Exhibit 10.3

 

Execution Version

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED GUARANTEE AGREEMENT

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED GUARANTEE AGREEMENT, dated as of June 12, 2017 (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Guarantee”), made by Benefit Street Partners Realty Trust, Inc. (f/k/a Realty Finance Trust, Inc., f/k/a ARC Realty Finance Trust, Inc.), a Maryland corporation (“Guarantor”) in favor of JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, a national banking association organized under the laws of the United States (“Buyer”).

 

RECITALS

 

Pursuant to that certain Master Repurchase Agreement, dated as of June 18, 2014 (as amended by that certain Amendment No. 1 to Master Repurchase Agreement, dated as of June 24, 2015, as further amended by that certain Amendment No. 2 to Master Repurchase Agreement, dated as of September 28, 2015, as further amended by that certain Amendment No. 3 to Master Repurchase Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2015, and as further amended by that certain Amendment No. 4 to Master Repurchase Agreement, dated as of October 5, 2016, the “Existing Repurchase Agreement”), between Buyer and BSPRT JPM Loan, LLC (f/k/a RFT JPM Loan, LLC, f/k/a ARC RFT JPM Loan, LLC) (“Seller”), (A) Seller agreed to sell, from time to time, to Buyer certain Eligible Assets (as defined in the Repurchase Agreement, upon purchase by Buyer, each a “Purchased Asset” and, collectively, the “Purchased Assets”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions as set forth therein, and (B) Guarantor executed and delivered that certain Guarantee Agreement, dated as of June 18, 2014, made by Guarantor in favor of Buyer (the “Existing Guarantee”).

 

Buyer and Seller are amending and restating the Existing Repurchase Agreement pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Master Repurchase Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Repurchase Agreement”) and, in connection therewith, Guarantor is amending and restating the Existing Guarantee pursuant to this Guarantee.

 

Pursuant to the terms of that certain Custodial Agreement dated June 18, 2014 (the “Custodial Agreement”) by and among Buyer, Seller and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (the “Custodian”), Custodian is required to take possession of the Purchased Assets, along with certain other documents specified in the Custodial Agreement, as Custodian of Buyer and any future purchaser, on several delivery dates, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Custodial Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of that certain Pledge Agreement dated as of June 18, 2014 (the “Pledge Agreement”) made by Benefit Street Partners Realty Operating Partnership, L.P. (f/k/a Realty Finance Operating Partnership, L.P., f/k/a ARC Realty Finance Operating Partnership, L.P.) (“Parent”) in favor of Buyer, Parent has pledged to Buyer all of the Pledged Collateral (as defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement). The Repurchase Agreement, the Custodial Agreement, the Depository Agreement, the Servicing Agreement, the Fee Letter, this Guarantee and any other agreements executed in connection with the Repurchase Agreement shall be referred to herein as the “Governing Agreements”.

 

 

It is a condition precedent to Buyer executing and delivering the Repurchase Agreement that Guarantor shall have executed and delivered this Guarantee with respect to the due and punctual payment and performance when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration of the Repurchase Date or otherwise, of all of the following: (a) all payment obligations owing by Seller to Buyer under or in connection with the Repurchase Agreement or any other Governing Agreements; (b) any and all extensions, renewals, modifications, amendments or substitutions of the foregoing; (c) all fees and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements, that are incurred by Buyer in the enforcement of any of the foregoing or any obligation of Guarantor hereunder; and (d) any other obligations of Seller and Parent with respect to Buyer under each of the Governing Agreements (collectively, the “Obligations”).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises, to induce Buyer to enter into the Governing Agreements and to enter into the transaction contemplated thereunder, Guarantor and Buyer hereby agree that the Existing Guarantee is amended and restated as follows:

 

1.           Defined Terms. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used herein shall have the respective meanings given them in the Repurchase Agreement.

 

(a)          “EBITDA” shall mean, for each fiscal quarter, with respect to any Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries, an amount equal to the sum (without duplication) of: Net Income (or loss) of such Person, plus the following (but only to the extent actually deducted in determination of such Net Income (or loss): (i) depreciation and amortization expense, (ii) Interest Expense, (iii) income tax expense, (iv) extraordinary or non-recurring gains and losses, and (v) amounts deducted in accordance with GAAP in respect of non-cash expenses.

