EX-99.(B) 9 d738463dex99b.htm EX-99.(B) EX-99.(b)

EX—99(b)

 

 

FORM OF CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of June     , 2014

among

WESTERN ASSET PREMIER BOND FUND,

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,

and the other lending institutions party hereto

and

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

in its capacity as Agent

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS

     1   

SECTION 1.01.    Definitions

     1   

SECTION 1.02.    Accounting Terms and Determinations

     19   

ARTICLE II. THE CREDIT

     19   

SECTION 2.01.    Commitments to Lend

     19   

SECTION 2.02.    Notice of Borrowings

     19   

SECTION 2.03.    Notice to Banks; Funding of Loans

     20   

SECTION 2.04.    Loan Accounts; Notes; Records

     21   

SECTION 2.05.    Mandatory Payments; Optional Prepayments

     22   

SECTION 2.06.    Interest Rates

     23   

SECTION 2.07.    Fees

     24   

SECTION 2.08.    Termination and Reduction of Commitments

     24   

SECTION 2.09.    Pricing Changes

     25   

SECTION 2.10.    General Provisions as to Payments

     25   

SECTION 2.11.    Computation of Interest and Fees

     27   

SECTION 2.12.    Withholding Tax Exemption

     27   

ARTICLE III. CONDITIONS

     29   

SECTION 3.01.    Effectiveness

     29   

SECTION 3.02.    All Borrowings

     30   

SECTION 3.03.    Security

     31   

ARTICLE IV. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     31   

SECTION 4.01.    Existence and Power; Investment Company

     31   

SECTION 4.02.    Authorization; Execution and Delivery, Etc.

     31   

SECTION 4.03.    Noncontravention

     32   

SECTION 4.04.    Governmental Authorizations; Private Authorization

     32   

SECTION 4.05.    Regulations T, U and X

     32   

SECTION 4.06.    Non-Affiliation with Banks

     32   

SECTION 4.07.    Subsidiaries

     32   

SECTION 4.08.    Financial Information

     32   

SECTION 4.09.    Litigation

     33   

SECTION 4.10.    ERISA

     33   

SECTION 4.11.    Taxes

     33   

SECTION 4.12.    Compliance

     33   

SECTION 4.13.    Fiscal Year

     34   

SECTION 4.14.    Full Disclosure

     34   

SECTION 4.15.    [Reserved]

     34   

SECTION 4.16.    Account

     34   

SECTION 4.17.    OFAC, USA PATRIOT Act, Anti-Corruption and Other Regulations

     34   

SECTION 4.18.    Title to Assets

     35   

 

i


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(Continued)

 

     Page  

ARTICLE V. COVENANTS

     35   

SECTION 5.01.    Information

     35   

SECTION 5.02.    Payment of Obligations

     36   

SECTION 5.03.    Maintenance of Insurance

     36   

SECTION 5.04.    Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence

     36   

SECTION 5.05.    Compliance with Laws

     37   

SECTION 5.06.    Inspection of Property, Books and Records

     37   

SECTION 5.07.    Debt and other Senior Obligations

     38   

SECTION 5.08.    Liens

     38   

SECTION 5.09.    Consolidations, Mergers and Sales of Assets

     38   

SECTION 5.10.    Use of Proceeds

     38   

SECTION 5.11.    Compliance with Investment Policies and Restrictions

     39   

SECTION 5.12.    Non-Affiliation with Banks

     39   

SECTION 5.13.    Regulated Investment Company

     39   

SECTION 5.14.    No Subsidiary

     39   

SECTION 5.15.    ERISA

     39   

SECTION 5.16.    Fiscal Year

     39   

SECTION 5.17.    Regulation U

     39   

SECTION 5.18.    Custodian

     39   

SECTION 5.19.    Asset Coverage

     39   

SECTION 5.20.    Maximum Amount

     39   

SECTION 5.21.    Negative Pledge

     40   

SECTION 5.22.    Restricted Payments

     40   

SECTION 5.23.    Compliance with Anti-Terrorism Laws, Money Laundering Laws, Etc.

     40   

SECTION 5.24.    Further Assurances

     40   

ARTICLE VI. DEFAULTS

     40   

SECTION 6.01.    Events of Default

     40   

SECTION 6.02.    Remedies

     42   

ARTICLE VII. THE AGENT

     43   

SECTION 7.01.    Appointment and Authorization

     43   

SECTION 7.02.    Action by Agent

     43   

SECTION 7.03.    Consultation with Experts

     43   

SECTION 7.04.    Liability of Agent

     43   

SECTION 7.05.    Indemnification

     44   

SECTION 7.06.    Credit Decision

     44   

SECTION 7.07.    Successor Agent

     44   

SECTION 7.08.    Agent as Bank

     44   

SECTION 7.09.    Distribution by Agent

     44   

SECTION 7.10.    Delinquent Banks

     45   

 

ii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(Continued)

 

     Page  

ARTICLE VIII. CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES

     46   

SECTION 8.01.    Additional Costs; Capital Adequacy

     46   

SECTION 8.02.    Basis for Determining Interest Rate Inadequate or Unfair

     47   

SECTION 8.03.    Illegality

     48   

SECTION 8.04.    Loans Substituted for Affected LIBOR Loans

     48   

SECTION 8.05.    Replacement Banks

     49   

SECTION 8.06.    Indemnity

     49   

ARTICLE IX. MISCELLANEOUS

     49   

SECTION 9.01.    Notices

     49   

SECTION 9.02.    No Waivers

     49   

SECTION 9.03.    Expenses; Documentary Taxes; Indemnification

     50   

SECTION 9.04.    Setoff

     50   

SECTION 9.05.    Amendments and Waivers

     51   

SECTION 9.06.    Successors and Assigns

     51   

SECTION 9.07.    Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction

     53   

SECTION 9.08.    WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

     54   

SECTION 9.09.    Confidential Material

     54   

SECTION 9.10.    USA Patriot Act

     54   

SECTION 9.11.    Miscellaneous

     55   

SECTION 9.12.    Interest Rate Limitation

     55   

SECTION 9.13.    Survival

     55   

SECTION 9.14.    Limitation on Liability

     55   

Exhibits:

 

Exhibit A -   Form of Note
Exhibit B -   Form of Notice of Borrowing
Exhibit C -   Form of Termination Notice
Exhibit D -   Form of Borrowing Base Report
Exhibit E -   Form of Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit F -   Form of Applicable Margin Change Notice
Exhibit G -   Form of Commitment Fee Change Notice
Exhibit H -   Form of Notice of Conversion
Schedules:  
Schedule 1 -   Addresses for Notices, Lending Offices, Commitment Amounts and Commitment Percentages

 

iii


CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of June     , 2014, by and among WESTERN ASSET PREMIER BOND FUND, a Massachusetts business trust that is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a closed-end management investment company (the “Borrower”), the Banks (as hereinafter defined) party hereto from time to time and STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY as agent for the Banks (in such capacity, the “Agent”).

The parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I.

DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.01. Definitions. The following terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:

Account” means the account that the Custodian has opened and maintains for the Borrower pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Custody Agreement.

Adjusted LIBOR Offered Rate” applicable to any Interest Period means a rate per annum equal to the quotient obtained (rounded upward, if necessary, to the next higher 1/100 of 1%) by dividing (i) the applicable LIBOR Offered Rate by (ii) 1.00 minus the LIBOR Reserve Percentage. The Adjusted LIBOR Offered Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in the LIBOR Reserve Percentage.

Adjusted Net Assets” means, as at any date of determination, an amount equal to (a) the value of the Total Assets of the Borrower minus (b) the Total Liabilities of the Borrower that are not Senior Securities Representing Indebtedness. For purposes of calculating the Adjusted Net Assets, (x) the amount of any liability included in Total Liabilities shall be equal to the greater of (i) the outstanding amount of such liability and (ii) the fair market value of all assets pledged or otherwise segregated to secure such liability (other than assets pledged or encumbered in favor of the Agent or the Custodian) and (y) the liability in respect of Financial Contracts with a counterparty shall be equal to the net amount, if any, that the Borrower would be obligated to pay to such counterparty thereto if such Financial Contracts and all transactions thereunder terminated at such time in accordance therewith on a complete no-fault basis.

Adverse Claim” means any Lien or other right, claim, encumbrance or any other type of preferential arrangement in, of or on any Person’s assets or properties (including the segregation thereof or the deposit thereof to satisfy margin or other requirements in favor of any other Person other than, in the case of the Borrower, Liens permitted under Section 5.08(a)(i), (ii) or (iii).

Affected Person” means the Borrower, any Subsidiary thereof, or any officer, director, trustee, employee, broker or agent of the Borrower or any such Subsidiary.

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person (the “First Person”) any other Person that (a) is an “Affiliated Person” (within the meaning of the Investment Company Act) of such First Person, (b) is an “affiliate” (within the meaning of Section 23A of the Federal Reserve Act, as amended) of such First Person, or (c) is a Control Affiliate of such First Person.


Aggregate Commitment Amount” means, as of any date, the aggregate of all Commitment Amounts as of such date. On the Effective Date, the Aggregate Commitment Amount is $72,000,000.

Agent” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

Anti-Corruption Law” means, with respect to any Person, any Law of any jurisdiction concerning or relating to bribery or corruption that is applicable to such Person.

Anti-Terrorism Law” means any Law related to money laundering or financing terrorism including, without limitation (a) the Patriot Act, (b) The Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act (31 U.S.C. §§ 5311-5330 and 12 U.S.C. §§ 1818(s), 1820(b) and 1951-1959) (also known as the “Bank Secrecy Act”), (c) the Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), and (d) Executive Order 13224 (effective September 24, 2001).

Applicable Banks” means (a) with respect to each Applicable Margin Change Notice or any Commitment Fee Change Notice that in either case would decrease all or any portion of the Applicable Margin or the Commitment Fee Rate, all Banks, and (b) with respect to all other Applicable Margin Change Notices and Commitment Fee Change Notices, Required Banks.

Applicable Law” means any Law of any Authority, including, without limitation, all federal and state banking or securities laws, to which the Person in question is subject or by which it or any of its property is bound.

Applicable Lending Office” means, with respect to any Bank, (a) in the case of its Overnight Rate Loans, its Domestic Lending Office, and (b) in the case of its LIBOR Loans, its LIBOR Lending Office.

Applicable Margin” means (a) during the Initial Margin Period, a rate per annum equal to (i) with respect to each LIBOR Loan, 0.70%, (ii) for purposes of clause (a) of the defined term “Applicable Overnight Rate”, 0.90%, and (iii) for purposes of clause (b) of the defined term “Applicable Overnight Rate”, 0.80%, and (b) during each Subsequent Margin Period, if any, a rate per annum equal to (i) with respect to each LIBOR Loan, the “New Applicable LIBOR Margin” (as defined in the Applicable Margin Change Notice in respect of the Applicable Margin Change Effective Date which is the first day of such Subsequent Margin Period), (ii) for purposes of clause (a) of the defined term “Applicable Overnight Rate”, the “New Applicable Fed Funds Margin” (as defined in the Applicable Margin Change Notice in respect of the Applicable Margin Change Effective Date which is the first day of such Subsequent Margin Period), and (iii) for purposes of clause (b) of the defined term “Applicable Overnight Rate”, the “New Applicable Overnight LIBOR Margin” (as defined in the Applicable Margin Change Notice in respect of the Applicable Margin Change Effective Date which is the first day of such Subsequent Margin Period).

Applicable Margin Change Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.09(a).

Applicable Margin Change Notice” means a notice from the Agent to the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit F.

 

2


Applicable Overnight Rate” means, as of any day, a rate per annum equal to the higher of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus the Applicable Margin, or (b) the Overnight LIBOR Rate plus the Applicable Margin.

Asset-backed Security” means a type of bond or note that is based on one or more pools of assets (including mortgages), or collateralized or otherwise backed by the cash flows from one or more pools of underlying assets, and includes collateralized bond obligations, collateralized loan obligations and collateralized mortgage obligations.

Asset Value” means, as of any day of determination in respect of any asset of the Borrower, the Value of such asset computed in the manner as such Value is required to be computed by the Borrower in accordance with the Valuation Procedures and Applicable Law, including, without limitation, the Investment Company Act; provided that the Asset Value of any asset shall be net of the Borrower’s liabilities relating thereto, including without limitation all of the Borrower’s obligations to pay any unpaid portion of the purchase price thereof.

Assignee” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.06(c) hereof.

Assignment and Acceptance” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.06(c) hereof.

Authority” means any governmental or quasi-governmental authority (including the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., the stock exchanges, the SEC and any accounting board or authority (whether or not a part of government) which is responsible for the establishment or interpretation of national or international accounting principles, in each case whether foreign or domestic), whether executive, legislative, judicial, administrative or other, or any combination thereof, including, without limitation, any federal, state, territorial, county, municipal or other government or governmental or quasi-governmental agency, arbitrator, board, body, branch, bureau, commission, corporation, court, department, instrumentality, master, mediator, panel, referee, system or other political unit or subdivision or other entity of any of the foregoing, whether domestic or foreign.

Authorized Signatory” means any duly authorized officer or other authorized Person of the Borrower, provided that the Agent shall have received a manually signed certificate of an officer of the Borrower bearing a manual specimen signature of such officer or other Person.

Bank” means each of State Street, each lender named on the signature pages hereof, each Assignee which becomes a Bank pursuant to Section 9.06(c) hereof, and their respective successors.

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.

Borrower” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

3


Borrowing Base” means, at the relevant time of reference thereto, an amount which is equal to the lesser of (a) 33 1/3% of the Adjusted Net Assets of the Borrower and (b) the sum of the following items to the extent that they are classified as “assets” on the balance sheet of the Borrower in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles:

(i) 90% of the aggregate Asset Value of all Eligible Government Securities;

(ii) 90% of the aggregate Asset Value of all Eligible Commercial Paper (x) rated A1 or better by S&P or P1 or better by Moody’s, or (y) that has an Equivalent Rating to that set forth in clause (x) immediately above;

(iii) 80% of the aggregate Asset Value (without duplication) of all Eligible Domestic Debt Securities, Eligible OECD Sovereign Debt Securities, and Eligible Guaranteed Debt Securities (x) in each case rated BBB- or better by S&P or Baa3 or better by Moody’s, or (y) that have an Equivalent Rating to that set forth in clause (x) immediately above;

(iv) 70% of the aggregate Asset Value of all Near Par Eligible Residential MBS;

(v) 70% of the aggregate Asset Value of all Eligible Domestic Debt Securities and Eligible Guaranteed Debt Securities (x) in each case rated BB- or better (but lower than BBB-) by S&P or Ba3 or better (but lower than Baa3) by Moody’s, or (y) that have an Equivalent Rating to that set forth in clause (x) immediately above;

(vi) 60% of the aggregate Asset Value of all Eligible Domestic Debt Securities and Eligible Guaranteed Debt Securities (x) in each case rated B- or better (but lower than BB-) by S&P or B3 or better (but lower than Ba3) by Moody’s, or (y) that have an Equivalent Rating to that set forth in clause (x) immediately above;

(vii) 60% of the aggregate Asset Value of all Eligible Non-OECD Sovereign Debt Securities (x) rated BBB- or better by S&P or Baa3 or better by Moody’s, or (y) that have an Equivalent Rating to that set forth in clause (x) immediately above;

(viii) 60% of the aggregate Asset Value of all Eligible Asset-backed Securities (x) rated A or better by S&P or A or better by Moody’s, or (y) that have an Equivalent Rating to that set forth in clause (x) immediately above;

(ix) 50% of the aggregate Asset Value of all Eligible Equity Securities;

(x) 50% of the aggregate Asset Value of all Eligible OECD Foreign Debt Securities (x) rated BBB- or better by S&P or Baa3 or better by Moody’s, or (y) that have an Equivalent Rating to that set forth in clause (x) immediately above;

(xi) 50% of the aggregate Asset Value of all Eligible Non-OECD Sovereign Debt Securities (x) rated BB- or better (but below BBB-) by S&P or Ba3 or better (but below Baa3) by Moody’s, or (y) that have an Equivalent Rating to that set forth in clause (x) immediately above;

(xii) 50% of the aggregate Asset Value of all Other Eligible Residential MBS;

 

4


(xiii) 50% of the aggregate Asset Value of all Eligible Domestic Debt Securities (x) rated CCC or better (but lower than B-) by S&P or Caa or better (but lower than B3) by Moody’s, or (y) that have an Equivalent Rating to that set forth in clause (x) immediately above;

(xiv) 40% of the aggregate Asset Value of all Eligible OECD Foreign Debt Securities (x) rated BB- or better (but below BBB-) by S&P or Ba3 or better (but below Baa3) by Moody’s, or (y) that have an Equivalent Rating to that set forth in clause (x) immediately above;

(xv) 40% of the aggregate Asset Value of all Eligible Non-OECD Sovereign Debt Securities (x) rated B- or better (but below BB-) by S&P or B3 or better (but below Ba3) by Moody’s, or (y) that have an Equivalent Rating to that set forth in clause (x) immediately above;

(xvi) 30% of the aggregate Asset Value of all Eligible Non-OECD Foreign Debt Securities (x) rated BBB- or better by S&P or Baa3 or better by Moody’s, or (y) that have an Equivalent Rating to that set forth in clause (x) immediately above;

(xvii) 30% of the aggregate Asset Value of all Eligible OECD Foreign Debt Securities (x) rated B- or better (but below BB-) by S&P or B3 or better (but below Ba3) by Moody’s, or (y) that have an Equivalent Rating to that set forth in clause (x) immediately above;

(xviii) 20% of the aggregate Asset Value of all Eligible Non-OECD Foreign Debt Securities (x) rated BB- or better (but below BBB-) by S&P or Ba3 or better (but below Baa3) by Moody’s, or (y) that have an Equivalent Rating to that set forth in clause (x) immediately above;

(xix) 10% of the aggregate Asset Value of all Eligible Non-OECD Foreign Debt Securities (x) rated B- or better (but below BB-) by S&P or B3 or better (but below Ba3) by Moody’s, or (y) that have an Equivalent Rating to that set forth in clause (x) immediately above; and

(xx) 0% of the aggregate Asset Value of all other assets of the Borrower;

provided, that:

(1) if any security has a lower rating from one rating agency than from another, the higher rating shall be disregarded for purposes of the foregoing;

(2) no asset shall be included in the calculation of the Borrowing Base if it constitutes an Illiquid Asset or an asset which is the subject of a reverse repurchase agreement, dollar roll or securities lending transaction;

(3) if the aggregate Asset Value of all investments by the Borrower issued by any one country (other than the United States) or any one or more issuers domiciled, or having its principal place of business, in such country constitute more than 5% of the Borrowing Base, the amount of such excess shall not be included in the calculation of the Borrowing Base;

 

5


(4) if the aggregate Asset Value of all investments by the Borrower (x) rated CCC or better (but below B-) by S&P or Caa or better (but below B3) by Moody’s, or (y) that have an Equivalent Rating to that set forth in clause (x) immediately above, constitute more than 10% of the Borrowing Base, the amount of such excess shall not be included in the calculation of the Borrowing Base;

(5) if the aggregate Asset Value of all investments by the Borrower in Speculative Non-OECD Securities constitute more than 20% of the Borrowing Base, the amount of such excess shall not be included in the calculation of the Borrowing Base;

(6) if the aggregate Asset Value of all investments by the Borrower in Eligible Asset-backed Securities constitute more than 33% of the Borrowing Base, the amount of such excess shall not be included in the calculation of the Borrowing Base;

(7) if the aggregate Asset Value of all investments by the Borrower in Eligible Residential MBS constitute more than 33% of the Borrowing Base, the amount of such excess shall not be included in the calculation of the Borrowing Base; and

(8) if the aggregate Asset Value of all investments by the Borrower not denominated in Dollars constitute more than 25% of the Borrowing Base, the amount of such excess shall not be included in the calculation of the Borrowing Base.

