Document:

Exhibit 10.1

 

 

	
 
    	
Renee R. Schultz
    
	
 
    	
Senior  Vice   President, Capital Markets
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
4000   Wisconsin Avenue, NW
    
	
 
    	
Washington,   DC 20016
    
	
 
    	
202   752 1805
    
	
 
    	
202   752 6890 (fax)
    
	
 
    	
renee_r_schultz@fanniemae.com
    

 

November 27, 2012

 

PHH Mortgage Corporation

1 Mortgage Way

Mount Laurel, NJ 08054

 

Re:                             Amendment and Restatement of Committed Purchase Facility for Early Funding

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

This letter agreement (this “Letter Agreement”) amends and restates, effective as of the Effective Date (defined below), that certain Letter Agreement between Fannie Mae and PHH Mortgage Corporation (“PHH”) dated as of December 15, 2011, related to the Committed Purchase Facility for Early Funding, as amended by the Amendment No. 1 to Letter Agreement, dated as of April 27, 2012 (the “Existing Letter Agreement”), regarding Fannie Mae’s commitment to accept delivery and to purchase mortgage loans and pools of mortgage loans from PHH pursuant to the Early Funding Agreements (as defined in that certain Pricing Terms Letter between Fannie Mae and PHH, dated as of December 15, 2011 (the “Existing Pricing Terms Letter”)).

 

1.                                      Term of Agreement.  The terms set forth in this Letter Agreement shall apply to all sales and deliveries of mortgage loans and pools of mortgage loans from PHH to Fannie Mae pursuant to the Early Funding Agreements that are made on or after December 14, 2012 (the “Effective Date”) and on or before December 13, 2013 (the “Scheduled Termination Date”), subject to the early termination of this Letter Agreement as provided herein (such period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the Schedule Termination Date, subject to the early termination of this Letter Agreement as provided herein, is referred to herein as the “Term”).

 

1A.                             Definitions.  As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

“Applicable Law” shall mean all provisions of statutes, rules, regulations, and orders of governmental bodies or regulatory agencies applicable to a Person, and all orders and decrees of all courts and arbitrators in proceedings or actions in which the Person in question is a party.

 

 

“Available Borrowing Capacity” shall mean committed borrowing capacity which may be drawn (taking into account required reserves and discounts) upon or has been drawn upon by PHH Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries under committed Mortgage Warehouse Facilities.

 

“Capital Lease” shall mean, as applied to any Person, any lease of any property (whether real, personal, or mixed) by that Person as lessee which, in accordance with GAAP, is or should be accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of that Person.

 

“Consolidated Net Worth” shall mean, at any date of determination, all amounts which would be included on a balance sheet of PHH Corporation and its Consolidated Subsidiaries under stockholders’ equity as of such date in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Consolidated Subsidiaries” shall mean all Subsidiaries of PHH Corporation that are required to be consolidated with PHH Corporation for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Existing Mortgage Warehouse Facilities” shall mean the mortgage warehouse facilities and mortgage warehouse conduits of PHH and its Subsidiaries in place as of March 30, 2012.

 

“GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied (except for accounting changes in response to FASB releases or other authoritative pronouncements) provided, however, that all calculations made pursuant to Sections 5(a)(ix) and 5(a)(x) hereof and the related definitions shall have been computed based on generally accepted accounting principles as are in effect on June 25, 2010.

 

“Government-Sponsored Enterprise” shall mean (i) Fannie Mae, (ii) Freddie Mac, (iii) Ginnie Mae, or (iv) any other U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development entity.

