EX-3.1

EX-3.1 2 d447344dex31.htm EX-3.1 EX-3.1

Exhibit 3.1

INVESCO COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE FINANCE TRUST, INC.

ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT

FIRST: Invesco Commercial Real Estate Finance Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Corporation”), desires to amend and restate its charter as currently in effect and as hereinafter amended.

SECOND: The following provisions are all the provisions of the charter currently in effect and as hereinafter amended:

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of the corporation (which is hereinafter called the “Corporation”) is: Invesco Commercial Real Estate Finance Trust, Inc.

ARTICLE H

PURPOSES AND POWERS

The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are to engage in any lawful act or activity (including, without limitation or obligation, engaging in business as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor statute (the “Code”)) for which corporations may be organized under the general laws of the State of Maryland as now or hereafter in force.

ARTICLE UI

PRINCIPAL OFFICE IN STATE AND RESIDENT AGENT

The address of the principal office of the Corporation in the State of Maryland is do The Corporation Trust Incorporated, 2405 York Road, Suite 201, Lutherville Timonium, Maryland 21093-2264. The name and address of the resident agent of the Corporation are The Corporation Trust Incorporated, 2405 York Road, Suite 201, Lutherville Timonium, Maryland 21093-2264. The resident agent is a Maryland corporation.

ARTICLE IV

DEFINITIONS

As used in the Charter, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context otherwise requires:

“Adviser” shall mean the Person appointed, employed or contracted with by the Corporation pursuant to Article VIII hereof and responsible for directing or performing the day-to-day business affairs of the Corporation, including any Person to whom the Adviser subcontracts all or substantially all of such functions.

“Advisers Act” shall mean the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.

“Advisory Agreement” shall mean the agreement between the Corporation and the Adviser pursuant to which the Adviser will direct or perform the day-to-day business affairs of the Corporation.

“Affiliate” shall mean, with respect to any Person, (i) any Person directly or indirectly owning, controlling or holding, with the power to vote, 20% or more of the outstanding voting securities of such other Person; (ii) any Person 20% or more of whose outstanding voting securities are directly or indirectly owned, controlled or held, with the power to vote, by such other Person; (iii) any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such other Person, including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner; (iv) any executive officer, director, trustee or general partner of such other Person; and (v) any legal entity for which such Person acts as an executive officer, director, trustee or general partner.

“Aggregate Share Ownership Limit” shall mean 9.9%, in value or number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of the aggregate of the outstanding Shares, or such other percentage determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 6.1.8 of the Charter.

“Beneficial Ownership” shall mean ownership of Shares by a Person, whether the interest in Shares is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 544 of the Code, as modified by Section 856(h)(1)(B) of the Code. The terms “Beneficial Owner,” “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

“Bidder” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 9.2(a) herein.

“Board” or “Board of Directors” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

“Business Day” shall mean any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in New York City are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close.

“Bylaws” shall mean the Bylaws of the Corporation, as amended from time to time.

“Charitable Beneficiary” shall mean one or more beneficiaries of the Charitable Trust as determined pursuant to Section 6.2.6, provided that each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code.

“Charitable Trust” shall mean any trust provided for in Section 6.2.1.

“Charitable Trustee” shall mean the Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and a Prohibited Owner that is appointed by the Corporation to serve as Trustee of the Charitable Trust.

“Charter” shall mean the charter of the Corporation, including any additional articles of amendment and restatement or articles supplementary that may be filed with the State Department of Assessment and Taxation of Maryland.

“Class D Common Shares” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 5.1 herein.

“Class D Conversion Rate” shall mean the fraction, the numerator of which is the Class D NAV Per Share and the denominator of which is the Class I NAV Per Share.

“Class D NAV Per Share” shall mean the Net Asset Value allocable to the Class D Common Shares (including any reduction for Stockholder Servicing Fees as described in the Private Placement Memorandum), determined as described in the Private Placement Memorandum, divided by the number of outstanding Class D Common Shares.

“Class E Common Shares” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 5.1 herein.

“Class E Conversion Rate” shall mean the fraction, the numerator of which is the Class E NAV Per Share and the denominator of which is the Class I NAV Per Share.

“Class E NAV Per Share” shall mean the Net Asset Value allocable to the Class E Common Shares (including any reduction for Stockholder Servicing Fees as described in the Private Placement Memorandum), determined as described in the Private Placement Memorandum, divided by the number of outstanding Class E Common Shares.

“Class I Common Shares” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 5.1 herein.

“Class I NAV Per Share” shall mean the Net Asset Value allocable to the Class T Common Shares (including any reduction for Stockholder Servicing Fees as described in the Private Placement Memorandum), determined as described in the Private Placement Memorandum, divided by the number of outstanding Class I Common Shares.

“Class S Common Shares” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 5.1 herein.

“Class S Conversion Rate” shall mean the fraction, the numerator of which is the Class S NAV Per Share and the denominator of which is the Class I NAV Per Share.

“Class S NAV Per Share” shall mean the Net Asset Value allocable to the Class S Common Shares (including any reduction for Stockholder Servicing Fees as described in the Private Placement Memorandum), determined as described in the Private Placement Memorandum, divided by the number of outstanding Class S Common Shares.

“Code” shall have the meaning as provided in Article II herein.

“Common Share Ownership Limit” shall mean 9.9% (in value or in number of Common Shares, whichever is more restrictive) of the aggregate of the outstanding Common Shares, or such other percentage determined by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 6.1.8 of the Charter.

“Common Shares” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 5.1 herein.

“Constructive Ownership” shall mean ownership of Shuts by a Person, whether the interest in Shares is held directly or indirectly (including by a nominee), and shall include interests that would be treated as owned through the application of Section 318(a) of the Code, as modified by Section 856(d)(5) of the Code. The terms “Constructive Owner,” “Constructively Owns” and “Constructively Owned” shall have the correlative meanings.

“Corporation” shall have the meaning as provided in Article 1 herein.

“Dealer Manager” shall mean such Person selected by the Board to act as the dealer manager for an Offering.

“Dealer Manager Fee” shall mean the dealer manager fee payable to the Dealer Manager as described in the Private Placement Memorandum.

“Directors” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 7.1 herein.

“Distributions” shall mean any distributions (as such term is defined in Section 2-301 of the MGCL), pursuant to Section 5.5 hereof, by the Corporation to owners of Shares, including distributions that may constitute a return of capital for federal income tax purposes.

“Excepted Holder” shall mean a Stockholder for whom an Excepted Holder Limit is created by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 6.1.7.

“Excepted Holder Limit” shall mean, provided that the affected Excepted Holder agrees to comply with the requirements established by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 6.1.7 and subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 6.1.8, the percentage limit established by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section 6.1.7.

“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto.

“Gross Proceeds” shall mean the aggregate purchase price of all Shares sold for the account of the Corporation through an Offering, without deduction for Selling Commissions. Solely for the purpose of computing Gross Proceeds in Section 5.2.3(b), the purchase price of any Class D Common Share, Class I Common Share, Class S Common Share or Class E Common Share shall be deemed to be the full, non-discounted offering price at the time of purchase of each such Share.

