EX-4.1 2 d162186dex41.htm EX-4.1 EX-4.1

Exhibit 4.1

Execution Version

INDENTURE

Dated as of June 4, 2021

Among

HILTON GRAND VACATIONS BORROWER ESCROW, LLC, as the Escrow Issuer and

HILTON GRAND VACATIONS BORROWER ESCROW, INC., as the Escrow Co-Issuer,

to be merged with and into

HILTON GRAND VACATIONS BORROWER LLC, as the Issuer and

HILTON GRAND VACATIONS BORROWER INC., as the Co-Issuer, respectively,

HILTON GRAND VACATIONS BORROWER LLC, as the Escrow Guarantor,

the Guarantors from time to time party hereto

and

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

5.000% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2029


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

         PAGE  
ARTICLE 1   
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE   

Section 1.01.

  Definitions      1  

Section 1.02.

  Other Definitions      55  

Section 1.03.

  Inapplicability of Trust Indenture Act      57  

Section 1.04.

  Rules of Construction      57  

Section 1.05.

  Acts of Holders      58  

Section 1.06.

  Timing of Payment      59  

Section 1.07.

  Co-Issuers and Escrow Co-Issuers      59  

Section 1.08.

  Financial Calculations for Limited Condition Transactions      60  

Section 1.09.

  Certain Compliance Calculations      61  
ARTICLE 2   
THE NOTES   

Section 2.01.

  Form and Dating; Terms      62  

Section 2.02.

  Execution and Authentication      64  

Section 2.03.

  Registrar, Transfer Agent and Paying Agent      64  

Section 2.04.

  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust      65  

Section 2.05.

  Holder Lists      65  

Section 2.06.

  Transfer and Exchange      65  

Section 2.07.

  Replacement Notes      77  

Section 2.08.

  Outstanding Notes      77  

Section 2.09.

  Treasury Notes      78  

Section 2.10.

  Temporary Notes      78  

Section 2.11.

  Cancellation      78  

Section 2.12.

  Defaulted Interest      78  

Section 2.13.

  CUSIP Numbers; ISINs      79  
ARTICLE 3   
REDEMPTION   

Section 3.01.

  Notices to Trustee      79  

Section 3.02.

  Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed      79  

Section 3.03.

  Notice of Redemption      80  

Section 3.04.

  Effect of Notice of Redemption      81  

Section 3.05.

  Deposit of Redemption Price      81  

Section 3.06.

  Notes Redeemed in Part      81  

Section 3.07.

  Optional Redemption      82  

Section 3.08.

  Special Mandatory Redemption.      83  

Section 3.09.

  Offers to Repurchase by Application of Excess Proceeds      84  


ARTICLE 4   
COVENANTS   

Section 4.01.

  Payment of Notes      86  

Section 4.02.

  Maintenance of Office or Agency      86  

Section 4.03.

  Reports and Other Information      87  

Section 4.04.

  Compliance Certificate      88  

Section 4.05.

  Taxes      89  

Section 4.06.

  Stay, Extension and Usury Laws      89  

Section 4.07.

  Limitation on Restricted Payments      89  

Section 4.08.

  Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries      100  

Section 4.09.

  Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock      103  

Section 4.10.

  Asset Sales      112  

Section 4.11.

  Transactions with Affiliates.      116  

Section 4.12.

  Liens      120  

Section 4.13.

  Company Existence      120  

Section 4.14.

  Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control Triggering Event      120  

Section 4.15.

  Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries      123  

Section 4.16.

  Limitations on Business Activities of the Escrow Issuers and of the Co-Issuer      124  

Section 4.17.

  Suspension of Covenants.      124  
ARTICLE 5   
SUCCESSORS   

Section 5.01.

  Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets      125  

Section 5.02.

  Successor Person Substituted      128  
ARTICLE 6   
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES   

Section 6.01.

  Events of Default      128  

Section 6.02.

  Acceleration      131  

Section 6.03.

  Other Remedies      133  

Section 6.04.

  Waiver of Past Defaults      133  

Section 6.05.

  Control by Majority      133  

Section 6.06.

  Limitation on Suits      133  

Section 6.07.

  Rights of Holders to Receive Payment      134  

Section 6.08.

  Collection Suit by Trustee      134  

Section 6.09.

  Restoration of Rights and Remedies      134  

Section 6.10.

  Rights and Remedies Cumulative      134  

Section 6.11.

  Delay or Omission Not Waiver      135  

Section 6.12.

  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim      135  

Section 6.13.

  Priorities      135  

Section 6.14.

  Undertaking for Costs      136  


ARTICLE 7   
TRUSTEE   

Section 7.01.

  Duties of Trustee      136  

Section 7.02.

  Rights of Trustee      137  

Section 7.03.

  Individual Rights of Trustee      139  

Section 7.04.

  Trustee’s Disclaimer      139  

Section 7.05.

  Notice of Defaults      139  

Section 7.06.

  [Reserved]      139  

Section 7.07.

  Compensation and Indemnity      139  

Section 7.08.

  Replacement of Trustee      140  

Section 7.09.

  Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.      141  

Section 7.10.

  Eligibility; Disqualification      141  
ARTICLE 8   
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE   

Section 8.01.

  Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance      141  

Section 8.02.

  Legal Defeasance and Discharge      141  

Section 8.03.

  Covenant Defeasance      142  

Section 8.04.

  Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance      142  

Section 8.05.

  Deposited Money and U.S. Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions      144  

Section 8.06.

  Repayment to Issuers      144  

Section 8.07.

  Reinstatement      144  
ARTICLE 9   
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER   

Section 9.01.

  Without Consent of Holders      144  

Section 9.02.

  With Consent of Holders      146  

Section 9.03.

  [Reserved]      147  

Section 9.04.

  Revocation and Effect of Consents      147  

Section 9.05.

  Notation on or Exchange of Notes      148  

Section 9.06.

  Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.      148  
ARTICLE 10   
GUARANTEES   

Section 10.01.

  Guarantee      148  

Section 10.02.

  Limitation on Guarantor Liability      150  

Section 10.03.

  Execution and Delivery      150  

Section 10.04.

  Subrogation      151  

Section 10.05.

  Benefits Acknowledged      151  

Section 10.06.

  Release of Guarantees      151  
ARTICLE 11   
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE   

Section 11.01.

  Satisfaction and Discharge      152  

Section 11.02.

  Application of Trust Money      153  


ARTICLE 12   
ESCROW MATTERS AND ASSUMPTION   

Section 12.01.

  Escrow Account      153  

Section 12.02.

  Special Mandatory Redemption      153  

Section 12.03.

  Release of Escrowed Property      153  

Section 12.04.

  Trustee Direction to Execute Escrow Agreement      153  

Section 12.05.

  Assumption      153  

Section 12.06.

  Applicability of Covenants      154  
ARTICLE 13   
MISCELLANEOUS   

Section 13.01.

  [Reserved]      154  

Section 13.02.

  Notices      154  

Section 13.03.

  [Reserved].      155  

Section 13.04.

  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent      155  

Section 13.05.

  Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion      156  

Section 13.06.

  Rules by Trustee and Agents      156  

Section 13.07.

  No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders      156  

Section 13.08.

  Governing Law      156  

Section 13.09.

  Waiver of Jury Trial      156  

Section 13.10.

  Force Majeure      157  

Section 13.11.

  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements      157  

Section 13.12.

  Successors      157  

Section 13.13.

  Severability      157  

Section 13.14.

  Counterpart Originals      157  

Section 13.15.

  Table of Contents, Headings, etc.      158  

Section 13.16.

  USA Patriot Act      158  
ARTICLE 14   
ESCROW GUARANTEE   

Section 14.01.

  Guarantee of Escrow Guaranteed Obligations      158  

Section 14.02.

  Continuing Obligation      158  

Section 14.03.

  Waivers with Respect to Guaranteed Obligations      158  

Section 14.04.

  Information      159  

Section 14.05.

  Subrogation      160  

Section 14.06.

  Subordination      160  

Section 14.07.

  Assignment      160  

Section 14.08.

  Termination      160  

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A    FORM OF NOTE
Exhibit B    FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
Exhibit C    FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE
Exhibit D-1    FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE TO BE DELIVERED IN CONNECTION WITH THE ASSUMPTION
Exhibit D-2    FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS
EXHIBIT E    FORM OF SPECIAL MANDATORY REDEMPTION NOTICE


INDENTURE, dated as of June 4, 2021, among Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower Escrow, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Escrow Issuer”), Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower Escrow, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Escrow Co-Issuer” and, together with the Escrow Issuer, the “Escrow Issuers”), the Escrow Guarantor (as defined herein), the Guarantors (as defined herein) from time to time party hereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association, as Trustee.

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Escrow Issuers have duly authorized the creation of an issue of $850,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.000% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Initial Notes”);

WHEREAS, on or substantially concurrently with the Escrow Release Date, (i) the Escrow Issuer shall be merged with and into the Issuer, with the Issuer continuing as the surviving entity, (ii) the Escrow Co-Issuer shall be merged with and into the Co-Issuer, with the Co-Issuer continuing as the surviving entity (the mergers pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) collectively, the “Escrow Merger”), and (iii) the Issuers, each Initial Guarantor and the Trustee shall enter into a supplemental indenture in the form of Exhibit D-1 hereto pursuant to which (A) the Issuers will become parties to this Indenture (as defined herein) as Issuers and will expressly assume the Escrow Issuers’ obligations under the Notes (as defined herein) and this Indenture, the Issuer and the Co-Issuer will be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Escrow Issuer and the Escrow Co-Issuer under this Indenture, and the Escrow Issuers will be released from all obligations hereunder, and (B) each of the Initial Guarantors will become Guarantors under this Indenture (collectively, the “Assumption”);

WHEREAS, prior to the Assumption, the Escrow Issuers will be jointly and severally liable for all obligations under the Notes and this Indenture;

WHEREAS, after the Assumption, the Issuers will be jointly and severally liable for all obligations under the Notes and this Indenture; and,

WHEREAS, each of the Escrow Issuers and the Escrow Guarantor have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture.

NOW, THEREFORE, each of the Escrow Issuers, the Escrow Guarantor and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined herein).

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01. Definitions.

144A Global Note” means one or more Global Notes, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, issued in denominations that, in the aggregate, equal the outstanding principal amount of Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.

Acquired Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person,

(a) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, including Indebtedness incurred or assumed in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging, consolidating or amalgamating with or into or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, and


(b) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.

Acquisition” means the transactions directly or indirectly related to or contemplated pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

Additional Notes” means any additional Notes (other than the Initial Notes) issued from time to time under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.01, 2.02 and 4.09 hereof.

Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise; provided, however, that for purposes of Section 4.11 hereof, (i) no homeowners’ association at a property at which the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries either have sold vacation ownership intervals or acts as management company and (ii) no collection holding real estate interests underlying points shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries.

Agent” means any Registrar, Transfer Agent or Paying Agent.

Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any Redemption Date, the greater of:

(a) 1.0% of the principal amount of such Note; and

(b) the excess, if any, of (i) the present value at such Redemption Date of (A) the redemption price of such Note at June 1, 2024 (such redemption price being set forth in the table set forth in Section 3.07(c) hereof), plus (B) all required remaining scheduled interest payments due on such Note through June 1, 2024 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Applicable Treasury Rate as of such Redemption Date plus 50 basis points over (ii) the then outstanding principal amount of such Note.

The Issuer shall calculate, or cause the calculation of, the Applicable Premium, and the Trustee shall have no duty to calculate or verify the Issuer’s calculations of the Applicable Premium.

Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for, redemption of, or notice with respect to beneficial interests in any Global Note or the redemption or repurchase of any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and/or Clearstream that apply to such transfer, exchange, redemption or repurchase.

Applicable Treasury Rate” means, at the time of computation, the weekly average (for the most recently completed week for which such information is available as of the date that is two Business Days prior to the Redemption Date) of the yield to maturity of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 with respect to each applicable day during such week or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data) most nearly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to June 1, 2024; provided, however, that if the period from the Redemption Date to June 1, 2024 is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a yield is given, the Applicable Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the Redemption Date to June 1, 2024 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.

 

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Approved Commercial Bank” means a commercial bank with a consolidated combined capital and surplus of at least $5,000,000,000.

Asset Sale” means:

(a) the sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (including by way of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction), of property or assets of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (each referred to in this definition as a “disposition”); or

(b) the issuance or sale of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries issued in compliance with, or in a manner not prohibited by Section 4.09 hereof) whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions;

in each case, other than:

(i) any disposition of (A) Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities or obsolete, non-core, surplus, damaged, unnecessary, unsuitable or worn-out equipment, inventory or other property or any disposition of inventory, goods or other assets (including timeshare and residential assets) held for sale or no longer used or useful, or economically practical to maintain in the conduct of the business of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and (B) write-off or write-down of any unrecoupable loans or advances made to timeshare owners in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(ii) (A) the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in a manner permitted pursuant to, or not prohibited by, Section 5.01 hereof or (B) any disposition that constitutes a Change of Control Triggering Event pursuant to this Indenture;

(iii) the making of any Restricted Payment that is permitted to be made, and is made, under Section 4.07 hereof or any Permitted Investment;

(iv) [Reserved];

(v) any disposition of property or assets or issuance of securities by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Issuer or the Co-Issuer or by the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary, including pursuant to any Intercompany License Agreement;

(vi) any swap or exchange of like property for use in a Similar Business;

 

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(vii) the lease, assignment, sub-lease, license, sub-license or cross license of any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business;

(viii) any issuance, disposition or sale of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(ix) foreclosures, condemnation, expropriation, forced dispositions, eminent domain or any similar action with respect to assets or the granting of Liens not prohibited by this Indenture, and transfers of any property that have been subject to a casualty to the respective insurer of such property as part of an insurance settlement or upon receipt of the net proceeds of such casualty event;

(x) dispositions (including by capital contribution or distribution), discounts, pledges, transfers, sales or repurchases of accounts receivable, or participations therein, or Securitization Assets or related assets, all or substantially all of the assets of which are Securitization Assets or any disposition, sale or repurchase of the Equity Interests in, or securities of, a Securitization Subsidiary, in each case in connection with any Qualified Securitization Facility or the disposition, sale or repurchase of an account receivable, participation therein, or Securitization Assets in connection with the collection or compromise thereof;

(xi) any financing transaction with respect to property built or acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Escrow Release Date, including Sale and Leaseback Transactions and asset securitizations permitted by this Indenture;

(xii) the sale, discount or other disposition of vacation ownership intervals or other inventory (whether developed, “just-in-time” or fee-for-service), accounts receivable, notes receivable, equipment or other assets in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or the conversion of accounts receivable to notes receivable;

(xiii) the licensing, sub-licensing or cross-licensing of intellectual property or other general intangibles in the ordinary course of business;

(xiv) any surrender or waiver of contract rights or the settlement, release or surrender of contract rights or other litigation claims in the ordinary course of business;

(xv) the unwinding or termination of any Hedging Obligations;

(xvi) sales, transfers and other dispositions of Investments in joint ventures to the extent required by, or made pursuant to, customary buy/sell arrangements between the joint venture parties set forth in joint venture arrangements and similar binding arrangements;

(xvii) the lapse, cancellation or abandonment of intellectual property rights, which in the reasonable good faith determination of the Issuer are not material to the conduct of the business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole or are no longer used or useful or economically practicable or commercially reasonable to maintain;

(xviii) the granting of a Lien that is permitted under Section 4.12 hereof;

(xix) the issuance of directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals or other third parties as required by applicable law;

 

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(xx) the sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of land or other real property, whether vacant, unused or improved, in each case in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry practice or otherwise in connection with a vacation ownership interval transaction;

(xxi) dispositions in connection with or that constitute Permitted Intercompany Activities and related transactions;

(xxii) [Reserved];

(xxiii) transfers of property subject to Casualty Events upon receipt of the Net Proceeds of such Casualty Event; provided, that any net Cash Equivalents received by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of such Casualty Event shall be deemed to be Net Proceeds of an Asset Sale, and such Net Proceeds shall be applied in accordance with Section 4.10(b) hereof;

(xxiv) any disposition to a Captive Insurance Subsidiary;

(xxv) any sale of property or assets, if the acquisition of such property or assets was financed with Excluded Contributions and the proceeds of such sale are used to make a Restricted Payment pursuant to clause (x)(B) of Section 4.07(b);

(xxvi) the disposition of any assets (including Equity Interests) (a) acquired in a transaction after the Escrow Release Date, which assets are not used or useful in the core or principal business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries or (b) made in connection with the approval of any applicable antitrust authority or otherwise necessary or advisable in the good faith determination of the Issuer to consummate any acquisition;

(xxvii) any sale, transfer or other disposition to effect the formation of any Subsidiary that has been formed upon the consummation of a Division; provided, that any disposition or other allocation of assets (including any Equity Interests of such Subsidiary) in connection therewith is otherwise not prohibited by the Indenture, and further provided, that if the dividing entity was a Restricted Subsidiary, such Subsidiary is also a Restricted Subsidiary;

(xxviii) dispositions of real estate assets and related assets in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice in connection with relocation activities for employees, directors, officers, managers, members, partners, independent contractors or consultants of the Issuer, any direct or indirect parent company or Subsidiary; and

(xxix) dispositions pursuant to any Sale and Leaseback Transaction or lease-leaseback transaction; provided, that the fair market value of all property so disposed of after the Escrow Release Date shall not exceed the greater of (a) $100.0 million and (b) 2.0% of Total Assets at any time.

In the event that a transaction (or a portion thereof) meets the criteria of a permitted Asset Sale and would also be a permitted Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment, the Issuer, in its sole discretion, will be entitled to divide and classify such transaction (or a portion thereof) as an Asset Sale and/or one or more of the types of permitted Restricted Payments or Permitted Investments.

 

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In the event that a transaction (or a portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of permitted Asset Sale described in clauses (i) through (xxviii) above or the Net Proceeds of which are being applied in accordance with Section 4.10(b) hereof, the Issuer, in its sole discretion, may divide or classify, and may from time to time redivide and reclassify, such permitted Asset Sale (or any portion thereof) and will only be required to include the amount and type of such permitted Asset Sale in one or more of the above clauses or to apply the Net Proceeds of which in accordance with Section 4.10(b) hereof.

Assumption has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

Bank Products” means any facilities or services related to cash management, including treasury, depository, overdraft, credit or debit card, purchase card, automatic clearinghouse transfer transactions, controlled disbursements, foreign exchange facilities, stored value cards, merchant services, electronic funds transfer and other cash management or similar arrangements.

Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, as amended, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

Board” with respect to a Person means the board of directors, board of managers, sole member or managing member or other governing body of such Person, or if such Person is owned or managed by a single entity or has a general partner, the board of directors, board of managers, sole member or managing member or other governing body of such entity or general partner, or in each case, any duly authorized committee thereof, and the term “director” means a member of the applicable Board.

Business Day” means each day which is not a Legal Holiday.

Capital One Conduit Facility” means the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2020, by and among Diamond Resorts/CO Borrower 2016, LLC, as borrower, Diamond Resorts Corporation, Diamond Resorts Holdings, LLC, Diamond Resorts International, Inc., each as a performance guarantor, Diamond Resorts/CO Seller 2016, LLC, as seller, the lenders from time to time party thereto and Capital One, National Association, as administrative agent (as amended by the Omnibus Amendment dated as of March 10, 2021) and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements or refundings thereof, in whole or in part.

Capital Stock” means:

(a) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock or shares in the capital of such corporation;

(b) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

(c) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and

(d) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.

Capitalized Software Expenditures” means, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities) by a Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period in respect of licensed or purchased software or internally developed software and software enhancements that, in conformity with GAAP, are or are required to be reflected as capitalized costs on the consolidated balance sheet of a Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

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Captive Insurance Subsidiary” means (i) any Subsidiary of the Issuer operating for the purpose of insuring the businesses, operations or properties owned or operated by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, including their future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, members, partners, independent contractors or consultants, and related benefits and/or (b) conducting any activities or business incidental thereto (it being understood and agreed that activities which are relevant or appropriate to qualify as an insurance company for U.S. federal or state tax purposes shall be considered “activities or business incidental thereto”) or (ii) any Subsidiary of any such insurance subsidiary operating for the same purpose described in clause (i) above.

Cash Equivalents” means:

(a) United States dollars;

(b) (i) Canadian dollars, pounds sterling, yen, euros or any national currency of any participating member state of the EMU; or

(ii) such other currencies held by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary from time to time in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice;

(c) securities issued or directly and fully and unconditionally guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government or any agency or instrumentality thereof the securities of which are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of such government with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(d) certificates of deposit, time deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition, demand deposits, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding 24 months and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any domestic or foreign commercial bank having capital and surplus of not less than $100.0 million (or the foreign currency equivalent as of the date of determination);

(e) repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (c), (d), (g) and (h) of this definition entered into with any financial institution or recognized securities dealer meeting the qualifications specified in clause (d) above;

(f) commercial paper and variable or fixed rate notes rated at least P-2 by Moody’s, at least A-2 by S&P or at least F-2 by Fitch (or, if at any time none of Moody’s, S&P or Fitch shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency) and in each case maturing within 24 months after the date of creation thereof;

(g) marketable short-term money market and similar funds having a rating of at least P-2, A-2 or F-2 from Moody’s, S&P or Fitch, respectively (or, if at any time none of Moody’s, S&P or Fitch shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency);

(h) readily marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States or any political subdivision, public instrumentality or taxing authority thereof with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

 

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(i) readily marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, any foreign government or any political subdivision, public instrumentality or taxing authority thereof, in each case (other than in the case of such obligations issued or guaranteed by any participating member state of the EMU) having an Investment Grade Rating from Moody’s, S&P or Fitch (or, if at any time none of Moody’s, S&P or Fitch shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency) with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(j) Investments with average maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition in money market funds rated A (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P, A2 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s or F-2 by Fitch (or, if at any time none of Moody’s, S&P or Fitch shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another Rating Agency);

(k) securities with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition backed by standby letters of credit issued by any financial institution or recognized securities dealer meeting the qualifications specified in clause (d) above;

(l) Indebtedness or Preferred Stock issued by Persons with a rating of “A” or higher from S&P, “A2” or higher from Moody’s or “F-2” or higher from Fitch with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition; and

(m) investment funds investing at least 90% of their assets in currencies, instruments or securities of the types described in clauses (a) through (l) above.

In the case of Investments by any Foreign Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary or Investments made in a country outside the United States of America, Cash Equivalents shall also include (i) investments of the type and maturity described in clauses (a) through (h) and clauses (j), (k), (l) and (m) above of foreign obligors, which Investments or obligors (or the parents of such obligors) have ratings described in such clauses or equivalent ratings from comparable foreign rating agencies and (ii) other short-term investments utilized by Foreign Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with normal investment practices for cash management in investments analogous to the foregoing investments in clauses (a) through (m) and in this paragraph.

In addition, in the case of Investments by any Captive Insurance Subsidiary, Cash Equivalents shall also include (x) such Investments with average maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition in issuers rated BBB- (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or Baa3 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody’s or BBB- (or the equivalent thereto) or better by Fitch, in each case at the time of such Investment and (y) any Investment with a maturity of more than 12 months that would otherwise constitute Cash Equivalents of the kind described in any of clauses (a) through (m) of this definition or clause (x) above, if the maturity of such Investment was 12 months or less; provided, that the effective maturity of such Investment does not exceed 15 years.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Cash Equivalents shall include amounts denominated in currencies other than those set forth in clauses (x) and (y) above, provided that such amounts are converted into any currency listed in clauses (x) and (y) as promptly as practicable and in any event within 10 Business Days following the receipt of such amounts.

For the avoidance of doubt, any items identified as Cash Equivalents under this definition will be deemed to be Cash Equivalents for all purposes under this Indenture regardless of the treatment of such items under GAAP.

Casualty Event” means any event that gives rise to the receipt by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of any insurance proceeds or condemnation awards in respect of any equipment, fixed assets or real property (including any improvements thereon) to replace or repair such equipment, fixed assets or real property.

 

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Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following after the Escrow Release Date (and excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the Transactions):

(a) the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition in one or a series of related transactions (other than by merger, consolidation or amalgamation), of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person other than any Permitted Holder, the Issuer or any Guarantor; provided, that such sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall not constitute a Change of Control unless any Person (other than any Permitted Holder or a Holding Company) or Persons (other than any Permitted Holders or a Holding Company) that are together a group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the Escrow Release Date), including any such group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act as in effect on the Escrow Release Date), becomes the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the Escrow Release Date), directly or indirectly, of more than 50.0%, on a fully diluted basis, of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the transferee Person in such sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets, as the case may be; or,

(b) the Issuer becomes aware of (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) the acquisition by (A) any Person (other than any Permitted Holder) or (B) Persons (other than any Permitted Holders) that are together a group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the Escrow Release Date), including any such group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act as in effect on the Escrow Release Date), in a single transaction or in a related series of transactions, by way of merger, consolidation or other business combination or purchase of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the Escrow Release Date) of more than 50.0%, on a fully diluted basis, of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Issuer, directly or indirectly through any of its direct or indirect parent holding companies, in each case, other than in connection with any transaction or series of transactions in which the Issuer shall become a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of a Holding Company.

Notwithstanding the preceding or any provision of Rule 13d-3 or 13d-5 of the Exchange Act, (i) a Person or group shall not be deemed to beneficially own Voting Stock subject to an equity or asset purchase agreement, merger agreement, option agreement, warrant agreement or similar agreement (or voting or option or similar agreement related thereto) until the consummation of the acquisition of the Voting Stock in connection with the transactions contemplated by such agreement, (ii) if any group (other than a Permitted Holder) includes one or more Permitted Holders, the issued and outstanding Voting Stock of the Issuer owned, directly or indirectly, by any Permitted Holders that are part of such group shall not be treated as being beneficially owned by such group or any other member of such group for purposes of determining whether a Change of Control has occurred, (iii) a Person or group will not be deemed to beneficially own the Voting Stock of another Person as a result of its ownership of Voting Stock or other securities of such other Person’s parent entity (or related contractual rights) unless it owns 50.0% or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock entitled to vote for the election of directors of such parent entity having a majority of the aggregate votes on the Board of such parent entity and (iv) the right to acquire Voting Stock (as long as such Person does not have the right to direct the voting of the Voting Stock subject to such right) or any veto power in connection with the acquisition or disposition of Voting Stock will not cause a party to be a beneficial owner.

 

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Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Rating Decline with respect to the Notes.

Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, Société Anonyme or any successor securities clearing agency.

Co-Issuer” means Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct subsidiary of the Issuer, and not any of such entity’s Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

Code means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

consolidated” with respect to any Person refers to such Person consolidated with its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense” means with respect to any Person for any period, the total amount of depreciation and amortization expense and capitalized fees, including, without limitation, the amortization of capitalized fees or costs related to any Qualified Securitization Facility of such Person, and the amortization of intangible assets, internal labor costs, deferred financing fees or costs, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses and Capitalized Software Expenditures of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, without duplication, the sum of:

(a) consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent such expense was deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income (including (i) amortization of original issue discount resulting from the issuance of Indebtedness at less than par, (ii) all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit or bankers acceptances, (iii) non-cash interest payments (but excluding any non-cash interest expense attributable to the movement in the mark-to-market valuation of Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments pursuant to GAAP), (iv) the interest component of Financing Lease Obligations, and (v) net payments, if any made (less net payments, if any, received), pursuant to interest rate Hedging Obligations with respect to Indebtedness, and excluding (vi) annual agency or similar fees paid to the administrative agents, collateral agents and other agents under any Credit Facilities, (vii) costs associated with obtaining Hedging Obligations, (viii) any expense resulting from the discounting of any Indebtedness in connection with the application of recapitalization accounting or, if applicable, purchase or acquisition accounting in connection with the Transactions, any acquisition or other transaction, (ix) penalties and interest relating to taxes, (x) any “additional interest” or “liquidated damages” with respect to other securities for failure to timely comply with registration rights obligations, (xi) amortization or expensing of deferred financing fees, amendment and consent fees, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees, expenses and discounted liabilities and any other amounts of non-cash interest, (xii) any expensing of bridge, commitment and other financing fees and any other fees related to the Transactions, any acquisitions after the Escrow Release Date or other transaction, (xiii) commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges (including any interest expense) related to any Qualified Securitization Facility, (xiv) any accretion of accrued interest on discounted liabilities and any prepayment, make-whole or breakage premium, penalty or cost, (xv) interest expense attributable to a parent entity resulting from push-down accounting; and (xvi) any lease, rental or other expense in connection with a Non-Financing Lease Obligation; plus

 

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(b) consolidated capitalized interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued; less

(c) interest income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period.

For purposes of this definition, interest on a Financing Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by such Person to be the rate of interest implicit in such Financing Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP (or, if not implicit, as otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP).

Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that, without duplication:

(a) any after-tax effect of extraordinary, non-recurring or unusual gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto), charges or expenses (including relating to any multi-year strategic initiatives), Transaction Expenses, restructuring and duplicative running costs, relocation costs, integration costs, facility consolidation and closing costs, severance costs and expenses, one-time compensation charges, costs relating to pre-opening, opening and conversion costs for facilities, losses, costs or cost inefficiencies related to facility or property disruptions or shutdowns, signing, retention and completion bonuses, costs incurred in connection with any strategic initiatives, transition costs, costs incurred in connection with acquisitions and non-recurring product and intellectual property development, other business optimization expenses (including costs and expenses relating to business optimization programs and new systems design, inventory optimization programs, severance, contract termination costs, future lease commitments, excess pension charges, retention charges, system establishment costs and implementation costs) and operating expenses attributable to the implementation of cost-savings initiatives, and curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans shall be excluded;

(b) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles and changes as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies during such period shall be excluded;

(c) any net after-tax effect of gains or losses on disposal, abandonment or discontinuance of disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations, as applicable, shall be excluded;

(d) any net after-tax effect of gains or losses (less all fees, expenses and charges relating thereto) attributable to asset dispositions or abandonments or the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person other than in the ordinary course of business shall be excluded;

(e) the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a Subsidiary, or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting shall be excluded; provided that Consolidated Net Income of such Person shall be increased by the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments (other than Excluded Contributions) that are actually paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period;

 

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(f) solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (C)(1) of Section 4.07(a) hereof, the Net Income for such period of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Guarantor) shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of its Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by the operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule, or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders (other than restrictions in the Notes or this Indenture), unless such restriction with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions has been legally waived, provided that Consolidated Net Income of such Person will be increased by the amount of dividends or other distributions or other payments actually paid in Cash Equivalents (or to the extent converted into Cash Equivalents) to such Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period, to the extent not already included therein;

(g) effects of adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries) in such Person’s consolidated financial statements pursuant to GAAP (including in the inventory (including any impact of changes to inventory valuation policy methods, including changes in capitalization of variances), property and equipment, software, goodwill, intangible assets, in-process research and development, deferred revenue and debt line items thereof) resulting from the application of recapitalization accounting or purchase accounting, as the case may be, in relation to any consummated acquisition or joint venture investment or the amortization or write-off or write-down of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, shall be excluded;

(h) any after-tax effect of income (loss) from the early extinguishment or conversion of (i) Indebtedness, (ii) Hedging Obligations or (iii) other derivative instruments shall be excluded;

(i) any impairment charge or asset write-off or write-down, including impairment charges or asset write-offs or write-downs related to intangible assets, long-lived assets, investments in debt and equity securities and investments recorded using the equity method or as a result of a change in law or regulation, in each case, pursuant to GAAP, and the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to GAAP shall be excluded;

(j) any equity-based or non-cash compensation charge or expense including any such charge or expense arising from grants of stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock, profits interests or other rights or equity or equity-based incentive programs (“equity incentives”), any one-time cash charges associated with the equity incentives or other long-term incentive compensation plans (including under deferred compensation arrangements of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent entities or subsidiaries), rollover, acceleration, or payout of Equity Interests by management, other employees or business partners of the Issuer or any of the Issuer’s direct or indirect parent companies shall be excluded;

(k) any fees, expenses or charges incurred during such period, or any amortization thereof for such period, in connection with any acquisition, recapitalization, Investment, Asset Sale, disposition, incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness (including such fees, expenses or charges related to the offering and issuance of the Notes and other securities and the syndication and incurrence of any Credit Facilities), issuance of Equity Interests of the Issuer or its direct or

 

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indirect parent entities, refinancing transaction or amendment or modification of any debt instrument (including any amendment or other modification of the Notes and other securities and any Credit Facilities) and including, in each case, any such transaction consummated on or prior to the Issue Date and any such transaction undertaken but not completed, and any charges or non-recurring merger costs incurred during such period as a result of any such transaction, in each case whether or not successful or consummated (including, for the avoidance of doubt the effects of expensing all transaction-related expenses in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 805, Business Combinations), shall be excluded;

(l) accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted within 24 months after the closing of any acquisition or transaction that are so required to be established as a result of such acquisition or transaction in accordance with GAAP or changes as a result of modifications of accounting policies shall be excluded;

(m) any expenses, charges or losses to the extent covered by insurance or indemnity and actually reimbursed, or, so long as such Person has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer or indemnifying party and only to the extent that such amount is in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date of the insurable or indemnifiable event (net of any amount so added back in any prior period to the extent not so reimbursed within the applicable 365-day period), shall be excluded;

(n) any noncash compensation expense resulting from the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 718, Compensation — Stock Compensation, shall be excluded;

(o) the following items shall be excluded:

(i) any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from Hedging Obligations and the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 815, Derivatives and Hedging;

(ii) any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from currency translation gains or losses including those related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness (including any net loss or gain resulting from Hedging Obligations for currency exchange risk) and any other foreign currency translation gains and losses, to the extent such gain or losses are non-cash items;

(iii) any adjustments resulting for the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 460, Guarantees, or any comparable regulation;

(iv) effects of adjustments to accruals and reserves during a prior period relating to any change in the methodology of calculating reserves for returns, rebates and other chargebacks; and

(v) earn-out, non-compete and contingent consideration obligations (including to the extent accounted for as bonuses or otherwise) and adjustments thereof and purchase price adjustments;

(p) reserves established for the benefit of landlords of fee-for-service and just-in-time vacation ownership intervals for the acquisition of capitalized assets and equipment at such properties shall be excluded; and

 

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(q) if such Person is treated as a disregarded entity or partnership for U.S. federal, state and/or local income tax purposes for such period or any portion thereof, the amount of distributions actually made to any direct or indirect parent company of such Person in respect of such period in accordance with clause (xv)(B) under Section 4.07(b) shall be included in calculating Consolidated Net Income as though such amounts had been paid as taxes directly by such Person for such period.

In addition, to the extent not already included in the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, Consolidated Net Income shall include the amount of proceeds received from business interruption insurance and reimbursements of any expenses and charges that are covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any acquisition, Investment or any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets permitted under this Indenture.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of Section 4.07 hereof only (other than clause (C)(4) of Section 4.07(a) hereof), there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any income arising from any sale or other disposition of Restricted Investments made by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any repurchases and redemptions of Restricted Investments from the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any repayments of loans and advances which constitute Restricted Investments by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, any sale of the stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any distribution or dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, in each case only to the extent such amounts increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under such covenant pursuant to clause (C)(4) of Section 4.07(a) hereof.

Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (1) (a) Consolidated Total Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is secured by Liens on the property of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of determination minus the sum of (i) the aggregate amount of Cash Equivalents received by and reflected on the balance sheet of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries constituting advance deposits on vacation ownership interval sales pending the closing thereof (after all applicable rescission periods) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $100.0 million as of such date of determination plus (ii) the aggregate amount of all unrestricted Cash Equivalents on the balance sheet of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of determination, in each case with such pro forma adjustments as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio and as determined in good faith by the Issuer and (b) in connection with the incurrence of any Indebtedness pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of Section 4.09 hereof or the creation or incurrence of any Lien pursuant to the definition of “Permitted Liens,” the Reserved Indebtedness Amount of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is secured by Liens on the property of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of determination, in each case with such pro forma adjustments as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio and as determined in good faith by the Issuer to (2) LTM EBITDA.

Consolidated Total Debt Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (1) (a) Consolidated Total Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of determination minus the sum of (i) the aggregate amount of Cash Equivalents received by and reflected on the balance sheet of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries constituting advance deposits on vacation ownership interval sales pending the closing thereof (after all applicable rescission periods) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $100.0 million as of such date of determination plus (ii) the aggregate amount of all unrestricted Cash Equivalents on the balance sheet of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of determination, in each case with such pro forma adjustments as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio and as determined in good faith by the Issuer and (b) in connection with the incurrence of any Indebtedness pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of Section 4.09 hereof, the Reserved Indebtedness Amount to (2) LTM EBITDA.

 

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Consolidated Total Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the aggregate amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis consisting of Indebtedness for borrowed money, Obligations in respect of Financing Lease Obligations and debt obligations evidenced by promissory notes and similar instruments, as determined in accordance with GAAP (excluding for the avoidance of doubt all undrawn amounts under revolving credit facilities and letters of credit, and all obligations relating to Qualified Securitization Facilities and Non-Financing Lease Obligations and excluding the effects of any discounting of Indebtedness resulting from the application of repurchase or purchase or acquisition accounting in connection with the Transactions, any acquisition or other transaction); provided that Consolidated Total Indebtedness shall not include Indebtedness in respect of (A) any letter of credit, except to the extent of unreimbursed amounts under standby letters of credit; provided that any unreimbursed amounts under commercial letters of credit shall not be counted as Consolidated Total Indebtedness until five Business Days after such amount is drawn and (B) Hedging Obligations permitted by clause (x) of Section 4.09(b)(x) hereof. The U.S. Dollar Equivalent principal amount of any Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency will reflect the currency translation effects, determined in accordance with GAAP, of Hedging Obligations for currency exchange risks with respect to the applicable currency in effect on the date of determination of the U.S. Dollar Equivalent principal amount of such Indebtedness.

Contingent Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing any leases, dividends or other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness (“primary obligations”) of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent:

(a) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor;

(b) to advance or supply funds:

(i) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation; or

(ii) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor; or

(c) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof.

Controlled Investment Affiliate” means, as to any Person, any other Person, other than any investor, which directly or indirectly is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person and is organized by such Person (or any Person controlling such Person) primarily for making direct or indirect equity or debt investments in the Issuer and/or other companies.

Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which any time its corporate trust business related to this Indenture shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is 50 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402, Attention: Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower LLC Administrator, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers), or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Holders and the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers)).

 

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Credit Facilities” means, with respect to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, one or more debt facilities, including the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, or other financing arrangements (including, without limitation, commercial paper facilities, agreements or indentures) providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, letters of credit or other long-term indebtedness, including any notes, mortgages, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements or refundings thereof, in whole or in part, and any indentures, agreements, credit facilities or commercial paper facilities that replace, refund, supplement, extend, amend, restate or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding, supplemental, extending, amended, restating or refinancing facility, arrangement, agreement or indenture that increases the amount permitted to be borrowed or issued thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that such increase in borrowings or issuances is permitted under Section 4.09 hereof) or adds Restricted Subsidiaries as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder and whether by the same or any other agent, trustee, lender or group of lenders or other holders or investors.

Credit Suisse Conduit Facility means the Ninth Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of August 24, 2020, by and among Diamond Resorts Issuer 2008 LLC, as issuer, Diamond Resorts Financial Services, Inc., as servicer, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, as custodian and as back-up servicer, and Credit Suisse AG, New York Branch, as administrative agent (as amended by the Omnibus Amendment dated March 10, 2021) and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements or refundings thereof, in whole or in part.

Credit Suisse Premium Yield Facility means the Receivables Loan Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2019, by and among Diamond Resorts CS Borrower LLC, as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as collateral agent, as paying agent and as securities intermediary, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto as lenders and Credit Suisse AG, New York Branch, as administrative agent and including the Servicing Agreement referred to therein dated as of March 29, 2019 (as such Servicing Agreement is referred to therein dated as of March 29, 2019 (as such Servicing Agreement is amended by Omnibus Amendment No. 1, dated as of March 29, 2019 and Omnibus Amendment No. 2 dated March 10, 2021) and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements or refundings thereof, in whole or in part.

Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Global Notes, or any successor entity thereto.

Customary Bridge Loans means customary bridge loans with a maturity date of no longer than one year; provided, that, subject to customary conditions, such bridge loans would either be converted into or required to be exchanged for permanent financing in the form of a loan, note, security or other Indebtedness (a) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of which is not shorter than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Notes and (b) the final maturity date of which is not earlier than the maturity date of the Notes, in each case, on the date of the incurrence of such bridge loans.

Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default; provided, that any Default that results solely from the taking of an action that would have been permitted but for the continuation of a previous Default will be deemed to be cured if such previous Default is cured prior to becoming an Event of Default.

 

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Definitive Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06(c) hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.

Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, any Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as Depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.