 

“Guaranty” shall mean, as to any Person, any direct or indirect obligation of such Person guaranteeing or intended to guarantee any Indebtedness, Capital Lease, dividend or other monetary obligation (“primary obligation”) of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent, (a) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (b) to advance or supply funds (i) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or (ii) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, (c) to purchase property, securities or services, in each case, primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the repayment of such primary obligation or (d) as a general partner

 

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of a partnership or a joint venturer of a joint venture in respect of indebtedness of such partnership or such joint venture which is treated as a general partnership for purposes of Applicable Law. The amount of any Guaranty shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount (or portion thereof) of the primary obligation in respect of which such Guaranty is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof (assuming such Person is required to perform thereunder); provided that the amount of any Guaranty shall be limited to the extent necessary so that such amount does not exceed the value of the assets of such Person (as reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP) to which any creditor or beneficiary of such Guaranty would have recourse. Notwithstanding the foregoing definition, the term “Guaranty” shall not include any direct or indirect obligation of a Person as a general partner of a general partnership or a joint venturer of a joint venture in respect of Indebtedness of such general partnership or joint venture, to the extent such Indebtedness is contractually non-recourse to the assets of such Person as a general partner or joint venturer (other than assets comprising the capital of such general partnership or joint venture).

 

“Indebtedness” shall mean (i) all indebtedness, obligations and other liabilities of PHH Corporation and its Subsidiaries which are, at the date as of which Indebtedness is to be determined, includable as liabilities in a consolidated balance sheet of PHH Corporation and its Subsidiaries, other than (w) accounts payable, accrued expenses and derivatives transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business pursuant to hedging programs, (x) advances from clients obtained in the ordinary course of the relocation management services business of PHH Corporation and its Subsidiaries, (y) current and deferred income taxes and other similar liabilities and (z) minority interest, plus (ii) without duplicating any items included in Indebtedness pursuant to the foregoing clause (i) (but excluding reinsurance obligations of Atrium Insurance Corporation and its successors and assigns), the maximum aggregate amount of all liabilities of PHH Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries under any Guaranty, indemnity or similar undertaking given or assumed of, or in respect of, the indebtedness, obligations or other liabilities, assets, revenues, income or dividends of any Person other than PHH Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries and (iii) all other obligations or liabilities of PHH Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries in relation to the discharge of the obligations of any Person other than PHH Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries.

 

“Mortgage Warehouse Facilities” shall mean (i) the Existing Mortgage Warehouse Facilities and (ii) each other credit facility or conduit for the warehousing or gestation of mortgages that provides financing to PHH Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

“Person” shall mean any natural person, corporation, division of a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, estate, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

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“Amended Pricing Terms Letter” shall mean that certain Amended Pricing Terms Letter dated as of the date hereof between Fannie Mae and PHH referencing this Letter Agreement and setting forth certain specific terms, including pricing terms, governing transactions pursuant to this Letter Agreement and the Early Funding Agreements (as defined in the Amended Pricing Terms Letter).

 

“Securitization Indebtedness” shall mean Indebtedness incurred by any structured bankruptcy-remote Subsidiary of PHH Corporation which does not permit or provide for recourse to PHH Corporation or any Subsidiary of PHH Corporation (other than such structured bankruptcy-remote Subsidiary) or any property or asset of PHH Corporation or any Subsidiary of PHH Corporation (other than the property or assets of such structured bankruptcy-remote Subsidiary).

 

“Subsidiary” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association, joint venture, partnership or other business entity (whether now existing or hereafter organized) of which at least a majority of the voting stock or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors (or the equivalent) is, at the time as of which any determination is being made, owned or controlled by such Person or one or more subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more subsidiaries of such Person. Unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” in this Amendment shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of PHH Corporation.

 

“Tangible Net Worth” shall mean, at any date of determination, Consolidated Net Worth minus the aggregate book value of all intangible assets of PHH Corporation and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date in accordance with GAAP.

 

2.                                      Commitment.  (a) During the Term of this Letter Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, Fannie Mae shall accept the sale and delivery and shall purchase mortgage loans and pools of mortgage loans from PHH pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Early Funding Agreements, provided that Fannie Mae shall not be committed to purchase mortgage loans or pools of mortgage loans from PHH during the Term to the extent that, after giving effect to the purchase thereof, the aggregate unpaid principal balance of mortgage loans and pools of mortgage loans considered to be Pending (as defined below) for all Early Funding Agreements would exceed $1 billion ($1,000,000,000.00) as of any given day.  Fannie Mae’s commitment to purchase loans from PHH pursuant to the terms of this Letter Agreement shall be referred to herein as the “Commitment”.

