Document:

Exhibit 4.1

        

         

        

        DESCRIPTION OF THE REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES

        REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE

        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

        

        

      

      
        As of December 31, 2019, KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. had one class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”): its common stock, par value
          $0.01 per share (our “common stock”). References herein to “we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company” refer to KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc. and not to any of its subsidiaries.

        

        

        The following description of our common stock is a summary and does not purport to be complete. It is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Company’s
          Articles of Restatement, dated as of May 10, 2017, as amended (our “charter”), and Amended and Restated Bylaws (our “bylaws”), each of which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of which this Exhibit is a
          part. We encourage you to read our charter, bylaws and the applicable provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”) for additional information.

      

      
        

        

        General

        

        

      

      
        Under our charter, we may issue up to 350,000,000 shares of stock comprised of the following:

      

      
        

        

      

      
        
          
            	

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                    300,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share; and

                  

          

        

        
          
            	

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                    50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share.

                  

          

        

      

      
        

        

      

      
        As of December 31, 2019 there were issued and outstanding:

      

      
        

        

      

      
        
          
            	

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                    57,486,583 shares of common stock;

                  

          

        

        
          
            	

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                    one share of preferred stock that has been classified and designated as special voting preferred stock; and

                  

          

        

        
          
            	

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                    one share of preferred stock that has been classified and designated as special non-voting preferred stock.

                  

          

        

      

      
        

        

      

      
        Under Maryland law, our stockholders generally are not liable for our debts or obligations.

      

      
        

        

      

      
        Our charter authorizes our board of directors, without stockholder approval, to:

      

      
        

        

      

      
        
          
            	

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                    classify and reclassify any unissued shares of our common stock and preferred stock into other classes or series of stock; and

                  

          

        

        
          
            	

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                    amend our charter to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that may be issued.

                  

          

        

      

      
        

        

      

      
        We believe that the power to (i) issue additional shares of our common stock or preferred stock, (ii) increase the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we
          have the authority to issue and (iii) classify or reclassify unissued shares of our common or preferred stock and thereafter to issue the classified or reclassified shares of stock, provides us with increased flexibility in structuring possible
          future financings and acquisitions and in meeting other needs which might arise. In addition, under Maryland law, our board of directors may authorize the amendment of our charter to effect a reverse stock split that results in a combination of
          shares of stock at a ratio of not more than ten shares of stock into one share of stock in any 12-month period. These actions may be taken without stockholder approval, unless stockholder approval is required by applicable law or the rules of any
          stock exchange or automated quotation system on which our securities may be listed or traded.

      

      
        

        

      

      
        Prior to the issuance of shares of each class or series, our board of directors is required by Maryland law and by our charter to set, subject to our charter restrictions on ownership and transfers of our stock, the
          preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Thus, our board could authorize the

         

        

      

      
        
          

      

      
        issuance of shares of common stock or preferred stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control of our company that might involve a premium price for holders
          of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interests.

        

        

        Common Stock

        

        

      

      
        Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when authorized by our board of directors and declared by us out of assets legally available for the payment of dividends. They are also entitled to share
          ratably in our assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, after payment of, or adequate provision for, all of our known debts and liabilities. These rights are subject
          to the preferential rights of any other class or series of our stock, including our preferred stock. All shares of common stock have equal dividend and liquidation rights.

        

        

        Subject to our charter restrictions on ownership and transfer of our stock and except as may otherwise be specified in the terms of a class or series of our stock, each outstanding share of common stock is entitled
          to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. There is no cumulative voting in the election of our directors and our directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast, so the holders of a simple majority of the
          outstanding common stock, voting at a stockholders meeting at which a quorum is present, will have the power to elect all of the directors nominated for election at the meeting. However, until such time as (1) KKR & Co. Inc. (together with
          its subsidiaries, “KKR”) and its affiliates cease to own at least 25% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, (2) KKR REFT Asset Holdings LLC (“KKR REFT Asset Holdings”), as an affiliate of KKR, or its successors, elects to convert the
          share of our special voting preferred stock into one share of our common stock or (3) beneficial and/or record ownership of the share of our special voting preferred stock is transferred to any person other than KKR or its affiliates, the share
          of our special voting preferred stock gives KKR REFT Asset Holdings the right, solely with respect to the election of members of our board of directors, to vote the number of votes necessary (when combined with the aggregate number of votes the
          holder and its affiliates are entitled to vote due to their ownership of common stock) to equal a majority of the votes entitled to be cast in an election of directors and thereby control our policy and operations. Holders of our common stock
          generally have no exchange, sinking fund, redemption or appraisal rights, except the right to receive fair value in connection with certain control share acquisitions, and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities. Because
          holders of our common stock do not have preemptive rights, we may issue additional shares of stock that may reduce each stockholder’s proportionate voting and financial interest in our company. Rights to receive dividends on our common stock may
          be restricted by the terms of any future classified and issued shares of our stock.

