Document:

EXHIBIT 10.44

                          WALL STREET CONSULTANTS, INC.
                                32 E. 57th STREET
                              NEW YORK, N.Y. 10022

                        INVESTMENT BANKING (212) 888-4848
                         FOUNDED 1959 FAX (212) 888-4903

                               September 30, 2004

Mr. Richard Gabriel President & CEO DNAPrint genomics, Inc. 900 Cocoanut Avenue
Sarasota, FL 34236

Dear Mr. Gabriel:

This will confirm our understanding that The Wall Street Group, Inc. ("WSG") has
been retained as financial public relations counsel to DNAPrint genomics, Inc.
("DNAPrint"), beginning September 30, 2004 and continuing until cancelled as
hereinafter provided. As consideration for the services provided by WSG to
DNAPrint, as defined more specifically on Exhibit "A" attached, WSG will receive
a cash fee of $7,500 per month, payable in advance on the first day of each
month, plus reimbursement of reasonable and customary out-of-pocket expenses,
payable on receipt of an itemized statement detailing the incurred expenses. As
further consideration, DNAPrint grants WSG's affiliate, Wall Street
Consultant's, Inc. ("WSC") a five-year stock option, with piggyback registration
rights as more fully set forth below, on as many shares as could be purchased on
the open market for $100,000 at the closing bid price on September 24, 2004,
which option shall be evidenced by an option agreement in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit B. This contract may be cancelled by either party on ninety
(90) days written notice.

At the conclusion of 12 months, should this contract not be canceled by either
party on 90 days prior written notice, or modified, by mutual agreement, the
same terms will pertain to the next 12 month period, except that WSC will be
granted an additional five-year option on as many shares as could be bought for
$100,000 using as the exercise price, the closing bid price (or last sale price
if the common stock shall be listed on a national securities exchange) of the
common stock on the anniversary of the date of this Agreement. Each year
thereafter, this additional option grant and formula will be maintained, until
this agreement shall be canceled or modified, with each such option to be on the
terms and conditions of Exhibit A attached hereto.

DNAPrint agrees, with respect to all options granted under this contract that
for so long as such options remain exercisable and for a period of two years
thereafter, whenever DNAPrint proposes to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission a registration statement (other than as to securities issued pursuant
to an employee benefit plan or as to a merger, acquisition or similar
transaction subject to Rule 145 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended), DNAPrint shall, at least 30 days prior to such filing, give written
notice of the proposed filing to WSC (or its successor or assigns, as the case
may be) setting forth the facts with respect to such proposed filing, and offer
to include in any such filing all of the shares subject to such options,
provided that DNAPrint receives a request at least 10 days prior to the proposed
filing date. All fees, disbursements and out-of-pocket expenses in connection
with the filing of any registration statement and in complying with applicable
securities and blue sky laws shall be borne by DNAPrint, all as more fully set
forth in the option agreement.

_____(DK) _____( )

                                        1
<PAGE>

This agreement can be canceled by either party on ninety (90) days written
notice. Should this agreement be canceled earlier than one year from the date
hereof as reflected below, WSC will return to DNAPrint a prorated portion of the
five-year stock option, which portion shall be based on the number of days
remaining in the twelve month retainer period. For this purpose (and all other
purposes of this agreement), the ninety (90) day period following notice of
termination shall be considered part of the retainer period.

It is understood that during the 90 day period following notice of termination,
DNAPrint will continue to honor its fee arrangement to WSG, including
reimbursement of reasonable expenses, and that WSG will continue to work on
behalf of DNAPrint.

In addition to introductions to brokers, analysts, money managers, funds and
institutions, WSG, will introduce DNAPrint to financing and investment banking
sources that can potentially assist in raising capital. If WSG is successful in
raising capital for DNAPrint through sources which have not previously been
introduced to DNAPrint or any of its officers, directors, employees or
consultants, it shall receive a 3.0% success fee of any additional funds raised.

Any disputes arising under or in connection with the interpretation of this
Agreement or the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be resolved
by arbitration in the City of New York under the rules of the American
Arbitration Association then obtaining. The decision of the arbitrator(s) shall
be final and binding, and judgment may be entered thereon in the Supreme Court
of the State of New York or in the United States District Court for the Southern
District of New York or any court having jurisdiction. The costs and expenses,
including counsel fees, shall be borne by each of the parties or as the
arbitrator(s) may determine at the request of any party.

As financial public relations counsel WSG must rely upon the accuracy and
completeness of the information supplied by DNAPrint and its officers and
directors. DNAPrint assumes full responsibility for the accuracy and
completeness of such information. DNAPrint agrees to indemnify WSG and pay WSG's
reasonable costs and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees
and costs) in any suit or proceeding arising out of any materially inaccurate
information provided by DNAPrint or any of its officers, directors, agents or
employees to WSG. Additionally, WSG agrees to issue no press releases on behalf
of DNAPrint which have not been cleared or reviewed by Mr. Richard Gabriel or
any other corporate officer he may designate.

If this agreement meets with your approval, please sign one copy and return it
to me, along with a check representing the first month's fee and the completed
Stock Option Agreement while retaining the other copy for your files.

_____(DK) _____( )

                                        2
<PAGE>

Very truly yours,

Donald Kirsch President

DK/jg

AGREED TO:

DNAPrint genomics, Inc.

By:
Richard Gabriel
President & CEO

Dated:

_____(DK) _____( )

                                        3
<PAGE>

                                    Exhibit A

Utilizing only public information, WSG will introduce DNAPrint to a variety of
professional investor categories, including buy and sell side securities
analysts, money managers, high net worth brokers, investment letter news writers
and print, broadcast and internet journalists. WSG will also prepare and
disseminate press releases to news media and shareholders and assist the company
in the writing and editing of its shareholder messages. The effort will be
conducted in the key money markets of the United States and the objective is to
assist the company in creating a constituency which fully understands the
history of the company, its technology, its ambitions and its potential with
enough public information for these audiences to make their own decisions as to
whether or not the company merits continued attention.

_____(DK) _____( )

                                        4
<PAGE>

EXHIBIT B

                             DNAPrint genomics, Inc.

                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

Option granted as of September 27, 2004 by DNAPrint genomics, Inc. (the
"Corporation") to Wall Street Consultants, Inc. (which together with its assigns
is sometimes hereinafter referred to as the "Grantee"):

1. The Option. In further consideration of the services to be provided to the
Corporation by the Grantee pursuant to that certain retainer agreement between
the Corporation and The Wall Street Group, Inc. dated September 27, 2004 (the
"Retainer Agreement"), the Corporation grants to the Grantee, effective on the
Date of Grant, a stock option (the "Option") to purchase, on the terms and
conditions herein set forth, up to the number of shares (the "Shares") of the
Corporation's fully paid, nonassessable shares of common stock, ("Common
Stock"), at the purchase price for the Shares set forth in Section 2 below, such
that the aggregate purchase price shall equal $100,000, but not less than 50,000
shares for the first year; provided, however, that in no event shall the
Corporation be required to sell a fractional Share, and the number of Shares
purchasable hereunder shall be limited accordingly.

2. The Purchase Price. The purchase price of the Shares shall be $
______________ per share (the "Option Price"), which price is the fair market
value of the Shares as of the Date of the Grant, as such Option Price shall be
adjusted from time to time pursuant to paragraph 10.

3. Exercise of Option.

(a) The Option is exercisable over a period ending five years from the Date of
Grant (the "Option Period"). The Option may be exercised from time to time
during the Option Period as to the total number of Shares subject to this Option
as determined under Section 1, or any lesser amount thereof, and the Option
shall continue as to any unexercised Shares.

(b) In the event the Grantee elects to exercise all or any portion of the
Option, the Grantee shall deliver to the Corporation written notice (the
"Notice") of such election, which Notice shall specify the number of Shares in
respect of which the Option is to be exercised, along with payment of the Option
Price of the Shares in respect of which the Option is exercised. The Option
Price shall be paid in full in United States dollars at the time of exercise;
provided, however, that if any fees are owed or expenses un-reimbursed pursuant
to the Retainer Agreement, then the exercise price may be paid by the Grantee
agreeing to credit the corporation therefore. If the Option is exercised in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, the Corporation shall deliver
as soon as practicable to the Grantee a certificate or certificates representing
the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised, which
Shares shall be registered in the holder's name.

4. Sale of Shares. The Grantee shall not be entitled to sell, transfer, or
distribute the Shares except pursuant to (i) an effective registration statement
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), or (ii) if there be no
registration statement in effect, pursuant to an exemption from registration
under the Act. Prior to offering or selling the Shares upon claim of exemption,
the holder shall obtain a written opinion from counsel reasonably satisfactory
to the Corporation to the effect that such exemption is available or shall
deliver a "no-action" letter from the Securities and Exchange Commission with
respect to the proposed sale, transfer or distribution of the Shares.

_____(DK) _____( )

                                        5
<PAGE>

5. Registration Rights. The Corporation agrees that, for so long as the Option
remains exercisable and for a period of two years thereafter, whenever the
Corporation proposes to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a
registration statement (other than as to securities issued pursuant to an
employee benefit plan or as to a merger, acquisition or similar transaction
subject to Rule 145 promulgated under the Securities Act), the Corporation
shall, at least 30 days prior to such filing, give written notice of such
proposed filing to the Grantee setting forth the facts with respect to such
proposed filing, and shall offer to include in any such filing the Shares
subject to the Option provided that the Corporation receives a request therefore
at least 10 days prior to the proposed filing date. All fees, disbursements and
out-of-pocket expenses in connection with the filing of any registration
statement and in complying with applicable securities and blue sky laws shall be
borne by the Corporation.

The Corporation will indemnify and hold harmless the Grantee and each person who
controls the Grantee within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), from
and against any and all losses, claims, damages, expenses and liabilities, joint
or several (including any investigation, legal and other expenses incurred in
connection with, and any amount paid in any settlement effected with the
Corporation's consent (not to be unreasonably withheld) of, any action, suit or
proceeding or any claim asserted), to which they, or any of them, may become
subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state law or
regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages
or liabilities arise out of or are based on (A) any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact contained in the registration statement
filed with respect to the Shares (including any related preliminary or
definitive prospectus, or any amendment or supplement to such registration
statement or prospectus), (B) any omission or alleged omission to state in such
document a material fact required to be stated in it or necessary to make the
statements in it not misleading, or (C) any violation by the Corporation of the
Act, the Exchange Act, any blue sky laws or any rule or regulation thereunder in
connection with such registration; provided however, that the Corporation will
not be liable to the extent that such loss, claim, damage, expense or liability
arises from and is based solely on a material untrue statement or omission or
alleged material untrue statement or omission made in such registration
statement and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the
Corporation by the Grantee expressly for use in such registration statement.
With respect to the matter referred to in the proviso of the foregoing sentence,
the Grantee will indemnify and hold harmless the Corporation from and against
any and all losses, claims, damages, expenses and liabilities, joint or several,
to which it may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or other federal
or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise to the same
extent provided in the immediately preceding sentence.

Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party of notice of the commencement of
any action involving matters referred to in the foregoing paragraph, such
indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against any
indemnifying party, thereof and the indemnifying party shall have the right to
participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly
with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense
thereof at its own expense with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
indemnified party or parties, and in such case, if the indemnified party desires
to retain its own counsel, the expense of such counsel shall be borne by the
indemnified party.

_____(DK) _____( )

                                        6
<PAGE>

6. Termination of Retainer Agreement. In the event the engagement of the Wall
Street Group, Inc. under the Retainer Agreement ceases by reason of the
termination of the Retainer Agreement by either party on ninety (90) days notice
pursuant to the provisions thereof, the maximum number of Shares exercisable
hereunder shall be multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the
number of days which shall have expired from the Date of Grant to the earlier of
the next subsequent anniversary date of the Retainer Agreement or ninety (90)
days after receipt by the Wall Street Group, Inc. of the notice of termination
sent pursuant thereto, and the denominator of which shall be 365, and such
product shall thereupon be the maximum number of Shares purchasable hereunder;
provided, however, that in no event shall the Corporation be required to sell a
fractional Share, and the number of Shares purchasable hereunder shall be
limited accordingly.