 

(b)          “Fixed Charges” shall mean, with respect to any Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries and for any fiscal quarter, the sum of (a) all cash interest paid or accrued during such period and all scheduled principal amortization payments, interest, fees and other debt service payable by such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries during such period, (b) all preferred dividends payable by such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries during such period, (c) Capitalized Lease Obligations paid or accrued during such period, (d) capital expenditures (if any) incurred by such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries during such period, (e) any amounts payable during such period under any ground lease, and (f) all amounts paid or accrued during such period in respect of any Hedging Transactions or other derivative contracts.

 

(c)          “Future Funding Liability” shall mean, with respect to any Person as of any applicable date of determination, without duplication, the aggregate amount of post-closing future funding obligations of such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the rolling three (3) month period following such date of determination, in each case, assuming that all conditions to funding in the applicable loan documents have been satisfied.

 

(d)          “Interest Expense” shall mean, with respect to any Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries, for any period, the amount of interest as shown on such Person’s consolidated statement of cash flow in accordance with GAAP, as offset by the amount of receipts pursuant to net receive interest rate swap agreements of such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries during the applicable period.

 

 

(e)          “Liquidity” shall mean, as to any Person (i) cash and Cash Equivalents (other than prepaid rents and security deposits made under tenant leases) held by such Person that are not subject to any Lien (excluding statutory liens in favor of any depository bank where such cash is maintained and the Lien of Buyer pursuant to the Transaction Documents), minus (ii) amounts included in the foregoing clause (i) that are deposits or security for Contractual Obligations. For the avoidance of doubt any Liquidity Reserve Amount (as defined in the Repurchase Agreement) shall be included in determining the Liquidity of Guarantor.

 

(f)          “Net Income” shall mean, with respect to any Person for any period, the consolidated net income for such period of such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries as reported in such Person’s financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

(g)          “Recourse Indebtedness” shall mean, with respect to any Person, for any applicable period, without duplication, the aggregate Indebtedness of such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries during such period for which such Person or any of such Subsidiaries is directly responsible or liable as obligor or guarantor.

 

(h)          “Tangible Net Worth” shall mean with respect to any Person and as of any date of determination, (a) all amounts that would be included under capital or shareholders’ equity (or any like caption) of such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries, if any, on a balance sheet of such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries at such date and not paid as a dividend or otherwise deployed, determined in accordance with GAAP less (b) the sum of (i) amounts owing to such Person from Affiliates (other than intercompany Indebtedness of Guarantor’s consolidated Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP) or from officers, employees, partners, members, directors, shareholders or other Persons similarly affiliated with such Person or any Affiliate thereof (other than intercompany Indebtedness of Guarantor’s consolidated Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP), (ii) intangible assets of such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries, if any, and (iii) prepaid Taxes and/or expenses, all on or as of such date.

 

(i)          “Total Indebtedness” shall mean, for any Person as of any date of determination, the aggregate Indebtedness of such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date of determination, plus the proportionate share of all Indebtedness of all non-consolidated Subsidiaries of such Person as of such date (including, in each case, without limitation, off-balance sheet Indebtedness).

 

2.           Guarantee. (a) Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to Buyer the prompt and complete payment and performance of the Obligations by Seller and Parent when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise).

 

 

(b)          Guarantor further agrees to pay any and all expenses (including, without limitation, all fees and disbursements of counsel) that may be paid or incurred by Buyer in connection with (i) enforcing any of its rights hereunder, (ii) obtaining advice of counsel with respect to the enforcement, potential enforcement or analysis of its rights hereunder, and (iii) collecting any amounts owed to it hereunder. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Guarantor agrees to hold Buyer harmless from, and indemnify Buyer against, any and all losses, costs or expenses relating to the failure of Primary Servicer or Interim Servicer to remit any Income to the Depository Account or comply with any other provision of the Primary Servicing Agreement, the Interim Servicing Agreement, any other Servicing Agreement or any Servicer Notice or Re-direction Letter. This Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and be fully enforceable against Guarantor in all respects until the later of (i) the date upon which the Obligations are paid in full and (ii) the termination of the Repurchase Agreement, notwithstanding that from time to time prior thereto, Seller and/or Parent may be free from any Obligations.