Derivative Instrument means, with respect to a Person, any contract, instrument or other right to receive payment or delivery of cash or other assets to which such Person or any Affiliate of such Person that is acting in concert with such Person in connection with such Person’s investment in the Notes (other than a Regulated Bank or Screened Affiliate) is a party (whether or not requiring further performance by such Person), the value and/or cash flows of which (or any material portion thereof) are materially affected by the value and/or performance of the Notes and/or the creditworthiness of an Issuer and/or any one or more of the Guarantors (the “Performance References”).

Designated Non-Cash Consideration” means the fair market value of non-cash consideration received by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-Cash Consideration pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale, redemption, conversion or repurchase of or collection or payment on such Designated Non-Cash Consideration. A particular item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration will no longer be considered to be outstanding when and to the extent it has been paid, redeemed or otherwise retired or sold or otherwise disposed of in exchange for consideration in the form of Cash Equivalents in accordance with Section 4.10 hereof.

Designated Preferred Stock” means Preferred Stock of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company thereof (in each case other than Disqualified Stock) that is issued for cash (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) and is so designated as Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate on the issuance date thereof, the cash proceeds of which are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (C) of Section 4.07(a) hereof.

Deutsche Bank Conduit Facility” means the Receivables Loan Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2016, by and among Diamond Resorts DB Borrower LLC, as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as collateral agent, paying agent and securities intermediary, the Persons from time to time party thereto as conduit lenders, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto as committed lenders, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto as managing agents and Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc., as administrative agent and as structuring agent, as amended by that Omnibus Amendment No. 1 to Receivables Loan Agreement and Performance Guaranty dated November 21, 2019, by that Omnibus Amendment No. 2 to Receivables Loan Agreement and Amendment No. 1 to Servicing Agreement dated July 15, 2020 and by Amendment No. 3 to the Receivables Loan Agreement effective as of March 10, 2021 and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements or refundings thereof, in whole or in part.

Disinterested Director” means, with respect to any Affiliate Transaction, a member of the Board of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer having no material direct or indirect financial interest in or with respect to such Affiliate Transaction. A member of the Board of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer shall be deemed not to have such a financial interest by reason of such member’s holding Capital Stock of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer or any options, warrants or other rights in respect of such Capital Stock.

 

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Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which, by its terms, or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is putable or exchangeable, or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Capital Stock of such Person or any direct or indirect parent entity thereof that would not otherwise constitute Disqualified Stock, and other than solely as a result of a change of control, asset sale, casualty, condemnation or eminent domain) pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely for Capital Stock of such Person or as a result of a change of control, asset sale, casualty, condemnation or eminent domain), in whole or in part, in each case prior to the date 91 days after the earlier of the maturity date of the Notes or the date the Notes are no longer outstanding; provided, that if such Capital Stock is issued pursuant to any plan for the benefit of future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, members, partners, independent contractors or consultants of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, members, partners, independent contractors or consultants, such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Issuer or its Subsidiaries or a direct or indirect parent entity of the Issuer in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s termination, death or disability or otherwise in accordance with any management equity subscription agreement, stock option, stock appreciation right or other stock award agreement, stock ownership plan, put agreement, stockholder agreement or similar agreement; provided, further, that any Capital Stock held by any future, current or former employee, director, officer, member, partner, manager or consultant (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any other entity in which the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary has an Investment and is designated in good faith as an “affiliate” by the Board of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, in each case pursuant to any stock subscription or shareholders’ agreement, management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement, shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Issuer or its Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer or in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations.

Distribution Agreement” means the Distribution Agreement, dated January 2, 2017, by and among Hilton Parent, Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. and HGV Parent, as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time in a manner not materially adverse to the holders of the Notes when taken as a whole, as compared to the Distribution Agreement as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, supplement, waiver or modification.

Division” means the division of the assets, liabilities and/or obligations of a Person (the “Dividing Person”) among two or more Persons (whether pursuant to a “plan of division” or similar arrangement), which may or may not include the Dividing Person and pursuant to which the Dividing Person may or may not survive.

EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period:

(a) increased (without duplication) by the following, in each case (other than with respect to clauses (viii), (xi) and (xv)) to the extent deducted (and not added back) in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period:

 

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(i) (A) a provision for taxes based on income, or profits or capital, including, without limitation, federal, state, franchise, and similar taxes (such as the Delaware franchise tax, the Pennsylvania capital tax, Texas margin tax and provincial capital taxes paid in Canada) and foreign withholding taxes (including any future taxes or other levies which replace or are intended to be in lieu of such taxes and any penalties and interest related to such taxes or arising from tax examinations), (B) if such Person is treated as a disregarded entity or partnership for U.S. federal, state and/or local income tax purposes for such period or any portion thereof, the amount of distributions actually made to any direct or indirect parent company of such Person in respect of such period in accordance with clause (xv)(B) under Section 4.07(b) hereof and (C) the net tax expense associated with any adjustments made pursuant to clauses (a) through (q) of the definition of “Consolidated Net Income”; plus

(ii) Fixed Charges of such Person for such period (including (x) net losses on Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments entered into for the purpose of hedging interest rate risk, (y) bank fees and other financing fees and (z) costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities, plus amounts excluded from Consolidated Interest Expense as set forth in clauses (a)(viii) through (xiv) and (xvi) in the definition thereof); plus

(iii) Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense of such Person for such period; plus

(iv) the amount of any restructuring charges or reserves, equity-based or non-cash compensation charges or expenses including any such charges or expenses arising from grants of stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock or other rights, retention charges (including charges or expenses in respect of incentive plans), start-up or initial costs for any project or new production line, division or new line of business, integration costs or reserves including, without limitation, costs or reserves associated with improvements to IT and accounting functions, integration and facilities opening costs or any one-time costs incurred in connection with acquisitions and Investments and costs related to the closure and/or consolidation of facilities; plus

(v) any other non-cash charges, including any write-offs or write-downs reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period (other than vacation ownership interest cost of sales) (provided that if any such non-cash charges represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, (A) the Issuer may elect not to add back such non-cash charge in the current period and (B) to the extent the Issuer elects to add back such non-cash charge, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from EBITDA to such extent, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period); plus

(vi) the amount of any non-controlling interest or minority interest expense consisting of Subsidiary income attributable to minority equity interests of third parties in any non-Wholly Owned Subsidiary; plus

(vii) [Reserved];

(viii) the amount of “run-rate” cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies related to mergers and other business combinations, acquisitions, investments, dispositions, divestitures, restructurings, operating improvements, cost savings initiatives, other similar transactions or initiatives projected by the Issuer in good faith to result from actions taken, committed to be taken or expected in good faith to be taken no later than twenty four (24) months after the end of such period (calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies had been realized on the first day of such period for which EBITDA is being determined and as if such cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies were realized during the entirety of such period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions; provided that such cost savings and synergies are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable (it is understood and agreed that “run-rate” means the full recurring benefit for a period that is associated with any action taken, committed to be taken or expected to be taken, net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions); plus

 

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(ix) the amount of loss or discount on sale of receivables, Securitization Assets and related assets to any Securitization Subsidiary in connection with a Qualified Securitization Facility, including amortization of loan origination costs and amortization of portfolio discounts; plus

(x) any costs or expense incurred by the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent entity of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such cost or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the Issuer or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interest of the Issuer (other than Disqualified Stock) solely to the extent that such net cash proceeds are excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (C) of Section 4.07(a) hereof; plus

(xi) cash receipts (or any netting arrangements resulting in reduced cash expenditures) not representing EBITDA or Consolidated Net Income in any period to the extent non-cash gains relating to such income were deducted in the calculation of EBITDA pursuant to clause (b) below for any previous period and not added back; plus

(xii) any net loss from disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations; plus

(xiii) business optimization expenses and other restructuring charges, reserves or expenses (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include, without limitation, the effect of inventory optimization programs, facility closures, facility consolidations, retention, severance, systems establishment costs, contract termination costs, future lease commitments and excess pension charges) and Pre-Opening Expenses; plus

(xiv) the amount of any loss attributable to a New Project, until the date that is twelve (12) months after the date of completing the construction, acquisition, assembling or creation of such New Project, as the case may be; provided that (a) such losses are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable and certified by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer and (b) losses attributable to such New Project after twelve (12) months from the date of completing such construction, acquisition, assembling or creation, as the case may be, shall not be included in this clause (xiv); plus

(xv) an amount equal to the increase in deferred revenue for sales of vacation ownership intervals under construction (net of all related direct costs) at the end of such period from the deferred revenue for sales of vacation ownership intervals under construction (net of all related direct costs) at the end of the previous period;

(b) decreased (without duplication) by the following, in each case to the extent included in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period:

 

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(i) non-cash gains increasing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period, excluding any non-cash gains to the extent they represent the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced EBITDA in any prior period and any non-cash gains with respect to cash actually received in a prior period so long as such cash did not increase EBITDA in such prior period; plus

(ii) any net income from disposed, abandoned or discontinued operations; plus

(iii) an amount equal to the decrease in deferred revenue for sales of vacation ownership intervals under construction (net of all related direct costs) at the end of such period from the deferred revenue for sales of vacation ownership intervals under construction (net of all related direct costs) at the end of the previous period.

Eligible Escrow Investments means (1) money market funds registered under the Federal Investment Company Act of 1940, whose shares are registered under the Securities Act, and rated “AAAm” or “AAAm-G” by S&P and “Aaa” if rated by Moody’s, including any mutual fund for which the Escrow Agent or its affiliate serves as investment manager, administrator, shareholder servicing agent, and/or custodian, (2) U.S. dollar denominated deposit accounts with domestic national or commercial banks, including the Escrow Agent or an affiliate of the Escrow Agent, that have short-term issuer rating on the date of purchase of “A-1+” or “A-1” by S&P or “Prime-1” or better by Moody’s and maturing no more than 360 days after the date of purchase and (3) such other short-term liquid investments in which the Escrowed Funds may be invested in accordance with the Escrow Agreement.

EMU” means the economic and monetary union as contemplated in the Treaty on European Union.

Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock, but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock.

Equity Offering” means any public or private sale or issuance of Capital Stock or Preferred Stock (excluding Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies, other than:

(a) public offerings with respect to the Issuer’s or any direct or indirect parent company’s common equity registered on Form S-8 (or any successor form);

(b) issuances to any Subsidiary of the Issuer; and

(c) any such public or private sale or issuance that constitutes an Excluded Contribution.

Equityholding Vehicle” means any direct or indirect parent entity of the Issuer and any equityholder thereof through which future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, members or partners of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries or direct or indirect parent entities hold Capital Stock of the Issuer or such parent entity.

Escrow Account” means a segregated account, under the control of the Trustee, that includes only cash items and Eligible Escrow Investments, the proceeds thereof and interest earned thereon, free from all Liens other than the Lien in favor of the Trustee for its benefit and the benefit of the holders of the Notes pursuant to the Escrow Agreement.

 

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Escrow Agent” means Wilmington Trust, National Association, in its capacity as escrow agent.

Escrow Agreement” means the escrow agreement, dated as June 4, 2021, among the Escrow Issuers, the Escrow Guarantor, the Trustee and the Escrow Agent, relating to the proceeds received by the Escrow Issuers from the offer and sale of the Notes and certain other amounts.

Escrow Conditions has the meaning assigned to such term in the Escrow Agreement.

Escrow Co-Issuer has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Escrow End Date” means December 13, 2021.

Escrow Guaranteed Obligations” means Escrow Guarantor’s obligation to pay up to the amount necessary to fund the interest due on the Notes from the Issue Date to, but excluding, the Escrow End Date (without giving effect to any earnings on the Escrowed Funds) upon any Special Mandatory Redemption.

Escrow Guarantor” means Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower LLC, solely in its capacity of guaranteeing the Escrow Guaranteed Obligations pursuant to this Indenture.

Escrow Issuer has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Escrow Issuers has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Escrow Merger has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Escrow Redemption Notice has the meaning assigned to such term in the Escrow Agreement.

Escrow Release” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Escrow Agreement.

Escrow Release Date has the meaning assigned to such term in the Escrow Agreement.

Escrow Release Request” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Escrow Agreement.

“Escrowed Funds” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Escrow Agreement.

Escrowed Property has the meaning assigned to such term in the Escrow Agreement.

euro” means the single currency of participating member states of the EMU.

Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system, or any successor securities clearing agency.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder (and with respect to the definitions of “Change of Control” and “Permitted Holders” only, as in effect on the Issue Date).

Excluded Contribution” means Net Cash Proceeds, marketable securities or Qualified Proceeds received by the Issuer after the Escrow Release Date from:

(a) contributions to its common equity capital;

 

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(b) dividends, distributions, fees and other payments from any Unrestricted Subsidiaries or joint ventures or Investments in entities that are not Restricted Subsidiaries; and

(c) the sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Issuer or to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement of the Issuer) of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock and Designated Preferred Stock) of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent entity to the extent contributed as common equity capital to the Issuer,

in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, which are (or were) excluded from the calculation set forth in clause (C) of Section 4.07(a) hereof.

fair market value” means, with respect to any asset or liability, the fair market value of such asset or liability as determined by the Issuer in good faith.

Financing Lease Obligation” means an obligation that is required to be accounted for as a financing or capital lease (and, for the avoidance of doubt, not a straight-line or operating lease) on both the balance sheet and income statement for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP. At the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a financing or capital lease would be the amount required to be reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) in accordance with GAAP; provided that any obligations of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries either existing on the Escrow Release Date or created prior to any recharacterization described below (i) that were not included on the consolidated balance sheet of the Issuer as financing or capital lease obligations and (ii) that are subsequently recharacterized as financing or capital lease obligations or indebtedness due to a change in accounting treatment or otherwise, shall for all purposes under this Indenture (including, without limitation, the calculation of Consolidated Net Income and EBITDA) not be treated as financing or capital lease obligations, Financing Lease Obligations or Indebtedness. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time on or following the Escrow Release Date, the Issuer may elect that “GAAP” as used in this definition shall mean GAAP as in effect on January 1, 2015. For the avoidance of doubt, solely making an election (without any other action) referred to in this definition will not be treated as an incurrence of Indebtedness.

Fitch” means Fitch Ratings, Inc. or any of its successors or assigns that is a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization.

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the ratio of EBITDA of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary incurs, assumes, guarantees, redeems, repays, retires or extinguishes any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness incurred under any revolving credit facility) or issues or redeems Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to or substantially concurrently with the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, guarantee, redemption, repayment, retirement or extinguishment of Indebtedness, or such issuance or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (in each case, including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, subject, for the avoidance of doubt, to Section 1.09 hereof; provided, however, that the pro forma calculation of Fixed Charges for purposes of Section 4.09(a) hereof (and for the purposes of other provisions of this Indenture that refer to Section 4.09(a)) hereof shall not give effect to any Indebtedness being incurred on such date (or on such other subsequent date which would otherwise require pro forma effect to be given to such incurrence) pursuant to Section 4.09(b) hereof.

 

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For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP) that have been made by or involving the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or substantially concurrently with the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (and the change in any associated fixed charge obligations and the change in EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period; provided, that at the election of the Issuer, such pro forma adjustments shall not be required to be determined to the extent the aggregate consideration paid in connection with such acquisition or other transaction was less than $25.0 million. If since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the beginning of such period shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or discontinued operation that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or discontinued operation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to an Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or discontinued operation (including the Transactions), the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries (and may include, for the avoidance of doubt, cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies resulting from such Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or discontinued operation (including the Transactions) which is being given pro forma effect calculated in accordance with and permitted by clause (a)(viii) of the definition of EBITDA. If any Indebtedness bears a floating or formula rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness). Interest on a Financing Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer to be the rate of interest implicit in such Financing Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period except as set forth in the first paragraph of this definition. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Issuer may designate.

Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of, without duplication:

(a) Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period;

(b) all cash dividends or other distributions paid (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock during such period; and

 

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(c) all cash dividends or other distributions paid (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Disqualified Stock during such period.

Foreign Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (1) (A) any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person that is not organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and (B) any Restricted Subsidiary of such Foreign Subsidiary, and (2) any FSHCO Subsidiary of such Person.

FSHCO Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person substantially all of whose assets consist, directly or indirectly, of Equity Interests and/or Indebtedness of one or more Foreign Subsidiaries, and any other assets incidental thereto.

GAAP” means, at the election of the Issuer, (1) generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, as in effect from time to time (“U.S. GAAP”) if the Issuer’s financial statements are at such time prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP or (2) the accounting standards and interpretations adopted by the International Accounting Standard Board, as in effect from time to time (“IFRS”) if the Issuer’s financial statements are at such time prepared in accordance with IFRS, it being understood that, for purposes of the Indenture, (a) all references to codified accounting standards specifically named in the Indenture shall be deemed to include any successor, replacement, amendment or updated accounting standard under U.S. GAAP or IFRS, as applicable, (b) any calculation or determination in the Indenture that requires the application of GAAP across multiple quarters need not be calculated or determined using the same accounting standard for each constituent quarter, (c) all calculations or determinations in the Indenture shall be made without giving effect to any election under FASB Accounting Standards Topic 825, Financial Instruments, or any successor thereto or comparable accounting principle, to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities at “fair value” (as defined therein) and (d) in the event that the Issuer makes an election referred to in the definition of “Financing Lease Obligations”, the accounting for operating leases and financing or capital leases under U.S. GAAP as in effect on January 1, 2015 (including, without limitation, Accounting Standards Codification 840) shall apply for the purpose of determining compliance with the provisions of the Indenture, including the definition of Financing Lease Obligation.

For the avoidance of doubt, solely making an election (without any other action) referred to in this definition will not (1) be treated as an incurrence of Indebtedness or (2) have the effect of rendering invalid any payment, Investment or other action made prior to the date of such election pursuant to Section 4.07 hereof or any incurrence of Indebtedness incurred prior to the date of such election pursuant to Section 4.07 hereof (or any other action conditioned on the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries having been able to incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness) if such payment, Investment, incurrence or other action was valid under the Indenture on the date made, incurred or taken, as the case may be.

If there occurs a change in IFRS or U.S. GAAP, as the case may be, and such change would cause a change in the method of calculation of any term or measure used in the Indenture (an “Accounting Change”), then the Issuer may elect that such term or measure shall be calculated as if such Accounting Change had not occurred.

Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(f)(ii) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, issued in accordance with Section 2.01, 2.06(b), 2.06(d) or 2.06(f) hereof.

 

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guarantee” means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof), of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations.

Guarantee” means the guarantee by any Guarantor of the Issuers’ Obligations under this Indenture and the Notes.

Guarantor” means (i) HGV Parent, (ii) HGV Intermediate Parent and (iii) each Subsidiary of the Issuer, if any, that Guarantees the Notes in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under (i) any rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar agreements or transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (ii) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

HGV-Diamond Timeshare Facilities” means each of (i) the Receivables Loan Agreement, dated as of May 9, 2013, among Hilton Grand Vacations Trust I LLC, as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as paying agent and securities intermediary, the Persons from time to time party thereto as conduit lenders, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto as committed lenders, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto as managing agents, and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and structuring agent, as amended, restated, supplemented, extended, renewed, restated, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time, in whole or in part; (ii) the Capital One Conduit Facility; (iii) the Credit Suisse Conduit Facility, (iv) the Deutsche Bank Conduit Facility, (v) the Natixis Conduit Facility, (vi) the Credit Suisse Premium Yield Facility and (vii) the Quorum Facility.

HGV Intermediate Parent” means Hilton Grand Vacations Parent LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and not any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

HGV Parent” means Hilton Grand Vacations Inc., a Delaware corporation, and not any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

Hilton Parent” means Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Holder” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Registrar’s books.

Holding Company” means any Person so long as the Issuer is a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of such Person, and at the time the Issuer became a Subsidiary of such Person, no Person and no group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the Escrow Release Date), including any such group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act as in effect on the Escrow Release Date) (other than any Permitted Holder), shall have beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the Escrow Release Date), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of such Person.

 

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Immediate Family Members” means with respect to any individual, such individual’s child, stepchild, grandchild or more remote descendant, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, qualified domestic partner, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law and daughter-in-law (including adoptive relationships), the estates of such individual and such other individuals above and any trust, partnership or other bona fide estate-planning vehicle, the only beneficiaries of which are any of the foregoing individuals or any private foundation, trust or fund that is controlled by any of the foregoing individuals or any donor-advised foundation, trust or fund of which any such individual is the donor.

Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, without duplication:

(a) any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent:

(i) representing the principal in respect of borrowed money;

(ii) representing the principal in respect of obligations evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances (or, without duplication, reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);

(iii) representing the principal component in respect of obligations to pay the deferred and unpaid balance of the purchase price of any property (including Financing Lease Obligations) which purchase price is due more than one year from the date of incurrence of the obligation in respect thereof, except (A) any such balance that constitutes an obligation in respect of a commercial letter of credit, a trade payable or similar obligation to a trade or similar business creditor, in each case accrued in the ordinary course of business, (B) any earn-out obligations or purchase price adjustments until such obligation is treated as a liability on the balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) (or until 60 days after such obligation becomes due and payable), (C) accruals for payroll and other liabilities accrued in the ordinary course of business, and (D) liabilities associated with customer prepayments and deposits; or

(iv) representing the net obligations under any Hedging Obligations;

if and to the extent that any of the foregoing Indebtedness (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided that Indebtedness of any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer appearing upon the balance sheet of the Issuer solely by reason of push-down accounting under GAAP shall be excluded;

(b) to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation by such Person to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, the obligations of the type referred to in clause (a) of a third Person (whether or not such items would appear upon the balance sheet of such first Person), other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business;

(c) to the extent not otherwise included, the obligations of the type referred to in clause (a) of a third Person secured by a Lien on any asset owned by such first Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such first Person; provided, that the amount of any such Indebtedness will be the lesser of (i) the fair market value of such asset at such date of determination and (ii) the amount of such Indebtedness of such third Person; and,

 

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(d) the principal component of all obligations, or liquidation preference, of such Person with respect to any Disqualified Stock or, with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary, any Preferred Stock (but excluding, in each case, any accrued dividends);

provided, that notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall be deemed not to include (a) Contingent Obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice (b) Non-Financing Lease Obligations, Qualified Securitization Facilities, straight-line leases, operating leases, or Sale and Leaseback Transactions (except any resulting Financing Lease Obligations) or lease lease-back transactions; (c) obligations under any license, permit or other approval (or guarantees given in respect of such obligations) incurred prior to the Escrow Release Date or in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice, (d) in connection with the purchase by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of any business, any post-closing payment adjustments to which the seller may become entitled to the extent such payment is determined by a final closing balance sheet or such payment depends on the performance of such business after the closing; provided, however, that, at the time of closing, the amount of any such payment is not determinable and, to the extent such payment thereafter becomes fixed and determined, the amount is paid in a timely manner, (e) purchase price holdbacks in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset to satisfy warranty or other unperformed obligations of the seller, (f) any obligations attributable to the exercise of appraisal rights and the settlement of any claims or actions (whether actual, contingent or potential) with respect thereto, (g) accrued expenses and royalties, (h) [Reserved], (i) any obligations in respect of workers’ compensation claims, unemployment insurance, retirement, post-employment or termination obligations (including pensions and retiree medical care), pension fund obligations or contributions or similar claims, or social security or wage taxes or contributions, (j) deferred or prepaid revenues, (k) any asset retirement obligations, (l) any liability for taxes, and (m) all intercompany Indebtedness having a term not exceeding 364 days (inclusive of any rollover or extensions of terms) and made in the ordinary course of business; provided, further, that Indebtedness shall be calculated without giving effect to the effects of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 815 and related interpretations to the extent such effects would otherwise increase or decrease an amount of Indebtedness for any purpose under this Indenture as a result of accounting for any embedded derivatives created by the terms of such Indebtedness.

Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Independent Financial Advisor” means an accounting, appraisal, investment banking firm or consultant of nationally or internationally recognized standing that is, in the good faith judgment of the Issuer, qualified to perform the task for which it has been engaged.

Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.

Initial Guarantors” means (i) HGV Parent, (ii) HGV Intermediate Parent and (iii) each Subsidiary of the Issuer, if any, that guarantees any Indebtedness of the Issuer under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities as of the Escrow Release Date.

Initial Notes” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

 

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Initial Purchasers” means the initial purchasers of the Notes on the Issue Date pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

Intercompany License Agreement” means any cost sharing agreement, commission or royalty agreement, license or sub-license agreement, distribution agreement, services agreement, intellectual property rights transfer agreement, any related agreements or other similar agreements, in each case, where all parties to such agreement are one or more of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary.

Interest Payment Date” means June 1 and December 1 of each year to stated maturity.

Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than BBB- (or the equivalent) from Fitch, Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, or if the applicable securities are not then rated by Fitch, Moody’s or S&P, an equivalent rating by any other Rating Agency.

Investment Grade Securities” means:

(a) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents);

(b) debt securities or debt instruments with an Investment Grade Rating, but excluding any debt securities or instruments constituting loans or advances among the Issuer and its Subsidiaries;

(c) investments in any fund that invests at least 90% of its assets in investments of the type described in clauses (a) and (b), which fund may also hold immaterial amounts of cash pending investment or distribution; and

(d) corresponding instruments in countries other than the United States customarily utilized for high quality investments.

Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of loans (including guarantees), advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable, trade credit, advances to customers, commission, travel and similar advances to future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, members, partners, independent contractors or consultants, in each case made in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person and investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet (excluding the footnotes) of the Issuer in the same manner as the other investments included in this definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other property. For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and Section 4.07 hereof:

(a) “Investments” shall include the portion (proportionate to the Issuer’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of a Subsidiary of the Issuer at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; and

(b) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its fair market value at the time of such transfer.

 

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The amount of any Investment outstanding at any time shall be the original cost of such Investment, net of any dividend, distribution, interest payment, return of capital or principal, repayment, profits on sale, income or other amount received in Cash Equivalents by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in respect of such Investment.

Issue Date” means June 4, 2021.

Issuer” means Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and not any of such entity’s Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

Issuers” means, collectively, the Issuer and the Co-Issuer, and not any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

Issuers’ Order” means a written request or order signed on behalf of each of the Issuer and the Co-Issuer by an Officer of the Issuer and the Co-Issuer, as applicable (or, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers), who must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer, the secretary, the principal accounting officer or any senior or executive vice president of the Issuer and the Co-Issuer, as applicable (or, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers), and delivered to the Trustee.

Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banking institutions are not required to be open in the State of New York or at the place of payment in respect of the Notes. If a payment date is on a Legal Holiday, payment will be made on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period.

License Agreement” means the Amended and Restated License Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2021, by and between Hilton Parent and HGV Parent, as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time in a manner not materially adverse to the holders of the Notes when taken as a whole, as compared to the License Agreement as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, supplement, waiver or modification.

Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien (statutory or otherwise), pledge, hypothecation, charge, security interest, preference, priority or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction; provided that in no event shall Non-Financing Lease Obligations be deemed to constitute a Lien.

Limited Condition Transaction” means (i) any Investment or acquisition (whether by merger, amalgamation, consolidation or other business combination or the acquisition of Capital Stock or otherwise and which may include, for the avoidance of doubt, a transaction that may constitute a Change of Control) or other transaction, (ii) any redemption, repurchase, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or repayment of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, (iii) any Restricted Payment and (iv) any Asset Sale or a disposition excluded from the definition of “Asset Sale”.

Long Derivative Instrument” means a Derivative Instrument (i) the value of which generally increases, and/or the payment or delivery obligations under which generally decrease, with positive changes to the Performance References and/or (ii) the value of which generally decreases, and/or the payment or delivery obligations under which generally increase, with negative changes to the Performance References.

 

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LTM EBITDA” means EBITDA of the Issuer measured for the period of the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters ending prior to the date of such determination for which internal consolidated financial statements of the Issuer are available, with such pro forma adjustments giving effect to such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations, discontinued operations, as applicable, since the start of such four-quarter period and on or prior to or substantially concurrently with the date of determination as are consistent with the pro forma adjustments set forth in the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.”

Management Stockholders” means the future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, members or partners (and their Controlled Investment Affiliates and Immediate Family Members) of the Issuer (or its direct or indirect parent entities) or any Restricted Subsidiary who are or become direct or indirect holders of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent companies of the Issuer, including any such future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, members or partners owning through an Equityholding Vehicle.

Market Capitalization” means an amount equal to (a) the total number of issued and outstanding shares of common Equity Interests of HGV Parent (or, as the case may be, of a direct or indirect parent entity whose Equity Interests are traded on a securities exchange) on the date of the declaration of a Restricted Payment permitted pursuant to clause (ix) of Section 4.07(b) hereof, multiplied by (b) the arithmetic mean of the closing prices per share of such common Equity Interests on the principal securities exchange on which such common Equity Interests are traded for the 30 consecutive trading days immediately preceding the date of declaration of such Restricted Payment.

Marketing Services Agreement means the Marketing Services Agreement, dated as of January 2, 2017, by and between Hilton Parent and HGV Parent, as amended by the First Amendment, effective as of May 1, 2018 and Second Amendment, effective as of March 10, 2021, as further amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time in a manner not materially adverse to the holders of the Notes when taken as a whole, as compared to the License Agreement as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, supplement, waiver or modification.

Merger Agreement means the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 10, 2021, by and among HGV Parent, the Issuer, Dakota Holdings, Inc., AP VII Dakota Holdings, L.P. and the other parties thereto, as amended, modified and supplemented from time to time.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business.

Natixis Conduit Facility” means the Receivables Loan Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2017, among Diamond Resorts Natixis Borrower, LLC, as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as collateral agent, paying agent and securities intermediary, the Persons from time to time party thereto as conduit lenders, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto as committed lenders, the financial institutions from time to time party thereto as managing agents, and Natixis New York Branch, as administrative agent, as amended by that Omnibus Amendment dated as of March 22, 2019, that letter agreement dated March 10, 2021, that Second Omnibus Amendment dated May 6, 2021 and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements or refundings thereof, in whole or in part.

Net Cash Proceeds means the aggregate Cash Equivalents proceeds received in respect of any Equity Offering, sale of Equity Interests or other applicable transaction, in each case net of underwriting fees or discounts in respect in such Equity Offering, sale or other transaction, if applicable.

 

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Net Income” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.

Net Proceeds” means the aggregate Cash Equivalents proceeds received by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale or Casualty Event, including any Cash Equivalents received upon the sale or other disposition of any Designated Non-Cash Consideration received in any Asset Sale, net of (a) the costs relating to such Asset Sale and the sale or disposition of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration, including legal, accounting, consulting and investment banking fees, payments made in order to obtain a necessary consent or required by applicable law, and brokerage and sales commissions and fees, any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof, other fees and expenses, including survey costs, title, search and recordation expenses, and title insurance premiums, (b) taxes including tax distributions paid pursuant to clause (xv)(B) of Section 4.07(b) hereof, paid or payable as a result thereof or any transactions occurring or deemed to occur to effectuate a payment under this Indenture (including transfer taxes, deed or mortgage recording taxes and estimated taxes payable in connection with any repatriation of funds and after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements), (c) amounts required to be applied to the repayment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on Senior Indebtedness or amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness secured by a Lien on such assets and required (other than required by clause (i) of Section 4.10(b) hereof) to be paid as a result of such transaction, (d) the pro rata portion of Net Proceeds thereof (calculated without regard to this clause (d)) attributable to minority interests and not available for distribution to or for the account of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries as a result thereof, (e) any costs associated with unwinding any related Hedging Obligations in connection with such transaction, (f) any deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and retained by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after such sale or other disposition thereof, including pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction, (g) any portion of the purchase price from an Asset Sale placed in escrow, whether as a reserve for adjustment of the purchase price, for satisfaction of indemnities in respect of such Asset Sale or otherwise in connection with such Asset Sale; provided, that upon the termination of that escrow (other than in connection with a payment in respect of any such adjustment or satisfaction of indemnities), Net Proceeds will be increased by any portion of funds in the escrow that are released to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and (h) the amount of any liabilities (other than Indebtedness in respect of the Senior Secured Credit Facilities and the Notes) directly associated with such asset being sold and retained by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, that no proceeds realized in a single transaction or series of related transactions shall constitute Net Proceeds (x) unless such proceeds shall exceed the greater of $75.0 million and 1.5% of Total Assets and (y) the aggregate net proceeds excluded under clause (x) exceeds the greater of $112.5 million and 2.5% of Total Assets in any fiscal year (and thereafter only net cash proceeds in excess of such amount in clauses (x) or (y) shall constitute Net Proceeds for purposes of this definition).

Any non-cash consideration received in connection with any Asset Sale that is subsequently converted to cash shall become Net Proceeds only at such time as it is so converted.

Net Proceeds denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars shall be the U.S. Dollar Equivalent of such Net Proceeds.

Net Short” means, with respect to a Holder or beneficial owner, as of a date of determination, either (i) the value of its Short Derivative Instruments exceeds the sum of the (x) the value of its Notes plus (y) the value of its Long Derivative Instruments as of such date of determination or (ii) it is reasonably expected that such would have been the case were a Failure to Pay or Bankruptcy Credit Event (each as defined in the 2014 ISDA Credit Derivatives Definitions) to have occurred with respect to the Issuer or any Guarantor immediately prior to such date of determination.

 

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New Project” means (x) each property or resort which is either a new property or resort or an expansion, relocation, remodeling, or substantial modernization of an existing property or resort owned by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries which in fact commences operations and (y) each creation (in one or a series of related transactions) of a business unit (including, without limitation, individual resorts) to the extent such business unit commences operations or each expansion (in one or series of related transactions) of business into a new market.

Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.

Non-Financing Lease Obligation” means a lease obligation that is not required to be accounted for as a financing or capital lease on both the balance sheet and the income statement for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP. For the avoidance of doubt, a straight-line or operating lease shall be considered a Non-Financing Lease Obligation.

Notes” means the Initial Notes, and more particularly means any Note authenticated and delivered under this Indenture. Unless the context requires otherwise, all references to “Notes” for all purposes of this Indenture shall include any Additional Notes that are actually issued. The Notes and any Additional Notes subsequently issued under this Indenture will be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, including waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase, except for certain waivers and amendments as set forth herein.

Obligations” means any principal, interest (including any interest accruing on or subsequent to the filing of a petition in bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, whether or not such interest is an allowed claim under applicable state, federal or foreign law), premium, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and banker’s acceptances), damages and other liabilities, and guarantees of payment of such principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities, payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

Offering Memorandum” means the offering memorandum, dated as of May 20, 2021, relating to the offer and sale of the Initial Notes.

Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, any member of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, Vice President or Assistant Vice President, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of a Person, or any other officer of such Person designated by any such individuals. Unless otherwise specified, reference to an “Officer” means an Officer of the Issuer.

Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of a Person by an Officer of such Person. Unless otherwise specified, reference to an Officer’s Certificate means a certificate signed on behalf of the Issuer by an Officer of the Issuer.

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion (which opinion may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions) from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of, or outside counsel to, the Issuer or a Guarantor.

 

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Parent Guarantee” means the Guarantee by each Parent Guarantor.

Parent Guarantors” means HGV Parent and HGV Intermediate Parent.

Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, a Person who has an account with the Depositary (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).

Permitted Asset Swap” means the substantially concurrent purchase and sale or exchange, including as a deposit for future purchases, of Related Business Assets or a combination of Related Business Assets and Cash Equivalents between the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and another Person; provided that any Cash Equivalents received in excess of the value of any Cash Equivalents sold or exchanged must be applied in accordance with Section 4.10 hereof.

Permitted Holders” means any of (i) each of the Management Stockholders (including any Management Stockholders holding Equity Interests through an Equityholding Vehicle), (ii) any Person who is acting solely as an underwriter in connection with a public or private offering of Capital Stock of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies, acting in such capacity, (iii) any group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the Escrow Release Date) of which any of the foregoing, any Holding Company, Permitted Plan or any Person or group that becomes a Permitted Holder specified in the last sentence of this definition are members and any member of such group; provided that in the case of such group and without giving effect to the existence of such group or any other group, Persons referred to in subclauses (i) through (iii), collectively, have beneficial ownership of more than 50.0% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies held by such group, (iv) any Holding Company and (v) any Permitted Plan. Any Person or group whose acquisition of beneficial ownership constitutes a Change of Control Triggering Event in respect of which a Change of Control Offer or Alternate Offer is made or waived in accordance with the requirements of this Indenture will thereafter, together with its Affiliates, constitute an additional Permitted Holder.

Permitted Intercompany Activities” means any transactions between or among the Issuer and its Subsidiaries (for the avoidance of doubt, including Unrestricted Subsidiaries) that are entered into in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries and, in the good faith judgment of the Issuer are necessary or advisable in connection with the ownership or operation of the business of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, (a) payroll, cash management, purchasing, insurance and hedging arrangements; (b) management, technology and licensing arrangements; and (c) HHonors, Hilton Grand Vacations Club and similar customer loyalty and rewards programs.

Permitted Investments” means:

(a) any Investment in the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(b) any Investment in Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities;

(c) any Investment by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a Person (including, to the extent constituting an Investment, in assets of a Person that represent all or substantially all of its assets or a division, business unit or product line, including research and development and related assets in respect of any product or other assets) if as a result of such Investment:

(i) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (including by means of a Division); or

 

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(ii) such Person, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, is amalgamated, merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its assets (or such division, business unit or product line or other assets) to, or is liquidated into, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary,

and, in each case, any Investment held by such Person; provided, that such Investment was not acquired by such Person in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or transfer;

(d) any Investment in securities or other assets, including earn-outs, not constituting Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities and received in connection with an Asset Sale made pursuant to Section 4.10(a) hereof or any other disposition of assets not constituting an Asset Sale;

(e) any Investment existing on the Escrow Release Date or made pursuant to binding commitments in effect on the Escrow Release Date or an Investment consisting of any extension, modification, replacement, reinvestment or renewal of any such Investment or binding commitment existing on the Escrow Release Date; provided that the amount of any such Investment may be increased in such extension, modification, replacement, reinvestment or renewal only (i) as required by the terms of such Investment or binding commitment as in existence on the Escrow Release Date (including as a result of the accrual or accretion of interest or original issue discount or the issuance of pay-in-kind securities) or (ii) as otherwise permitted under this Indenture;

(f) any Investment acquired by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries:

(i) consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice; or

(ii) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable, endorsements for collection or deposit held by the Issuer or any such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable (including any trade creditor, supplier or customer); or

(iii) in satisfaction of judgments against other Persons; or

(iv) as a result of a foreclosure by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

(g) Hedging Obligations permitted under clause (x) of Section 4.09(b) hereof;

(h) any Investment in a Similar Business having an aggregate fair market value taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (h) that are at that time outstanding not to exceed the greater of (i) $280.0 million and (ii) 5.0% of Total Assets (in each case, determined on the date such Investment is made, with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); provided, however, that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (h) is made in any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (i) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (h);

 

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(i) Investments the payment for which consists of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies; provided, that such Equity Interests will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (C) of Section 4.07(a) hereof;

(j) guarantees of Indebtedness permitted under Section 4.09 hereof, performance guarantees and Contingent Obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice and the creation of Liens on the assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in compliance with Section 4.12 hereof;

(k) any transaction to the extent it constitutes an Investment that is permitted by and made in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.11(b) hereof (except transactions described in clauses (i), (v), (ix), (xxiii) and (xxiv) of Section 4.11(b) hereof);

(l) Investments consisting of (i) purchases or other acquisitions of inventory, supplies, material or equipment, (ii) the leasing, sub-leasing, licensing, sub-licensing, cross-licensing or contribution of intellectual property or pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons or (iii) the contribution, assignment, licensing, sub-licensing or other Investment of intellectual property or other general intangibles pursuant to any Intercompany License Agreement;

(m) Investments having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (m) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (1) $280.0 million and (2) 5.0% of Total Assets (in each case, determined on the date such Investment is made, with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value); provided, however, that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (m) is made in any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (a) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (m);

(n) (i) Investments in or relating to a Securitization Subsidiary or in connection with a Qualified Securitization Facility, or by a Securitization Subsidiary in any other Person that, in each case, in the good faith determination of the Issuer are necessary or advisable to effect any Qualified Securitization Facility (including any distribution or contribution of replacement or substitute assets to such subsidiary) or any repurchase obligation in connection therewith, (ii) any Investment of funds held in accounts permitted or required by arrangements governing the Qualified Securitization Facility or any related Indebtedness, distributions or payments of Securitization Fees and purchases of Securitization Assets in connection with a Qualified Securitization Facility, (iii) any Investment of Securitization Assets by a Restricted Subsidiary in an entity which is not a Restricted Subsidiary to which such Restricted Subsidiary sells Securitization Assets pursuant to a Qualified Securitization Facility, (iv) any Investment in connection with a mandatory or voluntary repayment in full and termination of a Qualified Securitization Facility prior to its stated maturity or as a result of the exercise of an optional clean-up call pursuant to the terms thereof or (v) any Investment in connection with the redemption, retirement, defeasance or acquisition of any securities issued in connection with a Qualified Securitization Facility pursuant to the terms thereof;

 

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(o) loans and advances to, or guarantees of Indebtedness of, future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, members, partners, independent contractors or consultants or other service providers not in excess of $37.5 million outstanding at any one time;

(p) loans and advances to future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, members, partners, independent contractors, consultants or other service providers (i) for business-related travel or entertainment expenses, moving expenses and other similar expenses or payroll advances, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practices or (ii) to fund such Person’s purchase of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company thereof or in any management equity vehicle so investing in such Equity Interests;

(q) (i) advances, loans or extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and (ii) Investments constituting deposits, prepayments and/or other credits to suppliers in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(r) any Investment in any Subsidiary or any joint venture in connection with intercompany cash management arrangements or related activities arising in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(s) (i) Investments made as part of the Transactions, and (ii) Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of assets or services in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(t) Investments made in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice in connection with obtaining, maintaining or renewing client contracts;

(u) Investments in prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers compensation, performance and similar deposits entered into as a result of the operations of the business in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(v) repurchases of the Notes;

(w) Investments in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice consisting of Uniform Commercial Code Article 3 endorsements for collection or deposit and Article 4 customary trade arrangements with customers consistent with past practices;

(x) Investments consisting of promissory notes issued by the Issuer, the Co-Issuer, or any Restricted Subsidiary to future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, members, partners, independent contractors or consultants of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective estates, spouses or former spouses to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Issuers or any direct or indirect parent thereof, to the extent the applicable Restricted Payment is permitted by Section 4.07 hereof;

(y) Investments (including debt obligations and Equity Interests) received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers and customers or in settlement of delinquent obligations of, or other disputes with, customers and suppliers arising in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or upon the foreclosure with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment;

 

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(z) any Investment by any Captive Insurance Subsidiary in connection with the provision of insurance to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries, which Investment is made in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice of such Captive Insurance Subsidiary, or by reason of applicable law, rule, regulation or order, or that is required or approved by any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such Captive Insurance Subsidiary or its business, as applicable;

(aa) Investments made in connection with Permitted Intercompany Activities and related transactions;

(bb) Investments made in joint ventures of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries existing on the Escrow Release Date;

(cc) Investments in joint ventures of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (cc) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (a) $280.0 million and (b) 5.0% of Total Assets (in each case, determined on the date such Investment is made, with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);

(dd) Investments in an Unrestricted Subsidiary consisting of Equity Interests issued by, or property or assets of, another Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(ee) Investments made from casualty insurance proceeds in connection with the replacement, substitution, restoration or repair of assets on account of a Casualty Event;

(ff) earnest money deposits required in connection with any acquisition permitted under the Indenture (or similar Investments);

(gg) [Reserved];

(hh) contributions to a “rabbi” trust for the benefit of future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, members, partners, independent contractors or consultants or other service providers or other grantor trusts subject to claims of creditors in the case of bankruptcy of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(ii) pension fund and other employee benefit plan obligations and liabilities;

(jj) Investments in the form of (A) Timeshare Loans generated in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice, (B) construction loans to developers of properties in the ordinary course of business or otherwise in connection with vacation ownership interval transactions and (C) purchases of vacation ownership intervals for inventory or resale, the purchase or payment for use of land or property for, the conversion of properties to, or the development of, expansion of or enhancement of, vacation ownership intervals and any Investments reasonably related, complementary, synergistic or ancillary thereto, in each case by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries; and

(kk) Investments made in exchange for the contribution of Specified Real Property Assets.

