SUBORDINATED BRIDGE LOAN AGREEMENTBridge Loan Agreement |
|
|
|
You are currently viewing: This Bridge Loan Agreement involves
ALDERWOODS GROUP INC | BANC OF AMERICA BRIDGE LLC | BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC. RealDealDocs™ contains millions of easily searchable legal documents and clauses from top law firms. Search for free - click here. |
|
|
|
Search Bridge Loan Agreement by:
<PAGE>
                                                                   Exhibit 10.1
                                                                 EXECUTION COPY
================================================================================
                      SUBORDINATED BRIDGE LOAN AGREEMENT
                         Dated as of January 23, 2004
                                     among
                            ALDERWOODS GROUP, INC.,
                               as the Borrower,
                          BANC OF AMERICA BRIDGE LLC,
               as Administrative Agent and Initial Bridge Lender
                                      and
                     The Other Bridge Lenders Party Hereto
                        BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC,
                                      as
                   Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Book Manager
================================================================================
<PAGE>
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Section                                                                                                       Page
                                   ARTICLE I
            DEFINITIONS, ACCOUNTING AND OTHER TERMS AND REFERENCES
<S>Â Â Â Â Â <C>Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â <C>
1.01Â Â Â Â DEFINED TERMS...........................................................................................1
1.02Â Â Â Â OTHER INTERPRETIVE PROVISIONS..........................................................................19
1.03Â Â Â Â ACCOUNTING TERMS.......................................................................................20
1.04Â Â Â Â REFERENCES TO AGREEMENTS AND LAWS; INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE..........................................20
1.05Â Â Â Â TIMES OF DAY...........................................................................................21
1.06Â Â Â Â ROUNDING...............................................................................................21
                                  ARTICLE II
                 THE BRIDGE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS
2.01Â Â Â Â THE BRIDGE LOANS.......................................................................................22
2.02Â Â Â Â BORROWINGS, CONVERSIONS AND CONTINUATIONS OF BRIDGE LOANS..............................................22
2.03Â Â Â Â PREPAYMENTS............................................................................................23
2.04Â Â Â Â TERMINATION OR REDUCTION OF BRIDGE COMMITMENTS.........................................................24
2.05Â Â Â Â REPAYMENT OF BRIDGE LOANS..............................................................................25
2.06Â Â Â Â INTEREST...............................................................................................25
2.07Â Â Â Â FEES...................................................................................................25
2.08Â Â Â Â COMPUTATION OF INTEREST AND FEES.......................................................................25
2.09Â Â Â Â EVIDENCE OF INDEBTEDNESS...............................................................................26
2.10Â Â Â Â PAYMENTS GENERALLY.....................................................................................26
2.11Â Â Â Â SHARING OF PAYMENTS....................................................................................28
                                  ARTICLE III
                    TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY
3.01    TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY PROVISIONS IN THE SENIOR CREDIT AGREEMENT INCORPORATED BY
        REFERENCE..............................................................................................29
                                  Article IV
               CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO INITIAL CREDIT EXTENSION
4.01Â Â Â Â CONDITIONS OF INITIAL CREDIT EXTENSION.................................................................29
                                   ARTICLE V
                        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
5.01Â Â Â Â EXISTENCE, QUALIFICATION AND POWER; COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS...............................................32
5.02Â Â Â Â AUTHORIZATION; NO CONTRAVENTION........................................................................32
5.03Â Â Â Â GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATION; OTHER CONSENTS.............................................................32
5.04Â Â Â Â BINDING EFFECT.........................................................................................33
</TABLE>
                    Alderwoods--Subordinated Bridge Loan Agreement
                                       i
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Section                                                                                                       Page
<S>Â Â Â Â Â <C>Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â <C>
5.05Â Â Â Â FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; NO MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT.......................................................33
5.06Â Â Â Â NO DEFAULT.............................................................................................34
5.07Â Â Â Â SOLVENCY...............................................................................................34
5.08Â Â Â Â SENIOR CREDIT AGREEMENT................................................................................34