Borrowing Base Report” means a Borrowing Base Report for the Borrower signed by an Authorized Signatory of the Borrower and in substantially the form of Exhibit D attached hereto.

Borrowing Date” means the Domestic Business Day or LIBOR Business Day on which Loans are advanced hereunder as specified in a Notice of Borrowing delivered pursuant to Section 2.02(a) hereof.

Charter Documents” means, collectively, the Borrower’s Declaration of Trust and all other organizational or governing documents of the Borrower, in each case as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time.

Collateral” has the meaning set forth in the Security Agreement.

Commitment” means the agreement of each Bank, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, to make Loans to the Borrower hereunder.

Commitment Amount” means, with respect to each Bank, the amount set forth opposite the name of such Bank on Schedule 1 attached hereto, as such amount may be changed from time to time pursuant to Section 2.08 or 9.06(c) hereof.

 

6


Commitment Fee Change Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.09(b).

Commitment Fee Change Notice” means a notice from the Agent to the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit G.

Commitment Fee Rate” means (a) during the Initial Fee Period, a rate per annum equal to 0.10%, and (b) during each Subsequent Fee Period, if any, a rate per annum equal to the “New Commitment Fee Rate” (as defined in the Commitment Fee Change Notice in respect of the Commitment Fee Change Effective Date which is the first day of such Subsequent Fee Period).

Commitment Percentage” means, with respect to each Bank, the percentage set forth opposite the name of such Bank on Schedule 1 attached hereto as such Bank’s percentage of the Aggregate Commitment Amount.

Confidential Material” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.09(a) hereof.

Control Affiliate” of a Person means (a) any other Person directly or indirectly owning, controlling, or holding with power to vote, greater than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of such Person, (b) any other Person greater than 50% of whose outstanding voting securities are directly or indirectly owned, controlled, or held with power to vote, by such Person, or (c) any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, such other Person. For purposes of this defined term, “control” means the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of a company, and “controlling” and “controlled” shall have correlative meanings.

Covered Person” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.03(b) hereof.

Custodian” means State Street Bank and Trust Company.

Custody Agreement” means that certain Custodian Services Agreement, dated as of October 5, 2012, among the Borrower, the Custodian and the other parties thereto, as the same may be amended and in effect from time to time.

DBRS” means DBRS, Inc.

Debt” of any Person means at any date, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services, except trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business, (d) all obligations of such Person as lessee which are or are required to be capitalized in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, (e) all obligations of the type described in clauses (a) – (d) and (f) – (j) of others secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Debt is assumed or Guaranteed by such Person, (f) all obligations of the type described in clauses (a) – (e) and (g) – (j) of others Guaranteed by such Person, all obligations to reimburse the issuer in respect of letters of credit or under performance or surety bonds, or other similar obligations, (g) all obligations of such Person in respect of banker’s acceptances and under reverse repurchase agreements, and (h) with respect to any counterparty, the obligations of such Person to such counterparty in respect of Financial Contract Liabilities, and (j) all Senior Securities Representing Indebtedness.

 

7


Default” means any condition or event which constitutes an Event of Default or which with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

Delinquent Bank” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.10(a) hereof.

Dollars” or “$” means dollars in lawful currency of the United States of America.

Domestic Business Day” means any day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which (a) commercial banks are open for the purpose of transacting business in Boston, Massachusetts and New York, New York and (b) the New York Stock Exchange is open.

Domestic Lending Office” means, initially, the office of each Bank designated as such on Schedule 1 attached hereto; thereafter such other office of such Bank, if any, located in the United States that shall be making or maintaining Overnight Rate Loans.

Effective Date” means the date this Agreement becomes effective in accordance with Section 3.01 hereof.

Eligible Asset-backed Securities” means, at any time, Eligible Debt Securities that are Asset-backed Securities (a) that are not Eligible Government Securities, Eligible Commercial Paper, Eligible Domestic Debt Securities, Eligible Guaranteed Debt Securities, Other Eligible Residential MBS or Eligible Residential MBS, (b) of issuers domiciled, and having their principal place of business, in the United States, and (c) that at such time, have an Asset Value that is greater than 80% of the par value thereof.

Eligible Commercial Paper” means an Eligible Debt Security (other than an Eligible Government Security, an Eligible Guaranteed Debt Security, an Eligible Domestic Debt Security, an Eligible Non-OECD Foreign Debt Security, an Eligible Non-OECD Sovereign Debt Security, an Eligible OECD Foreign Debt Security, an Eligible OECD Sovereign Debt Security or an Asset-backed Security) constituting a note and having an original maturity of 270 days or less.

Eligible Debt Securities” means Eligible Securities constituting debt obligations provided that Eligible Debt Securities shall not include any asset that is a direct or indirect participation or subparticipation interest in or assignment or novation of a loan or other extension of credit that is not a corporate or sovereign bond obligation.

Eligible Domestic Debt Securities” means Eligible Debt Securities (other than an Eligible Government Security, an Eligible Guaranteed Debt Security or an Asset-backed Security) of issuers domiciled, and having their principal place of business, in the United States.

Eligible Equity Securities” means, at any time, Eligible Securities that are common equity securities of issuers domiciled, and having their principal place of business, in the United States, which are traded in United States markets and having a minimum price per share of $8.00.

 

8


Eligible Government Securities” means Eligible Securities that are issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the Government of the United States.

Eligible Guaranteed Debt Securities” means Eligible Debt Securities (other than Eligible Government Securities) guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.

Eligible Non-OECD Foreign Debt Securities” means, as of any date, Eligible Debt Securities (other than Eligible Non-OECD Sovereign Debt Securities) of issuers domiciled, or having their principal place of business, in a country that is not a member of the OECD.

Eligible Non-OECD Sovereign Debt Securities” means, as of any date, Eligible Debt Securities that are the sovereign debt obligations of any country that is not a member of the OECD.

Eligible OECD Foreign Debt Securities” means, as of any date, Eligible Debt Securities (other than Eligible OECD Sovereign Debt Securities) of issuers domiciled, or having their principal place of business, in a country (other than the United States) that is a member of the OECD.

Eligible OECD Sovereign Debt Securities” means, as of any date, Eligible Debt Securities that are the sovereign debt obligations of any country (other than the United States) that is a member of the OECD.

Eligible Residential MBS” means, as of any date, Eligible Debt Securities constituting Asset-backed Securities (a) that are not Eligible Government Securities, Eligible Commercial Paper, Eligible Domestic Debt Securities or Eligible Guaranteed Debt Securities, (b) that, at the time of issuance, were rated AAA or better by S&P, Aaa or better by Moody’s, AAA or better by Fitch, or AAA or better by DBRS, (c) based on, collateralized by or otherwise backed by one or more pools of assets consisting solely of residential mortgages, on real estate located in the United States, that are “prime mortgages”, “alt-A mortgages” or both, and (d) that as of such date is valued by reference to (i) the closing price thereof on a securities exchange, (ii) quotes from one or more broker-dealers that are not Affiliates of the Borrower or the Borrower’s investment adviser, or (iii) the market price therefor determined by one or more pricing services that are not Affiliates of the Borrower or the Borrower’s investment adviser.

Eligible Securities” means securities which are free and clear of any Adverse Claims and in which the Agent has, for the benefit of the Agent and the Banks, a first priority perfected security interest pursuant to the Security Documents (subject to Liens in favor of the Borrower’s Custodian granted pursuant to the Custody Agreement to secure obligations arising thereunder).

Equivalent Rating” means, with respect to any security of a given type that is not rated by S&P or Moody’s (an “unrated security”), such unrated security has been determined, in the reasonable judgment of the Investment Adviser, to be of equal credit quality as a rated security of the same type which is valued similarly as such unrated security, after giving effect to clause (1) of the proviso contained in the defined term “Borrowing Base”.

 

9


ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or any successor statute.

ERISA Group” means, with respect to the Borrower, the Borrower 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, are treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Event of Default” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01 hereof.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder, as modified or interpreted by orders of the SEC, or other interpretative releases or letters issued by the SEC or its staff, all as from time to time in effect, or any successor law, rules or regulations, and any reference to any statutory or regulatory provision shall be deemed to be a reference to any successor statutory or regulatory provision.

Failure” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.10(b) hereof.

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue Code (or any amended or successor version), and any regulations or official interpretations thereof.

Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the rate appearing on Bloomberg page BTMM as quoted by Garvin Guy Butler as of 9:30 a.m. (Boston time) as the “Federal Funds Ask Rate” (or, if such page is unavailable, on any successor or substitute page of such service, or any successor to or substitute for such service, providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided on such page of such service, as determined by the Agent from time to time for purposes of providing quotations or, if such rate is not so published, an interest rate per annum equal to the quotation received by the Agent at approximately 9:30 a.m. (Boston time) on such date from a federal funds broker of recognized standing selected by the Agent in its sole discretion on overnight federal funds transactions.

Financial Contract Liability” means, at any time, with respect to Financial Contracts with any counterparty, the net amount, if any, that a Person would be obligated, in accordance with such Financial Contracts to which such Person is a party, to pay to such counterparty thereto if such Financial Contracts and all transactions thereunder terminated at such time in accordance therewith on a complete no-fault basis (including, without limitation, any such amounts that would not be recorded as a liability under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, such as fees payable upon early termination of a Financial Contract).

Financial Contracts” means option contracts, options on futures contracts, futures contracts, forward contracts, options on foreign currencies, reverse repurchase agreements, securities lending agreements, when-issued securities, swap, swaption, floor, cap, or collar agreements, other similar arrangements and other obligations that would be, but for the segregation of assets thereof, senior securities for purposes of the Investment Company Act.

 

10


Fitch” means Fitch, Inc.

Foreign Bank” means any Bank that is 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.

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.02 hereof.

Government” means, with respect to any sovereignty, the government or any agency or instrumentality thereof.

Governmental Authorizations” means all franchises, permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations of all Authorities.

Governmental Filings” means all filings, including franchise and similar tax filings, and the payment of all fees, assessments, interests and penalties associated with such filing, with all Authorities.

Guarantee” by any Person means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Debt or other obligation of any other Person and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Debt or other obligation (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (b) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Debt or other obligation of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), provided that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

Illiquid Asset” means, as of any date, any asset (a) for which there is no established public or private institutional trading market, such that such asset may be reasonably expected to be sold in such market within seven (7) days in the ordinary course of business at a price approximating the Value of such asset on such date subject only to fluctuations in the market price therefor, (b) the fair market value of which is not readily ascertainable from recognized independent sources in the market for such assets, or (c) which is otherwise categorized as “illiquid securities” by the Borrower or the Investment Adviser.

Initial Fee Period” means the period from the Effective Date to but excluding the first Commitment Fee Change Effective Date, if any.

Initial Margin Period” means the period from the Effective Date to but excluding the first Applicable Margin Change Effective Date, if any.

 

11


Interest Period” means, with respect to each borrowing of LIBOR Loans, initially the period commencing on the date of such borrowing and ending one, two, three or six months thereafter, as the Borrower may elect in the applicable Notice of Borrowing, and thereafter, each period commencing on the last day of the next preceding Interest Period applicable to such borrowing and ending on the last day of one of the periods set forth above, as the Borrower may elect in the applicable Notice of Conversion, provided that:

(a) any Interest Period which would otherwise end on a day which is not a LIBOR Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding LIBOR Business Day unless such LIBOR Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding LIBOR Business Day;

(b) any Interest Period which begins on the last LIBOR Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last LIBOR Business Day of a calendar month;

(c) any Interest Period which would otherwise end after the Termination Date shall end on the Termination Date; and

(d) all LIBOR Loans outstanding at any time shall end on no more than five different dates.

Internal Revenue Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor statute and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder.

Investment Adviser” means Western Asset Management Company, a California corporation.

Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder, as modified or interpreted by orders of the SEC, or other interpretative releases or letters issued by the SEC or its staff, all as from time to time in effect, or any successor law, rules or regulations, and any reference to any statutory or regulatory provision shall be deemed to be a reference to any successor statutory or regulatory provision.

Investment Policies and Restrictions” means, with respect to the Borrower, the provisions dealing with objectives, policies and restrictions relating to investing and borrowing by the Borrower, as set forth in the Borrower’s Prospectus, as modified by the annual reports of the Borrower, delivered to the Agent prior to the date of this Agreement, in each case as such objectives, policies and restrictions are in effect on the Effective Date, as modified as permitted under this Agreement.

Law” means any action, code, consent decree, constitution, decree, directive, enactment, finding, guideline, law, injunction, interpretation, judgment, order, ordinance, policy statement, proclamation, promulgation, regulation, requirement, rule, rule of law, rule of public policy, settlement agreement, statute, or writ, of any Authority, or any particular section, part or provision thereof.

Liabilities” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.05 hereof.

 

12


LIBOR Business Day” means any Domestic Business Day on which commercial banks are open for international business (including dealings in dollar deposits) in London.

LIBOR Lending Office” means, initially, the office of each Bank designated as such in Schedule 1 hereto; and thereafter such other office of such Bank, if any, that shall be making or maintaining LIBOR Loans.

LIBOR Loans” means Loans bearing interest calculated by reference to the LIBOR Offered Rate.

LIBOR Offered Rate” means, with respect to any LIBOR Loan for any Interest Period, the rate appearing on the Reuters “LIBOR01” screen displaying interest rates for dollar deposits in the London interbank market (or on any successor or substitute page on such screen) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time two LIBOR Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, as the rate for dollar deposits in the London interbank market with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period, provided that in the event such rate does not appear on such screen (or on any successor or substitute page on such screen or otherwise on such screen), the “LIBOR Offered Rate” with respect to such LIBOR Loan during such Interest Period shall be determined by reference to such other comparable publicly available service for displaying interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the London interbank market as may be selected by the Administrative Agent or, in the absence of such availability, by reference to the rate at which dollar deposits of $1,000,000 in immediately available funds for a maturity comparable to such Interest Period are offered by the principal office of the Administrative Agent to leading banks in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two LIBOR Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.

LIBOR Reserve Percentage” means for any day that percentage (expressed as a decimal) which is in effect on such day, at which any lender subject thereto would be required to maintain reserves under Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor or similar regulations relating to such reserve requirements) against “Eurocurrency Liabilities” (as that term is used in Regulation D), if such liabilities were outstanding.

Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest (statutory or other) or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, or any preference, priority or other security or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) with respect to such asset.

Loans” means the revolving credit loans made or to be made to the Borrower by the Banks pursuant to Section 2.03(b) hereof.

Loan Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, the Notes, the Security Documents, the fee agreement described in Section 2.07(b) hereof and any and all other documents and instruments required to be executed and delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement, in each case as amended and in effect from time to time.

Margin Stock” has the meaning assigned to such term in Regulation U.

 

13


Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the ability of the Borrower to fully perform its obligations under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, (b) the Agent’s right, title and interest, on behalf of itself and the Banks, in the collateral pledged to it pursuant to the Security Documents, or on the rights and remedies of the Agent or any Bank under this Agreement or under any of the other Loan Documents, (c) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, or (d) the business, financial condition, operations, assets or properties of the Borrower or the Investment Adviser, in either case taken as a whole.

Maximum Amount” means, as at any date of determination, an amount equal to the least of:

(a) the maximum amount of Senior Obligations that the Borrower would be permitted to incur pursuant to Applicable Law, including the Investment Company Act,

(b) the maximum amount of Senior Obligations that the Borrower would be permitted to incur without violating the limitations on borrowings in the Investment Policies and Restrictions or elsewhere,

(c) the maximum amount of Senior Obligations that the Borrower would be permitted to incur pursuant to any agreements with any Authority, and

(d) the maximum amount of Senior Obligations that the Borrower would be permitted to incur without violating Section 5.19 or any other provision of this Agreement,

in each case, as in effect at the time of determination.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Services, Inc., or any successor performing the same function.

