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Contract analysis / draft-opinion-true-sale-qrh-to-qrf.docx
draft-opinion-true-sale-qrh-to-qrf.docx
1025-00007 · 60 clauses
High · 0 Medium · 8 Standard · 3
I. INTRODUCTION AND ENGAGEMENT Standard
⚑ Commercial term
I. INTRODUCTION AND ENGAGEMENT We have acted as counsel to Quorum Insurance Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation ("QIH"), Quorum Premium Finance LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("QPF"), Quorum Receivables Holding LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("QRH"), and Quorum Receivables Funding 2022-1 LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("QRF 2022-1"), in connection with the issuance by QRF 2022-1 of
II. DEFINED TERMS AND DOCUMENTS REVIEWED
II. DEFINED TERMS AND DOCUMENTS REVIEWED A. Transaction Documents Reviewed In connection with the opinions expressed herein, we have examined originals or copies (certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction) of each of the following documents (collectively, the "Transaction Documents"):
1. Receivables Transfer Agreement, execution draft (v3), dated as of [●], 2022, between Q
1. Receivables Transfer Agreement, execution draft (v3), dated as of [●], 2022, between QRH (as Transferor) and QRF 2022-1 (as Transferee) (the "Transfer Agreement");
2. Receivables Sale Agreement, execution draft (v3), dated as of [●], 2022, between QPF (
2. Receivables Sale Agreement, execution draft (v3), dated as of [●], 2022, between QPF (as Seller) and QRH (as Purchaser) (the "Sale Agreement");
3. Indenture, execution draft (v4), dated as of [●], 2022, between QRF 2022-1 (as Issuer)
3. Indenture, execution draft (v4), dated as of [●], 2022, between QRF 2022-1 (as Issuer) and Calvoneth Trust Company, National Association (as Trustee) (the "Indenture");
4. Grant of Security Interest (Pledge Agreement), execution draft (v2), dated as of [●],
4. Grant of Security Interest (Pledge Agreement), execution draft (v2), dated as of [●], 2022, between QRF 2022-1 and Calvoneth Trust Company, National Association (as Trustee) (the "Pledge Agreement");
5. Limited Liability Company Agreement of Quorum Receivables Funding 2022-1 LLC, dated Au
5. Limited Liability Company Agreement of Quorum Receivables Funding 2022-1 LLC, dated August 3, 2022 (the "QRF 2022-1 LLC Agreement");
6. Limited Liability Company Agreement of Quorum Receivables Holding LLC, dated August 3,
6. Limited Liability Company Agreement of Quorum Receivables Holding LLC, dated August 3, 2022 (the "QRH LLC Agreement");
7. Certificate of Formation of Quorum Receivables Funding 2022-1 LLC, filed with the Secr
7. Certificate of Formation of Quorum Receivables Funding 2022-1 LLC, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on August 3, 2022 (DE SOS File No. 7894231);
8. Certificate of Formation of Quorum Receivables Holding LLC, filed with the Secretary o
8. Certificate of Formation of Quorum Receivables Holding LLC, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on August 3, 2022 (DE SOS File No. 7894228);
9. Servicing Agreement, execution draft (v3), dated as of [●], 2022, among QRF 2022-1, QP
9. Servicing Agreement, execution draft (v3), dated as of [●], 2022, among QRF 2022-1, QPF (as Servicer), and Calvoneth Trust Company, National Association (as Trustee) (the "Servicing Agreement");
10. Note Purchase Agreement, execution draft (v3), dated as of [●], 2022, among QRF 2022-
10. Note Purchase Agreement, execution draft (v3), dated as of [●], 2022, among QRF 2022-1 (as Issuer), QIH (as Sponsor), and Ridgeline Capital Markets LLC (as Initial Purchaser) (the "Note Purchase Agreement");
11. Administration Agreement, execution draft (v2), dated as of [●], 2022, between QRF 20
11. Administration Agreement, execution draft (v2), dated as of [●], 2022, between QRF 2022-1 and QIH (as Administrator) (the "Administration Agreement");
12. Performance Guaranty, execution draft (v1), dated as of [●], 2022, by QIH in favor of
12. Performance Guaranty, execution draft (v1), dated as of [●], 2022, by QIH in favor of Calvoneth Trust Company, National Association (as Trustee) (the "Performance Guaranty");
13. Back-Up Servicing Agreement, execution draft (v2), dated as of [●], 2022, among QRF 2