        

        

        Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, convert, consolidate, sell all or substantially all of its assets or engage in a statutory share exchange unless
          declared advisable by its board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders holding at least two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote on the matter. However, a Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of
          these matters by a lesser percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our charter provides for approval of these matters by a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter,
          except that the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on such matter is required to amend the provisions of our charter relating to the removal of directors, corporate opportunities
          and the vote required to amend our charter.

      

      
        

        

        Transfer Agent and Registrar

        

        

      

      
        The transfer agent and registrar for shares of our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

      

      
        

        

        Certain Provisions of Our Charter and Bylaws and of Maryland Law

        

        

        REIT Qualification Restrictions on Ownership and Transfer

        

        

      

      
        Our charter contains restrictions on the number of shares of our capital stock that a person may own. No person may beneficially or constructively own in excess of 9.8% in value or number of shares, whichever is more
          restrictive, of the outstanding shares of any class or series of our capital stock unless such person receives an

         

        

      

      
        
          

      

      
        exemption from our board of directors. Subject to certain limitations, our board of directors, in its sole discretion, may exempt (prospectively or retroactively) a person from, or modify, these limits, if it obtains such representations,
          covenants and undertakings as it deems appropriate to conclude that granting the exemption will not cause us to lose our status as a REIT. Our charter provides for limited exemptions to certain persons, including KKR and its affiliates and any
          direct or indirect beneficial owner of KKR.

      

      
        

        

        Our charter further prohibits any person from, among other things:

        

        

      

      
        
          
            	

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                    beneficially owning shares of our capital stock that would result in our being “closely held” under Section 856(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”);

                  

          

        

      

      
        

        

      

      
        
          
            	

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                    transferring shares of our capital stock if such transfer would result in our capital stock being beneficially owned by less than 100 persons;

                  

          

        

      

      
        

        

      

      
        
          
            	

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                    beneficially or constructively owning shares of our capital stock if such ownership would cause us to constructively own 10% or more of the ownership interests in a tenant of our company (other than a taxable REIT subsidiary); and

                  

          

        

      

      
        

        

      

      
        
          
            	

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                    any other beneficial or constructive ownership of our capital stock that would otherwise cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT.

                  

          

        

      

      
        

        

        Any person who acquires or attempts or intends to acquire shares of our capital stock that may violate any of these restrictions, or who is the intended transferee of shares of our capital stock that are transferred
          to the trust, as described below, is required to give us immediate written notice, or in the case of a proposed or attempted transaction, at least 15 days prior written notice, and provide us with such information as we may request in order to
          determine the effect of the transfer on our status as a REIT. The above restrictions will not apply if our board of directors determines that it is no longer in our best interests to continue to qualify as a REIT or that compliance with such
          restrictions is no longer required for us to qualify as a REIT.

      

      
        

        

      

      
        Any attempted transfer of our capital stock that, if effective, would result in violation of the above limitations (except for a transfer that results in shares being owned by less than 100 persons, in which case
          such transfer will be void and of no force and effect and the intended transferee will not acquire any rights in the shares) will cause the number of shares causing the violation to be automatically transferred to a trust for the exclusive
          benefit of one or more charitable beneficiaries designated by us and the intended transferee will not acquire any rights in the shares. The automatic transfer will be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the business day, as
          defined in our charter, prior to the date of the transfer. Shares of our capital stock held in the trust will continue to be issued and outstanding shares. The proposed transferee will not benefit economically from ownership of any shares held in
          the trust, will have no rights to dividends or other distributions and no rights to vote or other rights attributable to the shares held in the trust. The trustee of the trust will have all voting rights and rights to dividends or other
          distributions with respect to shares held in the trust. These rights will be exercised for the exclusive benefit of the charitable beneficiaries. Any dividend or other distribution paid prior to our discovery that shares of capital stock have
          been transferred to the trust will be paid by the proposed transferee to the trustee upon demand. Any dividend or other distribution authorized but unpaid will be paid when due to the trustee. Any dividend or other distribution paid to the
          trustee will be held in trust for the charitable beneficiaries. Subject to Maryland law, the trustee will have the authority to rescind as void any vote cast by the proposed transferee prior to our discovery that the shares have been transferred
          to the trust and to recast the vote. However, if we have already taken irreversible corporate action, then the trustee will not have the authority to rescind and recast the vote.

      

      
        

        

      

      
        Within 20 days of receiving notice from us that shares of our capital stock have been transferred to the trust, the trustee will sell the shares to a person, designated by the trustee, whose ownership of the shares
          will not violate the above ownership limitations. Upon the sale, the interest of the charitable beneficiaries in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the proposed transferee and to the
          charitable beneficiaries as follows. The proposed transferee will receive the lesser of (i) the price paid by the proposed transferee for the shares or, if the proposed transferee did not give value for the shares in connection with the event
          causing the shares to be held in the trust, such as a gift, devise or other similar transaction, the market price, as defined in our charter, of the shares on the day of the event causing the shares to be held in the trust and (ii)

         

        

      

      
        
          

      

      
        the price per share received by the trustee (net of any commissions and other sale expenses) from the sale or other disposition of the shares. Any net sale proceeds in excess of the amount payable to the proposed transferee will be paid
          immediately to the charitable beneficiaries. If, prior to our discovery that shares of our capital stock have been transferred to the trust, the shares are sold by the proposed transferee, then the shares will be deemed to have been sold on
          behalf of the trust and, to the extent that the proposed transferee received an amount for the shares that exceeds the amount the proposed transferee was entitled to receive, the excess will be paid to the trustee upon demand.