 

(c)          No payment or payments made by Seller, Parent or any other Person or received or collected by Buyer from Seller, Parent or any other Person by virtue of any action or proceeding or any set-off or appropriation or application, at any time or from time to time, in reduction of or in payment of the Obligations shall be deemed to modify, reduce, release or otherwise affect the liability of Guarantor hereunder, and Guarantor shall, notwithstanding any such payment or payments, remain liable for the full amount of the Obligations under this Guarantee until the Obligations are paid in full.

 

(d)          Guarantor agrees that whenever, at any time, or from time to time, Guarantor shall make any payment to Buyer on account of any liability hereunder, Guarantor will notify Buyer in writing that such payment is made under this Guarantee for such purpose.

 

3.           Subrogation. Upon making any payment hereunder, Guarantor shall be subrogated to the rights of Buyer against Seller and Parent and in any collateral for any Obligations with respect to such payment; provided, that Guarantor shall not seek to enforce any right or receive any payment by way of subrogation, or seek any contribution or reimbursement from Seller, until all amounts then owing by Seller or Parent to Buyer or any of its Affiliates under the Governing Agreements have been paid in full; provided, further, that such subrogation rights shall be subordinate in all respects to all amounts owing to Buyer under the Governing Agreements. If any amount shall be paid to Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights at any time when all of the Repurchase Obligations shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall be held by Guarantor in trust for Buyer, segregated from other funds of Guarantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by Guarantor, be turned over to Buyer in the exact form received by Guarantor (duly indorsed by Guarantor to Buyer, if required), to be applied against the Repurchase Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in such order as Buyer may determine.

 

 

4.           Amendments, etc. with Respect to the Obligations. Guarantor shall remain obligated hereunder notwithstanding that, without any reservation of rights against Guarantor, and without notice to or further assent by Guarantor, any demand for payment of any of the Obligations made by Buyer may be rescinded by Buyer and any of the Obligations continued, and the Obligations, or the liability of any other party upon or for any part thereof, or any collateral security or guarantee therefor or right of offset with respect thereto, may, from time to time, in whole or in part, be renewed, extended, amended, modified, accelerated, compromised, waived, surrendered or released by Buyer, and any Governing Agreement and any other document in connection therewith may be amended, modified, supplemented or terminated, in whole or in part, as Buyer may deem advisable from time to time, and any collateral security, guarantee or right of offset at any time held by Buyer for the payment of the Obligations may be sold, exchanged, waived, surrendered or released. Buyer shall have no obligation to protect, secure, perfect or insure any lien at any time held by it as security for the Obligations or for this Guarantee or any property subject thereto. When making any demand hereunder against Guarantor, Buyer may, but shall be under no obligation to, make a similar demand on Seller, Parent or any other Person, and any failure by Buyer to make any such demand or to collect any payments from Seller, Parent or any such other Person or any release of Seller, Parent or such other Person shall not relieve Guarantor of its Obligations or liabilities hereunder, and shall not impair or affect the rights and remedies, express or implied, or as a matter of law, of Buyer against Guarantor. For the purposes hereof “demand” shall include the commencement and continuance of any legal proceedings.

 

5.           Guarantee Absolute and Unconditional. (a) Guarantor hereby agrees that its obligations under this Guarantee constitute a guarantee of payment when due and not of collection. Guarantor waives any and all notice of the creation, renewal, extension or accrual of any of the Obligations and notice of or proof of reliance by Buyer upon this Guarantee or acceptance of this Guarantee; the Obligations, and any of them, shall conclusively be deemed to have been created, contracted or incurred in reliance upon this Guarantee; and all dealings between Seller, Parent and Guarantor, on the one hand, and Buyer, on the other hand, shall likewise be conclusively presumed to have been had or consummated in reliance upon this Guarantee. Guarantor waives promptness, diligence, presentment, protest, demand for payment and notice of default or nonpayment to or upon Seller, Parent or this Guarantee with respect to the Obligations. This Guarantee shall be construed as a continuing, absolute and unconditional guarantee of payment without regard to (i) the validity, regularity or enforceability of any Governing Agreement, any of the Obligations or any collateral security therefor or guarantee or right of offset with respect thereto at any time or from time to time held by Buyer, (ii) any defense, set-off or counterclaim (other than a defense of payment or performance) that may at any time be available to or be asserted by Seller or Parent against Buyer, (iii) any requirement that Buyer exhaust any right to take any action against Seller, Parent or any other Person prior to or contemporaneously with proceeding to exercise any right against Guarantor under this Guarantee or (iv) any other circumstance whatsoever (with or without notice to, or knowledge of, Seller, Parent and Guarantor) that constitutes, or might be construed to constitute, an equitable or legal discharge of Seller and/or Parent for the Obligations or of Guarantor under this Guarantee, in bankruptcy or in any other instance. When pursuing its rights and remedies hereunder against Guarantor, Buyer may, but shall be under no obligation, to pursue such rights and remedies that Buyer may have against Seller, Parent or any other Person or against any collateral security or guarantee for the Obligations or any right of offset with respect thereto, and any failure by Buyer to pursue such other rights or remedies or to collect any payments from Seller, Parent or any such other Person or to realize upon any such collateral security or guarantee or to exercise any such right of offset, or any release of Seller, Parent or any such other Person or any such collateral security, guarantee or right of offset, shall not relieve Guarantor of any liability hereunder, and shall not impair or affect the rights and remedies, whether express, implied or available as a matter of law, of Buyer against Guarantor. This Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and be binding in accordance with and to the extent of its terms upon Guarantor and its successors and assigns thereof, and shall inure to the benefit of Buyer, and its permitted successors, endorsees, transferees and assigns, until all the Obligations and the obligations of Guarantor under this Guarantee shall have been satisfied by payment in full, notwithstanding that from time to time during the term of the Governing Agreements, Seller or Parent may be free from any Obligations.