 

(b)                                 For purposes of this Letter Agreement, mortgage loans and pools of mortgage loans that have been purchased by Fannie Mae under the Early Funding Agreements, but pursuant to the terms thereof the transaction has not been completed (i.e., either (i) for a

 

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transaction under the ASAP Plus Agreements (as defined in the Amended Pricing Terms Letter), the mortgage loans have not been repurchased by PHH and redelivered to Fannie Mae into a whole loan commitment, or (ii) for a transaction under the ASAP Sale Agreements (as defined in the Amended Pricing Terms Letter), the mortgage-backed securities to be created from the pool of mortgages purchased by Fannie Mae have not been delivered to the identified forward trade counterparty) will be referred to as “Pending.”

 

(c)                                  During the Term of this Letter Agreement, Fannie Mae’s purchases of mortgage loans and pools of mortgage loans from PHH under the Early Funding Agreements shall be at the pricing levels set forth in the Amended Pricing Terms Letter.

 

(d)                                 For the avoidance of doubt, this Letter Agreement is intended to create a binding commitment by Fannie Mae to purchase mortgage loans and pools of mortgage loans from PHH pursuant to the terms of the Early Funding Agreements, and as such, any provisions in the Early Funding Agreements that relate to:

 

(i) an Early Funding Agreement not being construed as conferring the right to PHH to deliver mortgage loans or pools of mortgage loans to Fannie Mae or an obligation of Fannie Mae to accept such deliveries;

 

(ii) an Early Funding Agreement not being a commitment of funds to PHH; or

 

(iii) the ability of either party to terminate or cancel an Early Funding Agreement at any time in the absence of a Termination Event or an Event of Default, as applicable, under such Early Funding Agreement;

 

shall be superseded by this Letter Agreement, provided, however, that except as set forth above, this Letter Agreement does not otherwise modify the terms and provisions of the Early Funding Agreements, including, without limitation, the procedures, and requirements of the initiation or completion of the delivery and sale of mortgage loans and pools of mortgage loans pursuant to the Early Funding Agreements or the ability of either party to declare an Event of Default or Termination Event under the Early Funding Agreements and exercise any rights and remedies arising therefrom.

 

3.                                      Commitment Fee.  (a)  PHH shall pay Fannie Mae a commitment fee for providing the Commitment in the amount specified in the Amended Pricing Terms Letter (such fee, the “Commitment Fee”).

 

(b)                                 The Commitment Fee shall be paid in equal quarterly installments, with payments due on the Effective Date, March 1, 2013, June 1, 2013, and September 1, 2013 (each such date, a “Payment Date”).  Each payment shall represent the portion of the Commitment Fee for the period starting on such Payment Date and ending on the day immediately preceding the next Payment Date (or the Scheduled Termination Date, in the case of the last quarterly

 

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payment).  The period from one Payment Date to the day immediately preceding the next Payment Date (or the Scheduled Termination Date) will be referred to herein as a “Payment Period”.

 

(c)                                  Commitment Fees attributable to prior Payment Periods are not refundable in the event of the early termination of this Letter Agreement.  Commitment Fees attributable to the then-current Payment Period will be refunded to PHH as set forth in Section 5 below. Commitment Fees shall be wired to Fannie Mae (or in the case of a refund, to PHH) to the account specified in the Amended Pricing Terms Letter.

 

4.                                      Non-Usage Fee.  (a) PHH is required to pay a non-usage fee to Fannie Mae in the event its Average Monthly Balance (defined below) falls below the Minimum Average Monthly Balance (as defined in the Amended Pricing Terms Letter) for any calendar month during the Term of this Letter Agreement.