7. Successors and Assigns. This agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure
to the benefit of the parties' respective successors and assigns.

8. Expiration of Option. This Option is not exercisable after the expiration of
five years from the Date of Grant.

9. Rights.

(a) The granting of this Option shall not confer upon the Grantee any right to
continue to be retained by the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, subject,
however, to the terms of the Retainer Agreement between the Grantee and the
Corporation.

(b) The Grantee shall not, by reason of the granting to it of the Option, have
or thereby acquire any rights of a stockholder of the Corporation with respect
to any Shares unless and until it has tendered full payment of the Option Price
for such Shares.

10. Adjustment of Number of Shares and Option Price. In the event that a
dividend shall be declared upon the Shares payable in shares of Common Stock,
the number of Shares then subject to the Option and the Option Price shall be
adjusted by adding to each of such Shares the number of shares of Common Stock
which would be distributable thereon if such Share had been outstanding on the
date fixed for determining the stockholders entitled to receive such stock
dividend and reducing the Option Price proportionally. In the event that the
outstanding Shares shall be changed into or exchanged for a different number or
kind of shares of stock or other securities of the Corporation or of another
corporation, whether through reorganization, recapitalization, stock split-up,
combination of shares, merger or consolidation, then there shall be substituted
for each Share subject to the Option the number and kind of shares of stock or
other securities into which each outstanding share of Common Stock shall be so
changed or for which each such share shall be exchanged; provided, however, that
in the event that such change or exchange results from a merger or
consolidation, and in the judgment of the Board of Directors of the Corporation
such substitution cannot be effected or would be inappropriate, or if the
Corporation shall sell all or substantially all of its assets, the Corporation
shall use reasonable efforts to effect some other adjustment of the Option which
the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, shall deem equitable. In the
event that there shall be any change, other than as specified above in this
Paragraph 10, in the number or kind of outstanding Shares or of any stock or
other securities into which such Shares shall have been changed or for which
they shall have been exchanged, then, if the Board of Directors shall determine
that such change equitably requires an adjustment in the number or kind of
Shares then subject to the Option, such adjustment shall be made by the Board of
Directors and shall be effective and binding for all purposes of this Option. In
the case of any such substitution or adjustment as provided for in this
paragraph, the Option Price will be the option price for all shares of stock or
other securities which shall have been substituted for each Share or to which
such Share shall have been adjusted pursuant to this paragraph 10. No adjustment
or substitution provided for in this paragraph 10 shall require the Corporation
to sell a fractional Share, and the total substitution or adjustment shall be
limited accordingly.

_____(DK) _____( )

                                        7
<PAGE>

11. Reserve of Shares. The Corporation will reserve and set about and have at
all times, free from preemptive rights, a number of shares or authorized but
unissued Common Stock deliverable upon exercise of the Option, and it will have
at all times any other rights or privileges provided for therein sufficient to
enable it at any time to fulfill all of its obligations in this Agreement.

12. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and
enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

If the foregoing is in accordance with the Grantee's understanding and approved
by it, it may so confirm by signing and returning the duplicate of this
Agreement delivered for that purpose.

DNAPrint genomics, Inc.

Dated:__________ By:_________________________

The foregoing is in accordance with the undersigned's understanding and is
hereby confirmed and agreed to as of the Date of Grant.

                          WALL STREET CONSULTANTS, INC.

Dated:__________ By:_______________________

                                        8Unassociated Document

Exhibit
10.1

LEASE
AGREEMENT

THIS
LEASE AGREEMENT (“Lease”) is made this 12th day of
May, 2005, by and between Hale Properties, LLC, a limited liability company
(hereinafter referred to as “Landlord”) and First Mariner Bank, a Maryland
corporation (hereinafter referred to as “Tenant”).

 

W
I T N E S S E T H:

In
consideration of the premises hereof and other good and valuable consideration,
the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties do
hereby mutually agree as follows:

1. Premises.
Landlord does hereby lease to Tenant, and Tenant does hereby lease from
Landlord, for the term and on the conditions hereinafter provided, approximately
56,658 rentable square feet of space on the 16thand 4th
floors, and known as Suites TBD
(hereinafter
referred to as the “Demised Premises”), of the building known as Canton Crossing
Tower (“Building”), together with the right to the non-exclusive use, in common
with others, of such footways, hallways, parking areas and other facilities
designed for common use in the Building or on the land on which the Building is
located (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Property”). The Demised
Premises are marked on the plan attached hereto as Exhibit
A and
incorporated herein by reference. Tenant has the option to lease up to 56,658
additional square feet of space within five years of date of occupancy, upon
mutual agreement with landlord and upon availability, at the current rate of
$25.00 per square foot, adjusted in accordance with the terms of the lease as
described in paragraph 5.

2. Term.

(a)
 The
Demised Premises are leased for a term (hereinafter called the “Initial Term”)
commencing on the first day of TBD
2006, (or
within ninety (90) days after receipt of written notice of Demised Premises
being available for the Tenant’s use and occupancy) (hereinafter referred to as
the “Lease Commencement Date”) and ending on the last day of TBD
2016
(hereinafter referred to as the “Expiration Date”), unless the Term shall sooner
cease or expire as hereinafter provided. 

 Under the
following terms and conditions, Tenant shall have the option to extend the
Initial Term of this Lease for 4 additional term(s) of 5 years each (each such
additional term being hereinafter referred to as the “Extension Period”). Such
option shall be null and void unless (a) Tenant notifies Landlord in writing, of
Tenant’s election to exercise that option not more than twelve (12) months, nor
less than six (6) months prior to the date this Lease would otherwise expire;
and (b) at the time of such exercise and at all times thereafter prior to the
commencement of any Extension Period, this Lease is in full force and effect,
Tenant is in actual occupancy of the Premises, and Tenant is not then in default
of any of its obligations under this lease. Such Extension Period shall be upon
the same terms and conditions as apply with respect to the Initial Term, except
(a) Tenant shall have no right to extend the Term beyond the 4th
Extension Period referred to above, and (b) the Minimum Rent for each year of
the Extension Period shall be the ongoing rates adjusted in paragraph
5.

  “Term”
shall include each Extension Period for which the foregoing extension option
shall be effective and has been duly exercised hereunder.

(b) Landlord
shall give Tenant sixty (60) days prior written notice of the anticipated date
of substantial completion of the work to be performed in the Demised Premises
pursuant to the provisions of Exhibit
B which is
attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, and Tenant agrees to
accept the Demised Premises which shall be deemed available for Tenant’s use and
occupancy after Tenant’s or Tenant’s designated representative on-site
examination of the Demised Premises, when Landlord has (i) substantially
completed the work required to be performed by Landlord, as described in the
Exhibit B, and (ii) procured a certificate of occupancy for the Demised Premises
for the purposes herein provided. The work to be done by Landlord shall be
deemed substantially completed even though minor details or adjustments which
shall not materially interfere with Tenant’s use other than ingress and egress
of the Demised Premises to conduct its business in the ordinary course may not
then have been completed, but which work Landlord shall complete within thirty
(30) days thereafter.

(c) By taking
of possession of the Demised Premises, Tenant shall be deemed to have accepted
the same and to have acknowledged that Landlord’s work has been substantially
completed subject to the Landlord’s completion of the items referenced in
section 2 (b) above. 

(d) After the
Lease Commencement Date, upon request of either party, Landlord and Tenant shall
promptly execute, acknowledge and deliver to one another a written instrument,
in the form of Exhibit
C which is
attached hereto, certifying the Lease Commencement Date and Expiration
Date.

(e) Tenant
covenants and agrees to endeavor in good faith to comply with the time path to
be established by Landlord in connection with the completion of the work to be
performed by Landlord, as described in Exhibit
B. If
Tenant causes a delay in the delivery of possession of the Demised Premises by
virtue of having failed to provide or approve plans and specifications, samples
or other items which Tenant is required to provide or approve, within the
deadlines required therefor, or by virtue of having requested changes in the
work, or for any other material reason, then in such event, the Lease
Commencement Date shall be on the date on which the Demised Premises would have
been available for Tenant’s use and occupancy but for such Tenant delay, and
Tenant’s obligations hereunder shall commence as of such date.

3. Rent.

(a)
 Tenant
shall pay as Minimum Rent (hereinafter referred to as “Minimum Rent”) the amount
of $25.00 per rental square foot or $1,416,450.00 per annum, payable in equal
monthly installments of $118,037.50. Additionally, tenant shall pay the monthly
common area maintenance charge of $6.50 per rental square foot or $368,277.00
per annum, payable in monthly installments of $30,689.75. The first installment
of which shall be payable upon the execution of this Lease, and the remaining
installments of which shall be payable in advance on the first (1st) day of each
month thereafter at the office of Landlord herein designated (or at such other
place as Landlord may designate in a notice to Tenant), without prior demand
therefor and without any setoff, deduction or counterclaim
whatsoever.

(b) Upon
signing this Lease, Tenant shall deposit with the Landlord the sum of
$118,037.50, which shall be retained by the Landlord as security for the
Tenant’s payment of Rent and performance of all of its obligations under the
provisions of this lease. On the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined
herein), the Landlord shall be entitled, at its sole discretion, to (i) apply
any or all of such sum in payment of any Rent then due and unpaid, any expense
incurred by the Landlord in curing any such default, and/or any damages incurred
by the Landlord by reason of such default (including but not limited to
reasonable attorneys’ fees), in which event Tenant shall immediately restore the
amount so applied, and/or (ii) to retain any or all of such sum in liquidation
of any or all damages suffered by the Landlord by reason of such default.
However, the foregoing shall not serve in any event to limit the rights,
remedies and damages accruing to the Landlord in any provision of this Lease on
account of default by Tenant. The security deposit shall not be applied to the
last month’s installment of Rent; rather, upon the termination of this Lease,
any of such security deposit then remaining shall be returned to the Tenant.
Such security deposit shall not bear interest while being held by the Landlord
hereunder. 

(c)
 Tenant
shall pay as additional rent (“Additional Rent”) all such other amounts as shall
become due and payable by Tenant to Landlord under this Lease. Except as
specified elsewhere in this Lease, Additional Rent shall be paid by Tenant with
the next monthly installment of Minimum Rent falling due upon receipt of an
itemized statement. Landlord shall have the same remedies for default in the
payment of Additional Rent as are available to Landlord in the case of default
in the payment of Minimum Rent. (Hereinafter, the term “Rent” shall collectively
refer to Minimum Rent and Additional Rent.) 

 

(d) If the
Term of this Lease begins on a date other than the first day of a month, Rent
from such other date to the first day of the following month shall be prorated
at the rate of one-thirtieth (1/30th) of the fixed monthly rental for each day,
payable in advance.

4. Landlord’s
Costs.

(a)
 With the
commencement of the Lease, and continuing for each subsequent calendar year or
portion thereof during the Term, Tenant agrees to pay Landlord as Additional
Rent, Tenant’s Pro Rata Share (as hereinafter defined) of the Landlord’s Costs
(as hereinafter defined).

(b) For
purpose of this Lease:

(i) “Tenant’s
Pro Rata Share” shall mean 11.88% representing the ratio that the rentable area
of the Demised Premises (i.e., 56,658 rentable square feet) bears to the total
rentable area in the Building (i.e., 476,915 rentable square feet).

   (ii) “Landlord’s
Costs” shall mean the sum of Taxes and Assessments and Operating
Expenses.

   (iii) “Taxes
and Assessments” shall mean all taxes, assessments and governmental charges
(including personal property and real estate taxes), whether federal, state,
county or municipal, and whether they be by taxing districts or authorities
presently taxing the Property or by others subsequently created, and any other
taxes and assessments (including franchise taxes) attributable to the Property
or its operation, whether or not directly paid by Landlord, excluding, however,
federal and state taxes on income (unless such income taxes replace, in whole or
in part, real estate taxes). Taxes and Assessments shall be the amount due in
cash for any year and shall not be determined on an accrual or fiscal year
basis. It is agreed that Tenant shall be responsible for ad valorem taxes on
its personal property.