 

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For purposes of determining compliance with this definition, in the event that a proposed Investment (or a portion thereof) meets the criteria of clauses (a) through (kk) above, the Issuer will be entitled to divide or classify or later divide or reclassify (based on circumstances existing on the date of such reclassification) such Investment (or a portion thereof) between such clauses (a) through (kk) in any manner that otherwise complies with this definition.

Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person:

(a) pledges, deposits or security by such Person under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance, employers’ health tax, and other social security laws or similar legislation or other insurance-related obligations (including, but not limited to, in respect of deductibles, self-insured retention amounts and premiums and adjustments thereto) or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or U.S. government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds to which such Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(b) Liens imposed by law, such as landlords’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, mechanics’ and other similar Liens, in each case for sums not yet overdue for a period of more than 60 days or, if more than 60 days overdue, that are unfiled and no other action has been taken to enforce such Lien or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate actions or other Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP;

(c) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet overdue for a period of more than 30 days or not yet payable or subject to penalties for nonpayment or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate actions diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of such Person in accordance with GAAP;

(d) Liens in favor of issuers of performance, surety, bid, indemnity, warranty, release, appeal or similar bonds or with respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit or bankers acceptances issued, and completion guarantees provided for, in each case, issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business or consistent with past practice;

(e) minor survey exceptions, minor encumbrances, ground leases, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, servitudes, sewers, electric lines, drains, telegraph, telephone and cable television lines and other similar purposes, or zoning, building codes or other restrictions (including minor defects and irregularities in title and similar encumbrances) as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and exceptions on title policies insuring Liens granted on any collateral;

 

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(f) Liens securing Obligations relating to any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock permitted to be incurred pursuant to clauses (iv), (xii), (xiii), (xiv), (xxiii) or (xxv) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; provided that (a) Liens securing Obligations relating to any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock to be incurred pursuant to clause (iv) of Section 4.09(b) hereof extend only to the assets so purchased, leased, expanded, constructed, installed, replaced, repaired or improved (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof, or replacements of any thereof); provided, further, that individual financings of assets provided by one lender or group of lenders may be cross-collateralized to other financings of assets by such lender or group of lenders or their affiliates; (b) Liens securing Obligations relating to any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (xiii) of Section 4.09(b) hereof relate only to Obligations relating to Refinancing Indebtedness that (x) is secured by Liens on all or a portion of the same assets or the same categories or types of assets as the assets (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof, or replacements of any thereof) that secured the Indebtedness being refinanced; provided further that individual financings of assets provided by one lender or group of lenders may be cross-collateralized to other financings of assets by such lender or group of lenders or their affiliates; or (y) extends, replaces, refunds, refinances, renews or defeases Indebtedness incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued under clauses (iii) (solely to the extent such Indebtedness was secured by a Lien prior to such refinancing), (iv) or (xii) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; (c) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (xiv) of Section 4.09(b) hereof shall only be permitted if such Liens are limited to all or part of the same property or assets, including Capital Stock acquired (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof, or replacements of any thereof), or of any Person acquired or merged or consolidated with or into the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, in any transaction to which such Indebtedness relates; and (d) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to clauses (xxiii) and (xxv) of Section 4.09(b) hereof shall only be permitted if such Liens extend only to the assets of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuer that are not a Guarantor (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof, or replacements of any thereof);

(g) Liens existing on the Escrow Release Date (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, Liens securing the Senior Secured Credit Facilities), including Liens securing any Refinancing Indebtedness of any Indebtedness secured by such Liens;

(h) Liens on property or shares of stock or other assets of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided that such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Subsidiary; provided, further, that such Liens may not extend to any other property or other assets owned by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(i) Liens on property or other assets at the time the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary acquired the property or such other assets, including any acquisition by means of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation with or into the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition, amalgamation, merger or consolidation; provided, further, that the Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(j) Liens securing Obligations relating to any Indebtedness or other obligations of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be incurred in accordance with Section 4.09 hereof;

 

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(k) Liens securing (x) Hedging Obligations and (y) obligations in respect of Bank Products;

(l) Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s accounts payable or similar trade obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances or documentary letters of credit issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

(m) leases, sub-leases, licenses or sub-licenses granted to others in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(n) Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statute) financing statement filings regarding operating leases or consignments entered into by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice or purported Liens evidenced by the filing of precautionary Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statute) financing statements or similar public filings;

(o) Liens in favor of the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor;

(p) Liens on vehicles or equipment of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries granted in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(q) Liens on accounts receivable, Securitization Assets and related assets incurred in connection with a Qualified Securitization Facility;

(r) Liens to secure any modification, refinancing, refunding, restatement, exchange, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancing, refunding, restatement, exchange, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (f), (g), (h), (i), this clause (r) and clauses (nn) and (rr) hereof; provided that (i) such new Lien shall be limited to all or a part of the same assets or the same categories or types of assets as the assets (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof, or replacements of any thereof) that secured the original Lien, and (ii) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (A) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the Indebtedness described under clauses (f), (g), (h), (i), this clause (r) and clauses (nn) and (rr) hereof at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under this Indenture, and (B) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses (including original issue discount, upfront fees or similar fees) and premiums (including tender premiums) and accrued and unpaid interest related to such modification, refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement;

(s) deposits made or other security provided in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice to secure liability to insurance carriers;

(t) Liens securing obligations in an aggregate principal amount outstanding which does not exceed the greater of (i) $280.0 million and (ii) 5.0% of Total Assets (in each case, determined as of the date of such incurrence);

 

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(u) security given to a public utility or any municipality or governmental authority when required by such utility or authority in connection with the operations of that Person in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(v) Liens securing judgments, awards, attachments or decrees for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under clause (v) of Section 6.01(a) hereof;

(w) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(x) Liens (i) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code or any comparable or successor provision on items in the course of collection, (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other commodity brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice, and (iii) in favor of banking or other financial institutions arising as a matter of law or under general terms and conditions encumbering deposits or other funds maintained with a financial institution (including the right of set-off) and which are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry;

(y) Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in repurchase agreements permitted under Section 4.09 hereof;

(z) Liens encumbering reasonable customary deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice and not for speculative purposes;

(aa) Liens that are contractual rights of set-off or netting or rights of pledge (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness, (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries or consistent with past practice or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(bb) Liens securing obligations owed by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to any lender under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities or any Affiliate of such a lender in respect of any overdraft and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository and cash management services or any automated clearing house transfers of funds;

(cc) any encumbrance or restriction (including put and call arrangements, rights of first refusal, tag, drag and similar rights) with respect to Capital Stock of any joint venture, non-Wholly Owned Subsidiary or similar arrangement pursuant to any joint venture or similar agreement;

(dd) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale or purchase of goods entered into by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

 

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(ee) Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted by this Indenture;

(ff) ground leases in respect of real property on which facilities owned or leased by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries are located;

(gg) Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto;

(hh) Liens on Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary that secure Indebtedness or other obligations of such Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(ii) Liens on the assets of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not the Co-Issuer or a Guarantor securing Indebtedness of such Subsidiaries that were permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred;

(jj) Liens on (i) cash advances or Cash Equivalents in favor of (x) the seller of any property to be acquired in an Investment permitted under this Indenture to be applied against the purchase price for such Investment; or (y) the buyer of any property to be disposed of to secure obligations in respect of indemnification, termination fee or similar seller obligations and (ii) consisting of an agreement to dispose of any property in a disposition, in each case, solely to the extent such Investment or disposition, as the case may be, would have been permitted under the Indenture on the date of the creation of such Lien;

(kk) any interest or title of a lessor, sub-lessor, franchisor, licensor or sub-licensor or secured by a lessor’s, sub-lessor’s, franchisor’s, licensor’s or sub-licensor’s interest under leases or licenses entered into by the Issuer or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or with respect to intellectual property, software and other technology licenses that is not material to the conduct of the business of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(ll) (i) deposits of cash with the owner or lessor of premises leased and operated by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business of the Issuer and such Subsidiary or consistent with past practice to secure the performance of the Issuer’s or such Subsidiary’s obligations under the terms of the lease for such premises and (ii) Liens with respect to property or assets of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries (including accounts receivable or other revenue streams and other rights to payment and any other assets related thereto) in connection with a property manager’s obligations in respect of timeshare collection accounts, operating accounts and reserve accounts;

(mm) [Reserved];

(nn) Liens securing Indebtedness (including Liens securing any Obligations in respect thereof) permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09 hereof (including, without limitation, Indebtedness incurred under one or more Credit Facilities) so long as after giving pro forma effect to such incurrence and such Liens the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be equal to or less than 2.75 to 1.00 for the Issuer’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such Lien is incurred, or, if such Indebtedness is incurred, acquired or assumed in connection with an acquisition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or Investment, the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio is equal to or less than immediately prior to such acquisition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or Investment;

 

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(oo) Liens securing obligations in respect of (i) Indebtedness and other Obligations permitted to be incurred under one or more Credit Facilities, including any letter of credit facility relating thereto, that was permitted by the terms of the Indenture to be incurred pursuant to clause (i) of Section 4.09(b) and (ii) obligations of the Issuer or any Subsidiary in respect of any Bank Products or Hedging Obligation provided by any lender party to any Credit Facility or any Affiliate of such lender (or any Person that was a lender or an Affiliate of a lender at the time the applicable agreements pursuant to which such Bank Products are provided were entered into);

(pp) Liens on assets deemed to arise in connection with and solely as a result of the execution, delivery or performance of contracts to sell such assets if such sale is otherwise permitted under or not prohibited by the Indenture;

(qq) Liens on any funds or securities held in escrow accounts or similar arrangements established for the purpose of holding proceeds from issuances of debt securities or incurrences of other Indebtedness by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued after the Escrow Release Date, together with any additional funds required in order to fund any payment of interest or premium or discount on such Indebtedness (or any costs related to the issuance or incurrence of such Indebtedness), mandatory redemption or sinking fund payment on such debt securities or other Indebtedness;

(rr) Liens securing the Notes (other than any Additional Notes) and the related Guarantees; and

(ss) Liens on assets securing any Indebtedness owed to any Captive Insurance Subsidiary by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary.

For purposes of this definition, the term “Indebtedness” shall be deemed to include interest on such Indebtedness. In the event that a Permitted Lien meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Permitted Liens (at the time of incurrence or at a later date), the Issuer in its sole discretion may divide, classify or from time to time reclassify all or any portion of such Permitted Lien in any manner that complies with the Indenture and such Permitted Lien shall be treated as having been made pursuant only to the clause or clauses of the definition of Permitted Lien to which such Permitted Lien has been classified or reclassified.

Permitted Plan” means any employee benefits plan of the Issuer or any of its Affiliates (including any Equityholding Vehicle) and any Person acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan.

Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership (including a limited partnership), joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

Preferred Stock” means any Equity Interest with preferential rights of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.

Pre-Opening Expenses” means, with respect to any fiscal period, the amount of expenses (other than interest expense) incurred with respect to properties or resorts which are classified as “pre-opening expenses” (or any similar or equivalent caption) on the applicable financial statements of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries for such period, prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

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Primary Escrow Activities” means, with respect to the Escrow Issuers, issuing financing for the Acquisition (including the Notes), issuing capital stock to, and receiving capital contributions therefor from, any direct or indirect parent entity, performing their obligations in respect of the Notes under this Indenture (including payments of interest under the Notes), the Escrow Agreement and the Purchase Agreement, directing the Escrow Agent to invest Escrowed Funds in the purchase agreement, dated as of May 20, the Escrow Account in Eligible Escrow Investments, consummating the Transactions and related refinancing transactions to which they are a party, the Escrow Merger and the Escrow Release, redeeming or repaying the Notes and any other financing for the Acquisition, if applicable, pursuant to mandatory redemption provisions and conducting such other activities as are necessary or appropriate to carry out the activities described above. Prior to the Escrow Release Date, each of the Escrow Issuers will not own, hold or otherwise have any interest in any assets other than the Escrow Account, cash and Cash Equivalents, and may not incur any other liabilities or conduct any other activities other than related to the foregoing.

Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(f)(i) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture, except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

Public Company Costs” means costs associated with compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith, costs relating to compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable to companies with equity or debt securities held by the public, and the rules of national securities exchanges, as applicable to companies with listed equity or debt securities, listing fees, independent directors’ compensation, fees and expense reimbursement, costs relating to investor relations (including any such costs in the form of investor relations employee compensation), shareholder meetings and reports to shareholders or debtholders, directors’ and officers’ insurance, legal and other professional fees and/or other costs or expenses, in each case, to the extent arising solely as a result of being a public company.

Purchase Agreement” means the purchase agreement, dated as of May 20, 2021, among the Escrow Issuers, the Escrow Guarantor and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., as representative of the Initial Purchasers, relating to the issue of the Initial Notes.

Purchase Money Obligations” means any Indebtedness incurred to finance or refinance the purchase, acquisition, leasing, expansion, construction, development, installation, replacement, relocation, renewal, maintenance, upgrade, repair or improvement of property (real or personal), equipment or any other assets, and whether acquired through the direct acquisition of such property or assets, or otherwise (including through the purchase of Capital Stock of any Person owning such property or assets).

QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

Qualified Proceeds” means the fair market value of assets that are used or useful in, or Capital Stock of any Person engaged in, a Similar Business.

 

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Qualified Securitization Facility” means (a) any timeshare financing receivable backed notes (such as notes issued by (i) Hilton Grand Vacations Trust 2017-A pursuant to the indenture, dated as of March 6, 2017, between Hilton Grand Vacations Trust 2017-A, as issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as indenture trustee, (ii) Hilton Grand Vacations Trust 2018-A pursuant to the indenture, dated as of September 19, 2018, between Hilton Grand Vacations Trust 2018-A, as issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, (iii) Hilton Grand Vacations Trust 2019-A pursuant to the indenture, dated as of August 13, 2019, between Hilton Grand Vacations Trust 2019-A, as issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, (iv) Hilton Grand Vacations Trust 2020-A pursuant to the indenture, dated as of June 10, 2020, between Hilton Grand Vacations Trust 2020-A, as issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, (v) Diamond Resorts Owner Trust 2017-1 pursuant to the indenture, dated as of October 13, 2017, among Diamond Resorts Owner Trust 2017-1, as issuer, Diamond Resorts Financial Services, Inc., as servicer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as indenture trustee and back-up servicer, (vi) Diamond Resorts Owner Trust 2018-1 pursuant to the indenture, dated as of August 20, 2018, among Diamond Resorts Owner Trust 2018-1, as issuer, Diamond Resorts Financial Services, Inc., as servicer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as indenture trustee and back-up servicer, (vii) Diamond Resorts Owner Trust 2019-1 pursuant to the indenture, dated as of August 20, 2019, among Diamond Resorts Owner Trust 2019-1, as issuer, Diamond Resorts Financial Services, Inc., as servicer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as indenture trustee and back-up servicer and (viii) Diamond Resorts Owner Trust 2021-1 pursuant to the indenture, dated as of April 20, 2021, among Diamond Resorts Owner Trust 2021-1, as issuer, Diamond Resorts Financial Services, Inc., as servicer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as indenture trustee and back-up servicer) and any similar note issuances, in each case, the Obligations of which are non-recourse (except for customary representations, warranties, covenants, obligations and indemnities made in connection therewith, including, for the avoidance of doubt, customary limited performance guarantees or “bad boy” guarantees) to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Securitization Subsidiary); (b) any timeshare financing receivable backed credit facility (such as and including the HGV-Diamond Timeshare Facilities) and similar financings, including conduit or warehouse financings, in each case, the Obligations of which are non-recourse (except for customary representations, warranties, covenants, obligations and indemnities made in connection therewith, including for the avoidance of doubt, customary limited performance guarantees or “bad boy” guarantees) to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Securitization Subsidiary); and (c) any other Securitization Facility (i) constituting a securitization financing facility that meets the following conditions: (A) the Board or management of the Issuers or any direct or indirect parent entity thereof shall have determined in good faith that such Securitization Facility is in the aggregate economically fair and reasonable to the Issuer and (B) all sales, distributions and/or contributions of Securitization Assets and related assets to the applicable Securitization Subsidiary are made at fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) or (ii) constituting a receivables or payables financing or factoring facility, provided, that with respect to clauses (A), (B) and (C), a “Qualified Securitization Facility” may include any Hedging Obligations entered into in connection with such Qualified Securitization Facility.

“Quorum Facility” means the Amended and Restated Loan Sale and Servicing Agreement dated as of December 31, 2012, by and among Quorum Federal Credit Union, DRI Quorum 2010 LLC, Diamond Resorts Financial Services, Inc., as servicer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as back-up servicer (as amended by the First Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan Sale and Servicing Agreement dated September 30, 2015, the Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan Sale and Servicing Agreement dated June 10, 2016, and the Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan Sale and Servicing Agreement dated June 23, 2017) and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements or refundings thereof, in whole or in part.

Rating Agencies” means Fitch, Moody’s and S&P or if any or all of Fitch, Moody’s or S&P shall not make a rating on the Notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Issuer which shall be substituted for any or all of Fitch, Moody’s or S&P, as the case may be.

Rating Categories” means:

 

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(a) with respect to S&P, any of the following categories: AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D (or equivalent successor categories);

(b) with respect to Moody’s, any of the following categories: Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca, C and D (or equivalent successor categories); and

(c) with respect to Fitch, any of the following categories: AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D (or equivalent successor categories).

Rating Decline” means the occurrence of a decrease in the rating of the Notes by one or more gradations by two or more Rating Agencies (including gradations within the Rating Categories, as well as between categories), within 60 days after the earlier of (x) a Change of Control, (y) the date of public notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control or (z) public notice of the intention of the Issuer or one of its direct or indirect parent entities to effect a Change of Control (which 60-day period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by each such Rating Agency); provided, however, that a Rating Decline otherwise arising by virtue of a particular reduction in rating will not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus will not be deemed a Rating Decline for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Triggering Event) unless each such Rating Agency making the reduction in rating to which this definition would otherwise apply announces or publicly confirms or informs the Trustee in writing at the Issuer’s or its request that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the applicable Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control has occurred at the time of the Rating Decline).

Record Date” means, for the interest payable on any applicable Interest Payment Date, the May 15 and November 15 (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date.

Regulated Bank” means an Approved Commercial Bank that is (i) a U.S. depository institution the deposits of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; (ii) a corporation organized under section 25A of the U.S. Federal Reserve Act of 1913; (iii) a branch, agency or commercial lending company of a foreign bank operating pursuant to approval by and under the supervision of the Board of Governors under 12 CFR part 211; (iv) a non-U.S. branch of a foreign bank managed and controlled by a U.S. branch referred to in clause (iii); or (v) any other U.S. or non-U.S. depository institution or any branch, agency or similar office thereof supervised by a bank regulatory authority in any jurisdiction.

Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

Regulation S Global Note” means a Regulation S Temporary Global Note or Regulation S Permanent Global Note, as applicable.

Regulation S Permanent Global Note” means a permanent Global Note, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note upon expiration of the applicable Restricted Period.

Regulation S Temporary Global Note” means a temporary Global Note, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and the Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes initially sold in reliance on Rule 903.

 

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Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(f)(iii) hereof.

Related Business Assets” means assets (other than Cash Equivalents) used or useful in a Similar Business or any securities of a Person received by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in exchange for assets transferred by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any such securities shall not be deemed to be Related Business Assets, unless (a) upon receipt of the securities of such Person, such Person would become a Restricted Subsidiary or (b) such securities are received in respect of a transfer of the Specified Real Property Assets.

“Reserved Indebtedness Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.09 hereof.

Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such Person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and, in each case, who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

Restricted Definitive Note” means any Definitive Note bearing, or that is required to bear, the Private Placement Legend.

Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note bearing, or that is required to bear, the Private Placement Legend.

Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

Restricted Period” means, in respect of any Note issued under Regulation S, the 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S applicable to such Note.

Restricted Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, at any time, any direct or indirect Subsidiary of such Person (including the Co-Issuer and any Foreign Subsidiary) that is not then an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, that upon an Unrestricted Subsidiary ceasing to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary, such Subsidiary shall be included in the definition of “Restricted Subsidiary.” Unless the context otherwise requires, any references to Restricted Subsidiary refer to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer.

Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

Rule 903” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.

Rule 904” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.

S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, a business unit of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, and any successor to its rating agency business.

 

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Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any arrangement providing for the leasing (or similar arrangement) by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any real or tangible personal property, which property has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary to a third Person in contemplation of such leasing (or similar arrangement); provided, that any leasing arrangement by any entity other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary shall not constitute a Sale and Leaseback Transaction.

Screened Affiliate” means any Affiliate of a Holder or, if the Holder is DTC or DTC’s nominee, of a beneficial owner, (i) that makes investment decisions independently from such Holder or beneficial owner and any other Affiliate of such Holder that is not a Screened Affiliate, (ii) that has in place customary information screens between it and such Holder or beneficial owner and any other Affiliate of such Holder or beneficial owner that is not a Screened Affiliate and such screens prohibit the sharing of information with respect to the Issuer or its Subsidiaries, (iii) whose investment policies are not directed by such Holder or beneficial owner or any other Affiliate of such Holder or beneficial owner that is acting in concert with such Holder in connection with its investment in the Notes and (iv) whose investment decisions are not influenced by the investment decisions of such Holder or beneficial owner or any other Affiliate of such Holder or beneficial owner that is acting in concert with such Holders or beneficial owners in connection with its investment in the Notes.

SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or any successor thereto.

Secured Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries secured by a Lien.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Securitization Assets means (a) the loans, accounts receivable, timeshare receivables, financing receivables, mortgage receivables, loan receivables, other receivables, franchise fees, royalties or other revenue streams and other rights to payment and any other assets and property subject to a Qualified Securitization Facility and the proceeds thereof, (b) all collateral securing such receivable or asset, all contracts and contract rights, purchase orders, guarantees or other obligations in respect of such receivable or asset, lockbox accounts and records with respect to such account or asset and any other assets customarily transferred (or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted) together with accounts or assets in connection with a securitization, factoring or receivable sale transaction and (c) any Equity Interests of any Securitization Subsidiary or any Subsidiary of a Securitization Subsidiary and any rights under any limited liability company agreement, trust agreement, shareholders agreement, organizational or formation documents or other agreement entered into in furtherance of the organization of such entity.

Securitization Facility” means any of one or more receivables, factoring, securitization financing facilities, bank conduit receivables or warehouse financing, sales transactions, hypothecation facility and/or receivables purchase agreements, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, renewed, restated or refunded from time to time, the obligations of which are non-recourse (except for customary representations, warranties, covenants, obligations and indemnities made in connection with such facilities, including, for the avoidance of doubt, customary limited performance guarantees or “bad boy” guarantees) to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Securitization Subsidiary) pursuant to which the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries sells, transfers, pledges, participates, contributes to capital, grants a security interest in or otherwise conveys in its accounts receivable, payables or Securitization Assets or assets related thereto) whether now existing or arising in the future) to, or for the benefit of, either (a) a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or (b) a Securitization Subsidiary that in turn sells or grants a security interest in its accounts receivable, payable or Securitization Assets or assets related thereto to, or for the benefit of, a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

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Securitization Fees” means distributions or payments made directly or by means of discounts with respect to any Securitization Asset or participation interest issued or sold in connection with, and other fees and expenses paid to a Person (including fees and expenses of counsel) that is not a Securitization Subsidiary in connection with, any Qualified Securitization Facility.

Securitization Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary formed for the purpose of, and that solely engages only in one or more Qualified Securitization Facilities and other activities reasonably related thereto.

Senior Indebtedness” means:

(a) all Indebtedness of the Issuers or any Subsidiary Guarantor outstanding under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, the Notes, and related guarantees (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or similar proceeding or for reorganization of the Issuers or any Subsidiary Guarantor (at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, regardless of whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings)), and any and all other fees, expense reimbursement obligations, indemnification amounts, penalties, and other amounts (whether existing on the Escrow Release Date or thereafter created or incurred) and all obligations of the Issuers or any Subsidiary Guarantor to reimburse any bank or other Person in respect of amounts paid under letters of credit, acceptances or other similar instruments;

(b) all (x) Hedging Obligations (and guarantees thereof) and (y) obligations in respect of Bank Products (and guarantees thereof) owing to a lender under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities or any Affiliate of such lender (or any Person that was a lender or an Affiliate of such lender at the time the applicable agreement giving rise to such Hedging Obligation was entered into); provided that such Hedging Obligations and obligations in respect of Bank Products, as the case may be, are permitted to be incurred under the terms of this Indenture;

(c) any other Indebtedness of the Issuers or any Subsidiary Guarantor permitted to be incurred under the terms of this Indenture, unless the instrument under which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or any related Guarantee; and

(d) all Obligations with respect to the items listed in the preceding clauses (a), (b) and (c); provided that Senior Indebtedness shall not include:

(i) any obligation of such Person to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries;

(ii) any liability for federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by such Person;

(iii) any accounts payable or other liability to trade creditors arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(iv) any Indebtedness or other Obligation of such Person which is subordinate or junior in right of payment to any other Indebtedness or other Obligation of such Person; or

(v) that portion of any Indebtedness which at the time of incurrence is incurred in violation of this Indenture.

Senior Secured Credit Facilities” means collectively, (i) the Credit Agreement, dated as of December 28, 2016, among the Issuer, HGV Parent, the guarantors named therein, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, collateral agent, swing line lender and L/C Issuers, and the other agents and lenders named therein, and (ii) the Credit Agreement, dated as of the Escrow Release Date, among the Issuer, HGV Parent, the guarantors named therein, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the other agents and lenders named therein, in each case, as in effect on the Escrow Release Date, and including any guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements, refundings, refinancings or replacements thereof and any one or more indentures, agreements or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders or investors that replace, refund, supplement or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture or agreement that increases the amount borrowable thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that such increase in borrowings is permitted under Section 4.09 hereof) or adds the Issuers of any Restricted Subsidiaries as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder and whether by the same or any other agent, trustee, lender or group of lenders or holders.

Short Derivative Instrument” means a Derivative Instrument (i) the value of which generally decreases, and/or the payment or delivery obligations under which generally increase, with positive changes to the Performance References and/or (ii) the value of which generally increases, and/or the payment or delivery obligations under which generally decrease, with negative changes to the Performance References.

Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02, clauses (w)(1) or (2) of Regulation S-X promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in effect on the Escrow Release Date.

Similar Business” means (a) any business conducted or proposed to be conducted by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Escrow Release Date, and any reasonable extension thereof, or (b) any business or other activities that are reasonably similar, ancillary, incidental, complementary, synergistic or related to, or a reasonable extension, development or expansion of, the businesses in which the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries are engaged or propose to be engaged on the Escrow Release Date.

Specified Real Property Assets” means any real property or assets of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries with an aggregate book value not to exceed 4.0% of Total Assets of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Subordinated Indebtedness” means, with respect to the Notes,

(1) any Indebtedness of the Issuers which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, and

 

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(2) any Indebtedness of any Subsidiary Guarantor which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee of such entity of the Notes.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person:

(a) any corporation, association, or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity) of which more than 50.0% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; and

(b) any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity of which:

(i) more than 50.0% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general or limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership or otherwise; and

(ii) such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.

For the avoidance of doubt, unless otherwise specified, any entity that is owned at a 50.0% or less level (as described above) shall not be a “Subsidiary” for any purpose under this Indenture, regardless of whether such entity is consolidated on the Issuer’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s financial statements. Unless the context otherwise requires, any references to Subsidiary refer to a Subsidiary of the Issuer.

Subsidiary Guarantor means each Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer that guarantees the Notes in accordance with the terms of the Indenture; provided, that upon release or discharge of such Restricted Subsidiary from its Guarantee in accordance with the Indenture, such Restricted Subsidiary ceases to be a Subsidiary Guarantor.

Tax Matters Agreement” means the Tax Matters Agreement, dated January 2, 2017, by and among Hilton Parent, Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. and the Issuer and the other parties thereto, as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time in a manner not materially adverse to the Holders of the Notes when taken as a whole, as compared to the Tax Matters Agreement as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, supplement, waiver or modification.

Timeshare Loans” means loans made by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries to consumers in connection with their purchase of vacation ownership intervals from the Issuer or one of its Subsidiaries and evidenced by a promissory note secured by points earned under the Hilton Grand Vacations Club or similar customer loyalty and rewards programs or a fee simple interest in a residential unit.

Total Assets” means the total assets of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, as shown on the most recent balance sheet of the Issuer.

Transaction Agreements” means, collectively, the Distribution Agreement, the License Agreement, the Marketing Services Agreement and the Tax Matters Agreement.

 

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Transaction Expenses” means any fees or expenses incurred or paid by the Issuers or any of their Affiliates in connection with the Transactions (including payments to future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, members, partners, independent contractors or consultants as change of control payments, severance payments, consent payments, special or retention bonuses and charges for repurchase or rollover, acceleration or payments of, or modifications to, stock option or other equity-based awards, expenses in connection with hedging transactions related to the Senior Secured Credit Facilities and any original issue discount or upfront fees), the Indenture, the Notes, the Loan Documents (as defined in the Senior Secured Credit Facilities) and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

Transactions means the Acquisition, the issuance of the Notes and the Guarantees on the Issue Date, the borrowings under, and the entry into, the Senior Secured Credit Facilities in connection with the Acquisition, the payment of Transaction Expenses and other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or in connection therewith or incidental thereto as described in the Offering Memorandum.

Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa–77bbbb).

Trustee” means Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

Uniform Commercial Code” means the Uniform Commercial Code or any successor provision thereof as the same may from time to time be in effect in the State of New York. References in the Indenture to specific sections of the Uniform Commercial Code are based on the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York on the Escrow Release Date. In the event such Uniform Commercial Code is amended, such section reference shall be deemed to be references to the comparable section in such amended Uniform Commercial Code.

Unrestricted Definitive Note” means one or more Definitive Notes that do not bear and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

Unrestricted Global Note” means a permanent Global Note, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, bearing the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary, representing Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend.

Unrestricted Securitization Subsidiaries” means, as of the Escrow Release Date, HGV Depositor LLC, Hilton Grand Vacations Trust I LLC, Hilton Grand Vacations Trust 2017-A, Hilton Grand Vacations Trust 2018-A, Hilton Grand Vacations Trust 2019-A and Hilton Grand Vacations Trust 2020-A, Diamond Resorts CS Borrower, LLC, Diamond Resorts Issuer 2008 LLC, Diamond Resorts Depositor 2008 LLC, Diamond Resorts/ CO Borrower 2016, LLC, Diamond Resorts/CO Seller 2016, LLC, Diamond Resorts Owner Trust 2019-1, Diamond Resorts Seller 2019-1, LLC, Diamond Resorts Natixis Borrower, LLC, Diamond Resorts DB Borrower LLC, DRI Quorum 2010 LLC, Diamond Resorts Owner Trust 2018-1, Diamond Resorts Seller 2018-1, LLC, Diamond Resorts Owner Trust 2017-1, Diamond Resorts Seller 2017-1, LLC, Diamond Resorts Owner Trust 2016-1, Diamond Resorts Seller 2016-1, LLC, Diamond Resorts Seller 2021-1, LLC and Diamond Resorts Owner Trust 2021-1, and their direct or indirect subsidiaries and any Subsidiary that is an Unrestricted Subsidiary (as defined in the Senior Secured Credit Facilities) under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities as of the Escrow Release Date.

 

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Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:

(a) any Unrestricted Securitization Subsidiary or any Subsidiary of the Issuer which at the time of determination is an Unrestricted Subsidiary (as designated by the Issuer, as provided below); and

(b) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Securitization Subsidiary entity or any other Unrestricted Subsidiary.

The Issuer may designate any Subsidiary of the Issuer other than the Co-Issuer (including any existing Subsidiary and any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Equity Interests or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any Lien on, any property of, the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer (other than solely any Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated); provided that either (i) the Subsidiary to be so designated has total consolidated assets of $1,000 or less or (ii) if the Subsidiary to be so designated has total consolidated assets in excess of $1,000, such designation complies with Section 4.07 hereof. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of the Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under Section 4.09 hereof, the Issuer will be in Default of such covenant.

The Issuer may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that, immediately after giving effect to such designation, (i) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) (x) any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary would be permitted to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary under Section 4.09 hereof (including pursuant to clause (xiv) of Section 4.09(b) hereof treating such redesignation as an acquisition for the purpose of such clause) and shall be deemed to be incurred thereunder and (y) all Liens encumbering the assets of such Unrestricted Subsidiary would be permitted to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary under Section 4.12 hereof and shall be deemed to be incurred thereunder, in each case calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable reference period.

Any such designation by the Issuer shall be notified by the Issuer to the Trustee by promptly delivering to the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the Board of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.

U.S. Dollar Equivalent” means with respect to any monetary amount in a currency other than U.S. dollars, at any time for determination thereof, the amount of U.S. dollars obtained by converting such foreign currency involved in such computation into U.S. dollars at the spot rate for the purchase of U.S. dollars with the applicable foreign currency as published in The Wall Street Journal in the “Exchange Rates” column under the heading “Currency Trading” on the date two Business Days prior to such determination.

U.S. Government Securities” means securities that are:

(a) direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged; or

 

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(b) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America,

which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act), as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Securities or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Securities held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Securities or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Securities evidenced by such depository receipt.

U.S. Person” means a U.S. person as defined in Rule 902(k) under the Securities Act.

Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of such Person.

Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, at any date, the quotient obtained by dividing:

(a) the sum of the products of the number of years from the date of determination to the date of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment; by

(b) the sum of all such payments;

provided that for purposes of determining the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of any Indebtedness that is being extended, replaced, refunded, refinanced, renewed or defeased (the “Applicable Indebtedness”), the effects of any amortization or prepayments made on such Applicable Indebtedness prior to the date of the applicable extension, replacement, refunding, refinancing, renewal or defeasance shall be disregarded.

Wholly Owned Subsidiary” of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person, 100.0% of the outstanding Voting Stock of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals as required by applicable law) shall at the time be owned by such Person and/or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

Section 1.02. Other Definitions.

 

Term

  

Section

Acceptable Commitment

   4.10(b)(iii)

Accounting Change

  

Advance Offer

   4.10(c)

Advance Portion

   4.10(c)

Affiliate Transaction

   4.11(a)

Alternate Offer

   4.14(k)(ii)

Applicable Indebtedness

   1.01

Applicable Premium Deficit

   8.04(a)

Asset Sale Offer

   4.10(c)

 

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Term

  

Section

Authentication Order

   2.02

Change of Control Offer

   4.14

Change of Control Payment

   4.14

Change of Control Payment Date

   4.14(b)

Co-Issuer

   Exhibit A

Covenant Defeasance

   8.03

Covenant Suspension Event

   4.17(a)

Declined Proceeds

   4.10(c)

Directing Holder

   6.02

disposition

   1.01

DTC

   2.03

ERISA

   1.05(h)

equity incentives

   1.01

Event of Default

   6.01(a)

Excess Proceeds

   4.10(c)

Excess Proceeds Threshold

   4.10(c)

Exchange

   Exhibit C

Existing Diamond Unsecured Notes

   4.09(b)(iii)

Foreign Disposition

   4.10(b)

Guaranteeing Subsidiary

   Exhibit D-2

HGV Intermediate Parent

   Exhibit D-1

HVG Parent

   Exhibit D-1

IFRS

   1.01

incur and incurrence

   4.09(a)

IRS

   Exhibit E

Issuer

   Exhibit A

LCT Election

   1.08

LCT Test Date

   1.08

Legal Defeasance

   8.02

Master Agreement

   1.01

New Co-Issuer

   Exhibit D-1

New Guarantors

   Exhibit D-1

New Issuer

   Exhibit D-1

Note Register

   2.03

Offer Amount

   3.09(b)

Offer Period

   3.09(b)

Owner

   Exhibit C

Pari Passu Indebtedness

   4.10(c)

Paying Agent

   2.03

Performance References

   1.01

primary obligations

   1.01

primary obligor

   1.01

Purchase Date

   3.09(b)

Redemption Date

   3.01

Refinancing Indebtedness

   4.09(b)(xiii)

Refunding Capital Stock

   4.07(b)(ii)

Registrar

   2.03

Restricted Payments

   4.07(a)(iv)

Reversion Date

   4.17(b)

Second Commitment

   4.10(b)(iii)

 

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Term

  

Section

Special Mandatory Redemption

   3.08(a)

Special Mandatory Redemption Date

   3.08(a)

Special Mandatory Redemption Event

   3.08(a)

Special Mandatory Redemption Notice

   3.08(a)

Special Mandatory Redemption Price

   3.08(a)

Subject Lien

   4.12

Successor Company

   5.01(a)(i)

Successor Person

   5.01(e)(i)(A)

Supplemental Indenture

   Exhibit D-1 and Exhibit D-2

Suspended Covenants

   4.17(a)

Suspension Period

   4.17(b)

TIN

   Exhibit E

Transfer

   Exhibit B

Transfer Agent

   2.03

Transferee

   Exhibit B

Transferor

   Exhibit B

Treasury Capital Stock

   4.07(b)(ii)(A)

Trustee

   8.05

U.S. GAAP

   1.01

U.S. Holders

   Exhibit E

Verification Covenant

   6.02

Section 1.03. Inapplicability of Trust Indenture Act. No provisions of the Trust Indenture Act are incorporated by reference in or made a part of this Indenture unless explicitly incorporated by reference. The Issuers and the Guarantors shall not be required to qualify this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. Unless specifically provided in this Indenture, no terms that are defined under the Trust Indenture Act have such meanings for purposes of this Indenture

Section 1.04. Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

(c) “or” is not exclusive;

(d) the words “including,” “includes” and similar words shall be deemed to be followed by “without limitation”;

(e) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

(f) “shall” and “will” shall be interpreted to express a command;

(g) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

(h) references to sections of, or rules under, the Securities Act or the Exchange Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time;

 

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(i) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an “Article,” “Section” or “clause” refers to an Article, Section or clause, as the case may be, of this Indenture;

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

(k) the principal amount of any non-interest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the Issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP;

(l) words used herein implying any gender shall apply to both genders;

(m) in the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including”; the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding” and the word “through” means “to and including”; and

(n) the principal amount of any Preferred Stock at any time shall be (i) the maximum liquidation value of such Preferred Stock at such time or (ii) the maximum mandatory redemption or mandatory repurchase price with respect to such Preferred Stock at such time, whichever is greater.