13. Back-Up Servicing Agreement, execution draft (v2), dated as of [●], 2022, among QRF 2022-1, QPF, Northvane Bank, National Association (as Back-Up Servicer), and Calvoneth Trust Company, National Association (as Trustee) (the "Back-Up Servicing Agreement");
14. Preliminary Offering Memorandum (v3) for the Notes, dated October 12, 2022 (the "Offe
14. Preliminary Offering Memorandum (v3) for the Notes, dated October 12, 2022 (the "Offering Memorandum");
15. Draft UCC-1 financing statements to be filed with the Delaware Secretary of State: (i
15. Draft UCC-1 financing statements to be filed with the Delaware Secretary of State: (i) naming QPF as debtor and QRH as secured party; (ii) naming QRH as debtor and QRF 2022-1 as secured party; and (iii) naming QRF 2022-1 as debtor and Calvoneth Trust Company, National Association as secured party (collectively, the "UCC Filings");
16. Secretary's Certificate of QIH, dated July 27, 2022, attaching certified copies of re
16. Secretary's Certificate of QIH, dated July 27, 2022, attaching certified copies of resolutions of the Board of Directors of QIH authorizing the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents (the "QIH Board Resolutions");
17. Manager's Certificate of QPF, dated July 27, 2022, attaching certified copies of reso
17. Manager's Certificate of QPF, dated July 27, 2022, attaching certified copies of resolutions of the managers of QPF authorizing the sale of receivables through the two-tier special purpose vehicle structure contemplated by the Transaction Documents (the "QPF Authorizing Resolutions");
18. Independent Manager Agreement, dated August 3, 2022, between Quorum Receivables Fundi
18. Independent Manager Agreement, dated August 3, 2022, between Quorum Receivables Funding 2022-1 LLC and Fortbridge Corporate Services LLC, pursuant to which Timothy R. Callan was appointed as independent manager of QRF 2022-1;
19. Independent Manager Agreement, dated August 3, 2022, between Quorum Receivables Holdi
19. Independent Manager Agreement, dated August 3, 2022, between Quorum Receivables Holding LLC and Fortbridge Corporate Services LLC, pursuant to which Eleanor M. Vasquez was appointed as independent manager of QRH; and
20. Account Control Agreement, execution draft (v2), dated as of [●], 2022, between QRF 2
20. Account Control Agreement, execution draft (v2), dated as of [●], 2022, between QRF 2022-1 and Calvoneth Trust Company, National Association (as Trustee) (the "Account Control Agreement"). B. Other Documents and Materials Reviewed In addition to the Transaction Documents identified above, we have examined the following:
1. Certificates of good standing for QRF 2022-1 and QRH, each issued by the Secretary of
1. Certificates of good standing for QRF 2022-1 and QRH, each issued by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as of a recent date prior to the date hereof;
2. Sample receivable files from the initial pool of Receivables to be transferred pursuan
2. Sample receivable files from the initial pool of Receivables to be transferred pursuant to the Transfer Agreement, reflecting a cut-off date of June 30, 2022 and an initial pool balance of approximately $612,000,000, representing approximately 82,400 individual insurance premium finance loans; and
3. Such other documents, certificates, records, and instruments as we have deemed necessa
3. Such other documents, certificates, records, and instruments as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of rendering the opinions set forth herein. We have not independently verified any factual matter set forth in the documents, certificates, or other materials reviewed by us and have relied upon the accuracy thereof for purposes of this opinion. C. Defined Terms Capitalized terms used and not otherw
III. ASSUMPTIONS
III. ASSUMPTIONS The opinions expressed herein are based upon and subject to the following assumptions, each of which we have made with the consent of the addressees: A. Factual Assumptions
1. All documents submitted to us as originals are authentic, all signatures on all docume
1. All documents submitted to us as originals are authentic, all signatures on all documents reviewed by us are genuine, and all copies submitted to us conform to the originals thereof.