“Initial Date” shall mean January 1, 2023; provided, however, that following any Restriction Termination Date, the term “Initial Date” shall mean the date on which the Corporation files, and the SDAT accepts for record, a Certificate of Notice setting forth the determination of the Board of Directors that it is in the best interests of the Corporation to attempt to qualify or requalify as a REIT.

“Listing” shall mean the listing of any or all of the Common Shares on a national securities exchange. Upon a Listing, such Common Shares shall be deemed “Listed.”

“Loans” shall mean senior or junior loans, which may be whole loans or participation in loans, syndicated interests in loans, mortgages, structured debt products, mezzanine loans, other interests in loans or debt-like investments related to real estate assets and real estate companies.

“Market Price” on any date shall mean, with respect to any class or series of outstanding Shares, the Closing Price for such Shares on such date. The “Closing Price” on any date shall mean the last sale price for such Shares, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, for such Shares, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal national securities exchange on which such Shares are listed or admitted to trading or, if such Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the principal automated quotation system that may then be in use or, if such Shares are not quoted by any such system, the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Shares selected by the Board of Directors or, in the event that no trading price is available for such Shares, the fair market value of Shares, as determined by the Board of Directors.

“MGCL” shall mean the Maryland General Corporation Law, as amended from time to time.

“Minimum Account Balance” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 5.7 herein.

“Net Asset Value” shall mean the net asset value of the Corporation.

“9.2(b) Notice” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 9.2 herein.

“Non-Compliant Tender Offer” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 9.2 herein.

“Offering” shall mean any offering of Shares for the account of the Corporation.

“Organization and Offering Expenses” shall have the meaning set forth in the Advisory Agreement.

“Person” shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, estate, trust (including a trust qualified under Sections 401(a) or 501(c)(17) of the Code), a portion of a trust permanently set aside for or to be used exclusively for the purposes described in Section 642(c) of the Code, association, private foundation within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code, joint stock company or other legal entity and, for purposes of Article VI herein (and all defined terms used in such Article), also includes a group as that term is used for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act and a group to which an Excepted Holder Limit applies.

“Position Statement” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 9.2 herein.

“Preferred Shares” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 5.1 herein.

“Private Placement” shall mean an unregistered private offering of Shares pursuant to applicable exemptions from registration under the Securities Act.

“Private Placement Memorandum” shall mean the private placement memorandum of the Corporation with respect to the offer and sale of the shares of the Corporation, as it may be supplemented, amended or restated from time to time, including all exhibits and appendixes thereto.

“Prohibited Owner” shall mean, with respect to any purported Transfer, any Person who, but for the provisions of Article VI herein, would Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares in violation of Section 6.1.1, and, if appropriate in the context, shall also mean any Person who would have been the record owner of Shares that the Prohibited Owner would have so owned.

“Reinvestment Plan” shall mean the Corporation’s distribution reinvestment plan.

“Reinvestment Proceeds” shall mean, with respect to any Share issued pursuant to a Reinvestment Plan, the Net Asset Value allocable to the Shares of such class, determined as described in the Private Placement Memorandum, divided by the number of outstanding Shares of such class, at the time of issuance.

“REIT” shall mean a corporation, trust, association or other legal entity that qualifies for taxation as a real estate investment trust under the REIT Provisions of the Code.

“REIT Provisions of the Code” shall mean Sections 856 through 860 of the Code and any successor or other provisions of the Code relating to real estate investment trusts (including provisions as to the attribution of ownership of beneficial interests therein) and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

“Repurchase Plan” shall mean the program or programs established from time to time by the Board of Directors pursuant to which the Corporation voluntarily repurchases Common Shares from the holders thereof.

“Rescission Notice” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 9.2 herein.

“Restriction Termination Date” shall mean the first day after the Initial Date on which the Board of Directors determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to attempt to, or continue to, qualify as a REIT or that compliance with the restrictions and limitations on Beneficial Ownership, Constructive Ownership and Transfers of Shares set forth herein is no longer required in order for the Corporation to qualify as a REIT.

“SDAT” shall have the meaning as provided in Section 5.4 herein.

“SEC” shall mean the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute thereto. Reference to any provision of the Securities Act shall mean such provision as in effect from time to time, as the same may be amended, and any successor provision thereto, as interpreted by any applicable regulations as in effect from time to time.

“Selling Commissions” shall mean any and all up-front fees and commissions payable to dealer managers or other broker-dealers in connection with the sale of Shares, including, without limitation, up-front fees or commissions payable to the Dealer Manager.

“Shares” shall mean shares of stock of the Corporation of any class or series, including Common Shares or Preferred Shares.

“Soliciting Dealers” shall mean those broker-dealers that are members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or that are exempt from broker-dealer registration, and that, in either case, enter into participating broker or other agreements with the Dealer Manager to sell Shares.

“Sponsor” shall mean any Person that (i) is directly or indirectly instrumental in organizing, wholly or in part, the Corporation or (ii) will control, manage or participate in the management of the Corporation, and any Affiliate of such Person. A Person may also be deemed a Sponsor of the Corporation by: (a) taking the initiative, directly or indirectly, in founding or organizing the Corporation, either alone or in conjunction with one or more other Persons,(b) receiving a material participation in the Corporation in connection with the founding or organizing of the business of the Corporation, in consideration of services or property, or both services and property,(c) having a substantial number of relationships and contacts with the Corporation,(d) possessing significant rights to control properties,(e) receiving

fees for providing services to the Corporation which are paid on a basis that is not customary in the industry or (f) providing goods or services to the Corporation on a basis which was not negotiated at arm’s-length with the Corporation. “Sponsor” does not include any Person whose only relationship with the Corporation is that of an independent contractor and whose only compensation is as such, or wholly independent third parties such as attorneys and accountants whose only compensation is for professional services.

“Stockholder Servicing Fee” shall mean the stockholder servicing fee payable to the Dealer Manager and reallowable to soliciting dealers with respect to any class of Common Shares for which such fees is payable, as further described in the Private Placement Memorandum.

“Stockholders” shall mean the holders of record of the Shares as maintained in the books and records of the Corporation or its transfer agent.

“Transfer” shall mean any issuance, sale, transfer, gift, assignment, devise or other disposition, as well as any other event that causes any Person to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Shares or the right to vote or receive dividends on Shares, or any agreement to take any such actions or cause any such events, including (i) the granting or exercise of any option (or any disposition of any option), (ii) any disposition of any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for Shares or any interest in Shares or any exercise of any such conversion or exchange right and (iii) Transfers of interests in other entities that result in changes in Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Shares; in each case, whether voluntary or involuntary, whether owned of record, Constructively Owned or Beneficially Owned and whether by operation of law or otherwise. The terms “Transferring” and “Transferred” shall have the correlative meanings.

