Amendment to Loan Documents

Exhibit 10.29(b)

Amendment to Loan Documents

 

THIS AMENDMENT TO LOAN DOCUMENTS (this “Amendment”) is made as of April 5, 2021, by and between ‌MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY, WHITE ▇▇▇▇▇ ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS, INC., UTILITY SERVICE AFFILIATES (PERTH AMBOY) INC., TIDEWATER ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC., PINELANDS WASTEWATER COMPANY, TIDEWATER UTILITIES, INC., PINELANDS WATER COMPANY and UTILITY SERVICE AFFILIATES INC. (individually and collectively, the “Borrower”), and PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (the “Bank”).

 

BACKGROUND

 

A.        The Borrower or another obligor has executed and delivered to the Bank (or a predecessor which is now known by the Bank’s name as set forth above), one or more promissory notes, letter agreements, loan agreements, security agreements, mortgages, pledge agreements, collateral assignments, and other agreements, instruments, certificates and documents, some or all of which are more fully described on attached Exhibit A, which is made a part of this Amendment (collectively as amended from time to time, the “Loan Documents”) which evidence or secure some or all of the indebtedness and other obligations of the Borrower to the Bank for one or more loans or other extensions of credit (as used herein, collectively, together with the Obligations, if and as defined in the Loan Documents, the “Obligations”). Any initially capitalized terms used in this Amendment without definition shall have the meanings assigned to those terms in the Loan Documents.

 

B.        The Borrower and the Bank desire to amend the Loan Documents as provided for in this Amendment.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.        Certain of the Loan Documents are amended as set forth in Exhibit A. Any and all references to any Loan Document in any other Loan Document shall be deemed to refer to such Loan Document as amended by this Amendment. This Amendment is deemed incorporated into each of the Loan Documents. To the extent that any term or provision of this Amendment is or may be inconsistent with any term or provision in any Loan Document, the terms and provisions of this Amendment shall control.

 

2.        The Borrower hereby certifies that: (a) all of its representations and warranties in the Loan Documents, as amended by this Amendment, are, except as may otherwise be stated in this Amendment: (i) true and correct as of the date of this Amendment, (ii) ratified and confirmed without condition as if made anew, and (iii) incorporated into this Amendment by reference, (b) no Event of Default or event which, with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both, would constitute an Event of Default, exists under any Loan Document which will not be cured by the execution and effectiveness of this Amendment, (c) no consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration or filing with, any third party is required in connection with the execution, delivery and carrying out of this Amendment or, if required, has been obtained, and (d) this Amendment has been duly authorized, executed and delivered so that it constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower, enforceable in accordance with its terms. The Borrower confirms that the Obligations remain outstanding without defense, set off, counterclaim, discount or charge of any kind as of the date of this Amendment.

 

3.        The Borrower hereby confirms that any collateral for the Obligations, including liens, security interests, mortgages, and pledges granted by the Borrower or third parties (if applicable), shall continue unimpaired and in full force and effect, and shall cover and secure all of the Borrower’s existing and future Obligations to the Bank, as modified by this Amendment.

4.        As a condition precedent to the effectiveness of this Amendment, the Borrower shall comply with the terms and conditions (if any) specified in Exhibit A.

 

5.        To induce the Bank to enter into this Amendment, the Borrower waives and releases and forever discharges the Bank and its officers, directors, attorneys, agents, and employees from any liability, damage, claim, loss or expense of any kind that it may have against the Bank or any of them arising out of or relating to the Obligations. The Borrower further agrees to indemnify and hold the Bank and its officers, directors, attorneys, agents and employees harmless from any loss, damage, judgment, liability or expense (including attorneys’ fees) suffered by or rendered against the Bank or any of them on account of any claims arising out of or relating to the Obligations. The Borrower further states that it has carefully read the foregoing release and indemnity, knows the contents thereof and grants the same as its own free act and deed.

 

6.        This Amendment may be signed in any number of counterpart copies and by the parties to this Amendment on separate counterparts, but all such copies shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Amendment by facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart. Upon written request by the other party (which may be made by electronic mail), any party so executing this Amendment by facsimile transmission shall promptly deliver a manually executed counterpart, provided that any failure to do so shall not affect the validity of the counterpart executed by facsimile transmission.