    (iv) Commencing
after the calendar year in which the Commencement Date falls, Tenant shall pay
to Landlord in each year of the Term a Pro Rata Share of the amount by which the
Operating Expenses other than those charges covered in paragraph 3A and
denominated as “common area maintenance charge”(defined below) for each such
year exceed the Base Operating Expenses (defined below). “Operating Expenses”
shall mean all expenses, costs and disbursements of every kind and nature
incurred in conjunction with the ownership, management, maintenance, repair and
operation of the Building and Property, including but not limited to the
following: (1) cost of wages and salaries of all employees engaged in the
operation and maintenance of the Building and surrounding grounds and common
areas, including but not limited to payroll taxes, insurance and benefits; (2)
cost of all supplies and materials used in the operation, maintenance and repair
of the Building and all other portions of the Property; (3) cost of all
utilities (including surcharges) including but not limited to water, sewer, HVAC
Facilities Charges electricity and gas for both the rentable space and common
areas of the Building; (4) costs incurred under all maintenance and service
agreements for the Building, including but not limited to access control, energy
management services, window cleaning, elevator maintenance, janitorial service
and landscaping; (5) cost of insurance relating to all of such property,
including but not limited to the cost of casualty and liability insurance; (7)
property management fees and expenses; (8) cost of audit and accounting services
solely for the Property; (9) the costs of any repairs, replacements or capital
improvements required or made necessary by law or changes in law; (10) cost of
any capital improvements made to the Building that, in the Landlord’s reasonable
judgment, will reduce other operating expenses or increase energy efficiency;
(11) cost of any licenses or permits required by any public authority; (12) all
real property taxes, assessments, sewer rates, ad valorem charges, rents and
charges, front foot benefit charges, all other governmental impositions in the
nature of any of the foregoing, and all costs and expenses (including attorneys’
fees and court costs or other proceedings) incurred in contesting property tax
assessments or any other such governmental impositions. For the purposes of this
provision, operating Expenses shall not include (a) the cost of capital
improvements (except as expressly provided above), (b) the cost of tenant
improvements within tenant spaces, (c) ground rent or debt service, or (d)
depreciation. The “Base Operating Expenses” shall be defined in the form of an
Expense Stop equal to $6.50 per rentable square foot (the “Expense Stop”).
Operating Expenses applicable during any calendar year during the Term of this
lease that exceed the Expense Stop will be billed to the Tenant as Additional
Rent. Tenant shall not be entitled to any credit or rebate in the event
Operating Expenses in any one-year during the term are lower than the Expense
Stop, unless Landlord has offered another Office Space tenant a lesser
amount.

 

(c) Landlord
shall endeavor to give to Tenant, on or before the first day of April of each
year, a written statement prepared by Landlord setting forth the increase, if
any, in the Additional Rent payable by Tenant hereunder; provided, however that
Landlord’s failure to give such statement by said date shall not constitute a
waiver by Landlord of its right to require an increase in Additional Rent. An
amount equal to 110% of any such increase shall be used as an estimate of the
increase in Additional Rent for the then current year. The amount of the
estimate shall be divided into twelve (12) equal monthly installments, and
Tenant shall pay to Landlord concurrently with the regular Minimum Rent payment
next due following the receipt of such statement, an amount equal to one (1)
monthly installment multiplied by the number of months from January in the
calendar year in which said statement is submitted to the month of such payment,
both months inclusive. Subsequent installments shall be payable concurrently
with the regular Minimum Rent payments for the balance of that calendar year,
and shall continue until the next year’s statement is rendered. If during the
next or any succeeding year the actual increase exceeds the estimated increase
in Additional Rent, then upon receipt of a statement thereof from Landlord,
Tenant shall pay a lump sum equal to the difference between the actual increase
and the total of the monthly installments of estimated increases paid in the
previous calendar year for which comparison is then being made. If in any year
the estimated increase shall exceed the actual increase, then Landlord shall
provide Tenant with a credit toward the next installment of Minimum Rent in an
amount equal to the difference between the estimated increase and the actual
increase. Upon termination of this Lease, any money owed by one party to the
other shall be promptly paid. The foregoing obligation shall survive the
termination or expiration of this Lease. Failure of Landlord to provide the
timely written statements, on three separate occasions, setting forth the
increase shall constitute waiver. Upon each failure of Landlord to provide said
statement, Tenant must provide written notification of such failure, and provide
Landlord 30 days to cure default.

(d) Each
statement provided by Landlord pursuant to this Section shall be conclusive and
binding upon Tenant unless, within thirty (30) days after receipt of the
statement, Tenant shall notify Landlord that it disputes the correctness of the
statement, specifying the respects in which Tenant considers the statement to be
incorrect. If Landlord and Tenant are unable to resolve the dispute, Tenant
shall then have the right to inspect Landlord’s books and records relating to
the statement. Landlord agrees to cooperate and make the books and records
available for Tenant inspection, upon prior written notification from Tenant
giving Landlord 30 days to comply. Pending determination of the dispute, Tenant
shall pay, within ten (10) days after notice thereof, any amounts due from
Tenant in accordance with the statement, but such payment shall be without
prejudice to Tenant’s position.

5. Annual
Adjustment to Rent.
Commencing on the first (1st) anniversary of the Lease Commencement Date, and on
each such anniversary thereafter during the Term (each of such dates being
hereinafter referred to as “Adjustment Date”), the Minimum Rent shall be
increased by an amount equal to the product of (i) the Minimum Rent in effect
immediately preceding the Adjustment Date then at hand (disregarding any rental
concessions or abatements then in effect), and (ii) CPI not to exceed three
percent (3%). The Minimum Rent, as adjusted, shall be due and payable as of such
Adjustment Date and on the first (1st) day of each month thereafter until the
next Adjustment Date or the end of the Term, as applicable.

6. Past
Due Rent and Late Charges. Each
payment of Rent shall be made promptly when due, without any demand, deduction
or setoff whatsoever, at the place directed by the Landlord. Any payment of Rent
not made when due shall, at Landlord’s sole option, bear interest at the rate of
18% per annum from the due date until paid. Additionally, any payment of Rent
not paid within 10 days of when due shall be considered delinquent and subject
to a late payment charge, for each occurrence of delinquency, of 5% of the
amount overdue and payable. This late payment shall be in addition to the
interest provided for above and shall be due and payable with the next
succeeding Rent payment. The obligation to pay Rent shall survive the
termination of the Lease. 

 

7. Use of
Demised Premises. Tenant
shall continuously use and occupy the Demised Premises solely for providing
financial services and products subject to, and in accordance with, all
applicable zoning and other governmental regulations. Tenant shall not abandon
or substantially abandon the Demised Premises. Tenant shall not obstruct,
interfere or conflict with the rights of other tenants, nor perform or fail to
perform any action which would conflict with the fire laws or regulations, or
with any insurance policy for the Property, or with any local, state or federal
statutes, rules or regulations now existing or subsequently enacted, nor shall
Tenant use or permit the Demised Premises (or any part thereof) to be used for
any disorderly, unlawful or hazardous purposes, or for any purpose other than
that specified herein. Tenant shall not generate trash or other refuse in form
different, or quantity greater, than customarily generated by a normal office
use for an area the size of the Demised Premises.

8. Common
Area. All
common areas and facilities not within the Demised Premises which Tenant is
hereby permitted to use are to be used and occupied under a revocable license,
on a non-exclusive basis in common with other tenants and their respective
employees, agents and invitees; and if the amount of such areas shall be
diminished, Landlord shall not be subject to any liability nor shall Tenant be
entitled to any compensation or diminution or abatement of Rent, nor shall such
diminution of such areas be deemed constructive or actual eviction; provided
however, that such diminution shall not impair ingress or egress nor impair
Tenant’s ability to conduct business in the ordinary manner.

9. Parking. Parking
for the Property includes the non-exclusive right to use 310 spaces in the
surface parking areas as directed by Landlord. Additionally, Tenant may use 50
parking spaces in the executive parking surface lot adjacent to the Building.
The parking areas and surface lot are referred to as the “Parking Facilities.”
The use of the Parking Facilities by Tenant, and Tenant’s employees, visitors,
invitees and licensees, shall be at their sole risk and expense, and in no event
shall Landlord have any liability for damage, to or theft or loss of, property
of Tenant or of Tenant’s employees, visitors, invitees or licensees sustained in
or about the Parking Facilities. The Parking Facilities shall be subject to
reasonable rules and regulations governing the use thereof, a copy, which is
attached hereto as Exhibit E. Tenant agrees to keep, observe and comply with all
such rules and regulations, and will direct and require its employees, visitors,
invitees and licensees to comply therewith. No one is authorized to accept
possession of any vehicle from Tenant or from Tenant’s employees, visitors,
invitees or licensees, or to accept custody of any articles from
Tenant.

10. Subletting
and Assignment. Other
than to it’s wholly owned subsidiaries and affiliates, Tenant shall not sublet
the Demised Premises or any part thereof, nor transfer possession or occupancy
thereof to any person, firm or corporation, nor transfer or assign this Lease,
without the prior written consent of Landlord, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed, nor shall any subletting or assignment hereof
be effected by operation of law or otherwise without the prior written consent
of Landlord, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. If
Tenant is a non-public corporation, any transfer of a majority of Tenant’s
issued and outstanding capital stock shall be deemed an assignment under this
Section. If Tenant is a partnership, any transfer of any interest in the
partnership or other change in the composition of the partnership which results
in a change in the management of Tenant from the person(s) managing the
partnership on the date hereof shall be deemed an assignment under this Section.
In the event Tenant desires to assign this Lease or sublet all or any portion of
the Demised Premises, Tenant shall give to Landlord thirty (30) days prior
written notice of Tenant’s intention to do so. Within thirty (30) days after
receipt of said notice, Landlord shall have the right to sublet the Demised
Premises from Tenant at the same Minimum Rent and Additional Rent stipulated
herein. In the event Landlord has not exercised its right to sublet the Demised
Premises as provided above in this paragraph, Tenant may assign this Lease or
sublet all or a portion of the Demised Premises as set forth in the notice after
first obtaining the written consent of Landlord, as aforesaid, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. If Tenant does not so assign or
sublet within sixty (60) days of the original notice to Landlord pursuant to
this paragraph, then Tenant shall again be required to comply with the notice
provision hereof, and Landlord shall again have the right to sublet. The consent
by Landlord to any assignment or subletting by Tenant to another party shall not
be construed as a waiver or release of Tenant from the terms of any covenant or
obligation under this Lease, nor shall the collection or acceptance of rent from
any such assignee or subtenant constitute a waiver or release of Tenant from any
covenant or obligation contained in this Lease, nor shall any such assignment or
subletting relieve Tenant from the requirement to give Landlord thirty (30) days
prior written notice or from obtaining Landlord’s prior written consent to any
future assignment or subletting. Tenant shall pay as Additional Rent all costs
including reasonable attorney’s fees, incurred by Landlord, in connection with
the approving and documenting any subletting/or assignment. In the event of a
default of Tenant under Section 26, Tenant hereby assigns to Landlord the rent
due from any subtenant of Tenant, and hereby authorizes each such subtenant to
pay said rent directly to Landlord. Such assignment shall cease upon the curing
of the default.

 

11. Upkeep
of Demised Premises and Surrender.

(a)
 Tenant
shall keep the Demised Premises and the fixtures and equipment therein in a
clean, safe and sanitary condition, shall take good care thereof and shall
permit no waste or injury thereto. Tenant shall make all repairs to the Demised
Premises necessitated by the acts or omissions of Tenant, or its agents,
employees, contractors, licensees or invitees.