        

        

      

      
        In addition, shares of our stock held in the trust will be deemed to have been offered for sale to us, or our designee, at a price per share equal to the lesser of (i) the price per share in the transaction that
          resulted in the transfer to the trust (or, in the case of a devise or gift, the market price at the time of the devise or gift) and (ii) the market price on the date we, or our designee, accept the offer. We will have the right to accept the
          offer until the trustee has sold the shares. Upon a sale to us, the interest of the charitable beneficiaries in the shares sold will terminate and the trustee will distribute the net proceeds of the sale to the proposed transferee.

      

      
        

        

      

      
        If the transfer to the trust as described above is not automatically effective for any reason to prevent violation of the above limitations, then the transfer of the number of shares that otherwise cause any person
          to violate the above limitations will be void and the intended transferee will acquire no rights in such shares.

        

        

        Each certificate, if any, or any notice in lieu of a certificate, representing shares of our capital stock will bear a legend summarizing the restrictions described above. Instead of a legend, the certificate, if
          any, may provide that we will furnish a full statement about certain restrictions on transferability to a stockholder on request and without charge.

        

        

        Every beneficial owner of more than 5% in number or value of our outstanding shares of capital stock (or such lower percentage as required by the Code or the regulations promulgated thereunder), within 30 days after
          the end of each taxable year, is required to give us written notice, stating the owner’s name and address, the number of shares of capital stock beneficially owned and a description of the manner in which the shares are held. Each such owner will
          be required to provide us with such additional information as we may request in order to determine the effect, if any, of its beneficial ownership on our status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the ownership limits. In addition, each
          stockholder will be required to provide us with such information as we may request in good faith to determine our status as a REIT and to ensure compliance with the ownership limits.

        

        

        These ownership limits could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might involve a receipt of a premium price for the common stock or otherwise be in the best interest of the stockholders.

      

      
        

        

        Business Combinations

        

        

      

      
        Under the MGCL, certain “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or any affiliate of an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on
          which the interested stockholder became an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange, or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or
          reclassification of equity securities. An interested stockholder is defined as:

      

      
        

        

      

      
        
          
            	

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                    any person who beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock; or

                  

          

        

        
          
            	

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                    an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding stock of the
                      corporation.

                  

          

        

      

      
        

        

      

      
        A person is not an interested stockholder under the statute if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which such person otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. However, in
          approving a transaction, the board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board.

      

      
        

        

      

      
        
          

      

      
        After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between the Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or any affiliate of an interested stockholder generally must be recommended by the board of
          directors of the corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:

      

      
        

        

      

      
        
          
            	

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                    80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation; and

                  

          

        

        
          
            	

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                    two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or the
                      shares held by any affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder.

                  

          

        

      

      
        

        

      

      
        These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if the corporation’s common stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under the MGCL, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same
          form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares. The statute permits various exemptions from its provisions, including, but not limited to, business combinations that are exempted by the board of directors prior to the time
          that an interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Our board of directors has by resolution exempted business combinations between us and any other person, provided that such business combination is first approved by our board of
          directors.

      

      
        

        

        Control Share Acquisitions

        

        

      

      
        The MGCL provides that a holder of “control shares” of a Maryland corporation acquired in a “control share acquisition” has no voting rights with respect to such shares except to the extent approved by a vote of
          two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. A control share acquisition means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions. Shares owned by the acquiror or by officers or directors of the target corporation who
          are also employees are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. Control shares are voting shares of stock that, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquiror or in respect of which the acquiror is able to exercise
          or direct the exercise of voting power, except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy, would entitle the acquiror to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:

      

      
        

        

      

      
        
          
            	

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                    one-tenth or more but less than one-third;

                  

          

        

        
          
            	

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                    one-third or more but less than a majority; or

                  

          

        

        
          
            	

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                    a majority or more of all voting power.

                  

          

        

      

      
        

        

      

      
        Control shares do not include shares the acquiror is entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval or shares acquired directly from the corporation.

      

      
        

        

      

      
        A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition may compel the board of directors of the corporation to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the
          voting rights of the shares. The right to compel the calling of a special meeting is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay the expenses of the meeting and delivering an “acquiring person statement” as
          described in the MGCL. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholders meeting.

      

      
        

        

      

      
        If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an “acquiring person statement” as required by the statute, then the corporation may redeem for fair value any or all of
          the control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously been approved. The right of the corporation to redeem control shares is subject to certain conditions and limitations. Fair value is determined, without regard to the
          absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of any meeting of stockholders at which the voting rights of the shares are considered and not approved or, if no meeting is held, as of the date of the last control share
          acquisition by the acquiror. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquiror becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The
          fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquiror in the control share acquisition.