Section 1.05. Acts of Holders.

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers). Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or the holding by any Person of a Note, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Escrow Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers), if made in the manner provided in this Section 1.05.

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

(c) The ownership of Notes shall be proved by the Note Register.

(d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any Note shall bind every future Holder of the same Note and the Holder of every Note issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Trustee or the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.

 

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(e) The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) may set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders entitled to give any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or take any other act, or to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent authorized or permitted to be given or taken by Holders. Unless otherwise specified, if not set by the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) prior to the first solicitation of a Holder made by any Person in respect of any such action, or in the case of any such vote, prior to such vote, any such record date shall be the later of 10 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or, if the Trustee is not then also the Registrar, the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee prior to such solicitation.

(f) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Note may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Note or by one or more duly appointed agents, each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount. Any notice given or action taken by a Holder or its agents with regard to different parts of such principal amount pursuant to this Section 1.05(f) shall have the same effect as if given or taken by separate Holders of each such different part.

(g) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Holder, including DTC, that is a Holder of a Global Note, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders, and any Person, that is a Holder of a Global Note, including DTC, may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Note through such Depositary’s standing instructions and customary practices.

(h) The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) may fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons who are beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note held by The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and successors (DTC) entitled under the procedures of such Depositary to make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders. If such a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date or their duly appointed proxy or proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. No such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be valid or effective if made, given or taken more than 120 days after such record date.

Section 1.06. Timing of Payment. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the date on which any payment is to be made pursuant to this Indenture or the Notes is not a Business Day, the payment otherwise payable on such date shall be payable on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such scheduled date and (provided such payment is made on such succeeding Business Day) no interest shall accrue on the amount of such payment from and after such scheduled date to the time of such payment on such next succeeding Business Day and the amount of any such payment that is an interest payment will reflect accrual only through the original payment date and not through the next succeeding Business Day.

Section 1.07. Co-Issuers and Escrow Co-Issuers. At any time at which the “Issuer” or the “Co-Issuer”, respectively, as defined in Section 1.01 hereof, includes one or more escrow co-issuer or co-issuer, respectively, each issuer and co-issuer shall be jointly and severally liable for all obligations of the Issuer and Escrow Issuer, respectively, under or related to, or arising in connection with, this Indenture and the Notes, and any document to be executed by the “Issuer” or the “Escrow Issuer” hereunder during such time shall be executed by each such issuer and co-issuer, or escrow issuer and co-issuer, as applicable.

 

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Section 1.08. Financial Calculations for Limited Condition Transactions. For purposes of calculating the availability under any basket, test or ratio under this Indenture or compliance with any provision of this Indenture in connection with any Limited Condition Transaction and any actions or transactions related thereto (including acquisitions, Investments, the incurrence, issuance or assumption of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock and the use of proceeds thereof, the incurrence or assumption of Liens, repayments, Restricted Payments, the designation of any Restricted Subsidiaries or Unrestricted Subsidiaries, and Asset Sales or any disposition, issuance or other transaction excluded from the definition of “Asset Sale”), in each case, at the option of the Issuer (the Issuer’s election to exercise such option, an “LCT Election”), the date of determination for availability under any such basket, test or ratio or whether any such action or transaction is permitted (or any requirement or condition therefor is complied with or satisfied (including as to the absence of any continuing Default or Event of Default)) under this Indenture shall be deemed to be the date (the “LCT Test Date”) either (a) the definitive agreements for such Limited Condition Transaction are entered into (or, if applicable, the date of delivery of a notice, declaration or making of a Restricted Payment or similar event), or (b) solely in connection with an acquisition to which the United Kingdom City Code on Takeovers and Mergers or similar law or practices in other jurisdictions apply, the date on which a “Rule 2.7 announcement” of a firm intention to make an offer or similar announcement or determination in another jurisdiction subject to similar laws in respect of a target of a Limited Condition Transaction and, in each case, if, after giving pro forma effect to the Limited Condition Transaction and any actions or transactions related thereto (including acquisitions, Investments, the incurrence, issuance or assumption of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock and the use of proceeds thereof, the incurrence or assumption of Liens, repayments, Restricted Payments, the designation of any Restricted Subsidiaries or Unrestricted Subsidiaries, and Asset Sales or any disposition, issuance or other transaction excluded from the definition of “Asset Sale”) and any related pro forma adjustments), as if they had occurred at the beginning of the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters ending prior to the LCT Test Date for which internal consolidated financial statements of the Issuer are available, the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries would have been permitted to take such actions or consummate such transactions on the relevant LCT Test Date in compliance with such ratio, test or basket (and any related requirements and conditions), such ratio, test or basket (and any related requirements and conditions) shall be deemed to have been complied with (or satisfied) for all purposes (in the case of Indebtedness, for example, whether such Indebtedness is committed, issued or incurred at the LCT Test Date or at any time thereafter); provided that (i) if financial statements for one or more subsequent fiscal quarters shall have become available, the Issuer may elect, in its sole discretion, to re-determine all such ratios, tests or baskets on the basis of such financial statements, in which case, such date of redetermination shall thereafter be deemed to be the applicable LCT Test Date for purposes of such ratios, tests or baskets, (ii) except as contemplated in the foregoing clause (i), compliance with such ratios, tests or baskets (and any related requirements and conditions) shall not be determined or tested at any time after the applicable LCT Test Date for such Limited Condition Transaction and any actions or transactions related thereto (including acquisitions, Investments, the incurrence, issuance or assumption of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock and the use of proceeds thereof, the incurrence or assumption of Liens, repayments, Restricted Payments, the designation of any Restricted Subsidiaries or Unrestricted Subsidiaries, and Asset Sales or any disposition, issuance or other transaction excluded from the definition of “Asset Sale”) and (iii) Consolidated Interest Expense for purposes of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated using an assumed interest rate based on the indicative interest margin contained in any financing commitment documentation with respect to such Indebtedness or, if no such indicative interest margin exists, as reasonably determined by the Issuer in good faith.

 

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For the avoidance of doubt, if the Issuer has made an LCT Election, (1) if any of the ratios, tests or baskets for which compliance was determined or tested as of the LCT Test Date would at any time after the LCT Test Date have been exceeded or otherwise failed to have been complied with as a result of fluctuations in any such ratio, test or basket, including due to fluctuations in EBITDA or total assets of the Issuer or the Person subject to such Limited Condition Transaction at or prior to the consummation of the relevant transaction or action, such baskets, tests or ratios will not be deemed to have been exceeded or failed to have been complied with as a result of such fluctuations; provided, that if such ratios, tests or baskets improve as a result of such fluctuations, such improved ratios, tests and/or baskets may be utilized; (2) if any related requirements and conditions (including as to the absence of any continuing Default or Event of Default) for which compliance or satisfaction was determined or tested as of the LCT Test Date would at any time after the LCT Test Date not have been complied with or satisfied (including due to the occurrence or continuation of a Default or an Event of Default), such requirements and conditions will not be deemed to have been failed to be complied with or satisfied (and such Default or Event of Default shall be deemed not to have occurred or be continuing); and (3) in calculating the availability under any ratio, test or basket in connection with any action or transaction unrelated to such Limited Condition Transaction following the relevant LCT Test Date and prior to the earlier of the date on which such Limited Condition Transaction is consummated or the date that the definitive agreement, the date of notice or offer or date for redemption, purchase or repayment specified in a notice for such Limited Condition Transaction is terminated, expires or passes, as applicable, without consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction, any such ratio, test or basket shall be determined or tested giving pro forma effect to such Limited Condition Transaction and any actions or transactions related thereto.

In connection with any action being taken in connection with a Limited Condition Transaction, for purposes of determining compliance with any provision of this Indenture which requires that no Default, Event of Default or specified Event of Default, as applicable, has occurred, is continuing or would result from any such action, as applicable, such condition shall, at the option of the Issuer, be deemed satisfied, so long as no Default, Event of Default or specified Event of Default, as applicable, exists on the date of the definitive agreement, the date of notice or offer or date for redemption, purchase or repayment for such Limited Condition Transaction, as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Issuer has exercised an LCT Election, and any Default, Event of Default or specified Event of Default occurs following the date the definitive agreements (or, if applicable, the date of delivery of a notice, declaration or making of a Restricted Payment or similar event) for the applicable Limited Condition Transaction were entered into and prior to the consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction, any such Default, Event of Default or specified Event of Default shall be deemed to not have occurred or be continuing for purposes of determining whether any action being taken in connection with such Limited Condition Transaction is permitted under this Indenture.

Section 1.09. Certain Compliance Calculations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, in the event an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) is incurred, assumed or issued, any Lien is incurred or assumed, any Restricted Payment is made or other transaction is undertaken (including a Limited Condition Transaction) in reliance on a ratio basket based on the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio or Consolidated Total Debt Ratio, such ratio(s) shall be calculated with respect to such incurrence, issuance or other transaction without giving effect to amounts being utilized under any other non-ratio-based basket substantially concurrently. Each item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock that is incurred, assumed or issued, each Lien incurred and each other transaction undertaken will be deemed to have been incurred, assumed, issued or taken first, to the extent available, pursuant to the relevant Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio or Consolidated Total Debt Ratio test. For the avoidance of doubt, when testing the availability under a ratio basket for purposes of making a Restricted Payment, Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) incurred, assumed or issued the proceeds of which are being utilized to make a Restricted Payment utilizing a non-ratio basket shall not be given effect.

 

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If a proposed action, matter, transaction or amount (or a portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one applicable basket, permission or threshold under this Indenture, the Issuer shall be entitled to divide or classify or later divide or reclassify (based on circumstances existing on the date of such reclassification) such action, matter, transaction or amount (or a portion thereof) between such baskets, permission or thresholds as it shall elect from time to time.

Any calculation, test or measure that is determined with reference to the Issuer’s financial statements (including, without limitation, EBITDA, Consolidated Interest Expense, Consolidated Net Income, Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio, Consolidated Total Debt Ratio, Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, Fixed Charges, and clause (C)(1) of Section 4.07(a) hereof may be determined with reference to the financial statements of a direct or indirect parent entity of the Issuer instead, so long as such calculation, test or measure would not differ by more than an immaterial amount when using the financial statements of such direct or indirect parent entity of the Issuer as compared to if such calculation, test or measure were made using the Issuer’s financial statements (as determined in good faith by the Issuer).

Any ratios, tests or baskets required to be satisfied in order for a specific action permitted under this Indenture shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding up if there is no nearest number).

If the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary takes an action which at the time of the taking of such action would in the good faith determination of the Issuer be permitted under the applicable provisions of the Indenture based on the financial statements available at such time, such action shall be deemed to have been made in compliance with this Indenture notwithstanding any subsequent adjustments, modifications or restatements made in good faith to such financial statements affecting Consolidated Net Income, EBITDA or other applicable financial metric.

ARTICLE 2

THE NOTES

Section 2.01. Form and Dating; Terms.

(a) General. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rules or usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be issued in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000.

(b) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto. Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto. Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified in the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto and each shall provide that it shall represent up to the aggregate principal amount of Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as applicable, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.

 

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(c) Temporary Global Notes. Notes offered and sold in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued initially in the form of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Custodian and registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary for the accounts of designated agents holding on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, duly executed by the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided.

Following (i) the termination of the applicable Restricted Period and (ii) the receipt by the Trustee of (A) a certification or other evidence in a form reasonably acceptable to the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) together with copies of certificates from Euroclear and Clearstream certifying that they have received certifications of non-United States beneficial ownership of 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note, to the extent the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream provide such certificates in the ordinary course of their business (except to the extent of any beneficial owners thereof who acquired an interest therein during the Restricted Period pursuant to another exemption from registration under the Securities Act and who shall take delivery of a beneficial ownership interest in a 144A Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend, all as contemplated by Section 2.06(b) hereof) and (B) an Officer’s Certificate from the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers), the Trustee shall remove the Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend from the Regulation S Temporary Global Note, following which temporary beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall automatically become beneficial interests in the Regulation S Permanent Global Note pursuant to the Applicable Procedures.

The aggregate principal amount of a Regulation S Temporary Global Note and a Regulation S Permanent Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, in connection with transfers of interest as hereinafter provided.

(d) Terms. The aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers), the Escrow Guarantor, the Guarantors from time to time party hereto and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

The Notes shall be subject to repurchase by the Issuers pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer as provided in Section 4.10 hereof or a Change of Control Offer as provided in Section 4.14 hereof. The Notes shall not be redeemable, other than as provided in Article 3 hereof.

Subject to compliance with Section 4.09 hereof, the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) may issue Additional Notes from time to time ranking pari passu with the Initial Notes without notice to or consent of the Holders, and such Additional Notes shall be consolidated with and form a single class with the Initial Notes and shall have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the Initial Notes, except that interest may accrue on the Additional Notes from their date of issuance (or such other date specified by the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers)); provided that if any Additional Notes are not fungible with the Initial Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such Additional Notes will have a separate CUSIP number. Any Additional Notes may be issued with the benefit of an indenture supplemental to this Indenture.

 

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(e) Euroclear and Clearstream Applicable Procedures. The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Banking” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream shall be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note and the Regulation S Permanent Global Notes that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.

Section 2.02. Execution and Authentication. At least one Officer of each of the Issuer and the Co-Issuer (or, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall execute the Notes on behalf of the Issuer and the Co-Issuer (or, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers), as applicable, by manual, facsimile or electronic (including “.pdf”) signature.

If an Officer of the Issuer or the Co-Issuer (or, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.

A Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, by the manual signature of the Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been duly authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

On the Issue Date, the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Escrow Issuers’ Order (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate and deliver the Initial Notes in the aggregate principal amount or amounts specified in such Authentication Order. In addition, at any time, from time to time, the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate and deliver any Additional Notes for an aggregate principal amount specified in such Authentication Order for such Additional Notes issued or increased hereunder.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Issuers.

Section 2.03. Registrar, Transfer Agent and Paying Agent. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall maintain (a) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration (the “Registrar”), which shall be Wilmington Trust, National Association, as of the date of this Indenture, (b) an office or agency where the Notes may be presented for transfer or for exchange (the “Transfer Agent”), which shall be Wilmington Trust, National Association as of the date of this Indenture and (c) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (the “Paying Agent”), which shall be Wilmington Trust, National Association, as of the date of this Indenture. The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes (“Note Register”) and of their transfer and exchange. The registered Holder of a Note will be treated as the owner of such Note for all purposes and only registered Holders shall have rights under this Indenture and the Notes. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) may appoint one or more co-registrars, one or more co-transfer agents and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar, the term “Transfer Agent” includes any co-transfer agent and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agents. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) may change any Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or Registrar without prior notice to any Holder. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) fail to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar, Transfer Agent or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. Either Issuer or any of its respective Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or Registrar upon written notice to the Trustee.

 

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The Escrow Issuers initially appoint DTC, its nominees and successors to act as Depositary with respect to any Global Notes.

The Escrow Issuers initially appoint the Trustee to act as the Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Notes and to act as Custodian with respect to the Notes and any Global Notes.

If any Notes are listed on an exchange and the rules of such exchange so require, the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) will satisfy any requirement of such exchange as to paying agents, registrars and transfer agents and will comply with any notice requirements required under such exchange in connection with any change of paying agent, registrar or transfer agent.

Section 2.04. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Notes, and will notify the Trustee in writing of any default by the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) at any time may require a Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Issuer or a Subsidiary or the Trustee) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Issuer or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Issuer or the Co-Issuer, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

Section 2.05. Holder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall furnish to the Trustee at least two Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders.

Section 2.06. Transfer and Exchange.

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 2.06, a Global Note may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor thereto or a nominee of such successor thereto. A beneficial interest in a Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note unless, and, if applicable, subject to the limitation on issuance of Definitive Notes set forth in Section 2.06(c)(ii), (i) the Depositary (x) notifies the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Note or (y) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) within 120 days, (ii) the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers), at their option, notify the Trustee in writing that they elect to cause the issuance of Definitive Notes (although Regulation S Temporary Global Notes may not be exchanged for Definitive Notes prior to (A) the expiration of the applicable Restricted Period and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certification of beneficial ownership required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B)), (iii) upon the request of a Holder if there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to the Notes, or (iv) the Trustee has received a written request by or on behalf of the Depositary to issue Definitive Notes. Upon the occurrence of any of the events described in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above, Definitive Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests therein will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depositary (in accordance with its Applicable Procedures). Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Sections 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note, except for Definitive Notes issued subsequent to any of the events described in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above and pursuant to Section 2.06(c) hereof. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a); provided, however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (f) hereof.

 

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(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depositary in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

(i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person other than pursuant to Rule 144A. Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(i).

(ii) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(i) hereof, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either (A) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase or (B) (1) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above; provided that in no event shall Definitive Notes be issued upon the transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in a Regulation S Temporary Global Note prior to (x) the expiration of the applicable Restricted Period therefor and (y) the receipt by the Registrar of any certification of beneficial ownership required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B). Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof.

 

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(iii) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof and the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof; or

(B) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof.

(iv) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof and:

(A) such Notes are sold or exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act;

(B) the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or

(2) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (B), if the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) so request or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

If any such transfer is effected pursuant to subparagraph (B) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to subparagraph (B) above.

 

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Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.

(c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.

(i) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events described in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of Section 2.06(a) hereof and receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;

(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or any of their Subsidiaries, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(F) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof, and the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall execute and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the applicable principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall mail such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(i) (except transfers pursuant to clause (F) above) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

 

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(ii) Beneficial Interests in Regulation S Temporary Global Note to Definitive Notes. Notwithstanding Sections 2.06(c)(i)(A) and (C) hereof, a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note prior to (A) the expiration of the applicable Restricted Period therefor and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certifications of beneficial ownership required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B) of the Securities Act, except in the case of a transfer pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 903 or Rule 904.

(iii) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only upon the occurrence of any of the events described in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of Section 2.06(a) hereof and if the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or

(2) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (iii), if the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) so request or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(iv) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon the occurrence of any of the events described in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of Section 2.06(a) hereof and satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(g) hereof, and the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall execute and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and mail to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the applicable principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iv) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall mail such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(iv) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

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(d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.

(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;

(B) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or any of their Subsidiaries, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(F) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the applicable Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (B) above, the applicable 144A Global Note, and in the case of clause (C) above, the applicable Regulation S Global Note.

(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or

 

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(2) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (ii), if the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) so request or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions of this Section 2.06(d)(ii), the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.

If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraph (ii) or (iii) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.

(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer or exchange in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e):

(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transfer will be made to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

 

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(B) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; or

(C) if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

(1) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or

(2) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (ii) if the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) so request, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

(f) Legends. The following legends shall appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture:

(i) Private Placement Legend.

(A) Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

 

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“THE NOTES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION AS SET FORTH BELOW. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”)), OR (B) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“REGULATION S”), (2) AGREES TO OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH NOTE PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE HOLDING PERIOD THEN IMPOSED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (OR ANY SUCCESSOR PROVISION) ONLY (A) TO THE ISSUER, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE NOTES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION PURSUANT TO REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 903 OR 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUERS’ (AND, PRIOR TO THE ESCROW RELEASE DATE, THE ESCROW ISSUERS’) OR THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM.”

Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Global Note and Definitive Note issued in a transaction exempt from registration pursuant to Regulation S shall also bear the legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION ORIGINALLY EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, ANY U.S. PERSON EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraph (b)(iv), (c)(iii), (c)(iv), (d)(ii), (d)(iii), (e)(ii), (e)(iii) or (f) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.

 

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(ii) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (with appropriate changes in the last sentence if DTC is not the Depositary):

“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(h) OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUERS (AND, PRIOR TO THE ESCROW RELEASE DATE, THE ESCROW ISSUERS). UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”) TO THE ISSUERS (AND, PRIOR TO THE ESCROW RELEASE DATE, THE ESCROW ISSUERS) OR THEIR AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

BY ITS ACQUISITION OF THIS NOTE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN, THE HOLDER WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED AND WARRANTED THAT EITHER (I) NO PORTION OF THE ASSETS USED BY IT TO PURCHASE OR HOLD THIS NOTE (OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN) CONSTITUTES THE ASSETS OF ANY (A) “EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN” (AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3(3) OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”)), THAT IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF ERISA, (B) PLAN, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER ARRANGEMENT THAT IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”), OR PROVISIONS UNDER ANY OTHER U.S. OR NON-U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL OR OTHER LAWS OR REGULATIONS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO SUCH PROVISIONS OF ERISA OR THE CODE (COLLECTIVELY, “SIMILAR LAW”) OR (C) ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS ARE CONSIDERED TO INCLUDE ASSETS OF ANY OF THE FOREGOING DESCRIBED IN CLAUSES (A) OR (B) PURSUANT TO ERISA OR OTHERWISE OR (II) THE PURCHASE, HOLDING AND SUBSEQUENT DISPOSITION OF THE NOTES (OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN) BY SUCH HOLDER WILL NOT CONSTITUTE OR RESULT IN A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A VIOLATION UNDER ANY APPLICABLE SIMILAR LAWS.”

 

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(iii) Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend. The Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“THE RIGHTS ATTACHING TO THIS REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE, AND THE CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING ITS EXCHANGE FOR CERTIFICATED NOTES, ARE AS SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE (AS DEFINED HEREIN).”

(g) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or cancelled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and cancelled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

(h) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof or at the Registrar’s request.

(ii) No service charge shall be made to a holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.07, 2.10, 3.06, 3.09, 4.10, 4.14 and 9.05 hereof).

 

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(iii) Neither the Registrar nor the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall be required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the mailing or transmission of a notice of redemption of the Notes to be redeemed under Section 3.03 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing or transmission, (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part, (C) to register the transfer or exchange of a Note between a Record Date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date or (D) to register the transfer or exchange of any Notes tendered (and not withdrawn) for repurchase in connection with a Change of Control Offer or an Asset Sale Offer.

(iv) Neither the Registrar nor the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall be required to register the transfer or exchange of any Note selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part; provided that new Notes will only be issued in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000.

(v) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers), evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(vi) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

(vii) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note at the office or agency of the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) designated pursuant to Section 4.02 hereof, the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more replacement Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount.

(viii) At the option of the Holder, subject to Section 2.06(a) hereof, Notes may be exchanged for other Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Global Notes or Definitive Notes are so surrendered for exchange, the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail, the replacement Global Notes and Definitive Notes which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.

(ix) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile.

(x) Members of, or participants in, the Depositary shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary, or the Trustee as its custodian, or under the Global Note, and the Depositary may be treated by the Issuers (and prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers), the Trustee and any agent of the Issuers (and prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) or the Trustee as the absolute owner of the Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuers (and prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers), the Trustee or any agent of the Issuers (and prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and participants, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a Holder of any Note.

 

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(xi) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, neither the Trustee nor the Registrar shall be responsible for ascertaining whether any transfer complies with the registration provisions of or exemptions from the Securities Act, applicable state securities laws, ERISA (or, in the case of a governmental plan or a church plan (as described in ERISA Sections 3(32) and 3(33), respectively) any substantially similar federal, state or local law), the Code or the Investment Company Act; provided that if a certificate is specifically required by the express terms of this Section 2.06 to be delivered to the Trustee by a purchaser or transferee of a Note, the Trustee shall be under a duty to receive and examine the same to determine whether on its face it conforms to the express terms of this Indenture and shall promptly notify the party delivering the same if such certificate does not comply with such terms.

Section 2.07. Replacement Notes. If either (x) any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee, the Registrar or the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers), or (y) the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the ownership and destruction, loss or theft of any Note, then the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order and satisfaction of any other requirements of the Trustee, shall authenticate a replacement Note. If required by the Trustee or the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers), an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of both (a) the Trustee to protect the Trustee and (b) the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) to protect the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers), the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) and the Trustee may charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Note.

Every replacement Note is a contractual obligation of the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

Section 2.08. Outstanding Notes. The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because any of the Escrow Issuers, the Escrow Guarantor, the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or a Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or a Guarantor holds the Note.

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser (as defined in Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code).

 

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Notes in exchange for or in lieu of which other Notes have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes hereof.

If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, such Note shall cease to be outstanding and interest thereon shall cease to accrue.

If the Paying Agent (other than the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or a Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or a Guarantor) holds, on a Redemption Date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes (or portions thereof) payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes (or portions thereof) shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding (including for accounting purposes) and shall cease to accrue interest on and after such date.

Section 2.09. Treasury Notes. In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or by any Affiliate of the Issuer or the Co-Issuer, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith shall not be disregarded if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to deliver any such direction, waiver or consent with respect to such pledged Notes and that the pledgee is not the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or a Guarantor or any Affiliate of the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or a Guarantor.

Section 2.10. Temporary Notes. Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) consider appropriate for temporary Notes. Without unreasonable delay, the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

Holders and beneficial holders, as the case may be, of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits accorded to Holders, or beneficial holders, respectively, of Notes under this Indenture.

Section 2.11. Cancellation. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee or, at the direction of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall dispose of such cancelled Notes in its customary manner (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act). Certification of the cancellation of all cancelled Notes shall be delivered to the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) upon their written request therefor. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that they have paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

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Section 2.12. Defaulted Interest. If the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) default in a payment of interest on the Notes, they shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such defaulted interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such defaulted interest as provided in this Section 2.12. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall promptly notify the Trustee of any such special record date. At least 15 days before any such special record date, the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers, or, upon the written request of the Issuers or the Escrow Issuers, as applicable, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuers and the Escrow Issuers, respectively) shall mail or cause to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, or otherwise deliver in accordance with the Applicable Procedures, to each Holder, with a copy to the Trustee, a notice at his or her address as it appears in the Note Register that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12 and for greater certainty, each Note delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Note shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Note.

Section 2.13. CUSIP Numbers; ISINs. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP numbers and ISINs (in each case, if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers and ISINs in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders; provided that the Trustee shall have no liability for any defect in any CUSIP numbers as they appear on the Notes, on any notice or elsewhere and that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption or exchange and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) will as promptly as practicable notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP numbers and ISINs. Notwithstanding anything otherwise to the contrary in this Indenture or the Notes, the Issuers may, and, at the Issuers’ direction, the Trustee shall, exchange Notes then outstanding, including, in the case of any Global Notes, through a mandatory exchange at the Depositary or otherwise in accordance with Applicable Procedures, to reflect any change in the name of the Issuers, and/or the CUSIP numbers and ISIN numbers with respect to the Notes as may be necessary or appropriate to give effect to the Assumption pursuant to Section 12.05 of this Indenture, and if any new Notes are to be issued in exchange for other Notes pursuant to this Section 2.13, the Issuers shall provide an Authentication Order and a cancellation order to the Trustee in respect thereof. Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of the Assumption.

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION

Section 3.01. Notices to Trustee. If the Issuers elect to redeem Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, they shall furnish to the Trustee, at least two Business Days (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to by the Trustee) before notice of redemption is required to be delivered or mailed to Holders pursuant to Section 3.03 hereof, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth (a) the paragraph or subparagraph of such Note and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (b) the date of redemption (as such date may be delayed pursuant to Section 3.07(f), the “Redemption Date”), (c) the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed and (d) the redemption price.

Section 3.02. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed. If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed in accordance with the Applicable Procedures.

 

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The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuers in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. Notes and portions of Notes selected shall be in integral multiples of $1,000 (but in a minimum amount of $2,000) and no Notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed in part, except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder shall be redeemed, even if not in a principal amount of at least $2,000. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.

Section 3.03. Notice of Redemption. Subject to Section 3.08 and Section 3.09 hereof, the Issuers shall send electronically, mail or cause to be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, notices of redemption at least 10 days (except as set forth in Section 3.07(f) and Section 3.08) but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at such Holder’s registered address stated in the Note Register or otherwise in accordance with the Applicable Procedures, except that redemption notices may be delivered or mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with Article 8 or Article 11 hereof. Notices of redemption may, at the Issuers’ discretion, be conditional in accordance with Section 3.07(f). In addition, the Issuers may provide in any notice of redemption that payment of the redemption price and the performance of the Issuers’ obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person.

The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:

(a) the Redemption Date;

(b) the redemption price;

(c) if any Definitive Note is to be redeemed in part only, the portion of the principal amount of that Note that is to be redeemed and that, after the Redemption Date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note representing the same indebtedness to the extent not redeemed will be issued in the name of the Holder upon cancellation of the original Note; provided that new Notes will only be issued in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000;

(d) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(e) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

(f) that, unless the Issuers default in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;

(g) the paragraph or subparagraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;

(h) the CUSIP number and ISIN, if any, printed on the Notes being redeemed and that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of any such CUSIP number and ISIN that is listed in such notice or printed on the Notes; and

(i) any condition to such redemption.

 

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In addition, any notice of redemption may include additional information, including any information pursuant to Section 3.07(f) hereof.

At the Issuers’ request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Issuers’ name and at their expense; provided that the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least two Business Days before notice of redemption is required to be delivered electronically, mailed or caused to be mailed to Holders pursuant to this Section 3.03 (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to by the Trustee), an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

If the Notes are listed on an exchange, for so long as the Notes are so listed and the rules of such exchange so require, the Issuers shall notify the exchange of any such redemption and, if applicable, of the principal amount of any Notes outstanding following any partial redemption of Notes.

Section 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption. A notice of redemption, if delivered electronically, mailed or caused to be mailed in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to deliver such notice or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Note designated for redemption in whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note. Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date, subject to satisfaction of any conditions specified in the notice. Subject to Section 3.05 hereof, on and after the Redemption Date, unless the Issuers default in the payment of the redemption price, interest shall cease to accrue on Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption.

Section 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price.

(a) Prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Redemption Date, the Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes to be redeemed on that Redemption Date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Issuers any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Issuers in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all Notes to be redeemed.

(b) If the Issuers comply with the provisions of the preceding paragraph (a), on and after the Redemption Date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption. If a Note is redeemed on or after an applicable Record Date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then any accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such Record Date. If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Issuers to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the Redemption Date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest accrued to the Redemption Date not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.

Section 3.06. Notes Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a Definitive Note that is redeemed in part, the Issuers shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder, at the expense of the Issuers, a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered representing the same indebtedness to the extent not redeemed; provided that each new Note will be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. It is understood that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, only an Authentication Order and not an Opinion of Counsel or Officer’s Certificate is required for the Trustee to authenticate such new Note.

 

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Section 3.07. Optional Redemption.

(a) Except as set forth in clauses (b) and (e) of this Section 3.07, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Issuers’ option prior to June 1, 2024.

(b) At any time prior to June 1, 2024, the Issuers may, at their option, at any time and from time to time, redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, upon notice in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, at a redemption price equal to the sum of (A) 100.0% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus (B) the Applicable Premium as of the Redemption Date, plus (C) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling prior to or on the Redemption Date.

(c) On and after June 1, 2024, the Issuers may, at their option, at any time and from time to time, redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, upon notice in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to, but excluding, the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling prior to or on the Redemption Date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on June 1 of each of the years indicated below:

 

Year    Percentage  

2024

     102.500

2025

     101.250

2026 and thereafter

     100.000

(d) In addition, prior to June 1, 2024, the Issuers may, at their option, at any time and from time to time, redeem an aggregate principal amount of Notes not to exceed the amount of the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Issuer from one or more Equity Offerings or a capital contribution to the Issuer made with the Net Cash Proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings, upon notice as described in Section 3.03 hereof at a redemption price equal to (i) 105.000% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus (ii) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling prior to or on the Redemption Date; provided, that (1) the amount redeemed shall not exceed 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes issued under this Indenture (including any Additional Notes); (2) at least 50% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes originally issued under this Indenture on the Issue Date remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption (unless all Notes are redeemed or repurchased or to be redeemed or repurchased substantially concurrently); and (3) each such redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of closing of the applicable Equity Offering.

(e) In connection with any tender offer, any Change of Control Offer, Alternate Offer or Asset Sale Offer for the Notes, if Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes validly tender and do not validly withdraw such Notes in such offer and the Issuers, or any third party making such offer in lieu of the Issuers, purchase all of the Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn by such Holders, the Issuers or such third party will have the right upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 60 days following such purchase date, to redeem all Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a price equal to the price offered to each other Holder in such offer (which may be less than par and excluding any early tender or incentive fee in such offer) plus, to the extent not included in the offer payment, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date falling prior to or on the Redemption Date.

 

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(f) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof. Notice of any redemption or offer to purchase, whether in connection with an Equity Offering, Change of Control Offer, Alternate Offer, Asset Sale Offer or other transaction or event or otherwise, may, at the Issuers’ discretion, be given prior to the completion or occurrence thereof, and any such redemption, offer to purcahse or notice may, at the Issuers’ discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent (including conditions precedent applicable to different amounts of Notes redeemed), including, but not limited to, completion or occurrence of the related Equity Offering, Change of Control Offer, Alternate Offer, Asset Sale Offer or other transaction or event, as the case may be. The Issuers may redeem Notes pursuant to one or more of the relevant provisions in the Indenture, and a single notice of redemption may be delivered with respect to redemptions made pursuant to different provisions. Any such notice may provide that redemptions made pursuant to different provisions will have different Redemption Dates or may specify the order in which redemptions taking place on the same Redemption Date are deemed to occur. In addition, if such redemption or offer to purchase is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall state that, in the Issuers’ discretion, the Redemption Date or repurchase date may be delayed until such time (including more than 60 days after the date the notice of redemption or offer to purchase was sent) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied (or waived by the Issuers in their sole discretion), or such redemption or purchase may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied (or waived by the Issuers in their sole discretion) by the Redemption Date or purchase date, or by the Redemption Date or purchase date so delayed, or that such notice may be rescinded at any time in the Issuers’ sole discretion. In addition, the Issuers may provide in such notice that payment of the redemption or purchase price and performance of the Issuers’ obligations with respect to such redemption or purchase may be performed by another Person. The Issuers, the Parent Guarantors, their respective direct and indirect equityholders, any of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries and their respective Affiliates may acquire the Notes by means other than a redemption or offer to purchase pursuant to this Section 3.07, whether by tender offer, open market purchases, negotiated transactions or otherwise.

(g) The Trustee shall have no duty to calculate or verify the calculation of the Applicable Premium.

Section 3.08. Special Mandatory Redemption.

(a) If (i) the Escrow Agent has not received an Escrow Release Request on or prior to the Escrow End Date, or (ii) the Escrow Issuers notify the Escrow Agent and the Trustee in writing that the Acquisition will not be consummated on or prior to the Termination Date (as defined in the Merger Agreement) or (iii) the Merger Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms (each of the above, a “Special Mandatory Redemption Event”), then the Escrow Agent shall, without the requirement of notice to or action by the Escrow Issuers, the Trustee or any other Person, (x) liquidate and release the Escrowed Funds (including investment earnings thereon and proceeds thereof) to the Trustee and (y) provide notice to the Escrow Guarantor to provide payment with respect to the Escrow Guaranteed Obligations, and the Escrow Guarantor shall promptly (and in any event within two Business Days of the receipt of such notice) pay the amount necessary to fund the interest due on the Notes from the Issue Date to, but excluding, the Special Mandatory Redemption Date (as defined below), to the Trustee and the Trustee shall apply (or cause the Paying Agent to apply) the amounts in the immediately preceding clauses (x) and (y) to redeem the Notes (the “Special Mandatory Redemption”) on the third Business Day following the Special Mandatory Redemption Event (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Date”) or as otherwise required by the Applicable Procedures, at a redemption price (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Price”) equal to 100% of the issue price of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest from the Issue Date or the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for on the Notes, as the case may be, to, but excluding, the Special Mandatory Redemption Date. On the Special Mandatory Redemption Date, the Trustee will pay to the Escrow Issuer any Escrowed Funds in excess of the amount necessary to effect the Special Mandatory Redemption. In the event that the Escrow Issuers provide an Escrow Redemption Notice pursuant to Section 3(b) of the Escrow Agreement prior to 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Escrow End Date, the Escrow Issuers shall cause, no later than the Business Day following the Special Mandatory Redemption Event, a notice of Special Mandatory Redemption (a “Special Mandatory Redemption Notice”) to be delivered electronically to the Trustee and mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, or delivered electronically if held by DTC, to the Holders of the Notes at their registered addresses, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit E hereto.

 

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(b) If, at or prior to 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Escrow End Date, the Escrow Issuers have not provided to the Escrow Agent any of (1) an Escrow Release Request pursuant to Section 3(a) of the Escrow Agreement or (2) an Escrow Redemption Notice pursuant to Section 3(b) of the Escrow Agreement, then the Trustee shall cause (i) prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Escrow End Date, an Escrow Redemption Notice to be delivered to the Escrow Agent pursuant to Section 3(b) of the Escrow Agreement and (ii) no later than the Business Day following the Special Mandatory Redemption Event, a Special Mandatory Redemption Notice to be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, or delivered electronically if held by DTC, to the Holders of the Notes at their registered addresses, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit E hereto.

(c) Any redemption made pursuant to this Section 3.08 shall be made pursuant to the procedures set forth in this Indenture and the Escrow Agreement, except to the extent inconsistent with this Section 3.08, which shall control in the event of a conflict. The Escrow Issuers shall not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes, except pursuant to Section 3.08(a) or (b) hereof.

Section 3.09. Offers to Repurchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.

(a) In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, the Issuers shall be required to commence an Asset Sale Offer, the Issuers shall follow the procedures specified below.

(b) The Asset Sale Offer shall remain open for a period of 20 Business Days following its commencement and no longer, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “Offer Period”). No later than five Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “Purchase Date”), the Issuers shall apply all Excess Proceeds (the “Offer Amount”) to the purchase of Notes and, if required, Pari Passu Indebtedness (on a pro rata basis, if applicable, with adjustments as necessary so that no Notes or Pari Passu Indebtedness will be repurchased in part in an unauthorized denomination), or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.

(c) If the Purchase Date is on or after a Record Date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, up to but excluding the Purchase Date, shall be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such Record Date, and no additional interest shall be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.

(d) Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Issuers shall send electronically or by first-class mail, a notice to each of the Holders, with a copy to the Trustee. The notice shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders and holders of such Pari Passu Indebtedness. The notice, which shall govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, shall state:

 

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(i) that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.10 hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer shall remain open;

(ii) the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;

(iii) that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment shall continue to accrue interest;

(iv) that, unless the Issuers default in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer shall cease to accrue interest on and after the Purchase Date;

(v) that any Holder electing to have less than all of the aggregate principal amount of its Notes purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in an amount not less than $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof;

(vi) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer shall be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Note completed, or transfer such Note by book-entry transfer, to the Issuers, the Depositary, if appointed by the Issuers, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least two Business Days before the Purchase Date;

(vii) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Issuers, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the close of business on the second Business Day prior to the expiration date of the Offer Period, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;

(viii) that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes or the Pari Passu Indebtedness, as the case may be, surrendered by the holders thereof exceeds the Offer Amount, the Issuers shall purchase such Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness, as the case may be, on a pro rata basis based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Notes or such Pari Passu Indebtedness, as the case may be, tendered (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Issuers so that only Notes in an amount not less than $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof are purchased); and

(ix) that Holders whose certificated Notes were purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer) representing the same indebtedness to the extent not repurchased; provided that new Notes will only be issued in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000.

(e) On or before the Purchase Date, the Issuers shall, to the extent lawful, (i) accept for payment, on a pro rata basis as described in clause (d)(viii) of this Section 3.09, the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof validly tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered and (ii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted, together with an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions thereof so tendered.

 

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(f) The Issuers, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes properly tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Issuers for purchase, and the Issuers shall promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate and mail or deliver (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) such new Note to such Holder (it being understood that, notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, no Opinion of Counsel or Officer’s Certificate is required for the Trustee to authenticate and mail or deliver such new Note) in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered representing the same indebtedness to the extent not repurchased; provided, that each such new Note shall be in a principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Issuers to the Holder thereof. The Issuers shall publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Purchase Date.

(g) Prior to noon (New York City time) on the purchase date, the Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the purchase price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes to be purchased on that purchase date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Issuers any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Issuers in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the purchase price of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all Notes to be redeemed.

Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09 or Section 4.10 hereof, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the applicable provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof, and references therein to “redeem,” “redemption,” “Redemption Date” and similar words shall be deemed to refer to “purchase,” “repurchase,” “Purchase Date” and similar words, as applicable.

ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

Section 4.01. Payment of Notes. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers), jointly and severally, shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes and this Indenture. Principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or a Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or a Guarantor, holds as of noon (New York City time) on the due date money deposited by the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.

