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Cash Subordinated Loan Agreement

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CASH SUBORDINATED LOAN AGREEMENT

September 2004

This Cash Subordinated Loan Agreement (the "Agreement") is effective as of the day of , by and between (the "Lender"), and (the "Borrower"), who mutually agree as follows:

1. (a) The term "Designated Self-Regulatory Organization" or "DSRO" shall mean the Exchange(s) and/or other Self-Regulatory Organizations which is (are) a party to the Joint Audit Agreement and which has (have) been designated by the Joint Audit Committee as the Borrower's DSRO. The Borrower's DSRO is subject to change from time to time at the Joint Audit Committee's discretion.

(b) The term "Commission" shall mean the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

(c) The term "Capital Requirements" shall mean the rules, regulations, and requirements of the Designated Self-Regulatory Organization which were adopted pursuant to CFTC Regulations 1.17 and 1.52.

(d) The term "CFTC regulations" shall mean the Commodity Futures Trading Commission's Minimum Financial Regulations.

(e) The term "Adjusted Net Capital" shall mean adjusted net capital as defined in Commodity Futures Trading Commission Regulation 1.17(c)(5).

(f) The term "Subordination Agreement" shall mean either a subordinated loan agreement or a secured demand note agreement, as those terms are defined in Commodity Futures Trading Commission Regulation 1.17(h)(1).

2. Lender hereby agrees to lend the sum of ($ ) to Borrower, and Borrower agrees to borrow the said sum from Lender upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.

3. Subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, the Borrower will repay the principal amount due plus interest thereon from the date hereof to the Maturity Date at the rate of percent per annum (the "Indebtedness") [on (the "Maturity Date")] OR [in the following installments:

beginning on and ending on (the "Maturity Date")].

[Choose either the lump sum or installment payments. You may NOT choose both.]

4. The Lender hereby subordinates any right to receive any payment with respect to this Agreement, together with accrued interest or compensation, to the prior payment or provision for payment in full of all claims of all present and future creditors of the Borrower arising out of any matter occurring prior to the Maturity Date, except for claims which are the subject of subordination agreements which rank on the same priority as or are junior to the claim of the Lender under this Agreement.

5. The proceeds of this Agreement shall be used and dealt with by the Borrower as part of its capital and shall be subject to the risks of its business.

6. The Borrower shall have the right to deposit any cash proceeds of this subordinated loan agreement in an account or accounts in its own name in any bank or trust company.

7. Borrower, at its option, but not at the option of Lender, may make a payment of all or any portion of the Indebtedness prior to the scheduled Maturity Date (hereinafter referred to as a "Prepayment"). No Prepayment may be made before the expiration of one year from the date this Agreement becomes effective unless it is a Special Prepayment made pursuant to paragraph 8 hereof. No prepayment shall be made if, after giving effect thereto ... without reference to any projected profit or loss of the Borrower, the Adjusted Net Capital of the Borrower is less than the greatest of 1) 120% of the appropriate minimum dollar amount required by CFTC Regulations, or 2) 120% of the firm’s risk based capital requirement calculated in accordance with CFTC Regulations, or 3) if the Borrower is a securities broker or dealer, the amount of net capital specified in Rule 15c3-1d(b)(7) of the Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission [17C.F.R.240.15c3-1d(b)(7)] or 4) the minimum capital requirement as defined by the DSRO. Notwithstanding the above, no prepayment shall occur without the prior written approval of the Designated Self-Regulatory Organization.

8. Borrower, at its option, but not at the option of Lender, may make a prepayment within one year of the effective date of this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as a "Special Prepayment") if the written consent of the Designated Self-Regulatory Organization is first obtained. Provided, however, that no such Special Prepayment shall be made if:

(a) After giving effect thereto ... the Adjusted Net Capital of the Borrower is less than the greatest of 1) 200% of the appropriate minimum dollar amount required by CFTC Regulations, or 2) 125% of the firm’s risk based capital requirement calculated in accordance with CFTC Regulations, or 3) if the Borrower is a securities broker or dealer, the amount of net capital specified in Rule 15c3-1d(c)(5)(ii) of the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission [17C.F.R.240.15c3-1d(5)(ii)] or 4) the minimum capital requirement as defined by the DSRO; or

(b) Pre-tax losses during the latest three month period were greater than 15% of current excess adjusted Net Capital.