      

      
        

        

      

      
        
          

      

      
        The control share acquisition statute does not apply to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or statutory share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction, or to acquisitions approved or exempted
          by the charter or bylaws of the corporation. Our bylaws contain a provision exempting any acquisition of our stock by any person from the foregoing provisions on control shares. In the event that our bylaws are amended to modify or eliminate this
          provision, acquisitions of our common stock may constitute a control share acquisition.

      

      
        

        

        Maryland Unsolicited Takeovers Act

        

        

      

      
        The Maryland Unsolicited Takeovers Act (“MUTA”) permits a Maryland corporation with at least three directors who are not officers or employees of the corporation or affiliates of, or nominated by, a person seeking to
          acquire control of the corporation and a class of stock registered under the Exchange Act to elect to be subject to any or all of the following provisions, by provision in its charter or bylaws or a resolution of its board of directors and
          notwithstanding any contrary provision in the charter or bylaws:

        

        

      

      
        
          
            	

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                    a classified board;

                  

          

        

        
          
            	

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                    a two-thirds vote requirement for removing a director;

                  

          

        

        
          
            	

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                    a requirement that the number of directors be fixed only by the board of directors;

                  

          

        

        
          
            	

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                    a requirement that a vacancy on the board be filled only by the remaining directors and for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the vacancy occurred; or

                  

          

        

        
          
            	

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                    a majority requirement for the calling by stockholders of a special meeting of stockholders.

                  

          

        

      

      
        

        

      

      
        Our charter contains a provision whereby we have elected to be subject to the provisions of MUTA relating to the filling of vacancies on our board of directors. Through provisions in our charter and bylaws unrelated
          to MUTA, we already (1) require a two-thirds vote for the removal of any director from the board, which removal will be allowed only for cause, (2) vest in the board the exclusive power to fix the number of directorships, subject to limitations
          set forth in our charter and bylaws, and (3) require, unless called by the chairman of our board of directors or our president, chief executive officer or board of directors, the request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority
          of all votes entitled to be cast on a matter at such meeting to call a special meeting to consider and vote on any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders. We have not elected to create a classified board. In the
          future, our board of directors may elect, without stockholder approval, to create a classified board or be subject to one or more of the other provisions of MUTA.

      

      
        

        

        Undesignated Preferred Stock

        

        

        We are authorized to issue 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, including:

        

        

      

      
        
          
            	

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                    one share of special voting preferred stock; and

                  

          

        

        
          
            	

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                    one share of special non-voting preferred stock.

                  

          

        

      

      
        

        

      

      
        Our board of directors has the authority, without further action by the stockholders, to authorize us to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the number of shares, preferences, conversion
          or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption applicable to each such series of preferred stock. Thus, our board of directors could
          authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or
          otherwise be in their best interest. Our issued and outstanding preferred stock has, and any additional preferred stock we may issue could have, a preference on dividend payments that affects our ability to make dividend distributions to the
          common stockholders.

      

      
        

        

        Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business

        

        

      

      
        Our bylaws provide that with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of individuals for election to the board of directors and the proposal of business to be considered by stockholders may be made
          only:

      

      
        

        

      

      
        
          
            	

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                    pursuant to our notice of the meeting;

                  

             

            

          

        

      

      
        
          

      

      
        
          
            	

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                    by or at the direction of the board of directors; or

                  

          

        

        
          
            	

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                    by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record as of the record date set by our board of directors for the purposes of determining stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, at the time of giving of notice and at the time of
                      the annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice procedures of the bylaws.

                  

          

        

      

      
        

        

      

      
        With respect to special meetings of stockholders, only the business specified in our notice of the meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to the board of directors at a
          special meeting at which directors are to be elected may only be made:

      

      
        

        

      

      
        
          
            	

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                    pursuant to our notice of the meeting;

                  

          

        

        
          
            	

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                    by or at the direction of the board of directors; or

                  

          

        

        
          
            	

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                    provided that the board of directors has determined that directors will be elected at the meeting, by a stockholder who is a stockholder of record as of the record date set by our board of directors for the purposes of determining
                      stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, at the time of giving of notice and at the time of the special meeting and who is entitled to vote at the meeting and has complied with the advance notice provisions of the bylaws.

                  

          

        

      

      
        

        

        Exclusive Forum

        

        

      

      
        Our bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (b) any action asserting
          a claim of breach of any duty owed by us or by any director or officer or other employee to us or to our stockholders, (c) any action asserting a claim against us or any director or officer or other employee arising pursuant to any provision of
          the MGCL or our charter or bylaws or (d) any action asserting a claim against us or any director or officer or other employee that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, or, if that
          Court does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Baltimore Division.

      

      
        

        

        Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers

        

        

      

      
        Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for liability
          resulting from (i) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (ii) active and deliberate dishonesty that is established by a final judgment and that is material to the cause of action. Our charter contains
          such a provision that eliminates directors’ and officers’ liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law.