Multiemployer Plan” means at any time a “multiemployer 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.

Near Par Eligible Residential MBS” means, at any time, any Eligible Residential MBS that, at such time, has an Asset Value that is greater than 75% of the par value thereof.

Non-Excluded Taxes” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10(c) hereof.

Note(s)” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.04(b) hereof.

Notice of Borrowing” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(a) hereof.

Notice of Conversion” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(b) hereof.

 

14


Obligations” means all indebtedness, obligations and liabilities of the Borrower to any of the Banks and the Agent, existing on the date of this Agreement or arising thereafter, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise, arising or incurred under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or in respect of any of the Loans to the Borrower or any of the Notes or other instruments at any time evidencing any thereof.

OECD” means the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development or any successor organization.

Other Eligible Residential MBS” means, at any time, any Eligible Debt Security constituting an Eligible Residential MBS that, at such time, (a) has an Asset Value that is not less than 50% of the par value thereof, and (b) is not a Near Par Eligible Residential MBS.

Overnight LIBOR Rate” means, as of any day, the rate appearing on the Reuters “LIBOR01” screen displaying interest rates for dollar deposits in the London interbank market (or on any successor or substitute page on such screen) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, as the rate for dollar deposits in the London interbank market with a maturity of one LIBOR Business Day, provided that in the event such rate does not appear on such screen (or on any successor or substitute page on such screen or otherwise on such screen), the “Overnight LIBOR Rate” shall be determined by reference to such other comparable publicly available service for displaying interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the London interbank market as may be selected by the Administrative Agent or, in the absence of such availability, by reference to the rate at which dollar deposits of $1,000,000 in immediately available funds for a term of one LIBOR Business Day are offered by the principal office of the Administrative Agent to leading banks in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, provided further that in the event such day is not a LIBOR Business Day, then Overnight LIBOR Rate shall be such rate as in effect on the immediately preceding LIBOR Business Day.

Overnight Rate Loans” means Loans bearing interest calculated by reference to the Applicable Overnight Rate.

Participant” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.06(b) hereof.

Participant Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.06(b) hereof.

Patriot Act” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.10 hereof.

Person” means an individual, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a trust (or series thereof) or any other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.

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 Internal Revenue Code and either (a) is maintained, or contributed to, by any member of the ERISA Group for employees of any member of the ERISA Group or (b) 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.

 

15


Preferred Shares” means, collectively, (a) the series of 1,440 shares of preferred shares of beneficial interest of the Borrower, without par value, liquidation preference $25,000 per share plus accumulated but unpaid dividends, if any, thereon (whether or not earned or declared), designated “Series M Taxable Auction Market Preferred Shares”, and (b) the series of 1,440 shares of preferred shares of beneficial interest of the Borrower, without par value, liquidation preference $25,000 per share plus accumulated but unpaid dividends, if any, thereon (whether or not earned or declared), designated “Series W Taxable Auction Market Preferred Shares”.

Private Authorizations” means all franchises, permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations of all Persons (other than any Authority) including, without limitation, those of shareholders and creditors and those with respect to trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, computer software programs, technical and other know-how.

Prospectus” means, collectively, the Borrower’s prospectus and statement of additional information, each dated September 18, 2002, and filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 497(h) under the Securities Act.

Regulation T” means Regulation T of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time, and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder and thereof.

Regulation U” means Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time, and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder and thereof.

Regulation X” means Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time, and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder and thereof.

Replacement Bank” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.05 hereof.

Representative” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.09(a) hereof.

Required Banks” means at any time Banks holding at least a majority of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans at such time or, if no Loans are then outstanding, Banks having at least a majority of the aggregate Commitment Amounts then in effect; provided, however, that for purposes of determining Required Banks, the Commitment Amount or Loans, as the case may be, of each Delinquent Bank shall be disregarded for so long as such Bank remains a Delinquent Bank.

Restricted Payment” means (a) any dividend or other distribution by the Borrower (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any shares, units or other equity interests issued by the Borrower, and (b) any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, by the Borrower on account of the purchase, tender, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such shares, units or other equity interests.

 

16


Revolving Credit Period” means the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the Termination Date.

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor performing the same function.

Sanction” means, with respect to any Person, a sanction administered or enforced by any Sanctions Authority.

Sanctioned Jurisdiction” means, at any time, a country or territory which is the subject or target of any Sanction.

Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, any Person that is subject to or the target of any Sanction.

Sanctions Authority” means, with respect to any Person, (a) any Authority with jurisdiction over such Person or any property thereof, that may impose sanctions on such Person or any property thereof, (b) the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, (c) the US Department of State, (d) the United Nations Security Council, (e) the European Union, and (f) Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom.

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other governmental authority of the United States of America at the time administering the Securities Act, the Investment Company Act or the Exchange Act.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder, as modified or interpreted by orders of the SEC, or other interpretative releases or letters issued by the SEC or its staff, all as from time to time in effect, or any successor law, rules or regulations, and any reference to any statutory or regulatory provisions shall be deemed to be a reference to any successor statutory or regulatory provision.

Security Agreement” means that certain Security Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Borrower, the Agent, on behalf of itself and the Banks, and the Custodian, as the same may be amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time.

Security Documents” means, collectively, the Security Agreement and all other security documents hereafter delivered to the Agent granting a Lien on any property of the Borrower to secure the obligations and liabilities of the Borrower under any Loan Document.

Senior Obligations” means, with respect to the Borrower, (a) all Debt of the Borrower, and (b) all “senior securities” (within the meaning of the Investment Company Act) of the Borrower other than Debt; provided that for purposes of calculating the amount of any “Senior Obligation” under this clause (b), such amount shall be determined by reference to the liquidation preference thereof.

 

17


Senior Securities Representing Indebtedness” has the meaning set forth in Section 18(g) of the Investment Company Act.

Speculative Non-OECD Securities” means securities issued by (a) any non-OECD country the senior, unsecured sovereign debt of which is (i) unrated by both S&P and Moody’s, (ii) rated below BBB- by S&P, or (iii) rated below Baa3 by Moody’s, or (b) any issuer domiciled, or having its principal place of business, in any such country.

State Street” means State Street Bank and Trust Company in its capacity as a Bank hereunder.

Subsequent Fee Period” means, with respect to any Commitment Fee Change Notice, the period commencing on the Commitment Fee Change Effective Date, if any, with respect to such Commitment Fee Change Notice to but excluding the earlier to occur of (a) the Termination Date (as in effect at the commencement of such period), or (b) the Commitment Fee Change Effective Date, if any, immediately succeeding such Commitment Fee Change Effective Date.

Subsequent Margin Period” means, with respect to any Applicable Margin Change Notice, the period commencing on the Applicable Margin Change Effective Date, if any, with respect to such Applicable Margin Change Notice to but excluding the earlier to occur of (a) the Termination Date (as in effect at the commencement of such period), or (b) the Applicable Margin Change Effective Date, if any, immediately succeeding such Applicable Margin Change Effective Date.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to a Person, 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 such Person.

Termination Date” means the earlier to occur of (a) the later to occur of June __, 2015 or the Termination Notice Effective Date, and (b) such earlier date on which the Commitments terminate or are terminated pursuant to the terms hereof.

Termination Notice” means a notice from the Agent to the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto.

Termination Notice Effective Date” means the 270th day after the date of delivery of the first Termination Notice given pursuant to Section 2.08(c) hereof.

Total Assets” means, at any date of determination, all assets of the Borrower which in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles would be classified as assets upon a balance sheet of the Borrower prepared as of such date, valued in accordance with the methods and procedures described in the Valuation Procedures, provided, however, that Total Assets shall not include (a) equipment and (b) deferred organizational and offering expenses.

Total Liabilities” means, at any date of determination, the sum of all liabilities of the Borrower which in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles would be classified as liabilities upon a balance sheet of the Borrower prepared as of such date, plus, without duplication, the aggregate amount of the Borrower’s Debt and Financial Contract Liability.

 

18


Valuation Procedures” means the Borrower’s Valuation Policies and Procedures in effect on the date of this Agreement, a copy of which was delivered to the Agent prior to the date of this Agreement, or such other valuation policies and procedures as are otherwise consented to in writing by the Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

Value” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2(a)(41) of the Investment Company Act.

SECTION 1.02. 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 generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time in the United States of America (“Generally Accepted Accounting Principles”), applied on a basis consistent (except for changes concurred in by the Borrower’s independent public accountants) with the most recent audited financial statements of the Borrower delivered to the Banks hereunder.

ARTICLE II.

THE CREDIT

SECTION 2.01. Commitments to Lend. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, each of the Banks severally agrees to lend to the Borrower and the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow from time to time during the Revolving Credit Period, upon notice by the Borrower to the Agent given in accordance with Section 2.02(a) hereof, such sums as are requested by the Borrower up to a maximum aggregate amount outstanding (after giving effect to all amounts outstanding and all amounts requested) at any one time equal to such Bank’s Commitment Amount, provided that the aggregate principal amount of all Loans outstanding (after giving effect to all amounts requested and the application thereof) (i) shall not exceed at any time the lesser of (a) the Borrowing Base and (b) the Aggregate Commitment Amount; and (ii) shall not cause the Borrower to have an aggregate amount of Senior Obligations outstanding that is in excess of the Maximum Amount, in each case in effect at such time. Each borrowing under this Section shall be in an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000 or any integral multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof and shall be made from the several Banks pro rata in accordance with each Bank’s Commitment Percentage. Each Loan shall mature and become due and payable as provided in Section 2.05 hereof.

SECTION 2.02. Notice of Borrowings. (a) The Borrower shall give the Agent a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto (a “Notice of Borrowing”) not later than 12:00 noon (Boston time) (or telephonic notice not later than 12:00 noon (Boston time) confirmed in writing substantially in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto not later than 1:00 p.m. (Boston time)) (i) on the Domestic Business Day of each proposed borrowing of an Overnight Rate Loan and (ii) on the third LIBOR Business Day before each proposed borrowing of a LIBOR Loan, in each case specifying (1) the date of such borrowing, which shall be a Domestic Business Day in the case of an Overnight Rate Loan or a LIBOR Business Day in the

 

19


case of a LIBOR Loan, (2) whether such borrowing shall be of an Overnight Rate Loan or a LIBOR Loan, (3) the aggregate principal amount of such borrowing, (4) for a LIBOR Loan only, the applicable Interest Period and (5) if applicable pursuant to Section 2.03(b)(ii) hereof, wire instructions. Each Notice of Borrowing or oral request shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower that the conditions set forth in Section 3.02(b) through (d) have been satisfied on the date of such notice and will be satisfied on the date of such borrowing.

(b) The Borrower may elect from time to time to convert any outstanding Overnight Rate Loan or LIBOR Loan to a Loan of the other type, or to roll over any outstanding LIBOR Loan upon the expiration of an Interest Period with respect thereto, by giving a notice to the Agent substantially in the form of Exhibit H attached hereto (a “Notice of Conversion”) (or telephonic notice confirmed in a writing substantially in the form of Exhibit H attached hereto), provided that (i) with respect to any conversion into or rollover of a LIBOR Loan, the Notice of Conversion shall be given within the time period for the giving of a Notice of Borrowing for a LIBOR Loan as set forth in Section 2.02(a), (ii) no Loan may be converted into or rolled over as a LIBOR Loan (1) if the Interest Period therefor would extend beyond the Termination Date or (2) if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (in which case, if the Agent has or the Required Banks have determined in its or their sole discretion not to permit such continuations, such Loan shall automatically become an Overnight Rate Loan on the last day of the first Interest Period relating thereto ending during the continuance of such Event of Default), (iii) a LIBOR Loan may be converted into an Overnight Rate Loan or rolled over as a LIBOR Loan only on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, and (iv) if the Borrower fails to give a Notice of Conversion for a LIBOR Loan the Borrower shall be deemed to have elected to convert such Loan to an Overnight Rate Loan on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto. Conversions to and from LIBOR Loans shall be in such amounts and pursuant to such elections so that, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate principal amount of all LIBOR Loans having the same Interest Period shall equal to $1,000,000 or a larger integral multiple of $100,000.

SECTION 2.03. Notice to Banks; Funding of Loans. (a) Upon receipt of a Notice of Borrowing or an oral request for a borrowing in accordance with Section 2.02(a), the Agent shall promptly notify each Bank of the contents thereof and of such Bank’s ratable share of such borrowing. Such Notice of Borrowing or oral request shall not thereafter be revocable by the Borrower and shall obligate the Borrower to accept the Loans requested from the Banks on the date of such borrowing.

(b) Not later than 2:00 p.m. (Boston time) on the Borrowing Date of each borrowing, each Bank shall make available its share of such borrowing, in federal or other funds immediately available in Boston, to the Agent at its address referred to in Section 9.01. Unless the Agent determines that any applicable condition specified in Article III has not been satisfied or waived, the Agent will (i) make its share of such borrowing and the funds so received from the other Banks available to the Borrower at the Agent’s aforesaid address or (ii) at the election of Borrower as set forth in the applicable Notice of Borrowing, as may be reasonably acceptable to the Agent, wire its share of such borrowing and the funds so received from the other Banks to a third party designated by the Borrower in such Notice of Borrowing, in each case, in federal funds or other funds immediately available to the Borrower or such other third party, as applicable, in each case on the Borrowing Date. The failure or refusal of any Bank to make available to the Agent as provided herein its share of any borrowing shall not relieve any other Bank from its several obligations hereunder.

 

20


(c) If any Bank makes a new Loan hereunder on a day on which the Borrower is to repay the principal amount of an outstanding Loan to such Bank, the Bank shall apply the proceeds of its new Loan to make such repayment and only an amount equal to the difference (if any) between the amount being borrowed and the amount being repaid shall be made available by the Agent as provided in clause (a) or remitted by the Borrower to the Bank as provided in Section 2.10 hereof, as the case may be.

(d) Unless the Agent shall have received notice from a Bank prior to any Borrowing Date that such Bank will not make available to the Agent such Bank’s share of such borrowing, the Agent may assume that such Bank has made such share available to the Agent on such date in accordance with clause (b) of this Section and the Agent may (but it shall not be required to), in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower on such date a corresponding amount. If and to the extent that such Bank shall not have so made such share available to the Agent, such Bank agrees to repay to the Agent, upon demand, such amount 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 Agent, at the Federal Funds Rate. If such Bank shall repay to the Agent such amount, such amount so repaid shall constitute such Bank’s Loan included in such borrowing for purposes of this Agreement. If and to the extent that such Bank shall not have so made such share available to the Agent within three Domestic Business Days after demand by the Agent, the Borrower agrees to repay to the Agent, upon demand, such amount 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 Agent, at a rate per annum equal to the interest rate applicable thereto pursuant to Section 2.06 hereof. The provisions of this Section 2.03(d) shall not relieve any such Bank from any liability to the Borrower.

SECTION 2.04. Loan Accounts; Notes; Records. (a) The Loans made by each Bank to the Borrower shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by such Bank in the ordinary course of business. The Borrower irrevocably authorizes each Bank to make or cause to be made, at or about the date of any Loan or at the time of receipt of any payment of principal of any Loan, an appropriate notation on its loan accounts or records, including computer records, reflecting the making of such Loan or (as the case may be) the receipt of such payment. The outstanding amount of the Loans set forth in any such loan accounts or records, including any computer records, maintained by a Bank with respect to the Loans made by it shall, absent manifest error, be prima facie evidence of the principal amount thereof owing and unpaid to the Bank, but the failure to record, or any error in so recording, any such amount on any such loan account or record shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder or under the other Loan Documents to make payments of principal of and interest on the Loans when due.

(b) The Borrower hereby agrees that if, in the opinion of any Bank, a promissory note or other evidence of debt is required, appropriate or desirable to reflect or enforce the Debt of the Borrower resulting from the Loans made, or to be made, by such Bank, then, upon request of such Bank, the Borrower shall promptly execute and deliver to such Bank, a promissory note (each, a “Note” and, collectively, the “Notes”) substantially in the form of

 

21


Exhibit A attached hereto, payable to such Bank in an amount equal to such Bank’s Commitment Amount or, if less, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of such Bank’s Loans, plus interest thereon as provided below, provided, that as a condition to issuing any Note in replacement of a previously issued Note that has been lost, the Borrower may require an indemnity with respect to lost instruments from such Bank, in form and substance satisfactory to the Borrower and its counsel.

(c) The Agent’s records with respect to the Loans, the interest rates applicable thereto, each payment by the Borrower of principal and interest on the Loans and fees, expenses and any other amounts due and payable in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall, absent manifest error, be prima facie evidence of the amount of the Loans and the amount of principal and interest paid by the Borrower in respect of the Loans and as to the other information relating to the Loans and amounts paid and payable by the Borrower hereunder and under the other Loan Documents.

SECTION 2.05. Mandatory Payments; Optional Prepayments. (a) Each Loan shall mature, and the principal amount thereof shall be due and payable, on the Termination Date. The Borrower promises to pay on the Termination Date, and there shall become absolutely due and payable on the Termination Date, all of the Loans outstanding on such date, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon and other amounts outstanding hereunder.

(b) If at any time the aggregate principal amount of Loans outstanding to the Borrower exceeds the Borrowing Base, the Borrower shall, within three (3) Domestic Business Days, prepay such principal amount of one or more Loans (together with, in the case of LIBOR Loans, accrued interest thereon and the amount, if any, payable pursuant to Section 8.06) as may be necessary so that after such prepayment the aggregate principal amount of Loans outstanding to the Borrower does not exceed the Borrowing Base.

