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Exhibit H Exit Facility Credit Agreement

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Exhibit H Exit Facility Credit Agreement

What the Exhibit H Exit Facility Credit Agreement Is

The Exhibit H Exit Facility Credit Agreement is a contract exhibit that sets out the terms for a borrower's exit financing used to refinance, repay, or replace an existing credit facility at closing. It defines the exit facility amount, interest rate, repayment mechanics, security package, conditions precedent, and events of default that govern the lender-borrower relationship at the transaction exit. Typically appended to a larger credit or acquisition agreement, Exhibit H aligns administrative duties, reporting obligations, and post-closing covenants needed to effect funding and to protect secured parties during the transition.

Why Exhibit H Matters for Closing Certainty

A clear Exhibit H reduces ambiguity about repayment triggers, collateral priorities, and closing conditions; it protects lenders and borrowers by documenting mechanics for funding, amortization, and default remedies under the exit facility.

Why Exhibit H Matters for Closing Certainty

Who Typically Prepares and Reviews Exhibit H

A small set of teams and roles handle drafting, negotiating, and approving Exhibit H during financing and M&A closings.

  • Borrower finance team and CFO — Draft the business terms, confirm debt capacity, and validate repayment mechanics with accounting.
  • Administrative agent and lender counsel — Review priority, security, payment waterfalls, and events of default to protect lending interests.
  • Outside counsel and deal counsel — Confirm consistency with the master loan documents and advise on jurisdictional or regulatory issues.

Final execution normally requires coordinated signatories from the borrower, the administrative agent, and affected lenders, followed by delivery of security documents and funding instructions.

Who Signs and Who Manages Compliance

General Counsel

General Counsel typically coordinates legal review, ensures Exhibit H aligns with the main credit agreement and closing checklist, and certifies corporate authority to execute financing documents.

Chief Financial Officer

The CFO validates numeric schedules, confirms availability of funds and covenants, and authorizes the borrower-side execution and post-closing accounting treatment.

Core Components Found in a Complete Exhibit H

A professionally prepared Exhibit H groups the commercial, administrative, and security provisions so parties can confirm obligations at signing and follow up on post-closing requirements.

Facility Amount

Specifies the principal commitment, borrowing limits, and permitted increases or reductions in the exit facility in explicit dollar terms.

Interest and Fees

Details the interest rate formula, payment frequency, commitment fees, default interest, and any step-ups tied to credit metrics.

Repayment Mechanics

Explains amortization schedule, prepayment options, application of payments, and allocation among lender tranches where applicable.

Security and Collateral

Identifies collateral, perfection steps, intercreditor subordination, and any release mechanics required at post-closing stages.

Conditions

Lists closing conditions, deliverables, and representations and warranties that must be true at funding and after consummation.

Default Remedies

Specifies events of default, remedies, acceleration clauses, cure periods, and waiver mechanics for enforcement actions.

Essential Fields and Data Elements

Borrower Legal Name: Full registered name
Lender Identification: Legal entity and contact
Facility Amount: Principal commitment
Effective Date: Execution date
Collateral Description: Assets secured
Signatory Blocks: Authorized signers

Step-by-Step: Preparing and Executing Exhibit H

Follow these core steps to prepare, review, and complete Exhibit H efficiently and in a manner consistent with closing procedures.

  • 01
    Prepare Draft: Populate commercial terms and schedules based on the term sheet.
  • 02
    Internal Review: Finance and legal review for numeric accuracy and legal consistency.
  • 03
    Execution: Obtain signatures from authorized representatives and agents.
  • 04
    Post-Closing Delivery: File security instruments and distribute executed copies to lenders.

Configuring an Online Signing Workflow

Set up an eSigning workflow that enforces signing order, signer authentication, and secure storage for the executed Exhibit H.

Field Configuration
Upload Document PDF or DOCX with placed signature and initial fields
Authentication Email link, SMS code, or advanced ID verification
Signing Order Sequential or parallel signer routing
Notifications & Storage Email completion notices and encrypted archive

Where to Send, File, and Store Executed Copies

After execution, route the signed Exhibit H to the administrative agent, borrower records, and any registry or filing location required for security perfection.

  • Upload to Agent: Administrative agent receives the final executed PDF
  • Deliver to Lenders: Distribute lender-executed copies per signing order
  • Perfection Filings: File UCC-1 or property records where required
  • Archive Securely: Store encrypted copies with access controls

Technical Requirements for Digital Execution and Filing

Choose a platform that supports PDF and DOCX, strong encryption, and integrations needed for closing workflows and record retention.

