of British Pounds Sterling, London, England, (b) in the case of Euros, Frankfurt am Main, Germany, (c) in the case of Yen, Tokyo, Japan, (d) in the case of Canadian dollars, Toronto, Canada and (e) in the case of any other Alternative Currency, the principal financial center of the country of such currency.

Pro Rata Share” means, with respect to any Bank, as applicable and subject to Section 9.23, (a) a fraction (expressed as a percentage), the numerator of which shall be the amount of such Bank’s Dollar Commitment and the denominator of which shall be the aggregate amount of all of the Banks’ Dollar Commitments, (b) a fraction (expressed as a percentage), the numerator of which shall be the amount of such Bank’s Alternative Currency Commitment and the

 

35


denominator of which shall be the aggregate amount of all of the applicable Banks’ Alternative Currency Commitments, or (c) a fraction (expressed as a percentage), the numerator of which shall be such Bank’s Commitment and the denominator of which shall be the aggregate amount of all of the Banks’ Commitments, in each case as adjusted from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

Property” means, with respect to any Person, any real or personal property, building, facility, structure, equipment or unit, or other asset owned or leased by such Person.

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.

Public Debt” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.18(a).

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).

QFC Credit Support” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.27.

Qualified Borrower” means a foreign or domestic limited partnership, limited liability company or other business entity duly organized under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation of which the Borrower (or a Person that is owned and controlled by the Borrower) is the sole general partner or managing member, the Indebtedness of which, in all cases, can be guaranteed by the Borrower pursuant to the provisions of the Borrower’s organizational documents and is guaranteed by the Borrower pursuant to the Qualified Borrower Guaranty, and with respect to which the Borrower has delivered a Qualified Borrower Notice pursuant to Section 2.21(a).

Qualified Borrower Guaranty” means a full and unconditional guaranty of payment in the form of Exhibit I attached hereto, enforceable against the Borrower for the payment of the Qualified Borrowers’ debts and obligations to the Banks.

Qualified Borrower Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.21(a).

Qualified Institution” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(c).

Qualified Joint Venture Partner” means (a) pension funds, insurance companies, banks, investment banks or similar institutional entities, each with significant experience in making investments in commercial real estate, and (b) commercial real estate companies of similar quality and experience.

Qualifying Unencumbered Property” means any Real Property Asset (including Raw Land and Real Property Asset with Development Activity) from time to time which is owned directly or indirectly in fee (or ground leasehold) by the Borrower (and, solely if the Parent Guaranty is in effect, EQR), a Financing Partnership or a Joint Venture Subsidiary, which (i) is Raw Land, Construction Property, Redevelopment Property, Condo Property or an operating multifamily residential Real Property Asset, (ii) is not subject (nor are any Equity Interests in such Real Property Asset that are owned directly or indirectly by the Borrower or EQR subject) to a Lien which secures Indebtedness of any Person other than Permitted Liens, (iii) is not subject (nor

 

36


are any Equity Interests in such Real Property Asset that are owned directly or indirectly by the Borrower or EQR subject) to any Negative Pledge, and (iv) in the case of any Real Property Asset that is owned by a Subsidiary of the Borrower (and, solely if the Parent Guaranty is in effect, EQR), is owned by a Subsidiary that does not have any outstanding Unsecured Debt (other than those items of Indebtedness set forth in clauses (d) or (e) of the definition of Indebtedness, or any Contingent Obligation except for guarantees for borrowed money). In addition, in the case of any Real Property Asset that is owned by a Subsidiary of the Borrower (and/or EQR, solely if the Parent Guaranty is in effect), if such Subsidiary shall commence any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws, or any such involuntary case shall be commenced against it and shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of 90 days, then, simultaneously with the occurrence of such conditions, such Real Property Asset shall no longer constitute a Qualifying Unencumbered Property. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purposes of this definition, a Property shall be deemed to be wholly owned by the Borrower if such Real Property Asset shall be owned by a Down REIT or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of such Down REIT.

Rate Determination Date” means two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period (or such other day as is generally treated as the rate fixing day by market practice in such interbank market, as determined by the Administrative Agent); provided that to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, then “Rate Determination Date” means such other day as otherwise reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent).

Rating Agencies” means, collectively, S&P and Moody’s.

Raw Land” means Real Property Assets upon which no material improvements have been commenced.

Real Property Assets” means, as of any time, the real property assets (including interests in participating mortgages in which the Borrower’s interest therein is characterized as equity according to GAAP) owned directly or indirectly by the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries at such time.

Recipient” means the Administrative Agent, any Bank or any Fronting Bank, as applicable.

Redevelopment Property” means a Real Property Asset (other than a Condo Property) owned by the Borrower or its Consolidated Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates where the existing building or other improvements or a portion thereof are undergoing renovation and redevelopment that will either (a) disrupt the occupancy of at least thirty percent (30%) of the square footage of such Real Property Asset or (b) temporarily reduce the EBITDA attributable to such Real Property Asset by more than thirty percent (30%) as compared to the immediately preceding comparable prior period.

 

37


Redevelopment Property Value” means the greater of (a) the EBITDA generated by a Redevelopment Property for the quarter immediately prior to the commencement of the redevelopment divided by the FMV Cap Rate (or Borrower’s Share thereof with respect to any Redevelopment Property owned by a Consolidated Subsidiary or an Investment Affiliate), and (b) the undepreciated book value (cost basis plus improvements) of a Redevelopment Property (or Borrower’s Share thereof with respect to any Redevelopment Property owned by a Consolidated Subsidiary or an Investment Affiliate). A Redevelopment Property shall be valued as a Stabilized Property following the sixth full Fiscal Quarter after the Fiscal Quarter in which substantial completion of the redevelopment occurred.

Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(h).

Regulation U” means Regulation U of the Federal Reserve Board, as in effect from time to time.

REIT” means a Person qualifying for treatment as a “real estate investment trust” within the meaning of Section 856 of the Code.

Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, advisors, consultants, service providers and representatives of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

Relevant Rate” means with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit denominated in (a) Dollars, Daily Simple SOFR and Term SOFR, (b) British Pound Sterling, SONIA, (c) Euros, EURIBOR, (d) Canadian dollars, the Term CORRA Rate, and (e) Japanese Yen, TIBOR, as applicable.

Required Banks” means at any time Banks having more than 50% of the aggregate amount of the Commitments (and any term loan commitments and/or term loans provided pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.1(b)) or, if the Commitments shall have been terminated, holding more than 50% of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans (including the aggregate amount of term loans made under this Agreement, if any). The Commitments and Loans of any Defaulting Lender (including any term loan commitments and/or term loans provided pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.1(b)) shall be disregarded in determining Required Banks at any time; provided that, the amount of any participation in any Unreimbursed Amounts that such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund that have not been reallocated to and funded by another Bank or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof shall be deemed to be held pro rata by the applicable Fronting Bank in making such determination.

Rescindable Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(b).

Resolution Authority” means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.

Responsible Officer” means (a) in the case of EQR, the Borrower and a Qualified Borrower that does not have any officers, (i) the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer of EQR or (ii) solely for purposes of the delivery of incumbency certificates or secretary’s certificates and in addition to the foregoing officers, the secretary or any assistant secretary of EQR and (b) in the case of a Qualified Borrower that has one or more officers, (i) the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer or controller of such Qualified Borrower or (ii) solely for purposes of the delivery of incumbency certificates or secretary’s certificates and in addition to such officers, the

 

38


secretary or any assistant secretary of such Qualified Borrower, and (c) solely for purposes of notices given pursuant to Article II, any other representative, officer or employee of EQR, the Borrower or such Qualified Borrower so designated by any of the foregoing officers in a notice to the Administrative Agent or any other officer or employee of EQR, the Borrower or such Qualified Borrower designated in or pursuant to an agreement between the Borrower or such Qualified Borrower and the Administrative Agent. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of EQR, the Borrower or a Qualified Borrower shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of EQR, the Borrower or such Qualified Borrower, as applicable, and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of EQR, the Borrower or such Qualified Borrower, as applicable.

Revaluation Date” means (a) with respect to any Loan, each of the following: (i) each date of a Borrowing of an Alternative Currency Loan, (ii) with respect to an Alternative Currency Daily Rate Loan, each date of payment on such Loan pursuant to Section 2.7, (iii) each date of a continuation of an Alternative Currency Term Rate Loan pursuant to Section 2.6, (iv) the date a Sharing Event first occurs and (v) such additional dates as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably determine or the Required Banks shall reasonably require; and (b) with respect to any Letter of Credit, each of the following: (i) each date of issuance and/or extension of an Alternative Currency Letter of Credit, (ii) each date of an amendment of Alternative Currency Letter of Credit having the effect of increasing the amount thereof, (iii) each date of any payment by the applicable Fronting Bank under any Alternative Currency Letter of Credit, (iv) the date a Sharing Event first occurs and (v) such additional dates as the Administrative Agent or the applicable Fronting Bank shall reasonably determine or the Required Banks shall reasonably require.

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of S&P Global Inc., or any successor thereto.

Same Day Funds” means (a) with respect to disbursements and payments in Dollars, immediately available funds, and (b) with respect to disbursements and payments in an Alternative Currency, same day or other funds as may be determined by the Administrative Agent or the Fronting Banks, as the case may be, to be customary in the place of disbursement or payment for the settlement of international banking transactions in the relevant Alternative Currency.

Sanction(s)” means any sanction administered or enforced by the United States Government (including without limitation, OFAC), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, His Majesty’s Treasury (“HMT”) or other relevant sanctions authority.

Scheduled Unavailability Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(c).

Secured Debt” means Total Outstanding Indebtedness of EQR and the Borrower (excluding Indebtedness of Consolidated Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates), and Borrower’s Share of any Total Outstanding Indebtedness of any Consolidated Subsidiary or Investment Affiliate, the payment of which is secured by a Lien on any Property owned or leased by EQR, the Borrower or any Consolidated Subsidiary or Investment Affiliate of either or both.

 

39


Securities” means any stock, partnership interests, shares, shares of beneficial interest, voting trust certificates, bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as “securities,” or any certificates of interest, shares, or participations in temporary or interim certificates for the purchase or acquisition of, or any right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire any of the foregoing, all of which shall be passive investments.

Sharing Event” means (i) the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Borrower or EQR under clauses (f) or (g) of Section 6.1, or (ii) the acceleration of the Loans pursuant to Article VI.

SOFR” means, with respect to any applicable determination date, the Secured Overnight Financing Rate published on the fifth U.S. Government Securities Business Day preceding such date by the SOFR Administrator on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s website (or any successor source); provided however that if such determination date is not a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, then SOFR means such rate that applied on the first U.S. Government Securities Business Day immediately prior thereto.

SOFR Administrator” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as the administrator of SOFR, or any successor administrator of SOFR designated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or other Person acting as the SOFR Administrator at such time that is satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

SOFR Loan” means a Daily SOFR Loan or a Term SOFR Loan, as applicable.

SOFR Scheduled Unavailability Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(b).

SOFR Successor Rate” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(b).

Solvent” means, with respect to any Person, that the fair saleable value of such Person’s assets exceeds the Indebtedness of such Person.

SONIA” means, with respect to any applicable determination date, the Sterling Overnight Index Average Reference Rate published on the fifth Business Day preceding such date 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); provided however that if such determination date is not a Business Day, SONIA means such rate that applied on the first Business Day immediately prior thereto.

Special Notice Currency” means at any time an Alternative Currency, other than (i) the currency of a country that is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development at such time located in North America or Europe and (ii) Yen.

Stabilized Property” means any Real Property Asset owned or leased by the Borrower, a Consolidated Subsidiary or an Investment Affiliate except (i) any Acquisition Property, Construction Property or Redevelopment Property until such Real Property Asset has become a Stabilized Property in accordance with the definitions of Acquisition Property Value, Construction Property Value and Redevelopment Property Value, (ii) any Real Property Asset described in clause (v) of the definition of Non-Stabilized Property Value until such Real Property Asset has become a Stabilized Property in accordance with such definition, and (iii) any Condo Property.

 

40


Stabilized Property Value” means the EBITDA generated by a Stabilized Property divided by the FMV Cap Rate (or Borrower’s Share thereof with respect to any Stabilized Property owned by a Consolidated Subsidiary or an Investment Affiliate). Any Stabilized Property which generates negative EBITDA will have a Stabilized Property Value of zero.

Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity of which securities or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions are at the time directly or indirectly owned by the Borrower and/or EQR. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

Successor Rate” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(c).

Supported QFC” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.27.

T2” means the real time gross settlement system operated by the Eurosystem, or any successor system.

TARGET Day” means any day on which T2 is open for the settlement of payments in Euro.

Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(a).

Term CORRA Rate” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Alternative Currency Term Rate”.

Term SOFR means

(a) 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 date then Term SOFR means the Term SOFR Screen Rate on the first U.S. Government Securities Business Day immediately prior thereto; and

(b) for any interest calculation with respect to a Base Rate Loan on any date, the rate per annum equal to the Term SOFR Screen Rate with a term of one month commencing that day; provided that if the rate is not published prior to 11:00 a.m. on such date then Term SOFR means the Term SOFR Screen Rate on the first U.S. Government Securities Business Day immediately prior thereto;

 

41


provided that if Term SOFR determined in accordance with either of the foregoing provisions (a) or (b) of this definition would otherwise be less than zero, Term SOFR shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of the Loan Documents.

Term SOFR Auction” means a solicitation of Competitive Bid Quotes setting forth Competitive Bid Margins based on Term SOFR pursuant to Section 2.3.

Term SOFR Borrowing” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3.

Term SOFR Loan” means a Committed Loan made or to be made by a Bank as a Term SOFR Loan in accordance with the applicable Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Interest Rate Election, bearing interest at a rate based on Term SOFR. All Term SOFR Loans shall be denominated in Dollars.

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).

Termination Event” means (i) a “reportable event”, as such term is described in Section 4043 of ERISA (other than a “reportable event” not subject to the provision for 30-day notice to the PBGC, because of a waiver or otherwise), or an event described in Section 4062(e) of ERISA, (ii) the withdrawal by any member of the ERISA Group from a Plan during a plan year in which it is a “substantial employer” (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA), or the incurrence of liability by any member of the ERISA Group under Section 4064 of ERISA upon the termination of a Plan, or a complete or partial withdrawal from a Multiemployer Plan, (iii) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate any Plan under Section 4041 of ERISA, other than in a standard termination within the meaning of Section 4041 of ERISA, or the treatment of a Plan amendment as a distress termination under Section 4041 of ERISA, (iv) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate, impose liability (other than for premiums under Section 4007 of ERISA) in respect of, or cause a trustee to be appointed to administer, any Plan or (v) any other event or condition that might reasonably constitute grounds for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan or the imposition of any liability or encumbrance or Lien on the Real Property Assets of any member of the ERISA Group under ERISA.

Threshold Indebtedness” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(e).

Total Outstanding Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person as of any time, all Indebtedness but excluding contingent reimbursement obligations in respect of letters of credit.

Transfer Supplement” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(c).

UCP” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) Publication No. 600 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

 

42


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.

Unencumbered Asset Value” means as of any date the (a) Stabilized Property Value of all Qualifying Unencumbered Properties which are Stabilized Properties, plus (b) Non-Stabilized Property Value of all Qualifying Unencumbered Properties which are Non-Stabilized Properties, plus (c) the value of any Cash and Cash Equivalent (including Cash and Cash Equivalents held in restricted Section 1031 accounts under the control of the Borrower) owned by the Borrower or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, plus (d) the undepreciated book value, determined in accordance with GAAP, of readily marketable Securities and Investment Mortgages owned by the Borrower or its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries not subject to any Lien, plus (e) Borrower’s Share of the value of any Cash and Cash Equivalents (including Cash and Cash Equivalents held in restricted Section 1031 accounts under the control of a Consolidated Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or of an Investment Affiliate) owned by any Consolidated Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or by any Investment Affiliate, plus (f) Borrower’s Share of the undepreciated book value, determined in accordance with GAAP, of readily marketable Securities and Investment Mortgages owned by any non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or Investment Affiliate, plus (g) the aggregate positive amount of net cash proceeds that would be due to (i) the Borrower, (ii) EQR, if EQR is a Guarantor pursuant to delivery of the Parent Guaranty or (iii) EQR, if and to the extent that as of such date (A) the Borrower’s limited partnership agreement requires EQR to contribute such net cash proceeds to the Borrower and (B) the Borrower’s intent is to distribute all such net cash proceeds to the Borrower upon receipt, in each case from all Equity Forward Contracts that have not yet settled as of such date and calculated as if such Equity Forward Contracts were settled by EQR’s delivery of its common shares as of, and such net cash proceeds were actually received on, the last day of the then most recently ended fiscal quarter, but excluding proceeds from each Equity Forward Contract, if any, with respect to which either (1) EQR or the counterparty would not reasonably be expected, for any reason, to be able to fulfill its obligations thereunder or (2) EQR no longer intends to issue shares sufficient to realize such proceeds; provided, however, that (i) the aggregate value of those items set forth in clauses (d) and (f) shall not exceed thirty percent (30%) of Unencumbered Asset Value and (ii) the aggregate value of those items set forth in clause (g) shall not exceed seven and one-half percent (7.5%) of Unencumbered Asset Value. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Real Property Asset held by a “qualified intermediary” or an “exchange accommodation titleholder” in connection with the acquisition (or possible disposition) of such Real Property Asset by the Borrower, any Consolidated Subsidiary or any Investment Affiliate pursuant to, and intended to qualify for tax treatment under, Section 1031 of the Code, that would otherwise constitute a Qualifying Unencumbered Property if held by the Borrower, such Consolidated Subsidiary or such Investment Affiliate, shall be included in the calculation of Unencumbered Asset Value.

Unimproved Assets” means Real Property Assets, other than Raw Land, upon which no material improvements have been completed which completion is evidenced by a certificate of occupancy or its equivalent and is less than 90% leased in the aggregate (based upon number of units).

 

43


United States” means the United States of America, including the fifty states and the District of Columbia.

Unreimbursed Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.16(g).

Unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents” means Cash and Cash Equivalents owned by the Borrower, and Borrower’s Share of any Cash and Cash Equivalent owned by any Consolidated Subsidiary or Investment Affiliate, that are not subject to any pledge, lien or control agreement, less (i) amounts normally and customarily set aside by the Borrower for operating, capital and interest reserves, and (ii) amounts placed with third parties as deposits or security for contractual obligations (notwithstanding the foregoing, however, cash up to $750,000,000 held in escrow in connection with the completion of Code Section 1031 “like-kind” exchanges shall be deemed to be Unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents for purposes hereof).

Unsecured Debt” means Total Outstanding Indebtedness of EQR, on a consolidated basis, which is not Secured Debt.

Unused Commitments” means an amount equal to all unadvanced funds (other than unadvanced funds in connection with any construction loan) which any third party is obligated to advance to the Borrower or another Person or otherwise pursuant to any loan document, written instrument or otherwise.

U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any day except for (a) a Saturday, (b) a Sunday or (c) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in United States government securities.

U.S. Person” means any Person that is a “United States Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

U.S. Special Resolution Regimes” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.27.

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(f).

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of a Person in respect of which all of the Equity Interests (other than, in the case of a corporation, directors’ qualifying shares or, in the case of a REIT, preferred shares issued to comply with Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) are at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person or one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person.

Withholding Agent” means the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

 

44


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.

Section 1.2 Accounting Terms and Determinations. Unless otherwise specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements required to be delivered hereunder shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP applied on a basis consistent (except for changes concurred in by the Borrower’s independent public accountants) with the most recent audited consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries delivered to the Administrative Agent; provided that for purposes of references to the financial results and information of “EQR, on a consolidated basis,” EQR shall be deemed to own one hundred percent (100%) of the partnership interests in the Borrower; and provided further that, if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower wishes to amend any covenant in Article V to eliminate the effect of any change in GAAP on the operation of such covenant (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Banks wish to amend Article V for such purpose), then the Borrower’s compliance with such covenant shall be determined on the basis of GAAP in effect immediately before the relevant change in GAAP became effective, until either such notice is withdrawn or such covenant is amended in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower and the Required Banks. Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Agreement, with respect to the covenants contained in Section 5.8, all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made without giving effect to any change to GAAP occurring before or after the Closing Date as a result of ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or any other proposals issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board in connection therewith.

Section 1.3 Types of Borrowings. The term “Borrowing” denotes the aggregation of Loans of one or more Banks to be made to the Borrower pursuant to Article II on the same date, all of which Loans are of the same type (subject to Article VIII) and, except in the case of Base Rate Loans, Daily SOFR Loans and Alternative Currency Daily Rate Loans, have the same initial Interest Period. Borrowings are classified for purposes of this Agreement either by reference to the pricing of Loans comprising such Borrowing (e.g., a “Term SOFR Borrowing” is a Borrowing comprised of Term SOFR Loans, a “Daily SOFR Borrowing” is a Borrowing comprised of Daily SOFR Loans, an “Alternative Currency Daily Rate Borrowing” is a Borrowing comprised of Alternative Currency Daily Rate Loans and an “Alternative Currency Term Rate Borrowing” is a Borrowing comprised of Alternative Currency Term Rate Loans) or by reference to the provisions of Article II under which participation therein is determined (i.e., a “Committed Borrowing” is a Borrowing under Section 2.1 in which all Banks participate in proportion to their Commitments, while a “Competitive Bid Borrowing” is a Borrowing under Section 2.3 in which a Bank’s share is determined on the basis of its bid in accordance therewith).

 

45


Section 1.4 Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents.

(a) The Administrative Agent or the Fronting Bank, as applicable, shall determine the Dollar Equivalent amounts of Loans and Letters of Credit and other Obligations denominated in Alternative Currencies. Such Dollar Equivalent shall become effective as of such Revaluation Date and shall be the Dollar Equivalent of such amounts until the next Revaluation Date to occur. Except for purposes of financial statements delivered hereunder or calculating financial covenants hereunder or except as otherwise provided herein, the applicable amount of any currency (other than Dollars) for purposes of the Loan Documents shall be such Dollar Equivalent amount as so determined by the Administrative Agent or the Fronting Bank, as applicable.

(b) Wherever in this Agreement in connection with a Borrowing, conversion, continuation or prepayment of a Loan or the issuance, amendment or extension of a Letter of Credit, an amount, such as a required minimum or multiple amount, is expressed in Dollars, but such Borrowing, Loan or Letter of Credit is denominated in an Alternative Currency, such amount shall be the relevant Alternative Currency Equivalent of such Dollar amount (rounded to the nearest unit of such Alternative Currency, with 0.5 of a unit being rounded upward), as determined by the Administrative Agent or the Fronting Bank, as the case may be.

Section 1.5 Rounding. Any financial ratios required to be maintained by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).

Section 1.6 References to Chicago, Illinois Time. Unless otherwise indicated, (a) all references to time are references to Chicago, Illinois time and (b) when any date specified herein as the due date for a payment, notice or other deliverable is not a Business Day, such due date shall be extended to the next following Business Day.

Section 1.7 Divisions. Any reference herein to a merger, transfer, consolidation, amalgamation, assignment, sale or disposition, or similar term, shall be deemed to apply to a Division as if it were a merger, transfer, consolidation, amalgamation, assignment, sale or disposition, or similar term, as applicable, to, of or with a separate Person. Any Division Successor shall constitute a separate Person hereunder (and each Division of any Person that is a Subsidiary, joint venture or any other like term shall also constitute such a Person or entity).

Section 1.8 Interest Rates; Licensing.

(a) 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 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

 

46


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 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 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 Bank or any other Person 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.

(b) By agreeing to make Loans under this Agreement that are denominated in Canadian dollars, each Lender is confirming it has all licenses, permits and approvals necessary for use of the Term CORRA Rate as a reference rate as provided for in this Agreement and it will do all things necessary to comply, preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect such licenses, permits and approvals for use of the Term CORRA Rate under this Agreement.

Section 1.9 Other Interpretive Provisions. With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:

(a) The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document (including any organizational document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (iii) the words “hereto”, “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (v) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law, rule or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law, rule or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, and (vi) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all real and personal property and tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

 

47


(b) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including;” the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding;” and the word “through” means “to and including.”

(c) Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

ARTICLE II

THE CREDITS

Section 2.1 Commitments to Lend.

(a) Each Bank severally agrees, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, (a) to make Committed Loans to the Borrower or to any Qualified Borrower and participate in Letters of Credit issued by any Fronting Bank on behalf of the Borrower or the Qualified Borrowers pursuant to this Article from time to time during the Term in amounts such that the aggregate principal amount of Committed Loans made by such Bank plus such Bank’s Pro Rata Share of the Letter of Credit Usage shall not exceed its Commitment, and (b) in furtherance and clarification of the foregoing, as to Banks with an Alternative Currency Commitment only, to participate in Alternative Currency Letters of Credit issued by any Fronting Bank on behalf of the Borrower or the Qualified Borrowers pursuant to this Article and to make Alternative Currency Loans to the Borrower or to any Qualified Borrower denominated in any Alternative Currency (provided such Alternative Currency is an Eligible Currency), in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed such Bank’s Alternative Currency Commitment. Each Borrowing outstanding under this Section 2.1 shall be in an aggregate principal amount the Dollar Equivalent of which is $3,000,000, or an integral multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof (except that any such Borrowing may be in the aggregate unused amount of the applicable Commitments, or in any amount required to reimburse the applicable Fronting Bank for any drawing under any Letter of Credit) and, other than with respect to Competitive Bid Loans, shall be made from the several Banks ratably in proportion to their respective Commitments. In no event shall (i) the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate amount of Loans outstanding at any time, plus the Dollar Equivalent of the outstanding amount of the Letter of Credit Usage, exceed $2,500,000,000 (or, if the Borrower exercises its option to increase the aggregate amount of the Dollar Commitments pursuant to Section 2.1(b), the aggregate amount of the Commitments as so increased), or (ii) the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate amount of Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency plus the Dollar Equivalent of the outstanding aggregate amount of the Letter of Credit Usage for Alternative Currency Letters of Credit exceed the Alternative Currency Sublimit. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, each Borrowing and Letter of Credit denominated in Dollars shall be deemed to use the Dollar Commitments to the extent the Dollar Sublimit would not be exceeded thereby, and to use the Alternative Currency Commitments if such Alternative Currency Commitments are available in the event that the Dollar Commitments would be so exceeded. Subject to the limitations set forth herein, any amounts repaid may be reborrowed.

 

48


(b) Optional Increase in Commitments. At any time prior to the Maturity Date, provided no Event of Default shall have occurred and then be continuing, the Borrower may, if it so elects, increase the aggregate amount of the Dollar Commitments and/or Alternative Currency Commitments (subject to proviso (ii) in the next sentence), or request the making of one or more term loan tranches, either by designating an Approved Bank not theretofore a Bank to become a Bank (and the Administrative Agent and, if such Bank will have a Commitment, each Lead Fronting Bank, shall have consented to each such Bank, such consents not to be unreasonably withheld) and/or by agreeing with an existing Bank or Banks that such Bank’s Commitment (or such Banks’ Commitments) shall be increased (and the Administrative Agent and each Lead Fronting Bank shall have consented to each such existing Bank’s Commitment increase, such consents not to be unreasonably withheld) or such Bank’s providing of a term loan commitment (and the Administrative Agent shall have consented to such Bank providing such term loan commitment, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld). Upon execution and delivery by the Borrower and any such Bank or other financial institution of an instrument in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, such existing Bank shall have a Commitment or term loan commitment as therein set forth or such Approved Bank shall become a Bank with a Commitment or term loan commitment as therein set forth and all the rights and obligations of a Bank with such a Commitment or term loan commitment hereunder; provided that:

(i) the Borrower shall provide prompt notice of such increase to the Administrative Agent, who shall promptly notify the Banks; and

(ii) the amount of such increase does not cause the aggregate Commitments (including any term loan commitments) to exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $3,000,000,000, nor the Alternative Currency Commitments to exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $500,000,000.

Upon any increase in the aggregate amount of the Commitments pursuant to this Section 2.1(b), within five (5) Business Days (in the case of any Base Rate Loans, Daily SOFR Loans and Alternative Currency Daily Rate Loans then outstanding) or at the end of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto (in the case of any Term SOFR Loans and Alternative Currency Term Rate Loans then outstanding), as applicable, each Bank’s Pro Rata Share shall be recalculated to reflect such increase in the Commitments and the outstanding principal balance of the Committed Loans shall be reallocated among the Banks such that the outstanding principal amount of Committed Loans owed to each Bank shall be equal to such Bank’s Pro Rata Share (as recalculated). All payments, repayments and other disbursements of funds by the Administrative Agent to Banks shall thereupon and, at all times thereafter, be made in accordance with each Bank’s recalculated Pro Rata Share.

Upon the reasonable request of any existing Bank or any Approved Bank participating in any increase made at least 10 Business Days prior to the effective date of such increase, (x) the Borrower shall have provided to such Bank or Approved Bank, and such Bank or Approved Bank shall be reasonably satisfied with, the documentation and other information so requested in connection with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money-laundering rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the Patriot Act, in each case at least five (5) Business Days prior to the effective date of such increase and (y) at least five (5) Business Days prior to the effective date of such increase, any of the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower or any Guarantor that qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation shall have delivered, to each Bank and Approved Bank that so requests, a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to such Person.

 

49


Section 2.2 Notice of Borrowing; Request for Letter of Credit.

(a) The Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent notice, which may be given by (A) telephone or (B) a Notice of Borrowing; provided that any telephonic notice must be confirmed immediately by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Notice of Borrowing. Each Notice of Borrowing must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 Noon (Chicago, Illinois time) (x) on the requested date of any Base Rate Borrowing or any Daily SOFR Borrowing, (y) three (3) Business Days before each Term SOFR Borrowing, or (z) four (4) Business Days (or five (5) Business Days in the case of a Special Notice Currency) before each Alternative Currency Daily Rate Borrowing and each Alternative Currency Term Rate Borrowing. Each Notice of Borrowing shall specify:

(i) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day,

(ii) the currency and aggregate amount of such Borrowing,

(iii) whether the Loans comprising such Borrowing are to be Base Rate Loans, Daily SOFR Loans, Term SOFR Loans, Alternative Currency Daily Rate Loans or Alternative Currency Term Rate Loans,

(iv) in the case of a Term SOFR Borrowing or an Alternative Currency Term Rate Borrowing, the duration of the Interest Period applicable thereto, subject to the provisions of the definition of Interest Period, and

(v) if such Borrowing is to be made by a Qualified Borrower, the identity of such Qualified Borrower.

If the Borrower fails to specify a currency in a Notice of Borrowing, then the Loans so requested shall be made in Dollars. If the Borrower fails to specify a type of Loan as required by clause (iii) above, then the applicable Loans shall be made as Base Rate Loans; provided that if such Notice of Borrowing requested a Borrowing denominated in an Alternative Currency, such Loans shall be made as Alternative Currency Daily Rate Loans or Alternative Currency Term Rate Loans with an Interest Period of one month, as applicable, in their requested currency. If the Borrower requests a Borrowing of Term SOFR Loans or Alternative Currency Term Rate Loans in any Notice of Borrowing but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month. During the existence of a Default, Committed Loans may only be requested as Base Rate Loans or Daily SOFR Loans.

(b) The Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent, and the designated Fronting Bank, written notice, accompanied by a Letter of Credit Application appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, in the event that it desires to have standby letters of credit (together with the Existing Letters of Credit, each, a “Letter of Credit”) issued, amended or extended, or to have Letters of Credit issued, amended or extended on behalf of a Consolidated Subsidiary, Qualified Borrower or Investment Affiliate, hereunder no later than 12:00 Noon (Chicago, Illinois time), at least (x) three (3) Business Days in the case of a request is

 

50


for a Letter of Credit in Dollars and (y) four (4) Business Days in the case of a request is for an Alternative Currency Letter of Credit (or five (5) Business Days in the case of a request is for a Letter of Credit in a Special Notice Currency) prior to the date of such issuance. Each such notice shall specify (i) if an Alternative Currency Letter of Credit is requested, the type of the Alternative Currency being requested, (ii) the designated Fronting Bank, (iii) the aggregate amount of the requested Letters of Credit, (iv) the individual amount of each requested Letter of Credit and the number of Letters of Credit to be issued, (v) the date of such issuance (which shall be a Business Day), (vi) the name and address of the beneficiary, (vii) the expiration date of the Letter of Credit (which in no event shall be later than the earlier of (x) one year after the date of issuance thereof and (y) twelve (12) months after the Maturity Date), (viii) the purpose and circumstances for which such Letter of Credit is being issued and (ix) the terms upon which each such Letter of Credit may be drawn upon. If the Borrower shall desire to have any Letter of Credit issued on behalf of an Investment Affiliate, then, upon the reasonable request of any Bank or the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent any information with respect to such Investment Affiliate reasonably required to comply with the provisions of Section 9.19. Each such notice may be revoked telephonically by the Borrower to the designated Fronting Bank and the Administrative Agent any time prior to the date of issuance of the Letter of Credit by the designated Fronting Bank, provided such revocation is confirmed in writing by the Borrower to the designated Fronting Bank and the Administrative Agent within one (1) Business Day. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Borrower shall complete and deliver to the Fronting Bank any required documentation in connection with any requested Letter of Credit no later than two (2) Business Days prior to the issuance thereof. No later than 12:00 Noon (Chicago, Illinois time, or such shorter time as may be agreed by the applicable Fronting Bank), on the date that is three (3) Business Days prior to the date of issuance, the Borrower shall specify a precise description of the documents and the verbatim text of any certificate to be presented by the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit, which if presented by such beneficiary on or prior to the expiration date of the Letter of Credit would require the Fronting Bank to make a payment under the Letter of Credit; provided, that the Fronting Bank may, in its reasonable judgment, require changes in any such documents and certificates only in conformity with changes in customary and commercially reasonable practice or law and, provided further, that no Letter of Credit shall require payment against a conforming draft to be made thereunder prior to the third Business Day following the date that such draft is presented if such presentation is made later than 12:00 Noon (Chicago, Illinois time) (except that if the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit requests at the time of the issuance of its Letter of Credit that payment be made on the same Business Day against a conforming draft, such beneficiary shall be entitled to such a same day draw (under Letters of Credit issued by a Fronting Bank other than JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.), provided such draft is presented to the applicable Fronting Bank no later than 12:00 Noon (Chicago, Illinois time) and provided further the Borrower shall have requested to the applicable Fronting Bank (other than JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.) and the Administrative Agent that such beneficiary shall be entitled to a same day draw). In determining whether to pay on any Letter of Credit, the applicable Fronting Bank shall be responsible only to determine that the documents and certificates required to be delivered under the Letter of Credit have been delivered and that they comply on their face with the requirements of that Letter of Credit. Each Fronting Bank (other than Bank of America) shall provide to the Administrative Agent, not later than five (5) Business Days after the end of each month, a written report or statement listing all Letters of Credit that were issued by such Fronting Bank and were outstanding as of the last day of such month. In addition, from time to time each Fronting Bank (other than Bank of America) shall provide the Administrative Agent with such updated reports or statements as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request. The Administrative Agent shall provide to each of the Banks, quarterly, a summary of all outstanding Letters of Credit.

 

51


Section 2.3 Competitive Bid Borrowings.

(a) The Competitive Bid Option. From time to time during the Term, and provided that at such time the Borrower maintains an Investment Grade Rating from either S&P or Moody’s, the Borrower may, as set forth in this Section 2.3, request the Banks during the Term to make offers to make Competitive Bid Loans in Dollars only to the Borrower, not to exceed, at such time, the lesser of (i) one-hundred percent (100%) of the aggregate Commitments, and (ii) the aggregate Commitments less all Loans and Letter of Credit Usage then outstanding. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Borrower may repay any outstanding Competitive Bid Loan on any day which is a Business Day and any amounts so repaid may be reborrowed, up to the amount available under this Section 2.3 at the time of such Borrowing, until the Business Day next preceding the Maturity Date. The Banks may, but shall have no obligation to, make such offers and the Borrower may, but shall have no obligation to, accept any such offers in the manner set forth in this Section 2.3.

(b) Competitive Bid Quote Request. When the Borrower wishes to request offers to make Competitive Bid Loans under this Section, it shall transmit to the Administrative Agent a request substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto or such other form as may be reasonably approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be reasonably approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower (a “Competitive Bid Quote Request”) so as to be received not later than 10:30 a.m. (Chicago, Illinois time) on (x) the fifth Business Day prior to the date of Borrowing proposed therein, in the case of a Term SOFR Auction or (y) the Business Day next preceding the date of Borrowing proposed therein, in the case of an Absolute Rate Auction or a Daily Simple SOFR Auction (or, in either case, such other time or date as the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall have mutually agreed and shall have notified to the Banks not later than the date of the Competitive Bid Quote Request for the first Term SOFR Auction, Daily Simple SOFR Auction or Absolute Rate Auction for which such change is to be effective) specifying:

1. the proposed date of Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day,

2. the aggregate amount of such Borrowing, which shall be $3,000,000 or a larger multiple of $100,000,

3. the duration of the Interest Period applicable thereto (which shall be 1, 3 or 6 months in the case of a Term SOFR Auction and not be less than 7 days or more than 180 days in the case of an Absolute Rate Auction or a Daily Simple SOFR Auction), subject to the provisions of the definition of Interest Period, and

4. whether the Competitive Bid Quotes requested are to set forth a Competitive Bid Margin or a Competitive Bid Absolute Rate.

 

52


The Borrower may request offers to make Competitive Bid Loans for more than one Interest Period in a single Competitive Bid Quote Request. No Competitive Bid Quote Request shall be given within five (5) Business Days (or such other number of days as the Borrower and the Administrative Agent may agree) of any other Competitive Bid Quote Request. Together with the delivery of each Competitive Bid Quote Request, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, a fee equal to $1,500.

(c) Invitation for Competitive Bid Quotes. Promptly upon receipt of a Competitive Bid Quote Request, the Administrative Agent shall send to the Banks a copy thereof, which shall constitute an invitation by the Borrower to each Bank to submit Competitive Bid Quotes offering to make the Competitive Bid Loans to which such Competitive Bid Quote Request relates in accordance with this Section (an “Invitation for Competitive Bid Quotes”).

(d) Submission and Contents of Competitive Bid Quotes.

1. Each Bank may submit a Competitive Bid Quote containing an offer or offers to make Competitive Bid Loans in response to any Invitation for Competitive Bid Quotes. Each Competitive Bid Quote must comply with the requirements of this subsection (d) and must be submitted to the Administrative Agent’s Office not later than (x) 2:00 p.m. (Chicago, Illinois time) on the fourth Business Day prior to the proposed date of Borrowing, in the case of a Term SOFR Auction or (y) 9:30 a.m. (Chicago, Illinois time) on the proposed date of Borrowing, in the case of an Absolute Rate Auction or a Daily Simple SOFR Auction (or, in any case, such other time or date as the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall have mutually agreed and shall have notified to the Banks not later than the date of the Competitive Bid Quote Request for the first Term SOFR Auction, Daily Simple SOFR Auction or Absolute Rate Auction for which such change is to be effective); provided that Competitive Bid Quotes submitted by the Bank serving as the Administrative Agent (or any affiliate of the Bank serving as the Administrative Agent) in the capacity of a Bank may be submitted, and may only be submitted, if the Bank serving as the Administrative Agent or such affiliate notifies the Borrower of the terms of the offer or offers contained therein not later than (x) one hour prior to the deadline for the other Banks, in the case of a Term SOFR Auction or (y) 15 minutes prior to the deadline for the other Banks, in the case of an Absolute Rate Auction or Daily Simple SOFR Auction. Subject to Articles III and VI, any Competitive Bid Quote so made shall be irrevocable except with the written consent of the Administrative Agent given on the instructions of the Borrower. Such Competitive Bid Loans may be funded by such Bank’s Designated Lender (if any) as provided in Section 9.6(d), however, such Bank shall not be required to specify in its Competitive Bid Quote whether such Competitive Bid Loans will be funded by such Designated Lender.

2. Each Competitive Bid Quote shall be in substantially the form of Exhibit D hereto and shall in any case specify:

(i) the proposed date of Borrowing,

 

53


(ii) the principal amount of the Competitive Bid Loan for which each such offer is being made, which principal amount (w) may be greater than or less than the Commitment of the quoting Bank, (x) must be $3,000,000 or a larger multiple of $100,000, (y) may not exceed the principal amount of Competitive Bid Loans for which offers were requested and (z) may be subject to an aggregate limitation as to the principal amount of Competitive Bid Loans for which offers being made by such quoting Bank may be accepted,

(iii) in the case of a Term SOFR Auction or a Daily Simple SOFR Auction, the margin above or below Term SOFR for the applicable Interest Period or Daily Simple SOFR, as applicable (the “Competitive Bid Margin”) offered for each such Competitive Bid Loan, expressed as a percentage (specified to the nearest 1/10,000th of 1%) to be added to or subtracted from such base rate,

(iv) in the case of an Absolute Rate Auction, the rate of interest per annum (specified to the nearest 1/10,000th of 1%) (the “Competitive Bid Absolute Rate”) offered for each such Competitive Bid Loan, and

(v) the identity of the quoting Bank.

A Competitive Bid Quote may set forth up to five separate offers by the quoting Bank with respect to each Interest Period specified in the related Invitation for Competitive Bid Quotes.

3. Any Competitive Bid Quote shall be disregarded if it:

(i) is not substantially in conformity with Exhibit D hereto or does not specify all of the information required by subsection (d)(2) above;

(ii) contains qualifying, conditional or similar language (except for an aggregate limitation as provided in subsection (d)(2)(ii) above);

(iii) proposes terms other than or in addition to those set forth in the applicable Invitation for Competitive Bid Quotes (except for an aggregate limitation as provided in subsection (d)(2)(ii) above); or

(iv) arrives after the time set forth in subsection (d)(1).

(e) Notice to Borrower. The Administrative Agent shall promptly (and in any event within one (1) Business Day after receipt thereof except with respect to Competitive Bid Absolute Rate Borrowings which shall be on the same day as receipt thereof) notify the Borrower in writing of the terms (x) of any Competitive Bid Quote submitted by a Bank that is in accordance with subsection (d) and (y) of any Competitive Bid Quote that amends, modifies or is otherwise inconsistent with a previous Competitive Bid Quote submitted by such Bank with respect to the same Competitive Bid Quote Request. Any such subsequent Competitive Bid Quote shall be disregarded by the Administrative Agent unless such subsequent Competitive Bid Quote is submitted solely to correct a manifest error in such former Competitive Bid Quote or modifies the terms of such previous Competitive Bid Quote to provide terms more favorable to the Borrower. The Administrative Agent’s notice to the Borrower shall specify (A) the aggregate principal amount of Competitive Bid Loans for which offers have been received for each Interest Period specified in the related Competitive Bid Quote Request, (B) the respective principal amounts and Competitive Bid Margins or Competitive Bid Absolute Rates, as the case may be, so offered and (C) if applicable, limitations on the aggregate principal amount of Competitive Bid Loans for which offers in any single Competitive Bid Quote may be accepted.

 

54


(f) Acceptance and Notice by Borrower. Not later than 10:30 a.m. (Chicago, Illinois time) on (x) the third Business Day prior to the proposed date of Borrowing, in the case of a Term SOFR Auction or (y) the proposed date of Borrowing, in the case of an Absolute Rate Auction or a Daily Simple SOFR Auction (or, in any case, such other time or date as the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall have mutually agreed and shall have notified to the Banks not later than the date of the Competitive Bid Quote Request for the first Term SOFR Auction, Daily Simple SOFR Auction or Absolute Rate Auction for which such change is to be effective), the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of its acceptance or non-acceptance of the offers so notified to it pursuant to subsection (e). In the case of acceptance, such notice (a “Notice of Competitive Bid Borrowing”) shall specify the aggregate principal amount of offers for each Interest Period that are accepted. The Borrower may accept any Competitive Bid Quote in whole or in part; provided that:

1. the aggregate principal amount of each Competitive Bid Borrowing may not exceed the applicable amount set forth in the related Competitive Bid Quote Request;

2. the principal amount of each Competitive Bid Borrowing must be $3,000,000 or a larger multiple of $100,000;

3. acceptance of offers may only be made on the basis of ascending Competitive Bid Margins or Competitive Bid Absolute Rates, as the case may be; and

4. the Borrower may not accept any offer that is described in subsection (d)(3) or that otherwise fails to comply with the requirements of this Agreement.

(g) Allocation by Administrative Agent. If offers are made by two or more Banks with the same Competitive Bid Margins or Competitive Bid Absolute Rates, as the case may be, for a greater aggregate principal amount than the amount in respect of which such offers are permitted to be accepted for the related Interest Period, the principal amount of Competitive Bid Loans in respect of which such offers are accepted shall be allocated by the Administrative Agent among such Banks as nearly as possible (in multiples of $100,000, as the Administrative Agent may deem appropriate) in proportion to the aggregate principal amounts of such offers. The Administrative Agent shall promptly (and in any event within one (1) Business Day after such offers are accepted except with respect to Competitive Bid Absolute Rate Borrowings which shall be on the same day as such offers are accepted) notify the Borrower and each such Bank in writing of any such allocation of Competitive Bid Loans. Determinations by the Administrative Agent of the allocation of Competitive Bid Loans shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

(h) Notification by Administrative Agent. Upon receipt of the Borrower’s Notice of Competitive Bid Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.3(f), the Administrative Agent shall, on the date such Notice of Competitive Bid Borrowing is received by the Administrative Agent, promptly notify each Bank (and such Notice of Competitive Bid Borrowing shall not thereafter be revocable by the Borrower) (i) of the principal amount of the Competitive Bid

 

55


Borrowing accepted by the Borrower, and (ii) of such Bank’s share (if any) of such Competitive Bid Borrowing. A Bank who is notified that it has been selected to make a Competitive Bid Loan may designate its Designated Lender (if any) to fund such Competitive Bid Loan on its behalf, as described in Section 9.6(d). Any Designated Lender which funds a Competitive Bid Loan shall on and after the time of such funding become the obligee under such Competitive Bid Loan and be entitled to receive payment thereof when due. No Bank shall be relieved of its obligation to fund a Competitive Bid Loan, and no Designated Lender shall assume such obligation, prior to the time the applicable Competitive Bid Loan is funded.

(i) Funding of Committed Loans Not Affected. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, each Bank shall be required to fund its Pro Rata Share of Committed Loans in accordance with Section 2.1 despite the fact that any Bank’s Commitment may have been or may be exceeded as a result of such Bank’s making of Competitive Bid Loans.

Section 2.4 Notice to Banks; Funding of Loans.

(a) Upon receipt of a Notice of Borrowing from the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.2, the Administrative Agent shall, on the date such Notice of Borrowing is received by the Administrative Agent, promptly notify each Bank of the contents thereof and of such Bank’s share of such Borrowing, of the interest rate determined pursuant thereto and the Interest Period(s) (if different from those requested by the Borrower) and such Notice of Borrowing shall not thereafter be revocable by the Borrower, unless the Borrower shall pay any applicable expenses pursuant to Section 2.13.

(b) Not later than 1:00 p.m. (Chicago, Illinois time or, in the case of any Borrowing denominated in an Alternative Currency, local time to the principal financial center of the Alternative Currency in question) on the date of each Borrowing as indicated in the Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Competitive Bid Borrowing, as applicable, each Bank (who has been notified of its selection to make a Competitive Bid Loan or its Designated Lender (if any) in the case of a Competitive Bid Borrowing) shall make available its share of such Borrowing to the Administrative Agent in Same Day Funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office for the applicable currency. If the Borrower has requested the issuance of a Letter of Credit, no later than 12:00 Noon (Chicago, Illinois time) on the date of such issuance as indicated in the notice delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(b), the designated Fronting Bank shall issue such Letter of Credit in the amount so requested and deliver the same to the Borrower or to the applicable Qualified Borrower or, at the instruction of the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower, to the beneficiary thereof, at the Borrower’s aforesaid address or at such address in the United States as the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower shall request on the date of the issuance thereof or, in the case of an Alternative Currency Letter of Credit, at such address as the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower shall request on the date of the issuance thereof, with a copy thereof to the Administrative Agent. Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit by the designated Fronting Bank, such Fronting Bank shall be deemed to have sold and transferred to each other Bank with a Dollar Commitment or Alternative Currency Commitment, as applicable, and each such other Bank shall be deemed, and hereby agrees, to have irrevocably and unconditionally purchased and received from the applicable Fronting Bank, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and a participation in such Letter of Credit, any drawing thereunder, and the obligations of the Borrower hereunder with respect thereto, and any security therefor or guaranty

 

56


pertaining thereto, in an amount equal to such Bank’s Pro Rata Share thereof. Upon any change in any of the Commitments in accordance herewith, there shall be an automatic adjustment to such participations to reflect such changed shares. The designated Fronting Bank shall have the primary obligation to fund any and all draws made with respect to such Letter of Credit notwithstanding any failure of a participating Bank to fund its Pro Rata Share of any such draw.

(c) [reserved].

(d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Bank prior to the date of any Borrowing that such Bank will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Bank’s share of such Borrowing (or, in the case of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans or Daily SOFR Loans, prior to 12 Noon (Chicago, Illinois time) on the date of such Borrowing), the Administrative Agent may assume that such Bank has made such share available to the Administrative Agent on the date of such Borrowing in accordance with subsection (b) of this Section 2.4 and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, but shall not be obligated to, make available to the Borrower on such date a corresponding amount on behalf of such Bank. If and to the extent that such Bank shall not have so made such share available to the Administrative Agent, such Bank and the Borrower severally agree to repay (or to cause the applicable Qualified Borrower to repay) to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand, and in the case of the Borrower one (1) Business Day after demand, such corresponding amount in Same Day Funds together with interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount is made available to the Borrower or such Qualified Borrower until the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of the Borrower, a rate per annum equal to the interest rate applicable thereto pursuant to Section 2.7 and (ii) in the case of such Bank, the greater of the applicable Overnight Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing. If such Bank shall repay to the Administrative Agent such corresponding amount, such amount so repaid shall constitute such Bank’s Loan included in such Borrowing as of the date of such Borrowing for purposes of this Agreement. Nothing contained in this Section 2.4(d) shall be deemed to reduce the Commitment of any Bank or in any way affect the rights of the Borrower with respect to any Defaulting Lender or Administrative Agent. The failure of any Bank to make available to the Administrative Agent such Bank’s share of any Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.4(b) shall not relieve any other Bank of its obligations to fund its Commitment, in accordance with the provisions hereof.

(e) Subject to the provisions hereof, including satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 3.2 (and, if such Borrowing is the initial extension of credit hereunder, Section 3.1), the Administrative Agent shall make all funds received from the Banks available to the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower in like funds in accordance with, and on the date set forth in, the applicable Notice of Borrowing; provided, however, that if, on the date the Notice of Borrowing with respect to such Borrowing denominated in Dollars is given by the Borrower, there are LC Borrowings outstanding, then the proceeds of such Borrowing, first, shall be applied to the payment in full of any such LC Borrowings, and, second, shall be made available to the Borrower.

 

57


(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Bank may exchange, continue or rollover all of the portion of its Loans in connection with any refinancing, extension, loan modification or similar transaction permitted by the terms of this Agreement, pursuant to a cashless settlement mechanism approved by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, and such Bank.

(g) With respect to any of SOFR, Daily Simple SOFR, Term SOFR, any Alternative Currency Daily Rate, any Alternative Currency Term Rate, any Relevant Rate or any Successor Rate, the Administrative Agent 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 Banks reasonably promptly after such amendment becomes effective.

Section 2.5 Evidence of Debt.

(a) The Loans (including Competitive Bid Loans) made by each Bank shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Bank in the ordinary course of business. The Administrative Agent shall maintain the Register in accordance with Section 9.6(h). The accounts or records maintained by each Bank shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Loans made by the Banks to the Borrower and the Qualified Borrowers and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Bank and the Register, the Register shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Bank to the Borrower made through the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and/or a Qualified Borrower, as applicable, shall execute and deliver to such Bank (through the Administrative Agent) one or more Notes, which shall evidence such Bank’s Loans to the Borrower or such Qualified Borrower, as the case may be, in addition to such accounts or records. Each Bank may attach schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, type (if applicable), currency, amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.

(b) In addition to the accounts and records referred to in subsection (a) above, each Bank and the Administrative Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Bank of participations in Letters of Credit. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by the Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any Bank in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.

(c) The Committed Loans shall mature, and the principal amount thereof shall be due and payable, on the Maturity Date.

(d) Each Competitive Bid Loan included in any Competitive Bid Borrowing shall mature, and the principal amount thereof shall be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon, on the earlier to occur of (i) the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Borrowing or (ii) the Maturity Date.

 

58


Section 2.6 Method of Electing Interest Rates.

(a) The Loans included in each Committed Borrowing shall bear interest initially at the type of rate specified by the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower in the applicable Notice of Borrowing. Thereafter, the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower (or the Borrower on behalf of the applicable Qualified Borrower) may from time to time elect to change or continue the type of interest rate borne by each Group of Loans (subject in each case to the provisions of Article VIII), as follows:

(i) if such Loans are Base Rate Loans, the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower may elect to convert all or any portion of such Loans to Term SOFR Loans or Daily SOFR Loans as of any Business Day applicable to SOFR Loans; and if such Loans are Daily SOFR Loans, the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower may elect to convert all or any portion of such Loans to Term SOFR Loans or Base Rate Loans as of any Business Day applicable to Term SOFR Loans or Base Rate Loans, as applicable;

(ii) if such Loans are Term SOFR Loans, the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower (or the Borrower on behalf of the applicable Qualified Borrower) may elect to convert all or any portion of such Loans to Base Rate Loans or Daily SOFR Loans and/or elect to continue all or any portion of such Loans as Term SOFR Loans for an additional Interest Period or additional Interest Periods, in each case effective on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable to such Loans, or on such other date designated by the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower (or the Borrower on behalf of the applicable Qualified Borrower) in the Notice of Interest Rate Election, provided the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower (or the Borrower on behalf of the applicable Qualified Borrower) shall pay any losses pursuant to Section 2.13, or

(iii) if such Loans are Alternative Currency Term Rate Loans, the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower (or the Borrower on behalf of the applicable Qualified Borrower) may elect to continue all or any portion of such Loans as Alternative Currency Term Rate Loans for an additional Interest Period or additional Interest Periods, in each case effective on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable to such Loans, or on such other date designated by the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower (or the Borrower on behalf of the applicable Qualified Borrower) in the Notice of Interest Rate Election, provided the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower (or the Borrower on behalf of the applicable Qualified Borrower) shall pay any losses pursuant to Section 2.13.

Each such election shall be made by delivering a Notice of Interest Rate Election to the Administrative Agent at least (i) in the case of any conversion of Daily SOFR Loans to Base Rate Loans or Base Rate Loans to Daily SOFR Loans, one (1) Business Day, (ii) in the case of any continuation of, or conversion to, Term SOFR Loans or any conversion of Term SOFR Loans to Daily SOFR Loans or Base Rate Loans, three (3) Business Days or (iii) in the case of any

 

59


continuation of Alternative Currency Term Rate Loans, four (4) Business Days (or five (5) Business Days in the case of Loans denominated in a Special Notice Currency) before the conversion or continuation selected in such notice is to be effective, by 12:00 Noon (Chicago, Illinois time). A Notice of Interest Rate Election may, if it so specifies, apply to only a portion of the aggregate principal amount of the relevant Group of Loans; provided that (i) such portion is allocated ratably among the Loans comprising such Group of Loans, (ii) the portion to which such Notice of Interest Rate Election applies, and the remaining portion to which it does not apply, are each the Dollar Equivalent of $500,000 or any larger multiple of $100,000, (iii) there shall be no more than fifteen (15) (or twenty (20) in the event the Borrower exercises its option to increase the Commitments under Section 2.1(b)) Groups of Loans that are Term SOFR Loans or Alternative Currency Term Rate Loans and Competitive Bid Loans outstanding at any one time, (iv) no Committed Loan may be continued as, or converted into, a Term SOFR Loan or an Alternative Currency Loan when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing without the consent of the Required Banks, (v) except as provided pursuant to Section 2.20, no Committed Loan may be converted into or continued as a Committed Loan denominated in a different currency, but instead must be repaid in the original currency of such Committed Loan and reborrowed in the other currency, and (vi) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date.

During the existence of a Default, Committed Loans may only be requested as Base Rate Loans or Daily SOFR Loans.