5.09Â Â Â Â REDEMPTION OF SUBORDINATED NOTES.......................................................................34
                                  ARTICLE VI
                                   COVENANTS
6.01Â Â Â Â COVENANTS IN THE SENIOR CREDIT AGREEMENT INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.....................................34
6.02Â Â Â Â USE OF PROCEEDS........................................................................................36
6.03Â Â Â Â COVENANT TO GUARANTEE OBLIGATIONS; NEW SUBSIDIARIES....................................................36
6.04Â Â Â Â FURTHER ASSURANCES.....................................................................................37
6.05Â Â Â Â ANTI-LAYERING..........................................................................................37
6.06Â Â Â Â SENIOR CREDIT AGREEMENT................................................................................37
                                  ARTICLE VII
                        EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
7.01Â Â Â Â EVENTS OF DEFAULT......................................................................................37
7.02Â Â Â Â REMEDIES UPON EVENT OF DEFAULT.........................................................................40
7.03Â Â Â Â APPLICATION OF FUNDS...................................................................................40
                                 ARTICLE VIII
                                    AGENTS
8.01Â Â Â Â AGENCY PROVISIONS IN THE SENIOR CREDIT AGREEMENT INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.............................41
                                  ARTICLE IX
                                 SUBORDINATION
9.01Â Â Â Â AGREEMENT TO SUBORDINATE SUBORDINATED INDEBTEDNESS TO SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS..............................41
9.02Â Â Â Â PAYMENT OF PROCEEDS UPON INSOLVENCY, ETC...............................................................41
9.03Â Â Â Â NO PAYMENT WHEN SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS IN DEFAULT.........................................................42
9.04Â Â Â Â SUBROGATION TO RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS................................................43
9.05Â Â Â Â PROVISIONS SOLELY TO DEFINE RELATIVE RIGHTS............................................................44
9.06Â Â Â Â ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT TO EFFECTUATE SUBORDINATION.......................................................44
9.07Â Â Â Â NO WAIVER OF SUBORDINATION PROVISIONS..................................................................44
9.08Â Â Â Â NOTICE TO ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.........................................................................45
9.09Â Â Â Â RELIANCE ON JUDICIAL ORDER OR CERTIFICATE OF LIQUIDATING AGENT.........................................46
9.10Â Â Â Â ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT NOT FIDUCIARY FOR BRIDGE LENDERS..................................................46
9.11Â Â Â Â RIGHTS OF ADMINISTRATIVEÂ AGENT AS HOLDER OF SENIORÂ INDEBTEDNEESS;Â INDEBTEDNESS;Â PRESERVATION OF
        ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT'S RIGHTS..........................................................................46
9.12Â Â Â Â AUTHORIZATION TO FILE CLAIMS;Â REINSTATEMENT OF SUBORDINATION..........................................47
9.13Â Â Â Â NO SUSPENSION OF REMEDIES..............................................................................47
9.14Â Â Â Â MISCELLANEOUS..........................................................................................47
</TABLE>
                    Alderwoods--Subordinated Bridge Loan Agreement
                                       ii
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Section                                                                                                       Page
                                   ARTICLE X
                                   GUARANTY
<S>Â Â Â Â Â <C>Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â <C>
10.01Â Â Â THE GUARANTY...........................................................................................49
10.02Â Â Â GUARANTY ABSOLUTE......................................................................................50
10.03Â Â Â WAIVERS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS............................................................................51
10.04Â Â Â SUBROGATION............................................................................................52
10.05Â Â Â PAYMENTS FREE AND CLEAR OF TAXES, ETC..................................................................52
10.06Â Â Â REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE GUARANTORS.......................................................53
10.07Â Â Â GUARANTY SUPPLEMENTS...................................................................................53
10.08Â Â Â SUBORDINATION OF GUARANTY..............................................................................53
10.09Â Â Â CONTINUING GUARANTY; ASSIGNMENTS.......................................................................53
10.10Â Â Â LIMITATION ON LIABILITY................................................................................54
                                  ARTICLE XI
                                 MISCELLANEOUS
11.01Â Â Â AMENDMENTS, ETC........................................................................................54
11.02Â Â Â NO WAIVER; CUMULATIVE REMEDIES.........................................................................55
11.03Â Â Â ATTORNEY COSTS, EXPENSES AND TAXES.....................................................................55
11.04Â Â Â INDEMNIFICATION BY THE BORROWER........................................................................56