 

(b)                                 The “Average Monthly Balance” shall be calculated monthly by adding together the daily aggregate unpaid principal balance of all Pending mortgage loans and pools of mortgage loans, with that sum divided by the number of days in such month.  The Average Monthly Balance shall be calculated by Fannie Mae using data from Fannie Mae’s internal systems for tracking early funding transactions.  The data from these internal systems will be conclusive and binding upon PHH and Fannie Mae, absent manifest error.

 

(c)                                  In the event the Average Monthly Balance for a month is below the Minimum Average Monthly Balance, the Average Monthly Balance for such month shall be subtracted from the Minimum Average Monthly Balance, and the difference multiplied by the Annualized Non-Usage Rate (defined in the Amended Pricing Terms Letter) based on the actual number of days during such month, to determine the “Non-Usage Fee.”  A Non-Usage Fee for a given month, if applicable, shall be paid by PHH to Fannie Mae by the fifth business day of the following month, provided that Fannie Mae has provided PHH at least three business days prior notice of the amount of the Non-Usage Fee that is due and payable, together with a reasonably detailed calculation of the Non-Usage Fee.  Any Non-Usage Fees paid to Fannie Mae will not be refunded to PHH in the event of the early termination of this Letter Agreement.

 

5.                          Termination  Events; Remedies.  (a)  The occurrence of any of the following events shall constitute a “PHH Termination Event”:

 

(i)            the occurrence of any Event of Default or Termination Event as set forth in an Early Funding Agreement, after the expiration of any applicable cure period;

 

(ii)           the occurrence of a “Material Adverse Change” with respect to PHH, which shall mean the occurrence of an event that would cause a material

 

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and adverse change in the financial condition, business, or operations of PHH and its parent or subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as a result of any event that disproportionately impacts PHH and its parent or subsidiaries relative to similarly-sized mortgage companies;

 

(iii)          RESERVED;

 

(iv)          PHH’s “Lender Adjusted Net Worth”, as such term is defined in Subpart A4-2-01 of the Fannie Mae Selling Guide, as it may be amended from time to time (the “Guide”), decreasing below $600 million;

 

(v)           the failure of PHH to meet the financial eligibility requirements set forth in Subpart A4-2-01 of the Guide;

 

(vi)          a “Repurchase Trigger Event” as defined in Master Agreement no. MP04624 by and between Fannie Mae and PHH (or any Master Agreement that expressly replaces Master Agreement no. MP04624);

 

(vii)         the failure of PHH to pay a Commitment Fee or Non-Usage fee to Fannie Mae in accordance with the terms of this Letter Agreement within three business days following notice to PHH of such failure;

 

(viii)        the occurrence of any legislative or regulatory action that causes this Letter Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby to be contrary to applicable law;

 

(ix)          the Consolidated Net Worth on the last day of any fiscal quarter of PHH Corporation after the Effective Date, being less than US$1 billion;

 

(x)           on the last day of each fiscal quarter of PHH Corporation, the ratio of Indebtedness to Tangible Net Worth being in excess of 6.5 to 1.0;

 

(xi)          the failure by PHH Corporation and its Subsidiaries to maintain aggregate Available Borrowing Capacity of at least US$1 billion at all times (excluding committed or uncommitted loan purchase arrangements or other funding arrangements from Fannie Mae related to the Early Funding Agreements or otherwise, and any warehouse capacity provided by Government-Sponsored Enterprises), provided, that no more than US$500 million of such capacity is in respect of facilities that are exclusively gestation facilities; and

 

(xii)         (i) a default in payment shall be made with respect to any Indebtedness of PHH Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Securitization

 