(b) Tenant
shall, at the expiration or termination of the Term of this Lease, surrender and
deliver the Demised Premises to Landlord broom clean, and in the same order and
condition as the same now is or shall be in at the commencement of the Term
together with all equipment and built-ins such as refrigerator, microwave oven,
and cabinets, ordinary wear and tear and casualties for which Tenant is not
responsible hereunder excepted. Upon the expiration or termination of this
Lease, Landlord shall have the right to re-enter and resume possession of the
Demised Premises.

12. Alterations.

(a)
 The
Landlord shall have the right to perform all Premises Work (as hereinafter
defined) reasonably requested by Tenant, at Tenant’s expense under the
conditions as defined in Section 12d below, during the Term of the Lease. Tenant
understands and agrees that any work requiring a building permit will
necessitate preparation of drawings and Tenant agrees to pay for same, including
the cost of the building permit. The Landlord shall charge Tenant a fee equal to
ten percent (10%) of the total cost of alterations in the event it elects to
perform said work. In the event that Landlord does not elect to perform said
Premises Work, then Tenant shall obtain Landlord’s prior written consent, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, prior to performing any
Premises Work and shall use contractors that are reasonably acceptable to
Landlord. Tenant shall provide such drawings, plans and specifications as are
requested by Landlord in reviewing any such proposed improvements. If Landlord
consents to such Premises Work, it shall be made at Tenant’s sole cost and
expense and at such time and in such manner so as to not unreasonably interfere
with the use and enjoyment of the Building by any other tenant. Tenant
shall not make any alteration, addition or improvement to the Premises, whether
structural or nonstructural, without Landlord’s prior written consent, which
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Tenant shall provide such
drawings, plans and specifications as are requested by Landlord in reviewing any
such proposed improvements. If Landlord consents to any such proposed
alteration, addition or improvement, it shall be made at Tenant’s sole cost and
expense and at such time and in such manner as to not unreasonably interfere
with the use and enjoyment of the remainder of the Premises by any other tenant
or other person. Landlord may, as a condition of granting its consent or
approval hereunder, require Tenant to post such payment and performance bonds as
Landlord deems reasonable to protect Landlord, any Mortgagee, and the Premises.
In making any alteration, addition or improvement to the Premises, Tenant shall
use materials equal or exceeding in quality and kind the original construction,
as certified by the architect who designed the Premises or by such other
architect as is designated by Landlord. All such alterations, additions and
improvements shall be performed (a) in a good and workmanlike manner; (b) in
accordance with all applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited
to the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act); (c) in accordance with all
applicable insurance requirements and requirements of any Mortgagee; and (d) in
accordance with the drawings, plans and specifications approved by Landlord. All
work performed by Tenant shall be subject to Landlord’s inspection and approval
to determine whether it complies with the requirements of this Lease. Prior to
the commencement of any such work by Tenant, Tenant shall obtain all necessary
endorsements to the insurance required by Section 22 hereof to be sure the same
covers the performance of such work. Furthermore, Tenant shall defend, indemnify
and hold harmless Landlord from and against any and all damages, losses or
liability arising from such alterations or improvements or the construction
thereof by Tenant, its agents, servants, invitees and employees other than
Landlord. For
purposes hereof, the term “Premises Work” shall mean the following: any
construction, repair, refurbishment or restoration, including without
limitation, tenant improvements, build-out, alterations, additions,
improvements, renovations, repairs, remodeling, painting and installations of
fixtures, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, data, security, telecommunications,
low voltage or elevator equipment or systems or other equipment, or with respect
to any other construction work in or to the Demised Premises.

 

(b) All
alterations, installations, fixtures, changes, replacements, additions or
improvements, including wall-to-wall carpet, within the Demised Premises shall,
at the election of Landlord, remain upon the Demised Premises and be surrendered
with the Demised Premises at the expiration or termination of the Lease without
disturbance, molestation or injury. Should Landlord elect that alterations,
installations, changes, replacements, additions to or improvements made by
Landlord at Tenant’s request after the commencement of the Term be removed upon
the expiration or termination of this Lease, then Landlord shall so notify
Tenant at the time Tenant requests such alterations and Landlord, at Tenant’s
expense, shall remove the same and shall restore the Demised Premises to their
original condition. The cost of such removal and restoration shall be deemed to
be Additional Rent.

(c) If during
the Term of this Lease, Tenant, with or without the consent of Landlord, shall
make any improvements or alterations to the Demised Premises, any mechanic’s
lien is filed against the Demised Premises or the Property for work or material
claimed to have been done for or furnished to Tenant, such mechanic’s lien shall
be discharged by Tenant within ten (10) days thereafter or action seeking its
dismissal, at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, by payment thereof or by posting
such bond or paying such amount as will effect a release of such lien. If Tenant
shall fail to discharge or obtain the release of any such mechanic’s lien,
Landlord may, at its option, discharge or release the same and treat the cost
thereof (including reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by Landlord) as
Additional Rent payable with the monthly installment of Minimum Rent next
becoming due; and such discharge or release by Landlord shall not be deemed to
waive the default of Tenant in not discharging or releasing the same. Tenant
shall indemnify and hold Landlord and the holders of any mortgages or deeds of
trust on the Property harmless from and against any and all expenses, liens,
claims or damages to person or property, which may arise by reason of Tenant
having made any alterations.

(d.) All
costs and expenses of designing and constructing improvements and alterations to
the Demised Premises as outlined in Exhibit
B and
described in this section shall be paid as follows:

 (i)
Regardless of whether the Space Improvements (i.e., Premises Work) are being
constructed by Landlord or by Tenant, Landlord shall provide and pay an
allowance (the “Allowance”) of $25 per rentable square foot of the Premises
towards (1.) the costs of designing the space plan in Exhibit
B and all
of the plans and specifications for the Space Improvements, including mechanical
and electrical drawings and (2.) the costs of constructing the Space
Improvements, including but not limited to all fees, costs and expenses paid
under construction contracts and subcontracts, construction managers’ fees,
costs and expenses, the cost of materials, supplies, permits and other items and
any other out-of-pocket expenditures incurred in any connection with such
construction. Such Allowance shall not be paid for any other costs or purposes.
Tenant shall pay any and all costs of designing and constructing the Space
Improvements, which are in excess of the Allowance.

(ii) If
the Space Improvements are to be constructed by Landlord, Tenant shall pay to
Landlord the amount by which the total costs to Landlord of designing and
constructing the Space Improvements exceeds the Allowance within 15 days after
receiving Landlord’s written statement of such costs. Tenant shall, prior to
Landlord’s beginning construction of the improvements, provide a bond, letter of
credit or other security satisfactory to Landlord or Tenant’s performance of the
foregoing obligation in the event the costs of the Space Improvements (including
any modifications requested by Tenant) are significant in the estimation of
Landlord. Tenant shall provide this required security within 15 days after
request by Landlord.

(iii) If
the Space Improvements are to be constructed by Tenant, Landlord shall disburse
the Allowance in portions (but not more frequently than once per month) to pay
for completed work, and directly to the professionals, contractors and other
parties performing the work upon presentation for each disbursement of (1.) a
requisition substantially in the form of AIA Requisition Forms G702 and G703,
including a description of all completed work for which payment is requested,
the amount requested with a breakdown by each trade comprising the work, and the
percentage of the entire project completed after taking into account all such
work, (2.) approval by Landlord’s construction manager or other designated
person of the requisition, (3.) conditional lien waivers from all parties for
whom such payment is requested releasing all liens which may arise on account of
the work performed by such parties to the date of the request for payment, and
(4.) unconditional lien waivers covering all work up to and including the
immediate preceding payment. Withheld from each disbursement shall be the
applicable retainage, not to be less than 10% as provided, which retainage shall
be paid and disbursed upon (1.) completion of the Space Improvements as required
by the applicable contract(s), (2.) delivery of unconditional lien waivers as
described above for all work comprising the improvements, and (3.) issuance of a
certificate of occupancy or other applicable approval by the local authorities
permitting occupancy of the Demised Premises by Tenant for
business.

 

 

(iv)
 If the
Space Improvements are to be constructed by Landlord, Landlord shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to complete such improvements on or before the
Target Date (i.e., date of completion as agreed to be Tenant and Landlord), but
Landlord shall have no liability to the Tenant hereunder if prevented from doing
so due to strike or other labor troubles, governmental restrictions, failure or
shortage of utility service, national or local emergency, accident, flood, fire
or other casualty, adverse weather condition, other act of God, inability to
obtain a building permit or a certificate of occupancy, or any other cause
beyond Landlord’s reasonable control. In such event, the Commencement Date and
Expiration Date shall be postponed for a period equaling the length of such
delay, but in no event beyond. However, if any delay in completion of the Space
Improvements or in delivering possession of the Premises to Tenant are caused by
Tenant, all terms herein shall be effective and binding, on that date reasonably
calculated by Landlord or it’s contractor as the date on which Landlord would
have substantially completed the Space Improvements if not for such
delay.

13. Floor
Loading.
Landlord shall have the right to prescribe the weight, method of installation
and position of safes or other heavy fixtures or equipment. Tenant shall not
install in the Demised Premises any fixtures, equipment or machinery that shall
place a load upon any floor exceeding the floor load per square foot of area
which the floor was designed to carry. Tenant agrees that all damage done to the
Property by taking in or removing a safe or any other article of Tenant’s
equipment, or due to its being in the Demised Premises, shall be repaired at the
expense of Tenant. No freight furniture or other bulky matter of any kind shall
be received on the Property or carried in the elevators, except as approved by
Landlord, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed (who shall
in no event be responsible for any damage to or charges for moving the same).
Tenant agrees promptly to remove from the public area any of Tenant’s property
there delivered or deposited. The floor load per square foot area is 100
pounds.

14. Tenant’s
Equipment.

(a)
Tenant shall not install or operate in the Demised Premises (i) any electrically
operated equipment or other machinery, other than, typewriters, personal
computers with low electrical consumption, adding machines, copying machines and
such other electrically operated office machinery and equipment normally used in
general office space; or (ii) any electrically operated equipment or other
machinery using more than 120 volts, without first obtaining the prior written
consent of Landlord. Such consent by Landlord may be conditioned upon the
payment by Tenant of Additional Rent in compensation for such excess consumption
of electricity and for the cost of installation and maintenance of additional
wiring and/or submeters as may be necessitated by said equipment or machinery.
Landlord hereby consents to the installation of a computer room in the Demised
Premises provided that the Tenant pays the costs set forth in the preceding
sentences and complies with the requirements of the remainder of this Section
14. Tenant shall not install any other equipment of any kind or nature which may
necessitate any changes, replacements, additions to, or use of, the water,
heating, air conditioning, plumbing or electrical systems of the Property,
without first obtaining the prior written consent of Landlord, which may be
given or withheld in Landlord’s sole and absolute discretion. Permitted
machinery and equipment belonging to Tenant which cause noise or vibrations that
may be transmitted to any part of the Property to such a degree as to be
objectionable to Landlord or to any tenant of the Property shall be installed
and maintained by Tenant, at Tenant’s expense, on vibration eliminators or other
devices sufficient to eliminate such noise and vibrations.

 

(b) Maintenance
and repair of equipment such as kitchen fixtures, separate air conditioning
equipment, or any other type of special equipment or lighting, whether installed
by Tenant or by Landlord on behalf of Tenant, shall be the sole responsibility
of Tenant, and Landlord shall have no obligation in connection
therewith.

15. Notice
of Defects. Tenant
shall give Landlord prompt notice of any defects or breakage in the structure,
equipment or fixtures of the Demised Premises or Property.

16. Liability.

(a)
Landlord assumes no liability or responsibility whatsoever with respect to the
conduct and operation of the business to be conducted in the Demised Premises.
Landlord shall not be liable for any accident or injury to any person(s) or
property in or about the Demised Premises or the Property which are caused by
the conduct and operation of Tenant’s business or by virtue of equipment or
property of Tenant in the Demised Premises. 