 

 

(b)          Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Guarantor hereby agrees, acknowledges, and represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:

 

(i)          Guarantor hereby waives any defense arising by reason of, and any and all right to assert against Buyer any claim or defense based upon, an election of remedies by Buyer that in any manner impairs, affects, reduces, releases, destroys and/or extinguishes Guarantor’s subrogation rights, rights to proceed against Seller, Parent or any other guarantor for reimbursement or contribution, and/or any other rights of Guarantor to proceed against Seller, Parent, any other guarantor or any other person or security.

 

(ii)         Guarantor is presently informed of the financial condition of Seller and Parent and of all other circumstances that diligent inquiry would reveal and that bear upon the risk of nonpayment of the Obligations. Guarantor hereby covenants that it will make its own investigation and will continue to keep itself informed about the financial condition of Seller and Parent and of all other circumstances that bear upon the risk of nonpayment and that it will continue to rely upon sources other than Buyer for such information and will not rely upon Buyer for any such information. Guarantor hereby waives the right, if any, to require Buyer to disclose to Guarantor any information that Buyer may now or hereafter acquire concerning such condition or circumstances.

 

(iii)        Guarantor has independently reviewed the Governing Agreements and related agreements and has made an independent determination as to the validity and enforceability thereof, and in executing and delivering this Guarantee to Buyer, Guarantor is not in any manner relying upon the validity, and/or enforceability, and/or attachment, and/or perfection of any liens or security interests of any kind or nature granted by Seller or Parent to Buyer, now or at any time and from time to time in the future.

 

6.           Reinstatement. This Guarantee shall continue to be effective, or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any of the Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by Buyer upon the insolvency, bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of Seller or Parent or upon or as a result of the appointment of a receiver, intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar officer for Seller or Parent or any substantial part of the property of Seller or Parent, or otherwise, all as though such payments had not been made.

 

7.           Payments. Guarantor hereby agrees that the Obligations will be paid to Buyer without set-off or counterclaim in U.S. Dollars at the address specified in writing by Buyer.

 

 

8.           Representations and Warranties. Guarantor represents and warrants as of the date hereof and as of each Purchase Date under the Repurchase Agreement that:

 

(a)          It is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws and regulations of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, as the case may be. It is duly licensed, qualified, and in good standing in every state where such licensing or qualification is necessary for the transaction of its business. It has the power to own and hold the assets it purports to own and hold, and to carry on its business as now being conducted and proposed to be conducted, and has the power to execute, deliver, and perform its obligations under this Guarantee and the other Governing Agreements.

 

(b)          This Guarantee has been duly executed and delivered by it, for good and valuable consideration. This Guarantee constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of it, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency and other limitations on creditors’ rights generally and equitable principles.

 

(c)          Guarantor does not believe, nor does it have any reason or cause to believe, that it cannot perform in all respects all covenants and obligations contained in this Guarantee applicable to it.