(b) Each Notice of Interest Rate Election shall specify:

(i) the Group of Loans (or portion thereof) to which such notice applies;

(ii) the date on which the conversion or continuation selected in such notice is to be effective, which shall comply with the applicable clause of subsection (a) above;

(iii) if the Loans comprising such Group of Loans are to be converted, the new type of Loans and, if such new Loans are Term SOFR Loans, the duration of the initial Interest Period applicable thereto; and

(iv) if such Loans are to be continued as Term SOFR Loans or Alternative Currency Rate Term Loans for an additional Interest Period, the duration of such additional Interest Period.

Each Interest Period specified in a Notice of Interest Rate Election shall comply with the provisions of the definition of Interest Period.

(c) Upon receipt of a Notice of Interest Rate Election from the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower pursuant to subsection (a) above, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Bank the same day as it receives such Notice of Interest Rate Election of the contents thereof, the interest rates determined pursuant thereto and the Interest Periods (if different from those requested by the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower) and such notice shall not thereafter be revocable by the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower. If the Borrower or Qualified Borrower fails to deliver a timely Notice of Interest Rate Election to the Administrative Agent for any Group of Loans which are (i) Term SOFR Loans, such Loans shall be converted into Daily SOFR Loans or (ii) Alternative Currency Term Rate Loans, such Loans shall be continued as Alternative Currency Term Rate Loans with an Interest Period of one (1) month, in each case, on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable thereto.

 

60


Section 2.7 Interest Rates.

(a) Each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof, for each day from the date such Loan is made until the date it is repaid or converted into a Term SOFR Loan pursuant to Section 2.6 or at the Maturity Date, at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans for such day. Such interest shall be payable on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and on the Maturity Date.

(b) Subject to Section 8.1, each Term SOFR Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof, for each day during the Interest Period applicable thereto, at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Applicable Margin for SOFR Loans for such day plus Term SOFR for such Interest Period. Such interest shall be payable for each Interest Period on the last day thereof and, if such Interest Period is longer than three months, at intervals of three months after the first day thereof, as well as on the date of any prepayment of any such Term SOFR Loan.

(c) Subject to Section 8.1, each Competitive Bid Term SOFR Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof, for each day during the Interest Period applicable thereto, at a rate per annum equal to the sum of Term SOFR for such Interest Period (determined in accordance with Section 2.7(b) as if the related Competitive Bid Term SOFR Borrowing were a Term SOFR Borrowing) plus (or minus) the Competitive Bid Margin quoted by the Bank making such Loan in accordance with Section 2.3. Subject to Section 8.1, each Competitive Bid Daily SOFR Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof, for each day during the Interest Period applicable thereto, at a rate per annum equal to the sum of Daily Simple SOFR for such day during the Interest Period plus (or minus) the Competitive Bid Margin quoted by the Bank making such Loan in accordance with Section 2.3. Each Competitive Bid Absolute Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof, for the Interest Period applicable thereto, at a rate per annum equal to the Competitive Bid Absolute Rate quoted by the Bank making such Loan in accordance with Section 2.3. Such interest shall be payable for each Interest Period on the last day thereof and, if such Interest Period is longer than one month, at intervals of one month after the first day thereof. Any overdue principal of or interest on any Competitive Bid Loan shall bear interest, payable on demand, for each day until paid at a rate per annum equal to the sum of 2% plus the interest rate applicable to such Competitive Bid Loan.

(d) Subject to Section 8.1, each Daily SOFR Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof, for each day from the date such Loan is made until the date it is repaid or converted into a Term SOFR Loan pursuant to Section 2.6 or at the Maturity Date, at a rate per annum equal to Daily Simple SOFR plus the Applicable Margin for SOFR Loans for such day. Such interest shall be payable on the last Business Day of each month and on the Maturity Date.

 

61


(e) Subject to Section 8.1, each Alternative Currency Term Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof, for each day during the Interest Period applicable thereto, at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Applicable Margin for Alternative Currency Loans for such day plus the relevant Alternative Currency Term Rate for such Interest Period. Such interest shall be payable for each Interest Period on the last day thereof and, if such Interest Period is longer than three months, at intervals of three months after the first day thereof, as well as on the date of any prepayment of any such Alternative Currency Term Rate Loan.

(f) Subject to Section 8.1, each Alternative Currency Daily Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof, for each day from the date such Loan is made until the date it is repaid or at the Maturity Date, at a rate per annum equal to the relevant Alternative Currency Daily Rate plus the Applicable Margin for Alternative Currency Loans for such day. Such interest shall be payable on the last Business Day of each month and on the Maturity Date.

(g) If any amount hereunder is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, then such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws. Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.

(h) Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.

Section 2.8 Fees.

(a) Facility Fee. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Banks ratably in proportion to their respective Commitments a facility fee (the “Facility Fee”) on the aggregate Commitments (exclusive, however, of any portion of the Commitments that shall have been made as a result of the optional increase pursuant to Section 2.1(b) on a term (rather than revolving) basis) at the respective percentages per annum based upon the range into which the Credit Rating then falls, in accordance with the following table. The Facility Fee shall be payable in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December during the Term and on the Maturity Date.

 

62


Range of

Credit Rating

   Facility Fee (per annum)  

Non-Investment Grade

     0.300

BBB-/Baa3

     0.250

BBB/Baa2

     0.200

BBB+/Baa1

     0.150

A-/A3

     0.125

A/A2

     0.100

A+/A1 or better

     0.100

Any change in the Credit Rating causing it to move to a different range on the table shall effect an immediate change in the applicable Facility Fee. In the event that the Borrower receives Credit Ratings that are not equivalent, the Facility Fee shall be based upon the higher of the Credit Ratings from S&P or Moody’s. In the event that only one (1) Rating Agency has set the Credit Rating, then the Facility Fee shall be based on such single Credit Rating.

Should the Borrower lose its Investment Grade Rating from both Rating Agencies, the Facility Fee will revert to the Non-Investment Grade rate set forth in the table above. Upon the reinstatement of an Investment Grade Rating from either S&P or Moody’s, the Facility Fee will again be determined based on the applicable Credit Rating in the table set forth above.

(b) Letter of Credit Fee. The Borrower shall pay, or shall cause the applicable Qualified Borrower to pay, to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Banks in proportion to their interests in respect of issued and undrawn Letters of Credit, a fee (a “Letter of Credit Fee”) in an amount equal to a rate per annum equal to the then percentage per annum of the Applicable Margin with respect to SOFR Loans less 0.05%, on the Dollar Equivalent of the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letters of Credit. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with the last sentence of Section 2.16(a). The Letter of Credit Fee shall be payable, in arrears, on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December during the Term, and on the Maturity Date, and, if and to the extent that the term of any Letter of Credit shall extend beyond the Maturity Date, on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December until all Letters of Credit shall have expired and/or been returned and on the date such final Letter of Credit expires or is returned. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, upon the request of the Required Banks, while any Event of Default exists, all Letter of Credit Fees shall accrue at the Default Rate.

(c) Fronting Bank Fee. The Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower shall pay each Fronting Bank, for its own account, a fee (a “Fronting Bank Fee”) at a rate per annum equal to the greater of (x) 0.125% of the Dollar Equivalent of the daily amount available to be drawn under each Letter of Credit issued by such Fronting Bank and (y) $500 per Letter of Credit, which fee shall be in addition to and not in lieu of, the Letter of Credit Fee. The Fronting Bank Fee with respect to a Letter of Credit shall be payable quarterly in arrears commencing on the first day of the calendar quarter immediately succeeding the calendar quarter in which such

 

63


Letter of Credit is issued and, if such Letter of Credit is renewed, on the first day of the calendar quarter immediately succeeding the calendar quarter in which the date any such renewal occurs, on the Maturity Date and thereafter on demand. In addition, the Borrower shall pay directly to each Fronting Bank for its own account, the customary processing fees, charges and expenses of such Fronting Bank in connection with the issuance, administration or extension of letters of credit as from time to time in effect.

(d) Other Fees. The Borrower shall pay to the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Administrative Agent for their own respective accounts fees in the amounts and at the times specified in the Fee Letters.

(e) Fees Non-Refundable. All fees set forth in this Section 2.8 shall be deemed to have been earned on the date payment is due in accordance with the provisions hereof and shall be non-refundable. The obligation of the Borrower to pay such fees in accordance with the provisions hereof shall be binding upon the Borrower and shall inure to the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Banks regardless of whether any Loans are actually made.

Section 2.9 Maturity Date.

(a) Initial Maturity Date. The term (the “Term”) of the Commitments (and each Bank’s obligations to make Loans) shall terminate and expire on the Maturity Date. Upon the date of the termination of the Term, any Loans then outstanding (together with accrued interest thereon and all other Obligations other than with respect to Letters of Credit) shall be due and payable on such date.

(b) Maturity Extension Request. The Borrower may extend the Maturity Date (as it may theretofore have been extended) for additional one (1) or two (2) year periods (a “Maturity Date Extension”) by providing written notice of such request (an “Extension Request”) to the Administrative Agent not more than 60 days and not less than 30 days prior to each anniversary of the Closing Date (any such applicable anniversary of the Closing Date, the “Extension Date”).

(c) Bank Response to Extension Request. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Bank and Fronting Bank of such Extension Request and each Bank and Fronting Bank shall then, in its sole discretion, notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing within 15 days of such Extension Request whether such Bank or Fronting Bank will consent to the extension (each such Bank consenting to the extension, a “Consenting Bank”). The failure of any Bank or Fronting Bank to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of its intent to consent to any extension shall be deemed a rejection by such Bank or Fronting Bank, as applicable. The election of any Bank or Fronting Bank to agree to such extension shall not obligate any other Bank or Fronting Bank to so agree.

(d) Approval of Extension Request. If (and only if) Consenting Banks constituting the Required Banks have approved such Maturity Date Extension, then effective on the existing Maturity Date such extension shall be effective as to each Consenting Bank and each Fronting Bank consenting to such extension; provided that (A) the Maturity Date following any such extension shall not be a date that is more than five years after the applicable Extension Date,

 

64


(B) the Borrower may not make more than one (1) Extension Request in any twelve month period and (C) at the existing Maturity Date in effect prior to each Maturity Date Extension, (1) the Commitment of each Bank and Fronting Bank that did not consent to such Maturity Date Extension (each such Bank not consenting to the extension, a “Declining Bank”) will be terminated and the Loans of such Banks and Fronting Banks will be repaid or Cash Collateralized, as applicable (it being understood that the Commitment of each Declining Bank and Fronting Bank not consenting to such extension will remain in effect until the Maturity Date originally applicable to such Bank or Fronting Bank, as applicable), (2) the Borrower shall make such additional prepayments as shall be necessary in order that the aggregate Dollar Equivalent of the Loans outstanding and the outstanding Dollar Equivalent of the Letter of Credit Usage immediately after such existing Maturity Date will not exceed, respectively, the Dollar Commitment and Letter of Credit Sublimit and (3) solely to the extent necessary to ensure that the Dollar Equivalent of Letter of Credit Usage is allocated ratably among the Consenting Banks, Extending Banks (if any) and New Banks (if any) in accordance with their updated Pro Rata Share, the Administrative Agent shall, to the extent it deems appropriate, reallocate each Consenting Bank’s Commitment with respect to Letters of Credit. The consent of Declining Banks will not be required.

(e) Conditions to Extension Effectiveness. As a condition precedent to any such Maturity Date Extension, (i) the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of the Borrower dated as of the applicable Extension Date signed by a Responsible Officer (x) certifying and attaching the resolutions adopted by the Borrower approving or consenting to such extension and (y) certifying that (1) the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on such applicable Extension Date (other than (A) representations and warranties which expressly speak as of a different date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects as of such different date, and (B) any representation or warranty that is already by its terms qualified as to “materiality”, “Material Adverse Effect” or similar language shall be true and correct in all respects as of such date after giving effect to such qualification (or if such representation and warranty expressly speaks as to a different date, true and correct in all respects as of such different date after giving effect to such qualification)) and (2) as of such applicable Extension Date and immediately after giving effect to such Maturity Date Extension, no Default or Event of Default exists and (ii) the Borrower shall have paid to the Joint Lead Arrangers, for their own accounts, and to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Consenting Banks and New Banks such fees as have been agreed at such time.

(f) Bank Replacement. The Borrower shall have the right, at any time prior to the existing Maturity Date applicable to any Declining Banks, to replace Declining Banks with Consenting Banks willing (in their sole discretion) to increase their existing commitments (each such Bank, an “Extending Bank”), or other financial institutions willing (in their sole discretion) to become Banks and extend new commitments, on terms consistent with the provisions of Section 9.5 applicable to a Non-Consenting Bank, including any consents required thereunder (each such Bank, a “New Bank”); provided that each of such Extending Banks and New Banks shall enter into a Transfer Supplement pursuant to which such Extending Bank or New Bank shall, effective as of the Maturity Date then applicable to such Declining Banks, undertake a Commitment (and, in the case of an Extending Bank, its Commitment shall be in addition to such Bank’s Commitment hereunder on such date). In connection therewith, the Administrative Agent shall enter in the Register (A) the names of any New Banks, (B) the Maturity Date applicable to

 

65


each Bank and Fronting Bank and (C) the respective allocations of any Declining Banks, Consenting Banks, Extending Banks and New Banks effective as of the Maturity Date applicable thereto. If any financial institution or other entity becomes a New Bank or any Extending Bank’s Commitment is increased pursuant to this Section 2.9, (x) Committed Loans made and Letters of Credit issued on or after the date such increase becomes effective as to such New Banks and Extending Banks shall be made in accordance with Section 2.1 based on the respective Commitments in effect on and after such date, (y) if, on the date of such joinder or increase, there are any Committed Loans outstanding, such Committed Loans shall on or prior to such date be prepaid from the proceeds of new Committed Loans made hereunder (reflecting such additional Bank or increase), which prepayment shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the Committed Loan being prepaid and any costs incurred by any Bank in accordance with Section 2.13 and (z) if, on the date of such joinder or increase, there is any Letter of Credit Usage, each Bank’s participation in any such Letter of Credit Usage shall be reallocated according to each Bank’s Pro Rata Share (giving effect to such additional Bank or increase).

Section 2.10 Additional Alternative Currencies.

(a) The Borrower may from time to time request that Alternative Currency Loans be made and/or Letters of Credit be issued in a currency other than those specifically listed in the definition of “Alternative Currency” or previously approved in accordance with this Section 2.10; provided that such requested currency is an Eligible Currency. In the case of any such request with respect to the making of Alternative Currency Loans, such request shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent and all of the Banks that hold an Alternative Currency Commitment; and in the case of any such request with respect to the issuance of Letters of Credit, such request shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent and the applicable Fronting Bank.

(b) Any such request shall be made to the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (Chicago, Illinois time), twenty (20) Business Days prior to the date of the desired Borrowing or issuance (or such other time or date as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent and, in the case of any such request pertaining to Letters of Credit, the applicable Fronting Bank, in its or their sole discretion). In the case of any such request pertaining to Alternative Currency Loans, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Bank that holds an Alternative Currency Commitment thereof; and in the case of any such request pertaining to Letters of Credit, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the applicable Fronting Bank thereof. Each Bank that holds an Alternative Currency Commitment (in the case of any such request pertaining to Alternative Currency Loans) or the applicable Fronting Bank (in the case of a request pertaining to Letters of Credit) shall notify the Administrative Agent, not later than 11:00 a.m. (Chicago, Illinois time), ten (10) Business Days after receipt of such request whether it consents, in its sole discretion, to the making of Alternative Currency Loans or the issuance of Letters of Credit, as the case may be, in such requested currency.

(c) Any failure by a Bank or the applicable Fronting Bank, as the case may be, to respond to such request within the time period specified in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be a refusal by such Bank or such Fronting Bank, as the case may be, to permit Alternative Currency Loans to be made or Letters of Credit to be issued in such requested currency. If the Administrative Agent and all the Banks that hold an Alternative Currency Commitment

 

66


consent to making Alternative Currency Loans in such requested currency, and the Administrative Agent and such Banks reasonably determine that an appropriate interest rate is available to be used for such requested currency, the Administrative Agent shall so notify the Borrower and (i) the Administrative Agent and such Banks may amend the definition of Alternative Currency Daily Rate or Alternative Currency Term Rate and the definition of Relevant Rate to the extent necessary to add the applicable rate for such currency and any applicable adjustment for such rate and (ii) to the extent the definition of Alternative Currency Daily Rate or Alternative Currency Term Rate, as applicable, and the definition of Relevant Rate has been amended to reflect the appropriate rate for such currency, such currency shall thereupon be deemed for all purposes to be an Alternative Currency hereunder for purposes of any Committed Borrowings of Alternative Currency Loans; and if the Administrative Agent and the applicable Fronting Bank consent to the issuance of Letters of Credit in such requested currency, the Administrative Agent shall so notify the Borrower and (i) the Administrative Agent and the applicable Fronting Bank may amend the definition of Alternative Currency Daily Rate or Alternative Currency Term Rate, as applicable, and the definition of Relevant Rate to the extent necessary to add the applicable rate for such currency and any applicable adjustment for such rate and (ii) to the extent the definition of Alternative Currency Daily Rate or Alternative Currency Term Rate, as applicable, and the definition of Relevant Rate has been amended to reflect the appropriate rate for such currency, such currency shall thereupon be deemed for all purposes to be an Alternative Currency hereunder for purposes of any Letter of Credit issuances by such Fronting Bank. If the Administrative Agent shall fail to obtain consent to any request for an additional currency under this Section 2.10, the Administrative Agent shall promptly so notify the Borrower.

Section 2.11 Optional Prepayments and Optional Decreases and Termination.

(a) The Borrower may, upon at least one (1) Business Day’s notice to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify each of the Banks), pursuant to delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Notice of Loan Prepayment, which notice shall specify, among other things, if the Commitments shall have been increased pursuant to Section 2.1(b) and some Loans shall be on a term basis, how much of such prepayment shall be applied to the applicable term Loans and how much to revolving Loans, prepay any Group of Loans which are Base Rate Loans (or any Competitive Bid Borrowing bearing interest at the Base Rate pursuant to Section 8.1), Daily SOFR Loans (or any Competitive Bid Borrowing bearing interest at Daily Simple SOFR pursuant to Section 8.1) or Alternative Currency Daily Rate Loans, in whole at any time, or from time to time in part in amounts aggregating One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) or any larger multiple of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), by paying the principal amount to be prepaid. Each such optional prepayment shall be applied to prepay ratably the Loans of the several Banks included in such Group of Loans or Borrowing included in such Group of Loans or Borrowing.

(b) The Borrower may, upon at least one (1) Business Day’s (or five (5) Business Days’, in the case of prepayment of Loans denominated in Special Notice Currencies) notice to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify each of the Banks), pursuant to delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Notice of Loan Prepayment, which notice shall specify, among other things, if the Commitments shall have been increased pursuant to Section 2.1(b) and some Loans shall be on a term basis, how much of such prepayment shall be applied to the applicable term Loans and how much to revolving Loans, prepay any Term SOFR Loan or

 

67


Alternative Currency Term Rate Loan, in whole at any time, or from time to time in part in amounts aggregating Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) or any larger multiple of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000), as of the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto. Except as provided in Article VIII and except with respect to any Term SOFR Loan or Alternative Currency Term Rate Loan which has been converted to a Base Rate Loan pursuant to Section 8.2, 8.3 or 8.4, the Borrower may not prepay all or any portion of the principal amount of any Term SOFR Loan or Alternative Currency Term Rate Loan prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto unless the Borrower shall also pay any applicable expenses pursuant to Section 2.13. Any such prepayment shall be upon at least three (3) Business Days’ notice to the Administrative Agent. Each such optional prepayment shall be in the amounts set forth in Section 2.11(a) above and shall be applied to prepay ratably the Loans of the Banks included in any Group of Loans which are Term SOFR Loans or Alternative Currency Term Rate Loans, as applicable, (which Group of Loans shall be specified in the notice referred to above), except that any Term SOFR Loan or Alternative Currency Term Rate Loan which has been converted to a Base Rate Loan pursuant to Section 8.2, 8.3 or 8.4 may be prepaid without ratable payment of the other Loans in such Group of Loans which have not been so converted.

(c) The Borrower may, upon at least one (1) Business Day’s notice to the Administrative Agent (by 11:00 a.m. Chicago, Illinois time or local time to the principal financial center of the Alternative Currency in question, as applicable, on such Business Day), reimburse the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the applicable Fronting Bank for the amount of any drawing under a Letter of Credit in whole or in part in any amount.

(d) The Borrower may at any time return, or cause to be returned, any undrawn Letter of Credit to the applicable Fronting Bank in whole, but not in part, and such Fronting Bank within a reasonable period of time shall give the Administrative Agent and each of the Banks notice of such return.

(e) The Borrower may at any time and from time to time cancel all or any part of the Dollar Commitments or the Alternative Currency Commitments. If there are Loans then outstanding or, if there are no Loans outstanding at such time as to which the Commitments with respect thereto are being cancelled, upon at least one (1) Business Day’s notice to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify each of the Banks), whereupon, in either event, all or such portion of the Commitments, as applicable, shall terminate as to the Banks, pro rata on the date set forth in such notice of cancellation, and, if there are any Loans then outstanding, the Borrower shall prepay, as applicable, all or such portion of Loans outstanding on such date in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.11(a) and (b). In no event shall the Borrower be permitted to cancel Commitments for which a Letter of Credit has been issued and is outstanding unless the Borrower returns (or causes to be returned) such Letter of Credit to the applicable Fronting Bank or Cash Collateralizes such Letter of Credit in a manner satisfactory to the applicable Fronting Bank. The Borrower shall be permitted to designate in its notice of cancellation which Loans, if any, are to be prepaid. All fees accrued until the effective date of any termination of the Commitments shall be paid on the effective date of such termination.

(f) Any amounts so prepaid pursuant to Section 2.11(a), (b), (c) or (d) may be reborrowed except to the extent applied to repay any term Loans made in accordance with Section 2.1(b). In the event the Borrower elects to cancel all or any portion of the Commitments pursuant to Section 2.11(e), such amounts may not be reinstated.

 

68


(g) The Borrower may not prepay any portion of a Competitive Bid Loan except with the prior consent of the Bank or Designated Lender holding such Competitive Bid Loan.

Section 2.12 General Provisions as to Payments.

(a) All payments to be made by the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower shall be made free and clear of and without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower, as the case may be, shall make each payment of principal and interest on the Loans and of fees hereunder, not later than 1:00 p.m. (Chicago, Illinois time or local time to the principal financial center of the Alternative Currency in question, as applicable) on the date when due, in Dollars, or, in the case of any Alternative Currency Loans, in the applicable Alternative Currency, to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Banks to which such payment is owed, at the Administrative Agent’s Office in Same Day Funds. If, for any reason, the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower is prohibited by any Law from making any required payment hereunder in an Alternative Currency, the Borrower or such Qualified Borrower shall make such payment in Dollars in the Dollar Equivalent of the Alternative Currency payment amount. The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Bank its ratable share (or applicable share with respect to Competitive Bid Loans) of each such payment received by the Administrative Agent for the account of the Banks in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Bank’s Applicable Lending Office. All payments received by the Administrative Agent after 1:00 p.m. (Chicago, Illinois time or local time to the principal financial center of the Alternative Currency in question, as applicable) shall, in each case, be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. Whenever any payment of principal of, or interest on the Base Rate Loans, the Daily SOFR Rate Loans or the Alternative Currency Daily Rate Loans or of fees shall be due on a day which is not a Business Day, the date for payment thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day. Whenever any payment of principal of, or interest on, the Term SOFR Loans or the Alternative Currency Term Rate Loans shall be due on a day which is not a Business Day, the date for payment thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case the date for payment thereof shall be the next preceding Business Day. Whenever any payment of principal of, or interest on, the Competitive Bid Loans shall be due on a day which is not a Business Day, the date for payment thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day. If the date for any payment of principal or any other Obligations is extended by operation of law or otherwise, interest and fees thereon shall be payable for such extended time.

(b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Banks or any Fronting Bank that the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower, as the case may be, will not make such payment in full, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower or such Qualified Borrower, as the case may be, has made such payment in full to the Administrative Agent on such date and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such

 

69


assumption, cause to be distributed to each Bank or applicable Fronting Bank, as the case may be, on such due date an amount equal to the amount then due such Bank or Fronting Bank. With respect to any payment that the Administrative Agent makes for the account of the Banks or any Fronting Bank 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 or the applicable Qualified Borrower, as the case may be, 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 or the applicable Qualified Borrower, as the case may be (whether or not then owed); or (3) the Administrative Agent has for any reason otherwise erroneously made such payment; then each of the Banks or the applicable Fronting Bank, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the Rescindable Amount so distributed to such Bank or such Fronting Bank, in Same Day 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 Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation. A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Bank, Fronting Bank, the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this clause (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

(c) If any Bank shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.4, 2.12, 2.16 or 9.3, then the Administrative Agent, notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, but subject to Section 9.16(a)(ii) shall (i) apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Bank for the benefit of the Administrative Agent or the applicable Fronting Bank to satisfy such Bank’s obligations to it under any such Section until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid, and/or (ii) hold any such amounts in a segregated account as Cash Collateral for, and application to, any future funding obligations of such Bank under any such Section, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii) above, in any order as determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion.

Section 2.13 Funding Losses. If the Borrower or a Qualified Borrower, as the case may be, (i) makes any payment of principal with respect to any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan (pursuant to Article II, VI or VIII or otherwise) on any day other than the last day of the Interest Period, relevant interest payment date or payment period, applicable to such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise), (ii) fails to borrow, prepay, continue or convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan after notice has been given to any Bank in accordance with Section 2.2(a), 2.6 or 2.11, as applicable, on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower or such Qualified Borrower, (iii) delivers a Notice of Interest Rate Election specifying that a Term SOFR Loan, Alternative Currency Term Rate Loan, Competitive Bid Daily SOFR Loan, Competitive Bid Term SOFR Loan or Competitive Bid Absolute Rate Loan shall be converted on a date other than the first (1st) day of the then current Interest Period applicable thereto, (iv) fails to make payment of any Loan or drawing under any Letter of Credit (or interest due thereon) denominated in an Alternative Currency on the Maturity Date (or any other scheduled date for payment thereof, if any) or any payment thereof in a different currency (unless another currency is required pursuant to the terms of this Agreement) or (v) requests any assignment of an Alternative Currency Term Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor pursuant to Section 8.2, 8.3, 8.4(i) or 9.5, the Borrower shall reimburse each Bank within 15 days after certification of such Bank of such loss or expense (which shall be

 

70


delivered by each such Bank to Administrative Agent for delivery to the Borrower) for any resulting loss or expense incurred by it (or by an existing Participant in the related Loan), including (without limitation) any loss incurred in obtaining, liquidating or employing deposits from third parties, but excluding loss of margin for the period after any such payment or failure to borrow, prepay, continue or convert, provided that such Bank shall have delivered to Administrative Agent and Administrative Agent shall have delivered to the Borrower a certification as to the amount of such loss or expense, which certification shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis for and calculation of such loss or expense and shall be conclusive in the absence of demonstrable error. For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the Banks under this Section 2.13, each Bank shall be deemed to have funded each Term SOFR Loan and Alternative Currency Term Rate Loan made by it at Term SOFR or the Alternative Currency Term Rate, as applicable, for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the interbank market for such currency for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Term SOFR Loan or Alternative Currency Term Loan was in fact so funded.

Section 2.14 Computation of Interest and Fees. All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans (including Base Rate Loans determined by reference to Term SOFR) shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All computations of interest for Alternative Currency Loans shall be made on the basis of a year as set forth on Schedule 2.14 for such Alternative Currency and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest, including those with respect to Daily SOFR Loans and Term SOFR Loans, shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365 day year). Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid, provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.12(a), bear interest for one day. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

Section 2.15 Use of Proceeds. The Borrower shall use, or shall cause any Qualified Borrower to use, the proceeds of the Loans and Letters of Credit for general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, the acquisition of real property to be used in the Borrower’s existing business and for general corporate capital needs of the Borrower, not in contravention of any Law or of any Loan Document.

Section 2.16 Letters of Credit.

(a) Subject to the terms contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, each Fronting Bank agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the Banks set forth in this Section 2.16, from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Closing Date until the Maturity Date, to issue Letters of Credit denominated in Dollars and, solely in the case of Bank of America denominated in one or more Alternative Currencies, in each case, for the account of the Borrower, a Qualified Borrower, any Subsidiary or an Investment Affiliate in such form as is reasonably acceptable to the Borrower or the Qualified Borrower and such Fronting Bank (subject to the provisions of Section 2.2(b)) in an amount or amounts equal to the amount or amounts requested by the Borrower, and to amend or extend Letters of Credit previously issued by it, in accordance with this Section 2.16, upon the receipt of a notice in accordance with Section

 

71


2.2(b) requesting the issuance, amendment or extension of a Letter of Credit; provided that, in the case of (i) Alternative Currency Letter(s) of Credit, Bank of America, as Fronting Bank, shall issue the same in the Alternative Currency requested and (ii) Dollar Letter(s) of Credit, such Fronting Bank shall issue the same in Dollars. Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the Dollar Equivalent of 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 any Letter of Credit Documents 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 Dollar Equivalent of 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.

(b) It is hereby acknowledged and agreed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and all the Banks party hereto that on the Closing Date, the letters of credit previously issued by Bank of America as “Fronting Bank” and more particularly set forth in Schedule 2.16 hereto, shall be deemed to be Letters of Credit hereunder (the “Existing Letters of Credit”).

(c) After giving effect to any LC Credit Extension with respect to any Letter of Credit, (i) the Letter of Credit Usage shall not exceed the lesser of (x) $125,000,000, and (y) the aggregate Commitments less the Dollar Equivalent of all Loans then outstanding (the “Letter of Credit Sublimit”) and (ii) the Letter of Credit Usage with respect to Alternative Currency Letters of Credit, shall not exceed the lesser of (x) the Alternative Currency Sublimit and (y) the aggregate Alternative Currency Commitments less the Dollar Equivalent of all Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies then outstanding.

(d) No Fronting Bank shall be under any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if:

(i) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain such Fronting Bank from issuing the Letter of Credit, or any Law applicable to such Fronting Bank or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over such Fronting Bank shall prohibit or request that such Fronting Bank refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular;

(ii) the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of such Fronting Bank applicable to letters of credit generally;

(iii) any Bank is at that time a Defaulting Lender and such Fronting Bank’s potential Fronting Exposure arising from the Letter of Credit proposed to be issued will not be reallocated to other Banks pursuant to Section 9.16(a)(iv) and/or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof, unless such Fronting Bank has entered into other arrangements, satisfactory to such Fronting Bank (in its sole discretion) with the Borrower or such Bank to eliminate such potential Fronting Exposure that will not be reallocated to other Banks and/or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof; or

 

72


(iv) after giving effect to the issuance of such Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Usage with respect to all Letters of Credit issued by such Fronting Bank would exceed such Fronting Bank’s Fronting Bank Commitment Amount; provided that, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2.16(c), any Fronting Bank may issue Letters of Credit in excess of such Fronting Bank’s Fronting Bank Commitment Amount.

(e) No Fronting Bank shall amend any Letter of Credit if such Fronting Bank would not be permitted at such time to issue the Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof, and no Fronting Bank shall be under any obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if (i) such Fronting Bank would have no obligation at such time to issue the Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof, or (ii) the beneficiary of the Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to the Letter of Credit.

(f) If the Borrower or a Qualified Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the designated Fronting Bank may, in its sole discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic extension provisions (each, an “Auto-Extension Letter of Credit”); provided that any such Auto-Extension Letter of Credit must permit the Fronting Bank to prevent any such extension at least once in each twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the “Non-Extension Notice Date”) in each such twelve-month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued. Unless otherwise agreed upon by the Borrower and the Fronting Bank at the time such Letter of Credit is issued, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the Fronting Bank for any such extension. Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Banks shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the Fronting Bank to permit the extension of such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than 12 months after the Maturity Date and the Fronting Bank shall permit any such extension unless (A) the Fronting Bank has determined that it would not be permitted, or would have no obligation, at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its revised form (as extended) under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisions of Section 2.16(d) or otherwise), or (B) it has received notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is seven (7) Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date (1) from the Administrative Agent that the Borrower has elected not to permit such extension or (2) from the Administrative Agent or the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 3.2 is not then satisfied, and in each such case directing the Fronting Bank not to permit such extension.

(g) In the event of any request for a drawing under any Letter of Credit by the beneficiary thereunder, the applicable Fronting Bank shall notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (and the Administrative Agent shall notify each Bank thereof) on or before the date on which such Fronting Bank intends to honor such drawing, and, except as provided in this subsection (g), the Borrower shall reimburse such Fronting Bank, in the currency in which such drawing was honored (or, if requested by such Fronting Bank, in the Dollar Equivalent of the amount of such drawing) in Same Day Funds, on the same day on which such drawing is honored. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, however, unless the Borrower shall have notified the Administrative Agent, and the applicable Fronting Bank prior to 12:00 Noon (Chicago, Illinois time) on the Business Day immediately prior to the date of such drawing that the Borrower intends to reimburse such Fronting Bank for the amount of such drawing with funds other than the proceeds of the Loans, the Borrower shall be deemed to have timely given a Notice

 

73


of Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.2 to the Administrative Agent, requesting a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans on the date on which such drawing is honored and in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of the amount of such drawing (the “Unreimbursed Amount”). Each Bank (other than the applicable Fronting Bank) shall, in accordance with Section 2.4(b), make available its Pro Rata Share of such Borrowing to the Administrative Agent, the proceeds of which shall be applied directly by the Administrative Agent to reimburse such Fronting Bank for the amount of such draw. With respect to any Unreimbursed Amount that is not fully refinanced by a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans because the conditions set forth in Section 3.2 (other than delivery of a Notice of Borrowing) cannot be satisfied or for any other reason, the Borrower shall be deemed to have incurred from the applicable Fronting Bank an LC Borrowing in the amount of the Unreimbursed Amount that is not so refinanced, which LC Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the Default Rate. In such event, each Bank’s payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Fronting Bank pursuant to this subsection (g) shall be deemed payment in respect of its participation in such LC Borrowing and shall constitute an LC Advance from such Bank in satisfaction of its participation obligation under this subsection (g). Until each Bank funds its Loan or LC Advance pursuant to this subsection (g) to reimburse the applicable Fronting Bank for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit, interest in respect of such Bank’s Pro Rata Share of such amount shall be solely for the account of such Fronting Bank. In the event that any such Bank fails to make available to the applicable Fronting Bank any amount required to be paid by such Bank pursuant to this subsection (g) on the date of a drawing, such Fronting Bank shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Bank together with interest at the Federal Funds Rate commencing on the date such drawing is honored, and the provisions of Section 9.16 shall otherwise apply to such failure.

(h) The Borrower hereby agrees to protect, indemnify, pay and save harmless the Fronting Banks and the Banks from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, charges and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements) which any Fronting Bank or any Bank may incur or be subject to as a result of (i) the issuance of the Letters of Credit or (ii) the failure of the Fronting Bank to honor a drawing under any Letter of Credit as a result of any act or omission, whether rightful or wrongful, of any present or future de jure or de facto government or Governmental Authority, including by reason of court order (collectively, “Governmental Acts”), in each case, other than to the extent claims, demands, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, charges and expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Fronting Bank. As between the Borrower and each Fronting Bank and each Bank, the Borrower assumes all risks of the acts and omissions of any beneficiary with respect to its use, or misuses of, the Letters of Credit issued by any Fronting Bank. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the Fronting Banks and the Banks shall not be responsible (i) for the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any document submitted by any party in connection with the application for and issuance of any Letter of Credit, even if it should in fact prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged; (ii) for the validity or insufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign any Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason; (iii) for failure of the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit to comply fully with conditions required in order to draw upon such Letter of Credit, other than as a result of the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Fronting Bank; (iv) for errors, omissions, interruptions or

 

74


delays in transmission or delivery of any message, by mail, cable, telegraph, facsimile transmission, or otherwise; (v) for errors in interpretation of any technical terms; (vi) for any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any documents required in order to make a drawing under any Letter of Credit or of the proceeds thereof; (vii) for the misapplication by the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit of the proceeds of such Letter of Credit; or (viii) for any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of any Fronting Bank or any Bank, including any Governmental Acts, in each case other than to the extent of the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Fronting Bank. None of the above shall affect, impair or prevent the vesting of any Fronting Bank’s or any Bank’s rights and powers hereunder. In furtherance and extension and not in limitation of the specific provisions hereinabove set forth, any action taken or omitted by a Fronting Bank under or in connection with the Letters of Credit issued by it or the related certificates, if taken or omitted in good faith, shall not put any Fronting Bank or any Bank under any resulting liability to the Borrower; provided that, notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, each Fronting Bank will be liable to the Borrower for any damages suffered by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries as a result of such Fronting Bank’s gross negligence. Any Fronting Bank may send a Letter of Credit or conduct any communication to or from the beneficiary via the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (“SWIFT”) message or overnight courier, or any other commercially reasonable means of communicating with a beneficiary.

(i) If any Fronting Bank or the Administrative Agent is required at any time, pursuant to any bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation or reorganization law or otherwise, to return to the Borrower any reimbursement by the Borrower of any drawing under any Letter of Credit, each Bank shall pay to the applicable Fronting Bank or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, its Pro Rata Share of such payment, but without interest thereon unless such Fronting Bank or the Administrative Agent is required to pay interest on such amounts to the person recovering such payment, in which case with interest thereon, computed at the same rate, and on the same basis, as the interest that such Fronting Bank or the Administrative Agent is required to pay.

(j) Each Fronting Bank shall act on behalf of the Banks with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith, and each Fronting Bank shall have all of the benefits and immunities (i) provided to the Administrative Agent in Article IX with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by the Fronting Bank in connection with Letters of Credit issued by it or proposed to be issued by it and Letter of Credit Documents pertaining to such Letters of Credit as fully as if the term “Administrative Agent” as used in Article IX included the Fronting Banks with respect to such acts or omissions, and (ii) as additionally provided herein with respect to each Fronting Bank.

(k) In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Letter of Credit Documents, the terms hereof shall control.

(l) Notwithstanding that a Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder is in support of any obligations of, or is for the account of, a Subsidiary of the Borrower or an Investment Affiliate, the Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse the applicable Fronting Bank hereunder for any and all drawings under such Letter of Credit as provided in this Agreement. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of its Subsidiaries and Investment Affiliates inures to the benefit of the Borrower, and that the Borrower’s business derives substantial benefits from the business of such Subsidiaries and Investment Affiliates.

 

75


(m) Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the designated Fronting Bank and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued (including any such agreement applicable to an Existing Letter of Credit), the rules of the ISP or the UCP, as applicable, shall apply to each Letter of Credit.

(n) Each Letter of Credit shall have a stated expiration date no later than the earlier of (i) the date twelve months after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any extension of the expiration date thereof, whether automatic or by amendment, twelve months after the then current expiration date of such Letter of Credit) and (ii) the date that is five Business Days prior to the then existing Maturity Date that is applicable to the Commitment of the Bank that serves as the Fronting Bank for such Letter of Credit; provided, however, any Letter of Credit may have a stated expiration date after such Maturity Date subject to the requirements of Section 2.19.

Section 2.17 Letter of Credit Usage Absolute. The obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement in respect of any Letter of Credit and to repay each LC Borrowing shall be unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (as the same may be amended from time to time) under all circumstances, including, without limitation, to the extent permitted by Law, the following circumstances:

(a) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto (collectively, the “Letter of Credit Documents”) or any Loan Document or any term or provision herein or therein;

(b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other term of, all or any of the obligations of the Borrower in respect of the Letters of Credit or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent by the Borrower to departure from all or any of the Letter of Credit Documents or any Loan Document;

(c) any exchange, release or non-perfection of any collateral, or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent to departure from any guaranty, for all or any of the obligations of the Borrower in respect of the Letters of Credit;

(d) the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right that the Borrower may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of a Letter of Credit (or any Persons for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the Administrative Agent, any Fronting Bank or any Bank (other than a defense based on the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent, such Fronting Bank or such Bank) or any other Person, whether in connection with the Loan Documents, the transactions contemplated hereby or by the Letter of Credit Documents or any unrelated transaction;

(e) any draft or any other document presented under or in connection with any Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; provided, that payment by the Fronting Bank under such Letter of Credit against presentation of such draft or document shall not have been the result of the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Fronting Bank;

 

76


(f) payment by any Fronting Bank against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not strictly comply with the terms of the Letter of Credit; provided, that such payment shall not have been the result of the bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Fronting Bank;

(g) any adverse change in the relevant exchange rates or in the availability of the relevant Alternative Currency to the Borrower or in the relevant currency markets generally; or

(h) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever other than the payment in full of all obligations hereunder in respect of any Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating to any Letter of Credit, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Borrower; provided, that such other circumstance or happening shall not have been the result of bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Fronting Bank.

Section 2.18 [Reserved].

Section 2.19 Letters of Credit Maturing after the Maturity Date.

(a) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, if any Letters of Credit, by their terms, shall mature after the Maturity Date, then, on and after the Maturity Date, the provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect with respect to such Letters of Credit, and the Borrower shall comply with the provisions of Section 2.19(b). No Letter of Credit shall mature on a date that is more than twelve (12) months after the Maturity Date.

(b) If, at any time and from time to time, any Letter of Credit shall have been issued hereunder and the same shall expire on a date after the Maturity Date, then, on the date that is five (5) Business Days prior to the Maturity Date, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for deposit in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account, Cash Collateral in an amount equal to the amount of the Letter of Credit Usage, in Dollars, under the Letters of Credit. The Administrative Agent shall recalculate the Dollar Equivalent with respect to all Alternative Currency Letters of Credit monthly, as of the first Business Day of each month.

Section 2.20 Special Provisions Regarding Alternative Currency Loans.

(a) During the existence of a Default or Event of Default (including a Sharing Event), the Required Banks may demand that any or all then outstanding Alternative Currency Loans be prepaid, or redenominated in Dollars in the Dollar Equivalent thereof, which Loans denominated in Dollars shall thereafter continue to be deemed to be Base Rate Loans. In the case of a Sharing Event, unless such Sharing Event resulted solely from a termination of the Commitments, any or all then outstanding Alternative Currency Loans shall be immediately due and payable on the date such Sharing Event has occurred and, unless such Sharing Event resulted solely from a termination of the Commitments, all accrued and unpaid interest and other amounts owing with respect to such Loans shall be immediately due and payable in either the applicable Alternative Currency or in Dollars, using the Dollar Equivalent of such accrued and unpaid interest and other amounts, as the case may be.

 

77


(b) Upon the occurrence of a Sharing Event, and after giving effect to any conversion pursuant to Section 2.20(a), each Bank shall (and hereby unconditionally and irrevocably agrees to) purchase and sell (in each case in Dollars) undivided participating interests in all Committed Loans outstanding to, and any unpaid Letter of Credit Usage owing by, the Borrower and the Qualified Borrowers in such amounts so that each Bank (to the extent it is not an Affected Bank with respect to such Committed Loans and Letters of Credit) shall have a share of such outstanding Loans and unpaid Letter of Credit Usage then owing by the Borrower and the Qualified Borrowers equal to its Pro Rata Share of the Commitments (although if because of fluctuations in currency exchange rates any Bank would be required to purchase such participations after giving effect to which such Bank’s allocated share of all Committed Loans and Letter of Credit Usage (including participations therein purchased pursuant to this Section 2.20) would exceed the Dollar Equivalent of such Bank’s Dollar Commitment and Alternative Currency Commitment, then such participations shall be in an amount after giving effect to which such Bank’s allocated share of all Committed Loans and Letter of Credit Usage (including participations therein purchased pursuant to this Section 2.20) would equal the Dollar Equivalent of such Bank’s Dollar Commitment and Alternative Currency Commitment). Upon any such occurrence, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Bank and shall specify the amount of Dollars required from such Bank in order to effect the purchases and sales by the various Banks of participating interests in the amounts required above (together with accrued interest with respect to the period from the last interest payment date through the date of the Sharing Event plus any additional amounts payable by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.20 in respect of such accrued but unpaid interest); provided, in the event that a Sharing Event shall have occurred, each Bank shall be deemed to have purchased, automatically and without request, such participating interests. Promptly upon receipt of such request, each Bank shall deliver to the Administrative Agent (in immediately available funds in Dollars) the net amounts as specified by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall promptly deliver the amounts so received to the various Banks in such amounts as are needed to effect the purchases and sales of participations as provided above. Promptly following receipt thereof, each Bank which has sold participations in any of its Loans (through the Administrative Agent) will deliver to each Bank (through the Administrative Agent) which has so purchased a participating interest a participation certificate dated the date of receipt of such funds and in such amount. It is understood that the amount of funds delivered by each Bank shall be calculated on a net basis, giving effect to both the sales and purchases of participations by the various Banks as required above.

(c) Upon the occurrence of a Sharing Event (i) no further Loans shall be made, (ii) all amounts from time to time accruing with respect to, and all amounts from time to time payable on account of, any outstanding Alternative Currency Loans (including, without limitation, any interest and other amounts which were accrued but unpaid on the date of such purchase) shall be payable in Dollars as if such Alternative Currency Loans had originally been made in Dollars and shall be distributed by the relevant Banks (or their Affiliates) to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Banks which made such Loans or are participating therein and (iii) the Commitments of the Banks shall be automatically terminated. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained above, the failure of any Bank to purchase its participating interest in any Committed Loans upon the occurrence of a Sharing Event shall not relieve any other Bank of its obligation hereunder to purchase its participating interests in a timely manner, but no Bank shall be responsible for the failure of any other Bank to purchase the participating interest to be purchased by such other Bank on any date.

 

78


(d) If any amount required to be paid by any Bank pursuant to Section 2.20(b) is not paid to the Administrative Agent within one (1) Business Day following the date upon which such Bank receives notice from the Administrative Agent of the amount of its participations required to be purchased pursuant to said Section 2.20(b), such Bank shall also pay to the Administrative Agent on demand an amount equal to the product of (i) the amount so required to be paid by such Bank for the purchase of its participations times (ii) the daily average Federal Funds Rate during the period from and including the date of request for payment to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the Administrative Agent times (iii) a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days that elapsed during such period and the denominator of which is 360. If any such amount required to be paid by any Bank pursuant to Section 2.20(b) is not in fact made available to the Administrative Agent within three (3) Business Days following the date upon which such Bank receives notice from the Administrative Agent as to the amount of participations required to be purchased by it, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover from such Bank on demand, such amount with interest thereon calculated from such request date at the rate per annum applicable to Base Rate Loans hereunder. A certificate of the Administrative Agent submitted to any Bank with respect to any amounts payable by any Bank pursuant to this Section 2.20 shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error and the amount reflected therein shall be paid to the Administrative Agent for the account of the relevant Banks; provided that, if the Administrative Agent (in its sole discretion) has elected to fund on behalf of such Bank the amounts owing to such Banks, then the amounts shall be paid to the Administrative Agent for its own account.

(e) Whenever, at any time after the relevant Banks have received from any Banks purchases of participations in any Committed Loans pursuant to this Section 2.20, the Banks receive any payment on account thereof, such Banks will distribute to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the various Banks participating therein, such Banks’ participating interests in such amounts (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such participations were outstanding) in like funds as received; provided, however, that in the event that such payment received by any Banks are required to be returned, the Banks who received previous distributions in respect of their participating interests therein will return to the respective Banks any portion thereof previously so distributed to them in like funds as such payment is required to be returned by the respective Banks.

(f) Each Bank’s obligation to purchase participating interests pursuant to this Section 2.20 shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance including, without limitation, (a) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Bank may have against any other Bank, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (b) the occurrence or continuance of an Event of Default, (c) any adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower or any other Person, (d) any breach of this Agreement by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any Bank or any other Person, or (e) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.

(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Agreement, upon any purchase of participations as required above, each Bank which has purchased such participations shall be entitled to receive from the Borrower any increased costs and indemnities directly from the Borrower to the same extent as if it were the direct Bank as opposed

 

79


to a participant therein. The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that, upon the occurrence of a Sharing Event and after giving effect to the requirements of this Section 2.20, increased Taxes may be owing by the Borrower pursuant to Section 8.4, which Taxes shall be paid (to the extent provided in Section 8.4) by the Borrower, without any claim that the increased Taxes are not payable because same resulted from the participations effected as otherwise required by this Section 2.20.

Section 2.21 Qualified Borrowers.

(a) The Borrower may, at any time or from time to time so long as no Event of Default has then occurred and is continuing and subject to the terms hereof, upon not less than ten (10) Business Days’ notice in the case of a domestic Qualified Borrower or fifteen (15) Business Days’ notice in the case of a foreign Qualified Borrower (each a “Qualified Borrower Notice”), designate one or more Qualified Borrowers to be added to this Agreement by notifying the Administrative Agent thereof, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Bank. The Borrower shall, or shall cause such Qualified Borrower to, deliver all documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 3.1 with respect to a Qualified Borrower, each of which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. In addition, concurrently with the delivery of the initial Qualified Borrower Notice (if any), the Borrower shall execute and deliver the Qualified Borrower Guaranty. Following the giving of any Qualified Borrower Notice pursuant to this Section 2.21, if the designation of such Qualified Borrower obligates the Administrative Agent or any Bank to comply with “know your customer” or similar identification procedures, including, without limitation, the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, the Borrower shall, promptly upon the request of the Administrative Agent or any Bank, supply such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Bank in order for the Administrative Agent or such Bank to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with the results of all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable Laws, including, without limitation, the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

(b) If the Borrower shall designate as a Qualified Borrower hereunder any entity not organized under the laws of the United States or any State thereof, any Bank may, with notice to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, fulfill its Commitment by causing an affiliate of such Bank to act as the Bank in respect of such Qualified Borrower (and such Bank shall, to the extent of Loans made to, and participations in Letters of Credit issued for the account of, such Qualified Borrower be deemed for all purposes hereof to have pro tanto assigned such Loans and participations to such affiliate in compliance with the provisions of Section 9.6 (but only for so long as such Loans or Letters of Credit shall be outstanding) except that unless such an affiliate is a Qualified Institution, nothing herein shall be deemed to have relieved such Bank from its obligations under its Commitments).

(c) As soon as practicable, and in any event not later than ten (10) Business Days after the Borrower’s delivery of a Qualified Borrower Notice designating as a Qualified Borrower any Person not organized under the laws of the United States or any State thereof, or under the laws of the United Kingdom, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland or the Netherlands or any political sub-division of any thereof, each Bank that has determined that it is not willing or legally permitted to lend to, establish credit for the account of and/or do business with such

 

80


Qualified Borrower directly or through an assignment to an Affiliate of such Bank pursuant to Section 2.21(b) (an “Affected Bank”) shall so notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no Affected Bank that has so notified the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall be obligated to make a Loan to, or participate in Letters of Credit issued for the account of, such Qualified Borrower. The obligations of each Affected Bank in respect of any Loan to be made to, or participation in any Letter of Credit to be issued for the account of, such Qualified Borrower utilizing Dollar Commitments, shall be reallocated among the Banks with Dollar Commitments that are not Affected Banks with respect to such Qualified Borrower in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares, but only to the extent the sum of the aggregate principal amount of Committed Loans made by all Banks that are not Affected Banks with respect to such Qualified Borrower plus the obligations of all Banks with Dollar Commitments that are Affected Banks to make Loans to, and participate in Letters of Credit issued for the account of, such Qualified Borrower that would exist but for the second sentence of this Section 2.21(c), does not exceed the outstanding Dollar Commitments of all Banks that are not Affected Banks with respect to such Qualified Borrower (it being understood that under no circumstance shall any Bank at any time be liable by virtue of such reallocation for any amounts in excess of its Commitment). The obligations of each Affected Bank in respect of any Loan to be made to, or participation in any Letter of Credit to be issued for the account of, such Qualified Borrower utilizing Alternative Currency Commitments, shall be reallocated among the Banks with Alternative Currency Commitments that are not Affected Banks with respect to such Qualified Borrower in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares, but only to the extent the sum of the aggregate principal amount of Committed Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies of all Banks that are not Affected Banks with respect to such Qualified Borrower plus the obligations of all Banks with Alternative Currency Commitments that are Affected Banks to make Loans to, and participate in Letters of Credit issued for the account of, such Qualified Borrower that would exist but for the second sentence of this Section 2.21(c), does not exceed the outstanding Alternative Currency Commitments of all Banks that are not Affected Banks with respect to such Qualified Borrower (it being understood that under no circumstance shall any Bank at any time be liable by virtue of such reallocation for any amounts in excess of its Alternative Currency Commitment).

Section 2.22 Mandatory Prepayments. If at any time:

(a) the Dollar Equivalent of the sum of (i) all outstanding Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency, (ii) all outstanding Loans denominated in Dollars made against the Alternative Currency Commitments, (iii) the outstanding Letter of Credit Usage for Alternative Currency Letters of Credit, and (iv) the Letter of Credit Usage for Letters of Credit denominated in Dollars issued against the Alternative Currency Commitments, so determined by the Administrative Agent, in the aggregate, exceeds 105% of the Alternative Currency Commitment, the Borrower shall repay (and cause the applicable Qualified Borrowers to repay) such Loans in an amount (such amount, the “Alternative Currency Excess”) equal to the lesser of (x) the amount necessary to eliminate such excess and (y) the aggregate amount of such Loans, and if such excess is not eliminated by reason of such prepayment the Borrower will pay to the Administrative Agent, for deposit in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account, Cash Collateral with respect to the Letters of Credit issued against the Alternative Currency Commitments in the amount necessary to eliminate such excess; or

 

81


(b) the Dollar Equivalent of the sum of (i) all outstanding Loans and (ii) the Letter of Credit Usage so determined by the Administrative Agent, in the aggregate, exceeds 105% of the Commitments, the Borrower shall repay (and cause the applicable Qualified Borrowers to repay) such Loans in an amount (such amount, the “Commitment Excess”) equal to the lesser of (x) the amount necessary to eliminate such excess and (y) the aggregate amount of such Loans, and if such excess is not eliminated by reason of such prepayment Borrower will pay to the Administrative Agent, for deposit in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account, Cash Collateral with respect to the Letters of Credit in the amount necessary to eliminate such excess.

Section 2.23 Change of Currency.

(a) Each obligation of the Borrower (or the applicable Qualified Borrower) to make a payment denominated in the national currency unit of any member state of the European Economic Union that adopts the Euro as its lawful currency after the Closing Date shall be redenominated into Euro at the time of such adoption. If, in relation to the currency of any such member state, the basis of accrual of interest expressed in this Agreement in respect of that currency shall be inconsistent with any convention or practice in the interbank market for the basis of accrual of interest in respect of the Euro, such expressed basis shall be replaced by such convention or practice with effect from the date on which such member state adopts the Euro as its lawful currency; provided that if any Loan in the currency of such member state is outstanding immediately prior to such date, such replacement shall take effect, with respect to such Loan, at the end of the then current Interest Period.

(b) Each provision of this Agreement shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as the Administrative Agent and Borrower may from time to time, in the exercise of their reasonable judgment, mutually agree to be appropriate to reflect the adoption of the Euro by any member state of the European Economic Union and any relevant market conventions or practices relating to the Euro.

(c) Each provision of this Agreement also shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as the Administrative Agent and Borrower may from time to time, in the exercise of their reasonable judgment, mutually agree to be appropriate to reflect a change in currency of any other country and any relevant market conventions or practices relating to the change in currency.

Section 2.24 Cash Collateral.

(a) Certain Credit Support Events.

(i) The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent any Cash Collateral required pursuant to (i) Section 2.19(b), (ii) Section 2.22, (iii) Section 6.4 or (iv) Section 9.16(a)(v) in accordance with the requirements of such section.

(ii) If the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower at any time that the Letter of Credit Usage at such time exceeds 105% of the Letter of Credit Sublimit then in effect, then, within two Business Days after receipt of such notice, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for deposit in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account, Cash Collateral for the Letter of Credit Usage in an amount not less than the amount by which the Letter of Credit Usage exceeds the Letter of Credit Sublimit (the “LC Excess”).

 

82


(iii) The provisions of this Section 2.24 shall also apply to all Cash Collateral provided to the Administrative Agent by a Defaulting Lender to Cash Collateralize the Fronting Exposure of any Fronting Bank with respect to such Defaulting Lender and all funds applied, in accordance with Section 2.12(c) or Section 9.16(a)(ii), to Cash Collateralize any Fronting Exposure with respect to a Defaulting Lender.