The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

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Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall maintain the offices or agencies (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or Transfer Agent) required under Section 2.03 hereof where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange or presented for payment and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office; provided, however, that the Trustee shall not be deemed an agent of the Issuers or the Escrow Issuers for service of legal process.

The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) of their obligation to maintain such offices or agencies as required by Section 2.03 hereof for such purposes. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) hereby designate the Corporate Trust Office as one such office or agency of the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof.

Section 4.03. Reports and Other Information.

(a) Notwithstanding that the Issuer may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise report on an annual and quarterly basis on forms provided for such annual and quarterly reporting pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, the Issuer shall file with the SEC from and after the Issue Date:

(i) within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, annual reports on Form 10-K, or any successor or comparable form (if the Issuer had been a reporting company under Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act), containing substantially all the information that would be required to be contained therein, or required in such successor or comparable form;

(ii) within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, reports on Form 10-Q, or any successor or comparable form (if the Issuer had been a reporting company under Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act), containing substantially all quarterly information that would be required to be contained in Form 10-Q, or any successor or comparable form;

(iii) promptly after the occurrence of a material event which would have been required to be reported on a Form 8-K or any successor or comparable form (if the Issuer had been a reporting company under Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act), a current report relating to such event on Form 8-K or any successor or comparable form;

in each case, in a manner that complies in all material respects with the requirements specified in such form (except as described above or below and subject to exceptions consistent with the presentation of information in the Offering Memorandum); provided, however, that the Issuer shall not be so obligated to file such reports referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above with the SEC if the SEC does not permit such filing, in which event the Issuer shall make available such information to the Trustee, the Holders and prospective purchasers of Notes, in each case within 15 days after the time the Issuer would be

 

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required to file such information with the SEC if it were subject to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. In addition, to the extent not satisfied by the foregoing, for so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Issuer shall furnish to Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

(b) The Issuer may satisfy its obligations under this Section 4.03 with respect to financial information relating to the Issuer by furnishing financial information relating to a direct or indirect parent of the Issuer (including HGV Parent) as long as any such parent entity of the Issuer provides a Guarantee of the Notes or, if such parent does not provide a Guarantee, if such financial information is accompanied by selected financial metrics that show the material differences (in the Issuer’s sole discretion) between the information relating to such parent, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a stand-alone basis, on the other hand.

(c) If with respect to any reporting period(s) covered in the applicable report, the Issuer’s Unrestricted Subsidiaries (other than the Unrestricted Securitization Subsidiaries) would, individually or in the aggregate, constitute a “significant subsidiary” (as such term is defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act (as such regulation is in effect on the Issue Date)), then the applicable annual and quarterly financial information required by clauses (a)(i) and (a)(ii) above shall include a supplemental section in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” presenting (in a manner consistent with the presentation of information included or incorporated by reference in the Offering Memorandum) selected financial measures of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries in the aggregate (separate from the financial information of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries).

(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Issuer will not be deemed to have failed to comply with any of its obligations hereunder for purposes of clause (iii) of Section 6.01(a) hereof until 120 days after the receipt of the written notice delivered thereunder.

To the extent any information is not provided within the time periods specified in this Section 4.03 and such information is subsequently provided, the Issuer will be deemed to have satisfied its obligations with respect thereto at such time and any Default with respect thereto shall be deemed to have been cured.

Section 4.04. Compliance Certificate.

(a) The Issuer (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuer) shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year ending after the Issue Date (or 120 days for the first fiscal year ending after the Issue Date), a certificate from its principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer stating that a review of the activities of the Issuer (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuer) and its Restricted Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether the Issuer (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuer) and its Restricted Subsidiaries have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled their respective obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge, on behalf of the Issuer (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuer) and its Restricted Subsidiaries have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled in all material respects each and every condition and covenant contained in this Indenture during such fiscal year and no Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to any of the terms, provisions, covenants and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default shall have occurred and is continuing, describing all such Defaults of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Issuer (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuer) is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).

 

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(b) When any Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, or if the Trustee or the holder of any other evidence of Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Subsidiary gives any notice or takes any other action with respect to a claimed Default, the Issuer (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuer) shall promptly (which shall be no more than 20 Business Days after becoming aware of such Default) deliver to the Trustee by registered or certified mail or by facsimile transmission an Officer’s Certificate specifying such event and what action the Issuer (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuer) proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.05. Taxes. The Issuer (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuer) shall pay or discharge, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay or discharge, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, lawful assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate actions or where the failure to effect such payment or discharge is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

Section 4.06. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) and each of the Guarantors covenant (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) that they shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture and the Notes; and the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) and each of the Guarantors (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waive all benefit or advantage of any such law, and (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) covenant that they shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

Section 4.07. Limitation on Restricted Payments.

(a) The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

(i) declare or pay any dividend or make any payment or distribution on account of the Issuer’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests (in each case, solely to a holder of Equity Interests in such Person’s capacity as a holder of such Equity Interests), including any dividend, payment or distribution payable in connection with any merger, amalgamation or consolidation, other than:

(A) dividends, payments and distributions by the Issuer payable solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer or in options, warrants or other rights to purchase such Equity Interests; or

(B) dividends, payments and distributions by a Restricted Subsidiary so long as, in the case of any dividend, payment or distribution payable on or in respect of any class or series of securities issued by a Restricted Subsidiary other than a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary receives at least its pro rata share of such dividend, payment or distribution in accordance with its Equity Interests in such class or series of securities;

(ii) purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer, including any purchase, redemption, defeasance, acquisition or retirement in connection with any merger, amalgamation or consolidation, in each case held by a Person other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(iii) make any principal payment on, or redeem, repurchase, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, in each case, prior to any scheduled repayment, sinking fund payment or maturity, any Subordinated Indebtedness, other than:

(A) Indebtedness permitted under clauses (vii) and (viii) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; or

(B) the payment, redemption, purchase, repurchase, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Subordinated Indebtedness purchased in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of payment, redemption, purchase, repurchase, defeasance, acquisition or retirement; or

(iv) make any Restricted Investment

(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) above (other than any exceptions thereto) being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”), unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:

(A) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;

(B) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, the Issuer could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof; and

(C) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Escrow Release Date (including Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (i) (without duplication) and (vi)(C) of Section 4.09(b) hereof, but excluding all other Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.09(b) hereof, is less than the sum of (without duplication):

(1) 50.0% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer for the period (taken as one accounting period and including any predecessor of the Issuer) from the beginning of the fiscal quarter in which the Escrow Release Date occurs to the end of the Issuer’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment; plus

(2) 100.0% of the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Escrow Release Date (other than the Net Cash Proceeds to the extent such Net Cash Proceeds have been used to incur Indebtedness or issue Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to clause (xii)(A) of Section 4.09(b) hereof) from the issue or sale of:

 

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(i) (A) Equity Interests of the Issuer, including Treasury Capital Stock, but excluding Net Cash Proceeds and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received from the sale of:

(x) Equity Interests of the Issuer to any future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, independent contractors, or consultants (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Issuer, any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer or any of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries after the Escrow Release Date to the extent such amounts have been applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with clause (iv) of Section 4.07(b) hereof; and

(y) Designated Preferred Stock; and

(B) to the extent such Net Cash Proceeds, marketable securities or other property are actually contributed to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, Equity Interests of the Issuer or any of the Issuer’s direct or indirect parent companies (excluding contributions of the proceeds from the sale of Designated Preferred Stock of any such companies or contributions to the extent such amounts have been applied to Restricted Payments made in accordance with clause (iv) of Section 4.07(b) hereof); or

(ii) Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary that has been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests of the Issuer or a direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer;

provided that this clause (2) shall not include the proceeds from (w) Refunding Capital Stock (as defined below) applied in accordance with clause (ii) of Section 4.07(b) hereof, (x) Equity Interests or convertible debt securities of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary sold to a Restricted Subsidiary or to the Issuer, (y) Disqualified Stock or debt securities that have been converted into Disqualified Stock or (z) Excluded Contributions; plus

(3) 100.0% of the aggregate amount of Cash Equivalents and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property contributed to the capital of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary (including the aggregate principal amount of any Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary contributed to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary for cancellation, other than any such Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) or that becomes part of the capital of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary through consolidation, amalgamation or merger, in each case following the Escrow Release Date (other than (i) Net Cash Proceeds to the extent such Net Cash Proceeds have been used to incur Indebtedness or issue Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to clause (xii)(A) of Section 4.09(b) hereof, (ii) contributions by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, and (iii) any Excluded Contributions); plus

(4) 100.0% of the aggregate amount received in Cash Equivalents and the fair market value of marketable securities or other property received by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary by means of:

 

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(i) the sale or other disposition (other than to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) of, or other returns on Investments from, Restricted Investments made by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries and repurchases and redemptions of such Restricted Investments from the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries and repayments of loans or advances, and releases of guarantees, which constitute Restricted Investments made by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case after the Escrow Release Date; or

(ii) the issuance, sale or other disposition (other than to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) of the Equity Interests of, or a dividend or distribution (other than an Excluded Contribution) from an Unrestricted Subsidiary (other than, in each case, to the extent the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary was made by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to clause (vii) of Section 4.07(b) hereof or to the extent such Investment constituted a Permitted Investment), but including such Cash Equivalents and fair market value to the extent exceeding the amount of such Investment), in each case, after the Escrow Release Date; or

(iii) any returns, profits, distributions and similar amounts received on account of any Permitted Investment subject to a dollar-denominated or ratio-based basket (to the extent in excess of the original amount of such Investment) and without duplication of any returns, profits, distributions or similar amounts included in the calculation of such basket; plus

(5) in the case of the redesignation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or the merger, amalgamation or consolidation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary into the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary or the transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary after the Escrow Release Date, the fair market value (as determined by the Issuer in good faith) of the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary (or the assets transferred) at the time of the redesignation of such Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or at the time of such merger, amalgamation, consolidation or transfer of assets, other than to the extent the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary was made by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to clause (vii) of Section 4.07(b) hereof or to the extent such Investment constituted a Permitted Investment, made after the Escrow Release Date, but to the extent exceeding the amount of such Permitted Investment, including such excess amounts of fair market value; plus

(6) the aggregate amount of Declined Proceeds since the Escrow Release Date; plus

(7) the greater of (i) $350.0 million and (ii) 6.0% of Total Assets.

(b) The foregoing provisions of Section 4.07(a) hereof shall not prohibit:

(i) the payment of any dividend or other distribution or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration of the dividend or other distribution or the giving of the redemption notice, as the case may be, if at the date of declaration or notice, the dividend or other distribution or redemption payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

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(ii) (A) the redemption, repurchase, defeasance, retirement or other acquisition of any Equity Interests (“Treasury Capital Stock”), including any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon or Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer, in exchange for, or in an amount not to exceed the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale or issuance (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of, Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to the extent contributed to the Issuer (in each case, other than any Disqualified Stock) (“Refunding Capital Stock”), (B) the declaration and payment of dividends on Treasury Capital Stock out of the proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale or issuance (other than to a Subsidiary of the Issuer or to an employee stock ownership plan or any trust established by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) of Refunding Capital Stock, and (C) if, immediately prior to the retirement of Treasury Capital Stock, the declaration and payment of dividends thereon was permitted under clauses (vi)(A) or (B) of this Section 4.07(b), the declaration and payment of dividends on the Refunding Capital Stock (other than Refunding Capital Stock the proceeds of which were used to redeem, repurchase, retire or otherwise acquire any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer) in an aggregate amount per year no greater than the aggregate amount of dividends per annum that were declarable and payable on such Treasury Capital Stock immediately prior to such retirement;

(iii) the prepayment, defeasance, redemption, repurchase, exchange or other acquisition or retirement of (1) Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuers or a Subsidiary Guarantor made by exchange for, or in an amount not to exceed the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, new Indebtedness of the Issuers or a Subsidiary Guarantor or Disqualified Stock of the Issuers or a Subsidiary Guarantor or (2) Disqualified Stock of the Issuers or a Subsidiary Guarantor made by exchange for, or in an amount not to exceed the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Disqualified Stock of the Issuers or a Subsidiary Guarantor, that, in each case, is incurred or issued, as applicable, in compliance with Section 4.09 hereof so long as:

(A) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such new Indebtedness or the liquidation preference of such new Disqualified Stock does not exceed the principal amount of (or accreted value, if applicable), plus any accrued and unpaid interest on, the Subordinated Indebtedness or the liquidation preference of, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends on, the Disqualified Stock being so prepaid, defeased, redeemed, repurchased, exchanged, acquired or retired for value, plus the amount of any premium (including tender premium) paid on the Subordinated Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock being so defeased, redeemed, repurchased, exchanged, acquired or retired, defeasance costs and any fees and expenses incurred in connection with the issuance of such new Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock;

(B) such new Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes or the applicable Guarantee at least to the same extent as such Subordinated Indebtedness so defeased, redeemed, repurchased, exchanged, acquired or retired;

(C) such new Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock has a final scheduled maturity date equal to or later than the final scheduled maturity date of the Subordinated Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock being so defeased, redeemed, repurchased, exchanged, acquired or retired (or, if earlier, a date that is at least 91 days after the maturity date of the Notes); and

 

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(D) such new Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Subordinated Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock being so defeased, redeemed, repurchased, exchanged, acquired or retired (or requires no or nominal payments in cash prior to the date that is 91 days after the maturity date of the Notes);

(iv) Restricted Payments to pay for the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer held by any future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, members, partners, independent contractors or consultants (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies pursuant to any employee, director, officer, manager, member, partner, independent contractor or consultant equity plan or stock option plan or any other employee, director, officer, manager, member, partner, independent contractor or consultant benefit plan or agreement, or any equity subscription or equityholder agreement or any termination agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any principal and interest payable on any Indebtedness issued by the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer in connection with such repurchase, retirement or other acquisition), including any Equity Interest received or rolled over by any future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, members, partners, independent contractors or consultants of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer in connection with the Transactions or any other transaction; provided that the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made under this clause (iv) does not exceed in any calendar year an amount equal to $37.5 million (with unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum (without giving effect to the following proviso) of $75.0 million in any calendar year); provided, further, that such amount in any calendar year under this clause (iv) may be increased by an amount not to exceed:

(A) the cash proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer and, to the extent contributed to the Issuer, the cash proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests of any of the Issuer’s direct or indirect parent companies, in each case to any future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, members, partners, independent contractors or consultants (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies that occurred or occurs after the Escrow Release Date, to the extent the cash proceeds from the sale of such Equity Interests have not otherwise been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments by virtue of clause (C) of Section 4.07(a)(iv) hereof; plus

(B) the amount of any cash bonuses otherwise payable to future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, members, partners, independent contractors or consultants (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies that are foregone in exchange for the receipt of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies pursuant to any compensation arrangement, including any deferred compensation plan; plus

 

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(C) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries (or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to the extent contributed to the Issuer or one of its Subsidiaries) after the Escrow Release Date; less

(D) the amount of any Restricted Payments previously made with the cash proceeds described in clauses (A), (B) and (C) of this clause (iv);

provided, that the Issuer may elect to apply all or any portion of the aggregate increase contemplated by clauses (A), (B) and (C) of this clause (iv) in any calendar year;

and provided, further, that (i) cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary from any future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, members, partners, independent contractors or consultants (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Issuer, any of the Issuer’s direct or indirect parent companies or any of the Issuer’s Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any of its direct or indirect parent companies and (ii) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon or in connection with the exercise of options, warrants or similar instruments if such Equity Interests represent all or a portion of the exercise price thereof or payments, in lieu of the issuance of fractional Equity Interests or withholding to pay other taxes payable in connection therewith, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii), will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this Section 4.07 or any other provision of this Indenture;

(v) the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any class or series of Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary issued in accordance with Section 4.09 hereof to the extent such dividends or distributions are included in the definition of “Fixed Charges”;

(vi) (A) the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Escrow Release Date;

(B) the declaration and payment of dividends to any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer, the proceeds of which will be used to fund the payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued by such parent company after the Escrow Release Date; provided that the amount of dividends paid pursuant to this clause (B) shall not exceed the aggregate amount of cash actually contributed to the Issuer from the sale of such Designated Preferred Stock; or

(C) the declaration and payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock that is Preferred Stock in excess of the dividends declarable and payable thereon pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 4.07(b);

provided, in the case of each of (A) and (C) of this clause (vi), that for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date of issuance of such Designated Preferred Stock or the declaration of such dividends on Refunding Capital Stock that is Preferred Stock, after giving effect to such issuance or declaration on a pro forma basis, the Issuer could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.09(a);

 

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(vii) Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (vii) that are at the time outstanding, without giving effect to the sale of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the extent the proceeds of such sale do not consist of Cash Equivalents or marketable securities (until such proceeds are converted to Cash Equivalents), not to exceed the greater of (A) $280.0 million and (B) 5.0% of Total Assets at the time of such Investment (in each case, determined on the date such Investment is made, with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), provided, however, that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (vii) is made in any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) of the definition of “Permitted Investments” and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (vii);

(viii) payments made or expected to be made by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of withholding or similar taxes payable upon or in connection with the exercise or vesting of Equity Interests or any other equity award by any future, present or former employee, director, officer, member of management or consultants (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer and any repurchases or withholdings of Equity Interests in connection with the exercise or vesting of stock options, warrants or the issuance of restricted stock units or similar equity-based awards or payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional Equity Interests with respect to stock options, warrants, restricted stock units or similar equity-based awards;

(ix) Restricted Payments in an amount not to exceed the sum of (A) up to 6.0% per annum of the amount of Net Cash Proceeds from any Equity Offering received by or contributed to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the Escrow Release Date and (B) an aggregate amount per annum not to exceed 6.0% of Market Capitalization;

(x) Restricted Payments that are made (A) in an amount that does not exceed the aggregate amount of Excluded Contributions received following the Escrow Release Date or (B) without duplication with clause (A), in an amount not to exceed the cash proceeds from a sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition in respect of property or assets acquired after the Escrow Release Date, if the acquisition of such property or assets was financed with Excluded Contributions;

(xi) (A) Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount taken together with all other Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (xi)(A) (in the case of Restricted Investments, at the time outstanding (without giving effect to the sale of an Investment to the extent the proceeds of such sale do not consist of, or have not been converted to Cash Equivalents)) not to exceed the greater of (x) $200.0 million; and (y) 3.5% of Total Assets at such time (in the case of a Restricted Investment, determined on the date such Investment is made, with the fair market value of such Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value; provided, however, that if any Restricted Payment pursuant to this clause (xi)(A) consists of an Investment made in any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) of the definition of “Permitted Investments” and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (xi)(A); and (B) any Restricted Payments, so long as, after giving pro forma effect to the payment of any such Restricted Payment, the Consolidated Total Debt Ratio shall be no greater than 3.00 to 1.00;

 

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(xii) distributions or payments of Securitization Fees, sales, contributions, distributions and other transfers of Securitization Assets and purchases of Securitization Assets, in each case in connection with a Qualified Securitization Facility;

(xiii) any Restricted Payment used to fund amounts owed in connection with the Transactions (including dividends or distributions to any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to permit payment by such parent company of such amounts), including fees, costs and disbursements owed to bankers, accountants, counsel, proxy solicitors, printers and insurance brokers, premiums of representations and warranties insurance, premiums of D&O and other analogous insurance policies, amounts paid in the settlement of claims or actions in connection with the Acquisition, amounts paid in severance or otherwise owed to employees in connection with the Transaction, taxes and other governmental fees and levies due in connection with the Transaction, amounts paid to satisfy indemnity or other similar obligations under the Merger Agreement, and any other payments under the Merger Agreement;

(xiv) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Subordinated Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to provisions similar to those described under Sections 4.10 and 4.14 hereof; provided that if the Issuer shall have been required to make a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, as applicable, to purchase the Notes on the terms provided in this Indenture applicable to Change of Control Offers or Asset Sale Offers, respectively, all Notes validly tendered by Holders of such Notes in connection with a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, as applicable, have been repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired for value;

(xv) the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions by the Issuer to, or the making of loans to, any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer or any other Restricted Payment in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to pay, in each case without duplication:

(A) franchise, excise and similar taxes, and other fees and expenses, required to maintain its corporate or other legal existence;

(B) consolidated, combined or similar foreign, federal, state or local income or similar taxes of a tax group that includes the Issuer and/or its Subsidiaries and whose common parent is a direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, to the extent such income or similar taxes are attributable to the income of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries or, to the extent of any cash amounts actually received from its Unrestricted Subsidiaries for such purpose, to the income of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries; provided that in each case the amount of such payments in respect of any fiscal year does not exceed the amount that the Issuer and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries (and, to the extent permitted above, its Unrestricted Subsidiaries), as applicable, would have been required to pay in respect of the relevant foreign, federal, state or local income or similar taxes for such fiscal year had the Issuer, its Restricted Subsidiaries and/or its Unrestricted Subsidiaries (to the extent described above), as applicable, (1) paid such taxes separately from any such parent company or (2) if the Issuer is treated as a disregarded entity or partnership for U.S. federal, state and/or local income tax purposes for such period, were the Issuer a taxpayer and parent of a consolidated group and had paid such taxes for the Issuer, its Restricted Subsidiaries and/or its Unrestricted Subsidiaries (to the extent described above);

 

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(C) salary, bonus, severance, indemnity and other benefits payable to future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, members, partners, independent contractors or consultants of any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to the extent any such salaries, bonuses, severance, indemnity and other benefits are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(D) general organizational, operating, administrative, compliance, overhead, insurance and other costs and expenses (including, without limitation, expenses related to auditing or other accounting or tax reporting matters), any costs, expenses and liabilities incurred in connection with any litigation or arbitration attributable to the ownership or operations of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries, and Public Company Costs;

(E) fees and expenses related to any equity or debt offering, financing transaction, acquisition, divestiture, investment or other non-ordinary course transaction (whether or not successful) of such parent entity; provided, that any such transaction was in the good faith judgment of the Issuer intended to be for the benefit of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(F) amounts payable pursuant to any of the Transaction Agreements (including any amendment thereto or replacement thereof so long as any such amendment or replacement is not materially disadvantageous in the good faith judgment of the Issuer to the Holders when taken as a whole, as compared to the applicable agreement as in effect immediately prior to such amendment or replacement), solely to the extent such amounts are not paid directly by the Issuer or its Subsidiaries;

(G) (1) cash payments in lieu of issuing fractional shares or interests in connection with the exercise of warrants, options, other equity-based awards or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer; and any dividend, split or combination thereof or any transaction permitted under the Indenture and (2) any conversion request by a holder of convertible Indebtedness and cash payments in lieu of fractional shares or interests in connection with any such conversion and payments on convertible Indebtedness in accordance with its terms;

(H) to finance Investments that would otherwise be permitted to be made pursuant to this Section 4.07(b) if made by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that (1) such Restricted Payment shall be made substantially concurrently with the closing of such Investment, (2) such direct or indirect parent company shall, promptly following the closing thereof, cause (x) all property acquired (whether assets or Equity Interests) to be contributed to the capital of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries or (y) the merger, consolidation or amalgamation of the Person formed or acquired into the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries (to the extent not prohibited by Section 5.01 hereof) in order to consummate such Investment, (3) any property received by the Issuer shall not increase amounts available for Restricted Payments pursuant to clause (C) of Section 4.07(a) hereof and (4) such Investment shall be deemed to be made by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to another provision of this Section 4.07(b) (other than pursuant to clause (x) of this Section 4.07(b)) or pursuant to the definition of “Permitted Investments” (other than clause (ix) thereof);

 

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(I) amounts that would be permitted to be paid by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries under clauses (iii), (iv), (viii), (xii) and (xiv) of Section 4.11(b) hereof; provided that the amount of any dividend or distribution under this clause (xv)(I) to permit such payment shall reduce, without duplication, Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer to the extent, if any, that such payment would have reduced Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer if such payment had been made directly by the Issuer and increase (or, without duplication of any reduction of Consolidated Net Income, decrease) EBITDA to the extent, if any, that Consolidated Net Income is reduced under this clause (xv)(I) and such payment would have been added back to (or, to the extent excluded from Consolidated Net Income, would have been deducted from) EBITDA if such payment had been made directly by the Issuer, in each case, in the period such payment is made; and

(J) amounts in respect of Indebtedness of such direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer which is guaranteed by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in compliance with Section 4.09 hereof;

(xvi) the distribution, by dividend or otherwise, or other transfer of Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary (or a Restricted Subsidiary that owns one or more Unrestricted Subsidiaries and no other material assets), or Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary by an Unrestricted Subsidiary (or a Restricted Subsidiary that owns one or more Unrestricted Subsidiaries (and no other material assets), in each case, other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries, the primary assets of which are Cash Equivalents;

(xvii) [Reserved].

(xviii) payments or distributions to dissenting stockholders pursuant to applicable law (including in connection with, or as a result of, exercise of appraisal rights and the settlement of any claims or action (whether actual, contingent or potential)), pursuant to or in connection with any Permitted Investment or a consolidation, merger or transfer of assets that complies with, or is not prohibited by Section 5.01 hereof; and

(xix) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary deemed to occur in connection with paying cash in lieu of fractional shares of such Equity Interests in connection with a share dividend, distribution, share split, reverse share split, merger, consolidation, amalgamation or other business combination of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case, permitted under the Indenture;

provided that at the time of, and after giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under clause (xi)(B) of this Section 4.07(b), no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof.

(c) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.07, in the event that a proposed Restricted Payment (or a portion thereof) meets the criteria of clauses (i) through (xviii) of Section 4.07(b) hereof and/or one or more of the clauses contained in the definition of “Permitted Investments,” or is entitled to be made pursuant to Section 4.07(a), the Issuer will be entitled to divide or classify or later divide or reclassify (based on circumstances existing on the date of such reclassification) such Restricted Payment (or a portion thereof) between such clauses (i) through (xviii) of Section 4.07(b) hereof and such Section 4.07(a) and/or one or more of the clauses contained in the definition of “Permitted Investments”, in any manner that otherwise complies with this Section 4.07; and

 

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(d) The Issuer will not permit any Unrestricted Subsidiary to become a Restricted Subsidiary except pursuant to the penultimate sentence of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary.” For purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated will be deemed to be Restricted Payments in an amount determined as set forth in the penultimate sentence of the definition of “Investments.” Such designation will be permitted only if a Restricted Payment in such amount would be permitted at such time, pursuant to this Section 4.07, or pursuant to the definition of “Permitted Investments,” and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Unrestricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to any of the restrictive covenants set forth in this Indenture. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 4.07 will not restrict the making of any “AHYDO catch-up payment” with respect to, and required by the terms of, any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted to be incurred under the terms of this Indenture.

Section 4.08. Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

(a) The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is not the Co-Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not the Co-Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor to:

(i) (A) pay dividends or make any other distributions to the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor on its Capital Stock or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits; or

(B) pay any Indebtedness owed to the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor;

(ii) make loans or advances to the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor; or

(iii) sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor.

(iv) except (in each case) for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

(A) encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Escrow Release Date, including pursuant to the Senior Secured Credit Facilities and the related documentation and Hedging Obligations;

(B) this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees;

(C) Purchase Money Obligations and Financing Lease Obligations that impose restrictions of the nature discussed in clause (iii) above on the property so purchased, leased, expanded, constructed, developed, installed, replaced, relocated, renewed, maintained, upgraded, repaired or improved;

(D) applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or order;

 

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(E) (1) in the case of the redesignation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or the merger, amalgamation or consolidation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary into the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary or the transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, any agreement or other instrument of such Unrestricted Subsidiary in existence at the time of such redesignation, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or transfer (but, in any such case, not created in contemplation thereof) and (2) any agreement or other instrument of a Person acquired by or merged or consolidated with or into the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in existence at the time of such acquisition or at the time it merges with or into the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person (but, in any such case, not created in contemplation thereof), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person so acquired and its Subsidiaries, or the property or assets of the Person so acquired and its Subsidiaries or the property or assets so acquired;

(F) contracts for the sale or disposition of assets, including sale and lease-back agreements, including customary restrictions with respect to a Subsidiary of the Issuer pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into for the sale or disposition of any of the Capital Stock or assets of such Subsidiary;

(G) Secured Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred pursuant to Sections 4.09 and 4.12 hereof that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of or incur Liens on the assets securing such Indebtedness;

(H) restrictions on Cash Equivalents or other deposits or net worth imposed by suppliers, customers or landlords under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or arising in connection with any Permitted Liens;

(I) other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not the Co-Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor permitted to be incurred subsequent to the Escrow Release Date pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.09 hereof;

(J) customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements or arrangements relating to such joint venture;

(K) provisions contained in leases, sub-leases, licenses, sub-licenses or similar agreements, including with respect to intellectual property and other agreements, in each case, entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(L) restrictions or conditions contained in any trading, netting, operating, construction, service, supply, purchase, sale or other agreement to which the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a party entered into in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice; provided that such agreement prohibits the encumbrance of solely the property or assets of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary that are the subject to such agreement, the payment rights arising thereunder or the proceeds thereof and does not extend to any other asset or property of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary or the assets or property of another Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(M) customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of any Restricted Subsidiary or the assignment of any license or sub-license agreement;

(N) provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(O) restrictions arising in connection with cash or other deposits permitted under Section 4.12 hereof;

(P) any agreement or instrument relating to any Indebtedness, Disqualified or Preferred Stock permitted to be incurred, assumed or issued subsequent to the Escrow Release Date pursuant to, or that is not prohibited by, Section 4.09 if either (1) the encumbrances and restrictions are not materially more disadvantageous, taken as a whole, to the Holders than is customary in comparable financings for similarly situated issuers (as determined in good faith by the Issuer) or (2) the encumbrances and restrictions are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such Restricted Subsidiaries, than the restrictions or encumbrances (I) contained in the Indenture, the Senior Secured Credit Facilities and related security documents as of the Escrow Release Date, or (II) otherwise in effect on the Escrow Release Date or (3) either (x) the Issuer determines that such encumbrance or restriction will not materially impair the Issuer’s ability to make principal and interest payments on the Notes as and when they come due or (y) such encumbrances and restrictions apply only during the continuance of a default in respect of a payment or financial maintenance covenant relating to such Indebtedness;

(Q) any encumbrances or restrictions created in connection with any Qualified Securitization Facility; and

(R) any encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of Section 4.08(a) hereof imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (A) through (Q) of this Section 4.08(a); provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Issuer, not materially more restrictive with respect to such encumbrance and other restrictions taken as a whole than those prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.

For purposes of determining compliance with this covenant, (i) the priority of any Preferred Stock in receiving dividends or liquidating distributions prior to dividends or liquidating distributions being paid on common equity shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make distributions on Capital Stock and (ii) the subordination of (including the application of any standstill requirements to) loans and advances made to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary to other Indebtedness incurred by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make loans or advances.

 

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Section 4.09. Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock.

(a) The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (including the Co-Issuer) to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise (collectively, “incur” and collectively, an “incurrence”) with respect to any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) and the Issuer will not issue any shares of Disqualified Stock and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue any shares of Disqualified Stock or any Restricted Subsidiary that is not the Co-Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor to issue Preferred Stock; provided that the Issuer may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue shares of Disqualified Stock, and any Restricted Subsidiary may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness), and issue shares of Disqualified Stock and any Restricted Subsidiary that is not the Co-Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor may issue shares of Preferred Stock, if (i) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio on a consolidated basis of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recently ended four fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00, or (ii) the Consolidated Total Debt Ratio on a consolidated basis of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recently ended four fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued would have been equal to or less than 4.00 to 1.00, in each case determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period; provided that the then outstanding aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness), Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock that may be incurred or issued, as applicable, pursuant to this Section 4.09(a) (plus any refinancing indebtedness in respect thereof) by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not the Co-Issuer or the Subsidiary Guarantors, together with any Indebtedness incurred by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not the Co-Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant to clause (xiv) of Section 4.09(b) shall not exceed the greater of (A) $240.0 million and (B) 4.25% of Total Assets (in each case, determined on the date of such incurrence).

(b) The provisions of Section 4.09(a) hereof shall not apply to:

(i) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to any Credit Facilities by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder (with letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the face amount thereof); provided that immediately after giving effect to any such incurrence or issuance (including pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), the then outstanding aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness incurred or issued under this clause (i) does not exceed the sum of (A) (x) $2,100 million, plus, (y) an amount equal to the greater of (1) $435.0 million and (2) 100.0% of LTM EBITDA and (B) an additional amount after all amounts have been incurred under clause (i)(A)(x), if after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence of such additional amount (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio would have been equal to or less than 2.75 to 1.00 or, if such Indebtedness is incurred, acquired or assumed in connection with an acquisition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or Investment, the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio is equal to or less than immediately prior to such acquisition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or Investment; provided, that for purposes of determining the amount that may be incurred under this clause (i)(B) only, all Indebtedness incurred under this clause (i)(B) shall be deemed to be included in clause (A) of the definition of “Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio;”

 

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(ii) the incurrence by the Issuer, the Co-Issuer and any Subsidiary Guarantor of Indebtedness represented by the Notes and the Guarantees (but excluding any Additional Notes and any guarantees thereof);

(iii) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries in existence on the Escrow Release Date (other than Indebtedness described in clauses (i) and (ii)) and including, for the avoidance of doubt, the 10.75% Senior Notes due 2024 issued by Diamond Resorts International Inc. and outstanding on the Issue Date (the “Existing Diamond Unsecured Notes”) to the extent outstanding on the Escrow Release Date;

(iv) Indebtedness (including Financing Lease Obligations and Purchase Money Obligations), Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock incurred or issued by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to finance the purchase, lease, expansion, construction, development, installation, replacement, relocation, renewal, maintenance, upgrade, repair or improvement of property (real or personal), equipment or any other asset, whether through the direct purchase of assets or the Capital Stock of any Person owning such assets, in an aggregate principal amount (together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof) not to exceed the greater of (A) $335.0 million and (B) 6.0% of Total Assets; it being understood that any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred pursuant to this clause (iv) shall cease to be deemed incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (iv) but shall be deemed incurred for the purposes of the first paragraph of this covenant from and after the first date on which the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary could have incurred such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock under the first paragraph of this covenant without reliance on this clause (iv);

(v) Indebtedness incurred by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees, banker’s acceptances, warehouse receipts, or similar instruments issued or created, or relating to obligations or liabilities incurred, in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice, including letters of credit in favor of suppliers, customers or trade creditors or in respect of workers’ compensation claims, performance or surety bonds, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims, performance or surety bonds, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance; provided that upon the drawing of such letters of credit or the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such obligations are reimbursed within 45 Business Days following such drawing or incurrence;

(vi) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock arising from (A) Permitted Intercompany Activities and (B) agreements of the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earn-outs (including contingent earn-outs) or similar obligations, payment obligations in respect of any non-compete, consulting or similar arrangement or progress payments for property or services or other similar adjustments, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business (including the Transactions), assets, a Subsidiary, or Investment, and Indebtedness arising from guarantees, letters of credit, bank guarantees, surety bonds, performance bonds or similar instruments securing performance of the Issuer or any Subsidiary pursuant to such agreements;

 

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(vii) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock of the Issuer to a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, that any such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock owing to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not the Co-Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor is subordinated in right of payment (to the extent permitted by applicable law) to the Notes (for the avoidance of doubt, any such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock owing to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not the Co-Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor shall be deemed to be expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes; unless the terms of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock expressly provide otherwise); provided, further, that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (except to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary or any pledge of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock constituting a Permitted Lien) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (to the extent such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is then outstanding) not permitted by this clause (vii);

(viii) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided, that if the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor incurs such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not the Co-Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor, such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is subordinated in right of payment (to the extent permitted by applicable law) to the Notes or the Guarantee of the Notes by such Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable (for the avoidance of doubt, any such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock owing to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not the Co-Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor shall be deemed to be expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Guarantee of the Notes by such Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, unless the terms of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock expressly provide otherwise); provided, further, that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (except to the Issuer or another Restricted Subsidiary or any pledge of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock constituting a Permitted Lien) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an incurrence of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (to the extent such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is then outstanding) not permitted by this clause (viii);

(ix) [Reserved];

(x) Hedging Obligations (excluding Hedging Obligations entered into for speculative purposes);

(xi) obligations in respect of self-insurance and obligations in respect of stays, customs, performance, bid, indemnity, appeal, judgment, surety and other similar bonds or instruments and performance, bankers’ acceptance and completion guarantees and similar obligations provided by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or obligations in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar instruments related thereto, in each case in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(xii) (A) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer and Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference up to 200% of the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary since immediately after the Escrow Release Date from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Issuer or contributed to the capital of the Issuer (in each case, other than Excluded Contributions, proceeds of Disqualified Stock or sales of Equity Interests to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) as determined in accordance with clauses (C)(2) and (C)(3) of Section

 

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4.07(a) hereof to the extent such Net Cash Proceeds have not been applied pursuant to such clauses to make Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 4.07(a) or Section 4.07(b) hereof or to make Permitted Investments specified in clauses (h), (k), (m), (bb) or (cc) of the definition thereof, and (B) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer and Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference, which, when aggregated with the principal amount and liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock then outstanding and incurred pursuant to this clause (xii)(B), does not at any time outstanding exceed the greater of (1) $420.0 million and (2) 7.25% of Total Assets (in each case, determined on the date of such incurrence); it being understood that any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred pursuant to this clause (xii)(B) shall cease to be deemed incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (xii)(B) but shall be deemed incurred for the purposes of Section 4.09(a) hereof from and after the first date on which the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary could have incurred such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock under Section 4.09(a) hereof without reliance on this clause (xii)(B);

(xiii) the incurrence or issuance by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock which serves to extend, replace, refund, refinance, renew or defease any Indebtedness (or unutilized commitment in respect of Indebtedness), Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred or issued as permitted under Section 4.09(a) hereof and clauses (ii), (iii), (iv) and (xii)(A) of this Section 4.09(b), this clause (xiii) and clause (xiv) of this Section 4.09(b) or any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred or issued to so extend, replace, refund, refinance, renew or defease such Indebtedness (or unutilized commitment in respect of Indebtedness), Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, including, in each case, additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred to pay premiums (including tender premiums), defeasance costs, accrued interest or dividends, underwriting or initial purchaser discounts, fees, costs and expenses (including original issue discount, upfront fees or similar fees) in connection therewith and Indebtedness incurred pursuant to a commitment that refinances any Indebtedness or unutilized commitment (the “Refinancing Indebtedness”) prior to its respective maturity; provided that such Refinancing Indebtedness:

(A) other than in the case of Customary Bridge Loans, has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred which is not less than the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being extended, replaced, refunded, refinanced, renewed or defeased (or requires no or nominal payments in cash (other than interest payments) prior to the date that is 91 days after the maturity date of the Notes);

(B) to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness extends, replaces, refunds, refinances, renews or defeases (1) Indebtedness subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or any Guarantee thereof, such Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Guarantee thereof at least to the same extent as the Indebtedness being extended, replaced, refunded, refinanced, renewed or defeased or (2) Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such Refinancing Indebtedness must be Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, respectively; and

 

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(C) shall not include:

(1) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not the Co-Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer;

(2) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary of the Issuer that is not the Co-Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Co-Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor; or

(3) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

provided, further, that subclause (A) of this clause (xiii) will not apply to any extension, replacement, refunding, refinancing, renewal or defeasance of any Credit Facilities or Secured Indebtedness;

(xiv) (A) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary incurred or issued to finance an acquisition (or other purchase of assets) or Investment or (B) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Persons that are acquired by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary or merged into or consolidated or amalgamated with the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; provided that in the case of clauses (A) and (B), after giving effect to such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation or Investment, (1) the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred under this subclause (1), together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, does not exceed the greater of (i) $75.0 million and (ii) 1.5% of Total Assets at any time outstanding (it being understood that any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred pursuant to this subclause (1) shall cease to be deemed incurred or outstanding for purposes of this subclause (1) but shall be deemed incurred for the purposes of the first paragraph of this covenant from and after the first date on which the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary could have incurred such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock under the first paragraph of this covenant without reliance on this subclause (1)) or (2) either (w) the Issuer would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof, (x) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries is equal to or greater than immediately prior to such acquisition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or Investment, (y) the Issuer would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to the Consolidated Total Debt Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of this covenant or (z) the Consolidated Total Debt Ratio for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries is equal to or less than immediately prior to such acquisition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or Investment; provided, that the then outstanding aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness), Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock that may be incurred or issued, as applicable, pursuant to this paragraph (plus any refinancing indebtedness in respect thereof) by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not the Co-Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantors, together with any Indebtedness incurred by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not the Co-Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant or clause (1) of this paragraph, shall not exceed the greater of (a) $240.0 million and (b) 4.25% of Total Assets (in each case, determined on the date of such incurrence);

 

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(xv) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(xvi) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries supported by a letter of credit issued pursuant to any Credit Facilities, in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such letter of credit;

(xvii) (A) any guarantee or co-issuance by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness or other obligations of any Restricted Subsidiary so long as the incurrence of such Indebtedness or other obligations by such Restricted Subsidiary is permitted under the terms of this Indenture;

(B) any guarantee or co-issuance by a Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness or other obligations of the Issuer so long as the incurrence of such Indebtedness or other obligations by the Issuer is permitted under the terms of this Indenture; and

(C) any incurrence by the Co-Issuer of Indebtedness as a co-issuer or Indebtedness of the Issuer that was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this Section 4.09;

(xviii) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock consisting of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, members, partners, independent contractors or consultants thereof, their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members, in each case to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer to the extent described in clause (iv) of Section 4.07(b) hereof, and Indebtedness representing deferred compensation or similar arrangements (1) to any future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, members, partners, independent contractors or consultants of the Issuer (or any direct or indirect parent thereof) or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or (2) incurred in connection with any Investment, acquisition (by merger, consolidation, amalgamation or otherwise) or other transaction;

(xix) to the extent constituting Indebtedness, customer deposits and advance payments (including progress premiums) received in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice from customers for goods and services purchased in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(xx) (A) Indebtedness owed on a short-term basis of no longer than 30 days to banks and other financial institutions incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries with such banks or financial institutions that arises in connection with ordinary banking arrangements to manage cash balances of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries and (B) Indebtedness in respect of Bank Products;

 

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(xxi) Indebtedness incurred by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with bankers’ acceptances, discounted bills of exchange or the discounting or factoring of receivables or payables for credit management purposes, in each case incurred or undertaken consistent with past practice or in the ordinary course of business;

(xxii) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries consisting of (A) the financing of insurance premiums or (B) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(xxiii) the incurrence of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Issuer that are not the Co-Issuer or Subsidiary Guarantors in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference, which, when aggregated with the principal amount and liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock then outstanding and incurred pursuant to this clause (xxiii) , does not at any time outstanding exceed the greater of (A) $225.0 million and (B) 4.0% of Total Assets (in each case, determined on the date of such incurrence); it being understood that any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred pursuant to this clause (xxiii) shall cease to be deemed incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (xxiii) but shall be deemed incurred for the purposes of Section 4.09 hereof from and after the first date on which the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries could have incurred such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock under Section 4.09(a) hereof without reliance on this clause (xxiii);

(xxiv) Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries undertaken in connection with cash management and related activities with respect to any Subsidiary or joint venture in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(xxv) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of Foreign Subsidiaries of the Issuer in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference, which, when aggregated with the principal amount and liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock then outstanding and incurred pursuant to this clause (xxv), does not at any time outstanding exceed the greater of (A) $50.0 million and (B) 10.0% of the total assets of the Foreign Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis (in each case, determined on the date of such incurrence); it being understood that any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred pursuant to this clause (xxv) shall cease to be deemed incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (xxv) but shall be deemed incurred for the purposes of the Section 4.09(a) hereof from and after the first date on which the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiaries could have incurred such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock under Section 4.09(a) hereof without reliance on this clause (xxv));

(xxvi) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent that the net proceeds thereof are deposited with the Trustee at or promptly after the funding of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock to satisfy and discharge the Notes or exercise the Issuers’ legal defeasance or covenant defeasance option as described under Article 8 hereof, in each case, in accordance with this Indenture;

(xxvii) Indebtedness consisting of obligations of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries under deferred purchase price, earn-outs or other arrangements incurred by such Person in connection with any acquisition permitted under the Indenture or any other Investment expressly permitted under the Indenture; and

 

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(xxviii) Indebtedness attributable to (but not incurred to finance) the exercise of appraisal rights and the settlement of any claims or actions (whether actual, contingent or potential) with respect thereto, in each case, with respect to any transaction permitted under the Indenture.