(c) If at any time the aggregate principal amount of Loans outstanding to the Borrower exceeds the Maximum Amount, the Borrower shall, within three (3) Domestic Business Days, prepay such principal amount of one or more Loans (together with, in the case of LIBOR Loans, accrued interest thereon and the amount, if any, payable pursuant to Section 8.06) as may be necessary so that after such prepayment the aggregate principal amount of Loans outstanding to the Borrower does not exceed the Maximum Amount.

(d) If at any time the aggregate principal amount of Loans outstanding to the Borrower exceeds the Aggregate Commitment Amount or the principal amount of Loans outstanding to any one Bank exceeds the Commitment Amount of such Bank, the Borrower shall promptly, but in any case within one (1) Domestic Business Day, prepay such principal amount of one or more Loans (together with, in the case of LIBOR Loans, accrued interest thereon and the amount, if any, payable pursuant to Section 8.06) as may be necessary to eliminate such excess.

(e) The Borrower may, with notice to the Agent no later than 11:30 a.m. (Boston time) on the Domestic Business Day of such payment in the case of Overnight Rate Loans and upon at least three LIBOR Business Days’ notice of such payment in the case of LIBOR Loans, prepay any Loans in whole at any time, or from time to time in part in an

 

22


aggregate principal amount not less than $1,000,000 and in larger integral multiples of $100,000, by paying the principal amount to be prepaid (together with, in the case of LIBOR Loans, accrued interest thereon and the amount, if any, payable pursuant to Section 8.06). Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this paragraph shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of prepayment delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or the occurrence of other relevant events, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Each such optional prepayment shall be applied to prepay ratably the Loans of the several Banks included in such borrowing.

(f) If the Borrower prepays all or any portion of the principal amount of any LIBOR Loan on any day other than the last day of the Interest Period relating thereto, such prepayment shall include the amounts, if any, payable pursuant to Section 8.06.

(g) Upon receipt of a notice of prepayment pursuant to clause (e), the Agent shall promptly notify each Bank of the contents thereof and of such Bank’s ratable share of such prepayment.

(h) Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 3.02, Loans prepaid prior to the Termination Date may be reborrowed prior to the Termination Date.

SECTION 2.06. Interest Rates. (a) Subject to clause (c) of this Section 2.06, Article VIII and Section 9.12, each Overnight Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof, for the period commencing with the date such Loan is made up to but not including the date such Loan is repaid in full, at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Overnight Rate as in effect from time to time. Accrued interest on each Overnight Rate Loan shall be payable in arrears on the first day of each calendar month and on the Termination Date.

(b) Subject to clause (c) of this Section 2.06, Article VIII and Section 9.12, each LIBOR Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof, for the period commencing with the date such LIBOR Loan is made or continued through and including the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Adjusted LIBOR Offered Rate plus the Applicable Margin. Interest on each LIBOR Loan shall be payable in arrears on the last day of the Interest Period in effect with respect thereto (and, with respect to any LIBOR Loan having an Interest Period in excess of three months, on the last day of each three-month period) and on the Termination Date.

(c) Any overdue principal of (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) and (to the extent permitted by Applicable Law) interest on the Loans and all other overdue amounts payable hereunder shall bear interest, payable on demand, for each day from and including the date payment thereof was due to but not including the date of actual payment, at a rate per annum equal to two percent (2%) above (i) in the case of overdue principal, the rate of interest otherwise applicable to such Loans pursuant to this Section 2.06 and (ii) in the case of other amounts, the Applicable Overnight Rate, in each case until such amount shall be paid in full (after as well as before judgment).

 

23


(d) The Agent shall determine the interest rate applicable to the Loans hereunder and its determination thereof shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes in the absence of manifest error.

SECTION 2.07. Fees. (a) During the Revolving Credit Period, the Borrower shall pay to the Agent for the account of each Bank a commitment fee at the Commitment Fee Rate on the daily amount by which such Bank’s Commitment Amount exceeded the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans made by such Bank (including, in the case of a Delinquent Bank, the principal amount of all Loans with respect to which such Bank is delinquent). Such commitment fee shall accrue from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the Termination Date. Accrued commitment fees payable hereunder shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last day of each March, June, September and December, commencing on the first such day after the Effective Date, and on the Termination Date.

(b) On the Effective Date, the Borrower shall pay to the Agent, for its own account, a non-refundable structuring fee as agreed upon separately between the Borrower and the Agent.

SECTION 2.08. Termination and Reduction of Commitments. (a) Each Bank’s Commitment Amount permanently shall reduce to $0 and each Bank’s Commitment shall terminate on the Termination Date.

(b) During the Revolving Credit Period, the Borrower may, upon at least three (3) Domestic Business Days’ prior written notice to the Agent and provided that immediately after giving effect thereto, the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Loans would not exceed the Aggregate Commitment Amount, (i) terminate the Commitments at any time, or (ii) reduce from time to time the aggregate Commitment Amounts by an aggregate amount of $1,000,000 or integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, whereupon the Commitment Amounts of each of the Banks shall be reduced pro rata in accordance with their Commitment Percentage of the amount specified in such notice or, as the case may be, each Bank’s Commitment shall be terminated. Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this paragraph shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Commitments delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or the occurrence of other relevant events, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Promptly after receiving any notice of the Borrower delivered pursuant to this Section, the Agent will notify the Banks of the substance thereof. Upon the effective date of any such reduction or termination, the Borrower shall pay to the Agent for the respective accounts of the Banks the full amount of any commitment fee then accrued on the amount of the reduction. No reduction in the Commitment Amounts or termination of the Commitments may be reinstated.

(c) At the request of any Bank at any time, the Agent shall send to the Borrower a Termination Notice.

 

24


SECTION 2.09. Pricing Changes. (a) At any time and from time to time the Agent shall, at the request of Applicable Banks, send to the Borrower an Applicable Margin Change Notice, and such Applicable Margin Change Notice shall become effective on the date that is the latest to occur of the following (such latest date with respect to such Applicable Margin Change Notice, the “Applicable Margin Change Effective Date”): (i) the date specified as such in such Applicable Margin Change Notice, (ii) the 90th day after the date of such Applicable Margin Change Notice, (iii) the 360th day following the Effective Date, and (iv) other than with respect to the first Applicable Margin Change Notice, the 270th day after the immediately preceding Applicable Margin Change Effective Date.

(b) At any time and from time to time the Agent shall, at the request of Applicable Banks, send to the Borrower a Commitment Fee Change Notice, and such Commitment Fee Change Notice shall become effective on the date that is the latest to occur of the following (such latest date with respect to such Commitment Fee Change Notice, the “Commitment Fee Change Effective Date”): (i) the date specified as such in such Commitment Fee Change Notice, (ii) the 30th day after the date of such Commitment Fee Change Notice, (iii) the 360th day following the Effective Date, and (iv) other than with respect to the first Commitment Fee Change Notice, the 270th day after the immediately preceding Commitment Fee Change Effective Date.

SECTION 2.10. General Provisions as to Payments. (a) The Borrower shall make each payment of principal and interest on the Loans and of fees hereunder and all other amounts due hereunder not later than 12:00 noon (Boston time) on the date when due, in Dollars and in federal or other funds immediately available in Boston, to the Agent at its address referred to in Section 9.01. The Agent shall promptly distribute to each Bank its ratable share of each such payment received by the Agent for the account of the Banks. Whenever any payment of principal of, or interest on, Overnight Rate Loans or of fees shall be due on a day which is not a Domestic Business Day, the date for payment thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Domestic Business Day and interest shall accrue during such extension. Except as otherwise provided in the definition of Interest Period, whenever any payment of principal of, or interest on, LIBOR Loans shall be due on a day which is not a LIBOR Business Day, the date for payment thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding LIBOR Business Day unless such LIBOR Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case the date for payment thereof shall be the next preceding LIBOR Business Day. If the date for any payment of principal is extended by operation of law or otherwise, interest thereon shall be payable for such extended time.

(b) Unless the Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Banks hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment in full, the Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment in full to the Agent on such date and the Agent may (but it shall not be required to), in reliance upon such assumption, cause to be distributed to each Bank on such due date an amount equal to the amount then due to such Bank. If and to the extent that the Borrower shall not have so made such payment, each Bank shall repay to the Agent forthwith on demand such amount distributed to such Bank together with interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount is distributed to such Bank until the date such Bank repays such amount to the Agent, at the Federal Funds Rate.

 

25


(c) All payments by the Borrower hereunder and under any of the other Loan Documents shall be made in Dollars without setoff or counterclaim and free and clear of and without deduction for any taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions, withholdings, compulsory loans, restrictions or conditions of any nature now or hereafter imposed or levied by any jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof or taxing or other authority therein, unless the Borrower or other applicable withholding agent is required by law (as determined in the good faith discretion of the Borrower or such other applicable withholding agent) to make such deduction or withholding. Subject to Section 2.10(d), if any Non-Excluded Taxes are required to be withheld with respect to any amount payable by the Borrower hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, the Borrower will pay to the Agent, for the account of the Banks or (as the case may be) the Agent, on the date on which such amount is due and payable hereunder or under such other Loan Document, such additional amount in Dollars as shall be necessary to enable the Banks or the Agent to receive the same net amount which the Banks or the Agent would have received on such due date had no such Non-Excluded Taxes been required to be withheld. For purposes of this Agreement, “Non-Excluded Taxes” are any taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings of any nature now or hereafter imposed or levied by any jurisdiction or any political subdivision thereof or taxing or other authority therein other than net income taxes (however denominated), franchise taxes (imposed in lieu of net income taxes), branch profits taxes and any other similar taxes imposed (i) on the Agent or any Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office) by the jurisdiction under the laws of which the Agent or Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office) is organized or in which its principal office is located or through which it holds the Loans or any political subdivision, taxing authority or other authority thereof or therein, or (ii) as a result of a present or former connection between the Agent or Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office) and the jurisdiction imposing such tax other than a connection arising solely as a result of the Agent or Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office) having executed, delivered or performed its obligations or received payments under, or enforced, this Agreement. The Borrower will deliver promptly to the Agent certificates or other valid vouchers for all taxes or other charges deducted from or paid with respect to payments made by the Borrower hereunder or under such other Loan Document. If the Borrower reasonably believes that such Non-Excluded Taxes were not correctly or reasonably asserted, the applicable Bank will use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to obtain a refund of such taxes (which shall be repaid to the Borrower so long as such efforts would not, in the good faith determination of the Bank, result in any material additional costs, expenses or risks or be otherwise disadvantageous to it).

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in clause (c) of this Section 2.10, the Borrower will not be required to make any additional payment to or for the account of the Agent or any Bank with respect to any Non-Excluded Taxes under clause (c) (i) by reason of a breach by the Agent or such Bank of any certification or representation set forth in any form furnished to the Borrower under Section 2.12 or the Agent’s or such Bank’s failure or inability to furnish under Section 2.12 an original or an extension or renewal of any form required under Section 2.12 or (ii) in the case of a Bank, if such Non-Excluded Taxes are withholding taxes imposed on amounts payable to such Bank at the time such Bank becomes a party to this Agreement (or designates a new lending office or changes its place of organization or principal office), except to the extent that such Bank’s assignor (if any) was entitled, at the time of assignment, to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such Non-Excluded Taxes pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 2.10 or (iii) if such Non-Excluded Taxes are imposed pursuant to FATCA.

 

26


(e) If the Agent or a Bank determines, in its reasonable discretion, that it has received a refund of any taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Borrower or with respect to which the Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 2.10, it shall pay over such refund to the Borrower (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Borrower under clause (c) of this Section 2.10), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Agent or such Bank and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant governmental authority with respect to such refund); provided, that the Borrower, upon the request of the Agent or such Bank, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant governmental authority) to the Agent or such Bank in the event the Agent or such Bank is required to repay such refund to such governmental authority. The Agent and each Bank agrees, that upon the occurrence of any event giving rise to a tax as to which it has been indemnified by the Borrower or with respect to which the Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 2.10, it will use reasonable efforts to mitigate the effect of any such event, including by designating another lending office for any Loan affected by such event and by completing and delivering or filing any tax-related forms which would reduce or eliminate such tax or additional amounts.

SECTION 2.11. Computation of Interest and Fees. All interest and fees hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and paid for the actual number of days elapsed. The Agent’s determination of interest rates shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

SECTION 2.12. Withholding Tax Exemption. (a) The Agent and each Bank that is not a Foreign Bank shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Agent, as applicable) an original signed, properly completed IRS Form W-9 (or any successor form) certifying that the Agent or such Bank is not subject to U.S. backup withholding tax, on or prior to the date on which such Person becomes a party under this Agreement, promptly upon the obsolescence, expiration, or invalidity of any form previously delivered by such Person, and from time to time thereafter upon the request of the Borrower or Agent.

(b) Any Foreign Bank that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Bank, if requested by the Borrower or the Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Agent, including without limitation, as will enable the Borrower or the Agent to determine whether or not the Bank is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is resident for tax purposes in the United States, each Foreign Bank shall deliver to the Borrower and the Agent (in

 

27


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 promptly upon the obsolescence, expiration or invalidity of any form or certificate previously delivered by such Foreign Bank or from time to time thereafter upon the request of the Borrower or the Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

(i) original signed and duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN claiming eligibility for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party that reduces or eliminates withholding tax;

(ii) original signed and duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI;

(iii) in the case of a Foreign Bank claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under section 881(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, (x) a written certificate that such Foreign Bank is not (A) a “bank” within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code, (B) a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code, or (C) a “controlled foreign corporation” receiving interest from a related person within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code and (y) original signed and duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN;

(iv) to the extent a Foreign Bank is not the beneficial owner, original signed and duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY, accompanied by Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI, Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, a certificate described in clause (iii) above, Internal Revenue Service Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Bank is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Bank are claiming the exemption for portfolio interest under section 881(c) of the Internal Revenue Code, such Bank may provide the certificate described in clause (iii) above on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

(v) if a payment made to a Bank hereunder or under any other Loan Document would be subject to 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 Internal Revenue Code, as applicable), such Bank shall deliver to the Borrower and the Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the 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; or

(vi) any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in United States federal withholding tax duly completed together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.

 

28


ARTICLE III.

CONDITIONS

SECTION 3.01. Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective on the date that each of the following conditions shall have been satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 9.05 hereof:

(a) receipt by the Agent of counterparts hereof signed by each of the parties hereto;

(b) receipt by the Agent for the account of each Bank, if requested by such Bank, of a duly executed Note dated the Effective Date complying with the provisions of Section 2.04;

(c) receipt by the Agent of (i) a perfection certificate from the Borrower in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, (ii) copies of the results of current UCC lien searches (or the equivalent in the applicable jurisdictions), such results to be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent; (iii) control agreements (or the equivalent in the applicable jurisdictions) to the extent applicable, (iv) the Security Agreement, and (v) such other documents, instruments and/or agreements as the Agent may reasonably require to perfect its security interest in the Collateral in the relevant jurisdictions;

(d) receipt by the Agent of the legal opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP, counsel for the Borrower, addressed to the Agent and the Banks and covering such matters relating to the transactions contemplated hereby as the Agent may reasonably request;

(e) receipt by the Agent of a certificate manually signed by an officer of the Borrower to the effect (i) set forth in clauses (b) (if the Borrower is submitting a Notice of Borrowing on the Effective Date), and (c) of Section 3.02, and (ii) that the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all respects (or, if any such representation or warranty is expressly stated to have been made as of a specific earlier date, as of such specific date), such certificate to be dated the Effective Date and to be in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent;

(f) receipt by the Agent of a manually signed certificate from the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Borrower in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent and dated the Effective Date as to the incumbency of, and bearing manual specimen signatures of, the Authorized Signatories who are authorized to execute and take actions under the Loan Documents for and on behalf of the Borrower, and certifying and attaching copies of (i) all Charter Documents, with all amendments thereto, (ii) the resolutions of the Borrower’s Board of Directors authorizing the transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) the Prospectus, (iv) the investment advisory agreement between the Borrower and the Investment Adviser as then in effect, along with any other investment management or submanagement agreements to which the Borrower is a party as then in effect, (v) the Custody Agreement then in effect and (vi) the Borrower’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012;

 

29


(g) receipt by the Agent of a legal existence and good standing certificate for the Borrower from the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, dated as of a recent date;

(h) receipt by the Agent of a copy of the Declaration of Trust of the Borrower, with all amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto, certified by the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;

(i) the Banks being satisfied in their sole discretion that there has been no material adverse change in the business, assets or financial condition of the Borrower since December 31, 2012;

(j) receipt by the Agent of payment of all reasonable fees and expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of special counsel for the Agent) then payable hereunder for which invoices have been presented; and

(k) receipt by the Agent of a current completed Form FR U-1 with respect to each Bank signed by the Borrower and, if reasonably requested by the Agent, such other information with respect to compliance with Regulation U in form reasonably acceptable to the Agent, including where required by Regulation U a current list of the assets of the Borrower, including all Margin Stock.

The Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Banks of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding on all parties hereto.