(b) Landlord
shall not be liable for any accident or damage caused by electric light or
wires, or any accident or damage which may occur through the operation of
elevators, heating, air conditioning, lighting or plumbing apparatus, or any
accident or injury occurring in connection with the Property and its services
unless caused by Landlord’s negligence. All personal property of Tenant in the
Demised Premises or on the Property shall be at the sole risk of Tenant.
Landlord shall not be liable for loss or damage to property of Tenant caused by
rain, snow, water or steam that may leak into or flow from any part of the
Property through any defects in the roof or plumbing or from any other source,
including but not limited to acts or omissions of other tenants or occupants of
the Building or persons using the Property. It is understood and agreed that
Tenant covenants to save Landlord and the holders of any mortgages or deeds of
trust on the Property harmless and indemnified from all loss, damage, liability
or expense (including, without limitation, court costs and reasonable attorneys’
fees) incurred by reason of Tenant’s neglect in its use of the Demised Premises
or the Property or any part thereof including the use of the water, steam,
electric or other systems, and from all injury, loss or damage to any person or
party upon the Demised Premises.

(c) All
injury to the Demised Premises or the Property caused by moving the property of
Tenant into or out of the Property, and all breakage done by Tenant, or the
agents, servants, employees or visitors of Tenant, shall be promptly repaired by
Landlord, at Tenant’s expense. Landlord shall have the right to make such
necessary repairs, alterations and replacements (structural, non-structural or
otherwise) and any charge or cost so incurred by Landlord shall be paid by
Tenant and shall be considered Additional Rent payable with the installment of
Minimum Rent next becoming due under this Lease. This provision shall be
construed as an additional remedy granted to Landlord and not in limitation of
any other rights and remedies which Landlord may have in said
circumstances.

(d)
 Tenant
shall indemnify Landlord and its agents and employees, and the holders of any
mortgages or deeds of trust on the Property, and save them harmless from and
against any and all claims, actions, damages, liabilities and expense
(including, without limitation, court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees) in
connection with loss of life, personal injury or damage to property arising from
or out of any occurrence in, upon or at the Demised Premises, or the occupancy
or use by Tenant of the Demised Premises, or any part thereof, or occasioned
wholly or in part by any act or omission of Tenant, its agents, contractors,
employees, servants, permitted subtenants, licensees or invitees, or resulting
from any default, breach, violation or non-performance of this Lease by Tenant.
In the event that Landlord or its agents and employees shall, without fault on
their part, be made a party to any litigation commenced by or against Tenant,
then Tenant shall defend and hold Landlord and the holders of any mortgages or
deeds of trust on the Property harmless and shall pay all costs, expenses and
reasonable attorney’s fees incurred or paid in connection with such litigation.
Tenant shall pay, satisfy and discharge any and all judgments, orders and
decrees which may be recovered against Landlord in connection with the
foregoing. 

17. Signs. Other
than the agreed upon signage on the top of the building, Tenant agrees that no
sign, advertisement or notice shall be inscribed, painted or affixed on any part
of the outside or inside of the Demised Premises or the Property, except on the
directories and adjacent to the doors of the offices, and then only in such
size, color and style as Landlord in its discretion shall approve. Landlord
shall have the right to prohibit any sign, advertisement or notice on the
Property of Tenant which in the Landlord’s opinion tends to impair the
reputation of the Property or its desirability as a building for general
offices, or for use by financial, insurance or other institutions and businesses
of like nature, and, upon written notice from Landlord, Tenant shall refrain
from and discontinue such advertisement and Landlord, in addition to its other
remedies for default hereunder, shall have the right to remove the same, and
Tenant shall be liable for any and all costs and expenses incurred by Landlord
to effect said removal. 

 

18. Ordinances,
Regulations, and Rules.

(a)
 Tenant
shall, at Tenant’s cost, promptly comply with and carry out all orders,
requirements or conditions now or hereafter imposed upon Tenant by the
ordinances, laws, or regulations of local, state or federal governments, or by
any of their various departments or agencies, whether required of Landlord or
otherwise to be done or performed during the Term of this Lease, insofar as they
are occasioned by or required for the conduct of business by Tenant or Tenant’s
occupancy of the Demised Premises. Tenant shall indemnify, defend and save
Landlord and the holders of any mortgages or deeds of trust on the Property
harmless from all penalties, claims, demands and judgments resulting from
failure or negligence in this respect.

(b) Tenant,
its agents, employees, contractors, licensees or invitees, shall abide by and
observe the rules and regulations set forth below and such other reasonable
rules and regulations as may be promulgated from time to time for the operation
and maintenance of the Property and the Parking Facilities, provided a copy
thereof is sent to Tenant 30 days prior to its effective date. Nothing contained
in this Lease shall be construed to impose upon Landlord any duty or obligation
to enforce such rules and regulations, or the terms, conditions or covenants
contained in any other lease, and Landlord shall not be liable to Tenant for
violation of the same by any other tenant, its employees, agents or
invitees.

(i) The
sidewalks, entries, passages, elevators, public corridors, staircases and other
parts of the Property which are not occupied by Tenant shall not be obstructed
or used for any purpose other than ingress and egress.

(ii) Tenant
shall not install or permit the installation of any awnings, shades or the like
other than those approved by Landlord in writing.

(iii)
Other than that required by any regulatory agency, no additional locks shall be
placed upon any doors of the Demised Premises; and the doors leading to the
corridors or main halls shall be kept closed during business hours except for
ingress and egress.

(iv) Tenant
shall keep all areas visible through glass entry doors neat, clean, attractive
and aesthetically in keeping with professional office suites.

(v) Tenant
shall not construct, maintain, use or operate within the Demised Premises or
elsewhere on the Property any equipment or machinery which produces music, sound
or noise which is audible beyond the Demised Premises.

(vi) Electric
and telephone distribution boxes and air conditioning equipment must remain
accessible at all times.

(vii) Bicycles,
motor scooters or any other types of vehicle shall not be brought into the lobby
or elevators or into the Demised Premises.

(viii) Tenant
shall not install or authorize the installation of any coin-operated vending
machines except within the Demised Premises.

(ix) No
animals of any kind shall be brought into or kept about the Building by any
tenant.

19. Environmental.

(a)
Tenant’s use and occupancy of the Demised Premises shall at all times be in
strict compliance with any and all federal, state and local statutes, laws,
rules, regulations, orders, ordinances and standards, as they may now or
hereafter exist, relating in any way to the protection of the environment, such
as, but not limited to, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation
and Liability Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Sections 9601, et seq.
(“CERCLA”), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C.
Sections 6901, et seq.
(“RCRA”), the Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. Sections 2601,
et seq., the
Clean Water Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. Sections 1251, et seq., the
Clean Air Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Sections 7401, et seq., and
analogous state statutes, and regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively,
“Environmental Laws”).

 

(b)
 In the
event of any Release (as hereinafter defined) or threat of a Release or the
presence of any Hazardous Substance (as hereinafter defined) affecting the
Demised Premises or surrounding areas, Tenant shall immediately notify Landlord
in writing thereof, and, to the extent that such Release or presence of any
Hazardous Substance shall have been caused by Tenant, or its agents, employees,
contractors, licensees or invitees, then Tenant shall immediately take all
measures necessary to contain, remove and dispose off the Demised Premises, or
surrounding areas, all such materials present or released or contaminated by the
Release, and shall remedy and mitigate, at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, all
threats to public health or the environment relating to such presence or Release
or threat of Release. If Tenant shall fail to take the measures described above
or fail to comply with any of the requirements of any Environmental Laws,
Landlord may, at its election, but without the obligation to do so, give such
notice and/or cause such work to be performed at the Demised Premises or
surrounding areas, as applicable, and/or take any and all other actions as
Landlord shall deem necessary to restore the Demised Premises or surrounding
areas, as applicable, to the original condition existing as of the date of this
Lease. Such actions by Landlord do not affect, nor cause to be waived, any of
Tenant’s obligations under the Lease, nor cure any default by Tenant.

(c)
 Tenant
shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless Landlord from and against any and all
claims, liens, suits, actions, debts, damages, costs, losses (including, without
limitation, any loss of value of, loss of use of, or loss of income from, the
Demised Premises or the Property), liabilities, obligations, judgments and
expenses (including, without limitation, court costs and attorneys’ fees),
arising from or relating to any of the following occurrences caused by the acts
or omissions of Tenant, its agents, employees, contractors, licensees or
invitees: (i) a failure to comply with any Environmental Laws, or (ii) a
Release, threat of a Release or the presence of any Hazardous Substance
affecting the Demised Premises or surrounding areas. Tenant’s obligations under
this Lease shall arise whether or not any governmental authority or individual
has taken or threatened to take any action in connection with the presence of
any Hazardous Substance. 

(d)
 As used
herein, the term “Hazardous Substance” shall mean any material that is or
contains “hazardous substances” as defined pursuant to CERCLA or “petroleum” as
defined pursuant to RCRA, or other material or substance that requires special
handling by Federal, state or local law, or industry practice, without regard to
the quantity or location of such material. The term Hazardous Substances shall
include building materials and building components including, without
limitation, asbestos contained in or comprising building materials or building
components. The term “Release” shall have the same meaning as set forth in
Section 101(22) of CERCLA.

(e)
 Tenant
will not engage in operations during the Term or any extension or renewal
thereof which involve the generation, manufacturing, refining, transportation,
treatment, storage, disposal or handling of any Hazardous Substance, except that
office equipment and cleaning solutions that are customarily found in
first-class office buildings and which are or contain a Hazardous Substance may
be used, generated, handled or stored on the Demised Premises, provided such is
incident to and reasonably necessary for the operation and maintenance of the
Demised Premises as permitted pursuant to the terms of this Lease and is in
compliance with applicable laws. Tenant shall not cause or allow a Release of a
Hazardous Substance or solid waste in, on or under the Property. 

(f)
 Tenant
agrees to permit Landlord and its authorized representatives to enter, inspect
and assess the Demised Premises at reasonable times for the purpose of
determining Tenant’s compliance with the provisions of this Section of the
Lease. Such inspections and assessments may include obtaining samples and
performing tests of building materials, soil, surface water, groundwater or
other media.

 

 

(g) Tenant
shall not install, apply, or otherwise use or introduce asbestos or any
substance containing asbestos in or about the Demised Premises. In the event
that asbestos is located in the Building, Tenant shall comply with any
Operations and Maintenance Program adopted by Landlord in connection therewith.

(h) This
entire Section 19 shall survive expiration or termination of the
Lease.

20. Entry
for Repairs and Inspections.

(a)
 Tenant
shall permit Landlord, or its representatives, to enter the Demised Premises at
all reasonable times, without diminution of the Minimum Rent payable by Tenant,
to examine, inspect and protect the same, and to make such alterations and/or
repairs as Landlord may deem necessary or desirable, or to exhibit the same to
prospective tenants, mortgagees or purchasers.

(b) If Tenant
refuses or neglects, after a request by Landlord, to repair the Demised Premises
as required hereunder to the reasonable satisfaction of Landlord as soon as is
reasonably possible, Landlord may, after written notice to Tenant (except in an
emergency), make such repairs without liability to Tenant for any loss or damage
that may occur to Tenant’s merchandise, fixtures or other property, or to
Tenant’s business as a result thereof, and upon completion thereof, Tenant shall
pay, as Additional Rent, the cost incurred by Landlord to make such repairs,
plus twenty percent (20%) for overhead, upon presentation of a bill
therefore.

(c) Landlord
shall at all times have an easement and the right to enter in and through the
Demised Premises for installation and maintenance of utility connections and
facilities reasonably necessary to provide services to other portions of the
Property and the common areas; provided, however, that Landlord shall endeavor
to exercise such rights in a manner which will not unreasonably interfere with
the operation of the Tenant’s business.

(d) Landlord’s
entrance upon the Demised Premises pursuant to this paragraph shall not
constitute an eviction of Tenant in whole or in part, and the Minimum Rent and
Additional Rent due hereunder shall in no way abate while said repairs,
alterations, improvements or additions are being made, unless such entrance
prevents Tenant from conducting its business in the Demised
Premises.