(c) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09:

(i) in the event that an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of permitted Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock described in clauses (i) through (xxviii) of Section 4.09(b) hereof or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a) hereof, the Issuer, in its sole discretion, may divide or classify, and may from time to time redivide and reclassify, such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) and will only be required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in one or more of the clauses under Section 4.09(b) or under Section 4.09(a) hereof; provided that all Indebtedness outstanding under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities on the Escrow Release Date shall be treated as incurred on the Escrow Release Date under clause (i) of Section 4.09(b) hereof; and

(ii) the Issuer will be entitled to divide and classify an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock in more than one of the types of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock described in Section 4.09(a) and Section 4.09(b) hereof.

(iii) [Reserved];

(iv) if obligations in respect of letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or other similar instruments are incurred pursuant to any Credit Facility and are being treated as Incurred pursuant to any clause of the second paragraph above or the first paragraph above and the letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or other similar instruments relate to other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, then such other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock shall not be included;

(v) the principal amount of any Disqualified Stock of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, will be equal to the greater of the maximum mandatory redemption or repurchase price (not including, in either case, any redemption or repurchase premium) or the liquidation preference thereof; and

(vi) for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio or the Consolidated Total Debt Ratio, as applicable, in connection with the incurrence of any Indebtedness pursuant to the first or second paragraph above or the creation or incurrence of any Lien pursuant to the definition of “Permitted Liens,” the Issuer may elect, at its option, to treat all or any portion of the committed amount of any Indebtedness (and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder) which is to be incurred (or any commitment in respect thereof) or secured by such Lien, as the case may be (any such committed amount elected until revoked as described below, the “Reserved Indebtedness Amount”), as being incurred as of such election date, and, if such Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio or Consolidated Total Debt Ratio, as applicable, is satisfied with respect thereto on such election date, any subsequent borrowing or reborrowing thereunder (and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder) will be deemed to be permitted under this covenant or the definition of “Permitted Liens,” as applicable, whether or not the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio or the Consolidated Total Debt Ratio, as applicable, at the actual time of any subsequent borrowing or reborrowing (or issuance or creation of letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances thereunder) is met; provided, that for purposes of subsequent calculations of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, the Consolidated Secured Debt Ratio or the Consolidated Total Debt Ratio, as applicable, the Reserved Indebtedness Amount shall be deemed to be outstanding, whether or not such amount is actually outstanding, for so long as such commitments are outstanding or until the Issuer revokes an election of a Reserved Indebtedness Amount.

 

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Accrual of interest or dividends, the accretion of accreted value, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount and the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, of the same class will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock for purposes of this Section 4.09. If Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock originally incurred in reliance upon a percentage of Total Assets under this covenant is being refinanced and such refinancing would cause the maximum amount of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock thereunder to be exceeded at such time, then such refinancing will nevertheless be permitted thereunder and such additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock will be deemed to have been incurred under the applicable provision so long as the principal amount or liquidation preference of such refinancing Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock does not exceed the principal amount or liquidation preference of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being refinanced plus amounts permitted by the next sentence. Any Refinancing Indebtedness and any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock permitted to be incurred under this Indenture to refinance Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clauses (i), (xii)(B), (xxiii) and (xxv) of Section 4.09(b) hereof shall be deemed to include additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred to pay accrued but unpaid interest or dividends, premiums (including tender premiums), defeasance costs, underwriting or initial purchaser discounts, fees, costs and expenses (including original issue discount, upfront fees or similar fees) in connection with such refinancing.

For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, the U.S. Dollar Equivalent principal amount or liquidation preference of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock was incurred, in the case of a term obligation, or upon execution of the definitive credit agreement, in the case of revolving credit debt; provided, that if such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount or liquidation preference of such refinancing Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock does not exceed (A) the principal amount or liquidation preference of such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being refinanced plus (B) the aggregate amount of accrued but unpaid interest, fees, underwriting or initial purchaser discounts, premiums (including tender premiums) and other costs and expenses (including original issue discount, upfront fees or similar fees) incurred in connection with such refinancing.

The principal amount or liquidation preference of any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, if incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such respective Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.

 

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This Indenture will not treat (1) unsecured Indebtedness as subordinated or junior to Secured Indebtedness merely because it is unsecured or (2) Indebtedness as subordinated or junior to any other Indebtedness merely because it has a junior priority with respect to the same collateral or because it is secured by different collateral or issued or guaranteed by other obligors.

Section 4.10. Asset Sales.

(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale, unless:

(i) the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration (including, but not limited to, by way of relief from, or by any other Person (other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary) assuming responsibility for, any liabilities (other than intercompany liabilities owing to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary), contingent or otherwise, in connection with, such Asset Sale) at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Issuer at the time of contractually agreeing to such Asset Sale) of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of; and

(ii) except in the case of a Permitted Asset Swap, at least 75.0% of the consideration for such Asset Sale, together with all other Asset Sales since the Escrow Release Date (on a cumulative basis), received by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of Cash Equivalents; provided, that the amount of:

(A) the greater of the principal amount and the carrying value of any liabilities (as reflected on the Issuer’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent consolidated balance sheet or in the footnotes thereto or, if incurred or increased subsequent to the date of such balance sheet, such liabilities that would have been reflected on the Issuer’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s consolidated balance sheet or in the footnotes thereto if such incurrence or increase had taken place on or prior to the date of such balance sheet, as determined by the Issuer) of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes (other than intercompany liabilities owing to a Restricted Subsidiary being disposed of), that are (1) assumed by the transferee of any such assets (or a third party in connection with such transfer) pursuant to a written agreement which releases or indemnifies the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary from such liabilities or (2) otherwise cancelled or terminated in connection with the transaction;

(B) any securities, notes or other obligations or assets received by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted or reasonably expected by the Issuer acting in good faith to be converted by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary into Cash Equivalents (to the extent of the Cash Equivalents received or expected to be received) or by their terms are required to be satisfied for Cash Equivalents within 180 days following the closing of such Asset Sale (365 days in the case of any securities, notes or other obligations or assets received in respect of any Asset Sale of the Specified Real Property Assets); and

 

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(C) any Designated Non-Cash Consideration received by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Designated Non-Cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (C) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (1) $280.0 million and (2) 5.0% of Total Assets (net of any non-cash consideration converted into Cash Equivalents) at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration (or, at the Issuer’s option, at the time of contractually agreeing to such Asset Sale), with the fair market value of each item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value,

shall be deemed to be Cash Equivalents for purposes of this provision and for no other purpose.

(b) Within 365 days after the later of (i) the date of any Asset Sale pursuant to the foregoing paragraph and (ii) the receipt of any Net Proceeds of such Asset Sale, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, at its option, may apply the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sale:

(i) to reduce or offer to reduce Indebtedness (through a redemption, prepayment, repayment, or purchase, as applicable) as follows:

(A) Obligations under a Credit Facility to the extent such Obligations were incurred under clause (i) of Section 4.09(b) and are secured by a Lien permitted by the Indenture, and to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto;

(B) Obligations under Secured Indebtedness, and to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto (other than Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary);

(C) Obligations under the Notes or any other unsecured Senior Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (and, in the case of other Senior Indebtedness, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto, if applicable); provided that if the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary shall so reduce any unsecured Senior Indebtedness other than the Notes, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary will either (1) reduce Obligations under the Notes on a pro rata basis by, at its option, (x) redeeming Notes as provided under Section 3.07 hereof or (y) purchasing Notes through open-market purchases or in privately negotiated transactions at market prices (which may be below par), or (2) make an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth below for an Asset Sale Offer) to all Holders to purchase their Notes on a ratable basis with such other unsecured Senior Indebtedness for no less than 100.0% of the principal amount thereof, plus the amount of accrued but unpaid interest, if any, thereon up to the principal amount of Notes to be repurchased; or

(D) Obligations of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not the Co-Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor, other than Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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provided, that to the extent the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary makes an offer to redeem, prepay, repay or purchase any Obligations pursuant to any of the foregoing clauses (A) to (D) at a price of no less than 100% of the principal amount thereof, to the extent the relevant creditors do not accept such offering, the Issuer and the Restricted Subsidiaries will be deemed to have applied an amount of the Net Proceeds equal to such amount not so accepted in such offer, and such amount shall not increase the amount of Excess Proceeds (and such amount shall instead constitute Declined Proceeds); or

(ii) to make an Investment in (A) any one or more businesses, provided that such Investment in any business is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock and results in the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, owning an amount of the Capital Stock of such business such that it constitutes or continues to constitute a Restricted Subsidiary, (B) capital expenditures, or (C) acquisitions of other properties or assets that, in each of (A), (B), and (C), are used or useful in a Similar Business or replace the businesses, properties and/or assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale; or

(iii) any combination of the foregoing;

provided that a binding commitment or letter of intent entered into not later than the end of such 365-day period shall be treated as a permitted application of the Net Proceeds from the date of such commitment or letter of intent so long as the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary enters into such commitment or letter of intent with the good faith expectation that such Net Proceeds will be applied to satisfy such commitment or letter of intent within 180 days of the end of such 365-day period (an “Acceptable Commitment”) or, in the event any Acceptable Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before the Net Proceeds are applied in connection therewith, the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary enters into another Acceptable Commitment (a “Second Commitment”) within 180 days of such cancellation or termination; provided, further that if any Second Commitment is later cancelled or terminated for any reason before such Net Proceeds are applied, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this covenant, (i) to the extent that the application of any or all of the Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale or Casualty Event by a Foreign Subsidiary (a “Foreign Disposition”) (A) is (x) prohibited or delayed by or would violate or conflict with applicable local law, (y) restricted by applicable organizational documents or any agreement or (z) subject to other organizational or administrative impediments from being repatriated to the United States (including for the avoidance of doubt restrictions, prohibitions or impediments relating to financial assistance, corporate benefit, thin capitalization, capital maintenance and similar legal principles, restrictions on upstreaming and/or cross-streaming of Cash Equivalents intra-group and relating to the fiduciary and/or statutory duties of the directors (or equivalent Persons) of the Issuer and/or any of its Subsidiaries) or would conflict with the fiduciary and/or statutory duties of such Subsidiary’s directors (or equivalent Persons), or (B) would result in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a risk of personal or criminal liability for any officer, director, employee, manager, member of management or consultant of such Subsidiary, an amount equal to the portion of such Net Proceeds so affected will not be required to be applied in compliance with this covenant, and such amounts may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary; provided, that if at any time within one year following the date on which the respective payment would otherwise have been required, such repatriation of any of such affected Net Proceeds is permitted under the applicable local law, the applicable organizational document or agreement or the applicable other impediment, an amount equal to such amount of Net Proceeds so permitted to be repatriated will be promptly applied (net of any taxes, costs or expenses that would be payable or reserved against if such amounts were actually repatriated whether or not they are repatriated) in compliance with this covenant or (ii) to the extent that the Issuer has determined in good faith that repatriation of any or all of the Net Proceeds of any Foreign Disposition could have a material adverse tax or cost consequence with respect to such Net Proceeds (which for the avoidance of doubt, includes, but is not limited to, any prepayment whereby doing so the Issuer, any Restricted Subsidiary or any of their respective Affiliates and/or their equityholders would incur a tax liability, including as a result of a tax dividend, a deemed dividend pursuant to Code Section 956 or a withholding tax), the Net Proceeds so affected may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary and an amount equal to such Net Proceeds will not be required to be applied in compliance with this covenant. The non-application of any prepayment amounts as a consequence of the foregoing provisions will not, for the avoidance of doubt, constitute a Default or an Event of Default. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in the Indenture shall be construed to require the Issuer or any Subsidiary to repatriate cash.

 

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(c) Any Net Proceeds from the Asset Sale (other than any amounts excluded from this covenant as set forth in Section 4.10(b)) that are not invested or applied as provided and within the time period set forth in Section 4.10(b) hereof will be deemed to constitute “Excess Proceeds”; provided, that any amount of Net Proceeds offered to Holders of the Notes pursuant to clause (i)(C) of Section 4.10(b) shall not be deemed to be Excess Proceeds without regard to whether such offer is accepted by any Holders and any amount of Net Proceeds offered to Holders of the Notes pursuant to clause (i)(C) of Section 4.10(b) of the second preceding paragraph that are not accepted shall be deemed to be Declined Proceeds. When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $75.0 million (the Excess Proceeds Threshold), the Issuer shall make an offer (an “Asset Sale Offer”) to all Holders of the Notes and, if required or permitted by the terms of any Indebtedness that ranks pari passu in right of payment with the Notes (“Pari Passu Indebtedness”), to the holders of such Pari Passu Indebtedness, to purchase the maximum aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) of the Notes and such Pari Passu Indebtedness that is, with respect to the Notes only, in an amount equal to $1,000, or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price, in the case of the Notes, in cash in an amount equal to 100.0% of the principal amount thereof (or accreted value thereof, if less), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Indenture, and in the case of such Pari Passu Indebtedness, at the offer price required by the terms thereof, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the agreement(s) governing such Pari Passu Indebtedness. The Issuer will commence an Asset Sale Offer with respect to Excess Proceeds within 20 Business Days after the date that Excess Proceeds exceed the Excess Proceeds Threshold by delivering to the Holders the notice required pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, with a copy to the Trustee. The Issuer may satisfy the foregoing obligations with respect to any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale by making any Asset Sale Offer with respect to such Net Proceeds prior to the time period that may be required by the Indenture with respect to all or a part of the available Net Proceeds (the “Advance Portion”) in advance of being required to do so by the Indenture (an “Advance Offer”).

To the extent that the aggregate amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of Notes and Pari Passu Indebtedness, as the case may be, tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the amount offered in the Asset Sale Offer (or in the case of an Advance Offer, the Advance Portion), the Issuers may use any remaining Excess Proceeds (or in the case of an Advance Offer, the Advance Portion) (“Declined Proceeds”) for any purposes not otherwise prohibited under this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of Notes or the Pari Passu Indebtedness, as the case may be, surrendered by such holders thereof exceeds the amount offered in the Asset Sale Offer (or in the case of an Advance Offer, the Advance Portion), the Issuer shall purchase the Notes (subject to applicable DTC procedures as to global notes) and such Pari Passu Indebtedness, as the case may be, on a pro rata basis based on the aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Notes or such Pari Passu Indebtedness, as the case may be, tendered with adjustments as necessary so that no Notes or Pari Passu Indebtedness, as the case may be, will be repurchased in part in an unauthorized denomination. Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer (or Advance Offer), the amount of Excess Proceeds (or in the case of an Advance Offer, the Advance Portion) that resulted in the requirement to make an Asset Sale Offer shall be reset to zero (regardless of whether there are any remaining Excess Proceeds (or Advance Portion) upon such completion). Additionally, the Issuer may, at its option, make an Asset Sale Offer using the Net Proceeds from any Asset Sale at any time after the consummation of such Asset Sale. Upon consummation or expiration of any Asset Sale Offer (or Advance Offer), any remaining Net Proceeds shall not be deemed Excess Proceeds and the Issuers may use such Net Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited under this Indenture.

An Asset Sale Offer or Advance Offer may be made at the same time as consents are solicited with respect to an amendment, supplement or waiver of the Indenture, Notes and/or Guarantees (but the Asset Sale Offer or Advance Offer may not condition tenders on the delivery of such consents).

 

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(d) Pending the final application of the amount of any Net Proceeds pursuant to this Section 4.10, the holder of such Net Proceeds may temporarily reduce Indebtedness, or otherwise use such Net Proceeds in any manner not prohibited by this Indenture.

(e) The notice, if delivered electronically or mailed in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. If (i) the notice is delivered electronically or mailed in a manner herein provided and (ii) any Holder fails to receive such notice or a Holder receives such notice but it is defective, such Holder’s failure to receive such notice or such defect shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the purchase of the Notes as to all other Holders that properly received such notice without defect. The Issuers shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase by the Issuers of the Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer or an Advance Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuers shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue thereof.

The provisions of this Section 4.10 relative to the Issuers’ obligation to make an offer to repurchase the Notes as a result of an Asset Sale may be waived or modified with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of all the Notes then outstanding.

Section 4.11. Transactions with Affiliates.

(a) The Issuer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with any Affiliate of the Issuer (each of the foregoing, an “Affiliate Transaction”) involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $37.5 million at such time, unless:

(i) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are not materially less favorable to the Issuer or its relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person on an arm’s-length basis; or, if in the good faith judgment of the Issuer, no comparable transaction is available with which to compare such Affiliate Transaction, such Affiliate Transaction is otherwise fair to the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view and when such transaction is taken in its entirety; and

(ii) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate payments or consideration in excess of $75.0 million at such time, the terms of such transaction have been approved by a majority of the members of the Board of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer.

Any Affiliate Transaction shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements set forth in clause (ii) of this paragraph if such Affiliate Transaction is approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent of the Issuer, if any.

(b) The provisions of Section 4.11(a) hereof shall not apply to the following:

(i) (x) transactions between or among the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; (or any entity that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction) and (y) any merger, amalgamation or consolidation of the Issuer into any direct or indirect parent company; provided, that such merger, amalgamation or consolidation is otherwise consummated in compliance with the terms of the Indenture;

 

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(ii) Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.07 hereof (including any transaction specifically excluded from the definition of the term “Restricted Payments”) (other than pursuant to clauses (xiii) and (xv)(A) of Section 4.07(b));

(iii) transactions pursuant to the Transaction Agreements, or any amendment thereto or replacement thereof so long as any such amendment or replacement is not materially disadvantageous in the good faith judgment of the Issuer to the Holders when taken as a whole, as compared to the applicable agreement as in effect immediately prior to such amendment or replacement;

(iv) (A) employment agreements, employee benefit and incentive compensation plans and arrangements and (B) the payment of reasonable and customary fees and compensation paid to, and indemnities and reimbursements and employment and severance arrangements provided on behalf of or for the benefit of, future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, members, partners, independent contractors or consultants (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Issuer, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including in connection with the Transactions;

(v) transactions in which the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, delivers to the Trustee a letter from an Independent Financial Advisor stating that such transaction is fair to the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or stating that the terms are not materially less favorable, when taken as a whole, to the Issuer or its relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person on an arm’s-length basis;

(vi) any agreement or arrangement as in effect as of the Escrow Release Date, or any amendment or replacement thereto (so long as any such amendment or replacement is not materially disadvantageous in the good faith judgment of the Issuer to the Holders when taken as a whole as compared to the applicable agreement or arrangement as in effect on the Escrow Release Date);

(vii) any Intercompany License Agreements;

(viii) the existence of, or the performance by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of its obligations under the terms of, any stockholders, investor rights or similar agreement (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it (or any parent company of the Issuer) is a party as of the Escrow Release Date and any similar agreements which it (or any parent company of the Issuer) may enter into thereafter; provided that the existence of, or the performance by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or such parent company) of obligations under any future amendment to any such existing agreement or under any similar agreement entered into after the Escrow Release Date shall only be permitted by this clause (viii) to the extent that the terms of any such amendment or new agreement are not otherwise, when taken as a whole, materially disadvantageous in the good faith judgment of the Issuer to the Holders than those in effect on the Escrow Release Date;

 

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(ix) the Transactions and the payment of all fees and expenses related to the Transactions, including Transaction Expenses;

(x) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers, contractors, joint venture partners or purchasers or sellers of goods or services or providers of employees or other labor that are Affiliates, in each case in the ordinary course of business or that are consistent with past practice and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture which are fair to the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in the reasonable determination of the Issuer, or are on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party;

(xi) the issuance or transfer of (A) Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer to any direct or indirect parent company of the Issuer or to any Permitted Holder or to any employee, director, officer, manager, member, partner or consultant(or their respective Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Issuer, any of its direct or indirect parent companies or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and (B) directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals as required by applicable law;

(xii) (A) any sale or other transfer of accounts receivable, or participations therein, or Securitization Assets or related assets or any other transactions effected in connection with any Qualified Securitization Facility (including servicing agreements and other customary similar arrangements) and (B) any disposition or repurchase of accounts receivable, or participations therein or Securitization Assets or related assets in connection with any Qualified Securitization Facility;

(xiii) [Reserved];

(xiv) payments and Indebtedness and Disqualified Stock (and cancellation of any thereof) of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries and Preferred Stock (and cancellation of any thereof) of any Restricted Subsidiary to any future, current or former employee, director, officer, manager, member, partner or consultant (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Issuer, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its direct or indirect parent companies pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement that are, in each case, approved by the Issuer in good faith; and any employment agreements, stock option plans and other compensatory arrangements (and any successor plans thereto) and any supplemental executive retirement benefit plans or arrangements with any such future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, members, partners, independent contractors or consultants (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) that are, in each case, approved by the Issuer in good faith;

(xv) (A) investments by Affiliates in securities or loans or other Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (and payment of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such Affiliates in connection therewith) so long as the investment is being offered by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary generally to other investors on the same or more favorable terms, and (B) payments to Affiliates in respect of securities or loans or other Indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries contemplated in the foregoing subclause (A) or that were acquired from Persons other than the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case, in accordance with the terms of such securities or loans;

 

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(xvi) payments to or from, and transactions with, any joint venture or Unrestricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice (including, without limitation, any cash management activities related thereto);

(xvii) payments by the Issuer (and any direct or indirect parent company thereof) and its Subsidiaries pursuant to tax sharing agreements among the Issuer (and any such parent company) and its Subsidiaries, to the extent such payments are permitted under clause (xv)(B) of Section 4.07(b) hereof;

(xviii) any lease entered into between the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, as lessee, and any Affiliate of the Issuer, as lessor, which is approved by the Issuer in good faith;

(xix) intellectual property licenses in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(xx) all payments to a direct or indirect parent entity of the Issuer otherwise permitted under this Indenture;

(xxi) the payment of reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses relating to registration rights and indemnities provided to equityholders of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent thereof pursuant to any equityholders, registration rights or similar agreements;

(xxii) the pledge of Equity Interests of any Unrestricted Subsidiary to lenders to support the Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary owed to such lenders;

(xxiii) Permitted Intercompany Activities and related transactions;

(xxiv) (A) any transactions with a Person which would constitute an Affiliate Transaction solely because the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiary owns an equity interest in or otherwise controls such Person, or (B) transactions with a Person which would constitute an Affiliate Transaction solely because a director of such other Person is also a director of the Issuer or any direct or indirect parent company; provided, that such director abstains from voting as a director of the Issuer or such direct or indirect parent company, as the case may be, on any matter including such other Person; and

(xxv) any transition services arrangement, supply arrangement or similar arrangement entered into in connection with or in contemplation of a disposition made in accordance with or not prohibited by the Indenture.

If the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (i) purchases or otherwise acquires assets or properties from a Person which is not an Affiliate, the purchase or acquisition by an Affiliate of the Issuer of an interest in all or a portion of the assets or properties acquired shall not be deemed an Affiliate Transaction (or cause such purchase or acquisition by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary to be deemed an Affiliate Transaction) or (ii) sells or otherwise disposes of assets or other properties to a Person who is not an Affiliate, the sale or other disposition by an Affiliate of the Issuer of an interest in all or a portion of the assets or properties sold shall not be deemed an Affiliate Transaction (or cause such sale or other disposition by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary to be deemed an Affiliate Transaction).

 

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Section 4.12. Liens. The Issuer will not, and will not permit the Co-Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien (except Permitted Liens) (each, a “Subject Lien”) that secures Obligations under any Indebtedness or any related guarantee of Indebtedness, on any asset or property of the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor, or any income or profits therefrom, or assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom, unless:

(a) in the case of Subject Liens securing Subordinated Indebtedness, the Notes and related Guarantees are secured by a Lien on such property, assets or proceeds that is senior in priority to such Liens; and

(b) in all other cases, the Notes or Guarantees are equally and ratably secured,

except that the foregoing shall not apply to or restrict Liens securing obligations in respect of the Notes and the related Guarantees.

Any Lien created for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes pursuant to this Section 4.12 shall be deemed automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the release and discharge of the Subject Lien that gave rise to the obligation to secure the Notes. In addition, in the event that a Subject Lien is or becomes a Permitted Lien, the Issuer may, at its option and without consent from any Holder, elect to release and discharge any Lien created for the benefit of the Holders pursuant to the preceding paragraph in respect of such Subject Lien.

With respect to any Lien securing Indebtedness that was permitted to secure such Indebtedness at the time of the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such Lien shall also be permitted to secure any Increased Amount of such Indebtedness. The “Increased Amount” of any Indebtedness shall mean any increase in the amount of such Indebtedness in connection with any accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, accretion of original issue discount or liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies or increases in the value of property securing Indebtedness.

Section 4.13. Company Existence. Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Issuer shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its limited liability company existence and the corporate, partnership, limited liability company or other existence of each of its Restricted Subsidiaries (including the Co-Issuer), in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Issuer or any such Restricted Subsidiary; provided that the Issuer shall not be required to preserve the corporate, partnership or other existence of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Co-Issuer), if the Issuer in good faith shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. For the avoidance of doubt, the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries will be permitted to change their organizational form; provided that for so long as an Issuer is organized as a partnership or a limited liability company, it will maintain a corporate co-issuer of the Notes.

Section 4.14. Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control Triggering Event. If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs after the Escrow Release Date, unless the Issuers have previously or concurrently sent a redemption notice with respect to all the outstanding Notes as described under Section 3.07 hereof, the Issuers shall make an offer to purchase all of the Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”) at a price in cash (the “Change of Control Payment”) equal to 101.0% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of purchase, subject to the right of Holders of the Notes of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling prior to or on the purchase date. Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event, the Issuers will send (or cause to be sent) notice of such Change of Control Offer electronically or by first-class mail, with a copy to the Trustee, to each Holder to the address of such Holder appearing in the Note Register or otherwise delivered in accordance with the Applicable Procedures with the following information:

 

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(a) that a Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.14 and that all Notes properly tendered pursuant to such Change of Control Offer will be accepted for payment by the Issuers;

(b) the purchase price and the purchase date, which will be no earlier than 10 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is sent (the “Change of Control Payment Date”), except in the case of a conditional Change of Control Offer made in advance of a Change of Control Triggering Event in accordance with Section 4.14(e) hereof;

(c) that any Note not properly tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest;

(d) that unless the Issuers default in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest on (and exclusive thereof) the Change of Control Payment Date;

(e) that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer shall be required to surrender such Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of such Notes completed or otherwise in accordance with the Applicable Procedures, to the Paying Agent specified in the notice at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;

(f) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their tendered Notes and their election to require the Issuers to purchase such Notes; provided that the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the second Business Day prior to the expiration date of the Change of Control Offer, a facsimile transmission, letter or other communication in accordance with the Applicable Procedures setting forth the name of the Holder of the Notes, the principal amount of Notes tendered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its tendered Notes, or a specified portion thereof, and its election to have such Notes purchased;

(g) that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes and such new Notes will be equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (with such unpurchased portion of the Notes equal to at least $2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000);

(h) if such notice is delivered prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, stating that the Change of Control Offer is conditional on the occurrence of such Change of Control Triggering Event and shall describe each such condition, and, if applicable, shall state that, in the Issuers’ discretion, the Change of Control Payment Date may be delayed until such time (including more than 60 days after the notice is mailed or delivered, including by electronic transmission) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied or waived, or that such repurchase may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied or waived by the Change of Control Payment Date, or by the Change of Control Payment Date as so delayed, or such notice or offer may be rescinded at any time in the Issuers’ sole discretion if the Issuers determine that any or all of such conditions will not be satisfied or waived; and,

 

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(i) any other instructions, as determined by the Issuers, consistent with this Section 4.14 that a Holder must follow in order to have the Notes repurchased.

While the Notes are in global form and the Issuers make an offer to purchase all of the Notes pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, a Holder may exercise its option to elect for the purchase of the Notes or withdraw such election through the facilities of DTC, subject to its rules and regulations.

The notice, if delivered electronically or mailed in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. If (a) the notice is delivered or mailed in a manner herein provided and (b) any Holder fails to receive such notice or a Holder receives such notice but it is defective, such Holder’s failure to receive such notice or such defect shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the purchase of the Notes as to all other Holders that properly received such notice without defect. The Issuers shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase by the Issuers of Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture, the Issuers shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue thereof.

(j) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuers shall, to the extent permitted by law:

(i) accept for payment all Notes issued by them or portions thereof validly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

(ii) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the aggregate Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions thereof so tendered and not validly withdrawn; and

(iii) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for cancellation the Notes so accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee stating that such Notes or portions thereof have been tendered to and purchased by the Issuers.

(k) The Issuers shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control Triggering Event if (i) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuers and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer, or (ii) in connection with or in contemplation of any Change of Control Triggering Event, the Issuers (or any Affiliate of the Issuers) has made an offer to purchase (an “Alternate Offer”) any and all Notes validly tendered at a cash price equal to or higher than the Change of Control Payment and has purchased all Notes properly tendered in accordance with the terms of the Alternate Offer.

(l) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Change of Control Offer or Alternate Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control Triggering Event, conditional upon such Change of Control Triggering Event, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control Triggering Event at the time of making of the Change of Control Offer or Alternate Offer.

(m) Other than as specifically provided in this Section 4.14, any purchase pursuant to this Section 4.14 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.02, 3.05 and 3.06 hereof, and references therein to “redeem,” “redemption,” “Redemption Date” and similar words shall be deemed to refer to “purchase,” “repurchase” and “Change of Control Payment Date” and similar words, as applicable.

 

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(n) A Change of Control Offer or Alternate Offer may be made at the same time as consents are solicited with respect to an amendment, supplement or waiver of this Indenture, Notes and/or Guarantees (but the Change of Control Offer and the Alternate Offer may not condition tenders on the delivery of such consents).

The provisions of this Section 4.14, including the definition of “Change of Control” may be waived or modified with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of all the Notes then outstanding.

Section 4.15. Limitation on Guarantees of Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries. The Issuer shall not permit any of its Wholly Owned Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries (and non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries if such non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries guarantee other capital markets debt securities of the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to clause (ii) below), other than a Subsidiary Guarantor, the Co-Issuer, a Captive Insurance Subsidiary, a Foreign Subsidiary, a FSHCO Subsidiary or a Securitization Subsidiary, to guarantee the payment of (i) any Credit Facility incurred under clause (i) of Section 4.09(b) hereof or (ii) capital markets debt securities of the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor unless:

(b) such Restricted Subsidiary within 60 days after the guarantee of such Indebtedness executes and delivers a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit D-2 hereto, providing for a Guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary, except that with respect to a guarantee of Indebtedness of the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor, if such Indebtedness is by its express terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Guarantee, any such guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary with respect to such Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to such Guarantee substantially to the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes; and

(c) such Restricted Subsidiary waives and shall not in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any rights of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation or any other applicable rights against the Issuer or any other Restricted Subsidiary as a result of any payment by such Restricted Subsidiary under its Guarantee;

provided that this Section 4.15 shall not be applicable to any guarantee of any Restricted Subsidiary that existed at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary and was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary. The Issuer may elect, in its sole discretion, to cause any Subsidiary that is not otherwise required to be a Subsidiary Guarantor to become a Subsidiary Guarantor, in which case such Subsidiary shall not be required to comply with the 60 day period described in clause (b) of this Section 4.15.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary that guarantees any Indebtedness of the Issuer under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities as of the Escrow Release shall, on the Escrow Release Date, execute and deliver a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit D-1 hereto, providing for a Guarantee by such Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary.

 

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Section 4.16. Limitations on Business Activities of the Escrow Issuers and of the Co-Issuer.

(a) Prior to the Escrow Release Date, neither the Escrow Issuer nor the Escrow Co-Issuer shall engage in any business activity or enter into any transaction or agreement other than the Primary Escrow Activities.

(b) After the Escrow Release Date and the Assumption, the Co-Issuer may not hold any assets, become liable for any obligations or engage in any business activities; provided that it may be a co-obligor or guarantor with respect to the Notes or any other Indebtedness issued by the Issuer, and may engage in any activities related thereto or necessary in connection therewith. The Co-Issuer shall be a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Issuer at all times.

Section 4.17. Suspension of Covenants.

(a) If on any date following the Escrow Release Date (i) the Notes have an Investment Grade Rating from two of the Rating Agencies and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture (the occurrence of the events described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) being collectively referred to as a “Covenant Suspension Event”), then, beginning on that day and continuing at all times thereafter regardless of any subsequent changes in the rating of the Notes, each of Section 4.07, Section 4.08, Section 4.09, Section 4.10, Section 4.11, Section 4.15 and clause (iii) of Section 5.01(a) and Sections 5.01(e) and 5.01(g) hereof shall no longer be applicable to the Notes (collectively, the “Suspended Covenants”) until the occurrence of the Reversion Date (as defined below), if any.

(b) In the event that the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants under this Indenture for any period of time as a result of the foregoing, and on any subsequent date (the “Reversion Date”) the Notes cease to have an Investment Grade Rating from any two of the Rating Agencies, then the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries will thereafter again be subject to the Suspended Covenants under this Indenture with respect to future events. The period of time between the Covenant Suspension Event and the Reversion Date is referred to as the “Suspension Period.” The Guarantees of the Guarantors will also be suspended during the Suspension Period to the extended provided under Article 10. Additionally, upon the occurrence of a Covenant Suspension Event, the amount of Excess Proceeds from any Asset Sales shall be reset to zero.

(c) During the Suspension Period, the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be entitled to incur Liens to the extent provided for under Section 4.12 hereof (including, without limitation, Permitted Liens) to the extent provided for in such section and any Permitted Liens which may refer to one or more Suspended Covenants shall be interpreted as though such applicable Suspended Covenant(s) continued to be applicable during the Suspension Period (but solely for purposes of Section 4.12, the definition of “Permitted Liens” and no other section).

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of any such reinstatement of the Suspended Covenants, no action taken or omitted to be taken by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries prior to such reinstatement that was permitted at such time will give rise to a Default or Event of Default under this Indenture with respect to the Notes; and no Default or Event of Default will be deemed to exist or have occurred as a result of any failure by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary to comply with any of the Suspended Covenants during the Suspension Period; provided, that (i) with respect to Restricted Payments made after such reinstatement, the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments will be calculated as though Section 4.07 had been in effect prior to, but not during, the Suspension Period (including with respect to a Limited Condition Transaction entered into during the Suspension Period); (ii) all Indebtedness incurred, or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued, during the Suspension Period (or deemed incurred or issued in connection with a Limited Condition Transaction entered into during the Suspension Period) will be classified to have been incurred or issued pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 4.09(b); (iii) any Affiliate Transaction entered into after such reinstatement pursuant to an agreement entered into during any Suspension Period shall be deemed to be permitted pursuant to clause (vi) of Section 4.11(b); (iv) any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not the Co-Issuer or a Guarantor to take any action described in clauses (i) through (iii) of Section 4.08(a) that becomes effective during any Suspension Period shall be deemed to be permitted pursuant to clause (i) of the second paragraph in Section 4.08(a); (v) no Subsidiary of the Issuer (other than the Co-Issuer) shall be required to comply with Section 4.15 hereof after such reinstatement with respect to any guarantee or obligation entered into by such Subsidiary during any Suspension Period; and (vi) all Investments made during the Suspension Period (or deemed made in connection with a Limited Condition Transaction entered into during the Suspension Period) will be classified to have been made under clause (v) of the definition of “Permitted Investments.”

 

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(e) Notwithstanding that the Suspended Covenants may be reinstated after the Reversion Date, (1) no Default, Event of Default or breach of any kind will be deemed to exist under this Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees with respect to the Suspended Covenants, and none of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries shall bear any liability for any actions taken or events occurring during the Suspension Period, or any actions taken at any time pursuant to any contractual obligation arising during any Suspension Period, in each case as a result of a failure to comply with the Suspended Covenants during the Suspension Period (or, upon termination of the Suspension Period or after that time based solely on any action taken or event that occurred during the Suspension Period), and (2) following a Reversion Date, the Issuer and each Restricted Subsidiary will be permitted, without causing a Default or Event of Default, to honor, comply with or otherwise perform any contractual commitments or obligations arising during any Suspension Period and to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby.

(f) The Issuer shall send written notice to the Trustee upon the commencement of any Suspension Period or the occurrence of any Reversion Date. The Trustee shall have no obligation to determine if the Notes have an Investment Grade Rating at any time or to provide Holders with notice of whether the Notes have an Investment Grade Rating or no longer have an Investment Grade Rating and shall have no obligation to monitor or notify the Holders of the ratings of the ratings of the Notes.

ARTICLE 5

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01. Merger, Consolidation or Sale of All or Substantially All Assets.

(a) The Issuer may not consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into, consummate a Division as the Dividing Person (whether or not the Issuer is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(i) (a) the Issuer is the surviving Person or (b) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or winding up or Division (if other than the Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made (such Person being herein called the “Successor Company”), (i) expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Issuer under the Indenture and the Notes, pursuant to supplemental indentures or other applicable documents or instruments and (ii) is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of the Issuer or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof; provided that in such a transaction where the surviving Person is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Notes is a corporation;

(ii) immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists;

 

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(iii) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction and any related financing transactions, as if such transactions had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period:

(A) the Issuer or the Successor Company, as applicable, would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof; or

(B) either (x) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries or the Successor Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as applicable, would be equal to or greater than the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction or (y) the Consolidated Total Debt Ratio for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries or the Successor Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as applicable, would be equal to or less than the Consolidated Total Debt Ratio for the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction; and

(iv) the Issuer or, if applicable, the Successor Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with this Indenture.

(b) The Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted for, the Issuer under this Indenture and the Notes and the Issuer will automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under this Indenture and the Notes.