SECTION 3.02. All Borrowings. The obligation of any Bank to make a Loan on the occasion of any borrowing is subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 3.01 (or such conditions being waived in accordance with Section 9.05) and the satisfaction of the following conditions:

(a) receipt by the Agent of a Notice of Borrowing as required by Section 2.02, along with (i) in the case of the initial Loan made hereunder, a current completed Form FR U-1 referred to in Regulation U with respect to each Bank signed by the Borrower, and (ii) in the case of all Loans made hereunder (including such initial Loan), to the extent required by Regulation U, a current completed Form FR U-1 referred to in Regulation U signed by the Borrower with respect to each Bank and, if reasonably requested by the Agent, such other information with respect to compliance with Regulation U in form reasonably acceptable to the Agent, including where required by Regulation U a current list of the assets of the Borrower, including all Margin Stock;

(b) the fact that, immediately after such borrowing, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans (i) will not exceed the lesser of (A) the Borrowing Base and (B) the Aggregate Commitment Amount as in effect on such date; and (ii) will not cause the aggregate amount of the Borrower’s outstanding Senior Obligations to exceed the Maximum Amount;

(c) the fact that, immediately before and after such borrowing, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

30


(d) the fact that the representations and warranties of the Borrower 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 and with the same force and effect as if made on and as of such date (or, if any such representation or warranty is expressly stated to have been made as of a specific earlier date, as of such specific date).

Each borrowing 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.

SECTION 3.03. Security. To secure the payment and performance in full of the Obligations, the Borrower shall grant to the Agent, for the benefit of itself and the Banks, a security interest in certain of the Borrower’s assets pursuant to the terms of the Security Documents.

ARTICLE IV.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Borrower represents and warrants that:

SECTION 4.01. Existence and Power; Investment Company. (a) The Borrower is a business trust duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and has all trust powers and all authorizations and approvals required to carry on its business as now conducted. The Borrower is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business, assets, and properties, including without limitation, the performance of the Obligations, requires such qualification, except where failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) The Borrower is a closed-end management investment company registered as such under the Investment Company Act, and the outstanding shares of each class of its stock (i) have been duly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable, (ii) have been duly registered under the Securities Act or sold in transactions exempt from registration under the Securities Act, and (iii) have been sold only in states or other jurisdictions in which all filings required to be made under applicable state securities laws have been made.

SECTION 4.02. Authorization; Execution and Delivery, Etc. The execution and delivery by the Borrower of, and the performance by the Borrower of its obligations under this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents are within its trust powers, and have been duly authorized by all requisite trust action by the Borrower. This Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents have been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower, and constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Borrower enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

 

31


SECTION 4.03. Noncontravention. Neither the execution and delivery by the Borrower of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents nor the consummation of the transactions herein or therein contemplated, nor compliance with the terms, conditions and provisions hereof or thereof by the Borrower will (a) conflict with, or result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any of the Charter Documents, (b) conflict with, or result in a violation of, any of the Investment Policies and Restrictions, (c) conflict with or contravene (i) any Applicable Law, (ii) any contractual restriction binding on or affecting the Borrower or any of its assets, or (iii) any order, writ, judgment, award, injunction or decree binding on or affecting the Borrower or any of its assets, (d) result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, or permit the acceleration of any obligation or liability in, or but for any requirement of the giving of notice or the passage of time (or both) would constitute such a conflict with, breach or violation of, or default under, or permit any such acceleration in, any contractual obligation or any agreement or document to which the Borrower is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound (or to which any such obligation, agreement or document relates), or (e) result in any Adverse Claim upon any asset of the Borrower.

SECTION 4.04. Governmental Authorizations; Private Authorization. Other than the filing of the financing statement in the form attached to the Security Agreement in the office indicated on such financing statement, the Borrower has obtained all necessary Governmental Authorizations and Private Authorizations, and made all Governmental Filings necessary for the execution and delivery by the Borrower of, and the performance by the Borrower of its obligations under, this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents and no Governmental Authorization, Private Authorization or Governmental Filing which has not been obtained or made, is required to be obtained or made by the Borrower in connection with the execution and delivery by the Borrower of, or the performance of its obligations under, this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.

SECTION 4.05. Regulations T, U and X. The execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated hereunder and thereunder will not violate any provision of Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X.

SECTION 4.06. Non-Affiliation with Banks. So far as appears from the records of the Borrower, none of the Borrower or any Affiliate of the Borrower is an Affiliate of any Bank or any Affiliate of any Bank known to the Borrower.

SECTION 4.07. Subsidiaries. The Borrower has no Subsidiaries.

SECTION 4.08. Financial Information. (a) The statement of assets and liabilities of the Borrower, as of December 31, 2012, and the related Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets for the fiscal year ended on such date, reported on by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and set forth in the Annual Report for the fiscal year ended on such date, together with the notes and schedules thereto, and each financial statement delivered by the Borrower to the Banks in accordance with Section 5.01, together with the notes and schedules thereto, presents and, when delivered in accordance therewith, will present fairly, in all material respects, in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, the financial position of the Borrower as of such date.

 

32


(b) Since December 31, 2012, there has been no material adverse change in the business, assets or financial condition of the Borrower.

(c) Each of the financial statements of the Borrower (whether audited or unaudited) delivered to the Banks under the terms of this Agreement fairly present all material contingent liabilities in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

SECTION 4.09. Litigation. There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation of any kind pending against, or to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting, the Borrower before any court or arbitrator or any Authority which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 4.10. ERISA. (a) The Borrower has no material liability in respect of any Benefit Arrangement, Plan or Multiemployer Plan subject to ERISA.

(b) Assuming that the sources of the funds for the Loans do not constitute “plan assets” of any “benefits plan investor” within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA, no Loan will constitute a “prohibited transaction” under Section 406(a) of ERISA or Section 4975(c)(1)(A)-(D) of the Internal Revenue Code for which an exemption is not available.

SECTION 4.11. Taxes. The Borrower has elected to be treated and qualifies as a “regulated investment company” within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code. The Borrower has timely filed all material United States federal income tax returns and all other material tax returns which are required to be filed by it, if any, and has paid all taxes due pursuant to such returns, if any, or pursuant to any assessment received by the Borrower, except for any taxes or assessments which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect thereto adequate reserves have been established in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles consistently applied or for which non-payment would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and the charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Borrower in respect of taxes or other governmental charges, if any, are, in the opinion of the Borrower, adequate.

SECTION 4.12. Compliance. (a) The Borrower is in compliance with the Investment Company Act in all material respects except where the necessity of compliance therewith is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or exemptive relief has been obtained therefrom and remains in effect. The Borrower is in compliance with all other Applicable Laws and all of the terms of any applicable licenses and permits issued by, any Authority except where the necessity of compliance therewith is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or exemptive relief has been obtained therefrom and remains in effect or where noncompliance therewith would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower is in compliance with all agreements and instruments to which it is a party or to which any of its properties may be bound, in each case where the violation thereof would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower is in compliance in all material respects with all of the Investment Policies and Restrictions.

 

33


(b) No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

(c) The Borrower is not subject to any Applicable Law (other than the Investment Company Act) which limits its ability to incur Debt hereunder. The Borrower has not entered into any agreement with any Authority limiting its ability to incur Debt hereunder.

SECTION 4.13. Fiscal Year. The Borrower has a fiscal year ending on December 31 of each year.

SECTION 4.14. Full Disclosure. All information heretofore furnished by the Borrower to the Agent and the Banks for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby is, and all such information hereafter furnished by the Borrower to the Agent or the Banks in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents will be, when delivered, true and accurate in all material respects on the date as of which such information is stated or certified, and such information does not contain, or will not contain, when delivered, when taken as a whole, any material misrepresentation or any omission to state therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, matters necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading in any material respect. The Borrower has disclosed to the Banks in writing all facts which, to the best of the Borrower’s knowledge after due inquiry (to the extent the Borrower can now reasonably foresee), may give rise to the reasonable possibility of a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 4.15. [Reserved].

SECTION 4.16. Account. All assets of the Borrower that are included in the calculation of the Borrowing Base are held in or credited to the Account.

SECTION 4.17. OFAC, USA PATRIOT Act, Anti-Corruption and Other Regulations. (a) No Affected Person is or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, is owned or controlled (directly or indirectly) by one or more Persons that are, (i) Sanctioned Persons, or (ii) located, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Jurisdiction.

(b) No Affected Person or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any Person that owns or controls (directly or indirectly) the Borrower or receives (directly or indirectly) any proceeds of any Loan (i) conducts any business or engages in making or receiving any contribution of goods, services or money to or for the benefit of any Sanctioned Person or in any Sanctioned Jurisdiction, (ii) deals in, or otherwise engages in any transaction related to, any property or interests in property blocked pursuant to any Anti-Terrorism Law, or (iii) engages in or conspires to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in any Anti-Terrorism Law.

(c) No Affected Person or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any Person that owns or controls (directly or indirectly) the Borrower, or receives (directly or indirectly) any proceeds of any Loan (i) has violated any Anti-Terrorism Law, or (ii) has engaged in any transaction, investment, undertaking or activity that conceals the identity, source or destination of the proceeds from any category of prohibited offenses designated by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering.

 

34


(d) The Borrower and each Subsidiary thereof has implemented, maintains and complies with policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance, in all material respects, by each Affected Person with Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions.

SECTION 4.18. Title to Assets. The Borrower has good and marketable title to all properties, assets and rights, except where failure to have such title would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

ARTICLE V.

COVENANTS

The Borrower agrees that, so long as any Bank has any Commitment hereunder or any amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document remains unpaid (other than contingent indemnification obligations for which no claim has been made):

SECTION 5.01. Information. The Borrower will deliver to the Agent (along with copies for each of the Banks if such information is not delivered in electronic form):

(a) as soon as available and in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a statement of assets and liabilities of the Borrower, including the portfolio of investments, as of the end of such fiscal year, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets of the Borrower for such fiscal year, together with an audit report thereon issued by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or other independent public accountants of nationally recognized standing;

(b) as soon as available and in any event within 90 days after the end of the first semi-annual period of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a statement of assets and liabilities of the Borrower, including the portfolio of investments, as of the end of such period, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets of the Borrower of such period, all in reasonable detail, prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, consistently applied, and certified (subject to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes) as to fairness of presentation, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and consistency by an Authorized Signatory of the Borrower or accompanied by an audit report thereon issued by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP or other independent public accountants of nationally recognized standing;

(c) as soon as available and in any event not later than the fifteenth Domestic Business Day after the end of each calendar quarter, a Borrowing Base Report as at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, as applicable;

(d) simultaneously with the delivery of each set of financial statements referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above and each Borrowing Base Report delivered pursuant to clause (c) above, a certificate of an Authorized Signatory reasonably acceptable to the Banks stating whether any Default or Event of Default exists on the date of such certificate and, if any Default or Event of Default then exists, setting forth the details thereof and the action which the Borrower is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;

 

35


(e) promptly (and in any event within three (3) Domestic Business Days) after any 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 an Authorized Signatory setting forth the details thereof and the action which the Borrower is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;

(f) promptly upon the filing thereof with the SEC or the mailing thereof to shareholders of the Borrower, copies of all annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, amendments and supplements to the Borrower’s registration statement, the Prospectus, non-routine proxy statements, financial statements and other materials of a financial or otherwise material nature;

(g) promptly upon any officer of the Borrower becoming aware of any action, suit or proceeding of the type described in Section 4.09, notice and a description thereof and copies of any filed complaint relating thereto; and

(h) from time to time such additional information regarding the financial position or business of the Borrower, including without limitation, listing and valuation reports, as the Agent, at the request of any Bank, may reasonably request;

provided that to the extent the information required by clauses (a), (b) and (f) of this Section 5.01 is then readily available (in printable format) under the Borrower’s name on EDGAR (i.e., the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System of the SEC) or at http://                    .com (or any successor website the address of which the Borrower shall have provided written notice thereof to the Agent), the Borrower shall be deemed to have delivered such information to the Agent and each Bank.

SECTION 5.02. Payment of Obligations. The Borrower will pay and discharge, at or before maturity, all of the Borrower’s material obligations, including, without limitation, tax liabilities, except where the same may be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, and where reserves, in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, have been provided on the books of the Borrower.

SECTION 5.03. Maintenance of Insurance. The Borrower will maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, policies with respect to its assets and property and business of the Borrower against at least such risks and contingencies (and with no greater risk retentions) and in at least such amounts as are required by the Investment Company Act and, in addition, as are customary in the case of registered closed-end investment companies; and will furnish to the Agent, upon request, information presented in reasonable detail as to the insurance so carried.

SECTION 5.04. Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence. (a) The Borrower will continue to engage in business of the same general type as now conducted by it.

(b) The Borrower will preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence as a Massachusetts business trust. The Borrower will preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its rights, privileges and franchises necessary in the normal conduct of its business except where failure to do so would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower will maintain in full force and effect its registration as a closed-end management company under the Investment Company Act.

 

36


(c) The Borrower will not amend, terminate, supplement or otherwise modify any of its Charter Documents if such amendment, termination, supplement or modification would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower will provide copies to the Agent of all amendments, supplements, terminations and other modifications of any of its Charter Documents, in each case prior to the effective date of any such amendment, supplement, termination or other modification. The Borrower will comply in all material respects with its Charter Documents.

(d) The Borrower will at all times place and maintain the Collateral in the custody of the Custodian subject to the provisions of the Security Agreement.

SECTION 5.05. Compliance with Laws. The Borrower will comply in all material respects with the Investment Company Act and the requirements of any Authority having jurisdiction over the Borrower with respect thereto except where the necessity of compliance therewith is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or exemptive relief has been obtained therefrom and remains in effect. The Borrower will comply in all material respects with all other Applicable Laws and requirements of any Authority having jurisdiction over the Borrower except where the necessity of compliance therewith is contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, exemptive relief has been obtained therefrom and remains in effect or where noncompliance therewith would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower will file all material federal and other material tax returns, reports and declarations required by all relevant jurisdictions on or before the due dates for such returns, reports and declarations and will pay all taxes due pursuant to such returns and other material governmental assessments and charges as and when they become due (except those that are being contested in good faith by the Borrower and as to which the Borrower has established appropriate reserves on its books and records).

SECTION 5.06. Inspection of Property, Books and Records. The Borrower will keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities in accordance with Applicable Law, including the Investment Company Act, and will permit representatives of the Agent, at the Agent’s expense, to visit and inspect any of its offices, to examine and make abstracts from any of its books and records and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its officers, employees and independent public accountants, at a frequency not more than once every calendar year; provided that, during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Borrower will permit representatives of the Agent, or any Bank designated by the Agent, to conduct such examinations, at any time during business hours and with reasonable advance notice, with any reasonable frequency. The right of inspection described in this Section 5.06 shall not apply to any information regarding shareholders of the Borrower to the extent the Borrower is prohibited from providing such information by Regulation S-P, 17 CFR Part 248.

 

37


SECTION 5.07. Debt and other Senior Obligations. The Borrower will not create, assume or suffer to exist any Senior Obligation other than:

(a) Debt arising under this Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents;

(b) Debt in favor of the Borrower’s Custodian;

(c) Debt in respect of judgments or awards that do not constitute an Event of Default, including any unsecured performance bond in respect of such judgments or awards;

(d) Debt arising in connection with portfolio investments and investment techniques arising in the ordinary course of the Borrower’s business to the extent that such Senior Obligations are permissible under the Investment Company Act and consistent with the Investment Policies and Restrictions, including, without limitation, any Senior Obligations arising under reverse repurchase agreements and derivative transactions; and

(e) prior to the redemption or tender thereof, Senior Obligations (other than Debt) in respect of the Preferred Shares.

SECTION 5.08. Liens. (a) The Borrower will not create, assume, incur or suffer to exist any Lien on any of its assets (including the income and profits thereof) whether such asset is now owned or hereafter acquired, except (i) Liens of the Agent, on behalf of itself and the Banks, created by or pursuant to any of the Security Documents or any of the other Loan Documents, (ii) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies the payment of which is not at the time required or which are being contested in good faith by the Borrower and as to which the Borrower has established appropriate reserves on its books and records, (iii) Liens in favor of the Borrower’s Custodian granted pursuant to the Custody Agreement to secure obligations arising under such custody agreement, and (iv) encumbrances created in connection with the Borrower’s portfolio investments and investment techniques to the extent not prohibited by the Investment Policies and Restrictions or Section 5.07.

(b) The Borrower will not create, assume, incur or suffer to exist any Lien on any of the Collateral except (i) Liens of the Agent, on behalf of itself and the Banks, created by or pursuant to any of the Security Documents or any of the other Loan Documents and (ii) Liens permitted under Section 5.08(a)(ii) and (iii).

SECTION 5.09. Consolidations, Mergers and Sales of Assets. The Borrower will not consolidate or merge with or into any other Person, nor will the Borrower sell, lease or otherwise transfer, directly or indirectly, all or any substantial part of its assets to any other Person (in each case, whether in one transaction or a series of related transactions), except that the Borrower may sell its assets in the ordinary course of business. The Borrower will not invest all of its investable assets in any other closed-end management investment company or otherwise employ a master-feeder or fund of funds investment structure or any other multiple investment company structure in respect of investments of all its investable assets.

SECTION 5.10. Use of Proceeds. Proceeds of Loans may be used only to leverage the Fund’s investment portfolio, to redeem or otherwise tender for outstanding Preferred Shares, and for temporary liquidity needs of the Borrower, in each case in accordance with its registration statement, the Prospectus and Applicable Law and regulations, including, without limitation, Regulation U. Each Loan shall be made in compliance with, and subject to, such Regulation U and no portion of any proceeds of any Loan shall be used directly or indirectly in violation of any provision of any statute, regulation, order or restriction applicable to any Bank or the Borrower.

 

38


SECTION 5.11. Compliance with Investment Policies and Restrictions. The Borrower will at all times comply in all material respects with the Investment Policies and Restrictions. The Borrower will not permit any of the Investment Policies and Restrictions that may not be changed without shareholder approval to be changed from those in effect on the Effective Date without the prior written consent of the Required Banks, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

SECTION 5.12. Non-Affiliation with Banks. The Borrower will not at any time become an Affiliate of any Bank or any Affiliate of any Bank known to the Borrower.