 

7.        Notwithstanding any other provision herein or in the other Loan Documents, the Borrower agrees that this Amendment, the Loan Documents, any other amendments thereto and any other information, notice, signature card, agreement or authorization related thereto (each, a “Communication”) may, at the Bank’s option, be in the form of an electronic record. Any Communication may, at the Bank’s option, be signed or executed using electronic signatures. For the avoidance of doubt, the authorization under this paragraph may include, without limitation, use or acceptance by the Bank of a manually signed paper Communication which has been converted into electronic form (such as scanned into PDF format) for transmission, delivery and/or retention. The Borrower and the Bank acknowledge and agree that the methods for delivering Communications, including notices, under the Loan Documents include electronic transmittal to any electronic address provided by either party to the other party from time to time.

 

8.        The Bank may modify this Amendment for the purposes of completing missing content or correcting erroneous content, without the need for a written amendment, provided that the Bank shall send a copy of any such modification to the Borrower (which notice may be given by electronic mail).

 

9.        This Amendment will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower and the Bank and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

 

10.      This Amendment will be interpreted and the rights and liabilities of the parties hereto determined in accordance with the laws of the State identified in and governing the Loan Documents that are being amended hereby (the “State”), excluding its conflict of laws rules, including without limitation the Electronic Transactions Act (or equivalent) in such State (or, to the extent controlling, the laws of the United States of America, including without limitation the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act). This Amendment has been delivered to and accepted by the Bank and will be deemed to be made in the State.

 

11.      Except as amended hereby, the terms and provisions of the Loan Documents remain unchanged, are and shall remain in full force and effect unless and until modified or amended in writing in accordance with their terms, and are hereby ratified and confirmed. Except as expressly provided herein, this Amendment shall not constitute an amendment, waiver, consent or release with respect to any provision of any Loan Document, a waiver of any default or Event of Default under any Loan Document, or a waiver or release of any of the Bank’s rights and remedies (all of which are hereby reserved). The Borrower expressly ratifies and confirms the confession of judgment (if applicable) and dispute resolution, waiver of jury trial or arbitration provisions, as applicable, contained in the Loan Documents, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

WITNESS the due execution of this Amendment as a document under seal as of the date first written above.

 

	MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY
	By:	/s/ A.    ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇'▇▇▇▇▇▇
	(SEAL)
	A.    ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇'▇▇▇▇▇▇ Senior Vice President & Treasurer

 

	PINELANDS WASTEWATER COMPANY
	By:	/s/ A.    ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇'▇▇▇▇▇▇
	(SEAL)
	A. ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇'▇▇▇▇▇▇
	Vice President & Treasurer
	PINELANDS WATER COMPANY
	By:	/s/ A.    ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇'▇▇▇▇▇▇
	(SEAL)
	A. ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇'▇▇▇▇▇▇
	Vice President & Treasurer
	TIDEWATER ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
	By:	/s/ A.    ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇'▇▇▇▇▇▇
	(SEAL)
	A. ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇'▇▇▇▇▇▇ President
	TIDEWATER UTILITIES, INC.
	By:	/s/ A.    ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇'▇▇▇▇▇▇
	(SEAL)
	A.    ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇'▇▇▇▇▇▇ President

 

	UTILITY SERVICE AFFILIATES (PERTH AMBOY) INC.
	By:	/s/ A.    ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇'▇▇▇▇▇▇
	(SEAL)
	A.    ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇'▇▇▇▇▇▇ Vice President & Treasurer
	WHITE ▇▇▇▇▇ ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS, INC.
	By:	/s/ A.    ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇'▇▇▇▇▇▇
	(SEAL)
	A.    ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇'▇▇▇▇▇▇ President
	UTILITY SERVICE AFFILIATES INC.
	By:	/s/ A.    ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇'▇▇▇▇▇▇
	(SEAL)
	A.    ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇'▇▇▇▇▇▇ Treasurer
	PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
	By:	/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
	(SEAL)
	▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
	Vice President

EXHIBIT A TO

AMENDMENT TO LOAN DOCUMENTS

DATED AS OF APRIL 5, 2021

 

 

A.

Loan Documents. The “Loan Documents” that are the subject of this Amendment include the following (as each of such documents has been amended, modified or otherwise supplemented previously):

 

1.

Amended and Restated Loan Agreement between the Borrower and the Bank dated April 29, 2015 between the Borrower and the Bank

 

2.

$68,000,000.00 Amended and Restated Committed Line of Credit Note dated October 22, 2019 executed and delivered by the Borrower to the Bank (“Note”)

 

3.