      

      
        

        

      

      
        Our charter and bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, to indemnify any present or former director or officer or any individual who, while a director or officer of the company and at the
          request of the company, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner, trustee,
          member or manager, is made or threatened to be made a party to, or witness in, a proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity, and to pay or reimburse his or her reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding.
          Our charter and bylaws also permit us to indemnify and advance expenses to any individual who served a predecessor of the company in any of the capacities described above and any employee or agent of the company or a predecessor of the company.
          Our charter expressly authorizes us, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to carry directors’ and officers’ liability insurance on behalf of any person described above against any liability that may be asserted against such person.

        

        

        Maryland law requires a corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she
          is made or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. Maryland law permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines,
          settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made or threatened to be made a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that (i)
          the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the

         

        

      

      
        
          

      

      
        proceeding and (a) was committed in bad faith or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (ii) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (iii) in the case of any
          criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. However, under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the
          corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification and then only for expenses. In addition, Maryland law permits a corporation to advance
          reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation’s receipt of (i) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by
          the corporation and (ii) a written undertaking by him or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.

      

      
        

        

        We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers. These agreements require us to indemnify these individuals to the fullest extent permitted under Maryland law and our charter
          and bylaws against liabilities that may arise by reason of their service to us, and to advance expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they may be indemnified. The indemnification provided under the
          indemnification agreements will not be exclusive of any other indemnity rights.

      

      
        

        

        Corporate Opportunities

        

        

      

      
        Our charter includes a provision that provides, among other things, subject to certain exceptions, neither our Manager nor its affiliates (including those serving as our directors or officers) will have any duty to
          refrain from engaging, directly or indirectly, in any business opportunities (except those opportunities that are expressly offered to such person in his or her capacity as a director or officer of our company), including any business
          opportunities in the same or similar business activities or lines of business in which we or any of our affiliates may from time to time be engaged or propose to engage, or from competing with us. One of our pre-IPO, unaffiliated investors,
          Townsend Holdings LLC, has the right to nominate one director to our board of directors subject to the investor maintaining a certain investment in our company. Until such time as the investor no longer has the right to nominate a director, we
          have agreed to include such investor’s nominee in the slate of director nominees, subject to certain exceptions. In the event that the investor’s nominee is not elected to our board of directors by our stockholders, the number of directors will
          be increased to add one additional director, and we will take all action reasonably necessary to cause the investor’s nominee to be appointed by the board to fill the vacancy created by the increase in the number of directors. Prior to, or
          concurrently with, the election of the investor’s nominee, our board of directors will also adopt a resolution providing the investor and its nominee the same rights and benefits as our Manager and its affiliates under our charter relating to
          corporate opportunities, which resolution will remain in effect as long as the investor’s nominee is one of our directors.Exhibit 10.9

  

  

  

  
    FIRST AMENDMENT TO LOAN AND SERVICING AGREEMENT

     

    This First Amendment to Loan and Servicing Agreement dated as of December 20, 2019 (this “Amendment”), is among KREF Holdings VII LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Holdings”),
      KREF Lending VII LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Borrower”), PNC Bank, National Association (“Collateral Custodian”), Midland Loan Services, a division of PNC Bank, National Association, as the Servicer (“Servicer”)

      and the Administrative Agent (“Administrative Agent”), and the Lenders (as defined below) as parties hereto.

     

    PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS:

     

    1.          Reference is made to the Loan and Servicing Agreement dated as of April 11, 2018 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan and Servicing
        Agreement”) among Holdings, the Borrower, Collateral Custodian, Servicer, Administrative Agent, and the lenders from time to time as parties thereto (the “Lenders”).

     

    2.           The Borrower has requested that the other parties to the Loan and Servicing Agreement amend the Loan and Servicing Agreement as set forth herein and, subject to the terms and conditions
      set forth in this Amendment, such other parties agree to such request.

     

    3.          Capitalized terms used in this Amendment and not otherwise defined have the meanings set forth for such terms in the Loan and Servicing Agreement.

     

    AGREEMENT:

     

    In consideration of the foregoing and the mutual agreements contained in this Amendment, the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the parties to this Amendment hereby agree as follows:

     

    1.           Amendments to Loan and Servicing Agreement.  The Loan and Servicing Agreement is amended as follows:

     

    (a)          The first reference to the word “account” in the definition of Collection Account in Section 1.01 of the Loan and Servicing Agreement shall be replaced with the words
      “Eligible Account”.

     

    (b)        The following definition appearing in Section 1.01 of the Loan and Servicing Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

     

    “Commitment Termination Date” means, with respect to any Term Loan Series, the earliest to occur of (i) the date that is 6 months after the Issuance Date (provided however,
      that such period shall be extended for (x) any Loan Asset for a period of 45 days if such Loan Asset is identified by the Borrower prior to the expiration of such 6 month period, (y) delayed draws associated with any Delayed Draw Loan Asset if such
      Delayed Draw Loan Asset is identified by the Borrower prior to the expiration of such 6 month period, or (z) as otherwise agreed between the Borrower and the Lenders), (ii) the date of the declaration, or automatic occurrence, of an Event of Default,
      (iii) the date any Advances are prepaid in full pursuant to Section 2.14(b)(i) hereof (other than with respect to any Term Loan Series that is established on such date in connection with such prepayment) or (iv) the occurrence of the
      termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 2.14(c) hereof.