SECTION 5.13. Regulated Investment Company. The Borrower will use reasonable best efforts to maintain its status as a “regulated investment company” under the Internal Revenue Code at all times and will use reasonable best efforts to make sufficient distributions to qualify to be taxed as a “regulated investment company” pursuant to subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code.

SECTION 5.14. No Subsidiary. The Borrower will not have at any time any Subsidiary.

SECTION 5.15. ERISA. The Borrower will not have any material liability in respect of any Benefit Arrangement, Plan or Multiemployer Plan subject to ERISA.

SECTION 5.16. Fiscal Year. The Borrower will not, without the consent of the Agent (not to be unreasonably withheld) change its fiscal year from that set forth in Section 4.13 hereof.

SECTION 5.17. Regulation U. The Borrower shall deliver to the Agent from time to time, at the Agent’s reasonable request, such documents or information, including a current completed Form FR U-1 referred to in Regulation U and a current list of assets, in each case as reasonably required in order for the Banks to comply with Regulation U.

SECTION 5.18. Custodian. The Custodian will at all times be the Borrower’s custodian.

SECTION 5.19. Asset Coverage. The Borrower will not at any time permit the aggregate amount of Total Liabilities that are Senior Securities Representing Indebtedness to exceed 33 1/3% of its Adjusted Net Assets for more than three (3) consecutive Domestic Business Days.

SECTION 5.20. Maximum Amount. The Borrower will not at any time permit the aggregate amount of its outstanding Senior Obligations to exceed the Maximum Amount for more than three (3) consecutive Domestic Business Days or such shorter time as may be required by Applicable Law.

 

39


SECTION 5.21. Negative Pledge. The Borrower will not enter into any agreement prohibiting or limiting the Borrower from encumbering any of its assets, other than (a) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (b) any documents or agreements evidencing or governing any Debt permitted by Section 5.07(d) hereof (in which case, any such prohibition or limitation shall not apply to any of the Collateral).

SECTION 5.22. Restricted Payments. The Borrower will not declare or make, or allow to be declared or made, any Restricted Payment, except:

(a) the Borrower may declare or make any Restricted Payment payable solely in shares of the common stock of the Borrower, and

(b) the Borrower may declare or make any Restricted Payment if, immediately before and after giving effect thereto, (i)(1) no Event of Default shall exist or would occur, and (2) no Default under Sections 5.19 or 5.20 shall exist or would occur, or (ii) no principal of any Loan shall or would be outstanding.

SECTION 5.23. Compliance with Anti-Terrorism Laws, Money Laundering Laws, Etc. (a) The Borrower shall not, and shall not cause or permit any Affected Person to, (i) violate any Anti-Terrorism Law, (ii) engage in any transaction, investment, undertaking or activity that conceals the identity, source or destination of the proceeds from any category of prohibited offenses designated by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering, (iii) use, directly or indirectly, the proceeds of any Loan, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any other Person, (1) to fund any activities or business of or with any Sanctioned Person or in any Sanctioned Jurisdiction, (2) in any other manner that would result in a violation of Sanctions by any Person, or (3) in any way that would violate any Anti-Corruption Law, (iv) deal in, or otherwise engage in any transaction related to, any property or interests in property blocked pursuant to any Anti-Terrorism Law, or (v) engage in or conspire to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempt to violate, any prohibition set forth in any Anti-Terrorism Law.

SECTION 5.24. Further Assurances. The Borrower shall execute and deliver all such documents and instruments, and take all such actions, as the Agent may from time to time reasonably request with respect to the transactions contemplated hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents.

ARTICLE VI.

DEFAULTS

SECTION 6.01. Events of Default. If one or more of the following events (each an “Event of Default”) shall have occurred and be continuing:

(a) the Borrower shall fail to pay when due (whether at maturity or any accelerated date of maturity or any other date fixed for payment or prepayment) (i) any principal of any Loan or (ii) any interest on any Loan or any fees or any other amount payable hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents within three (3) Domestic Business Days of the due date therefor; or

 

40


(b) the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant contained in Section 5.01(c), 5.04(b), 5.07, 5.08, 5.09, 5.10, 5.12, 5.14, 5.15, 5.16, 5.17, 5.18, 5.19, 5.20, 5.21, 5.22 or 5.23 hereof; or

(c) the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement or any Loan Document (other than those covered by clauses (a) or (b) above) and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of thirty (30) days after the occurrence thereof; or

(d) any representation, warranty, certification or statement made (or deemed made) by the Borrower in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in any certificate, financial statement or other document delivered pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made (or deemed made); or

(e) (i) the Borrower shall fail to make any payment in respect of any Debt of the Borrower in an aggregate amount equal to or in excess of 5% of the Borrower’s then-current Total Assets beyond the period of grace, if any, provided in the instrument or agreement under which such Debt was created, or (ii) the Borrower shall fail to make any payment in respect of Preferred Shares (whether in respect of any dividend or distribution thereon, redemption or tender thereof, or otherwise); or

(f) (1) any event or condition shall occur which results in the acceleration of the maturity of any Debt of the Borrower which Debt in the aggregate is at least 5% of the Borrower’s then-current Total Assets or enables the holder of such Debt or any Person acting on such holder’s behalf to accelerate the maturity thereof or, in the case of a Financial Contract, (i) enables the non-defaulting party to terminate the contract evidencing such Debt and (ii) such event or condition shall not have been waived or cured by the holder of such Debt within five (5) Domestic Business Days, or (2) any event or condition shall occur which, with giving of notice, lapse of time, or both, would cause one or more Preferred Shares to be subject to mandatory redemption by the Borrower or would permit any Person to require one or more Preferred Shares to be subject to mandatory redemption by the Borrower; or

(g) the Borrower shall seek the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official for it or any substantial part of its property, or shall commence a voluntary case or other proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to itself or any of its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator or other similar official for 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 the Borrower shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally (or admit in writing its inability) to pay its debts as they become due, or shall take any action to authorize any of the foregoing; or

(h) an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against the Borrower seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to it or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the

 

41


appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of it, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of sixty (60) days; or an order for relief shall be entered against the Borrower under the federal bankruptcy laws as now or hereafter in effect; or

(i) a judgment or order for the payment of money (not paid or, in the reasonable determination of the Agent, fully covered by insurance or other indemnity from a third party) shall be rendered against the Borrower, provided that (i) such judgment or order shall be in excess of 5% of the Borrower’s then current Total Assets, and (ii) such judgment or order shall continue unsatisfied or unstayed for a period of thirty (30) days; or

(j) any investment advisory agreement or management agreement with the Investment Adviser which is in effect on the Effective Date for the Borrower shall terminate, or the Investment Adviser shall cease to be the investment adviser to the Borrower unless the successor thereto is a Control Affiliate of the Investment Adviser; or

(k) State Street Bank and Trust Company (or any Control Affiliate thereof) shall cease to be the Custodian of the Borrower; or

(l) the Investment Adviser shall (i) sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to a Person that is not a Control Affiliate of the Investment Adviser or (ii) consolidate with or merge into any other Person, unless it is the survivor or such Person is a Control Affiliate of the Investment Adviser; or

(m) the Agent for any reason shall cease to have a valid and perfected first priority security interest in the Collateral, free and clear of all Adverse Claims;

then, and in every such event, the Agent shall (i) if requested by Banks constituting Required Banks by notice to the Borrower terminate the Commitments, and they shall thereupon terminate, and (ii) if requested by Banks constituting Required Banks by notice to the Borrower declare the Loans (together with accrued interest thereon and all other sums owing under the Loan Documents) to be, and the Loans (together with accrued interest thereon) shall thereupon become, immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower; provided that in the case of any of the Events of Default specified in clause (g) or (h) above with respect to the Borrower, automatically without any notice to the Borrower or any other act by the Agent or any Bank, the Commitments shall thereupon terminate and the Loans (together with accrued interest thereon and all other sums owing under the Loan Documents) shall become immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.

SECTION 6.02. Remedies. No remedy herein conferred upon the Banks is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy and each and every remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute or any other provision of law. In the case any one or more of the Events of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and whether or not the Banks shall have accelerated the maturity of the Loans pursuant to Section 6.01 hereof, each Bank, if owed any

 

42


amount with respect to the Loans may, with the consent of the Required Banks but not otherwise, proceed to protect and enforce its rights by suit in equity, action at law or other appropriate proceeding, for the specific performance of any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, including as permitted by applicable law the obtaining of the ex parte appointment of a receiver, and, if such amount shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, proceed to enforce the payment thereof or any other legal or equitable right of such Bank.

ARTICLE VII.

THE AGENT

SECTION 7.01. Appointment and Authorization. Each Bank irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to the Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with all such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Any reference to an agent for the Banks in, or in connection with, any Loan Document shall be a reference to the Agent.

SECTION 7.02. Action by Agent. The duties and responsibilities of the Agent hereunder are only those expressly set forth herein. The relationship between the Agent and the Banks is and shall be that of agent and principal only, and nothing contained in this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents shall be construed to constitute the Agent as a trustee for any Bank. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Agent shall not be required to take any action with respect to any Default or Event of Default except as expressly provided in Article VI. The Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is given to the Agent by the Borrower or a Bank.

SECTION 7.03. Consultation with Experts. The Agent may consult with legal counsel, independent public accountants and other experts selected by it and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts.

SECTION 7.04. Liability of Agent. Neither the Agent nor any of its directors, officers, agents or employees shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in connection herewith (i) with respect to liability to one or more Banks only, with the consent or at the request of the Required Banks, or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. Neither the Agent nor any of its directors, officers, agents or employees shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into or verify (a) any statement, warranty or representation made in connection with this Agreement or any borrowing hereunder; (b) the performance or observance of any of the covenants or agreements of the Borrower; (c) the satisfaction of any condition specified in Article III, except receipt of items required to be delivered to it; or (d) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, the Notes, the other Loan Documents or any other instrument or writing furnished in connection herewith or therewith. The Agent shall not incur any liability by acting in reliance upon any notice, consent, certificate, statement or other writing (which may be a bank wire, telex or similar writing) believed by it to be genuine or to be signed by the proper party or parties.

 

43


SECTION 7.05. Indemnification. Each Bank shall, ratably in accordance with its Commitment Percentage, indemnify the Agent and its affiliates, officers, directors and employees (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower) for all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, penalties, actions, judgments and expenses and disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel (collectively, the “Liabilities”) that such Person may suffer or incur in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or any action taken or omitted by such Person hereunder or thereunder, provided that no Bank shall have any obligation to indemnify any such Person against any Liabilities that are determined in a final, nonappealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Person’s gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct, provided, however, that no action taken in accordance with the directions of the Required Banks shall be deemed to constitute gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct for purposes of this Section.

SECTION 7.06. Credit Decision. Each Bank acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Agent or any other Bank, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Bank also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Agent or any other Bank, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking any action under this Agreement.

SECTION 7.07. Successor Agent. The Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Banks and the Borrower. Upon any resignation of the Agent, the Required Banks shall have the right to appoint a successor Agent with, if no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the prior written consent of the Borrower, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. If no successor Agent shall have been so appointed by the Required Banks within 30 days after the retiring Agent gives notice of resignation, then the retiring Agent may, on behalf of the Banks, appoint a successor Agent, which shall be a commercial bank organized or licensed under the laws of the United States of America or of any State thereof and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $500,000,000. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Agent hereunder by a successor Agent, such successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights and duties of the retiring Agent, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. After any retiring Agent’s resignation hereunder as Agent, the provisions of this Article shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent.

SECTION 7.08. Agent as Bank. In its individual capacity, State Street and any other Bank that serves as a successor Agent hereunder shall have the same obligations and the same rights, powers and privileges in respect of its Commitment and the Loans made by it as it would have were it not also the Agent.

SECTION 7.09. Distribution by Agent. If in the opinion of the Agent the distribution of any amount received by it in such capacity hereunder, under the Notes or under any of the other Loan Documents might involve it in liability, it may refrain from making such distribution until its right to make such distribution shall have been adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction. If a court of competent jurisdiction shall adjudge that any amount

 

44


received and distributed by the Agent is to be repaid, each Person to whom any such distribution shall have been made shall either repay to the Agent its proportionate share of the amount so adjudged to be repaid or shall pay over the same in such manner and to such Persons as shall be determined by such court.

SECTION 7.10. Delinquent Banks. (a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, any Bank that (i) willfully does not or (ii) does not as a result of a Failure (as defined below) (A) make available to the Agent its pro rata share of any Loan, or (B) comply with the provisions of Section 9.04 with respect to making dispositions and arrangements with the other Banks, where such Bank’s share of any payment received, whether by setoff or otherwise, is in excess of its pro rata share of such payments due and payable to all of the Banks, in each case as, when and to the full extent required by the provisions of this Agreement, shall be deemed delinquent (a “Delinquent Bank”) and shall be deemed a Delinquent Bank until such time as such delinquency is satisfied. A Delinquent Bank shall be deemed to have assigned any and all payments due to it from the Borrower, whether on account of outstanding Loans, interest, fees or otherwise, to the remaining nondelinquent Banks for application to, and reduction of, their respective pro rata shares of all outstanding Loans. The Delinquent Bank hereby authorizes the Agent to distribute such payments to the nondelinquent Banks in proportion to their respective pro rata shares of all outstanding Loans. A Delinquent Bank shall be deemed to have satisfied in full a delinquency when and if, as a result of application of the assigned payments to all outstanding Loans of the nondelinquent Banks, the Banks’ respective pro rata shares of all outstanding Loans have returned to those in effect immediately prior to such delinquency and without giving effect to the nonpayment causing such delinquency. The provisions of this Section 7.10 shall not affect the rights of the Borrower against any such Delinquent Bank.

(b) For purposes of this Section 7.10, a “Failure” of a Bank shall mean (i) it shall seek the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official for it or any substantial part of its property, or shall commence a voluntary case or other proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to itself or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator or other similar official for 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 (ii) it makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become due, or shall take any corporate action to authorize any of the foregoing, or (iii) an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against it seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to it or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of it, or (iv) an order for relief shall be entered against it under the bankruptcy laws as now or hereafter in effect.

 

45


ARTICLE VIII.

CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES

SECTION 8.01. Additional Costs; Capital Adequacy. (a) If any new law, rule or regulation, or any change after the date hereof in the interpretation or administration of any applicable law, rule or regulation by any governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office) with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority, central bank or comparable agency in connection therewith issued, promulgated or enacted after the date hereof shall:

(i) subject any Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office) to any tax, duty or other charge with respect to its Loans, its Note or its Commitment, or shall change the basis of taxation of payments to any Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office) of the principal of or interest on its Loans or any other amounts due under this Agreement or its Commitment, in each case except for any tax on, or changes in the rate of tax on the overall net income of, or franchise taxes payable by, such Bank or its Applicable Lending Office or any Non-Excluded Taxes covered by Section 2.10(c) or Section 2.10(d); or

(ii) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve (including, without limitation, any such requirement imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), special deposit, insurance assessment or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office) or shall impose on any Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office) any other condition affecting its Loans, its Note or its Commitment; or

(iii) impose on any Bank any other conditions or requirements with respect to this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, the Loans or such Bank’s Commitment;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Bank (or its Applicable Lending Office) of making, funding, issuing, renewing, extending or maintaining any Loan or such Bank’s Commitment, 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 thereto, by an amount deemed by such Bank to be material, then, promptly upon demand by such Bank (and in any event within thirty (30) days after demand by such Bank) and delivery to the Borrower of the certificate required by clause (c) hereof (with a copy to the Agent), the Borrower shall pay to such Bank the additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Bank for such increased cost or reduction.

(b) If any Bank shall determine that any change after the date hereof in any existing applicable law, rule or regulation or any new law, rule or regulation regarding liquidity or capital adequacy, or any change therein, or any change after the date hereof in the interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or any new request or directive of general applicability regarding liquidity or capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority, central bank or comparable agency issued, promulgated or enacted after the date hereof, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on capital of such Bank (or its parent corporation) as a consequence of such Bank’s obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Bank (or its parent corporation) could have achieved but for such law, change, request or directive (taking into consideration its policies with respect to liquidity and capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by such Bank to be material, then from time to time, promptly upon demand by such Bank (with a copy to the Agent) (and in any event within thirty (30) days after demand by such Bank) the Borrower shall pay to such Bank such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Bank (or its parent corporation) for such reduction.

 

46


(c) Each Bank will promptly notify the Borrower and the 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 and will designate a different Domestic Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for, or reduce the amount of, such compensation and will not, in the judgment of such Bank, be otherwise disadvantageous to such Bank; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Bank pursuant to this Section for any amounts incurred more than three months prior to the date that such Bank notifies the Borrower of such Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; and provided further that, if the circumstances giving rise to such claim have a retroactive effect, then such three-month period shall be extended to include the period of such retroactive effect. A certificate of any Bank claiming compensation under this Section and setting forth in reasonable detail the additional amount or amounts to be paid to it hereunder and the calculations used in determining such additional amount or amounts shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. In determining such amount, such Bank may use any reasonable averaging and attribution methods

(d) For the avoidance of doubt and notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, for the purposes of this Section 8.01, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, regulations, guidelines, interpretations or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith (whether or not having the force of law) and (ii) all requests, rules, regulations, guidelines, interpretations 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 (whether or not having the force of law), in case for this clause (ii) pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a change in law regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued, promulgated or implemented.