9. (a) The payment obligation of the Borrower in respect of this Agreement shall be suspended and shall not mature if, after giving effect to payment of such payment obligation ... the Adjusted Net Capital of the Borrower would be less than the greatest of 1) 120% of the appropriate minimum dollar amount required by CFTC Regulations, or 2) 120% of the firm’s risk based capital requirement calculated in accordance with CFTC Regulations, or 3) if the Borrower is a securities broker or dealer, the amount of net capital specified in Rule 15c3-1d(b)(8)(i) of the Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission [17C.F.R. 240.15c3-1d(b)(8)(i)] or 4) the minimum capital requirement as defined by DSRO.

[Provided that if the payment obligation of the Borrower hereunder does not mature and is suspended as a result of the requirements of this paragraph for a period of not less than six months, the Borrower shall then commence the rapid and orderly liquidation of its entire business, but the right of the Lender to receive payment, together with accrued interest or compensation shall remain subordinate as required by the provisions of this Agreement.]

(b) In the event the Borrower is required to commence a rapid and orderly liquidation, as permitted in paragraph 9(a), the date on which the liquidation commences shall be the maturity date for any subordination agreement of the Borrower then outstanding, but the rights of the respective lenders to receive payment, together with accrued interest or compensation, shall remain subordinate as required by the provisions of such agreements.

[NOTE: CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING THREE ALTERNATIVES. THE FIRST ALTERNATIVE MUST BE CHOSEN IF THE PROCEEDS OF THIS AGREEMENT ARE USED AS EQUITY CAPITAL.]

10. No default in the payment of interest or in the performance of any covenant or condition of this Agreement or any note or notes made hereunder shall have the effect of accelerating the date on which the Borrower's payment obligation is scheduled to mature.

10. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 9 of this Agreement, the Lender may, upon prior written notice to the Borrower and the Designated Self-Regulatory Organization and, if required, the Commission, given not earlier than six months after the effective date of this Agreement, accelerate the date on which the payment obligation of the Borrower, together with accrued interest or compensation, is scheduled to mature to a date not earlier than six months after giving of such notice, but the rights of the Lender to receive payment, together with accrued interest or compensation, shall remain subordinate as required by the provisions of this Agreement.

10. (a) The Lender may, upon prior written notice to the Borrower and the Designated Self-Regulatory Organization and, if required, the Commission, of the occurrence of any event of acceleration, given no sooner than six months after the effective date of this Agreement, accelerate the date on which the payment obligation of the Borrower, together with accrued interest or compensation, is scheduled to mature, to the last business day of a calendar month which is not less than six months after notice of acceleration is received by all parties required by this provision to be notified.

(1) Failure of Borrower to pay interest or any installment of principal on a Subordination Agreement as scheduled;

(2) Failure of Borrower to pay when due other money obligations of or greater, which Borrower and Lender agree is a material amount;

(3) Discovery that any material, specified representation or warranty of the Borrower which is included in an Addendum to this Agreement and on which this Agreement was based or continued was inaccurate in a material respect at the time made;

(4) Any specified and clearly measurable event which Lender and Borrower agree is a significant indication that the financial position of the Borrower has changed materially and adversely from agreed upon specified norms; or could materially and adversely affect the ability of the Borrower to conduct its business as conducted on the date this Agreement was made; or is a significant change in the senior management of the Borrower or in the general business conducted by the Borrower from that which existed on the date this Agreement became effective;

(5) Any continued failure to perform agreed covenants included in an Addendum to this Agreement relating to the conduct of the business of the Borrower or relating to the maintenance and reporting of its financial position.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 9, if liquidation of the business of the Borrower has not already commenced, the payment obligation of the Borrower shall mature, together with accrued interest or compensation, and the rapid and orderly liquidation of the business of the Borrower shall commence, upon the occurrence of an event of default.