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Indebtedness) where the amount or amounts of such Indebtedness exceeds US$25 million (or its equivalent thereof in any other currency) in the aggregate; or (ii) default in payment or performance shall be made with respect to any Indebtedness of PHH Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Securitization Indebtedness) where the amount or amounts of such Indebtedness exceeds US$25 million (or its equivalent thereof in any other currency) in the aggregate, if the effect of such default is to result in the acceleration of the maturity of such Indebtedness; or (iii) any other circumstance shall arise (other than the mere passage of time) by reason of which PHH Corporation or any Subsidiary of PHH Corporation is required to redeem or repurchase, or offer to holders the opportunity to have redeemed or repurchased, any such Indebtedness (other than Securitization Indebtedness) where the amount or amounts of such Indebtedness exceeds US$25 million (or its equivalent thereof in any other currency) in the aggregate; provided that clause (iii) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of a voluntary sale of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness or Indebtedness that is redeemed or repurchased at the option of PHH Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries or with respect to any Indebtedness that is convertible, in whole or in part, into shares of capital stock of PHH Corporation and/or cash based on any formula(s) that reference the trading price of shares of capital stock of PHH Corporation, any payment for settlement (whether in cash or otherwise) upon conversion thereof and provided, further, that clauses (ii) and (iii) shall not apply to any Indebtedness of any Subsidiary issued and outstanding prior to the date such Subsidiary became a Subsidiary of PHH Corporation (other than Indebtedness issued in connection with, or in anticipation of, such Subsidiary becoming a Subsidiary of PHH Corporation) if such default or circumstance arises solely as a result of a “change of control” provision applicable to such Indebtedness which becomes operative as a result of the acquisition of such Subsidiary by PHH Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(b)                                 The occurrence of any of the following events shall constitute a “Fannie Mae Termination Event”:

 

(i)            the failure of Fannie Mae to acquire mortgage loans or pools of mortgage loans from PHH in accordance with the terms of the Commitment;

 

(ii)           the occurrence of any legislative or regulatory action that causes this Letter Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby to be contrary to applicable law; and

 

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(iii)                               the termination of each As Soon As Pooled Sale Agreement between Fannie Mae and PHH and each As Soon As Pooled Plus Agreement between Fannie Mae and PHH.

 

(c)                                  Upon the occurrence of a PHH Termination Event, Fannie Mae may either: (x) waive the PHH Termination Event and continue with the Letter Agreement in full force and effect, or (y) at its option, terminate this Letter Agreement upon written notice to PHH.  Upon the termination of this Letter Agreement by Fannie Mae pursuant to a PHH Termination Event, Fannie Mae shall refund any pro-rated Commitment Fees paid by PHH to Fannie Mae that are attributable to the time period after the effective date of the termination, less any Non-Usage Fees owed by PHH as of the effective date of such termination.  PHH shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary or punitive damages of Fannie Mae in connection with the termination of this Letter Agreement.

 

(d)                                 Upon the occurrence of a Fannie Mae Termination Event, PHH may either: (x) waive the Fannie Mae Termination Event and continue with the Letter Agreement in full force and effect, or (y) at its option, terminate this Letter Agreement upon written notice to Fannie Mae.  Upon the termination of this Letter Agreement by PHH pursuant to a Fannie Mae Termination Event, Fannie Mae shall refund any pro-rated Commitment Fees paid by PHH to Fannie Mae that are attributable to the time period after the effective date of the termination, less any Non-Usage Fees owed by PHH as of the effective date of such termination.  Fannie Mae shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary or punitive damages of PHH in connection with the termination of this Letter Agreement.

 

(e)                                  The early termination of this Letter Agreement will not impact the status of Pending transactions under the Early Funding Agreements; provided, however, that for the avoidance of doubt, the termination of other contracts between PHH and Fannie Mae (e.g., the Early Funding Agreements or the Master Agreement) may impact the status of Pending transactions under the Early Funding Agreements.