ARTICLE V

STOCK

Section 5.1 Authorized Shares. The Corporation has authority to issue 2,050,000,000 Shares, consisting of 2,000,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Common Shares”), 500,000,000 of which are classified as Class D Common Stock (the “Class D Common Shares”), 500,000,000 of which are classified as Class I Common Stock (the “Class I Common Shares”), 500,000,000 of which are classified as Class S Common Stock (the “Class S Common Shares”), and 500,000,000 of which are classified as Class E Common Stock (the “Class E Common Shares”) and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Preferred Shares”). The aggregate par value of all authorized Shares having par value is $20,500,000. The Board may classify or reclassify any unissued Common Shares from time to time into one or more classes or series of Shares. If Shares of one class are classified or reclassified into Shares of another class pursuant to this Article V, the number of authorized Shares of the former class shall be automatically decreased and the number of Shares of the latter class shall be automatically increased, in each case by the number of Shares so classified or reclassified, so that the aggregate number of Shares of all classes that the Corporation has authority to issue shall not be more than the total number of Shares set forth in the first sentence of this paragraph. The Board of Directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire Board and without any action by the Stockholders, may amend the Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of Shares or the number of Shares of any class or series that the Corporation has authority to issue.

Section 5.2 Common Shares.

Section 5.2.1 Voting Rights. Subject to the provisions of Article VI and except as may otherwise be specified in the Charter, each Common Share shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote per share on all matters upon which Stockholders are entitled to vote pursuant to Section 9.1 hereof. Except as may be provided otherwise in the Charter, the holders of the Common Shares shall have the exclusive right to vote on all matters (as to which a common stockholder shall be entitled to vote pursuant to applicable law) at all meetings of the Stockholders. The holders of Common Shares shall vote together as a single class on all actions to be taken by the Stockholders; provided, however, that with respect to (a) any amendment of the Charter that would materially and adversely affect the rights, preferences and privileges of only a particular class of Common Shares, (b) any matter submitted to Stockholders that relates solely to a particular class of Common Shares or (c) any matter submitted to Stockholders in which the interests of a particular class of Common Shares differ from the interests of all other classes of Common Shares, only the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of such affected class of Common Shares, with no other class of Common Shares voting except such affected class of Common Shares voting as a separate class, shall be required.

Section 5.2.2 Conversion Upon Listing. Upon the Listing of a class of Common Shares or such later date or dates not to exceed twelve months from the date of Listing as shall be approved by the Board of Directors with respect to all or any portion of the outstanding Shares of the class or classes of Common Shares that are not so Listed, each Share of the class or classes of Common Shares that are not so Listed or of such portion thereof shall automatically and without any action on the part of the holder thereof convert into a number of Shares of the class of Common Shares that is Listed equal to a fraction, the numerator of which is the Net Asset Value allocable to each Share of the applicable class of Common Shares that is not Listed and the denominator of which is the Net Asset Value allocable to each Share of the class of Common Shares that is Listed.

Section 5.2.3 Conversion of Class S Common Shares, Class D Common Shares and Class E Common Shares Upon Certain Other Events. Each Class S Common Share, Class D Common Share and Class E Common Share held in a Stockholder’s account shall automatically and without any action on the part of the holder thereof convert into a number of Class 1 Common Shares equal to the Class S Conversion Rate, Class D Conversion Rate or Class E Conversion Rate, respectively, on the earliest of (a) a merger or consolidation of the Corporation with or into another entity or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets, in each case in a transaction in which the Stockholders receive cash or securities listed on a national securities exchange, and (b) the end of the month in which the Dealer Manager in conjunction with the Corporation’s transfer agent determines that total Selling Commissions, Dealer Manager Fees and Stockholder Servicing Fees paid with respect to the Shares held by such Stockholder within such account would exceed, in the aggregate, 8.75% (or such other percentage not exceeding 10% as determined by the Board of Directors and disclosed by the Corporation in a press release reported by a widely circulated news or wire service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act) of the sum of the Gross Proceeds from the sale of such Shares and the aggregate Reinvestment Proceeds of any Shares issued under a Reinvestment Plan upon the reinvestment of the Distributions paid with respect to such Shares or with respect to any Shares issued under a Reinvestment Plan directly or indirectly attributable to such Shares.

Section 5.2.4 Rights Upon Liquidation. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or any Distribution of the assets of the Corporation, the aggregate assets of the Corporation available for Distribution to holders of the Common Shares shall be determined in accordance with applicable law. Immediately before any liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or any distribution of the assets of the Corporation pursuant to a plan of liquidation, dissolution or winding up, Class D Common Shares will automatically convert to Class I Common Shares at the Class D Conversion Rate, Class S Common Shares will automatically convert to Class 1 Common Shares at the Class S Conversion Rate and Class E Common Shares will automatically convert to Class I Common Shares at the Class E Conversion Rate. Following such conversion, the aggregate assets of the Corporation available for Distribution to holders of the Common Shares, or the proceeds therefrom, shall be distributed to each holder of Class I Common Shares, ratably with each other holder of Class 1 Common Shares, which will include all converted Class S Common Shares, Class D Common Shares and Class E Common Shares, in such proportion as the number of outstanding Class I Common Shares held by such holder bears to the total number of outstanding Class I Common Shares then outstanding.

Section 5.2.5 Treatment of Excess Inclusion Income. In the event that a portion of the Corporation’s income shall be treated as “excess inclusion income” that it derives from an equity interest in a taxable mortgage pool (for U.S. federal income tax purposes), and only in the event that one or more holders of a class of Common Shares shall be “disqualified organizations” (as defined below), the Corporation may reduce the amount of any Distribution otherwise payable to the holder of a class of Common Shares that is a “disqualified organization” by the amount of tax paid by the Corporation that is attributable to such holder’s ownership of Common Shares. A “disqualified organization” includes: (1) the United States; (2) any state or political subdivision of the United States; (3) any foreign government; (4) any international organization; (5) any agency or instrumentality of any of the foregoing; (6) any other tax-exempt organization (other than a farmer’s cooperative described in Section 521 of the Code) that is exempt from income taxation and is not subject to taxation under the unrelated business taxable income provisions of the Code; and (7) any rural electrical or telephone cooperative.

Section 5.3 Preferred Shares. The Board may from time to time issue Preferred Shares, and in the event the Board does choose to issue Preferred Shares, may subsequently classify any unissued Preferred Shares and reclassify any previously classified but unissued Preferred Shares of any series from time to time, into one or more classes or series of Shares.

Section 5.4 Classified or Reclassified Shares. Prior to the issuance of classified or reclassified Shares of any class or series, the Board by resolution shall: (a) designate that class or series to distinguish it from all other classes and series of Shares; (b) specify the number of Shares to be included in the class or series;(c) set or change, subject to the provisions of Article VI and subject to the express terms of any class or series of Shares outstanding at the time, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other Distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series; and (d) cause the Corporation to file articles supplementary with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland (“SDAT”). Any of the terms of any class or series of Shares set or changed pursuant to Section 5.4(c) may be made dependent upon facts or events ascertainable outside the Charter (including determinations by the Board or other facts or events within the control of the Corporation) and may vary among holders thereof, provided that the manner in which such facts, events or variations shall operate upon the terms of such class or series of Shares is clearly and expressly set forth in the articles supplementary or other charter document.