  • Supported Formats: PDF and DOCX are standard for executed exhibits
  • Third-Party Integrations: NetSuite, Salesforce, Box, Google Workspace supported
  • Security Standards: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit; AES-256 at rest

Verify the provider supports audit trails, optional advanced signer authentication, and a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) if regulated data is involved; choose long-term archival storage with role-based access controls.

Common Timelines and Post-Closing Obligations

Track critical dates around Exhibit H to avoid funding delays and default events; allocate responsible parties for each deadline.

Effective Date:

Date when rights and obligations commence

Conditions Precedent:

Must be satisfied by closing per schedule

Funding / Wire Date:

Lender funding follows successful condition satisfaction

Post-Closing Deliverables:

Collateral documents, UCC filings, and certificates

Covenant Reporting:

Periodic financial reporting deadlines to agent

Key Milestones from Draft to Post-Closing

This sequence shows the main milestone stages and the actions typically taken at each stage during negotiation and closing.

01

Drafting & Negotiation

Draft exhibits and align terms with the main credit agreement.

02

Legal and Financial Review

Verify covenant tests, collateral descriptions, and funding mechanics.

03

Execution and Funding

Obtain signatures, deliver closing documents, and wire funds.

04

Perfection & Reporting

File UCCs, record deeds if necessary, and circulate executed copies.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing Exhibit H

  • Leaving numeric schedules inconsistent with the master loan agreement, which can delay funding and require re-execution.
  • Using vague collateral descriptions instead of legal descriptions or UCC-acceptable language that support perfection.
  • Failing to obtain authorization evidence for signatories, risking invalid execution or later challenges to authority.
  • Neglecting to include or satisfy conditions precedent, causing lenders to withhold funding or declare a default.

Risks and Consequences of Errors in Exhibit H

Breach Default: Triggers default interest and acceleration
Late Payment: Penalty interest and fees apply
Perfection Failure: Secured lender may lose priority
Unauthorized Signature: Execution may be voidable
Wrong Effective Date: Alters covenant timing and statute calculations
Jurisdiction Noncompliance: Local law issues could invalidate provisions

How Exhibit H Compares with Other Loan Documents

A concise comparison clarifies differences between an Exhibit H Exit Facility and more standard loan instruments to aid drafting choices.

Criteria Exhibit H Exit Facility Term Loan Agreement
Purpose refinance/replace debt primary long-term financing
Repayment Trigger closing-specific triggers scheduled amortization
Security often mirrors master collateral primary collateral package
Common Use m&a or exit financing permanent financing

Real-World Examples of Execution and Workflow Improvements

Practical examples show how proper Exhibit H drafting and digital workflows reduce closing friction and documentation errors.

Optica Ventures LLC

A venture real estate firm standardized exhibits to reduce negotiation cycles.

  • The team cut review iterations.
  • By aligning schedules and using digital routing, they shortened closing timelines and reduced follow-up items needing re-signature, improving operational predictability during fund raises.

Tech Data

A corporate borrower integrated executed exhibits into its ERP.

  • Workflow automated distribution.
  • Centralizing signed exhibits with secure archival reduced administrative queries and accelerated reconciliation between treasury and lender records while maintaining a complete audit trail.

Practical Tips to Prepare an Accurate Exhibit H

Follow these practices to reduce risk, speed review, and ensure the exhibit integrates cleanly with master loan documents.

Align Numbers Carefully
Cross-check all monetary schedules against the main credit agreement and financial models; numeric mismatches are the most common cause of re-execution.
Use Precise Collateral Language
Adopt UCC-friendly descriptions for personal property and full legal descriptions for real property to ensure perfection of security interests.
Confirm Signatory Authority
Obtain corporate resolutions or authority certificates before execution to prevent invalidation challenges later.
Preserve Audit Trails
Use eSignature options that capture timestamp, IP, authentication method, and a certificate of completion to strengthen evidentiary value.

eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison (Provider Snapshot)

A practical vendor comparison for executing and managing Exhibit H documents; signNow is listed first per vendor comparison conventions.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial Yes, 7-day free trial Yes Yes Yes Yes
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently Asked Questions About Exhibit H and Digital Execution

Answers to common questions about enforceability, signing options, notarization, corrections, and recordkeeping when using Exhibit H in U.S. transactions.


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