 

(d)          Neither the execution and delivery of this Guarantee nor compliance by it with the terms, conditions and provisions of this Guarantee will conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of (A) its organizational documents, (B) any contractual obligation to which it is now a party or constitute a default thereunder, or result thereunder in the creation or imposition of any lien upon any of its assets, (C) any judgment or order, writ, injunction, decree or demand of any court applicable to it, or (D) any applicable Requirement of Law.

 

(e)          There is no action, suit, proceeding, investigation, or arbitration pending or threatened against Guarantor, Parent or Seller or any of their respective assets (A) with respect to any of the Transaction Documents or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or (b) that could have a Material Adverse Effect. Guarantor is in compliance in all material respects with all Requirements of Law. None of Guarantor, Parent or Seller is in default in any respect with respect to any judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree, rule or regulation of any arbitrator or Governmental Authority.

 

(f)          Guarantor’s execution and delivery of this Guarantee and its compliance with the terms and provisions hereof will not contravene or conflict with or result in the creation or imposition of any lien upon any of the property or assets of it pursuant to the terms of any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it may be bound, or to which it may be subject. No consent, approval, authorization, or order of any third party is required in connection with the execution and delivery by Guarantor of this Guarantee or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby that has not already been obtained.

 

 

(g)          No order, consent, approval, license, authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with, or exemption by, any Governmental Authority is required to authorize, or is required in connection with, (A) the execution, delivery and performance of this Guarantee, (B) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Guarantee against it or (C) the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Guarantee.

 

(h)          Guarantor has timely filed (taking into account all applicable extensions) all required federal income tax returns and all other material tax returns, domestic and foreign, required to be filed by it and has paid all taxes, assessments, fees, and other governmental charges payable by it, or with respect to any of its properties or assets, that have become due and payable except to the extent such amounts are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which appropriate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP, and there is no claim relating to any such taxes now pending that was made in writing by any Governmental Authority and that is not being contested in good faith as provided above.

 

(i)          There are no judgments against Guarantor unsatisfied of record or docketed in any court located in the United States of America and no Act of Insolvency has ever occurred with respect to it.

 

9.           Financial and other Covenants. On and as of the date hereof, each Purchase Date and at all times until all Repurchase Obligations have been paid in full, Guarantor covenants that it shall not:

 

(a)          permit Guarantor’s Liquidity to be less than the greatest of (i) $35,000,000, (ii) five percent (5%) of Guarantor’s Recourse Indebtedness and (iii) Guarantor’s Future Funding Liability;

 

(b)          permit the ratio of Guarantor’s Total Indebtedness to Guarantor’s Tangible Net Worth at any time to be greater than 3.0 to 1.0;

 

(c)          permit Guarantor’s Tangible Net Worth to be less than $450,000,000 plus seventy-five percent (75%) of the net cash proceeds of any equity issuance by Guarantor that occurs on or after October 5, 2016; or

 

(d)          permit the ratio of Guarantor’s EBITDA for the most recently ended fiscal quarter to Guarantor’s Fixed Charges for the most recently ended fiscal quarter to be less than 1.75 to 1.00.

 

(e)          Guarantor’s compliance with the covenants set forth in clauses (a) through (d) above shall be evidenced by Guarantor’s financial statements and a Covenant Compliance Certificate (which may be delivered by Guarantor) in respect of the financial quarter most recently ended, in the form of Exhibit XV to the Repurchase Agreement furnished together therewith, as provided by Seller to Buyer pursuant to Article 11(j) of the Repurchase Agreement, and compliance with all such covenants are subject to continuing verification by Buyer.

 

 

10.          Further Covenants of Guarantor.

 

(a)          Taxes. Guarantor has timely filed (taking into account all applicable extensions) all required federal income tax returns and all other material tax returns, domestic and foreign, required to be filed by it and has paid all taxes, assessments, fees, and other governmental charges payable by it, or with respect to any of its properties or assets, that have become due and payable except to the extent such amounts are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which appropriate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP. No tax liens have been filed against Guarantor or any of Guarantor’s assets, and, as of the date hereof, no claims are being asserted with respect to any such taxes, fees or other charges.

 

(b)          PATRIOT Act.