Section 5.5 Distributions. The Board of Directors may from time to time authorize the Corporation to declare and pay to Stockholders such dividends or other Distributions in cash or other assets of the Corporation or in securities of the Corporation, including in Shares of one class payable to holders of Shares of another class, or from any other source as the Board of Directors in its discretion shall determine. The Board of Directors shall endeavor to authorize the Corporation to declare and pay such dividends and other Distributions as shall be necessary for the Corporation to qualify as a REIT under the Code; provided, however, Stockholders shall have no right to any dividend or other Distribution unless and until authorized by the Board and declared by the Corporation. The exercise of the powers and rights of the Board of Directors pursuant to this Section 5.5 shall be subject to the provisions of any class or series of Shares at the time outstanding. The receipt by any Person in whose name any Shares are registered on the records of the Corporation or by his or her duly authorized agent shall be a sufficient discharge for all dividends or other Distributions payable or deliverable in respect of such Shares and from all liability to see to the application thereof.

Section 5.6 Charter and Bylaws. The rights of all Stockholders and the terms of all Shares are subject to the provisions of the Charter and the Bylaws.

Section 5.7 Minimum Account Repurchases. In the event that any holder of Common Shares fails to maintain in such holder’s account a minimum balance of$ 2,000 of Common Shares or such other amount of Common Shares as from time to time determined by the Board of Directors and set forth in a Certificate of Notice filed by the Corporation with the SDAT (the “Minimum Account Balance”), the Corporation may repurchase all of the Common Shares held by such holder at the repurchase price in effect under the Repurchase Plan on the date that the Corporation determines that such holder has failed to meet the Minimum Account Balance, less any early repurchase deduction as provided in the Repurchase Plan.

ARTICLE VI

RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER AND OWNERSHIP OF SHARES

Section 6.1 Shares.

Section 6.1.1 Ownership Limitations. During the period commencing on the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date, but subject to Section 6.3:

(a) Basic Restrictions.

(i)(1) No Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares in excess of the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit,(2) no Person, other than an Excepted Holder, shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Common Shares in excess of the Common Share Ownership Limit and (3) no Excepted Holder shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares in excess of the Excepted Holder Limit for such Excepted Holder.

(ii) No Person shall Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares to the extent that such Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Shares would result in the Corporation being “closely held” within the meaning of Section 856(h) of the Code (without regard to whether the ownership interest is held during the last half of a taxable year), or otherwise failing to qualify as a REIT (including, but not limited to, Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership that would result in the Corporation owning (actually or Constructively) an interest in a tenant that is described in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code if the income derived by the Corporation from such tenant would cause the Corporation to fail to satisfy any of the gross income requirements of Section 856(c) of the Code).

(iii) Any Transfer of Shares that, if effective, would result in Shares being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 Persons (determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) at any time after January 30, 2024 shall be void ab initio, and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such Shares.

(b) Transfer in Trust. If any Transfer of Shares occurs which, if effective, would result in any Person Beneficially Owning or Constructively Owning Shares in violation of Section 6.1.1(a)(i) or (ii),

(i) then that number of Shares the Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of which otherwise would cause such Person to violate Section 6.1.1(a)(i) or (ii) (rounded up to the nearest whole share) shall be automatically Transferred to a Charitable Trust for the benefit of a Charitable Beneficiary, as described in Section 6.2, effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date of such Transfer, and such Person shall acquire no rights in such Shares; or

(ii) if the Transfer to the Charitable Trust described in clause (i) of this sentence would not be effective for any reason to prevent the violation of Section 6.1.1(a)(i) or (ii), then the Transfer of that number of Shares that otherwise would cause any Person to violate Section 6.1 .1(a)(i) or (ii) shall be void ab initio, and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such Shares.

To the extent that, upon a transfer of Shares pursuant to this Section 6.1.1(b), a violation of any provision of this Article VI would nonetheless be continuing (for example, where the ownership of Shares by a single Charitable Trust would violate the 100 stockholder requirement applicable to REITs), then Shares shall be transferred to that number of Charitable Trusts, each having a distinct Charitable Trustee and a Charitable Beneficiary or Beneficiaries that are distinct from those of each other Charitable Trust, such that there is no violation of any provision of this Article VI.

Section 6.1.2 Remedies for Breach. If the Board of Directors or its designee (including any duly authorized committee of the Board) shall at any time determine that a Transfer or other event has taken place that results in a violation of Section 6.1.1 or that a Person intends to acquire or has attempted to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of any Shares in violation of Section 6.1.1 (whether or not such violation is intended), the • Board of Directors or its designee shall take such action as it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent such Transfer or other event, including, without limitation, causing the Corporation to redeem Shares, refusing to give effect to such Transfer on the books of the Corporation or instituting proceedings to enjoin such Transfer or other event; provided, however, that any Transfers or attempted Transfers or other events in violation of Section 6.1.1 shall automatically result in the Transfer to the Charitable Trust described above, and, where applicable, such Transfer (or other event) shall be void ab initio as provided above irrespective of any action (or non-action) by the Board of Directors or its designee.

Section 6.1.3 Notice of Restricted Transfer. Any Person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Shares that will or may violate Section 6.I.1(a), or any Person who would have owned Shares that resulted in a Transfer to the Charitable Trust pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1.1(b), shall immediately give written notice to the Corporation of such event, or in the case of such a proposed or attempted transaction, give at least 15 days prior written notice, and shall provide to the Corporation such other information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Transfer on the Corporation’s status as a REIT.

Section 6.1.4 Owners Required To Provide Information. From the Initial Date and prior to the Restriction Termination Date:

(a) every owner of more than five percent (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder or as otherwise required by the Board of Directors) of the outstanding Shares, within 30 days after the end of each taxable year, shall give written notice to the Corporation stating the name and address of such owner, the number of Shares Beneficially Owned and a description of the manner in which such Shares are held. Each such owner shall provide to the Corporation such additional information as the Corporation may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of such Beneficial Ownership on the Corporation’s status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, the Common Share Ownership Limit and the other restrictions set forth herein; and

(b) each Person who is a Beneficial or Constructive Owner of Shares and each Person (including the Stockholder of record) who is holding Shares for a Beneficial or Constructive Owner shall provide to the Corporation such information as the Corporation may request, in order to determine the Corporation’s status as a REIT and to comply with requirements of any taxing authority or governmental authority or to determine such compliance.

Section 6.1.5 Remedies Not Limited. Subject to Section 7.6 of the Charter, nothing contained in this Section 6.1 shall limit the authority of the Board of Directors to take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable to protect the Corporation and the interests of its Stockholders in preserving the Corporation’s status as a REIT.