     

    

    
      
        

    

    
    (c)          The following definitions shall be added to Section 1.01 of the Loan and Servicing Agreement:

     

    “DBRS” means DBRS, Inc.

     

    “Eligible Account” means (a) PNC Bank, National Association; (b) an account maintained with a federal or state chartered depository institution or trust company or an
      account or accounts maintained with the Servicer that has, in each case, a long-term unsecured debt or deposit rating of at least “A” by DBRS (if rated by DBRS, or if not rated by DBRS, an equivalent (or higher) rating by any two other NRSROs); (c) a
      segregated trust account maintained with the trust department of a federal or state chartered depository institution or trust company acting in its fiduciary capacity; provided that (i) any such institution or trust company has a capital surplus of
      at least $200,000,000 and (ii) any such account is subject to fiduciary funds on deposit regulations substantially similar to 12 C.F.R. § 9.10(b); or (d) any other account approved by the Rating Agency.

     

    “NRSRO” means any nationally recognized statistical rating organization, including the Rating Agency.

     

    “Rating Agency” has the meaning assigned to that term in Section 3.02(d).

     

    (d)        The following definition appearing in Section 1.01 of the Loan and Servicing Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

     

    “Servicing Standard” means that the Servicer shall diligently service and administer the Loan Assets it is obligated to service, pursuant to this Agreement on behalf of the
      Borrower in the best interests of and for the benefit of the Borrower and the Lenders as determined by the Servicer, in its reasonable judgment, and in accordance with applicable law, the terms of this Agreement and the Loan Agreements. To the extent
      consistent with the foregoing, the Servicer shall service the Loan Assets:

     

    (i)           in accordance with the higher of the following standards of care:

     

    (A)        with the same care, skill, prudence and diligence with which the Servicer services and administers comparable commercial mortgage assets with similar borrowers for other
      third party portfolios (giving due consideration to the customary and usual standards of practice of prudent institutional commercial mortgage servicers servicing commercial mortgage assets similar to the Loan Assets);

     

    (B)        with the same care, skill, prudence and diligence with which the Servicer services and administers comparable mortgage assets owned by the Servicer;

     

    in the case of either clauses (A) and (B) above, exercising reasonable business judgment and acting in accordance with applicable law, the terms of this Agreement and the terms of
      the respective Loan Asset (and any related participation agreement);

     

    (ii)         with a view to the timely recovery of all payments of principal and interest, including payments at the maturity date therefor, under the Loan Asset; and

     

    (iii)         without regard to any conflict of interest arising from (A) any relationship, including as lender on any other debt, that Servicer, or any Affiliate thereof, may have
      with

     

    

    
      - 2 -

      
        

    

     any of the related Obligors or any Affiliate thereof, or any other party to this Agreement; (B) the Servicer or any Affiliate thereof being a Lender; (C) the right of the Servicer, or any Affiliate
      thereof, to receive compensation or reimbursement of costs hereunder generally or with respect to any particular transaction; or (D) the ownership, servicing or management for others of any other commercial mortgage asset or real property not subject
      to this Agreement by the Servicer or any Affiliate thereof.

     

    (e)         The first sentence of Section 2.01(b) of the Loan and Servicing Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

     

    On the terms hereinafter set forth, the Borrower may at its option, by delivery of a Term Loan Series Notice substantially in the form of Exhibit A to the Administrative Agent and
      the Lenders, from time to time on any Business Day on and after the Closing Date, request that the Lenders establish a new series of term loans hereunder (a “Term Loan Series”), which such Term Loan Series shall be on a pari passu basis with all
      other Term Loan Series and cross-collateralized and secured on a pari passu basis with the Collateral (it being understood and agreed for the avoidance of doubt that a new Term Loan Series may be established with Loan Assets that have previously been
      prepaid in part pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement).

     

    (f)          Section 2.05(b)(v) of the Loan and Servicing Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

     

    (v)          fifth, (A) if on such Payment Date there are ten or more Eligible Loan Assets as part of the Collateral
      Portfolio (with respect to all outstanding Term Loan Series), to the Equityholder or as the Equityholder may direct, any remaining amounts or (B) if on such Payment Date there are less than ten Eligible Loan Assets as part of the Collateral Portfolio
      (with respect to all outstanding Term Loan Series), any remaining amounts after application of Sections 2.05(b)(i) through 2.05(b)(iv), inclusive, on such Payment Date, to be held in the Collection Account and applied, when and if
      applicable, in accordance with Section 2.05(c), Section 2.05(e) or Section 2.14(b)(i).