 

(i)          Guarantor is in compliance, in all respects, with (A) the Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, and each of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 CFR, Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) and any other applicable enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto, and (B) the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA Patriot Act of 2001). No part of the proceeds of any Transaction will be used, directly or indirectly, for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

 

(ii)         Guarantor agrees that, from time to time upon the prior written request of Buyer, it shall (A) execute and deliver such further documents, provide such additional information and reports and perform such other acts as Buyer may reasonably request in order to insure compliance with the provisions hereof (including, without limitation, compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 and to fully effectuate the purposes of this Guarantee and (B) provide such opinions of counsel concerning matters relating to this Guarantee as Buyer may reasonably request; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 10(b) shall be construed as requiring Buyer to conduct any inquiry or decreasing Guarantor’s responsibility for its statements, representations, warranties or covenants hereunder. In order to enable Buyer and its Affiliates to comply with any anti-money laundering program and related responsibilities including, but not limited to, any obligations under the USA Patriot Act of 2001 and regulations thereunder, Guarantor on behalf of itself and its Affiliates represents to Buyer and its Affiliates that neither Guarantor, nor any of its Affiliates, is a Prohibited Investor, and Guarantor is not acting on behalf of or for the benefit of any Prohibited Investor. Guarantor agrees to promptly notify Buyer or a person appointed by Buyer to administer their anti-money laundering program, if applicable, of any change in information affecting this representation and covenant.

 

 

(c)          Office of Foreign Assets Control. Guarantor warrants, represents and covenants that neither Guarantor nor any of its Affiliates are or will be an entity or person (A) that is listed in the Annex to, or is otherwise subject to the provisions of, Executive Order 13224 issued on September 24, 2001 (“EO13224”); (B) whose name appears on the United States Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control’s most current list of “Specifically Designed National and Blocked Persons”; (C) who commits, threatens to commit or supports “terrorism”, as that term is defined in EO13224; or (D) who is otherwise affiliated with any entity or person listed above (any and all parties or persons described in (A) through (D) above are herein referred to as a “Prohibited Person”). Guarantor covenants and agrees that neither it nor any of its Affiliates will knowingly (1) conduct any business, nor engage in any transaction or dealing, with any Prohibited Person or (2) engage in or conspire to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids or that the purpose of evading or avoiding any of the prohibitions of EO13224. Guarantor further covenants and agrees to deliver to Buyer any such certification or other evidence as may be requested by Buyer in its sole and absolute discretion, confirming that neither it nor any of its Affiliates is a Prohibited Person and neither Guarantor nor any of its Affiliates has knowingly engaged in any business transaction or dealings with a Prohibited Person, including, but not limited to, the making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of a Prohibited Person.

 

(d)          Financial Reporting. Guarantor shall provide, or cause to be provided, to Buyer the following financial and reporting information:

 

(i)          Within sixty (60) calendar days after the last day of each of the first three fiscal quarters in any fiscal year, a quarterly reporting package substantially in the form of Exhibit III-B attached to the Repurchase Agreement;

 

(ii)         Within one hundred twenty (120) calendar days after the last day of its fiscal year, an annual reporting package substantially in the form of Exhibit III-C attached to the Repurchase Agreement; and

 

(iii)        Upon Buyer’s request, copies of Guarantor’s consolidated Federal Income Tax returns, if any, delivered within thirty (30) days after the earlier of (A) filing or (B) the last filing extension period.

 

(e)          Compliance with Obligations and Laws. Guarantor shall at all times (i) comply with all contractual obligations, (ii) comply in all respects with all laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and orders (including, without limitation, Environmental Laws) of any Governmental Authority or any other federal, state, municipal or other public authority having jurisdiction over Guarantor or any of its assets, (iii) maintain and preserve its legal existence, and (iv) preserve all of its rights, privileges, licenses and franchises necessary for the operation of its business.

 

(f)          Books and Records. Guarantor shall at all times keep proper books of records and accounts in which full, true and correct entries shall be made of its transactions in accordance with GAAP, and set aside on its books from its earnings for each fiscal year all such proper reserves in accordance with GAAP.

 

(g)          Change of Name; Place of Business. Guarantor shall advise Buyer in writing of the opening of any new chief executive office or the closing of any such office of Guarantor and of any change in Guarantor’s name or jurisdiction of organization not less than fifteen (15) Business Days prior to taking any such action.