11.05Â Â Â PAYMENTS SET ASIDE.....................................................................................57
11.06Â Â Â SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.................................................................................57
11.07Â Â Â MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS OF THE SENIOR CREDIT AGREEMENT INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE......................61
11.08Â Â Â GOVERNING LAW..........................................................................................61
11.09Â Â Â BINDING EFFECT.........................................................................................61
11.10Â Â Â WAIVER OF RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.......................................................................61
11.11Â Â Â USA PATRIOT ACT NOTICE.................................................................................62
SIGNATURES.....................................................................................................S-1
</TABLE>
                    Alderwoods--Subordinated Bridge Loan Agreement
                                      iii
<PAGE>
ANNEXES
  A             Group A Guarantors
  B             Group B Guarantors
SCHEDULES
  2.01          Bridge Commitments and Pro Rata Shares
  10.02         Administrative Agent's Office, Certain Addresses for Notices
EXHIBITS
  FORM OF
  A        Committed Loan Notice
  B        Bridge Note
  C        Assignment and Assumption
  D        Compliance Certificate
  E        Opinion Matters -- Counsel to Loan Parties
  F        Senior Credit Agreement
  G        Guaranty Supplement
                    Alderwoods--Subordinated Bridge Loan Agreement
                                      iv
<PAGE>
                      SUBORDINATED BRIDGE LOAN AGREEMENT
                 This SUBORDINATED BRIDGE LOAN AGREEMENT ("AGREEMENT") is
entered into as of January 23, 2004, among ALDERWOODS GROUP, INC., a Delaware
corporation (the "BORROWER"), each lender from time to time party hereto
(collectively, the "BRIDGE LENDERS" and individually, a "BRIDGE LENDER"), BANC
OF AMERICA BRIDGE LLC, as administrative agent (in such capacity, the
"ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT") and Initial Bridge Lender and Banc of America Securities
LLC, as sole lead arranger and sole book manager (the "ARRANGER").
                            PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS
                 (1) The Borrower has requested that the Bridge Lenders lend up
to $25,000,000 to the Borrower to enable the Borrower to repay all of the
Indebtedness (as hereinafter defined) outstanding in respect of 12 1/4%
convertible unsecured subordinated notes of the Borrower due 2012 (the
"SUBORDINATED NOtes") (the repayment of the Subordinated Notes with the proceeds
of Bridge Borrowings under this Agreement being referred to herein as the
"REFINANCING").
                 (2) The Bridge Lenders have indicated their willingness to so
lend on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.
                 In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein
contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:
                                  ARTICLE I
            DEFINITIONS, ACCOUNTING AND OTHER TERMS AND REFERENCES
                 1.01 DEFINED TERMS. As used in this Agreement, the following
terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
                 "ADDITIONAL GUARANTOR" has the meaning specified in SECTION
10.07.
                 "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT" means Banc of America Bridge LLC in its
capacity as administrative agent under any of the Bridge Loan Documents or any
of its Affiliates designated to act as administrative agent thereunder, or any
successor administrative agent to any of the foregoing.
                 "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT'S OFFICE" means the Administrative
Agent's address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on SCHEDULE 10.02, or
such other address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time
notify the Borrower and the Bridge Lenders.
                 "ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE" means an Administrative
Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.
                 "AFFILIATE" means, with respect to any Person, another Person
that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is
Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified. "CONTROL"
means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the
                    Alderwoods--Subordinated Bridge Loan Agreement
<PAGE>
power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a
Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or
otherwise. "CONTROLLING" and "CONTROLLED" have meanings correlative thereto.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Person shall be deemed to be
Controlled by another Person if such other Person possesses, directly or
indirectly, power to vote 5% or more of the securities having ordinary voting
power for the election of directors, managing general partners or the
equivalent.
                 "AGENT-RELATED PERSONS" means the Administrative Agent and the
Arranger, together with their respective Affiliates and the officers, directors,
employees, agents and attorneys-in-fact of such Persons and Affiliates.
                 "AGENTS" means, collectively, the Administrative Agent and the
Arranger.
                 "AGGREGATE BRIDGE COMMITMENTS" means the Bridge Commitments of
all the Bridge Lenders.
                 "AGGREGATE CREDIT EXPOSURES" means, at any time, the sum of
(i) the unused portion of each Bridge Commitment then in effect and (ii) the
Total Outstandings at such time.
                 "AGREEMENT" means this Subordinated Bridge Loan Agreement.
                 "AMENDMENT NO. 1" means Amendment No. 1 to the Senior Credit
Agreement dated January 23, 2004 among the Borrower, the Senior Lenders and Bank
of America, as administrative agent, swing line lender and L/C issuer.