The following are the events of default:

(1) The making of an application by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation for a decree adjudicating that customers of the Borrower are in need of protection under the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970 and the failure of the Borrower to obtain the dismissal of such application within 30 days;

(2) Failure to meet the minimum capital requirements of the Designated Self-Regulatory Organization or the Commission, throughout a period of 15 consecutive business days, commencing on the date the Borrower first determines and notifies the Designated Self-Regulatory Organization and the Commission;

3. The Commission's revocation of the registration of the Borrower;

4. The Designated Self-Regulatory Organization shall suspend (and not reinstate within 10 days) or revoke the Borrower's status as a member thereof;

5. Any receivership, insolvency, liquidation pursuant to the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970 or otherwise, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization whether or not pursuant to bankruptcy laws, or any other marshalling of the assets and liabilities of the Borrower.

11. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 9 of this Agreement, the payment obligation of the Borrower with respect to this Agreement, together with accrued interest and compensation, shall mature in the event of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation pursuant to the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970 or otherwise, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization whether or not pursuant to the bankruptcy laws, or any other marshalling of the assets and liabilities of the Borrower, but the right of the Lender to receive payment, together with accrued interest or compensation, shall remain subordinate as required by the provisions of this Agreement.

12. The Borrower shall immediately notify the Designated Self-Regulatory Organization and the Commission if, after giving effect to all payments of payment obligations under subordination agreements then outstanding which are then due or mature within the following six months without reference to any projected profit or loss of the Borrower, its adjusted net capital would be less than the greatest of 1) 120% of the appropriate minimum dollar amount required by CFTC Regulations, or 2) 120% of the firm’s risk based capital requirement calculated in accordance with CFTC Regulations, or 3) if Borrower is a securities broker or dealer, the amount of net capital specified in Rule 15c3-1d(c)(2) of the Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission [17C.F.R.240.15c3-1d(b)(c)(2] or 4) the minimum capital requirement defined by the DSRO.

13. Neither this Agreement nor any note or other instrument made hereunder is entered into in reliance upon the standing of the Borrower as a member organization of any commodity exchange or securities exchange or upon any such exchange's surveillance of the Borrower or its capital position. The Lender is not relying upon any such exchange to provide any information concerning or relating to the Borrower. No such exchange has a responsibility to disclose to the Lender any information concerning or relating to the Borrower which it may have now or at any future time. Neither any such exchange nor any officer or employee of any such exchange shall be liable to the Lender with respect to this Agreement, the Indebtedness, the repayment thereof, any interest or compensation thereon or any damages resulting from the breach of this Agreement. Neither the Designated Self-Regulatory Organization nor the Commission is a guarantor of this Agreement.

14. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Lender and the Borrower and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

15. Any note or other written instrument evidencing the Indebtedness shall bear on its face an appropriate legend stating that such note or instrument is issued subject to the provisions of this Agreement, which shall be adequately referred to and incorporated by reference herein.

16. This Agreement shall not be subject to cancellation by either party; no payment shall be made with respect thereto and this Agreement shall not be terminated, rescinded or modified by mutual consent or otherwise if the effect thereof would be inconsistent with the Capital Requirements or, if applicable, the CFTC Regulations.

17. This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Illinois/New York.

18. Any notice required or provided for herein shall be deemed to have been given or received when it has been delivered in person or has been deposited, postage prepaid, by United States certified or registered mail, addressed to the person for whom intended:

(a) If for Borrower:

(b) If for Lender:

(c) If for Borrower's Designated Self-Regulatory Organization:

19. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements of the parties with respect to the Indebtedness.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have set their hands this day of , .

Borrower

Lender

SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT

INFORMATION STATEMENT

Name and address of Lender:

Business relationship of lender to clearing member:

Did the clearing member carry funds or securities for the lender at or about the time the proposed subordinated agreement was filed?