Amendment to Loan Documents dated June 30, 2015 between the Borrower and the Bank

 

4.

Amendment to Loan Documents dated September 26, 2017 between the Borrower and the Bank

 

5.

Amendment to Loan Documents dated May 4, 2018 between the Borrower and the Bank

 

6.

Amendment to Loan Documents dated February 19, 2019 between the Borrower and the Bank

 

7.

Amendment to Loan Documents dated October 22, 2019 between the Borrower and the Bank

 

8.

All other documents, instruments, agreements, and certificates executed and delivered in connection with the Loan Documents listed in this Section A.

 

 

B.

Amendment(s). The Loan Documents are amended as follows:

 

1.

The Expiration Date, as set forth in the Note, is hereby extended from January 31, 2022 to January 31, 2023.

2.

The LIBOR Replacement Rider attached to this Amendment as Exhibit B is hereby added as a Rider to, and incorporated into, the Note.

 

3.

Section 13 of the Note entitled “Anti-Money Laundering/International Trade Law Compliance” is hereby amended and restated to read in its entirety as follows:

 

“13. Anti-Money Laundering/International Trade Law Compliance. The Borrower represents, warrants and covenants to the Bank, as of the date hereof, the date of each advance of proceeds under the Facility, the date of any renewal, extension or modification of the Facility, and at all times until the Facility has been terminated and all amounts thereunder have been indefeasibly paid in full, that: (a) no Covered Entity (i) is a Sanctioned Person; (ii) has any of its assets in a Sanctioned Jurisdiction or in the possession, custody or control of a Sanctioned Person; or (iii) does business in or with, or derives any of its operating income from investments in or transactions with, any Sanctioned Jurisdiction or Sanctioned Person; (b) the proceeds of the Facility will not be used to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in, or, make any payments to, a Sanctioned Jurisdiction or Sanctioned Person; (c) the funds used to repay the Facility are not derived from any unlawful activity; (d) each Covered Entity is in compliance with, and no Covered Entity engages in any dealings or transactions prohibited by, any laws of the United States, including but not limited to any Anti-Terrorism Laws; and (e) no Collateral is or will become Embargoed Property. The Borrower covenants and agrees that (a) it

shall immediately notify the Bank in writing upon the occurrence of a Reportable Compliance Event; and (b) if, at any time, any Collateral becomes Embargoed Property, in addition to all other rights and remedies available to the Bank, upon request by the Bank, the Borrower shall provide substitute Collateral acceptable to the Bank that is not Embargoed Property.

 

As used herein: “Anti-Terrorism Laws” means any laws relating to terrorism, trade sanctions programs and embargoes, import/export licensing, money laundering, or bribery, all as amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time; “Collateral” means any collateral securing any debt, liabilities or other obligations of any Obligor to the Bank; “Compliance Authority” means each and all of the (a) U.S. Treasury Department/Office of Foreign Assets Control, (b) U.S. Treasury Department/Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, (c) U.S. State Department/Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, (d) U.S. Commerce Department/Bureau of Industry and Security, (e) U.S. Internal Revenue Service, (f) U.S. Justice Department, and (g) U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; “Covered Entity” means the Borrower, its affiliates and subsidiaries, all guarantors, pledgors of collateral, all owners of the foregoing, and all brokers or other agents of the Borrower acting in any capacity in connection with the Facility; “Embargoed Property” means any property (a) in which a Sanctioned Person holds an interest; (b) beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by a Sanctioned Person; (c) that is due to or from a Sanctioned Person; (d) that is located in a Sanctioned Jurisdiction; or (e) that would otherwise cause any actual or possible violation by the Bank of any applicable Anti-Terrorism Law if the Bank were to obtain an encumbrance on, lien on, pledge of or security interest in such property or provide services in consideration of such property; “Reportable Compliance Event” means (1) any Covered Entity becomes a Sanctioned Person, or is indicted, arraigned, investigated or custodially detained, or receives an inquiry from regulatory or law enforcement officials, in connection with any Anti-Terrorism Law or any predicate crime to any Anti-Terrorism Law, or self-discovers facts or circumstances implicating any aspect of its operations with the actual or possible violation of any Anti-Terrorism Law; (2) any Covered Entity engages in a transaction that has caused or may cause the Bank to be in violation of any Anti-Terrorism Laws, including a Covered Entity’s use of any proceeds of the Facility to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in, or, make any payments to, directly or indirectly, a Sanctioned Jurisdiction or Sanctioned Person; or (3) any Collateral becomes Embargoed Property; “Sanctioned Jurisdiction” means a country subject to a sanctions program maintained by any Compliance Authority; and “Sanctioned Person” means any individual person, group, regime, entity or thing listed or otherwise recognized as a specially designated, prohibited, sanctioned or debarred person or entity, or subject to any limitations or prohibitions (including but not limited to the blocking of property or rejection of transactions), under any order or directive of any Compliance Authority or otherwise subject to, or specially designated under, any sanctions program maintained by any Compliance Authority.”