(c) Notwithstanding clauses (iii) and (iv) of Section 5.01(a) hereof:

(i) the Issuer may consolidate or amalgamate with or merge with or into or wind up into, consummate a Division as the Dividing Person or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose all or part of its properties and assets to the Co-Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor;

(ii) any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate or amalgamate with or merge with or into or wind up into, consummate a Division as the Dividing Person or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose all or part of its properties and assets to the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor; and

(iii) the Issuer may consolidate or amalgamate with or merge with or into or wind up into, consummate a Division as the Dividing Person or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose all or part of its properties and assets to an Affiliate of the Issuer solely for the purpose of reorganizing the Issuer in the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof so long as the amount of Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby.

(d) The Co-Issuer may not consolidate or merge with or into or wind-up into, consummate a Division as the Dividing Person (whether or not the Co-Issuer is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the Co-Issuer’s properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person, unless:

 

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(i) (A) (1) the Co-Issuer is the surviving Person or (2) concurrently therewith, a corporate Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer organized and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of incorporation of the Co-Issuer or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof (which may be the continuing Person as a result of such transaction) expressly assumes all of the obligations of the Co-Issuer under the Indenture and the Notes pursuant to supplemental indentures or other applicable documents or instruments; or

(B) after giving effect thereto, at least one obligor on the Notes shall be a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof;

(ii) immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

(iii) the Co-Issuer, or if applicable the successor co-issuer, shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture, if any, comply with this Indenture.

(e) Subject to Section 10.06 hereof, no Subsidiary Guarantor shall, and the Issuer shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any Person unless:

(i) (A) such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger or winding up (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, or the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia, or any territory thereof (such surviving Guarantor or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Person”);

(B) the Successor Person, if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor, expressly assumes all the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture and such Subsidiary Guarantor’s related Guarantee pursuant to supplemental indentures or other applicable documents or instruments;

(C) immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

(D) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indentures, if any, comply with this Indenture; or

(ii) the transaction is not prohibited by Section 4.10(a) hereof; or

(iii) in the case of assets comprised of Equity Interests of Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors, such Equity Interests are sold, assigned, transferred, leased, conveyed or otherwise disposed of to the Issuer or one or more Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

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(f) Subject to Section 10.06 hereof, the Successor Person shall succeed to, and be substituted for, such Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture and such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Subsidiary Guarantor may (i) merge or consolidate or amalgamate with or into, wind up into, consummate a Division as the Dividing Person, or sell, assign, transfer, lease convey or otherwise dispose of all or part of its properties and assets to another Subsidiary Guarantor or the Issuer (or a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor if that Restricted Subsidiary becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor), (ii) consolidate or amalgamate with or merge with or into or wind up into, consummate a Division as the Dividing Person or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose all or part of its properties and assets to an Affiliate of the Issuer solely for the purpose of reorganizing the Subsidiary Guarantor in another jurisdiction, (iii) convert into a corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, trust or other entity organized or existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of such Subsidiary Guarantor or (iv) liquidate, wind up or dissolve or change its legal form if the Issuer determines in good faith that such action is in the best interests of the Issuer, in each case, without regard to the requirements set forth in Section 5.01(e). HGV Parent and HGV Intermediate Parent may merge with an Affiliate of the Issuer solely for the purpose of reincorporating or reorganizing HGV Parent or HGV Intermediate Parent, as the case may be, in the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or any territory thereof. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.01, the Issuer may contribute or transfer the Capital Stock of any or all of its Subsidiaries to any Subsidiary Guarantor.

(g) Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 5.01 shall not apply to the Transactions.

Section 5.02. Successor Person Substituted. Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof, the Successor Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, shall refer instead to the Successor Person, as applicable, and not to the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable), and may exercise every right and power of the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, under this Indenture with the same effect as if such Successor Person, as applicable, had been named as the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, herein; provided that the predecessor Issuer shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay, or to Guarantee the payment of, as applicable, the principal of and interest on the Notes, except in the case of a sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Issuer’s or the Co-Issuer’s assets, as applicable, that meets the requirements of Section 5.01 hereof.

ARTICLE 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01. Events of Default and Remedies.

(a) An “Event of Default,” wherever used herein, means any one of the following events:

(i) default in payment when due and payable, upon redemption, acceleration or otherwise, of principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes;

(ii) default for 30 consecutive days or more in the payment when due of interest on or with respect to the Notes;

 

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(iii) subject to Section 4.03(d) hereof, failure by the Escrow Issuer, the Escrow Co-Issuer, the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or any Guarantor for 60 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 30.0% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes to comply with any of its obligations, covenants or agreements (other than a default referred to in clause (i) or (ii) above) contained in this Indenture or the Notes;

(iv) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there is issued or by which there is secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than Indebtedness owed to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists or is created after the issuance of the Notes, if both:

(A) such default either results from the failure to pay any principal of such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods) or relates to an obligation other than the obligation to pay principal of any such Indebtedness at its stated final maturity and results in the holder or holders of such Indebtedness causing such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity; and

(B) the principal amount of such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness in default for failure to pay principal at stated final maturity (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods), or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregate the greater of (1) $100.0 million (or its foreign currency equivalent) and (2) 2.0% of Total Assets or more outstanding;

(v) failure by the Escrow Issuer, the Escrow Co-Issuer, the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03 hereof) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of the greater of (A) $100.0 million (or its foreign currency equivalent) and (B) 2.0% of Total Assets (net of amounts covered by insurance policies issued by reputable insurance companies), which final judgments remain unpaid, undischarged and unstayed for a period of more than 60 days after such judgment becomes final, and in the event such judgment is covered by insurance, an enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree which is not promptly stayed;

(vi) the Issuer, the Co-Issuer, the Escrow Issuer, the Escrow Co-Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03 hereof) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary), pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(A) commences proceedings to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;

(B) consents to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under applicable Bankruptcy Law;

(C) consents to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of it or for all or substantially all of its property;

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

 

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(E) generally is not paying its debts as they become due;

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

(A) is for relief against the Issuer, the Co-Issuer, the Escrow Issuer, the Escrow Co-Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03 hereof) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary), in a proceeding in which the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or any such Subsidiary or such group of Restricted Subsidiaries is to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;

(B) appoints a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Issuer, the Co-Issuer, the Escrow Issuer, the Escrow Co-Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03 hereof) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary), or for all or substantially all of the property of the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or any such Significant Subsidiary or such group of Restricted Subsidiaries; or

(C) orders the liquidation of the Escrow Issuer, the Escrow Co-Issuer, the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03 hereof) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary);

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days;

(viii) the Guarantee of HGV Parent, HGV Intermediate Parent or any Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiary Guarantors that together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03 hereof) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) shall for any reason cease to be in full force and effect or be declared null and void or any responsible officer of HGV Parent, HGV Intermediate Parent or any Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary (or the responsible officers of any group of Subsidiary Guarantors that together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Issuer for a fiscal quarter end provided as required under Section 4.03 hereof) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary), as the case may be, denies in writing that it has any further liability under its Guarantee or gives written notice to such effect, other than by reason of the termination of this Indenture or the release of any such Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture; or

(ix) the failure by the Escrow Issuers to consummate the Special Mandatory Redemption to the extent required, as described in Section 3.08.

(b) In the event of any Event of Default specified in clause (iv) of Section 6.01(a) hereof, such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding any resulting payment default, other than as a result of acceleration of the Notes) shall be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the Holders, if within 30 days after such Event of Default arose:

(i) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged;

 

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(ii) the requisite number of holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default; or

(iii) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured.

Section 6.02. Acceleration. If any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default of the type specified in clause (vi) of Section 6.01(a) hereof) occurs and is continuing under this Indenture, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 30.0% in aggregate principal amount of all the then outstanding Notes may, by notice to the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) and the Trustee, in either case specifying in such notice the respective Event of Default and that such notice is a “notice of acceleration”, declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately; provided, that no such declaration may be made with respect to any action taken, and reported publicly or to Holders, more than two years prior to such declaration. Any notice of Default under clauses (iii), (iv), (v) or (vii) of Section 6.01(a) hereof, notice of acceleration with respect to an Event of Default under clauses (iii), (iv), (v) or (vii) of Section 6.01(a) hereof, instruction to the Trustee to provide a notice of Default under clauses (iii), (iv), (v) or (vii) of Section 6.01(a) hereof, notice of acceleration with respect to an Event of Default under clauses (iii), (iv), (v) or (vii) of Section 6.01(a) hereof or instruction to the Trustee to take any other action with respect to an alleged Default or Event of Default under clauses (iii), (iv), (v) or (vii) of Section 6.01(a) hereof (a “Noteholder Direction”) provided by any one or more Holders (other than a Regulated Bank) (each, a “Directing Holder”) must be accompanied by a written representation from each such Holder delivered to the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) and the Trustee that such Holder is not (or, in the case such Holder is DTC or DTC’s nominee, that such Holder is being instructed solely by beneficial owners that are not) Net Short (each, a “Position Representation”), which representation, in the case of a Noteholder Direction relating to delivery of a notice of Default shall be deemed a continuing representation until the resulting Event of Default is cured or otherwise ceases to exist or the Notes are accelerated. In addition, each Directing Holder is deemed, at the time of providing a Noteholder Direction, to covenant to provide the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) with such other information as the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) may reasonably request from time to time in order to verify the accuracy of such Directing Holder’s Position Representation within five Business Days of request therefor (a “Verification Covenant”). In any case in which the Holder is DTC or DTC’s nominee, any Position Representation or Verification Covenant required hereunder shall be provided by the beneficial owner of the Notes in lieu of DTC or DTC’s nominee and DTC shall be entitled to conclusively rely on such Position Representation and Verification Covenant in delivering its direction to the Trustee.

 

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If, following the delivery of a Noteholder Direction, but prior to acceleration of the Notes, the Issuer or the Escrow Issuer determines in good faith that there is a reasonable basis to believe a Directing Holder was, at any relevant time, in breach of its Position Representation and the Issuer or the Escrow Issuer provides to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate certifying that the Issuer has (i) a good faith reasonable basis to believe that one or more Directing Holders were at any relevant time in breach of their Position Representation or their Verification Covenant and (ii) initiated litigation in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking a determination that such Directing Holders were, at such time, in breach of their Position Representation, and seeking to invalidate any Event of Default that resulted from the applicable Noteholder Direction, the cure period with respect to such Default shall be automatically stayed and the cure period with respect to such Event of Default shall be automatically reinstituted and any remedy stayed pending a final and nonappealable determination of a court of competent jurisdiction on such matter. If such Officer’s Certificate has been delivered to the Trustee, the Trustee shall refrain from acting in accordance with such Noteholder Direction until such time as the Issuer provides to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that (i) such Directing Holders have satisfied their Verification Covenant or (ii) such Directing Holders have failed to satisfy its Verification Covenant, and during such time the cure period with respect to any Default shall be automatically stayed and the cure period with respect to any Event of Default that resulted from the applicable Noteholder Direction shall be automatically reinstituted and any remedy stayed pending satisfaction of such Verification Covenant; provided, that the Issuer shall promptly deliver such Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee upon becoming aware that the Directing Holders have satisfied their Verification Covenant or have failed to satisfy the Verification Covenant. Any breach of the Position Representation (as evidenced by delivery to the Trustee of the Officer’s Certificate stating that such Directing Holder failed to satisfy its Verification Covenant) shall result in such Directing Holder’s participation in such Noteholder Direction being disregarded; and, if, without the participation of such Directing Holder, the percentage of Notes held by the remaining Holders that provided such Noteholder Direction would have been insufficient to validly provide such Noteholder Direction, such Noteholder Direction shall be void ab initio, with the effect that such Event of Default shall be deemed never to have occurred, and any related acceleration rescinded, and the Trustee shall be deemed not to have received such Noteholder Direction or any notice of such alleged Default or Event of Default, shall not be permitted to act thereon and shall be restricted from accepting and acting on any future Noteholder Direction in relation to such Event of Default. If the Directing Holder has satisfied its Verification Covenant, then the Trustee shall be permitted to act in accordance with such Noteholder Direction. Notwithstanding the above, if such Directing Holder’s participation is not required to achieve the requisite level of consent of Holders required under the Indenture to give such Noteholder Direction, the Trustee shall be permitted to act in accordance with such Noteholder Direction notwithstanding any action taken or to be taken by the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) (as described above). The Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely on any Noteholder Direction or Officer’s Certificate delivered to it in accordance with the Indenture without verification, investigation or otherwise as to the statements made therein. Notwithstanding anything in the preceding two paragraphs to the contrary, any Noteholder Direction delivered to the Trustee during the pendency of an Event of Default as the result of a bankruptcy or similar proceeding shall not require compliance with the foregoing paragraphs. In addition, for the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing paragraphs shall not apply to any Holder that is a Regulated Bank. Each Holder by accepting a Note acknowledges and agrees that the Trustee (and any agent) shall not be liable to any person for acting or refraining to act in accordance with (i) the foregoing provisions, (ii) any Noteholder Direction, (iii) any Officer’s Certificate or (iv) its duties under the Indenture, as the Trustee may determine in its sole discretion. The Trustee shall have no obligation (i) to monitor, investigate, verify or otherwise determine if a Holder has a Net Short position, (ii) investigate the accuracy or authenticity of any Position Representation, (iii) inquire if the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) will seek action to determine if a Directing Holder has breached its Position Representation, (iv) enforce any Verification Covenant, (v) monitor any court proceedings undertaken in connection therewith, (vi) monitor or investigate whether any Default or Event of Default has been publicly reported or (vii) otherwise make any calculations, investigations or determinations with respect to any Derivative Instruments, Net Short position, Long Derivative Instrument, Short Derivative Instrument or otherwise.

Upon the effectiveness of such declaration, or in the case of clauses (3), (4), (5) or (7) of the first paragraph of this section, upon a valid Noteholder Direction, to accelerate the Notes, such principal of and premium, if any, and interest will be due and payable immediately.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising under clause (vi) or (vii) of Section 6.01(a) hereof, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice. The Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default, except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. In addition, subject to Section 6.05, the Trustee will have no obligation to accelerate the Notes if in the judgment of the Trustee acceleration is not in the interests of the Holders of all of the Notes.

 

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Any Default or Event of Default resulting from the failure to deliver a notice, report or certificate under this Indenture shall cease to exist and be cured in all respects if the underlying Default or Event of Default giving rise to such notice, report or certificate requirement shall have ceased to exist and/or be cured (including pursuant to this paragraph). For the avoidance of doubt, each of the parties hereto agree that any court of competent jurisdiction may (x) extend or stay any grace period set forth in this Indenture prior to when any actual or alleged Default becomes an actual or alleged Event of Default or (y) stay the exercise of remedies by the Trustee or Holders contemplated by this Indenture or otherwise upon the occurrence of an actual or alleged Event of Default, in each case of clauses (x) and (y), in accordance with the requirements of applicable law.

Section 6.03. Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

Section 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults. Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all the Notes then outstanding, by written notice to the Trustee (with a copy to the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers), provided that any waiver or rescission under this Section 6.04 shall be valid and binding notwithstanding the failure to provide a copy of such notice to the Issuers or the Escrow Issuers, as applicable) may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default and its consequences under this Indenture (except a continuing Default in the payment of interest on, premium, if any, or the principal of any Note held by a non-consenting Holder) (including in connection with an Asset Sale Offer or a Change of Control Offer) and rescind any acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences under this Indenture (except if such rescission would conflict with any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction). Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

Section 6.05. Control by Majority. Subject to Section 7.01(e) hereof, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee and the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability (provided, however, that the Trustee shall not be deemed to have an affirmative duty to determine whether any such direction is unduly prejudicial to any other Holder).

Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due on or after the respective due dates expressed in an outstanding Note, and subject to Section 6.07 hereof, no Holder of a Note may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:

 

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(a) such Holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing and, if such Event of Default is in respect of clause (iii), (iv), (v) or (vii) of Section 6.01(a), such Holder is not in breach of a Position Representation or Verification Covenant;

(b) the Holders, or in the case of clauses (iii), (iv), (v) or (vii) of Section 6.01(a) hereof, Directing Holders that are not in breach of a Position Representation or Verification Covenant, comprising at least 30.0% in the aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes have requested in writing the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(c) the Holders of the Notes have offered, and if requested, provided to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

(d) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt thereof and the offer of security or indemnity; and

(e) the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all the then outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction in writing inconsistent with such written request within such 60-day period.

Section 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the contractual right expressly set forth in this Indenture or the Notes of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an Asset Sale Offer or a Change of Control Offer), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(i) or (ii) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) for the whole amount of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, remaining unpaid on, the Notes and interest on overdue principal, if applicable, and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

Section 6.09. Restoration of Rights and Remedies. If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceedings, the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers), the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding has been instituted.

Section 6.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes in Section 2.07 hereof, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

 

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Section 6.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver. No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article 6 or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

Section 6.12. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers, or any other obligor upon the Notes including the Guarantors), their creditors or their property and shall be entitled and empowered to participate as a member in any official committee of creditors appointed in such matter and to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

Section 6.13. Priorities. If the Trustee or any Agent collects any money or property pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:

(a) FIRST, to the Trustee, such Agent, their agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee or such Agent and the costs and expenses of collection;

(b) SECOND, to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and

(c) THIRD, to the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct including a Guarantor, if applicable.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.13.

 

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Section 6.14. Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.14 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10.0% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

ARTICLE 7

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01. Duties of Trustee.

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such Person’s own affairs.

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(i) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(ii) in the absence of willful misconduct or negligence on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not investigate or confirm the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;

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

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.02, 6.04 or 6.05 hereof.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject this Section 7.01 and Section 7.02.

 

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(e) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless the Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers). Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Section 7.02. Rights of Trustee.

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, judgment, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) and its Restricted Subsidiaries, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care.

(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Issuer or the Co-Issuer shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Issuer or the Co-Issuer, as applicable.

(f) None of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise to incur any liability, financial or otherwise, in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if an indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not assured to it.

(g) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default or Event of Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.

(h) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

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(i) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

(j) [Reserved];

(k) Delivery of reports, information and documents (including without limitation reports contemplated under Section 4.03 hereof) to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute actual or constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuers’ (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers’) compliance with any of their covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates). The Trustee shall not be obligated to monitor or confirm, on a continuing basis or otherwise, the Issuers’ compliance with the covenants or with respect to any reports or other documents filed with the SEC or EDGAR or any website under the indenture, or participate in any conference calls.

(l) The permissive rights of the Trustee to take certain actions under this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty unless so specified herein.

(m) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, note or other paper or document unless requested in writing to do so by the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers), personally or by agent or attorney, at the expense of the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) and shall incur no liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

(n) The Trustee may request that the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any Person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any Person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

(o) The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; pandemics; riots; loss or malfunction of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services or the unavailability of the Federal Reserve Bank wire or telex or other wire or communication facility; strikes or similar labor disputes; and acts of civil or military authorities and governmental action.

(p) The Trustee shall have no duty to inquire as to the performance of the Issuers or the Escrow Issuers, as applicable, with respect to the covenants contained in Article 4 or to make any calculation in connection therewith or in connection with any redemption of the Notes. In addition, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Trustee shall have no obligation to monitor or verify compliance by the Issuers, the Escrow Issuers or any Guarantor with any other obligation or covenant under this Indenture.

 

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Section 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) or any of their Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest (as such term is used in the Trust Indenture Act) it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Section 7.10 hereof.

Section 7.04. Trustees Disclaimer. The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Issuers’ (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers’) use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) or upon the Issuers’ (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers’) direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.

Section 7.05. Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs and is continuing and if it is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall deliver to Holders a notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived, or if discovered after 90 days, promptly thereafter. The Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default, except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest.

Section 7.06. [Reserved]

Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder as the parties shall agree in writing from time to time. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall indemnify the Trustee and its officers, directors, employees, agents and any predecessor trustee and its officers, directors, employees and agents for, and hold the Trustee harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claims, liability or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by it in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder (including the reasonable costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) or any of the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) or defending itself against any claim whether asserted by any Holder, the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) or any Guarantor or any other Person, or liability in connection with the acceptance, exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder) (but excluding taxes imposed on such Persons in connection with compensation for such administration or performance). The Trustee shall notify the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) promptly of any claim of which a Responsible Officer has received written notice for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Issuers or the Escrow Issuers, as applicable, shall not relieve the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) or the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall defend the claim and the Trustee may have separate counsel and the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. Neither the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) nor any Guarantor need reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s own willful misconduct or negligence. Neither the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) nor any Guarantor need pay for any settlement made without its consent.

 

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The obligations of the Issuers, the Escrow Issuers and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee.

To secure the payment obligations of the Issuers, the Escrow Issuers and the Guarantors in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except money or property held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(vi) or Section 6.01(a)(vii) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the reasonable fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute administrative expenses for purposes of priority under any Bankruptcy Law.

Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee. A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08. The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers). The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) in writing at least 30 days’ prior to the date of removal. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) may remove the Trustee if:

(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;

(b) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(c) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Issuers shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers).

 

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If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee (at the Issuers’ or the Escrow Issuers’, as applicable, expense), the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers). Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall send a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuers’ and the Escrow Issuers’, as applicable, obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

Section 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger, etc. If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

Section 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification. There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has, together with its parent, a combined capital and surplus of at least $150.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

ARTICLE 8

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. The Issuers may, at their option and at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof applied to all outstanding Notes and all obligations of the Guarantors with respect to the Guarantees upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

Section 8.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes and the related Guarantees and all Events of Default cured on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (“Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuers and the Guarantors shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below (it being understood that such Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes), and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture including that of the Guarantors (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuers, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same) and to have cured all then existing Events of Default, except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

 

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(a) the rights of Holders to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes when such payments are due solely out of the trust created pursuant to this Indenture referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;

(b) the Issuers’ obligations with respect to Notes concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of such Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;

(c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, and the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and

(d) this Section 8.02.

Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Issuers may exercise their option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.

Section 8.03. Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Issuers and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from their obligations under Sections 3.09, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15 and 4.16 hereof, and clauses (iv) and (v) of Section 5.01(a), and Section 5.01(e) hereof with respect to all outstanding Notes and the related Guarantees, on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (“Covenant Defeasance”), and such Notes shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to all outstanding Notes and the related Guarantees, the Issuers and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and the Guarantees shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Section 6.01(a)(iii) (solely with respect to the covenants that are released upon a Covenant Defeasance), 6.01(a)(iv), 6.01(a)(v), 6.01(a)(vi) (solely with respect to Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Co-Issuer) subject thereto), 6.01(a)(vii) (solely with respect to Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Co-Issuer) subject thereto) and 6.01(a)(viii) hereof shall not constitute Events of Default.

Section 8.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance. The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof to the outstanding Notes:

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance with respect to the Notes:

(a) the Issuers must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of an Independent Financial Advisor, without consideration of any reinvestment, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest due on such Notes on the stated maturity date or on the Redemption Date, as the case may be, of such principal, premium, if any, or interest on such Notes and the Issuers must specify whether such Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular Redemption Date; provided that upon any redemption that requires the payment of the Applicable Premium, the amount deposited shall be sufficient for purposes of this Indenture to the extent that an amount is deposited with the Trustee equal to the Applicable Premium calculated as of the date of the notice of redemption, with any deficit as of the Redemption Date (any such amount, the “Applicable Premium Deficit”) only required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to the Redemption Date. Any Applicable Premium Deficit shall be set forth in an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee at least two Business Days prior to the deposit of such Applicable Premium Deficit that confirms that such Applicable Premium Deficit shall be applied toward such redemption;

 

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(b) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions:

(i) the Issuers have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or

(ii) since the Issue Date, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the beneficial owners of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(c) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the beneficial owners of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(d) no Event of Default (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith) shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit;

(e) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Issuers or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Issuers or any Guarantor is bound (other than that resulting from any borrowing of funds to be applied to make the deposit required to effect such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness, and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith);

(f) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuers with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Issuers or any Guarantor or others; and

(g) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions) each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with.

 

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Section 8.05. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions. Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and U.S. Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer or a Guarantor acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Issuers shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or U.S. Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes and the related Guarantees.

Anything in this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuers from time to time upon the request of the Issuers any money or U.S. Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

Section 8.06. Repayment to Issuers. Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuers, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuers on their request or (if then held by the Issuers) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter look only to the Issuers for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuers as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

Section 8.07. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or U.S. Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes and the Guarantees shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided that, if the Issuers make any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Notes following the reinstatement of their obligations, the Issuers shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01. Without Consent of Holders. Notwithstanding Section 9.02 hereof, the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers), any Guarantor (with respect to a Guarantee or this Indenture) and the Trustee (and any other agents party thereto (to the extent applicable)), as the case may be, may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes, any Guarantee or the Escrow Agreement without the consent of any Holder:

 

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(a) to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency;

(b) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

(c) to comply with Section 5.01 hereof;

(d) to provide for the assumption of the Issuers’ or any Guarantor’s obligations to the Holders;

(e) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that does not materially adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any such Holder;

(f) to add or modify covenants for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) or any Guarantor;

(g) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

(h) to evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment under this Indenture of a successor Trustee or a successor Paying Agent hereunder (or any other applicable agent) pursuant to the requirements hereof;

(i) to add an obligor or a Guarantor under this Indenture or to release an obligor or a Guarantor in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

(j) to conform the text of this Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of the Notes” section of the Offering Memorandum;

(k) to make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of Notes as permitted by this Indenture, including, without limitation to facilitate the issuance and administration of the Notes; provided, however, that such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer Notes;

(l) to secure the Notes and/or the related Guarantees or to add collateral thereto;

(m) to release and discharge any Lien securing the Notes when permitted or required by the Indenture (including pursuant to Section 4.12(b);

(n) to comply with the rules of any applicable securities depositary; and

(o) to make any other modifications to the Notes or the Indenture of a formal, minor or technical nature or necessary to correct a manifest error, so long as such modification does not adversely affect the rights of any Holders in any material respect;

 

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Upon the request of the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof (to the extent requested by the Trustee and subject to the last sentence of Section 9.06), the Trustee shall join with the Issuers or the Escrow Issuers, as applicable, and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall have the right, but not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no Opinion of Counsel related to conditions precedent shall be required in connection with the Assumption upon execution and delivery by each of the Issuers, each Initial Guarantor and the Trustee of a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit D-1 hereto (provided, however, that the Trustee shall be entitled to receive an Opinion of Counsel stating that such supplemental indenture is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer and any Guarantors party thereto, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions) and (ii) neither an Opinion of Counsel nor an Officer’s Certificate, nor a board resolution, shall be required in connection with the addition of a Guarantor under this Indenture upon execution and delivery by such Guarantor and the Trustee of a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit D-2 hereto.

Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders. Except as provided in Section 9.01 and this Section 9.02, the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers), the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Notes, the Escrow Agreement and the Guarantees with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all the Notes then outstanding, other than Notes beneficially owned by the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) or their Affiliates (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes) and, subject to Section 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes (which shall be considered waived only with respect to Notes held by consenting Holders), except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Escrow Agreement, the Guarantees or the Notes issued thereunder may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of all the Notes then outstanding, other than Notes beneficially owned by the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) or their Affiliates (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of or tender offer or exchange offer for the Notes). Section 2.08 hereof and Section 2.09 hereof shall determine which Notes are considered to be “outstanding” for the purposes of this Section 9.02.

Upon the request of the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Issuers or the Escrow Issuers, as applicable, and the Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture, unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

For the avoidance of doubt, no amendment to, or deletion of any of the covenants contained in Article 4 or action taken in compliance with the covenants in effect at the time of such action, shall be deemed to impair or affect any legal rights of any Holders of the Notes to receive payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Notes.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall send to the Holders affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Issuers or the Escrow Issuers, as applicable, to send such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver.

 

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Without the consent of each affected Holder, an amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not, with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder:

(a) reduce the principal amount of such Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(b) reduce the principal of or change the fixed final maturity of any such Note or alter or waive the provisions with respect to the redemption of such Notes (other than provisions relating to (i) notice periods (to the extent consistent with applicable requirements of clearing and settlement systems) for redemption and conditions to redemption and (ii) Section 3.09, Section 4.10 and Section 4.14 hereof);

(c) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any such Note (other than provisions relating to Section 3.09, Section 4.10 and Section 4.14 hereof);

(d) (i) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on such Notes, except a rescission of acceleration of such Notes by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all the Notes then outstanding, and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration, or (ii) waive a Default or Event of Default in respect of a covenant or provision contained in this Indenture, the Notes or any Guarantee which cannot be amended or modified without the consent of all affected Holders;

(e) make any such Note payable in money other than that stated therein;

(f) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults;

(g) make any change in these amendment and waiver provisions;

(h) amend the contractual right expressly set forth in this Indenture or the Notes of any Holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefor;

(i) make any change to or modify the ranking of such Notes that would adversely affect the Holders; or

(j) except as expressly permitted by this Indenture, modify the Guarantees of any Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary, or any group of Subsidiary Guarantors that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Issuer), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in any manner materially adverse to the Holders of such Notes.

Section 9.03. [Reserved]

Section 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents. Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

 

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The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement, or waiver. If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement, or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date unless the consent of the requisite number of Holders has been obtained.

Section 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Notes. The Trustee may, at the direction of the Issuer, place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 9.06. Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc. The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment, supplement or waiver does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) may not sign an amendment, supplement or waiver until the Board of each Issuer approve it. In executing any amendment, supplement or waiver, the Trustee shall be provided with, upon request, and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) shall be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 13.04 hereof, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such amendment, supplement or waiver is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer and any Guarantors party thereto, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions, and complies with the provisions hereof (including Section 9.03 hereof). Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no Opinion of Counsel related to conditions precedent shall be required in connection with the Assumption upon execution and delivery by each of the Issuers, each Initial Guarantor and the Trustee of a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit D-1 hereto (provided, however, that the Trustee shall be entitled to receive an Opinion of Counsel stating that such supplemental indenture is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer and any Guarantors party thereto, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions) and (ii) neither an Opinion of Counsel nor an Officer’s Certificate, nor a board resolution, shall be required for the Trustee to execute any supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit D-2 hereto, adding a new Guarantor under this Indenture.

ARTICLE 10

GUARANTEES

Section 10.01. Guarantee. Prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Notes will not be guaranteed (other than pursuant to Article 14 hereof). From and after the Escrow Release Date, and subject to this Article 10, each of the Guarantors that executes a supplemental indenture to this Indenture to Guarantee the Notes, hereby, jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally, guarantees, on an unsecured senior basis, to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the Obligations of the Issuers hereunder or thereunder, that: (a) the principal of and interest and premium, if any, on the Notes shall be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other Obligations of the Issuers to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or under the Notes shall be promptly paid in full, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same shall be promptly paid in full when due in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same promptly. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

 

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The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuer or the Co-Issuer, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor (other than payment in full of all of the Obligations of the Issuers hereunder or under the Notes). Each Guarantor hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuer or the Co-Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuers, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this Guarantee shall not be discharged except by full payment of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture or by release in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

Each Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trustee or any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Section 10.01.

If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuers, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuers or the Guarantors, then any amount paid either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Guarantee. The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any nonpaying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Guarantees. Each Guarantor that makes a payment under its Guarantee shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be entitled upon payment in full of all guaranteed obligations under this Indenture to a contribution from each other Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP.

Until terminated in accordance with Section 10.06, each Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against the Issuer or the Co-Issuer for liquidation, reorganization, should the Issuer or the Co-Issuer become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of the Issuer’s or the Co-Issuer’s assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment of the Notes are, pursuant to applicable law,

 

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rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on the Notes or Guarantees, whether as a “voidable preference,” “fraudulent transfer” or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made. In the event that any payment or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Notes shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

In case any provision of any Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

The Guarantee issued by any Guarantor shall be a general unsecured senior obligation of such Guarantor and shall be pari passu in right of payment with all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of such Guarantor, if any.

Each payment to be made by a Guarantor in respect of its Guarantee shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.

Section 10.02. Limitation on Guarantor Liability. Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Guarantor shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article 10, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law or being void or voidable under any law relating to insolvency of debtors.

Section 10.03. Execution and Delivery. To evidence its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a supplemental indenture in the form of Exhibit D-1 hereto (in the case of the Initial Guarantors) or Exhibit D-2 hereto (in the case of any other Guarantor) shall be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its authorized officers.

Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 hereof shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.

If an officer whose signature is on this Indenture (or a supplemental indenture in the form of Exhibit D-1 or Exhibit D-2 hereto) no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates a Note, the Guarantee of such Guarantor shall be valid nevertheless.

The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

If required by Section 4.15 hereof, the Issuer shall cause any Restricted Subsidiary to comply with the provisions of Section 4.15 hereof and this Article 10, to the extent applicable.

 

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Section 10.04. Subrogation. Each Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights of Holders against the Issuers in respect of any amounts paid by any Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.01 hereof; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no Guarantor shall be entitled to enforce or receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts then due and payable by the Issuers under this Indenture or the Notes shall have been paid in full.

Section 10.05. Benefits Acknowledged. Each Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to its Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

Section 10.06. Release of Guarantees. Each Guarantee by a Guarantor shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and shall thereupon terminate and be of no further force and effect, and no further action by such Guarantor, the Issuers or the Trustee is required for the release of such Guarantor’s Guarantee, upon:

(a) in the case of a Subsidiary Guarantor, any direct or indirect sale, exchange, issuance, disposition or transfer (by merger, amalgamation, consolidation, dividend, distribution or otherwise) of (x) the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor, after which the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary or (y) all or substantially all the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case if such sale, exchange, issuance, disposition or transfer is made in compliance with or is not prohibited by the applicable provisions of this Indenture;

(b) the release or discharge of the guarantee by, or direct obligation of, such Guarantor of Indebtedness under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities, or the release or discharge of such other guarantee or direct obligation that resulted in the creation of such Guarantee, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee or direct obligation (it being understood that a release subject to a contingent reinstatement will constitute a release for the purposes of this provision, and that if any such Guarantee is so reinstated, such Guarantee shall also be reinstated to the extent that such Guarantor would then be required to provide a Guarantee pursuant to Section 4.15 hereof);

(c) in the case of a Subsidiary Guarantor, the designation of such Subsidiary Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in compliance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture or the occurrence of any event following which such Subsidiary Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture;

(d) upon the merger, amalgamation, consolidation or Division of any Guarantor with and into the Issuer or another Guarantor or upon the liquidation or winding up of such Guarantor, in each case, in compliance with or in a manner not prohibited by the applicable provisions of the Indenture;

(e) the occurrence of a Covenant Suspension Event; provided, that such Guarantor shall not be released pursuant to this clause (e) for so long as such Guarantor is an obligor or guarantor with respect to any Indebtedness under any Credit Facility;

(f) as described in Article 9;

(g) the exercise by the Issuers of their legal defeasance option or covenant defeasance option with respect to the Notes in accordance with Article 8 hereof or the discharge of the Issuers’ obligations under this Indenture with respect to the Notes in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

 

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ARTICLE 11

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 11.01. Satisfaction and Discharge. This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect as to all Notes when either:

(a) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes which have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(b) (i) all Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the making of a notice of redemption or otherwise, will become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuers, and the Issuers have or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption; provided that upon any redemption that requires the payment of the Applicable Premium, the amount deposited shall be sufficient for purposes of this Indenture to the extent that an amount is deposited with the Trustee equal to the Applicable Premium calculated as of the date of the notice of redemption, with any Applicable Premium Deficit only required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to the Redemption Date. Any Applicable Premium Deficit shall be set forth in an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee simultaneously with the deposit of such Applicable Premium Deficit that confirms that such Applicable Premium Deficit shall be applied toward such redemption;

(ii) no Event of Default (other than that resulting from borrowing funds to be applied to make such deposit or any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith) with respect to this Indenture or the Notes shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or shall occur as a result of such deposit and such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Issuers or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Issuers or any Guarantor is bound (other than resulting from any borrowing of funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith);

(iii) the Issuers have paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by them under this Indenture; and

(iv) the Issuers have delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or the Redemption Date, as the case may be.

In addition, the Issuers must deliver an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied. Such Opinion of Counsel may rely on such Officer’s Certificate as to matters of fact, including clauses (b)(i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) of this Section 11.01.

 

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Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (b)(i) of this Section 11.01, the provisions of Section 11.02 and Section 8.06 hereof shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.

Section 11.02. Application of Trust Money. Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or a Guarantor acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Securities in accordance with Section 11.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuers’ and any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof; provided that if the Issuers have made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuers shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 12

ESCROW MATTERS AND ASSUMPTION

Section 12.01. Escrow Account. Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture, on the Issue Date, simultaneously with the issuance of the Notes, the Escrow Issuers shall, pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement, deposit (or cause to be deposited) into the Escrow Account the Escrowed Funds. Funds held in the Escrow Account shall, pending release to fund the Special Mandatory Redemption as set forth in Section 3.08 hereof or as a result of the satisfaction of the Escrow Conditions as set forth in Section 12.03 hereof, be invested in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement.

Section 12.02. Special Mandatory Redemption. If a Special Mandatory Redemption of the Notes is to occur pursuant to Section 3.08 hereof, the Escrow Agent will cause the liquidation of all Escrowed Property then held by it and cause the release of the proceeds of such liquidated Escrowed Property in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement.

Section 12.03. Release of Escrowed Property. Upon the satisfaction of the Escrow Conditions, the Escrow Agent will cause the liquidation of all Escrowed Property then held by it and cause the release of the proceeds of such liquidated Escrowed Property in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement.

Section 12.04. Trustee Direction to Execute Escrow Agreement. The Trustee is hereby authorized and directed to execute and deliver the Escrow Agreement.

Section 12.05. Assumption. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, the Issuer may assume all obligations of the Escrow Issuer, and the Co-Issuer may assume all the obligations of the Escrow Co-Issuer, in each case in respect of the Notes and this Indenture pursuant to the Assumption, as if the Issuers had themselves issued such Notes, and the Escrow Issuers shall be automatically released from all obligations under the Notes and this Indenture, so as long as:

 

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(i) the Issuers and each Initial Guarantor shall have executed and delivered to the Trustee a supplemental indenture in the form of Exhibit D-1 hereto pursuant to which (a) the Issuers will become parties to this Indenture as Issuers and expressly assume the Escrow Issuers’ obligations under the Notes and this Indenture, the Issuers will be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuers and the Escrow Issuers under this Indenture, and the Escrow Issuers will be released from all obligations hereunder and (b) each Initial Guarantor will become a Guarantor under this Indenture;

(ii) the Issuers and each of the Initial Guarantors shall have executed and delivered to the Initial Purchasers a joinder to the Purchase Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit C thereto; and

(iii) the Escrow Issuers shall have delivered the certificates required under [Section 3(a) of the Escrow Agreement] as to satisfaction of all Escrow Conditions.

Section 12.06. Applicability of Covenants. The provisions of Article 4 shall not apply to the Escrow Issuers, the Issuers or any Restricted Subsidiaries until the Escrow Release Date, except that the Escrow Guarantor shall be obligated with respect to the Escrow Guaranteed Obligations.

ARTICLE 13

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 13.01. [Reserved]

Section 13.02. Notices. Any notice or communication by the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile, electronic mail or other electronic transmission or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

If to the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) and/or any Guarantor:

c/o Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower Inc.

5323 Millenia Lakes Boulevard, Suite 160

Orlando, FL 32839

Facsimile:     (407) 722-3637

Attention:     Charles R. Corbin, Jr.

With a copy to (which shall not constitute notice for any purpose under this Indenture):

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10017-3954

Facsimile: (212) 455-2502

Attention: Jonathan Ozner

If to the Trustee:

Wilmington Trust, National Association

Global Capital Markets

50 South Sixth Street, Suite 1290

 

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Minneapolis, MN 55402Facsimile: ((612) 217-5651

Attention: Hilton Grand Vacations Inc., Account Manager

The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers), any Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five calendar days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed by first-class mail; when receipt is acknowledged, if faxed or sent electronically; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery; provided that any notice or communication delivered to the Trustee shall be deemed effective upon actual receipt thereof and on the first date on which publication is made, if given by publication.

Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be electronically delivered, mailed by first-class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the Note Register kept by the Registrar. Failure to deliver a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

If a notice or communication is mailed or otherwise delivered in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, such notice or communication shall be deemed duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

If the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) send a notice or communication to Holders, they shall send a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event or any other communication (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) to a holder of a Global Note (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from the Depositary or its designee, including by electronic mail in accordance with accepted practices at the Depositary.

The Trustee may, in its sole discretion, agree to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by e-mail, facsimile transmission or other similar electronic methods. If the party elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The party providing electronic instructions agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.

Section 13.03. [Reserved].

Section 13.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or any of the Guarantors to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee:

 

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(a) an Officer’s Certificate in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 13.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

(b) an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 13.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.