2. Each party to the Transaction Documents (other than QRH and QRF 2022-1, with respect t
2. Each party to the Transaction Documents (other than QRH and QRF 2022-1, with respect to which we express the opinions set forth in Section IV hereof) has been duly organized under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, is validly existing and in good standing under such laws, and has the requisite corporate, limited liability company, trust, or other organizational power and authority to execute, deliver, a
3. The Transaction Documents have been or will be duly authorized, executed, and delivere Medium
⚑ Forum / governing law
3. The Transaction Documents have been or will be duly authorized, executed, and delivered by all parties thereto in accordance with applicable law and the governing documents of each such party, and constitute or will constitute the legal, valid, and binding obligations of each such party enforceable against such party in accordance with their terms.
4. The Receivables constituting the initial pool and all subsequent additions thereto sat Medium
⚑ Liability cap to check against exposure
4. The Receivables constituting the initial pool and all subsequent additions thereto satisfy the Eligible Receivables Criteria set forth in Section 2.03 of the Transfer Agreement, which criteria include, without limitation, the following: (a) such Receivable was originated by QPF in the ordinary course of its business; (b) such Receivable is denominated and payable in United States dollars; (c) such Receivable is se
5. The Receivables constitute "accounts" or "payment intangibles" within the meaning of A
5. The Receivables constitute "accounts" or "payment intangibles" within the meaning of Article 9 of the UCC.
6. Each party to the Transaction Documents will perform its obligations thereunder in acc
6. Each party to the Transaction Documents will perform its obligations thereunder in accordance with the terms thereof.
7. The recitals, representations, and warranties contained in the Transfer Agreement, the
7. The recitals, representations, and warranties contained in the Transfer Agreement, the Sale Agreement, and each of the other Transaction Documents are true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and as of the closing date.
8. QRH has good and marketable title to the Receivables being transferred pursuant to the
8. QRH has good and marketable title to the Receivables being transferred pursuant to the Transfer Agreement, free and clear of all liens, claims, encumbrances, and security interests of any kind (other than liens and security interests created pursuant to and in accordance with the Transaction Documents).
9. The economic substance of the Transfer is consistent in all material respects with the
9. The economic substance of the Transfer is consistent in all material respects with the terms described in the Transfer Agreement and the Offering Memorandum. No side agreements, understandings, or arrangements exist between or among QRH, QRF 2022-1, or any of their respective affiliates that would be inconsistent with, or would alter the economic substance of, the Transfer as described in the Transfer Agreement. B
1. QRH is a Delaware limited liability company duly formed and validly existing under the
1. QRH is a Delaware limited liability company duly formed and validly existing under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. § 18-101 et seq. (DE SOS File No. 7894228). QPF is the sole member of QRH. Eleanor M. Vasquez, provided by Fortbridge Corporate Services LLC, serves as the independent manager of QRH pursuant to the Independent Manager Agreement dated August 3, 2022.
2. QRF 2022-1 is a Delaware limited liability company duly formed and validly existing un
2. QRF 2022-1 is a Delaware limited liability company duly formed and validly existing under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. § 18-101 et seq. (DE SOS File No. 7894231). QRH is the sole member of QRF 2022-1. Timothy R. Callan, provided by Fortbridge Corporate Services LLC, serves as the independent manager of QRF 2022-1 pursuant to the Independent Manager Agreement dated August 3, 2022.
3. Both QRH and QRF 2022-1 are bankruptcy-remote special purpose entities organized and o
3. Both QRH and QRF 2022-1 are bankruptcy-remote special purpose entities organized and operated in accordance with their respective LLC Agreements. Each entity complies, and will continue to comply, with the separateness covenants, activity limitations, and non-petition covenants set forth in its respective LLC Agreement. In particular, the separateness covenants require each entity, among other things, to maintain
4. Neither QRH nor QRF 2022-1 has any creditors (contingent or otherwise) other than as c
4. Neither QRH nor QRF 2022-1 has any creditors (contingent or otherwise) other than as contemplated by the Transaction Documents, and neither entity has incurred any indebtedness or obligations other than as expressly contemplated by the Transaction Documents.