 

 

11.         Right of Set-off. Guarantor hereby irrevocably authorizes Buyer and its Affiliates, without notice to Guarantor, any such notice being expressly waived by Guarantor, to set-off and appropriate and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final), in any currency, and any other credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held or owing by Buyer to or for the credit or the account of Guarantor, or any part thereof in such amounts as Buyer may elect, against and on account of the obligations and liabilities of Guarantor to Buyer hereunder and claims of every nature and description of Buyer against Guarantor, in any currency, arising under any Governing Agreement, as Buyer may elect, whether or not Buyer has made any demand for payment and although such obligations, liabilities and claims may be contingent or unmatured. Buyer shall notify Guarantor promptly of any such set-off and the application made by Buyer, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application. The rights of Buyer under this Section 11 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other rights of set-off) that the Buyer may have.

 

12.         Severability. Any provision of this Guarantee that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

13.         Section Headings. The section headings used in this Guarantee are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation or construction of this Guarantee.

 

14.         No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. Buyer shall not by any act (except by a written instrument pursuant to Section 15 hereof), delay, indulgence, omission or otherwise be deemed to have waived any right or remedy hereunder or to have acquiesced in any default or event of default or in any breach of any of the terms and conditions hereof. No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of Buyer, any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof. No single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. A waiver by Buyer of any right or remedy hereunder on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to any right or remedy that Buyer would otherwise have on any future occasion. The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative, may be exercised singly or concurrently and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

 

15.         Waivers and Amendments; Successors and Assigns; Governing Law. None of the terms or provisions of this Guarantee may be waived, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified except by a written instrument executed by Guarantor and Buyer, except that any provision of this Guarantee may be waived by Buyer in a letter or agreement specifically waiving such terms and executed solely by Buyer. This Guarantee shall be binding upon Guarantor’s successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of Buyer, and Buyer’s respective successors and assigns. THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND THE INTERPRETATION OF THIS GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS EXECUTED AND TO BE PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE EXCEPT WITH RESPECT TO NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATION LAW SECTION 5-1401). THE PARTIES CONSENT TO THE PERSONAL JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN CONNECTION WITH ANY CLAIM OR DISPUTE ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTEE AND WAIVE ANY OBJECTION AS TO VENUE IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, STATE OF NEW YORK. THIS CHOICE OF VENUE IS MADE PURSUANT TO NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATION LAW SECTION 5-1402.

 

 

16.         Notices. Notices by Buyer to Guarantor shall be given in writing, addressed to Guarantor at the address or transmission number set forth under its signature below and shall be effective for all purposes if hand delivered or sent by (a) hand delivery, with proof of delivery, (b) certified or registered United States mail, postage prepaid, (c) expedited prepaid delivery service, either commercial or United States Postal Service, with proof of delivery or (d) by email, provided that such email notice must also be delivered by one of the means set forth above, to the address or transmission number set forth under its signature below or at such other address and person as shall be designated from time to time by Guarantor, as the case may be, in a written notice to Buyer. A notice shall be deemed to have been given: (w) in the case of hand delivery, at the time of delivery, (x) in the case of registered or certified mail, when delivered or the first attempted delivery on a Business Day, (y) in the case of expedited prepaid delivery upon the first attempted delivery on a Business Day, or (z) in the case of email, upon receipt of confirmation, provided that such email notice was also delivered as required in this Section 16. If Guarantor receives a notice that does not comply with the technical requirements for notice under this Section 16 it may elect to waive any deficiencies and treat the notice as having been properly given. Notice by Guarantor to Buyer shall be given in the manner set forth in Article 15 of the Repurchase Agreement.

 

17.         SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVERS. GUARANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY:

 

(A)         SUBMITS IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTEE OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS TO WHICH GUARANTOR IS A PARTY, OR FOR RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT IN RESPECT THEREOF, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, THE COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND APPELLATE COURTS FROM ANY THEREOF;

 

(B)         CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE BROUGHT IN SUCH COURTS AND WAIVES ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT OR THAT SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING WAS BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT COURT AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM THE SAME;

 

 

(C)         AGREES THAT SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE EFFECTED BY MAILING A COPY THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL (OR ANY SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR FORM OF MAIL), POSTAGE PREPAID, TO GUARANTOR AT ITS ADDRESS SET FORTH UNDER GUARANTOR’S SIGNATURE BELOW OR AT SUCH OTHER ADDRESS OF WHICH BUYER SHALL HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED IN WRITING BY GUARANTOR; AND

 

(D)         AGREES THAT NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT TO EFFECT SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR SHALL LIMIT THE RIGHT TO SUE IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

 

18.         Integration. This Guarantee represents the agreement of Guarantor with respect to the subject matter hereof and there are no promises or representations by Buyer relative to the subject matter hereof not reflected herein.