SECTION 8.02. Basis for Determining Interest Rate Inadequate or Unfair. If, on or prior to the first day of any Interest Period for any borrowing of LIBOR Loans, the Agent shall determine or be notified by the Required Banks that:

(a) adequate and reasonable methods do not exist for ascertaining the interest rate applicable for such Interest Period on the basis provided for in the definition of LIBOR Offered Rate, or

(b) the Adjusted LIBOR Offered Rate as determined by the Agent will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Banks of funding their LIBOR Loans for such Interest Period,

the Agent shall forthwith give notice of such determination (which shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrower and the Banks) to the Borrower and the Banks. In such event, until the Agent notifies the Borrower and the Banks that the circumstances giving rise to such suspension no longer exist, (i) any Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion with respect to LIBOR Loans shall be automatically withdrawn and shall be deemed to be a request for an

 

47


Overnight Rate Loan, (ii) each LIBOR Loan will automatically, on the last day of the then current Interest Period relating thereto, become an Overnight Rate Loan, and (iii) the obligations of the Banks to make LIBOR Loans shall be suspended until the Agent or the Required Banks determine that the circumstances giving rise to such suspension no longer exist, whereupon the Agent or, as the case may be, the Agent at the instruction of the Required Banks, shall so notify the Borrower and the Banks.

SECTION 8.03. Illegality. If any future Applicable Law, rule, regulation, treaty or directive, or any change in any present or future Applicable Law, rule, regulation, treaty or directive, or any change in the interpretation or administration of any present or future Applicable Law, rule, regulation, treaty or directive by any governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any Bank (or its LIBOR Lending Office) with any new request or new directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority, central bank or comparable agency shall make it unlawful or impossible for any Bank (or its LIBOR Lending Office) to make, maintain or fund its LIBOR Loans and such Bank shall so notify the Agent, the Agent shall forthwith give notice thereof to the other Banks and the Borrower, whereupon until such Bank notifies the Borrower and the Agent that the circumstances giving rise to such suspension no longer exist, (a) the commitment of such Bank to make LIBOR Loans or convert Overnight Rate Loans to LIBOR Loans shall forthwith be suspended, and (b) such Bank’s Loans then outstanding as LIBOR Loans, if any, shall be converted automatically to Overnight Rate Loans on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such LIBOR Loans or within such earlier period as may be required by law. Before giving any notice to the Agent pursuant to this Section, such Bank shall designate a different LIBOR Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for giving such notice and will not, in the reasonable judgment of such Bank, be otherwise disadvantageous to such Bank. If such Bank shall reasonably determine that it may not lawfully continue to maintain and fund any of its outstanding LIBOR Loans to maturity and shall so specify in such notice, the Borrower shall promptly prepay in full the then outstanding principal amount of each such LIBOR Loan, together with accrued interest thereon and any amount payable by the Borrower pursuant to Section 8.06(c).

SECTION 8.04. Loans Substituted for Affected LIBOR Loans. If (a) the obligation of any Bank to make LIBOR Loans has been suspended pursuant to Section 8.03 or (b) any Bank has demanded compensation under Section 8.01(a) with respect to LIBOR Loans and the Borrower shall, by at least two LIBOR Business Days’ prior notice to such Bank through the 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 apply:

(a) all Loans which would otherwise be made by such Bank as LIBOR Loans shall be made instead as Overnight Rate Loans, and

(b) after each of its LIBOR Loans has been repaid, all payments of principal which would otherwise be applied to repay such LIBOR Loans shall be applied to repay its Overnight Rate Loans instead.

 

48


SECTION 8.05. Replacement Banks. Upon (a) the election of any Bank to request reimbursement by the Borrower for amounts due under Section 8.01 or 8.03, (b) the suspension of any Bank’s obligation to make, convert to or continue LIBOR Loans or (c) any Bank becoming a Delinquent Bank, the Borrower may, upon prior written notice to the Agent and such Bank, request that the Agent find a replacement Bank that shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and the Borrower (a “Replacement Bank”). Each Bank agrees that, should it be identified for replacement pursuant to this Section 8.05, it will promptly execute and deliver all documents and instruments reasonably required by the Borrower to assign such Bank’s Loans and Commitment to the applicable Replacement Bank. The Agent shall cooperate with the Borrower in seeking a Replacement Bank and shall use its best efforts to identify a Replacement Bank and complete the assignment to such Replacement Bank of such Loans and Commitment within 45 days of said written notice.

SECTION 8.06. Indemnity. The Borrower agrees to indemnify each Bank and to hold each Bank harmless from and against any loss, cost or expense (excluding, however, the Applicable Margin) that such Bank shall sustain or incur as a consequence of (a) default by the Borrower in payment of the principal amount of any LIBOR Loans as and when due and payable, including any such loss or expense arising from interest or fees payable by such Bank to lenders of funds obtained by it in order to maintain its LIBOR Loans, (b) default by the Borrower in making a borrowing or conversion after the Borrower has given (or is deemed to have given) a Notice of Borrowing or a Notice of Conversion relating thereto in accordance with Section 2.02 or (c) the making of any payment of a LIBOR Loan or the making of any conversion of any such Loan to an Overnight Rate Loan on a day that is not the last day of the applicable Interest Period with respect thereto, including interest or fees payable by such Bank to lenders of funds obtained by it in order to maintain any such Loans.

ARTICLE IX.

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 9.01. Notices. All notices, requests, consents and other communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing (including facsimile transmission or similar writing) and shall be given to such party at its address or telex number or facsimile number set forth on Schedule 1 attached hereto. Each such notice, request, consent or other communication shall be effective (a) if given by facsimile, when such facsimile is transmitted to the facsimile number specified in this Section and the appropriate confirmation is received, (b) if given by mail, 72 hours after such communication is deposited in the mails with first class postage prepaid, addressed as aforesaid or (c) if given by any other means, when delivered at the address specified in this Section; provided that notices to the Agent under Article II or Article VII shall not be effective until received.

SECTION 9.02. No Waivers. No failure or delay by the Agent or any Bank in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder or under any Notes 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.

 

49


SECTION 9.03. Expenses; Documentary Taxes; Indemnification. (a) The Borrower shall promptly pay (i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses of the Agent, including reasonable fees and disbursements of special counsel for the Agent, in connection with the preparation, negotiation and closing of this Agreement and the Loan Documents, the syndication of the facility established hereby, any waiver or consent hereunder or any amendment hereof or thereof or any waiver of any Default or Event of Default or alleged Default or Event of Default hereunder, and any amendment or termination hereof or thereof and (ii) if a Default or an Event of Default occurs, all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Agent and each Bank, including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel (including reasonable allocated costs of in-house counsel), in connection with such Default or Event of Default and collection, bankruptcy, insolvency and other enforcement proceedings resulting therefrom. The Borrower shall indemnify each Bank against any transfer taxes, documentary taxes, assessments or charges made by any governmental authority by reason of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the Notes.

(b) The Borrower agrees to indemnify the Agent, each Bank and each of their affiliates, officers, directors and employees (each, a “Covered Person”) and hold each Covered Person harmless from and against any and all Liabilities which may be incurred by or asserted or awarded against such Covered Person, in each case arising out of or in connection with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding (whether or not such Covered Person shall be designated a party thereto) relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the Loan Documents or any actual or proposed use of proceeds of Loans hereunder, provided that no Covered Person shall have the right to be indemnified hereunder for Liabilities that are determined in a final, nonappealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from such Covered Person’s gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.

SECTION 9.04. Setoff. During the continuance of any Event of Default, any deposits or other sums credited by or due from any of the Banks to the Borrower (subject, in the case of State Street, to any agreements or limitations applicable to the Custodian’s rights with respect to any such deposits which are contained in, and solely to the extent that such deposits constitute collateral subject to, any control agreement (i) entered into prior to the date hereof among the Custodian, the Borrower and one or more third parties or (ii) entered into hereafter among the Custodian, the Borrower and one or more third parties that does not contain a waiver or prohibition of State Street’s right of setoff with respect to such deposits) may be applied to or setoff by such Bank against the payment of the Obligations owing to such Bank. Each of the Banks agrees with each other Bank that if such Bank shall receive from the Borrower whether by voluntary payment, exercise of the right of setoff, counterclaim, cross action, or enforcement of a claim based on the Obligations owing to such Bank by proceedings against the Borrower at law or in equity or by proof thereof in bankruptcy, reorganization, liquidation, receivership or similar proceedings, or otherwise, and shall retain and apply to the payment of the Obligations owing to such Bank any amount in excess of its ratable portion of the payments received by all of the Banks with respect to the Obligations owed to all of the Banks, such Bank will make such disposition and arrangements with the other Banks with respect to such excess, either by way of distribution, pro tanto assignment of claims, subrogation or otherwise as shall result in each Bank receiving in respect of the Obligations owing to it its proportionate payment as contemplated by this Agreement; provided that if all or any part of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from such Bank, such disposition and arrangements shall be rescinded and the amount restored to the extent of such recovery, but without interest.

 

50


SECTION 9.05. Amendments and Waivers. Any provision of this Agreement or any of the 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 Agent are affected thereby, by the Agent); provided that no such amendment or waiver shall, unless signed by each affected Bank (a) increase the Commitment Amount of any Bank (except as provided in Section 9.06(c)) or subject any Bank to any additional obligation, (b) reduce or forgive the principal of or rate of interest on any Loan or any fees to the Banks hereunder (other than the application of the default rate of interest pursuant to Section 2.06(c)), (c) postpone the date fixed for any payment of principal of or interest on any Loan or any fees to the Banks hereunder or for the termination of the Commitments (other than pursuant to Section 2.08(b)), (d) change the percentage of the Commitment Amounts 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 (e) release all or substantially all of the Collateral (as defined in the Security Agreement) from the liens thereunder (except as may be expressly provided in the applicable Security Document). No delay or omission on the part of any Bank or any holder hereof in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of such right or of any other rights of such Bank or such holder, nor shall any delay, omission or waiver on any one occasion be deemed a bar or waiver of the same or any other right on any further occasion.

SECTION 9.06. Successors and Assigns. (a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights under this Agreement without the prior written consent of all of the Banks (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void).

(b) Subject to clause (f) below, any Bank may at any time grant to one or more commercial banks (each a “Participant”) participating interests in its Commitment or all of its Loans. 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 Agent, such Bank shall remain responsible for the performance of its obligations hereunder, and the Borrower and the 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 agree to any modification, amendment or waiver of this Agreement described in clause (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) of Section 9.05 without the consent of the 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; provided that no Participant shall be entitled to receive an amount greater than its pro rata share of any amount the selling Bank would have received hereunder had no participation been sold (and each Participant shall be required to satisfy any requirements the selling Bank is required to satisfy to receive such benefits). Each Bank that

 

51


grants 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 Commitments, Loans or other obligations under this Agreement (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Bank shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register to any Person (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Commitments, Loans or its other obligations under this Agreement) except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment, Loan 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. An assignment or other transfer which is not permitted by clause (c) or (d) below shall be given effect for purposes of this Agreement only to the extent of a participating interest granted in accordance with this clause (b).

(c) Subject to clause (f) below, any Bank may at any time assign to one or more banks (each an “Assignee”) all, or a proportionate amount of at least $5,000,000 of all, of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the Notes, and such Assignee shall assume such rights and obligations, pursuant to an Assignment and Acceptance (each an “Assignment and Acceptance”) in substantially the form of Exhibit E attached hereto executed by such Assignee and such transferor Bank, with, if no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the written consent of the Borrower, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, and of the Agent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided that no such consent of the Borrower or the Agent shall be required if the Assignee is a Control Affiliate of the transferor Bank. 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 with respect to the interest assigned, such Assignee shall be a Bank party to this Agreement (in addition to any interest of such Bank held prior to such assignment) and shall have all the rights and obligations of a Bank with the Commitment Amount as set forth in such instrument of assumption (in addition to any interest of such Bank held prior to such assignment), and the transferor Bank shall be released from its obligations hereunder to a corresponding extent, and no further consent or action by any party shall be required. Upon the consummation of any assignment pursuant to this clause (c), the transferor Bank, the Agent and the Borrower shall make appropriate arrangements so that, if required, new Notes are issued to the Assignor and the Assignee, and the Agent shall be authorized to revise Schedule 1 to reflect such assignment and to circulate such revised Schedule 1 to the Banks and the Borrower, which revised Schedule 1 shall be deemed to be a part hereof and shall be incorporated by reference herein. In connection with any such assignment, the transferor Bank shall pay to the Agent an administrative fee for processing such assignment in the amount of $3,000. The Assignee shall, prior to the date of consent of the Borrower to the assignment, deliver to the Borrower and the Agent certification as to exemption from deduction or withholding of any United States federal income taxes in accordance with Section 2.12 (and shall thereafter be subject to the requirements thereof).

(d) Without notice to or consent of any Person, any Bank may at any time assign all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement, its Note and the other Loan Documents, to a Federal Reserve Bank. No such assignment shall release the transferor Bank from its obligations hereunder.

 

52


(e) No Assignee, Participant or other transferee of any Bank’s rights shall be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.10(c) or Section 8.01 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.

(f) No Person may become an Assignee pursuant to clause (c) above unless such Person constitutes a “bank” (as such term is used in Section 18(f)(1) of the Investment Company Act) in the reasonable judgment of the Borrower and the Agent. No Person may become a Participant or an Assignee pursuant to clause (b) or (c) above if that Person is an Affiliate of the Borrower.

(g) The Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Banks, and the Commitment of, and principal amount 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 in the absence of manifest error, and the Borrower, the Agent and the Banks may 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, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and the Banks, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

SECTION 9.07. Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction. This Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents are contracts under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and shall for all purposes be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to conflict of laws principles that would require the application of the laws of another jurisdiction. The Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of any Commonwealth of Massachusetts court or Federal court of the United States of America sitting in Boston, Massachusetts, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Loan Documents whether sounding in contract, tort, equity or otherwise, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and the service of process in any suit being made upon it by mail at the address specified in Section 9.01 hereof, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such Commonwealth of Massachusetts court or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that the Agent or any Bank may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents against the Borrower, or any of its property, in the courts of any jurisdiction.

 

53


SECTION 9.08. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE BORROWER, THE AGENT AND THE BANKS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES 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. Except as prohibited by law, the Borrower hereby waives any right it may have to claim or recover in any litigation referred to in the preceding sentence any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages or any damages other than, or in addition to, actual damages. The Borrower (a) certifies that no representative, agent or attorney of any Bank or the Agent has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such Bank or the Agent would not, in the event of litigation, seek to enforce the foregoing waivers and (b) acknowledges that the Agent and the Banks have been induced to enter into this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party by, among other things, the waivers and certifications contained herein.

SECTION 9.09. Confidential Material. (a) Each Bank agrees that any information, documentation or materials provided by the Borrower or the Borrower’s Affiliates, employees, agents or representatives (each a “Representative”) disclosing the portfolio holdings of the Borrower or disclosing other non-public information pursuant to this Agreement or the Loan Documents (“Confidential Material”), whether before or after the date of this Agreement, shall be treated confidentially, using the same degree of care that such Bank uses to protect its own similar material.

(b) Such Confidential Material may be disclosed to Representatives of each Bank who need to know such information in connection with the transactions contemplated herein or in connection with managing the relationship of such Bank or its Affiliates with the Borrower (it being understood that the Bank will inform such Representatives when such disclosure is made of the confidential nature of such information and will cause such Representatives to comply with the provisions of this Section 9.09) but shall not be disclosed to any third party and may not be used for purposes unrelated to the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, including without limitation for the purposes of buying or selling securities, including shares issued by the Borrower; provided, however, that the Banks may disclose Confidential Material to (i) the Federal Reserve Board pursuant to applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board (which, as of the Effective Date, require a filing of a list of all Margin Stock which directly or indirectly secures a Loan), (ii) the extent required by statute, rule, regulation or judicial process, (iii) counsel for any of the Banks or the Agent in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, (iv) bank examiners, auditors and accountants, or (v) any Assignee or Participant (or prospective Assignee or Participant) as long as such Assignee or Participant (or prospective Assignee or Participant) first agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section 9.09.

Each Bank agrees to promptly provide such information as is reasonably requested by the Borrower in order for the Borrower to monitor (as required by applicable law) whether the Bank’s use of Confidential Material complies with this Section 9.09.

SECTION 9.10. USA Patriot Act. Each Bank that is subject to the Patriot Act (as hereinafter defined) and the Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Bank) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Patriot Act”), 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 Agent, as applicable, to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Patriot Act.

 

54


SECTION 9.11. Miscellaneous. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by email or facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof. This Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents constitute the entire agreement and understanding among the parties hereto and supersede any and all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. The provisions of this Agreement are severable and if any one clause or provision hereof shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction, then such invalidity or unenforceability shall affect only such clause or provision, or part thereof, in such jurisdiction, and shall not in any manner affect such clause or provision in any other jurisdiction, or any other clause or provision of this Agreement in any jurisdiction

SECTION 9.12. Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts that are treated as interest on such Loan under Applicable Law (collectively the “charges”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “maximum rate”) that may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Bank holding such Loan in accordance with Applicable Law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all of the charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the maximum rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and the charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section shall be cumulated, and the interest and the charges payable to such Bank in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the maximum rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Bank.

SECTION 9.13. Survival. The provisions of Sections 7.05 and 9.03 and ARTICLE VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or other termination of the Commitments or the termination of any Loan Document or any provision thereof.

SECTION 9.14. Limitation on Liability. The Borrower’s Certificate of Trust is on file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents are executed on behalf of the Borrower by the Borrower’s officers solely in their capacity as officers and not individually and the obligations imposed upon the Borrower by the Agreement and the other Loan Documents are not binding upon any of the Borrower’s trustees, officers or shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Borrower.

[Signature page follows.]