 

6.                                    Notices.  Any notice or request permitted or required pursuant to this Letter Agreement must be in writing and sent to the addresses set forth below, or such other address as a party hereto may from time to time designate, via a means that ensures overnight delivery or by intra-day messenger, with a copy of such written notice sent via email to the address or addresses identified below:

 

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Fannie Mae:
    	
Ms.   Renee Schultz, Senior Vice President
    
	
 
    	
Fannie   Mae
    
	
 
    	
4000   Wisconsin Avenue, NW
    
	
 
    	
Washington,   DC 20016
    
	
 
    	
renee_r_schultz@fanniemae.com
    
	
 
    	
early_funding@fanniemae.com
    
	
 
    	
Telephone:   1-866-944-3863
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
PHH:
    	
Attn: Richard Bradfield
    
	
 
    	
PHH   Mortgage Corporation
    
	
 
    	
1   Mortgage Way
    
	
 
    	
Mount   Laurel, NJ 08054
    
	
 
    	
rich.bradfield@phhmail.com
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
with   a copy to:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
PHH   Mortgage Corporation
    
	
 
    	
Attn:   General Counsel
    
	
 
    	
1   Mortgage Way
    
	
 
    	
Mount   Laurel, NJ 08054
    
	
 
    	
legalnotice@phhmail.com
    

 

7.                                    No Assignment.  Neither this Letter Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by Fannie Mae or PHH without the prior written consent of the other.  A change of control of PHH shall constitute an assignment of this Letter Agreement.

 

8.                                    No Publicity.  Neither party shall, in the course of performance of this Letter Agreement or thereafter, use the other party’s name in any advertising or promotional materials without the prior written consent of the other party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

9.                                    Counterparts.  This Letter Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and both of which, when taken together, shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

10.                             Amendment and Restatement.  The terms and provisions of the Existing Letter Agreement shall be deemed amended and restated in their entirety effective as of the Effective Date by the terms and provisions of this Letter Agreement and the terms and provisions of this Letter Agreement shall supersede the terms and provisions of the Existing Letter Agreement as of the Effective Date.  From and after the Effective Date, all references made to the Existing Letter Agreement in any agreement between Fannie Mae and PHH shall, without more, be deemed to refer to this Letter Agreement.

 

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11.                             Governing Law; Amendments to this Agreement.  The terms of this Letter Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the District of Columbia, without regard to its conflicts of laws rules.  Both parties hereby irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of the courts in the District of Columbia.  No amendment to this Letter Agreement shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by both Fannie Mae and PHH.

 

12.                             No Modification of Agreements.  (a) This Letter Agreement sets forth the terms of Fannie Mae’s Commitment to purchase mortgage loans and pools of mortgage loans from PHH pursuant to the Early Funding Agreements during the Term.  This Letter Agreement is not intended to modify to the terms and provisions of the Early Funding Agreements, other than as set forth in Section 2(d) of this Letter Agreement.

 

(b)                                 Each of Fannie Mae and PHH reserves their respective rights and remedies under any other agreement in place between the parties.

 

13.                             No Fiduciary Relationship.  Each party acknowledges and agrees that no fiduciary, advisory, or agency relationship exists between the parties, or is intended to be created between the parties as a result of this Letter Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

14.                             No Third Party Beneficiaries.  Each party agrees that this Letter Agreement is intended to be solely for the benefit for the parties hereto and is not intended to and does not confer any benefits upon, or create any rights in favor of, any other person other than the parties hereto.

 

15.                             Waivers.  No waiver of any right, power, or privilege hereunder by a party shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power, or privilege hereunder by such party, and no exercise of any remedy hereunder by a party shall constitute a waiver of such party’s right to exercise any other remedy hereunder.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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Please countersign the two (2) enclosed counterparts of this letter to evidence your agreement with the terms hereof and return one (1) to my attention at the above-listed address.

 

Thank you.