                 "AMENDMENT NO. 1 EFFECTIVE DATE" means the date on which the
conditions precedent to the effectiveness of Amendment No. 1 as set forth in
Section 2(a) thereof have been satisfied or waived by the Senior Lenders.
                 "APPLICABLE RATE" means a percentage per annum equal to (i)
for Eurodollar Rate Loans, the Eurodollar Rate then in effect for such Bridge
Loans PLUS 4.50% and (ii) for Base Rate Loans, the Base Rate then in effect for
such Bridge Loans PLUS 3.50%.
                 "APPROVED FUND" has the meaning specified in SECTION 11.06(g).
                 "ARRANGER" means Banc of America Securities LLC, in its
capacity as sole lead arranger and sole book manager.
                 "ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION" means an Assignment and Assumption
substantially in the form of EXHIBIT C.
                 "ATTORNEY COSTS" means and includes all reasonable fees,
expenses and disbursements of any law firm or other external counsel and,
without duplication, the allocated cost of internal legal services and all
expenses and disbursements of internal counsel.
                 "ATTRIBUTABLE INDEBTEDNESS" means, on any date, (a) in respect
of any capital lease of any Person, the capitalized amount thereof that would
appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance
with GAAP, and (b) in respect of any Synthetic
                Alderwoods--Subordinated Bridge Loan Agreement
                                       2
<PAGE>
Lease Obligation, the capitalized amount of the remaining lease payments under
the relevant lease that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared
as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease were accounted for as a
capital lease.
                 "AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS" means the audited consolidated
balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended
December 28, 2002, and the related consolidated statements of income or
operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows for such fiscal year of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto.
                 "BANK OF AMERICA" means Bank of America, N.A. and its
successors.
                 "BANC OF AMERICA BRIDGE" means Banc of America Bridge LLC and
its successors.
                 "BAS" means Banc of America Securities LLC and its successors.
                 "BASE RATE" means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum
equal to the higher of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1% and (b) the
rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time
by Bank of America as its "prime rate." The "prime rate" is a rate set by Bank
of America based upon various factors including Bank of America's costs and
desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a
reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below
such announced rate. Any change in such rate announced by Bank of America shall
take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public
announcement of such change.
                 "BASE RATE LOAN" means a Bridge Loan that bears interest based
on the Base Rate.
                 "BORROWER" has the meaning specified in the introductory
paragraph hereto.
                 "BRIDGE BORROWING" means a borrowing under the Bridge
Facility.
                 "BRIDGE COMMITMENT" means, with respect to any Bridge Lender,
the amount set forth opposite such Bridge Lender's name on Schedule 2.01 to this
Agreement.
                 "BRIDGE FACILITY" means, at any time, the aggregate Bridge
Loans of all Bridge Lenders at such time.
                 "BRIDGE LENDER" has the meaning specified in the introductory
paragraph hereto.
                 "BRIDGE LOAN" means an advance made by any Bridge Lender under
the Bridge Facility.
                 "BRIDGE LOAN DOCUMENTS" means collectively, this Agreement,
the Bridge Notes, the Fee Letter and any amendment, supplement or other
modification hereof or thereof.
                 "BRIDGE NOTE" means a promissory note of the Borrower in the
form of Exhibit B attached hereto evidencing the Bridge Loan of any Bridge
Lender.
                Alderwoods--Subordinated Bridge Loan Agreement
                                       3
<PAGE>
                 "BORROWER" has the meaning specified in the introductory
paragraph hereto.
                 "BUSINESS DAY" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or
other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of,
or are in fact closed in, the state where the Administrative Agent's Office is
located and, if such day relates to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, means any such day
on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the
London interbank eurodollar market.
                 "CAPITAL EXPENDITURE CARRYOVER AMOUNT" has the meaning
specified in SECTION 6.01(m).
                 "CAPITAL EXPENDITURES" means, with respect to any Person for
any period, any expenditure in respect of the purchase or other acquisition of
any fixed or capital asset (excluding normal replacements and maintenance which
are properly charged to current operations) that would be deemed a capital
expenditure under GAAP consistently applied by the Borrower.