     

    (g)          Section 2.14(b) of the Loan and Servicing Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

     

    (b)          (i) Advances may be prepaid in whole or in part at the option of the Borrower solely with funds being held in the Collection Account pursuant to Section
        2.05(b)(v)(B) at any time by delivering a Notice of Reduction (which notice shall include a Borrowing Base Certificate) to the Administrative Agent at least five Business Days prior to such prepayment.  Any prepayment under this Section
        2.14(b)(i) shall be applied pro rata to each outstanding Term Loan Series at such time based on the Advances Outstanding with respect to each such outstanding Term Loan Series.  In connection with any prepayment under this Section
        2.14(b)(i), the Borrower shall also pay in full any unpaid interest and all costs and expenses of the Secured Parties related to such Advances Outstanding (but no Prepayment Premium shall be payable in connection therewith).  With respect to
      any amounts that are held on deposit in the Collection Account in accordance with Section 2.05(b)(v)(B), the Administrative Agent or Servicer shall apply such amounts pursuant to this Section 2.14(b)(i): (A) among the outstanding Term Loan
      Series at such time, ratably to each outstanding Term Loan Series based on the Advances Outstanding with respect to each such outstanding Term Loan Series and (B) within each outstanding Term Loan Series at such time, to the pro rata payment of all
      accrued and unpaid interest

     

    

    
      - 3 -

      
        

    

     with respect to the Advances Outstanding thereunder and all costs and expenses of the Secured Parties related to such Advances Outstanding until paid in full and thereafter to prepay the Advances
      Outstanding under such Term Loan Series.  To the extent all Obligations under any Term Loan Series are prepaid in full in accordance with the terms hereof, the Borrower may terminate such Term Loan Series simultaneously with the prepayment thereof.

     

    (ii)         Advances under any Term Loan Series may also be prepaid in whole or in part at the option of the Borrower (other than with funds being held in the Collection Account
      pursuant to Section 2.05(b)(v)(B) or the proceeds of an Advance or a Sale of assets under another Term Loan Series) at any time by delivering a Notice of Reduction (which notice shall include a Borrowing Base Certificate) to the
      Administrative Agent at least five Business Days prior to such prepayment.  Upon any prepayment of Advances Outstanding under any Term Loan Series pursuant to this Section 2.14(b)(ii), the Borrower shall also pay in full any applicable
      Prepayment Premium and accrued and unpaid interest and all costs and expenses of the Secured Parties related to such Advances.  The Administrative Agent or Servicer shall apply amounts received from the Borrower pursuant to this Section
        2.14(b)(ii) to the pro rata payment of all accrued and unpaid interest with respect to such Advances and all costs and expenses of the Secured Parties related to such Advances until paid in full and thereafter to prepay the Advances Outstanding
      under such Term Loan Series.  To the extent all Obligations under any Term Loan Series are prepaid in full in accordance with the terms hereof, the Borrower may terminate such Term Loan Series simultaneously with the prepayment thereof.

     

    (h)          Section 3.02 of the Loan and Servicing Agreement is amended to add a Section 3.02(d) as follows:

     

    (d)          On or prior to the Advance Date for any Advance, the Borrower has received a confirmation from DBRS, Inc. (the “Rating Agency”), that such Advance will not, in
      and of itself, result in the downgrade or withdrawal of the then current rating assigned to the secured term loan facility which is the subject of this Agreement then rated by the Rating Agency; provided that
      no such confirmation is required if (i) the principal balance of any Advance with respect to Delayed Draw Amounts of any Loan Asset, together with all prior Advances with respect to Delayed Draw Amounts for such Loan Asset, is less than $20,000,000,
      (ii) no Term Loan Series is rated by the Rating Agency at such time, (iii) the Rating Agency acknowledges in writing that it has decided not to review such Advance or is waiving the requirement for such confirmation or (iv) the Rating Agency does not
      indicate that it will either review such Advance or waive the requirement for such confirmation within 10 Business Days of a request for such confirmation being sent to the Rating Agency.  Any confirmation, waiver, request, acknowledgment or approval
      which is required by this Section 3.02(d) to be in writing may be in the form of electronic mail.  Borrower shall promptly provide the Servicer and the Administrative Agent with a copy of any such confirmation, waiver, request, acknowledgment
      or approval the Borrower receives from the Rating Agency.

     

    (i)          The second sentence of Section 6.01(d) of the Loan and Servicing Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

     

    The indemnification obligations of the Replacement Servicer upon becoming a Servicer, are expressly limited to those arising on account of its gross
      negligence, willful

     

    

    
      - 4 -

      
        

    

     misconduct or violation of the Servicing Standard, or the failure to perform materially in accordance with its duties and obligations set forth in this Agreement.

     

    (j)          Section 6.08 of the Loan and Servicing Agreement is amended to add Sections 6.08(f) and 6.08(g) as follows:

     

    (f)       Upon reasonable prior written request of the Rating Agency, the Servicer will furnish or make available (electronically via a method determined in Servicer’s sole
      discretion) to such Rating Agency, any information regarding the Loan Assets reasonably requested by such Rating Agency that is reasonably necessary for such Rating Agency’s rating of the secured term loan facility which is the subject of this
      Agreement but only to the extent that the Servicer (i) has and can furnish such information without unreasonable effort or expense and (ii) is not otherwise restricted or prohibited from furnishing such information due to other contractual
      obligations or applicable laws or regulations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the failure to deliver such information shall not constitute a Servicer Termination Event under this Agreement.

     

    (g)         The Borrower will provide to the Rating Agency any report or notice that it receives or delivers under Section 6.08(c) or 6.08(d) on a timely basis,
      any notice regarding change of a service provider under this Agreement and any other information reasonably requested by the Rating Agency in connection with its rating of the secured term loan facility which is the subject of this Agreement.