(b) Grant of Security Interest. The Borrower, and to the extent provided by any Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender, hereby grants to (and subjects to the control of) the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, each Fronting Bank and the Banks, and agrees 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 Section 2.24(c). If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that the Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent as herein provided, or that the amount of Cash Collateral provided by the Borrower is less than the amount required to be provided under Section 2.19(b), 2.22, 2.24(a)(ii), 6.4 or 9.16(a)(v), as applicable, the Borrower will, promptly upon demand by the Administrative Agent, pay or provide to the Administrative Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency. All Cash Collateral (other than credit support not constituting funds subject to deposit) provided by the Borrower shall be maintained in a special cash collateral account (the “Letter of Credit Collateral Account”) to be maintained in the name of the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Banks) and under its sole dominion and control at such place as shall be designated by the Administrative Agent. Interest shall accrue on the Letter of Credit Collateral Account at a rate equal to the rate on overnight funds. The Borrower shall pay on demand therefor from time to time all customary account opening, activity and other administrative fees and charges in connection with the maintenance and disbursement of Cash Collateral.

(c) Application. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Administrative Agent may, at any time and from time to time, without notice to the Borrower except as required by applicable Law:

(i) apply funds deposited in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account pursuant to Section 9.16 or otherwise provided or applied hereunder to Cash Collateralize the Fronting Exposure of any of the Fronting Banks (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation), to reimburse the applicable Fronting Banks in satisfaction of the applicable Defaulting Lender’s obligation to fund its participation in respect of Letter of Credit Obligations, including its obligation to fund its Pro Rata Share of any Unreimbursed Amounts with respect to any Letter of Credit;

(ii) apply funds deposited in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account pursuant to Section 2.19(b) to reimburse the applicable Fronting Banks for any drawing on any Letter of Credit by the beneficiary thereunder;

 

83


(iii) apply funds deposited in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account pursuant to Section 2.22(a) to reimburse the Fronting Banks for the Dollar Equivalent of any drawing on (x) any Alternative Currency Letter of Credit by the beneficiary thereunder and (y) any Letter of Credit denominated in Dollars issued against the Alternative Currency Commitments by the beneficiary thereunder;

(iv) apply funds deposited in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account pursuant to Section 2.22(b) or Section 2.24(a)(ii) to reimburse the Fronting Banks for the Dollar Equivalent of any drawing on any Letter of Credit by the beneficiary thereunder; and

(v) apply funds deposited in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account pursuant to Section 6.4, first, to (x) amounts previously drawn on any Letter of Credit that have not been reimbursed by the Borrower and (y) any Letter of Credit Usage described in clause (ii) of the definition thereof that are then due and payable, second, to reimburse the applicable Fronting Banks for any drawing on any Letter of Credit by the beneficiary thereunder and, third, in accordance with Section 6.5.

(d) Release.

(i) So long as no Default or Event of Default exists at such time, Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) shall be promptly released as follows:

(A) in the case of Cash Collateral provided pursuant to Section 9.16 or otherwise provided or applied hereunder to reduce Fronting Exposure with respect to any Defaulting Lender, to the Person providing such Cash Collateral, 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 Bank (or, as appropriate, its assignee following compliance with Section 9.6(c))) or (ii) the determination by the Administrative Agent and the Fronting Banks that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided, however, the Person providing Cash Collateral and the Fronting Banks may agree that Cash Collateral shall not be released but instead held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations;

(B) in the case of Cash Collateral provided pursuant to Section 2.19(b), to the Borrower to the extent that the amount of such Cash Collateral exceeds the then outstanding Letter of Credit Usage (including as the result of the expiration, termination and/or return of any Letter of Credit);

(C) in the case of Cash Collateral provided pursuant to Section 2.22, to the Borrower to the extent that the amount of such Cash Collateral exceeds the greater of the Alternative Currency Excess and the Commitment Excess required to be Cash Collateralized pursuant to Section 2.22(a) or (b) at such time;

(D) in the case of Cash Collateral provided pursuant to Section 2.24(a)(ii), to the Borrower to the extent that the amount of such Cash Collateral exceeds the LC Excess required to be Cash Collateralized pursuant to Section 2.24(a)(ii) at such time; and

 

84


(E) in the case of Cash Collateral provided pursuant to Section 6.4, to the Borrower.

(ii) Any funds remaining in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account after payment in full of all of the Obligations of the Borrower and the Qualified Borrowers hereunder and under any other Loan Document after the Maturity Date and the expiration or return of all Letters of Credit (so long as no outstanding Letter of Credit Usage exists with respect to any such Letters of Credit) shall be promptly returned to the Person providing such Cash Collateral or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive such funds.

(e) Care and Custody. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of the Cash Collateral if the Cash Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which the Administrative Agent accords its own property, it being understood that, assuming such treatment, the Administrative Agent and the Banks shall not have any responsibility or liability with respect thereto.

ARTICLE III

CONDITIONS

Section 3.1 Closing. The closing hereunder shall occur on the date when each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived by the Administrative Agent and the Banks in accordance with Section 9.5), each document to be dated the Closing Date unless otherwise indicated:

(a) the Borrower and any Qualified Borrower shall have executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent a Note for the account of each Bank requesting a Note dated on or before the Closing Date;

(b) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each of the Banks shall have executed and delivered to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent a duly executed original of this Agreement and the Qualified Borrower Guaranty, if applicable;

(c) if applicable, each Down REIT shall have executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent a duly executed original of a Down REIT Guaranty;

(d) the Administrative Agent shall have received an opinion of counsel for the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower and any Down REIT, acceptable to the Administrative Agent and its counsel;

(e) [reserved];

(f) the Administrative Agent shall have received all documents the Administrative Agent may reasonably request relating to the existence of the Borrower and each Qualified Borrower and Down REIT as of the Closing Date, if any, the authority for and the validity of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and any other matters relevant hereto, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Such documentation shall

 

85


include, without limitation, the agreement of limited partnership of the Borrower, as well as the certificate of limited partnership of the Borrower, both as amended, modified or supplemented to the Closing Date, certified to be true, correct and complete by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as of a date not more than ten (10) days prior to the Closing Date, together with a certificate of existence as to the Borrower from the Secretary of State (or the equivalent thereof) of Illinois, to be dated not more than thirty (30) days prior to the Closing Date, and correlative documentation for each Qualified Borrower and Down REIT as of the Closing Date;

(g) the Administrative Agent shall have received all certificates, agreements and other documents and papers referred to in this Section 3.1 and the Notice of Borrowing referred to in Section 3.2, if applicable, unless otherwise specified, in sufficient counterparts, satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion;

(h) the Borrower, each Down REIT, if applicable, and each Qualified Borrower, if applicable, shall have taken all actions required to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to be executed by the Borrower, each Down REIT and each Qualified Borrower as of the Closing Date, as the case may be, and the performance thereof by the Borrower, each Down REIT and each Qualified Borrower as of the Closing Date;

(i) the Administrative Agent shall be satisfied that neither the Borrower, EQR nor any Consolidated Subsidiary is subject to any present or contingent environmental liability which could have a Material Adverse Effect;

(j) the Administrative Agent shall have received, for its and any other Bank’s account, all fees due and payable pursuant to Section 2.8 on or before the Closing Date, and the fees and expenses accrued through the Closing Date of Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP shall have been paid directly to such firm, if required by such firm and if such firm has delivered an invoice in reasonable detail of such fees and expenses in sufficient time for the Borrower to approve and process the same;

(k) the Administrative Agent shall have received copies of all consents, licenses and approvals, if any, required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower, each Qualified Borrower as of the Closing Date, and each Down REIT as of the Closing Date, and the validity and enforceability, of the Loan Documents, or in connection with any of the transactions contemplated thereby, and such consents, licenses and approvals shall be in full force and effect;

(l) the Administrative Agent shall have received (or the Borrower shall have made publicly available) the audited financial statements of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries and of EQR for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2024;

(m) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred;

 

86


(n) the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (other than (i) representations and warranties which expressly speak as of a different date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects as of such different date, and (ii) any representation or warranty that is already by its terms qualified as to “materiality”, “Material Adverse Effect” or similar language shall be true and correct in all respects as of such date after giving effect to such qualification (or if such representation and warranty expressly speaks as to a different date, true and correct in all respects as of such different date after giving effect to such qualification));

(o) the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from a Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth the list of the Qualifying Unencumbered Properties as of the Closing Date and certifying that such Properties meet the requirements of a Qualifying Unencumbered Property; and

(p) the Administrative Agent and each Bank shall have received (i) such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or such Bank in order for the Administrative Agent or such Bank to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with the results of all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable Laws with respect to the Borrower and (ii) to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent or such Bank, and to the extent that the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to the Borrower or such Qualified Borrower.

Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 7.3(e), for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 3.1, each Bank that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Bank unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Bank prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.

Section 3.2 Borrowings. The obligation of any Bank to make a Loan or to participate in any Letter of Credit issued by any Fronting Bank and the obligation of the Fronting Banks to issue a Letter of Credit on the occasion of any funding of a new Borrowing or Letter of Credit issuance is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

(a) receipt by the Administrative Agent of a Notice of Borrowing as required by Section 2.2 or a Notice of Competitive Bid Borrowing as required by Section 2.3 or a request to cause a Fronting Bank to issue a Letter of Credit pursuant to Section 2.16;

(b) immediately before and after such Borrowing or issuance of any Letter of Credit, no Event of Default or, to the best of the Borrower’s knowledge, Default shall have occurred and be continuing both before and after giving effect to the making of such Loans or the issuance of such Letter of Credit;

(c) the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Borrowing both before and after giving effect to the making of such Loans or the issuance of such Letter of Credit (other than (i) representations and warranties which expressly speak as of a different date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects as of such different date, (ii) the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 4.4(c)(i), clauses (i) and (iii) of Section 4.5 and Section 4.10 and (iii) any representation or warranty that is already by its terms qualified as to “materiality”, “Material Adverse Effect” or similar language shall be true and correct in all respects as of such date after giving effect to such qualification (or if such representation and warranty expressly speaks as to a different date, true and correct in all respects as of such different date after giving effect to such qualification)); and

 

87


(d) in the case of a Borrowing to be denominated in an Alternative Currency or the issuance of an Alternative Currency Letter of Credit, such currency remains an Eligible Currency.

Each funding of a new Borrowing hereunder or acceptance of a Letter of Credit issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date of such Borrowing as to the facts specified in clauses (b), (c) and (d) of this Section, as applicable, except as otherwise disclosed in writing by Borrower to the Banks. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, no funding of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall be permitted if such funding of a Loan or issuance would cause Borrower to fail to be in compliance with any of the covenants contained in this Agreement or in any of the other Loan Documents.

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

In order to induce the Administrative Agent and each of the Banks which is or may become a party to this Agreement to make the Loans and issue or participate in Letters of Credit, the Borrower makes the following representations and warranties as of the Closing Date. Such representations and warranties shall survive the effectiveness of this Agreement, the execution and delivery of the other Loan Documents and the making of the Loans and the issuance of the Letters of Credit:

Section 4.1 Existence and Power. The Borrower (i) is a limited partnership, duly formed and validly existing as a limited partnership under the laws of the State of Illinois, (ii) has all powers and all governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals required to own its property and assets and carry on its business as now conducted or as it presently proposes to conduct, in each case, except as is not likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (iii) has been duly qualified and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which the failure to be so qualified and/or in good standing is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. EQR (i) is a real estate investment trust, duly formed, validly existing and in good standing as a real estate investment trust under the laws of the State of Maryland, (ii) has all powers and all governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals required to own its property and assets and carry on its business as now conducted or as it presently proposes to conduct, in each case, except as is not likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (iii) has been duly qualified and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which the failure to be so qualified and/or in good standing is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Qualified Borrower (i) is a duly formed and validly existing juridical entity under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation, (ii) has all powers and all governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals required to own its property and assets and carry on its business as now conducted or as it presently proposes to conduct, in each case, except as is not likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (iii) has been duly qualified and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which the failure to be so qualified and/or in good standing is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

88


Section 4.2 Power and Authority. The Borrower and each Qualified Borrower has the power and authority to execute, deliver and carry out the terms and provisions of, and to consummate the transactions contemplated by, each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and has taken all necessary action, if any, to authorize the execution and delivery on behalf of the Borrower or such Qualified Borrower and the performance by the Borrower or such Qualified Borrower of, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by, such Loan Documents. The Borrower and each applicable Qualified Borrower has duly executed and delivered each Loan Document to which it is a party in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and each such Loan Document constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower and each Qualified Borrower, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable insolvency, bankruptcy or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, or general principles of equity, whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law. EQR has the power and authority to execute, deliver and carry out the terms and provisions, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by, each of the Loan Documents on behalf of the Borrower to which the Borrower is a party and has taken all necessary action to authorize the execution and delivery on behalf of the Borrower and the performance by the Borrower of such Loan Documents.

Section 4.3 No Violation.

(a) Neither the execution, delivery or performance by or on behalf of the Borrower of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, nor compliance by the Borrower with the terms and provisions thereof nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, (i) will materially contravene any applicable provision of any law, statute, rule, regulation, order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or governmental instrumentality, (ii) will materially conflict with or result in any breach of any of the terms, covenants, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose) any Lien upon any of the Property of the Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, or other agreement or other instrument to which the Borrower (or of any partnership of which the Borrower is a partner) or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of its Property is bound or to which it is subject, or (iii) will cause a material default by the Borrower under any organizational document of any Person in which the Borrower has an interest, or cause a material default under the Borrower’s agreement or certificate of limited partnership, the consequences of which conflict, breach or default would have a Material Adverse Effect, or result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien whatsoever upon any Property (except as contemplated herein).

(b) Neither the execution, delivery or performance by or on behalf of any Qualified Borrower of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, nor compliance by such Qualified Borrower with the terms and provisions thereof nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, (i) will materially contravene any applicable provision of any law, statute, rule, regulation, order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or governmental instrumentality, (ii) will materially conflict with or result in any breach of any of the terms, covenants, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or

 

89


imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose) any Lien upon any of the Property of such Qualified Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, or other agreement or other instrument to which such Qualified Borrower (or of any partnership of which such Qualified Borrower is a partner) or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of its Property is bound or to which it is subject, or (iii) will cause a material default by such Qualified Borrower under any organizational document of any Person in which such Qualified Borrower has an interest, or cause a material default under such Qualified Borrower’s organizational documents, the consequences of which conflict, breach or default would have a Material Adverse Effect, or result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien whatsoever upon any Property (except as contemplated or permitted herein).

Section 4.4 Financial Information.

(a) The consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, dated as of December 31, 2024, and the related consolidated statements of the Borrower’s financial position for the Fiscal Year then ended, reported on by Ernst & Young LLP and set forth in the Borrower’s 2024 Form 10-K, a copy of which has been made available to each of the Banks, fairly present in all material respects, in conformity with GAAP, the consolidated financial position of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date and their consolidated results of operations and cash flows for such Fiscal Year.

(b) The consolidated balance sheet of EQR, dated as of December 31, 2024, and the related consolidated statements of EQR’s financial position for the Fiscal Year then ended, reported on by Ernst & Young LLP and set forth in the EQR 2024 Form 10-K, a copy of which has been made available to each of the Banks, fairly present in all material respects, in conformity with GAAP, the consolidated financial position of EQR and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date and their consolidated results of operations and cash flows for such Fiscal Year.

(c) (i) No event, act or condition has occurred since December 31, 2024 which has had or is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) except as disclosed on the financial statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the Fiscal Quarter of EQR ended September 30, 2025 or as disclosed in writing to the Banks prior to the date hereof, as of the Closing Date neither the Borrower nor EQR has any material Indebtedness.

Section 4.5 Litigation. Except as disclosed on the financial statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the Fiscal Quarter of the Borrower ended September 30, 2025 or as disclosed in writing to the Banks prior to the date hereof, there is no action, suit or proceeding pending against, or to the knowledge of the Borrower threatened against or affecting, nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any investigation of, (i) the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower, EQR or any of their Consolidated Subsidiaries, (ii) the Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents or (iii) any of their assets, before any court or arbitrator or any governmental body, agency or official that, in the case of each of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), is reasonably likely to individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect or which in any manner draws into question the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

 

90


Section 4.6 Compliance with ERISA. Assuming that neither the Administrative Agent nor any Bank is, or is acting on behalf of, a “benefit plan investor” (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA) in connection with any such transactions or, if they are, that the conditions of an applicable prohibited transaction exemption are met, the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents will not constitute a nonexempt prohibited transaction (as such term is defined in Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA) that could subject the Administrative Agent or the Banks to any tax or penalty for prohibited transactions imposed under Section 4975 of the Code or Section 502(i) of ERISA.

Section 4.7 Environmental Matters. The Borrower conducts reviews of the effect of Environmental Laws on the business, operations and properties of the Borrower, its Consolidated Subsidiaries, and Qualified Borrowers when necessary in the course of which it identifies and evaluates associated liabilities and costs (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up or closure of properties presently owned, any capital or operating expenditures required to achieve or maintain compliance with environmental protection standards imposed by law or as a condition of any license, permit or contract, any related constraints on operating activities, and any actual or potential liabilities to third parties, including employees, and any related costs and expenses). On the basis of this review, the Borrower has reasonably concluded that such associated liabilities and costs, including the costs of compliance with Environmental Laws, are unlikely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.8 Taxes. The Borrower, each Qualified Borrower, EQR and their Consolidated Subsidiaries have filed all federal and state income Tax returns and all other material Tax returns which are required to be filed by them and have paid all such Taxes which are due and payable, including pursuant to any assessment received by the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower, EQR or any Consolidated Subsidiary, except such Taxes, if any, as are reserved against in accordance with GAAP, such taxes as are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or such taxes, the failure to make payment of which when due and payable will not have, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower, EQR and their Consolidated Subsidiaries in respect of Taxes or other governmental charges are, in the opinion of the Borrower, adequate. No tax liens have been filed against any of the Borrower’s, any Qualified Borrower’s, EQR’s or any Consolidated Subsidiary’s assets and to their knowledge no claims are being asserted with respect to any of the Taxes described above with respect to any such entity, in each case, which would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.9 Full Disclosure. All written information (other than any forward looking or any projected financial information and other than information of a general economic or industry specific nature) heretofore furnished by the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Bank for purposes of or in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby is true and accurate in all material respects on the date as of which such information is stated or certified, when taken as a whole; provided that, with respect to any projected financial information, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time furnished (it being understood that such projected financial information is subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, any of which are beyond the Borrower’s control, that no assurance can be given that any particular projections will be realized and that actual results

 

91


during the period or periods covered by any such projected financial information may differ from the projected results and such differences may be material). As of the Closing Date, to the knowledge of the Borrower, the information included in any Beneficial Ownership Certification delivered to the Administrative Agent or any Bank on or prior to the Closing Date, if applicable, is true and correct in all respects.

Section 4.10 Solvency. On the Closing Date and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents occurring on the Closing Date, the Borrower, on a consolidated basis with its Subsidiaries, will be Solvent.

Section 4.11 Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations. All proceeds of the Loans and Letters of Credit will be used by the Borrower or the applicable Qualified Borrower only in accordance with the provisions hereof. No part of the proceeds of any Loan, and no Letter of Credit, will be used by the Borrower to purchase or carry any Margin Stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock in any manner that might violate the provisions of Regulations T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board. Neither the making of any Loan nor the use of the proceeds thereof nor the issuance of any Letter of Credit will violate or be inconsistent with the provisions of Regulations T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board.

Section 4.12 Governmental Approvals. No order, consent, approval, license, authorization, or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with, or exemption by, any governmental or public body or authority, or any subdivision thereof, is required to authorize, or is required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of any Loan Document or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated thereby other than those that have already been duly made or obtained and remain in full force and effect or those which, if not made or obtained, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.13 Investment Company Act. Neither the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower EQR nor any Consolidated Subsidiary is (x) an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company”, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or (y) subject to any other federal or state law or regulation which purports to restrict or regulate its ability to borrow money or otherwise obtain extensions of credit.

Section 4.14 [Reserved].

Section 4.15 REIT Status. For the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2024, EQR qualified as a REIT.

Section 4.16 No Default. No Event of Default or, to the best of the Borrower’s knowledge, Default exists and neither the Borrower nor any Qualified Borrower is in default in any material respect beyond any applicable grace period under or with respect to any other material agreement, instrument or undertaking to which it is a party or by which it or any of its Property is bound in any respect, the existence of which default is likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.17 Compliance With Law. To the Borrower’s knowledge, the Borrower, each Qualified Borrower, and each of the Real Property Assets are in compliance with all Laws, orders, judgments, writs and decrees, including, without limitation, all building and zoning ordinances and codes, the failure to comply with which is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

92


Section 4.18 [Reserved].

Section 4.19 Outbound Investment Rules. Neither EQR nor any of its Subsidiaries is a “covered foreign person” as that term is used in the Outbound Investment Rules. Neither EQR nor any of its Subsidiaries currently engages, or has any present intention to engage in the future, directly or indirectly, in (a) a “covered transaction” in which the relevant “covered foreign person” is engaged in any activity referred to in the definition of “prohibited transaction,” as each such term is defined in the Outbound Investment Rules, or (b) any other activity that would cause the Administrative Agent or any Lender to be in violation of the Outbound Investment Rules or cause the Administrative Agent or any Lender to be legally prohibited by the Outbound Investment Rules from performing under this Agreement.

Section 4.20 OFAC. None of the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower, EQR, any Consolidated Subsidiary, or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any director, officer, employee, agent, representative or affiliate thereof, is an individual or entity that is, or is 10% or more owned by, or is controlled by, one or more individuals or entities that are (i) currently the subject or target of any Sanctions, (ii) included on OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals, or, to the extent that the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower, EQR or any Consolidated Subsidiary is subject to the laws of the United Kingdom or the jurisdiction of any other relevant sanctions authority, HMT’s Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets and the Investment Ban List, or any similar list enforced by such other relevant sanctions authority or (iii) located, organized or resident in a Designated Jurisdiction. For the past five years, the Borrower, each Qualified Borrower, EQR, and their respective Subsidiaries have not knowingly engaged in and are not now knowingly engaged in, and will not knowingly engage in, any dealings or transactions with any Person, or in any Designated Jurisdiction, that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject or the target of Sanctions in violation of any Sanctions or with any Designated Jurisdiction in violation of any Sanctions. The Borrower, each Qualified Borrower, EQR, and their respective Subsidiaries maintain policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote and achieve compliance in all material respects with such Sanctions.

Section 4.21 Anti-Corruption Laws; Anti-Money Laundering Laws. The Borrower, each Qualified Borrower, EQR and each Consolidated Subsidiary have conducted their businesses in compliance in all material respects with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, and, to the extent that the Borrower and/or its Consolidated Subsidiaries conduct business in the United Kingdom or any other non-U.S. jurisdiction, the UK Bribery Act 2010 and other similar anti-corruption and anti-money-laundering legislation in such other jurisdictions and, to the extent applicable, have instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such Laws.

Section 4.22 Affected Financial Institution. Neither the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower, nor EQR nor any Down REIT is an Affected Financial Institution.

Section 4.23 Covered Entities. Neither the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower, nor EQR nor any Down REIT is a Covered Entity.

 

93


ARTICLE V

AFFIRMATIVE AND NEGATIVE COVENANTS

The Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any Bank has any Commitment hereunder or any Obligations remain unpaid (other than contingent indemnification obligations for which no claim has been asserted):

Section 5.1 Information. The Borrower will deliver to the Administrative Agent (for distribution to the Banks):

(a) Annual Financial Statements. As soon as available and in any event within five (5) Business Days after the same is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (but in no event later than 125 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Borrower) a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower, EQR and their Consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal Year and the related consolidated statements of the Borrower’s and EQR’s operations and consolidated statements of the Borrower’s and EQR’s cash flow for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures as of the end of and for the previous Fiscal Year, all as reported on the form provided to the Securities and Exchange Commission on the Borrower’s and EQR’s Form 10-K and reported on by Ernst & Young LLP or other independent public accountants of nationally recognized standing;

(b) Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as available and in any event within five (5) Business Days after the same is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (but in no event later than 80 days after the end of each of the first three quarters of each Fiscal Year of the Borrower and EQR), a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower, EQR and their Consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such quarter and the related consolidated statements of the Borrower’s and EQR’s operations and consolidated statements of the Borrower’s and EQR’s cash flow for such quarter and for the portion of the Borrower’s or EQR’s Fiscal Year ended at the end of such quarter, all as reported on the form provided to the Securities and Exchange Commission on the Borrower’s and EQR’s Form 10-Q;

(c) Compliance Certificate. Within five (5) Business Days after the delivery of each set of financial statements referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F (a “Compliance Certificate”) executed by the chief financial officer, the chief accounting officer or treasurer of the general partner of the Borrower (i) setting forth in reasonable detail the calculations required to establish whether the Borrower was in compliance with the requirements of Section 5.8 on the date of such financial statements; and (ii) certifying that to the best knowledge of such officer, as of the last day of the period covered by such certificate no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or, if any such Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, specifying the nature and extent thereof and the action the Borrower proposes to take in respect thereof;

(d) Default, Litigation, Material Adverse Effect. (i) Within five (5) Business Days after any Responsible Officer of the Borrower obtains knowledge of any Default or Event of Default, if such Default or Event of Default is then continuing, a certificate of Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth the details thereof and the action which the Borrower is taking or

 

94


proposes to take with respect thereto; and (ii) promptly and in any event within five (5) Business Days after the Borrower obtains knowledge thereof, notice of (x) any litigation or governmental proceeding pending or threatened against the Borrower or the Real Property Assets which is likely to individually, or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, and (y) any other event, act or condition which is likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(e) Shareholder Reports. To the extent the same are not publicly available, promptly upon the mailing thereof to the shareholders of EQR generally, copies of all financial statements, reports and proxy statements so mailed;

(f) [reserved];

(g) ERISA Matters. Promptly and in any event within thirty (30) days, if and when any member of the ERISA Group (i) gives or is required to give notice to the PBGC of any “reportable event” (as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA) with respect to any Plan which might constitute grounds for a termination of such Plan under Title IV of ERISA, or knows that the plan administrator of any Plan has given or is required to give notice of any such reportable event, a copy of the notice of such reportable event given or required to be given to the PBGC; (ii) receives notice of complete or partial withdrawal liability under Title IV of ERISA or notice that any Multiemployer Plan is insolvent, in critical status or has been terminated, a copy of such notice; (iii) receives notice from the PBGC under Title IV of ERISA of an intent to terminate, impose liability (other than for premiums under Section 4007 of ERISA) in respect of, or appoint a trustee to administer, any Plan, a copy of such notice; (iv) applies for a waiver of the minimum funding standard under Section 412 of the Code, a copy of such application; (v) gives notice of intent to terminate any Plan under Section 4041(c) of ERISA, a copy of such notice and other information filed with the PBGC; (vi) gives notice of withdrawal from any Plan pursuant to Section 4063 of ERISA, a copy of such notice; or (vii) fails to make any payment or contribution to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan or in respect of any Benefit Arrangement or makes any amendment to any Plan or Benefit Arrangement which has resulted or could result in the imposition of a Lien or the posting of a bond or other security, and in the case of clauses (i) through (vii) above, which event is likely to, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, a certificate of the chief financial officer or the chief accounting officer of EQR setting forth details as to such occurrence and action, if any, which the Borrower or applicable member of the ERISA Group is required or proposes to take;

(h) Environmental Matters. Promptly and in any event within ten (10) days after the Borrower obtains actual knowledge of any of the following events, a certificate of the Borrower, executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, specifying the nature of such condition, and the Borrower’s or, if the Borrower has actual knowledge thereof, the Environmental Affiliate’s proposed initial response thereto: (i) the receipt by the Borrower, or, if the Borrower has actual knowledge thereof, any of the Environmental Affiliates of any communication (written or oral), whether from a Governmental Authority, citizens group, employee or otherwise, that alleges that the Borrower, or, if the Borrower has actual knowledge thereof, any of the Environmental Affiliates, is not in compliance with applicable Environmental Laws, and such noncompliance is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) the Borrower shall obtain actual knowledge that there exists any Environmental Claim pending against the Borrower or any Environmental Affiliate and such Environmental Claim is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect or (iii) the Borrower obtains actual knowledge of any release, emission, discharge or disposal of any Material of Environmental Concern that is likely to form the basis of any Environmental Claim against the Borrower or any Environmental Affiliate which in any such event is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

95


(i) Material Insurance Losses. Promptly and in any event within five (5) Business Days after receipt of any material notices or correspondence from any company or agent for any company providing insurance coverage to the Borrower relating to any loss which is likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect, copies of such notices and correspondence;

(j) Patriot Act, etc. Promptly, upon each request, information and documentation identifying the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower or any Guarantor as the Administrative Agent or any Bank may reasonably request in order to comply with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, including any requested information and documentation by any Bank in connection with a merger or consolidation permitted under Section 5.9(a);

(k) Credit Rating. Promptly, notice of any announcement by Moody’s or S&P of any change in a Credit Rating; and

(l) Other Information. From time to time such additional information (other than information (1) subject to contractual confidentiality obligations binding upon the Borrower, EQR or any of their Subsidiaries or where disclosure is prohibited by applicable Law, (2) constituting non-financial trade secrets or non-financial proprietary information, or (3) where disclosure could jeopardize attorney-client privilege) regarding the financial position or business of the Borrower, EQR and their Subsidiaries as the Administrative Agent, at the request of any Bank, may reasonably request in writing.

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 5.1 may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower or EQR posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s or EQR’s website on the Internet; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s or EQR’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Bank and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of the posting of any such documents delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or (b).

Section 5.2 Payment of Obligations. Each of the Borrower, each Qualified Borrower, EQR and their Consolidated Subsidiaries will pay and discharge, at or before maturity, all its respective material obligations and liabilities including, without limitation, any obligation pursuant to any agreement by which it or any of its Properties is bound, in each case where the failure to so pay or discharge such obligations or liabilities is likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and will maintain in accordance with GAAP, appropriate reserves for the accrual of any of the same.

 

96


Section 5.3 Maintenance of Property; Insurance; Leases.

(a) The Borrower will keep, and will cause each Consolidated Subsidiary and Qualified Borrower to keep, all Property useful and necessary in its business, including without limitation the Real Property Assets (for so long as it constitutes Real Property Assets), in good repair, working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear and casualty and condemnation events excepted, in each case where the failure to so maintain and repair will have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) The Borrower and/or each Qualified Borrower shall maintain, or cause to be maintained, insurance with such insurers, on such Properties, in such amounts and against such risks (excluding terrorist insurance and mold insurance and, to the extent the same are not commercially available or available at commercially reasonable rates, earthquake insurance or windstorm insurance) as is consistent with insurance maintained by businesses of comparable type and size in the industry.

Section 5.4 Maintenance of Existence. The Borrower, each Qualified Borrower and EQR will preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect, its partnership, limited liability company, corporate and trust existence, as applicable, and its respective rights, privileges and franchises necessary for the normal conduct of business unless the failure to maintain such rights and franchises does not have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.5 Compliance with Laws. The Borrower and EQR will and will cause their Subsidiaries to comply in all material respects with all applicable Law (including, without limitation, Environmental Laws, and all zoning and building codes with respect to the Real Property Assets and ERISA and the rules and regulations thereunder and all federal securities laws) except where the necessity of compliance therewith is contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to do so will not have a Material Adverse Effect or expose Administrative Agent or any Banks to any material liability therefore.

Section 5.6 Inspection of Property, Books and Records. Each of the Borrower and EQR will keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries shall be made of all material dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities in a manner that permits the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP; and will permit representatives of any Bank at such Bank’s expense to visit and inspect any of its Properties, including without limitation the Real Property Assets, to examine and make abstracts from any of its books and records and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its officers, all at such reasonable times during normal business hours, upon reasonable prior notice and as often as may reasonably be desired. Administrative Agent shall coordinate any such visit or inspection to arrange for review by any Bank requesting any such visit or inspection. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement, in no event will the Borrower, EQR or any of their Subsidiaries be required to disclose to the Administrative Agent or any Bank documents (1) subject to contractual confidentiality obligations binding upon the Borrower, EQR or any of their Subsidiaries or where disclosure is prohibited by applicable Law, (2) constituting non-financial trade secrets or non-financial proprietary information, or (3) where disclosure could jeopardize attorney-client privilege.

 

97


Section 5.7 Outbound Investment Rules. EQR and the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of their respective Subsidiaries to, (a) be or become a “covered foreign person” as that term is defined in the Outbound Investment Rules, or (b) engage, directly or indirectly, in (i) a “covered transaction” in which the relevant “covered foreign person” is engaged in any activity referred to in the definition of “prohibited transaction,” as each such term is defined in the Outbound Investment Rules or (ii) any other activity that would cause the Administrative Agent or any Lender to be in violation of the Outbound Investment Rules or cause the Administrative Agent or any Lender to be legally prohibited by the Outbound Investment Rules from performing under this Agreement.

Section 5.8 Financial Covenants.

(a) Indebtedness to Gross Asset Value. The Borrower shall not permit the ratio of (i) the sum of (x) Total Outstanding Indebtedness of the Borrower and EQR (including Total Outstanding Indebtedness of Down REITs and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of Down REITs, but excluding Total Outstanding Indebtedness of other Persons that are Consolidated Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates), plus (y) Borrower’s Share of Total Outstanding Indebtedness of all Consolidated Subsidiaries and Investment Affiliates (other than Down REITs and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of Down REITs) to (ii) Gross Asset Value to exceed 0.60:1; provided, however, that with respect to any Fiscal Quarter in which the Borrower consummated any portfolio acquisition (whether by stock or asset purchase, merger or other corporate transaction), at the Borrower’s election, the ratio of (i) the sum of (x) Total Outstanding Indebtedness of the Borrower and EQR (including Total Outstanding Indebtedness of Down REITs and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of Down REITs, but excluding Total Outstanding Indebtedness of other Persons that are Consolidated Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates), plus (y) Borrower’s Share of Total Outstanding Indebtedness of all Consolidated Subsidiaries and Investment Affiliates (other than Down REITs and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of Down REITs) to (ii) Gross Asset Value for such Fiscal Quarter and for the next five succeeding Fiscal Quarters may exceed 0.60:1, provided that such ratio in no event shall exceed 0.65:1. For purposes of this covenant, (i) Total Outstanding Indebtedness shall be adjusted by deducting therefrom an amount equal to the lesser of (x) Total Outstanding Indebtedness that by its terms is scheduled to mature on or before the date that is 24 months from the date of calculation, and (y) Unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, and (ii) Gross Asset Value shall be adjusted by deducting therefrom the amount by which Indebtedness is adjusted under clause (i) of this proviso.

(b) Secured Debt to Gross Asset Value. The Borrower shall not as of any date permit the ratio of (i) the sum of (x) Secured Debt of the Borrower and EQR (including Secured Debt of Down REITs and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of Down REITs, but excluding Secured Debt of other Persons that are Consolidated Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates), plus (y) Borrower’s Share of Secured Debt of all Consolidated Subsidiaries and Investment Affiliates (other than Down REITs and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of Down REITs) to (ii) Gross Asset Value to exceed 0.40:1; provided that for purposes of this covenant, (i) Secured Debt shall be adjusted by deducting therefrom an amount equal to the lesser of (x) Secured Debt that by its terms is scheduled to mature on or before the date that is 24 months from the date of calculation, and (y) Unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, excluding any portion thereof that is deducted from Unsecured Debt in determining the ratio of Unencumbered Asset Value to Unsecured Debt pursuant to Section 5.8(d) as of such date and (ii) Gross Asset Value shall be adjusted by deducting therefrom the amount by which Gross Asset Value is adjusted in determining the ratio of Indebtedness to Gross Asset Value pursuant to Section 5.8(a) as of such date.

 

98


(c) Consolidated EBITDA to Fixed Charges Ratio. The Borrower shall not permit the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA for the then most recently completed twelve (12) month period to Fixed Charges for the then most recently completed twelve (12) month period to be less than 1.50:1. For purposes of calculating Consolidated EBITDA for this Section 5.8(c) only, Consolidated EBITDA shall include, rather than exclude, gains (losses) on the dispositions of Raw Land and other non-depreciated Properties.

(d) Unencumbered Asset Value to Unsecured Debt. The Borrower shall not as of any date permit the ratio of (i) Unencumbered Asset Value to (ii) the sum of (x) Unsecured Debt of the Borrower and EQR (including Unsecured Debt of Down REITs and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of Down REITs, but excluding Unsecured Debt of other Persons that are Consolidated Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates), plus (y) Borrower’s Share of Unsecured Debt of all Consolidated Subsidiaries and Investment Affiliates (other than Down REITs and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of Down REITs) to be less than 1.50:1; provided that for purposes of this covenant, (i) Unsecured Debt shall be adjusted by deducting therefrom an amount equal to the lesser of (x) Unsecured Debt that by its terms is scheduled to mature on or before the date that is 24 months from the date of calculation, and (y) Unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, excluding any portion thereof that is deducted from Secured Debt in determining the ratio of Secured Debt to Gross Asset Value pursuant to Section 5.8(b) as of such date and (ii) Unencumbered Asset Value shall be adjusted by deducting therefrom the amount by which Gross Asset Value is adjusted in determining the ratio of Indebtedness to Gross Asset Value pursuant to Section 5.8(a) as of such date.

(e) Calculation. Each of the foregoing ratios and financial requirements shall be calculated as of the last day of each Fiscal Quarter.

Section 5.9 Restriction on Fundamental Changes; Organizational Document Amendments.

(a) Neither the Borrower nor EQR shall enter into any merger or consolidation, unless: (i) either (x) the Borrower or EQR is the surviving entity, or (y) the individuals constituting EQR’s Board of Trustees immediately prior to such merger or consolidation represent a majority of the surviving entity’s Board of Directors or Board of Trustees after such merger or consolidation, and (ii) after giving effect to such merger or consolidation, the requirements of Section 5.10 are satisfied.

(b) The Borrower shall not amend its agreement of limited partnership or other organizational documents in any manner that would have a Material Adverse Effect without the Administrative Agent’s consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. EQR shall not amend its declaration of trust, by-laws, or other organizational documents in any manner that would have a Material Adverse Effect without the Administrative Agent’s consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. No Qualified Borrower shall amend its organizational documents in any manner that would have a Material Adverse Effect without the Required Banks’ consent.

 

99


(c) The Borrower shall deliver to Administrative Agent copies of all amendments to its agreement of limited partnership or to EQR’s declaration of trust, by-laws, or other organizational documents that are amended in a manner that would have a Material Adverse Effect simultaneously with the first delivery of financial statements referred to in Sections 5.1(a) or (b) above following the effective date of any such amendment.

Section 5.10 Changes in Business. Except for Permitted Holdings, neither the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower, EQR nor any of their respective Consolidated Subsidiaries shall enter into any business which is substantially different from that conducted by the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower, EQR and any of their respective Consolidated Subsidiaries on the Closing Date, or any business ancillary or incidental thereto, including investment and financing activities. The Borrower shall carry on its business operations through the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and Investment Affiliates.

Section 5.11 Margin Stock. None of the proceeds of any Loan, and no Letter of Credit, will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of buying or carrying any Margin Stock or extending credit to others for the purpose of buying or carrying any Margin Stock in any manner that might violate the provisions of Regulations T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board.

Section 5.12 Anti-Corruption Laws; Anti-Money Laundering.

(a) The Borrower, each Qualified Borrower, EQR and each Consolidated Subsidiary shall conduct its businesses in compliance with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, and, to the extent that the Borrower and/or its Consolidated Subsidiaries conduct business in the United Kingdom or any other non-U.S. jurisdiction, the UK Bribery Act 2010 and other similar anti-corruption and anti-money laundering legislation in such other jurisdictions, and, to the extent applicable, maintain policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.

(b) The Borrower shall not directly or knowingly indirectly use the proceeds of any Loan or Letter of Credit for any purpose which would breach the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, or, to the extent that the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower, EQR and/or any Consolidated Subsidiary conduct business in the United Kingdom or any other non-U.S. jurisdiction, the UK Bribery Act 2010 and other similar anti-corruption and anti-money laundering legislation in such other jurisdictions.

Section 5.13 Sanctions(a) . The Borrower shall not directly or knowingly indirectly use the proceeds of any Loan or Letter of Credit, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Consolidated Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, (i) to fund any activities of or business with any Person, or in any Designated Jurisdiction, that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of Sanctions, or (ii) in any other manner that will result in a violation by any Person (including any Person participating in the transaction, whether as Bank, Joint Lead Arranger, Administrative Agent, Fronting Bank or otherwise) of Sanctions.

 

100


Section 5.14 EQR Status.

(a) Status. EQR shall at all times (i) remain a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange or another national stock exchange located in the United States and (ii) maintain its status as a self-directed and self-administered REIT.

(b) EQR Assets. For so long as the Parent Guaranty is not in effect, the ownership of substantially all operating properties of EQR and its Consolidated Subsidiaries shall be held by the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries (other than operating properties held by EQR or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries (other than the Borrower and its Subsidiaries) on a temporary or pass-through basis).

Section 5.15 Parent Guaranty(a) . Within ten (10) Business Days (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion) of the occurrence of a Parent Guaranty Trigger Event, EQR shall either (i) take such actions necessary to terminate the continuance of such Parent Guaranty Trigger Event or (ii) deliver to the Administrative Agent each of the following in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent: (x) a Parent Guaranty executed by EQR and (y) the items that would have been delivered under Section 3.1(d), (f), (k) and (p) if EQR had provided the Parent Guaranty on the Closing Date.

ARTICLE VI

DEFAULTS

Section 6.1 Events of Default. If one or more of the following events (“Events of Default”) shall have occurred and be continuing:

(a) (i) the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower or any Guarantor shall fail to pay when due, and in the currency required hereunder or under any other Loan Document, the principal of any Loans or any reimbursement obligations with respect to a Letter of Credit in each case as and when due, and such failure to pay shall continue unremedied for five (5) days after written notice by Administrative Agent of such failure, (ii) the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower or any Guarantor shall fail to pay interest on any Loans or reimbursement obligations with respect to a Letter of Credit in each case as and when due, and such failure to pay shall continue unremedied for five (5) days after written notice by Administrative Agent of such failure or (iii) the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower or any Guarantor shall fail to pay when due any fees or any other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document and the same shall continue unremedied for five (5) days after written notice by Administrative Agent of such failure;

(b) the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant contained in (i) Section 5.14(b) and such failure continues for more than 10 Business Days, unless during such period the Borrower complies with Section 5.15 or (ii) Section 5.7, Section 5.8, Section 5.9, Section 5.10, Section 5.11, Section 5.13, or Section 5.15;

(c) the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than those covered by clause (a), (b), (e), (f), (g), (h) or (j) of this Section 6.1) or in any other Loan Document for 30 days after written notice thereof has been given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent, or if such default is of such a nature that it

 

101


cannot with reasonable effort be completely remedied within said period of thirty (30) days, such additional period of time as may be reasonably necessary to cure same, provided the Borrower commences such cure within said thirty (30) day period and diligently prosecutes same, until completion, but in no event shall such extended period exceed ninety (90) days;

(d) any representation, warranty, certification or statement made or deemed made by the Borrower in this Agreement or in any certificate, financial statement or other document delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made (or deemed made) and the defect causing such representation or warranty to be incorrect when made (or deemed made) is not removed within thirty (30) days after written notice thereof from Administrative Agent to the Borrower;

(e) the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower, EQR, or any Subsidiary shall default in the payment when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise) of any amount owing in respect of any Indebtedness (other than Non-Recourse Indebtedness and the Obligations) for which the aggregate outstanding principal amount exceeds $150,000,000 (such Indebtedness, “Threshold Indebtedness”) and such default shall continue beyond the giving of any required notice and the expiration of any applicable grace period and such default has not been waived, in writing, by the holder of any such Threshold Indebtedness; or the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower, EQR or any Subsidiary shall default in the performance or observance of any obligation or condition with respect to any such Threshold Indebtedness or any other event shall occur or condition exist (other than as a result of (A) customary non-default mandatory prepayment requirements resulting from asset sales, casualty events, debt or equity issuances, extraordinary receipts or borrowing base limitations and (B) any Permitted Convertible Debt becoming due as a result of the exercise by any holder thereof of conversion, exchange or similar rights related to the value of EQR, the Borrower’s or the applicable Subsidiary’s equity securities so long as such Indebtedness is converted into or exchanged for Equity Interests), after the giving of any required notice and the expiration of any applicable grace period, if the effect of such default, event or condition is to accelerate the maturity of any such Threshold Indebtedness or to permit (without any further requirement of notice or lapse of time) the holder or holders thereof, or any trustee or agent for such holders, to accelerate the maturity of any such Threshold Indebtedness;

(f) the Borrower or EQR shall commence a voluntary case or other proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to itself or its debts under any Debtor Relief Laws now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of it or any substantial part of its Property, or shall consent to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against it, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become due, or admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as such debts become due, or shall take any action to authorize any of the foregoing;

(g) an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against the Borrower or EQR seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to it or its debts under any Debtor Relief Laws now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of it or any substantial part of its Property, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of 90 days; or an order for relief shall be entered against the Borrower or EQR under Debtor Relief Laws as now or hereafter in effect;

 

102


(h) one or more final, non-appealable judgments or decrees (or one or more judgments which is/are not stayed pending appeal) in an aggregate amount of $150,000,000 or more (to the extent not covered by insurance coverage from a reputable insurance company as to which such insurer does not dispute coverage) shall be entered by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction against the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower, EQR or, to the extent of any recourse to the Borrower, EQR or any Qualified Borrower, any of their respective Consolidated Subsidiaries and (i) any such judgments or decrees shall not be stayed, discharged, paid, bonded or vacated within sixty (60) days or (ii) enforcement proceedings shall be commenced by any creditor on any such judgments or decrees;

(i) there shall be a change in the majority of the Board of Directors or Board of Trustees of EQR during any twelve (12) month period, excluding any change in directors or trustees resulting from (v) the election of any new directors whose election by such Board or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of EQR was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors or trustees then still in office who were either directors or trustees at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, (w) the retirement/resignation of any director or trustee as a result of compliance with any written policy of EQR, (x) the death or disability of any director or trustee, (y) satisfaction of any requirement for the majority of the members of the board of directors or trustees of EQR to qualify under applicable Law as independent directors or trustees or (z) the replacement of any director or trustee who is an officer or employee of EQR or an affiliate of EQR with any other officer or employee of EQR or an affiliate of EQR;

(j) (i) any Person or “group” (as such term is defined in applicable federal securities Laws) shall acquire more than forty percent (40%) of the common shares of EQR, provided, however, that Persons acquiring common shares of EQR from EQR in connection with an acquisition or other transaction with EQR, without any agreement among such Persons to act together to hold, dispose of, or vote such shares following the acquisition of such shares, shall not be considered a “group” for purposes of this clause (j), (ii) EQR, or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of EQR, ceases to be the sole general partner of the Borrower, (iii) EQR ceases to, directly or indirectly, have the power to exercise management and control of the Borrower or (iv) EQR ceases to own, directly or indirectly, greater than 50% of the partnership interests of the Borrower;

(k) any Termination Event with respect to a Plan shall occur as a result of which Termination Event or Events any member of the ERISA Group has incurred or may incur any liability to the PBGC or any other Person and the sum (determined as of the date of occurrence of such Termination Event) of the insufficiency of such Plan and the insufficiency of any and all other Plans with respect to which such a Termination Event shall have occurred and be continuing (or, in the case of a Multiemployer Plan with respect to which a Termination Event described in clause (ii) of the definition of Termination Event shall have occurred and be continuing, the liability of the Borrower), in each case that is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

103


(l) any member of the ERISA Group shall commit a failure described in Section 302(f)(1) of ERISA or Section 412(n)(1) of the Code and the amount of the lien determined under Section 302(f)(3) of ERISA or Section 412(n)(3) of the Code that is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

(m) at any time, for any reason the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower, or any Down REIT seeks to repudiate its obligations under any Loan Document.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.1, if a Default or Event of Default shall occur solely as a result of a Real Property Asset being treated as a Qualifying Unencumbered Property that is not in fact a Qualifying Unencumbered Property, such Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to not have occurred so long as the Borrower delivers to the Administrative Agent not later than 15 days from (x) the date on which the Borrower obtains knowledge of the occurrence of such Default or Event of Default or (y) the date on which the Borrower has received written notice of such Default or Event of Default from the Administrative Agent, each of the following: (1) written notice of the cure of such Default or Event of Default pursuant to this paragraph and (2) a Compliance Certificate, prepared as of the last day of the most recent Fiscal Quarter then ended, evidencing compliance with the covenants set forth in Section 5.8 excluding such Real Property Asset as a Qualifying Unencumbered Property, as applicable.

Section 6.2 Rights and Remedies.

(a) Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Sections 6.1(f) or (g), the Commitments and any obligation of the Fronting Banks to make LC Credit Extensions, shall immediately terminate and the unpaid principal amount of, and any and all accrued interest on, the Loans and any and all accrued fees and other Obligations hereunder shall automatically become immediately due and payable, with all additional interest from time to time accrued thereon during the continuance of such Event of Default at the Default Rate and without presentation, demand, or protest or other requirements of any kind (including, without limitation, valuation and appraisement, diligence, presentment, notice of intent to demand or accelerate and notice of acceleration), all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower for itself and on behalf of any Qualified Borrower; and upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any other Event of Default, subject to the provisions of Section 6.2(b), the Administrative Agent may, with the consent of the Required Banks, and shall, at the demand or direction of the Required Banks, by written notice to the Borrower, in addition to the exercise of all of the rights and remedies permitted the Administrative Agent and the Banks at law or equity or under any of the other Loan Documents, declare the Commitments and any obligation of the Fronting Banks to make LC Credit Extensions, terminated and the unpaid principal amount of and any and all accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans and any and all accrued fees and other Obligations hereunder to be, and the same shall thereupon be, immediately due and payable with all additional interest from time to time accrued thereon and (except as otherwise as provided in the Loan Documents) without presentation, demand, or protest or other requirements of any kind (including, without limitation, valuation and appraisement, diligence, presentment, notice of intent to demand or accelerate and notice of acceleration), all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower for itself and on behalf of any Qualified Borrower.

 

104


(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, the Administrative Agent and the Banks each agree that any exercise or enforcement of the rights and remedies granted to the Administrative Agent or the Banks under this Agreement or at law or in equity with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Documents shall be commenced and maintained by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Administrative Agent and/or the Banks. The Administrative Agent shall act at the direction of the Required Banks in connection with the exercise of any and all remedies at law, in equity or under any of the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, those set forth in Section 6.4) or, if the Required Banks are unable to reach agreement within thirty (30) days of commencement of discussions, then, from and after an Event of Default and the end of such thirty (30) day period, the Administrative Agent may pursue such rights and remedies as it may determine if it shall reasonably determine that the same shall be in the best interests of the Banks, taken as a whole.

Section 6.3 Notice of Default. The Administrative Agent shall give notice to the Borrower under Section 6.1(c) promptly upon being requested to do so by the Required Banks and shall thereupon notify all the Banks thereof. The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default (other than nonpayment of principal of or interest on the Loans) unless Administrative Agent has received notice in writing from a Bank or the Borrower or any court or governmental agency referring to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, describing such event or condition. Should Administrative Agent receive notice of the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default expressly stating that such notice is a notice of a Default or Event of Default, or should Administrative Agent send the Borrower a notice of Default or Event of Default, Administrative Agent shall promptly give notice thereof to each Bank.

Section 6.4 Actions in Respect of Letters of Credit. If, at any time and from time to time, any Letter of Credit shall have been issued hereunder and an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, then, upon the occurrence and during the continuation thereof, the Administrative Agent may, with the consent of the Required Banks, and shall, at the demand or direction of the Required Banks, whether in addition to the taking by the Administrative Agent of any of the actions described in this Article or otherwise, make a demand upon the Borrower to Cash Collateralize the Letter of Credit Usage under the Letters of Credit, and forthwith upon such demand (but in any event within ten (10) days after such demand) the Borrower shall (provided that upon the occurrence of any Event of Default it described in Section 6.1(f) or 6.1(g) the Borrower shall automatically be required to) pay to the Administrative Agent, for deposit in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account, Cash Collateral in an amount equal to the amount of the Letter of Credit Usage under the Letters of Credit.

Section 6.5 Application of Funds. After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 6.2 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable and the Letter of Credit Usage have automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized as set forth in the proviso in Section 6.4), any amounts received on account of the Obligations shall, subject to the provisions of Sections 2.24 and 9.16, 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 payable pursuant Section 9.3 and amounts payable under Article VIII) payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;

 

105


Second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal, interest and Letter of Credit Fees) payable to the Banks and the Fronting Banks (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Banks and Fronting Banks payable pursuant to Section 9.3 and amounts payable under Article VIII), ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;

Third, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid Letter of Credit Fees and interest on the Loans, LC Borrowings and other Obligations, ratably among the Banks and the Fronting Banks in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;

Fourth, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans and LC Borrowings, ratably among the Banks and the Fronting Banks in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them;

Fifth, to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Fronting Banks, to Cash Collateralize that portion of the Letter of Credit Usage comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit to the extent not otherwise Cash Collateralized by the Borrower pursuant to Sections 2.24 and 6.4; 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 applicable Law.

Subject to Section 2.24, amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fifth 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, if any, in the order set forth above.

ARTICLE VII

THE AGENTS

Section 7.1 Appointment and Authority. Each of the Banks and the Fronting Banks hereby irrevocably appoints Bank of America to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Except as set forth in Section 7.8 and 7.9, the provisions of this Article VII are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Banks and the Fronting Banks, and the Borrower shall not have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.

 

106


Section 7.2 Rights as a Bank. The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Bank as any other Bank and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent and the term “Bank” or “Banks” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial, advisory, underwriting or other business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Banks or provide notice or consent of the Banks with respect thereto.

Section 7.3 Exculpatory Provisions. The Administrative Agent or the Joint Lead Arrangers, as applicable, shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, and its duties hereunder shall be administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent or the Joint Lead Arrangers, as applicable and its Related Parties:

(a) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default or Event of 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 Banks (or such other number or percentage of the Banks 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, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law;

(c) shall not have any duty or responsibility to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, to any Bank or any Fronting Bank, any credit or other information concerning the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of any of the Borrower, EQR or any of their Affiliates, that is communicated to, obtained or in the possession of, the Administrative Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger or any of their Related Parties in any capacity, except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Banks by the Administrative Agent herein;

 

107


(d) shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Banks (or such other number or percentage of the Banks as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 9.5 and 6.2) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless and until notice describing such Default or Event of Default is given in writing to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Bank or a Fronting Bank; and

(e) shall not be responsible for or have any duty or obligation to any Bank or participant or any other Person to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this 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, or Event of Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article III or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.

Section 7.4 Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance, extension, renewal or increase of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Bank or a Fronting Bank, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Bank or such Fronting Bank unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Bank or such Fronting Bank prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

Section 7.5 Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article VII shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.

 

108


Section 7.6 Indemnification. Each Bank shall on a several basis, ratably in accordance with its Commitment, indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Joint Lead Arranger and each Co-Syndication Agent, and their respective affiliates and directors, officers, agents and employees (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower, but without affecting the Borrower’s reimbursement obligations), against any cost, expense (including counsel fees and disbursements), claim, demand, action, loss or liability (except such as result from such indemnitee’s gross negligence or willful misconduct) that such indemnitee may suffer or incur in connection with its duties as Administrative Agent and/or Joint Lead Arranger and/or as a Co-Syndication Agent under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any action taken or omitted by such indemnitee hereunder as Administrative Agent or as Joint Lead Arranger or as Co-Syndication Agent. In the event that any Co-Syndication Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger or the Administrative Agent shall, subsequent to its receipt of indemnification payment(s) from Banks in accordance with this Section, recoup any amount from the Borrower, or any other party liable therefor in connection with such indemnification, such Co-Syndication Agent, such Joint Lead Arranger or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, shall reimburse the Banks which previously made the payment(s) pro rata, based upon the actual amounts which were theretofore paid by each Bank. The applicable Co-Syndication Agent, applicable Joint Lead Arranger or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, shall reimburse such Banks so entitled to reimbursement within two (2) Business Days after its receipt of such funds from the Borrower or such other party liable therefor.