                 "CASH EQUIVALENTS" means any of the following types of
Investments, to the extent owned by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries free
and clear of all Liens :
                 (a) readily marketable obligations issued or directly and
        fully guaranteed or insured by the United States of America or any
        agency or instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than
        360 days from the date of acquisition thereof; PROVIDED that the full
        faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged in support
        thereof;
                 (b) time deposits with, or insured certificates of deposit or
        bankers' acceptances of, any commercial bank that (i) (A) is a Bridge
        Lender or (B) is organized under the laws of the United States of
        America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia or is the
        principal banking subsidiary of a bank holding company organized under
        the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the
        District of Columbia, and is a member of the Federal Reserve System,
        (ii) issues (or the parent of which issues) commercial paper rated as
        described in clause (c) of this definition and (iii) has combined
        capital and surplus of at least $500,000,000, in each case with
        maturities of not more than 270 days from the date of acquisition
        thereof;
                 (c) commercial paper issued by any Person organized under the
        laws of any state of the United States of America and rated at least
        "Prime-1" (or the then equivalent grade) by Moody's or at least "A-1"
        (or the then equivalent grade) by S&P, in each case with maturities of
        not more than 270 days from the date of acquisition thereof; and
                 (d) Investments, classified in accordance with GAAP as Current
        Assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, in money market
        investment programs registered under the Investment Company Act of
        1940, which are administered by financial institutions that have the
        highest rating obtainable from either Moody's or S&P, and the
        portfolios of which are limited solely to Investments of the character,
        quality and maturity described in clauses (a), (b) and (c) of this
        definition.
                 "CHANGE OF CONTROL" means, an event or series of events by
which:
                Alderwoods--Subordinated Bridge Loan Agreement
                                       4
<PAGE>
                 (a) any "person" or "group" (as such terms are used in
        Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but
        excluding any employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries,
        and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or
        other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) becomes the
        "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the
        Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person or group shall be
        deemed to have "beneficial ownership" of all securities that such
        person or group has the right to acquire (such right, an "OPTION
        RIGHT"), whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after
        the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of 35% or more of the
        equity securities of the Borrower entitled to vote for members of the
        board of directors or equivalent governing body of such Person on a
        fully diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that
        such person or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option
        right); or
                 (b) during any period of 24 consecutive months, a majority of
        the members of the board of directors or other equivalent governing
        body of the Borrower cease to be composed of individuals (i) who were
        members of that board or equivalent governing body on the first day of
        such period, (ii) whose election or nomination to that board or
        equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in
        clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or
        nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing
        body or (iii) whose election or nomination to that board or other
        equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in
        clauses (i) and (ii) above constituting at the time of such election or
        nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing
        body (excluding, in the case of both clause (ii) and clause (iii), any
        individual whose initial nomination for, or assumption of office as, a
        member of that board or equivalent governing body occurs as a result of
        an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents for the
        election or removal of one or more directors by any person or group
        other than a solicitation for the election of one or more directors by
        or on behalf of the board of directors); or
                 (c) any Person or two or more Persons acting in concert shall
        have acquired by contract or otherwise, or shall have entered into a
        contract or arrangement that, upon consummation thereof, will result in
        its or their acquisition of the power to exercise, directly or
        indirectly, a controlling influence over the management or policies of
        the Borrower, or control over the equity securities of such Person
        entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent
        governing body of such Person on a fully diluted basis (and taking into
        account all such securities that such person or group has the right to
        acquire pursuant to any option right) representing 35% or more of the
        combined voting power of such securities.
                 "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued
thereunder.
                 "COMMITTED LOAN NOTICE" means a notice of (a) a Bridge
Borrowing, (b) a conversion of Bridge Loans from one Type to the other, or (c) a
continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, pursuant to SECTION 2.02(a), which, if in
writing, shall be substantially in the form of EXHIBIT A.
                Alderwoods--Subordinated Bridge Loan Agreement
                                       5
<PAGE>
                 "COMPENSATION PERIOD" has the meaning specified in SECTION
2.10(c)(ii).
                 "COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE" means a certificate substantially in
the form of EXHIBIT D.
                 "CONTINUING NON-PAYMENT DEFAULT" has the meaning specified in
SECTION 9.03(b).
                 "CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION" means, as to any Person, any
provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument
or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of
its property is bound.
                 "CONTROL" has the meaning specified in the definition of
"Affiliate."
                 "CREDIT EXTENSION" means a Bridge Borrowing.