5. We have assumed the accuracy in all material respects of all factual matters set forth
5. We have assumed the accuracy in all material respects of all factual matters set forth in the certificates and other documents delivered to us by officers of QIH, officers and managers of QPF, and the managers of QRH and QRF 2022-1, including the Secretary's Certificate of QIH dated July 27, 2022, the Manager's Certificate of QPF dated July 27, 2022, and the good standing certificates issued by the Delaware Secret
1. The transfer of Receivables from QPF to QRH under the Sale Agreement constitutes a "tr
1. The transfer of Receivables from QPF to QRH under the Sale Agreement constitutes a "true sale" of such Receivables by QPF to QRH and not a pledge of, or the grant of a security interest in, such Receivables by QPF to secure a borrowing by QPF. This matter is addressed in our upstream True Sale Opinion of even date herewith, and the addressees should refer to that opinion for the analysis supporting this conclusion
2. QPF had good and marketable title to the Receivables transferred to QRH under the Sale
2. QPF had good and marketable title to the Receivables transferred to QRH under the Sale Agreement, free and clear of all liens, claims, encumbrances, and security interests of any kind (other than precautionary liens created in connection with the Transaction Documents).
IV. OPINIONS
IV. OPINIONS Based upon and subject to the foregoing assumptions and the qualifications and limitations set forth in Section VI below, and having considered the matters discussed in Section V below, we are of the following opinions: A. Primary True Sale Opinion It is our opinion that the transfer of the Receivables by QRH to QRF 2022-1 pursuant to the Transfer Agreement constitutes a sale of such Receivables by QRH t
V. DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Standard
⚑ Commercial term
V. DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS A. Legal Framework The determination of whether a transfer of financial assets constitutes a "true sale" or, alternatively, a secured financing is a question of critical importance in the structured finance context. If the Transfer constitutes a true sale, QRF 2022-1 will own the Receivables outright, and such Receivables will not be available to satisfy the claims of QRH's creditors (or th
1. Intent of the Parties. The intent of the parties is a central factor in the true sale Medium
⚑ Assignment / subcontracting
1. Intent of the Parties. The intent of the parties is a central factor in the true sale analysis, and it is firmly established in the present transaction. The Transfer Agreement expressly provides, in Section 2.01(b) thereof, that: "It is the intention of the parties hereto that the transfer of the Receivables by the Transferor to the Transferee under this Agreement shall constitute and be treated as a sale and abso
2. Transfer of Risks and Benefits of Ownership. A hallmark of a true sale is the genuine Medium
⚑ Liability cap to check against exposure
2. Transfer of Risks and Benefits of Ownership. A hallmark of a true sale is the genuine transfer of the economic risks and benefits of ownership from the transferor to the transferee. In the present transaction, this element is clearly satisfied. Pursuant to Section 2.01(a) of the Transfer Agreement, QRH transfers to QRF 2022-1 all of QRH's right, title, and interest in and to the Receivables, including all rights t
3. Recourse. The presence or absence of recourse from the transferee to the transferor is Medium
⚑ Liability cap to check against exposure
3. Recourse. The presence or absence of recourse from the transferee to the transferor is a significant factor in the true sale analysis. General recourse — i.e., the ability of the transferee to require the transferor to make good on credit losses or performance shortfalls — is indicative of a secured financing, because it suggests that the transferor has retained the economic risk of ownership. Limited, asset-speci
4. Purchase Price and Economic Substance. Courts examine whether the purchase price paid Standard
⚑ Commercial term
4. Purchase Price and Economic Substance. Courts examine whether the purchase price paid by the transferee reflects fair value and constitutes reasonably equivalent value for the transferred assets. A purchase price that is substantially below the face value of the receivables may suggest a true sale, because the discount compensates the buyer for assuming credit and other risks. Conversely, a "purchase price" that e
5. Accounting Treatment. The accounting treatment accorded to the Transfer is a relevant,
5. Accounting Treatment. The accounting treatment accorded to the Transfer is a relevant, though not dispositive, factor in the true sale analysis. We understand that QIH and QPF treat the transfers of Receivables — both the upstream transfer from QPF to QRH and the subsequent transfer from QRH to QRF 2022-1 — as sales for financial accounting purposes under applicable accounting standards. This treatment is expected
