Exhibit
10.1
FARALLON CAPITAL MANAGEMENT,
L.L.C.
One Maritime Plaza, Suite 2100
San Francisco, CA 94111
March 19, 2007
Accredited Home Lenders Holding
Co.
15253 Avenue of Science
San Diego, CA 92128
Re: Commitment
Letter
Ladies and Gentlemen:
You have advised us that Accredited
Home Lenders Holding Co., a Delaware corporation (the “
Company ”), desires to establish a $200,000,000 senior
secured term loan facility (the “ Term Loan Facility
”) for Accredited Home Lenders, Inc., a California
corporation (“ AHLI ”), and Accredited Mortgage
Loan REIT Trust, a Maryland investment trust (“ AMLRT
”; and together with AHLI, the “ Borrowers
”). The proceeds of the Term Loan Facility would be used
(i) to fund the repurchase obligations of the Borrowers,
(ii) to satisfy margin calls of certain warehouse lenders,
(iii) to fund loan originations, (iv) to pay all
transaction costs, expenses and fees in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereunder and (v) for general
working capital and business purposes of the Borrowers. You have
asked Farallon Capital Management, L.L.C. (“ FCM
”) to act as administration agent for the Term Loan
Facility.
Based upon and subject to the terms
and conditions set forth in (a) this commitment letter (the
“ Commitment Letter ”) and (b) the Summary
Terms and Conditions attached hereto as Appendix A (the
“ Summary of Terms ”, and together with the
Commitment Letter, the “ Commitment ”), Farallon
is pleased to advise you of its commitment to have funds or managed
accounts (the “ Farallon Funds ”, and together
with FCM, “ Farallon ”) provide the full amount
of the Term Loan Facility, either directly or via newly created
special purpose vehicles on a several, and not joint and several,
basis. The amount of the Term Loan Facility shall be allocated
among the Farallon Funds in the amounts set forth on Annex 1
attached hereto. In addition, FCM will act as sole administrative
agent and sole collateral agent for the Term Loan Facility. You
agree that no other agents or arrangers will be appointed, and no
other titles or compensation will be awarded or paid, in connection
with the Term Loan Facility unless approved by Farallon.
The Commitment does not set forth
all the terms and conditions of the proposed financing; rather, it
only summarizes the major points of understanding which will be the
basis of the final loan agreement and related documentation (which
are collectively referred to herein as the “ Applicable
Documents ”) which will be drafted by, and will be in
form and substance satisfactory to, Farallon and its counsel. All
terms used in this Commitment Letter and not otherwise defined
herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Summary of
Terms.
The Commitment is issued by the Farallon Funds
based upon the financial and other information regarding the
Company and its subsidiaries provided to Farallon. Accordingly, the
Commitment is subject to the fulfillment to the satisfaction of
Farallon of the following conditions: (i) the preparation,
execution and delivery of mutually acceptable loan documentation,
including a credit agreement and other loan documents incorporating
the terms and conditions outlined in the Summary of Terms;
(ii) satisfaction of each of the conditions set forth in the
Summary of Terms; (iii) performance of each of the covenants
set forth herein; and (iv) the truth and accuracy of each of
the representations and warranties herein.
You hereby represent and covenant
that (i) all information which has been or is hereafter made
available to Farallon by or on behalf of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or their representatives in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby (“ Information
”) is or, when furnished will be, complete and correct in all
material respects and does not and will not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements contained therein not materially
misleading in light of the circumstances under which such
statements are made, and (ii) the financial projections
concerning the Company and its Subsidiaries that have been or will
be made available to Farallon by or on behalf of the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries or their representatives (the “
Projections ”) have been and will be prepared in good
faith based upon reasonable assumptions (it being understood that
such financial projections (including any related schedules and
notes) are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies,
many of which are beyond the control of the Company and the
Borrowers and no assurance is or can be given that any projections
or other results contemplated therein will be realized). You hereby
agree to supplement the Information and the Projections from time
to time until the closing date of the Term Loan Facility so that
the representation and warranty in the preceding sentence is
correct on the closing date of the Term Loan Facility. In
structuring and entering into the Term Loan Facility, Farallon will
be using and relying on the Information and the Projections without
independent verification thereof.
The Company and the Borrowers
jointly and severally agree to pay or reimburse Farallon for all
reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of every type and
nature (including all costs and expenses of counsel) incurred by
Farallon before, on or after the date hereof in connection with
Farallon’s legal, tax and regulatory review and documentation
of (i) the transactions discussed with the Company prior to
the date hereof and (ii) the transactions contemplated by this
Commitment, up to a maximum of $1,500,000 (which cost and expense
cap shall not apply to any indemnification obligations in favor of
Farallon pursuant to the terms hereof). Such cost and fee
reimbursement shall be due and payable on the earlier of
(i) closing date of the Term Loan Facility and
(ii) April 2, 2007.