Section 7.7 Non-Reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Co-Syndication Agents and the Other Banks. Each Bank and each Fronting Bank expressly acknowledges that none of the Administrative Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger nor any Co-Syndication Agent has made any representation or warranty to it, and that no act by the Administrative Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger or any Co-Syndication Agent hereafter taken, including any consent to, and acceptance of any assignment or review of the affairs of the Borrower or EQR or any of their respective Affiliates, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the Administrative Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger or any Co-Syndication Agent to any Bank or Fronting Bank as to any matter, including whether the Administrative Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger or any Co-Syndication Agent have disclosed material information in their (or their Related Parties’) possession. Each Bank and each Fronting Bank represents to the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Co-Syndication Agents that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger, any Co-Syndication Agent, any other Bank or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis of, appraisal of, and investigation into, the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower, EQR and their respective Subsidiaries, and all applicable bank or other regulatory laws relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, and made its own decision to enter into this Agreement and to extend credit to the Borrower hereunder. Each Bank and each Fronting Bank also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger, any Co-Syndication Agent, any other Bank or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder, and to make such investigations as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower, EQR, or any Guarantor. Each Bank and

 

109


each Fronting Bank represents and warrants that (i) the Loan Documents set forth the terms of a commercial lending facility and (ii) it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans in the ordinary course and is entering into this Agreement as a Bank or Fronting Bank for the purpose of making, acquiring or holding commercial loans and providing other facilities set forth herein as may be applicable to such Bank or Fronting Bank, and not for the purpose of purchasing, acquiring or holding any other type of financial instrument, and each Bank and each Fronting Bank agrees not to assert a claim in contravention of the foregoing. Each Bank and each Fronting Bank represents and warrants that it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to make, acquire and/or hold commercial loans and to provide other facilities set forth herein, as may be applicable to such Bank or such Fronting Bank, and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to make, acquire and/or hold such commercial loans or to provide such other facilities, is experienced in making, acquiring or holding such commercial loans or providing such other facilities.

Section 7.8 Successor Administrative Agent. Each Agent may resign at any time by giving notice thereof to the Banks, the Borrower, the Fronting Banks and each other, and the Administrative Agent shall resign in the event the Commitment of the Bank serving as the Administrative Agent is reduced to less than $10,000,000. Upon any such resignation, the Required Banks shall have the right to appoint a successor Administrative Agent which successor Administrative Agent shall, provided no Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing, be subject to the Borrower’s approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed (except that (i) the Borrower shall, in all events, be deemed to have approved either JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. or Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as a successor Administrative Agent and (ii) it shall be deemed “reasonable” for the Borrower to withhold its consent if the successor Administrative Agent is a Person other than a commercial banking institution with a credit rating for senior, unsecured, long-term indebtedness for borrowed money equal to or better than BBB- with S&P and Baa3 with Moody’s). If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed by the Required Banks and (if required) approved by the Borrower, or, if so appointed, shall not have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of resignation (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Banks) (the “Resignation Effective Date”), then the retiring Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to), on behalf of the Banks, appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which shall be the Administrative Agent who shall act until the Required Banks shall appoint a successor Administrative Agent subject to the Borrower’s approval; provided no Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed (and it shall be deemed “reasonable” for the Borrower to withhold its consent if the successor Administrative Agent is a Person other than a commercial banking institution with a credit rating for senior, unsecured, long-term indebtedness for borrowed money equal to or better than BBB- with S&P and Baa3 with Moody’s). Upon the acceptance of its appointment as the Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor Administrative Agent, such successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder (if not already discharged therefrom as provided below on the Resignation Effective Date or Removal Effective Date, as applicable). For gross negligence or willful misconduct or if the Administrative Agent shall become a Defaulting Lender, as determined by the Required Banks (excluding for such determination the Bank serving as Administrative Agent in its capacity as a Bank), the Administrative Agent may be removed at any time by the Required Banks or, in the

 

110


case of the Administrative Agent becoming a Defaulting Lender only, by either the Required Banks or the Borrower, giving at least thirty (30) Business Days (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Banks) (the “Removal Effective Date”) prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and, in the case of a removal of the Administrative Agent by the Borrower as a result of it becoming a Defaulting Lender, the Banks. Whether or not a successor has been appointed, such resignation or removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date, as applicable, and shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. After any retiring or removed Administrative Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.3 shall inure to its benefit, and to the benefit of its sub-agents, their respective Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, agents and employees of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates, as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them (i) while the retiring or removed Administrative Agent was the Administrative Agent and (ii) after such resignation or removal for as long as any of them continues to act in any sub-agent capacity or similar role hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, including (a) acting as collateral agent or otherwise holding any collateral security on behalf of any of the Banks and (b) in respect of any actions taken in connection with transferring the agency to any successor Administrative Agent.

Section 7.9 Consents and Approvals. All communications from Administrative Agent to the Banks requesting the Banks’ determination, consent, approval or disapproval (i) shall be given in the form of a written notice to each Bank, (ii) shall be accompanied by a description of the matter or item as to which such determination, approval, consent or disapproval is requested, or shall advise each Bank where such matter or item may be inspected, or shall otherwise describe the matter or issue to be resolved, (iii) shall include, if reasonably requested by a Bank and to the extent not previously provided to such Bank, written materials and a summary of all oral information provided to Administrative Agent by the Borrower in respect of the matter or issue to be resolved, (iv) shall include Administrative Agent’s recommended course of action or determination in respect thereof and (v) shall include a statement that if any Bank does not respond to such request within ten (10) Business Days and provide a written explanation of the reasons behind any objection, such Bank shall be deemed to have approved of or consented to, as applicable, the recommendation or determination of the Administrative Agent described in such request. Each Bank shall reply promptly, but in any event within ten (10) Business Days after receipt of the request therefor from Administrative Agent (the “Bank Reply Period”). Unless a Bank shall give written notice to Administrative Agent that it objects to the recommendation or determination of Administrative Agent within the Bank Reply Period, such Bank shall be deemed to have approved of or consented to such recommendation or determination. With respect to decisions requiring the approval of the Required Banks or all the Banks, Administrative Agent shall submit its recommendation or determination for approval of or consent to such recommendation or determination to all Banks and upon receiving the required approval or consent shall follow the course of action or determination of the Required Banks (and each non-responding Bank shall be deemed to have concurred with such recommended course of action) or all the Banks, as the case may be.

Section 7.10 No Other Duties, Etc.. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the Joint Lead Arrangers, Co-Syndication Agents, or Co-Documentation Agents listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent, a Bank or a Fronting Bank hereunder.

 

111


Section 7.11 Certain ERISA Matters.

(a) Each Bank (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Bank party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Bank party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Bank party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

(i) such Bank 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 Bank’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 Bank’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement,

(iii) (A) such Bank 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 Bank 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 Bank, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Bank’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 Bank.

(b) In addition, unless either (1) sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Bank or (2) a Bank has provided another representation, warranty and covenant in accordance with sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Bank further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Bank party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Bank party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Bank party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for

 

112


the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower, that the Administrative Agent is not a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Bank involved in such Bank’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).

Section 7.12 Recovery of Erroneous Payments(a) . Without limitation of any other provision in this Agreement, if at any time the Administrative Agent makes a payment hereunder in error to any Bank Recipient Party, whether or not in respect of an Obligation due and owing by the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower at such time, where such payment is a Rescindable Amount, then in any such event, each Bank Recipient Party receiving a Rescindable Amount severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the Rescindable Amount received by such Bank Recipient Party in Same Day 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 Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation. Each Bank 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 Bank Recipient Party promptly upon determining that any payment made to such Bank Recipient Party comprised, in whole or in part, a Rescindable Amount.

ARTICLE VIII

CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES

Section 8.1 Inability to Determine Rates; Replacement of Relevant Rates or Successor Rates.

(a) Inability to Determine Rates. If in connection with any request for a Term SOFR Loan, a Daily SOFR Loan or an Alternative Currency Loan, a conversion of a Base Rate Loan or a Term SOFR Loan to a Daily SOFR Loan, a conversion of a Base Rate Loan or a Daily SOFR Loan to a Term SOFR Loan or a continuation of any Term SOFR Loan or any Alternative Currency Term Rate Loan, (i) the Administrative Agent reasonably determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that (A) no Successor Rate for the Relevant Rate for the applicable Agreed Currency has been determined in accordance with Section 8.1(b) or Section 8.1(c) and the circumstances under clause (i) of Section 8.1(b) or of Section 8.1(c), or the Scheduled Unavailability Date or the SOFR Scheduled Unavailability Date, has occurred with respect to such Relevant Rate (as applicable), or (B) adequate and reasonable means do not otherwise exist for determining the Relevant Rate for the applicable Agreed Currency for any determination date(s) or requested Interest Period, as applicable, with respect to a proposed Term SOFR Loan, Daily SOFR Loan or Alternative Currency Loan or in connection with an existing or proposed Base Rate Loan, or (ii) the Administrative Agent or the Required Banks determine for any reason that the Relevant Rate with respect to a proposed Loan (other than a Competitive Bid Loan) denominated in an Agreed Currency for any requested Interest Period or determination date(s) does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Banks of funding such Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Bank.

 

113


Thereafter, (x) the obligation of the Banks to make or maintain Loans in the affected currencies, as applicable, or to convert Base Rate Loans or Term SOFR Loans to Daily SOFR (if affected) Loans or to convert Base Rate Loans or Daily SOFR Loans to Term SOFR Loans (if affected) shall be suspended in each case to the extent of the affected Alternative Currency Loans or Interest Period or determination date(s), as applicable, and (y) in the event of a determination described in the preceding sentence with respect to the Term SOFR component of the Base Rate, the utilization of the Term SOFR component in determining the Base Rate shall be suspended, in each case until the Administrative Agent (or, in the case of a determination by the Required Banks described in clause (ii) of this Section 8.1(a), until the Administrative Agent upon instruction of the Required Banks) revokes such notice.

Upon receipt of such notice, (i) the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, or conversion to Daily SOFR Loans, Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Term SOFR Loans or Borrowing or continuation of Alternative Currency Loans to the extent of the affected Alternative Currency Loans or Interest Period or determination date(s), as applicable or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of (x) to extent unaffected, Daily SOFR Loans, or if Daily SOFR Loans are unavailable, (y) Base Rate Loans, in each case, denominated in Dollars in the Dollar Equivalent of the amount specified therein and (ii) (A) any outstanding Daily SOFR Loans (if affected) shall be deemed to have been converted to Base Rate Loans immediately, in the case of a Daily SOFR Loan, or at the end of the applicable Interest Period in the case of a Term SOFR Loan (or immediately if it is illegal at such time for such Bank to determine or charge interest rates based upon Term SOFR), (B) any outstanding Term SOFR Loans (if affected) shall be deemed to have been converted to Daily SOFR Loans (if unaffected) or if Daily SOFR Loans are unavailable, Base Rate Loans at the end of the applicable Interest Period (or immediately if it is illegal at such time for such Bank to determine or charge interest rates based upon Term SOFR), and (C) any outstanding affected Alternative Currency Loans, at the Borrower’s election, shall either (1) be converted into a Borrowing of (x) to extent unaffected, Daily SOFR Loans, or if Daily SOFR Loans are unavailable, (y) Base Rate Loans, in each case, denominated in Dollars in the Dollar Equivalent of the amount of such outstanding Alternative Currency Loan immediately, in the case of an Alternative Currency Daily Rate Loan or at the end of the applicable Interest Period, in the case of an Alternative Currency Term Rate Loan or (2) be prepaid in full immediately, in the case of an Alternative Currency Daily Rate Loan, or at the end of the applicable Interest Period, in the case of an Alternative Currency Term Rate Loan; provided that if no election is made by the Borrower (x) in the case of an Alternative Currency Daily Rate Loan, by the date that is three Business Days after receipt by the Borrower of such notice or (y) in the case of an Alternative Currency Term Rate Loan, by the last day of the current Interest Period for the applicable Alternative Currency Term Rate Loan, the Borrower shall be deemed to have elected clause (1) above.

(b) Replacement of SOFR or SOFR Successor Rate. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, if the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error), or the Borrower or Required Banks notify the Administrative Agent (with, in the case of the Required Banks, a copy to the Borrower) that the Borrower or Required Banks (as applicable) have determined, that:

 

114


(i) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining both Daily Simple SOFR and one month, three month and six month Interest Periods of Term SOFR (for clarification, none of Daily Simple SOFR or Term SOFR for Interest Periods of one month, three months and six months are ascertainable), including because SOFR is not available or published on a current basis or the Term SOFR Screen Rate is not available or published on a current basis, and such circumstances are unlikely to be temporary;

(ii) the Applicable Authority has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which SOFR, one month, three month and six month Interest Periods for Term SOFR and the Term SOFR Screen Rate shall or will no longer be representative or made available, or permitted to be used for determining the interest rate of syndicated loans denominated in Dollars, or shall or will otherwise cease, provided that at the time of such statement, there are no successor administrators that are satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that will continue to provide SOFR or such Interest Periods of Term SOFR, as applicable, after such specific date (the latest date on which each of Daily Simple SOFR, one month, three month and six month Interest Periods for Term SOFR and the Term SOFR Screen Rate are no longer representative or available permanently or indefinitely, the “SOFR Scheduled Unavailability Date”); or

if the events or circumstances of the type described in Section 8.1(b)(i) or (ii) have occurred with respect to the SOFR Successor Rate then in effect, then the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may amend this Agreement solely for the purpose of replacing SOFR and/or Term SOFR for Dollars or any then current SOFR Successor Rate for Dollars in accordance with this Section 8.1 with an alternative benchmark rate giving due consideration to any evolving or then existing convention for similar credit facilities syndicated and agented in the United States and denominated in Dollars for such alternative benchmarks, and, in each case, including any mathematical or other adjustments to such benchmark giving due consideration to any evolving or then existing convention for similar credit facilities syndicated and agented in the United States and denominated in Dollars for such benchmarks (and any such proposed rate, including for the avoidance of doubt, any adjustment thereto, a “SOFR Successor Rate”), and 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 Banks and the Borrower unless, prior to such time, Banks comprising the Required Banks have delivered to the Administrative Agent written notice that such Required Banks object to such amendment.

(c) Replacement of Relevant Rate for Alternative Currencies or Non-SOFR Successor Rate. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, if the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error), or the Borrower or Required Banks notify the Administrative Agent (with, in the case of the Required Banks, a copy to the Borrower) that the Borrower or Required Banks (as applicable) have determined, that:

(i) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Relevant Rate for an Alternative Currency because none of the tenors of such Relevant Rate under this Agreement is available or published on a current basis and such circumstances are unlikely to be temporary; or

 

115


(ii) the Applicable Authority has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which all tenors of the Relevant Rate for an Alternative Currency under this Agreement shall or will no longer be representative or made available, or permitted to be used for determining the interest rate of syndicated loans denominated in such Alternative Currency, or shall or will otherwise cease, provided that, in each case, at the time of such statement, there is no successor administrator that is satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that will continue to provide such representative tenor(s) of the Relevant Rate for such Alternative Currency (the latest date on which all tenors of the Relevant Rate for such Alternative Currency under this Agreement are no longer representative or available permanently or indefinitely, the “Scheduled Unavailability Date”); or

if the events or circumstances of the type described in Section 8.1(c)(i) or (ii) have occurred with respect to the Non-SOFR Successor Rate then in effect, then, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may amend this Agreement solely for the purpose of replacing the Relevant Rate for an Alternative Currency or any then current Successor Rate for an Alternative Currency in accordance with this Section 8.1 with an alternative benchmark rate giving due consideration to any evolving or then existing convention for similar credit facilities syndicated and agented in the United States and denominated in such Alternative Currency for such alternative benchmarks, and, in each case, including any mathematical or other adjustments to such benchmark giving due consideration to any evolving or then existing convention for similar credit facilities syndicated and agented in the United States and denominated in such Alternative Currency for such benchmarks (and any such proposed rate, including for the avoidance of doubt, any adjustment thereto, a “Non-SOFR Successor Rate”, and collectively with the SOFR Successor Rate, each a “Successor Rate”), and 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 Banks and the Borrower unless, prior to such time, Banks comprising the Required Banks have delivered to the Administrative Agent written notice that such Required Banks object to such amendment.

(d) Successor Rate. The Administrative Agent will promptly (in one or more notices) notify the Borrower and each Bank 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.

Notwithstanding anything else herein, if at any time any Successor Rate as so determined would otherwise be less than zero, the Successor Rate will be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

In connection with the implementation of a Successor Rate, the Administrative Agent 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 Banks reasonably promptly after such amendment becomes effective.

 

116


(e) Exclusion of Certain Banks. For purposes of this Section 8.1, those Banks that either have not made, or do not have an obligation under this Agreement to make, the relevant Loans in the relevant Alternative Currency shall be excluded from any determination of Required Banks.

Section 8.2 Illegality. If any Bank reasonably determines that any Law, governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order (in each case whether or not having the force of law) has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Bank or its Applicable Lending Office to perform any of its obligations hereunder or make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to a Relevant Rate, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon a Relevant Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Bank to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, any Alternative Currency in the applicable interbank market, then, upon notice thereof by such Bank to the Borrower (through the Administrative Agent), (a) any obligation of such Bank to make or maintain Alternative Currency Loans in the affected currency or currencies or, in the case of Loans denominated in Dollars, to make or maintain Term SOFR Loans or Daily SOFR Loans or to convert Base Rate Loans or Daily SOFR Loans to Term SOFR Loans or Base Rate Loans or Term SOFR Loans to Daily SOFR Loans shall be, in each case to the extent affected, suspended, and (b) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Bank making or maintaining Base Rate Loans the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the Term SOFR component of the Base Rate, the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Bank shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Term SOFR component of the Base Rate, in each case until such Bank notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, (i) the Borrower shall, upon demand from such Bank (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay all Term SOFR Loans, Daily SOFR Loans and/or Alternative Currency Loans, as applicable, in the affected currency or currencies or, if applicable, and such Loans are denominated in Dollars, convert all Term SOFR Loans and/or Daily SOFR Loans of such Bank to (x) Daily SOFR Loans (if unaffected) or (y) if Daily SOFR Loans are unavailable, Base Rate Loans (the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Bank shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Term SOFR component of the Base Rate), in each case, immediately, or in the case of Term SOFR Loans and Alternative Currency Term Rate Loans on the last day of the Interest Period therefor if such Bank may lawfully continue to maintain such Term SOFR Loans or Alternative Currency Term Rate Loans, as applicable, to such day and (ii) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Bank determining or charging interest rates based upon Term SOFR, the Administrative Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the Base Rate applicable to such Bank without reference to the Term SOFR component thereof until the Administrative Agent is advised in writing by such Bank that it is no longer illegal for such Bank to determine or charge interest rates based upon Term SOFR. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 2.13.

 

117


If, at any time, any Bank exercises its rights under the preceding paragraph and provides the notice described in clause (a) of the preceding paragraph, the Borrower shall have the right, upon five (5) Business Days’ notice to the Administrative Agent, to either (x) cause a bank reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent to offer to purchase the Commitments of such Bank for an amount equal to such Bank’s outstanding Loans and all amounts due such Bank hereunder (including, without limitation, interest, Facility Fees, Letter of Credit Fees and all amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.13), and to become a Bank hereunder, or obtain the agreement of one or more existing Banks to offer to purchase the Commitments of such Bank for such amount, which offer such Bank is hereby required to accept, or (y) repay in full all Loans then outstanding of such Bank, together with interest thereon, Facility Fees, Letter of Credit Fees and all other amounts due such Bank hereunder (including, without limitation, amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.13), upon which event, such Bank’s Commitment shall be deemed to be cancelled and may not be reinstated. Any Bank subject to this paragraph shall retain the benefits of Sections 2.16(h), 8.3, 8.4 and 9.3 for the period prior to such purchase or cancellation.

Section 8.3 Increased Cost and Reduced Return.

(a) If any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve (and any such requirement consisting of a reserve ratio requirement or analogous requirement of any central banking or financial regulatory authority), special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office) or any Fronting Bank;

(ii) subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or

(iii) impose on any Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office) or on any Fronting Bank or any applicable interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) materially more burdensome in nature, extent or consequence than those in existence as of the Closing Date, affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Bank or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office) of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Bank or such Fronting Bank of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit) or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office) or such Fronting Bank under this Agreement or under its Note with respect to such Loans, by an amount deemed by such Bank to be material, then, within 15 days after demand by such Bank or Fronting Bank (in each case, with a copy to the Administrative Agent), the

 

118


Borrower shall pay to such Bank or Fronting Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts (based upon a reasonable allocation thereof by such Bank to the Loans made by such Bank hereunder and the Letters of Credit issued by such Fronting Bank) as will compensate such Bank or Fronting Bank for such increased cost or reduction to the extent such Bank or Fronting Bank, as applicable, generally imposes such additional amounts on other borrowers of such Bank or Fronting Bank, as the case may be, in similar circumstances.

(b) If any Bank or Fronting Bank shall have reasonably determined that any Change in Law regarding capital adequacy or liquidity ratios or requirements, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on capital of such Bank or such Fronting Bank (or such Bank’s or such Fronting Bank’s Parent) as a consequence of such Bank’s or such Fronting Bank’s obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Bank or such Fronting Bank (or such Bank’s or such Fronting Bank’s Parent) could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration its policies with respect to capital adequacy or liquidity) by an amount reasonably deemed by such Bank or such Fronting Bank to be material, then from time to time, within 15 days after demand by such Bank or such Fronting Bank (in each case, with a copy to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall pay to such Bank or such Fronting Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Bank or such Fronting Bank (or such Bank’s or such Fronting Bank’s Parent) for such reduction suffered to the extent such Bank or such Fronting Bank (or such Bank’s or such Fronting Bank’s Parent), as applicable, generally imposes such additional amounts on other borrowers of such Bank or such Fronting Bank in similar circumstances.

(c) Each Bank and Fronting Bank will promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of any event of which it has knowledge, occurring after the date hereof, which will entitle such Bank or Fronting Bank to compensation pursuant to this Section 8.3 and will designate a different Applicable Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for, or reduce the amount of, such compensation and will not, in the reasonable judgment of such Bank or Fronting Bank, be otherwise disadvantageous to such Bank or Fronting Bank. If such Bank or Fronting Bank shall fail to notify the Borrower of any such event within 90 days following the end of the month during which such event occurred, then Borrower’s liability for any amounts described in this Section incurred by such Bank or Fronting Bank, as the case may be, as a result of such event shall be limited to those attributable to the period occurring subsequent to the ninetieth (90th) day prior to the date upon which such Bank or Fronting Bank actually notified the Borrower of the occurrence of such event. A certificate of any Bank or Fronting Bank claiming compensation under this Section 8.3 and setting forth a reasonably detailed calculation of the additional amount or amounts to be paid to it hereunder shall be conclusive in the absence of demonstrable error. In determining such amount, such Bank or Fronting Bank may use any reasonable averaging and attribution methods.

(d) If at any time, any Bank shall be owed amounts pursuant to this Section 8.3, the Borrower shall have the right, upon five (5) Business Days’ notice to the Administrative Agent to either (x) cause a bank reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent to offer to purchase the Commitments of such Bank for an amount equal to such Bank’s outstanding Loans and all amounts due such Bank hereunder (including, without limitation, interest, Facility Fees, Letter of Credit Fees and all amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.13 and this Section 8.3), and to become

 

119


a Bank hereunder, or to obtain the agreement of one or more existing Banks to offer to purchase the Commitments of such Bank for such amount, which offer such Bank is hereby required to accept, or (y) repay in full all Loans then outstanding of such Bank, together with interest thereon, Facility Fees, Letter of Credit Fees and all other amounts due such Bank hereunder (including, without limitation, amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.13 and this Section 8.3), upon which event, such Bank’s Commitment shall be deemed to be cancelled and may not be reinstated. Any Bank subject to this Section 8.3(d) shall retain the benefits of Sections 2.16(h), 8.3, 8.4 and 9.3 for the period prior to such purchase or cancellation.

Section 8.4 Taxes.

(a) Payments Free of Taxes; Obligation to Withhold; Payments on Account of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower, EQR or any Down REIT under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable Law. If any 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 a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower, EQR or any Down REIT shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.

(b) Payment of Other Taxes. The Borrower, each Qualified Borrower, EQR and each Down REIT shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law.

(c) Indemnifications by the Borrower et al. The Borrower, each Qualified Borrower and each Guarantor shall, and hereby does, indemnify each Recipient, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 15 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. The Borrower shall, and does hereby, indemnify Administrative Agent, and shall make payment in respect thereof within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for any amount which a Bank for any reason fails to pay to Administrative Agent as required pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Bank (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Bank, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

120


(d) Indemnification by the Banks. Each Bank shall, and hereby does, severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 15 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Bank (but only to the extent that the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Bank’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.6 relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Bank, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such 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 any Bank by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Bank hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Bank under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Bank from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (d). In addition, each Bank shall, and hereby does, severally indemnify the Borrower for any payment made by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the penultimate sentence of Section 8.4(c) with respect to amounts payable by such Bank under either clause (ii) or (iii) above, and, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each Bank hereby authorizes the Borrower to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Bank under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Borrower to the Bank from any other source against any amount due to the Borrower under this paragraph (d).

(e) Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower or any Guarantor or by the Administrative Agent to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 8.4, the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent or the Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Borrower, as the case may be, the original or a copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be.

(f) Status of Banks; Tax Documentation. (i) Any Bank that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Bank, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable Law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Bank is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 8.4(f)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Bank’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Bank to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Bank.

 

121


(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is a U.S. Person,

(A) any Bank that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Bank becomes a Bank under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Bank is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;

(B) any Foreign Bank shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Bank becomes a Bank under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

(1) in the case of a Foreign Bank claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or W-8BEN, as applicable) establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or W-8BEN, as applicable) establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

(2) executed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI;

(3) in the case of a Foreign Bank claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit J-1 to the effect that such Foreign Bank is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or W-8BEN, as applicable); or

(4) to the extent a Foreign Bank is not the beneficial owner, executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or W-8BEN, as applicable), a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit J-2 or Exhibit J-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Bank is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Bank are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Bank may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit J-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

 

122


(C) any Foreign Bank shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Bank becomes a Bank under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of any other form prescribed by applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable Law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

(D) if a payment made to a Bank under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Bank 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 Bank 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 Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Bank has complied with such Bank’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.

Each Bank agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

(g) Treatment of Certain Refunds. 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 8.4 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 8.4), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments 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 (g) (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 (g), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (g) 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.

 

123


(h) Designation of a Different Applicable Lending Office. If the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower is required to pay additional amounts to or for the account of any Bank pursuant to this Section 8.4, then such Bank will (at the request of the Borrower) use reasonable efforts to change the jurisdiction of its Applicable Lending Office so as to eliminate or reduce any such additional payment which may thereafter accrue if such change, in the judgment of such Bank, (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to this Section 8.4 in the future, and (ii) would not subject such Bank to any unreimbursed cost or expense and is not otherwise disadvantageous to such Bank. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Bank in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(i) Replacement of Banks. Each Bank may make any Borrowings and LC Credit Extensions to the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower through any Applicable Lending Office; provided that the exercise of this option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower to repay such credit extension in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. If, at any time, any Bank shall be owed amounts pursuant to this Section 8.4 and such Bank has declined or is unable to change the jurisdiction of its Applicable Lending Office in accordance with paragraph (h) of this Section 8.4, the Borrower shall, at its sole expense and effort, have the right, upon five (5) Business Days’ notice to the Administrative Agent to either (x) cause a bank reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent to offer to purchase the Commitments of such Bank for an amount equal to such Bank’s outstanding Loans and all amounts due such Bank hereunder (including, without limitation, interest, Facility Fees, Letter of Credit Fees and all amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.13 and this Section 8.4), and to become a Bank hereunder, or to obtain the agreement of one or more existing Banks to offer to purchase the Commitments of such Bank for such amount, which offer such Bank is hereby required to accept, or (y) repay in full all Loans then outstanding of such Bank, together with interest thereon, Facility Fees, Letter of Credit Fees and all other amounts due such Bank hereunder (including, without limitation, amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.13 and this Section 8.4), upon which event, such Bank’s Commitment shall be deemed to be cancelled. Any Bank subject to this Section 8.4(i) shall retain the benefits of Sections 2.16(h), 8.3, 8.4 and 9.3 for the period prior to such purchase or cancellation.

Section 8.5 Base Rate Loans Substituted for Affected Loans. If (i) the obligation of any Bank to make any SOFR Loans or Alternative Currency Loans has been suspended pursuant to Section 8.2 or (ii) any Bank has demanded compensation under Section 8.3 or 8.4 with respect to its SOFR Loans or Alternative Currency Loans, and the Borrower shall, by at least five (5) Business Days’ prior notice to such Bank through the Administrative Agent, have elected that the provisions of this Section shall apply to such Bank, then, unless and until such Bank notifies the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such suspension or demand for compensation no longer exist:

(a) the Borrower shall be deemed to have delivered a Notice of Interest Rate Election with respect to such affected Term SOFR Loans and/or Daily SOFR Loans, as the case may be, and thereafter all Loans which would otherwise be made by such Bank as Term SOFR Loans (with respect to the affected Interest Periods) and/or Daily SOFR Loans, as applicable, shall be made instead as (x) to extent unaffected, Daily SOFR Loans, or (y) if Daily SOFR Loans are unavailable, Base Rate Loans(on which interest and principal shall be payable contemporaneously with the related SOFR Loans and/or Alternative Currency Loans of the other Banks), and no Borrowing from such Bank shall take effect with respect to any affected Alternative Currency Loans, and

 

124


(b) after each of its Term SOFR Loans and Daily SOFR Loans has been repaid, all payments of principal which would otherwise be applied to repay such Term SOFR Loans or Daily SOFR Loans shall be applied to repay its Base Rate Loans instead, and

(c) the Borrower will not be required to make any payment which would otherwise be required by Section 2.13 with respect to such Term SOFR Loans or Daily SOFR Loans converted to Base Rate Loans pursuant to clause (a) above.

Section 8.6 Survival. Each party’s obligations under this Article VIII shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Bank, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 9.1 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 facsimile or electronic mail 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) in the case of the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any Fronting Bank, at its address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified on Schedule 9.1, and

(ii) in the case of any other Bank, at its address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire (including, as appropriate, notices delivered solely to the Person designated by a Bank on its Administrative Questionnaire then in effect for the delivery of notices that may contain material non-public information relating to the Borrower).

Each such notice, request or other communication shall be effective (i) if given by facsimile transmission, when such facsimile is transmitted to the facsimile number specified in this Section and the appropriate facsimile confirmation is received, (ii) if given by certified registered mail, return receipt requested, with first class postage prepaid, addressed as aforesaid, upon receipt or refusal to accept delivery, (iii) if given by a nationally recognized overnight carrier, 24 hours after such communication is deposited with such carrier with postage prepaid for next day delivery, or

 

125


(iv) if given by any other means, when delivered at the address specified in this Section; provided that notices to the Administrative Agent under Article II or Article VIII shall not be effective until received; provided further that 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). The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Banks of any change in the address of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent.

(b) Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Banks and the Fronting Banks hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail, FpML messaging, and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Bank or any Fronting Bank pursuant to Article II if such Bank or Fronting Bank, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent, any Fronting Bank or the Borrower may each, 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), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website or an electronic platform or transmitted by electronic transmission system 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 or platform therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii), if such notice, e-mail or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice, e-mail or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.

Section 9.2 No Waivers. No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent or any Bank in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder or under any Note shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

Section 9.3 Expenses; Indemnification.

(a) Expenses. The Borrower shall pay within thirty (30) days after receipt of a reasonably detailed invoice from the Administrative Agent, (i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent and the Co-Syndication Agents (including reasonable fees and disbursements of special counsel Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP), in connection with the preparation of this Agreement, the Loan Documents and the documents and instruments referred to therein, and any waiver or consent hereunder or any amendment hereof or any Default or Event of Default or alleged Default or Event of Default (and in the case of attorneys’ fees for the Administrative Agent and the Co-Syndication Agents, shall be limited to a single outside law firm representing Administrative Agent), (ii) all reasonable and

 

126


documented fees and disbursements of special counsel Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP in connection with the syndication of the Loans and (iii) if an Event of Default occurs, all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, each Fronting Bank and each Bank (the Administrative Agent shall promptly submit any expenses of any of the Fronting Banks and Banks to the Borrower for reimbursement), including fees and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent, each Fronting Bank and each of the Banks, in connection with the enforcement of the Loan Documents and the instruments referred to therein and such Event of Default and collection, bankruptcy, insolvency and other enforcement proceedings resulting therefrom; provided, however, that the attorneys’ fees and disbursements for which the Borrower is obligated under this subsection (a)(iii) shall be limited to the reasonable non-duplicative fees and disbursements of (A) counsel for Administrative Agent, and (B) counsel for all of the Banks as a group; and provided, further, that all other costs and expenses for which the Borrower is obligated under this subsection (a)(iii) shall be limited to the reasonable non-duplicative costs and expenses of Administrative Agent. For purposes of this Section 9.3(a)(iii), (1) counsel for Administrative Agent shall mean a single outside law firm representing Administrative Agent, and (2) counsel for all of the Banks as a group shall mean a single outside law firm representing such Banks as a group (which law firm may or may not be the same law firm representing any or all of the Administrative Agent and/or a Co-Syndication Agent).

(b) Indemnity. The Borrower agrees to indemnify each Co-Syndication Agent, the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Joint Lead Arranger, each Fronting Bank and each Bank, their respective Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, agents and employees of the foregoing (each an “Indemnitee”) and hold each Indemnitee harmless from and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages, costs and expenses of any kind, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel, which may be incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding that may at any time (including, without limitation, at any time following the payment of the Obligations) be asserted against any Indemnitee, as a result of, or arising out of, or in any way related to or by reason of, (i) any of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents or the execution, delivery or performance of any Loan Document (including, without limitation, the Indemnitee’s reliance on any Communication executed using an Electronic Signature, or in the form of an Electronic Record), (ii) any violation by the Borrower, EQR or the Environmental Affiliates of any applicable Environmental Law, (iii) any Environmental Claim arising out of the management, use, control, ownership or operation of Property by the Borrower, EQR or any of the Environmental Affiliates, including, without limitation, all on-site and off-site activities of the Borrower or any Environmental Affiliate involving Materials of Environmental Concern, (iv) the breach of any environmental representation or warranty set forth herein, IN ALL CASES, WHETHER OR NOT CAUSED BY OR ARISING, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, OUT OF THE COMPARATIVE, CONTRIBUTORY OR SOLE NEGLIGENCE OF SUCH INDEMNITEE, but excluding those liabilities, losses, damages, costs and expenses (a) for which such Indemnitee has been compensated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (b) incurred solely by reason of the gross negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith or fraud of any Indemnitee as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and non-appealable judgment, (c) violations of Environmental Laws relating to a Property which are caused by the act or omission of such Indemnitee after such Indemnitee takes possession of such Property, (d) any liability of such Indemnitee to any third party based upon contractual obligations of such Indemnitee owing to such third party which are not expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, (e)

 

127


resulting from a claim by the Borrower, EQR, a Down REIT or a Qualified Borrower against an Indemnitee for a material breach by such Indemnitee of its obligations under any Loan Document if the Borrower, EQR or such Down REIT or Qualified Borrower, as applicable, has obtained a final and non-appealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction and (f) resulting from a claim not involving an act or omission of the Borrower, EQR, any Down REIT or any of their Subsidiaries and that is brought by an Indemnitee against another Indemnitee (other than an Indemnitee acting in its role as the Administrative Agent or a Joint Lead Arranger). In addition, the indemnification set forth in this Section 9.3(b) in favor of any director, officer, agent or employee of the Administrative Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger, any Fronting Bank, any Co-Syndication Agent or any Bank shall be solely in his or her respective capacity as such director, officer, agent or employee. The Borrower’s obligations under this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Obligations.

Section 9.4 Sharing of Set-Offs. In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable Law or otherwise, and not by way of limitation of any such rights, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, each Bank is hereby authorized at any time or from time to time, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind to the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower or to any other Person, any such notice being hereby expressly waived, but subject to the prior consent of the Administrative Agent, to set off and to appropriate and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) and any other indebtedness at any time held or owing by such Bank (including, without limitation, by branches and agencies of such Bank wherever located) to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower against and on account of the Obligations of the Borrower or such Qualified Borrower then due and payable to such Bank under this Agreement or under any of the other Loan Documents, including, without limitation, all interests in Obligations purchased by such Bank. Each Bank agrees that if it shall by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise (except pursuant to Sections 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 or 9.6), receive payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of principal and interest due with respect to any Loan held by it or Letter of Credit participated in by it, or, in the case of a Fronting Bank, Letter of Credit issued by it, which is greater than the proportion received by any other Bank or Letter of Credit issued or participated in by such other Bank, the Bank receiving such proportionately greater payment shall purchase such participations in the Loans held by the other Banks, and such other adjustments shall be made, as may be required so that all such payments of principal and interest with respect to the Loans held by the Banks or Letter of Credit issued or participated in by such other Banks shall be shared by the Banks pro rata; provided, that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of set-off, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.16 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Fronting Banks and the Banks, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff; provided further that nothing in this Section shall impair the right of any Bank to exercise any right of set-off or counterclaim it may have to any deposits not received in connection with the Loans and to apply the amount subject to such exercise to the payment of indebtedness of the Borrower other than its indebtedness in respect of the Loans or Letters of Credit. The Borrower, for itself and on behalf of any Qualified Borrower, agrees, to the fullest extent it may effectively do so under applicable Law, that any holder of a participation in a Loan or a Letter of

 

128


Credit, whether or not acquired pursuant to the foregoing arrangements, may exercise rights of set-off or counterclaim and other rights with respect to such participation as fully as if such holder of a participation were a direct creditor of the Borrower or such Qualified Borrower in the amount of such participation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Bank may, by separate agreement with the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower, waive its right to set off contained herein or granted by law and any such written waiver shall be effective against such Bank under this Section 9.4.

Section 9.5 Amendments and Waivers. Subject to Section 2.10(c), Section 2.4(g), Section 8.1 and clause (b) and (c) of the second paragraph of this Section 9.5, and except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any provision of this Agreement or the Notes, the Letter of Credit Documents or other Loan Documents may be amended or waived if, but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed by the Borrower and the Required Banks (and, if the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent or any Fronting Bank in its capacity as Administrative Agent or Fronting Bank, as applicable, are affected thereby, by the Administrative Agent or Fronting Banks, as applicable); provided that no such amendment or waiver with respect to this Agreement, the Notes, the Letter of Credit Documents or any other Loan Documents shall, unless signed or consented to by (A) each Bank directly affected thereby, (i) increase or decrease the Commitment of any Bank (except for a ratable decrease in the Commitments of all Banks or any termination of any Commitments pursuant to Sections 8.3, 8.4, 8.5 or 9.16) or subject any Bank to any additional obligation (it being understood and agreed that a waiver of any condition precedent set forth in Section 3.1 or 3.2, or any Default or Event of Default is not considered an increase in the Commitments or an additional obligation of any Bank), (ii) reduce the principal of or rate of interest on any Loan or any fees hereunder (provided that only the consent of the Required Banks shall be required for the waiver of interest payable at the Default Rate, retraction of imposition of interest at the Default Rate and amendment of the definition of “Default Rate”), (iii) postpone the date fixed for any payment of principal of or interest on any Loan or any fees hereunder or for any reduction or termination of any Commitment or extend the term of any Letter of Credit beyond twelve (12) months after the Maturity Date (except as any Consenting Bank may expressly agree in accordance with Section 2.9(b) or otherwise) or (iv) amend Section 2.10 or the definition of “Alternative Currency”, and (B) each Bank, (i) change (x) the percentage of the Commitments (except pursuant to Sections 2.1(b), 2.9(d), 2.9(f), 8.3, 8.4, 8.5 or 9.16) or of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans, or the number of Banks, which shall be required for the Banks or any of them to take any action under this Section or any other provision of this Agreement or (y) any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Banks which are required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, (ii) after EQR provides the Parent Guaranty, release the Parent Guaranty (provided that it be understood and agreed that only the consent of the Required Banks shall be required to amend, modify or waive the provisions of Sections 5.14 or 5.15 or otherwise waive any requirement to provide the Parent Guaranty), (iii) modify the definition of “Required Banks”, (iv) waive any condition set forth in Section 3.1 (provided the execution and delivery of this Agreement by each Bank shall be deemed such Bank’s acceptance that all such conditions have been satisfied), (v) modify Section 6.5 or any other provision hereof in a manner that would have the effect of altering the ratable reduction of Commitments, pro rata payments or the pro rata sharing of payments, or the order of application of payments, otherwise required hereunder, (vi) adopt or amend any provision that subordinates, or has the effect of subordinating, the Obligations hereunder to any other Indebtedness or other obligation, (vii) except in accordance

 

129


with Section 9.25(b), release the Borrower from any of its obligations under a Qualified Borrower Guaranty, or (viii) modify the provisions of this Section 9.5; provided further, that no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Banks above, amend or waive, or consent to any departure from, Section 8.1, any term defined in such section, any term defined in any other section or provision in this Agreement relating to SOFR, Daily Simple SOFR, Term SOFR, any Alternative Currency Daily Rate, any Alternative Currency Term Rate, any Relevant Rate or any Successor Rate, or any term or provision relating to the replacement of any such rate or Successor Rate.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein:

(a) no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Banks or each affected Bank may be effected with the consent of the applicable Banks other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (x) the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Bank and (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Banks or each affected Bank that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender disproportionately adversely relative to other affected Banks shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender;

(b) the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may, with the consent of the other (but without the consent of any Bank or other Person), amend, modify or supplement this Agreement and any other Loan Document to cure any ambiguity, omission, typographical error, mistake, defect or inconsistency if such amendment, modification or supplement does not adversely affect the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Bank;

(c) this Agreement may be amended (or amended and restated) with only the written consent of Administrative Agent and the Borrower (i) to provide for an increase in Commitments and the making of term loans as contemplated by, and subject to the limitations in, Section 2.1(b) and to permit the extensions of credit and all related obligations and liabilities arising in connection therewith from time to time outstanding, including all accrued interest and fees in respect thereof, to share ratably (or on a basis subordinated to the existing Loans and Commitments hereunder) in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the obligations and liabilities from time to time outstanding in respect of the existing Loans and Commitments hereunder and (ii) in connection with the foregoing, to permit, as deemed appropriate by the Administrative Agent and the Banks providing such Commitments or term loans to participate in any required vote or action required to be approved by the Required Banks or by any other number, percentage or class of Banks hereunder;

(d) this Agreement may be amended with the written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower, and the Fronting Banks and/or the Banks affected thereby to amend the definition of “Alternative Currency” or “Alternative Currency Daily Rate” or “Alternative Currency Term Rate” or “Relevant Rate” or Section 2.10 solely to add additional currency options and the applicable interest rate with respect thereto, in each case solely to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 2.10; and

 

130


(e) this Agreement may be amended and restated without the consent of any Bank (but with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent) if, upon giving effect to such amendment and restatement, such Bank shall no longer be a party to this Agreement (as so amended and restated), the Commitments of such Bank shall have terminated, such Bank shall have no other commitment or other obligation hereunder and shall have been paid in full all principal, interest and other amounts owing to it or accrued for its account under this Agreement.

At such time as the Borrower shall sell its interest in any Down REIT to an unaffiliated third party in an arms-length transaction, the Down REIT Guaranty of such Down REIT shall be deemed to have terminated and be released, and the Banks hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to enter into an agreement, confirming the termination and release of such Down REIT Guaranty, at the Borrower’s sole cost and expense to the extent required by Section 9.3(a).

If any Bank is a Non-Consenting Bank, then the Borrower shall have the right, at its sole expense and effort, upon five (5) Business Days’ notice to such Non-Consenting Bank and the Administrative Agent, to either (x) cause a bank, reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, to offer to purchase at par the Commitments of such Bank for an amount equal to such Non-Consenting Bank’s outstanding Loans and all amounts due such Bank hereunder (including, without limitation, interest, Facility Fees, Letter of Credit Fees and all amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.13), and to become a Bank hereunder, or obtain the agreement of one or more existing Banks to offer to purchase at par the Commitments of such Bank for such amount, which offer such Bank is hereby required to accept, or (y) repay in full all Loans then outstanding of such Bank, together with interest thereon, Facility Fees, Letter of Credit Fees and all other amounts due such Bank hereunder (including, without limitation, amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.13), upon which event, such Bank’s Commitment shall be deemed to be cancelled and may not be reinstated; provided that, in the case of an assignment pursuant to clause (x) above:

(a) unless otherwise waived by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee (if any) specified in Section 9.6(c);

(b) such Bank shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and LC Advances, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 2.13) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower or applicable Qualified Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);

(c) such assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws; and

(d) the applicable assignee shall have consented to the applicable amendment, waiver or consent.

A Bank shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Bank or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply. Any Bank subject to this paragraph shall retain the benefits of Sections 2.16(h), 8.3, 8.4 and 9.3 for the period prior to such purchase or cancellation.

 

131


Each party hereto agrees that (a) an assignment required pursuant to this Section 9.5 may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the assignee and (b) the Bank required to make such assignment need not be a party thereto in order for such assignment to be effective and shall be deemed to have consented to be bound by the terms thereof; provided that, following the effectiveness of any such assignment, the other parties to such assignment agree to execute and deliver such documents necessary to evidence such assignment as reasonably requested by the applicable Bank, provided, further that any such documents shall be without recourse to or warranty by the parties thereto.

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 9.5 to the contrary, (i) any Bank that acts as a Fronting Bank may not be replaced hereunder at any time it has any Letter of Credit outstanding hereunder unless arrangements satisfactory to such Bank (including the furnishing of a backstop standby letter of credit in form and substance, and issued by an issuer, reasonably satisfactory to such Fronting Bank or the depositing of cash collateral into a cash collateral account in amounts and pursuant to arrangements reasonably satisfactory to such Fronting Bank) have been made with respect to such outstanding Letter of Credit and (ii) the Bank that acts as the Administrative Agent may not be replaced hereunder except in accordance with the terms of Section 7.8.

Section 9.6 Successors and Assigns.

(a) Generally. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, except that neither the Borrower nor any Qualified Borrower may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents without the prior written consent of all Banks and the Administrative Agent and any Bank may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its interest under this Agreement except as permitted in subsection (b) and (c) of this Section 9.6.

(b) Bank Participations. Any Bank may at any time grant participating interests in its Commitment or any or all of its Loans (i) to an existing Bank or one or more banks, finance companies, insurance companies or other financial institutions in minimum amounts of not less than $5,000,000 (or any lesser amount in the case of participations to an existing Bank or in the case of participations with respect to Competitive Bid Loans only) (it being understood that no Bank may hold Commitments of which less than $10,000,000 in the aggregate is for its own account, unless its Commitments shall have been reduced to zero), provided that, except in the case of a participation to an existing Bank or an Affiliate of an existing Bank, the Borrower shall have consented to such participation, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed (provided that, it shall in all cases be deemed “reasonable” for the Borrower to withhold its consent if the participation is to any Person other than a commercial banking institution with a credit rating for senior, unsecured, long-term indebtedness for borrowed money equal to or better than BBB- with S&P and Baa3 with Moody’s) and (ii) after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to any Person in any amount (in each case, a “Participant”). In the event of any voting participation, the Administrative Agent shall be notified by any such Bank of any such voting participation prior to the same becoming effective. Any participation made during the continuation of an Event of Default shall not be affected by the subsequent cure of such Event of Default. In the event of any such grant by a Bank of a participating interest to a Participant, whether or not upon notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, such Bank shall remain responsible for the performance of its obligations hereunder, and the Borrower and the

 

132


Administrative Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Bank in connection with such Bank’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement pursuant to which any Bank may grant such a participating interest shall provide that such Bank shall retain the sole right and responsibility to enforce the obligations of the Borrower hereunder including, without limitation, the right to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such participation agreement may provide that such Bank will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any modification, amendment or waiver of this Agreement described in clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) of Section 9.5 that affects such Participant. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall, to the extent provided in its participation agreement, be entitled to the benefits of Article VIII with respect to its participating interest to the same extent as if it were a Bank and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 9.6 (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 8.4(f) shall be delivered to the Bank who sells the participation); provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Section 8.4(i) and the provisions of Section 9.5 applicable to a Non-Consenting Bank as if it were an assignee under clause (c) of this Section 9.6 and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 8.3 or 8.4, with respect to any participation, than the Bank from whom it acquired the applicable participation would have been entitled to receive, 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. Each Bank that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 8.4(i) with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by Law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of, and subject to, Section 9.4 as though it were a Bank. An assignment or other transfer which is not permitted by subsection (c) or (d) below shall be given effect for purposes of this Agreement only to the extent of, and subject to the restrictions with respect to, a participating interest granted in accordance with this subsection (b). Each Bank 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 Bank 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 Bank 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.

(c) Bank Assignments. Any Bank may at any time assign to (i) so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (A) an existing Bank or an Approved Fund of a Bank, (B) one or more banks, finance companies, insurance or other financial institutions which (1) has (or, in the case of a bank which is a subsidiary, such bank’s parent has) a rating of its senior debt obligations of not less than Baa-1 by Moody’s or a comparable rating by a rating agency acceptable to Administrative Agent and (2) has total assets in excess of Ten Billion Dollars

 

133


($10,000,000,000) (a “Qualified Institution”), or (C) with the prior consent and approval of the Administrative Agent and each Lead Fronting Bank, a wholly owned affiliate of such transferor Bank if such transferor Bank then meets the requirements of clause (i)(B) or, if such transferor Bank’s parent then meets the requirements of clause (i)(B), a wholly owned affiliate of such parent, in each case in minimum amounts of not less than Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000) and integral multiples of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) thereafter (or any lesser amount in the case of assignments to an existing Bank) (it being understood that no Bank may hold Commitments of less than $10,000,000 in the aggregate, unless its Commitments shall have been reduced to zero) and (ii) after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to any Person in any amount (in each case, an “Assignee”), all or a proportionate part of all, of its rights and obligations under this Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents, and, in either case, such Assignee shall assume such rights and obligations, pursuant to a Transfer Supplement in substantially the form of Exhibit E hereto (a “Transfer Supplement”) executed by such Assignee and such transferor Bank, in each case of clauses (i) and (ii), with (and subject to) the consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lead Fronting Bank and, so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Borrower, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed (provided that, it shall in all cases be deemed “reasonable” for the Borrower to withhold its consent if the assignment is to any assignee other than a commercial banking institution with a credit rating for senior, unsecured, long-term indebtedness for borrowed money equal to or better than BBB- with S&P and Baa3 with Moody’s); provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received notice thereof; provided further that if an Assignee is an affiliate of such transferor Bank which meets the requirements of clause (i)(B) above, an Approved Fund with respect to such transferor Bank or was a Bank immediately prior to such assignment, no such consent shall be required; and provided further that such assignment may, but need not, include rights of the transferor Bank in respect of outstanding Competitive Bid Loans. Upon execution and delivery of such instrument and payment by such Assignee to such transferor Bank of an amount equal to the purchase price agreed between such transferor Bank and such Assignee, such Assignee shall be a Bank party to this Agreement and shall have all the rights and obligations of a Bank with a Commitment as set forth in such instrument of assumption, and no further consent or action by any party shall be required and the transferor Bank shall be released from its obligations hereunder to a corresponding extent. Upon the consummation of any assignment pursuant to this subsection (c), the transferor Bank, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall make appropriate arrangements so that, if required, a new Note is issued to the Assignee. In connection with any such assignment, the transferor Bank shall pay to the Administrative Agent an administrative fee for processing such assignment in the amount of $3,500; provided that such fee shall be paid by the Assignee if such assignment is required by Section 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 or 9.16. If the Assignee is not incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or a state thereof, it shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent certification as to exemption from deduction or withholding of any U.S. federal income taxes in accordance with Section 8.4. Any assignment made during the continuation of an Event of Default shall not be affected by any subsequent cure of such Event of Default.

 

134


(d) Designated Lenders for Competitive Bid Loans. Any Bank (each, a “Designating Lender”) may at any time designate one Designated Lender to fund Competitive Bid Loans on behalf of such Designating Lender subject to the terms of this Section 9.6(d) and the provisions in Sections 9.6(b) and (c) shall not apply to such designation. No Bank may designate more than one (1) Designated Lender at any one time. The parties to each such designation shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent for its acceptance a Designation Agreement. Upon such receipt of an appropriately completed Designation Agreement executed by a Designating Lender and a designee representing that it is a Designated Lender, the Administrative Agent will accept such Designation Agreement and will give prompt notice thereof to the Borrower, whereupon, (i) upon the request of the Designated Lender, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to the Designating Lender a Designated Lender Note payable to the order of the Designated Lender, (ii) from and after the effective date specified in the Designation Agreement, the Designated Lender shall become a party to this Agreement with a right (subject to the provisions of Section 2.3(b)) to make Competitive Bid Loans on behalf of its Designating Lender pursuant to Section 2.3 after the Borrower has accepted a Competitive Bid Loan (or portion thereof) of the Designating Lender, and (iii) the Designated Lender shall not be required to make payments with respect to any obligations in this Agreement except to the extent of excess cash flow of such Designated Lender which is not otherwise required to repay obligations of such Designated Lender which are then due and payable; provided, however, that regardless of such designation and assumption by the Designated Lender, the Designating Lender shall be and remain obligated to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Banks for each and every obligation of the Designating Lender and its related Designated Lender with respect to this Agreement, including, without limitation, any indemnification obligations under Section 7.6 and any sums otherwise payable to the Borrower by the Designated Lender. Each Designating Lender shall serve as the administrative agent of the Designated Lender and shall on behalf of, and to the exclusion of, the Designated Lender: (i) receive any and all payments made for the benefit of the Designated Lender and (ii) give and receive all communications and notices and take all actions hereunder, including, without limitation, votes, approvals, waivers, consents and amendments under or relating to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Any such notice, communication, vote, approval, waiver, consent or amendment shall be signed by the Designating Lender as administrative agent for the Designated Lender and shall not be signed by the Designated Lender on its own behalf and shall be binding upon the Designated Lender to the same extent as if signed by the Designated Lender on its own behalf. The Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Banks may rely thereon without any requirement that the Designated Lender sign or acknowledge the same. No Designated Lender may assign or transfer all or any portion of its interest hereunder or under any other Loan Document, other than assignments to the Designating Lender which originally designated such Designated Lender or otherwise in accordance with the provisions of Sections 9.6 (b) and (c).

(e) Pledge of Bank Rights. Any Bank may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Bank, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Bank from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Bank as a party hereto.

(f) Yield Maintenance Provisions. No Assignee, Participant or other transferee of any Bank’s rights shall be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 8.3 or 8.4 than such Bank would have been entitled to receive with respect to the rights transferred, unless such transfer is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent or by reason of the provisions of Section 8.2, 8.3 or 8.4 requiring such Bank to designate a different Applicable Lending Office under certain circumstances or at a time when the circumstances giving rise to such greater payment did not exist.

 

135


(g) Prohibited Assignments. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, no Bank may grant participations, or assign interests, in the Loans or Letters of Credit to (i) the Borrower, EQR or any of their Subsidiaries or affiliates, (ii) any Defaulting Lender or any of its subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Bank hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (ii), or (iii) a natural Person (or to a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of a natural Person).

(h) Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower (and such agency being solely for tax purposes), shall maintain at the Administrative Agent’s office a copy of each Transfer Supplement delivered to it (or the equivalent thereof in electronic form) and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Banks, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts (and stated interest) of the Loans and Letter of Credit Usage owing to, each Bank 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 and the Banks shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Bank hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Bank, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

Section 9.7 Collateral. Each of the Banks represents to the Administrative Agent and each of the other Banks that it in good faith is not relying upon any “margin stock” (as defined in Regulation U) as collateral in the extension or maintenance of the credit provided for in this Agreement.

Section 9.8 Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction.

(a) THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS (WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE PRINCIPLES THEREOF RELATING TO CONFLICTS OF LAW).

(b) Any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document and any action for enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof may be brought in the courts of the State of Illinois or of the United States of America for the Northern District of Illinois, and, by execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Borrower hereby accepts for itself and in respect of its Property and each Qualified Borrower, generally and unconditionally, the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts and appellate courts from any thereof. The Borrower irrevocably consents, for itself and each Qualified Borrower, to the service of process out of any of the aforementioned courts in any such action or proceeding by the hand delivery, or mailing of copies thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the Borrower or Qualified Borrower in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.1. The Borrower, for itself and each Qualified Borrower, hereby irrevocably waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have

 

136


to the laying of venue of any of the aforesaid actions or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document brought in the courts referred to above and hereby further irrevocably waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Nothing herein shall affect the right of the Administrative Agent to serve process in any other manner permitted by law or to commence legal proceedings or otherwise proceed against the Borrower or any Qualified Borrower in any other jurisdiction.