Section 6.1.6 Ambiguity. In the case of an ambiguity in the application of any of the provisions of this Section 6.1, Section 6.2 or any definition contained in Article IV, the Board of Directors may determine the application of the provisions of this Section 6.1 or Section 6.2 with respect to any situation based on the facts known to it. In the event Section 6.1 or 6.2 requires an action by the Board of Directors and the Charter fails to provide specific guidance with respect to such action, the Board of Directors may determine the action to be taken so long as such action is not contrary to the provisions of Article IV or Sections 6.1 or 6.2. Absent a decision to the contrary by the Board of Directors (which the Board may make in its sole and absolute discretion), if a Person would have (but for the remedies set forth in Section 6.1.2) acquired Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of Shares in violation of Section 6.1.1, such remedies (as applicable) shall apply first to the Shares which, but for such remedies, would have been Beneficially Owned or Constructively Owned (but not actually owned) by such Person, pro rata among the Persons who actually own such Shares based upon the relative number of the Shares held by each such Person.

Section 6.1.7 Exceptions.

(a) Subject to Section 6.1.1(a)(ii), the Board of Directors may exempt (prospectively or retroactively) a Person from the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit and the Common Share Ownership Limit, as the case may be, and may establish or increase an Excepted Holder Limit for such Person if:

(i) the Board of Directors obtains such representations and undertakings from such Person as are reasonably necessary for the Board to ascertain that no individual’s Beneficial Ownership or Constructive Ownership of such Shares will violate Section 6.1.1(a)(i);

(ii) such Person does not and represents that it will not own, actually or Constructively, an interest in a tenant of the Corporation (or a tenant of any entity owned or controlled by the Corporation) that would cause the Corporation to own, actually or Constructively, more than a 9.9% interest (as set forth in Section 856(d)(2)(B) of the Code) in such tenant and the Board of Directors obtains such representations and undertakings from such Person as are reasonably necessary to ascertain this fact (for this purpose, a tenant from whom the Corporation (or an entity owned or controlled by the Corporation) derives (and is expected to continue to derive) a sufficiently small amount of revenue such that, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, rent from such tenant would not adversely affect the Corporation’s ability to qualify as a REIT, shall not be treated as a tenant of the Corporation); and

(iii) such Person agrees that any violation or attempted violation of such representations or undertakings (or other action which is contrary to the restrictions contained in Sections 6.1.1 through 6.1.6) will result in such Shares being automatically Transferred to a Charitable Trust in accordance with Sections 6.1.1(b) and 6.2.

(b) Prior to granting any exception pursuant to Section 6.1.7(a), the Board of Directors may require a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or an opinion of counsel, in either case in form and substance satisfactory to the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, as it may deem necessary or advisable in order to determine or ensure the Corporation’s status as a REIT. Notwithstanding the receipt of any ruling or opinion, the Board of Directors may impose such conditions or restrictions as it deems appropriate in connection with granting such exception.

(c) Subject to Section 6.1.1(a)(ii), an underwriter which participates in a public offering or Private Placement of Shares (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares) may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares) in excess of the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, the Common Share Ownership Limit or both such limits, but only to the extent necessary to facilitate such public offering or Private Placement.

(d) The Board of Directors may only reduce the Excepted Holder Limit for an Excepted Holder:(i) with the written consent of such Excepted Holder at any time, (ii) unless the terms and conditions of the agreements and undertakings entered into with such Excepted Holder in connection with the establishment of the Excepted Holder Limit for that Excepted Holder provide otherwise, at any time after the Excepted Holder no longer Beneficially Owns or Constructively Owns Shares in excess of the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit or the Common Share Ownership Limit or (iii) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreements and undertakings entered into with such Excepted Holder in connection with the establishment of the Excepted Holder Limit for that Excepted Holder. No Excepted Holder Limit shall be reduced to a percentage that is less than the Common Share Ownership Limit.

Section 6.1.8 Increase or Decrease in Aggregate Share Ownership and Common Share Ownership Limits. Subject to Section 6.1.1(a)(ii), the Board of Directors may from time to time increase or decrease the Common Share Ownership Limit and the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit for one or more Persons and increase or decrease the Common Share Ownership Limit and the Aggregate Share Ownership Limit for all other Persons. No decreased Common Share Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Share Ownership Limit will be effective for any Person whose percentage of ownership in Shares is in excess of such decreased Common Share Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, as applicable, until such time as such Person’s percentage of ownership in Shares equals or falls below the decreased Common Share Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Share Ownership Limit, but any further acquisition of Shares in excess of such percentage ownership of Shares will be in violation of the Common Share Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Share Ownership Limit and, provided further, that the new Common Share Ownership Limit and/or Aggregate Share Ownership Limit would not allow five or fewer Persons to Beneficially Own more than 49.9% in value of the outstanding Shares.

Section 6.1.9 Legend. Any certificate representing Shares shall bear substantially the following legend:

The Shares represented by this certificate are subject to restrictions on Beneficial and Constructive Ownership and Transfer for the purpose, among others, of the Corporation’s maintenance of its status as a real estate investment trust (a “REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Subject to certain further restrictions and except as expressly provided in the Corporation’s charter, (i) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Common Shares in excess of 9.9% (in value or number of Common Shares) of the outstanding Common Shares unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (ii) no Person may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares in excess of 9.9% (in value or number of shares) of the total outstanding Shares, unless such Person is an Excepted Holder (in which case the Excepted Holder Limit shall be applicable); (iii) no Person

may Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares that would result in the Corporation being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Code or otherwise cause the Corporation to fail to qualify as a REIT; and (iv) any Transfer of Shares that, if effective, would result in Shares being beneficially owned by fewer than 100 Persons (as determined under the principles of Section 856(a)(5) of the Code) at any time after January 30, 2024 shall be void ab initio, and the intended transferee shall acquire no rights in such Shares. Any Person who Beneficially Own or Constructively Owns or attempts to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares which cause or will cause a Person to Beneficially Own or Constructively Own Shares in excess or in violation of the above limitations must immediately notify the Corporation in writing (or, in the case of an attempted transaction, give at least 15 days prior written notice). If any of the restrictions on Transfer or ownership as set forth in (i), (ii) or (iii) above are violated, the Shares in excess or in violation of the above limitations will be automatically Transferred to a Charitable Trust for the benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. In addition, the Corporation may redeem Shares upon the terms and conditions specified by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion if the Board of Directors determines that ownership or a Transfer or other event may violate the restrictions described above. Furthermore, upon the occurrence of certain events, attempted Transfers in violation of the restrictions described in (i), (ii) or (iii) above may be void ab initio.

All capitalized terms in this legend have the meanings defined in the Corporation’s charter, as the same may be amended from time to time, a copy of which, including the restrictions on Transfer and ownership, will be furnished to each holder of Shares on request and without charge. Requests for such a copy may be directed to the Secretary of the Corporation at its principal office.

Instead of the foregoing legend, the certificate may state that the Corporation will furnish a full statement about certain restrictions on transferability to a Stockholder on request and without charge. In the case of uncertificated Shares, the Corporation will send the holder of such Shares, on request and without charge, a written statement of the information otherwise required on certificates.

Section 6.2 Transfer of Shares in Trust.