Section 13.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to Section 4.04 hereof) shall include:

(a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

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

(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with (and, in the case of an Opinion of Counsel, may be limited to reliance on an Officer’s Certificate as to matters of fact); and

(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with; provided, however, that with respect to matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officer’s Certificate or certificates of public officials.

Section 13.06. Rules by Trustee and Agents. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

Section 13.07. No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders. No past, present or future director, manager, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or direct or indirect equityholder of the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) or any Restricted Subsidiaries or of any of their direct or indirect parent companies (other than in such equityholder’s capacity as the Issuer, the Co-Issuer or a Guarantor) shall have any liability, for any obligations of the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Guarantees or this Indenture or any supplemental indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

Section 13.08. Governing Law. THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND ANY GUARANTEE, AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR ANY GUARANTEE, WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

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Section 13.09. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE ESCROW ISSUERS, THE ISSUERS, THE GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE AND THE HOLDERS, BY THEIR ACCEPTANCE OF THE NOTES (1) AGREE TO SUBMIT TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL OR STATE COURT LOCATED IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE OR THE NOTES AND (2) HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 13.10. Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software or hardware) services.

Section 13.11. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Escrow Issuers, the Issuers or their Restricted Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 13.12. Successors. All agreements of the Escrow Issuers or the Issuers in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind their respective successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture shall bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.06 hereof.

Section 13.13. Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 13.14. Counterpart Originals. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. This Indenture may be executed in multiple counterparts which, when taken together, shall constitute one instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmissions shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes. In furtherance of the foregoing, the words “execution”, “signed”, “signature”, “delivery” and words of like import in or relating to any document to be signed in connection with this Indenture and the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trustee is not under any obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Trustee, pursuant to procedures approved by the Trustee. As used herein, “Electronic Signature” means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a Person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or other record.

 

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Section 13.15. Table of Contents, Headings, etc. The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 13.16. USA Patriot Act. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, are required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each Person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account. The parties to this agreement agree that they shall provide the Trustee with such information as they may request in order to satisfy the requirements of the USA Patriot Act.

ARTICLE 14

ESCROW GUARANTEE

Section 14.01. Guarantee of Escrow Guaranteed Obligations.

(a) Escrow Guarantor unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees that the Escrow Guaranteed Obligations will be performed and will be promptly paid in full in cash when due and payable, whether at the stated or accelerated maturity thereof, on demand or otherwise, this guarantee being a guarantee of payment and not of collectability and being absolute and in no way conditional or contingent. In the event that a Special Mandatory Redemption is required hereunder, the Escrow Guarantor will pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders the amount of such Escrow Guaranteed Obligations which is then due and payable and unpaid. The Escrow Guarantor hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Escrow Issuer or the Escrow Co-Issuer, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor (other than payment in full of all of the Obligations of the Escrow Issuers hereunder or under the Notes). The Escrow Guarantor hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Escrow Issuer or the Escrow Co-Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Escrow Issuers, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that the Escrow Guarantee shall not be discharged except by full payment of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture or by release in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture. All payments pursuant to this Article 14 shall be made in the same currency as the underlying Escrow Guaranteed Obligations.

(b) For the avoidance of doubt, the maximum aggregate liability of the Escrow Guarantor pursuant to this Article 14 shall not exceed the Escrow Guaranteed Obligations.

Section 14.02. Continuing Obligation.

The Escrow Guarantor acknowledges that the Trustee has entered into this Indenture in reliance on this Article 14 being a continuous irrevocable agreement, and the Escrow Guarantor agrees that its guarantee may not be revoked in whole or in part and that its obligations hereunder shall terminate only in accordance with Section 14.08.

Section 14.03. Waivers with Respect to Guaranteed Obligations.

 

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The Escrow Guarantor waives, to the fullest extent permitted by the provisions of applicable law, all of the following (including all defenses, counterclaims and other rights of any nature based upon any of the following):

(a) presentment, demand for payment and protest of nonpayment of any of the Escrow Guaranteed Obligations, and notice of protest, dishonor or nonperformance;

(b) notice of any Default or any inability to enforce performance of the obligations of the Company or any other Person with respect to this Indenture or notice of any acceleration of maturity of the obligations covered by the Escrow Guaranteed Obligations;

(c) demand for performance or observance of, and any enforcement of any provision of this Indenture or the Escrow Guaranteed Obligations or any pursuit or exhaustion of rights or remedies with respect to this Indenture or against the Escrow Issuers or any other Person in respect of the Escrow Guaranteed Obligations or any requirement of diligence or promptness on the part of the Trustee in connection with any of the foregoing;

(d) any act or omission on the part of the Trustee which may impair or prejudice the rights of the Escrow Guarantor, including rights to obtain subrogation, exoneration, contribution, indemnification or any other reimbursement from the Escrow Issuers or any other Person, or otherwise operate as a deemed release or discharge;

(e) any statute of limitations or any statute or rule of law which provides that the obligation of a surety must be neither larger in amount nor in other respects more burdensome than the obligation of the principal;

(f) any law which would otherwise require any election of remedies by the Trustee;

(g) all demands and notices of every kind with respect to the foregoing (except as specifically provided for in this Indenture); and

(h) to the extent not referred to above, all defenses (other than payment) which the Escrow Issuers may now or hereafter have to the payment of the Escrow Guaranteed Obligations, together with all suretyship defenses, which could otherwise be asserted by the Escrow Guarantor.

The Escrow Guarantor represents that it has obtained the advice of counsel as to the extent to which suretyship and other defenses may be available to it with respect to its obligations hereunder in the absence of the waivers contained in this Section 14.04.

No delay or omission on the part of the Trustee in exercising any right under this Indenture or under any guarantee of the Escrow Guaranteed Obligations shall operate as a waiver or relinquishment of such right. None of the rights of the Trustee shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Escrow Issuers or any other guarantor, or by any noncompliance by the Escrow Issuers or any other guarantor with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof which the Trustee may have or otherwise be charged with.

Section 14.04. Information.

The Escrow Guarantor has made such investigation as it deems desirable of the risks undertaken by it in guaranteeing the Escrow Guaranteed Obligations and is fully satisfied that it understands all such risks. The Escrow Issuer waives any obligation which may now or hereafter exist on the part of the Trustee to inform it of the risks being undertaken by guaranteeing the Escrow Guaranteed Obligations or of any changes in such risks and, from and after the date hereof, the Escrow Guarantor undertakes to keep itself informed of such risks and any changes therein.

 

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Section 14.05. Subrogation.

The Escrow Guarantor agrees that, until the Escrow Guaranteed Obligations are paid in full, they will not exercise any right of reimbursement, subrogation, contribution, offset or other claims against the Escrow Issuers or any other guarantor arising by contract or operation of law in connection with any payment made or required to be made by the Escrow Guarantor pursuant to this Article 14.

Section 14.06. Subordination.

The Escrow Guarantor covenants and agrees that all Indebtedness, claims and liabilities now or hereafter owing by the Escrow Issuers or any other guarantor to the Escrow Guarantor, whether arising hereunder or otherwise, are subordinated to the prior payment in full of the Escrow Guaranteed Obligations and are so subordinated as a claim against the Escrow Guarantor or any of its assets, whether such claim be in the ordinary course of business or in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, insolvency or bankruptcy, so that no payment with respect to any such Indebtedness, claim or liability will be made or received while any Event of Default exists.

Section 14.07. Assignment.

The Escrow Guarantor may not assign its rights or obligations under the Escrow Guaranteed Obligations without the written consent of the Trustee.

Section 14.08. Termination.

The Escrow Guaranteed Obligations shall automatically terminate upon the earlier of (a) the time the Escrow Release is consummated and (b) the date the Escrow Guaranteed Obligations are paid in full.

[Signatures on following page]

 

 

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

 

HILTON GRAND VACATIONS BORROWER ESCROW, LLC, as Escrow Issuer
By:   HILTON GRAND VACATIONS BORROWER LLC
  its Managing Member and Sole Member
By:   HILTON GRAND VACATIONS PARENT LLC,
  its Managing Member and Sole Member
  By:   HILTON GRAND VACATIONS INC.,
    its Managing Member and Sole Member
  By:  

/s/ Ben Loper

    Name:     Ben Loper
    Title:       Vice President
HILTON GRAND VACATIONS BORROWER ESCROW, INC., as Escrow Co-Issuer
By:  

/s/ Ben Loper

  Name: Ben Loper
  Title:   Vice President and Treasurer

HILTON GRAND VACATIONS BORROWER LLC,

for the purposes of the Escrow Guarantee

By:   HILTON GRAND VACATIONS PARENT LLC,
  its Managing Member and Sole Member
By:     HILTON GRAND VACATIONS INC.,
    its Managing Member and Sole Member
  By:  

/s/ Ben Loper

    Name:     Ben Loper
    Title:       Vice President

Signature page to Indenture


WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:  

/s/ Halle E. Field

  Name: Halle E. Field
  Title: Vice President

Signature page to Indenture

 


EXHIBIT A

[FORM OF NOTE]

[FACE OF NOTE]

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

 

A-1


CUSIP    [-]
ISIN    [-]

[RULE 144A][REGULATION S] [GLOBAL] NOTE

initially representing [up to]

$[__________]

HILTON GRAND VACATIONS BORROWER ESCROW, LLC

HILTON GRAND VACATIONS BORROWER ESCROW, INC.

to be assumed by

HILTON GRAND VACATIONS BORROWER LLC

HILTON GRAND VACATIONS BORROWER INC.

5.000% Senior Notes due 2029

No. ___                                                                                                                                                                                     [$__________]

Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower Escrow, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower Escrow, Inc., a Delaware corporation, jointly and severally, promise to pay to [Cede & Co.]* or registered assigns the principal sum [set forth on the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note attached hereto] [of _______________ United States Dollars] on June 1, 2029.

Interest Payment Dates:            June 1 and December 1, commencing on December 1, 2021

Record Dates:            May 15 and November 15

Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.

 

*

Include only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

A-2


IN WITNESS HEREOF, the Escrow Issuers have caused this instrument to be duly executed.

Dated:

 

HILTON GRAND VACATIONS BORROWER ESCROW, LLC, as Escrow Issuer
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
HILTON GRAND VACATIONS BORROWER ESCROW, INC., as Escrow Co-Issuer
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

A-3


This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Date:  

 

 

 

A-4


[REVERSE OF NOTE]

5.000% Senior Notes due 2029

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

1. Interest. Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower Escrow, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Escrow Issuer”), and Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower Escrow, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Escrow Co-Issuer” and, together with the Escrow Issuer, the “Escrow Issuers”; provided that, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, the Escrow Issuer will merge with and into Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Issuer”), with the Issuer continuing as the surviving entity, and the Escrow Co-Issuer will merge with and into Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Co-Issuer” and, together with the Issuer, the “Issuers”), with the Co-Issuer continuing as the surviving entity, and the Escrow Issuers will be released from their obligations on the Notes and the Indenture, and the Issuers will become the issuers of this Note and assume all obligations of the Issuers under the Indenture and the Notes, and each of the Initial Guarantors will guarantee all of the Issuers’ obligations under the Indenture and the Notes), jointly and severally, promise to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at a rate per annum of 5.000% from June 4, 20211 until maturity. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) will pay interest on this Note semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning December 1, 2021, or, if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) will make each interest payment to the Holder of record of this Note on the immediately preceding May 15 and November 15 (each, a “Record Date”). Interest on this Note will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from and including June 4, 2021. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the rate borne by this Note; the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the rate borne by this Note. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

2. Method of Payment. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) will pay interest on this Note to the Person who is the registered Holder of this Note at the close of business on the Record Date (whether or not a Business Day) next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if this Note is cancelled after such Record Date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. Cash payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on this Note will be payable at the office or agency of the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 4.02 of the Indenture or, at the option of the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers), cash payment of interest may be made through the Paying Agent by check mailed to the Holders at their respective addresses set forth in the Note Register of Holders, provided that (a) all cash payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to Notes represented by Global Notes registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee will be made through the Paying Agent by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the registered Holder or Holders thereof and (b) all cash payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to certificated

Notes may, at the option of the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers), be made by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States of America if such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion). Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

 

1 

In the case of Notes issued on the Issue Date.

 

A-5


3. Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar. Initially, Wilmington Trust, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) may change any Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or Registrar without prior notice to the Holders. The Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity upon written notice to the Trustee.

4. Indenture. The Escrow Issuers issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of June 4, 2021 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Indenture”), among the Escrow Issuers, the Escrow Guarantor, the Guarantors from time to time party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”). This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of notes of the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) designated as its 5.000% Senior Notes due 2029. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 4.09 of the Indenture. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

5. Optional Redemption.

(a) Except as set forth in clauses (b) and (e) of Section 3.07 of the Indenture, the Notes will not be redeemable at the Issuers’ option prior to June 1, 2024.

(b) At any time prior to June 1, 2024, the Issuers may, at their option, at any time and from time to time, redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, upon notice in accordance with Section 3.03 of the Indenture, at a redemption price equal to the sum of (A) 100.0% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus (B) the Applicable Premium as of the Redemption Date, plus (C) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling prior to or on the Redemption Date.

(c) On and after June 1, 2024, the Issuers may, at their option, at any time and from time to time, redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, upon notice in accordance with Section 3.03 of the Indenture, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to, but excluding, the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling prior to or on the Redemption Date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on June 1 of each of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2024

     102.500

2025

     101.250

2026 and thereafter

     100.000

 

A-6


(d) In addition, prior to June 1, 2024, the Issuers may, at their option, at any time and from time to time, redeem an aggregate principal amount of Notes not to exceed the amount of the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Issuer from one or more Equity Offerings or a capital contribution to the Issuer made with the Net Cash Proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings, upon notice as described in Section 3.03 of the Indenture at a redemption price equal to (i) 105.000% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus (ii) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date falling prior to or on the Redemption Date; provided, that (1) the amount redeemed shall not exceed 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes issued under this Indenture (including any Additional Notes); (2) at least 50% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes originally issued under the Indenture on the Issue Date remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption (unless all Notes are redeemed or repurchased or to be redeemed or repurchased substantially concurrently); and (3) each such redemption occurs within 180 days of the date of closing of the applicable Equity Offering.

(e) In connection with any tender offer, any Change of Control Offer, Alternate Offer or Asset Sale Offer for the Notes, if Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes validly tender and do not validly withdraw such Notes in such tender offer and the Issuers, or any third party making such tender offer in lieu of the Issuers, purchase all of the Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn by such Holders, the Issuers or such third party will have the right upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 60 days following such purchase date, to redeem all Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a price equal to the price offered to each other Holder in such offer (which may be less than par and excluding any early tender or incentive fee in such offer) plus, to the extent not included in the offer payment, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date falling prior to or on the Redemption Date.

(f) Any redemption pursuant to Section 3.07 of the Indenture shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 of the Indenture. Notice of any redemption may be given prior to the completion thereof, and any such redemption or notice may, at the Issuers’ discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent (including conditions precedent applicable to different amounts of Notes redeemed), including, but not limited to, completion or occurrence of the related Equity Offering, Change of Control Offer, Alternate Offer, Asset Sale Offer or other transaction or event, as the case may be. The Issuers may redeem Notes pursuant to one or more of the relevant provisions in the Indenture, and a single notice of redemption may be delivered with respect to redemptions made pursuant to different provisions. Any such notice may provide that redemptions made pursuant to different provisions will have different Redemption Dates or may specify the order in which redemptions taking place on the same Redemption Date are deemed to occur. In addition, if such redemption is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall state that, in the Issuers’ discretion, the Redemption Date may be delayed until such time (including more than 60 days after the date the notice of redemption was sent) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied (or waived by the Issuers in their sole discretion), or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied (or waived by the Issuers in their sole discretion) by the Redemption Date, or by the Redemption Date so delayed, or that such notice may be rescinded at any time in the Issuers’ sole discretion. In addition, the Issuers may provide in such notice that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Issuers’ obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person. The Issuers and their Affiliates may acquire the Notes by means other than a redemption or offer to purchase pursuant to Section 3.07 of the Indenture, whether by tender offer, open market purchases, negotiated transactions or otherwise.

 

A-7


6. Special Mandatory Redemption.

(a) If (i) the Escrow Agent has not received an Escrow Release Request on or prior to the Escrow End Date, or (ii) the Escrow Issuers notify the Escrow Agent and the Trustee in writing that the Acquisition will not be consummated on or prior to the Termination Date (as defined in the Merger Agreement) or (iii) the Merger Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms (each of the above, a “Special Mandatory Redemption Event”), then the Escrow Agent shall, without the requirement of notice to or action by the Escrow Issuer, the Trustee or any other Person, (i) liquidate and release the Escrowed Funds (including investment earnings thereon and proceeds thereof) to the Trustee and (ii) provide notice to the Escrow Guarantor to provide payment with respect to the Escrow Guaranteed Obligations, and the Escrow Guarantor shall promptly (and in any event within two Business Days of the receipt of such notice) pay the amount necessary to fund the interest due on the Notes from the Issue Date to, but excluding, the Special Mandatory Redemption Date (as defined below), to the Trustee and the Trustee shall apply (or cause the Paying Agent to apply) the amounts in the immediately preceding clauses (i) and (ii) to redeem the Notes (the “Special Mandatory Redemption”) on the third Business Day following the Special Mandatory Redemption Event (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Date”) or as otherwise required by the Applicable Procedures, at a redemption price (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Price”) equal to 100% of the issue price of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest from the Issue Date or the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for on the Notes, as the case may be, to, but excluding, the Special Mandatory Redemption Date. On the Special Mandatory Redemption Date, the Trustee will pay to the Escrow Issuer any Escrowed Funds in excess of the amount necessary to effect the Special Mandatory Redemption. In the event that the Escrow Issuers provide an Escrow Redemption Notice pursuant to Section 3(b) of the Escrow Agreement prior to 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Escrow End Date, the Escrow Issuers shall cause, no later than the Business Day following the Special Mandatory Redemption Event, a notice of Special Mandatory Redemption (a “Special Mandatory Redemption Notice”) to be delivered electronically to the Trustee and mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, or delivered electronically if held by DTC, to the Holders of the Notes at their registered addresses, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit E hereto.

(b) If, at or prior to 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Escrow End Date, the Escrow Issuers have not provided to the Escrow Agent any of (1) an Escrow Release Request pursuant to Section 3(a) of the Escrow Agreement or (2) an Escrow Redemption Notice pursuant to Section 3(b) of the Escrow Agreement, then the Trustee shall cause (i) prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the Escrow End Date, an Escrow Redemption Notice to be delivered to the Escrow Agent pursuant to Section 3(b) of the Escrow Agreement and (ii) no later than the Business Day following the Special Mandatory Redemption Event, a Special Mandatory Redemption Notice to be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, or delivered electronically if held by DTC, to the Holders of the Notes at their registered addresses, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit E hereto.

(c) Any redemption made pursuant to Section 3.08 of the Indenture shall be made pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Indenture and the Escrow Agreement, except to the extent inconsistent with Section 3.08 of the Indenture, which shall control in the event of a conflict. The Escrow Issuers shall not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes, except pursuant to Section 3.08(a) or (b) of the Indenture.

7. Notice of Redemption. Subject to Sections 3.03, 3.08 and 3.09 of the Indenture, notices of redemption shall be delivered electronically or mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at least 10 days (except as set forth in Section 3.07(f) and Section 3.08 of the Indenture) but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at such Holder’s registered address stated in the Note Register or otherwise in accordance with the Applicable Procedures, except that redemption notices may be delivered or mailed more than 60 days prior to a Redemption Date if the notice is issued in connection with Article 8 or Article 11 of the Indenture. Notices of redemption may, at the Issuers’ discretion, be conditional. In addition, the Issuers may provide in any notice of redemption that payment of the redemption price and the performance of the Issuers’ obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person. Notes and portions of Notes selected for redemption shall be in integral multiples of $1,000 (but in a minimum amount of $2,000) and no Notes of $2,000 or less can be redeemed in part, except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder shall be redeemed, even if not in a principal amount of at least $2,000. On and after the Redemption Date, subject to satisfaction of any conditions precedent specified in the applicable notice of redemption, interest ceases to accrue on this Note or portions thereof called for redemption.

 

A-8


8. Offers to Repurchase. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, the Issuers shall make a Change of Control Offer in accordance with Section 4.14 of the Indenture. In connection with certain Asset Sales, the Issuers shall make an Asset Sale Offer as and when provided in accordance with Sections 3.09 and 4.10 of the Indenture.

Other than as specifically provided in Section 3.09 or Section 4.10 of the Indenture, any purchase pursuant to Section 3.09 of the Indenture shall be made pursuant to the applicable provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 of the Indenture, and references therein or herein to “redeem,” “redemption,” “Redemption Date” and similar words shall be deemed to refer to “purchase,” “repurchase,” “Purchase Date” and similar words, as applicable.

9. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. The transfer of Notes shall be registered and Notes may only be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part; provided that new Notes will only be issued in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. Also, the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before the mailing of a notice of redemption of Notes to be redeemed.

10. Persons Deemed Owners. The registered Holder of a Note shall be treated as its owner for all purposes. Only registered Holders shall have rights hereunder.

11. Amendment, Supplement and Waiver. The Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.

12. Defaults and Remedies.

(a) The Events of Default relating to the Notes are defined in Section 6.01 of the Indenture. If any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default of the type specified in clause (vi) or (vii) of Section 6.01(a) of the Indenture) occurs and is continuing under the Indenture, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 30.0% in aggregate principal amount of all of the then outstanding Notes may, by notice to the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) and the Trustee, in either case, specifying in such notice the respective Event of Default and that such notice is a “notice of acceleration”, declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately. Upon the effectiveness of such declaration, such principal of and premium, if any, and interest will be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising under clause (vi) or (vii) of Section 6.01(a) of the Indenture, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all the Notes then outstanding may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power.

 

A-9


(b) The Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default, except a Default relating to the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest. In addition, subject to Section 6.05 of the Indenture, the Trustee will have no obligation to accelerate the Notes if in the judgment of the Trustee acceleration is not in the interests of the Holders of all of the Notes.

(c) Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all the Notes then outstanding, by notice to the Trustee (with a copy to the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers), provided that any waiver or rescission under Section 6.04 of the Indenture shall be valid and binding notwithstanding the failure to provide a copy of such notice to the Issuers or the Escrow Issuers, as applicable) may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default and its consequences under the Indenture (except a continuing Default in the payment of interest on, premium, if any, or the principal of any Note held by a non-consenting Holder) (including in connection with an Asset Sale Offer or a Change of Control Offer) and rescind any acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences under the Indenture (except if such rescission would conflict with any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction). Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of the Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

(d) The Issuer (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuer) is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the Issuer or the Escrow Issuer, as applicable, shall promptly (which shall be no more than 20 Business Days after becoming aware of such Default) deliver to the Trustee by registered or certified mail or by facsimile transmission an Officer’s Certificate specifying such event and what action the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) propose to take with respect thereto.

13. Guarantees. Prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Notes will not be guaranteed (other than pursuant to Article 14 of the Indenture). The Issuers’ obligations under the Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by the Guarantors from time to time party to the Indenture.

14. Authentication. This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee.

15. Governing Law. THIS NOTE, AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS NOTE, WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

16. CUSIP Numbers and ISINs. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Escrow Issuers have caused CUSIP numbers and ISINs to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers and ISINs in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders.

 

A-10


The Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) at the following address:

[c/o Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower Inc.

5323 Millenia Lakes Boulevard, Suite 160

Orlando, FL 32839

Facsimile:     (407) 722-3637

Attention:     Charles R. Corbin, Jr., General Counsel]

With a copy to:

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10017-3954

[Facsimile:     (212) 455-2502

Attention:       Jonathan Ozner]

 

A-11


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:   

 

   (Insert assignee’s legal name)

 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint                                                                                                                                                                                  

to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers). The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date: ____________________

 

Your Signature:

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Signature Guarantee*:                                                                                      

 

*

Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-12


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.14 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

[ ] Section 4.10                                 [ ] Section 4.14

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuer pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.14 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$________________

Date: ____________________

 

Your Signature:

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Tax Identification No.:

Signature Guarantee*:                                                                                       

 

*

Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-13


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE*

The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is $___________. The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of
Exchange

  Amount of
decrease in
Principal
Amount of this
Global Note
  Amount of
increase in
Principal
Amount of this
Global Note
  Principal Amount
of this Global Note
following such
decrease or increase
  Signature of
authorized
signatory of
Trustee or
Custodian

 

 

*

This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

A-14


EXHIBIT B

[FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER]

[•]

[c/o Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower Inc.

5323 Millenia Lakes Boulevard, Suite 160

Orlando, FL 32839

Facsimile:     (407) 722-3637

Attention:     Charles R. Corbin, Jr., General Counsel]

With a copy to:

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10017-3954

[Facsimile:     (212) 455-2502

Attention:       Jonathan Ozner]

Wilmington Trust, National Association

Global Capital Markets

50 South Sixth Street, Suite 1290

Minneapolis, MN 55402

Attention: Hilton Grand Vacations Inc., Account Manager

    Facsimile: (612) 217-5651

Re:           5.000% Senior Notes due 2029

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of June 4, 2021 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Indenture”), among Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower Escrow, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Escrow Issuer”), and Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower Escrow, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Escrow Co-Issuer” and, together with the Escrow Issuer, the “Escrow Issuers”; provided that, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, the Escrow Issuer will merge with and into Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Issuer”), with the Issuer continuing as the surviving entity, and the Escrow Co-Issuer will merge with and into Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Co-Issuer” and, together with the Issuer, the “Issuers”), with the Co-Issuer continuing as the surviving entity, and the Escrow Issuers will be released from their obligations on the Notes and the Indenture, and the Issuers will become the issuers of this Note and assume all obligations of the Issuers under the Indenture and the Notes, and each of the Initial Guarantors will guarantee all of the Issuers’ obligations under the Indenture and the Notes), the Escrow Guarantor (as defined therein), the Guarantors (as defined therein) from time to time party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association, as Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

____________________ (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $_______________ in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

 

 

B-1


[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

1. [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT 144A GLOBAL NOTE OR RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2. [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE OR RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the applicable Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

3. [ ] CHECK AND COMPLETE IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN THE RELEVANT DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO ANY PROVISION OF THE SECURITIES ACT OTHER THAN RULE 144A OR REGULATION S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

(a) [ ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or

(b) [ ] such Transfer is being effected to the Issuer or a subsidiary thereof; or

(c) [ ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

 

B-2


4. [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OR OF AN UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE.

(a) [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO RULE 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(b) [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(c) [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO OTHER EXEMPTION. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

 

B-3


This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers).

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated: __________

 

B-4


ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

1.

The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]

 

(a)

[ ] a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i)

[ ] 144A Global Note (CUSIP: [-],or

 

  (ii)

[ ] Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP: [-]),or

 

(b)

[ ] a Restricted Definitive Note.

 

2.

After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

[CHECK ONE]

 

(a)

[ ] a beneficial interest in the:

 

  (i)

[ ] 144A Global Note (CUSIP: [-]),or

 

  (ii)

[ ] Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP: [-]),or

 

  (iii)

[ ] Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP: [-]), or

 

(b)

[ ] a Restricted Definitive Note; or

 

(c)

[ ] an Unrestricted Definitive Note, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

B-5


EXHIBIT C

[FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE]

[•]

[c/o Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower Inc.

5323 Millenia Lakes Boulevard, Suite 160

Orlando, FL 32839

Facsimile: (407) 722-3637

Attention: Charles R. Corbin, Jr., General Counsel]

With a copy to:

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

[425 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10017-3954

Facsimile: (212) 455-2502

Attention: Jonathan Ozner]

Wilmington Trust, National Association

Global Capital Markets

50 South Sixth Street, Suite 1290

Minneapolis, MN 55402

Attention: Hilton Grand Vacations Inc., Account Manager

    Facsimile: (612) 217-5651

Re:           5.000% Senior Notes due 2029

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of June 4, 2021 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Indenture”), among Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower Escrow, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Escrow Issuer”), and Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower Escrow, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Escrow Co-Issuer” and, together with the Escrow Issuer, the “Escrow Issuers”; provided that, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, the Escrow Issuer will merge with and into Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Issuer”), with the Issuer continuing as the surviving entity, and the Escrow Co-Issuer will merge with and into Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Co-Issuer” and, together with the Issuer, the “Issuers”), with the Co-Issuer continuing as the surviving entity, and the Escrow Issuers will be released from their obligations on the Notes and the Indenture, and the Issuers will become the issuers of this Note and assume all obligations of the Issuers under the Indenture and the Notes, and each of the Initial Guarantors will guarantee all of the Issuers’ obligations under the Indenture and the Notes), the Escrow Guarantor (as defined therein), the Guarantors (as defined therein) from time to time party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association, as Trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

________________ (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange Note[s] or an interest in such Note[s], in the principal amount of $__________in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

 

C-1


1. EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE FOR UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE

(a) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(b) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(c) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(d) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

C-2


2. EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES FOR RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES

(a) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE TO RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

(b) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] [ ] 144A Global Note [ ] Regulation S Global Note in each case, with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

 

C-3


This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Issuers (and, prior to the Escrow Release Date, the Escrow Issuers) and are dated

 

[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated: __________

 

C-4


EXHIBIT D-1

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

TO BE DELIVERED IN CONNECTION WITH THE ASSUMPTION]

Supplemental Indenture (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of ______________, among Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “New Issuer”), Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “New Co-Issuer” and, together with the Issuer, the “New Issuers”), Hilton Grand Vacations Parent LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“HGV Intermediate Parent”), Hilton Grand Vacations Inc., a Delaware corporation (“HGV Parent”), each of the Subsidiary Guarantors listed on the signature pages hereto (collectively, together with HGV Intermediate Parent and HGV Parent, the “New Guarantors”) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Escrow Issuers and the Escrow Guarantor, have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an Indenture, dated as of June 4, 2021 (the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of an unlimited aggregate principal amount of 5.000% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, substantially concurrently with the execution of this Supplemental Indenture, (i) the Escrow Issuer shall be merged with and into the Issuer, with the Issuer continuing as the surviving entity, (ii) the Escrow Co-Issuer shall be merged with and into the Co-Issuer, with the Co-Issuer continuing as the surviving entity;

WHEREAS, Section 12.05 of the Indenture provides that the New Issuers may assume all obligations of the Escrow Issuers in respect of the Notes and the Indenture, so long as, among other things, the New Issuers and the New Guarantors execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which (i) the New Issuers will become parties to the Indenture as Issuers and expressly assume the Escrow Issuers’ obligations under the Notes and the Indenture, the New Issuers will be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuers and the Escrow Issuers under the Indenture, and the Escrow Issuers will be released from all obligations hereunder and under the Indenture and (ii) each New Guarantor will become a Guarantor under the Indenture (collectively, the “Assumption”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture without the consent of the Holders.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders as follows:

(1) Capitalized Terms. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

(2) Agreement to be Bound. (a) Each New Issuer acknowledges that it has received and reviewed a copy of the Indenture and all other documents it deems necessary to review in order to enter into this Supplemental Indenture, and acknowledges and agrees to (i) unconditionally assume the Escrow Issuers’ obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Sections 12.05 and 12.06 of the Indenture; (ii) be bound by all applicable provisions of the Indenture as Issuer or Co-Issuer, as applicable, as if made by, and with respect to the New Issuer; and (iii) perform all obligations and duties required of the Issuer pursuant to the Indenture.

 

D-1-1


(b) Each New Guarantor acknowledges that it has received and reviewed a copy of the Indenture and all other documents it deems necessary to review in order to enter into this Supplemental Indenture, and acknowledges and agrees to (i) join and become a party to the Indenture as indicated by its signature below; (ii) be bound by all applicable provisions of the Indenture as if made by, and with respect to, such New Guarantor; and (iii) perform all obligations and duties required of a Guarantor pursuant to the Indenture. Each New Guarantor hereby agrees to provide an unconditional Guarantee on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Indenture, including, but not limited to, Article 10 thereof.

(3) Notices. All notices or other communications to the New Issuers or any New Guarantor shall be given as provided in Section 13.02 of the Indenture.

(4) [Reserved]

(5) Execution and Delivery. The New Issuers agree that the Notes shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of any endorsement of the New Issuers or the Notes, and each New Guarantor agrees that its Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.

(6) Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.

(7) No Recourse Against Others. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, or direct or indirect member, partner or stockholder of HGV Intermediate Parent, HGV Parent, the New Issuers or any New Guarantor shall have any liability for any obligations of HGV Intermediate Parent, HGV Parent, the New Issuers or the New Guarantors (other than in their capacity as Issuer or Guarantor) under the Notes, any Guarantees, the Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

(8) Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(9) Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in multiple counterparts which, when taken together, shall constitute one instrument. The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmissions shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Supplemental Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

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(10) Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

(11) The Trustee. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the New Issuers and New Guarantors.

(12) Benefits Acknowledged. The Guarantee of each New Guarantor is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture. Each New Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to such Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

(13) Successors. All agreements of the New Issuers and each New Guarantor in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in this Supplemental Indenture. All agreements of the Trustee in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors.

[Signatures on following page]

 

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

 

HILTON GRAND VACATIONS BORROWER LLC
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
HILTON GRAND VACATIONS BORROWER INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
HILTON GRAND VACATIONS PARENT LLC
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
HILTON GRAND VACATIONS INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
[SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

D-1-4


EXHIBIT D-2

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS]

Supplemental Indenture (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of ______________, among ________________________ (the “Guaranteeing Subsidiary”), a subsidiary of Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Issuer”), and Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Escrow Issuers and the Escrow Guarantor have heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an Indenture, dated as of June 4, 2021 (the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of an unlimited aggregate principal amount of 5.000% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, in connection with the Assumption, Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower LLC (the “Issuer”) and Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower Inc. (the “Co-Issuer” and, together with the Issuer, the “Issuers”) assumed the Escrow Issuers’ obligations with respect to the Notes and the Indenture, and the Initial Guarantors agreed to unconditionally guarantee the Issuers’ obligations with respect to the Notes on the terms set forth in the Indenture;

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Issuers’ Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein and under the Indenture (the “Guarantee”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture without the consent of the Holders.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders as follows:

(1) Capitalized Terms. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

(2) Agreement to Guarantee. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary acknowledges that it has received and reviewed a copy of the Indenture and all other documents it deems necessary to review in order to enter into this Supplemental Indenture, and acknowledges and agrees to (i) join and become a party to the Indenture as indicated by its signature below; (ii) be bound by the Indenture, as of the date hereof, as if made by, and with respect to, each signatory hereto; and (iii) perform all obligations and duties required of a Guarantor pursuant to the Indenture. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees to provide an unconditional Guarantee on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Indenture, including, but not limited to, Article 10 thereof.

(3) Notices. All notices or other communications to the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be given as provided in Section 13.02 of the Indenture.

 

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(4) Execution and Delivery. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees that the Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.

(5) Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.

(6) No Recourse Against Others. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, or direct or indirect member, partner or stockholder of HGV Intermediate Parent, HGV Parent or any Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or the Guarantors, including the Guaranteeing Subsidiary (other than in their capacity as Issuer or Guarantor), under the Notes, any Guarantees, the Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting Notes waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

(7) Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(8) Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in multiple counterparts which, when taken together, shall constitute one instrument. The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmissions shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Supplemental Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

(9) Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

(10) The Trustee. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary.

(11) Benefits Acknowledged. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary’s Guarantee is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by the Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to this Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

(12) Successors. All agreements of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind its Successors, except as otherwise provided in this Supplemental Indenture. All agreements of the Trustee in this Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors.

[Signatures on following page]

 

D-2-2


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

 

[GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

D-2-3


EXHIBIT E

[FORM OF SPECIAL MANDATORY REDEMPTION NOTICE]

TO THE HOLDERS OF

5.000% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2029

HILTON GRAND VACATIONS BORROWER ESCROW, LLC

HILTON GRAND VACATIONS BORROWER ESCROW, INC

(CUSIP No. 43284M AA6 / U4329K AA6)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower Escrow, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Escrow Issuer”), and Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower Escrow, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Escrow Co-Issuer” and, together with the Escrow Issuer, the “Escrow Issuers”), pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of June 4, 2021 (the “Indenture”), among the Escrow Issuers, the Escrow Guarantor (as defined therein) and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), will redeem $850,000,000 aggregate principal amount of their outstanding 5.000% Senior Notes due 2029 (CUSIP No. 43284M AA6 / U4329K AA6) (the “Notes”) on [___________], 201[_] (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Date”). The redemption price for each Note will be $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon from June 4, 2021, or from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or provided for, to, but excluding, the Special Mandatory Redemption Date (the “Special Mandatory Redemption Price”).

Unless the Escrow Issuers default in payment of the Escrow Redemption Price, interest on the Notes shall cease to accrue on and after the Special Mandatory Redemption Date.

In order to receive the redemption payment, the Notes must be surrendered for payment to Wilmington Trust, National Association, the Trustee and Paying Agent. Notes must be surrendered for payment: (a) in book-entry form by transferring the Notes to the Trustee’s account at The Depositary Trust Company (“DTC”) in accordance with DTC’s procedures; or (b) by delivering the Notes to the Trustee at:

 

If By Mail, Hand or Overnight Carrier:

Wilmington Trust, National Association

Rodney Square North

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, DE 19890

Attention: 5th Floor Workflow

Management

The method of delivery of the Notes is at the election and risk of the Holder. If delivered by mail, certified or registered mail, properly insured, is recommended.

 

E-1


Under U.S. federal income tax law, each holder of the Notes surrendering Notes for redemption may be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 24% with respect to payments pursuant to the redemption unless such holder: (i) is a corporation or other exempt recipient and, if required, establishes its exemption from backup withholding, (ii) provides its correct taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) and certifies that (A) the TIN provided is correct, (B) either (a) such holder is exempt from backup withholding; (b) such holder has not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) that it is subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends; or (c) the IRS has notified such holder that it is no longer subject to backup withholding; and (C) is a U.S. person; or (iii) certifies as to its non-U.S. status. In the case of holders of the Notes that are U.S. persons, as defined in the Instructions to IRS Form W-9 (“U.S. Holders”), if such U.S. Holder is an individual, the TIN is his or her social security number. U.S. Holders should use IRS Form W-9 to provide any required information and certifications. Failure to provide such U.S. Holder’s correct TIN on the IRS Form W-9, if applicable, may subject the U.S. Holder (or other payee) to a $50.00 penalty imposed by the IRS and payments that are made to such U.S. Holder pursuant to the redemption may be subject to backup withholding. More serious penalties may be imposed for providing false information, which, if willfully done, may result in criminal fines and/or imprisonment. A non-U.S. Holder should certify as to its non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury on an applicable IRS Form W-8. Such forms may be obtained at the IRS website at www.irs.gov.

FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN IRS FORM W-9 OR AN APPROPRIATE IRS FORM W-8 MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 24% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE PURSUANT TO THE REDEMPTION. BACKUP WITHHOLDING IS NOT AN ADDITIONAL TAX. RATHER, PROVIDED THAT THE REQUIRED INFORMATION IS TIMELY FURNISHED TO THE IRS, THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LIABILITY OF PERSONS SUBJECT TO BACKUP WITHHOLDING WILL BE REDUCED BY THE AMOUNT WITHHELD OR, IF WITHHOLDING RESULTS IN AN OVERPAYMENT OF TAXES, A REFUND MAY BE OBTAINED BY FILING A TAX RETURN WITH THE IRS. EACH HOLDER OF THE NOTES IS URGED TO CONSULT HIS, HER OR ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR TO DETERMINE WHETHER SUCH HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO FURNISH AN IRS FORM W-9, IS EXEMPT FROM BACKUP WITHHOLDING, OR IS REQUIRED TO FURNISH AN IRS FORM W-8.

TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE CIRCULAR 230, HOLDERS OF THE NOTES ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT: (A) ANY DISCUSSION OF FEDERAL TAX ISSUES IN THIS NOTICE OF REDEMPTION IS NOT INTENDED OR WRITTEN TO BE RELIED UPON, AND CANNOT BE RELIED UPON BY SUCH HOLDERS, FOR THE PURPOSE OF AVOIDING PENALTIES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED ON SUCH HOLDERS UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE; (B) SUCH DISCUSSION IS WRITTEN IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROMOTION OR MARKETING OF THE TRANSACTIONS OR MATTERS ADDRESSED HEREIN; AND (C) EACH HOLDER OF THE NOTES SHOULD SEEK ADVICE BASED ON ITS PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES FROM AN INDEPENDENT TAX ADVISOR.

No representation is being made as to the correctness of the CUSIP numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in this notice. Holders should rely only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes.

This notice is being sent pursuant to Section 3.08[(a)][(b)] of the Indenture. Capitalized terms used herein (but otherwise not defined) shall have such meanings as set forth in the Indenture.

[___________], 20[_]

 

E-2


By:

[HILTON GRAND VACATIONS BORROWER ESCROW, LLC, as Escrow Issuer

HILTON GRAND VACATIONS BORROWER ESCROW, INC., as Escrow Co-Issuer]2

[WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee]3

 

2 

Include if notice is given by the Escrow Issuers.

3 

Include if notice is given by the Trustee.

 

E-3