 

19.         Execution. This Guarantee may be executed in counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all of such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. Delivery by telecopier or other electronic transmission (including a .pdf e-mail transmission) of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Guarantee shall be effective as delivery of an original executed counterpart of this Guarantee.

 

20.         Acknowledgments. Guarantor hereby acknowledges that:

 

(a)          it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Guarantee and the related documents;

 

(b)          Buyer has no fiduciary relationship to it, and the relationship between Buyer and Guarantor is solely that of surety and creditor; and

 

(c)          no joint venture exists between or among any of Buyer, on the one hand, and Seller, Parent and/or Guarantor on the other hand.

 

21.         Intent. Guarantor intends for this Guarantee to be a credit enhancement related to a repurchase agreement, within the meaning of Section 101(47) of the Bankruptcy Code and, therefore, for this Guarantee to be itself a repurchase agreement, within the meaning of Section 101(47) and Section 559 of the Bankruptcy Code.

 

22.         WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL. GUARANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTEE OR ANY RELATED DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM HEREIN OR THEREIN.

 

 

23.         Effect of Amendment and Restatement. From and after the date hereof, the Existing Guarantee is hereby amended, restated and superseded in its entirety by this Guarantee.

 

24.         Facilities with Other Lenders. To the extent that Guarantor is obligated (as a guarantor with respect to commercial real estate assets or as a direct obligor in respect of commercial real estate assets owned directly by Guarantor) under any other repurchase agreement, warehouse facility or other similar credit facility involving the financing of commercial real estate assets which is similar to the financing of the Purchased Assets under the Repurchase Agreement (whether now in effect or in effect at any time during the term of this Guarantee) to comply with any financial covenant that is comparable to any of the financial covenants set forth in Section 9 of this Guarantee or in like covenants in any other Transaction Document, and such comparable financial covenant is more restrictive to Guarantor or otherwise more favorable to the related lender or buyer thereunder than any financial covenant set forth in this Guarantee or in any other Transaction Document, or is in addition to any financial covenant set forth in this Guarantee or in any other Transaction Document, then such comparable financial covenant shall, with no further action required on the part of Guarantor or Buyer, automatically become a part of this Guarantee or in such other Transaction Document, as the case may be, and be incorporated herein and/or therein, and Guarantor hereby covenants to maintain compliance with such comparable financial covenant at all times throughout the remaining term of this Guarantee. In connection therewith, Guarantor agrees to promptly notify Buyer of the execution of any agreement or other document that would cause the provisions of this Section 24 to become effective. Guarantor further agrees to execute and deliver any new guaranties, agreements or amendments to this Guarantee or any other Transaction Document necessary to evidence all such new or modified provisions, subject to the terms of this Section 24; provided that the execution of such amendment shall not be a precondition to the effectiveness of such amendment, but shall merely be for the convenience of the parties hereto and thereto. If an applicable repurchase agreement, warehouse facility or other similar credit facility subject to a more restrictive or additional financial covenant pursuant to this Section 24 terminates and is no longer binding upon Guarantor, then Guarantor may deliver a written request to Buyer to enter into an amendment to this Guarantee in order to reflect less restrictive financial covenants which are mutually agreed upon by Guarantor and Buyer, which request may be granted or denied by Buyer in its sole discretion.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Guarantee to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

	BENEFIT STREET PARTNERS REALTY TRUST, INC., a Maryland corporation
	By:	/s/ Micah Goodman
		Name: Micah Goodman
		Title: Authorized Signatory
	Address:
	c/o Benefit Street Partners
	9 West 57th Street, Suite 4920
	New York, NY 10019
	with a copy to:
	DLA Piper LLP
	1251 Avenue of the Americas, 27th Floor
	New York, New York 10020-1104
	Attention:          Robert M. Unger
	Telephone:        (212) 335-4690
	Telecopy:          (917) 778-8690
	Solely for purposes of consenting pursuant to Section 15 to the amendment and restatement of the Existing Guarantee:
	JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association
	By:	/s/ Thomas N. Cassino
		Name: Thomas N. Cassino
		Title: Executive Director