(c) If, for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder or any other Loan Document in one currency into another currency, the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the first currency with such other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given. The obligation of the Borrower, each Qualified Borrower and each Guarantor in respect of any such sum due from it to the Administrative Agent, any Bank or any Designated Lender hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “Judgment Currency”) other than that in which such sum is denominated in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement (the “Agreement Currency”), be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by the Administrative Agent or such Bank or Designated Lender, as the case may be, of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, the Administrative Agent or such Bank or Designated Lender, as the case may be, may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the Administrative Agent, any Bank or any Designated Lender from the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower or any Guarantor in the Agreement Currency, such Borrower, Qualified Borrower or Guarantor agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the Administrative Agent or such Bank or Designated Lender, as the case may be, against such loss. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is greater than the sum originally due to the Administrative Agent, any Bank or any Designated Lender in such currency, the Administrative Agent or such Bank or Designated Lender, as the case may be, agrees to return the amount of any excess to such Borrower, Qualified Borrower or Guarantor (or to any other Person who may be entitled thereto under applicable Law).

Section 9.9 Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent, any Fronting Bank or any Joint Lead Arranger, constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 3.1, this Agreement shall become effective upon receipt by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower of counterparts hereof signed by each of the parties hereto (or, in the case of any party as to which an executed counterpart shall not have been received, receipt by the Administrative Agent in form satisfactory to it of telegraphic or other written confirmation from such party of execution of a counterpart hereof by such party) and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

 

137


Section 9.10 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE BORROWER, EACH QUALIFIED BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE CO-SYNDICATION AGENTS AND THE BANKS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 9.11 Survival. All indemnities set forth herein (including, without limitation, Sections 2.16(h), 8.3, 8.4 and 9.3) shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the making and repayment of the Obligations.

Section 9.12 Domicile of Loans. Each Bank may transfer and carry its Loans at, to or for the account of any domestic or foreign branch office, subsidiary or affiliate of such Bank.

Section 9.13 Limitation of Liability. No claim may be made by any party hereto or any other Person acting by or through any party hereto against any other party hereto or the affiliates, directors, officers, employees, attorneys or agent of any of them for any special, consequential, indirect or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) in respect of any claim for breach of contract or any other theory of liability arising out of or related to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or by the other Loan Documents, or any act, omission or event occurring in connection therewith; and the Borrower, for itself and each Qualified Borrower, and each other party hereto hereby waives, releases and agrees not to sue upon any claim for any such damages, whether or not accrued and whether or not known or suspected to exist in its favor. For the avoidance of doubt, the indemnification obligations of the Borrower under Section 9.3 shall be deemed to be direct and actual damages.

Section 9.14 Recourse Obligation. This Agreement and the Obligations hereunder are fully recourse to the Borrower, to each Qualified Borrower, to any Down REIT pursuant to any Down REIT Guaranty and, if the Parent Guaranty is in effect, to EQR pursuant to the Parent Guaranty. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, in any of the other Loan Documents, or in any other instruments, certificates, documents or agreements executed in connection with this Agreement (all of the foregoing, for purposes of this Section, hereinafter referred to, individually and collectively, as the “Relevant Documents”), no recourse under or upon any Obligation, representation, warranty, promise or other matter whatsoever shall be had against any of the constituent partners of the Borrower or their successors and assigns (said constituent partners and their successors and assigns, for purposes of this Section, hereinafter referred to, individually and collectively, as the “OP Partners”; provided, for purposes of this Section, OP Partners shall exclude EQR if the Parent Guaranty is in effect).

Section 9.15 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Banks and the Fronting Banks agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below) and to use such Information solely for the purposes of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates’ respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, advisors, auditors and representatives who are actively and directly participating in the evaluation, administration or enforcement of the Loan, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including any self-regulatory authority), (c) to the extent required by

 

138


applicable Laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process (in which case (other than in the case of requests from regulatory authorities), such Person shall, to the extent permitted by Law, inform the Borrower thereof), (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 9.15, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective party (or its Related Parties) to any swap, derivative or other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to the Borrower and its obligations, this Agreement or payments hereunder, (g) with the consent of the Borrower or (h) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 9.15, (y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Bank, any Fronting Bank or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower that is not to the knowledge of such Credit Party subject to confidentiality obligations to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates or (z) is independently discovered or developed by a party hereto without utilizing any Information received from the Borrower or violating the terms of this Section 9.15.

In addition, the Administrative Agent and the Banks may disclose the existence of this Agreement and information about this Agreement to market data collectors and similar service providers to the lending industry.

For purposes of this Section 9.15, “Information” means all information received from or on behalf of the Borrower, EQR, any Subsidiary relating to the Borrower, EQR, any Subsidiary or any Investment Affiliate, or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Bank or any Fronting Bank on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by or on behalf of the Borrower, EQR or any Subsidiary; provided that with respect to any Investment Affiliate or any of their respective businesses, “Information” shall include only such information as is received solely for purposes of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 9.15 shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

Each of the Administrative Agent, the Banks and the Fronting Banks acknowledges that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning the Borrower, EQR or its Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates and the Properties thereof and their operations, affairs and financial condition, (b) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (c) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable Law, including U.S. Federal and state securities Laws.

For the avoidance of doubt, nothing herein prohibits any individual from communicating or disclosing information regarding suspected violations of laws, rules, or regulations to a governmental, regulatory, or self-regulatory authority without any notification to any Person.

 

139


Section 9.16 Defaulting Lenders.

(a) Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Bank becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Bank is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable Law:

(i) Waivers and Amendments. Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definition of “Required Banks” and Section 9.5.

(ii) Defaulting Lender Waterfall. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VI or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 9.4 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Fronting Banks hereunder; third, to Cash Collateralize the Fronting Banks’ Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 2.24; fourth, as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (y) Cash Collateralize the Fronting Banks’ future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with Section 2.24; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Banks or the Fronting Banks as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Bank or Fronting Bank against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; 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 such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth, to such 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 LC Borrowings in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 3.2 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and Letter of Credit Usage owed to, all non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or Letter of Credit Usage owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letter of Credit Usage are held by the Banks pro rata in accordance with the Commitments hereunder without giving effect to Section 9.16(a)(iv). 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 9.16(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Bank irrevocably consents hereto.

 

140


(iii) Certain Fees.

(A) Each Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive fees payable under Sections 2.8(a) for any period during which that Bank is a Defaulting Lender only to extent allocable to the sum of (1) the outstanding principal amount of the Committed Loans funded by it, and (2) its Pro Rata Share of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral.

(B) Each Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive Letter of Credit Fees for any period during which that Bank is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to its Pro Rata Share of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral.

(C) With respect to any Facility Fee or Letter of Credit Fee not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above, the Borrower shall (x) pay to each non-Defaulting Lender that portion of any such Letter of Credit Fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s participation in Letter of Credit Usage that has been reallocated to such non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (iv) below, (y) pay to the applicable Fronting Banks the amount of any such Facility Fee or Letter of Credit Fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to such Fronting Bank’s Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (z) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.

(iv) Reallocation of Applicable Percentages to Reduce Fronting Exposure. All or any part of such Defaulting Lender’s participation in Letter of Credit Usage shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Pro Rata Shares (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) but only to the extent that such reallocation does not cause the sum of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Loans made by such non-Defaulting Lender plus such non-Defaulting Lender’s obligations under all Letters of Credit to exceed such non-Defaulting Lender’s Commitment. No reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Bank 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.

(v) Cash Collateral. If the reallocation described in clause (a)(iv) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall within fifteen (15) Business Days following notice by the Administrative Agent, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under applicable Law, pay to the Administrative Agent, for deposit in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account, Cash Collateral in the amount of the Fronting Banks’ Fronting Exposure.

 

141


(b) Defaulting Lender Cure. If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and Lead Fronting Banks agree in writing that a Bank is no longer a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, 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 Bank will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Banks or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Committed Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit to be held on a pro rata basis by the Banks in accordance with their Pro Rata Shares (without giving effect to Section 9.16(a)(iv)), whereupon such Bank 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 Bank was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Bank will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Bank’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

(c) Replacement or Termination of Defaulting Lender. If at any time any Bank becomes a Defaulting Lender, then until such time as such Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters required under and in accordance with Section 9.16(b), the Borrower shall have the right, upon five (5) Business Days’ notice to the Administrative Agent to either (x) cause a bank, reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Lead Fronting Banks, to offer to purchase the Commitments of such Defaulting Lender for an amount equal to such Defaulting Lender’s outstanding Loans (other than any Competitive Bid Loans held by it), and to become a Bank hereunder, or to obtain the agreement of one or more existing Banks to offer to purchase the Commitments of such Defaulting Lender for such amount, which offer such Defaulting Lender is hereby required to accept, or (y) repay in full all Loans then outstanding of such Defaulting Lender (excluding, at the option of the Borrower, any Competitive Bid Loans held by it), together with interest and all other amounts due thereon, upon which event, such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment shall be deemed to be cancelled and may not be reinstated.

(d) No Exculpation. Nothing contained in this Section or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to reduce the Commitment of any Bank or in any way affect the rights of the Borrower with respect to any Defaulting Lender or, if the Administrative Agent is a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent. The status of any Bank as a Defaulting Lender shall not relieve any other Bank of its obligations to fund its Commitment or otherwise perform its obligations in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

Section 9.17 No Bankruptcy Proceedings. Each of the Borrower, the Banks and the Administrative Agent hereby agrees that it will not institute against any Designated Lender or join any other Person in instituting against any Designated Lender any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws, until the later to occur of (i) one year and one day after the payment in full of the latest maturing commercial paper note issued by such Designated Lender and (ii) the Maturity Date.

 

142


Section 9.18 Down REIT Guaranties.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision hereof or of any other Loan Document to the contrary, the Administrative Agent, the Banks and Designated Lenders agree with the Borrower that any funds, claims, or distributions actually received by the Administrative Agent for the account of any Bank or Designated Lender as a result of the enforcement of, or pursuant to, any Down REIT Guaranty, net of the Administrative Agent’s and the Banks’ expenses of collection thereof (such net amount, “Down REIT Guaranty Proceeds”), shall be made available for distribution equally and ratably (in proportion to the aggregate amount of principal, interest and other amounts then owed in respect of the Obligations or of an issuance of Public Debt, as the case may be) among the Administrative Agent, the Banks and the Designated Lenders and the trustee or trustees of any Unsecured Debt, not subordinated to the Obligations (or to the holders thereof), issued by the Borrower, before or after the Closing Date, in offerings registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or in transactions exempt from registration pursuant to rule 144A or Regulation S thereunder or listed on non-U.S. securities exchanges (“Public Debt”), and the Administrative Agent is hereby authorized by the Borrower, by each Bank (on its own behalf and on behalf of its Designated Lender, if any) and by each Down REIT by its execution and delivery of a Down REIT Guaranty, to make such Down REIT Guaranty Proceeds so available. No Bank or Designated Lender shall have any interest in any amount paid over by the Administrative Agent to the trustee or trustees in respect of any Public Debt (or to the holders thereof) pursuant to the foregoing authorization. This Section 9.18 shall apply solely to Down REIT Guaranty Proceeds, and not to any payments, funds, claims or distributions received by the Administrative Agent, any Bank or Designated Lender directly or indirectly from the Borrower or any other Person other than from a Down REIT pursuant to a Down REIT Guaranty. The Borrower is aware of the terms of the Down REIT Guaranties, and specifically understands and agrees with the Administrative Agent, the Banks and the Designated Lenders that, to the extent Down REIT Guaranty Proceeds are distributed to holders of Public Debt or their respective trustees, such Down REIT has agreed that the Obligations will not be deemed reduced by any such distributions and such Down REIT shall continue to make payments pursuant to its Down REIT Guaranty until such time as the Obligations have been paid in full (and the Commitments have been terminated and any Letter of Credit returned), after taking into account any such distributions of Down REIT Guaranty Proceeds in respect of Indebtedness other than the Obligations.

(b) Nothing contained herein shall be deemed (1) to limit, modify, or alter the rights of the Administrative Agent, the Banks and the Designated Lenders under any Down REIT Guaranty, (2) to subordinate the Obligations to any Public Debt, or (3) to give any holder of Public Debt (or any trustee for such holder) any rights of subrogation.

(c) This Section 9.18 and all Down REIT Guaranties, are for the sole benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Banks and the Designated Lenders and their respective successors and assigns. Nothing contained herein or in any Down REIT Guaranty shall be deemed for the benefit of any holder of Public Debt, or any trustee for such holder; nor shall anything contained herein or therein be construed to impose on the Administrative Agent, any Bank or any Designated Lender any fiduciary duties, obligations or responsibilities to the holders of any Public Debt or their trustees (including, but not limited to, any duty to pursue any Down REIT for payment under its Down REIT Guaranty).

 

143


Section 9.19 USA PATRIOT Act Notice. Each Bank that is subject to the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Patriot Act”) and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Bank) hereby notifies the Borrower and each Qualified Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower and each Qualified Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and each Qualified Borrower and other information that will allow such Bank or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify the Borrower and each Qualified Borrower in accordance with the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

Section 9.20 Public/Private Information. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Co-Syndication Agents will make available to the Banks and the Fronting Banks 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 Banks may be “public-side” lenders (i.e., Banks that do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities) (each, a “Public Lender”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable Law, including U.S. Federal and state securities laws, to make reference to Borrower Materials that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of U.S. Federal or state securities laws. The Borrower hereby agrees that (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders 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 Co-Syndication Agents, the Fronting Banks and the Banks to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of U.S. Federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 9.15); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform marked “PUBLIC” or through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Investor;” and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Co-Syndication 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 Investor.”

Section 9.21 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF AND THEREOF AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG THE PARTIES.

 

144


Section 9.22 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility. In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that: (i) (A) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Banks are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrower, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Banks, on the other hand, (B) the Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) the Borrower is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents, (ii) (A) the Administrative Agent, each Joint Lead Arranger and each Bank is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary, for the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, and (B) neither the Administrative Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger nor any Bank has any obligation to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents and the commitment letter; and (iii) the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Banks and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower and its Affiliates, and neither the Administrative Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger nor any Bank has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower or its Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by Law, the Borrower hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers or any Bank with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty arising on or before the date of this Agreement in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.

Section 9.23 Determinations of Pro Rata Share, etc. The Administrative Agent shall have the right, in the exercise of its reasonable, good faith discretion, to determine how appropriately to calculate the Pro Rata Shares of the Banks, and interpret the meaning of “ratable,” “ratably” and similar references in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, with respect to any credit extension made (or to be made), or payment received (or to be received), or reallocations made (or to be made) under any Loan Document, or otherwise in connection with any determination of Pro Rata Shares, or the interpretation of “ratable,” “ratably” or similar references, as the context may require, under any Loan Document, including, without limitation, any adjustments deemed necessary by the Administrative Agent, in the exercise of its reasonable, good faith discretion, to take into account any reallocation pursuant to Section 2.21(c) of Loans or participations of Letters of Credit.

Section 9.24 Electronic Execution; Electronic Records; Counterparts. This Agreement, any Loan Document and any other Communication, including Communications required to be in writing, may be in the form of an Electronic Record and may be executed using Electronic Signatures. Each of the Borrower and each Qualified Borrower and each of the Administrative Agent and each other Credit Party agrees that any Electronic Signature on or associated with any Communication shall be valid and binding on such Person to the same extent as a manual, original signature, and that any Communication entered into by Electronic Signature, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Person enforceable against such Person in accordance with the terms thereof to the same extent as if a manually executed original signature was delivered. Any Communication may be executed in as many counterparts as necessary or convenient, including both paper and electronic counterparts, but all such counterparts are one and the same Communication. For the avoidance of doubt, the authorization under this paragraph may include, without limitation, use or acceptance of a manually signed paper Communication which

 

145


has been converted into electronic form (such as scanned into PDF format), or an electronically signed Communication converted into another format, for transmission, delivery and/or retention. The Administrative Agent and each of the other Credit Parties may, at its option, create one or more copies of any Communication in the form of an imaged Electronic Record (“Electronic Copy”), which shall be deemed created in the ordinary course of such Person’s business, and destroy the original paper document. All Communications in the form of an Electronic Record, including an Electronic Copy, shall be considered an original for all purposes, and shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a paper record. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, neither the Administrative Agent nor any Fronting Bank is under any obligation to accept an Electronic Signature in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by such Person pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided, further, without limiting the foregoing, (a) to the extent the Administrative Agent and/or any Fronting Bank has agreed to accept such Electronic Signature, the Administrative Agent and each of the other Credit Parties shall be entitled to rely on any such Electronic Signature purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower, any Guarantor and/or any Credit Party without further verification and regardless of the appearance or form of such Electronic Signature and (b) upon the request of the Administrative Agent or any other Credit Party, any Electronic Signature shall be promptly followed by such manually executed counterpart.

Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Fronting Bank shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into the sufficiency, validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document (including, for the avoidance of doubt, in connection with the Administrative Agent’s or Fronting Bank’s reliance on any Electronic Signature transmitted by telecopy, emailed .pdf or any other electronic means). The Administrative Agent and Fronting Banks shall be entitled to rely on, and shall incur no liability under or in respect of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by acting upon, any Communication (which writing may be a fax, any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution or signed using an Electronic Signature) or any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be genuine and signed or sent or otherwise authenticated (whether or not such Person in fact meets the requirements set forth in the Loan Documents for being the maker thereof).

Each of the Borrower and each Qualified Borrower and each Bank and Fronting Bank hereby waives (i) any argument, defense or right to contest the legal effect, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other Loan Document based solely on the lack of paper original copies of this Agreement or such other Loan Document, and (ii) waives any claim against the Administrative Agent, each other Credit Party and each Related Party for any liabilities arising solely from the Administrative Agent’s and/or any other Credit Party’s reliance on or use of Electronic Signatures, including any liabilities arising as a result of the failure of the Borrower, any Qualified Borrower or any Guarantor to use any available security measures in connection with the execution, delivery or transmission of any Electronic Signature.

 

146


Section 9.25 Release of Guarantees.

(a) The Borrower may request in writing that the Administrative Agent release, and upon receipt of such request the Administrative Agent shall promptly release, a Down REIT from its Down REIT Guaranty, so long as: (i) no Default or Event of Default shall then be in existence or would occur as a result of such release, including, without limitation, a Default or Event of Default resulting from a violation of any of the covenants contained in Section 5.8 on a pro forma basis; and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received such written request at least ten (10) Business Days (or such shorter period as may be acceptable to the Administrative Agent) prior to the requested date of release. Delivery by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent of any such request shall constitute a representation by the Borrower that the matters set forth in the preceding sentence (both as of the date of the giving of such request and as of the date of the effectiveness of such request) are true and correct with respect to such request.

(b) The Borrower may request in writing that the Administrative Agent release, and upon receipt of such request the Administrative Agent shall promptly release, a Qualified Borrower from this Agreement and its Qualified Borrower Guaranty, so long as: (i) no Default or Event of Default shall then be in existence or would occur as a result of such release, including, without limitation, a Default or Event of Default resulting from a violation of any of the covenants contained in Section 5.8 on a pro forma basis; (ii) no Loans made to such Qualified Borrower are then outstanding; and (iii) the Administrative Agent shall have received such written request at least ten (10) Business Days (or such shorter period as may be acceptable to the Administrative Agent) prior to the requested date of release. Delivery by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent of any such request shall constitute a representation by the Borrower that the matters set forth in the preceding sentence (both as of the date of the giving of such request and as of the date of the effectiveness of such request) are true and correct with respect to such request.

(c) The Administrative Agent agrees to furnish to the Borrower, promptly after the Borrower’s request and at the Borrower’s sole cost and expense, any release, termination, or other agreement or document evidencing the foregoing releases in this Section 9.25 as may be reasonably requested by the Borrower.

Section 9.26 Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions. 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 Bank, Designated Lender or Fronting Bank 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 Bank, Designated Lender or Fronting Bank 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;

 

147


(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 applicable Resolution Authority.

Section 9.27 Acknowledgment Regarding Any Supported QFCs. To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for Interest Rate Contracts 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.

Section 9.28 Interest Rate Limitations. 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 Bank or Designated Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower. In

 

148


determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Administrative Agent or a Bank or Designated 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.

 

149


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized representatives as of the day and year first above written.

 

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: Equity Residential, its general partner
By:  

  

  Name:
  Title:

[Signature Page to Revolving Credit Agreement]


Annex II

Schedules and Exhibits to the Loan Agreement

[On file with Administrative Agent]

EXHIBIT 10.2

AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

This AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO TERM LOAN AGREEMENT, dated as of August 17, 2026 (this “Amendment No. 2”), is by and among AvalonBay Communities, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Maryland (the “Existing Borrower”), ERP Operating Limited Partnership, an Illinois limited partnership (the “New Borrower”), the several lenders signatory hereto (collectively, the “Banks”), and Truist Bank, as administrative agent for the Banks (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”). Reference is made to that certain Term Loan Agreement, dated as of April 3, 2025 (as amended by the Amendment No. 1 to Term Loan Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2025, the “Existing Loan Agreement,” and the Existing Loan Agreement as amended by this Amendment No. 2, the “Loan Agreement”), by and among the Existing Borrower, the Banks party thereto and the Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the same meanings as set forth in the Loan Agreement.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, on May 20, 2026, Existing Borrower entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Existing Borrower, Equity Residential, a Maryland real estate investment trust (“EQR”), New Borrower, and Canopy Merger Sub LLC, a Maryland limited liability company and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of EQR (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, Existing Borrower will merge with and into Merger Sub with Merger Sub becoming the surviving entity (the “Merger”), and substantially simultaneous with the Merger, Merger Sub being contributed by EQR to New Borrower resulting in Merger Sub (as successor by merger of Existing Borrower) becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of New Borrower (the “Contribution” and together with the Merger, the “Merger Transactions”);

WHEREAS, Section 7.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement prohibits the Existing Borrower to enter into a merger except where the Existing Borrower is the survivor and the consummation of the Merger Transactions will result in an Event of Default under Sections 9.01(3), (8), (11) and (12) of the Existing Loan Agreement (the “Change of Control Event”);

WHEREAS, the Existing Borrower and New Borrower have requested that, immediately after giving effect to the Merger Transactions and substantially simultaneously therewith, the Existing Borrower, and its successor by merger, Merger Sub, assign and transfer its rights and obligations as the “Borrower” under the Existing Loan Agreement to New Borrower and New Borrower assume all rights and obligations as “Borrower” under the Loan Agreement pursuant to an assumption agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Borrower Assumption”);

WHEREAS, the Existing Borrower has requested that the Banks consent to the Merger Transactions, the Change of Control Event and the Borrower Assumption, and waive any Default or Event of Default arising therefrom and the Banks have agreed to consent to the Merger Transactions, the Change of Control Event, the Borrower Assumption and waive any Default or Event of Default arising therefrom subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein; and


WHEREAS, pursuant to and in accordance with Section 12.02 of the Existing Loan Agreement, the New Borrower has requested that the Banks and the Administrative Agent amend certain provisions of the Existing Loan Agreement, and, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein, the Banks signatory hereto, which constitute all of the Banks party to the Existing Loan Agreement immediately prior to the effectiveness hereof, are willing to do so, on the terms set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, as well as other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1. EFFECTIVE DATE. Subject to conditions precedent set forth in Section 6 below, this Amendment No. 2 and the agreements and modifications set forth herein will be effective as of the date of the consummation of the Merger Transactions (the “Merger Effective Date”).

SECTION 2. CONSENT TO MERGER TRANSACTIONS AND CHANGE OF CONTROL EVENT. In reliance on the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this Amendment No. 2 and effective as of the Merger Effective Date, the Banks hereby (a) consent to the Merger Transactions, (b) waive any Default or Event of Default arising as a result of a breach of the Existing Loan Agreement arising as a result of the Merger Transactions, including, for the avoidance of doubt, Section 7.01 of the Existing Loan Agreement, (c) consent to the Change of Control Event and (d) waive any Default or Event of Default arising as a result of a breach of the Existing Loan Agreement arising as result of the Change of Control Event, including, for the avoidance of doubt, Sections 9.01(3), (8), (11) and (12) of the Existing Loan Agreement (such consents and waivers, the “Consents”).

SECTION 3. NEW BORROWER. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, as a result of the Merger Transactions and the Borrower Assumption, New Borrower is the successor in interest to Existing Borrower under the Loan Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, from and after the Merger Effective Date, New Borrower, as such successor, is a party to the Loan Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents in the capacity of Borrower thereunder, with all of the rights, interests, obligations and liabilities of Borrower set forth therein, in each case as though New Borrower were an original party thereto. All references in the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document to “AvalonBay Communities, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Maryland” shall hereby be amended and restated to refer to “ERP Operating Limited Partnership, an Illinois limited partnership.”

SECTION 4. AMENDMENTS TO LOAN AGREEMENT. As of the Merger Effective Date, and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 6 below, (a) the Existing Loan Agreement is hereby amended as set forth in the Loan Agreement attached as Annex I hereto, and (b) Annex II is hereby attached and made a part of the Loan Agreement as all Schedules and Exhibits to the Loan Agreement.

 

2


SECTION 5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BORROWER

In order to induce the Banks and Administrative Agent to enter into this Amendment No. 2, the Borrower represents and warrants to each Bank and Administrative Agent that the following statements are true, correct and complete:

(i) The execution and delivery of this Amendment No. 2 and the performance of the obligations required to be performed by the Borrower hereunder and under the Loan Agreement as amended by this Amendment No. 2 (the “Amended Loan Agreement”, and together with this Amendment No. 2, collectively, the “Amendment Documents”) are within the Borrower’s powers, have been authorized by all necessary action, and do not and will not (a) require the consent or approval of its partners or such consent or approval has been obtained, (b) contravene its organizational documents, (c) to the best of Borrower’s knowledge, violate any provision of, or require any filing, registration, consent or approval under, any law (including, without limitation, Regulation U), order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award presently in effect having applicability to it, (d) result in a breach of or constitute a default under or require any consent under any indenture or loan or credit agreement or any other agreement, lease or instrument to which it may be a party or by which it or its properties may be bound or affected except for consents which have been obtained, (e) result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien, upon or with respect to any of its properties now owned or hereafter acquired or (f) to the best of Borrower’s knowledge, cause it to be in default under any such law, order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award or any such indenture, agreement, lease or instrument; to the best of its knowledge, Borrower is in compliance with all laws applicable to it and its properties where failure to be in compliance with such Laws could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(ii) this Amendment No. 2 has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower, is in full force and effect as of the Amendment Effective Date and each Amendment Document is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that such enforcement may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and other similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally;

(iii) each of the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects as of the date as of which they were made and are true and correct in all material respects at and as of the date of this Amendment No. 2, except for representations and warranties which are expressly stated to relate to a specific earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties were true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date (or in the case of any representation or warranty that is qualified as to “materiality”, “Material Adverse Effect” or similar language, shall be true and correct in all respects as of the applicable date, after giving effect to such qualification); and

(iv) no Default or Event of Default exists on the date hereof (before and after giving effect to this Amendment No. 2).

 

3


SECTION 6. CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS

This Amendment No. 2 shall become effective only upon the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent (the “Amendment Effective Date”):

A. The Existing Borrower, the New Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Banks shall have indicated their consent hereto by the execution and delivery of the signature pages hereof to the Administrative Agent.

B. If applicable, each Down REIT shall have executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent a duly executed original of a Down REIT Guaranty.

C. The Administrative Agent shall have received all documents the Administrative Agent may reasonably request relating to the existence of the New Borrower and each Down REIT as of the Merger Effective Date, if any, the authority for and the validity of this Amendment No. 2 and the other Loan Documents, and any other matters relevant hereto, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Such documentation shall include, without limitation, the agreement of limited partnership of the New Borrower, as well as the certificate of limited partnership of the New Borrower, both as amended, modified or supplemented to the Merger Effective Date, certified to be true, correct and complete by a Responsible Officer of the New Borrower, together with a certificate of existence as to the New Borrower from the Secretary of State (or the equivalent thereof) of Illinois, to be dated not more than thirty (30) days prior to the Merger Effective Date, and correlative documentation for each Down REIT as of the Merger Effective Date.

D. The Administrative Agent shall have all fees required to be paid on or before the Amendment Effective Date and received all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses for which invoices have been presented (including the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel for which the Borrower agrees it is responsible pursuant to Section 9.3 of the Loan Agreement), incurred in connection with this Amendment No. 2.

E. Delivery to the Administrative Agent of an opinion of counsel to the New Borrower addressed to the Banks and the Administrative Agent, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

F.Each of the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in the Loan Agreement, this Amendment No. 2, and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects as of the date as of which they were made and are true and correct in all material respects at and as of the date of this Amendment No. 2, except for representations and warranties which are expressly stated to relate to a specific earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties were true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date (or in the case of any representation or warranty that is qualified as to “materiality”, “Material Adverse Effect” or similar language, shall be true and correct in all respects as of the applicable date, after giving effect to such qualification); and no Default or Event of Default exists on the date hereof (before and after giving effect to this Amendment No. 2)

 

4


G. The Administrative Agent and each Bank shall have received (i) such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or such Bank in order for the Administrative Agent or such Bank to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with the results of all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws with respect to the New Borrower and (ii) to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent or such Bank, and to the extent that the New Borrower qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to the New Borrower.

H. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of the New Borrower confirming that consummation of the Merger, the Merger Transactions and the Borrower Assumption has occurred or will occur substantially simultaneously with the effectiveness of this Amendment No. 2.

I. Upon satisfaction of the foregoing conditions, the Administrative Agent shall deliver written notice to the Borrower and the Banks of the Amendment Effective Date.

SECTION 7. MISCELLANEOUS

A. Reference to and Effect on the Loan Agreement and the Other Loan Documents.

(i) On and after the effective date of this Amendment No. 2, each reference in the Loan Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “hereof”, “herein” or words of like import referring to the Loan Agreement and each reference in the other Loan Documents to the “Loan Agreement”, “thereunder”, “thereof” or words of like import referring to the Loan Agreement shall mean and be a reference to the Amended Loan Agreement. This Amendment No. 2 shall constitute a Loan Document for all purposes under the Loan Agreement.

(ii) Except as specifically amended by this Amendment No. 2, the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed.

(iii) The execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment No. 2 shall not, except as expressly provided herein, constitute a waiver of any provision of, or operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of the Administrative Agent or any Bank under, the Loan Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.

(iv) This Amendment No. 2 shall not constitute or effect a novation of the obligations of the Borrower under the Existing Loan Agreement, as amended hereby, and the other Loan Documents.

B. Headings. Section and subsection headings in this Amendment No. 2 are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation or construction of this Amendment No. 2.

 

5


C. Applicable Law THIS AMENDMENT NO. 2 AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK; provided, however, all parties to this Amendment No. 2 acknowledge and agree that immediately after giving effect to this Amendment No. 2, the governing law of the Loan Agreement and other Loan Documents shall be the laws of the State of Illinois, in accordance with Section 9.8 of the Loan Agreement. The provisions of Section 12.15 of the Existing Loan Agreement are incorporated herein by reference, mutatis mutandis; provided, however, that all parties to this Amendment No. 2 acknowledge and agree that immediately after giving effect to this Amendment No. 2, the provisions of Section 9.8 of the Loan Agreement shall govern and control.

D. Counterparts; Effectiveness. This Amendment No. 2 may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument, and any party hereto may execute this Amendment No. 2 by signing any such counterpart. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Amendment No. 2 by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment No. 2. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Amendment No. 2 shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in any electronic form (including deliveries by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page), each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be.

[Signature Pages to Follow]

 

6


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment No. 2 to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.

 

EXISTING BORROWER:
AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Kevin P. O’Shea

Name: Kevin P. O’Shea
Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page - Amendment No. 2 to Term Loan Agreement]


NEW BORROWER:
ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (as successor-in-interest to Canopy Merger Sub LLC)
By:   Equity Residential, its general partner
By:  

/s/ Claudio Moreno

Name: Claudio Moreno
Title: Senior Vice President and Treasurer

 

[Signature Page - Amendment No. 2 to Term Loan Agreement]


TRUIST BANK (as Administrative Agent and a Bank)
By:  

/s/ Richard de la Vega

Name: Richard de la Vega
Title: Director

 

[Signature Page - Amendment No. 2 to Term Loan Agreement]


TD BANK, N.A. (as a Bank)
By:  

/s/ Michael Duganich

Name: Michael Duganich
Title: Vice President

 

[Signature Page - Amendment No. 2 to Term Loan Agreement]


MIZUHO BANK, LTD. (as a Bank)
By:  

/s/ Donna DeMagistris

Name: Donna DeMagistris
Title: Managing Director

 

[Signature Page - Amendment No. 2 to Term Loan Agreement]


ASSOCIATED BANK, NATIONAL

ASSOCIATION (as a Bank)

By:  

/s/ Mitchell Vega

Name: Mitchell Vega
Title: Senior Vice President

 

[Signature Page - Amendment No. 2 to AvalonBay Term Loan Agreement]


Annex I

Amended Loan Agreement

[See attached]


Annex I (Amended Term Loan Agreement)

 

 
 

Published Deal CUSIP Number: 05348JAQ1

Published USD Revolver CUSIP Number: 05348JAR9

TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

dated as of April 3, 2025

among

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

(as successor in interest to Canopy Merger Sub LLC, the successor by merger to AvalonBay Communities Inc.),

THE BANKS LISTED HEREIN,

TRUIST BANK,

as Administrative Agent,

TRUIST SECURITIES, INC., TD BANK, N.A., and MIZUHO BANK, LTD.,

as Joint Bookrunners and Joint Lead Arrangers, and

TD BANK, N.A., and MIZUHO BANK, LTD.,

as Syndication Agents,

 

 
 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1  

Definitions

     1  
Section 1.2  

Accounting Terms and Determinations

     33  
Section 1.3  

Types of Borrowings

     34  
Section 1.4  

[Reserved]

     34  
Section 1.5  

Rounding

     34  
Section 1.6  

References to Chicago, Illinois Time

     34  
Section 1.7  

Divisions

     34  
Section 1.8  

Interest Rates; Licensing

     34  
Section 1.9  

Other Interpretive Provisions

     35  
ARTICLE II THE CREDITS

 

Section 2.1  

Commitments to Lend

     36  
Section 2.2  

Notice of Borrowing

     36  
Section 2.3  

[Reserved]

     36  
Section 2.4  

Notice to Banks; Funding of Loans

     36  
Section 2.5  

Evidence of Debt

     38  
Section 2.6  

Method of Electing Interest Rates

     38  
Section 2.7  

Interest Rates

     40  
Section 2.8  

Fees

     40  
Section 2.9  

Maturity Date

     41  
Section 2.10  

[Reserved]

     41  
Section 2.11  

Optional Prepayments

     41  
Section 2.12  

General Provisions as to Payments

     42  
Section 2.13  

Funding Losses

     43  
Section 2.14  

Computation of Interest and Fees

     44  
Section 2.15  

Use of Proceeds

     44  
ARTICLE III CONDITIONS

 

Section 3.1  

Closing

     44  
Section 3.2  

[Reserved]

     44  
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

Section 4.1  

Existence and Power

     44  
Section 4.2  

Power and Authority

     44  
Section 4.3  

No Violation

     45  
Section 4.4  

Financial Information

     45  
Section 4.5  

Litigation

     46  
Section 4.6  

Compliance with ERISA

     46  
Section 4.7  

Environmental Matters

     46  
Section 4.8  

Taxes

     47  


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Section 4.9

  Full Disclosure      47  

Section 4.10

  Solvency      47  

Section 4.11

  Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations      47  

Section 4.12

  Governmental Approvals      47  

Section 4.13

  Investment Company Act      47  

Section 4.14

  [Reserved]      48  

Section 4.15

  REIT Status      48  

Section 4.16

  No Default      48  

Section 4.17

  Compliance With Law      48  

Section 4.18

  [Reserved]      48  

Section 4.19

  Outbound Investment Rules      48  

Section 4.20

  OFAC      48  

Section 4.21

  Anti-Corruption Laws; Anti-Money Laundering Laws      48  

Section 4.22

  Affected Financial Institution      49  

Section 4.23

  Covered Entities      49  
ARTICLE V AFFIRMATIVE AND NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

Section 5.1

  Information      49  

Section 5.2

  Payment of Obligations      52  

Section 5.3

  Maintenance of Property; Insurance; Leases      52  

Section 5.4

  Maintenance of Existence      52  

Section 5.5

  Compliance with Laws      52  

Section 5.6

  Inspection of Property, Books and Records      53  

Section 5.7

  Outbound Investment Rules      53  

Section 5.8

  Financial Covenants      53  

Section 5.9

  Restriction on Fundamental Changes; Organizational Document Amendments      55  

Section 5.10

  Changes in Business      55  

Section 5.11

  Margin Stock      55  

Section 5.12

  Anti-Corruption Laws; Anti-Money Laundering      55  

Section 5.13

  Sanctions      55  

Section 5.14

  EQR Status      56  

Section 5.15

  Parent Guaranty      56  
ARTICLE VI DEFAULTS

 

Section 6.1

  Events of Default      56  

Section 6.2

  Rights and Remedies      59  

Section 6.3

  Notice of Default      60  

Section 6.4

  [Reserved]      60  

Section 6.5

  Application of Funds      60  

 

ii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE VII THE AGENTS

 

Section 7.1

  Appointment and Authority      61  

Section 7.2

  Rights as a Bank      61  

Section 7.3

  Exculpatory Provisions      61  

Section 7.4

  Reliance by Administrative Agent      63  

Section 7.5

  Delegation of Duties      63  

Section 7.6

  Indemnification      63  

Section 7.7

  Non-Reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Co-Syndication Agents and the Other Banks      63  

Section 7.8

  Successor Administrative Agent      64  

Section 7.9

  Consents and Approvals      65  

Section 7.10

  No Other Duties, Etc.      66  

Section 7.11

  Certain ERISA Matters      66  

Section 7.12

  Recovery of Erroneous Payments      67  
ARTICLE VIII CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES

 

Section 8.1

  Inability to Determine Rates; Replacement of Relevant Rates or Successor Rates      68  

Section 8.2

  Illegality      70  

Section 8.3

  Increased Cost and Reduced Return      71  

Section 8.4

  Taxes      73  

Section 8.5

  Base Rate Loans Substituted for Affected Loans      77  

Section 8.6

  Survival      77  
ARTICLE IX MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 9.1

  Notices      77  

Section 9.2

  No Waivers      78  

Section 9.3

  Expenses; Indemnification      79  

Section 9.4

  Sharing of Set-Offs      80  

Section 9.5

  Amendments and Waivers      81  

Section 9.6

  Successors and Assigns      83  

Section 9.7

  Collateral      87  

Section 9.8

  Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction      87  

Section 9.9

  Integration; Effectiveness      87  

Section 9.10

  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL      88  

Section 9.11

  Survival      88  

Section 9.12

  Domicile of Loans      88  

Section 9.13

  Limitation of Liability      88  

Section 9.14

  Recourse Obligation      88  

Section 9.15

  Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality      88  

Section 9.16

  Defaulting Lenders      90  

Section 9.17

  [Reserved]      91  

Section 9.18

  Down REIT Guaranties      91  

Section 9.19

  USA PATRIOT Act Notice      92  

Section 9.20

  Public/Private Information      93  

Section 9.21

  ENTIRE AGREEMENT      93  

 

iii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Section 9.22

  No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility      93  

Section 9.23

  Determinations of Pro Rata Share, etc.      93  

Section 9.24

  Electronic Execution; Electronic Records; Counterparts      94  

Section 9.25

  Release of Guarantees      95  

Section 9.26

  Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions      95  

Section 9.27

  Acknowledgment Regarding Any Supported QFCs      96  

Section 9.28

  Interest Rate Limitations      96  

 

iv


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SCHEDULES

Schedule 1 – Commitments

Schedule 9.1 – Administrative Agent’s Office; Certain Addresses for Notices

EXHIBITS

Exhibit A – Form of Note

Exhibit B – [Reserved]

Exhibit C-1 – Form of Notice of Borrowing

Exhibit C-2 – Form of Notice of Interest Rate Election

Exhibit D – [Reserved]

Exhibit E – Form of Transfer Supplement

Exhibit F – Form of Compliance Certificate

Exhibit G – [Reserved]

Exhibit H – Form of Down REIT Guaranty

Exhibit I – [Reserved]

Exhibit J-1-4 – Forms of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates

Exhibit K – Form of Parent Guaranty

Exhibit L – Form of Notice of Loan Prepayment

 

v


TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

THIS TERM LOAN AGREEMENT, dated as of April 3, 2025, is among ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (as successor in interest to Canopy Merger Sub LLC, the successor by merger to AvalonBay Communities Inc.), the financial institutions from time to time party hereto as BANKS, and TRUIST BANK, as Administrative Agent.

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Definitions. The following terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:

Acquisition Property” means a Real Property Asset acquired by the Borrower or its Consolidated Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates (whether by purchase, merger or other corporate transaction and including acquisitions from taxable REIT subsidiaries owned by the Borrower).

Acquisition Property Value” means the greater of (a) the EBITDA generated by an Acquisition Property divided by the FMV Cap Rate (or Borrower’s Share thereof with respect to any Acquisition Property owned by a Consolidated Subsidiary or an Investment Affiliate), or (b) the undepreciated book value (cost basis plus improvements) of an Acquisition Property (or Borrower’s Share thereof with respect to any Acquisition Property owned by a Consolidated Subsidiary or an Investment Affiliate). An Acquisition Property will be valued as a Stabilized Property following the sixth full Fiscal Quarter after the Fiscal Quarter in which such Acquisition Property was first acquired.

Administrative Agent” means Truist Bank (or any of its designated branch offices or affiliates) in its capacity as administrative agent hereunder or any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent.

Administrative Agent’s Office” means, with respect to any currency, the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 9.1 with respect to such currency, or such other address or account with respect to such currency as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Banks.

Administrative Questionnaire” means, with respect to each Bank, an administrative questionnaire in the form prepared by the Administrative Agent and submitted to the Administrative Agent (with a copy to the Borrower) duly completed by such Bank.

Affected Financial Institution” means (a) any EEA Financial Institution, or (b) any UK Financial Institution.


affiliate” and “Affiliate”, as applied to any Person, means any other Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, that Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of that Person, whether through the ownership of voting equity securities or by contract or otherwise.

Agents” means, collectively, the Administrative Agent and the Co-Syndication Agents.

Agreement” means this Term Loan Agreement as the same may from time to time hereafter be modified, supplemented or amended.

Amendment No. 2” means Amendment No. 2 to Term Loan Agreement among Avalon Bay Communities, Inc., the Borrower, the Agent and the Banks.

Amendment No. 2 Effective Date” means the effective date of Amendment No. 2.

Applicable Authority” means with respect to SOFR, the SOFR Administrator or any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent or the SOFR Administrator with respect to its publication of SOFR, in each case acting in such capacity.

Applicable Interest Rate” means (i) with respect to any Fixed Rate Indebtedness, the fixed interest rate applicable to such Fixed Rate Indebtedness at the time in question, and (ii) with respect to any Floating Rate Indebtedness, the floating rate applicable to such Floating Rate Indebtedness at the time in question.

Applicable Lending Office” means, with respect to any Bank, the office or offices of such Bank described as such in such Bank’s Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as a Bank may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, which office may include any Affiliate of such Bank or any domestic or foreign branch of such Bank or such Affiliate. Unless the context otherwise requires each reference to a Bank shall include its Applicable Lending Office.

Applicable Margin” means, with respect to each Loan, the respective percentages per annum determined, at any time, based on the range into which the Credit Rating then falls, in accordance with the table set forth below. Any change in the Credit Rating causing it to move to a different range on the table shall effect an immediate change in the Applicable Margin. In the event that the Borrower receives Credit Ratings that are not equivalent, the Applicable Margin shall be based upon the higher of the Credit Ratings from S&P or Moody’s. In the event that only one (1) Rating Agency has set the Credit Rating, then the Applicable Margin shall be based on such single Credit Rating. Should the Borrower lose its Investment Grade Rating from both Rating Agencies, the Applicable Margin will revert to the Non-Investment Grade rate set forth in the table below. Upon the reinstatement of an Investment Grade Rating from either S&P or Moody’s, the Applicable Margin will again be determined based on the applicable Credit Rating in the table set forth below.

 

2


Range of

Credit Rating

   Applicable Margin for
Base Rate Loans
(% per annum)
     Applicable Margin for
SOFR Loans
(% per annum)
 

Non-Investment Grade

     0.600        1.600  

BBB-/Baa3

     0.200        1.200  

BBB/Baa2

     0.000        0.950  

BBB+/Baa1

     0.000        0.850  

A-/A3

     0.000        0.800  

A/A2

     0.000        0.750  

A+/A1 or better

     0.000        0.700  

Approved Bank” means a bank which has (i)(a) a minimum net worth of $500,000,000 and/or (b) total assets of $10,000,000,000, and (ii) a minimum long term debt rating of (a) BBB+ or higher by S&P, and (b) Baa1 or higher by Moody’s.

Approved Fund” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Bank, (b) an Affiliate of a Bank or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Bank.

Assignee” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(c).

Assignor” means any Bank that has made an assignment to an Assignee pursuant to Section 9.6(c).

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).

Bank” means each bank listed on the signature pages hereof, each Assignee which becomes a Bank pursuant to Section 9.6(c), and their respective successors.

Bank Recipient Parties” mean the Banks.

 

3


Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code, entitled “Bankruptcy”, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute or statutes.

Base Rate” means for any day a fluctuating rate of interest per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 12 of 1%, (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Truist Bank as its “prime rate,” (c) Term SOFR plus 1.00% and (d) 1.00%. The “prime rate” is a rate set by Truist Bank based upon various factors including Truist Bank’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in such prime rate announced by Truist Bank shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change. If the Base Rate is being used as an alternate rate of interest pursuant to Section 8.1 or 8.5 hereof, then the Base Rate shall be the greatest of clauses (a), (b) and (d) above and shall be determined without reference to clause (c) above.

Base Rate Loan” means a Committed Loan made or to be made by a Bank as a Base Rate Loan in accordance with the applicable Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Interest Rate Election or pursuant to Article VIII, bearing interest based on the Base Rate.

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.

Benefit Arrangement” means at any time an employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA which is not a Plan or a Multiemployer Plan and which is maintained or otherwise contributed to by any member of the ERISA Group.

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”.

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.

Borrower” means ERP Operating Limited Partnership, an Illinois limited partnership, successor-in-interest to Canopy Merger Sub LLC, a Maryland limited liability company, the successor by merger to AvalonBay Communities, Inc., a Maryland corporation.

Borrower’s Share” means the Borrower’s or EQR’s share of the liabilities or assets, as the case may be, of an Investment Affiliate or Consolidated Subsidiary as reasonably determined by the Borrower based upon the Borrower’s or EQR’s economic interest in such Investment Affiliate or Consolidated Subsidiary, as the case may be, as of the date of such determination.

Borrowing” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3.

 

4


Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, the state where the Administrative Agent’s Office is located.

Capital Leases” as applied to any Person, means any lease of any Property by that Person as lessee which, in conformity with GAAP, is or should be classified and accounted for as a capital lease or financing lease on the balance sheet of that Person.

Capital Reserve” means $150 per year.

Cash and Cash Equivalents” means unrestricted (notwithstanding the foregoing, however, cash held in escrow in connection with the completion of Code Section 1031 “like-kind” exchanges shall be deemed to be “unrestricted” for purposes hereof) (i) cash, (ii) direct obligations of the United States Government, including without limitation, treasury bills, notes and bonds, (iii) interest bearing or discounted obligations of Federal agencies and government sponsored entities or pools of such instruments offered by Approved Banks and dealers, including without limitation, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation participation sale certificates, Government National Mortgage Association modified pass through certificates, Federal National Mortgage Association bonds and notes, and Federal Farm Credit System securities, (iv) time deposits, foreign deposits, domestic and foreign certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances (foreign and domestic), commercial paper in Dollars rated at least A-1 by S&P and P-1 by Moody’s and/or guaranteed by a Person with an Aa rating by Moody’s, an AA rating by S&P or better rated credit, floating rate notes, other money market instruments and letters of credit each issued by Approved Banks (provided that the same shall cease to be a “Cash or Cash Equivalent” if at any time any such bank shall cease to be an Approved Bank), (v) obligations of domestic corporations, including, without limitation, commercial paper, bonds, debentures and loan participations, each of which is rated at least AA by S&P and/or Aa2 by Moody’s and/or guaranteed by a Person with an Aa rating by Moody’s, an AA rating by S&P or better rated credit, (vi) obligations issued by states and local governments or their agencies, rated at least MIG-1 by Moody’s and/or SP-1 by S&P and/or guaranteed by an irrevocable letter of credit of an Approved Bank (provided that the same shall cease to be a “Cash or Cash Equivalent” if at any time any such bank shall cease to be an Approved Bank), (vii) repurchase agreements with major banks and primary government security dealers fully secured by the U.S. Government or agency collateral equal to or exceeding the principal amount on a daily basis and held in safekeeping, and (viii) real estate loan pool participations, guaranteed by a Person with an AA rating given by S&P or Aa2 rating given by Moody’s or better rated credit.

Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement 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 or in the implementation thereof 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 or foreign 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, issued or implemented.

 

5


Closing Date” means April 3, 2025.

CME” means CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and as it may be further amended from time to time, any successor statutes thereto.

Commitment” means with respect to each Bank, the amount set forth opposite such Bank’s name on Schedule 1 attached hereto as its commitment for Loans in Dollars (and, for each Bank which is an Assignee, the amount set forth in the Transfer Supplement entered into pursuant to Section 9.6(c) as the Assignee’s Commitment), as such amount may be reduced from time to time in connection with an assignment to an Assignee, and as such amount may be increased in connection with an assignment from an Assignor. The aggregate amount of the Banks’ Commitments is $550,000,000.

Committed Borrowing” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3.

Committed Loan” means a loan made or to be made by a Bank pursuant to Section 2.1; provided that, if any such loan or loans (or portions thereof) are combined or subdivided pursuant to a Notice of Interest Rate Election, the term “Committed Loan” shall refer to the combined principal amount resulting from such combination or to each of the separate principal amounts resulting from such subdivision, as the case may be.

Communication” means this Agreement, any Loan Document and any document, amendment, approval, consent, information, notice, certificate, request, statement, disclosure or authorization related to any Loan Document.

Compliance Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(c).

Condo Property” means a Real Property Asset owned by the Borrower or its Consolidated Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates, where such Real Property Asset is being positioned or held for sale as condominium units.

Condo Property Value” means the undepreciated book value (cost basis plus improvements) of the Condo Property.

Conforming Changes” means, with respect to the use, administration of or any conventions associated with any of SOFR, Daily Simple SOFR, Term SOFR, or any Relevant Rate, as applicable, any conforming changes to the definitions related thereto, including “Base Rate”, “Daily Simple SOFR”, “SOFR”, “Term SOFR”, “Term SOFR Screen Rate”, 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, to reflect the

 

6


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 for Dollars (or, if the Administrative Agent determines that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or that no market practice for the administration of such rate for Dollars exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent determines is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and any other Loan Document in consultation with the Borrower).

Connection Income Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.

Consolidated EBITDA” means, for any twelve (12) month period, net earnings (loss), inclusive of the net incremental gains (losses) on sales of condominium units, and exclusive of net derivative gains (losses) and gains (losses) on the dispositions of depreciable Properties, Raw Land and other non-depreciated Properties, as well as from debt restructurings or write-ups or forgiveness of indebtedness, and costs and expenses incurred during such period with respect to acquisitions or mergers consummated during such period, as reflected in reports filed by the Borrower pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, before deduction (including amounts reported in discontinued operations), for (i) depreciation and amortization expense and other non-cash items as determined in good faith by the Borrower for such period, (ii) Interest Expense for such period, (iii) Taxes for such period, (iv) the gains (and plus the losses) from extraordinary items, and (v) the gains (and plus the losses) from non-recurring items, as determined in good faith by the Borrower, for such period, all of the foregoing without duplication. In each case, amounts shall be reasonably determined by the Borrower in accordance with GAAP, except to the extent that GAAP by its terms shall not apply with respect to the determination of non-cash and non-recurring items and except that such net earnings (loss) shall only include Borrower’s Share of such net earnings (loss) attributable to Consolidated Subsidiaries and shall include, without duplication, Borrower’s Share of the net earnings (loss), inclusive of the net incremental gains (losses) on sales of condominium units, and exclusive of net derivative gains (losses) and gains (losses) on the dispositions of depreciable Properties, Raw Land and other non-depreciated Properties, as well as from debt restructurings or write-ups or forgiveness of indebtedness, and costs and expenses incurred during such period with respect to acquisitions or mergers consummated during such period, of any Investment Affiliate before deduction (including amounts reported in discontinued operations) for (i) depreciation and amortization expense and other non-cash items of such Investment Affiliate as determined in good faith by the Borrower for such period, (ii) Interest Expense of such Investment Affiliate for such period, (iii) Taxes of such Investment Affiliate for such period, (iv) the gains (and plus the losses) from extraordinary items of such Investment Affiliate, and (v) the gains (and plus the losses) from non-recurring items of such Investment Affiliate as determined in good faith by the Borrower for such period.

Consolidated Subsidiary” means at any date any Person which is consolidated with the Borrower or EQR in accordance with GAAP.

Construction Property” means a Real Property Asset owned by the Borrower or its Consolidated Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates on which construction of improvements has commenced or been completed (as such completion shall be evidenced by a temporary or permanent certificate of occupancy permitting use of such Real Property Asset by the general public).

Construction Property Value” means the greater of (a) the EBITDA generated by a Construction Property divided by the FMV Cap Rate (or Borrower’s Share thereof with respect to any Construction Property owned by a Consolidated Subsidiary or an Investment Affiliate), or (b) the undepreciated book value (cost basis plus improvements) of a Construction Property (or Borrower’s Share thereof with respect to any Construction Property owned by a Consolidated Subsidiary or an Investment Affiliate). A Construction Property will be valued as a Stabilized Property following the eighth full Fiscal Quarter after the Fiscal Quarter in which such Construction Property was first completed.

 

 

7


Contingent Obligation” as to any Person means, without duplication, (i) any contingent obligation of such Person required to be shown on such Person’s balance sheet in accordance with GAAP, and (ii) any obligation required to be disclosed in the footnotes to such Person’s financial statements, guaranteeing partially or in whole any Non-Recourse Indebtedness, lease, dividend or other obligation, exclusive of contractual indemnities (including, without limitation, any indemnity or price-adjustment provision relating to the purchase or sale of securities or other assets) and guarantees of non-monetary obligations (other than guarantees of completion) which have not yet been called on or quantified, of such Person or of any other Person. The amount of any Contingent Obligation described in clause (ii) shall be deemed to be (a) with respect to a guaranty of interest or interest and principal, or operating income guaranty, the Net Present Value of the sum of all payments required to be made thereunder (which in the case of an operating income guaranty shall be deemed to be equal to the debt service for the note secured thereby), calculated at the Applicable Interest Rate, through (I) in the case of an interest or interest and principal guaranty, the stated date of maturity of the obligation (and commencing on the date interest could first be payable thereunder), or (II) in the case of an operating income guaranty, the date through which such guaranty will remain in effect, and (b) with respect to all guarantees not covered by the preceding clause (a), an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such guaranty is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof (assuming such Person is required to perform thereunder) as recorded on the balance sheet and on the footnotes to the most recent financial statements of the Borrower required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or (b). Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, guarantees of completion shall not be deemed to be Contingent Obligations unless and until a claim for payment or performance has been made thereunder, at which time any such guaranty of completion shall be deemed to be a Contingent Obligation in an amount equal to any such claim. Subject to the preceding sentence, (i) in the case of a joint and several guaranty given by such Person and another Person (but only to the extent such guaranty is recourse, directly or indirectly to the Borrower), the amount of the guaranty shall be deemed to be 100% thereof unless and only to the extent that such other Person has delivered Cash and Cash Equivalents to secure all or any part of such Person’s guaranteed obligations and (ii) in the case of a guaranty (whether or not joint and several) of an obligation otherwise constituting Indebtedness of such Person, the amount of such guaranty shall be deemed to be only that amount in excess of the amount of the obligation constituting Indebtedness of such Person. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, (x) “Contingent Obligations” shall be deemed not to include guarantees of Unused Commitments or of construction loans to the extent the same have not been drawn, and (y) the aggregate amount of all Contingent Obligations

 

8


of any Consolidated Subsidiary or Investment Affiliate (except to the extent that any such Contingent Obligation is recourse to the Borrower or EQR) which would otherwise exceed the total capital contributions of the Borrower and EQR to such entity, together with the amount of any unfunded obligations of the Borrower or EQR to make such additional equity contributions to such entity that could be legally enforced by a creditor of such entity shall be deemed to be equal to the amount of such capital contributions and equity or loan commitments. All matters constituting “Contingent Obligations” shall be calculated without duplication.