Section 6.2.1 Ownership in Trust. Upon any purported Transfer or other event described in Section 6.1.1(b) that would result in a Transfer of Shares to a Charitable Trust, such Shares shall be deemed to have been Transferred to the Charitable Trustee as trustee of a Charitable Trust for the exclusive benefit of one or more Charitable Beneficiaries. Such Transfer to the Charitable Trustee shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the purported Transfer or other event that results in the Transfer to the Charitable Trust pursuant to Section 6.1.1(b). The Charitable Trustee shall be appointed by the Corporation and shall be a Person unaffiliated with the Corporation and any Prohibited Owner. Each Charitable Beneficiary shall be designated by the Corporation as provided in Section 6.2.6.

Section 6.2.2 Status of Shares Held by the Charitable Trustee. Shares held by the Charitable Trustee shall continue to be issued and outstanding Shares. The Prohibited Owner shall have no rights in the Shares held by the Charitable Trustee. The Prohibited Owner shall not benefit economically from ownership of any Shares held in trust by the Charitable Trustee, shall have no rights to dividends or other Distributions and shall not possess any rights to vote or other rights attributable to the Shares held in the Charitable Trust.

Section 6.2.3 Dividend and Voting Rights. The Charitable Trustee shall have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other Distributions with respect to Shares held in the Charitable Trust, which rights shall be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary. Any dividend or other Distribution paid prior to the discovery by the Corporation that Shares have been Transferred to the Charitable Trustee shall be paid by the recipient of such dividend or other Distribution to the Charitable Trustee upon demand and any dividend or other Distribution authorized but unpaid shall be paid when due to the Charitable Trustee. Any dividends or other Distributions so paid over to the Charitable Trustee shall be held in trust for the Charitable Beneficiary. The Prohibited Owner shall have no voting rights with respect to Shares held in the Charitable Trust and, subject to Maryland law, effective as of the date that Shares have been Transferred to the Charitable Trustee, the Charitable Trustee shall have the authority (at the Charitable Trustee’s sole discretion) (a) to rescind as void any vote cast by a Prohibited Owner prior to the discovery by the Corporation that Shares have been Transferred to the Charitable Trustee and (b) to recast such vote

in accordance with the desires of the Charitable Trustee acting for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary; provided, however, that if the Corporation has already taken irreversible corporate action, then the Charitable Trustee shall not have the authority to rescind and recast such vote. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article VI, until the Corporation has received notification that Shares have been Transferred into a Charitable Trust, the Corporation shall be entitled to rely on its share transfer and other Stockholder records for purposes of preparing lists of Stockholders entitled to vote at meetings, determining the validity and authority of proxies and otherwise conducting votes and determining the other rights of Stockholders.

Section 6.2.4 Sale of Shares by Charitable Trustee. Within 20 days of receiving notice from the Corporation that Shares have been Transferred to the Charitable Trust, the Charitable Trustee shall sell the Shares held in the Charitable Trust to a Person, designated by the Charitable Trustee, whose ownership of the Shares will not violate the ownership limitations set forth in Section 6.1.1(a). Upon such sale, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the Shares sold shall terminate and the Charitable Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner and to the Charitable Beneficiary as provided in this Section 6.2.4. The Prohibited Owner shall receive the lesser of (a) the price paid by the Prohibited Owner for the Shares or, if the Prohibited Owner did not give value for the Shares in connection with the event causing the Shares to be held in the Charitable Trust (e.g., in the case of a gift, devise or other such transaction), the Market Price of the Shares on the day of the event causing the Shares to be held in the Charitable Trust and (b) the price per share received by the Charitable Trustee (net of any commissions and other expenses of sale) from the sale or other disposition of the Shares held in the Charitable Trust. The Charitable Trustee may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and other Distributions which have been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Charitable Trustee pursuant to Section 6.2.3 of this Article VI. Any net sales proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner shall be immediately paid to the Charitable Beneficiary. If, prior to the discovery by the Corporation that Shares have been Transferred to the Charitable Trustee, such Shares are sold by a Prohibited Owner, then (i) such Shares shall be deemed to have been sold on behalf of the Charitable Trust and (ii) to the extent that the Prohibited Owner received an amount for such Shares that exceeds the amount that such Prohibited Owner was entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 6.2.4, such excess shall be paid to the Charitable Trustee upon demand.

Section 6.2.5 Purchase Right in Shares Transferred to the Charitable Trustee. Shares Transferred to the Charitable Trustee shall be deemed to have been offered for sale to the Corporation, or its designee, at a price per Share equal to the lesser of (a) the price per Share in the transaction that resulted in such Transfer to the Charitable Trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the Market Price at the time of such devise or gift) and (b) the Market Price on the date the Corporation, or its designee, accepts such offer. The Corporation shall have the right to accept such offer until the Charitable Trustee has sold the Shares held in the Charitable Trust pursuant to Section 6.2.4. Upon such a sale to the Corporation, the interest of the Charitable Beneficiary in the Shares sold shall terminate and the Charitable Trustee shall distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the Prohibited Owner. The Corporation may reduce the amount payable to the Prohibited Owner by the amount of dividends and other Distributions which have been paid to the Prohibited Owner and are owed by the Prohibited Owner to the Charitable Trustee pursuant to Section 6.2.3 of this Article VI. The Corporation may pay the amount of such reduction to the Charitable Trustee for the benefit of the Charitable Beneficiary.

Section 6.2.6 Designation of Charitable Beneficiaries. By written notice to the Charitable Trustee, the Corporation shall designate one or more nonprofit organizations to be the Charitable Beneficiary of the interest in the Charitable Trust such that (a) Shares held in the Charitable Trust would not violate the restrictions set forth in Section 6.1.1(a) in the hands of such Charitable Beneficiary and (b) each such organization must be described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code and contributions to each such organization must be eligible for deduction under each of Sections 170(b)(1)(A), 2055 and 2522 of the Code. Neither the failure of the Corporation to make such designation nor the failure of the Corporation to appoint the Charitable Trustee before the automatic transfer provided in Section 6.1.1(b) shall make such transfer ineffective, provided that the Corporation thereafter makes such designation and appointment.

Section 6.3 Settlement. Nothing in this Article VI shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of any national securities exchange or automated inter-dealer quotation system. The fact that the settlement of any transaction occurs shall not negate the effect of any other provision of this Article VI and any transferee in such a transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this Article VI.

Section 6.4 Enforcement. The Corporation is authorized specifically to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief, to enforce the provisions of this Article VI.

Section 6.5 Non-Waiver. No delay or failure on the part of the Corporation or the Board of Directors in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of any right of the Corporation or the Board of Directors, as the case may be, except to the extent specifically waived in writing.

Section 6.6 Severability. If any provision of this Article VI or any application of any such provision is determined to be invalid by any federal or state court having jurisdiction over the issues, the validity of the remaining provisions shall not be affected and other applications of such provisions shall be affected only to the extent necessary to comply with the determination of such court.