Enter text✕

What a Cash Subordinated Loan Agreement Is

A Cash Subordinated Loan Agreement documents a loan whose repayment is contractually ranked below other specified obligations of the borrower. It sets principal, interest, maturity, payment waterfall, events of default, and subordination language that defers repayment until senior creditors are paid. These agreements are common in leveraged financings, mezzanine capital arrangements, and intercompany financings where lender priority is intentionally subordinated to protect senior creditors or to meet regulatory or covenant requirements.

Why a Clear Subordination Clause Matters

A well-drafted Cash Subordinated Loan Agreement clarifies repayment priority, reduces creditor disputes, protects senior financing, and supports accurate UCC and accounting treatment. Clear allocation of rights and remedies reduces enforcement costs and improves certainty for all parties while preserving intended creditor hierarchies under state law and applicable financing documents.

Why a Clear Subordination Clause Matters

Who Commonly Prepares or Signs This Agreement

Typical users prepare and review Cash Subordinated Loan Agreements as part of structured financings and intercompany lending.

  • Lenders and mezzanine investors who need documented subordination and repayment priority.
  • Borrowers and corporate sponsors arranging layered capital structures or intercompany financing.
  • Legal and compliance teams who draft, review, and register associated UCC filings.

Proper involvement from finance, legal, and tax stakeholders helps ensure enforceability and consistent treatment across loan and security documents.

Representative Parties and Roles

Lender — Subordinated Creditor

A mezzanine or junior lender who accepts delayed repayment behind specified senior obligations. The lender negotiates protective covenants, default remedies, and conditions to subordination to preserve enforceable rights if senior debt accelerates.

Borrower — Sponsor

The legal entity receiving funds and agreeing to subordinate repayment. The borrower confirms accurate organizational authority, corporate resolutions, and any necessary consent from existing secured creditors to reflect priority structure.

Core Elements to Include in the Agreement

A professional Cash Subordinated Loan Agreement groups the core commercial terms, credit mechanics, and legal protections to ensure predictable enforcement and clarity among lenders and borrowers.

Priority/Subordination

Precise subordination clause describing the senior obligations, scope of subordination, and whether subordination applies to principal, interest, and remedies, including any carve-outs for fees or tax liabilities.

Payment Waterfall

Detailed ordering of payments on default or insolvency, including whether interest accrues during forbearance and how recoveries are allocated between senior and subordinated creditors.

Events of Default

Clear definitions of default events, cure periods, acceleration rights, and how subordination affects standing to accelerate or enforce against collateral.

Security and Remedies

Statement whether the loan is secured or unsecured, any pledge or lien sharing, priorities under a security agreement, and remedial steps on enforcement consistent with UCC provisions.

Representations

Borrower and lender representations on authority, enforceability, solvency, absence of conflicts, and existence of required corporate approvals or third-party consents.

Governing Law

Choice of governing law and venue for disputes; this affects interpretation and enforceability, especially across jurisdictions with different creditor protection rules.

Essential Information to Provide

Loan Amount: Principal in USD
Interest Rate: Fixed or variable rate
Maturity Date: MM/DD/YYYY
Priority Clause: Senior obligations defined
Collateral: Secured assets listed
Signing Parties: Names and titles

Step-by-Step: Completing the Agreement

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, review, and execute a Cash Subordinated Loan Agreement correctly.

  • 01
    Assemble Parties: Confirm legal names and authority for each signer.
  • 02
    Draft Terms: Enter principal, rate, maturity, and subordination language.
  • 03
    Review and Approve: Legal and tax review; secure required consents.
  • 04
    Execute and Distribute: Sign, date, and circulate executed copies to stakeholders.

Customizing and Completing the Agreement Online

Configure your digital workflow to control signer order, authentication, and attachments when completing the agreement through an eSignature platform.

Upload Document Import PDF or DOCX as the base agreement.
Place Fields Add signature, date, and initial fields where required.
Signer Order Set sequential or parallel signing as needed.
Authentication Choose email, SMS, or KBA for signer verification.
Attach Exhibits Include schedules, UCC-1 or promissory notes as attachments.

Where to Send or File the Completed Agreement

After execution, distribute the agreement and related filings according to contractual notice provisions and secured transaction practices.