 

55


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party hereto, intending this Agreement to take effect as an agreement under seal, has caused this Agreement to be duly executed by its duly authorized representative(s) as of the day and year first above written.

 

WESTERN ASSET PREMIER BOND FUND
By:    
  Name:   William Renahan
  Title:   Assistant Secretary
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, individually and as Agent
By:    
  Name:   James H. Reichert
  Title:   Vice President

WESTERN AMDO FUND – CREDIT AGREEMENT


SCHEDULE 1

BORROWER:

WESTERN ASSET PREMIER BOND FUND

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund

c/o Legg Mason, Inc.

620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor

New York, NY 10018

Attention: William Renahan

Facsimile No.: (877) 298-1171

E-mail: wrenahan@leggmason.com

 

1


BANKS:

   COMMITMENT
AMOUNT
     COMMITMENT
PERCENTAGE
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY    $ 72,000,000       100%

For funding or payment notices:

Domestic Lending Office:

Mutual Fund Lending Department

Copley Place, Tower 1

Boston, MA 02206

Attn. Robyn A. Shepard,

Assistant Vice President—CSU Manager

Tel: (617) 662-8575

Fax: (617) 988-6677

Email: ais-loanops-csu@statestreet.com

LIBOR Lending Office:

Mutual Fund Lending Department

Copley Place, Tower 1

Boston, MA 02206

Attn. Robyn A. Shepard,

Assistant Vice President—CSU Manager

Tel: (617) 662-8575

Fax: (617) 988-6677

Email: ais-loanops-csu@statestreet.com

For all other notices:

Mutual Fund Lending Department

Copley Place Tower 1

Boston, MA 02206

Attn: James Reichert

Tel: (617) 662-8620

Fax: (617) 662-8664

 

2


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF NOTE

 

U.S. $[                        ]                        , 20__

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, WESTERN ASSET PREMIER BOND FUND, a Massachusetts business trust (the “Borrower”), hereby promises to pay to [INSERT NAME OF BANK] (the “Bank”) at the head office of the Agent (as defined below) at Copley Place Tower 2, Boston, Massachusetts 02206:

(a) on the Termination Date (as defined in the Credit Agreement referred to below) the principal amount of [INSERT COMMITMENT AMOUNT] (U.S. $                    ) or, if less, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of Loans advanced by the Bank to the Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement, dated as of June __, 2014 (as amended and in effect from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among the Borrower, the Bank, other banks parties thereto and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as agent (the “Agent”);

(b) the principal outstanding hereunder from time to time at the times provided in the Credit Agreement; and

(c) interest on the principal balance hereof from time to time outstanding from the Effective Date (as defined in the Credit Agreement) through and including the Termination Date at the times and at the rates provided in the Credit Agreement.

This Note evidences borrowings under and has been issued by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement. The Bank and any permitted holder hereof are entitled to the benefits of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and may enforce the agreements of the Borrower contained therein, and any permitted holder hereof may exercise the respective remedies provided for thereby or otherwise available in respect thereof, all in accordance with the respective terms thereof. All capitalized terms used in this Note and not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meanings herein as in the Credit Agreement.

The Borrower irrevocably authorizes the Bank to make or cause to be made, at or about the date of any Loan or at the time of receipt of any payment of principal of this Note, an appropriate notation on the grid attached to this Note, or the continuation of such grid, or any other similar record, including computer records, reflecting the making of such Loan or (as the case may be) the receipt of such payment. The outstanding amount of the Loans set forth on the grid attached to this Note, or the continuation of such grid, or any other similar record, including computer records, maintained by the Bank with respect to any Loans shall, absent manifest error, be prima facie evidence of the principal amount thereof owing and unpaid to the Bank, but the failure to record, or any error in so recording, any such amount on any such grid, continuation or other record shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder or under the Credit Agreement to make payments of principal of and interest on this Note when due.

 

1


The Borrower has the right in certain circumstances and the obligation under certain other circumstances to prepay the whole or part of the principal of this Note on the terms and conditions specified in the Credit Agreement.

If any one or more of the Events of Default shall occur and be continuing, the entire unpaid principal amount of this Note and all of the unpaid interest accrued thereon may become or be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Credit Agreement.

No delay or omission on the part of the Bank or any holder hereof in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of such right or of any other rights of the Bank or such holder, nor shall any delay, omission or waiver on any one occasion be deemed a bar or waiver of the same or any other right on any further occasion.

The Borrower and every endorser and guarantor of this Note or the obligation represented hereby waives presentment, demand, notice, protest and all other demands and notices in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note, and assents to any extension or postponement of the time of payment or any other indulgence, to any substitution, exchange or release of collateral and to the addition or release of any other party or person primarily or secondarily liable.

NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN THE CREDIT AGREEMENT, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGISTRATION AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF SECTION 9.06 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT.

THIS NOTE AND THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE BORROWER HEREUNDER SHALL FOR ALL PURPOSES BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS (EXCLUDING THE LAWS APPLICABLE TO CONFLICTS OR CHOICE OF LAW). THE BORROWER AGREES THAT ANY SUIT FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF THIS NOTE MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS OR ANY FEDERAL COURT SITTING THEREIN AND CONSENTS TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURT AND THE SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY SUCH SUIT BEING MADE UPON THE BORROWER BY MAIL AT THE ADDRESS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 9.07(b) OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT. THE BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT BROUGHT IN SUFFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS OR ANY SUCH COURT SITTING IN SUFFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS OR THAT SUCH SUIT IS BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT COURT.

The Borrower’s Certificate of Trust is on file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This Note is executed on behalf of the Borrower by the Borrower’s officers solely in their capacity as officers and not individually and the obligations imposed upon the Borrower by this Note are not binding upon any of the Borrower’s trustees, officers or shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Borrower.

 

2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, intending this Note to take effect as an agreement under seal, has caused this Note to be duly executed by its duly authorized representative(s) as of the day and year first above written.

 

WESTERN ASSET PREMIER BOND FUND
By:    
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

3


Date   

Amount

of Loan

   Interest
Period
   Amount of
Principal Paid
or Prepaid
   Balance of
Principal
Unpaid
   Notation
Made By:
                          
                          
                          
                          
                          
                          
                          
                          
                          
                          
                          
                          
                          
                          
                          
                          
                          
                          
                          
                          
                          
                          
                          
                          
                          
                          
                          
                          
                          
                          
                          
                          

 

1


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF

NOTICE OF BORROWING

DATE:                                 

 

TO:     STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, as Agent

 

ATTN:   Robyn A. Shepard
         Assistant Vice President—CSU Manager
         Tel: (617) 662-8575
         Fax: (617) 988-6677
         Email: ais-loanops-csu@statestreet.com

FROM: [        ]

Reference is hereby made to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of June __, 2014 (such agreement, as amended and in effect from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among WESTERN ASSET PREMIER BOND FUND, a Massachusetts business trust, the lending institutions referred to therein as Banks, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Agent. Capitalized terms which are used herein without definition and which are defined in the Credit Agreement shall have the same meanings herein as in the Credit Agreement.

Pursuant to Section 2.02(a) of the Credit Agreement, please make the Loans described below.

 

[Domestic][LIBOR] Business Day of proposed borrowing:  
Amount of Loan requested:   $                            
 

 

Aggregate amount of Loans outstanding (after giving effect to the Loan requested hereby):   $                            
 

 

Maximum Loans per attached Borrowing Base Report:   $                            
 

 

[Interest Period:]  
 

 

[Instructions for Wire to Third Party:]  
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
 

 

 

1


Attached hereto is a Borrowing Base Report dated as of [Insert the date of the Domestic Business Day immediately preceding the date of this Notice of Borrowing].

The undersigned hereby certifies that: (a) on the date of this notice and immediately after giving effect to the borrowing of the Loan(s) as set forth herein, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans do not and will not exceed the least of the Borrowing Base, the Aggregate Commitment Amount and the Maximum Amount, (b) the representations and warranties of the Borrower in Article IV of the Credit Agreement are true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and will be true and correct in all material respects immediately after giving effect to the borrowing of the Loan(s) as set forth herein, in each case except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly are expressly stated to have been made as of a specific earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects as of such specific date, and (c) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or will occur immediately after giving effect to the borrowing, as set forth herein.

 

WESTERN ASSET PREMIER BOND FUND
By:    
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

2


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF

TERMINATION NOTICE

DATE:

 

TO: WESTERN ASSET PREMIER BOND FUND, as Borrower

ATTN:

  Ph:

  Fax:

  Email:

FROM: STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST, as Agent

Reference is hereby made to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of June __, 2014 (such agreement, as amended and in effect from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among WESTERN ASSET PREMIER BOND FUND, a Massachusetts business trust, the lending institutions referred to therein as Banks, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Agent.

This is a “Termination Notice” under, as defined in, and with the effect set forth in, the Credit Agreement.

 

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
By:    
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

1


EXHIBIT D

FORM OF BORROWING BASE REPORT

Date             

To each of the Banks referred to below

c/o State Street Bank and

Trust Company, as Agent

100 Huntington Avenue

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Attention:

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of June     , 2014 (as amended and in effect from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), by and among WESTERN ASSET PREMIER BOND FUND, a Massachusetts business trust (the “Borrower”), the lending institutions referred to therein as Banks (collectively, the “Banks”), and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as agent for the Banks. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

This Borrowing Base Report is delivered to you [as part of a Notice of Borrowing] [pursuant to Section 5.01(c) of the Credit Agreement]. The undersigned hereby certifies to you that Annex 1 is a true and accurate calculation of the Borrowing Base as at the end of [INSERT DATE], determined in accordance with the requirements of the Credit Agreement:

 

WESTERN ASSET PREMIER BOND FUND
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

1


Annex 1

to Borrowing Base Report

As of:                     

 

2


EXHIBIT E

FORM OF

ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE

Dated as of                     

Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of June __, 2014 (as from time to time amended and in effect, the “Credit Agreement”), by and among WESTERN ASSET PREMIER BOND FUND, a Massachusetts business trust (the “Borrower”), the lending institutions referred to therein as Banks (collectively, the “Banks”) and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as agent (in such capacity, the “Agent”) for the Banks. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

                     (the “Assignor”) and                      (the “Assignee”) hereby agree as follows:

§1. Assignors. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Assignment and Acceptance, the Assignor hereby sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby purchases and assumes without recourse to the Assignor, a [$        ] interest in and to the rights, benefits, indemnities and obligations of the Assignor under the Credit Agreement equal to [    %] in respect of the Assignor’s Commitment Amount immediately prior to the Effective Date (as hereinafter defined).

§2. Assignor’s Representations. The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is legally authorized to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance, (ii) as of the date hereof, its Commitment Amount is [$        ], its Commitment Percentage is [    %], the aggregate outstanding principal balance of its Loans equals [$        ], (in each case before giving effect to the assignment contemplated hereby and without giving effect to any contemplated assignments which have not yet become effective), and (iii) immediately after giving effect to all assignments which have not yet become effective, the Assignor’s Commitment Percentage will be sufficient to give effect to this Assignment and Acceptance, (b) makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Credit Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto or the attachment, perfection or priority of any security interest or mortgage, other than that it is the legal and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned by it hereunder free and clear of any claim or encumbrance; (c) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of the Borrower or any other Person primarily or secondarily liable in respect of any of the Loans, or the performance or observance by the Borrower or any other Person primarily or secondarily liable in respect of any of the Loans of any of its obligations under the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or any other instrument or document delivered or executed pursuant thereto; and (d) attaches hereto the Note delivered to it under the Credit Agreement.

 

1


[The Assignor requests that the Borrower exchange the Assignor’s Note for new Notes payable to the Assignor and the Assignee as follows:]

 

[Notes Payable to:

   Amount of Note:  

Assignor

   $    __________   

Assignee

   $   ________]_   

§3. Assignee’s Representations. The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is duly and legally authorized to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance, (ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Assignment and Acceptance do not conflict with any provision of law or of the charter or by-laws of the Assignee, or of any agreement binding on the Assignee, (iii) all acts, conditions and things required to be done and performed and to have occurred prior to the execution, delivery and performance of this Assignment and Acceptance, and to render the same the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Assignee, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, have been done and performed and have occurred in due and strict compliance with all applicable laws; (b) confirms that it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 thereof and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance; (c) agrees that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Assignor, the Agent or any other Bank and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit Agreement; (d) appoints and authorizes the Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to the Agent by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; (e) agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all the obligations which by the terms of the Credit Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Bank; and (f) attaches hereto the form(s) required to be delivered by it pursuant to Section 2.12 of the Credit Agreement.

§4. Effective Date. The effective date for this Assignment and Acceptance shall be [            ] (the “Effective Date”). Following the execution of this Assignment and Acceptance each party hereto shall deliver its duly executed counterpart hereof to the Agent for consent by the Agent (and the Borrower, if required by the Credit Agreement) and recording in the register by the Agent. Schedule 1 to the Credit Agreement shall thereupon be replaced as of the Effective Date by the Schedule 1 annexed hereto.

§5. Rights Under Credit Agreement. Upon such acceptance and recording, from and after the Effective Date, (a) the Assignee shall be a party to the Credit Agreement and, to the extent provided in this Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Bank thereunder, provided that, without the Borrower’s prior written consent, the Assignee shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.10(c) or Section 8.01 of the Credit Agreement than the Assignor would have been entitled to receive with respect to the rights transferred, and (b) the Assignor shall, with respect to that portion of its interest under the Credit Agreement assigned hereunder, relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under the Credit Agreement; provided, however, that the Assignor shall retain its rights to be indemnified pursuant to Section 9.03 of the Credit Agreement with respect to any claims or actions arising prior to the Effective Date.

 

2


§6. Payments. Upon such acceptance of this Assignment and Acceptance by the Agent and such recording, from and after the Effective Date, the Agent shall make all payments in respect of the rights and interests assigned hereby (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignee. The Assignor and the Assignee shall make any appropriate adjustments in payments for periods prior to the Effective Date by the Agent or with respect to the making of this assignment directly between themselves.

§7. Governing Law. THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE IS INTENDED TO TAKE EFFECT AS A SEALED INSTRUMENT TO BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS (WITHOUT REFERENCE TO CONFLICT OF LAWS).

§8. Counterparts. This Assignment and Acceptance may be executed in any number of counterparts which shall together constitute but one and the same agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, intending to be legally bound, each of the undersigned has caused this Assignment and Acceptance to be executed on its behalf by its officer thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written.

 

[ASSIGNOR]
By:    
  Name:
  Title:
[ASSIGNEE]
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

3


CONSENTED TO:
[WESTERN ASSET PREMIER BOND FUND
By:    
  Name:
  Title:]

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY,

as Agent

By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

4


EXHIBIT F

FORM OF

APPLICABLE MARGIN CHANGE NOTICE

DATE:

 

TO: WESTERN ASSET PREMIER BOND FUND, as Borrower

ATTN:

  Ph:

  Fax:

  Email:

FROM: STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST, as Agent

Reference is hereby made to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of June     , 2014 (such agreement, as amended and in effect from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among WESTERN ASSET PREMIER BOND FUND, a Massachusetts business trust, the lending institutions referred to therein as Banks, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Agent.

This is an “Applicable Margin Change Notice” under, as defined in, and with the effect set forth in, the Credit Agreement.

New Applicable LIBOR Margin” means     %.

New Applicable Fed Funds Margin” means     %.

New Applicable Overnight LIBOR Margin” means     %.

 

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
By:    
  Name:
  Title:


EXHIBIT G

FORM OF

COMMITMENT FEE CHANGE NOTICE

DATE:

 

TO: WESTERN ASSET PREMIER BOND FUND, as Borrower

ATTN:

  Ph:

  Fax:

  Email:

FROM: STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST, as Agent

Reference is hereby made to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of June     , 2014 (such agreement, as amended and in effect from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among WESTERN ASSET PREMIER BOND FUND, a Massachusetts business trust, the lending institutions referred to therein as Banks, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Agent.

This is a “Commitment Fee Change Notice” under, as defined in, and with the effect set forth in, the Credit Agreement.

New Commitment Fee Rate” means     %.

 

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

1


EXHIBIT H

FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION

DATE:             

 

TO: STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, as Agent

 

ATTN:   Robyn A. Shepard

  Assistant Vice President -CSU Manager

  Tel: (617) 662-8575

  Fax: (617) 988-6677

  Email: ais-loanops-csu@statestreet.com

FROM: [    ]

Reference is hereby made to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of June     , 2014 (such agreement, as amended and in effect from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among WESTERN ASSET PREMIER BOND FUND, a Massachusetts business trust, the lending institutions referred to therein as Banks, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Agent. Capitalized terms which are used herein without definition and which are defined in the Credit Agreement shall have the same meanings herein as in the Credit Agreement.

Pursuant to Section 2.02(b) of the Credit Agreement, please convert or continue the following Loan as set forth below

 

Existing Loan           New Loan  

Type

   Amount          

Continue As

/Convert to

   Amount      Date*      Interest
Period
 
LIBOR    $ ________          LIBOR    $____ ___         _______         _______   
Overnight Rate    $ ________          Overnight Rate    $____ ___         _______         N/A   
If LIBOR, last day of current Interest Period is: __________________                   

The undersigned hereby certifies that: (a) on the date of this notice and immediately after giving effect to the conversion or continuation of the Loan(s) as set forth herein, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans do not and will not exceed the least of the Aggregate Commitment Amount, the Borrowing Base and the Maximum Amount, and (b) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or will occur immediately after giving effect to the conversion or continuation of the Loan(s) as set forth herein.


WESTERN ASSET PREMIER BOND FUND
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

* Must be a Domestic Business Day or a LIBOR Business Day, as applicable.