     

    (k)          Section 11.02 of the Loan and Servicing Agreement is amended to add the following address:

     

    
      	
              If to the Rating Agency:

            	
              DBRS, Inc.

              333 W. Wacker Dr., Suite 1800

              Chicago, IL 60606

              Attn: CMBS Surveillance

              Email: cmbs.surveillance@dbrs.com

            

    

     

    

    (l)          Attached hereto as Exhibit A is the amended and restated Loan and Servicing Agreement reflecting the above amendments.

     

    2.           General Representations and Warranties.  Each party hereto represents to each other party hereto as follows:

     

    (a)         Such party (i) has the power, authority and legal right to execute and deliver this Amendment and perform and carry out the terms of this Amendment and the transactions
      contemplated hereby and (ii) has taken all necessary action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment.  This Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by such Party.

     

    (b)        Each of this Amendment and the Loan and Servicing Agreement, as amended, hereby constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such party, enforceable against
      such party in accordance with their respective terms, except as the enforceability hereof and thereof may be limited by Bankruptcy Laws and by general principles of equity.

     

    

    
      - 5 -

      
        

    

    (c)          The representations and warranties of such party contained in the Loan and Servicing Agreement are true and correct in all material respects (except for those
      representations and warranties that by their terms refer to a specified prior date).

     

    3.          Borrower Representations and Warranties. The Borrower represents to each other party hereto that, as of the date hereof, after giving effect to this Amendment, no event has
      occurred which constitutes an Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default.

     

    4.         Effectiveness.  This Amendment is effective on and as of the date when the last of the following conditions precedent has been satisfied in a manner satisfactory to the Initial
      Lender and Servicer:

     

    (a)          All representations of the Borrower and Holdings set forth herein are true and correct in all respects.

     

    (b)         The Initial Lender and the Servicer has received payment in full of any fee, cost or expense required by this Amendment or any of the Transaction Documents to be paid.

     

    5.        Reaffirmations.  Each party to the Loan and Servicing Agreement reaffirms all covenants set forth in the Loan and Servicing Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.  Except as
      specifically provided herein, all terms and conditions of the Loan and Servicing Agreement remain in full force and effect, without waiver or modification.  This Amendment and the Loan and Servicing Agreement are to be read together as one document. 
      From and after the date hereof, each reference in the Loan and Servicing Agreement to “this Agreement,” “hereunder,” “hereof,” “herein” or words of like import, and each reference in the Loan and Servicing Agreement or any other Transaction Document
      to the Loan and Servicing Agreement or to any term, condition or provision contained “thereunder,” “thereof,” “therein” or words of like import, means and are a reference to the Loan and Servicing Agreement (or such term, condition or provision, as
      applicable) as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified by this Amendment.

     

    6.          Successors and Assigns.  This Amendment is binding upon each party hereto and their respective successors and assign, and inures to the sole benefit of such party and its
      respective successors and assigns.  Neither the Borrower nor Holdings has the right to assign their respective rights or delegate their respective duties under this Amendment.

     

    7.         Costs, Expenses and Taxes.  The Borrower and Holdings affirm and acknowledge that Section 11.07 of the Loan and Servicing Agreement applies to this Amendment and the transactions
      and agreements and documents contemplated under this Amendment.

     

    8.          Governing Law; Severability.  This Amendment shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.  Wherever possible, each provision of this Amendment will be interpreted in
      such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Amendment is prohibited by or invalid under such law, such provision will be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating
      the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Amendment.

     

    9.       Counterparts.  This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed
      to be an original and all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Amendment by e-mail in portable document format (.pdf) or facsimile shall be
      effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment.

     

    (Signature Pages Follow)

     

    
      - 6 -

      
        

    

    The parties have caused this Amendment to be executed as of the date first above written.

     

    	 	
            THE BORROWER:

          
	 	 
	 	
            KREF LENDING VII LLC

          
	 	 
	 	
            By:

          	/s/ Patrick Mattson
	 	
            Name: Patrick Mattson

          
	 	
            Title:   Authorized Signatory

          
	 	 
	 	
            HOLDINGS:

          
	 	 
	 	
            KREF HOLDINGS VII LLC

          
	 	 
	 	
            By:

          	/s/ Patrick Mattson
	 	
            Name: Patrick Mattson

          
	 	
            Title:   Authorized Signatory

          

    

    

    
      - 7 -

      
        

    

    	 	
            COLLATERAL CUSTODIAN:

          
	 	 
	 	
            PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

          
	 	 
	 	
            By:

          	/s/ Janice E. Kiwaca
	 	
            Name: Janice E. Kiwaca

          
	 	
            Title: Vice President

          
	 	 
	 	
            SERVICER AND ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:

          
	 	 
	 	
            MIDLAND LOAN SERVICES, A DIVISION OF

             PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

          
	 	 
	 	
            By:

          	/s/ David A. Harrison
	 	
            Name: David A. Harrison

          
	 	
            Title: Senior Vice President

          

     

    

     

    

    
      - 8 -

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