The Company and the Borrowers agree
to (i) indemnify and hold harmless Farallon and its
affiliates, and their respective directors, officers, employees,
members, managing members, agents, attorneys and shareholders
(collectively, the “ Indemnified Persons ”)
against any and all losses, claims, damages, or liabilities of
every kind whatsoever to which the Indemnified Persons may become
subject in connection in any way with the Commitment or the Term
Loan Facility or the transactions contemplated under this
Commitment, including without limitation expenses incurred in
connection with investigating or defending against any liability
or
action whether or not a party thereto, except
(with respect to any Indemnified Person) to the extent any of the
foregoing is found to have arisen from such Indemnified
Person’s gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined
by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable
order or judgment (provided that such determination would not
impair a right of recovery by any other Indemnified Person); and
(ii) assert no claim against any Indemnified Person seeking
consequential, punitive or special damages in connection with the
Commitment. The obligations described in this paragraph are
independent of all other obligations hereunder and under the
Applicable Documents, shall survive the expiration, revocation or
termination of the Commitment, and shall be payable whether or not
the transactions contemplated by the Commitment shall
close.
If not accepted in accordance with
the terms set forth below, and unless earlier terminated in
accordance with the terms hereof or as a result of a breach of any
representation, warranty or undertaking herein by you, the
Commitment shall expire at the close of business in San Diego,
California, on April 2, 2007 without any further action by any
person or entity, and from and after such date shall have no
further force or effect (except as otherwise provided herein with
respect to indemnification, limitation of liability and payment of
expenses and the like, choice of law, waiver of trial by jury and
matters of confidentiality), unless the Commitment is extended by
Farallon in writing in its sole and absolute discretion.
The Commitment shall not be
assignable by you without the prior written consent of Farallon.
The Commitment is intended to be solely for the benefit of the
parties hereto and is not intended to confer any benefits upon, or
to create any rights in favor of, any person other than the parties
hereto and their indemnified persons.
THE COMMITMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED,
CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED, AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE
PARTIES HERETO SHALL BE DETERMINED, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL
LAWS (AS OPPOSED TO THE CONFLICT OF LAWS PROVISIONS THAT REQUIRE OR
PERMIT APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER STATE OR JURISDICTION,
BUT INCLUDING SECTION 5-1401 AND SECTION 5-1402 OF THE GENERAL
OBLIGATIONS LAW) AND DECISIONS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. IF THE
COMMITMENT BECOMES THE SUBJECT OF A DISPUTE, EACH OF THE PARTIES
HERETO HEREBY CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY LOCAL, STATE AND
FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND WAIVES ANY
AND ALL RIGHT TO CONTEST SUCH JURISDICTION, WHETHER ON THE GROUNDS
OF VENUE OR FORUM NON CONVENIENS OR OTHERWISE,
AND WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO
TRIAL BY JURY .
The Commitment Letter, together with
the Summary of Terms, embodies the entire understanding among the
parties hereto relating to the matters discussed herein and therein
and, except for any confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement
entered into between Farallon, the Borrowers and/or the Company,
supersedes all prior discussions, negotiations, proposals,
agreements and
understandings, whether oral or written,
relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof. No course of
prior conduct or dealings
between the parties hereto, no usage of trade,
and no parole or extrinsic evidence of any nature, shall be used or
be relevant to supplement, explain or modify any term used herein.
Any modification or waiver of the Commitment or the terms hereof
must be in writing, must be stated to be such and must be signed by
an authorized representative of each party hereto.
If you wish to accept the
Commitment, please return executed counterparts of this Commitment
Letter, on or before 8:00 a.m., San Diego time, on March 20,
2007.
This Commitment Letter may be
executed in any number of counterparts, each of which, when so
executed, shall be deemed to be an original, but all such
counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same
instrument.
Very truly yours,
FARALLON CAPITAL PARTNERS,
L.P.
FARALLON CAPITAL INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS,
L.P.
FARALLON CAPITAL INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS II,
L.P.
FARALLON CAPITAL INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS III,
L.P.
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By:
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Farallon Partners, L.L.C., their General Partner
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By:
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Name:
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Jason E.
Moment
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Title:
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Managing
Member
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FCOI II
INVESTMENTS LTD
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By:
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Farallon Capital Management, L.L.C., its agent and attorney in fact
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By:
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Name:
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Jason E.
Moment
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Title:
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Managing
Member
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The
Undersigned Hereby Accepts the Borrowers’ Request to Act as
Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent
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By:
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FARALLON
CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.