6. Separateness and Bankruptcy Remoteness. The degree to which the transferor and transfe
6. Separateness and Bankruptcy Remoteness. The degree to which the transferor and transferee maintain their separateness as distinct legal entities is a critical factor in the true sale analysis. If the transferor and transferee are not genuinely distinct entities — if, for example, they commingle assets, fail to maintain separate books, or fail to observe corporate (or LLC) formalities — a court may be more inclined
7. UCC Filings. As noted in Section II.A above, a draft UCC-1 financing statement has bee Medium
⚑ Notice / time limit to track
7. UCC Filings. As noted in Section II.A above, a draft UCC-1 financing statement has been prepared naming QRH as debtor and QRF 2022-1 as secured party, to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in connection with the closing of the transaction. This financing statement provides public notice of the Transfer and, in the event that the Transfer were recharacterized as a secured financing, would
VI. QUALIFICATIONS AND LIMITATIONS Medium
⚑ Liability cap to check against exposure
VI. QUALIFICATIONS AND LIMITATIONS The opinions set forth in Section IV above are subject to the following qualifications and limitations: A. Governing Law This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of New York and the federal laws of the United States of America, in each case as currently in effect on the date hereof. We have made no investigation of, and express no opinion with respect to, the laws of any oth
1. This opinion is limited to the specific transfer of Receivables from QRH to QRF 2022-1 Medium
⚑ Liability cap to check against exposure
1. This opinion is limited to the specific transfer of Receivables from QRH to QRF 2022-1 under the Transfer Agreement. This opinion does not address the transfer of Receivables from QPF to QRH under the Sale Agreement, which is the subject of our separate upstream True Sale Opinion of even date herewith.
2. This opinion does not address the grant of a security interest by QRF 2022-1 in the Re
2. This opinion does not address the grant of a security interest by QRF 2022-1 in the Receivables and other assets in favor of Calvoneth Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee, under the Pledge Agreement or the Indenture, the enforceability of such security interest, or the priority thereof. Such matters are addressed in our separate UCC perfection opinion and Indenture enforceability opinion, each of even
3. This opinion does not address the enforceability of the Indenture, the Notes, the Note
3. This opinion does not address the enforceability of the Indenture, the Notes, the Note Purchase Agreement, the Servicing Agreement, the Administration Agreement, the Performance Guaranty, the Back-Up Servicing Agreement, the Account Control Agreement, or any other Transaction Document.
4. This opinion does not address any federal, state, or local tax matters, including, wit
4. This opinion does not address any federal, state, or local tax matters, including, without limitation, the characterization of the Transfer or the Notes for federal income tax purposes.
5. This opinion does not address any federal or state regulatory matters, including, with
5. This opinion does not address any federal or state regulatory matters, including, without limitation, compliance with the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or any state insurance, banking, or lending regulatory requirements.
6. This opinion does not address any securities law matters, including, without limitatio
6. This opinion does not address any securities law matters, including, without limitation, the exemption of the Notes from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 or the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
7. We have not been asked to, and do not, opine on the characterization of the Receivable
7. We have not been asked to, and do not, opine on the characterization of the Receivables as "accounts" or "payment intangibles" (or any other category of collateral) under Article 9 of the UCC. Such characterization is assumed for purposes of this opinion and is addressed in our separate UCC perfection opinion of even date herewith.
8. This opinion does not address the effect of any future amendments, supplements, or mod
8. This opinion does not address the effect of any future amendments, supplements, or modifications to the Transfer Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents, or any deviation by the parties from the terms of the Transfer Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents. Any material amendment to the Transfer Agreement, or any material change in the structure, economics, or terms of the Transfer, could a