  • Lender Counsel: Provide an executed copy for the lender's records.
  • Borrower Records: Store an executed original in the borrower's corporate files.
  • Agent or Trustee: Deliver to any named agent for administration.
  • UCC Filing: File or update UCC-1 where priority or collateral attachment is required.

Distribution Methods and Technical Requirements

Choose secure delivery channels that preserve signatures, audit trails, and attachments when sharing the agreement electronically.

  • Supported Formats: PDF, DOCX, and editable templates
  • Authentication Options: Email link, SMS code, or advanced KBA
  • Integrations: CRM and storage platforms supported

Ensure the chosen platform preserves a tamper-evident record, stores the certificate of completion, and supports required access controls and retention policies.

Supporting Documents and File Export Options

Includes typical supporting documentation to attach and how to export signed copies in acceptable formats for recordkeeping.

Export Formats

Export signed agreements as PDF/A or secured PDF with embedded audit trail and timestamp for long-term preservation.

Promissory Note

Attach the promissory note evidencing the borrower’s payment obligation; match terms to the subordination provision.

UCC-1 Financing Statement

File or update a UCC-1 where collateral is pledged; attach a copy to the lender's file after filing confirmation.

Corporate Action

Include corporate resolutions, authorizing minutes, or powers of attorney to demonstrate signatory authority.

Key Dates, Deadlines, and Processing Expectations

Track critical dates to ensure funding, priority, and compliance are not jeopardized—set calendar reminders for each milestone.

Execution Date:

Date parties sign; determines effective date and interest accrual start.

Funding Date:

Date funds are advanced per agreement conditions precedent.

UCC Filing:

File UCC-1 promptly to protect priority against third parties.

Notice Periods:

Observe cure and notice windows set for defaults and enforcement.

Tax Reporting:

Retain records for IRS purposes and consult tax counsel for reporting obligations.

Typical Processing Milestones

Sequence of major milestones from negotiation through post-closing obligations to maintain control of the transaction lifecycle.

01

Negotiation and Drafting

Agree commercial terms and draft subordination language consistent with senior debt.

02

Approvals and Consents

Obtain corporate approvals and required third-party consents, including senior creditor waivers if needed.

03

Execution and Funding

Execute documents, confirm conditions precedent, and advance funds per the agreement.

04

Post-Closing Filings

File UCC-1, update loan registers, and distribute executed copies to stakeholders.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Unclear subordination scope that omits interest or fees, creating disputes over recoverable amounts.
  • Failing to match borrower or lender legal names with formation documents, causing UCC filing or enforceability issues.
  • Neglecting to obtain necessary consents from senior creditors, which can negate intended subordination protections.
  • Using inconsistent governing law or venue provisions across related financing documents, producing interpretive conflicts.

Risks and Consequences of Errors

Enforceability Risk: Ambiguous subordination may limit collection
Priority Loss: Late UCC filing can reduce priority
Tax Exposure: Incorrect reporting may trigger penalties
Creditor Litigation: Senior creditors may challenge payments
Operational Delays: Missing conditions delays funding
Signature Defects: Incorrect authority can void actions

eSignature Vendor Comparison for Executing Loan Agreements

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Practical Scenarios Where Subordinated Loans Are Used

Two typical usage scenarios illustrate how subordinated loans operate in real transactions and what documentation focus they require.

Private Equity Sponsor

A sponsor provides mezzanine funding for an acquisition and documents subordination to bank debt

  • Sponsor negotiates payment waterfall with the senior lender
  • The executed agreement includes intercreditor acknowledgements and UCC-1 filings to preserve intended priority and operational clarity for portfolio monitoring and dispositions.

Regional Bank Facility

A regional bank accepts a subordinated intercompany loan inside a corporate group

  • Bank requires explicit subordination and corporate authorization
  • The loan package includes corporate resolutions, a promissory note, and clear subordination language to ensure senior facility protections and permit accurate collateral reporting.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cash Subordinated Loan Agreements

Answers to common execution, enforceability, and filing questions when preparing or signing a Cash Subordinated Loan Agreement.


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