 

 

C.

Conditions to Effectiveness of Amendment. The Bank’s willingness to agree to the amendments set forth in this Amendment is subject to the prior satisfaction of the following conditions:

 

1.

Execution by all parties and delivery to the Bank of this Amendment.

 

2.

Payment by the Borrower to the Bank of all fees and expenses required by the Bank in connection with this Amendment.

EXHIBIT B TO

AMENDMENT TO LOAN DOCUMENTS

 

LIBOR Replacement Rider

 

This LIBOR Replacement Rider provides a mechanism for determining an alternative rate of interest in the event that the London interbank offered rate is no longer available or in certain other circumstances. The Bank does not warrant or accept any responsibility for and shall not have any liability with respect to, the administration, submission or any other matter related to the London interbank offered rate or other rates in the definition of “LIBOR” or with respect to any alternative or successor rate thereto, or replacement rate therefor. To the extent that any term or provision of this LIBOR Replacement Rider is or may be inconsistent with any term or provision in the remainder of this Note or any other Loan Document, the terms and provisions of this LIBOR Replacement Rider shall control.

 

(a)        Benchmark Replacement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, if a Benchmark Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, as applicable, and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time in respect of any setting of the then-current Benchmark, then, (x) if the Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (1) or (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” on the Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of such Benchmark setting and subsequent Benchmark settings without any amendment or further action or consent of any other party hereto or to any other Loan Document; and (y) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (3) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” on the Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of any Benchmark setting at or after 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date notice of such Benchmark Replacement is provided to the Borrower without any amendment hereto or to any other Loan Document, or further action or consent of the Borrower.

 

(b)        Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. In connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, the Bank will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of the Borrower.

 

(c)        Notices; Standards for Decisions and Determinations. The Bank will promptly notify the Borrower of (i) any occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, a Term SOFR Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, as applicable, and its related Benchmark Replacement Date, (ii) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, (iii) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes, (iv) the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to paragraph (d) below and (v) the commencement or conclusion of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Bank pursuant to this Rider, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its sole discretion and without consent from the Borrower.

 

(d)        Unavailability of Tenor of Benchmark. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, at any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (i) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including Term SOFR or USD LIBOR) and either (A) any tenor for such Benchmark is not displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Bank in its reasonable discretion or (B) the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark has provided a public statement or publication of information announcing that any tenor for such Benchmark is or will be no longer representative, then the Bank may modify the definition of “Interest Period” for any Benchmark settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable or non-

representative tenor and (ii) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (i) above either (A) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (B) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is or will no longer be representative for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then the Bank may modify the definition of “Interest Period” for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor.

 

(e)        Benchmark Unavailability Period. Upon the Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, the Borrower may revoke any request for a loan or advance of, conversion to or continuation of a USD LIBOR loan to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a loan or advance of or conversion to a loan or advance at the Fallback Rate. During any Benchmark Unavailability Period or at any time that a tenor for the then-current Benchmark is not an Available Tenor, the component of the Fallback Rate based upon the then-current Benchmark or such tenor for such Benchmark, as applicable, will not be used in any determination of the Fallback Rate.

 

(f)        Secondary Term SOFR Conversion. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document and subject to the proviso below in this paragraph, if a Term SOFR Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time in respect of any setting of the then-current Benchmark, then (i) the applicable Benchmark Replacement will replace the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder or under any Loan Document in respect of such Benchmark setting (the “Secondary Term SOFR Conversion Date”) and subsequent Benchmark settings, without any amendment or further action or consent of any other party hereto or to any other Loan Document; and (ii) loans outstanding on the Secondary Term SOFR Conversion Date bearing interest based on the then-current Benchmark shall be deemed to have been converted to loans bearing interest at the Benchmark Replacement with a tenor approximately the same length as the interest payment period of the then-current Benchmark; provided that, (A) this paragraph (f) shall not be effective unless the Bank has delivered to the Borrower a Term SOFR Notice and (B) this paragraph (f) shall not be effective with respect to the Facility if (I) the Borrower has outstanding an interest rate swap with the Bank to hedge, in whole or part, the floating rate risk under the Facility on the Secondary Term SOFR Conversion Date, and (II) such swap incorporates LIBOR fallback provisions with a Daily Simple SOFR rate as the primary alternative fallback rate for USD LIBOR.