 

 

	
 
    	
Yours   truly,
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
FANNIE   MAE
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Renee R. Schultz
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Renee   R. Schultz
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Senior   Vice President, Capital Markets
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ACCEPTED   AND AGREED:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
PHH   MORTGAGE CORPORATION
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
/s/   Richard J. Bradfield
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Richard   J. Bradfield
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Senior   Vice President and Treasurer
    	
 
    
					

 

12Exhibit 10.1

 

ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

 

CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION

 

IN THE MATTER OF

 

INVESTIGATION REGARDING APPROVAL AND

 

CLOSING OF DUKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND

 

PROGRESS ENERGY, INC. MERGER

 

SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Agreement is entered into between the State of North Carolina, by and through Attorney General Roy Cooper (the “Attorney General”), and Duke Energy Corporation (Duke).

 

BACKGROUND

 

1.             On April 4, 2011, Duke and Progress Energy, Inc. (Progress) filed an application before the North Carolina Utilities Commission (Commission) in Commission Docket Nos. E-2, Sub 998 and E-7, Sub 986 requesting that the Commission approve the merger between the two entities.  On that date, James E. Rogers was President, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Chairman of the Duke Board and William D. Johnson was President, CEO, and Chairman of the Progress Board.  In the merger application and in testimony before the Commission by Rogers and Johnson, Duke and Progress represented to the Commission that, effective upon the closing of the merger, Johnson would be the President and CEO of the combined company and Rogers would be the Executive Chairman of the Board of the combined company.  On June 29, 2012, the Commission issued an Order Approving Merger (Merger Order) subject to Regulatory Conditions and Code of Conduct, in the Merger Dockets.  On July 2, 2011, Duke and Progress closed the merger transaction.  On July 3, 2012, Duke announced that, following action taken by the Duke Board on July 2, 2012, Rogers would replace Johnson as President and CEO of Duke.

 

 

2.             In July, 2012, the Attorney General initiated an investigation (hereafter, the “Investigation”), pursuant to his authority under N.C. Gen. Stat. 75-9, regarding the decision to replace Johnson with Rogers as President and CEO of Duke.  On July 6, 2012, the Commission issued an Order Initiating Investigation and Scheduling Hearing in Commission Docket No. E-7, Sub 1017.  The Attorney General’s office is also a party to Docket No. E-7, Sub 1017.

 

3.             Duke and the Attorney General’s office desire to resolve all matters and issues involved in the Attorney General’s Investigation and its participation in Docket No. E-7, Sub 1017 without further litigation and expense and to move forward in a positive manner.  Duke expressly denies that it engaged in any illegalities or improper acts, and this Agreement does not constitute and shall not be construed as an admission or acknowledgement of any illegality or improper acts by Duke.  Acceptance of this Agreement by the Attorney General shall not be construed as or deemed to be an approval of any of Duke’s conduct that was a subject of the Investigation.

 

4.             On November 29, 2012, Duke entered into a Settlement Agreement (attached hereto as Exhibit 1) with the Staff of the North Carolina Utilities Commission (Commission Staff) and the North Carolina Utilities Commission — Public Staff (Public Staff) in Docket No. E-7, Sub 1017, and those parties are recommending that the Commission approve the terms of that Settlement Agreement in full.

 

5.             In order to address the Attorney General’s concerns and resolve the issues involved in the Investigation, the Attorney General and Duke enter into the following Agreement:

 

ASSURANCES BY DUKE

 

6.             With respect to Docket No. E-7, Sub 1017, the Attorney General will not object to the Settlement Agreement (Exhibit 1) Duke entered into with the Staff of the North Carolina Utilities Commission (Commission Staff) and the North Carolina Utilities Commission — Public Staff (Public Staff).  Except that:  (1) notwithstanding Paragraph II.E of that Settlement Agreement (Exhibit 1), the Attorney General and Duke agree that the Attorney General hereby preserves all his procedural rights to make any arguments or objections in all rate cases filed by Duke after the date of this Agreement, including but not limited to any arguments or objections pertaining to the deferral or levelizing of costs referenced in Paragraph II.E; and (2) with respect to Paragraphs F and H of that Settlement Agreement (Exhibit 1), the Attorney General abstains from any consideration of those provisions.