                 "CURRENT ASSETS" means, with respect to any Person, all assets
of such Person that, in accordance with GAAP, would be classified as current
assets on the balance sheet of a company conducting a business the same as or
similar to that of such Person, after deducting appropriate and adequate
reserves therefrom in each case in which a reserve is proper in accordance with
GAAP.
                 "DEBTOR RELIEF LAWS" means the Bankruptcy Code of the United
States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for
the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency,
reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other
applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of
creditors generally.
                 "DEFAULT" means any event or condition that constitutes an
Event of Default or that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or
both, would be an Event of Default.
                 "DEFAULT RATE" means an interest rate equal to (a) the Base
Rate PLUS (b) the Applicable Rate, if any, applicable to Base Rate Loans PLUS
(c) 2.0% per annum; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that with respect to a Eurodollar Rate
Loan, the Default Rate shall be an interest rate equal to the interest rate
(including any Applicable Rate) otherwise applicable to such Eurodollar Rate
Loan plus 2.0% per annum, in each case to the fullest extent permitted by
applicable Laws.
                 "DEFAULTING BRIDGE LENDER" means any Bridge Lender that (a)
has failed to fund any portion of the Bridge Loans required to be funded by it
hereunder within one Business Day of the date required to be funded by it
hereunder, (b) has otherwise failed to pay over to the Administrative Agent or
any other Bridge Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder
within one Business Day of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith
dispute, or (c) has been deemed insolvent or become the subject of a bankruptcy
or insolvency proceeding.
                 "DESIGNATED SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS" means all Indebtedness and
Obligations of the Borrower and any Guarantor, now or hereinafter arising under
or in connection with any of the Senior Credit Agreement, the Seven Year Notes
and the Seven Year Notes Indenture, and any
                Alderwoods--Subordinated Bridge Loan Agreement
                                       6
<PAGE>
Refinancing Indebtedness incurred in respect of any thereof, as any thereof may
be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
                 "DOLLAR" and "$" mean lawful money of the United States.
                 "EFFECTIVE DATE" means the first date all the conditions
precedent in SECTION 4.01 are satisfied or waived in accordance with SECTION
4.01 (or, in the case of SECTION 4.01(b), waived by the Person entitled to
receive the applicable payment), but in no event later than thirty days
following the execution of this Agreement by all parties hereto.
                 "ELIGIBLE ASSIGNEE" has the meaning specified in SECTION
11.06(g).
                 "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" means any and all Federal, state, local,
and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders,
decrees, permits, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to
pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any materials
into the environment, including those related to hazardous substances or wastes,
air emissions and discharges to waste or public systems.
                 "ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY" means any liability, contingent or
otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental
remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower, any other Loan
Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries directly or indirectly resulting
from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation,
use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous
Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or
threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any
contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability
is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.
                 "EQUITY INTERESTS" means, with respect to any Person, all of
the shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such
Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or
acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership
or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or
exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit
interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or
acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all
of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including, without
limitation, partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or
nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other
interests are outstanding on any date of determination.
                 "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings
issued thereunder.
                 "ERISA AFFILIATE" means any trade or business (whether or not
incorporated) under common control with any Loan Party within the meaning of
SECTION 414(B) OR (C) of the Code (and SECTIONS 414(m) AND (o) of the Code for
purposes of provisions relating to SECTION 412 of the Code).
                 "ERISA EVENT" means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a
Pension Plan; (b) a withdrawal by any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate from a
Pension Plan subject to SECTION
                Alderwoods--Subordinated Bridge Loan Agreement
                                       7
<PAGE>
4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as
defined in SECTION 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of operations that is
treated as such a withdrawal under SECTION 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or
partial withdrawal (as defined in SECTION 4203 OR 4205, respectively, of ERISA)
by any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or the
receipt by a Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate of a notification pursuant to
SECTION 4242 of ERISA, that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization; (d) the
filing of a notice of intent to terminate, the treatment of a Plan amendment as
a termination under SECTIONS 4041 OR 4041A of ERISA, or the commencement of
proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (e)
an event or condition which constitutes grounds under SECTION 4042 of ERISA for
the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension
Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (f) the imposition of any liability under TITLE
IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under SECTION
4007 of ERISA, upon any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate.