 

(g)        Certain Defined Terms. As used in this Rider:

 

“Available Tenor” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark, as applicable, (x) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate or is based on a term rate, any tenor for such Benchmark that is or may be used for determining such Benchmark or the length of an Interest Period under the terms of the Facility as of such date and not including, for the avoidance of doubt, any tenor for such Benchmark that is then-removed from the definition of “Interest Period” pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Rider, or (y) if the then-current Benchmark is not a term rate nor based on a term rate, any payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark under the terms of the Facility as of such date. For the avoidance of doubt, the Available Tenor for the Daily LIBOR Rate is one month.

 

“Benchmark” means, initially, USD LIBOR; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event, a Term SOFR Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, as applicable, and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to USD LIBOR or the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Rider.

 

“Benchmark Replacement” means, for any Available Tenor, the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Bank on the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date; provided, however, if (i) the Borrower has outstanding an interest rate swap with the Bank on the Benchmark Replacement Date to hedge, in whole or part, the floating rate risk under the Facility, and (ii) such swap incorporates LIBOR fallback provisions with a Daily Simple SOFR rate as the primary alternative fallback rate for USD LIBOR, then the

Benchmark Replacement alternative set forth in clause (1) below shall not apply to the Facility and the alternative set forth below in clause (2) shall be the first alternative:

 

(1)

the sum of: (a) Term SOFR and (b) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;

 

(2)

the sum of: (a) Daily Simple SOFR and (b) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;

 

(3)

the sum of: (a) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by the Bank as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor, giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a replacement benchmark rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a benchmark rate as a replacement for the then-current Benchmark for U.S. dollar-denominated syndicated or bilateral credit facilities at such time, and (b) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;

 

provided that, in the case of clause (1), such Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement is displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Bank in its reasonable discretion; provided, further, that, with respect to a Term SOFR Transition Event, on the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date, the “Benchmark Replacement” shall revert to and shall be determined as set forth in clause (1) of this definition, all in accordance with paragraph (f) (Secondary Term SOFR Conversion) above. If the Benchmark Replacement as determined pursuant to clause (1), (2) or (3) above would be less than the Floor, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be the Floor for the purposes hereof and of the other Loan Documents.

 

“Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of the then-current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for any Available Tenor for any setting of such Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement:

 

(1)

for purposes of clauses (1) and (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement,” the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Bank:

 

(a)

the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) as of the time such Benchmark Replacement is first set for such Available Tenor that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for the applicable Corresponding Tenor;

 

(b)

the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) as of the time such Benchmark Replacement is first set for such Available Tenor that would apply to the fallback rate for a derivative transaction referencing the ISDA Definitions to be effective upon an index cessation event with respect to such Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor; and

 

(2)

for purposes of clause (3) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement,” the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the Bank for the applicable Corresponding Tenor, giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body on the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable

 

Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for U.S. dollar-denominated syndicated or bilateral credit facilities;

 

provided that, (x) in the case of clause (1) above, such adjustment is displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such Benchmark Replacement Adjustment from time to time as selected by the Bank in its reasonable discretion and (y) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate, more than one tenor of such Benchmark is available as of the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date and the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement will not be a term rate, the Available Tenor of such Benchmark for purposes of this definition of “Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” shall be deemed to be the Available Tenor that has approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustments) as the payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement.

 

“Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Base Rate,” the definition of “Business Day,” the definition of “Interest Period,” timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, length of lookback periods, the applicability of breakage provisions and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the Bank decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark Replacement and to permit the administration thereof by the Bank in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Bank decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Bank determines that no market practice for the administration of such Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner of administration as the Bank decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of the Facility and the Loan Documents).