ARTICLE VII

PROVISIONS FOR DEFINING, LIMITING

AND REGULATING CERTAIN POWERS OF THE

CORPORATION AND OF THE STOCKHOLDERS AND DIRECTORS

Section 7.1 Number of Directors. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. The number of Directors of the Corporation (the “Directors”) shall be seven, which number may be increased or decreased from time to time pursuant to the Bylaws; provided, however, that, the total number of Directors shall not be fewer than the minimum number permitted by the MGCL nor more than 15. The names of the current Directors who shall serve until the next annual meeting of Stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualify are:

R. Scott Dennis

Beth A. Zayicek

Bert J. Crouch

James H. Forson

R. David Kelly

Paul E. Rowsey

Ray Nixon

Any vacancy on the Board of Directors may be filled in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

The Corporation elects, at such time as it becomes eligible to make the election provided for under Section 3-804(c) of the MGCL, that, except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of Preferred Shares, any and all vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Directors in office, even if the remaining Directors do not constitute a quorum, and any Director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which such vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies.

Section 7.2 Extraordinary Actions. Except as specifically provided in Section 7.7 (relating to removal of Directors) and in Article XI, notwithstanding any provision of law permitting or requiring any action to be taken or approved by the affirmative vote of Stockholders entitled to cast a greater number of votes, any such action shall be effective and valid if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and taken or approved by the affirmative vote of Stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

Section 7.3 Authorization by Board of Stock Issuance. The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance from time to time of Shares of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, or securities or rights convertible into Shares of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration as the Board of Directors may deem advisable (including as compensation for the Independent Directors or without consideration in the case of a stock split or stock dividend), subject to such restrictions or limitations, if any, as may be set forth in the Charter or the Bylaws.

Section 7.4 Preemptive Rights and Appraisal Rights. Except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of classified or reclassified Shares pursuant to Section 5.4 or as may otherwise be provided by contract approved by the Board of Directors, no holder of Shares shall, as such holder, have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any additional Shares or any other security that the Corporation may issue or sell. Holders of Shares shall not be entitled to exercise any rights of an objecting stockholder provided for under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the MGCL or any successor statute unless the Board of Directors, upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors and upon such terms and conditions as may be specified by the Board of Directors, shall determine that such rights apply, with respect to all or any classes or series of Shares, to one or more transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which holders of such Shares would otherwise be entitled to exercise such rights.

Section 7.5 Determinations by Board. The determination as to any of the following matters, made by or pursuant to the direction of the Board of Directors consistent with the Charter, shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Corporation and every holder of Shares:

(a) the amount of the net income for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends, repurchase of Shares or the payment of other Distributions on Shares;

(b) the amount of paid-in surplus, the determination of the Net Asset Value of the Corporation, other surplus, annual or other cash flow, funds from operations, net profit, undivided profits or excess of profits over losses on sales of assets;

(c) the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety there of (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges shall have been created shall have been paid or discharged);

(d) any interpretation or resolution of any ambiguity with respect to any provision of the Bylaws or the Charter, including, without limitation: (i) any of the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers or rights, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other Distributions, qualifications or terms or conditions of redemption of any shares of any class or series of Shares, (ii) any provision of the definitions of any of the following: Affiliate, Independent Director and Sponsor,(iii) which amounts paid to the Adviser or its Affiliates are expenses connected with the ownership of real estate interests, loans or other property, and (iv) Whether expenses qualify as Organization and Offering Expenses;

(e) the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked price to be applied in determining the fair value, of any asset owned or held by the Corporation or any Shares;

(f) the number of Shares of any class of the Corporation;

(g) any matter relating to the acquisition, origination, holding and disposition of any assets of the Corporation;

(h) any interpretation of the terms and conditions of one or more agreements with any Person;

(i) the compensation of Directors, officers, employees or agents of the Corporation;

(j) any conflicts of interest between the Corporation and the Sponsor;

(k) any waiver of the Corporation’s investment guidelines;

(1) the determination of the independence of an individual proposed to be a new Director of the Corporation; and

(m) approval, consent, or waiver as may be required pursuant to applicable law (including the Advisers Act); or

(n) any other matter relating to the business and affairs of the Corporation or required or permitted by applicable law, the Charter or Bylaws or otherwise to be determined by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that any determination by the Board of Directors as to any of the preceding matters shall not render invalid or improper any action taken or omitted prior to such determination and no Director shall be liable for making or failing to make such a determination.

Section 7.6 REIT Qualification. If the Corporation elects to qualify for federal income tax treatment as a REIT, the Board of Directors shall use its reasonable best efforts to take such actions as are necessary or appropriate to preserve the status of the Corporation as a REIT; provided, however, if the Board of Directors determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Corporation to attempt to, or continue to qualify as a REIT, the Board of Directors may revoke or otherwise terminate the Corporation’s REIT election pursuant to Section 856(g) of the Code. The Board of Directors also may determine that compliance with any restriction or limitation on stock ownership and Transfers set forth in Article VI is no longer required for REIT qualification.

Section 7.7 Removal of Directors. Subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of Preferred Shares to elect or remove one or more directors, any Director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and then only by the affirmative vote of Stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of Directors. For the purpose of this paragraph, “cause” shall mean, with respect to any particular director, conviction of a felony or a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction holding that such director caused demonstrable, material harm to the Corporation through bad faith or active and deliberate dishonesty.

ARTICLE VIII

ADVISOR

Subject to such approval of Stockholders and other conditions, if any, as may be required by any applicable statute, rule or regulation, the Board of Directors may authorize the execution and performance by the Corporation of one or more agreements with any Person whereby, subject to the supervision and control of the Board of Directors, any such other Person shall render or make available to the Corporation managerial, investment, advisory and/or related services, office space and other services and facilities (including, if deemed advisable by the Board of Directors, the management or supervision of the investments of the Corporation) upon such terms and conditions as may be provided in such agreement or agreements (including, if deemed fair and equitable by the Board of Directors, the compensation payable thereunder by the Corporation).

ARTICLE IX

STOCKHOLDERS

Section 9.1 Voting Rights of Stockholders. Subject to the mandatory provisions of any applicable laws or regulations, the holders of Common Shares shall be entitled to vote only on the following matters: (a) election or removal of Directors; (b) amendment of the Charter as provided in Article XI hereof; (c) dissolution of the Corporation; (d) merger, conversion or consolidation of the Corporation, a statutory share exchange or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets; and (e) such other matters with respect to which the Board of Directors has adopted a resolution declaring that a proposed action is advisable and directing that the matter be submitted to the Stockholders for approval or ratification.

Section 9.2 Tender Offers.