21. Services
and Utilities.

(a)
 As long
as Tenant is not in default under any of the provisions in Section 26 of this
Lease, Landlord shall provide the following utilities and services to
Tenant:

(i) Central
heating and cooling, at such temperatures and in such amounts as set forth on
Exhibit B. Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday
from 9:00 a.m. to noon, except on the following holidays: New Year’s Day,
Memorial Day, Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, July 4, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving and Christmas, during such seasons of the year when such services
are normally and usually furnished in comparable office buildings in the
jurisdiction where the Property is located.

(ii) Automatically
operated elevator service from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and at least one (1)
elevator on call at all other times.

(iii)
 Reasonably
adequate electricity, supplied by a supplier selected solely by Landlord, seven
days a week for normal office purposes to furnish sufficient electrical power to
machines of low electrical consumption; provided, however, that Tenant shall
bear the costs occasioned by high electrical consumption machines such as
special copiers and electronic data processing machines (including the air
conditioning costs thereof) and multiple shifts of employees working hours other
than those specified in 22 (a)(i) above. Landlord’s obligation to furnish
electrical and other utility services shall be subject to the rules and
regulations of the supplier of such electricity or other utility services and
the rules and regulations of any municipal or other governmental authority
regulating the business of providing electricity and other utility
services.

(iv)
 Restroom
facilities and lavatory supplies, including hot and cold running water, provided
for the general use of tenants of the Property; and routine maintenance,
painting, and electric lighting service for all public areas and special service
areas of the Property in the manner and to the extent deemed by Landlord to be
standard for comparable office buildings in the jurisdiction where the Property
is located.

 

(b)
 Any
failure by Landlord to furnish the foregoing services shall not render Landlord
liable in any respect for damages to either person or property, nor be construed
as an eviction of Tenant, nor work an abatement of Rent, nor relieve Tenant from
Tenant’s obligations hereunder. If the equipment or machinery should cease to
function properly, Landlord shall use reasonable diligence to repair the
same.

(c) If Tenant
requires air-conditioning, heating or other services routinely supplied by
Landlord for hours or days in addition to the hours and days specified in
Section 21(a)(i) hereof, Landlord shall make reasonable efforts to provide such
additional service after reasonable prior written request therefor from Tenant,
and Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for such additional service at such rates
therefor as may be established by Landlord, and the amount thereof shall be
considered Additional Rent.

(d) Landlord
agrees to grant Tenant permission to install security devices in the demised
premises to limit ingress and egress as required by any regulatory
agency.

22. Insurance.

(a)
 Landlord
agrees to obtain and maintain in effect at all times during the Term of this
Lease fire and extended coverage insurance insuring the Property. Such insurance
shall be issued by an insurance company licensed to do business in the State of
Maryland.

(b) Tenant,
at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, shall obtain and maintain in effect at all
times during the Term of this Lease, policies providing for the following
coverage:

(i) Tenant
shall obtain a policy of insurance covering Tenant’s fixtures and equipment
installed and located in the Demised Premises, and in addition thereto, covering
all of the furnishings, merchandise and other contents in the Demised Premises,
for the full replacement value of said items. Coverage should at least insure
against any and all perils included within the classification “Fire and Extended
Coverage” under insurance industry practice in the State of Maryland, together
with insurance against theft, vandalism, malicious mischief and sprinkler
leakage or other sprinkler damage. Any and all proceeds of such insurance, so
long as the Lease shall remain in effect, shall be used only to repair, replace
or pay for the items so insured.

  (ii) Tenant
shall obtain a comprehensive policy of general liability insurance, naming
Landlord and any mortgagee of the Property as additional insureds, protecting
against any liability occasioned by any occurrence on or about any part of the
Property, including theft, the Demised Premises or appurtenances thereto, and
containing contractual liability coverage, with such policies to be in the
minimum amount of Five Million and 00/100 Dollars ($5,000,000.00), combined
single limit, written on an occurrence basis. In the event that it becomes
customary for a significant number of tenants of commercial office buildings in
the area to be required to provide liability insurance policies to their
landlords with coverage limits higher than the foregoing limits, then Tenant
shall be required on demand of Landlord to obtain insurance policies the limits
of which are not less than the then customary limits.

  (iii) Tenant
shall obtain worker’s compensation or similar insurance affording statutory
coverage and containing statutory limits as required under the local worker’s
compensation or similar statutes.

 

(c) All
insurance policies herein to be procured by Tenant shall (i) be issued by good
and solvent insurance companies licensed to do business in the State of Maryland
and having a rating by the Best Company of A:XII or better; (ii) be written as
primary policy coverage and not contributing with or in excess of any coverage
which Landlord may carry; (iii) insure and name Landlord and any mortgagee of
the property as additional insureds as their respective interests may appear;
and (iv) shall contain an express waiver of any right of subrogation by the
insurance company against Landlord or Landlord’s agents and employees. Neither
the issuance of any insurance policy required hereunder, nor the minimum limits
specified herein with respect to Tenant’s insurance coverage, shall be deemed to
limit or restrict in any way Tenant’s liability arising under or out of this
Lease. At the request of Landlord, with respect to each and every one of the
insurance policies herein required to be procured by Tenant, on or before the
Commencement Date and before any such insurance policy shall expire, Tenant
shall deliver to Landlord a certificate of insurance for each such policy or
renewal thereof, as the case may be, together with evidence of payment of all
applicable premiums. Any insurance required to be carried hereunder may be
carried under a blanket policy covering the Demised Premises and other locations
of Tenant, and if Tenant includes the Demised Premises in such blanket coverage,
Tenant shall deliver to Landlord, as aforesaid a certificate evidencing such
insurance coverage on the Demised Premises. Each insurance policy required to be
carried hereunder by or on behalf of Tenant shall provide (and any certificate
evidencing the existence of each such insurance policy shall certify) that,
unless Landlord shall first have been given thirty (30) days prior written
notice thereof: (i) such insurance policy shall not be canceled and shall
continue in full force and effect, (ii) the insurance carrier shall not, for any
reason whatsoever, fail to renew such insurance policy, and (iii) no material
changes may be made in such insurance policy. The term “insurance policy” as
used herein shall be deemed to include any extensions or renewals of such
insurance policy. In the event that Tenant shall fail promptly to furnish any
insurance coverage hereunder required to be procured by Tenant, Landlord, at its
sole option, shall have the right to obtain the same and pay the premium
therefor for a period not exceeding one (1) year in each instance, and the
premium so paid by Landlord together with an administrative fee of fifteen
percent (15%) of such premium shall be immediately payable by Tenant to Landlord
as Additional Rent.

(d) Tenant
shall not do or permit to be done any act or thing upon the Demised Premises
that will invalidate or be in conflict with fire insurance policies covering the
Property or any part thereof, or fixtures and property therein, or any other
insurance policies or coverage referred to above in this Section; and Tenant
shall promptly comply with all rules, orders, regulations or requirements of the
Insurance Underwriters Code, as amended from time to time, having jurisdiction,
or any similar body, in the case of such fire insurance policies, and shall not
do, or permit anything to be done, in or upon the Demised Premises, or bring or
keep anything therein, which shall increase the rate of fire insurance on the
Property or on any property located therein, or increase the rate or rates of
any other insurance referred to hereinabove applicable to the Property or any
portion thereof. If by reason of failure of Tenant to comply with the provisions
of this Section, the fire insurance rate, or the rate(s) of any other insurance
coverage referred to above, shall at any time be higher than it otherwise would
be, and if Landlord, at such time is obligated to, or has elected to, obtain and
maintain in effect any such insurance coverage, then Tenant shall reimburse
Landlord on demand as Additional Rent for that part of the premiums for any
insurance coverage that shall have been charged because of such violation by
Tenant and which Landlord shall have paid on account of an increase in the
rate(s) in its own policies of insurance. In any action or proceeding wherein
Landlord and Tenant are parties, a schedule or “make-up” of rate(s) for the
Demised Premises issued by the Insurance Underwriters Code, as amended from time
to time, having jurisdiction, or similar body establishing fire insurance rates
for the Demised Premises or Property, in the case of the aforesaid fire
insurance policies, and the respective body or bureau establishing rates in the
case of all of the other aforesaid insurance policies, shall be conclusive
evidence of the facts therein stated.

23. Damage
by Fire or Other Casualty. Tenant
shall give prompt notice to Landlord of any fire or other damage to the Demised
Premises or the Building of which Tenant becomes aware. If (i) twenty percent
(20%) or more of the Demised Premises or the Building shall be damaged by fire
or other casualty, or (ii) any damage to the Demised Premises or Building cannot
reasonably be repaired within ninety (90) days after the damage occurred, or
(iii) any mortgagee of the Demised Premises shall require that the insurance
proceeds under the policies referred to in Section 22 hereof be used to pay down
the mortgage, or (iv) the Demised Premises or Building shall be damaged as a
result of a risk which is not covered by Landlord’s insurance, or (v) less than
one (1) year remains before the expiration of the Term, then Landlord or Tenant
may terminate this Lease by notice given within thirty (30) days after the date
of such damage. In addition, Landlord shall notify Tenant, in writing, within
thirty (30) days after the date the damage occurred, if Landlord has reasonably
determined that it will take more than ninety (90) days from the date the damage
occurred to rebuild the Demised Premises, Tenant shall have the right to
terminate this Lease upon written notice to Landlord delivered not more than
thirty (30) days after Landlord delivers said notice to Tenant. If the Demised
Premises are damaged by fire or other casualty and this Lease is not terminated
pursuant to this Section 23, then all insurance proceeds under the policies
referred to in Section 22 hereof that are recovered on account of any such
damage shall be made available to pay for the cost of repairing such damage,
and, as soon as practicable after such damage occurs, Landlord shall repair or
rebuild the Demised Premises to a condition substantially similar to their
condition immediately prior to such occurrence . However, in no event shall
Landlord be obligated to repair or replace Tenant’s trade fixtures, equipment or
personalty. In the event of any repair or rebuilding pursuant to this Section
23, then an equitable portion of the Rent shall be abated during the existence
of such damage, based upon the portion of the Demised Premises which is rendered
untenantable and the duration thereof. Except as expressly set forth in this
Section 23, Landlord shall not be liable or obligated to Tenant if the Demised
Premises are damaged by fire or other casualty. Tenant hereby waives any and all
rights, other than those expressly set forth herein, that Tenant may have
pursuant to any presently existing or hereafter enacted law, to terminate this
Lease by reason of damage to the Demised Premises by fire or other casualty;
provided, however, Tenant can terminate this Lease Agreement as the result of
the damage substantially impairing the ingress and egress to the Demised
Premises.

 

24.
Condemnation.

(a)
 If the
whole, or substantially the whole, of the Property or the Demised Premises is
taken or condemned by eminent domain or by any conveyance in lieu thereof
(“condemnation”), then the obligations of the Landlord and Tenant hereunder
shall terminate on the earlier to occur of: (i) the date the condemning
authority takes possession, or (ii) the date title vests in the condemning
authority, or (iii) the date the condemning authority obtains an order of Court
of Condemnation.

(b) If any
portion of the Property shall be taken by condemnation (whether or not such
condemnation includes any portion of the Demised Premises), and as a result
thereof, Landlord in its discretion, determines that the Property cannot be
restored in an economically feasible manner for a use substantially similar to
its use immediately prior to such condemnation, than Landlord shall have the
right, without liability to Tenant, upon written notice to Tenant, to terminate
this Lease, with such notice to be given promptly after the Landlord has so
determined. 

(c) If a
portion, but less than substantially the whole, of the Demised Premises shall be
taken by condemnation, then the obligation of Landlord and Tenant hereunder
shall terminate as of the date of such condemnation as to the portion of the
Demised Premises so taken, and unless (i) Landlord elects to terminate this
Lease pursuant to Section 24(b) hereof, or (ii) the Demised Premises shall no
longer be reasonably suitable for the operation of Tenant’s business therein (in
which case this Lease shall terminate with respect to the entirety of the
Demised Premises), whereupon this Lease shall remain in full force and effect
with respect to the remainder of the Demised Premises.