                 "EURODOLLAR RATE" means for any Interest Period with respect
to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, a rate per annum determined by the Administrative
Agent pursuant to the following formula:
                                              Eurodollar Base Rate
                 Eurodollar Rate =   ------------------------------------
                                       1.00 - Eurodollar Reserve Percentage
                 Where,
                 "EURODOLLAR BASE RATE" means, for such Interest Period:
                 (a) the rate per annum equal to the rate determined by the
        Administrative Agent to be the offered rate that appears on the page of
        the Telerate screen (or any successor thereto) that displays an average
        British Bankers Association Interest Settlement Rate for deposits in
        Dollars (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a
        term equivalent to such Interest Period, determined as of approximately
        11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the first day of
        such Interest Period, or
                 (b) if the rate referenced in the preceding clause (a) does
        not appear on such page or service or such page or service shall not be
        available, the rate per annum equal to the rate determined by the
        Administrative Agent to be the offered rate on such other page or other
        service that displays an average British Bankers Association Interest
        Settlement Rate for deposits in Dollars (for delivery on the first day
        of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest
        Period, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two
        Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, or
                 (c) if the rates referenced in the preceding clauses (a) and
        (b) are not available, the rate per annum determined by the
        Administrative Agent as the rate of interest at which deposits in
        Dollars for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in same
        day funds in the approximate amount of the Eurodollar Rate Loan being
        made or continued or converted by Bank of America and with a term
        equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered by Bank of
        America's London Branch to major banks in the
                Alderwoods--Subordinated Bridge Loan Agreement
                                       8
<PAGE>
        London interbank eurodollar market at their request at approximately
        4:00 p.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the first day of
        such Interest Period.
                 "EURODOLLAR RATE LOAN" means a Bridge Loan that bears interest
at a rate based on the Eurodollar Rate.
                 "EURODOLLAR RESERVE PERCENTAGE" means, for any day during any
Interest Period, the reserve percentage (expressed as a decimal, carried out to
five decimal places) in effect on such day, whether or not applicable to any
Bridge Lender, under regulations issued from time to time by the FRB for
determining the maximum reserve requirement (including any emergency,
supplemental or other marginal reserve requirement) with respect to Eurocurrency
funding (currently referred to as "Eurocurrency liabilities"). The Eurodollar
Rate for each outstanding Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be adjusted automatically
as of the effective date of any change in the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.
                 "EVENT OF DEFAULT" has the meaning specified in SECTION 7.01.
                 "FEDERAL" means the Federal government of the United States of
 America.
                 "FEDERAL FUNDS RATE" means, for any day, the rate per annum
equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds
transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal
funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank on the
Business Day next succeeding such day; PROVIDED that (a) if such day is not a
Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such
transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next
succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next
succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the
average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%)
charged to Bank of America on such day on such transactions as determined by the
Administrative Agent.
                 "FEE LETTER" means the fee letter, dated January 5, 2004,
among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Arranger.
                 "FOREIGN SUBSIDIARY" means a Subsidiary organized under the
laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States or any State thereof or the
District of Columbia.
                 "FRB" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System of the United States.
                 "FUND" has the meaning specified in SECTION 11.06(g).
                 "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting
Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and
statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board that
are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination,
consistently applied.
                Alderwoods--Subordinated Bridge Loan Agreement
                                       9
<PAGE>
                 "GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY" means any nation or government, any
state or other political subdivision thereof, any agency, authority,
instrumentality, regulatory body, court, administrative tribunal, central bank
or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory
or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.
                 "GRANTING BRIDGE LENDER" has the meaning specified in SECTION
11.06(h).
                 "GUARANTEE" means, as to any Person, (a) any obligation,
contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic
effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation payable or
performable by another Person (the "PRIMARY OBLIGOR") in any manner, whether
directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or
indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or
payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease
property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in
respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance
of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital,
equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level
of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary
obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for
the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such
Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to
protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or
(b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness or other
obligation of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness or other
obligation is assumed by such Person (or any right, contingent or otherwise, of
any holder of such Indebtedness to obtain any such Lien). The amount of any
Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable
amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of
which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum
reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the
guaranteeing Person in good faith. The term "GUARANTEE" as a verb has a
corresponding meaning.
                 "GUARANTEED OBLIGATIONS" has the meaning specified in SECTION
10.01.
                 "GUARANTORS" means, collectively, the Subsidiaries of the
Borrower listed on the signature pages hereof and each other Subsidiary of the
Borrower that shall be required to execute and deliver a guaranty or Guaranty
Supplement pursuant to SECTION 6.03.