 

“Benchmark Replacement Date” means the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:

 

(1)

in the case of clause (1) or (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (a) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (b) the date on which the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);

 

(2)

in the case of clause (3) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the date determined by the Bank, which date shall promptly follow the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein;

 

(3)

in the case of a Term SOFR Transition Event, the date that is set forth in the Term SOFR Notice provided to the Borrower pursuant to this Rider, which date shall be at least 30 days from the date of the Term SOFR Notice; or

 

(4)

in the case of an Early Opt-in Election, the sixth (6th) Business Day after the date notice of such Early Opt-in Election is provided to the Borrower.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, (i) if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination and (ii) the “Benchmark Replacement Date” will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (1) or (2) with respect to any Benchmark upon the occurrence of the applicable event or events set forth therein with respect to all then-current Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).

 

“Benchmark Transition Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:

 

(1)

a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof), permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);

 

(2)

a public statement or publication of information by a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Bank, the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), which states that the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or

 

(3)

a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) or a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Bank announcing that all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are no longer representative.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, a “Benchmark Transition Event” will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any Benchmark if a public statement or publication of information set forth above has occurred with respect to each then-current Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).

 

“Benchmark Unavailability Period” means the period (if any) (x) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date pursuant to clauses (1) or (2) of that definition has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with this Rider, and (y) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with this Rider.

 

“Corresponding Tenor” with respect to any Available Tenor means, as applicable, either a tenor (including overnight) or an interest payment period having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustment) as such Available Tenor.

 

“Daily Simple SOFR” means, for any day, SOFR, with the conventions for this rate (which may include a lookback) being established by the Bank in accordance with the conventions for this rate selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for determining “Daily Simple SOFR” for business loans; provided, that if the Bank decides that any such convention is not administratively feasible for the Bank, then the Bank may establish another convention in its reasonable discretion.

 

“Early Opt-in Election” means, if the then-current Benchmark is USD LIBOR, the occurrence of:

 

(1)

a determination by the Bank that at least five (5) currently outstanding U.S. dollar-denominated syndicated or bilateral credit facilities at such time contain (as a result of amendment or as originally executed) a SOFR-based rate (including SOFR, a term SOFR or any other rate based upon SOFR) as a benchmark rate, and

 

(2)

the election by the Bank to trigger a fallback from USD LIBOR and the provision by the Bank of written notice of such election to the Borrower.

 

“Fallback Rate” means the alternative rate of interest that would have been applicable under the terms of the Facility (absent this Rider) if the Bank had given notice that USD LIBOR had become unavailable or, if no such alternative rate is specified, the Base Rate.

 

“Floor” means the minimum rate of interest, if any, provided under the terms of the Facility with respect to USD LIBOR or, if no minimum rate of interest is specified, zero.

 

“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States of America or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

 

“ISDA Definitions” means the 2006 ISDA Definitions published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or any successor thereto, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or any successor definitional booklet for interest rate derivatives published from time to time by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or such successor thereto.

 

“Reference Time” with respect to any setting of the then-current Benchmark means (1) if such Benchmark is USD LIBOR (other than the Daily LIBOR Rate), 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the day that is two London banking days preceding the date of such setting, and (2) if such Benchmark is not USD LIBOR or is the Daily LIBOR Rate, the time determined by the Bank in its reasonable discretion.

 

“Relevant Governmental Body” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or any successor thereto.

 

“SOFR” means, with respect to any Business Day, a rate per annum equal to the secured overnight financing rate for such Business Day published by the SOFR Administrator on the SOFR Administrator’s Website on the immediately succeeding Business Day.

 

“SOFR Administrator” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate).

 

“SOFR Administrator’s Website” means the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, currently at ▇▇▇▇://▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇, or any successor source for the secured overnight financing rate identified as such by the SOFR Administrator from time to time.

 

“Term SOFR” means, for the applicable Corresponding Tenor as of the applicable Reference Time, the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body.

 

“Term SOFR Notice” means a notification by the Bank to the Borrower of the occurrence of a Term SOFR Transition Event.

 

“Term SOFR Transition Event” means the determination by the Bank that (1) Term SOFR has been recommended for use by the Relevant Governmental Body, and is determinable for each Available Tenor, (2) the administration of Term SOFR is administratively feasible for the Bank and (3) a Benchmark Transition Event has previously occurred resulting in a Benchmark Replacement in accordance with this Rider that is not Term SOFR.

 

“Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

 

“USD LIBOR” means, for purposes of this Rider only, any interest rate that is based on the London interbank offered rate for U.S. dollars.

 

 

 

LBR ▇▇ (▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ 2020-11 – HW)

Non-Streamlined