(d) If the
obligations of Landlord and Tenant are terminated as provided above, the Rent
payable hereunder shall be adjusted as of the date of such termination. Any such
termination, however, shall not serve to release Landlord or Tenant from any
obligations contained herein, which expressly, or by their nature are deemed to,
survive such termination of this Lease.

(e) All
compensation awarded or paid upon condemnation of any portion of the Property,
including the Demised Premises, shall belong to Landlord without participation
by Tenant. Nothing contained herein shall be construed, however, to prevent
Tenant from prosecuting any claim directly against the condemning authority for
loss of business, loss of good will, moving expenses, damage to, and cost of
removal of, any trade fixtures, furniture and personal property, to the extent
such items belong to Tenant; provided, however, that Tenant shall make no claim
which shall diminish or adversely affect any award claimed or received by
Landlord.

25. Assignment
Under Bankruptcy Code. Any
person or entity to which this Lease is assigned pursuant to the provisions of
the Bankruptcy Code shall be deemed, without further act or deed, to have
assumed and be subject to all of the obligations, conditions and provisions
under this Lease as of the date of such assignment. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, to the extent allowed by law, this Lease shall not be assignable by
voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization proceedings,
nor shall this Lease, or any rights or privileges hereunder, be an asset of
Tenant under any bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization
proceedings.

 

26. Defaults
and Remedies.

(a)
 The
following events shall be a “Default” of Tenant under this Lease:

(i) Failure
of Tenant to make any payment of Minimum Rent or Additional Rent when due, where
such failure shall continue for a period of ten (10) days after receipt of
written notice thereof by Landlord to Tenant; provided, however, that Tenant
shall not be entitled to notice and an opportunity to cure upon the second (2nd)
such default in any lease year or upon the fifth (5th) such default during the
Term of this Lease; 

(ii) Failure
of Tenant to perform or comply with any provision of this Lease to be performed
or complied with by Tenant (other than failure to pay Minimum Rent or Additional
Rent pursuant to paragraph 26(a)(i) above), where such failure shall continue
for a period of fifteen (15) days after receipt of written notice setting forth
with particularity the nature of the breach and required code thereof by
Landlord to Tenant;

(iii) If any
execution, levy, attachment or other process of law shall occur upon Tenant’s
goods, fixtures or interests in the Demised Premises which is not cured or
removed by Tenant within 15 days thereof; 

(iv) If Tenant
fails to take possession of the Demised Premises within a reasonable period
after the Lease Commencement Date, or if Tenant substantially vacates or
abandons the Demised Premises prior to the normal expiration of the
Term;

(v) The
involvement of Tenant, or any guarantor of Tenant’s obligation hereunder, in
financial difficulties as evidence by (A) its admitting in writing its inability
to pay its debts generally as they become due, or (B) its filing a petition in
bankruptcy or for reorganization or for the adoption of an arrangement under the
Bankruptcy Act (as now or hereafter existing), or an answer or other pleading
admitting the material allegations of such a petition or seeking, consenting to
or acquiescing in the relief provided for under the Bankruptcy Act, or (C) its
making an assignment of all or a substantial part of its property for the
benefit of its creditors or (D) its seeking or consenting to or acquiescing in
the appointment of a receiver or trustee for all or a substantial part of its
property or of the Demised Premises, or (E) its being adjudicated a bankrupt or
insolvent, or (F) the filing of a bankruptcy petition against Tenant or the
entry of a court order without its consent, which order shall not be vacated,
set aside or stayed within sixty (60) days from the date of filing or entry, or
appointing a receiver or trustee for all or a substantial part of its property,
or approving a petition filed against it for the effecting of an arrangement in
bankruptcy or for a reorganization pursuant to the Bankruptcy Act, or for any
other judicial modification or alteration of the rights of
creditors.

(b) The
provisions of this paragraph shall apply notwithstanding the payment by Tenant
of the security deposit and/or the continued willingness and ability of Tenant
to pay Rent or otherwise perform hereunder. The receipt by Landlord of payments
of Rent accruing subsequent to the time of Tenant’s default under this
paragraph, shall not be deemed a waiver by Landlord of Landlord’s rights
hereunder. 

(c) Upon the
occurrence of a Default, Landlord shall have the right, at its election, then or
at any time thereafter either:

(i) To give
Tenant written notice of Landlord’s intention to terminate this Lease as of the
date specified in said notice, and on such date Tenant’s right to possession of
the Demised Premises shall cease and this Lease shall be terminated;
or

  (ii) Without
demand or notice, to re-enter and take possession of all or any part of the
Demised Premises and expel Tenant and those claiming through Tenant, and remove
the property of Tenant and any other person, either by summary proceedings or by
action at law or in equity or otherwise, without being deemed guilty of trespass
and without prejudice to any remedies for nonpayment or late payment of Rent or
breach of covenant. If Landlord elects to re-enter under this provision,
Landlord may, with or without terminating this Lease, re-let all or any part of
the Demised Premises (as agent for Tenant if Landlord elects not to terminate
this Lease) upon such terms and conditions as Landlord may deem advisable, with
the right to make alterations and repairs to the Demised Premises. No such
re-entry or taking of possession of the Demised Premises by Landlord shall be
construed as an election on Landlord’s part to terminate this Lease unless a
written notice of termination is given to Tenant by Landlord or unless the
termination be decreed by a court of competent jurisdiction at the instance of
Landlord.

 

(d) If
Landlord terminates this Lease pursuant to the preceding paragraph, Tenant shall
remain liable (in addition to all accrued liabilities) for (i) Minimum Rent and
Additional Rent until the date this Lease would have expired had such
termination not occurred, and any and all expenses (including attorney’s fees,
disbursements and brokerage fees) incurred by Landlord in re-entering and
repossessing the Demised Premises in making good any Default of Tenant, in
painting, altering, repairing or dividing the Demised Premises, in protecting
and preserving the Demised Premises by use of watchmen and caretakers, and in
re-letting the Demised Premises, and any and all expenses which Landlord may
incur during the occupancy of any new tenant; less (ii) the net proceeds of any
re-letting prior to the date this Lease would have expired if it had not been
terminated. Tenant agrees to pay to Landlord the difference between items (i)
and (ii) above for each month during the Term, at the end of each such month.
Any suit brought by Landlord to enforce collection of such difference for any
one month shall not prejudice Landlord’s right to enforce the collection of any
difference for any subsequent month. In addition to the foregoing, and without
regard to whether this Lease has been terminated, Tenant shall pay to Landlord
all costs incurred by Landlord, including reasonable attorney’s fees, with
respect to any lawsuit or action instituted or taken by Landlord to enforce the
provisions of this Lease. Tenant’s liability shall survive the institution of
summary proceedings and the issuance of any writ of restitution thereunder.

(e) If
Landlord terminates this Lease pursuant to this Section 27, Landlord shall have
the right at any time, at Landlord’s option, to require Tenant to pay to
Landlord the following amount, as liquidated and agreed final damages (which the
parties hereto agree shall not be deemed a penalty) in lieu of Tenant’s
liability for Rent hereunder, which amount shall be due and payable upon
delivering written notice thereof to Tenant: the sum of (i) all past-due Rent
through the date on which this Lease was terminated by Landlord, plus (ii) the
amount of Leasing Costs (hereinafter defined) incurred by Landlord, plus (iii)
the lesser of (a) the amount of Minimum Rent due for the remainder of the Term,
or (b) the amount of Minimum Rent due for the two (2) year period immediately
following the date on which this Lease was terminated by Landlord. Landlord and
Tenant acknowledge that they have agreed to the foregoing amount as liquidated
damages because of the difficulty of ascertaining in advance the amount of
damages Landlord is likely to incur as a result of Tenant’s Default and
Landlord’s subsequent termination of this Lease. For purposes hereof, the term
“Leasing Costs” shall refer to the sum of (i) all real estate brokerage
commissions incurred by Landlord in connection with the Lease, (ii) all costs
and expenses incurred by Landlord in connection with the construction and/or
installation of any leasehold improvements, (iii) any rental abatements, (iv)
any allowances granted to Tenant, and (v) any other costs and expenses incurred
by Landlord in connection with the Lease. In addition to any other damages for
which Tenant shall be liable hereunder, Tenant shall be liable for all
attorneys’ fees and court costs incurred by Landlord as a result of Tenant’s
Default. 

(f) Tenant,
on its own behalf and on behalf of all persons claiming through Tenant,
including all creditors, does hereby waive any and all rights and privileges, so
far as is permitted by law, which Tenant and all such persons might otherwise
have under any present or future law (i) to the service of any notice of
intention to re-enter which may otherwise be required to be given, (ii) to
redeem the Demised Premises, (iii) to re-enter or repossess the Demised
Premises, or (iv) to restore the operation of this Lease, with respect to any
dispossession of Tenant by judgment or warrant of any court, or otherwise,
whether such dispossession, re-entry, expiration or termination be by operation
of law or pursuant to the provisions of this Lease. In the event Landlord
commences any proceeding for non-payment of Rent, Tenant shall not interpose any
counterclaim of whatever nature or description in any such proceeding. This
shall not, however, be construed as a waiver of Tenant’s right to assert such
claim in any separate action(s) brought by Tenant.

(g) In the
event of any breach by Tenant, or any person or persons claiming through Tenant,
of any of the provisions contained in this Lease, Landlord shall be entitled to
enjoin such breach and shall have the right to invoke any right or remedy
allowed at equity as if the remedies under this Lease were not specified
herein.

 

(h) Landlord
shall, to the extent permitted by law, have (in addition to all other rights) a
right of distress for Rent and a lien on all Tenant’s personal property as
security for all Rent due under this Lease, and Tenant agrees not to remove such
property from the Demised Premises without Landlord’s consent.

(i) If Tenant
defaults in the making of any payment or in the doing of any act herein required
to be made or done by Tenant, then after ten (10) days notice from Landlord,
Landlord may, but shall not be required to, make such payment or do such act,
and, if made or done by Landlord, the cost thereof (with interest thereon) shall
be paid by Tenant to Landlord and shall constitute Additional Rent due and
payable with the next monthly installment of Minimum Rent; but the making of
such payment or the doing of such act by Landlord shall not operate to cure such
Default or to stop Landlord from the pursuit of any remedy to which Landlord
would otherwise be entitled.

(j) All
rights and remedies of Landlord under this Lease shall be cumulative and shall
not be exclusive of any other rights and remedies provided to Landlord now or
hereafter at law or in equity, or under this Lease.

27. Waiver
of Jury Trial.
Landlord and Tenant hereby waive all right to trial by jury in any claim,
action, proceeding or counterclaim by either Landlord or Tenant against each
other on any matter arising out of or in any way connected with this Lease, the
relationship of Landlord and Tenant, and/or Tenant’s use and occupancy of the
Demised Premises. 

 

28. Subordination.

(a)
 This
Lease and all rights of Tenant hereunder are subject and subordinate to all
current and future underlying leases, deeds of trust, mortgages or other
security instruments covering any portion of the Property or any interest of
Landlord therein, as the same may be amended from time to time. This provision
is declared by Landlord and Tenant to be self-operative and no further
instrument shall be required to effect such subordination of this Lease. Upon
demand, however, Tenant shall execute, acknowledge, and deliver to Landlord any
further instruments evidencing such subordination as Landlord, and any mortgagee
or lessor of Landlord shall reasonably require, and if Tenant fails to so
execute, acknowledge and deliver such instruments within ten (10) days after the
Landlord’s request, Landlord is hereby empowered to do so in Tenant’s name and
on Tenant’s behalf; Tenant hereby irrevocably appoints Landlord as Tenant’s
agent and attorney-in-fact for the purpose of executing, acknowledging and
delivering any such instruments, such appointment being coupled with an interest
and therefore irrevocable.