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By:
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Name:
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Jason E.
Moment
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Title:
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Managing
Member
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The
Foregoing Is Hereby Accepted And
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Agreed To In All Respects By The Undersigned:
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ACCREDITED HOME LENDERS HOLDING CO.
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By:
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Name:
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James A.
Konrath
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Title:
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Chief Executive
Officer
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ACCREDITED HOME
LENDERS INC.
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By:
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Name:
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James A.
Konrath
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Title:
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Chief Executive
Officer
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ACCREDITED MORTGAGE LOAN REIT TRUST
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By:
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Name:
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James A.
Konrath
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Title:
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Chief Executive
Officer
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Appendix A
Summary of Terms and
Conditions
Dated March 19,
2007
This Summary of Terms and
Conditions (“Summary” or “Term Sheet”) is
for convenience of reference only and shall not be considered to be
exhaustive as to the final terms and conditions that govern any
potential financing arrangements.
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Borrowers:
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Accredited Home
Lenders, Inc. (the “ Company ”) and Accredited
Mortgage Loan REIT Trust (the “ REIT ” and
together with the Company, the “ Borrowers
”).
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Guarantor:
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Accredited Home
Lenders Holding Co. (“ Parent ”) and all direct
and indirect subsidiaries of the Parent (other than the REIT and
its subsidiaries, but each subsidiary of the REIT shall guarantee
the REIT Loan only ) (the “ Guarantors ”; and
together with the Borrowers, the “ Obligors
”).
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Administrative Agent:
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Farallon
Capital Management, L.L.C. (“ Farallon ”) or its
designee (the “ Agent ”).
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Lenders:
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Funds and
managed accounts managed by Farallon or entity to be formed by
Farallon (collectively, the “ Lenders
”).
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Term Loan Facility:
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A $200,000,000
senior secured term loan facility (“ Term Loan
Facility ”) pursuant to which non-amortizing term loans
(the “ Loans ”) will be made to the REIT in an
aggregate amount of $70,000,000 (the “ REIT Loan
”) and to the Company in an aggregate amount of $130,000,000
(“ AHL Loan ”).
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Purpose:
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(i) General
working capital for operating expenses;
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(ii) To satisfy repurchase
obligations;
(iii) To satisfy margin calls from
warehouse lenders;
(iv) To fund loan originations;
and
(v) To pay down Bear Stearns line to
$30,000,000.
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Closing Date:
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The date on
which the conditions have been satisfied and the Loans have been
made.
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Maturity Date:
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The five year
anniversary (the “ Maturity Date ”) of the
Closing Date.
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Interest Rate and Payment:
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Thirteen
percent (13%) per annum ; provided that during any period
that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
interest rate shall be increased to seventeen percent (17%) per
annum .
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Interest payments shall be computed
on the basis of a 360-day year, and the actual number of days
elapsed and shall be payable in cash on June 1, September 1,
December 1 and March 1 of each year, beginning June 1,
2007.
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Voluntary Prepayments:
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The Borrowers
may prepay the Loans in whole on any business day, subject to the
giving of five business days notice. Any such voluntary prepayment
shall be at a prepayment price set forth on the schedule below, in
each case plus accrued and unpaid interest on the face amount of
Loans prepaid:
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Loan Year 1: 107%
Loan Year 2: 107%
Loan Year 3: 105%
Loan Year 4: 103%
Loan Year 5: 100%
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Change of Control Put:
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Upon a Change
of Control Event, the Lenders will have the right, at their option
within ninety (90) days of such event, to require the Borrowers to
repay any or all of the Loans in cash at 102% of the principal
amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest
thereon.
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Security:
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The obligations
with respect to the AHL Loan will be secured by a first priority
lien on all unencumbered assets of the Obligors (other than the
REIT) and a second lien on all assets of the Obligors (other than
the REIT) that are encumbered as of the date hereof (until such
assets cease to be so encumbered, whereupon they will become
subject to such first priority lien), where permitted by the
Obligors’ various credit documents (including a second lien
on all pledged servicing rights and servicing receivables). The
REIT Loan will be secured by a first priority lien on all
unencumbered assets of the Obligors (including the REIT) and a
second lien on all assets of the Obligors (including the REIT),
including the residual or retained interests held by the REIT or
its affiliates in any REIT or Aames securitization transactions.
Collateral arrangements shall permit ordinary course securitization
issuances and replacement of warehouse collateral, placing
unencumbered loans into a warehouse facility in anticipation of
securitization for the benefit of the REIT, whole loan sales, etc.
and shall also permit financing of up to $15,000,000 of servicing
advances.
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Collateral documentation to include
first prio