Co-Syndication Agents” means TD Bank, N.A. and Mizuho Bank, LTD., in their capacities as Co-Syndication Agents hereunder, and their permitted successors in such capacities in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

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).

Covered Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.27.

Credit Party” means the Administrative Agent or any other Bank.

Credit Rating” means the rating assigned by the Rating Agencies to the Borrower’s senior unsecured long term indebtedness.

Customary Non-Recourse Carve-Outs” means fraud, misrepresentation, misapplication of cash, waste, environmental claims and liabilities and other circumstances customarily excluded by institutional lenders from exculpation provisions and/or included in separate indemnification agreements.

Daily Simple SOFR” means the rate per annum equal to SOFR determined for any day pursuant to the definition thereof. Any change in Daily Simple SOFR shall be effective from and including the date of such change without further notice. If the rate as so determined would be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of the Loan Documents.

Daily SOFR Borrowing” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3.

Daily SOFR Loan” means a Committed Loan made or to be made by a Bank as a Daily SOFR Loan in accordance with the applicable Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Interest Rate Election, bearing interest at a rate based on Daily Simple SOFR. All Daily SOFR Loans shall be denominated in Dollars.

Debt Service” means, for any period, Interest Expense for such period plus scheduled principal amortization (excluding any individual scheduled principal payment which exceeds 25% of the original principal amount of an issuance of Indebtedness) for such period on all Indebtedness of the Borrower or EQR (excluding Indebtedness of any Consolidated Subsidiary or Investment Affiliate), on a consolidated basis, plus Borrower’s Share of scheduled principal amortization for such period on all Indebtedness of all Consolidated Subsidiaries and Investment Affiliates for which there is no recourse to EQR or the Borrower (or any Property thereof), plus,

 

9


without duplication, EQR’s and the Borrower’s actual or potential liability for principal amortization (excluding any individual scheduled principal payment which exceeds 25% of the original principal amount of an issuance of Indebtedness) for such period on all Indebtedness of all Consolidated Subsidiaries and Investment Affiliates that is recourse to EQR or the Borrower (or any Property thereof).

Debtor Relief Laws” means 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.

Default” means any condition or event which with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

Default Rate” means when used with respect to Obligations, an interest rate equal to (i) the Base Rate plus (ii) the Applicable Margin, if any, applicable to Base Rate Loans, plus (iii) 2% per annum; provided, however, that with respect to a SOFR Loan, the Default Rate shall be an interest rate equal to the interest rate (including any Applicable Margin) otherwise applicable to such Loan plus 2% per annum, in each case to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

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.

Defaulting Lender” means, subject to Section 9.16(b), any Bank that (a) has failed, within three (3) Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to fund any portion of its Loans, unless such Bank notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Bank’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) has not been satisfied, (b) has failed, within five (5) Business Days of the date on which demand for payment is made, to pay over to any Credit Party any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, (c) has notified the Borrower or any Credit Party in writing that it does not intend to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Bank’s obligation to fund a loan under this Agreement and states that such position is based on such Bank’s good faith determination that a condition precedent (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) to funding a loan under this Agreement cannot be satisfied), (d) has failed, within three (3) Business Days after written request by a Credit Party, acting in good faith and based on a reasonable belief that such Bank will fail to comply with its funding obligations, to provide a confirmation in writing to such Credit Party that it will comply with its obligations to fund prospective Loans under this Agreement, provided that such Bank shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (d) upon such Credit Party’s receipt of such confirmation, or (e) has or has a direct or indirect parent company that has (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity, or (iii) become the subject of a Bail-In Action; provided that a Bank shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any Equity Interest in that

 

10


Bank 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 Bank 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 Bank (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Bank. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Bank is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (e) above, and of the effective date of such status, shall be made by the Administrative Agent acting reasonably and in good faith and shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Bank shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 9.16(b)) as of the date established therefor by the Administrative Agent in a written notice of such determination, which shall be delivered by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower and each other Bank promptly following such determination.

Designated Jurisdiction” means any country, region or territory to the extent that such country, region or territory itself is the subject or target of any Sanction.

Development Activity” means (a) the development or redevelopment and construction of one or more apartment buildings by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) the financing by the Borrower, EQR or any Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates of either or both of any such development or construction or (c) the incurrence by the Borrower, EQR or any Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates of either or both of any Contingent Obligations in connection with such development or construction (other than purchase contracts for Real Property Assets which are not payable until completion of development or construction), valued at the cost of such projects under development and construction in the case of assets owned by the Borrower or EQR, or Borrower’s Share of the cost of such projects under development and construction in the case of assets owned by Consolidated Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates.

Dividing Person” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Division.”

Division” means the division of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations of a Person (the “Dividing Person”) among two or more Persons (whether pursuant to a “plan of division” or similar arrangement), which may or may not include the Dividing Person and pursuant to which the Dividing Person may or may not survive.

Division Successor” means any Person that, upon the consummation of a Division of a Dividing Person, holds all or any portion of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations previously held by such Dividing Person immediately prior to the consummation of such Division. A Dividing Person which retains any of its assets, liabilities and/or obligations after a Division shall be deemed a Division Successor upon the occurrence of such Division.

Dollars” and “$” mean the lawful money of the United States.

Down REIT” means a limited liability company, corporation or limited partnership that has executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Banks, (i) a Guaranty of Payment in the form attached hereto as Exhibit H (a “Down REIT Guaranty”), (ii) all documents reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent relating to the existence of such Down REIT, and the authority for and validity of such Down REIT Guaranty, including,

 

11


without limitation, the organizational documents of such Down REIT, modified or supplemented prior to the date of such Down REIT Guaranty, each certified to be true, correct and complete by such Down REIT, not more than ten (10) days prior to the date of such Down REIT Guaranty, together with a good standing certificate from the Secretary of State (or the equivalent thereof) of the State of formation of such Down REIT, to be dated not more than ten (10) days prior to the date of such Down REIT Guaranty, as well as authorizing resolutions in respect of such Down REIT Guaranty, and (iii) an opinion of counsel with respect to such Down REIT and Down REIT Guaranty, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, with respect to due organization, existence, good standing and authority, and validity and enforceability of such Down REIT Guaranty. In addition, for purposes of this Agreement, including the definition of Qualifying Unencumbered Property, a Down REIT Guaranty shall not be deemed to constitute Unsecured Debt of the applicable Down REIT.

Down REIT Guaranty” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Down REIT”.

Down REIT Guaranty Proceeds” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.18(a).

EBITDA” means, for any twelve (12) month period, net earnings (loss), exclusive of net derivative gains (losses) and gains (losses) on the dispositions of Properties, as well as from debt restructurings or write-ups or forgiveness of indebtedness, and costs and expenses incurred during such period with respect to acquisitions or mergers consummated during such period, before deduction (including amounts reported in discontinued operations) for (i) depreciation and amortization expense and other non-cash items as determined in good faith by the Borrower for such period, (ii) Interest Expense for such period, (iii) Taxes for such period, (iv) the gains (and plus the losses) from extraordinary items, and (v) the gains (and plus the losses) from non-recurring items, as determined in good faith by the Borrower, all of the foregoing without duplication. In each case, amounts shall be reasonably determined by the Borrower in accordance with GAAP, except to the extent that GAAP by its terms shall not apply with respect to the determination of non-cash and non-recurring items. EBITDA shall not be deemed to include corporate level general and administrative expenses and other corporate expenses, such as land holding costs, employee and trustee stock and stock option expenses and pursuit costs write-offs, all as determined in good faith by the Borrower.

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.

 

12


Electronic Copy” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.24.

Electronic Record” and “Electronic Signature” shall have the meanings assigned to them, respectively, by 15 USC §7006, as it may be amended from time to time.

Environmental Affiliate” means any partnership, joint venture, trust or corporation in which an Equity Interest is owned by the Borrower and/or EQR, either directly or indirectly, and, as a result of the ownership of such Equity Interest, the Borrower and/or EQR may have recourse liability for Environmental Claims against such partnership, joint venture or corporation (or the Property thereof).

Environmental Approvals” means any permit, license, approval, ruling, variance, exemption or other authorization required under applicable Environmental Laws.

Environmental Claim” means, with respect to any Person, any notice, claim, demand or similar communication (written or oral) by any other Person alleging potential liability of such Person for investigatory costs, cleanup costs, governmental response costs, natural resources damage, property damages, personal injuries, fines or penalties arising out of, based on or resulting from (i) the presence, or release into the environment, of any Materials of Environmental Concern at any location, whether or not owned by such Person or (ii) circumstances forming the basis of any violation, or alleged violation, of any Environmental Law, in each case (with respect to both (i) and (ii) above) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination with respect thereto and which, if adversely determined, would have a Material Adverse Effect.

Environmental Laws” means any and all federal, state, and local statutes, laws, judicial decisions, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, plans, injunctions, permits, concessions, grants, licenses, agreements and other governmental restrictions relating to the environment, the effect of the environment on human health or emissions, discharges or releases of Materials of Environmental Concern into the environment including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, ground water, or land, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Materials of Environmental Concern or the clean up or other remediation thereof.

EQR” means Equity Residential, a Maryland real estate investment trust, the sole general partner of the Borrower, or any permitted successor thereof in accordance with Section 5.9(a)(i)(y).

Equity Forward Contract” means a forward equity contract with respect to common Equity Interests of EQR entered into by EQR and/or the Borrower and a Person other than the Borrower or a Consolidated Subsidiary.

Equity Interests” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other

 

13


interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination; provided that Permitted Convertible Debt (prior to conversion thereof) shall not constitute Equity Interests of the Borrower or EQR.

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or any successor statute, and applicable U.S. Department of Labor regulations issued pursuant thereto in temporary or final form.

ERISA Group” means the Borrower, any Subsidiary and all members of a controlled group of corporations and all trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control which, together with the Borrower or any Subsidiary, are treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

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.

Event of Default” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.

Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to any Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the Laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Bank, its Applicable Lending Office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Bank, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Bank with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a Law in effect on the date on which (i) such Bank acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 8.4(i), 9.5 or 9.16(c)) or (ii) such Bank changes its Applicable Lending Office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 8.4, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Bank’s Assignor immediately before such Bank became a party hereto or to such Bank immediately before it changed its Applicable Lending Office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 8.4(f) and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed pursuant to FATCA.

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code, and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among Governmental Authorities and implementing such Sections of the Code.

 

14


Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum calculated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depository institutions (as determined in such manner as the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shall set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as the federal funds effective rate; provided that if the Federal Funds Rate as so determined would be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of the Loan Documents.

Federal Reserve Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as constituted from time to time.

Fee Letters” means, collectively, (i) the letter agreement, dated March 26, 2025, among the Borrower, Truist Bank and Truist Securities, Inc., (ii) the letter agreement, dated as of March 31, 2025, between the Borrower, Truist Bank and TD Bank, N.A., and (iii) the letter agreement, dated as of April 2, 2025, between Borrower and Mizuho Bank, Ltd.

Financing Partnership” means any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower or the Borrower and EQR.

Fiscal Quarter” means a fiscal quarter of a Fiscal Year.

Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Borrower and EQR which shall be the twelve (12) month period ending on the last day of December in each year.

Fixed Charges” for any twelve (12) month period means (without duplication) the sum of (i) Debt Service for such period, (ii) the product of the average number of apartment units owned (directly or beneficially) by the Borrower, EQR, or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of either or both during such period and the Capital Reserve for such period, (iii) Borrower’s Share of the aggregate sum of the product of the average number of apartment units owned (directly or beneficially) by each Consolidated Subsidiary (other than Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower and/or EQR) and Investment Affiliate during such period and the Capital Reserve for such period, (iv) dividends on preferred units payable by the Borrower during such period, and (v) distributions made by the Borrower during such period to EQR for the purpose of paying dividends on preferred shares in EQR.

Fixed Rate Indebtedness” means all Indebtedness which accrues interest at a fixed rate.

Floating Rate Indebtedness” means all Indebtedness which is not Fixed Rate Indebtedness and which is not a Contingent Obligation or an Unused Commitment.

FMV Cap Rate” means 5.75%.

Foreign Bank” means (a) if the Borrower is a U.S. Person, a Bank that is not a U.S. Person, and (b) if the Borrower is not a U.S. Person, a Bank that is resident or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes. For purposes of this definition, the United States, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

 

15


Fund” means any Person (other than a natural Person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles recognized as such in codification by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination; provided, however, that with respect to the financial covenants, including the related definitions, only Borrower’s Share of any income, expense, assets and liabilities of any Consolidated Subsidiary or Investment Affiliate shall be taken into account.

Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including the Financial Conduct Authority, the Prudential Regulation Authority and any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

Gross Asset Value” means, as of any date, (a) the aggregate Stabilized Property Value of all Stabilized Properties, plus (b) the Non-Stabilized Property Value, plus (c) the value of any Cash and Cash Equivalents (including Cash and Cash Equivalents held in restricted Section 1031 accounts under the control of the Borrower (and, solely if the Parent Guaranty is in effect, EQR)) owned by the Borrower (and, solely if the Parent Guaranty is in effect, EQR) or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower (and, solely if the Parent Guaranty is in effect, EQR), plus (d) the undepreciated book value, determined in accordance with GAAP, of readily marketable Securities and Investment Mortgages owned by the Borrower (and, solely if the Parent Guaranty is in effect, EQR) or its Consolidated Subsidiaries that are Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, plus (e) the Borrower’s Share of the value of any Cash and Cash Equivalents (including Cash and Cash Equivalents held in restricted Section 1031 accounts under the control of a Consolidated Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or by an Investment Affiliate) owned by any Consolidated Subsidiary or Investment Affiliate, plus (f) the Borrower’s Share of the undepreciated book value, determined in accordance with GAAP, of readily marketable Securities and Investment Mortgages owned by any Consolidated Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or by any Investment Affiliate, plus (g) the aggregate positive amount of net cash proceeds that would be due to (i) the Borrower, (ii) EQR, if EQR is a Guarantor pursuant to delivery of the Parent Guaranty or (iii) EQR, if and to the extent that as of such date (A) the Borrower’s limited partnership agreement requires EQR to contribute such net cash proceeds to the Borrower and (B) the Borrower’s intent is to distribute all such net cash proceeds to the Borrower upon receipt, in each case from all Equity Forward Contracts that have not yet settled as of such date and calculated as if such Equity Forward Contracts were settled by EQR’s delivery of its common shares as of, and such net cash proceeds were actually received on, the last day of the then most recently ended fiscal quarter, but excluding proceeds from each Equity Forward Contract, if any, with respect to which either (1) EQR or the counterparty would not reasonably be expected, for any reason, to be able to fulfill its obligations thereunder or (2) EQR no longer intends to issue shares sufficient to realize such proceeds; provided, that notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) for purposes of determining Gross Asset Value at any time, the portion of Gross

 

16


Asset Value attributable to Permitted Holdings in excess of forty percent (40%) of Gross Asset Value at such time (but immediately prior to the application of this clause (x)) shall be disregarded and (y) for purposes of this definition, a Property shall be deemed to be wholly owned by the Borrower if such Property shall be owned by a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, a Down REIT or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of a Down REIT. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Real Property Asset held by a “qualified intermediary” or an “exchange accommodation titleholder” in connection with the acquisition (or possible disposition) of such Real Property Asset by the Borrower, any Consolidated Subsidiary or any Investment Affiliate pursuant to, and intended to qualify for tax treatment under, Section 1031 of the Code, shall be included in the calculation of Gross Asset Value as if it were owned by the Borrower, such Consolidated Subsidiary or such Investment Affiliate.

Group of Loans” means, at any time, a group of Loans consisting of (i) all Committed Loans which are Base Rate Loans at such time, (ii) all Committed Loans which are Daily SOFR Loans at such time or (iii) all Term SOFR Loans at such time that have the same Interest Period; provided that, if a Committed Loan of any particular Bank is converted to or made as a Base Rate Loan pursuant to Section 8.2 or 8.5, such Loan shall be included in the same Group or Groups of Loans from time to time as it would have been in if it had not been so converted or made.

Guarantor” means each Down REIT that has executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent a Down REIT Guaranty and has not been released pursuant to Section 9.25, and, at all times after delivery of the Parent Guaranty, EQR.

Indebtedness”, as applied to any Person (and without duplication), means (a) all indebtedness, obligations or other liabilities of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all indebtedness, obligations or other liabilities of such Person evidenced by Securities or other similar instruments, (c) all reimbursement obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person with respect to letters of credit actually issued for such Person’s account or upon such Person’s application, (d) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of Property except (i) any such deferred and unpaid purchase price that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable, and (ii) any deferred and unpaid purchase price under a contract which, in accordance with GAAP would not be included as a liability on the liability side of the balance sheet of such Person, (e) all obligations in respect of Capital Leases of such Person, and (f) all indebtedness, obligations or other liabilities of such Person or others secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such indebtedness, obligations or liabilities are assumed by, or are a personal liability of such Person, in the case of items of Indebtedness incurred under clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d) to the extent that any such items (other than letters of credit), in accordance with GAAP, would be included as liabilities on the liability side of the balance sheet of such Person, exclusive, however, of all accounts payable, accrued interest and expenses, prepaid rents, security deposits, tax liabilities and dividends and distributions declared but not yet paid. Indebtedness also includes, to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation of the Borrower or EQR, as well as Borrower’s Share of any obligation of any Consolidated Subsidiary or Investment Affiliate, to be liable for, or to pay as obligor, guarantor or otherwise (other than for purposes of collection in the ordinary course of business), Indebtedness of another Person (other than the Borrower, EQR, a Consolidated Subsidiary or an Investment Affiliate). Indebtedness shall not include any Intracompany Indebtedness. “Intracompany Indebtedness” means indebtedness

 

17


whose obligor is EQR or any Consolidated Subsidiary and whose obligee is EQR or any Consolidated Subsidiary; provided, however, that in the case of any such Intracompany Indebtedness owing to an obligee that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, only the Borrower’s Share of the Intracompany Indebtedness owing to such obligee that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower shall constitute Intracompany Indebtedness.

Indemnified Taxes” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a), Other Taxes.

Indemnitee” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.3(b).

Interest Expense” means, for any period and without duplication, total interest expense, whether paid, accrued or capitalized (excluding the interest component of Capital Leases, as well as interest expense covered by an interest reserve established under a loan facility, as well as any interest expense under any construction loan or construction activity that under GAAP is required to be capitalized) of the Borrower or EQR (excluding nonrecurring prepayment premiums or penalties and any such interest expense accrued or capitalized on Indebtedness of any Consolidated Subsidiary or Investment Affiliate), including without limitation all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to drawn letters of credit and amortized costs of Interest Rate Contracts incurred on or after the Closing Date, plus Borrower’s Share of accrued or paid interest with respect to any Indebtedness of Consolidated Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates for which there is no recourse to EQR or the Borrower, plus, without duplication, EQR’s and the Borrower’s actual accrued, paid or capitalized interest (excluding nonrecurring prepayment premiums or penalties and the interest component of Capital Leases, as well as excluding interest expense covered by an interest reserve established under a loan facility, as well as any interest expense under any construction loan or construction activity that under GAAP is required to be capitalized) with respect to Indebtedness of Consolidated Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates that is recourse to EQR or the Borrower, calculated for all Fixed Rate Indebtedness at the actual interest rate in effect with respect to all Indebtedness outstanding as of the last day of such period and, in the case of all Floating Rate Indebtedness, the actual rate of interest in effect with respect to such Floating Rate Indebtedness outstanding for the period during which no Interest Rate Contract is in effect, and, during the period that an Interest Rate Contract is in effect with respect to such Floating Rate Indebtedness, the strike rate payable under such Interest Rate Contract if lower than the actual rate of interest. Interest expense shall be determined including any non-cash portion of interest expense attributable to convertible Indebtedness under ASC 470-20.

Interest Period” means:

(1) with respect to each Term SOFR Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing specified in the Notice of Borrowing or on the date specified in the applicable Notice of Interest Rate Election and ending 1, 3 or 6 months thereafter (in each case, subject to availability); provided that:

(a) any such Interest Period which would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day;

 

18


(b) any such Interest Period which 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, subject to clause (c) below, end on the last Business Day of a calendar month; and

(c) any such Interest Period which would otherwise end after the Maturity Date shall end on the Maturity Date.

Interest Rate Contracts” means, collectively, interest rate swap, collar, cap or similar agreements providing interest rate protection.

Investment Affiliate” means any Person in whom EQR or the Borrower holds an Equity Interest, directly or indirectly, other than Consolidated Subsidiaries and Securities and other passive interests.

Investment Grade Rating” means a rating for a Person’s senior long-term unsecured debt, or if no such rating has been issued, a “shadow” rating, of BBB- or better from S&P, or a rating or “shadow” rating of Baa3 or better from Moody’s. Any such “shadow” rating shall be evidenced by a letter from the applicable Rating Agency or by such other evidence as may be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (as to any such other evidence, the Administrative Agent shall present the same to, and discuss the same with, the Banks).

Investment Mortgages” means mortgages securing indebtedness directly or indirectly owed to the Borrower, EQR or Subsidiaries of either or both, including certificates of interest in real estate mortgage investment conduits.

Joint Lead Arrangers” means Truist Securities, Inc., TD Bank, N.A., and Mizuho Bank, Ltd., in their capacities as joint lead arrangers hereunder.

Joint Venture Parent” means the Borrower, EQR or one or more Financing Partnerships of the Borrower which directly owns any interest in a Joint Venture Subsidiary.

Joint Venture Subsidiary” means any entity (other than a Financing Partnership) in which (i) a Joint Venture Parent owns at least 20% of the economic interests and (ii) the sale or financing of any Property owned by such Joint Venture Subsidiary is substantially controlled by a Joint Venture Parent, subject to customary provisions set forth in the organizational documents of such Joint Venture Subsidiary with respect to refinancings or rights of first refusal granted to other members of such Joint Venture Subsidiary. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the sale or financing of a Property owned by a Joint Venture Subsidiary shall be deemed to be substantially controlled by a Joint Venture Parent if such Joint Venture Parent has the ability to exercise a buy-sell right in the event of a disagreement regarding the sale or financing of such Property. In addition, the relationship of a Joint Venture Parent as a tenant in common in any asset with other tenants in common in the same asset shall be treated as if such relationship were a general partnership for purposes of this definition. For purposes of the definition of Unencumbered Asset Value, a Joint Venture Subsidiary shall be deemed to include any entity (other than a Financing Partnership) in which a Qualified Joint Venture Partner owns the balance of the interests.

 

19


Laws” means, 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 whether or not having the force of law.

Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind, or any other type of preferential arrangement, in each case that has the effect of creating a security interest in respect of such asset. For the purposes of this Agreement, the Borrower, EQR or any Subsidiary of either or both shall be deemed to own subject to a Lien any asset which it has acquired or holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or other title retention agreement relating to such asset.

Loan” means a Base Rate Loan or a SOFR Loan and “Loans” means Base Rate Loans or SOFR Loans or any combination of the foregoing.

Loan Documents” means this Agreement, including schedules and exhibits hereto, the Notes, the Fee Letters, any Down REIT Guaranty and, to the extent required to be delivered hereunder, the Parent Guaranty, and any amendments, modifications or supplements hereto or to any other Loan Document or waivers hereof or to any other Loan Document.

Margin Stock” has the meaning set forth in Regulation U.

Material Adverse Effect” means an effect resulting from any circumstance or event or series of circumstances or events, of whatever nature (but excluding general economic conditions), which does or could reasonably be expected to, materially and adversely, (i) impair the ability of the Borrower and/or EQR and their Consolidated Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to perform their material obligations under the Loan Documents or (ii) impair the ability of Administrative Agent or the Banks to enforce the Loan Documents.

Materials of Environmental Concern” means and includes pollutants, contaminants, hazardous wastes, toxic and hazardous substances, asbestos, lead, petroleum and petroleum by-products.

Maturity Date” means the date when all of the Obligations hereunder shall be due and payable which shall be April 3, 2029.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor thereto.

Multiemployer Plan” means at any time an employee pension benefit plan within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which any member of the ERISA Group is then making or accruing an obligation to make contributions or has within the preceding five plan years made contributions, including for these purposes any Person which ceased to be a member of the ERISA Group during such five year period but was making or accruing an obligation to make contributions while a member of the ERISA Group.

 

20


Multifamily Residential Property Mortgages” means Investment Mortgages issued by any Person engaged primarily in the business of developing, owning, and managing multifamily residential Property.

Multifamily Residential Property Partnership Interests” means partnership or joint venture interests, or common or preferred stock, or membership, trust or other Equity Interests issued by any Person engaged primarily in the business of developing, owning, and managing multifamily residential Property, but excluding Securities.

Negative Pledge” means, with respect to any Property, any covenant, condition, or other restriction entered into by the owner of such Property or directly binding on such Property which prohibits or limits the creation or assumption of any Lien upon such Property to secure any or all of the Obligations; provided, however, that such term shall not include any Permitted Negative Pledge Provision.

Net Present Value” means, as to a specified or ascertainable dollar amount, the present value, as of the date of calculation of any such amount, using a discount rate equal to the Base Rate in effect as of the date of such calculation.

Non-Consenting Bank” means any Bank that does not approve any consent, waiver or amendment that (i) requires the approval of all Banks or all affected Banks in accordance with the terms of Section 9.5 and (ii) has been approved by the Required Banks.

Non-Multifamily Residential Property” means any Property which is not (i) used for lease, operation or use as a multifamily residential Property, (ii) Unimproved Assets or Raw Land, (iii) Securities, (iv) Multifamily Residential Property Mortgages, or (v) Multifamily Residential Property Partnership Interests.

Non-Recourse Indebtedness” means Indebtedness with respect to which recourse for payment is limited to (i) specific assets related to a particular Property or group of Properties encumbered by a Lien securing such Indebtedness or (ii) any Subsidiary or Investment Affiliate (provided that if a Subsidiary or Investment Affiliate is a partnership, there is no recourse to the Borrower or EQR as a general partner of such partnership); provided, however, that personal recourse of the Borrower or EQR for any such Indebtedness for Customary Non-Recourse Carve-Outs in non-recourse financing of real estate shall not, by itself, prevent such Indebtedness from being characterized as Non-Recourse Indebtedness.

Non-Stabilized Property” means any Real Property Asset owned or leased by the Borrower, a Consolidated Subsidiary or an Investment Affiliate that is not a Stabilized Property.

 

21


Non-Stabilized Property Value” means, the sum of (i) the aggregate Acquisition Property Value of all Acquisition Properties, (ii) the aggregate Construction Property Value of all Construction Properties, (iii) the aggregate Redevelopment Property Value of all Redevelopment Properties, (iv) the aggregate Condo Property Value of all Condo Properties, and (v) with respect to Raw Land or any other Non-Stabilized Property (other than the Non-Stabilized Properties described under clauses (i) through (iv)), the aggregate undepreciated book value (cost basis plus improvements), determined in accordance with GAAP of all such Non-Stabilized Properties (or Borrower’s Share thereof with respect to any Non-Stabilized Property owned by a Consolidated Subsidiary or an Investment Affiliate).

Notes” means promissory notes of the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, evidencing the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans, and “Note” means any one of such promissory notes issued hereunder.

Notice of Borrowing” means a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit C-1 attached hereto and made a part hereof or such other form as may be reasonably approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be reasonably approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

Notice of Interest Rate Election” means a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit C-2 attached hereto and made a part hereof or such other form as may be reasonably approved by the Administrative Agent (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be reasonably approved by the Administrative Agent), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

Notice of Loan Prepayment” means a notice of prepayment with respect to a Loan, which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit L or such other form as may be reasonably 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.

Obligations” means all obligations, liabilities, indemnity obligations and Indebtedness of every nature of the Borrower, from time to time owing to Administrative Agent or any Bank under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.

Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).

Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 8.4(h) or (i)).

 

22


Outbound Investment Rules” means the regulations administered and enforced, together with any related public guidance issued, by the United States Treasury Department under U.S. Executive Order 14105 of August 9, 2023, or any similar law or regulation; as of the date of this Agreement, and as codified at 31 C.F.R. § 850.101 et seq.

Overnight Rate” means, for any day, the greater of (i) the Federal Funds Rate and (ii) an overnight rate determined by the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

Parent” means, with respect to any Bank, any Person controlling such Bank.

Parent Guaranty” means a full and unconditional guaranty of payment in the form of Exhibit K attached hereto, enforceable against EQR for the payment of the Obligations.

Parent Guaranty Trigger Event” means the earlier to occur of (a) EQR incurring, or providing a guaranty of, or becoming a borrower or guarantor of, or otherwise becoming obligated in respect of, any Unsecured Debt in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $50,000,000, and (b) the earlier of (i) the Borrower’s actual knowledge or (ii) written notice by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower, in each case, of a breach of the obligations set forth in Section 5.14(b).

Participant” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(b).

Participant Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(b).

Patriot Act” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.19.

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any entity succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.

Permitted Convertible Debt” means convertible debt securities of the Borrower (a) that are unsecured, (b) that do not have the benefit of any guarantee of any Subsidiary, (c) that are not subject to any sinking fund or any prepayment, redemption or repurchase requirements prior to the maturity date of such indebtedness, whether scheduled, triggered by specified events or at the option of the holders thereof (it being understood that none of (i) a customary “change in control” or “fundamental change” put, (ii) a right to convert such securities into or exchange such securities for common Equity Interest of EQR, cash or a combination thereof as the Borrower may elect or (iii) an acceleration upon an event of default will be deemed to constitute such a sinking fund or prepayment, redemption or repurchase requirement), and (d) that have the benefit of covenants and events of default customary for comparable convertible or exchangeable securities (as determined in good faith by the Borrower).

Permitted Holdings” means Development Activity, Raw Land, Securities, Non-Multifamily Residential Property, Investment Mortgages, and Investment Affiliates.

 

23


Permitted Liens” means:

(a) Liens for Taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet due and payable or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted in accordance with the terms hereof;

(a) statutory liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen and other similar liens imposed by law, which are incurred in the ordinary course of business for sums not more than sixty (60) days delinquent or which are being contested in good faith in accordance with the terms hereof;

(b) utility deposits and other deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts (other than for borrowed money), leases, purchase contracts, construction contracts, governmental contracts, statutory obligations, surety bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(c) Liens for purchase money obligations for equipment (or Liens to secure Indebtedness incurred within 90 days after the purchase of any equipment to pay all or a portion of the purchase price thereof or to secure Indebtedness incurred solely for the purpose of financing the acquisition of any such equipment, or extensions, renewals, or replacements of any of the foregoing for the same or lesser amount); provided that (i) the Indebtedness secured by any such Lien does not exceed the purchase price of such equipment, (ii) any such Lien encumbers only the asset so purchased and the proceeds upon sale, disposition, loss or destruction thereof, and (iii) such Lien, after giving effect to the Indebtedness secured thereby, does not give rise to an Event of Default;

(d) easements, rights-of-way, zoning restrictions, other similar charges or encumbrances and all other items listed on Schedule B to the owner’s title insurance policies, except in connection with any Indebtedness, for any of the Real Property Assets, so long as the foregoing do not interfere in any material respect with the use or ordinary conduct of the business of the owner and do not diminish in any material respect the value of the Real Property Asset to which it is attached or for which it is listed;

(e) Liens and judgments (i) which have been or will be bonded (and the Lien thereby removed other than on any cash or securities serving as security for such bond) or released of record within thirty (30) days after the date such Lien or judgment is entered or filed against EQR, the Borrower, or any Subsidiary or (ii) which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for review and in respect of which there shall have been secured a subsisting stay of execution pending such appearance or proceedings;

(f) Liens on Property of the Borrower, EQR, the Subsidiaries or any Investment Affiliate of either or both (other than Qualifying Unencumbered Property) securing Indebtedness which may be incurred or remain outstanding without resulting in an Event of Default hereunder;

(g) Liens in favor of the Borrower, EQR or a Consolidated Subsidiary against any asset of the Borrower, any Consolidated Subsidiary or any Investment Affiliate;

 

24


(h) the rights of tenants under leases or subleases not interfering with the ordinary conduct of business of such Person;

(i) to the extent constituting a Lien, any Permitted Negative Pledge Provision; and

(j) Liens (i) in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Banks; and (ii) solely with respect to voluntary mortgages or similar Liens granted to the administrative agent under any revolving credit facility of the Borrower that secure the principal amount of designated loans made under such revolving credit facility in amount that is no more than fair market value of such mortgaged property.

Permitted Negative Pledge Provision” means a Negative Pledge contained in any agreement (a) evidencing Unsecured Debt which contains restrictions on encumbering assets that are substantially the same as the corresponding restrictions contained in the Loan Documents, (b) related to assets or Equity Interests to be sold where such Negative Pledge relates only to such assets pending such sale or (c) Permitted Transfer Restrictions.

Permitted Transfer Restrictions” means (a) reasonable and customary restrictions on transfer, mortgage liens, pledges and changes in beneficial ownership arising under management agreements and ground leases entered into in the ordinary course of business (including in connection with any acquisition or development of any applicable Property, without regard to the transaction value), including rights of first offer or refusal arising under such agreements and leases, in each case, that limit, but do not prohibit, sale or mortgage transactions, and (b) solely with respect to an asset or Property of a non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, Investment Affiliate or the Borrower, reasonable and customary obligations, encumbrances or restrictions contained in agreements not constituting Indebtedness entered into with limited partners, members or other equity holders of such non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, Investment Affiliate or the Borrower imposing obligations in respect of contingent obligations to make any tax “make whole” or similar tax payment arising out of the sale or other transfer of assets reasonably related to such limited partners’, members’ or other equity holders’ interest in such non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, Investment Affiliate or the Borrower pursuant to “tax protection” or other similar agreements.

Person” means an individual, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a trust, a limited liability company, a joint venture, a Governmental Authority or any other entity or organization.

Plan” means at any time an employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) which is covered by Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code and either (i) is maintained, or contributed to, by any member of the ERISA Group for employees of any member of the ERISA Group or (ii) has at any time within the preceding five years been maintained, or contributed to, by any Person which was at such time a member of the ERISA Group for employees of any Person which was at such time a member of the ERISA Group.

Platform” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.20.

 

25


Pro Rata Share” means, with respect to any Bank, as applicable and subject to Section 9.23, a fraction (expressed as a percentage), the numerator of which shall be the amount of such Bank’s Commitment and the denominator of which shall be the aggregate amount of all of the Banks’ Commitments, as adjusted from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

Property” means, with respect to any Person, any real or personal property, building, facility, structure, equipment or unit, or other asset owned or leased by such Person.

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.

Public Debt” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.18(a).

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).

QFC Credit Support” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.27.

Qualified Institution” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(c).

Qualified Joint Venture Partner” means (a) pension funds, insurance companies, banks, investment banks or similar institutional entities, each with significant experience in making investments in commercial real estate, and (b) commercial real estate companies of similar quality and experience.

Qualifying Unencumbered Property” means any Real Property Asset (including Raw Land and Real Property Asset with Development Activity) from time to time which is owned directly or indirectly in fee (or ground leasehold) by the Borrower (and, solely if the Parent Guaranty is in effect, EQR), a Financing Partnership or a Joint Venture Subsidiary, which (i) is Raw Land, Construction Property, Redevelopment Property, Condo Property or an operating multifamily residential Real Property Asset, (ii) is not subject (nor are any Equity Interests in such Real Property Asset that are owned directly or indirectly by the Borrower or EQR subject) to a Lien which secures Indebtedness of any Person other than Permitted Liens, (iii) is not subject (nor are any Equity Interests in such Real Property Asset that are owned directly or indirectly by the Borrower or EQR subject) to any Negative Pledge, and (iv) in the case of any Real Property Asset that is owned by a Subsidiary of the Borrower (and, solely if the Parent Guaranty is in effect, EQR), is owned by a Subsidiary that does not have any outstanding Unsecured Debt (other than those items of Indebtedness set forth in clauses (d) or (e) of the definition of Indebtedness, or any Contingent Obligation except for guarantees for borrowed money). In addition, in the case of any Real Property Asset that is owned by a Subsidiary of the Borrower (and/or EQR, solely if the Parent Guaranty is in effect), if such Subsidiary shall commence any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws, or any such involuntary case shall be commenced against it and shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of 90 days, then, simultaneously with the occurrence of such conditions, such Real Property Asset shall no longer constitute a Qualifying Unencumbered Property. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purposes of this definition, a Property shall be deemed to be wholly owned by the Borrower if such Real Property Asset shall be owned by a Down REIT or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of such Down REIT.

 

26


Rate Determination Date” means two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period (or such other day as is generally treated as the rate fixing day by market practice in such interbank market, as determined by the Administrative Agent); provided that to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, then “Rate Determination Date” means such other day as otherwise reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent).

Rating Agencies” means, collectively, S&P and Moody’s.

Raw Land” means Real Property Assets upon which no material improvements have been commenced.

Real Property Assets” means, as of any time, the real property assets (including interests in participating mortgages in which the Borrower’s interest therein is characterized as equity according to GAAP) owned directly or indirectly by the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries at such time.

Recipient” means the Administrative Agent or any Bank, as applicable.

Redevelopment Property” means a Real Property Asset (other than a Condo Property) owned by the Borrower or its Consolidated Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates where the existing building or other improvements or a portion thereof are undergoing renovation and redevelopment that will either (a) disrupt the occupancy of at least thirty percent (30%) of the square footage of such Real Property Asset or (b) temporarily reduce the EBITDA attributable to such Real Property Asset by more than thirty percent (30%) as compared to the immediately preceding comparable prior period.

Redevelopment Property Value” means the greater of (a) the EBITDA generated by a Redevelopment Property for the quarter immediately prior to the commencement of the redevelopment divided by the FMV Cap Rate (or Borrower’s Share thereof with respect to any Redevelopment Property owned by a Consolidated Subsidiary or an Investment Affiliate), and (b) the undepreciated book value (cost basis plus improvements) of a Redevelopment Property (or Borrower’s Share thereof with respect to any Redevelopment Property owned by a Consolidated Subsidiary or an Investment Affiliate). A Redevelopment Property shall be valued as a Stabilized Property following the sixth full Fiscal Quarter after the Fiscal Quarter in which substantial completion of the redevelopment occurred.

Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(h).

Regulation U” means Regulation U of the Federal Reserve Board, as in effect from time to time.

REIT” means a Person qualifying for treatment as a “real estate investment trust” within the meaning of Section 856 of the Code.

Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, advisors, consultants, service providers and representatives of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

 

27


Relevant Rate” means with respect to any Loan Daily Simple SOFR and Term SOFR.

Required Banks” means at any time Banks having more than 50% of the aggregate amount of the Commitments or, if the Commitments shall have been terminated, holding more than 50% of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans (including the aggregate amount of term loans made under this Agreement); provided that at all times when two or more Banks are party to this Agreement, the term “Required Banks” shall mean at least two unaffiliated Banks. The Commitments and Loans of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in determining Required Banks at any time.

Rescindable Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(b).

Resolution Authority” means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.

Responsible Officer” means (a) in the case of EQR and the Borrower, (i) the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer of EQR or (ii) solely for purposes of the delivery of incumbency certificates or secretary’s certificates and in addition to the foregoing officers, the secretary or any assistant secretary of EQR, and (b) solely for purposes of notices given pursuant to Article II, any other representative, officer or employee of EQR or the Borrower so designated by any of the foregoing officers in a notice to the Administrative Agent or any other officer or employee of EQR or the Borrower designated in or pursuant to an agreement between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of EQR or the Borrower shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of EQR or the Borrower, as applicable, and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of EQR or the Borrower, as applicable.

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of S&P Global Inc., or any successor thereto.

Same Day Funds” means with respect to disbursements and payments in Dollars, immediately available funds.

Sanction(s)” means any sanction administered or enforced by the United States Government (including without limitation, OFAC), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, His Majesty’s Treasury (“HMT”) or other relevant sanctions authority.

Secured Debt” means Total Outstanding Indebtedness of EQR and the Borrower (excluding Indebtedness of Consolidated Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates), and Borrower’s Share of any Total Outstanding Indebtedness of any Consolidated Subsidiary or Investment Affiliate, the payment of which is secured by a Lien on any Property owned or leased by EQR, the Borrower or any Consolidated Subsidiary or Investment Affiliate of either or both.

Securities” means any stock, partnership interests, shares, shares of beneficial interest, voting trust certificates, bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as “securities,” or any certificates of interest, shares, or participations in temporary or interim certificates for the purchase or acquisition of, or any right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire any of the foregoing, all of which shall be passive investments.

 

28


SOFR” means, with respect to any applicable determination date, the Secured Overnight Financing Rate published on the fifth U.S. Government Securities Business Day preceding such date by the SOFR Administrator on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s website (or any successor source); provided however that if such determination date is not a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, then SOFR means such rate that applied on the first U.S. Government Securities Business Day immediately prior thereto.

SOFR Administrator” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as the administrator of SOFR, or any successor administrator of SOFR designated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or other Person acting as the SOFR Administrator at such time that is satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

SOFR Loan” means a Daily SOFR Loan or a Term SOFR Loan, as applicable.

SOFR Scheduled Unavailability Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(b).

SOFR Successor Rate” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(b).

Solvent” means, with respect to any Person, that the fair saleable value of such Person’s assets exceeds the Indebtedness of such Person.

Stabilized Property” means any Real Property Asset owned or leased by the Borrower, a Consolidated Subsidiary or an Investment Affiliate except (i) any Acquisition Property, Construction Property or Redevelopment Property until such Real Property Asset has become a Stabilized Property in accordance with the definitions of Acquisition Property Value, Construction Property Value and Redevelopment Property Value, (ii) any Real Property Asset described in clause (v) of the definition of Non-Stabilized Property Value until such Real Property Asset has become a Stabilized Property in accordance with such definition, and (iii) any Condo Property.

Stabilized Property Value” means the EBITDA generated by a Stabilized Property divided by the FMV Cap Rate (or Borrower’s Share thereof with respect to any Stabilized Property owned by a Consolidated Subsidiary or an Investment Affiliate). Any Stabilized Property which generates negative EBITDA will have a Stabilized Property Value of zero.

Subsidiary” means any corporation or other entity of which securities or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions are at the time directly or indirectly owned by the Borrower and/or EQR. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

Successor Rate” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(b).

Supported QFC” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.27.

 

29


Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(a).

Term SOFR means

(a) 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 date then Term SOFR means the Term SOFR Screen Rate on the first U.S. Government Securities Business Day immediately prior thereto; and

(b) for any interest calculation with respect to a Base Rate Loan on any date, the rate per annum equal to the Term SOFR Screen Rate with a term of one month commencing that day; provided that if the rate is not published prior to 11:00 a.m. on such date then Term SOFR means the Term SOFR Screen Rate on the first U.S. Government Securities Business Day immediately prior thereto;

provided that if Term SOFR determined in accordance with either of the foregoing provisions (a) or (b) of this definition would otherwise be less than zero, Term SOFR shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of the Loan Documents.

Term SOFR Borrowing” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.3.

Term SOFR Loan” means a Committed Loan made or to be made by a Bank as a Term SOFR Loan in accordance with the applicable Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Interest Rate Election, bearing interest at a rate based on Term SOFR. All Term SOFR Loans shall be denominated in Dollars.

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).

Termination Event” means (i) a “reportable event”, as such term is described in Section 4043 of ERISA (other than a “reportable event” not subject to the provision for 30-day notice to the PBGC, because of a waiver or otherwise), or an event described in Section 4062(e) of ERISA, (ii) the withdrawal by any member of the ERISA Group from a Plan during a plan year in which it is a “substantial employer” (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA), or the incurrence of liability by any member of the ERISA Group under Section 4064 of ERISA upon the termination of a Plan, or a complete or partial withdrawal from a Multiemployer Plan, (iii) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate any Plan under Section 4041 of ERISA, other than in a standard termination within the meaning of Section 4041 of ERISA, or the treatment of a Plan amendment as a distress termination under Section 4041 of ERISA, (iv) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate, impose liability (other than for premiums under Section 4007

 

30


of ERISA) in respect of, or cause a trustee to be appointed to administer, any Plan or (v) any other event or condition that might reasonably constitute grounds for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan or the imposition of any liability or encumbrance or Lien on the Real Property Assets of any member of the ERISA Group under ERISA.

Threshold Indebtedness” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(e).

Total Outstanding Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person as of any time, all Indebtedness but excluding contingent reimbursement obligations in respect of letters of credit.

Transfer Supplement” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.6(c).

Truist Bank” means Truist Bank and its successors.

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.

Unencumbered Asset Value” means as of any date the (a) Stabilized Property Value of all Qualifying Unencumbered Properties which are Stabilized Properties, plus (b) Non-Stabilized Property Value of all Qualifying Unencumbered Properties which are Non-Stabilized Properties, plus (c) the value of any Cash and Cash Equivalent (including Cash and Cash Equivalents held in restricted Section 1031 accounts under the control of the Borrower) owned by the Borrower or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, plus (d) the undepreciated book value, determined in accordance with GAAP, of readily marketable Securities and Investment Mortgages owned by the Borrower or its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries not subject to any Lien, plus (e) Borrower’s Share of the value of any Cash and Cash Equivalents (including Cash and Cash Equivalents held in restricted Section 1031 accounts under the control of a Consolidated Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or of an Investment Affiliate) owned by any Consolidated Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or by any Investment Affiliate, plus (f) Borrower’s Share of the undepreciated book value, determined in accordance with GAAP, of readily marketable Securities and Investment Mortgages owned by any non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or Investment Affiliate, plus (g) the aggregate positive amount of net cash proceeds that would be due to (i) the Borrower, (ii) EQR, if EQR is a Guarantor pursuant to delivery of the Parent Guaranty or (iii) EQR, if and to the extent that as of such date (A) the Borrower’s limited partnership agreement requires EQR to contribute such net cash proceeds to the Borrower and (B) the Borrower’s intent is to distribute all such net cash proceeds to the Borrower upon receipt, in each case from all Equity Forward Contracts that have not yet settled as of such date and calculated as if such Equity Forward Contracts were settled by EQR’s delivery of its common shares as of, and such net cash proceeds were actually received on, the last day of the then most recently ended fiscal quarter, but excluding proceeds from each Equity Forward Contract, if any, with respect to

 

31


which either (1) EQR or the counterparty would not reasonably be expected, for any reason, to be able to fulfill its obligations thereunder or (2) EQR no longer intends to issue shares sufficient to realize such proceeds; provided, however, that (i) the aggregate value of those items set forth in clauses (d) and (f) shall not exceed thirty percent (30%) of Unencumbered Asset Value and (ii) the aggregate value of those items set forth in clause (g) shall not exceed seven and one-half percent (7.5%) of Unencumbered Asset Value. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Real Property Asset held by a “qualified intermediary” or an “exchange accommodation titleholder” in connection with the acquisition (or possible disposition) of such Real Property Asset by the Borrower, any Consolidated Subsidiary or any Investment Affiliate pursuant to, and intended to qualify for tax treatment under, Section 1031 of the Code, that would otherwise constitute a Qualifying Unencumbered Property if held by the Borrower, such Consolidated Subsidiary or such Investment Affiliate, shall be included in the calculation of Unencumbered Asset Value.

Unimproved Assets” means Real Property Assets, other than Raw Land, upon which no material improvements have been completed which completion is evidenced by a certificate of occupancy or its equivalent and is less than 90% leased in the aggregate (based upon number of units).

United States” means the United States of America, including the fifty states and the District of Columbia.

Unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents” means Cash and Cash Equivalents owned by the Borrower, and Borrower’s Share of any Cash and Cash Equivalent owned by any Consolidated Subsidiary or Investment Affiliate, that are not subject to any pledge, lien or control agreement, less (i) amounts normally and customarily set aside by the Borrower for operating, capital and interest reserves, and (ii) amounts placed with third parties as deposits or security for contractual obligations (notwithstanding the foregoing, however, cash up to $750,000,000 held in escrow in connection with the completion of Code Section 1031 “like-kind” exchanges shall be deemed to be Unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents for purposes hereof).

Unsecured Debt” means Total Outstanding Indebtedness of EQR, on a consolidated basis, which is not Secured Debt.

Unused Commitments” means an amount equal to all unadvanced funds (other than unadvanced funds in connection with any construction loan) which any third party is obligated to advance to the Borrower or another Person or otherwise pursuant to any loan document, written instrument or otherwise.

U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any day except for (a) a Saturday, (b) a Sunday or (c) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in United States government securities.

U.S. Person” means any Person that is a “United States Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

U.S. Special Resolution Regimes” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.27.

 

32


U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.4(f).

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of a Person in respect of which all of the Equity Interests (other than, in the case of a corporation, directors’ qualifying shares or, in the case of a REIT, preferred shares issued to comply with Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) are at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person or one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person.

Withholding Agent” means the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

“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.

Section 1.2 Accounting Terms and Determinations. Unless otherwise specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements required to be delivered hereunder shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP applied on a basis consistent (except for changes concurred in by the Borrower’s independent public accountants) with the most recent audited consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries delivered to the Administrative Agent; provided that for purposes of references to the financial results and information of “EQR, on a consolidated basis,” EQR shall be deemed to own one hundred percent (100%) of the partnership interests in the Borrower; and provided further that, if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower wishes to amend any covenant in Article V to eliminate the effect of any change in GAAP on the operation of such covenant (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Banks wish to amend Article V for such purpose), then the Borrower’s compliance with such covenant shall be determined on the basis of GAAP in effect immediately before the relevant change in GAAP became effective, until either such notice is withdrawn or such covenant is amended in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower and the Required Banks. Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Agreement, with respect to the covenants contained in Section 5.8, all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made without giving effect to any change to GAAP occurring before or after the Closing Date as a result of ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or any other proposals issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board in connection therewith.

 

33


Section 1.3 Types of Borrowings. The term “Borrowing” denotes the aggregation of Loans of one or more Banks to be made to the Borrower pursuant to Article II on the same date, all of which Loans are of the same type (subject to Article VIII) and, except in the case of Base Rate Loans and Daily SOFR Loans, have the same initial Interest Period. Borrowings are classified for purposes of this Agreement either by reference to the pricing of Loans comprising such Borrowing (e.g., a “Term SOFR Borrowing” is a Borrowing comprised of Term SOFR Loans, and a “Daily SOFR Borrowing” is a Borrowing comprised of Daily SOFR Loans) or by reference to the provisions of Article II under which participation therein is determined (i.e., a “Committed Borrowing” is a Borrowing under Section 2.1 in which all Banks participate in proportion to their Commitments).

Section 1.4 [Reserved].

Section 1.5 Rounding. Any financial ratios required to be maintained by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).

Section 1.6 References to Chicago, Illinois Time. Unless otherwise indicated, (a) all references to time are references to Chicago, Illinois time and (b) when any date specified herein as the due date for a payment, notice or other deliverable is not a Business Day, such due date shall be extended to the next following Business Day.

Section 1.7 Divisions. Any reference herein to a merger, transfer, consolidation, amalgamation, assignment, sale or disposition, or similar term, shall be deemed to apply to a Division as if it were a merger, transfer, consolidation, amalgamation, assignment, sale or disposition, or similar term, as applicable, to, of or with a separate Person. Any Division Successor shall constitute a separate Person hereunder (and each Division of any Person that is a Subsidiary, joint venture or any other like term shall also constitute such a Person or entity).

Section 1.8 Interest Rates; Licensing.

(a) 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 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 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 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 Bank or any other Person 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.

 

34


Section 1.9 Other Interpretive Provisions. With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:

(a) The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document (including any organizational document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (iii) the words “hereto”, “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (v) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law, rule or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law, rule or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, and (vi) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all real and personal property and tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

(b) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including;” the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding;” and the word “through” means “to and including.”

(c) Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

35


ARTICLE II

THE CREDITS

Section 2.1 Commitments to Lend.

(a) Each Bank has made Committed Loans to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount of such Bank’s Commitment. Upon the funding of such Committed Loans, all Commitments of the Banks have been terminated. Any Committed Loans that are repaid may not be reborrowed.

(b) Reserved.

Section 2.2 Notice of Borrowing.

(a) The Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent notice, which may be given by (A) telephone or (B) a Notice of Borrowing; provided that any telephonic notice must be confirmed immediately by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Notice of Borrowing. Each Notice of Borrowing must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 Noon (Chicago, Illinois time) (x) on the requested date of any Base Rate Borrowing or any Daily SOFR Borrowing, or (y) three (3) Business Days before each Term SOFR Borrowing. Each Notice of Borrowing shall specify:

(i) the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day,

(ii) the aggregate amount of such Borrowing,

(iii) whether the Loans comprising such Borrowing are to be Base Rate Loans, Daily SOFR Loans, or Term SOFR Loans, and

(iv) in the case of a Term SOFR Borrowing, the duration of the Interest Period applicable thereto, subject to the provisions of the definition of Interest Period.

If the Borrower fails to specify a type of Loan as required by clause (iii) above, then the applicable Loans shall be made as Base Rate Loans. If the Borrower requests a Borrowing of Term SOFR Loans in any Notice of Borrowing but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month. During the existence of a Default, Committed Loans may only be requested as Base Rate Loans or Daily SOFR Loans.

(b) [Reserved.]

Section 2.3 [Reserved].

Section 2.4 Notice to Banks; Funding of Loans.

(a) Upon receipt of a Notice of Borrowing from the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.2, the Administrative Agent shall, on the date such Notice of Borrowing is received by the Administrative Agent, promptly notify each Bank of the contents thereof and of such Bank’s share of such Borrowing, of the interest rate determined pursuant thereto and the Interest Period(s) (if different from those requested by the Borrower) and such Notice of Borrowing shall not thereafter be revocable by the Borrower, unless the Borrower shall pay any applicable expenses pursuant to Section 2.13.

 

36


(b) Not later than 1:00 p.m. (Chicago, Illinois time) on the date of each Borrowing as indicated in the Notice of Borrowing, each Bank shall make available its share of such Borrowing to the Administrative Agent in Same Day Funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office.

(c) [reserved].

(d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Bank prior to the date of any Borrowing that such Bank will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Bank’s share of such Borrowing (or, in the case of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans or Daily SOFR Loans, prior to 12 Noon (Chicago, Illinois time) on the date of such Borrowing), the Administrative Agent may assume that such Bank has made such share available to the Administrative Agent on the date of such Borrowing in accordance with subsection (b) of this Section 2.4 and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, but shall not be obligated to, make available to the Borrower on such date a corresponding amount on behalf of such Bank. If and to the extent that such Bank shall not have so made such share available to the Administrative Agent, such Bank and the Borrower severally agree to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand, and in the case of the Borrower one (1) Business Day after demand, such corresponding amount in Same Day Funds together with interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount is made available to the Borrower until the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of the Borrower, a rate per annum equal to the interest rate applicable thereto pursuant to Section 2.7 and (ii) in the case of such Bank, the greater of the applicable Overnight Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing. If such Bank shall repay to the Administrative Agent such corresponding amount, such amount so repaid shall constitute such Bank’s Loan included in such Borrowing as of the date of such Borrowing for purposes of this Agreement. Nothing contained in this Section 2.4(d) shall be deemed to reduce the Commitment of any Bank or in any way affect the rights of the Borrower with respect to any Defaulting Lender or Administrative Agent. The failure of any Bank to make available to the Administrative Agent such Bank’s share of any Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.4(b) shall not relieve any other Bank of its obligations to fund its Commitment, in accordance with the provisions hereof.

(e) Subject to the provisions hereof, the Administrative Agent shall make all funds received from the Banks available to the Borrower in like funds in accordance with, and on the date set forth in, the applicable Notice of Borrowing.

(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Bank may exchange, continue or rollover all of the portion of its Loans in connection with any refinancing, extension, loan modification or similar transaction permitted by the terms of this Agreement, pursuant to a cashless settlement mechanism approved by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, and such Bank.

 

37


(g) With respect to any of SOFR, Daily Simple SOFR, Term SOFR, or any Successor Rate, the Administrative Agent 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 Banks reasonably promptly after such amendment becomes effective.

Section 2.5 Evidence of Debt.

(a) The Loans made by each Bank shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Bank in the ordinary course of business. The Administrative Agent shall maintain the Register in accordance with Section 9.6(h). The accounts or records maintained by each Bank shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Loans made by the Banks to the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Bank and the Register, the Register shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Bank to the Borrower made through the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Bank (through the Administrative Agent) one or more Notes, which shall evidence such Bank’s Loans to the Borrower in addition to such accounts or records. Each Bank may attach schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, type (if applicable), currency, amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.

(b) In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by the Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any Bank in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.

(c) The Committed Loans shall mature, and the principal amount thereof shall be due and payable, on the Maturity Date.