(b)
 Notwithstanding
the generality of the foregoing provisions of Section 28(a), any mortgagee or
lessor of Landlord shall have the right at any time to subordinate any such deed
of trust or mortgage or underlying lease to this Lease, or to any of the
provisions hereof, on such terms and subject to such conditions as such
mortgagee or lessor of Landlord may consider appropriate in its discretion. At
any time, before or after any transfer of Landlord’s interest in the Property,
Tenant shall, upon request of such transferee (“Successor Landlord”),
automatically attorn to and become the Tenant (or if the Demised Premises has
been validly subleased, the subtenant) of the Successor Landlord, without change
in the terms or other provisions of this Lease (or, in the case of a permitted
sublease, without change in this Lease or in the instrument setting forth the
terms of such sublease); provided, however, that the Successor Landlord shall
not be bound by any subsequent modifications to this Lease without the consent
of the Successor Landlord or by any payment made by Tenant of Rent for more than
one (1) month in advance. This agreement of Tenant to attorn to a Successor
Landlord shall survive any foreclosure sale, trustee’s sale, conveyance in lieu
thereof or termination of any underlying lease. Tenant shall upon demand at any
time, before or after any such foreclosure or termination, execute, acknowledge,
and deliver to the Successor Landlord any written instruments evidencing such
attornment as such Successor Landlord may reasonably require. 

 

29. Estoppel
Certificate. Tenant
agrees, at any time and from time to time, upon not less than five (5) days
prior written notice by Landlord, to execute, acknowledge and deliver to
Landlord a statement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D, or in such other
form as Landlord may reasonably request, certifying: (i) that this Lease is
unmodified (or if modified, stating the modifications) and in full force and
effect (or if not in full force and effect, the reasons therefor), (ii) the
dates to which the Minimum Rent, Additional Rent and other charges hereunder
have been paid by Tenant, (iii) whether or not to the best knowledge of Tenant,
Landlord is in default in the performance of any covenant, agreement or
condition contained in this Lease, and if so, specifying each such default of
which Tenant may have knowledge, and (iv) the address to which notices to Tenant
should be sent. Any such statement delivered pursuant hereto may be relied upon
by an owner of the Property, any prospective purchaser of the Property, any
mortgagee or prospective mortgagee of the Property, any prospective assignee of
any such mortgagee, or any lessor or prospective lessor of the land which is a
part of the Property. Tenant’s failure to execute and deliver such statement
within the time specified shall be deemed the equivalent of the delivery of a
statement to the effect that Landlord is in full compliance with the terms of
the Lease.

30.
No
Recourse to Landlord. The
obligations of Landlord under this Lease do not constitute personal obligation
of the individual partners, directors, officers or shareholders of Landlord, and
Tenant shall look solely to the Property, and to no other assets of Landlord or
the holders of any mortgages or deeds of trust on the Property, for satisfaction
of any liability in respect of this Lease, and Tenant shall not seek recourse
against the individual partners, directors, officers or shareholders of Landlord
or the holders of any mortgages or deeds of trust on the Property or any of
their personal assets for such satisfaction.

31. Holding
Over. If
Tenant shall, with the knowledge and consent of Landlord, continue to remain in
the Demised Premises after the expiration of the Term of this Lease and any
extensions thereof, then Tenant shall be deemed a month-to-month tenant at a
monthly rental equal to twice the monthly installment of Rent which was due
immediately prior to the expiration of the Term, the first (1st) installment of
which shall be due and payable on the first day following the end of the Term
and on the first (1st) day of each month thereafter until the termination of
such month-to-month tenancy. Tenant shall give to Landlord at least thirty (30)
days prior written notice of any intention to quit the Demised Premises, and
Tenant shall be entitled to thirty (30) days written notice to quit the Demised
Premises, except in the event of non-payment of Rent or of the breach of any
other covenant by Tenant, in which event Tenant shall not be entitled to any
notice to quit, the usual thirty (30) days notice to quit being hereby expressly
waived. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that Tenant shall hold over
after the expiration of the Term, and if Landlord shall desire to regain
possession of the Demised Premises promptly at the expiration of the Term, then
at any time prior to Landlord’s acceptance of Rent from Tenant as a monthly
tenant hereunder, Landlord, at its option, may forthwith re-enter and take
possession of the Demised Premises without process, or by any legal process in
force.

32. Submission
of Lease. The
submission of this Lease for examination by Tenant does not constitute a
reservation of, or option for, the Demised Premises, and this Lease shall become
effective only upon execution and delivery thereof by Landlord and
Tenant.

33. Covenant
of Landlord.
Landlord covenants that it has the right to enter into this Lease, and that if
Tenant shall pay the Minimum Rent and Additional Rent and shall perform all of
Tenant’s obligation under this Lease, Tenant shall, during the Term hereof, have
the right to peaceably and quietly occupy and enjoy the Demised Premises without
molestation or hindrance by Landlord or any party claiming through or under
Landlord, subject, however, to the mortgages and deeds of trust described in
Section 28 and except as otherwise provided herein. The term “Landlord” as used
herein shall mean solely the owner of Landlord’s interest in the Property,
whoever that may be at the relevant time, so that in the event of any sale or
transfer of Landlord’s interest in the Property, any prior landlord shall be
freed and relieved of all covenants and obligations of Landlord
hereunder.

34. Force
Majeure. If
Landlord fails to provide any service or to perform any obligation on its part
to be performed hereunder as the result of any (i) strikes, lockouts, or labor
disputes; (ii) inability to obtain labor, materials, fuel, electricity, services
or reasonable substitutes therefore; (iii) acts of God, civil commotion, fire or
other casualty; (iv) governmental action of any kind; or (v) other conditions
similar to those enumerated above and beyond Landlord’s reasonable control,
then, such failure shall be excused and shall not be deemed a breach hereunder,
provided immediately commences it’s obligation upon the cessation of the
conditions. 

 

35. Delay
in Possession. If
Landlord shall be unable to give possession of the Demised Premises on the date
on which Landlord and Tenant expected the Term to commence by reason of the fact
that the Property or the Demised Premises are being constructed and have not
been sufficiently completed to make the Demised Premises ready for occupancy, or
by reason of the fact that a certificate of occupancy has not been procured, or
if Landlord is unable to give possession by reason of the holding over or
retention of possession of a previous tenant or occupant, or its repairs,
improvements or decoration of the Demised Premises, or of the Property are not
completed, Landlord shall not be subject to any liability for the failure to
give possession on said date. Under such circumstances, and except as otherwise
provided herein, the rent reserved and covenanted to be paid herein shall not
commence until the possession of Demised Premises is given or the Demised
Premises are available for occupancy by Tenant and no such failure to give
possession of the date of commencement shall in any other respect affect the
validity of this Lease or the obligations of Tenant hereunder, nor shall same be
construed in any way to extend the Term of this Lease. If permission is given to
Tenant to enter into the possession of the Demised Premises prior to the date
specified as the commencement of the Term of this Lease, Tenant covenants and
agrees that such occupancy shall be deemed to be under all of the terms,
conditions, covenants and provisions of this Lease.

36. Financial
Statements. Tenant
shall, provide Landlord annually with a current financial statement. Such
statements shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles consistently applied, and, if such is the normal practice of Tenant,
shall be audited by an independent certified public accountant. If it is not the
normal practice of Tenant to prepare audited statements, then the unaudited
statements shall be certified to by the Tenant’s chief financial
officer.

37. Attorney’s
Fees. If
either party hereto initiates legal action to resolve a dispute under the terms
of this Lease, then the substantially prevailing party shall be entitled to
reimbursement from the other party of the prevailing party’s reasonable
attorneys’ fees and court costs. 

38. Brokers.
Landlord and Tenant each represent and warrant that except as hereinafter set
forth neither of them has employed any broker in carrying on the negotiations
relating to this Lease. Landlord shall indemnify and hold Tenant harmless, and
Tenant shall indemnify and hold Landlord harmless, from and against any claim
for brokerage or other commission arising from and out of any breach of the
foregoing representation and warranty. 

39.  Notices. All
notices or other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
deemed duly given if sent via hand delivery, next-day express delivery, or
certified or registered mail (return receipt requested, first class, postpaid
prepaid), (i) if to Landlord at:

Hale
Properties, LLC

3301
Boston Street

Baltimore,
Maryland 21224

Attention:
David H. Berman

and (ii)
if to Tenant at:

First
Mariner Bank

3301
Boston Street

Baltimore,
MD 21224

Attention:
Joseph Cicero

prior to
the Lease Commencement Date and at the Demised Premises after the Lease
Commencement Date, unless notice of a change of address is given pursuant to the
provisions of this Section. Notice shall be deemed given on the day the same is
dispatched for hand delivery, or one (1) day after the same is sent via next-day
express delivery, or three (3) days after the same is sent via certified or
registered mail.

40.
Miscellaneous.

(a)
 This
Lease and the exhibits attached hereto contain and embody the entire agreement
of the parties hereto, and no representations, inducements or agreements, oral
or otherwise, between Landlord and Landlord’s agents and Tenant not contained in
this Lease and exhibits shall be of any force or effect. This Lease may not be
modified, changed or terminated in whole or in part in any manner other than by
an agreement in writing duly signed by both parties hereto.

 

(b) The
terms, covenants and conditions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the
permitted successors in interest and assigns of the parties hereto. Landlord may
freely and fully assign its interest hereunder.

(c) If any
provisions of this Lease or the application thereof to any person or
circumstances shall to any extent be held void, unenforceable or invalid, then
the remainder of this Lease or the application of such provision to persons or
circumstances other than those as to which it is held void, unenforceable or
invalid shall not be affected thereby, and each provision of this Lease shall be
valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

(d) Tenant
shall not record this Lease without the written consent of Landlord, which may
be given or denied in Landlord’s sole discretion. If Landlord consents to such
recordation, the cost thereof shall be paid by Tenant.

(e) The
captions and headings throughout this Lease are for convenience and reference
only and the words contained therein shall in no way be held or deemed to
define, limit, describe, explain, modify, amplify or add to the interpretation,
construction or meaning of any provision of, or the scope of the intent of, this
Lease, nor in any way affect this Lease.

(f) Nothing
contained in this Lease shall be deemed or construed to create a partnership or
joint venture of or between Landlord and Tenant, or to create any other
relationship between the parties hereto other than that of Landlord and
Tenant.

(g) Feminine
or neuter pronouns shall be substituted for those of the masculine form, the
plural shall be substituted for singular number and vice versa in any place or
places herein in which the context may require such substitute or
substitutions.

(h) This
Lease is to be construed under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the
property is located.

 

41.
No
Waiver. If
under the provisions hereof Landlord shall institute proceedings and a
compromise or settlement thereof shall be made, the same shall not constitute a
waiver of any covenant herein contained nor of any of Landlord’s rights
hereunder. No waiver by Landlord of any breach of any covenant, condition or
agreement herein contained shall operate as a waiver of the same. Any
installment of Rent paid by Tenant shall be first applied against any past-due
installments of Rent, beginning with the earliest installment then due. No
endorsement or statement on any check or letter accompanying a check for payment
of Rent be deemed an accord and satisfaction, and Landlord may accept such check
or payment without prejudice to Landlord’s right to recover the balance of such
Rent or to pursue any other remedy at law or in equity, or as provided in this
Lease. No re-entry by Landlord, and no acceptance by Landlord of keys from
Tenant, shall be considered an acceptance of a surrender of the Demised Premises
or termination of this Lease.

42. Authority
of Landlord and Tenant. Each
individual executing this Lease on behalf of Landlord and Tenant represents and
warrants that he is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Lease on behalf
of Landlord or Tenant in accordance with a partnership agreement, bylaws or a
duly adopted resolution of the Board of Directors, and that this Lease is
binding upon Landlord and Tenant in accordance with its terms. 

 

 

 

IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, Landlord and Tenant have executed this Lease under seal as of
the day and year first hereinabove written.

 

 

	WITNESS/ATTEST: 	 	LANDLORD: 
	 	 	 
	 	 	
      Hale
      Properties, LLC 

	 	 	 
	_______________________________ 	 	By: /s/
      Edwin F. Hale,
      Sr.                  
      
	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	WITNESS: 	 	TENANT: 
	 	 	 
	 	 	
      First
      Mariner Bank 

	 	 	 
	________________________________	 	By: /s/ Joseph A.
      Cicero

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