(a) If any Person makes a tender offer for Shares, including, without limitation, a “mini-tender” offer, such Person (a “Bidder”) must comply with all of the provisions set forth in Regulation 14D of the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, disclosure and notice requirements, that would be applicable if the tender offer was for more than 5% of the outstanding Shares; provided, however, that such documents are not required to be filed with the SEC. In addition, any Bidder must provide notice to the Corporation at least 10 Business Days prior to initiating any such tender offer. If any Bidder initiates a tender offer without complying with the foregoing (a “Non-Compliant Tender Offer”), the Corporation may elect to publish, send or give to Stockholders and the Bidder a statement (a “Position Statement”), which Position Statement may be posted on the Corporation’s

website, disclosing that the Corporation (a) recommends acceptance or rejection of the Non-Compliant Tender Offer, (b) expresses no opinion and is remaining neutral toward the Non-Compliant Tender Offer, or (c) is unable to take a position with respect to the Non-Compliant Tender Offer. If the Corporation issues a Position Statement but does not recommend acceptance of the Non-Compliant Tender Offer, then the Corporation may elect to cause the rescission provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section 9.2 to be applicable by including a notice of such election (a “9.2(b) Notice”) in the Position Statement within 10 Business Days of the Corporation becoming aware of the commencement of the Non-Compliant Tender Offer.

(b) If the Corporation includes a 9.2(b) Notice in a Position Statement, and any Stockholder who tendered Shares in connection with the Non-Compliant Tender Offer delivers a notice (a “Rescission Notice”) to the Corporation within 30 days of issuance of the Position Statement indicating a desire to rescind such Stockholder’s tender, then such purported tender shall be void ab initio and the Bidder shall acquire no rights in such Shares and the Stockholder who delivered the Rescission Notice shall continue to have all rights in such Shares. Until the expiration of this 30-day period, the Corporation shall not record a transfer of Shares to the Bidder or its assignee in connection with the Tender Offer.

(c) In addition, unless waived by the Corporation, any Person who makes a Non-Compliant Tender Offer that is not recommended by the Corporation in the Position Statement shall be responsible for all expenses incurred by the Corporation in connection with (x) its review and consideration of the Non-Compliant Tender Offer, including board of directors meeting costs and the costs of counsel and financial advisors, (y) the publication and/or distribution of the Position Statement, including printing and mailing costs, and (a) the enforcement of the provisions of this Section 9.2. In addition to the remedies provided herein, the Corporation may seek injunctive relief, including, without limitation, a temporary or permanent restraining order, in connection with any Non-Compliant Tender Offer.

(d) This Section 9.2 shall be of no force or effect with respect to any Shares that are then Listed as of the date of the commencement of the tender offer.

ARTICLE X

LIABILITY LIMITATION AND INDEMNIFICATION

Section 10.1 Limitation of Stockholder Liability. No Stockholder shall be liable for any debt, claim, demand, judgment or obligation of any kind of, against or with respect to the Corporation by reason of being a Stockholder, nor shall any Stockholder be subject to any personal liability whatsoever, in tort, contract or otherwise, to any Person in connection with the assets or the affairs of the Corporation by reason of being a Stockholder.

Section 10.2 Limitation of Director and Officer Liability. To the maximum extent that Maryland law in effect from time to time permits limitation of the liability of directors and officers of a corporation, no Director or officer of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its Stockholders for money damages. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Section 10.2, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Charter or Bylaws inconsistent with this Section 10.2, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding sentence with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.

Section 10.3 Indemnification. To the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law in effect from time to time, the Corporation shall indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (i) any individual who is a present or former Director or officer of the Corporation and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity, (ii) any individual who, while a Director or officer of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, member, manager or trustee of another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity or (iii) the Adviser or any of its Affiliates acting as an agent of the Corporation and made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of its service in that capacity. The rights to indemnification and advance of expenses provided to a Director or officer hereby shall vest immediately upon election of such Director or officer. The Corporation may, with the approval of the Board of Directors or any

duly authorized committee thereof, provide such indemnification and advance for expenses to a Person who served a predecessor of the Corporation in any of the capacities described in (i) or (ii) above and to any employee or agent of the Corporation or a predecessor of the Corporation. The Board may take such action as is necessary to carry out this Section 10.3. The indemnification and payment or reimbursement of expenses provided in this Section 10.3 shall not be deemed exclusive of or limit in any way other rights to which any person seeking indemnification or payment or reimbursement of expenses may be or may become entitled under any bylaw, resolution, insurance or agreement or otherwise.

Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Section 10.3, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Charter or Bylaws inconsistent with this Section 10.3, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding paragraph with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption.

Section 10.4 Express Exculpatory Clauses in Instruments. Neither the Stockholders nor the Directors, officers, employees or agents of the Corporation shall be liable under any written instrument creating an obligation of the Corporation by reason of their being Stockholders, Directors, officers, employees or agents of the Corporation, and all Persons shall look solely to the Corporation’s assets for the payment of any claim under or for the performance of that instrument. The omission of the foregoing exculpatory language from any instrument shall not affect the validity or enforceability of such instrument and shall not render any Stockholder, Director, officer, employee or agent liable thereunder to any third party, nor shall the Directors or any officer, employee or agent of the Corporation be liable to anyone as a result of such omission.

ARTICLE XI

AMENDMENTS

The Corporation reserves the right from time to time to make any amendment to the Charter, now or hereafter authorized by law, including any amendment altering the terms or contract rights, as expressly set forth in the Charter, of any Shares. All rights and powers conferred by the Charter on Stockholders, Directors and officers are granted subject to this reservation. Except as set forth in the next sentence and except for those amendments permitted to be made without Stockholder approval under Maryland law or by specific provision in the Charter, any amendment to the Charter shall be valid only if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and approved by the affirmative vote of Stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Any amendment to Section 7.7 or this sentence of the Charter shall be valid only if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and approved by the affirmative vote of Stockholders entitled to cast two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

THIRD: The amendment and restatement of the charter of the Corporation as hereinabove set forth have been duly approved by a majority of the entire Board of Directors. There is no stock of the Corporation outstanding or subscribed for entitled to be voted on the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.

FOURTH: The current address of the principal office of the Corporation is as set forth in Article III of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.

FIFTH: The name and address of the Corporation’s current resident agent is as set forth in Article III of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.

SIXTH: The number of directors of the Corporation and the names of those currently in office are as set forth in Article VII of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.

SEVENTH: The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation had authority to issue immediately prior to the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter was 2,000,000, consisting of 2,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, all of which were classified as Class N Common Stock. The aggregate par value of all shares of stock having par value was $20,000.

EIGHTH: The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation has authority to issue pursuant to the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter is 2,050,000,000, consisting of 2,000,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, 500,000,000 of which are classified as Class D Common Stock, 500,000,000 of which are classified as Class I Common Stock, 500,000,000 of which are classified as Class S Common Stock, and 500,000,000 of which are classified as Class E Common Stock, and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share. The aggregate par value of all authorized shares of stock having par value is $20,500,000.

NINTH: The undersigned acknowledges these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be the corporate act of the Corporation and as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned acknowledges that to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.

[signature page follows]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Chief Executive Officer and attested to by its Secretary on this 23^rd day of March, 2023.


		INVESCO COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE FINANCE
		TRUST, INC.

By:		/s/ R. Scott Dennis (SEAL)
		Name: R. Scott Dennis
		Title: Chief Executive Officer


		ATTEST:

By:		/s/ Christopher B. Fischer
		Name: Christopher B. Fischer
		Title: Secretary