Section 2.6 Method of Electing Interest Rates.

(a) The Loans included in each Committed Borrowing shall bear interest initially at the type of rate specified by the Borrower in the applicable Notice of Borrowing. Thereafter, the Borrower may from time to time elect to change or continue the type of interest rate borne by each Group of Loans (subject in each case to the provisions of Article VIII), as follows:

(i) if such Loans are Base Rate Loans, the Borrower may elect to convert all or any portion of such Loans to Term SOFR Loans or Daily SOFR Loans as of any Business Day applicable to SOFR Loans; and if such Loans are Daily SOFR Loans, the Borrower may elect to convert all or any portion of such Loans to Term SOFR Loans or Base Rate Loans as of any Business Day applicable to Term SOFR Loans or Base Rate Loans, as applicable; or

 

38


(ii) if such Loans are Term SOFR Loans, the Borrower may elect to convert all or any portion of such Loans to Base Rate Loans or Daily SOFR Loans and/or elect to continue all or any portion of such Loans as Term SOFR Loans for an additional Interest Period or additional Interest Periods, in each case effective on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable to such Loans, or on such other date designated by the Borrower in the Notice of Interest Rate Election, provided the Borrower shall pay any losses pursuant to Section 2.13.

Each such election shall be made by delivering a Notice of Interest Rate Election to the Administrative Agent at least (i) in the case of any conversion of Daily SOFR Loans to Base Rate Loans or Base Rate Loans to Daily SOFR Loans, one (1) Business Day, or (ii) in the case of any continuation of, or conversion to, Term SOFR Loans or any conversion of Term SOFR Loans to Daily SOFR Loans or Base Rate Loans, three (3) Business Days, in each case, before the conversion or continuation selected in such notice is to be effective, by 12:00 Noon (Chicago, Illinois time). A Notice of Interest Rate Election may, if it so specifies, apply to only a portion of the aggregate principal amount of the relevant Group of Loans; provided that (i) such portion is allocated ratably among the Loans comprising such Group of Loans, (ii) the portion to which such Notice of Interest Rate Election applies, and the remaining portion to which it does not apply, are each $500,000 or any larger multiple of $100,000, (iii) there shall be no more than fifteen (15) Groups of Loans that are Term SOFR Loans outstanding at any one time, (iv) no Committed Loan may be continued as, or converted into, a Term SOFR Loan when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing without the consent of the Required Banks, and (v) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date.

During the existence of a Default, Committed Loans may only be requested as Base Rate Loans or Daily SOFR Loans.

(b) Each Notice of Interest Rate Election shall specify:

(i) the Group of Loans (or portion thereof) to which such notice applies;

(ii) the date on which the conversion or continuation selected in such notice is to be effective, which shall comply with the applicable clause of subsection (a) above;

(iii) if the Loans comprising such Group of Loans are to be converted, the new type of Loans and, if such new Loans are Term SOFR Loans, the duration of the initial Interest Period applicable thereto; and

(iv) if such Loans are to be continued as Term SOFR Loans for an additional Interest Period, the duration of such additional Interest Period.

Each Interest Period specified in a Notice of Interest Rate Election shall comply with the provisions of the definition of Interest Period.

(c) Upon receipt of a Notice of Interest Rate Election from the Borrower pursuant to subsection (a) above, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Bank the same day as it receives such Notice of Interest Rate Election of the contents thereof, the interest rates determined pursuant thereto and the Interest Periods (if different from those requested by the Borrower) and such notice shall not thereafter be revocable by the Borrower. If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Notice of Interest Rate Election to the Administrative Agent for any Group of Loans which are Term SOFR Loans, such Loans shall be converted into Daily SOFR Loans on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable thereto.

 

39


Section 2.7 Interest Rates.

(a) Each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof, for each day from the date such Loan is made until the date it is repaid or converted into a Term SOFR Loan pursuant to Section 2.6 or at the Maturity Date, at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans for such day. Such interest shall be payable on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and on the Maturity Date.

(b) Subject to Section 8.1, each Term SOFR Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof, for each day during the Interest Period applicable thereto, at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Applicable Margin for SOFR Loans for such day plus Term SOFR for such Interest Period. Such interest shall be payable for each Interest Period on the last day thereof and, if such Interest Period is longer than three months, at intervals of three months after the first day thereof, as well as on the date of any prepayment of any such Term SOFR Loan.

(c) [Reserved].

(d) Subject to Section 8.1, each Daily SOFR Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof, for each day from the date such Loan is made until the date it is repaid or converted into a Term SOFR Loan pursuant to Section 2.6 or at the Maturity Date, at a rate per annum equal to Daily Simple SOFR plus the Applicable Margin for SOFR Loans for such day. Such interest shall be payable on the last Business Day of each month and on the Maturity Date.

(e) [Reserved].

(f) [Reserved].

(g) If any amount hereunder is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, then such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws. Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.

(h) Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.

Section 2.8 Fees.

(a) Reserved.

(b) [Reserved].

 

40


(c) [Reserved].

(d) Other Fees. The Borrower shall pay to the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Administrative Agent for their own respective accounts fees in the amounts and at the times specified in the Fee Letters.

(e) Fees Non-Refundable. All fees set forth in this Section 2.8 shall be deemed to have been earned on the date payment is due in accordance with the provisions hereof and shall be non-refundable. The obligation of the Borrower to pay such fees in accordance with the provisions hereof shall be binding upon the Borrower and shall inure to the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Banks regardless of whether any Loans are actually made.

Section 2.9 Maturity Date.

(a) Initial Maturity Date. The term (the “Term”) of the Commitments (and each Bank’s obligations to make Loans) shall terminate and expire on the Maturity Date. Upon the date of the termination of the Term, any Loans then outstanding (together with accrued interest thereon and all other Obligations) shall be due and payable on such date.

(b) [Reserved].

Section 2.10 [Reserved].

Section 2.11 Optional Prepayments .

(a) The Borrower may, upon at least one (1) Business Day’s notice to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify each of the Banks), pursuant to delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Notice of Loan Prepayment, prepay any Group of Loans which are Base Rate Loans or Daily SOFR Loans, in whole at any time, or from time to time in part in amounts aggregating One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) or any larger multiple of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), by paying the principal amount to be prepaid. Each such optional prepayment shall be applied to prepay ratably the Loans of the several Banks included in such Group of Loans or Borrowing included in such Group of Loans or Borrowing.

(b) The Borrower may, upon at least one (1) Business Day’s notice to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify each of the Banks), pursuant to delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Notice of Loan Prepayment, prepay any Term SOFR Loan, in whole at any time, or from time to time in part in amounts aggregating Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) or any larger multiple of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000), as of the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto. Except as provided in Article VIII and except with respect to any Term SOFR Loan which has been converted to a Base Rate Loan pursuant to Section 8.2, 8.3 or 8.4, the Borrower may not prepay all or any portion of the principal amount of any Term SOFR Loan prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto unless the Borrower shall also pay any applicable expenses pursuant to Section 2.13. Any such prepayment shall be upon at least three

 

41


(3) Business Days’ notice to the Administrative Agent. Each such optional prepayment shall be in the amounts set forth in Section 2.11(a) above and shall be applied to prepay ratably the Loans of the Banks included in any Group of Loans which are Term SOFR Loans, except that any Term SOFR Loan which has been converted to a Base Rate Loan pursuant to Section 8.2, 8.3 or 8.4 may be prepaid without ratable payment of the other Loans in such Group of Loans which have not been so converted.

(c) [Reserved].

(d) [Reserved].

(e) [Reserved].

(f) [Reserved].

(g) [Reserved].

Section 2.12 General Provisions as to Payments.

(a) All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made free and clear of and without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Borrower shall make each payment of principal and interest on the Loans and of fees hereunder, not later than 1:00 p.m. (Chicago, Illinois time) on the date when due, in Dollars to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Banks to which such payment is owed, at the Administrative Agent’s Office in Same Day Funds. The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Bank its ratable share of each such payment received by the Administrative Agent for the account of the Banks in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Bank’s Applicable Lending Office. All payments received by the Administrative Agent after 1:00 p.m. (Chicago, Illinois time) shall, in each case, be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. Whenever any payment of principal of, or interest on the Base Rate Loans or the Daily SOFR Rate Loans or of fees shall be due on a day which is not a Business Day, the date for payment thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day. Whenever any payment of principal of, or interest on, the Term SOFR Loans shall be due on a day which is not a Business Day, the date for payment thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case the date for payment thereof shall be the next preceding Business Day. If the date for any payment of principal or any other Obligations is extended by operation of law or otherwise, interest and fees thereon shall be payable for such extended time.

(b) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Banks that the Borrower will not make such payment in full, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment in full to the Administrative Agent on such date and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, cause to be distributed to each Bank on such due date an amount equal to the amount then due such Bank. With respect to any payment that the Administrative Agent makes for the account of the Banks hereunder as to which the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be

 

42


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 Banks severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the Rescindable Amount so distributed to such Bank, in Same Day 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 Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation. A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Bank or the Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this clause (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

(c) If any Bank shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.4, 2.12 or 9.3, then the Administrative Agent, notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, but subject to Section 9.16(a)(ii) shall apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Bank for the benefit of the Administrative Agent to satisfy such Bank’s obligations to it under any such Section until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid.

Section 2.13 Funding Losses. If the Borrower (i) makes any payment of principal with respect to any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan (pursuant to Article II, VI or VIII or otherwise) on any day other than the last day of the Interest Period, relevant interest payment date or payment period, applicable to such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise), (ii) fails to borrow, prepay, continue or convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan after notice has been given to any Bank in accordance with Section 2.2(a), 2.6 or 2.11, as applicable, on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower, or (iii) delivers a Notice of Interest Rate Election specifying that a Term SOFR Loan shall be converted on a date other than the first (1st) day of the then current Interest Period applicable thereto, on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor pursuant to Section 8.2, 8.3, 8.4(i) or 9.5, the Borrower shall reimburse each Bank within 15 days after certification of such Bank of such loss or expense (which shall be delivered by each such Bank to Administrative Agent for delivery to the Borrower) for any resulting loss or expense incurred by it (or by an existing Participant in the related Loan), including (without limitation) any loss incurred in obtaining, liquidating or employing deposits from third parties, but excluding loss of margin for the period after any such payment or failure to borrow, prepay, continue or convert, provided that such Bank shall have delivered to Administrative Agent and Administrative Agent shall have delivered to the Borrower a certification as to the amount of such loss or expense, which certification shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis for and calculation of such loss or expense and shall be conclusive in the absence of demonstrable error. For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the Banks under this Section 2.13, each Bank shall be deemed to have funded each Term SOFR Loan made by it at Term SOFR for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the interbank market for such currency for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Term SOFR Loan was in fact so funded.

 

43


Section 2.14 Computation of Interest and Fees. All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans (including Base Rate Loans determined by reference to Term SOFR) shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest, including those with respect to Daily SOFR Loans and Term SOFR Loans, shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365 day year). Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid, provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.12(a), bear interest for one day. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

Section 2.15 Use of Proceeds. The Borrower shall use the proceeds of the Loans for general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, the acquisition of real property to be used in the Borrower’s existing business and for general corporate capital needs of the Borrower, not in contravention of any Law or of any Loan Document.

ARTICLE III

CONDITIONS

Section 3.1 Closing. The closing hereunder occurred on the Closing Date.

Section 3.2 [Reserved].

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

In order to induce the Administrative Agent and each of the Banks which is or may become a party to this Agreement to make the Loans, the Borrower makes the following representations and warranties as of the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date. Such representations and warranties shall survive the effectiveness of this Agreement, the execution and delivery of the other Loan Documents and the making of the Loans:

Section 4.1 Existence and Power. The Borrower (i) is a limited partnership, duly formed and validly existing as a limited partnership under the laws of the State of Illinois, (ii) has all powers and all governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals required to own its property and assets and carry on its business as now conducted or as it presently proposes to conduct, in each case, except as is not likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (iii) has been duly qualified and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which the failure to be so qualified and/or in good standing is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. EQR (i) is a real estate investment trust, duly formed, validly existing and in good standing as a real estate investment trust under the laws of the State of Maryland, (ii) has all powers and all governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals required to own its property and assets and carry on its business as now conducted or as it presently proposes to conduct, in each case, except as is not likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (iii) has been duly qualified and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which the failure to be so qualified and/or in good standing is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

44


Section 4.2 Power and Authority. The Borrower has the power and authority to execute, deliver and carry out the terms and provisions of, and to consummate the transactions contemplated by, each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and has taken all necessary action, if any, to authorize the execution and delivery on behalf of the Borrower and the performance by the Borrower of, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by, such Loan Documents. The Borrower has duly executed and delivered each Loan Document to which it is a party in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and each such Loan Document constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable insolvency, bankruptcy or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, or general principles of equity, whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law. EQR has the power and authority to execute, deliver and carry out the terms and provisions, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by, each of the Loan Documents on behalf of the Borrower to which the Borrower is a party and has taken all necessary action to authorize the execution and delivery on behalf of the Borrower and the performance by the Borrower of such Loan Documents.

Section 4.3 No Violation.

(a) Neither the execution, delivery or performance by or on behalf of the Borrower of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, nor compliance by the Borrower with the terms and provisions thereof nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, (i) will materially contravene any applicable provision of any law, statute, rule, regulation, order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or governmental instrumentality, (ii) will materially conflict with or result in any breach of any of the terms, covenants, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose) any Lien upon any of the Property of the Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, or other agreement or other instrument to which the Borrower (or of any partnership of which the Borrower is a partner) or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of its Property is bound or to which it is subject, or (iii) will cause a material default by the Borrower under any organizational document of any Person in which the Borrower has an interest, or cause a material default under the Borrower’s agreement or certificate of limited partnership, the consequences of which conflict, breach or default would have a Material Adverse Effect, or result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien whatsoever upon any Property (except as contemplated herein).

Section 4.4 Financial Information.

(a) The consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, dated as of December 31, 2025, and the related consolidated statements of the Borrower’s financial position for the Fiscal Year then ended, reported on by Ernst & Young LLP and set forth in the Borrower’s 2025 Form 10-K, a copy of which has been made available to each of the Banks, fairly present in all material respects, in conformity with GAAP, the consolidated financial position of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date and their consolidated results of operations and cash flows for such Fiscal Year.

 

45


(b) The consolidated balance sheet of EQR, dated as of December 31, 2025, and the related consolidated statements of EQR’s financial position for the Fiscal Year then ended, reported on by Ernst & Young LLP and set forth in the EQR 2025 Form 10-K, a copy of which has been made available to each of the Banks, fairly present in all material respects, in conformity with GAAP, the consolidated financial position of EQR and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date and their consolidated results of operations and cash flows for such Fiscal Year.

(c) (i) No event, act or condition has occurred since December 31, 2025 which has had or is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) except as disclosed on the financial statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the Fiscal Quarter of EQR ended March 31, 2026 or as disclosed in writing to the Banks prior to the date hereof, as of the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date neither the Borrower nor EQR has any material Indebtedness.

Section 4.5 Litigation. Except as disclosed on the financial statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the Fiscal Quarter of the Borrower ended March 31, 2026 or as disclosed in writing to the Banks prior to the date hereof, there is no action, suit or proceeding pending against, or to the knowledge of the Borrower threatened against or affecting, nor, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any investigation of, (i) the Borrower, EQR or any of their Consolidated Subsidiaries, (ii) the Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents or (iii) any of their assets, before any court or arbitrator or any governmental body, agency or official that, in the case of each of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), is reasonably likely to individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect or which in any manner draws into question the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

Section 4.6 Compliance with ERISA. Assuming that neither the Administrative Agent nor any Bank is, or is acting on behalf of, a “benefit plan investor” (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA) in connection with any such transactions or, if they are, that the conditions of an applicable prohibited transaction exemption are met, the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents will not constitute a nonexempt prohibited transaction (as such term is defined in Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA) that could subject the Administrative Agent or the Banks to any tax or penalty for prohibited transactions imposed under Section 4975 of the Code or Section 502(i) of ERISA.

Section 4.7 Environmental Matters. The Borrower conducts reviews of the effect of Environmental Laws on the business, operations and properties of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries when necessary in the course of which it identifies and evaluates associated liabilities and costs (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up or closure of properties presently owned, any capital or operating expenditures required to achieve or maintain compliance with environmental protection standards imposed by law or as a condition of any license, permit or contract, any related constraints on operating activities, and any actual or potential liabilities to third parties, including employees, and any related costs and expenses). On the basis of this review, the Borrower has reasonably concluded that such associated liabilities and costs, including the costs of compliance with Environmental Laws, are unlikely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

46


Section 4.8 Taxes. The Borrower, EQR and their Consolidated Subsidiaries have filed all federal and state income Tax returns and all other material Tax returns which are required to be filed by them and have paid all such Taxes which are due and payable, including pursuant to any assessment received by the Borrower, EQR or any Consolidated Subsidiary, except such Taxes, if any, as are reserved against in accordance with GAAP, such taxes as are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or such taxes, the failure to make payment of which when due and payable will not have, in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Borrower, EQR and their Consolidated Subsidiaries in respect of Taxes or other governmental charges are, in the opinion of the Borrower, adequate. No tax liens have been filed against any of the Borrower’s, EQR’s or any Consolidated Subsidiary’s assets and to their knowledge no claims are being asserted with respect to any of the Taxes described above with respect to any such entity, in each case, which would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.9 Full Disclosure. All written information (other than any forward looking or any projected financial information and other than information of a general economic or industry specific nature) heretofore furnished by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or any Bank for purposes of or in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby is true and accurate in all material respects on the date as of which such information is stated or certified, when taken as a whole; provided that, with respect to any projected financial information, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time furnished (it being understood that such projected financial information is subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, any of which are beyond the Borrower’s control, that no assurance can be given that any particular projections will be realized and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such projected financial information may differ from the projected results and such differences may be material). As of the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date, to the knowledge of the Borrower, the information included in any Beneficial Ownership Certification delivered to the Administrative Agent or any Bank on or prior to the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date, if applicable, is true and correct in all respects.

Section 4.10 Solvency. On the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents occurring on the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date, the Borrower, on a consolidated basis with its Subsidiaries, will be Solvent.

Section 4.11 Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations. All proceeds of the Loans will be used by the Borrower only in accordance with the provisions hereof. No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used by the Borrower to purchase or carry any Margin Stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock in any manner that might violate the provisions of Regulations T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board. Neither the making of any Loan nor the use of the proceeds thereof will violate or be inconsistent with the provisions of Regulations T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board.

Section 4.12 Governmental Approvals. No order, consent, approval, license, authorization, or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with, or exemption by, any governmental or public body or authority, or any subdivision thereof, is required to authorize, or is required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of any Loan Document or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated thereby other than those that have already been duly made or obtained and remain in full force and effect or those which, if not made or obtained, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

47


Section 4.13 Investment Company Act. Neither the Borrower, EQR nor any Consolidated Subsidiary is (x) an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company”, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or (y) subject to any other federal or state law or regulation which purports to restrict or regulate its ability to borrow money or otherwise obtain extensions of credit.

Section 4.14 [Reserved].

Section 4.15 REIT Status. For the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2025, EQR qualified as a REIT.

Section 4.16 No Default. No Event of Default or, to the best of the Borrower’s knowledge, Default exists and the Borrower is not in default in any material respect beyond any applicable grace period under or with respect to any other material agreement, instrument or undertaking to which it is a party or by which it or any of its Property is bound in any respect, the existence of which default is likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.17 Compliance With Law. To the Borrower’s knowledge, the Borrower and each of the Real Property Assets are in compliance with all Laws, orders, judgments, writs and decrees, including, without limitation, all building and zoning ordinances and codes, the failure to comply with which is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.18 [Reserved].

Section 4.19 Outbound Investment Rules. Neither EQR nor any of its Subsidiaries is a “covered foreign person” as that term is used in the Outbound Investment Rules. Neither EQR nor any of its Subsidiaries currently engages, or has any present intention to engage in the future, directly or indirectly, in (a) a “covered transaction” in which the relevant “covered foreign person” is engaged in any activity referred to in the definition of “prohibited transaction,” as each such term is defined in the Outbound Investment Rules, or (b) any other activity that would cause the Administrative Agent or any Lender to be in violation of the Outbound Investment Rules or cause the Administrative Agent or any Lender to be legally prohibited by the Outbound Investment Rules from performing under this Agreement.

Section 4.20 OFAC. None of the Borrower, EQR, any Consolidated Subsidiary, or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any director, officer, employee, agent, representative or affiliate thereof, is an individual or entity that is, or is 10% or more owned by, or is controlled by, one or more individuals or entities that are (i) currently the subject or target of any Sanctions, (ii) included on OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals, or, to the extent that the Borrower, EQR or any Consolidated Subsidiary is subject to the laws of the United Kingdom or the jurisdiction of any other relevant sanctions authority, HMT’s Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets and the Investment Ban List, or any similar list enforced by such other relevant sanctions authority or (iii) located, organized or resident in a Designated Jurisdiction. For the past five years, the Borrower, EQR, and their respective Subsidiaries have not knowingly engaged in and are not now knowingly engaged in, and will not knowingly engage in, any dealings or transactions with any Person, or in any Designated Jurisdiction, that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject or the target of Sanctions in violation of any Sanctions or with any Designated Jurisdiction in violation of any Sanctions. The Borrower, EQR, and their respective Subsidiaries maintain policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote and achieve compliance in all material respects with such Sanctions.

 

48


Section 4.21 Anti-Corruption Laws; Anti-Money Laundering Laws. The Borrower, EQR and each Consolidated Subsidiary have conducted their businesses in compliance in all material respects with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, and, to the extent that the Borrower and/or its Consolidated Subsidiaries conduct business in the United Kingdom or any other non-U.S. jurisdiction, the UK Bribery Act 2010 and other similar anti-corruption and anti-money-laundering legislation in such other jurisdictions and, to the extent applicable, have instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such Laws.

Section 4.22 Affected Financial Institution. Neither the Borrower, nor EQR nor any Down REIT is an Affected Financial Institution.

Section 4.23 Covered Entities. Neither the Borrower, nor EQR nor any Down REIT is a Covered Entity.

ARTICLE V

AFFIRMATIVE AND NEGATIVE COVENANTS

The Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any Bank has any Commitment hereunder or any Obligations remain unpaid (other than contingent indemnification obligations for which no claim has been asserted):

Section 5.1 Information. The Borrower will deliver to the Administrative Agent (for distribution to the Banks):

(a) Annual Financial Statements. As soon as available and in any event within five (5) Business Days after the same is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (but in no event later than 125 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Borrower) a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower, EQR and their Consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal Year and the related consolidated statements of the Borrower’s and EQR’s operations and consolidated statements of the Borrower’s and EQR’s cash flow for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures as of the end of and for the previous Fiscal Year, all as reported on the form provided to the Securities and Exchange Commission on the Borrower’s and EQR’s Form 10-K and reported on by Ernst & Young LLP or other independent public accountants of nationally recognized standing;

(b) Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as available and in any event within five (5) Business Days after the same is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (but in no event later than 80 days after the end of each of the first three quarters of each Fiscal Year of the Borrower and EQR), a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower, EQR and their Consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such quarter and the related consolidated statements of the Borrower’s and EQR’s operations and consolidated statements of the Borrower’s and EQR’s cash flow for such quarter and for the portion of the Borrower’s or EQR’s Fiscal Year ended at the end of such quarter, all as reported on the form provided to the Securities and Exchange Commission on the Borrower’s and EQR’s Form 10-Q;

 

49


(c) Compliance Certificate. Within five (5) Business Days after the delivery of each set of financial statements referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F (a “Compliance Certificate”) executed by the chief financial officer, the chief accounting officer or treasurer of the general partner of the Borrower (i) setting forth in reasonable detail the calculations required to establish whether the Borrower was in compliance with the requirements of Section 5.8 on the date of such financial statements; and (ii) certifying that to the best knowledge of such officer, as of the last day of the period covered by such certificate no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or, if any such Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, specifying the nature and extent thereof and the action the Borrower proposes to take in respect thereof;

(d) Default, Litigation, Material Adverse Effect. (i) Within five (5) Business Days after any Responsible Officer of the Borrower obtains knowledge of any Default or Event of Default, if such Default or Event of Default is then continuing, a certificate of Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth the details thereof and the action which the Borrower is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto; and (ii) promptly and in any event within five (5) Business Days after the Borrower obtains knowledge thereof, notice of (x) any litigation or governmental proceeding pending or threatened against the Borrower or the Real Property Assets which is likely to individually, or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, and (y) any other event, act or condition which is likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(e) Shareholder Reports. To the extent the same are not publicly available, promptly upon the mailing thereof to the shareholders of EQR generally, copies of all financial statements, reports and proxy statements so mailed;

(f) [reserved];

(g) ERISA Matters. Promptly and in any event within thirty (30) days, if and when any member of the ERISA Group (i) gives or is required to give notice to the PBGC of any “reportable event” (as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA) with respect to any Plan which might constitute grounds for a termination of such Plan under Title IV of ERISA, or knows that the plan administrator of any Plan has given or is required to give notice of any such reportable event, a copy of the notice of such reportable event given or required to be given to the PBGC; (ii) receives notice of complete or partial withdrawal liability under Title IV of ERISA or notice that any Multiemployer Plan is insolvent, in critical status or has been terminated, a copy of such notice; (iii) receives notice from the PBGC under Title IV of ERISA of an intent to terminate, impose liability (other than for premiums under Section 4007 of ERISA) in respect of, or appoint a trustee to administer, any Plan, a copy of such notice; (iv) applies for a waiver of the minimum funding standard under Section 412 of the Code, a copy of such application; (v) gives notice of intent to terminate any Plan under Section 4041(c) of ERISA, a copy of such notice and other information filed with the PBGC; (vi) gives notice of withdrawal from any Plan pursuant to Section 4063 of ERISA, a copy of such notice; or (vii) fails to make any payment or contribution to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan or in respect of any Benefit Arrangement or makes any amendment to any Plan or Benefit Arrangement which has resulted or could result in the imposition of a Lien or the

 

50


posting of a bond or other security, and in the case of clauses (i) through (vii) above, which event is likely to, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, a certificate of the chief financial officer or the chief accounting officer of EQR setting forth details as to such occurrence and action, if any, which the Borrower or applicable member of the ERISA Group is required or proposes to take;

(h) Environmental Matters. Promptly and in any event within ten (10) days after the Borrower obtains actual knowledge of any of the following events, a certificate of the Borrower, executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, specifying the nature of such condition, and the Borrower’s or, if the Borrower has actual knowledge thereof, the Environmental Affiliate’s proposed initial response thereto: (i) the receipt by the Borrower, or, if the Borrower has actual knowledge thereof, any of the Environmental Affiliates of any communication (written or oral), whether from a Governmental Authority, citizens group, employee or otherwise, that alleges that the Borrower, or, if the Borrower has actual knowledge thereof, any of the Environmental Affiliates, is not in compliance with applicable Environmental Laws, and such noncompliance is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) the Borrower shall obtain actual knowledge that there exists any Environmental Claim pending against the Borrower or any Environmental Affiliate and such Environmental Claim is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect or (iii) the Borrower obtains actual knowledge of any release, emission, discharge or disposal of any Material of Environmental Concern that is likely to form the basis of any Environmental Claim against the Borrower or any Environmental Affiliate which in any such event is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(i) Material Insurance Losses. Promptly and in any event within five (5) Business Days after receipt of any material notices or correspondence from any company or agent for any company providing insurance coverage to the Borrower relating to any loss which is likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect, copies of such notices and correspondence;

(j) Patriot Act, etc. Promptly, upon each request, information and documentation identifying the Borrower or any Guarantor as the Administrative Agent or any Bank may reasonably request in order to comply with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, including any requested information and documentation by any Bank in connection with a merger or consolidation permitted under Section 5.9(a);

(k) Credit Rating. Promptly, notice of any announcement by Moody’s or S&P of any change in a Credit Rating; and

(l) Other Information. From time to time such additional information (other than information (1) subject to contractual confidentiality obligations binding upon the Borrower, EQR or any of their Subsidiaries or where disclosure is prohibited by applicable Law, (2) constituting non-financial trade secrets or non-financial proprietary information, or (3) where disclosure could jeopardize attorney-client privilege) regarding the financial position or business of the Borrower, EQR and their Subsidiaries as the Administrative Agent, at the request of any Bank, may reasonably request in writing.

 

51


Documents required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 5.1 may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower or EQR posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s or EQR’s website on the Internet; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s or EQR’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Bank and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of the posting of any such documents delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or (b).

Section 5.2 Payment of Obligations. Each of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries will pay and discharge, at or before maturity, all its respective material obligations and liabilities including, without limitation, any obligation pursuant to any agreement by which it or any of its Properties is bound, in each case where the failure to so pay or discharge such obligations or liabilities is likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and will maintain in accordance with GAAP, appropriate reserves for the accrual of any of the same.

Section 5.3 Maintenance of Property; Insurance; Leases.

(a) The Borrower will keep, and will cause each Consolidated Subsidiary to keep, all Property useful and necessary in its business, including without limitation the Real Property Assets (for so long as it constitutes Real Property Assets), in good repair, working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear and casualty and condemnation events excepted, in each case where the failure to so maintain and repair will have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) The Borrower shall maintain, or cause to be maintained, insurance with such insurers, on such Properties, in such amounts and against such risks (excluding terrorist insurance and mold insurance and, to the extent the same are not commercially available or available at commercially reasonable rates, earthquake insurance or windstorm insurance) as is consistent with insurance maintained by businesses of comparable type and size in the industry.

Section 5.4 Maintenance of Existence. The Borrower and EQR will preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect, its partnership, limited liability company, corporate and trust existence, as applicable, and its respective rights, privileges and franchises necessary for the normal conduct of business unless the failure to maintain such rights and franchises does not have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 5.5 Compliance with Laws. The Borrower and EQR will and will cause their Subsidiaries to comply in all material respects with all applicable Law (including, without limitation, Environmental Laws, and all zoning and building codes with respect to the Real Property Assets and ERISA and the rules and regulations thereunder and all federal securities laws) except where the necessity of compliance therewith is contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to do so will not have a Material Adverse Effect or expose Administrative Agent or any Banks to any material liability therefore.

 

52


Section 5.6 Inspection of Property, Books and Records. Each of the Borrower and EQR will keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries shall be made of all material dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities in a manner that permits the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP; and will permit representatives of any Bank at such Bank’s expense to visit and inspect any of its Properties, including without limitation the Real Property Assets, to examine and make abstracts from any of its books and records and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its officers, all at such reasonable times during normal business hours, upon reasonable prior notice and as often as may reasonably be desired. Administrative Agent shall coordinate any such visit or inspection to arrange for review by any Bank requesting any such visit or inspection. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Agreement, in no event will the Borrower, EQR or any of their Subsidiaries be required to disclose to the Administrative Agent or any Bank documents (1) subject to contractual confidentiality obligations binding upon the Borrower, EQR or any of their Subsidiaries or where disclosure is prohibited by applicable Law, (2) constituting non-financial trade secrets or non-financial proprietary information, or (3) where disclosure could jeopardize attorney-client privilege.

Section 5.7 Outbound Investment Rules. EQR and the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of their respective Subsidiaries to, (a) be or become a “covered foreign person” as that term is defined in the Outbound Investment Rules, or (b) engage, directly or indirectly, in (i) a “covered transaction” in which the relevant “covered foreign person” is engaged in any activity referred to in the definition of “prohibited transaction,” as each such term is defined in the Outbound Investment Rules or (ii) any other activity that would cause the Administrative Agent or any Lender to be in violation of the Outbound Investment Rules or cause the Administrative Agent or any Lender to be legally prohibited by the Outbound Investment Rules from performing under this Agreement.

Section 5.8 Financial Covenants.

(a) Indebtedness to Gross Asset Value. The Borrower shall not permit the ratio of (i) the sum of (x) Total Outstanding Indebtedness of the Borrower and EQR (including Total Outstanding Indebtedness of Down REITs and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of Down REITs, but excluding Total Outstanding Indebtedness of other Persons that are Consolidated Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates), plus (y) Borrower’s Share of Total Outstanding Indebtedness of all Consolidated Subsidiaries and Investment Affiliates (other than Down REITs and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of Down REITs) to (ii) Gross Asset Value to exceed 0.60:1; provided, however, that with respect to any Fiscal Quarter in which the Borrower consummated any portfolio acquisition (whether by stock or asset purchase, merger or other corporate transaction), at the Borrower’s election, the ratio of (i) the sum of (x) Total Outstanding Indebtedness of the Borrower and EQR (including Total Outstanding Indebtedness of Down REITs and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of Down REITs, but excluding Total Outstanding Indebtedness of other Persons that are Consolidated Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates), plus (y) Borrower’s Share of Total Outstanding Indebtedness of all Consolidated Subsidiaries and Investment Affiliates (other than Down REITs and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of Down REITs) to (ii) Gross Asset Value for such Fiscal Quarter and for the next five succeeding Fiscal Quarters may exceed 0.60:1, provided that such ratio in no event shall exceed 0.65:1. For purposes of this covenant, (i) Total Outstanding Indebtedness shall be adjusted by deducting therefrom an amount equal to the lesser of (x) Total Outstanding Indebtedness that by its terms is scheduled to mature on or before the date that is 24 months from the date of calculation, and (y) Unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, and (ii) Gross Asset Value shall be adjusted by deducting therefrom the amount by which Indebtedness is adjusted under clause (i) of this proviso.

 

53


(b) Secured Debt to Gross Asset Value. The Borrower shall not as of any date permit the ratio of (i) the sum of (x) Secured Debt of the Borrower and EQR (including Secured Debt of Down REITs and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of Down REITs, but excluding Secured Debt of other Persons that are Consolidated Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates), plus (y) Borrower’s Share of Secured Debt of all Consolidated Subsidiaries and Investment Affiliates (other than Down REITs and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of Down REITs) to (ii) Gross Asset Value to exceed 0.40:1; provided that for purposes of this covenant, (i) Secured Debt shall be adjusted by deducting therefrom an amount equal to the lesser of (x) Secured Debt that by its terms is scheduled to mature on or before the date that is 24 months from the date of calculation, and (y) Unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, excluding any portion thereof that is deducted from Unsecured Debt in determining the ratio of Unencumbered Asset Value to Unsecured Debt pursuant to Section 5.8(d) as of such date and (ii) Gross Asset Value shall be adjusted by deducting therefrom the amount by which Gross Asset Value is adjusted in determining the ratio of Indebtedness to Gross Asset Value pursuant to Section 5.8(a) as of such date.

(c) Consolidated EBITDA to Fixed Charges Ratio. The Borrower shall not permit the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA for the then most recently completed twelve (12) month period to Fixed Charges for the then most recently completed twelve (12) month period to be less than 1.50:1. For purposes of calculating Consolidated EBITDA for this Section 5.8(c) only, Consolidated EBITDA shall include, rather than exclude, gains (losses) on the dispositions of Raw Land and other non-depreciated Properties.

(d) Unencumbered Asset Value to Unsecured Debt. The Borrower shall not as of any date permit the ratio of (i) Unencumbered Asset Value to (ii) the sum of (x) Unsecured Debt of the Borrower and EQR (including Unsecured Debt of Down REITs and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of Down REITs, but excluding Unsecured Debt of other Persons that are Consolidated Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates), plus (y) Borrower’s Share of Unsecured Debt of all Consolidated Subsidiaries and Investment Affiliates (other than Down REITs and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of Down REITs) to be less than 1.50:1; provided that for purposes of this covenant, (i) Unsecured Debt shall be adjusted by deducting therefrom an amount equal to the lesser of (x) Unsecured Debt that by its terms is scheduled to mature on or before the date that is 24 months from the date of calculation, and (y) Unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, excluding any portion thereof that is deducted from Secured Debt in determining the ratio of Secured Debt to Gross Asset Value pursuant to Section 5.8(b) as of such date and (ii) Unencumbered Asset Value shall be adjusted by deducting therefrom the amount by which Gross Asset Value is adjusted in determining the ratio of Indebtedness to Gross Asset Value pursuant to Section 5.8(a) as of such date.

(e) Calculation. Each of the foregoing ratios and financial requirements shall be calculated as of the last day of each Fiscal Quarter.

 

54


Section 5.9 Restriction on Fundamental Changes; Organizational Document Amendments.

(a) Neither the Borrower nor EQR shall enter into any merger or consolidation, unless: (i) either (x) the Borrower or EQR is the surviving entity, or (y) the individuals constituting EQR’s Board of Trustees immediately prior to such merger or consolidation represent a majority of the surviving entity’s Board of Directors or Board of Trustees after such merger or consolidation, and (ii) after giving effect to such merger or consolidation, the requirements of Section 5.10 are satisfied.

(b) The Borrower shall not amend its agreement of limited partnership or other organizational documents in any manner that would have a Material Adverse Effect without the Administrative Agent’s consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. EQR shall not amend its declaration of trust, by-laws, or other organizational documents in any manner that would have a Material Adverse Effect without the Administrative Agent’s consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(c) The Borrower shall deliver to Administrative Agent copies of all amendments to its agreement of limited partnership or to EQR’s declaration of trust, by-laws, or other organizational documents that are amended in a manner that would have a Material Adverse Effect simultaneously with the first delivery of financial statements referred to in Sections 5.1(a) or (b) above following the effective date of any such amendment.

Section 5.10 Changes in Business. Except for Permitted Holdings, neither the Borrower, EQR nor any of their respective Consolidated Subsidiaries shall enter into any business which is substantially different from that conducted by the Borrower, EQR and any of their respective Consolidated Subsidiaries on the Amendment No. 2 Effective Date, or any business ancillary or incidental thereto, including investment and financing activities. The Borrower shall carry on its business operations through the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and Investment Affiliates.

Section 5.11 Margin Stock. None of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of buying or carrying any Margin Stock or extending credit to others for the purpose of buying or carrying any Margin Stock in any manner that might violate the provisions of Regulations T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board.

Section 5.12 Anti-Corruption Laws; Anti-Money Laundering.

(a) The Borrower, EQR and each Consolidated Subsidiary shall conduct its businesses in compliance with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, and, to the extent that the Borrower and/or its Consolidated Subsidiaries conduct business in the United Kingdom or any other non-U.S. jurisdiction, the UK Bribery Act 2010 and other similar anti-corruption and anti-money laundering legislation in such other jurisdictions, and, to the extent applicable, maintain policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.

(b) The Borrower shall not directly or knowingly indirectly use the proceeds of any Loan for any purpose which would breach the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, or, to the extent that the Borrower, EQR and/or any Consolidated Subsidiary conduct business in the United Kingdom or any other non-U.S. jurisdiction, the UK Bribery Act 2010 and other similar anti-corruption and anti-money laundering legislation in such other jurisdictions.

 

55


Section 5.13 Sanctions(a) . The Borrower shall not directly or knowingly indirectly use the proceeds of any Loan, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Consolidated Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, (i) to fund any activities of or business with any Person, or in any Designated Jurisdiction, that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of Sanctions, or (ii) in any other manner that will result in a violation by any Person (including any Person participating in the transaction, whether as Bank, Joint Lead Arranger, Administrative Agent or otherwise) of Sanctions.

Section 5.14 EQR Status.

(a) Status. EQR shall at all times (i) remain a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange or another national stock exchange located in the United States and (ii) maintain its status as a self-directed and self-administered REIT.

(b) EQR Assets. For so long as the Parent Guaranty is not in effect, the ownership of substantially all operating properties of EQR and its Consolidated Subsidiaries shall be held by the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries (other than operating properties held by EQR or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries (other than the Borrower and its Subsidiaries) on a temporary or pass-through basis).

Section 5.15 Parent Guaranty(a) . Within ten (10) Business Days (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion) of the occurrence of a Parent Guaranty Trigger Event, EQR shall either (i) take such actions necessary to terminate the continuance of such Parent Guaranty Trigger Event or (ii) deliver to the Administrative Agent each of the following in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent: (x) a Parent Guaranty executed by EQR and (y) the customary opinions, certificates, organizational documents, and know-your-customer items that would have been delivered if EQR had provided the Parent Guaranty on the Closing Date.

ARTICLE VI

DEFAULTS

Section 6.1 Events of Default. If one or more of the following events (“Events of Default”) shall have occurred and be continuing:

(a) (i) the Borrower or any Guarantor shall fail to pay when due, and in the currency required hereunder or under any other Loan Document, the principal of any Loans as and when due, and such failure to pay shall continue unremedied for five (5) days after written notice by Administrative Agent of such failure, (ii) the Borrower or any Guarantor shall fail to pay interest on any Loans as and when due, and such failure to pay shall continue unremedied for five (5) days after written notice by Administrative Agent of such failure or (iii) the Borrower or any Guarantor shall fail to pay when due any fees or any other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document and the same shall continue unremedied for five (5) days after written notice by Administrative Agent of such failure;

 

56


(b) the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant contained in (i) Section 5.14(b) and such failure continues for more than 10 Business Days, unless during such period the Borrower complies with Section 5.15 or (ii) Section 5.7, Section 5.8, Section 5.9, Section 5.10, Section 5.11, Section 5.13, or Section 5.15;

(c) the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than those covered by clause (a), (b), (e), (f), (g), (h) or (j) of this Section 6.1) or in any other Loan Document for 30 days after written notice thereof has been given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent, or if such default is of such a nature that it cannot with reasonable effort be completely remedied within said period of thirty (30) days, such additional period of time as may be reasonably necessary to cure same, provided the Borrower commences such cure within said thirty (30) day period and diligently prosecutes same, until completion, but in no event shall such extended period exceed ninety (90) days;

(d) any representation, warranty, certification or statement made or deemed made by the Borrower in this Agreement or in any certificate, financial statement or other document delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made (or deemed made) and the defect causing such representation or warranty to be incorrect when made (or deemed made) is not removed within thirty (30) days after written notice thereof from Administrative Agent to the Borrower;

(e) the Borrower, EQR, or any Subsidiary shall default in the payment when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise) of any amount owing in respect of any Indebtedness (other than Non-Recourse Indebtedness and the Obligations) for which the aggregate outstanding principal amount exceeds $150,000,000 (such Indebtedness, “Threshold Indebtedness”) and such default shall continue beyond the giving of any required notice and the expiration of any applicable grace period and such default has not been waived, in writing, by the holder of any such Threshold Indebtedness; or the Borrower, EQR or any Subsidiary shall default in the performance or observance of any obligation or condition with respect to any such Threshold Indebtedness or any other event shall occur or condition exist (other than as a result of (A) customary non-default mandatory prepayment requirements resulting from asset sales, casualty events, debt or equity issuances, extraordinary receipts or borrowing base limitations and (B) any Permitted Convertible Debt becoming due as a result of the exercise by any holder thereof of conversion, exchange or similar rights related to the value of EQR, the Borrower’s or the applicable Subsidiary’s equity securities so long as such Indebtedness is converted into or exchanged for Equity Interests), after the giving of any required notice and the expiration of any applicable grace period, if the effect of such default, event or condition is to accelerate the maturity of any such Threshold Indebtedness or to permit (without any further requirement of notice or lapse of time) the holder or holders thereof, or any trustee or agent for such holders, to accelerate the maturity of any such Threshold Indebtedness;

(f) the Borrower or EQR shall commence a voluntary case or other proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to itself or its debts under any Debtor Relief Laws now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of it or any substantial part of its Property, or shall consent to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against it, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become due, or admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as such debts become due, or shall take any action to authorize any of the foregoing;

 

57


(g) an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against the Borrower or EQR seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to it or its debts under any Debtor Relief Laws now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of it or any substantial part of its Property, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of 90 days; or an order for relief shall be entered against the Borrower or EQR under Debtor Relief Laws as now or hereafter in effect;

(h) one or more final, non-appealable judgments or decrees (or one or more judgments which is/are not stayed pending appeal) in an aggregate amount of $150,000,000 or more (to the extent not covered by insurance coverage from a reputable insurance company as to which such insurer does not dispute coverage) shall be entered by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction against the Borrower, EQR or, to the extent of any recourse to the Borrower, EQR or any of their respective Consolidated Subsidiaries and (i) any such judgments or decrees shall not be stayed, discharged, paid, bonded or vacated within sixty (60) days or (ii) enforcement proceedings shall be commenced by any creditor on any such judgments or decrees;

(i) there shall be a change in the majority of the Board of Directors or Board of Trustees of EQR during any twelve (12) month period, excluding any change in directors or trustees resulting from (v) the election of any new directors whose election by such Board or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of EQR was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors or trustees then still in office who were either directors or trustees at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, (w) the retirement/resignation of any director or trustee as a result of compliance with any written policy of EQR, (x) the death or disability of any director or trustee, (y) satisfaction of any requirement for the majority of the members of the board of directors or trustees of EQR to qualify under applicable Law as independent directors or trustees or (z) the replacement of any director or trustee who is an officer or employee of EQR or an affiliate of EQR with any other officer or employee of EQR or an affiliate of EQR;

(j) (i) any Person or “group” (as such term is defined in applicable federal securities Laws) shall acquire more than forty percent (40%) of the common shares of EQR, provided, however, that Persons acquiring common shares of EQR from EQR in connection with an acquisition or other transaction with EQR, without any agreement among such Persons to act together to hold, dispose of, or vote such shares following the acquisition of such shares, shall not be considered a “group” for purposes of this clause (j), (ii) EQR, or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of EQR, ceases to be the sole general partner of the Borrower, (iii) EQR ceases to, directly or indirectly, have the power to exercise management and control of the Borrower or (iv) EQR ceases to own, directly or indirectly, greater than 50% of the partnership interests of the Borrower;

 

58


(k) any Termination Event with respect to a Plan shall occur as a result of which Termination Event or Events any member of the ERISA Group has incurred or may incur any liability to the PBGC or any other Person and the sum (determined as of the date of occurrence of such Termination Event) of the insufficiency of such Plan and the insufficiency of any and all other Plans with respect to which such a Termination Event shall have occurred and be continuing (or, in the case of a Multiemployer Plan with respect to which a Termination Event described in clause (ii) of the definition of Termination Event shall have occurred and be continuing, the liability of the Borrower), in each case that is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(l) any member of the ERISA Group shall commit a failure described in Section 302(f)(1) of ERISA or Section 412(n)(1) of the Code and the amount of the lien determined under Section 302(f)(3) of ERISA or Section 412(n)(3) of the Code that is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

(m) at any time, for any reason the Borrower or any Down REIT seeks to repudiate its obligations under any Loan Document.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.1, if a Default or Event of Default shall occur solely as a result of a Real Property Asset being treated as a Qualifying Unencumbered Property that is not in fact a Qualifying Unencumbered Property, such Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to not have occurred so long as the Borrower delivers to the Administrative Agent not later than 15 days from (x) the date on which the Borrower obtains knowledge of the occurrence of such Default or Event of Default or (y) the date on which the Borrower has received written notice of such Default or Event of Default from the Administrative Agent, each of the following: (1) written notice of the cure of such Default or Event of Default pursuant to this paragraph and (2) a Compliance Certificate, prepared as of the last day of the most recent Fiscal Quarter then ended, evidencing compliance with the covenants set forth in Section 5.8 excluding such Real Property Asset as a Qualifying Unencumbered Property, as applicable.

Section 6.2 Rights and Remedies.

(a) Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Sections 6.1(f) or (g), the unpaid principal amount of, and any and all accrued interest on, the Loans and any and all accrued fees and other Obligations hereunder shall automatically become immediately due and payable, with all additional interest from time to time accrued thereon during the continuance of such Event of Default at the Default Rate and without presentation, demand, or protest or other requirements of any kind (including, without limitation, valuation and appraisement, diligence, presentment, notice of intent to demand or accelerate and notice of acceleration), all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower; and upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any other Event of Default, subject to the provisions of Section 6.2(b), the Administrative Agent may, with the consent of the Required Banks, and shall, at the demand or direction of the Required Banks, by written notice to the Borrower, in addition to the exercise of all of the rights and remedies permitted the Administrative Agent and the Banks at law or equity or under any of the other Loan Documents, the unpaid principal amount of and any and all accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans and any and all accrued fees and other Obligations hereunder to be, and the same shall thereupon be, immediately due and payable with all additional interest from time to time accrued thereon and (except as otherwise as provided in the Loan Documents) without presentation, demand, or protest or other requirements of any kind (including, without limitation, valuation and appraisement, diligence, presentment, notice of intent to demand or accelerate and notice of acceleration), all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower.

 

59


(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, the Administrative Agent and the Banks each agree that any exercise or enforcement of the rights and remedies granted to the Administrative Agent or the Banks under this Agreement or at law or in equity with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Documents shall be commenced and maintained by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Administrative Agent and/or the Banks. The Administrative Agent shall act at the direction of the Required Banks in connection with the exercise of any and all remedies at law, in equity or under any of the Loan Documents or, if the Required Banks are unable to reach agreement within thirty (30) days of commencement of discussions, then, from and after an Event of Default and the end of such thirty (30) day period, the Administrative Agent may pursue such rights and remedies as it may determine if it shall reasonably determine that the same shall be in the best interests of the Banks, taken as a whole.

Section 6.3 Notice of Default. The Administrative Agent shall give notice to the Borrower under Section 6.1(c) promptly upon being requested to do so by the Required Banks and shall thereupon notify all the Banks thereof. The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default (other than nonpayment of principal of or interest on the Loans) unless Administrative Agent has received notice in writing from a Bank or the Borrower or any court or governmental agency referring to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, describing such event or condition. Should Administrative Agent receive notice of the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default expressly stating that such notice is a notice of a Default or Event of Default, or should Administrative Agent send the Borrower a notice of Default or Event of Default, Administrative Agent shall promptly give notice thereof to each Bank.

Section 6.4 [Reserved].

Section 6.5 Application of Funds. After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 6.2 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable), any amounts received on account of the Obligations shall, subject to the provisions of Section 9.16, 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 payable pursuant Section 9.3 and amounts payable under Article VIII) payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;

Second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal and interest) payable to the Banks (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Banks payable pursuant to Section 9.3 and amounts payable under Article VIII), ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;

Third, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans and other Obligations, ratably among the Banks in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;

 

60


Fourth, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans, ratably among the Banks in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them; 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 applicable Law.

ARTICLE VII

THE AGENTS

Section 7.1 Appointment and Authority. Each of the Banks hereby irrevocably appoints Truist Bank to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Except as set forth in Section 7.8 and 7.9, the provisions of this Article VII are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Banks, and the Borrower shall not have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.

Section 7.2 Rights as a Bank. The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Bank as any other Bank and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent and the term “Bank” or “Banks” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial, advisory, underwriting or other business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Banks or provide notice or consent of the Banks with respect thereto.

Section 7.3 Exculpatory Provisions. The Administrative Agent or the Joint Lead Arrangers, as applicable, shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, and its duties hereunder shall be administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent or the Joint Lead Arrangers, as applicable and its Related Parties:

(a) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

61


(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 Banks (or such other number or percentage of the Banks 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, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law;

(c) shall not have any duty or responsibility to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, to any Bank, any credit or other information concerning the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of any of the Borrower, EQR or any of their Affiliates, that is communicated to, obtained or in the possession of, the Administrative Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger or any of their Related Parties in any capacity, except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Banks by the Administrative Agent herein;

(d) shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Banks (or such other number or percentage of the Banks as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 9.5 and 6.2) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless and until notice describing such Default or Event of Default is given in writing to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or a Bank; and

(e) shall not be responsible for or have any duty or obligation to any Bank or participant or any other Person to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this 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, or Event of Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article III or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.

 

62


Section 7.4 Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Bank, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Bank unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Bank prior to the making of such Loan. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

Section 7.5 Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article VII shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.

Section 7.6 Indemnification. Each Bank shall on a several basis, ratably in accordance with its Commitment, indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Joint Lead Arranger and each Co-Syndication Agent, and their respective affiliates and directors, officers, agents and employees (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower, but without affecting the Borrower’s reimbursement obligations), against any cost, expense (including counsel fees and disbursements), claim, demand, action, loss or liability (except such as result from such indemnitee’s gross negligence or willful misconduct) that such indemnitee may suffer or incur in connection with its duties as Administrative Agent and/or Joint Lead Arranger and/or as a Co-Syndication Agent under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any action taken or omitted by such indemnitee hereunder as Administrative Agent or as Joint Lead Arranger or as Co-Syndication Agent. In the event that any Co-Syndication Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger or the Administrative Agent shall, subsequent to its receipt of indemnification payment(s) from Banks in accordance with this Section, recoup any amount from the Borrower, or any other party liable therefor in connection with such indemnification, such Co-Syndication Agent, such Joint Lead Arranger or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, shall reimburse the Banks which previously made the payment(s) pro rata, based upon the actual amounts which were theretofore paid by each Bank. The applicable Co-Syndication Agent, applicable Joint Lead Arranger or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, shall reimburse such Banks so entitled to reimbursement within two (2) Business Days after its receipt of such funds from the Borrower or such other party liable therefor.

Section 7.7 Non-Reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers, the Co-Syndication Agents and the Other Banks. Each Bank expressly acknowledges that none of the Administrative Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger nor any Co-Syndication Agent has made any representation or warranty to it, and that no act by the Administrative Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger or any Co-Syndication Agent hereafter taken, including any consent to, and acceptance of any assignment or review of the affairs of the Borrower or EQR or any of their respective

 

63


Affiliates, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the Administrative Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger or any Co-Syndication Agent to any Bank as to any matter, including whether the Administrative Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger or any Co-Syndication Agent have disclosed material information in their (or their Related Parties’) possession. Each Bank represents to the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Co-Syndication Agents that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger, any Co-Syndication Agent, any other Bank or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis of, appraisal of, and investigation into, the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower, EQR and their respective Subsidiaries, and all applicable bank or other regulatory laws relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, and made its own decision to enter into this Agreement and to extend credit to the Borrower hereunder. Each Bank also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger, any Co-Syndication Agent, any other Bank or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder, and to make such investigations as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower, EQR, or any Guarantor. Each Bank represents and warrants that (i) the Loan Documents set forth the terms of a commercial lending facility and (ii) it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans in the ordinary course and is entering into this Agreement as a Bank for the purpose of making, acquiring or holding commercial loans and providing other facilities set forth herein as may be applicable to such Bank, and not for the purpose of purchasing, acquiring or holding any other type of financial instrument, and each Bank agrees not to assert a claim in contravention of the foregoing. Each Bank represents and warrants that it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to make, acquire and/or hold commercial loans and to provide other facilities set forth herein, as may be applicable to such Bank, and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to make, acquire and/or hold such commercial loans or to provide such other facilities, is experienced in making, acquiring or holding such commercial loans or providing such other facilities.

Section 7.8 Successor Administrative Agent. Each Agent may resign at any time by giving notice thereof to the Banks, the Borrower and each other, and the Administrative Agent shall resign in the event the Commitment of the Bank serving as the Administrative Agent is reduced to less than $10,000,000. Upon any such resignation, the Required Banks shall have the right to appoint a successor Administrative Agent which successor Administrative Agent shall, provided no Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing, be subject to the Borrower’s approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed (except that (i) the Borrower shall, in all events, be deemed to have approved either [Bank of America, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. or Wells Fargo Bank, National Association], as a successor Administrative Agent and (ii) it shall be deemed “reasonable” for the Borrower to withhold its consent if the successor Administrative Agent is a Person other than a commercial banking institution with a credit rating for senior, unsecured, long-term indebtedness for borrowed money equal to or better than BBB- with S&P and Baa3 with Moody’s). If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed by the Required Banks and (if required) approved by the

 

64


Borrower, or, if so appointed, shall not have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of resignation (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Banks) (the “Resignation Effective Date”), then the retiring Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to), on behalf of the Banks, appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which shall be the Administrative Agent who shall act until the Required Banks shall appoint a successor Administrative Agent subject to the Borrower’s approval; provided no Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed (and it shall be deemed “reasonable” for the Borrower to withhold its consent if the successor Administrative Agent is a Person other than a commercial banking institution with a credit rating for senior, unsecured, long-term indebtedness for borrowed money equal to or better than BBB- with S&P and Baa3 with Moody’s). Upon the acceptance of its appointment as the Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor Administrative Agent, such successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder (if not already discharged therefrom as provided below on the Resignation Effective Date or Removal Effective Date, as applicable). For gross negligence or willful misconduct or if the Administrative Agent shall become a Defaulting Lender, as determined by the Required Banks (excluding for such determination the Bank serving as Administrative Agent in its capacity as a Bank), the Administrative Agent may be removed at any time by the Required Banks or, in the case of the Administrative Agent becoming a Defaulting Lender only, by either the Required Banks or the Borrower, giving at least thirty (30) Business Days (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Banks) (the “Removal Effective Date”) prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and, in the case of a removal of the Administrative Agent by the Borrower as a result of it becoming a Defaulting Lender, the Banks. Whether or not a successor has been appointed, such resignation or removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date, as applicable, and shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. After any retiring or removed Administrative Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.3 shall inure to its benefit, and to the benefit of its sub-agents, their respective Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, agents and employees of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates, as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them (i) while the retiring or removed Administrative Agent was the Administrative Agent and (ii) after such resignation or removal for as long as any of them continues to act in any sub-agent capacity or similar role hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, including (a) acting as collateral agent or otherwise holding any collateral security on behalf of any of the Banks and (b) in respect of any actions taken in connection with transferring the agency to any successor Administrative Agent.