 

7.             Duke will comply with all applicable provisions in Chapter 62 and the Commission’s applicable rules and regulations pertaining to the provision of truthful and complete information to the Commission.

 

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8.             The Regulatory Policy and Operations Committee (RPOC) of the Duke Board, or the Chair of such Committee, created pursuant to Paragraph B of the Settlement Agreement (Exhibit 1), will meet with the Attorney General on a periodic basis at his request.

 

9.             Duke, at no cost to ratepayers, will retain an independent entity to conduct a survey of all of Duke’s North Carolina customers to determine their level of satisfaction with their electric utility service and solicit from them how service could be improved. Within one year of the date of this Agreement, Duke will provide the Attorney General’s office with a report detailing and summarizing the results of that survey, along with any actions Duke plans to take in response to the survey.

 

10.          Duke, at no cost to ratepayers, will retain an independent entity to conduct a survey of its employees, seeking feedback from such employees regarding merger integration and post-merger operations of the company, and, within two years of the date of this agreement, provide the Attorney General’s office with a report detailing and summarizing the results of that survey, along with any actions Duke plans to take in response to the survey.

 

11.          Duke will designate a specific point of contact within the company as the liaison with the Attorney General’s office, in order to meet periodically with the Attorney General’s office and facilitate communication of consumer-related information to the office, including, but not limited to, rates, service to consumers, and environmental issues.  The parties will discuss the best way to provide a liaison with the Attorney General’s office and mutually agree to the schedule for doing so and any changes that may be needed in the future.

 

12.          No later than 60 days from the date of this Agreement, Duke shall pay a total of $250,000.00 to the North Carolina Attorney General’s office for attorneys’ fees and otherwise defraying the costs of the Investigation leading to this Agreement.  Duke shall make this payment via a certified check payable to the “North Carolina Department of Justice.”  The check shall be sent, within the deadline set forth above, to North Carolina Attorney General, c/o Kevin Anderson, Senior Deputy Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division, 114 West Edenton Street, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27602.

 

13.          Duke will not seek to include or charge any of the attorneys’ fees or other costs or expenses it incurred as a result of this Investigation to North Carolina’s ratepayers.

 

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OTHER PROVISIONS

 

14.          In light of Duke’s assurances contained herein, and upon execution of this Agreement, the Attorney General’s office will discontinue further activity in this Investigation against Duke and any individuals acting on behalf of Duke.

 

15.          The Attorney General and Duke stipulate that this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and that it shall not be amended or modified other than in writing signed by both parties. If any provision herein is found to be legally insufficient or unenforceable by a court of law, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.  By entering into this Agreement, neither party waives any positions or defenses it might have in future dockets or proceedings before the Commission or in any other lawful tribunal, and this Agreement is not to be viewed as precedent in any future proceedings before the Commission or any other lawful tribunal.

 

16.          The parties agree and stipulate that the Courts of the State of North Carolina have subject matter jurisdiction to enforce this Agreement.

 

17.          Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as relieving Duke of the obligation to comply with all otherwise applicable state or federal laws, regulations or rules, or relieving Duke from any existing or future liability under applicable laws.

 

18.          This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and a facsimile or PDF signature shall be deemed to be, and shall have the same force and effect as, an original signature.

 

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THE UNDERSIGNED, WHO HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO CONSENT AND SIGN ON BEHALF OF THE PARTIES IN THIS ACTION, HEREBY CONSENT TO THE FORM AND CONTENTS OF THE FOREGOING SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT.

 

Signed this the 3rd day of December, 2012.

 

 

	
Duke   Energy Corporation
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
/s/   Catherine S. Stempien
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Catherine   S. Stempien
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Vice   President, State and Federal Legal Support
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Roy   Cooper, Attorney General of North Carolina
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
/s/   Kevin Anderson
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Kevin   Anderson
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Senior   Deputy Attorney General
    	
 
    
			

 

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