                 "GUARANTY" means the Guaranty by each of the Guarantors
pursuant to ARTICLE X hereof.
                 "GUARANTY SUPPLEMENT" means a Guaranty Supplement
substantially in the form of EXHIBIT G.
                 "HAZARDOUS MATERIALS" means all explosive or radioactive
substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other
pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or
asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious
or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated
pursuant to any Environmental Law.
                Alderwoods--Subordinated Bridge Loan Agreement
                                      10
<PAGE>
                 "INDEBTEDNESS" means, as to any Person at a particular time,
without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as
indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP:
                 (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all
        obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan
        agreements or other similar instruments;
                 (b) all direct or contingent obligations of such Person
        arising under letters of credit (including standby and commercial),
        bankers' acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar
        instruments;
                 (c) net obligations of such Person under any Swap Contract;
                 (d) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred
        purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts
        payable in the ordinary course of business and not more than 45 days
        past due);
                 (e) indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured
        by a Lien on property owned or being purchased by such Person
        (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title
        retention agreements), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been
        assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse;
                 (f) capital leases and Synthetic Lease Obligations;
                 (g) all obligations of such Person to purchase, redeem,
        retire, defease or otherwise make any payment in respect of any Equity
        Interests in such Person or any other Person or any warrants, rights or
        options to acquire such Equity Interests, valued, in the case of
        redeemable preferred interests, at the greater of its voluntary or
        involuntary liquidation preference PLUS accrued and unpaid dividends;
        and
                 (h) all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the
        foregoing.
                 For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall
include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint
venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which such
Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is
expressly made non-recourse to such Person. The amount of any net obligation
under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination
Value thereof as of such date. The amount of any capital lease or Synthetic
Lease Obligation as of any date shall be deemed to be the amount of Attributable
Indebtedness in respect thereof as of such date.
                 "INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES" has the meaning set forth in SECTION
 11.04.
                 "INDEMNITEES" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 11.04.
                Alderwoods--Subordinated Bridge Loan Agreement
                                      11
<PAGE>
                 "INDENTURE TRUSTEE" means the trustee under the Seven Year
Notes Indenture, or any trustee or equivalent thereof with respect to any
Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to the Seven Year Notes Indenture.
                 "INITIAL BRIDGE LENDER" means Banc of America Bridge LLC
in its capacity as initial bridge lender.
                 "INTEREST PAYMENT DATE" means, (a) as to any Bridge Loan other
than a Base Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such
Bridge Loan and the Maturity Date and (b) as to any Base Rate Loan, the last
Business Day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date.
                 "INTEREST PERIOD" means, as to each Eurodollar Rate Loan, the
period commencing on the date such Eurodollar Rate Loan is disbursed or
converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Rate Loan and ending on the date one
or three months thereafter, as selected by the Borrower in its Committed Loan
Notice; PROVIDED that:
                 (i) any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that
        is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business
        Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which
        case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day;
                 (ii) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day
        of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically
        corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest
        Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the
        end of such Interest Period; and
                 (iii) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity
        Date.
                 "INVESTMENT" means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect
acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase
or other acquisition of capital stock or other securities of another Person, (b)
a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of debt of,
or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or
interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest
in such other Person and any arrangement pursuant to which the investor incurs
debt of the type referred to in clause (h) of the definition of "Indebtedness"
set forth in this SECTION 1.01 in respect of such Person, or (c) the purchase or
other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of assets of
another Person that constitute a business unit or division or all or a
substantial part of the business of, such Person. For purposes of covenant
compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested,
without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such
Investment.
                 "IRS" means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
                 "LAWS" means, collectively, all international, foreign,
Federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, regulations, ordinances,
codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the
interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged
with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all
applicable
                Alderwoods--Subordinated Bridge Loan Agreement
                                      12
<PAGE>
administrative orders, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and
agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having
the force of law.
                 "LENDING OFFICE" means, as to any Bridge Lender, the office or
offices of such Bridge Lender described as such in such Bridge Lender's
Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as a Bridge Lender
may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
                 "LIEN" means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment,
deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or
preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement of
any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title
retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to
real property, and any financing lease having substantially the same economic
effect as any of the foregoing).
   Â