Section 7.9 Consents and Approvals. All communications from Administrative Agent to the Banks requesting the Banks’ determination, consent, approval or disapproval (i) shall be given in the form of a written notice to each Bank, (ii) shall be accompanied by a description of the matter or item as to which such determination, approval, consent or disapproval is requested, or shall advise each Bank where such matter or item may be inspected, or shall otherwise describe the matter or issue to be resolved, (iii) shall include, if reasonably requested by a Bank and to the extent not previously provided to such Bank, written materials and a summary of all oral information provided to Administrative Agent by the Borrower in respect of the matter or issue to be resolved, (iv) shall include Administrative Agent’s recommended course of action or

 

65


determination in respect thereof and (v) shall include a statement that if any Bank does not respond to such request within ten (10) Business Days and provide a written explanation of the reasons behind any objection, such Bank shall be deemed to have approved of or consented to, as applicable, the recommendation or determination of the Administrative Agent described in such request. Each Bank shall reply promptly, but in any event within ten (10) Business Days after receipt of the request therefor from Administrative Agent (the “Bank Reply Period”). Unless a Bank shall give written notice to Administrative Agent that it objects to the recommendation or determination of Administrative Agent within the Bank Reply Period, such Bank shall be deemed to have approved of or consented to such recommendation or determination. With respect to decisions requiring the approval of the Required Banks or all the Banks, Administrative Agent shall submit its recommendation or determination for approval of or consent to such recommendation or determination to all Banks and upon receiving the required approval or consent shall follow the course of action or determination of the Required Banks (and each non-responding Bank shall be deemed to have concurred with such recommended course of action) or all the Banks, as the case may be.

Section 7.10 No Other Duties, Etc.. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the Joint Lead Arrangers or Co-Syndication Agents listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent or a Bank hereunder.

Section 7.11 Certain ERISA Matters.

(a) Each Bank (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Bank party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Bank party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Bank party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

(i) such Bank 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 Bank’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, 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 Bank’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement,

 

66


(iii) (A) such Bank 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 Bank to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, 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 Bank, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Bank’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, 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 Bank.

(b) In addition, unless either (1) sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Bank or (2) a Bank has provided another representation, warranty and covenant in accordance with sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Bank further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Bank party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Bank party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Bank party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower, that the Administrative Agent is not a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Bank involved in such Bank’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, 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).

Section 7.12 Recovery of Erroneous Payments(a) . Without limitation of any other provision in this Agreement, if at any time the Administrative Agent makes a payment hereunder in error to any Bank 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 Bank Recipient Party receiving a Rescindable Amount severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the Rescindable Amount received by such Bank Recipient Party in Same Day 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 Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation. Each Bank 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 Bank Recipient Party promptly upon determining that any payment made to such Bank Recipient Party comprised, in whole or in part, a Rescindable Amount.

 

67


ARTICLE VIII

CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES

Section 8.1 Inability to Determine Rates; Replacement of Relevant Rates or Successor Rates.

(a) Inability to Determine Rates. If in connection with any request for a Term SOFR Loan, or a Daily SOFR Loan, a conversion of a Base Rate Loan or a Term SOFR Loan to a Daily SOFR Loan, a conversion of a Base Rate Loan or a Daily SOFR Loan to a Term SOFR Loan or a continuation of any Term SOFR Loan, (i) the Administrative Agent reasonably determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that (A) no Successor Rate for the Relevant Rate for Dollars has been determined in accordance with Section 8.1(b) and the circumstances under clause (i) of Section 8.1(b), or the SOFR Scheduled Unavailability Date, has occurred with respect to such Relevant Rate (as applicable), or (B) adequate and reasonable means do not otherwise exist for determining the Relevant Rate for Dollars for any determination date(s) or requested Interest Period, as applicable, with respect to a proposed Term SOFR Loan or Daily SOFR Loan or in connection with an existing or proposed Base Rate Loan, or (ii) the Administrative Agent or the Required Banks determine for any reason that the Relevant Rate with respect to a proposed Loan denominated in Dollars for any requested Interest Period or determination date(s) does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Banks of funding such Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Bank.

Thereafter, (x) the obligation of the Banks to make or maintain Loans in Dollars, as applicable, or to convert Base Rate Loans or Term SOFR Loans to Daily SOFR (if affected) Loans or to convert Base Rate Loans or Daily SOFR Loans to Term SOFR Loans (if affected) shall be suspended in each case to the extent of the affected Loans or Interest Period or determination date(s), as applicable, and (y) in the event of a determination described in the preceding sentence with respect to the Term SOFR component of the Base Rate, the utilization of the Term SOFR component in determining the Base Rate shall be suspended, in each case until the Administrative Agent (or, in the case of a determination by the Required Banks described in clause (ii) of this Section 8.1(a), until the Administrative Agent upon instruction of the Required Banks) revokes such notice.

Upon receipt of such notice, (i) the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, or conversion to Daily SOFR Loans, Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Term SOFR Loans or Borrowing or continuation of Loans to the extent of the affected Loans or Interest Period or determination date(s), as applicable or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of (x) to extent unaffected, Daily SOFR Loans, or if Daily SOFR Loans are unavailable, (y) Base Rate Loans, in each case, denominated in Dollars and (ii) (A) any outstanding Daily SOFR Loans (if affected) shall be deemed to have been converted to Base Rate Loans immediately, in the case of a Daily SOFR Loan, or at the end of the applicable Interest Period in the case of a Term SOFR Loan (or immediately if it is illegal at such time for such Bank to determine or charge interest rates based upon Term SOFR), and (B) any outstanding Term SOFR Loans (if affected) shall be deemed to have been converted to Daily SOFR Loans (if unaffected) or if Daily SOFR Loans are unavailable, Base Rate Loans at the end of the applicable Interest Period (or immediately if it is illegal at such time for such Bank to determine or charge interest rates based upon Term SOFR).

(b) Replacement of SOFR or SOFR Successor Rate. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, if the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error), or the Borrower or Required Banks notify the Administrative Agent (with, in the case of the Required Banks, a copy to the Borrower) that the Borrower or Required Banks (as applicable) have determined, that:

 

68


(i) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining both Daily Simple SOFR and one month, three month and six month Interest Periods of Term SOFR (for clarification, none of Daily Simple SOFR or Term SOFR for Interest Periods of one month, three months and six months are ascertainable), including because SOFR is not available or published on a current basis or the Term SOFR Screen Rate is not available or published on a current basis, and such circumstances are unlikely to be temporary;

(ii) the Applicable Authority has made a public statement identifying a specific date after which SOFR, one month, three month and six month Interest Periods for Term SOFR and the Term SOFR Screen Rate shall or will no longer be representative or made available, or permitted to be used for determining the interest rate of syndicated loans denominated in Dollars, or shall or will otherwise cease, provided that at the time of such statement, there are no successor administrators that are satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that will continue to provide SOFR or such Interest Periods of Term SOFR, as applicable, after such specific date (the latest date on which each of Daily Simple SOFR, one month, three month and six month Interest Periods for Term SOFR and the Term SOFR Screen Rate are no longer representative or available permanently or indefinitely, the “SOFR Scheduled Unavailability Date”); or

if the events or circumstances of the type described in Section 8.1(b)(i) or (ii) have occurred with respect to the SOFR Successor Rate then in effect, then the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may amend this Agreement solely for the purpose of replacing SOFR and/or Term SOFR for Dollars or any then current SOFR Successor Rate for Dollars in accordance with this Section 8.1 with an alternative benchmark rate giving due consideration to any evolving or then existing convention for similar credit facilities syndicated and agented in the United States and denominated in Dollars for such alternative benchmarks, and, in each case, including any mathematical or other adjustments to such benchmark giving due consideration to any evolving or then existing convention for similar credit facilities syndicated and agented in the United States and denominated in Dollars for such benchmarks (and any such proposed rate, including for the avoidance of doubt, any adjustment thereto, a “SOFR Successor Rate” or “Successor Rate”), and 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 Banks and the Borrower unless, prior to such time, Banks comprising the Required Banks have delivered to the Administrative Agent written notice that such Required Banks object to such amendment.

(c) [Reserved].

(d) Successor Rate. The Administrative Agent will promptly (in one or more notices) notify the Borrower and each Bank 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.

 

69


Notwithstanding anything else herein, if at any time any Successor Rate as so determined would otherwise be less than zero, the Successor Rate will be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

In connection with the implementation of a Successor Rate, the Administrative Agent 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 Banks reasonably promptly after such amendment becomes effective.

(e) [Reserved].

Section 8.2 Illegality. If any Bank reasonably determines that any Law, governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order (in each case whether or not having the force of law) has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Bank or its Applicable Lending Office to perform any of its obligations hereunder or make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to a Relevant Rate, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon a Relevant Rate, then, upon notice thereof by such Bank to the Borrower (through the Administrative Agent), (a) any obligation of such Bank to make or maintain Term SOFR Loans or Daily SOFR Loans or to convert Base Rate Loans or Daily SOFR Loans to Term SOFR Loans or Base Rate Loans or Term SOFR Loans to Daily SOFR Loans shall be, in each case to the extent affected, suspended, and (b) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Bank making or maintaining Base Rate Loans the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the Term SOFR component of the Base Rate, the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Bank shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Term SOFR component of the Base Rate, in each case until such Bank notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, (i) the Borrower shall, upon demand from such Bank (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay all Term SOFR Loans and/or Daily SOFR Loans, as applicable, and convert all Term SOFR Loans and/or Daily SOFR Loans of such Bank to (x) Daily SOFR Loans (if unaffected) or (y) if Daily SOFR Loans are unavailable, Base Rate Loans (the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Bank shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Term SOFR component of the Base Rate), in each case, immediately, or in the case of Term SOFR Loans on the last day of the Interest Period therefor if such Bank may lawfully continue to maintain such Term SOFR Loans to such day and (ii) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Bank determining or charging interest rates based upon Term SOFR, the Administrative Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the Base Rate applicable to such Bank without reference to the Term SOFR component thereof until the Administrative Agent is advised in writing by such Bank that it is no longer illegal for such Bank to determine or charge interest rates based upon Term SOFR. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 2.13.

 

70


If, at any time, any Bank exercises its rights under the preceding paragraph and provides the notice described in clause (a) of the preceding paragraph, the Borrower shall have the right, upon five (5) Business Days’ notice to the Administrative Agent, to either (x) cause a bank reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent to offer to purchase the Commitments and/or Loans of such Bank for an amount equal to such Bank’s outstanding Loans and all amounts due such Bank hereunder (including, without limitation, interest and all amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.13), and to become a Bank hereunder, or obtain the agreement of one or more existing Banks to offer to purchase the Commitments and/or Loans of such Bank for such amount, which offer such Bank is hereby required to accept, or (y) repay in full all Loans then outstanding of such Bank, together with interest thereon, and all other amounts due such Bank hereunder (including, without limitation, amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.13), upon which event, such Bank’s Commitment and/or Loans shall be deemed to be cancelled and may not be reinstated. Any Bank subject to this paragraph shall retain the benefits of Sections 8.3, 8.4 and 9.3 for the period prior to such purchase or cancellation.

Section 8.3 Increased Cost and Reduced Return.

(a) If any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve (and any such requirement consisting of a reserve ratio requirement or analogous requirement of any central banking or financial regulatory authority), special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office);

(ii) subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or

(iii) impose on any Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office) or any applicable interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) materially more burdensome in nature, extent or consequence than those in existence as of the Closing Date, affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Bank;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office) of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office) under this Agreement or under its Note with respect to such Loans, by an amount deemed by such Bank to be material, then, within 15 days after demand by such Bank (in each case, with a copy to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall pay to such Bank such additional amount or amounts (based upon a reasonable allocation thereof by such Bank to the Loans made by such Bank hereunder) as will compensate such Bank for such increased cost or reduction to the extent such Bank generally imposes such additional amounts on other borrowers of such Bank in similar circumstances.

 

71


(b) If any Bank shall have reasonably determined that any Change in Law regarding capital adequacy or liquidity ratios or requirements, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on capital of such Bank (or such Bank’s Parent) as a consequence of such Bank’s obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Bank (or such Bank’s Parent) could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration its policies with respect to capital adequacy or liquidity) by an amount reasonably deemed by such Bank to be material, then from time to time, within 15 days after demand by such Bank (in each case, with a copy to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall pay to such Bank such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Bank (or such Bank’s Parent) for such reduction suffered to the extent such Bank (or such Bank’s Parent) generally imposes such additional amounts on other borrowers of such Bank in similar circumstances.

(c) Each Bank will promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of any event of which it has knowledge, occurring after the date hereof, which will entitle such Bank to compensation pursuant to this Section 8.3 and will designate a different Applicable Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for, or reduce the amount of, such compensation and will not, in the reasonable judgment of such Bank, be otherwise disadvantageous to such Bank. If such Bank shall fail to notify the Borrower of any such event within 90 days following the end of the month during which such event occurred, then Borrower’s liability for any amounts described in this Section incurred by such Bank as a result of such event shall be limited to those attributable to the period occurring subsequent to the ninetieth (90th) day prior to the date upon which such Bank actually notified the Borrower of the occurrence of such event. A certificate of any Bank claiming compensation under this Section 8.3 and setting forth a reasonably detailed calculation of the additional amount or amounts to be paid to it hereunder shall be conclusive in the absence of demonstrable error. In determining such amount, such Bank may use any reasonable averaging and attribution methods.

(d) If at any time, any Bank shall be owed amounts pursuant to this Section 8.3, the Borrower shall have the right, upon five (5) Business Days’ notice to the Administrative Agent to either (x) cause a bank reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent to offer to purchase the Commitments of such Bank for an amount equal to such Bank’s outstanding Loans and all amounts due such Bank hereunder (including, without limitation, interest, and all amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.13 and this Section 8.3), and to become a Bank hereunder, or to obtain the agreement of one or more existing Banks to offer to purchase the Commitments of such Bank for such amount, which offer such Bank is hereby required to accept, or (y) repay in full all Loans then outstanding of such Bank, together with interest thereon, and all other amounts due such Bank hereunder (including, without limitation, amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.13 and this Section 8.3), upon which event, such Bank’s Commitment shall be deemed to be cancelled and may not be reinstated. Any Bank subject to this Section 8.3(d) shall retain the benefits of Sections 8.3, 8.4 and 9.3 for the period prior to such purchase or cancellation.

 

72


Section 8.4 Taxes.

(a) Payments Free of Taxes; Obligation to Withhold; Payments on Account of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower, EQR or any Down REIT under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable Law. If any 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 a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the Borrower, EQR or any Down REIT shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.

(b) Payment of Other Taxes. The Borrower, EQR and each Down REIT shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable Law.

(c) Indemnifications by the Borrower et al. The Borrower, and each Guarantor shall, and hereby does, indemnify each Recipient, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 15 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. The Borrower shall, and does hereby, indemnify Administrative Agent, and shall make payment in respect thereof within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for any amount which a Bank for any reason fails to pay to Administrative Agent as required pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Bank (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Bank, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(d) Indemnification by the Banks. Each Bank shall, and hereby does, severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 15 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Bank (but only to the extent that the Borrower has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Bank’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.6 relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Bank, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such 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 any Bank by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Bank hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Bank under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Bank from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (d). In addition, each Bank shall, and hereby does, severally indemnify the Borrower for any payment made by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the penultimate sentence of Section 8.4(c) with respect to amounts payable by such Bank under either clause (ii) or (iii) above, and, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each Bank hereby authorizes the Borrower to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Bank under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Borrower to the Bank from any other source against any amount due to the Borrower under this paragraph (d).

 

73


(e) Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by the Borrower or any Guarantor or by the Administrative Agent to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 8.4, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent or the Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Borrower, as the case may be, the original or a copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be.

(f) Status of Banks; Tax Documentation. (i) Any Bank that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Bank, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable Law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Bank is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 8.4(f)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Bank’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Bank to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Bank.

(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is a U.S. Person,

(A) any Bank that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Bank becomes a Bank under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Bank is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;

(B) any Foreign Bank shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Bank becomes a Bank under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

 

74


(1) in the case of a Foreign Bank claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or W-8BEN, as applicable) establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or W-8BEN, as applicable) establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

(2) executed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI;

(3) in the case of a Foreign Bank claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit J-1 to the effect that such Foreign Bank is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or W-8BEN, as applicable); or

(4) to the extent a Foreign Bank is not the beneficial owner, executed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or W-8BEN, as applicable), a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit J-2 or Exhibit J-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Bank is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Bank are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Bank may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit J-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

(C) any Foreign Bank shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Bank becomes a Bank under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of any other form prescribed by applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable Law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

(D) if a payment made to a Bank under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Bank 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 Bank 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 Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Bank has complied with such Bank’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.

 

75


Each Bank agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

(g) Treatment of Certain Refunds. 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 8.4 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 8.4), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments 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 (g) (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 (g), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (g) 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.

(h) Designation of a Different Applicable Lending Office. If the Borrower is required to pay additional amounts to or for the account of any Bank pursuant to this Section 8.4, then such Bank will (at the request of the Borrower) use reasonable efforts to change the jurisdiction of its Applicable Lending Office so as to eliminate or reduce any such additional payment which may thereafter accrue if such change, in the judgment of such Bank, (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to this Section 8.4 in the future, and (ii) would not subject such Bank to any unreimbursed cost or expense and is not otherwise disadvantageous to such Bank. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Bank in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(i) Replacement of Banks. Each Bank may make any Borrowings to the Borrower through any Applicable Lending Office; provided that the exercise of this option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such credit extension in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. If, at any time, any Bank shall be owed amounts pursuant to this Section 8.4 and such Bank has declined or is unable to change the jurisdiction of its Applicable Lending Office in accordance with paragraph (h) of this Section 8.4, the Borrower shall, at its sole expense and effort, have the right, upon five (5) Business Days’ notice to the Administrative Agent to either

 

76


(x) cause a bank reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent to offer to purchase the Commitments of such Bank for an amount equal to such Bank’s outstanding Loans and all amounts due such Bank hereunder (including, without limitation, interest, and all amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.13 and this Section 8.4), and to become a Bank hereunder, or to obtain the agreement of one or more existing Banks to offer to purchase the Commitments of such Bank for such amount, which offer such Bank is hereby required to accept, or (y) repay in full all Loans then outstanding of such Bank, together with interest thereon, and all other amounts due such Bank hereunder (including, without limitation, amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.13 and this Section 8.4), upon which event, such Bank’s Commitment shall be deemed to be cancelled. Any Bank subject to this Section 8.4(i) shall retain the benefits of Sections 8.3, 8.4 and 9.3 for the period prior to such purchase or cancellation.

Section 8.5 Base Rate Loans Substituted for Affected Loans. If (i) the obligation of any Bank to make any SOFR Loans has been suspended pursuant to Section 8.2 or (ii) any Bank has demanded compensation under Section 8.3 or 8.4 with respect to its SOFR Loans, and the Borrower shall, by at least five (5) Business Days’ prior notice to such Bank through the Administrative Agent, have elected that the provisions of this Section shall apply to such Bank, then, unless and until such Bank notifies the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such suspension or demand for compensation no longer exist:

(a) the Borrower shall be deemed to have delivered a Notice of Interest Rate Election with respect to such affected Term SOFR Loans and/or Daily SOFR Loans, as the case may be, and thereafter all Loans which would otherwise be made by such Bank as Term SOFR Loans (with respect to the affected Interest Periods) and/or Daily SOFR Loans, as applicable, shall be made instead as (x) to extent unaffected, Daily SOFR Loans, or (y) if Daily SOFR Loans are unavailable, Base Rate Loans(on which interest and principal shall be payable contemporaneously with the related SOFR Loans of the other Banks), and

(b) after each of its Term SOFR Loans and Daily SOFR Loans has been repaid, all payments of principal which would otherwise be applied to repay such Term SOFR Loans or Daily SOFR Loans shall be applied to repay its Base Rate Loans instead, and

(c) the Borrower will not be required to make any payment which would otherwise be required by Section 2.13 with respect to such Term SOFR Loans or Daily SOFR Loans converted to Base Rate Loans pursuant to clause (a) above.

Section 8.6 Survival. Each party’s obligations under this Article VIII shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Bank, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.

 

77


ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 9.1 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 facsimile or electronic mail 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) in the case of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, at its address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified on Schedule 9.1, and

(ii) in the case of any other Bank, at its address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire (including, as appropriate, notices delivered solely to the Person designated by a Bank on its Administrative Questionnaire then in effect for the delivery of notices that may contain material non-public information relating to the Borrower).

Each such notice, request or other communication shall be effective (i) if given by facsimile transmission, when such facsimile is transmitted to the facsimile number specified in this Section and the appropriate facsimile confirmation is received, (ii) if given by certified registered mail, return receipt requested, with first class postage prepaid, addressed as aforesaid, upon receipt or refusal to accept delivery, (iii) if given by a nationally recognized overnight carrier, 24 hours after such communication is deposited with such carrier with postage prepaid for next day delivery, or (iv) if given by any other means, when delivered at the address specified in this Section; provided that notices to the Administrative Agent under Article II or Article VIII shall not be effective until received; provided further that 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). The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Banks of any change in the address of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent.

(b) Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Banks hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail, FpML messaging, and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Bank pursuant to Article II if such Bank 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 each, 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.

 

78


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), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website or an electronic platform or transmitted by electronic transmission system 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 or platform therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii), if such notice, e-mail or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice, e-mail or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.

Section 9.2 No Waivers. No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent or any Bank in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder or under any Note shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

Section 9.3 Expenses; Indemnification.

(a) Expenses. The Borrower shall pay within thirty (30) days after receipt of a reasonably detailed invoice from the Administrative Agent, (i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent and the Co-Syndication Agents (including reasonable fees and disbursements of special counsel to the Administrative Agent), in connection with the preparation of this Agreement, the Loan Documents and the documents and instruments referred to therein, and any waiver or consent hereunder or any amendment hereof or any Default or Event of Default or alleged Default or Event of Default (and in the case of attorneys’ fees for the Administrative Agent and the Co-Syndication Agents, shall be limited to a single outside law firm representing Administrative Agent), (ii) all reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of special counsel to the Administrative Agent in connection with the syndication of the Loans and (iii) if an Event of Default occurs, all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and each Bank (the Administrative Agent shall promptly submit any expenses of any of the Banks to the Borrower for reimbursement), including fees and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent and each of the Banks, in connection with the enforcement of the Loan Documents and the instruments referred to therein and such Event of Default and collection, bankruptcy, insolvency and other enforcement proceedings resulting therefrom; provided, however, that the attorneys’ fees and disbursements for which the Borrower is obligated under this subsection (a)(iii) shall be limited to the reasonable non-duplicative fees and disbursements of (A) counsel for Administrative Agent, and (B) counsel for all of the Banks as a group; and provided, further, that all other costs and expenses for which the Borrower is obligated under this subsection (a)(iii) shall be limited to the reasonable non-duplicative costs and expenses of Administrative Agent. For purposes of this Section 9.3(a)(iii), (1) counsel for Administrative Agent shall mean a single outside law firm representing Administrative Agent, and (2) counsel for all of the Banks as a group shall mean a single outside law firm representing such Banks as a group (which law firm may or may not be the same law firm representing any or all of the Administrative Agent and/or a Co-Syndication Agent).

 

79


(b) Indemnity. The Borrower agrees to indemnify each Co-Syndication Agent, the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Joint Lead Arranger and each Bank, their respective Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, agents and employees of the foregoing (each an “Indemnitee”) and hold each Indemnitee harmless from and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages, costs and expenses of any kind, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel, which may be incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding that may at any time (including, without limitation, at any time following the payment of the Obligations) be asserted against any Indemnitee, as a result of, or arising out of, or in any way related to or by reason of, (i) any of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents or the execution, delivery or performance of any Loan Document (including, without limitation, the Indemnitee’s reliance on any Communication executed using an Electronic Signature, or in the form of an Electronic Record), (ii) any violation by the Borrower, EQR or the Environmental Affiliates of any applicable Environmental Law, (iii) any Environmental Claim arising out of the management, use, control, ownership or operation of Property by the Borrower, EQR or any of the Environmental Affiliates, including, without limitation, all on-site and off-site activities of the Borrower or any Environmental Affiliate involving Materials of Environmental Concern, (iv) the breach of any environmental representation or warranty set forth herein, IN ALL CASES, WHETHER OR NOT CAUSED BY OR ARISING, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, OUT OF THE COMPARATIVE, CONTRIBUTORY OR SOLE NEGLIGENCE OF SUCH INDEMNITEE, but excluding those liabilities, losses, damages, costs and expenses (a) for which such Indemnitee has been compensated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (b) incurred solely by reason of the gross negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith or fraud of any Indemnitee as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and non-appealable judgment, (c) violations of Environmental Laws relating to a Property which are caused by the act or omission of such Indemnitee after such Indemnitee takes possession of such Property, (d) any liability of such Indemnitee to any third party based upon contractual obligations of such Indemnitee owing to such third party which are not expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, (e) resulting from a claim by the Borrower, EQR, or a Down REIT against an Indemnitee for a material breach by such Indemnitee of its obligations under any Loan Document if the Borrower, EQR or such Down REIT, as applicable, has obtained a final and non-appealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction and (f) resulting from a claim not involving an act or omission of the Borrower, EQR, any Down REIT or any of their Subsidiaries and that is brought by an Indemnitee against another Indemnitee (other than an Indemnitee acting in its role as the Administrative Agent or a Joint Lead Arranger). In addition, the indemnification set forth in this Section 9.3(b) in favor of any director, officer, agent or employee of the Administrative Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger, any Co-Syndication Agent or any Bank shall be solely in his or her respective capacity as such director, officer, agent or employee. The Borrower’s obligations under this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Obligations.

Section 9.4 Sharing of Set-Offs. In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable Law or otherwise, and not by way of limitation of any such rights, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, each Bank is hereby authorized at any time or from time to time, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind to the Borrower or to any other Person, any such notice being hereby expressly waived, but subject to the prior consent of the Administrative Agent, to set off and to appropriate and apply any and

 

80


all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) and any other indebtedness at any time held or owing by such Bank (including, without limitation, by branches and agencies of such Bank wherever located) to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against and on account of the Obligations of the Borrower then due and payable to such Bank under this Agreement or under any of the other Loan Documents, including, without limitation, all interests in Obligations purchased by such Bank. Each Bank agrees that if it shall by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise (except pursuant to Sections 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 or 9.6), receive payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of principal and interest due with respect to any Loan held by it which is greater than the proportion received by any other Bank, the Bank receiving such proportionately greater payment shall purchase such participations in the Loans held by the other Banks, and such other adjustments shall be made, as may be required so that all such payments of principal and interest with respect to the Loans held by the Banks shall be shared by the Banks pro rata; provided, that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of set-off, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.16 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Banks, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff; provided further that nothing in this Section shall impair the right of any Bank to exercise any right of set-off or counterclaim it may have to any deposits not received in connection with the Loans and to apply the amount subject to such exercise to the payment of indebtedness of the Borrower other than its indebtedness in respect of the Loans. The Borrower agrees, to the fullest extent it may effectively do so under applicable Law, that any holder of a participation in a Loan, whether or not acquired pursuant to the foregoing arrangements, may exercise rights of set-off or counterclaim and other rights with respect to such participation as fully as if such holder of a participation were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Bank may, by separate agreement with the Borrower, waive its right to set off contained herein or granted by law and any such written waiver shall be effective against such Bank under this Section 9.4.

Section 9.5 Amendments and Waivers. Subject to Section 2.4(g), Section 8.1 and clause (b) of the second paragraph of this Section 9.5, and except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any provision of this Agreement or the Notes or other Loan Documents may be amended or waived if, but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed by the Borrower and the Required Banks (and, if the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent in its capacity as Administrative Agent are affected thereby, by the Administrative Agent); provided that no such amendment or waiver with respect to this Agreement, the Notes, or any other Loan Documents shall, unless signed or consented to by (A) each Bank directly affected thereby, (i) increase or decrease the Commitment of any Bank (except for a ratable decrease in the Commitments of all Banks or any termination of any Commitments pursuant to Sections 8.3, 8.4, 8.5 or 9.16) or subject any Bank to any additional obligation (it being understood and agreed that a waiver of any Default or Event of Default is not considered an increase in the Commitments or an additional obligation of any Bank), (ii) reduce the principal of or rate of interest on any Loan or any fees hereunder (provided that only the consent of the Required Banks shall be required for the waiver of interest payable at the Default Rate, retraction of imposition of interest at the Default Rate and amendment of the definition of “Default Rate”), or (iii) postpone the date fixed for any payment of principal

 

81


of or interest on any Loan or any fees hereunder or for any reduction or termination of any Commitment, and (B) each Bank, (i) change (x) the percentage of the Commitments (except pursuant to Sections 8.3, 8.4, 8.5 or 9.16) or of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans, or the number of Banks, which shall be required for the Banks or any of them to take any action under this Section or any other provision of this Agreement or (y) any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Banks which are required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, (ii) after EQR provides the Parent Guaranty, release the Parent Guaranty (provided that it be understood and agreed that only the consent of the Required Banks shall be required to amend, modify or waive the provisions of Sections 5.14 or 5.15 or otherwise waive any requirement to provide the Parent Guaranty), (iii) modify the definition of “Required Banks”, (iv) [reserved], (v) modify Section 6.5 or any other provision hereof in a manner that would have the effect of altering the ratable reduction of Commitments, pro rata payments or the pro rata sharing of payments, or the order of application of payments, otherwise required hereunder, (vi) adopt or amend any provision that subordinates, or has the effect of subordinating, the Obligations hereunder to any other Indebtedness or other obligation, or (vii) modify the provisions of this Section 9.5; provided further, that no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Banks above, amend or waive, or consent to any departure from, Section 8.1, any term defined in such section, any term defined in any other section or provision in this Agreement relating to SOFR, Daily Simple SOFR, Term SOFR, any Relevant Rate or any Successor Rate, or any term or provision relating to the replacement of any such rate or Successor Rate.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein:

(a) no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Banks or each affected Bank may be effected with the consent of the applicable Banks other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (x) the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Bank and (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Banks or each affected Bank that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender disproportionately adversely relative to other affected Banks shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender;

(b) the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may, with the consent of the other (but without the consent of any Bank or other Person), amend, modify or supplement this Agreement and any other Loan Document to cure any ambiguity, omission, typographical error, mistake, defect or inconsistency if such amendment, modification or supplement does not adversely affect the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Bank;

(c) [reserved];

(d) [reserved]; and

(e) this Agreement may be amended and restated without the consent of any Bank (but with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent) if, upon giving effect to such amendment and restatement, such Bank shall no longer be a party to this Agreement (as so amended and restated), the Commitments of such Bank shall have terminated, such Bank shall have no other commitment or other obligation hereunder and shall have been paid in full all principal, interest and other amounts owing to it or accrued for its account under this Agreement.

 

82


At such time as the Borrower shall sell its interest in any Down REIT to an unaffiliated third party in an arms-length transaction, the Down REIT Guaranty of such Down REIT shall be deemed to have terminated and be released, and the Banks hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to enter into an agreement, confirming the termination and release of such Down REIT Guaranty, at the Borrower’s sole cost and expense to the extent required by Section 9.3(a).

If any Bank is a Non-Consenting Bank, then the Borrower shall have the right, at its sole expense and effort, upon five (5) Business Days’ notice to such Non-Consenting Bank and the Administrative Agent, to either (x) cause a bank, reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, to offer to purchase at par the Commitments of such Bank for an amount equal to such Non-Consenting Bank’s outstanding Loans and all amounts due such Bank hereunder (including, without limitation, interest, and all amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.13), and to become a Bank hereunder, or obtain the agreement of one or more existing Banks to offer to purchase at par the Commitments of such Bank for such amount, which offer such Bank is hereby required to accept, or (y) repay in full all Loans then outstanding of such Bank, together with interest thereon, and all other amounts due such Bank hereunder (including, without limitation, amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.13), upon which event, such Bank’s Commitment shall be deemed to be cancelled and may not be reinstated; provided that, in the case of an assignment pursuant to clause (x) above:

(a) unless otherwise waived by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee (if any) specified in Section 9.6(c);

(b) such Bank shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 2.13) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);

(c) such assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws; and

(d) the applicable assignee shall have consented to the applicable amendment, waiver or consent.

A Bank shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Bank or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply. Any Bank subject to this paragraph shall retain the benefits of Sections 8.3, 8.4 and 9.3 for the period prior to such purchase or cancellation.

Each party hereto agrees that (a) an assignment required pursuant to this Section 9.5 may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the assignee and (b) the Bank required to make such assignment need not be a party thereto in order for such assignment to be effective and shall be deemed to have consented to be bound by the terms thereof; provided that, following the effectiveness of any such assignment, the other parties to such assignment agree to execute and deliver such documents necessary to evidence such assignment as reasonably requested by the applicable Bank, provided, further that any such documents shall be without recourse to or warranty by the parties thereto.

 

83


Notwithstanding anything in this Section 9.5 to the contrary, the Bank that acts as the Administrative Agent may not be replaced hereunder except in accordance with the terms of Section 7.8.

Section 9.6 Successors and Assigns.

(a) Generally. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents without the prior written consent of all Banks and the Administrative Agent and any Bank may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its interest under this Agreement except as permitted in subsection (b) and (c) of this Section 9.6.

(b) Bank Participations. Any Bank may at any time grant participating interests in its Commitment or any or all of its Loans (i) to an existing Bank or one or more banks, finance companies, insurance companies or other financial institutions in minimum amounts of not less than $5,000,000 (or any lesser amount in the case of participations to an existing Bank) (it being understood that no Bank may hold Commitments of which less than $5,000,000 in the aggregate is for its own account, unless its Commitments shall have been reduced to zero), provided that, except in the case of a participation to an existing Bank or an Affiliate of an existing Bank, the Borrower shall have consented to such participation, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed (provided that, it shall in all cases be deemed “reasonable” for the Borrower to withhold its consent if the participation is to any Person other than a commercial banking institution with a credit rating for senior, unsecured, long-term indebtedness for borrowed money equal to or better than BBB- with S&P and Baa3 with Moody’s) and (ii) after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to any Person in any amount (in each case, a “Participant”). In the event of any voting participation, the Administrative Agent shall be notified by any such Bank of any such voting participation prior to the same becoming effective. Any participation made during the continuation of an Event of Default shall not be affected by the subsequent cure of such Event of Default. In the event of any such grant by a Bank of a participating interest to a Participant, whether or not upon notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, such Bank shall remain responsible for the performance of its obligations hereunder, and the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Bank in connection with such Bank’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement pursuant to which any Bank may grant such a participating interest shall provide that such Bank shall retain the sole right and responsibility to enforce the obligations of the Borrower hereunder including, without limitation, the right to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such participation agreement may provide that such Bank will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any modification, amendment or waiver of this Agreement described in clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (v) of Section 9.5 that affects such Participant. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall, to the extent provided in its participation agreement, be entitled to the benefits of Article VIII with respect to its participating interest to the same extent as if it were a Bank and had acquired its

 

84


interest by assignment pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 9.6 (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 8.4(f) shall be delivered to the Bank who sells the participation); provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Section 8.4(i) and the provisions of Section 9.5 applicable to a Non-Consenting Bank as if it were an assignee under clause (c) of this Section 9.6 and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 8.3 or 8.4, with respect to any participation, than the Bank from whom it acquired the applicable participation would have been entitled to receive, 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. Each Bank that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 8.4(i) with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by Law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of, and subject to, Section 9.4 as though it were a Bank. An assignment or other transfer which is not permitted by subsection (c) or (d) below shall be given effect for purposes of this Agreement only to the extent of, and subject to the restrictions with respect to, a participating interest granted in accordance with this subsection (b). Each Bank 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 Bank 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, 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 Bank 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.

(c) Bank Assignments. Any Bank may at any time assign to (i) so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (A) an existing Bank or an Approved Fund of a Bank, (B) one or more banks, finance companies, insurance or other financial institutions which (1) has (or, in the case of a bank which is a subsidiary, such bank’s parent has) a rating of its senior debt obligations of not less than Baa-1 by Moody’s or a comparable rating by a rating agency acceptable to Administrative Agent and (2) has total assets in excess of Ten Billion Dollars ($10,000,000,000) (a “Qualified Institution”), or (C) with the prior consent and approval of the Administrative Agent, a wholly owned affiliate of such transferor Bank if such transferor Bank then meets the requirements of clause (i)(B) or, if such transferor Bank’s parent then meets the requirements of clause (i)(B), a wholly owned affiliate of such parent, in each case in minimum amounts of not less than Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000) and integral multiples of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) thereafter (or any lesser amount in the case of assignments to an existing Bank) (it being understood that no Bank may hold Commitments of less than $5,000,000 in the aggregate, unless its Commitments shall have been reduced to zero) and (ii) after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to any Person in any amount (in each case, an “Assignee”), all or a proportionate part of all, of its rights and obligations under this Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents, and, in either case, such Assignee shall assume such

 

85


rights and obligations, pursuant to a Transfer Supplement in substantially the form of Exhibit E hereto (a “Transfer Supplement”) executed by such Assignee and such transferor Bank, in each case of clauses (i) and (ii), with (and subject to) the consent of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Borrower, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed (provided that, it shall in all cases be deemed “reasonable” for the Borrower to withhold its consent if the assignment is to any assignee other than a commercial banking institution with a credit rating for senior, unsecured, long-term indebtedness for borrowed money equal to or better than BBB- with S&P and Baa3 with Moody’s); provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received notice thereof; provided further that if an Assignee is an affiliate of such transferor Bank which meets the requirements of clause (i)(B) above, an Approved Fund with respect to such transferor Bank or was a Bank immediately prior to such assignment, no such consent shall be required. Upon execution and delivery of such instrument and payment by such Assignee to such transferor Bank of an amount equal to the purchase price agreed between such transferor Bank and such Assignee, such Assignee shall be a Bank party to this Agreement and shall have all the rights and obligations of a Bank with a Commitment as set forth in such instrument of assumption, and no further consent or action by any party shall be required and the transferor Bank shall be released from its obligations hereunder to a corresponding extent. Upon the consummation of any assignment pursuant to this subsection (c), the transferor Bank, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall make appropriate arrangements so that, if required, a new Note is issued to the Assignee. In connection with any such assignment, the transferor Bank shall pay to the Administrative Agent an administrative fee for processing such assignment in the amount of $3,500; provided that such fee shall be paid by the Assignee if such assignment is required by Section 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 or 9.16. If the Assignee is not incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or a state thereof, it shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent certification as to exemption from deduction or withholding of any U.S. federal income taxes in accordance with Section 8.4. Any assignment made during the continuation of an Event of Default shall not be affected by any subsequent cure of such Event of Default.

(d) [Reserved].

(e) Pledge of Bank Rights. Any Bank may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Bank, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Bank from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Bank as a party hereto.

(f) Yield Maintenance Provisions. No Assignee, Participant or other transferee of any Bank’s rights shall be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 8.3 or 8.4 than such Bank would have been entitled to receive with respect to the rights transferred, unless such transfer is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent or by reason of the provisions of Section 8.2, 8.3 or 8.4 requiring such Bank to designate a different Applicable Lending Office under certain circumstances or at a time when the circumstances giving rise to such greater payment did not exist.

 

86


(g) Prohibited Assignments. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, no Bank may grant participations, or assign interests, in the Loans to (i) the Borrower, EQR or any of their Subsidiaries or affiliates, (ii) any Defaulting Lender or any of its subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Bank hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (ii), or (iii) a natural Person (or to a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of a natural Person).

(h) Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower (and such agency being solely for tax purposes), shall maintain at the Administrative Agent’s office a copy of each Transfer Supplement delivered to it (or the equivalent thereof in electronic form) and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Banks, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts (and stated interest) of the Loans owing to, each Bank 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 and the Banks shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Bank hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Bank, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

Section 9.7 Collateral. Each of the Banks represents to the Administrative Agent and each of the other Banks that it in good faith is not relying upon any “margin stock” (as defined in Regulation U) as collateral in the extension or maintenance of the credit provided for in this Agreement.

Section 9.8 Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction.

(a) THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS (WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE PRINCIPLES THEREOF RELATING TO CONFLICTS OF LAW).

(b) Any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document and any action for enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof may be brought in the courts of the State of Illinois or of the United States of America for the Northern District of Illinois, and, by execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Borrower hereby accepts for itself and in respect of its Property, generally and unconditionally, the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts and appellate courts from any thereof. The Borrower irrevocably consents to the service of process out of any of the aforementioned courts in any such action or proceeding by the hand delivery, or mailing of copies thereof by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the Borrower in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.1. The Borrower hereby irrevocably waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any of the aforesaid actions or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document brought in the courts referred to above and hereby further irrevocably waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Nothing herein shall affect the right of the Administrative Agent to serve process in any other manner permitted by law or to commence legal proceedings or otherwise proceed against the Borrower in any other jurisdiction.

 

87


Section 9.9 Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent or any Joint Lead Arranger, constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall become effective upon receipt by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower of counterparts hereof signed by each of the parties hereto (or, in the case of any party as to which an executed counterpart shall not have been received, receipt by the Administrative Agent in form satisfactory to it of telegraphic or other written confirmation from such party of execution of a counterpart hereof by such party) and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

Section 9.10 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE CO-SYNDICATION AGENTS AND THE BANKS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 9.11 Survival. All indemnities set forth herein (including, without limitation, Sections 8.3, 8.4 and 9.3) shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the making and repayment of the Obligations.

Section 9.12 Domicile of Loans. Each Bank may transfer and carry its Loans at, to or for the account of any domestic or foreign branch office, subsidiary or affiliate of such Bank.

Section 9.13 Limitation of Liability. No claim may be made by any party hereto or any other Person acting by or through any party hereto against any other party hereto or the affiliates, directors, officers, employees, attorneys or agent of any of them for any special, consequential, indirect or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) in respect of any claim for breach of contract or any other theory of liability arising out of or related to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or by the other Loan Documents, or any act, omission or event occurring in connection therewith; and the Borrower and each other party hereto hereby waives, releases and agrees not to sue upon any claim for any such damages, whether or not accrued and whether or not known or suspected to exist in its favor. For the avoidance of doubt, the indemnification obligations of the Borrower under Section 9.3 shall be deemed to be direct and actual damages.

Section 9.14 Recourse Obligation. This Agreement and the Obligations hereunder are fully recourse to the Borrower, to any Down REIT pursuant to any Down REIT Guaranty and, if the Parent Guaranty is in effect, to EQR pursuant to the Parent Guaranty. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, in any of the other Loan Documents, or in any other instruments, certificates, documents or agreements executed in connection with this

 

88


Agreement (all of the foregoing, for purposes of this Section, hereinafter referred to, individually and collectively, as the “Relevant Documents”), no recourse under or upon any Obligation, representation, warranty, promise or other matter whatsoever shall be had against any of the constituent partners of the Borrower or their successors and assigns (said constituent partners and their successors and assigns, for purposes of this Section, hereinafter referred to, individually and collectively, as the “OP Partners”; provided, for purposes of this Section, OP Partners shall exclude EQR if the Parent Guaranty is in effect).

Section 9.15 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent and the Banks agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below) and to use such Information solely for the purposes of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates’ respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, advisors, auditors and representatives who are actively and directly participating in the evaluation, administration or enforcement of the Loan, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including any self-regulatory authority), (c) to the extent required by applicable Laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process (in which case (other than in the case of requests from regulatory authorities), such Person shall, to the extent permitted by Law, inform the Borrower thereof), (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 9.15, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective party (or its Related Parties) to any swap, derivative or other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to the Borrower and its obligations, this Agreement or payments hereunder, (g) with the consent of the Borrower or (h) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 9.15, (y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Bank or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower that is not to the knowledge of such Credit Party subject to confidentiality obligations to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates or (z) is independently discovered or developed by a party hereto without utilizing any Information received from the Borrower or violating the terms of this Section 9.15.

In addition, the Administrative Agent and the Banks may disclose the existence of this Agreement and information about this Agreement to market data collectors and similar service providers to the lending industry.

For purposes of this Section 9.15, “Information” means all information received from or on behalf of the Borrower, EQR, any Subsidiary relating to the Borrower, EQR, any Subsidiary or any Investment Affiliate, or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent or any Bank on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by or on behalf of the Borrower, EQR or any Subsidiary; provided that with respect to any Investment Affiliate or any of their respective businesses, “Information” shall include only such

 

89


information as is received solely for purposes of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 9.15 shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

Each of the Administrative Agent and the Banks acknowledges that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning the Borrower, EQR or its Subsidiaries or Investment Affiliates and the Properties thereof and their operations, affairs and financial condition, (b) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (c) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable Law, including U.S. Federal and state securities Laws.

For the avoidance of doubt, nothing herein prohibits any individual from communicating or disclosing information regarding suspected violations of laws, rules, or regulations to a governmental, regulatory, or self-regulatory authority without any notification to any Person.

Section 9.16 Defaulting Lenders.

(a) Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Bank becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Bank is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable Law:

(i) Waivers and Amendments. Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definition of “Required Banks” and Section 9.5.

(ii) Defaulting Lender Waterfall. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VI or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 9.4 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; third, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement; fourth to the payment of any amounts owing to the Banks as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Bank against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; fifth, 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 such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and sixth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

90


(b) Defaulting Lender Cure. If the Borrower and the Administrative Agent agree in writing that a Bank is no longer a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein, that Bank will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Banks or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Committed Loans to be held on a pro rata basis by the Banks in accordance with their Pro Rata Shares, whereupon such Bank 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 Bank was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Bank will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Bank’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

(c) Replacement or Termination of Defaulting Lender. If at any time any Bank becomes a Defaulting Lender, then until such time as such Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters required under and in accordance with Section 9.16(b), the Borrower shall have the right, upon five (5) Business Days’ notice to the Administrative Agent to either (x) cause a bank, reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, to offer to purchase the Commitments of such Defaulting Lender for an amount equal to such Defaulting Lender’s outstanding Loans, and to become a Bank hereunder, or to obtain the agreement of one or more existing Banks to offer to purchase the Commitments of such Defaulting Lender for such amount, which offer such Defaulting Lender is hereby required to accept, or (y) repay in full all Loans then outstanding of such Defaulting Lender, together with interest and all other amounts due thereon, upon which event, such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment shall be deemed to be cancelled and may not be reinstated.

(d) No Exculpation. Nothing contained in this Section or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to reduce the Commitment of any Bank or in any way affect the rights of the Borrower with respect to any Defaulting Lender or, if the Administrative Agent is a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent. The status of any Bank as a Defaulting Lender shall not relieve any other Bank of its obligations to fund its Commitment or otherwise perform its obligations in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

Section 9.17 [Reserved].

Section 9.18 Down REIT Guaranties.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision hereof or of any other Loan Document to the contrary, the Administrative Agent and the Banks agree with the Borrower that any funds, claims, or distributions actually received by the Administrative Agent for the account of any Bank as a result of the enforcement of, or pursuant to, any Down REIT Guaranty, net of the Administrative Agent’s and the Banks’ expenses of collection thereof (such net amount, “Down REIT Guaranty Proceeds”), shall be made available for distribution equally and ratably (in proportion to the aggregate amount of principal, interest and other amounts then owed in respect

 

91


of the Obligations or of an issuance of Public Debt, as the case may be) among the Administrative Agent and the Banks and the trustee or trustees of any Unsecured Debt, not subordinated to the Obligations (or to the holders thereof), issued by the Borrower, before or after the Closing Date, in offerings registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or in transactions exempt from registration pursuant to rule 144A or Regulation S thereunder or listed on non-U.S. securities exchanges (“Public Debt”), and the Administrative Agent is hereby authorized by the Borrower, by each Bank and by each Down REIT by its execution and delivery of a Down REIT Guaranty, to make such Down REIT Guaranty Proceeds so available. No Bank shall have any interest in any amount paid over by the Administrative Agent to the trustee or trustees in respect of any Public Debt (or to the holders thereof) pursuant to the foregoing authorization. This Section 9.18 shall apply solely to Down REIT Guaranty Proceeds, and not to any payments, funds, claims or distributions received by the Administrative Agent or any Bank directly or indirectly from the Borrower or any other Person other than from a Down REIT pursuant to a Down REIT Guaranty. The Borrower is aware of the terms of the Down REIT Guaranties, and specifically understands and agrees with the Administrative Agent and the Banks that, to the extent Down REIT Guaranty Proceeds are distributed to holders of Public Debt or their respective trustees, such Down REIT has agreed that the Obligations will not be deemed reduced by any such distributions and such Down REIT shall continue to make payments pursuant to its Down REIT Guaranty until such time as the Obligations have been paid in full, after taking into account any such distributions of Down REIT Guaranty Proceeds in respect of Indebtedness other than the Obligations.

(b) Nothing contained herein shall be deemed (1) to limit, modify, or alter the rights of the Administrative Agent and the Banks under any Down REIT Guaranty, (2) to subordinate the Obligations to any Public Debt, or (3) to give any holder of Public Debt (or any trustee for such holder) any rights of subrogation.

(c) This Section 9.18 and all Down REIT Guaranties, are for the sole benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Banks and their respective successors and assigns. Nothing contained herein or in any Down REIT Guaranty shall be deemed for the benefit of any holder of Public Debt, or any trustee for such holder; nor shall anything contained herein or therein be construed to impose on the Administrative Agent or any Bank any fiduciary duties, obligations or responsibilities to the holders of any Public Debt or their trustees (including, but not limited to, any duty to pursue any Down REIT for payment under its Down REIT Guaranty).

Section 9.19 USA PATRIOT Act Notice. Each Bank that is subject to the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Patriot Act”) and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Bank) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of 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 Bank or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

 

92


Section 9.20 Public/Private Information. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Co-Syndication Agents will make available to the Banks 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 Banks may be “public-side” lenders (i.e., Banks that do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities) (each, a “Public Lender”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable Law, including U.S. Federal and state securities laws, to make reference to Borrower Materials that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of U.S. Federal or state securities laws. The Borrower hereby agrees that (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders 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 Co-Syndication Agents and the Banks to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of U.S. Federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 9.15); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform marked “PUBLIC” or through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Investor;” and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Co-Syndication 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 Investor.”

Section 9.21 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF AND THEREOF AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG THE PARTIES.

Section 9.22 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility. In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that: (i) (A) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Banks are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrower, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Banks, on the other hand, (B) the Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) the Borrower is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents, (ii) (A) the Administrative Agent, each Joint Lead Arranger and each Bank is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary, for the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, and (B) neither the Administrative Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger nor any Bank has any obligation to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents and the commitment letter;

 

93


and (iii) the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Banks and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower and its Affiliates, and neither the Administrative Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger nor any Bank has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower or its Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by Law, the Borrower hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent, the Joint Lead Arrangers or any Bank with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty arising on or before the date of this Agreement in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.

Section 9.23 Determinations of Pro Rata Share, etc. The Administrative Agent shall have the right, in the exercise of its reasonable, good faith discretion, to determine how appropriately to calculate the Pro Rata Shares of the Banks, and interpret the meaning of “ratable,” “ratably” and similar references in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, with respect to any credit extension made (or to be made), or payment received (or to be received), or reallocations made (or to be made) under any Loan Document, or otherwise in connection with any determination of Pro Rata Shares, or the interpretation of “ratable,” “ratably” or similar references, as the context may require, under any Loan Document, including, without limitation, any adjustments deemed necessary by the Administrative Agent.

Section 9.24 Electronic Execution; Electronic Records; Counterparts. This Agreement, any Loan Document and any other Communication, including Communications required to be in writing, may be in the form of an Electronic Record and may be executed using Electronic Signatures. Each of the Borrower and each of the Administrative Agent and each other Credit Party agrees that any Electronic Signature on or associated with any Communication shall be valid and binding on such Person to the same extent as a manual, original signature, and that any Communication entered into by Electronic Signature, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Person enforceable against such Person in accordance with the terms thereof to the same extent as if a manually executed original signature was delivered. Any Communication may be executed in as many counterparts as necessary or convenient, including both paper and electronic counterparts, but all such counterparts are one and the same Communication. For the avoidance of doubt, the authorization under this paragraph may include, without limitation, use or acceptance of a manually signed paper Communication which has been converted into electronic form (such as scanned into PDF format), or an electronically signed Communication converted into another format, for transmission, delivery and/or retention. The Administrative Agent and each of the other Credit Parties may, at its option, create one or more copies of any Communication in the form of an imaged Electronic Record (“Electronic Copy”), which shall be deemed created in the ordinary course of such Person’s business, and destroy the original paper document. All Communications in the form of an Electronic Record, including an Electronic Copy, shall be considered an original for all purposes, and shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a paper record. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Administrative Agent is not under any obligation to accept an Electronic Signature in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by such Person pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided, further, without limiting the foregoing, (a) to the extent the Administrative Agent has agreed to accept such Electronic Signature, the Administrative Agent and each of the other Credit Parties shall be entitled to rely on any such Electronic Signature purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower, any Guarantor and/or any Credit Party without further verification and regardless of the appearance or form of such Electronic Signature and (b) upon the request of the Administrative Agent or any other Credit Party, any Electronic Signature shall be promptly followed by such manually executed counterpart.

 

94


The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into the sufficiency, validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document (including, for the avoidance of doubt, in connection with the Administrative Agent’s reliance on any Electronic Signature transmitted by telecopy, emailed .pdf or any other electronic means). The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely on, and shall incur no liability under or in respect of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by acting upon, any Communication (which writing may be a fax, any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution or signed using an Electronic Signature) or any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be genuine and signed or sent or otherwise authenticated (whether or not such Person in fact meets the requirements set forth in the Loan Documents for being the maker thereof).

The Borrower and each Bank hereby waives (i) any argument, defense or right to contest the legal effect, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other Loan Document based solely on the lack of paper original copies of this Agreement or such other Loan Document, and (ii) waives any claim against the Administrative Agent, each other Credit Party and each Related Party for any liabilities arising solely from the Administrative Agent’s and/or any other Credit Party’s reliance on or use of Electronic Signatures, including any liabilities arising as a result of the failure of the Borrower or any Guarantor to use any available security measures in connection with the execution, delivery or transmission of any Electronic Signature.

Section 9.25 Release of Guarantees.

(a) The Borrower may request in writing that the Administrative Agent release, and upon receipt of such request the Administrative Agent shall promptly release, a Down REIT from its Down REIT Guaranty, so long as: (i) no Default or Event of Default shall then be in existence or would occur as a result of such release, including, without limitation, a Default or Event of Default resulting from a violation of any of the covenants contained in Section 5.8 on a pro forma basis; and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received such written request at least ten (10) Business Days (or such shorter period as may be acceptable to the Administrative Agent) prior to the requested date of release. Delivery by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent of any such request shall constitute a representation by the Borrower that the matters set forth in the preceding sentence (both as of the date of the giving of such request and as of the date of the effectiveness of such request) are true and correct with respect to such request.

(b) The Administrative Agent agrees to furnish to the Borrower, promptly after the Borrower’s request and at the Borrower’s sole cost and expense, any release, termination, or other agreement or document evidencing the foregoing releases in this Section 9.25 as may be reasonably requested by the Borrower.

Section 9.26 Acknowledgment and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions. 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 Bank 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:

 

95


(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 Bank 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 applicable Resolution Authority.

Section 9.27 Acknowledgment Regarding Any Supported QFCs. To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for Interest Rate Contracts 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

 

96


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.

Section 9.28 Interest Rate Limitations. 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 Bank shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans 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 Bank 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.

 

97


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized representatives as of the day and year first above written.

 

ERP OPERATING LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: Equity Residential, its general partner
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

[Signature Page to Term Loan Agreement]


Annex II

Schedules and Exhibits to the Loan Agreement

[On file with Administrative Agent]